Search

Hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic biomass results in the release of high-value chemicals that during industrial processing can be recovered with membrane technologies. To maintain an effective performance of the membranes used in the technological processing of biomass, their regular cleaning is essential. Although several guidelines may be found for membrane cleaning in the cases of organic fouling, the data for cleaning membranes fouled by hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass is limited. Current research is aimed to evaluate physical (air backpulse) and common cheap chemical membrane cleaning methods. The results showed that air backpulse alone had a minor (9%) effect on the membrane cleaning. The alternation of NaOH (1 %) solution with the NaClO (200 mg/L of Free chlorine) was the most effective approach for membrane cleaning. The cleaning effectiveness was 95.1 % for 50 nm membrane and 89 % for 200 nm membrane, indicating that membranes used for hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass filtration can be effectively cleaned using affordable and accessible chemicals.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.67 to -0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI -22.73 to -1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.67 to -0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI -22.73 to -1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) −2.67 to −0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI −22.73 to −1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) −2.67 to −0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI −22.73 to −1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.67 to -0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI -22.73 to -1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) −2.67 to −0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI −22.73 to −1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.67 to -0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI -22.73 to -1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) −2.67 to −0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI −22.73 to −1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) −2.67 to −0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI −22.73 to −1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Aims: To assess the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) characteristics and health-related quality of life (QoL), and which AF characteristic had the greatest impact. Method: The AF characteristics burden (percentage of time in AF), duration and number of AF episodes/month were obtained from implantable cardiac monitors during the 2-month run-in period in 150 patients included in the randomized CAPTAF trial comparing early ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The QoL was measured by the General Health and Vitality dimensions of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. AF characteristics were analysed continuously and in quartiles (Q1-Q4). Results: Greater AF burden (p = 0.003) and longer AF episodes (p = 0.013) were associated with impaired QoL (Vitality score only) in simple linear regression analyses. Greater AF burden was, however, the only AF characteristic associated with lower QoL, when adjusted for sex, type of AF, hypertension, heart rate above 110 beats per minute during AF, and beta-blocker use in multiple linear regression analyses. For every 10% increase in AF burden there was a 1.34-point decrease of Vitality score (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.67 to -0.02, p = 0.047). The Vitality score was 12 points lower (95% CI -22.73 to -1.27, p = 0.03) in patients with an AF burden > 33% (Q4) versus those with < 0.45% (Q1), but only in unadjusted analysis. Conclusion: AF burden had a greater impact on QoL (Vitality), than the duration and number of AF episodes, corroborating that AF burden may be the preferred outcome measure of rhythm control in trials including relatively healthy AF populations.

Hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic biomass results in the release of high-value chemicals that during industrial processing can be recovered with membrane technologies. To maintain an effective performance of the membranes used in the technological processing of biomass, their regular cleaning is essential. Although several guidelines may be found for membrane cleaning in the cases of organic fouling, the data for cleaning membranes fouled by hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass is limited. Current research is aimed to evaluate physical (air backpulse) and common cheap chemical membrane cleaning methods. The results showed that air backpulse alone had a minor (9%) effect on the membrane cleaning. The alternation of NaOH (1 %) solution with the NaClO (200 mg/L of Free chlorine) was the most effective approach for membrane cleaning. The cleaning effectiveness was 95.1 % for 50 nm membrane and 89 % for 200 nm membrane, indicating that membranes used for hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass filtration can be effectively cleaned using affordable and accessible chemicals.

IMPORTANCE Quality of life is not a standard primary outcome in ablation trials, even though symptoms drive the indication. OBJECTIVE To assess quality of life with catheter ablation vs antiarrhythmic medication at 12 months in patients with atrial fibrillation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized clinical trial at 4 university hospitals in Sweden and 1 in Finland of 155 patients aged 30-70 years with more than 6 months of atrial fibrillation and treatment failure with 1 antiarrhythmic drug or beta-blocker, with 4-year follow-up. Study dateswere July 2008-September 2017. Major exclusionswere ejection fraction <35%, left atrial diameter > 60 mm, ventricular pacing dependency, and previous ablation. INTERVENTIONS Pulmonary vein isolation ablation (n= 79) or previously untested antiarrhythmic drugs (n= 76). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcomewas the General Health subscale score (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) at baseline and 12 months, assessed unblinded (range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]). There were 26 secondary outcomes, including atrial fibrillation burden (% of time) from baseline to 12 months, measured by implantable cardiac monitors. The first 3 months were excluded from rhythm analysis. RESULTS Among 155 randomized patients (mean age, 56.1 years; 22.6% women), 97% completed the trial. Of 79 patients randomized to receive ablation, 75 underwent ablation, including 2 who crossed over to medication and 14 who underwent repeated ablation procedures. Of 76 patients randomized to receive antiarrhythmic medication, 74 received it, including 8 who crossed over to ablation and 43 for whom the first drug used failed. General Health score increased from 61.8 to 73.9 points in the ablation group vs 62.7 to 65.4 points in the medication group (between-group difference, 8.9 points; 95% CI, 3.1-14.7; P=.003). Of 26 secondary end points, 5 were analyzed; 2 were null and 2 were statistically significant, including decrease in atrial

