Diagnostic Approach to Unexplained Cardiac Arrest (from the FIVI-Gen Study).

Unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA) can be caused by low-penetrance genetic disorders. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess the usefulness of a new diagnostic protocol: Thirty-five patients were recruited from 9 Spanish centers. Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and coronary catheterization were used to rule out electrical or structural heart disease in all subjects.

Comparison of the new risk prediction model (HCM Risk-SCD) and classic risk factors for sudden death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and defibrillator.

Aims: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the main causes of sudden death in young people. Recent clinical practice guidelines include a risk prediction model for sudden death (HCM Risk-SCD), which facilitates the decision of whether to implant a defibrillator. The aim of our study was to ascertain the percentage of events in our series of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and whether HCM Risk-SCD predicts the onset of arrhythmic events.

Newly impaired glucose metabolism and prognosis after percutaneous revascularization.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend ad hoc screening of diabetes in patients admitted for macrovascular disease; however, these recommendations are rarely followed in real practice. This study was undertaken to assess whether impaired glucose metabolism, newly diagnosed after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or known diabetes, provides prognostic information.

Methods: We studied 374 patients who underwent PCI.

Factors predicting and having an impact on the need for a permanent pacemaker after CoreValve prosthesis implantation using the new Accutrak delivery catheter system.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for a permanent pacemaker after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve prosthesis (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) using the new Accutrak delivery system (Medtronic, Inc.).

Changes in atrioventricular conduction and predictors of pacemaker need after percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve®. Aortic valve prosthesis.

Introduction And Objectives: Although changes in atrioventricular conduction frequently occur after percutaneous implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis, little is known about the mechanisms involved or how these changes progress. We investigated ECG abnormalities and predictors of pacemaker need after percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve® aortic valve prosthesis.

Methods: Between April 2008 and October 2009, 65 patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis received a CoreValve® prosthesis.

Persistence of secondary mitral regurgitation and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves survival and quality of life in advanced heart failure (HF). Although mitral regurgitation (MR) reduction has been reported, its presence has been associated with non-response to CRT. This study was undertaken to assess the potential role of significant mitral regurgitation (SMR) persistence after CRT on clinical outcome, major arrhythmic events, and echocardiographic response in the mid-long term.

Combined resynchronization therapy and automatic defibrillator in advanced non-ischaemic heart failure: the importance of QRS width.

Aims: The combined use of an automatic defibrillator in resynchronization therapy for primary prevention in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is controversial.

Methods And Results: We assessed a series of 46 patients (61 +/- 10 years, 64% male) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing resynchronization therapy combined with a defibrillator in primary prevention and the potential relationship between baseline characteristics and the onset of ventricular arrhythmic events. Of the 46 patients included, eight (17%) presented episodes of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation during follow-up (19 +/- 12 months).

[Benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation who have not undergone atrioventricular node ablation].

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on left ventricular function and reverse remodeling in patients in sinus rhythm with the effects in patients with atrial fibrillation who have not undergone atrioventricular node ablation. Echocardiographic and clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months of cardiac resynchronization therapy in 55 patients: 15 had atrial fibrillation and 40 were in sinus rhythm. Device programming was similar in the 2 groups, as were the reductions in QRS interval and echocardiographic measures of asynchrony observed after implantation.

[Function of growth hormone in the human energy continuum during physical exertion].

A study has been carried out in 18 healthy sedentary males (controls) and 15 trained handball players. It was programmed two different tests on cycle-ergometer: Test 1 aerobic of progressive increments of load (1 W/kg/3 min) and Test 2 (A) anaerobic (4 W/kg, during 1.5 min) and after resting 10 min.

[Importance of changes in plasmatic volume in the evaluation of TSH, L-T3 and L-T4, during muscular activity].

The changes in plasma concentrations of TSH and thyroid hormones (L-T3 and L-T4), lactate, proteins and FFA were studied in 8 male volunteers undergoing maximal exercise during 12 min on the bicycle ergometer from 1 to 4 w/kg. Serial blood samples were taken at -30, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, +3, +15 and +30 min intervals. All samples for TSH, L-T3 and L-T4 measurements were processed by radioimmunoassay.

[L-thyroxine and triiodo-L-thyronine in the cerebrospinal fluid and hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis of hyper- or hypothyroid rats].

L-thyroxine and triiodo-L-thyronine concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), hypothalamus and pituitary gland are measured in male albino-Wistar rats under several experimental thyroid disfunction : including hyperthyroidism induced by L-T3 and L-T4 treatments and surgical hypothyroidism. Radioimmunoassay is carried out by Nejad's method modified in this work. The pattern of thyroid hormone concentrations in CSF is similar to that in serum, but the values obtained are lower.

[Changes in dehydrogenase glutamate in the rat brain caused by thyroid hormone deficiency].

The dependent GDH-NADPH activity in adenohypophysis and other cerebral areas, has been studied in hypothyroid rats, in which hypothyroidism has been induced surgically. After thyroidectomy a decrease of GDH activity in limbic system (amygdala, septum and hippocampus), and an increase of this enzyme in cortex and hypothalamus have been found, with no changes in adenohypophysis. The alterations of GDH activity, induced by thyroidectomy, have been corrected, although not uniformly in the different brain areas after L-T3 treatment.

[Effect of experimental changes in thyroid function on oxidative metabolism and glutamate dehydrogenase activity in the limbic system of the rat].

The oxidative metabolism and GDH activity has been studied in the following regions of the brain: frontal cortex, as tissue control, adenohypophysis, hypothalamus and limbic system in adult male rats subjected to alterations of the thyroid function due to excess (by hyperthyroidism with L-thyroxine and thyrotoxicosis with Tri-iodothyronine) or defect (chronic hypothyroidism by thyroidectomy, 131-I treatment and low iodine diet). A different influence of the H.T.