Long-term course of phrenic nerve injury after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

While phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) due to cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial fibrillation (AF) was transient in most cases, no studies have reported the results of the long-term follow-up of PNP. This study aimed to summarize details and the results of long-term follow-up of PNP after cryoballoon ablation. A total of 511 consecutive AF patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation was included.

Compositional dependence of the apatite formation ability of Ti-Zr alloys designed for hard tissue reconstruction.

Ti-Zr alloys are expected to be novel biomaterials with low stress shielding owing to their lower Young's moduli than pure Ti. The drawback of metallic biomaterials is that their bone-bonding abilities are relatively low. NaOH and heat treatments have been performed to provide Ti-50Zr with apatite-forming ability in the body environment, which is essential for bone bonding.

Effect of metallographic structure and machining process on the apatite-forming ability of sodium hydroxide- and heat-treated titanium.

Although titanium (Ti) is clinically used for hard tissue reconstruction, it has low bone-bonding ability, i.e. bioactivity.

Influence of the concomitant use of heparin on the effects of warfarin during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Warfarin is widely used to perform catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Heparin is usually administered during this procedure to prevent thromboembolic events, while protamine is used to reduce the incidence of bleeding complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heparin and protamine administration on the effects of warfarin and its safety.

Predictors of ectopic firing from the superior vena cava in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Although catheter ablation targeting the pulmonary vein (PV) is a well-known therapy for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), ectopic firings from the superior vena cava (SVC) can initiate PAF. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of SVC firing.

Methods: The subjects included 336 consecutive PAF patients (278 males, age 56.

The role of successful catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and prolonged sinus pauses: outcome during a 5-year follow-up.

Aims: Although patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and prolonged sinus pauses [tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome (TBS)] are generally treated by permanent pacemaker, catheter ablation has been reported to be a curative therapy for TBS without pacemaker implantation. The purpose of this study was to define the potential role of successful ablation in patients with TBS.

Methods And Results: Of 280 paroxysmal AF patients undergoing ablation, 37 TBS patients with both AF and symptomatic sinus pauses (age: 62 ± 8 years; mean maximum pauses: 6 ± 2 s) were analysed.

Fracture of Ni-Ti superelastic alloy under sustained tensile load in physiological saline solution containing hydrogen peroxide.

The fracture of Ni-Ti superelastic alloy has been investigated by a sustained tensile-loading test in physiological saline solution containing hydrogen peroxide (0.15M NaCl + 0.3M H(2)O(2)).

Hydrogen absorption of titanium and nickel-titanium alloys during long-term immersion in neutral fluoride solution.

Hydrogen absorption of biomedical titanium and Ni-Ti alloys in a neutral fluoride (2.0% NaF) solution for up to 10,000 h at 37 degrees C has been evaluated by means of hydrogen thermal desorption analysis. For alpha titanium (commercial pure titanium), the amount of absorbed hydrogen was, at most, 10-30 mass ppm, and the corrosion product and hydride formation were revealed on the surface of the specimen by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Degradation in performance of orthodontic wires caused by hydrogen absorption during short-term immersion in 2.0% acidulated phosphate fluoride solution.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation in performance of four major alloys of orthodontic wires, namely nickel-titanium, beta titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt-chromium-nickel, caused by hydrogen absorption during short-term immersion in an acid fluoride solutions. The hydrogen-related degradation of orthodontic wires after immersion in 2.0% acidulated phosphate fluoride solution at 37 degrees C for 60 minutes was evaluated by a tensile test, scanning electron microscope observation, and hydrogen thermal desorption analysis.

Hydrogen embrittlement of work-hardened Ni-Ti alloy in fluoride solutions.

Hydrogen embrittlement of work-hardened Ni-Ti alloy has been examined in acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) solutions. Upon immersion in a 2.0% APF solution with a pH of 5.

Delayed fracture of Ni-Ti superelastic alloys in acidic and neutral fluoride solutions.

Hydrogen-related degradation of the mechanical properties of a Ni-Ti superelastic alloy has been examined by means of delayed fracture tests in acidic and neutral fluoride solutions and hydrogen thermal desorption analysis. Delayed fracture took place in both solutions; the time to fracture was shorter in the acidic solutions than in the neutral solutions with the same fluoride concentration. The time to fracture was reduced in both solutions when applied stress exceeded the critical stress for martensite transformation.

Hydrogen absorption behavior of beta titanium alloy in acid fluoride solutions.

Hydrogen absorption behavior of a beta titanium alloy in acid fluoride solutions has been analyzed by hydrogen thermal desorption. The amount of absorbed hydrogen increased with immersion time in a 2.0% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) solution.

Fracture associated with hydrogen absorption of sustained tensile-loaded titanium in acid and neutral fluoride solutions.

The fracture of commercial pure titanium in acid and neutral fluoride solutions has been examined by a sustained tensile-loading test and hydrogen thermal desorption analysis. It was found that the fracture of titanium occurred in neutral 2.0% NaF solution as well as in 2.

Hydrogen embrittlement of Ni-Ti superelastic alloy in fluoride solution.

Hydrogen embrittlement of Ni-Ti superelastic alloy in a fluoride solution (0.2% APF) has been investigated by means of a tensile test (after immersion) and hydrogen thermal desorption analysis. Upon immersion, the tensile strength of the alloy decreased to the critical stress level of martensite transformation.

Delayed fracture of beta titanium orthodontic wire in fluoride aqueous solutions.

Hydrogen embrittlement of a beta titanium orthodontic wire has been examined by means of a delayed-fracture test in acid and neutral fluoride aqueous solutions and hydrogen thermal desorption analysis. The time to fracture increased with decreasing applied stress in 2.0% and 0.

Fracture mechanisms of retrieved titanium screw thread in dental implant.

Titanium and its alloy are increasingly attracting attention for use as biomaterials. However, delayed fracture of titanium dental implants has been reported, and factors affecting the acceleration of corrosion and fatigue have to be determined. The fractured surface of a retrieved titanium screw and metallurgical structures of a dental implant system were analyzed.

Hydrothermal modification of titanium surface in calcium solutions.

Hydrothermal modification of a titanium surface in calcium solutions was performed. The apatite precipitation on the modified surface in Hanks' solution, as a simulated body fluid, was evaluated and the surface microstructure changes after the modification were characterized by thin-film X-ray diffractometry (TF-XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Hydrothermal modification in CaO solution enhanced the precipitation of apatite on the titanium surface.