Atrial Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation. Comorbidities and Markers of Disease Progression Predict Catheter Ablation Outcome.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia affecting an increasing proportion of the population in which mainstream therapy, i.e. catheter ablation, provides freedom from arrhythmia in only a limited number of patients.

Safety and outcomes of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease: A multicenter registry study.

Background: An increasing number of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Data on ablation strategy and outcomes in CHD are limited. Rhythm control is often believed to be of greater importance among patients with complex CHD.

Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony Predicts the Cardiomyopathy Associated With Premature Ventricular Contractions.

Background: The pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy associated with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) remains unclear.

Objectives: This study prospectively explored cardiomyopathy development in a swine model of paced ectopic beats.

Methods: A total of 35 swine underwent pacemaker implantation.

Surface ECG and intracardiac spectral measures predict atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Introduction: Outcome of patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) varies widely. We sought to investigate whether parameters derived from the spectral analysis of surface ECG and intracardiac AF electrograms can predict outcome in patients referred for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods: We performed spectral analysis on the surface ECG and intracardiac electrograms from patients referred for AF ablation.

Should the Aortic Root Be the Preferred Route for Ablation of Focal Atrial Tachycardia Around the AV Node?: Support From Intracardiac Echocardiography.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal approach to focal atrial tachycardia originating from around the atrioventricular node.

Background: Focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) demonstrating earliest activation around the atrioventricular (AV) node during right atrial (RA) mapping has been eliminated by ablation at the RA para-Hisian region, from the left atrium (LA) or the noncoronary aortic cusp (NCC). However the optimal approach has not been determined.

Impaired adaptation to left atrial pressure increase in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background Or Purpose: Episodes of left atrial (LA) pressure increase predispose to atrial fibrillation (AF). The adaptation of LA mechanical function and electrophysiology to pressure elevation in healthy adults, and in patients with AF, is largely unknown.

Methods: Eleven patients with left-sided accessory pathway (controls) and 16 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing catheter ablation were studied.

Effect of 50% human serum on the killing activity of micafungin against eight Candida species using time-kill methodology.

Micafungin activity was determined against 24 wild-type clinical isolates and 5 American Type Culture Collection strains belonging to 8 Candida species in RPMI-1640 with and without 50% serum using broth microdilution and time-kill methodology. MIC values increased from 4- to 128-folds in 50% serum for all Candida species. Micafungin was not fungicidal against C.

Comparison of in vitro and vivo efficacy of caspofungin against Candida parapsilosis, C. orthopsilosis, C. metapsilosis and C. albicans.

Caspofungin activity was determined in vitro and in vivo against three Candida orthopsilosis, three C. metapsilosis, two C. parapsilosis sensu stricto and two C.

Effect of nikkomycin Z and 50% human serum on the killing activity of high-concentration caspofungin against Candida species using time-kill methodology.

Caspofungin and nikkomycin Z (NIK) efficacy alone and in combination were tested against seven Candida species showing or not showing paradoxical growth (PG) against caspofungin in time-kill test in RPMI-1640. Selected isolates against caspofungin and NIK were also tested in 50% serum. PG was always eliminated by NIK as well as by serum.

In vitro efficacy of 5 antifungal agents against Candida parapsilosis, Candida orthopsilosis, and Candida metapsilosis as determined by time-kill methodology.

Killing activity of amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and 5-fluorocytosine was determined against 6 Candida parapsilosis, 3 Candida orthopsilosis, and 4 Candida metapsilosis clinical isolates. After 24 h, 1 of 6 C. parapsilosis, 1 of 3 C.