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Aim: During ablation of the posterior wall (PW), luminal oesophageal temperature elevation (OTE) prompts attenuation of radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery to minimize oesophageal injury. This strategy on lesion efficacy is unknown. The goal of this study was to analyse the relationship between OTE and pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR).Methods and Results: During the index antral pulmonary vein (PV) isolation procedure with an irrigated RF ablation catheter, OTE was detected with a multisensor oesophageal temperature probe. Posterior wall ablation did not exceed 25 W and was terminated when the temperature was ≥38.5°C. Patients undergoing redo procedures (n = 142) were studied for PW sites of PVR along 4 segments: left and right superior, and left and right inferior. Pulmonary vein reconnections had occurred in 51 of the 142 patients (36%), in 58 of 284 PV pairs (20%). Among these 58 reconnected pairs, 83% (n = 48) were along the PW. Oesophageal temperature elevation had occurred in 30 patients (59%). No difference in characteristics was seen between the patients with OTE (n = 30) and those without (n = 21). For superior segments, there was no interaction between the presence or absence of OTE and PVR. For inferior segments, there were more PVRs in the group with OTE: for the right-inferior segment, the PVR rate was 72% for OTE cases vs. 42% without (P = 0.04), and for the left-inferior segment, the PVR rate was 44% for OTE cases vs. 22.9% without (P = 0.12).Conclusion: Pulmonary vein reconnections are predominantly posteriorly located. Along the right- and left-inferior PW segments, there was an association with elevated oesophageal temperature during the index procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of implant-supported overdenture treatment provided by prosthodontic specialty residents. Twenty-three patients with 25 implant-supported overdentures (lODs) participated in the study. Seventy-four implants were placed by periodontic, prosthodontics, or oral and maxillofacial surgery students. All prostheses were fabricated in the advanced prosthodontics clinic at University of Illinois at Chicago. The condition of the peri-implant soft tissue, implants, and prostheses were evaluated. Complications and any maintenance were documented. Patients completed an oral health impact profile-14 and semantic differential scale questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software. Twenty mandibular and 5 maxillary IODs were evaluated. Ninety-seven percent of the attachments were locators (Zest Anchors) and 3% ball attachments. None of the implants had lost osseointegration, but 14 implants (19%) had developed marginal bone loss in one-third of the implant length or more. Fourteen (19%) implants had developed dehiscence, which ranged from 1 to 4 mm. A variation in the width of the keratinized tissue, gingival, plaque, and calculus index was observed. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of plaque and the bleeding on probing on the buccal aspect of implants (P=.012). The incidence of dehiscence was significantly higher on the midfacial when the keratinized tissue was less than 2 mm (P < .0001). The majority of the complications were prosthetic in nature, such as broken denture teeth (74%) and worn or loose matrices (35%). Debris was observed in 19% of the locator abutments, and 36% of the overdentures were not stable in application of anterior force. Patients were compliant with oral hygiene protocols and their chewing ability was high (mean = 8.0). The overall experience was pleasant (mean = 7.5); the treatment provided good esthetics (mean = 8.3) and great satisfaction (mean = 8.5). From an educational and clinical perspective, IOD therapy has been documented to be a predictable and successful treatment option. Patients should be informed of the required maintenance and the possible complications related to IOD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)'s revised standard 2-23, which went into effect in July 2013, requires U.S. dental graduates to be competent in "evaluation of the outcomes of treatment, recall strategies, and prognosis." To assess the way dental schools are implementing this revised recommendation, a survey was conducted to assess the existence of recall systems in the schools' clinics and factors enhancing or hindering the formation of an effective recall system. Surveys were returned from thirty-five dental schools (54.7 percent response rate). Results showed that most institutions had active recall systems and the respondents believed that program effectiveness can be further improved. Suggested improvements included patient education and tracking patient recall appointments. The results indicate that recall systems exist in predoctoral dental education programs, have high student involvement, and vary among schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We examined the relationship between the PLA2 polymorphism of the platelet GPIIIa receptor and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background: PLA2 polymorphism has been associated with increased thrombosis and myocardial infarction. The association of PlA2 with MACE post-PCI has not been determined. Methods: 200 patients with normal baseline CKMB undergoing non-urgent PCI for symptomatic coronary artery disease were tested for the PLA2 polymorphism and followed for 1 year while on aspirin and clopidogrel. MACE were recorded and adjudicated by an independent, blinded committee. Results: Baseline demographic and lesion characteristics, platelet aggregation, activated clotting time and use of GP Ilb/llla blockers were similar between the 2 groups. The normal (A1A1), heterozygous (A1A2), and homozygote (A2A2) variants were found in 144 (72%), 55 (27.5%), and 1 (0.5%) patients, respectively. The presence of the PLA2 genetic polymorphism had no influence on 1-year MACE: 7.1% for the A1A1 group versus 6.5% for the A1A2 group (P=NS). The rate of any CKMB elevation post-PCI was 39% vs. 38% respectively (P=NS). Conclusion: In this study, the GPIIIa PlA2 polymorphism was frequent (27.5%), but the homozygous variant was very infrequent (0.5%). The presence of PLA2 had no influence on peri-procedural or one-year clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of an 81-year-old man with a history of worsening dyspnea and deceased tolerance to exercise two months after a coronary artery bypass surgery for treating triple-vessel coronary artery disease. He underwent right heart catheterization and pericardiocentesis. He was found to have postpericardiotomy syndrome and was treated with colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Summary: Brain abscesses have cardiac etiology in 5% of cases with valvular heart disease and endocarditis being the most common. Congenital heart disease with the risk of right to left shunt and paradoxical embolization is also a culprit. Our case describes a young patient with a prior undiagnosed patent foramen ovale (PFO), who presented with solitary brain abscess without any underlying primary source of infection. Since there was no evidence of contiguous spread of infection by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans, hematogenous spread of the streptococcal species was the most likely etiology. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed no evidence of valvular endocarditis but did show intracardiac right-to-left shunting via a PFO. We suggest that all patients with a brain abscess of an unclear etiology caused be screened for a PFO with a TEE and bubble study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]