Importance: Quality of life is not a standard primary outcome in ablation trials, even though symptoms drive the indication. Objective: To assess quality of life with catheter ablation vs antiarrhythmic medication at 12 months in patients with atrial fibrillation. Design, setting, and participants: Randomized clinical trial at 4 university hospitals in Sweden and 1 in Finland of 155 patients aged 30-70 years with more than 6 months of atrial fibrillation and treatment failure with 1 antiarrhythmic drug or beta-blocker, with 4-year follow-up. Study dateswere July 2008-September 2017. Major exclusionswere ejection fraction <35%, left atrial diameter > 60 mm, ventricular pacing dependency, and previous ablation. Interventions: Pulmonary vein isolation ablation (n= 79) or previously untested antiarrhythmic drugs (n= 76). Main outcomes and measurement: Primary outcomewas the General Health subscale score (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) at baseline and 12 months, assessed unblinded (range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]). There were 26 secondary outcomes, including atrial fibrillation burden (% of time) from baseline to 12 months, measured by implantable cardiac monitors. The first 3 months were excluded from rhythm analysis. Results: Among 155 randomized patients (mean age, 56.1 years; 22.6% women), 97% completed the trial. Of 79 patients randomized to receive ablation, 75 underwent ablation, including 2 who crossed over to medication and 14 who underwent repeated ablation procedures. Of 76 patients randomized to receive antiarrhythmic medication, 74 received it, including 8 who crossed over to ablation and 43 for whom the first drug used failed. General Health score increased from 61.8 to 73.9 points in the ablation group vs 62.7 to 65.4 points in the medication group (between-group difference, 8.9 points; 95% CI, 3.1-14.7; P=.003). Of 26 secondary end points, 5 were analyzed; 2 were null and 2 were statistically significant, including decrease

Background: Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is a rare cause of sudden cardiac arrest which may pose therapeutic and prognostic challenges. To date, the only effective treatment for survivors of cardiac arrest is the insertion of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). We sought to review the long-term outcome of a Swedish cohort with IVF. Methods and results: Fifty patients with IVF diagnosis between 1988 and 2016 (mean age at index 34.3, 56% male), were followed for a median 13.8 years in this retrospective multicenter observational study. No cardiac mortality was reported. 32% (n = 16) of patients had recurrence of ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia, requiring ICD therapy, at a median time of 1.9 years (range 0.1–20.3) from the index event. Annual incidence rate of ventricular tachyarrhythmia was 3.1%. Abnormal ECG at baseline did not predict appropriate ICD therapy (p = 0.56). During the follow-up period, 14% (n = 7) patients received a cardiac diagnosis. Follow-up genetic testing was low (26%), however did confirm pathogenic mutations in three cases. Conclusion: Idiopathic VF is a rare diagnosis with a relatively good prognosis provided ICD therapy is initiated. Routine clinical follow-up is recommended due to potential late emerging cardiac pathology. ECG changes are common, but have no prognostic value in determining the risk of ventricular arrhythmias recurrence. Screening for genetic diseases has previously been low, and this calls for improvement, especially since cheaper and more comprehensive genetic panels are now readily available.

