A comparison of surgical and medical therapy for atrial septal defect in adults

Article Abstract:

Surgical repair of atrial septal defects in patients older than 40 may be more effective than medical therapy in prolonging survival and preventing heart dysfunction. Atrial septal defect is an abnormal opening between the chambers of the heart. Researchers analyzed records and questionnaires of 179 patients who had been diagnosed with this heart defect after the age of 40. Eight-four of the patients had surgical closure of the defect and 95 patients received drug treatment with digitalis, nitrates or diuretics. The average follow-up period was 8.9 years. The estimated probability of survival after 10 years was 95% among surgical patients and 84% among medically treated patients. Surgery was also more effective than medical treatment in preventing loss of heart function. However, surgery and medical therapy were equally effective in reducing the risk of arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes. Patients undergoing surgery should be closely monitored for these complications.

Care and treatment, Atrial septal defects

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Right ventricular infarction as an independent predictor of prognosis after acute inferior myocardial infarction

Article Abstract:

Individuals who have a heart attack that affects the right ventricle of the heart may have a higher risk of complications or death in the hospital than other heart attack patients. Right precordial electrocardiography may be an effective method for diagnosing right ventricular involvement. Among 200 patients admitted to the hospital after suffering a heart attack, 19% died in the hospital and 47% developed major complications. An elevated ST-segment on the right precordial V4R lead was detected using electrocardiography in 54% of the patients. Detection of an elevated ST-segment in the V4R was more effective in predicting a heart attack with right ventricular involvement than other diagnostic procedures. Thirty-one percent of the patients with an elevated ST-segment in the V4R lead died in the hospital and 64% developed major complications.

Physiological aspects, Prognosis, Heart attack, Heart ventricle, Right, Right heart ventricle

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Patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke in older patients

Article Abstract:

Studies were conducted to determine the association between the prevalence of patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke in patients younger than 55 years of age and above 55 years. The data suggest association between foramen ovale and cyrptogenic stroke in both older and young patients and paradoxical embolism is cause of stroke in both age groups.

United States, Science & research, Health aspects, Research, Diagnosis, Causes of, Technology application, Stroke (Disease), Stroke, Embolism, Echocardiography, Heart septum, Clinical report

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