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This article explores the unlikely parallels between OJ Simpson's sensational confessional memoir If I Did It and The Book of Margery Kempe. Similarities between the two can be productive in the classroom.

Introduction to special issue of the journal Pedagogy: Teaching Medieval Literature off the Grid

Persistent Electrical Isolation of Pulmonary Veins. Introduction: Aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of the new ThermoCool Surround Flow® catheter (SFc) versus the ThermoCool® (TCc) in achieving persistent circumferential electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results: This multicenter, randomized, controlled study enrolled patients suffering from paroxysmal AF. Randomization was run in a one-to-one fashion between radiofrequency ablation by TCc or SFc. Aim of PVs ablation was documentation of electrical isolation with exit/entrance block recorded on a circular catheter. Among the 106 enrolled patients, 52 (49.0%) were randomized to TCc and 54 (51.0%) to SFc. Total volume of infused saline solution during the procedure was lower in the SFc than in TCc group (752.7 ± 268.6 mL vs 1,165.9 ± 436.2 mL, P < 0.0001). Number of identified and isolated PVs was similar in the 2 groups. Number of PVs remaining isolated 30 minutes after ablation was higher in the SFc than in TCc group (95.2% vs 90.5%, P < 0.03), mainly driven by acute ablation result in the left PVs (96.1% vs 89.7%, P < 0.04). Complications were seldom and observed only in the TCc group (0% vs 3.84%, P < 0.03). At 6-month follow-up SFc patients reported a trend toward less AF recurrences compared to those in the TCc group (22.9% vs 27.0%, P = 0.69). Conclusion: PV isolation by SFc lowered the rate of left PV early reconnections and reduced the volume of infused saline solution while maintaining the safety profile of AF ablation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 269-273, March 2013)

The antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently based on clinical scores (CHADS2 or CHA2DS2VASc). The prevalence of left atrium (LA) thrombi in effectively anticoagulated AF patients has been reported as being up to 7.7 %. We tried to correlate LA/LA appendage (LAA) thrombus detection with possible clinical predictors in warfarin-treated patients. We performed trans-esophageal echocardiography on 430 patients (mean age, 60.3 ± 9.8 years) receiving oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy and undergoing pulmonary vein isolation. In 10/430 (2.3 %), an LA thrombus was found despite therapeutic OAC (mean INR 2.6 ± 0.6; range, 2.0–3.8) over the previous 4 weeks. Two study groups were identified: The T-positive patients had a higher CHADS2 score (1.5 ± 0.7 versus 0.7 ± 0.8; p = 0.004), a lower LVEF (54.7 ± 9.5 % versus 60.2 ± 7.4; p = 0.02), and a larger LA size (LA diameter, 56 ± 12.2 mm versus 46 ± 6.5 mm; p

The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study is a prospective, multinational registry conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology that has been designed to describe the clinical epidemiology of patients undergoing an atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation procedure, and the diagnostic/therapeutic processes applied in these patients across Europe. We present the results of the short-term (in-hospital) analysis.A total of 72 centres in 10 European countries were asked to enrol 20 consecutive patients scheduled for a first AFib ablation procedure. Between October 2010 and May 2011, 1410 patients were included, of which 1391 underwent an AFib ablation (98.7%). The median age was 60 years [inter-quartile range (IQR) 52-66], and 28% were females. Two-thirds presented paroxysmal AFib and 38% lone AFib. Symptoms were present in 86%. The indications for ablation were mostly symptomatic AFib, but in over a third of patients there was also a desire for a drug-free lifestyle and the maintenance of sinus rhythm. Pulmonary vein isolation was attempted in 98.4% of patients, the roof line in 21.3% and the mitral isthmus line in 12.8%. Complex-fractionated atrial electrograms were targeted in 17.9% and the ganglionated plexi in 3.3%. Complications occurred in 7.7%, of which 1.7% was major (i.e. cardiac perforation, myocardial infraction, endocarditis, cardiac arrest, stroke, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and sepsis). The median duration of hospitalization was 3 days (IQR 2-4). At discharge, 91.4% of patients were in sinus rhythm, 88.3% of patients were given vitamin K antagonists, and 67% antiarrhythmic medication. There was one death after the ablation procedure.The AFib Ablation Pilot Study provides crucial information on AF ablation in clinical practice across Europe. These data are relevant for further improvement of the management strategies of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation.

