Publications by authors named "Rob van Mechelen"
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic has been labeled the deadliest disease event, with about 50,000 deaths in the Netherlands from 2020-2022, compared to 32,000 from the Spanish flu between 1918-1920.
- However, the crude mortality rates indicate that Spanish flu was actually deadlier, with 486 deaths per 100,000 compared to 287 for COVID-19.
- When adjusting for population differences, the study shows that the Spanish flu likely had higher age-standardized mortality rates than COVID-19, suggesting it was more lethal overall.
Background: Postprandial accumulation of atherogenic remnants has been described in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH), familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Scarce data are available on fasting plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B48 levels in relation to these conditions and atherosclerosis.
Design: Treated patients with FCH (18), FH (20), T2DM (26), CAD (65), T2DM with CAD (T2DM/CAD) (28) and 33 healthy controls were included.
Article Synopsis
- ApoB-containing lipoproteins are found on erythrocytes, and their levels are linked to the presence of atherosclerosis in patients.
- In a study with 166 subjects, those with coronary artery disease (CAD+) had lower levels of erythrocyte-bound apoB (ery-apoB) compared to those without CAD (CAD-).
- Higher levels of ery-apoB were associated with a reduced risk of CAD, although this protective effect decreased with age, and there was a negative correlation between ery-apoB levels and intima media thickness, a marker for atherosclerosis.
Aims: To collect information on the use of the Reveal implantable loop recorder (ILR) in the patient care pathway and to investigate its effectiveness in the diagnosis of unexplained recurrent syncope in everyday clinical practice.
Methods And Results: Prospective, multicentre, observational study conducted in 2006-2009 in 10 European countries and Israel. Eligible patients had recurrent unexplained syncope or pre-syncope.
Aims: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is frequently encountered in pacemaker patients, most commonly in sick sinus syndrome. The combination of site-specific pacing in conjunction with an overdrive algorithm combined with antiarrhythmic drugs on the incidence of PAF in patients with a conventional indication for pacing is unknown.
Methods And Results: Patients with pacemaker indication and PAF received a DDDR-pacemaker, which included an automatic atrial overdrive (AO) algorithm.
Background: Pacing in the low right atrial septum (LAS) appears superior to right atrial appendage or free wall stimulation for the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. However, insertion of active fixation lead in the low right atrial septal position is difficult and time consuming, inhibiting application of this pacing method in daily practice.
Methods: The technique of handling and positioning of a new "over the wire" lead system is presented with emphasis on electrocardiographic P wave pattern and fluoroscopic landmarks.
Aim: The aim of the study was to compare P-wave morphology and duration in pacing from the low right atrial septal wall and the high right atrial appendage (RAA).
Methods: The electrocardiogram (ECG) of 50 patients with low atrial septum (LAS) pacing and that of 50 patients with RAA pacing were compared with their electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm.
Results: In the frontal plane, patients with LAS pacing showed a superior P-wave axis between -60 degrees and -90 degrees .
Aim: The study was designed to compare the electrical characteristics of atrial leads placed in the low atrial septum (LAS) with those placed in the right atrial appendage (RAA) associated with dual chamber pacing.
Methods: In 86 patients an active-fixation (St. Jude Medical's Tendril DX model 1388T) atrial lead was positioned in RAA and in 86 patients the same model atrial lead was placed in the LAS.