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Purpose of review Atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common mechanism of supraventricular tachycardia. Radiofrequency ablation has been the most prevalent method for slow pathway ablation but carries risk of atrioventricular node injury. Focal cryoablation has been utilized as an alternative ablation modality; however, there has been concern about decreased efficacy, resulting in a higher rate of recurrence postablation. We also report outcomes from two international centers using an 8-mm cryocatheter and complete a thorough comparison of existing data on ablation of AVNRT. Recent findings Previous reviews included studies from 2006 onward. These studies included use of the 4 mm focal cryocatheter, which has largely been abandoned in current adult practice. We will cite more contemporary studies within the past 10 years, which also includes use of the 6 and 8 mm cryocatheter. Summary The use of focal cryoablation allows for reversible injury during AVNRT ablation, providing safety from permanent atrioventricular node injury. With the appropriate ablation endpoints, 8 mm focal cryoablation is more effective for permanent lesion formation, leading to lower recurrences.

Background/Purpose The present study was designed to evaluate the local cardiology infrastructure and services for heart failure (HF) care in Taiwan hospitals and to compare the HF care with the hospitals in European countries. Methods Available data from a total of 98 medical centers and regional hospitals in Taiwan were analyzed. Each facility was given a single copy of the questionnaire between September and December 2019, and service records were extracted from the National Health Insurance Database. European data were adopted from the 2017 European Society of Cardiology Atlas. Results The number of cardiologists per million populations in Taiwan was 57.4, and it was lower than the European median (72.8). The median percentages of interventional and electrophysiologists among cardiologists were 64% and 15% in Taiwan, which were both higher than the European median values (12% and 5%, respectively). The accessibility rates to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in Taiwan were both higher (3.4 and 3.0 centers per million populations) comparing to those in European countries (median 1.6 and 1.5 centers per million populations). Comparing to 67 hospitals without HF care teams in Taiwan, 31 hospitals (31.6%) with HF teams have significantly more cardiology staff, enhanced procedural capabilities with more alternatives on oral or intravenous HF relevant medications. Conclusion Our analysis clearly demonstrated discrepancies in cardiology subspecialties and CRT/ICD accessibilities between European countries and Taiwan. Variations in HF-focused services and facilities plus HF-directed medications have demonstrated significant differences among Taiwanese hospitals with or without HF care team.

Aims Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inheritable disease that leads to sudden cardiac death and heart failure (HF). Sarcomere mutations (SMs) have been associated with HF. However, the differences in ventricular function between SM-positive and SM-negative HCM patients are poorly characterized. Methods and results Of the prospectively enrolled 374 unrelated HCM patients in Taiwan, 115 patients underwent both 91 cardiomyopathy-related gene screening and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (45.6 ± 10.6 years old, 76.5% were male). Forty pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations were identified in 52 patients by next-generation sequencing. The SM-positive group were younger at first cardiovascular event (P = 0.04) and progression to diastolic HF (P = 0.02) with higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) [New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV symptoms with left ventricular ejection fraction > 55%] than the SM-negative group (P Conclusion SM-positive HCM patients had a higher extent of myocardial fibrosis and more severe ventricular diastolic dysfunction than those without, which may contribute to earlier onset of advanced HF, suggesting the importance of close surveillance and early treatment throughout life.

