Determinants of left atrial local impedance: Relationships with contact force, atrial fibrosis, and rhythm.

Introduction: The relationships between baseline tissue local impedance (LI), contact force (CF), atrial fibrosis, and atrial rhythm are uninvestigated in a clinical setting. We compared the relationship of LI and CF between atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus rhythm (SR) accounting for the effects of atrial fibrosis as assessed by bipolar voltage and LI.

Methods: Patients undergoing persistent AF ablation were recruited.

Comparison of voltages between atria: differences in sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation.

Background: Ultra high-density mapping systems allow for comparison of atrial electroanatomical maps in unprecedented detail. Atrial scar determined by voltages and surface area between atria, rhythm and atrial fibrillation (AF) types was assessed.

Methods: Left (LA) and right atrial (RA) maps were created using Rhythmia HDx in patients listed for ablation for paroxysmal (PAF, sinus rhythm (SR) maps only) or persistent AF (PeAF, AF and SR maps).

Radiofrequency Ablation of the Diseased Human Left Ventricle: Biophysical and Electrogram-Based Analysis.

Background: Predictors of effective ablation lesion delivery in the human left ventricle are not established, particularly in scar. Impedance drop and electrogram (EGM) attenuation are potential surrogates to assess this.

Objectives: This study sought to establish the relationships between ablation index (AI) and force-time integral (FTI) with impedance drop and EGM attenuation in the human left ventricle.

Results of two Phase 1, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Studies (Ascending Single-dose and Multiple-dose Studies) to Determine the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered LX9211 in Healthy Participants.

Purpose: For neuropathic pain, current therapies do not provide relief for most patients; less than half achieve a 50% pain reduction. Current analgesics have adverse effects. We present 2 Phase I studies of LX9211, a new small-molecule AP2-associated kinase 1 inhibitor with preclinical effectiveness in pain relief.

Leakage current from transvenous and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs): A risk to the rescuer?

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are a well-established therapy for patients at risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. With rising implant rates, the risk of a rescuer performing chest compressions during discharge is increasing, leading to concerns over rescuer safety from the resultant leakage current. More recently, subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) have been developed, which utilise a higher energy and more superficial electrodes compared with transvenous ICDs (T-ICD), raising safety concerns further.

The use of fixed appliances in the UK: a survey of specialist orthodontists.

Objective: To investigate the use of fixed appliances in the UK.

Design: Prospective postal questionnaire.

Setting: UK.

The Potential Value of Near Patient Platelet Function Testing in PCI: Randomised Comparison of 600 mg versus 900 mg Clopidogrel Loading Doses.

Whilst poor response to clopidogrel is associated with adverse outcomes uncertainty exists as to how (a) response should be assessed and (b) poor responders managed. We utilised VerifyNow P2Y12 and short Thrombelastography (TEG) to assess 900 mg doses in (i) initial poor responders to 600 mg and (ii) in a randomised comparison with 600 mg. Blood was taken before and six hours post clopidogrel in (i) 30 volunteers receiving 600 mg (poor responders received 900 mg > two weeks later) and (ii) 60 patients randomized 1 : 1 to 600 mg or 900 mg doses.

Gender and responses to aspirin and clopidogrel: insights using short thrombelastography.

There is significant variability in both baseline clotting tendency and response to antiplatelet therapy. Responses are associated with outcome. We have investigated whether differences could explain the increased risk observed in women presenting with coronary artery disease.

Effects of clopidogrel on "aspirin specific" pathways of platelet inhibition.

The most widely accepted methods of assessing response to clopidogrel involve isolated ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Whilst poor response determined by these assays correlates with adverse clinical events, the number of "poor responders" is far higher than the number of events attributed to treatment failure. Clopidogrel may have effects that cannot be assessed using isolated ADP-induced aggregation.

Long-term clinical evaluation of bracket failure with a self-etching primer: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: A long-term comparison of the failure rates of orthodontic brackets bonded with either a self-etching primer (SEP) or conventional etch and primer (AE).

Design: Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: UK district general hospital with one operator, 2003-6.

Incremental versus maximum bite advancement during twin-block therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of incremental and maximum bite advancement during treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion with the Twin-block appliance in the permanent dentition. It was performed at 3 district general hospitals in the United Kingdom with 4 operators. Two hundred three patients, 10-14 years old, were randomized.