Choice of DES: A European Clinician's Perspective

The introduction of the first generation of drug-eluting stents (DES) in 2002 revolutionized interventional cardiology by minimizing restenosis. Reports of increased late stent thrombosis with these stents compared with bare metal stents, probably due to delayed endothelialization, emerged late in 2006. These studies contained serious methodological flaws, however. Subsequent meta-analyses clearly showed only a small incremental risk of late stent thrombosis across all patient groups. Importantly, a significant and sustained benefit of DES due to reduced restenosis and thus repeat revascularization was also shown. Several "real-world" registries have confirmed these results, as well as suggesting that use in more complex situations is not associated with adverse outcomes. Stent thrombosis is a multifactorial problem, in which the stent is only one element. Further research is required to determine optimal procedural technique and antiplatelet regimes.
Second-generation DES, with different antiproliferative drugs and more biocompatible polymers, have shown promising results in comparative studies with the first generation. Current follow-up data for these stents is only up to 3 years, however.
DES are safe and effective in the long term, though intensive research continues into ways to reduce the risk of stent thrombosis in the next generation.     

Post-orchiectomy management in stage I testicular seminoma: Elective irradiation or surveillance?

Fifty-six patients with stage I testicular seminoma were treated at this institute between January 1982 and December 1988. Post-orchiectomy elective radiotherapy to ipsilateral iliac-inguinal and para-aortic lymph nodes was delivered in 54 cases. An overall 3 year survival rate of 96% was observed in this series. Four patients (7%) relapsed (one junctional recurrence in iliac node region, two mediastinal/hilar nodes and one skeletal metastasis). Salvage chemotherapy proved successful in two out of three cases with nodal relapse. No dose limiting acute or late radiation related complications were noticed. No definite correlation was found between the patients who relapsed and various known adverse prognostic factors. We recommend elective irradiation of the draining lymph nodes in stage I seminoma, particularly at centres where surveillance is not feasible.     

Cardioversion, Defibrillation, and Overdrive Pacing of Ventricular Arrhythmias: The Effect of Moricizine in Dogs with Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

The purpose of this investigation is to define whether the antiarrhythmic drug moricizine has beneficial or adverse effects on currently used antitachycardia and antifibrillatory devices. These studies were performed in a dog model of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). In 11 dogs, the left anterior descending artery and all surrounding epicardial collateral feeder vessels were ligated. Defibrillator patches were implanted and the dogs were allowed to recover. After a 7-day recovery period, effective refractory period (ERP), end diastolic threshold (EDT), VT induction, and VT and ventricular fibrillation (VF) termination data were collected before and after moricizine infusion (2 mg/kg). In this experimental model, moricizine caused the folIowing electrophysiological changes: a prolongation of the ERP from 173 ± 14 to 182 ± 15 fP < 0.02) with no significant effect on the EDT for pacing; a prolongation of the VT cycle length from 175 ± 18 to 201 ± 23 msec (P < 0.003); an increased cycle length required for overdrive pacing from 136 ± 20 to 157 ± 22 msec (P < 0.01); no effect on the energy required to cardiovert VT; an increase in the defibrillation threshold from 7.5 ±4 to 9.4 ± 4 joules (P < 0.006) and; in 5 of the 8 dogs with VT, theVT could be initiated with somewhat less aggressive stimulation. Significant beneficial electrophysiological effects were noted on theVT cycle length, including a proportionately prolonged overdrive pacing cycle length for VT termination. These changes were contrasted by the significant increase in the VF conversion energy required and the ease with which the VT could be induced postmoricizine. These findings suggest a possible proarrhythmic effect of moricizine.     

Reversing the Initial Phase Polarity in Biphasic Shocks: Is the Polarity Benefit Reproducible?

