[30th anniversary of the "Kuratorium Tuberkulose in der Welt"].

The "Kuratorium Tuberkulose in der Welt" is a non-profit association to fight tuberculosis (TB) in the world. It was founded by a group of idealist physicians 30 years ago. Its tasks are to fight against TB, especially in developing countries, to propagate the knowledge of TB prevention and therapy, and to promote research in the field of TB.

Invasive optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy: role of sequential biventricular and left ventricular pacing.

Background: Aim of this invasive study was to characterize and quantify changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic function due to sequential biventricular pacing (BV) as compared to right atrial triggered simultaneous BV (BV(0)), LV, and right ventricular (RV) pacing in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: In 22 CHF patients, all in sinus rhythm, temporary multisite pacing was performed prior to implantation of a permanent system. LV systolic function was evaluated invasively by the maximum rate of LV pressure increase (dP/dt(max)).

[Ambulatory electrocardioversion of atrial fibrillation by means of biphasic versus monophasic shock delivery. A prospective randomized study].

Transthoracic electrical cardioversion using a monophasic waveform is the most common method converting persistent atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm. Recently, cardioversion with a new biphasic waveform has shown promising results for treatment of atrial fibrillation. We undertook a randomized prospective trial comparing the efficacy and safety of the two waveforms for ambulatory cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Comparison of generic health survey SF-36 and arrhythmia related symptom severity check list in relation to post-therapy AF recurrence.

Aim: The effect of applied therapy on quality of life (QoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was investigated in recent studies. However, no information on clinical relevance of QoL assessing instruments in relation to post-ablation recurrence of AF is currently available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of SF-36 and Arrhythmia Related Symptom Severity Check List (SSCL) to post-procedure AF recurrences in patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

[How are interstitial lung diseases diagnosed in Germany? Results of the scientific registry for the exploration of interstitial lung diseases ("Fibrosis registry") of the WATL].

From 1995 to 1999 we evaluated questionnaires sent by pulmonologists and departments of pulmonology in order to register interstitial lung diseases. On the whole 1142 patients (579 males, 563 females, mean age 51.1 +/- 15.

Biventricular pacing in patients with ICD: how many patients are possible candidates?

Background: About 80 % of patients receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) due to life-threatening episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) have structural heart disease. ICD implantation reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death to less than 2 %. However, the major obstacle in these patients is chronic heart failure (CHF).

[2 year follow-up of 321 patients with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator: comparison of patients with and without atrial fibrillation].

Unlabelled: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of inappropriate therapy deliveries by implantable cardioverter/defibrillators (ICD). However, the importance of atrial fibrillation for the induction of ventricular arrhythmias and for the prognosis is controversial. We studied 321 ICD patients (pts) over the median follow-up of 25 months.

[Studies with the fully automated EEG sleep analysis system QUISI].

To judge sleep reliably would be interesting not only for outpatient sleep diagnostics, but also in the inpatient sphere. A step in this direction is the easy-to-apply fully automated sleep-EEG-analysis system QUISI. Nine males patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome were examined simultaneously by polysomnography and the QUISI system.

International study comparing cefdinir and cefuroxime axetil in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of three antibiotic regimens in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, multicentered, parallel-group study, patients received once-daily cefdinir 600 mg, twice-daily cefdinir 300 mg, or twice-daily cefuroxime axetil 250 mg for 10 days. Primary efficacy measures were microbiologic eradication rate, by pathogen and by patient, and clinical response rate, by patient.

[Initial experience with an implantable loop recorder in patients with unexplained syncope].

Patients with recurrent syncope undiagnosed after extensive noninvasive and invasive testing pose a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Holter monitoring is non-diagnostic in 90% of cases. Recent developments in loop recorder technology permit longterm ECG monitoring in patients with recurrent unexplained syncope.

[Lead-related complications in 340 patients with an implantable cardiverter/defibrillator].

From February 1991 to May 1998, 340 patients had a cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) implanted. Mean age was 64 +/- 9 years, 278 male and 62 female. 60% of patients had coronary artery disease and 31% dilatative cardiomyopathy.

[Therapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma--a permanent dilemma].

Although still a rare tumour, incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is increasing. The cause, with the exception of some not clearly identified environmental factors, is asbestos. The prognosis is influenced by the stage of the disease.

[Euphylong in standard dosage: comparison with an international retard preparation for twice-daily administration in recommended dosage].

24 patients with COPD and delta FEV1 greater than 15% were included in a double-blind crossover study. 7 dropouts due to deterioration of findings and incomplete data reduced the number of assessable patients to 17. Most of the patients had been pretreated with a slightly higher theophylline dosage before initiation of the study.

Lymphangiomyomatosis: a report of three cases treated with tamoxifen.

Three cases are reported of lymphangiomyomatosis with pulmonary and abdominal manifestations. Two had a chylous pleura effusion, while the third presented a retroperitoneal manifestation, which was completely resectable. Antiestrogen therapy with tamoxifen was administered in all three cases.