Prediction model for determining important factors of success of external cephalic version.

Background: The External cephalic version (ECV) is a skill as well as an art that could be easily acquired. It has become a valuable option in the management of breech foetus at term. Aims of this study were to determining those factors that were significantly associated with success of external cephalic version (ECV) procedure.

Glycaemic, insulin and ghrelin responses to traditional South Asian flatbreads in diabetic and healthy subjects.

In the South-East Asian subcontinent, flatbreads contribute the main portion of carbohydrate to a meal. There are no specific data on the effect of different flatbreads on satiety and recurrent hunger, as indicated by the duration of ghrelin suppression after a meal. The present study was designed to examine the glycaemic, insulin and ghrelin responses to traditional subcontinental breads in type 2 diabetic subjects and healthy volunteers.

Pharmacological prevention and termination of focal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Patients undergo ablation for focal atrial fibrillation (AF) as a result of failure of anti-arrhythmic drugs. Our basic studies have implicated cholinergic and adrenergic neurotransmitter release as the underlying mechanism for focal AF. Therefore, we tested the efficacy of a combination of sodium channel-blocking agents with additional vagolytic properties and a β-blocker to terminate and prevent focal AF.

A new approach for estimation of body mass index using waist and hip circumference in type 2 diabetes patients.

Background: Body mass index (BMI), derived by dividing weight (Kg) by the square of height (m), is a useful anthropometric parameter, with multiple applications. It is dependent upon accurate measurement of its component parameters. Where measurement of height and weight with calibrated instruments is not possible, other objective parameters are required to maintain accuracy.

Low-level vagosympathetic stimulation: a paradox and potential new modality for the treatment of focal atrial fibrillation.

Background: We used high-frequency stimulation delivered during the refractory period of the atrium and pulmonary veins (PVs) to induce focal firing and atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was designed to demonstrate that bilateral low-level vagosympathetic nerve stimulation (LL-VNS) could suppress high-frequency stimulation-induced focal AF at atrial and PV sites.

Methods And Results: In 23 dogs anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital, electrodes in the vagosympathetic trunks allowed LL-VNS at 1 V below that which slowed the sinus rate or atrioventricular conduction.

The role of ganglionated plexi in apnea-related atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: This study was conducted to simulate sleep apnea-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) in an experimental model and to determine whether neural ablation will prevent AF.

Background: An increasing number of clinical reports have associated sleep apnea and AF, and many possible mechanisms responsible for this relationship have been proposed.

Methods: Thirty dogs anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital were ventilated by a positive pressure respirator.

An acute experimental model demonstrating 2 different forms of sustained atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Background: The objective of this study was to develop an acute experimental model showing both focal and macroreentrant sustained atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: In 31 anesthetized dogs, bilateral thoracotomies allowed the attachment of electrode catheters at the right and left superior pulmonary veins, atrial free walls, and atrial appendages. Acetylcholine, 100 mmol/L, was applied topically to either appendage.

Identification of epidemiological risk factors for hepatitis C in Punjab, Pakistan.

Background & Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major health issues in Punjab, Pakistan. About 3% of the world population have been infected by hepatitis C virus. The objective of this study was to find out significantly associated factors with Hepatitis C in the region.

Comparison of atrial fibrillation inducibility by electrical stimulation of either the extrinsic or the intrinsic autonomic nervous systems.

Objectives: To study the effects of bilateral vagosympathetic nerve stimulation (VNS) and ganglionated plexi stimulation (GPS) on atrial refractoriness and inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Studies were performed in fourteen adult mongrel dogs anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg. VNS was achieved by insertion of wires into the left and right VN trunks.

Atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation: autonomic mechanism for atrial electrical remodeling induced by short-term rapid atrial pacing.

Background: The mechanism(s) for acute changes in electrophysiological properties of the atria during rapid pacing induced atrial fibrillation (AF) is not completely understood. We sought to evaluate the contribution of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system in acute atrial electrical remodeling and AF induced by 6-hour rapid atrial pacing.

Methods And Results: Continuous rapid pacing (1200 bpm, 2x threshold [TH]) was performed at the left atrial appendage.

Autonomic mechanism for complex fractionated atrial electrograms: evidence by fast fourier transform analysis.

Introduction: The mechanism(s) underlying complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) is not well understood. We hypothesized that CFAE may be caused by enhanced activity of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system.

Methods And Results: In 35 anesthetized dogs, via a right or left thoracotomy, sustained atrial fibrillation was induced by local application of acetylcholine (ACh; 10, 100 mM) to the surface of the atrial appendage (AA) or by injection of ACh (10 mM) into the ganglionated plexi (GP).

An acute model for atrial fibrillation arising from a peripheral atrial site: evidence for primary and secondary triggers.

Background: We previously demonstrated that acetylcholine (Ach) injected into cardiac ganglionated plexi (GP) causes pulmonary vein (PV) ectopy initiating atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: To determine the effects of Ach applied at non-PV sites.

Methods: Overall, 54 dogs were anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital.