Pharmacological Cardioversion after Pre-Treatment with Antiarrythmic Drugs Prior to Electrical Cardioversion in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Impact on Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm.

Background: Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) are frequently initiated in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) prior to electrical cardioversion (ECV), achieving pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) in some cases. Little is known about the mode of cardioversion and the effect of the type of AAD used in the maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR).

Methods: From three national surveys of patients with persistent AF referred for ECV, we selected those who were pre-treated with AADs (amiodarone or group Ic AADs).

Utility of Amiodarone Pre-Treatment as a Facilitator of the Acute Success of Electrical Cardioversion in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose: The usefulness and mechanisms of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) pre-treatment as a facilitator of the acute success of electrical cardioversion (ECV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) remain controversial. We sought to analyze the role of AAD treatment with this purpose, differentiating its possible utility either facilitating the restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) or reducing immediate AF recurrences (IAFR).

Methods: We analyzed 2962 consecutive patients with persistent AF undergoing ECV prospectively included in 3 national registries.

Scar Characterization to Predict Life-Threatening Arrhythmic Events and Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The GAUDI-CRT Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze whether scar characterization could improve the risk stratification for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Background: Among patients with a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) indication, appropriate defibrillator (CRT-D) therapy rates are low.

Methods: Primary prevention patients with a class I indication for CRT were prospectively enrolled and assigned to CRT-D or CRT pacemaker according to physician's criteria.

Stent as bridge to surgery for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction reduces adverse events and stoma rate compared with emergency surgery: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background And Aims: Twenty years after the first description of the technique, the debate is still open on the role of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement as a bridge to elective surgery for symptomatic left-sided malignant colonic obstruction. The aim was to compare morbidity rates after colonic stenting bridge to surgery (SBTS) versus emergency surgery (ES) for left-sided malignant obstruction.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on SBTS or ES for acute symptomatic malignant left-sided large bowel obstruction.

Colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery versus emergency surgery for malignant colonic obstruction: results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial (ESCO trial).

Background: The aim of colonic stenting with self-expandable metallic stents in neoplastic colon obstruction is to avoid emergency surgery and thus potentially reduce morbidity, mortality, and need for a stoma. Concern has been raised, however, about the effect of colonic stenting on short-term complications and long-term survival. We compared morbidity rates after colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery (SBTS) versus emergency surgery (ES) in the management of left-sided malignant large-bowel obstruction.

Five-year clinical performance of a biodegradable polymer-coated biolimus-eluting stent in unselected patients.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term follow-up of the unrestricted use of a biodegradable polymer-coated drug-eluting stent in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: The Nobori 2 study was a prospective, multicentre, observational registry evaluating the safety and the efficacy of the biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stent (BP-BES) among 3067 patients recruited at 125 international sites. The primary combined endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target-lesion revascularisation (TLR).

Gender Differences in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Electrical Cardioversion.

Background: Current recommendations on the rhythm control strategy for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) are more restrictive than a decade ago. Gender may play a role in decisions on the management of AF, including application of electrical cardioversion.

Methods: We analyzed clinical characteristics by gender in patients participating in the observational survey about stable patients underlying cardioversion in Spain (CARDIOVERSE) study (n=915), a survey of the practice of electrical cardioversion in 67 Spanish hospitals.

Tolerability and safety of Souvenaid in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease: results of multi-center, 24-week, open-label extension study.

Background: The medical food Souvenaid, containing the specific nutrient combination Fortasyn Connect, is designed to improve synapse formation and function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCT) with Souvenaid of 12 and 24 week duration (Souvenir I and Souvenir II) showed that memory performance was improved in drug-naïve mild AD patients, whereas no effects on cognition were observed in a 24-week RCT (S-Connect) in mild to moderate AD patients using AD medication. Souvenaid was well-tolerated in all RCTs.

New oral anticoagulants vs vitamin K antagonists: benefits for health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation.

New oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have demonstrated their efficacy as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in the prophylaxis of cardioembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, evidence on the benefits of NOAC in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lacking.We evaluated changes in HRQoL related to oral anticoagulation therapy employing a specific questionnaire in a cohort of 416 patients with AF undergoing electrical cardioversion.

Bullous pemphigoid in a patient with psoriasis during the course of PUVA therapy: study by ELISA test.

A 65-year-old woman had a history of deep vein thrombosis and depression. Psoriasis was diagnosed in 1986 and various topical and systemic therapies, singly or in combination, were prescribed: tar, topical corticosteroids, cyclosporine, etretinate, and methotrexate. Two courses of oral and one course of bath psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) therapy (cumulative dose, 467 J/cm(2)) and UVB (2.

The detection of bacterial DNA in blood of rats with CCl4-induced cirrhosis with ascites represents episodes of bacterial translocation.

