Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Edited by Etienne Aliot, MD, FESC, FACC, FHRS Chief of Cardiology, Hôpital Central, University of Nancy, France Michel Haïssaguerre, MD Chief of Electrophysiology, Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, France Warren M. Jackman, MD Chief of Electrophysiology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, USA In this text, internationally recognized authors explore and explain the advances in basic and clinical electrophysiology that have had the greatest impact on catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Designed to assist in patient care, stimulate research projects, and continue the remarkable advances in catheter ablation of AF, the book covers: the fundamental concepts of AF, origin of signals, computer simulation, and updated reviews of ablation tools the present practical approaches to the ablation of specific targets in the fibrillating atria, including pulmonary veins, atrial neural network, fragmented electrograms, and linear lesions, as well as the strategies in paroxysmal or chronic AF or facing left atrial tachycardias the special challenge of heart failure patients, the impact of ablation on mortality, atrial mechanical function, and lessons from surgical AF ablation Richly illustrated by numerous high-quality images, Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation will help every member of the patient care team.

One of the most time-consuming tasks in clinical medicine is seeking the opinions of specialist colleagues. There is a pressure not only to make referrals appropriate but also to summarize the case in the language of the specialist. This book explains basic physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in a straightforward manner, gives guidelines as to when referral is appropriate, and, uniquely, explains what the specialist is likely to do. It is ideal for any hospital doctor, generalist, or even senior medical student who may need a cardiology opinion, or for that ma.

This book is an essential guide to the medical treatment of thrombosis and presents core principles of anticoagulant therapeutics as well as drug recommendations. Written by recognized experts in the field, this concise, accessible handbook provides a unique and valuable resource in the cardiovascular field, both for those currently in training, and for those already in clinical or research practice.

Different artificial tools, such as heart-pacing devices, wearable and implantable monitors, engineered heart valves and stents, and many other cardiac devices, are in use in medical practice. Recent developments in the methods of cardiac pacing along with appropriate selection of equipment are the purpose of this book. Implantable heart rate management devices and wearable cardiac monitors are discussed. Indications for using specific types of cardiac pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are of interest and their contraindications are considered. Special attention is paid to using leadless devices. The subcutaneous ICD obviates the need for transvenous leads and leadless pacemakers are entirely implantable into the right ventricle. Finally, applications of user-friendly wearable devices for the detection of atrial arrhythmia are debated.

Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care - it provides an explanation of a patient's health problem and informs subsequent health care decisions. The diagnostic process is a complex, collaborative activity that involves clinical reasoning and information gathering to determine a patient's health problem. According to Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, diagnostic errors-inaccurate or delayed diagnoses-persist throughout all settings of care and continue to harm an unacceptable number of patients. It is likely that most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, sometimes with devastating consequences. Diagnostic errors may cause harm to patients by preventing or delaying appropriate treatment, providing unnecessary or harmful treatment, or resulting in psychological or financial repercussions. The committee concluded that improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, but also represents a moral, professional, and public health imperative. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, a continuation of the landmark Institute of Medicine reports To Err Is Human (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001), finds that diagnosis-and, in particular, the occurrence of diagnostic errorsâ€"has been largely unappreciated in efforts to improve the quality and safety of health care. Without a dedicated focus on improving diagnosis, diagnostic errors will likely worsen as the delivery of health care and the diagnostic process continue to increase in complexity. Just as the diagnostic process is a collaborative activity, improving diagnosis will require collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among health care professionals, health care organizations, patients and their families, researchers, and policy makers. The recommendations of Improving Diagnosis in Health Care contribute to the growing momentum for change in this crucial area of health care quality and safety.

The basic principles of early disease detection, practical considerations, including the application of screening procedures in a number of different disease conditions, and, finally, present techniques and possible developments in methodology. Screening for the chronic non-communicable diseases prevalent in the more advanced countries froms the main subject of the report, but the problems facing countries at other stages of development and with different standards and types of medical care are also discussed, and because of this communicable disease detection is also dealth with to some extent.