Phosphorus (P) is among the most important nutrients required for bacterial growth. It has a great influence on microbial activity even at very small concentrations. Existing chemical methods are not able to determine P at low enough concentrations and to quantify biologically available phosphorus fractions. Therefore, a method of microbially available phosphorus (MAP) determination is used to quantify the amount of P at concentrations below 20 µg/l. Additionally, this method determines the amount of P that can be directly used by microorganisms. Originally it was determined by inoculating sample by Pseudomonas fluorescens (now Ps. brenneri) P17 strain and spread-plated on R2A agar for enumeration. Further, a more rapid method was developed by replacing heterotrophic plate count (HPC) by flow cytometry (FCM). In this paper the use of FCM for MAP determination is validated and compared with HPC method. The results of calibration are presented. The original pure P17 strain was used as inoculum and standards with different PO4-P concentrations were inoculated at 30°C. The gained yield factor by FCM was 1.59x108. FCM results showed strong correlation (R2=0.99) with HPC results, as pure culture was used. Therefore, flow cytometry is a rapid alternative to heterotrophic plate count method for microbially available phosphorus determination.

Phosphorus (P) is among the most important nutrients required for bacterial growth. It has a great influence on microbial activity even at very small concentrations. Existing chemical methods are not able to determine P at low enough concentrations and to quantify biologically available phosphorus fractions. Therefore, a method of microbially available phosphorus (MAP) determination is used to quantify the amount of P at concentrations below 20 µg/l. Additionally, this method determines the amount of P that can be directly used by microorganisms. Originally it was determined by inoculating sample by Pseudomonas fluorescens (now Ps. brenneri) P17 strain and spread-plated on R2A agar for enumeration. Further, a more rapid method was developed by replacing heterotrophic plate count (HPC) by flow cytometry (FCM). In this paper the use of FCM for MAP determination is validated and compared with HPC method. The results of calibration are presented. The original pure P17 strain was used as inoculum and standards with different PO4-P concentrations were inoculated at 30°C. The gained yield factor by FCM was 1.59x108. FCM results showed strong correlation (R2=0.99) with HPC results, as pure culture was used. Therefore, flow cytometry is a rapid alternative to heterotrophic plate count method for microbially available phosphorus determination.

BACKGROUND: The ventricular repolarization (VR) response to short-lasting coronary occlusion has been characterized by 3-dimensional vectorcardiography (VCG) in humans; the T vector loop becomes distorted and more circular. The purpose of this study was to relate these changes to the size of the myocardium at risk (MAR) and its location. METHODS: Continuous VCG was applied during transient coronary occlusion in 35 elective angioplasty patients, and the size of the MAR was estimated by single-photon emission computed tomography. Three VR aspects were assessed at baseline vs maximum ischemia: the ST segment, the T vector angles, and the T vector loop morphology. RESULTS: The T loop morphology changes were significantly associated with MAR size, but also dependent of its location. In contrast, the early phase of VR reflected by the ST segment responded to acute ischemia in relation to the MAR size independent of location. CONCLUSION: The VR changes were related both to the size and the location of the MAR and most pronounced during occlusion of the left anterior descending artery.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is responsible for about half of all cardiovascular deaths in the western world. Heterogeneous ventricular repolarization (VR) is a common denominator in the genesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmias responsible for SCD and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is an aggravating factor. A non-invasive method reliably reflecting VR heterogeneity could therefore play a significant role in the preventive strategy against SCD. This thesis focuses on VR in CAD and acute ischemia. Aims: To study VR abnormalities in patients with CAD using 3-dimensional (3-D) vectorcardiography (VCG). To assess VR at rest and during acute ischemia in patients with/without major co-morbidities, including hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), applying recently developed VCG parameters. To assess VR alterations in relation to the amount of the ischemic myocardium. To explore the prognostic value of these parameters in terms of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity during long-term follow-up. Studies I-II: As a first step, VR measures at rest and during acute ischemia were analyzed in a subgroup of 56 CAD patients selected to create a relatively homogeneous group without obvious confounders affecting the VR response, e.g. previous myocardial infarction (MI) or LVH. They were identified from a cohort of 187 patients planned for an elective single-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the next step, the electrophysiological consequences of myocardial hypertrophy were assessed in all 187 CAD patients, including 33 with LVH and 54 with a history of hypertension. VR was examined in terms of the maximum T-vector orientation in space by azimuth and elevation and the angular relationship with the main depolarization vector, the QRS-T angle. The planarity of the T loop (Tavplan), its shape and roundness (Teigenv) and the area under the 3-D T-wave (Tarea) were analyzed as well. At rest, the Tarea and Teigenv differed si

