Contractile response and mitral regurgitation after temporary interruption of long-term cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) utilizing biventricular pacing (BVP) is a promising treatment modality for symptomatic patients with chronic left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and intraventricular conduction delay. Clinical studies have shown short-term improvement in contractile function and mid-term improvement in clinical status with CRT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic consequences of temporary interruption of CRT after long-term stimulation.

Magnetic resonance to assess the aortic valve area in aortic stenosis: how does it compare to current diagnostic standards?

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether magnetic resonance (MR) planimetry of the aortic valve area (AVA) may prove to be a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool in the assessment of aortic valve stenosis, and how the results compare with current diagnostic standards.

Background: Current standard techniques for assessing the severity of aortic stenosis include transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as well as transvalvular pressure measurements during cardiac catheterization.

Methods: Forty consecutive patients underwent cardiac catheterization, TEE, and MR.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale in adult patients using the Amplatzer occlusion device: no evidence for thrombus deposition with antiplatelet agents.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) using the Amplatzer septal occluder (AGA Medical, Minneapolis, Minn) is an alternative to surgical closure. There are only limited data on the thrombogenic potential of the device. Thirty-seven patients (14 men, 23 women) underwent device closure of their ASD (n = 21) or PFO (n = 16) at a mean age of 47 +/- 14 years (range, 18-72).