BACKGROUND: Precordial T-wave inversion (TWI) is an important diagnostic criterion for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the initial repolarization features of definite ARVC in patients who first presented with right ventricular outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia (RVOT-VA) and TWI. METHODS: Patients who presented with RVOT-VA and TWI ≥ V(2) were retrospectively assessed. The initial characteristics of repolarization between patients with and without a final diagnosis of definite ARVC during follow-up were compared. RESULTS: TWI ≥ V(2) was observed in 61 of 553 patients (mean age: 44.1 ± 14.7 years; 14 men) with RVOT-VAs. After an average follow-up time of 54.9 ± 33.7 months, 31 (50.8%) patients were classified into the definite ARVC group and 30 (49.2%) into the non-definite ARVC group. The disappearance of precordial TWI ≥ V(2) was observed in eight (13.1%) patients after the elimination of RVOT-VAs. In a multivariate analysis of the initial electrocardiogram features, only fragmented QRS [odds ratio (OR): 15.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.61-148.26, p = 0.02] and precordial V(2) TpTe interval (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, p = 0.02) could independently predict definite ARVC during longitudinal follow-up. An initial V(2) TpTe cutoff value > 88.5 ms could predict the final diagnosis of definite ARVC, with a sensitivity and specificity of 74.2% and 78.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high risk of ARVC in RVOT-VAs and TWI ≥ V(2), "normalization" of TWI was observed after ventricular arrhythmia elimination in 13.1% of the patients. Fragmented QRS and longer V(2) TpTe interval were associated with definite ARVC during longitudinal follow-up.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke and mortality. However, rhythm control strategy did not reduce cardiovascular risks in short-term studies. We hypothesize that rhythm control better prevents stroke and mortality than rate control in AF patients over a long-term period. Methods AF patients aged ≥18 years were identified from Taiwan National Insurance Database. Patients using anti-arrhythmia drugs to control rhythm at a >30 defined daily dose (DDD) were defined as the rhythm control group. Patients who used rate control medications for >30 DDDs constituted the rate control group. Multivariate Cox hazards regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and mortality. Results A total of 11,968 AF patients were enrolled, and 2850 of them (654 in rhythm control group; 2196 in rate control group) were analyzed. During a 6.3 ± 3.7 year's follow-up, a total of 1101 MACE occurred. Compared to rate control group, rhythm control group displayed a lower rate of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR: 0.65, p = 0.002) and mortality (adjusted HR: 0.81, p = 0.009). The rhythm control group showed a lower incidence of MACE than that of the rate control group (adjusted HR: 0.82, p = 0.009). The reduction of stroke (p = 0.004), mortality (p = 0.006), and MACE (p = 0.007) risk was observed particularly in rhythm control patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥3. Conclusions In patients with AF, rhythm control better prevents MACE risk than rate control over a long-term period, particularly in those at high risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3) for stroke.

The data relates to the cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, "Rhythm Control Better Prevents Stroke and Mortality than Rate Control Strategies in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation - A Nationwide Cohort Study" (Weng et al., in press). The AF patients might receive either rate or rhythm control strategy according to the medication used. The baseline medication in rate and rhythm control groups was included in this dataset. Multivariate Cox hazards regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and mortality in AF patients receiving rate or rhythm control. The occurrence of MACE was identified from the ICD-9 CM codes. The data also contains the HR for MACE stratified by the CHA2DS2-VASc score, baseline characteristics, and the duration of strategy employed of the AF patients.

Herein, we describe the rare anatomy of an abnormal shunt from the left atrium to the coronary sinus, which ruptured during a percutaneous ablation for atrial fibrillation. The iatrogenic lesion was successfully repaired after emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation set up followed by surgical exploration. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and she was regularly followed up without any complications.

Objective Metformin is the standard first-line drug for patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the optimal second-line oral anti-diabetic agent (ADA) remains unclear. We investigated the cardiovascular risk of various ADAs used as add-on medication to metformin in T2DM patients from a nationwide cohort. Methods T2DM patients using different add-on oral ADAs after an initial metformin therapy of > 90 days were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. Five classes of ADAs, including sulphonylureas (SU), glinides, thiazolidinediones (TZD), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGI), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4I) were selected for analysis. The reference group was the SU added to metformin. Patients were excluded if aged Results A total of 26,742 patients receiving their add-on drug to metformin of either SU (n = 24,277), glinides (n = 962), TZD (n = 581), AGI (n = 808), or DPP-4I (n = 114) were analyzed. After a mean follow-up duration of 6.6 ± 3.4 years, a total of 4775 MACEs occurred. Compared with the SU+metformin group (reference), the TZD+metformin (adjusted HR: 0.66; 95% CI 0.50–0.88, p = 0.004) and AGI+metformin (adjusted HR: 0.74; 95% CI 0.59–0.94, p = 0.01) groups showed a significantly lower risk of MACE. Conclusion Both TZD and AGI, when used as an add-on drug to metformin were associated with lower MACE risk when compared with SU added to metformin in this retrospective cohort study. Trial registration CE13152B-3. Registered 7 Mar, 2013, retrospectively registered

