Thoracic Key

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice, and in many ways it is the most complex to manage. Understanding of this disorder has increased immensely in…

Electrophysiologic study with catheter ablation is now the primary mode of therapy for most forms of recurrent supraventricular tachycardia. However, pharmacologic therapy for acute episodes and for the long-term management…

Hypertrophic, restrictive, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies are a diverse group of heart muscle diseases that can culminate in the development of heart failure (HF) with associated risks of sudden death and…

Antiarrhythmic drugs were developed with the expectation that they would extend and improve life for many patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease and those with a history of life-threatening arrhythmias. The…

This chapter discusses the fundamental observations that have profoundly changed our view of the adult human heart, resulting in the experimental use of stem/progenitor cells as a potential form of…

Overview Despite treatment with new drug regimens and high-risk cardiac surgery, many patients with heart failure (HF) progress to advanced stages characterized by marked symptomatic limitation and profound hemodynamic compromise….

Heart failure (HF) is a common reason for hospital admissions, especially in older adults. Most patients hospitalized for HF have previously been diagnosed with HF but have subsequently developed progressive…

Overview ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a significant health problem in industrialized countries and is becoming an increasingly significant problem in developing countries. STEMI is a clinical syndrome defined…

Stable or predictable angina on effort predominantly occurs in the setting of a fixed atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary artery. Similar symptoms can also arise in other conditions, such as…

Overview The field of coronary revascularization was revolutionized more than 50 years ago, when the first successful coronary artery bypass surgery was performed, followed shortly thereafter by the first percutaneous…