Decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus Prior to Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Implantation: Evaluating Preoperative Yield.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are associated with risks of device-related infections (DRI) impacting major adverse outcomes. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a leading cause of early pocket infection and bacteremia. While studies in other surgical contexts have suggested that nasal mupirocin treatment and chlorhexidine skin washing may reduce colonization and infection risk, limited data exist for CIED interventions.

The Efficacy of Echocardiography-guided Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Implantation to reduce Device Related Tricuspid Regurgitation: Long-term Follow-up.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) with endocardial leads crossing the tricuspid valve can lead to or worsen tricuspid regurgitation (TR), causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite a recent randomized controlled study revealing a low short-term incidence of device-related TR (DRT) post-CIED implantation, uncertainties persist regarding the efficacy of intra-procedural 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) in preventing long-term TR.

Objectives: To conduct a long-term follow-up study on patients with CIED implants based on a previous study conducted at our hospital.

A novel robotic radiation shielding device for electrophysiologic procedures: A prospective study.

Background: A robotic Radiaction Shielding System (RSS) was developed to provide a full-body protection to all medical personnel during fluoroscopy-guided procedures, by encapsulating the imaging beam and blocking scattered radiation.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate its efficacy in real-world electrophysiologic (EP) laboratory- both during ablations and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) procedures.

Methods: A prospective controlled study comparing consecutive real-life EP procedures with and without RSS using highly sensitive sensors in different locations.

[COMPLETE ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK DUE TO PULMONARY EMBOLISM].

Pulmonary embolism, a common and potentially fatal clinical condition, occurs when a blood thrombus becomes lodged in the pulmonary vasculature and creates an acute increment in the pulmonary vascular resistance, which, in turn, creates a right ventricular strain. Among the more familiar electrocardiographic manifestations in acute pulmonary embolism is sinus tachycardia, right bundle branch block and ST-T abnormalities in the right precordium leads. Complete heart block or any type of bradycardia is uncommon.

Left Atrial Strain: Clinical Use and Future Applications-A Focused Review Article.

Atrial cardiomyopathy represents a process of structural and functional changes affecting the atria and leading eventually to clinical manifestation of atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke. Multimodality imaging provides a comprehensive evaluation of atrial remodeling and plays a crucial role in the decision-making process in treatment strategy. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic of left atrial strain imaging using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Echocardiography-guided Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Implantation to Reduce Device Related Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Prospective Controlled Study.

Background: Endocardial leads of permanent pacemakers (PPM) and implantable defibrillators (ICD) across the tricuspid valve (TV) can lead to tricuspid regurgitation (TR) or can worsen existing TR with subsequent severe morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To evaluate prospectively the efficacy of intraprocedural 2-dimentional-transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) in reducing/preventing lead-associated TR.

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study comparing echocardiographic results in patients undergoing de-novo PPM/ICD implantation with intraprocedural echo-guided right ventricular (RV) lead placement (Group 1, n=56) versus non-echo guided implantation (Group 2, n=55).

Comparison of Immature Platelet Fraction and Factors Associated with Inflammation, Thrombosis and Platelet Reactivity Between Left and Right Atria in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Recent trials found poor temporal relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and strokes. Thus, stroke in AF patients probably involves more mechanisms than cardiac embolism. We compared factors of inflammation, thrombosis and platelet reactivity between left (LA) and right atria (RA) and femoral vein (FV) in patients with AF.

Evaluation of left atrial remodeling by 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography versus by high-density voltage mapping in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Strain imaging during left atrial (LA) reservoir phase (LASr) is used as a surrogate for LA structural remodeling and fibrosis. Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with >5% low-voltage zones (LVZs) obtained by 3D-electro-anatomical-mapping have higher recurrence rate post-ablation. We investigated the relationship between LA remodeling using two-dimensional-speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and high-density voltage mapping in AF patients.

Assessment of image quality in real time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography: an integrated 2D/3D approach.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) stress echocardiography is a relatively new technique offering the potential to acquire images of the entire left ventricle from 1 or 2 transducer positions in a time-efficient manner. Relative to two-dimensional (2D) imaging, the ability to quickly acquire full volume images during peak stress with 3D echocardiography can eliminate left ventricular (LV) foreshortening while reducing inter-operator variability. Our objectives were to (1) determine the practicality of a novel integrated 2D/3D stress protocol in incorporating 3D imaging into a standard 2D stress echocardiogram and (2) to determine whether the quality of imaging using the novel 2D/3D protocol was sufficient for interpretation.

A cannabinoid anticancer quinone, HU-331, is more potent and less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin: a comparative in vivo study.

Several quinones have been found to be effective in the treatment of some forms of cancer; however, their cumulative heart toxicity limits their use. The cannabinoid quinone HU-331 [3S,4R-p-benzoquinone-3-hydroxy-2-p-mentha-(1,8)-dien-3-yl-5-pentyl] is highly effective against tumor xenografts in nude mice. We report now a comparison of the anticancer activity of HU-331 and its cardiotoxicity with those of doxorubicin in vivo.

Stent graft in treatment of penetrating thoracic aortic ulcer.

A 75-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram revealed two penetrating aortic ulcers in the descending aorta. Transesophageal echocardiogram examination confirmed the diagnosis.