Background The changes of signal averaged ECG (SAECG) in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) remains unknown. Methods Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 81 ARVD/C patients underwent endocardial and/or epicardial RFCA for drug-refractory VAs. Seventy patients (mean age 46.2±14.1years, 37 males) achieving acute procedure success (negative inducibility) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics, non-invasive examinations and SAECG (before and 3months after RFCA) were collected retrospectively. Results After successful RFCA, the electrical parameters of SAECG changed in 39 patients (55.7%), including 28 patients (40%) with electrical regression (group 1), and 11 patients (15.7%) with electrical progression (group 3). Thirty-one patients (44.3%) showed no significant SAECG change (group 2). During a mean follow-up of 17.8±10.7months, 23 patients (32.9%) had VA recurrences, including 4 in group 1, 12 in group 2, and 7 in group 3. In comparisons with groups 2 and 3, group 1 patients had a significantly better VA recurrence-free survival ( P =0.02). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, electrical regression was found to be associated with fewer VA recurrences ( P =0.02, OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.10–0.83). Conclusions Electrical regression of SAECG after RFCA in ARVD/C was found to be associated with fewer VA recurrences.

Predictors of AF Progression After AblationIntroduction Although rare, some paroxysmal atrial fibrillations (AF) still progress despite radiofrequency (RF) ablation. In the study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of RF ablation and the predictors of AF progression. Methods A total of 589 paroxysmal AF patients (404 men and 185 women; aged 54 ± 12 years) who received 3-dimensional mapping and ablation were enrolled. Their clinical parameters and electrophysiological characteristics were collected. They were divided into Group 1 (N = 13, with AF progression) and Group 2 (N = 576, no AF progression). AF progression was defined as recurrence of persistent AF. Results Group 1 patients had larger left atrial (LA) diameter, larger left ventricle (LV) end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters, poorer LV systolic function, and more amiodarone use at baseline. After 1.2 ± 0.5 procedures, 123 (21%) patients experienced recurrence during 56 ± 29 months’ follow-up. In the multivariate analysis, LA diameter (P = 0.018, HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.02–1.24) and LV end-systolic diameter (P = 0.005, HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03–1.17) independently predicted AF progression. LA diameter >43 mm and LV end-systolic diameter >31 mm were the best cut-off values for predicting AF progression by ROC analysis. AF progression rate achieved 19% if they had both larger LA diameter (>43 mm) and LV end-systolic diameter (>31 mm). Conclusion RF ablation prevents the progression of paroxysmal AF effectively, except in patients with increased LA diameter and LV end-systolic diameter on echocardiogram, suggesting more aggressive rhythm control therapies should be considered in these patients.

Introduction High beat-to-beat morphological variation (divergence) on the ventricular electrogram during programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) is associated with increased risk of ventricular fibrillation (VF), with unclear mechanisms. We hypothesized that ventricular divergence is associated with epicardial wavebreaks during PVS, and that it predicts VF occurrence. Method and results Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts (n = 10) underwent 30-min therapeutic hypothermia (TH, 30°C), followed by a 20-min treatment with rotigaptide (300 nM), a gap junction modifier. VF inducibility was tested using burst ventricular pacing at the shortest pacing cycle length achieving 1:1 ventricular capture. Pseudo-ECG (p-ECG) and epicardial activation maps were simultaneously recorded for divergence and wavebreaks analysis, respectively. A total of 112 optical and p-ECG recordings (62 at TH, 50 at TH treated with rotigaptide) were analyzed. Adding rotigaptide reduced ventricular divergence, from 0.13±0.10 at TH to 0.09±0.07 (p = 0.018). Similarly, rotigaptide reduced the number of epicardial wavebreaks, from 0.59±0.73 at TH to 0.30±0.49 (p = 0.036). VF inducibility decreased, from 48±31% at TH to 22±32% after rotigaptide infusion (p = 0.032). Linear regression models showed that ventricular divergence correlated with epicardial wavebreaks during TH (p

