Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Travelers diarrhea affects millions of tourists each year. Most cases are caused by a variety of bacterial enteropathogens: toxigenic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas and non-cholera vibrios. ⋯ Chronic gastrointestinal disease in returning travelers often is caused by parasitic pathogens like Giardia lamblia. The impact of prevention of travelers diarrhea is limited, therefore travelers should be informed about early self-treatment.
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Since the last decade important advances in diagnostics, understanding and the ablation techniques of ventricular tachycardia (VT) have been made. Both, patients with idiopathic VT and patients with structural heart disease and scar-related VT undergo VT ablation, that targets the underlying substrate responsible for VT development. ⋯ Successful mapping and ablation of mono- and polymorphic VT and ventricular fibrillation is achieved at specialized centers and is associated with reduced hospitalizations and mortality in patients with recurrent ICD shocks. This article describes the mechanisms of VTs, current mapping and ablation techniques and the results and complications of VT ablation at experienced VT ablation centers.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jun 2013
Review Comparative Study[Electrical cardioversion for non-valvular atrial fibrillation--underestimated risk for thromboembolic complications?].
Electrical cardioversions are performed to restore sinus rhythm in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation to improve symptoms. It has been known for decades that cardioversion without adequate anticoagulation for 3-4 weeks prior to and for 4 weeks after cardioversion results in thromboembolic complication of about 5%. It is much less known that cardioversion is also associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism (stroke, peripheral embolism) in patients treated with usual anticoagulation. ⋯ Although thromboembolic complications do not often occur following cardioversion the increased risk due to this procedure should be acknowledged. Strict anticoagulation (e. g. INR value > 2,5) in the first 10-14 days following cardioversion could possibly minimize the risk of thromboembolism.