ABSTRACT
All patients identified from records in two practices in West Lothian (n = 103) as having atrial fibrillation (AF) were offered a clinical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and echocardiography. Sixty-five patients attended the examinations. Of these, 26 (40%) were found to be in sinus rhythm. Many of those in AF were already on warfarin. Only eight who were found to have AF, who were not already on warfarin and who had no contraindications to it, had additional risk factors that suggested they be treated with warfarin. In no case did echocardiography alter management decisions.
Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnostic imaging , Embolism/prevention & control , Aged , Echocardiography , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient SelectionABSTRACT
Postal surveys were carried out in 1993 and 1998 to establish the range and nature of echocardiography facilities within district general hospitals in Scotland. This study examines some of the changes over this five year period. Echocardiography services vary widely between hospitals. There have been substantial changes in the last five years, with increases in both the staff involved in echocardiography and in the number of investigations performed. The facilities available have improved and more respondents to the survey in 1998 were happy with training than in 1993. Echocardiography has a major place in modern management of patients with cardiac problems. This survey provides a useful benchmark for comparison between services.
Subject(s)
Echocardiography/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals, District/trends , Hospitals, General/trends , Benchmarking , Diffusion of Innovation , Echocardiography/standards , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Organizational Innovation , Referral and Consultation , ScotlandABSTRACT
Sway was measured by static posturography in 74 healthy subjects. Four age groups were investigated: 20-40, 40-60, 60-70 and over 70 years with equal numbers of males and females in each group. Sway increased linearly with age but was not affected by gender at any age. All age groups were more dependent on proprioception than vision in the maintenance of balance, but when reliable pressoreceptor information was removed, dependence on vision increased. The relative contributions of the sensory systems to balance did not alter with advancing age. The increase in sway demonstrated with normal ageing does not appear due to altered peripheral sensibility. It is more likely that it is due to slowing of central integrative processes.