Do Electrode and Lead Design Differences for Permanent Cardiac Pacing Translate into Clinically Demonstrable Differences? (Comparison of Sintered Platinum and Activated Vitreous and Porous Carbon Electrodes)

A randomized prospective study was undertaken to compare the electrical performances of three permanent, endocardial, tined pacing leads with different electrode designs--sintered platinum, vitreous carbon, and porous carbon. Ninety-nine patients received one of the leads (S80 31; 423S 32; S100 36). Acute R wave amplitude and ST elevation of the native endocardial electrogram, voltage threshold, impedance, and current flow at four pulse durations (0.25-1.0 msec) were measured. Voltage thresholds were measured noninvasively at each of four pulse durations at 2 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation. No significant differences were found in sensing properties, or current flow at threshold at 0.5 msec pulse duration. The 423S lead had a significantly higher impedance at threshold and both a higher impedance and lower current flow at 5 V. No significant differences in threshold voltages were found between the three leads at any pulse duration, at any of the assessed times after implantation. Six-month thresholds for the S80, 423S, and S100 leads were 1.18 +/- 0.35, 1.17 +/- 0.29, and 1.06 +/- 0.38 V respectively at 0.5 msec pulse duration. Differences between 'high performance' pacing leads need to be of a greater order of magnitude before they can be exploited to give any real clinical advantage to patients.     

连续浅缝法修补膜周型室间隔缺损

目的探讨连续浅缝法修补单纯膜周型室间隔缺损(pVSD)法的效果。方法选取2002年1月至2004年10月我院收治的体重10kg以内(≤10kg)50例单纯膜周型室间隔缺损患者,均采用自体心包连续浅缝法修补。结果主动脉阻断时间32±21min(14-52min),体外循环时间56±35min(29-69min)。无°房室传导阻滞发生,9例发生右束支传导阻滞,2例结性心律。2例膜周偏流出道型VSD患者因前上缘残余分流分别为0.4cm和0.3cm,再次手术修补;1例后下缘残留细束样分流,直径0.15cm,随访6个月后自愈;10例膜周偏流出道型VSD患者剪开三尖瓣,8例垂直瓣环,2例平行瓣环;1例三尖瓣中度反流,随访无加重;5例轻度反流,4例轻微反流,随访均无加重;1例心包积液;1例再次进入手术室止血。结论连续浅缝法是修补单纯膜周型室间隔缺损的有效外科纠治方法。     

A randomized trial comparing two different approaches of pacemaker selection.

AIMS: DDD-pacemakers are favoured in patients with sick-sinus-syndrome or AV-block. However, AAI-pacemakers for sick-sinus-syndrome or VDD-pacemakers for AV-block may provide similar benefit with lower costs. The aim is to show that a tailored approach (TA) with arrhythmia-specific pacemaker selection was equal to a standard approach (SA) regarding quality of life (QoL) at lower costs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was prospective and randomized with QoL as primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were a combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, worsening heart failure or angina, atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, these endpoints individually and costs. Of 198 patients (age 77 +/- 10 years, 43% female, ejection fraction 54 +/- 12%, follow-up 38 +/- 15 months), 94 were randomized to SA and 104 to TA. Thirty-two patients (34%) died in the SA group vs. 25 (24%) in the TA (P= ns). QoL showed no differences in all dimensions. The combined secondary endpoint was reached more frequently with SA (51%) compared to TA (37%, P = 0.045). There was no difference regarding all single secondary endpoints. Hardware costs were reduced by 15% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In long-term follow-up, a TA is equal to SA regarding the primary endpoint QoL and secondary endpoints as AF and mortality. Depending on the healthcare system, it may significantly reduce costs.     

