Initial clinical experience with a remote magnetic catheter navigation system for ablation of cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent right atrial flutter.

Background: A remote magnetic navigation system (MNS) is available and has been used with a 4-mm-tip magnetic catheter for radiofrequency (RF) ablation of some supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias; however, it has not been evaluated for the ablation of cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent right atrial flutter (AFL). The present study evaluates the feasibility and efficiency of this system and the newly available 8-mm-tip magnetic catheter to perform RF ablation in patients with AFL.

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients (23 men, mean age 64.

Septic vegetation at the left atrial appendage entrance after pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Pulmonary vein (PV) ablation is increasingly used to treat highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Here, we present a case of infective endocarditis (IE) after PV ablation at the uncommon position of the left atrial appendage entrance. We conclude that iatrogenic intracardial manipulation may create predisposing lesions for IE.

Self-collected versus health professional-collected genital swabs to identify the prevalence of group B streptococcus: a comparison of patient preference and efficacy.

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of genital tract group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in a cohort of pregnant Irish women and to compare patient preference and efficacy of self-collected versus health professional-collected swabs.

Study Design: In this prospective cohort study, 600 pregnant women attending public and private antenatal clinics at the Unified Maternity Services, Cork were included. At 35-37 weeks of pregnancy, these women self-collected an ano-vaginal swab and a health professional-collected a second swab on same clinic visit.

Variations of the extensor pollicis brevis tendon and its insertion: a study of 44 cadaveric hands.

The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy of the extensor pollicis brevis tendon, in particular its insertion, in 44 preserved hands from 23 cadavers. We found that only 25% of the tendons were inserted in the conventional way, viz, into the base of the proximal phalanx, and confirmed that the course and insertion of the extensor pollicis brevis tendon varies widely. The importance of these findings to the practice of hand surgery is discussed.

Synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds based on Bis-GMA and its sol-gel behavior analysis using Taguchi method.

Objectives: The aim of this study was the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds based on Bis-GMA and incorporation of them into conventional Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resins. This was achieved by the synthesis of Bis-GMA bearing two -Si(OEt)3 reactive groups (a bridged monomer) and subsequent hydrolysis-condensation reactions with TEOS, in TEGDMA media.

Methods: The structure of the bridged monomer was characterized by using FTIR technique.

Techniques used for assessing the sense of smell.

Assessment of the sense of smell is a challenging clinical investigation. Although a wide range of tests are available, many are modifications of tests designed more than 20 years ago. This article describes the smell tests that are available, and consider smell assessment after nasal surgery.

What proportion of patients referred to an otolaryngology vertigo clinic have an otological cause for their symptoms?

Background: Dizziness is a common and often complex complaint. Between nine and 13 per cent of patients seen in general practice are referred to a variety of specialist clinics. The diagnoses and outcomes of these referrals are seldom reported.

Idiopathic outflow tract tachycardias: current perspectives.

Outflow tract ventricular tachycardias (OT-VTs) re the most common form of idiopathic VTs. In>80-90% of cases OT-VT originates from the right ventricular outflow tract, however, other origins like the septum, the left ventricular outflow tract, the pulmonary artery, the aortic sinus of Valsalva, the area near the His bundle, and the epicardial surface of the ventricles have been described. OT-VT is a diagnosis by exclusion, i.

Visualisation of the pisotriquetral joint through standard portals for arthroscopy of the wrist: a clinical and anatomical study.

Disorders of the pisotriquetral joint are well recognised as the cause of pain on the ulnar side of the wrist. The joint is not usually examined during routine arthroscopy because it is assumed to have a separate joint cavity to the radiocarpal joint, although there is often a connection between the two. We explored this connection during arthroscopy and in fresh-frozen cadaver wrists and found that in about half of the cases the pisotriquetral joint could be visualised through standard wrist portals.

Does the rate of inappropriate therapy differ in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators from different manufacturers?