In spite of several proposed predictors for premature ventricular complex (PVC)-induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CMP), the specific ECG features of idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) PVC-CMP remain unknown.A total of 130 patients (49 males, mean age 44 years) with symptomatic and drug-refractory idiopathic RVOT PVCs undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups, including those with and without RVOT PVC-CMP (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 50%, n = 25 and LVEF ≥ 50%, n = 105, respectively). The 12-lead PVC morphologies were assessed.Patients with RVOT PVC-CMP had a lower LVEF (42 ± 5% vs. 60 ± 7%, P 0.01) and higher PVC burden (24 ± 14% vs. 15 ± 11%, P = 0.02) when compared to patients without RVOT PVC-CMP. The PVC features in those with PVC-CMP displayed a significantly wider QRS duration (143 ± 14 ms vs. 132 ± 17 ms, P 0.01) and higher peak deflection index (PDI; 0.60 ± 0.07 vs. 0.55 ± 0.08, P 0.01). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the QRS duration (odds ratio (OR) 1.130, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.020-1.253, P = 0.02) and PDI (OR 1.240, 95% CI 1.004-1.532, P = 0.04) were independently associated with RVOT PVC-CMP. Based on the receiver-operating characteristic analysis, a QRS duration 139 ms and PDI 0.57 could predict RVOT PVC-CMP (area under the curve (AUC) 0.710 and AUC 0.690, respectively). The elimination and suppression of PVCs by RFCA resulted in the recovery of the LVEF in RVOT PVC-CMP.The ECG parameters, including a wider QRS duration and higher PDI, could predict the development of RVOT PVC-CMP, which could be effectively treated by RFCA.

Exercise tolerance and cardiac output have a major impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients experiencing heart failure (HF). Home-based cardiac rehabilitation can significantly improve not only exercise tolerance but also peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)peak), and the QOL in patients with HF. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of home-based cardiac rehabilitation on the quality of medical care in patients with chronic HF.This study was a randomized prospective trial. HF patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 50% were included in this study. We randomly assigned patients to the control group (n = 18) and the interventional group (n = 19). Within the interventional group, we arranged individualized rehabilitation programs, including home-based cardiac rehabilitation, diet education, and management of daily activity over a 3-month period. Information such as general data, laboratory data, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) results, Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT) results, and the scores for the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) before and after the intervention, was collected from all patients in this study.Patients enrolled in the home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs displayed statistically significant improvement in (Equation is included in full-text article.)peak (18.2 ± 4.1 vs 20.9 ± 6.6 mL/kg/min, P = .02), maximal 6-Minute Walking Distance (6MWD) (421 ± 90 vs 462 ± 74 m, P = .03), anaerobic threshold (12.4 ± 2.5 vs 13.4 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min, P = .005), and QOL. In summary, patients receiving home-based cardiac rehabilitation experienced a 14.2% increase in (Equation is included in full-text article.)peak, a 37% increase in QOL score, and an improvement of 41 m on the 6MWD test. The 90-day readmission rate for patients reduced to 5% from 14% after receiving cardiac rehabilitation.Home-based cardiac rehabilitation offered the most improved results in functional capacity, QOL, and a reduced the rate of readmission within 90 days.

Background The development of both electrical reverse remodeling and mechanical reverse remodeling (ERR+MRR) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation could reduce the incidence of lethal arrhythmia, hence the prediction of ERR+MRR is clinically important.Methods and Results:Eighty-three patients (54 male; 67±12 years old) with CRT >6 months were enrolled. ERR was defined as baseline intrinsic QRS duration (iQRSd) shortening ≥10 ms in lead II on ECG after CRT, and MRR as improvement in LVEF ≥25% on echocardiography after CRT. Acute ECG changes were measured by comparing the pre-implant and immediate post-implant ECG. Ventricular arrhythmia episodes, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, detected by the implanted device were recorded. Patients were classified as ERR only (n=12), MRR only (n=23), ERR+MRR (n=26), or non-responder (ERR- & MRR-, n=22). On multivariate regression analysis, difference between baseline intrinsic QRS and paced QRS duration (∆QRSd) >35 ms was a significant predictor of ERR+MRR (sensitivity, 68%; specificity, 64%; AUC, 0.7; P=0.003), and paced QTc >443 ms was a negative predictor of ERR+MRR (sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 60%; AUC, 0.7; P=0.002). On Cox proportional hazard modeling, ERR+MRR may reduce risk of ventricular arrhythma around 70% compared with non-responder (HR, 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.65). Conclusions Acute ECG changes after CRT were useful predictors of ERR+MRR. ERR+MRR was also a protective factor for ventricular arrhythmia.

