Changes in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios in postcardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management.

Objective: The prognostic value of changes in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) in cardiac arrest survivors receiving targeted temperature management (TTM) is unknown. The current study investigated NLR in postcardiac arrest (PCA) patients undergoing TTM.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 95 patients (59 males, age: 55.

Effect of circadian variability in frequency of premature ventricular complexes on left ventricular function.

Background: Frequent idiopathic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can result in a reversible form of cardiomyopathy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of variability in PVC frequency throughout the day on PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods: The subjects of this study were 107 consecutive patients (58 men [54%]; mean age 49.

Occult obstructive sleep apnea and clinical outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful cardioversion can be predicted by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed by polysomnography. However, it is not known whether the validated STOP-BANG questionnaire can predict AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Our objective is to determine the prevalence of unrecognized OSA in patients with AF and its relation to freedom from AF after RFA.

Recurrence of PVCs in patients with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Background: The natural history of premature ventricular complex (PVC)-induced cardiomyopathy is incompletely understood.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess long term follow-up data in patients who underwent successful PVC ablation for PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods: The subjects of this study were 60 patients (17 women; mean age 52.

Infrequent intraprocedural premature ventricular complexes: implications for ablation outcome.

Background: Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can be eliminated with an ablation procedure. Ablation success rates have been reported to be in the 80% range. Reasons for failure of ablation have not been described in detail.

Predictors of outcome after catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess how well acute procedural outcomes predict the clinical outcome of catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs).

Methods: A consecutive series of 50 patients (28 women, age: 51 ± 13 years) with frequent PVCs was referred for PVC ablation. Acute failure was defined as inability to eliminate the predominant PVC or recurrence of the predominant PVC within 12 hours.

A shift in the balance of regulatory T and T helper 17 cells in rheumatic heart disease.

Background: Autoimmunity plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD); however, cellular mechanisms of autoimmune response are unclear. Whereas T helper 17 (TH17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) cells share a common differentiation pathway, they play opposite roles in the immune tolerance and autoimmune diseases. Although high TH17/Treg ratio has been shown in several autoimmune diseases, no data are available in RHD.