The history of the German Cardiac Society and the American College of Cardiology and their two founders.

The German Cardiac Society is the oldest national cardiac society in Europe, founded on June 3, 1927, in Bad Nauheim by Dr. Bruno Kisch and Professor Arthur Weber. They were actively supported by Dr.

Myocardial contrast echocardiography enhances long-term prognostic value of supine bicycle stress two-dimensional echocardiography.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the incremental prognostic value of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) over two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in patients undergoing supine bicycle stress.

Methods: Eighty-four patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who underwent supine bicycle stress with 2DE and MCE (mean age, 58.5 +/- 9.

Historical perspectives of cardiac electrophysiology.

The diagnosis and treatment of clinical electrophysiology has a long and fascinating history. From earliest times, no clinical symptom impressed the patient (and the physician) more than an irregular heart beat. Although ancient Chinese pulse theory laid the foundation for the study of arrhythmias and clinical electrophysiology in the 5th century BC, the most significant breakthrough in the identification and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias first occurred in this century.

WPW syndrome: the 'Rosetta stone' of rhythmology. The history of the Rosetta stone.

Prior to the 'discovery' of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, interpreting the respective phenomena was akin to reading hieroglyphic characters; thus a clear pathophysiological understanding and practical clinical diagnosis were impossible. The epochal work by Wolff, Parkinson, and White, which resulted in the electrophysiologically correct interpretation of circus movements as the cause of tachycardic rhythm disorders, can therefore indeed be compared to the deciphering of hieroglyphic writing by Champollion in 1822 with the aid of the Rosetta stone. After intensive archaeological and graphological examinations by the Society of Antiquaries, the Rosetta stone finally made its way to the British Museum, where it can still be viewed and admired today.

Impact of previous myocardial infarction on the incremental value of myocardial contrast to two-dimensional supine bicycle stress echocardiography in evaluation of coronary artery disease.

Background: If compared to two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) improves detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) during pharmacological stress, but data on MCE vs. 2DE during supine bicycle stress is limited. Although previous myocardial infarction (MI) influences sensitivity of 2DE, its effect on MCE has not been evaluated.

Past and future aspects of clinical electrophysiology.

The diagnosis and treatment of clinical electrophysiology has a long and fascinating history. From the earliest time, no clinical symptom impressed the patient (and the physician) more than an irregular heart beat. Although ancient Chinese pulse theory laid the foundation for the study of arrhythmias and clinical electrophysiology in the 5th century BC, the most significant breakthrough in the identification and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias first occurred in this century.

Automatic p wave analysis over 24 hours in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often exhibit abnormalities of P wave morphology during sinus rhythm. We examined a novel method for automatic P wave analysis in the 24-hour-Holter-ECG of 60 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF and 12 healthy subjects.

Methods: Recorded ECG signals were transferred to the analysis program where 5-10 P and R waves were manually marked.

Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography during supine bicycle stress and continuous infusion of contrast agent. Cutoff values for myocardial contrast replenishment discriminating abnormal myocardial perfusion.

Background: Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a new imaging modality for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate feasibility of qualitative myocardial contrast replenishment (RP) assessment during supine bicycle stress MCE and find out cutoff values for such analysis, which could allow accurate detection of CAD.

Methods: Forty-four consecutive patients, scheduled for coronary angiography (CA) underwent supine bicycle stress two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE).

Role of high frequency atrial pacing for the termination of acute atrial fibrillation and atypical atrial flutter.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of high-frequency (HF) pacing from the right atrial appendage (RAA) or coronary sinus ostium (CS-Os) for the termination of acute atrial fibrillation (AF) and atypical atrial flutter (AAFL) during an electrophysiological (EP) study.

Methods: 128 episodes of acute fast atrial arrhythmias (FAAs; 93 AF and 35 AAFL) were analyzed in 110 patients. Patients were initially observed for 60s leading to spontaneous termination of 28 FAAs.

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular mass in neonatal and adult mice: accuracy of different echocardiographic methods.

Echocardiography is an established method to estimate left-ventricular mass (LVM) in mice. Accuracy is determined by cardiac size and morphology and influenced by mathematical models. We investigated accuracy of three common algorithms in three early developmental stages.

Azimilide vs. placebo and sotalol for persistent atrial fibrillation: the A-COMET-II (Azimilide-CardiOversion MaintEnance Trial-II) trial.

Aims: Treatment of atrial fibrillation remains a major clinical challenge owing to the limited efficacy and safety of anti-arrhythmic drugs, particularly in patients with structural heart disease.

