Radiofrequency Ablation of Concealed Left Free-Wall Accessory Pathways Without Coronary Sinus Catheterization:

Ablation of Concealed Accessory Pathways. Introduction: Feasibility of radiofrequency (RF) ablation using a two-catheter technique without coronary sinus catheterization was studied in 100 consecutive patients with a single concealed left free-wall accessory path-way.
Methods and Results: Tachycardia was induced by electrical stimulation in the right atrium/right ventricle, and the presence of a concealed left free-wall accessory pathway was suggested electrocardiographically (negative P wave in leads I and/or a VL during orthodromic tachycardia) or by earlier atrial activation in the pulmonary artery compared to the high right atrium. Mapping of the mitral annulus was performed during right ventricular pacing or orthodromic tachycardia, and RF energy was applied at the site with the earliest retrograde atrial activation. Ablation was considered effective if tachycardia could not be induced, and if VA dissociation or exclusive retrograde nodal conduction was observed. Ablation was initially successful in 98 of 100 patients. Mean number of radiofrequency pulses were 3.2 ± 2. Mean fluoroscopy time and total procedure time was 14 ± 9 and 107 ± 32 minutes, respectively. There were no complications related to the procedure. At a mean follow-up of 22 ± 13 months, two patients experienced tachycardia recurrence and required a second procedure, which was successful.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that RF catheter ablation of concealed left free-wall accessory pathways can be safely, effectively, and rapidly performed using a simplified two-catheter technique with no need for coronary sinus catheterization.     

结构蛋白及血管形成因子在体表海绵状静脉畸形中的表达及意义

目的：研究结构蛋白及血管形成因子（VEGF）在体表海绵状静脉畸形（cavernous venous malformation,CVM）中的表达及意义。方法：1996－2000年CVM病理样本25例，取正常中、小型静脉各12例。采用Envision法免疫组化染色观察Ⅳ型胶原、纤维连接蛋白（Fn）、层粘连蛋白（Ln）及VEGF、血管生成素－1（Ang-1）等血管形成因子的表达，半定量分析结果。结果：Ⅳ型胶原、Fn和Ln在海绵状静脉畸形与中、小静脉中的分类似，但表达量明显较少。畸形组织和小静脉VEGF表达明显强于中型静脉，小静脉Ang-1表达明显强于静脉畸形和中型静脉。结论：Ln及VEGF表达变化可能是海绵状静脉畸形形成发展的重要因素。Ang-1表达减少可能参与海绵状静脉畸形的血管塑形障碍的发生。     

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency catheter ablation of AV conduction: first clinical experience

A new technique for catheter ablation of atrioventricular (AV)conduction, using temperature-controlled radiofrequency energyand a bipolar asymmetrical electrode configuration, was appliedto 12 patients (mean age, 48 ± 15 years; range, 18–69years) with medically refractory atrioventricular nodal reentranttachycardia (AVNRT) or rapid atrial rhythms. The energy sourcewas a 500 kHz generator with automatic power regulation to apreselected temperature of 80 °C. A specially designed 7F bipolar asymmetric thermo-catheter was used for ablation inall cases. The endpoints of the procedure were: first-degreeAV block in patients with AVN R T and third-degree block inpatients with atrial fibrillation or flutter. Energy was appliedover a range of 1–14 times per patient. After a mean follow-upof 8±4 months, third- or first degree AV block persistedin eight patients. In comparison to constant-power radiofrequencyablation, where impedance rises are commonly observed, no impedancerise or coating of the electrode occurred during any of the97 energy applications in this study. Variable wall contactof the electrode was identified in 20 of 97 applications bya slow temperature rise or a drop in temperature and frequentpower adjustments. Thus, monitoring temperature and automaticpower regulation may help to reduce the total delivered energy.Temperature control during radiofrequency energy avoids coagulumformation and consequently the associated potential hazardsof constant-power application.     

Titration of Power Output During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

Radiofrequency lesions in the anterior, superior aspect of the tricuspid annulus result in selective elimination of fast pathway function in patients with typical atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry tachycardia. This technique is simple and effective, but has been associated with a significant risk of inadvertent complete AV block. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of two different techniques for radiofrequency catheter ablation of the fast AV nodal pathway. Initially, a fixed power output was used at each target site. This method was compared retrospectively to a newer technique where power output was gradually incremented at each site. Radiofrequency power was initially applied at 10 watts for 10–15 seconds. If no junctional ectopy or a change in PR intervoi was seen, power output was incremented by 2 to 4 watts every 10 to 15 seconds up to a maximum of 30 watts. Thirty seven of 38 (96%) patients treated using this incremental power output were cured of their AV nodal reentry tachycardia. None of these patients developed inadvertent complete AV block. In contrast, 92% of historic controls treated with a fixed power output between 20 and 30 watts achieved a primary success and nine of these 89 (10%) historic controls developed inadvertent complete AV block (P = 0.04). There was no difference in the amplitudes of atrial, His, or ventricular electrograms at the effective sites between the two groups. Conclusions: (1) the anterior approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation of typical AV nodal reentry is associated with a significant risk of inadvertent complete AV block if a fixed power output is used; (2) starting at low power and gradually incrementing the output during radiofrequency energy application reduces the risk of complete AV block; (3) this incremental technique does not compromise efficacy.     

Autoperfusion balloon catheter for treatment of vertebral artery stenosis

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the vertebral artery was performed with an autoperfusion balloon catheter in five patients. There were no complications in the form of embolic episodes or neurological deficits due to brain ischaemia during inflation. In critical cases with insufficient collateral circulation during temporary occlusion, the use of an autoperfusion balloon catheter may expand the indications for PTA in patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular disease.     