The effect of initial phase polarity (IPP) reversal using biphasic shocks on DFT at the time of implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator and the reproducibility of this effect during predischarge testing was evaluated in a randomized fashion. Twenty-two patients with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VF) who received either the Medtronic 7219D (7 patients), 7219C (12 patients), 7223 (1 patient), or CPI Ventak MINI (2 patients) were studied. The DFT was determined in a randomized fashion at implantation and during predischarge testing using a binary search protocol. Initial shock was delivered at 12 J. If successful, subsequent shock was delivered at 6 J, following which the shock was incremented or decremented by 3 J depending upon the success. The DFT for right ventricular (RV)-and RV + IPP was 10.9 ± 4.1 J and 11.1 ± 4.0 J, respectively, at implant (P = ns) and 9.7 ± 4.3 J and 8.4 ± 6 J, respectively, (P = ns) at predischarge testing. Of the six patients who had better DFT with RV+ at implantation, only one patient maintained the benefit during predischarge testing. The differences observed in IPP in individual patients may not be demonstrable during repeated testing. These findings may have implications on how these devices should be programmed.     

Arrhythmogenic Potential of Pulmonary Venous Tissue: Triggers for Atrial Fibrillation Identified within the Remnant of a Vein

Background: Pulmonary veins (PVs) have frequently been identified as triggers for atrial fibrillation (AF), and higher arrhythmogenic potential of superior PVs has been attributed to their larger size, which can more rigorously support abnormalities of impulse formation and/or conduction.
Case Report: Contrary to this belief, we report our observations in a 63-year-old patient with history of lung cancer, S/P left upper lobectomy, undergoing ablation for paroxysmal AF. Circular mapping (Lasso) and ablation (ABL; 8-mm) catheters were deployed in left atrium (LA). Intracardiac ultrasound revealed separate right superior (RS) and inferior (RI) PVs and a single left PV. Segmented LA anatomy from the CT angiogram images corroborated this, although on the latter there appeared to be a "stump" at superior aspect of the left PV. This stump likely was the remnant of the left superior (LS) PV. Thus, the patent left vein was likely the dilated left inferior (LI) PV. With the Lasso and ABL deployed at the LIPV ostium and LSPV remnant, respectively, AF was reproducibly seen to initiate with earliest activity in the latter. Single radio-frequency ablation (RFA) lesion within the LSPV remnant abolished AF triggers. Additional RFA was done to isolate LI, RS, and RI PVs. Over a follow-up period of 24 months, this patient has remained free from AF off any drugs.
Conclusions: Our observations suggest that even very proximal remnants of PVs can serve as triggers for AF. Recognition of this phenomenon was facilitated by the use of advanced imaging technique and the deployment of multiple catheters.     

Review article: dual delayed release formulation of dexlansoprazole MR,a novel approach to overcome the limitations of conventional single release proton pump inhibitor therapy

Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) provide the most effective pharmacotherapy for treating acid‐related disorders. However, PPIs do not completely control acid over 24 h with once‐daily dosing. Aims To discuss limitations inherent in the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of conventional PPI formulations, which provide a single drug release. Also, to consider approaches to extending the duration of acid suppression focusing on dexlansoprazole MR, a PPI with a novel Dual Delayed Release (DDR) formulation. Method We reviewed the available literature regarding marketed and investigational PPIs. Results Non‐standard dosing of currently marketed PPIs has produced incremental advances in acid control. Multiple approaches are being evaluated to enhance acid suppression with PPIs. Dexlansoprazole MR is a DDR formulation of dexlansoprazole, an enantiomer of lansoprazole, with two distinct drug release periods to prolong the plasma dexlansoprazole concentration–time profile and extend duration of acid suppression. Clinical studies show that dexlansoprazole MR produces a dual‐peak PK profile that maintains therapeutic plasma drug concentrations longer than lansoprazole, with a single‐peak PK profile, and increases the percentage of time that intragastric pH >4. Conclusions Novel drug delivery platforms, including the dexlansoprazole MR DDR formulation, may improve acid suppression and offer benefits over conventional single release PPI formulations .     

Electroanatomic Mapping for Radiofrequency Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the current treatment of choice for several cardiac arrhythmias. The conventional approach utilizing intracardiac electrograms during sinus rhythm and during tachycardia has inherent limitations including limited two-dimensional fluoroscopic imaging and the ability to evaluate several potential sites for ablation and to go precisely to the most suitable site. Recently, a nonfluoroscopic three-dimensional electroanatomic system has been developed for mapping arrhythmias. We describe in this report the advantage of utilizing the system in facilitating a successful outcome in three patients with different arrhythmias.