Comprehension of active, passive, and causative sentences by Japanese-speaking children with intellectual disabilities and typical development.

This study aimed to identify the comprehension strategies employed for active, passive, and causative sentences and the involvement of phonological memory, which is a subsystem of working memory, in the comprehension skills of Japanese-speaking children with intellectual disability (ID) compared to those with typical development (TD). The participants were 29 children with ID and 18 children with TD who were matched according to mental and vocabulary ages and phonological memory scores. A picture selection method was employed as a sentence comprehension task.

Paradoxical Brain Emboli Related to Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia after Catheter Ablation.

Background: Thromboembolism associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has been considered to be derived from catheters, ablation sites, or a left atrial appendage. Paradoxical brain embolism due to iatrogenic shunt after catheter ablation has yet to be described.

Methods: We described a patient with atrial fibrillation who developed acute ischemic stroke while coughing 36 hours after successful catheter ablation.

Uncommon presentation of drug-refractory pacemaker-mediated common atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and a simple solution by reprogramming.

An 81-year-old woman who had undergone dual chamber pacemaker implantation for sick sinus syndrome was referred to our hospital with drug-refractory common atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia. Ventricular pacing (Vp) following premature atrial contraction (PAC) with a long AV interval induced ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction, which allowed the tachycardia to be initiated. The sensed AV interval was shortened to 80 ms, allowing Vp during the refractory period of VA conduction.

Developmental Sentence Scoring for Japanese (DSSJ).

This paper reports on the development and use of the Developmental Sentence Scoring for Japanese (DSSJ), a new morpho-syntactical measure for Japanese constructed after the model of the English Developmental Sentence Scoring model (Lee, 1974). Using this measure, we calculated DSSJ scores for 84 children divided into six age groups between 2;8 and 5;2 on the basis of 100-sentence samples collected from free-play child-adult conversations. The analysis showed a high correlation of the DSSJ overall score with the Mean Length of Utterance.

Simultaneous conduction over the fast and slow pathways during induction of atrioventricular nodal reentrant arrhythmia with a rate of less than 100 bpm and infra-His block after radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway.

Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common form of paroxysmal regular supraventricular tachycardia in adults. It is typically induced with an anterograde block over the fast pathway (FP) and conduction over the slow pathway (SP), with subsequent retrograde conduction over the FP. Rarely, a simultaneous conduction of a premature atrial complex occurs over the FP and SP to induce AVNRT and is called "one for two phenomenon".

Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the right ventricular septum close to the His bundle: features of the local electrogram at the optimal ablation site.

Introduction: The characteristics of the local electrogram at the optimal ablation site of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the right ventricle close to the His bundle (HB) region have rarely been described.

Methods And Results: Among 190 consecutive patients with idiopathic VAs with left bundle branch block morphology and inferior-axis deviation, 16 were found to have successful ablation site in the right ventricle close to the HB region (para-Hisian group). The electrophysiologic data were compared between the patients in the para-Hisian group and those with VAs arising from the right ventricular (RV) outflow tract (RVOT group).

Complex anatomy surrounding the left atrial posterior wall: analysis with 3D computed tomography.

Few studies have explored the topographic anatomy of the esophagus, posterior wall of the left atrium (LA), or fat pads using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to prevent the risk of esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. MDCT was performed in 110 consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF before the ablation procedure to understand the anatomic relationship of the esophagus. Two major types of esophagus routes were demonstrated.

No severe pulmonary vein stenosis after extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation: 12-month follow-up with 3D computed tomography.

Few studies have explored the utility of local electrogram-guided extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) by analyzing the pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy and occurrence of stenosis using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). One hundred seventy-six paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients underwent EEPVI with a double lasso technique. MDCT was performed in all patients before and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the ablation procedures to screen for PV stenosis.

Atrial defibrillation threshold as a novel predictor of clinical outcome of catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently performed with different procedural endpoints. When AF did not terminate during ablation procedure, electrical cardioversion was performed at different defibrillation threshold (DFT) according to AF characteristics and atrial electrophysiologic substrates. We sought to evaluate the impact of atrial DFT after catheter ablation for persistent AF on clinical outcome.

Some issues of Japanese speech-language-hearing therapy education.

Recent trends in Japanese speech-language-hearing (SLH) therapy education are reported. The rapid growth of educational institutions has continued since our last report. The educational curriculum was established by the 1997 certification of Japanese SLH therapists, and is strictly applied to educating both college/university and vocational school students.

Local unipolar and bipolar electrogram criteria for evaluating the transmurality of atrial ablation lesions at different catheter orientations relative to the endocardial surface.

Background: Recognition of the creation of transmural lesions (TLs) during atrial ablation procedures is important.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize local unipolar electrograms (UEs) and bipolar electrograms (BEs) recorded from a TL at different catheter orientations.

Methods: In 13 porcines, 125 point-by-point ablations were performed in the smooth myocardial areas of the atria during recording of UE and BE.

Fatal end of a safety algorithm for pulmonary vein isolation with use of high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), but there are safety concerns after severe complications. Therefore, we evaluated an esophageal temperature (ET)-guided safety algorithm to apply HIFU safely.

Methods And Results: After standard left atrial access, HIFU was repeatedly applied until PVI was complete.

Superior type of atypical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia: incidence, characteristics, and effect of slow pathway ablation.

Background: Atypical atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardias (AVNRT) usually exhibit the earliest retrograde atrial activation (ERAA) at the right inferoseptum (Rt-IS) or proximal coronary sinus (PCS). The purpose of this study was to characterize atypical AVNRT with the ERAA at the right superoseptum (Rt-SS).

