Can the QRS morphology of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia change when right bundle branch block emerges during sinus rhythm?

Background: QRS morphology can change during ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) with the appearance of bundle branch block (BBB).

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 195 consecutive patients who underwent an initial ablation of VA. The study inclusion criteria were VAs that were successfully ablated in the outflow tract (OT) and in whom right bundle branch block (RBBB) was induced by catheter manipulation close to the His bundle area during sinus rhythm, before any radiofrequency application.

Difference in radiofrequency ablation profile between during sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation: Considerations in this era of high-power short-duration strategy.

Background: The concept of ablation index (AI) was introduced to evaluate radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions. It is calculated from power, contact force (CF), and RF duration. However, other factors may also affect the quality of ablation lesions.

Conduction time around the mitral valve annulus has the potential to rule out postablation perimitral atrial tachycardia.

Introduction: It would be helpful in determining ablation strategy if the occurrence of perimitral atrial tachycardia (PMAT) could be predicted in advance. We investigated whether estimated perimitral conduction time (E-PMCT), namely, twice the time between coronary sinus (CS) pacing and the ensuing wave-front collision at the opposite side of the mitral annulus, correlated with the cycle length of PMAT and could predict future PMAT.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively (retrospective cohort) and prospectively (validation cohort) investigated atrial fibrillation patients who had received pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and in whom left atrial maps had been created during CS pacing.

Differences between typical and reverse typical atrial flutter identified by ultrahigh resolution mapping.

Background: Although atrial flutter (AFL) is a common arrhythmia that is based on a macro-reentrant tachycardia around the tricuspid annulus, the factors giving rise to typical AFL (t-AFL) versus reverse typical AFL (rt-AFL) are unknown. To investigate the difference between t-AFL and rt-AFL circuits using ultrahigh resolution mapping of the right atrium.

Methods: We investigated 30 isthmus-dependent AFL patients (mean age 71, 28 male) who underwent first-time cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation guided by Boston Scientific's Rhythmia mapping system and divided them into two groups: t-AFL (22 patients) and rt-AFL (8 patients).

Treatment of atrial tachycardia arising after superior transseptal approach mitral valve surgery: Insights from ultra-high-density mapping to prevent atrioventricular block.

Introduction: Mitral valve surgery employing a superior transseptal approach (STA) is associated with arrhythmogenicity and intra-atrial conduction delay, despite being optimal for visualization of the surgical field. It is sometimes difficult to treat atrial tachycardias (AT) that arise after STA. To investigate AT circuits that arise after STA in detail in order to identify the optimal ablation line, using ultra-high-resolution mapping (UHRM).

Urinary Liver-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Level as a Predictive Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: There are no biological markers to predict the onset of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) levels are markedly upregulated in the proximal tubules after renal ischemia. We investigated whether urinary L-FABP is a suitable marker to predict AKI in ADHF patients.

Usefulness of Lipoprotein(a) for Predicting Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Therapy for Aortoiliac Atherosclerotic Lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of serum lipoprotein(a) as a biomarker of clinical outcomes after endovascular therapy (EVT) for atherosclerotic aortoiliac lesions.

Methods: Serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations were measured at admission in 189 consecutive patients (median age 72 years; 160 men) with peripheral artery disease who underwent EVT for aortoiliac occlusive disease. The patients were dichotomized into 2 groups based on serum lipoprotein(a) levels ≤40 mg/dL (LOW; n=135) or >40 mg/dL (HIGH; n=54).

Occurrence of Focal Atrial Tachycardia During the Ablation Procedure Is Associated With Arrhythmia Recurrence After Termination of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: Catheter ablation can terminate persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, atrial tachycardia (AT) often arises after termination of AF.

Methods And Results: Of 215 patients who underwent index stepwise ablation for persistent AF, 141 (66%) patients (64 ± 9 years) in whom AF terminated during the ablation procedure were studied.

Effect of fluoride-releasing liner on demineralized dentin.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralization of residual demineralized dentin underneath restorations by fluoride-releasing liners in vitro.

Method And Materials: Two glass-ionomer cement liners, Lining Cement (GC) and RK-141A (GC), and two light-cured resin liners with and without 5 wt% NaF were used in this study. The resin liners were made by mixing TEGDMA and bis-GMA.

Bonding ability of adhesive resins to caries-affected and caries-infected dentin.

Hybridized dentin permits dental treatments that were previously impossible with conventional techniques, opening new frontiers in modern adhesive dentistry. We have investigated the adhesive property of current bonding systems to caries-infected dentin by a microtensile bond strength test (µTBS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and suggested that bonding resin could infiltrate into caries-infected dentin partially to embed carious bacteria within hybrid layers. We have named this concept of caries control as modified sealed restoration (MSR).

Bonding to root caries by a self-etching adhesive system containing MDPB.

Purpose: To evaluate the bonding of an experimental antibacterial fluoride-releasing adhesive system (ABF) to normal and carious dentin in human teeth with Class V root caries.

Methods: Mesiodistal sectioning removed the buccal enamel, superficial dentin and much of the carious dentin in 21 extracted human bicuspids with root surface caries. The surfaces of normal coronal and root dentin, and caries-affected and caries-infected dentin were ground with wet 600-grit SiC paper to create a standardized smear layer.

Resin adhesion to carious dentin.

Purpose: To investigate the microtensile bond strength (microTBS) of a self-etching priming adhesive system to normal, caries-affected and caries-infected dentin, and to observe the ultrastructure of the resin-dentin interface by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Materials And Methods: Twelve extracted human molar teeth with deep occlusal caries were stained with caries detector solution and ground flat occlusally. The red-stained soft dentin was classified as caries-infected.