Background: Systemic embolisation occurs in 22% to 50% of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Up to 65% of embolic events (EE) involve the central nervous system which increases the mortality rate. Several echocardiographic studies have demonstrated higher embolic rates with the increase of vegetation (VEG) dimensions and mobility. Aim: To define echocardiographic parameters which can help in identifying patients with a high risk of EE and

Postoperative rhythm disorders are a serious complication of coronary surgery and they are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, with longer intensive coronary unit (ICU) and hospital stays and therefore with increased economic costs. Prophylactic β-blocker therapy is clearly effective in reducing the incidence and the number of episodes of postcoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) rhythm disorders. In patients with conduction abnormalities

Abstract In this study we tried to compare the efficacy and safety of betaxolol versus metoprolol immediately postoperatively in coronary artery bypass grafting patients and to determine whether prophylaxy for atrial fibrillation with betaxolol could reduce hospitalization and economic costs after cardiac surgery Our trial was open-label, randomized, multicentric enrolling 1352 coronary surgery patients randomized to receive betaxolol or metoprolol.