Safety and Efficacy of Exercise Training in Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: In this study, the authors performed a meta-analysis of currently available comparative prospective studies to assess the efficacy and safety of exercise training in heart failure (HF) patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD).

Background: ICDs have been shown to improve survival in patients with HF. However, many patients with ICDs experience fear of shocks and avoid physical activity.

His-Bundle Pacing for Identifying Optimal Ablation Sites in Patients Undergoing Atrioventricular Junction Ablation: Teaching an Old Dog a New Trick.

Background: Atrioventricular (AV) junction (AVJ) ablation is conventionally performed by localizing the His-bundle electrogram (HBE). Identification of HBE in the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be difficult, and can make this simple procedure challenging. In this study, we describe our experience with an alternative approach to localize optimal ablation sites using His-bundle pacing (HBP).

Predictors and Prognostic Implications of Incident Heart Failure in Patients With Prevalent Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the significant clinical predictors of incident heart failure (HF) and its prognostic effect on long-term outcomes among community-based patients with established atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: AF is associated with an increased risk of HF. However, in this population, little focus is placed on risk stratification for and the prevention of HF.

T wave inversions in leads with ST elevations in patients with acute anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction is associated with patency of the infarct related artery.

Objectives: Following reperfusion therapy, early T wave inversions (TWI) have been shown to be a marker of successful reperfusion. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of TWI on the presenting ECG with spontaneous reperfusion as assessed by coronary angiography in patients with ST elevation (STE) myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Data of 146 consecutive patients presenting to the St.

First case of Fusobacterium necrophorum endocarditis to have presented after the 2nd decade of life.

Fusobacterium necrophorum, an obligate, anaerobic, filamentous, gram-negative rod, is thought to be a normal inhabitant of the mucous membranes in human beings. Fusobacterium species have been implicated in cases of Lemierre syndrome and other pathologic conditions. Their reported association with infective endocarditis is extremely rare.

Allelic loss of the active X chromosome during bladder carcinogenesis.

Context: Previous studies have shown that loss of the X chromosome is involved in the carcinogenesis of certain human malignancies.

Objective: To determine whether X-linked allelic losses occur during bladder tumorigenesis and whether such losses involve the active or the inactive X chromosome.

Design: We analyzed the deletion status of the X-linked human androgen receptor gene locus in 6 female patients who underwent radical cystectomies for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Molecular genetic alterations in the laser-capture-microdissected stroma adjacent to bladder carcinoma.

Background: Urothelial carcinoma commonly manifested loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at different regions of chromosomes 17p, 3p, and 9q. Recent studies suggested that bladder stromal cells may be implicated in the growth and progression of urothelial carcinoma. To better understand the genetic alterations in the stromal cells in patients with bladder carcinoma, the authors evaluated the prevalence of allelic loss at three microsatellite polymorphic markers on chromosomes 17p13 (TP53), 3p25-26 (D3S3050), and 9q32-33 (D9S177).