The optical properties of as-grown InN/sapphire films prepared by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) are characterized by photoluminescence (PL), Raman scattering (RS) and infrared (IR) reflectance techniques. The PL measurements have consistently exhibited lower values of InN band gaps providing clear indications of electron concentration dependent peak energy shifts and widths. The phonon modes identified by RS are found to be in good agreement with the grazing inelastic X-ray scattering measurements and ab initio lattice dynamical calculations. An effective medium theory used to analyze IR reflectance spectra of InN/sapphire films has provided reasonable estimates of free charge carrier concentrations.

Signal averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) is a specific and non-invasive tool useful for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) diagnosis. However, its role in risk stratification of patients with ARVC remains largely undefined.Sixty-four patients fulfilling Task Force ARVC criteria (mean age: 47 ± 14 years-old, 56% male, 50% definite ARVC) were enrolled. The baseline demographic, electrocardiographic, structural, and electrophysiological characteristics were collected. Patients with SAECG fulfilling all 3 Task Force criteria (3+ SAECG) were categorized into group 1, and those fulfilled 2 or less criterion were categorized into group 2. The study endpoints were unstable ventricular arrhythmia (VA), device detectable sustained fast VA (cycle lengths240 ms) and cardiovascular death.During a mean follow-up of 21 ± 20 months, 15 primary endpoints including 12 unstable VAs and 3 device-detected fast VAs were met. One patient died of electrical storm, and one patient underwent heart transplantation. The presence of 3+ SAECG predicted malignant events in all patients with definite and non-definite ARVC (p0.01, OR = 30.5, 95% CI = 2.5-373.7) and in patients with definite ARVC alone (p = 0.03, OR = 11.1, 95% CI = 1.3-93.9). Patients diagnosed with non-definite ARVC without 3+ SAECG were free from malignant events.SAECG fulfilling all 3 Task Force criteria was an independent risk predictor of malignant events in ARVC patients. SAECG may play a valuable role in ARVC risk stratification.

There are limited literatures regarding the non-pulmonary vein (NPV) triggers in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). The goal of the present study was to investigate the characteristics and long-term outcome of catheter ablation among these patients.The study included 776 patients (age 53.59±11.38years-old, 556 males) who received catheter ablation for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). We divided these patients into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of 579 patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF), group 2 consisted of 103 patients with persistent AF (PerAF) and group 3 consisted of 94 patients with long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF). The average follow-up duration was 28.53±23.21months.The clinical endpoint was the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia. Among these 3 groups, higher percentages of male (93.6%, P0.001), NPV triggers (44.7%, P0.001), longer AF duration (6.65±6.72years, P=0.029), larger left atrium diameter (44.44±6.79mm, P0.001), and longer procedure time (181.94±70.02min, P0.001) were noted in LSPAF. After the first catheter ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was highest in LSPAF (Log Rank, P0.001). Larger left atrium diameters (LAD) (P=0.006; HR: 1.063; CI: 1.018-1.111) and NPV triggers (P=0.035; HR: 1.707; 1.037-2.809) independently predicted AF recurrence in LSPAF.Compared with PAF and PerAF, LSPAF had a higher incidence of NPV triggers and worse long-term outcome after catheter ablation. NPV triggers and LAD independently predicted AF recurrence after catheter ablation in LSPAF.

