New implantable cardiac monitor with three-lead ECG and active noise detection.

Background: A new implantable cardiac monitor (BioMonitor, Biotronik) with a continuous remote monitoring option was prospectively implanted in patients with suspected arrhythmias or for therapy control after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. A three-lead ECG detection was intended to make the implantation more independent of the implantation site and the electrical heart axis. Because noise is a frequent problem in implantable cardiac monitors, an active noise detection algorithm was implemented.

Single-catheter approach to pulmonary vein reisolation in selected patients : Data from a prospective registry.

Background: In addition to different types of single-tip ablation catheters for pulmonary vein (PV) reisolation, a newly developed circular mapping and ablation catheter (nMARQ) has been available since 2013 and is currently used only in initial PV isolation procedures. In this prospective registry we present feasibility and efficacy data for PV reisolation procedures with a single-catheter approach (nMARQ) compared with a standard approach using a single-tip ablation catheter and a circular mapping catheter.

Methods: We included 35 carefully selected patients in this prospective registry and assigned them in a 2:1 ratio to undergo either PV reisolation with a single-tip ablation catheter together with a steerable circular mapping catheter (group 1) or with the nMARQcatheter only (group 2).

Olfactory ensheathing cells but not fibroblasts reduce the duration of autonomic dysreflexia in spinal cord injured rats.

Autonomic dysreflexia is a common complication after high level spinal cord injury and can be life-threatening. We have previously shown that the acute transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells into the lesion site of rats transected at the fourth thoracic spinal cord level reduced autonomic dysreflexia up to 8weeks after spinal cord injury. This beneficial effect was correlated with changes in the morphology of sympathetic preganglionic neurons despite the olfactory cells surviving no longer than 3weeks.

Assessment of corneal curvature using verion optical imaging system: a comparative study.

Background: Keratometry is a critical determinant of the postoperative refractive outcome. This study evaluates the comparability of keratometry measurements obtained using the Verion Optical Imaging System with devices used in current clinical practice. Further, it determines the interobserver reliability of the Verion Optical Imaging System.

Visual snow: A thalamocortical dysrhythmia of the visual pathway?

In this paper we review the visual snow (VS) characteristics of a case cohort of 32 patients. History of symptoms and associated co-morbidities, ophthalmic examination, previous investigations and the results of intuitive colourimetry were collected and reviewed. VS symptoms follow a stereotypical description and are strongly associated with palinopsia, migraine and tinnitus, but also tremor.

Adjunctive surgical atrial fibrillation ablation during cardiac surgery: real life experiences.

Aim: Several tools have been invented for surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. In this study, we investigated the real world efficacy of intraoperative AF ablation (AFA) with radiofrequency-energy or cryo-ablation and performed an electro-anatomical remap in some patients with recurrences.

Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients (53 male, median age of 69 ± 7 years) with history of AF underwent cardiac surgery for valve repair (74 % mitral defects, 60 % aortic defects) and/or coronary artery bypass graft procedures (56 %).

Reduction of radiation exposure during ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) during ablation of atrial fibrillation (Afib) may be associated with long fluoroscopy duration. Although most current publications report on fluoroscopy time (FT), the dose-area product (DAP) may be a more valuable parameter for depicting radiation exposure. The aim of our study was to describe a method to reduce DAP by simple means during ablation of Afib.

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and the HATCH score: Intensified monitoring of patients with high HATCH score.

Aim: The HATCH score [hypertension, age > 75 years, previous transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke (doubled), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure (doubled)] has been established to identify patients who are at risk of developing persistent forms of AF. We investigated whether this score is associated with the prevalence of AF in order to guide diagnostic efforts and therapy.

Patients And Methods: The data of 150,408 consecutive patients who were hospitalized at the University Hospital of Rostock between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed.

Electrophysiological studies in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias but no electrocardiogram documentation: findings from a prospective registry.

Aims: A significant proportion of patients presenting with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) has no electrocardiogram (ECG) documentation. In these patients an electrophysiological study (EPS) may be performed to facilitate the diagnosis.

Methods And Results: In a prospective registry we compared the prevalence of inducible arrhythmias and the clinical outcome in 525 patients with and without ECG documentation.

Pulmonary vein triggers play an important role in the initiation of atrial flutter: Initial results from the prospective randomized Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Atrial Flutter (Triple A) trial.

Background: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after ablation of a cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter (AFL) is high.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that AFL and AF may be initiated by pulmonary vein triggers. This prospective randomized trial tested the efficacy of a standalone pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with AFL but without AF.

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients with high CHADS2- and CHA2DS2VASc-scores: anticoagulate or monitor high-risk patients?

Background: In patients with known atrial fibrillation (AF) different scores are utilized to estimate the risk of thromboembolic events and guide oral anticoagulation. Diagnosis of AF strongly depends on the duration of electrocardiogram monitoring. The aim of this study was to use established scores to predict the prevalence of AF.

Fibres found in the eye during and after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Purpose: Fibres are regularly found within the delivery cartridge (DC) and in the anterior chamber (AC) during phacoemulsification cataract surgery (PCS) and postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to identify their frequency and possible significance.

Setting: Dedicated ophthalmic day surgery.

A historical perspective of pacemaker infections: 40-years single-centre experience.

Aims: The approach to infected cardiac devices has changed during recent decades. Optimal treatment is still a matter of debate, especially in pacemaker-dependent patients. Therefore, we investigated the management and outcome of patients with pacemaker infections in a single centre over four decades.

The HATCH and CHA2DS 2-VASc scores. Prognostic value in pulmonary vein isolation.

Aims: The HATCH score describes the risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Afib) progression, while the CHA2DS2vasc score depicts the risk of thromboembolic events in patients with Afib. We hypothesized that both scores may predict failure of Afib ablation.

Methods And Results: In all, 449 consecutive patients (65.

Changes in electrical perceptual threshold in the first 6 months following spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To investigate the use of electrical perceptual threshold (EPT) testing to follow the natural history of sensory progression after complete and incomplete acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and to compare EPT changes with the American Spinal Injuries Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS).

Study Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Methods: ASIA examination and EPT testing was performed on 17 patients (7 AIS A, 10 AIS B-D), within 1, 3, and 6 months after acute SCI.

Age, gender, and side differences of cutaneous electrical perceptual threshold testing in an able-bodied population.

Objective: To investigate age, gender, and left-right differences in cutaneous electrical perceptual threshold (EPT) testing in an able-bodied, Australian sample.

Study Design: Prospective experimental.

Setting: Hospital-based spinal cord injuries unit.

Delayed olfactory ensheathing cell transplants reduce nociception after dorsal root injury.

Injury to cervical dorsal roots mimics the deafferentation component of brachial plexus injury in humans, with intractable neuropathic pain in the deafferented limb being a common consequence. Such lesions are generally not amenable to surgical repair. The use of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for dorsal root repair, via acute transplantation, has been successful in several studies.