Does the implementation of a comprehensive clinical protocol improve long-term success after surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation?
This study describes a new concept in which a clinical algorithm is being used to manage patients after surgical ablation. Our findings suggest that the success rate of the surgical ablation procedure was significantly better in patients who were followed and treated according to the clinical algorithm. These findings suggest that coordination of patients' treatment with cardiologists is challenging but essential to enhance the long-term success rate of the surgical ablation procedure.
This case highlights the potential use of zinc as a low-toxicity and low-cost single-agent treatment in severely decompensated hepatic Wilson's disease. Despite promising results in this case, further clinical evaluation will be necessary to assess fully the clinical efficacy of zinc monotherapy.