Scar Homogenization Versus Limited-Substrate Ablation in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia.

Background: Scar homogenization improves long-term ventricular arrhythmia-free survival compared with standard limited-substrate ablation in patients with post-infarction ventricular tachycardia (VT). Whether such benefit extends to patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and scar-related VT is unclear.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy of an endoepicardial scar homogenization approach compared with standard ablation in this population.

Difference in thermodynamics between two types of esophageal temperature probes: Insights from an experimental study.

Background: Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring is performed with a variety of temperature probes, but little is known about the relationship between the structure of a given probe and its thermodynamic characteristics.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in thermodynamics between a 9Fr standard esophageal probe and an 18Fr esophageal stethoscope.

Methods: In the experimental setting, each probe was submerged in a constant temperature water bath maintained at 42°C; in the patient setting, we monitored the temperature with both probes at the same time.

Use of non-warfarin oral anticoagulants instead of warfarin during left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device.

Background: In the stroke prevention trials of left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific), a postimplantation antithrombotic regimen of 6 weeks of warfarin was used.

Objective: Given the clinical complexity of warfarin use, the purpose of this study was to study the relative feasibility and safety of using non-warfarin oral anticoagulants (NOACs) instead of warfarin during the peri- and initial postimplantation periods after Watchman implantation.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study of consecutive patients undergoing Watchman implantation and receiving peri- and postprocedural NOACs or warfarin.

Fiberoptic Contact-Force Sensing Electrophysiological Catheters: How Precise Is the Technology?

Background: Contact-force (CF) sensing catheters are increasingly used in electrophysiological procedures due to their efficacy and safety profile. As data about the accuracy of fiberoptic CF technology are scarce, we sought to quantify it using in vitro experiments.

Methods And Results: A force sensor was built with a flexible membrane to allow exact reference force measurements for each set of experiments.

Prevalence of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis in caries-free and caries-active children in relation to the oral microbiota-a clinical study.

Objectives: The correlation between caries and the oral prevalence of Candida spp. in children is contradictory in literature. Thereby, authors focused on Candida albicans as the most isolated Candida species from the oral cavity.

Cerebral hypoxia/ischemia selectively disrupts tight junctions complexes in stem cell-derived human brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Background: Cerebral hypoxia/ischemia (H/I) is an important stress factor involved in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) following stroke injury, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms on how the human BBB responds to such injury remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the cellular response of the human BBB to chemical and environmental H/I in vitro.

Methods: In this study, we used immortalized hCMEC/D3 and IMR90 stem-cell derived human brain microvascular endothelial cell lines (IMR90-derived BMECs).

Towards Self-regenerating Antimicrobial Polymer Surfaces.

Regeneration of functional polymer surfaces after damage or contamination is an unresolved scientific challenge, and also of practical importance. In this proof-of-concept study, we present a method to regenerate a functional surface property using a polymer multi-layer architecture. This is exemplified using antimicrobially active surfaces.

An oral health optimized diet can reduce gingival and periodontal inflammation in humans - a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of four weeks of an oral health optimized diet on periodontal clinical parameters in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: The experimental group (n = 10) had to change to a diet low in carbohydrates, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and rich in vitamins C and D, antioxidants and fiber for four weeks. Participants of the control group (n = 5) did not change their dietary behavior.

Effect of Inula viscosa on the pellicle's protective properties and initial bioadhesion in-situ.

Objectives: The present in situ study investigated the effect of Inula viscosa tea on the pellicle's acid protective properties and on initial oral biofilm formation.

Design: Biofilm formation was performed on bovine enamel slabs on individual maxillary splints. Following 1min of pellicle formation, eight subjects rinsed for 10min with Inula viscosa tea and the splints remained for 8h intraorally.

Analysis of Cancer-Targeting Alkylphosphocholine Analogue Permeability Characteristics Using a Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Blood-Brain Barrier Model.

Cancer-targeting alkylphosphocholine (APC) analogues are being clinically developed for diagnostic imaging, intraoperative visualization, and therapeutic applications. These APC analogues derived from chemically synthesized phospholipid ethers were identified and optimized for cancer-targeting specificity using extensive structure-activity studies. While they strongly label human brain cancers associated with disrupted blood-brain barriers (BBB), APC permeability across intact BBB remains unknown.

Cost-Effectiveness of Percutaneous Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage in Atrial Fibrillation Based on Results From PROTECT AF Versus PREVAIL.

Background: Randomized trials of left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with the Watchman device have shown varying results, and its cost effectiveness compared with anticoagulation has not been evaluated using all available contemporary trial data.

Methods And Results: We used a Markov decision model to estimate lifetime quality-adjusted survival, costs, and cost effectiveness of LAA closure with Watchman, compared directly with warfarin and indirectly with dabigatran, using data from the long-term (mean 3.8 year) follow-up of Percutaneous Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage Versus Warfarin Therapy for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (PROTECT AF) and Prospective Randomized Evaluation of the Watchman LAA Closure Device in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (PREVAIL) randomized trials.