快速心房起搏对家兔L-型钙通道和Kv4.3钾通道基因表达的影响

目的观察快速心房起搏对家兔心房L型钙通道亚单位和Kv4.3钾通道基因表达的影响。方法新西兰大耳白家兔36只,随机分成6组,经右颈外静脉穿刺置入电极于右房,分别给予0、3、6、12、24或48h快速心房起搏,停止起搏后取右房组织,应用半定量反转录聚合酶链式反应测定各时相点L型钙通道α1c,β1,α2亚单位,钾通道Kv4.3mRNA的表达水平。结果L型钙通道α1c、β1亚单位在快速起搏6h后表达水平下调,并随着起搏时间的延长进一步下调。α2亚单位的mRNA表达在各时相点无显著差异。Kv4.3的mRNA的表达在快速起搏的24h和48h下降分别达55.50%（P<0.01）和59.12%（P<0.01）。48h后下降达到一个平台期。结论快速心房起搏可导致L型钙通道亚单位和Kv4.3钾通道mRNA表达下调。     

定量组织速度成像对右室起搏患者左室收缩运动的研究

目的　应用定量组织速度成像 (QTVI)评价右室心尖起搏 (RVAP)VVI型对左心收缩功能的影响。方法　应用GEVivid 7彩色多普勒超声显像仪对 2 0例RVAP患者和 2 0例正常人的心尖四腔切面的室间隔和左室外侧壁速度和位移曲线进行观察 ,测量心电图Q波分别至室间隔和左室外侧壁收缩期峰速度的时间 ,并除以R R间期进行校正。结果　QTVI显示右室起搏器置入者的室间隔与左室外侧壁速度曲线的收缩期S波非同步出现。Q波至室间隔收缩期峰速度的时间短于Q波至左室外侧壁收缩期峰速度的时间 ,两者分别为 ( 0 .12± 0 .0 2 )s和 ( 0 .14± 0 .0 2 )s,P <0 .0 5。结论　右室起搏后早期的左室整体收缩功能虽未见明显下降 ,但QTVI可以发现室间隔与左室壁收缩明显的不协调 ,可作为早期分析左室收缩运动的定量方法。     

Endoscopic observation of pathophysiology of ventricular diverticulum

Background Although there have been reports dealing with ventricular diverticulum (VD) analyzed by cisternography and computed tomography (CT), those focusing on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or neuroendoscopic findings are rare. Case report We present a case of noncommunicating hydrocephalus caused by aqueductal stenosis with cystic lesion located in supracerebellar region. Third ventriculostomy was performed on this case. The conventional CT and MRI were compatible with usual VD, but neuroendoscopic examination suggested otherwise. The endoscopic view inside of the cystic lesion demonstrated passing veins and no membrane. We diagnosed this cystic lesion as a unique subtype of advanced VD mimicking spontaneous ventriculostomy. Endoscopic observation of the cyst was very useful for accurate diagnosis and safe treatment.     

Increased Ventricular Vulnerability in a Chronic Ethanol Model Despite Reduced Electrophysiologic Responses to Catecholamines

An increased incidence of sudden death has been reported in chronic alcoholism. To assess electrical vulnerability of the heart, action potential responses, and the role of the sympathetic system, a well-nourished canine model has been studied intact under chloralose anesthesia after 1 year of ethanol consumption at 36% of caloric intake. Two alcoholic groups were compared with controls (Group 1). In Group 2 myocardial vulnerability was assessed after chronic EtOH and superimposed acute administration. In Group 3 basal vulnerability was related to circulating norepinephrine and release of neurohormone from the myocardium. Subsequently the responsiveness to catecholamine infusion was determined. To assess vulnerability an electrode catheter was placed in the right ventricular apex. The basal ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was reduced to 27 +/- 3 ma in Group 2 versus 43 +/- 1.0 in Group 1. Acute infusion of ethanol in Group 2 further reduced the threshold. Group 3 had a reduced basal VFT. Baseline arterial plasma levels of norepinephrine were 8-fold higher and coronary venous levels 13 times higher in the alcoholic group than in Group 1. However, VFT was not responsive to infused epinephrine, compared with Group 1 controls. In vitro study of superfused ventricular tissue from Group 3 revealed that basal action potential amplitude, overshoot, and resting potential were comparable with normals. Basal repolarization time (90%) was 198 +/- 12 msec in Group 3 versus 215 +/- 6 msec in Group 1 (p less than 0.05). After acute EtOH, repolarization time was shortened to 170 +/- 8.6 in Group 1 at 90 mg% ethanol (p less than 0.002), with minimal further change up to 280 mg%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cell transplantation to improve ventricular function in the failing heart