Although rare, some paroxysmal atrial fibrillations (AF) still progress despite radiofrequency (RF) ablation. In the study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of RF ablation and the predictors of AF progression.A total of 589 paroxysmal AF patients (404 men and 185 women; aged 54 ± 12 years) who received 3-dimensional mapping and ablation were enrolled. Their clinical parameters and electrophysiological characteristics were collected. They were divided into Group 1 (N = 13, with AF progression) and Group 2 (N = 576, no AF progression). AF progression was defined as recurrence of persistent AF.Group 1 patients had larger left atrial (LA) diameter, larger left ventricle (LV) end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters, poorer LV systolic function, and more amiodarone use at baseline. After 1.2 ± 0.5 procedures, 123 (21%) patients experienced recurrence during 56 ± 29 months' follow-up. In the multivariate analysis, LA diameter (P = 0.018, HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.02-1.24) and LV end-systolic diameter (P = 0.005, HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03-1.17) independently predicted AF progression. LA diameter43 mm and LV end-systolic diameter31 mm were the best cut-off values for predicting AF progression by ROC analysis. AF progression rate achieved 19% if they had both larger LA diameter (43 mm) and LV end-systolic diameter (31 mm).RF ablation prevents the progression of paroxysmal AF effectively, except in patients with increased LA diameter and LV end-systolic diameter on echocardiogram, suggesting more aggressive rhythm control therapies should be considered in these patients.

Severe hypothermia (SH, 30 °C) increases the risk of pacing-induced ventricular fibrillation (PIVF) by enhancing spatially discordant alternans (SDA). Whether moderate hypothermia (MH, 33 °C), which is clinically used for therapeutic hypothermia, also facilitates SDA remains unclear. We hypothesized that MH attenuates SDA occurrence compared with that achieved by SH, and decreases the susceptibility of PIVF.Using an optical mapping system, action potential duration (APD)/conduction velocity restitutions and thresholds of APD alternans were determined by S1 pacing in Langendorff-perfused isolated rabbit hearts. In the MH group (n = 7), S1 pacing was performed at baseline (37 °C), after 5-min MH, and after 5-min rewarming (37 °C). In the SH group (n = 9), pacing was also performed at baseline (37 °C), after 5-min SH, and after 5-min rewarming (37 °C). The thresholds of APD alternans were defined as the longest S1 pacing cycle length at which APD alternans were detected.Although the thresholds of APD alternans were not different between the MH (273 ± 46 ms) and the SH (300 ± 35 ms) (p = 0.281) groups, SDA threshold was shorter (at a faster heart rate) during MH (228 ± 33 ms) than that during SH (289 ± 42 ms) (p = 0.028). At APD alternans threshold, SH hearts showed more SDA than that during MH (SH: 7 hearts, MH: 2 hearts, p = 0.049). SDA could be induced in all 9 SH hearts (100%), while only 4 MH hearts (57%) had SDA (p = 0.029). The PIVF inducibility during SH (44 ± 53%) was higher than that during MH (0%) (p = 0.043).Compared with SH, the MH group showed greater attenuation of SDA and decreased the susceptibility of PIVF. Therefore, MH is safer as a procedural guideline for use in clinical therapeutic hypothermia than SH.Cardiac alternans; Conduction velocity; Hypothermia; Optical mapping.

This study reports on the preparation of LiFePO 4 /C composite materials prepared by the hydrothermal and sol–gel processes for comparison. The synthesis condition on the hydrothermal process was performed at 170 °C for 19 h. The polystyrene (PS) polymer was used as a carbon source; the PS was added at a range of 0–5 wt.%. The temperature of the post-thermal process was set at 750–850 °C. The citric acid (denoted as CA) was used as the reducing agent and the carbon source in the sol–gel process. The temperatures of the sintering process were set at a range of 650–850 °C. The optimal sintering temperature was at 850 °C for 12 h in the hydrothermal process; the optimal carbon residue content was approximately 3.20 wt.%. It was revealed that the highest discharge capacity of LiFePO 4 /C composites by the hydrothermal process at 0.1 C is 163 mAh g −1 . The optimal sintering temperature was found to be at 750 °C for the sol–gel process. The highest carbon content was approximately 11.94 wt.% as the molar ratio of CA is 1.0. The highest discharge capacity of LiFePO 4 /C composites by the sol–gel process at 0.1 C was approximately 130.35 mAh g −1 .