Objective: We conducted this study to compare the rate of >/=1 inappropriate therapy between ICDs from two manufacturers which use different discriminatory protocols.

Method: One hundred sixty two patients (mean age 58 +/- 13 years, 126 male) who received ICDs between January 2001 and 2005 were included in the study. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and ICD stored data and electrograms were collected and analyzed.

'Complementary ENT': a systematic review of commonly used supplements.

Objective: To assess the evidence surrounding the use of certain complementary supplements in otolaryngology. We specifically focussed on four commonly used supplements: spirulina, Ginkgo biloba, Vertigoheel and nutritional supplements (cod liver oil, multivitamins and pineapple enzyme).

Materials And Methods: A systematic review of the English and foreign language literature.

Evaluation of atrial thrombus formation and atrial appendage function in patients with pacemaker by transesophageal echocardiography.

Background: Physiologic pacing is claimed to be superior to ventricular pacing in as much as it entails lower risk of atrial fibrillation, stroke, and atrial remodeling. There are few data on the relation between atrioventricular (AV) synchrony and atrial clot formation. Utilizing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), this study sought to evaluate the effect of AV synchrony loss on left atrial physiology, atrial stasis, and clot formation.

Electrophysiologic characteristics and results of radiofrequency catheter ablation in elderly patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Background: As in the general population, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common regular supraventricular tachycardia in the elderly patients. We tried to compare electrophysiologic characteristics, efficacy, and risks of the radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of the slow pathway in elderly and young patients with AVNRT.

Methods: Between April 2001 and March 2005, 268 consecutive patients (190 females; mean age, 49 +/- 14 years) with AVNRT underwent RF catheter ablation at our institution.

Low right atrial tachycardia with positive P waves in the inferior leads: explanation by electroanatomical mapping.

The P-wave morphology can help trying to localize the origin of an ectopic atrial tachycardia noninvasively. We describe the case of a 54-year-old male patient with an ectopic right atrial tachycardia and positive P waves in the inferior leads on a 12 lead ECG. Electroanatomical mapping with the CARTO system localized the focus at the low right atrial free wall.

Optimal target temperature for slow pathway ablation in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Objective: To define optimal target temperature for the slow pathway ablation.

Materials And Methods: In this study, 268 patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (190 females; mean age, 49 +/- 14 years) who underwent slow pathway ablation using a combined electroanatomic approach were enrolled. The patients were categorized into Group 1 if target temperature was < 55 degrees C or into Group 2 if target temperature was > or = 55 degrees C.

Surgical management of pseudophakic retinal detachments: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: To compare the success of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) versus scleral buckle (SB) in the management of uncomplicated pseudophakic retinal detachments (RDs).

Design: Meta-analysis of published studies from 1966 to 2004 regarding surgical treatment of pseudophakic RDs.

Participants: Two thousand two hundred thirty eyes: 1579 operated by SB, 457 by PPV, and 194 by the combined method of PPV and SB.

Farmer's lung is now in decline.

Farmer's lung incidence in Ireland was constant until 1996, even though hay making methods were revolutionised in late 1980's. We undertook this study to find out the incidence of farmer's lung in Ireland from 1982-2002 and its correlation with rainfall and the effect of changing farm practices. The primary cases of farmer's lung were identified from Hospital in Patients Enquiry (HIPE) unit of the national Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) Dublin.

Coexistence of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and idiopathic left ventricular outflow-tract tachycardia.

Double tachycardia is a relatively rare condition. We describe a 21 year old woman with history of frequent palpitations. In one of these episodes, she had wide complex tachycardia with right bundle branch and inferior axis morphology.

Multiple arrhythmogenic substrate for tachycardia in a patient with frequent palpitations.

We report a 26-year-old woman with frequent episodes of palpitation and dizziness. Resting electrocardiography showed no evidence of ventricular preexcitation. During electrophysiologic study, a concealed right posteroseptal accessory pathway was detected and orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia incorporating this pathway as a retrograde limb was reproducibly induced.