The P wave dispersion-one pixel, one millisecond.

The electrophysiological activity of the heart is recorded and presented in form of electrocardiogram (ECG). In 1998 the concept of P wave dispersion as the risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence was introduced. It was calculated as the difference between the longest and the shortest P wave.

Nocturnal blood pressure and nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations: the effect of short-term CPAP therapy and their association with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: We determined the relationship of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, nocturnal blood pressure (NBP), and NBP fluctuations (NBPFs) with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We also investigated the effect of short-term continuous positive airway pressure therapy on NBP parameters.

Methods: This retrospective study included 548 patients from our cardiac clinic with suspected OSA.

The clinical utility of direct His-bundle pacing in patients with heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation.

In patients with significantly impaired left ventricle function permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexists with symptoms of heart failure. Based on various studies, it is assumed that in patients with heart failure in functional class III and IV AF occurs in 40-50% of patients. AF adversely affects cardiac hemodynamics, and its harmfulness increases particularly in the failing heart.

Safe procedures despite ultra low radiation doses during catheter ablations of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias-A multicenter experience.

Introduction: Despite the development of non-fluoroscopic catheter visualization options, fluoroscopy is still used in most ablation procedures. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new ultra-low dose radiation protocol for EP procedures in a large number of patients.

Methods And Results: A total of 3462 consecutive patients (male 1926 (55.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance as a complementary method to transthoracic echocardiography for aortic valve area estimation in patients with aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease. While two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) is the standard imaging modality for AS assessment, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) offers a reliable and reproducible alternative. The aim of this study was to compare AVA measurements as determined by TTE and CMR in patients with AS.

Individual shear rate therapy (ISRT)-further development of external counterpulsation for decreasing blood pressure in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD).

Individual shear rate therapy (ISRT) evolved from external counterpulsation with individual treatment pressures based on Doppler ultrasound measurements. In this study, we assessed the effect of ISRT on blood pressure (BP) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Eighty-four patients with symptomatic CAD were included in the study.

Usefulness of Individual Shear Rate Therapy, New Treatment Option for Patients With Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease.

The aim of this study was to elucidate if patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), who fail to respond to revascularization procedures, can improve from individual shear rate therapy (ISRT). The ISRT is an adaptation of the external counterpulsation with lower individual treatment pressures based on Doppler-ultrasound measurements during counterpulsation. In contrast to the external counterpulsation therapy, the ISRT is based on the detection of the individual intra-arterial shear rate.

Evaluation of therapy management and outcome in Takotsubo syndrome.

Background: To date there is no validated evidence for standardized treatment of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Medication therapy after final TTS diagnosis remains unclear. Previous data on patient outcome is ambivalent.