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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular, disorganized, electrical activity of the atria.1 It is characterized by uncoordinated atrial activity that leads to inefficient atrial contraction and impaired ventricular filling, which leads to hemodynamic and mechanical functional impairments.
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Interpret the 12-lead ECG shown above obtained from a hemodynamically stable patient with underlying heart disease and new-onset palpitations. Despite the apparent QRS widening is this sinus tachycardia (arrow pointing to 'P waves' in lead II)?
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An ultra long-acting, orally-inhaled beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) has been approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Indacaterol is formulated as a dry powder and is the first beta2-agonist to be dosed once-daily. It is marketed by Novartis as Arcapta™.
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Duplex ultrasonography should be used in asymptomatic patients with known or suspected carotid arterial stenosis and should be considered for use in asymptomatic patients who have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, or an atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm, and even in the asymptomatic patients who simply are at high cardiovascular risk.
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Sleep-disordered breathing is a significant risk factor for cognitive decline and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may prevent or slow this process.
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The authors conclude that in a population-based cohort undergoing 4 years of follow-up, the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction increased and that diastolic dysfunction was associated with development of heart failure during 6 years of subsequent follow-up.
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It has been customary to ask patients on warfarin, once controlled and stable, to return on a monthly basis for recheck.
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Important differences in adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy occurred depending on the drug class prescribed with the lowest adherence noted to occur with diuretics and beta-blocker therapy and the highest adherence was observed with ARB or ACI therapy.
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