Methods And Results: To evaluate the efficacy of azimilide, a new class III anti-arrhythmic drug, we studied 658 patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation, adequate anticoagulant therapy, and planned electrical cardioversion. Patients were randomized to placebo, azimilide (125 mg o.

Persistence of iatrogenic atrial septal defect after pulmonary vein isolation--an underestimated risk?

Background: According to present knowledge, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) bears a low interventional risk and has a high feasibility. For completion of PVI, left atrial access is achieved via single or double transseptal puncture. We sought to determine the incidence and echocardiographic characteristics of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) after PVI.

[Atrial fibrillation: current therapeutic options].

The treatment of atrial fibrillation still remains challenging in everyday practice. Even after the introduction of catheter ablation, the decision making about the type of therapy became more complex. The recently published guidelines of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiology clearly show therapeutic approaches for different types of atrial fibrillation.

Identification of "substrate fibrillators" and "trigger fibrillators" by pacemaker diagnostics.

Background: The population of patients likely to respond to selected pacing algorithms for maintenance of sinus rhythm is unknown.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify patients with specific onset patterns of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Dual-chamber pacemakers with advanced diagnostic functions were implanted in 112 patients with conventional indications for antibradycardia pacing and a history of paroxysmal AF.

Diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease by myocardial contrast echocardiography during supine bicycle stress.

Introduction: Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a new imaging modality for diagnosing ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess 1) the feasibility of MCE during supine bicycle stress and 2) the value of this method in the diagnosis of IHD.

Methods: Supine bicycle stress was performed in 44 consecutive patients (pts) referred for coronary angiography with an intermediate pre-test probability of IHD.

Pro-arrhythmic effects of amiodarone and concomitant rate-control medication.

Aims: Amiodarone is one of the most efficient and safe antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although pro-arrhythmic effects of amiodarone therapy are rare, the aim of the present study was to identify clinical constellations which may lead to amiodarone-associated pro-arrhythmia.

Methods And Results: Sixty-three consecutive patients (pts) (49 males; 64+/-10.

Atrial thrombi-a prospective follow-up study over 3 years with transesophageal echocardiography and cranial magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial thrombi have an increased risk for cerebral embolism. However, there is little knowledge about the long-term fate of atrial thrombi and the incidence of cerebral embolism in patients under oral anticoagulation.

Methods: Consecutive patients with persistent or permanent AF and left atrial (LA) thrombi were included in the study.

"Torsade de pointes" in patients with structural heart disease and atrial fibrillation treated with amiodarone, beta-blockers, and digitalis.

Amiodarone is one of the most efficient and safe antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Yet, though rare, proarrhythmic effects remain a clinical problem. We present three cases of amiodarone-associated "Torsade de pointes" tachycardia (Tdp) in patients treated concomitantly with heart rate controlling medication for AF.

Transient ST-segment-elevation during pulmonary vein ablation using circumferential coiled microelectrodes in a prospective multi-centre study.

Aims: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is predominantly triggered by focal ectopies located within the pulmonary veins (PV). The BITMAP Study (Breakthrough and Isolation Trial: Mapping and Ablation of Pulmonary Veins) investigated prospectively the safety and efficacy of a catheter design with circumferential mapping and ablation electrodes. We report the phenomenon of ST-segment-elevation during catheter placement in the left atrium (LA) and superior PVs in this multi-centre study.

Differential antiplatelet effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: comparison of ex vivo platelet aggregation in cardiovascular patients with ramipril, captopril and enalapril.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors exert antithrombotic effects. Based on the assumption of differential effects of various ACE inhibitors on coagulation, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the coagulative activities of cardiovascular (CV) patients treated with either ramipril, captopril, and enalapril, and to compare these with patients treated with established antithrombotics such as aspirin (ASA) and clopidogrel or none of these medication.

Methods: Blood samples of 320 CV patients with coronary artery disease and/or arterial hypertension were analyzed by wholeblood aggregometry.

Individualized selection of pacing algorithms for the prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation: Results from the VIP registry.

Objectives: The VIP registry investigated the efficacy of preventive pacing algorithm selection in reducing atrial fibrillation (AF) burden.

Background: There are few data identifying which patients might benefit most from which preventive pacing algorithms.

Methods: Patients, with at least one documented AF episode and a conventional antibradycardia indication for pacemaker therapy, were enrolled.