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The aim of the paper is to evaluate the efficacy of CyberKnife® for the treatment of primary or metastatic retroperitoneal tumours. Twenty-eight patients were treated. The prescription isodose line (median, 78%; range, 70-84%) covered the planning target volume at a total dose of 2000-6000 cGy (median, 4500 cGy) and a biologically effective dose of 3750-10,080 cGy (median, 7680 cGy) in 2-10 fractions (median, five fractions). The results showed that the complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease rates were 43% (12/28), 36% (10/28), 18% (5/28), and 4% (1/28) respectively. The overall response rate was 96%. The 1-, 2- and 3-year local control rates were 92%, 86%, and 86% respectively. The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 60%, 49%, and 49% respectively. No significant difference was found between local progression-free survival and overall survival. Moreover, if a patient only had metastases in the retroperitoneum and local control was effective, there was no significant difference between local progression-free survival and overall progression-free survival. In conclusion, CyberKnife treatment for retroperitoneal tumours resulted in high response rates with minimal side effects. All radiation-induced side effects were well tolerated.

Ten patients with long QT syndromes (LQTs) and torsade de pointes (Tdp) were evaluated. The following features were noticed: (1) Serum potassium concentration was reduced in 5 of 10 patients (50.0%, mean value 3.0 mmol/L); (2) The QT interval (mean value 0.50s) was significantly prolonged in all patients; (3) A flat and wide T wave, an abnormal increase in U wave amplitude close to the end or the peak of the T wave and these changes were accentuated by pause or a sudden deceleration in ventricular rhythm; (4) The critical beat of Tdp inevitably started after the peak of the T wave of a markedly prolonged QT interval. Cycle lengths preceding torsade de pointes were shown in a pattern of short cycle-long QT-"late premature ventricular contraction" initiating sequence changes.

This paper reports on 70 patients with tumors of the trachea, bronchus and lung treated by reconstruction of the trachea, carina and the main bronchus (21 cases) and sleeve lobectomy (49 cases). Postoperatively, 2 patients died of tracheo-innominate artery fistula and 2 developed empyema which was healed. There was no mortality in the sleeve lobectomy patients. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of the cancer patients treated by reconstruction of trachea, carina and main bronchus were 54.5%(6/11) and 33.3%(3/9), respectively. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of lung cancer patients treated by sleeve lobectomy were 46.6% (14/30) and 33.3% (7/21), respectively.

The diagnostic value of transesophageal atrial pacing in supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) has been discussed according to the comparison of the results of intracardiac and transesophageal electrophysiological study. Some quantitative criteria for the differential diagnosis of atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (RT-AVN) and atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (RT-AP) has been proposed. We found that RT-AVN and RT-AP could be separated by noninvasive transesophageal atrial pacing. We also suggested that induced SVT would be RT-AVN if (1) SR conductive curve was not continuous and SR jump greater than 70 ms, (2) AV interval less than 60 ms, and it would be RT-AP if (1) SR curve was continuous and there was no SR jump phenomenon, (2) VA interval greater than 100 ms. Thus, transesophageal atrial pacing was very helpful in distinguishing the mechanisms of SVT and could provide a simple clinical cardiac electrophysiological procedure in diagnosing SVTs.

The electrophysiological effects of intravenous propafenone were studied with programmed electrical stimulation in 31 patients. Among them 29 cases with SVT (including WPW syndrome in 11, paroxysmal AF or Af in 3) and the other two cases were studied for other reasons. The results showed that: (1) Propafenone has significant effects on each part of the special conduction tissues of the heart as well as the accessory pathway. (2) It is an effective drug for treating AVNRT and the tachycardias associated with WPW syndrome. (3) There were no effects on sinus node function in all except one patient whose SNRT was prolonged to 2020 ms. (4) Neither blood pressure dropping nor other side effects were found during the studies.