Relation of coronary plaque composition determined by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography in patients with suspected coronary heart disease.

Sixty-four-slice multidetector row computed tomography is a noninvasive method of assessing coronary artery stenosis and plaque composition. The aim of this study was to clarify the relation between plaque composition and coronary heart disease. Three hundred sixty consecutive patients and 1,085 plaques were evaluated using 64-slice multidetector row computed tomography.

Predictor of subsequent target lesion revascularization in patients with drug-eluting stent restenosis undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The best way to treat in-stent restenosis (ISR) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate angiographic restenosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 8 months after intervention in patients with DES-ISR, and to identify predictive factors of subsequent TLR after treatment of DES-ISR.

Methods And Results: A total of 100 patients with 105 lesions underwent subsequent intervention for DES-ISR between April 2004 and January 2009.

Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation of atrial fibrillation via superior vena cava approach in a patient with interruption of the inferior vena cava.

Interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a very rare congenital abnormality. Such patients have many difficulties during ablation procedures. We report a case of successful ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using the superior vena cava in a patient with interruption of the IVC.

Reduction of Pt usage in fuel cell electrocatalysts with carbon nanotube electrodes.

The 12 wt% Pt-deposited carbon nanotube electrode gives 10% higher voltages than 29 wt% Pt-deposited carbon black and reduces the Pt usage by 60% in polymer electrolyte fuel cells with hydrogen and oxygen.