Current therapies for congestive heart failure are limited in efficacy or in applicability. Cardiac cell transplantation offers a novel therapeutic approach to improve heart function. Although significant progress has been made over the past decade in the development of cell transplantation, only recently have investigators studied the changes in ventricular function following cell transplantation. This review article describes the latest research developments, evaluates recent studies of ventricular function after cell transplantation, and discusses the future directions of cell transplantation as a new therapy to ‘repair broken hearts’.     

介入治疗34例膜部室间隔缺损

目的：评价介入治疗膜部室间隔缺损的临床效果。方法：经胸超声心动图及临床表现诊断为膜部室间隔缺损的患者34例，在局部或全身麻醉下行经导管室间隔缺损的介入治疗，其中31例应用Amplatzer不对称型膜部室间隔缺损封堵器，3例应用国产室间隔缺损封堵器。术中连续经胸超声心动图和X线监测，术后1天、1月、3月、6月行心电图及超声心动图复查。结果：超声测定膜部室间隔缺损直径为3．0～11．6mm(平均4．5mm)，距离主动脉右冠瓣2．7～7．8mm(平均3．6mm)，左心室造影测定膜部室间隔缺损的直径为3．0～8．8mm(平均5．4mm)，所选膜部室间隔缺损封堵器直径为4．0～16mm(平均7．9mm)。技术成功率100％。超声心动图示术后即刻残余分流为17．6％(6／34)，24h后残余分流为8．8％(3／34)，1个月后残余分流为5．9％(2／34)。34例患者术中均有一过性室性心律失常，1例发生一过性心跳骤停。术后1例出现股静脉血栓形成，3例出现了一过性Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞，2例于术后24h内发生溶血，经内科治疗后完全恢复，未见封堵器脱落、主动脉瓣返流等并发症。结论：经导管关闭膜部室间隔缺损的操作简单、方便、并发症少，残余分流少见，值得在临床全面推广。     

A New Acceleration Driven Pacemaker: Rate Modulation Versus Normal Sinus Rhythm—Comparison During Treadmill Exercise

The pocing rate response of a new acceleration driven pulse generator (SWING 100, SORIN BIOMEDICA) was compared with simultaneous normal sinus rhythm (NSR) during two different treadmill exercises. This pacemaker has a gravitational acceleration sensor able to discriminate between physical activities and vibrations. Six healthy volunteers (three male, three female; aged 21.7 ± 4,3 years), with the pacemaker strapped to their right infraclavicular area, performed each test three times with different rise response curve (RRC) each time: fast, normal, and slow. The fall response curve used was the same as the rising one during each test. Pacing rates were recorded using the VEGA analyzer (SORIN BIOMEDICA) and compared with simultaneous NSR recorded by a 7-channel ECG recorder (MINGOGRAF 7, SIEMENS), During all tests immediate (within seconds) rapid increase in pacemaker rate was seen up to about 60 seconds, then a slower increase followed thereafter. The mean correlation between pacing rates and NSR during the Bruce tests were 0.7941 ± 0.10, 0.8562 ± 0.14, and 0.8292 ± 0.07; during the discontinous tests 0.7292 ± 0.16, 0.7233 ± 0.10, and 0.7480 ± 0.11 for fast, normal, and slow RRC, respectively. Each 30 seconds, nonsignificant differences were present between pacing rate and NSR during all the discontinuous tests; similar responses were observed only during the first two stages of Bruce tests after which NSR was significantly higher than pacemaker rates. The speed of rise to upper rate was the main difference between the different programs (fast, normal, and slow). The discontinuous tests showed that the pacemaker responds more to speed than to grade. In conclusion, the Swing pacemaker is easy to use and program, fast, reliable, and is able to mimic the normal sinus behavior especially during discontinuous activities.