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is responsible for about half of all cardiovascular deaths in the western world. Heterogeneous ventricular repolarization (VR) is a common denominator in the genesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmias responsible for SCD and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is an aggravating factor. A non-invasive method reliably reflecting VR heterogeneity could therefore play a significant role in the preventive strategy against SCD. This thesis focuses on VR in CAD and acute ischemia. Aims: To study VR abnormalities in patients with CAD using 3-dimensional (3-D) vectorcardiography (VCG). To assess VR at rest and during acute ischemia in patients with/without major co-morbidities, including hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), applying recently developed VCG parameters. To assess VR alterations in relation to the amount of the ischemic myocardium. To explore the prognostic value of these parameters in terms of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity during long-term follow-up. Studies I-II: As a first step, VR measures at rest and during acute ischemia were analyzed in a subgroup of 56 CAD patients selected to create a relatively homogeneous group without obvious confounders affecting the VR response, e.g. previous myocardial infarction (MI) or LVH. They were identified from a cohort of 187 patients planned for an elective single-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the next step, the electrophysiological consequences of myocardial hypertrophy were assessed in all 187 CAD patients, including 33 with LVH and 54 with a history of hypertension. VR was examined in terms of the maximum T-vector orientation in space by azimuth and elevation and the angular relationship with the main depolarization vector, the QRS-T angle. The planarity of the T loop (Tavplan), its shape and roundness (Teigenv) and the area under the 3-D T-wave (Tarea) were analyzed as well. At rest, the Tarea and Teigenv differed si

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is responsible for about half of all cardiovascular deaths in the western world. Heterogeneous ventricular repolarization (VR) is a common denominator in the genesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmias responsible for SCD and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is an aggravating factor. A non-invasive method reliably reflecting VR heterogeneity could therefore play a significant role in the preventive strategy against SCD. This thesis focuses on VR in CAD and acute ischemia. Aims: To study VR abnormalities in patients with CAD using 3-dimensional (3-D) vectorcardiography (VCG). To assess VR at rest and during acute ischemia in patients with/without major co-morbidities, including hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), applying recently developed VCG parameters. To assess VR alterations in relation to the amount of the ischemic myocardium. To explore the prognostic value of these parameters in terms of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity during long-term follow-up. Studies I-II: As a first step, VR measures at rest and during acute ischemia were analyzed in a subgroup of 56 CAD patients selected to create a relatively homogeneous group without obvious confounders affecting the VR response, e.g. previous myocardial infarction (MI) or LVH. They were identified from a cohort of 187 patients planned for an elective single-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the next step, the electrophysiological consequences of myocardial hypertrophy were assessed in all 187 CAD patients, including 33 with LVH and 54 with a history of hypertension. VR was examined in terms of the maximum T-vector orientation in space by azimuth and elevation and the angular relationship with the main depolarization vector, the QRS-T angle. The planarity of the T loop (Tavplan), its shape and roundness (Teigenv) and the area under the 3-D T-wave (Tarea) were analyzed as well. At rest, the Tarea and Teigenv differed si

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is responsible for about half of all cardiovascular deaths in the western world. Heterogeneous ventricular repolarization (VR) is a common denominator in the genesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmias responsible for SCD and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is an aggravating factor. A non-invasive method reliably reflecting VR heterogeneity could therefore play a significant role in the preventive strategy against SCD. This thesis focuses on VR in CAD and acute ischemia. Aims: To study VR abnormalities in patients with CAD using 3-dimensional (3-D) vectorcardiography (VCG). To assess VR at rest and during acute ischemia in patients with/without major co-morbidities, including hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), applying recently developed VCG parameters. To assess VR alterations in relation to the amount of the ischemic myocardium. To explore the prognostic value of these parameters in terms of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity during long-term follow-up. Studies I-II: As a first step, VR measures at rest and during acute ischemia were analyzed in a subgroup of 56 CAD patients selected to create a relatively homogeneous group without obvious confounders affecting the VR response, e.g. previous myocardial infarction (MI) or LVH. They were identified from a cohort of 187 patients planned for an elective single-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the next step, the electrophysiological consequences of myocardial hypertrophy were assessed in all 187 CAD patients, including 33 with LVH and 54 with a history of hypertension. VR was examined in terms of the maximum T-vector orientation in space by azimuth and elevation and the angular relationship with the main depolarization vector, the QRS-T angle. The planarity of the T loop (Tavplan), its shape and roundness (Teigenv) and the area under the 3-D T-wave (Tarea) were analyzed as well. At rest, the Tarea and Teigenv differed si