Coincidental ganglionated plexus modification during radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation and post-ablation arrhythmia recurrence.

Aims: Vagal responses (VR) during left atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment have been reported to be associated with less recurrences, presumably because they are a sign of ganglionated plexi modification. Our objective was to evaluate whether coincidentally elicited VR during left atrial ablation are associated with lower AF recurrence rates.

Methods And Results: This is a post hoc analysis of a prospective study of 291 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Permanent pacemaker implantation in octogenarians with unexplained syncope and positive electrophysiologic testing.

Background: Syncope is a common problem in the elderly, and a permanent pacemaker is a therapeutic option when a bradycardic etiology is revealed. However, the benefit of pacing when no association of symptoms to bradycardia has been shown is not clear, especially in the elderly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pacing on syncope-free mortality in patients aged 80 years or older with unexplained syncope and "positive" invasive electrophysiologic testing (EPT).

P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists and Morphine: A Dangerous Liaison?

P2Y12 receptor antagonists, concurrently administered with aspirin in what has come to be commonly called dual antiplatelet therapy, are a mainstay of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes. Morphine, on the contrary, is a commonly used drug in the acute phase of acute coronary syndromes to relieve pain-with the added potential benefit of attenuating acutely raised sympathetic tone. In current guidelines, though, morphine is recommended with decreasing strength of recommendation.

Circulating Erythrocyte Microparticles and the Biochemical Extent of Myocardial Injury in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: Red blood cell microparticles (RBCm) have potential adverse vascular effects and they have been shown to be elevated in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study is to investigate their relationship with biochemical infarct size.

Methods: RBCm were quantified with flow cytometry in blood drawn from 60 STEMI patients after a primary angioplasty.

Bilateral abnormal origin of the anterior branches of the external carotid artery.

Background: Description of a rare variation is provided alongside with a review of the literature with special references to anatomic, embryologic, and clinical issues it may create.

Methods: This was a cadaveric dissection conducted during a pregraduate anatomy course that is accompanied by short review of the literature and critical appraisal.

Results: During dissection of the neck region of a male cadaver, the superior thyroid artery occurred from the common carotid artery bilaterally and the lingual artery occurred from the carotid bifurcation on the left side.