Methods: Seventy-three atypical AVNRTs induced in 63 cases were classified into the superior type with the ERAA at the Rt-SS and inferior type with the ERAA at the Rt-IS or PCS.

Shift in the earliest retrograde atrial activation site during the fast-slow form of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia after the radiofrequency modification of the atrioventricular node: is the atrium a necessary link?

Whether or not the perinodal atrium forms an upper link in the tachycardia circuit of the atypical form of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is controversial. We report a case with the fast-slow form of AVNRT in whom the earliest retrograde atrial activation site during the tachycardia changed from the right inferoseptum to the right superoseptum close to the His bundle without a change in the tachycardia cycle length following the radiofrequency energy applications to the earliest retrograde atrial activation site. It was speculated that a sub-atrial reentry with multiple atrial breakthroughs was the possible tachycardia mechanism in the present case.

"Left-variant" adenosine-sensitive atrial reentrant tachycardia ablated from the left coronary aortic sinus.

Adenosine-sensitive reentrant atrial tachycardia (AT) is usually amenable to ablation at the right superoseptum near the His bundle. We report a case with "left-variant" adenosine-sensitive reentrant AT. The AT was reproducibly induced by atrial extrastimulation with negative correlation between the coupling interval and return cycle, and was terminated by atrial extrastimulation and bolus of 2 mg of adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

Catheter ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation: current advancements in strategies.

Curing atrial fibrillation (AF) by catheter ablation has significantly improved patient morbidity and mortality. The circumferential pulmonary vein isolation technique is established as the principal procedure, with a high cure rate and acceptable safety, for paroxysmal AF, but new adjunctive ablation strategies targeting the AF substrates and sources for long-standing persistent/chronic AF have been developed. These new techniques include linear ablation, complex fractionated atrial electrogram guided ablation, dominant frequency map-guided ablation, ganglionated plexi ablation and disconnection of the coronary sinus and superior vena cava to ablate the AF substrates and sources.

Irregular atypical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: incidence, electrophysiological characteristics, and effects of slow pathway ablation.

Background: Atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardias (AVNRT) with variable AV relationships are infrequently observed and might be misdiagnosed as atrial tachycardia.

Objective: This single-center, retrospective study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of AVNRT showing variable AV relationship.

Methods: This study included a total of 340 patients with all forms of AVNRT.

Implications of 2:1 atrioventricular block during typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Objective: The effects of 2:1 AV block (AVB) on AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) remain to be elucidated. This study was performed to localize the site of 2:1 AVB and elucidate the effects of 2:1 AVB on typical AVNRT.

Methods: The His bundle (HB) electrograms during typical AVNRT with 2:1 AV block were reviewed in 24 patients.

Participation of a concealed atriohisian tract in the reentrant circuit of the slow-fast type of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Background: The retrograde fast pathway in typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) exhibits marked variation in its electrophysiologic properties.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the retrograde fast pathway and localize the lower turnaround site of the reentrant circuit in typical AVNRT.

Methods: Seventy-four patients with typical AVNRT were divided into two groups according to the response of the retrograde fast pathway to intravenous administration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during ventricular pacing: ATP-S [n = 47 (63.

Atypical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with eccentric coronary sinus activation: electrophysiological characteristics and essential effects of left-sided ablation inside the coronary sinus.

Background: The precise electrophysiological characteristics and essential effects of left-sided ablation in atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with eccentric coronary sinus (CS) activation (ECSA) have not been described.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the tachycardia characteristics and essential effects of left-sided ablation in AVNRT with ECSA.

Methods: Electrophysiological and ablation data were reviewed in 340 patients with all forms of AVNRT.

"Left-variant" atypical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: electrophysiological characteristics and effect of slow pathway ablation within coronary sinus.

Introduction: Recent anatomical and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated the presence of leftward posterior nodal extension (LPNE); however, its role in the genesis of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is poorly understood. This study was performed to characterize successful slow pathway (SP) ablation site and to elucidate the role of LPNE in genesis of atypical AVNRT with eccentric activation patterns within the coronary sinus (CS).

Methods And Results: Among 45 patients with atypical AVNRT (slow-slow/fast-slow/both = 20/22/3 patients) with concentric (n = 37, 82%) or eccentric CS activation (n = 8, 18%), successful ablation site was evaluated.

Successful catheter ablation of focal left atrial tachycardia originating from the mitral annulus aorta junction.

Focal left atrial tachycardias (AT) originating from the mitral annulus-aorta (MA-Ao) junction are rare and their mechanisms are unclear. We report a 35-year-old male with successful ablation of an exercise-induced focal AT due to triggered activity originating from the MA-Ao junction. The AT occurred spontaneously during treadmill exercise testing and was easily induced by an atrial extrastimulus and atrial burst pacing after intravenous administration of isoproterenol.

Site-specific influence of transversal conduction across crista terminalis on recognition of isthmus block.

Background: Transversal conduction across crista terminalis (CT) is commonly observed during low-rate coronary sinus (CS) pacing after isthmus ablation and sometimes mimics incomplete clockwise isthmus block (IB). Site-specific influence of trans-cristal conduction gap on recognition of clockwise IB has been poorly understood.

Methods: Forty-five patients with common-type atrial flutter underwent mapping of CT and free wall lateral to CT during CS pacing of 100 ppm using CARTO after verification of IB, while duodecapolar catheter was positioned along tricuspid annulus to map periannular activation.