Left bundle branch area pacing in mildly reduced heart failure: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) strategy for heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) is controversial. Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is an emerging pacing modality and an alternative option to CRT. This analysis aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis on the impact of the LBBAP strategy in HFmrEF, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between 35% and 50%.

Optical method for simultaneous thickness measurements of two layers with a significant thickness difference.

In this study, an optical method that allows simultaneous thickness measurements of two different layers distributed over a broad thickness range from several tens of nanometers to a few millimeters based on the integration of a spectroscopic reflectometer and a spectral-domain interferometer is proposed. Regarding the optical configuration of the integrated system, various factors, such as the operating spectral band, the measurement beam paths, and the illumination beam type, were considered to match the measurement positions and effectively separate two measurement signals acquired using both measurement techniques. Furthermore, for the thickness measurement algorithm, a model-based analysis method for high-precision substrate thickness measurements in thin-film specimens was designed to minimize the measurement error caused by thin films, and it was confirmed that the error is decreased significantly to less than 8 nm as compared to that when using a Fourier-transform analysis.

Effects of Monotherapy with Clopidogrel vs. Aspirin on Vascular Function and Hemostatic Measurements in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: The Prospective, Crossover I-LOVE-MONO Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of clopidogrel vs. aspirin monotherapy on vascular function and hemostatic measurement.

Background: Monotherapy with P2Y receptor inhibitor vs.

A Hybrid Non-destructive Measuring Method of Three-dimensional Profile of Through Silicon Vias for Realization of Smart Devices.

Smart devices have been fabricated based on design concept of multiple layer structures which require through silicon vias to transfer electric signals between stacked layers. Because even a single defect leads to fail of the packaged devices, the dimensions of the through silicon vias are needed to be measured through whole sampling inspection process. For that, a novel hybrid optical probe working based on optical interferometry, confocal microscopy and optical microscopy was proposed and realized for enhancing inspection efficiency in this report.

Total physical thickness measurement of a multi-layered wafer using a spectral-domain interferometer with an optical comb.

An interferometric method using an optical comb is proposed and realized to measure the total physical thickness of a multi-layered wafer even if the refractive index of each layer is not given. For a feasibility test, two-layered and three-layered silicon-on-glass wafers were chosen as samples and were measured. An uncertainty evaluation was conducted to estimate the performance capabilities of the proposed method.

Full Metal Jacket With Drug-Eluting Stents for Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes and predictors of adverse events following successful "full metal jacket" (FMJ) (stent length ≥60 mm without gap) procedures using drug-eluting stents to treat coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Background: The FMJ stenting procedure is often required to treat CTOs, but its clinical efficacy and safety remain unknown.

Methods: In total, 1,126 successful CTO procedures (1,107 consecutive patients) performed between May 2003 and March 2015 were studied.

Efficacy of 3D transoesophageal echocardiography for transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect without balloon sizing.

Aims: Using balloon sizing to determine device size may cause complications and increase procedure time in performing transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). We aimed to validate the clinical utility of a formula using measurements from 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) images in performing the procedure without balloon sizing.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 248 consecutive patients with ASD in a prospective registry.

A Case of Painful Hashimoto Thyroiditis that Mimicked Subacute Thyroiditis.

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder that usually presents as a diffuse, nontender goiter, whereas subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an uncommon disease that is characterized by tender thyroid enlargement, transient thyrotoxicosis, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Very rarely, patients with HT can present with painful, tender goiter or fever, a mimic of SAT. We report a case of painful HT in a 68-year-old woman who presented with pain and tenderness in a chronic goiter.