Platinum corrosion products from electrode contacts of human cochlear implants induce cell death in cell culture models.

Despite the technological progress made with cochlear implants (CI), impedances and their diagnosis remain a focus of interest. Increases in impedance have been related to technical defects of the electrode as well as inflammatory and/or fibrosis along the electrode. Recent studies have demonstrated highly increased impedances as the result of corroded platinum (Pt) electrode contacts.

Magnesium-containing layered double hydroxides as orthopaedic implant coating materials--An in vitro and in vivo study.

The total hip arthroplasty is one of the most common artificial joint replacement procedures. Several different surface coatings have been shown to improve implant fixation by facilitating bone ingrowth and consequently enhancing the longevity of uncemented orthopaedic hip prostheses. In the present study, two different layered double hydroxides (LDHs), Mg-Fe- and Mg-Al-LDH, were investigated as potential magnesium (Mg)-containing coating materials for orthopaedic applications in comparison to Mg hydroxide (Mg(OH)2).

Increased accumulation of magnetic nanoparticles by magnetizable implant materials for the treatment of implant-associated complications.

Background: In orthopaedic surgery, accumulation of agents such as anti-infectives in the bone as target tissue is difficult. The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as carriers principally enables their accumulation via an externally applied magnetic field. Magnetizable implants are principally able to increase the strength of an externally applied magnetic field to reach also deep-seated parts in the body.

[The prognostic value of the ejection fraction at rest and under stress assessed by nuclear angiography in myocardial infarct patients].

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of ejection fraction at rest (rEF) and its change during stress (delta EF) as a predictor of cardiac events during the follow-up of patients (pts) with myocardial infarction.

Methods: 74 pts (44 treated with thrombolytic therapy (TR), and 30 not (noTR)), were studied with 99mTcPYP angiography within 2 +/- 1 months, after AMI. By 20 +/- 10 months, 41 pts had no events (Group A) while 33 pts experienced cardiac events (3 deaths, 16 angina, 12 CABG, and 2 PTCA).

[Left side approach in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: first-year experience].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed following two main approaches: the french technique, used by the majority of surgeons, and the anglo-saxon technique. The Authors describe the basic concept of the "left side" approach according to the Anglo-american method, underlining some of the advantages. Their one-year results (November 1990-November 1991) confirm the data already available in the Literature.

Ventricular cross stimulation in a dual chamber pacing system: phenomenon analysis.

Seven cases of ventricular cross stimulation from a group of 23 patients implanted with DDD devices are presented. In two patients the phenomenon was observed at the moment of DDD programming at nominal values, and in five other patients it was reproduced by increasing the atrial output voltage up to ten volts. In all 23 patients cross stimulation disappeared permanently within 24 hours after implantation.

[Extension of necrosis and left ventricular function in recent myocardial infarct. Correlation between a QRS scoring system and various echocardiographic indexes].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extension of myocardial necrosis and the impairment of left ventricular function in patients with recent myocardial infarction by means of the standard 12-lead ECG. Then, we tried to correlate the QRS scoring system proposed by Wagner and coll. with some indexes obtained from a M-Mode and Two-Dimensional echocardiographic examination (echo-score, number of compromised areas, E-septum separation and left ventricular ejection fraction) in a group of 105 pts.

[Rhabdomyoma of the interventricular septum in a one-day-old newborn infant. Echocardiographic diagnosis].

A case of interventricular septal rhabdomyoma in a one day-old newborn is presented. The newborn was moderately cyanosed. A 3/6 systolic murmur in basal area was present.

[The ajmaline test in identifying patients at high risk of developing complete paroxysmal atrioventricular block].

In thirty-one patients (pts) with atrioventricular or intraventricular conduction disturbances, the Ajmaline test was used to evaluate the risk of evolution to complete atrioventricular block. Three groups of patients were identified: A = nine patients without history of syncope or dizziness; B = seventeen pts with history of syncope or dizziness but without evidence of complete atrioventricular block; C = five pts with recorded atrioventricular block and history of syncope or dizziness. All patients with symptoms (B-C groups) and with a positive Ajmaline test (i.