A series of InN thin films was grown on sapphire substrates via plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) with different nitrogen plasma power. Various characterization techniques, including Hall, photoluminescence, Raman scattering and Rutherford backscattering, have been employed to study these InN films. Good crystalline wurtzite structures have been identified for all PA-MBE grown InN films on sapphire substrate, which have narrower XRD wurtzite (0002) peaks, showed c-axis Raman scattering allowed longitudinal optical (LO) modes of A 1 and E 1 plus E 2 symmetry, and very weak backscattering forbidden transverse optical (TO) modes. The lower plasma power can lead to the lower carrier concentration, to have the InN film close to intrinsic material with the PL emission below 0.70 eV. With increasing the plasma power, high carrier concentration beyond 1 × 10 20 cm − 3 can be obtained, keeping good crystalline perfection. Rutherford backscattering confirmed most of InN films keeping stoichiometrical In/N ratios and only with higher plasma power of 400 W leaded to obvious surface effect and interdiffusion between the substrate and InN film.

The worldwide outbreak of pandemic influenza A (H1N1 influenza) infection in 2009 caused numerous hospitalizations and deaths resulting from severe complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Fulminant myocarditis caused by H1N1 infection has been reported in children but rarely in adults. We present an adult who contracted H1N1 infection followed by fulminant myocarditis. Early implementation of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation support in conjunction with a specific anti-influenza viral medication (Oseltamivir) led to the patient’s complete recovery from cardiogenic shock in 2 weeks.

Background Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is characterized by angina pectoris but with patent coronary arteries. Our previous study showed that CSX subjects had decreased serum adiponectin but higher leptin and insulin resistance (IR). However, few studies have investigated circulating adipokines and IR in subjects with combined metabolic syndrome X (MetX) and CSX. Methods Fifty-nine subjects with CSX were retrospectively enrolled from our cardiac catheterization patient databank. Fifty-four subjects with valvular heart disease or arrhythmia and with normal coronary angiograms were recruited as the non-CSX comparison group. The study subjects were reclassified according to the presence or absence of MetX. Circulating adipokines and degree of IR were measured. Results Subjects with combined MetX and CSX had a significantly higher HOMA-IR, a higher circulating leptin level (median 8.7 vs. 3.3 ng/mL, p

Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been a useful treatment of heart failure, patients with CRT are still in risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of cardiac reverse remodeling after CRT on the prevalence of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF). Forty-one heart failure patients (26 men, age 66 ± 10 years), who were implanted with CRT for at least 12 months, were enrolled. All patients received myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) under CRT pacing to evaluate left ventricle (LV) function, dyssynchrony, and scar. VT/VF episodes during the follow-up period after MPI were recorded by the CRT devices. Sixteen patients (N = 16/41, 39%) were found to have VT/VF. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that five risk factors were significant predictors of VT/VF, including increased left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) by ≤7% after CRT, low LVEF after CRT (≤30%), change of intrinsic QRS duration (iQRSd) by ≤7 ms, wide iQRSd after CRT (≥121 ms), and high systolic dyssynchrony after CRT (phase standard deviation ≥45.6°). For those patients with all of the 5 risk factors, 85.7% or more developed VT/VF. The characteristics of cardiac reverse remodeling after CRT as assessed by MPI are associated with the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia.

the drug. Therefore, one should always have in mind that during treatment of systemic inflammatory, neoplastic or hematological diseases with monoclonal antibodies the production of anti-drug antibodies is a reality. These antibodies can cause hypersensitivity reactions, worsen overt or incipient heart failure [11] and induce myocardial infarction manifesting as Kounis syndrome [3]. The authors of this manuscript have certified that they comply with the Principles of Ethical Publishing in the International Journal of Cardiology.

