Significant Radiation Dose Reduction Using a Novel Angiography Platform in Patients Undergoing Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Objectives: Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (cPVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation requires fluoroscopic guidance, causing a relevant amount of radiation exposure. Strategies to reduce radiation exposure in electrophysiologic procedures and specifically cPVI are of great importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible reduction of radiation dose using the novel Azurion 7 F12 x-ray system compared with its predecessor Allura FD10.

Local photodynamic therapy reduces tissue hyperplasia after stenting in an experimental restenosis model.

Local photodynamic therapy was used to prevent neointimal hyperplasia after stenting. Slotted tube stents were placed with 16 atmospheres in porcine femoral arteries with the external diameter to match the diameter at 10 atmospheres. Animals were randomly allocated to Group 1 (stenting only); or Group 2 with stenting, local drug delivery of a photosensitizer (5 mg Photofrin) and subsequent exposure to light (photodynamic therapy, 100 J).

Fibrocartilage in the transverse ligament of the human acetabulum.

Biomechanical experiments on isolated hip joints have suggested that the transverse ligament acts as a bridle for the lunate articular surface of the acetabulum during load bearing, but there are inherent limitations in such studies because the specimens are fixed artificially to testing devices and there are no modifying influences of muscle pull. Further evidence is thus needed to substantiate the theory. Here we argue that if the horns of the lunate surface are forced apart under load, the ligament would straighten and become compressed against the femoral head.

High-resolution MR angiography: results in diseased arteries.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of a respiratory-gated three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance angiographic technique (MRCA) in identifying coronary arteries in healthy volunteers and patients with proximal coronary artery stenoses and to compare the results of the navigator echo technique in the assessment of coronary artery stenosis with conventional coronary angiography. Twenty healthy volunteers and twenty patients with proximal coronary artery stenosis were examined at 1.5 Teslas with a cardiac-gated and retrospective respiratory-gated 3D gradient echo sequence.