Changes in Right Ventricular Function with Exercise in Healthy Subjects: Optimal Parameters and Effects of Gender and Age.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function augments with exercise, and loss of this adaptive ability often determines symptoms. Reports on exercise-related changes in RV function in healthy subjects are sparse. In this study, healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited, and changes in RV function with exercise were examined, optimal parameters determined, and the effects of gender and age examined.

Effects of age and gender on right ventricular systolic and diastolic function using two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain.

Background: Accurate assessment of the right ventricle is increasingly important. Measures of right ventricular (RV) systolic function, including fractional area change, tissue Doppler (s' velocity), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, show significant variation, and the impacts of age and gender are unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gender and age on global and segmental RV systolic and diastolic function using both traditional echocardiographic and two-dimensional strain parameters.

Circumflex coronary artery to left atrium fistula caused by mitral isthmus ablation.

Mitral isthmus ablation is an important component of catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation and mitral isthmus dependent flutters. We describe a case where mitral isthmus ablation caused a fistula between the left circumflex artery and the left atrium and symptomatic ischaemia. The fistula was successfully closed with a covered stent.

Primary radiofrequency ablation of ventricular tachycardia early after myocardial infarction: evaluation in an ovine model.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a significant complication of myocardial infarction. Radiofrequency ablation for postinfarct VT is reserved for drug refractory VT or VT storms. Our hypothesis is that radiofrequency ablation in the early postinfarct period could abolish or diminish late recurrences of VT.

Evolution of ventricular tachycardia and its electrophysiological substrate early after myocardial infarction: an ovine model.

Background: Sudden arrhythmic death after myocardial infarction (MI) is most frequent in the first month. Early programmed ventricular stimulation (within 1 week) post-MI has been able to identify long-term ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurrence. We aimed to determine the timing of development and stabilization of VT circuits after MI and how the evolution of the underlying substrate differs with VT inducibility.

Predictive value of ST resolution analysis performed immediately versus at ninety minutes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

ST segment resolution (STR) predicts epicardial and microvascular reperfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or thrombolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Immediate restoration of epicardial coronary flow, with improved microvascular perfusion, is much more likely with PPCI. However, the predictive value of immediate STR compared to 90 minutes after PPCI remains unknown.

Direct transthoracic access to the left ventricle for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia.

Background: Percutaneous approaches for radiofrequency ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the left ventricle are typically transarterial retro-aortic, antegrade transmitral via an interatrial septal puncture, or epicardial. However, all 3 approaches may be contraindicated in certain cases. We describe 2 cases of VT ablation in which aortic and mitral valve replacements did not permit utilization of any of these techniques.

Prognostic impact of Q waves on presentation and ST resolution in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Q waves can develop early in infarction and indicate infarct progression better than symptom duration. ST resolution (STR) is a predictor of reperfusion success. Our aim was to assess the prognostic impact of Q waves on presentation and STR after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.