Clinical utility of left atrial strain in predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation: An up-to-date review.

Rhythm control is the core part of the integrated management of atrial fibrillation (AF), especially in the early stages. Despite advances in catheter ablation (CA), the recurrence rate of AF after CA remains high. As a result, stratification and early management of AF recurrence after CA are critical.

Rationale and design for comparison of non-compliant balloon with drug-coating balloon angioplasty for side branch after provisional stenting for patients with true coronary bifurcation lesions: a prospective, multicentre and randomised DCB-BIF trial.

Introduction: Provisional stenting using drug-eluting stent is effective for simple coronary bifurcation lesions. Kissing balloon inflation using conventional non-compliant balloon is the primary treatment of side branch (SB) after main vessel (MV) stenting. Drug-coating balloon (DCB) is reported to be associated with less frequent clinical events in in-stent restenosis and small vessel disease.

Comparison of intravascular ultrasound-guided with angiography-guided double kissing crush stenting for patients with complex coronary bifurcation lesions: Rationale and design of a prospective, randomized, and multicenter DKCRUSH VIII trial.

Background: Double kissing (DK) crush approach for patients with coronary bifurcation lesions, particularly localized at distal left main or lesions with increased complexity, is associated with significant reduction in clinical events when compared with provisional stenting. Recently, randomized clinical trial has demonstrated the net clinical benefits by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided implantation of drug-eluting stent in all-comers. However, the improvement in clinical outcome after DK crush treatment guided by IVUS over angiography guidance for patients with complex bifurcation lesions have never been studied in a randomized fashion.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with rapid progression of cardiac, pulmonary and skin infiltration.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is a rare myeloproliferative disease characterised by multisystem dysfunction and persistent, extreme eosinophilia of unknown cause. Here we present a 42-year-old patient complaining of moderate to severe chest pain and shortness of breath, and typical ischaemic electrocardiography changes were recorded. He was initially suspected of having acute coronary syndrome, however the coronary angiogram excluded coronary abnormalities.

Rescue treatment and follow-up intervention of a left main acute myocardial infarction with typical carina shift under 3D optical coherence tomography: A case report.

Background: Coronary intervention for bifurcation lesions is still challenging for interventional cardiologists. Left main (LM) bifurcation lesions have a higher risk due to the vast blood supply in this area and treatment choice is difficult. Ostial compromise of the side branch decreases patient prognosis, and its management is still an issue despite the different strategies and devices available.

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography-Enabled Material Separation in Diagnosing Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus.

We explored the potential clinical value of material separation enabled by dual-energy spectral computed tomography in detecting left atrial appendage thrombi. The study enrolled 24 patients who were scheduled to undergo atrial fibrillation ablation (12 with and 12 without left atrial appendage thrombi). Computed tomograms were acquired in gemstone spectral imaging mode; the densities in the regions of the left atrial appendage cavities, pectinate muscles, and left atrial appendage thrombi were analyzed on monochromatic 70-keV images.

Application of spectral computed tomography dual-substance separation technology for diagnosing left ventricular thrombus.

Objective: To investigate the value of spectral computed tomography (CT) dual-substance separation technology for diagnosing left ventricular (LV) thrombus.

Methods: In this observational case-control study, spectral CT scans were conducted in patients with and without LV thrombi. Densities in the regions of the LV cavity, papillary muscles and LV thrombus were observed on 140 kVp mixed-energy and 70 keV single-energy images.

Imaging diagnosis for left ventricular thrombosis in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: two case reports.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is a rare disease that is frequently associated with cardiac thrombosis and endocardial wall thickness. This case report describes 2 patients who had IHES associated with left ventricular (LV) thrombi. The patients' symptoms are atypical.

Malignant ventricular tachycardia in acromegaly: a case report.

Context: In patients with acromegaly, cardiovascular complications are the main cause of death; sudden death has been associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In other patients with life-threatening malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias, surgical placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has proved highly effective in reducing sudden death rates.

Case Report: The present article reports the case of a 50-year-old male acromegalic patient who presented symptoms of syncope induced by ventricular tachycardia.

Clinical value of a self-designed training model for pinpointing and puncturing trigeminal ganglion.

OBJECTIVES. A training model was designed for learners and young physicians to polish their skills in clinical practices of pinpointing and puncturing trigeminal ganglion. METHODS.

Atorvastatin reduces myocardial fibrosis in a rat model with post-myocardial infarction heart failure by increasing the matrix metalloproteinase-2/tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 ratio.

Background: The cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have some non-lipid-lowering effects, such as inhibiting myocardial remodeling. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear.

Methods: The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a rat model of heart failure, and the rats were divided into a sham operation (SO) group, myocardial infarction model (MI) group, and MI-atorvastatin group.

A feasibility study on pinpointing the branches of trigeminal nerve in radiofrequency ablation.

Objective: To propose a pinpointing method and to obtain technique parameters for puncture of the branches of the trigeminal nerve through anatomical radiological study.

Design: Trigeminal ganglions and intracranial branches of 25 pieces (50 sides) of adult skull wet-specimens were dissected and coated with contrast agent. X-ray images of the skull in lateral cranial position were collected with the tube inclining towards head at 15°, 20° and 25°.

Application of a new method of revealing foramen ovale under X-ray in radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Objective: This study is to apply a new method of revealing foramen ovale guided by digital X-ray imaging for precise puncture in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Design: Thirty cases of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were chosen and treated by our newly discovered method, which features lateral cranial position, 'mid-cranial fossa arc' observation and temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation using Hartel method of foramen ovale puncture guided by X-ray real time imaging. The success rate of the 30 cases was 100%, all of which were a one-time success with accurate positioning and satisfactory treatment effect.