Predictors of Recurrence of AF in Patients After Radiofrequency Ablation.

Catheter ablation is a well-known treatment for patients with AF. Despite the growing knowledge in the field, the identification of predictors of recurrence of AF after catheter ablation is one of the primary goals and is of major importance to improve long-term results of the procedure. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of what has been published in recent years and to summarise the major predictors, helping cardiac electrophysiologists in the selection of the right candidates for catheter ablation.

Evaluation of the SCHILLER BR-102 plus noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the International Protocol introduced by the Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate the SCHILLER BR-102 plus (Schiller AG, Baar, Switzerland) noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure recorder according to the International Protocol for validation of blood pressure measuring devices in adults introduced by the Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension.

Method: One SCHILLER BR-102 plus blood pressure recorder was tested by a validation team, consisting of three persons: two observers (nurses) and a doctor, acting as supervisor and 'expert'. The European Society of Hypertension International Protocol comprises two phases.

Possibilities of signal-averaged orthogonal and vector electrocardiography for locating and size evaluation of acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation.

Objective: The signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) is known to be a useful tool for extraction and analysis of low-amplitude signal components. We found SAECG may be useful for precise location of the site of the myocardial necrosis and assessment of the severity of impaired left ventricular systolic function of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarct (STEMI) in the acute phase.

Methods: High-resolution (1 MHz) ECG from 3 groups were collected: healthy controls (20), patients with anterior (17) and inferior STEMI (21).

Normal and abnormal circadian profiles of heart autonomic balance, evaluated by time-related common indicator of heart rate variability.

Objective: Heart rate variability (HRV) is an universally accepted method for assessing the heart autonomic balance (HAB). At the same time HRV is a highly specific method, but with a low sensitivity to the cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We found that HRV indices may be applied to obtain differentiated characteristics of the HAB for individual CVD.

Transthoracic impedance study with large self-adhesive electrodes in two conventional positions for defibrillation.

External defibrillation requires the application of high voltage electrical impulses via large external electrodes, placed on selected locations on the thorax surface. The position of the electrodes is one of the major determinants of the transthoracic impedance (TTI) which influences the intracardiac current flow during electric shock and defibrillation success. The variety of factors which influence TTI measurements raised our interest to investigate the range of TTI values and the temporal TTI variance during long-term application of defibrillation self-adhesive electrodes in two conventional positions on the patient's chest--position 1 (sub-clavicular/sub-axillar position) and position 2 (antero-posterior position).

Diagnostic value of the RR-variability indicators for mild hypertension.

Experimental and clinical studies have shown that an imbalance of the cardiovascular system autonomous regulation can lead to complications. In this study we have aimed to investigate whether the vegetative control of patients with mild hypertension is disturbed and to evaluate the power of the RR-variability indicators to detect the disturbances. RR variability has been studied in two groups of individuals: normotensive and mildly hypertensive.