Clinical Implications of Leaks Following Left Atrial Appendage Ligation With the LARIAT Device.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical implications of leaks (acute incomplete occlusion, early and late reopenings) following LAA ligation with the LARIAT device.

Background: Percutaneous LAA ligation with the LARIAT device may represent an alternative for stroke prevention in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation with contraindications to oral anticoagulation.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter study of 98 consecutive patients undergoing successful LAA ligation with the LARIAT device.

Impact of Rotor Ablation in Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Results From the Randomized OASIS Trial.

Background: Nonrandomized studies have reported focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM)-guided ablation to be superior to pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) for persistent atrial fibrillation and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: This study sought to compare efficacy of FIRM ablation with or without PVAI versus PVAI plus non-PV trigger ablation in randomized persistent atrial fibrillation and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation patients.

Methods: Nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing first ablation were randomized to FIRM only (group 1), FIRM + PVAI (group 2) or PVAI + posterior wall + non-PV trigger ablation (group 3).

Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on yttria-stabilized, tetragonal zirconia and titanium oral implant materials with low surface roughness - an in situ study.

Bacterially-driven mucosal inflammation and the development of periimplantitis can lead to oral implant failure. In this study, initial bacterial adhesion after 2 h, and biofilm formation after 1 day and 3 days, were analysed in situ on novel 3 mol % yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal samples, as well as on alumina and niobium co-doped yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia samples. Pure titanium implant material and bovine enamel slabs served as controls.

Is transesophageal echocardiogram mandatory in patients undergoing ablation of atrial fibrillation with uninterrupted novel oral anticoagulants? Results from a prospective multicenter registry.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is recommended in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but use of this strategy is variable.

Objective: To evaluate whether TEE is necessary before AF ablation in patients treated with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Methods: We performed a prospective multicenter registry of AF patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation on uninterrupted NOACs (apixaban and rivaroxaban).

Bipolar left ventricular pacing is associated with significant reduction in heart failure or death in CRT-D patients with LBBB.

Background: There are limited data on the significance of left ventricular (LV) lead pacing polarity to predict clinical outcomes.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the association between the LV lead pacing polarity for heart failure (HF) or death and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA) in patients enrolled in MADIT-CRT (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy), receiving a cardiac resynchronization therapy device with implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (CRT-D).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed LV pacing polarity.

Listerine® Products: An Update on the Efficacy and Safety.

Unlabelled: In the 19th century, the mouthwash Listerine® was formulated from four essential oils. Later, the oils were replaced by their marker substances. To keep them in solution, 24-27% ethanol was added as a vehicle.

Natural Antimicrobials and Oral Microorganisms: A Systematic Review on Herbal Interventions for the Eradication of Multispecies Oral Biofilms.

Oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis are mainly caused by microbial biofilms. Antibiotic therapy has reached its limits with regard to antimicrobial resistance, and new therapeutic measures utilizing natural phytochemicals are currently a focus of research. Hence, this systematic review provides a critical presentation of the antimicrobial effects of various medicinal herbs against in vitro, ex vivo, and in situ formed multispecies oral biofilms.

Enterococcus faecalis from Food, Clinical Specimens, and Oral Sites: Prevalence of Virulence Factors in Association with Biofilm Formation.

Enterococci have gained significance as the cause of nosocomial infections; they occur as food contaminants and have also been linked to dental diseases. E. faecalis has a great potential to spread virulence as well as antibiotic resistance genes via horizontal gene transfer.

Management of Periprocedural and Early Pericardial Effusions With Tamponade Following Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation With Uninterrupted Factor Xa Inhibitors: A Case Series.

Introduction: Because of the absence of a dedicated reversal agent, the outcome of pericardial effusion (PE) following procedures performed with uninterrupted apixaban or rivaroxaban is unknown. We report the characteristics of PEs presenting with tamponade in patients undergoing AF ablation with uninterrupted factor Xa inhibition (FXaI) to understand their management and prognosis.

Methods And Results: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional survey in 10 centers across the United States.

Ablation of Stable VTs Versus Substrate Ablation in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: The VISTA Randomized Multicenter Trial.

Background: Catheter ablation reduces ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence and implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks in patients with VT and ischemic cardiomyopathy. The most effective catheter ablation technique is unknown.

Objectives: This study determined rates of VT recurrence in patients undergoing ablation limited to clinical VT along with mappable VTs ("clinical ablation") versus substrate-based ablation.

Acute and early outcomes of focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM)-guided rotors-only ablation in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM)-guided ablation targets sites that are thought to sustain atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute and mid-term outcomes of FIRM-guided only ablation in patients with nonparoxysmal AF.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with persistent and long-standing persistent (LSP) AF at three centers to undergo FIRM-guided only ablation.