First experience with rotational angiography of the right ventricle to guide ventricular tachycardia ablation.

Background: Rotational angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction (3DRA) is a new imaging tool recently introduced to guide mapping and ablation of the left atrium.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of 3DRA for imaging the ventricles and guiding ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation.

Methods: Using the Philips Allura Xper FD10 system, 3DRA was performed in eight patients referred for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) VT ablation.

Aprepitant as salvage antiemetic therapy in breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.

Goals Of Work: To assess the efficacy of adding aprepitant to a 5-HT(3) antagonist and dexamethasone as salvage antiemetic therapy for breast cancer patients receiving their initial cycle of an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) and failing to achieve complete control of emesis.

Materials And Methods: Eligibility: breast cancer patients receiving their first cycle of AC.

Treatment: standard dose of a 5-HT(3) antagonist and dexamethasone 8-10 mg IV/PO on day 1 prior to cycle 1 of AC and dexamethasone 4 mg bid on days 2 and 3.

Southwest Oncology Group phase II trial (S0341) of erlotinib (OSI-774) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and a performance status of 2.

Purpose: This phase II study (S0341) evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of single-agent erlotinib in unselected chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a performance status (PS) of 2. Exploratory analyses of a number of biomarkers relating to epidermal growth factor receptor pathway activation were also performed.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stage IIIB (pleural effusion) or stage IV NSCLC with a PS of 2 and no prior chemotherapy or biologic treatment for NSCLC received erlotinib 150 mg daily.

Remote magnetic navigation system provides a superior catheter stability in acquisition of His bundle electrogram.

Introduction: Catheter stability is a key prerequisite for a successful EP procedure. Remote magnetic navigation system (RMNS) was recently introduced for the manipulation of EP catheters. It may provide an improved catheter stability but this has not been tested prospectively.

Chemotherapy in patients > or = 80 with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: combined results from SWOG 0027 and LUN 6.

Introduction: We report outcomes for the combined cohort of patients ages 80 or older from two chemotherapy trials in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) conducted by the Southwest Oncology Group (S0027) and an investigator-initiated trial (LUN 6).

Methods: Patients with chemotherapy-naïve, stage IIIB/IV NSCLC, ages 70 years or older with a performance status (PS) of 0 or 1, or patients of any age with PS 2, were eligible. Treatment in the S0027 study was 25 mg/m2 of vinorelbine on days 1 and 8, every 21 days for three cycles, and then 35 mg/m2 of docetaxel on days 1, 8, and 15, every 28 days for three cycles.

Phase II study of gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with previously untreated extensive stage small cell lung cancer: Southwest Oncology Group Study 9718.

Background: This phase II study (S9718) evaluated the antineoplastic activity and tolerability of the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin in previously untreated patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

Methods: Chemonaive patients with ES-SCLC, received gemcitabine 1250 mg/m intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 75 mg/m IV over 30 to 60 minutes on day 1. Treatments were repeated every 21 days for a maximum of six cycles.

Phase II trial of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and topotecan with G-CSF support in previously untreated patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer: Southwest Oncology Group 9914.

Purpose: This phase II study (S9914) evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of the three-drug combination of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and topotecan with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in previously untreated patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed extensive stage small cell lung cancer received topotecan 1.0 mg/m intravenously on days 1 through 4; paclitaxel 175 mg/m intravenously on day 4, and carboplatin AUC = 5 intravenously on day 4, treatments were repeated every 21 days for a maximum of six cycles.

Sequential vinorelbine and docetaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients age 70 and older and/or with a performance status of 2: a phase II trial of the Southwest Oncology Group (S0027).

Background: This phase II study (S0027) evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of planned sequential single-agent chemotherapy with vinorelbine followed by docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) age 70 and older and/or a performance status (PS) of 2.

Methods: Patients with stage IIIB (pleural effusion) or stage IV NSCLC, age 70 and older with a PS of 0-1 or 2, any age, received three cycles of vinorelbine 25 mg/m days 1 and 8 every 21 days followed by three cycles of docetaxel 35 mg/m days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days.

Results: A total of 125 patients entered the study; 117 patients were assessable for response, survival, and toxicity.

Three-dimensional rotational angiography of the left atrium and esophagus--A virtual computed tomography scan in the electrophysiology lab?

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the heart and surrounding structures has been supplementing traditional two-dimensional imaging to guide diagnostic and therapeutic electrophysiologic procedures. Current methods using computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction have certain limitations.

Objective: We investigated the feasibility of rotational angiography (RA) combined with simultaneous esophagogram to create an intraprocedural 3D reconstruction of the left atrium (LA) and the esophagus.

Transgenic expression of beta-APP in fast-twitch skeletal muscle leads to calcium dyshomeostasis and IBM-like pathology.

Intracellular deposition of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide is an increasingly recognized pathological hallmark associated with neurodegeneration and muscle wasting in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and inclusion body myositis (IBM), respectively. Previous reports have implicated dysregulation of beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) expression in IBM. Accumulation of full-length betaAPP, its various proteolytic derivatives including Abeta, and phospho-tau into vacuolated inclusions is an early pathogenic event.

New treatment options for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Significant progress has been made in the development of effective, convenient, and well-tolerated means to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy (CINV). Nevertheless, a substantial minority of patients continues to have suboptimal antiemetic control, and additional treatment approaches are needed. One avenue of investigation being pursued involves the evaluation of a new 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist (palonosetron) that differs from available serotonin antagonists in its markedly longer half-life (40 h) and greater binding affinity for the type-three serotonin receptor.

Hormonal and antihormonal therapy for epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Objectives/hypothesis: Objectives were to assess available information on hormonal therapy for bleeding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), to determine whether there is a role for hormonal therapy as an initial therapeutic option, and to report the second known case of response in HHT to antihormonal therapy.

Study Design: Literature review and case report.

Methods: The literature on hormonal and antihormonal therapy for HHT was reviewed.

Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula.

Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula is rarely observed today because of the early diagnosis and management made possible by ultrasonography, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and effective surgical management of biliary tract disease. We present a case of spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula due to cholecystitis.