The reliability of active-fixation atrial leads has been compared with that of passive-fixation leads; comparisons have also been made between straight and J-shaped screw-in lead systems. However, few data are available on procedural and short-term safety. This retrospective study compared the procedural safety of non-pre-shaped screw-in leads with that of passive- and active-fixation J-shaped leads.From January 2004 to January 2010, 1,464 patients underwent new pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Of these, 915 (study population) received a passive- or active-fixation pre-J-shaped lead, or a straight screw-in atrial lead; the remaining 549 patients, who received only a ventricular lead, were excluded. The three study groups were: Group S-FIX (165 patients, 18%), receiving a straight screw-in atrial lead (postshaped in the right appendage); Group J-PASS (690 patients, 75.4%), receiving a passive-fixation J-shaped atrial lead; and Group J-FIX (60 patients, 6.6%), receiving an active-fixation screw-in J-shaped atrial lead. Procedural and short-term complication rates were analyzed up to 3 months postimplantation.One complication occurred in each group (S-FIX 0.6% vs J-PASS 0.1% vs J-FIX 1.6%, P = 0.3, 0.1, and 0.4, respectively, for each comparison). The rate of atrial lead dislodgement was higher in Group J-PASS than in S-FIX but not J-FIX (Group S-FIX 0 vs Group J-PASS 16 vs Group J-FIX 1 dislodgements; P = 0.04 and 0.7, respectively).Straight screw-in atrial leads, "J-post shaped" in the right appendage, offer better stability than passive-fixation J-shaped leads and display a similarly acceptable safety profile compared with both the J-shaped systems.

Background The role of additional left atrial linear lesions performed during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to prevent atrial tachycardias (ATs) is not yet clear. Objective To analyse successful ablation sites of late-onset post-PVI AT, and to understand whether additional ablation lines at mitral isthmus and left atrium (LA) roof could have been useful in preventing these jatrogenic ATs. Methods From March, 2002 to August, 2008, 366 patients underwent PVI alone for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Twenty-six (7.1%) of these patients developed late AT during follow-up, and were referred for ablation. Successful discrete ablation sites were analysed. In no patient the index AT was terminated by a linear lesion in mitral isthmus or LA roof. Results Twenty-seven ATs were mapped; mean CL was 261±71.6ms. In 3/26 patients (11.5%), mapping was unsuccessful, while 23/26 (88.5%) patients underwent a successful procedure (24 AT morphologies in 23 patients — 3/24 were mapped as mitral isthmus, and 1/24, as LA roof-dependent AT). Among the 24 successfully mapped ATs, 17/24 (70.8%) displayed a macroreentrant activation and the remaining 7/24 (29.1%), a focal pattern. Finally, in 22/26 (84.6%) patients, ATs were no more inducible. At a mean f/u of 22.4±12.2months, 23/26 (88.4%) patients remained AT-free (antiarrhythmic drugs prescribed in 5/26, 19.2% patients for AF prevention). Conclusions In our case series, less than one-fifth of late-onset post-PVI ATs were mapped as mitral isthmus- or LA roof-dependent circuits.

Purpose Hepatic steatosis is frequently observed in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). In type 2 diabetics, it is independently associated with cardiovascular diseases. In order to confirm and extend this finding, a large group of patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis was studied. Methods Carotid atherosclerosis was investigated by echo-Doppler, and hepatic steatosis by ultrasound and transaminase values. Strict exclusion criteria were chosen in order to avoid secondary forms of fatty liver and interference on transaminase values. Results Among 970 enrolled patients, about 20% were diabetics, half had MS and 76% presented echographic hepatic steatosis. In multivariate analyses, fatty liver and MS were associated with carotid atherosclerosis [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) 2.15 (1.27–3.63) and 1.72 (1.12–2.64), respectively], whereas HOMA index was not. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were not independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis, whereas gamma-glutamyl transferase showed a link with atherosclerosis beyond MS and steatosis presence. The analyses of the 780 non diabetics recruited showed similar results. Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrate that hepatic steatosis measured by echography is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in a large population mostly carrying cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors, independently of MS, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and/or insulin resistance.

Background: The alignment of three-dimensional (3D) left atrial images acquired by magnetic resonance (MR) with the anatomical information yielded by 3D mapping systems is one of the most critical issues in image integration techniques for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We assessed the accuracy of a simplified method of superimposing 3D MR left atrial images on real-time left atrial electroanatomic maps (registration). Methods: MR data on the left atrium in 40 patients with drug-refractory AF were imported into the CartoMerge™ (Biosense Webster, Inc., Diamond Bar, CA, USA) electroanatomic mapping system. Registration was obtained by combining “visual alignment” of one endocardial point and “surface registration” of a limited number of points sampled on the posterior wall of the left atrium. The accuracy of the registration process was assessed through a statistical algorithm incorporated into the CartoMerge™ system, and through the percentage of pulmonary veins (PVs) in which electrical isolation was achieved after anatomical ablation. Results: The mean registration surface-to-point distance and ablation surface-to-point distance were 1.33 ± 0.96 mm and 1.47 ± 1.15 mm, respectively. Upon completion of the circumferential anatomical ablation around the PVs, electrical PV isolation was confirmed by a multipolar circular mapping catheter in 129 of 146 PVs (89%). Conclusions: Our registration method, which is mainly based on the surface registration of the posterior wall of the left atrium, enables almost 90% of PVs to be isolated by means of an anatomically based catheter ablation approach.