导管射频消融术治疗持续性交界区反复性心动过速2例报告

本文报告两例持续性交界区反复性心动过速(PJRT)患者,应用导管射频消融术治疗,成功地阻断了位于后间隔具有递减传导特性的稳若旁路.随访7～10个月.病人无心动过速发作,提示导管射频消融术是治疗PJRT的有效方法.     

心房颤动治疗的未来发展方向——混合消融

心房颤动是临床常见的心律失常,已有研究证明其与严重不良心脑血管事件(心力衰竭、脑卒中和心肌梗死)有关,目前全球心房颤动的患病人数超过了3 300万,预计未来40年内其患病率将增加1倍以上。多年来,医学相关人员在探究心房颤动的病理生理机制及开创改进其治疗方法等方面付出了大量努力。目前心房颤动的治疗管理仍是临床医学上的一个难题,尽管心房颤动治疗的手术消融和导管消融技术已逐渐趋于成熟,但对于心房颤动最佳的治疗方式、消融能量的选择尚无统一定论。导管消融通常需要多次手术且成功率低,而手术消融术后不良事件发生率较高。近年来,鉴于心脏外科医生和电生理学家之间的密切合作,结合导管及微创手术消融诞生了一种治疗心房颤动的新型策略——混合消融模式。混合消融克服了导管消融和微创手术消融的缺点,减少了不良结局,在治疗持续性心房颤动,尤其是长期持续性心房颤动上取得了可观的成效。本文主要通过回顾心房颤动消融的研究进展,对比分析目前混合消融模式治疗心房颤动的现有研究成果,归纳总结这种新型心房颤动治疗策略的优势与挑战,以期为临床心房颤动的治疗提供更多选择。     

Monitoring of central venous oxygen saturation versus mixed venous oxygen saturation in critically ill patients

Continous monitoring of mixed venous (SvO₂) and central venous (ScO₂) oxygen saturation was compared in 7 critically-ill patients (Apache II score: 19±2.1) to determine whether or not information derived from ScO₂ were reliable in clinical practice. Patients were catheterized with both a pulmonary artery (PA) and a central venous (CV) catheter, each of them mounted with fiberoptic sensors (Opticath PA Catheter P7110 and Opticath CV Catheter U440, Abbott). A total of 580 comparative measurements were obtained during periods without and with therapeutic interventions (drug-titration, bronchial suction, use of PEEP, changes in FiO₂...). The systematic error between the 2 measurement techniques was 0.6% and 0.3% in periods with and without therapeutic interventions, respectively. The variability between the 2 techniques was 10% for both periods. Differences between the values were 5% in 49% of values during periods of stability and in 50% of values during periods with therapeutic interventions. There were poor correlations between the values during periods without (r=0.48) and with therapeutic interventions (r=0.62). Better, but still less than ideal, correlations were obtained with changes in SvO₂ and ScO₂ during periods without (r=0.70) and with therapeutic interventions (r=0.77). Although there is a need to develop a simple technique to monitor mixed venous oxygen saturation, the present study indicates that ScO₂ monitoring was not reliable in the study patients.     

Pigtail catheter for the treatment of ascites associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

BACKGROUND: Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is potentially dangerous. The study aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage for the management of ascites complicating severe OHSS. METHODS: This was a prospective trial conducted at a private IVF centre and a tertiary teaching medical centre. A total of 26 patients with severe OHSS was recruited. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 (n = 13) were hospitalized, while patients in group 2 (n = 13) were managed on an outpatient basis. A pigtail catheter was inserted under transabdominal ultrasound guidance and kept in place until drainage ceased. The main outcome measures were resolution of OHSS as determined by symptomatology and laboratory values, time to removal of catheter, patient tolerance of the procedure and complication rate. RESULTS: The catheter was successfully placed in all patients following one attempt and was kept in place for a mean +/- SD of 12.9 +/- 4.3 days (range 7-24). Average amount of fluid drained was 11.2 +/- 4.3 l (range: 3.35-18.5). An improvement of symptoms and signs was noted 24-48 h after catheter placement in all patients in both groups. Procedure was well tolerated and no complications reported. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous placement of a pigtail catheter is a safe and effective treatment modality for severe OHSS. It may represent an attractive alternative to multiple vaginal or abdominal paracentesis.     

Studies in stress-relaxation and distensibility characteristics of small skin veins in vivo by a combined photoelectric-photographic and plethysmographic technique

Summary The phenomena of stress-relaxation and capillary outward filtration were studied in the isolated rabbit ear, perfused with blood at constant flow. The volume increase, as measured by the plethysmograph, following elevation of venous outflow pressure to 20 mm Hg for 4 min was predominantly due to capillary outward filtration in the norepinephrine constricted vascular bed (0.5 g/min). With papaverine induced dilatation (0.08 mg/min) this persistent volume increase could be attributed mainly to stress-relaxation of the veins. Engorgement of venous vessels as well as capillary outward filtration led to an increase of the ear volume that is measured by the plethysmographic technique. The photographic-photoelectric measurement of venous diameter changes was used in these experiments to distinguish intravascular from extravascular volume changes. The moduli of volume elasticity were calculated for smaller and larger veins (mean diameter 0.133 mm and 0.553 mm) with norepinephrine constriction. It has been demonstrated that the smaller veins were about seven times less distensible than the larger veins.This investigation was supported by Contract F44620-71-C-0117 of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, European Office of Aerospace Research (OAR), U.S. Air Force and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.This work was presented in part at the 39. Tagung der Deutschen Physiologischen Gesellschaft, Erlangen, April 1972 [Pflügers Arch. Suppl.332, R 54 (1972)].