Sixty-six patients underwent transesophageal testing. Forty-nine of 66 patients demonstrated low-risk pathway characteristics and 40 of 49 underwent no further testing. In total, 68 of 129 (53%) patients avoided

the need for intracardiac EP study and ablation. A noncardiac indication for the initial diagnostic electrocardiogram Fer-1 cell line was associated with lower likelihood of intracardiac EP study. None of the patients stratified as low risk had additional invasive procedures or life-threatening arrhythmias upon follow-up.

Conclusions: Successful risk stratification of pediatric patients with VP is possible through the use of exercise and transesophageal testing. In this patient population, half of the patients were able to avoid an intracardiac EP study. (PACE 2011; 34:555-562).”
“Our objective was to identify the outcome of patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPa) in Pakistan and compare these data to available regional and international data. The charts of all patients treated with r-tPa for acute stroke at two centers in Pakistan (Aga Khan University, Karachi and Liaquat National hospital, Karachi) were retrospectively reviewed. We identified 21 patients. The utilization of tPa at Aga Khan Hospital was 18/1,185 patients (1.5%) from 2005 to 2007 while at Liaquat National Hospital was 3/575 patients (0.52%) over 1 year (2007). Mean

time interval between stroke onset Pevonedistat cost and start of r-tPa infusion was 169 min. Three patients (14%) developed fatal selleck chemical hemorrhage and two (10%) developed non-fatal hemorrhage. Four patients (19%) died. We identified protocol violations in seven patients (33%). In conclusion, the utilization of thrombolytic therapy is low and complication rate is high. Interventions for training physicians are needed.”
“Purpose: To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and investigate relationships among body composition, muscle strength, and physical function in elderly

women in low-level aged care.

Subjects and methods: Sixty-three ambulatory women (mean age 86 years) participated in this cross-sectional study where body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); ankle, knee, and hip strength by the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester; and physical function by ‘timed up and go’ (TUG) and walking speed (WS) over 6 meters. Body composition data from a female reference group (n = 62, mean age 29 years) provided cut-off values for defining sarcopenia.

Results: Elderly women had higher body mass index (P < 0.001), lower lean mass (P < 0.001), and higher fat mass (P < 0.01) than the young reference group. Only a small proportion (3.2%) had absolute sarcopenia (defined by appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height squared) whereas 37% had relative sarcopenia class II (defined by percentage skeletal muscle mass). Scores for TUG and WS indicated relatively poor physical function, yet these measures were not associated with muscle mass or indices of sarcopenia.