We present a case of a patient treated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation aiming to pulmonary veins isolation. During ablation, atrial fibrillation organized into a left atrial flutter. Electroanatomic and electrophysiologic mapping revealed the anterior left atrium area between the mitral annulus and left atrium septum as a critical region for flutter ablation. After a few pulses of radiofrequency, complete atrio-ventricular block appeared. Finally, we propose pace mapping of the mitral annulus to detect left dislodgment of the compact atrio-ventricular node.

Introducción: las lesiones esofágicas tienen una alta mortalidad y un tratamiento aún controvertido. Por su baja frecuencia de presentación estas lesiones tienen un problema diagnóstico y terapéutico importante. El objetivo es mostrar los resultados de nuestra serie y distintas opciones de tratamiento. Material y método: se analizaron en forma retrospectiva 20 pacientes con perforación esofágica excluyendo las fístulas esófago-aéreas, las perforaciones neoplásicas espontáneas y las fallas de sutura. Se estudia la mortalidad en relación con la forma clínica de presentación, tiempo de evolución y al procedimiento terapéutico realizado. Resultados: las causas más frecuentes de la serie fueron la instrumental (35%) y la ruptura espontánea (30%). El dolor torácico, el derrame pleural y la fiebre fueron los síntomas más constantes. Se señalan distintas opciones terapéuticas, siendo la sutura primaria con o sin refuerzo el procedimiento más utilizado. La mortalidad global fue de 40%. Conclusiones: el tratamiento debe adecuarse a cada paciente y situación, reservándose el tratamiento médico para casos seleccionados. La forma clínica de presentación tiene un importante valor pronóstico Summary Introduction: esophageal injuries have high mortality and a controversial treatment. Diagnosis and treatment of esophageal injuries are under discussion because they are not frequent. The purpose of this paper is to show results and treatment from our series. Methods: Twenty patients with perforated esophagus were retrospectively analyzed, excluding tracheo-esophageal fistula, neonatal spontaneous perforations and suture fails. We studied mortality related to clinical presentation, progression time and treatment. Results: The most frequent causes of the series were the instrumental (35%) and the spontaneous injuries (30%). Chest pain, pleural spilling and temperature were the most constant symptoms. Primary suture, with or without stress was the most used therapeutic procedure. Overall mortality was 40%. Conclusions: Treatment must be adequate to each patient and situation, medical treatment should be performed in selected cases. Clinical presentation has an important prognostic value. Résumé Introduction: les lésions oesophagiennes ont une haute mortalité et un traitement controversé. Étant donné leur basse fréquence, ces lésions comportent une difficulté diagnostique et thérapeutique importante. Le but est de montrer les résultats de notre série et les différentes options de traitement. Matériel et méthode: on analyse de façon rétrospecti-ve 20 patients présentant une perforation oesophagienne qui exclut les fistules oeso-aériennes, les preforations néoplasiques spontanées et les problèmes de suture. On étudie la mortalité par rapport à la présentation clinique, le temps d’évolution et la procédure thérapeutique utilisée. Résultats: les étiologies les plus fréquentes de la série furent instrumentales (35%) et la rupture spontanée (30%). La douleur thoracique, l’épanchement pleural et la fièvre furent les symptômes les plus fréquents. On signale les différentes voies thérapeutiques dont la suture primaire avec ou sans renforcement est le procédé le plus utilisé. La mortalité globale fut de 40%. Conclusions: le traitement doit s’adapter à chaque patient et à chaque situation, le traitement médical étant réservé à des cas particuliers. La présentation clinique a une valeur pronostique.

What is the value of a terminal M.A?

A computationally efficient algorithm developed to obtain a symbolic analysis of linear shift invariant digital filters is presented. The method determines transfer functions based on a succession of return difference measurements, starting from a destroyed network. The conjugation of these results with properties of the Pade approach allows the algorithm to be implemented with no need of special symbolic languages. Illustrative cases are included. >

Medieval women are often misrepresented, or just plain missing, from literary historical survey courses.