Bacterial DNA (bactDNA) is present in blood and ascitic fluid (AF) in a third of patients with cirrhosis and ascites, but whether this phenomenon represents episodes of bacterial translocation (BT), strictly considered when culture of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) are positive, remains unknown. This study assessed the relationship between bactDNA detection in biological fluids and MLNs and went on to investigate the local and systemic inflammatory status according to its presence. Cirrhosis was induced in rats by ingestion of CCL4.

Direct immunofluorescence in granuloma faciale: a case report and review of literature.

A 49-year-old male presented at our department with erythematous brownish plaques in the malar areas and left cheek of 9 years' evolution. Histopathological study revealed a dense, predominantly perivascular, inflammatory infiltrate in the reticular dermis. The infiltrate was composed of abundant neutrophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes, and eosinophils.

A novel antiganglioside specificity against terminal NeuNAc(alfa 2-3)Gal in acute bulbar palsy.

We describe a patient with acute oropharyngeal-facial diplegia, tongue palsy and albuminocytological dissociation following upper respiratory tract infection. Electrophysiological abnormalities in blink reflex suggested a brainstem lesion. High titers of anti-GM3, GD1a and GT1b IgG class serum antibodies were initially detected.

Striatal dopaminergic D2 receptor occupancy and clinical efficacy in psychosis exacerbation: a 123I-IBZM study with ziprasidone and haloperidol.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare striatal dopaminergic D2 receptor occupancy (D2 RO) induced by ziprasidone and haloperidol and its relationship with clinical response and extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) in patients with acute psychosis exacerbation.

Method: Twenty patients hospitalized with an acute psychosis exacerbation were randomised in a single-blind study to receive either ziprasidone (80-120 mg/day) or haloperidol (5-20 mg/day) for more than 2 weeks. When stable doses were achieved, data on 123I-IBZM single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), as well as data on clinical efficacy (positive and negative symptoms scale [PANSS]) and EPS (Simpson Angus scale [SAS]), were compared between the two groups of patients.

Chronic neuropathy with IgM anti-ganglioside antibodies: lack of long term response to rituximab.

Two patients with chronic motor neuropathy, high antiganglioside antibody (AGA) titers, and a declining response to IV immunoglobulins were treated with rituximab at a standard dose. The drug was well tolerated and effectively eliminated peripheral B cells (CD20+), but AGA titers continued significantly high. No clinical improvement was detected during the 1-year follow-up.

Diagnostic, prognostic and pathogenic value of the direct immunofluorescence test in cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Background: No precise studies have been performed on cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) to establish whether it is better to obtain a skin biopsy from lesional or from perilesional skin for direct immunofluorescence (DIF). There is no agreement on the immunoglobulins most frequently detected and the value of DIF for the classification of cutaneous vasculitis.

Methods: A prospective study of DIF in lesional and perilesional skin was performed in 50 leukocytoclastic vasculitis patients and 15 nonvasculitis patients.

Advances for treating in-hospital cardiac arrest: safety and effectiveness of a new automatic external cardioverter-defibrillator.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to prospectively analyze the performance and safety of a new programmable, fully automatic external cardioverter-defibrillator (AECD) in a European multicenter trial. BACKGROUND Although, the response time to cardiac arrest (CA) is a major determinant of mortality and morbidity, in-hospital strategies have not significantly changed during the last 30 years.

Methods: Patients (n = 117) at risk of CA in monitored wards (n = 51) and patients undergoing electrophysiologic testing or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation (n = 66) were enrolled.

Antidisialosyl antibodies in chronic idiopathic ataxic neuropathy.

Antidisialosyl antibodies were found in two out of 13 patients with chronic idiopathic ataxic neuropathy (CIAN) and not in 32 patients with different sensory neuropathies of known cause. This finding confirms the association of antidisialosyl antibodies and CIAN regardless of the absence of the M band. These antibodies may have pathogenic relevance; however, larger series are needed to establish their clinical significance.

Inflammation in dysferlin myopathy: immunohistochemical characterization of 13 patients.

Inflammation was detected in 9 of 13 patients with different phenotypes of dysferlin myopathy. Endomysial or perivascular infiltrates consisted of 11.1% +/- 6.

[In vitro susceptibility to ganciclovir and foscarnet of cytomegaloviruses].

Ganciclovir is the drug of choice for the treatment of acute cytomegalovirus infections. This antiviral agent is a nucleoside analog of guanine whose activity is dependent upon its intracellular phosphorylation to the triphosphate derivative. Foscarnet is used to treat immunosuppressed patients such as organ transplant recipients and AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus who do not tolerate or develop resistance to ganciclovir.

Antiganglioside antibodies in acute self-limiting ataxic neuropathy: incidence and significance.

Antidisialosyl antibodies have been previously associated to chronic and acute ataxic neuropathies. We studied the presence of these antibodies in nine patients with acute self-limiting ataxic neuropathy (ASLAN) using ELISA and TLC immunodetection. One patient showed serum IgG immunoreactivity against gangliosides GD3 and GQ1b.