[Frequent unifocal ventricular premature contractions that caused dilated cardiomyopathy: resolution of myocardial function after successful catheter-ablation of arrhythmia focus].

Introduction: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and frequent ventricular premature beats (VPBs) it may be difficult to evaluate whether ventricular arrhythmia is the cause or consequence of heart failure. However, it is very important to recognize VPBs as a potentially reversible cause of myocardial dysfunction, because arrhythmia suppression in these patients may lead to recovery of myocardial contractility.

Case Outline: An asymptomatic 24-year-old man with DCM and frequent VPBs of left bundle branch morphology with inferior axis was referred to our Department for further evaluation.

[Long-term follow-up after catheter-ablation of atrioventricular junction and pacemaker implantation in patients with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation and heart failure].

Introduction: Atrioventricular (AV) junction ablation coupled with pacemaker implantation is an effective therapeutic option for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). However, there is controversy regarding the long-term outcome of the procedure, since right ventricular stimulation can lead to left ventricular remodelling and HF.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine a 5-year outcome of the procedure on survival, HF control and myocardial function in patients with HF and uncontrolled AF.

The occurrence of new arrhythmias after catheter-ablation of accessory pathway: delayed arrhythmic side-effect of curative radiofrequency lesion?

Introduction: New arrhythmias (NA) may appear late after accessory pathway (AP) ablation, but their relation to curative radiofrequency (RF) lesion is unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors for NA occurrence after AP ablation and to investigate pro-arrhythmic effect of RF.

Methods: Total of 124 patients (88 males, mean age 43 +/- 14 years) with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and single AP have been followed after successful RF ablation.

[Recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathway in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome].

Introduction: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 11.5-39% of the patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and frequently, but not always, disappears after successful accessory pathway (AP) ablation.

Objective: To determine AF recurrence rate, time to AF recurrence and predictors of AF recurrence after radiofrequency (RF) catheter-ablation of AP in WPW-patients with AF.

[Physical and biophysical aspects of high energy intracardiac electrical discharges. II. Correlations between the physical and electrical effects of liminal and infraliminal shocks].

The electrical phenomena produced during the fulguration impulses are analyzed using a digital oscilloscope which enables the calculation, with precision, of the energies consumed all along the curve or between chosen times. Moreover, it enables the calculation of the corresponding impedance values and shows that the latter varies during all the discharge. The explanation for these impedance variations is obtained thanks to rapid cinematography, showing the formation of the fulguration bubble.

[Physical and biophysical aspects of high-energy intracardiac electric discharges. I. The discharge bubble].

Endocavitary discharge produces an electrical spark at the end of the probe. This in turn produces a plume of steam which lasts for about ten milliseconds and which subsequently acts like a cavitation bubble. This phenomenon is well known in the branch of physics dealing with dynamics and fluids, and should be subjected to rapid kinetic recording.

[Morgagni's diaphragmatic hernia--case report].

A sucostosternal hernia (type Morgagni) is a rare diaphragmatic anomaly of congenital origin; in that sense are data that from 100 operated on diaphragmatic hernias, only three belong to this type. Although it is known that 20% of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have other congenital anomalies, a coincidence of a Morgagni's hernia with heart anomalies, in available to use (domestic and foreign) references, there has not yet been reported. Besides a Morgagni's hernia, our patient also had an insufficiency of mitral and tricuspidal valves, atrium septum defect (sec.