T here has been a change in the indications for inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement. In the earliest reports of filter use, the majority of filters were placed because of the failure of anticoagulation to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE).1 Now, more than half of filters are placed prophylactically for the prevention of PE.2 Not only are filters being placed for prophylaxis against PE in pa...

OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to evaluate the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided cardioversion to prevent thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and effective anticoagulation (International Normalized Ratio of 2 or 3) at least three weeks before cardioversion. BACKGROUND Transesophageal echocardiography has been proposed as a metho...

BACKGROUND The long-term benefits of the maze procedure in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing mechanical valve replacement who already require lifelong anticoagulation remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated adverse outcomes (death; thromboembolic events; composite of death, heart failure, or valve-related complications) in 569 patients with atrial fibrillation-asso...

CONTEXT In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration licensed the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) recombinant vaccine (qHPV) in the United States for use in females aged 9 to 26 years; the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices then recommended qHPV for routine vaccination of girls aged 11 to 12 years. OBJECTIVE To summarize reports to the Vaccine Adverse E...

AIM The aim of the present study was to analyse concomitant drug use and its association with outcome in patients (N = 17 701) receiving rivaroxaban or standard of care (SOC) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery in the non-interventional, phase IV XAMOS (Xarelto® in the prophylaxis of post-surgical venous thromboembolism after elective major orthopaedic s...

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether elevated D-dimer levels can predict subsequent thromboembolic and cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation during oral anticoagulant therapy. BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is associated with hemostatic abnormalities even during oral anticoagulant therapy. D-dimer levels reflect a pro-thrombogenic state and thus...

AIMS Atrial fibrillation ablation requires peri-procedural oral anticoagulation (OAC) to prevent thromboembolic events. There are several options for OAC. We evaluate peri-procedural AF ablation complications using a variety of peri-procedural OACs. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined peri-procedural OAC and groin, bleeding, and thromboembolic complications for 2334 consecutive AF ablations using...

BACKGROUND Dabigatran etexilate, a new thrombin inhibitor, has been shown to be comparable to warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a limited body of evidence on the efficacy and safety of using dabigatran among patients undergoing AF catheter ablation. OBJECTIVE A random effects meta-analysis was performed of controlled trials comparing dabigatran and warfarin...

BACKGROUND Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a clinical entity with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Despite advances and variety of its management, there is still no criterion standard treatment. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of tirofiban use on the early and 6-month prognosis of patients with knee and below-knee arterial thrombosis who were treated with percutaneous thro...