Eosinophilic myocarditis is recognized by severe heart failure and marked eosinophilia infiltration resulting from different etiologies. Acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis, the initial presentation of the disease, is rare and often fatal, with unique echocardiographic pictures, and followed by endocardial thrombosis and chronic endomyocardial fibrosis. We report a young female with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented fever and acute heart failure syndrome. The echocardiography showed severe left ventricle diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. Systemic eosinophilia and the unique echocardiographic images made the diagnosis of acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis. The patient survived after intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy including high-dose steroid.

Whether angiographic coronary severity really predicts future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncertain. Few studies have compared the efficacy of SYNTAX, Gensini and Jeopardy scores in predicting MACE in stable CAD.We collected data of MACE, including all-cause mortality, all strokes, new myocardial infarction and unplanned repeat revascularization, in subjects with stable CAD from our catheterization databank. Coronary severity was graded with SYNTAX, Gensini and Jeopardy scoring systems.During a median follow-up period of 42months, 39 out of the 181 subjects developed at least 1 MACE. Those with MACE had a significantly higher baseline high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.025). Multivariate analysis showed that coronary severity score, hs-CRP and diabetes mellitus were significant predictors for MACE. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed a significant difference in MACE-free rates between SYNTAX binary scores (≥15 vs.15, p=0.043), Gensini binary scores (≥36 vs.36, p=0.048) and Jeopardy binary scores (≥4 vs.4, p=0.001).Coronary severity score, hs-CRP and diabetes mellitus independently predicted MACE in patients with stable CAD. The Jeopardy score is simple to calculate and as effective for predicting MACE in stable CAD as the complex SYNTAX score.

A 66-year-old male received an implant of a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and was prescribed amiodarone (400 mg/day). The intra-thoracic impedance monitor in the ICD antecedently detected amiodarone-induced acute fibrosing alveolitis >3 months prior to clinical symptoms.

Both angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) have protective effects against atrial fibrillation (AF). The differences between ARB and ACEI in their effects on the primary prevention of AF remain unclear. This study compared ARB and ACEI in combined antihypertensive medications for reducing the risk of AF in patients with hypertension, and determined which was better for AF prevention in a nationwide cohort study. Patients aged ≥55 years and with a history of hypertension were identified from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Medical records of 25,075 patients were obtained, and included 6205 who used ARB, 8034 who used ACEI, and 10,836 nonusers (no ARB or ACEI) in their antihypertensive regimen. Cox regression models were applied to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for new-onset AF. During an average of 7.7 years’ follow-up, 1619 patients developed new-onset AF. Both ARB (adjusted HR: 0.51, 95% CI 0.44–0.58, P

Objective: The role of adipokines in the development of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) remains unknown.Methods: Fifty-nine CSX subjects were retrospectively enrolled from our catheterization databank. Another 54 subjects with valvular heart disease or arrhythmia served as controls. Adipokines were measured by ELISA tests.Results: The CSX had lower circulating adiponectin but higher leptin and higher leptin/adiponectin ratio (×1000) (3.78 ± 4.96 vs. 2.14 ± 5.67, p < 0.001) than those of the controls. In a multivariate analysis, a higher leptin/adiponectin ratio was a predictor of CSX, while insulin-resistance index was not.Conclusions: Adipokines may be implicated in the pathogenesis of CSX.

Heteroepitaxial growth of m-plane (1010) InN film on (100)-γ-LiAlO2 (LAO) substrate has been realized by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. Surface treatment of LAO substrate plays an important role in controlling the resultant phase and purity of m-plane InN. X-ray diffraction, reflection high-energy electron diffraction, electron back scatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed formation of pure m-plane InN film using substrate preannealed at 800 °C but without any nitridation. In contrast, using substrate with nitridation but otherwise identical pretreatment and growth conditions, c-plane (0001) InN columnar structure was grown, instead of m-plane InN film. Structural anisotropy of the m-plane InN epitaxied on LAO is attributed to the I1 type base-plane stacking faults according to the modified Williamson–Hall and TEM analyses. A rectangular-to-rectangular atomic stacking sequence and a commensurately lattice-matched condition in epitaxial direction of [1210]...