Catheter navigation by intracardiac echocardiography enables zero-fluoroscopy linear lesion formation and bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus block in patients with typical atrial flutter.

Introduction: One of the most helpful aspects of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) implementation in electrophysiological studies (EPS) is the real-time visualisation of catheters and cardiac structures. In this prospective study, we investigated ICE-guided zero-fluoroscopy catheter navigation during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) in patients with typical atrial flutter (AFL).

Methods And Results: Thirty consecutive patients (mean age 72.

A silent trio: Giant descending aortic aneurysm combined with coarctation and persistent left brachiocephalic truncus.

We report a case of an undiagnosed descending aortic aneurysm, combined with coarctation and persistent left brachiocephalic truncus in a 59-year-old male. It highlights the necessity for aortic imaging, when facing a poorly controlled hypertension.

Rapidly progressive case of type I Madelung disease with bilateral parotid and minor salivary glands involvement.

Madelung disease has been literally classified as a rare disease, more common in Mediterranean population. It is characterized by the presence of multiple symmetrical, non-capsulated storages of adipose tissue. We present a 56 year old woman with a sudden unexplained progression of swelling in the neck and upper thorax region associated with severe dyspnea.

Zero-fluoroscopy cryothermal ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia guided by endovascular and endocardial catheter visualization using intracardiac echocardiography (Ice&ICE Trial).

Introduction: Stochastic damage of the ionizing radiation to both patients and medical staff is a drawback of fluoroscopic guidance during catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, emerging zero-fluoroscopy catheter-guidance techniques are of great interest.

Methods And Results: We investigated, in a prospective pilot study, the feasibility and safety of the cryothermal (CA) slow-pathway ablation in patients with symptomatic atrioventricular-nodal-re-entry-tachycardia (AVNRT) using solely intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for endovascular and endocardial catheter visualization.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of hepatitis B virus D genotype in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.

Hepatitis B virus genotype D can be found in many parts of the world and is the most prevalent strain in south-eastern Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, and the Indian sub-continent. The epidemiological history of the D genotype and its subgenotypes is still obscure because of the scarcity of appropriate studies. We retrieved from public databases a total of 312 gene P sequences of HBV genotype D isolated in various countries throughout the world, and reconstructed the spatio-temporal evolutionary dynamics of the HBV-D epidemic using a bayesian framework.

Behavioral risk factors and prevalence of HIV and other STIs among female sex workers in Tirana, Albania.

The paper presents the results of the research and a comparative analysis of findings on key indicators for the study population. The study instrument was a standardized behavior study questionnaire provided in the Family Health International published manual (Family Health International, 2000). The target group was female sex workers working in Tirana.

Surveillance of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Albania.

This study presents the initial results derived from a collaborative project aimed at the surveillance of the toxoplasma infection in a population of 496 Albanian pregnant women. From October 2004 to March 2005, serum samples were tested to detect IgG, IgM and IgG avidity for toxoplasmosis. Of the 496 pregnant women examined, 241 (48.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Albania.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Albania.

Methods: Blood samples from 410 unselected schoolboys, 666 students, 500 military personnel, 1286 casual blood donors, 378 voluntary blood donors and 640 pregnant women (total 3880 non-vaccinated residents of rural and metropolitan areas from all over Albania; 2354 (60.7%) male and 1526 (39.

Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in selected groups of Albanian volunteers.

Background: Albania is a Mediterranean, South-East European developing country where epidemiological data on infectious diseases are scarce. In this study, the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in 1,088 Albanian healthy volunteers (472 females followed-up to a prenatal clinic, 173 recruits, 443 health care workers) was evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Sera were tested for immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies against H.

Hepatitis B virus infection in health care workers in Albania: a country still highly endemic for HBV infection.

Background: Health care workers (HCW) have an elevated risk of acquiring and transmitting parenteral infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers with the final goal to encourage HBV vaccination of the non-immune Albanian HCW.

Methods: Among 480 HCW enrolled, 92 were physicians, 246 were nurses/techniques, 120 were auxiliary workers and 22 were office workers.