Left atrial appendage closure with amplatzer cardiac plug in atrial fibrillation: initial European experience

In most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke, there is thrombotic embolization from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Percutaneous closure of the LAA is a novel alternative for the treatment of patients with AF at a high risk of stroke, in whom long-term anticoagulation therapy is not possible or not desired. This study details the initial experience with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) in humans.

Surgery for complications of trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defects: a multi-institutional study from the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association

This study aims to analyse the collective experience of participating European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association centres in the surgical management of complications resulting from trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs).

Overjet correction and space closure mechanisms for Class II treatment by extracting the maxillary first molars

To analyze the mechanism of overjet correction and space closure when treating Class II Division 1 patients by extracting the maxillary first molars.

Landfill Closure and Housing Values

The United States disposes roughly 60% of the municipal solid waste it generates each year in solid waste disposal facilities, commonly known as landfills. Hedonic pricing studies have estimated the external costs of landfills on neighboring housing markets, but the literature is silent on what happens to property values after the landfill closes. Original housing price data collected both before and after a landfill closure are used to estimate how a landfill closure affects neighboring property values. Results of both a hedonic pricing model and repeat-sales estimator are used in the analysis.

Patent foramen ovale closure in recreational divers: effect on decompression illness and ischaemic brain lesions during long-term follow-up

To test the effect of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure on neurological events in divers.

Long-term propensity score-matched comparison of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale with medical treatment after paradoxical embolism

Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack presumably related to patent foramen ovale (PFO) are at risk for recurrent cerebrovascular events. Differences in long-term clinical outcome were investigated among patients with percutaneous PFO closure and those who received medical treatment.

Early closure of ileostomy is associated with less postoperative nausea and vomiting

Background/Aims: Temporary loop ileostomy is increasingly used in colorectal surgery but necessitates secondary closure. We evaluated postoperative complications, particularly nausea and vomiting, in patients with early, intermediate, or late elective ileostomy closure. Methods: We included all patients undergoing ileostomy closure from 2001 to 2008. Time from ileostomy construction to closure was classified as early (EC, <12 weeks), intermediate (IC, 12–18 weeks), and late (LC, >18 weeks). Using multivariable logistic regression, we compared the frequency of postoperative complications between the groups. Results: We included 134 patients (87 males; median age 71 years, range 29–91). Carcinoma of the rectum (n = 67, 50%) was the main reason for ileostomy construction. The median time to ileostomy closure was 103 days (range 8–461). Among patients with EC, IC, and LC, postoperative nausea occurred in 50.0, 73.1, and 78.6%, respectively (p = 0.006), and postoperative vomiting in 22.5, 57.7, and 59.5%, respectively (p = 0.001). Adjusting for important covariates, the odds ratio for postoperative nausea was 2.0 (95% CI 0.76–5.1) for IC and 4.1 (95% CI 1.2–14.3) for LC compared to EC (p = 0.069). For postoperative vomiting, adjusted odds ratios were 3.8 (95% CI 1.4–10.4) for IC and 4.6 (95% CI 1.4–15.5) for LC (p = 0.012). Other complications did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that early ileostomy closure might reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting.