Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in patients after TAVR: clinical and echocardiographic findings and long term survival.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis in patients 1-2 years after trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to assess their clinical and echocardiographic outcome and long-term survival.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 88 patients, mean age 81 years, 534 (390-711) days after TAVR. Patients underwent a Tc99m-PYP scintigraphy for the diagnosis of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis.

Prophylactic supplementation of resveratrol is more effective than its therapeutic use against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.

Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenolic compound and naturally occurring phytoalexin, has been reported to exert cardio-protective effects in several animal studies. However, the outcome of initial clinical trials with RSV was less effective compared to pre-clinical studies. Therefore, RSV treatment protocols need to be optimized.

Oral rehydration solution containing a mixture of non-digestible carbohydrates in the treatment of acute diarrhea: a multicenter randomized placebo controlled study on behalf of the ESPGHAN working group on intestinal infections.

Objective: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study to evaluate efficacy and safety of a mixture of non-digestible carbohydrates (NDC) as an adjunct to oral rehydration therapy in treatment of acute infectious diarrhea in children with mild to moderate dehydration.

Methods: 144 boys aged 1 to 36 months with diarrhea defined as three or more watery stools per day for >1 day but <5 days with mild or moderate dehydration (World Health Organization criteria) were randomly assigned to receive hypotonic oral rehydration solution (ORS) (Na 60 mmol/L, glucose 111 mmol/L) with or without a mixture of NDC (soy polysaccharide 25%, alpha-cellulose 9%, gum arabic 19%, fructooligosaccharides 18.5%, inulin 21.

Subcarinal foregut cysts. A unique clinical problem.

Background: To evaluate the risks associated with a subcarinal foregut cyst in a fixed mediastinal space.

Design: Between January 1, 1986, and August 1, 1997, 8 patients who had subcarinal cysts and who underwent surgical intervention were identified. These results were analyzed to identify associated symptoms and results of surgical intervention.

Ineffectiveness and potential proarrhythmia of atrial pacing for atrial fibrillation prevention after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Atrial pacing is often used empirically to suppress atrial ectopy and prevent atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: To determine whether atrial overdrive pacing reduces atrial fibrillation and atrial ectopy after coronary artery bypass grafting, 100 patients were randomized to no atrial pacing (Control) versus AAI pacing at 10 beats/min or more above the resting heart rate (Paced), started by postoperative day 1 and continued through day 4. Major end points were new atrial fibrillation and frequency of atrial ectopy during the first 4 days after coronary artery bypass grafting.