Renal Denervation for Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias: State of the Art and Future Directions

Renal Denervation for Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias . It has now been more than a quarter of a century since modulation of the sympathetic nervous system was proposed for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias of different origins. But it has also been some time since some of the early surgical attempts have been abandoned. With the development of ablation techniques, however, new approaches and targets have been recently introduced that have revolutionized our way of thinking about sympathetic modulation. Renal nerve ablation technology is now being successfully used for the treatment of resistant hypertension, but the indication spectrum might broaden and new therapeutic options might arise in the near future. This review focuses on the possible impact of renal sympathetic system modulation on cardiac arrhythmias, the current evidence supporting this approach, and the ongoing trials of this method in electrophysiological laboratories. We will discuss the potential roles that sympathetic modulation may play in the future.     

The transverse and oblique sinuses of the pericardium: Anatomic and echocardiographic insights

A number of masses and pseudomasses may be encountered during the echocardiographic examination of the transverse and oblique sinuses with significant clinical implications. This review discusses the clinically relevant anatomy of the pericardial sinuses emphasizing diagnostic pitfalls that may be encountered during their echocardiographic examination.     

Intussusception in a premature neonate: A rare and often misdiagnosed clinical entity

Intussusception is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates. It is of extremely rare occurrence among premature neonates. We present a case of 11-day-old premature neonate who presented with abdominal distension, intolerance to feeds, vomiting, significant bilious aspirate and bleeding per rectum. The initial diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) led to a delay in the diagnosis. On exploratory laparotomy, it turned out to be a case of ileo-colic intussusception with Meckel''s diverticulum as a lead point. This site of intussusception (ileo-colic) and presence of a lead point among premature neonate is of exceedingly rare occurrence and very few such cases have been reported.In this article, the published work about clinical features and management on intussusceptions in premature neonates has been reviewed. The authors intend to highlight the difficulty in distinguishing the NEC and intussusception. Subtle clinical and radiological features which can help in differentiating the two conditions have been emphasized. This can avoid the delay in diagnosis and management which can prove critical. High index of suspicion with timely intervention is the key for optimizing outcome. A diagnosis of intussusception should always be considered in any preterm infant with suspected NEC.     

单纯碎裂电位指导心房颤动消融的初步临床观察

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of mdiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrilla-tion (AF) guided by complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs). Methods Twenty-two patients with drug refractory and symptomatic AF(16 paroxysmal, 6 persisten) were enrolled. Using Carto, the left atrial or biatrial replica was created during spontaneous or induced AF, and areas associated with CFAEs were identi-fied. Radiofrequency ablation at the site with CFAEs was performed and the end points were to eliminate CFAEs or convert to sinus rhythm. Results Thirteen patients(59%)were converted to sinus rhythm, (7 cases conver-ted directly to sinus rhythm, and 6 via the intermediate atrial tachycardia(AT) or atrial flutter (AFL). The re-maining nine patients required cardioversion with D. C. shock or drug. Repeat ablation was performed in 6 pa-tients (5 AT/AFL, 1 paroxysmal AF). During(10.9 ±4.8) months follow-up, 16 patients (73%) were free of arrhythmia and symptoms. CFAEs were most commonly found along the left interatrial septum, pulmonary veins, left atrial roof. CFAEs ablation prolonged AFCL[(157 ± 18) ms vs (211 ± 32) ms, P < 0.05]. Only one patient had pericardial tamponade that required pericardiocentesis. Conclusion Radiofrequeney catheter abla-tion of atrial fibrillation (AF) guided by CFAEs is safe and effective.     

57例胎膜早破的临床分析

目的探讨胎膜早破与剖宫产及母儿并发症的关系。方法对本院2004年~2005年分娩的898例产妇资料进行回顾性分析,其中胎膜早破组57例,对照组(胎膜未破)841例,对两组进行总体成数假设检验。结果胎膜早破组羊膜腔感染率、早产率、子宫内膜炎发生率均较对照组显著升高(P<0.01),但剖宫产率、新生儿成活率、产后出血率两组间无显著差异(P>0.01)。结论胎膜早破与羊膜腔感染综合征、早产、子宫内膜炎成因果关系,与剖宫产、新生儿成活、产后出血无必然的因果关系。故及时应用抗生素,适时促胎肺成熟,适时终止妊娠,合理选择分娩方式,可以使胎膜早破者不会提高剖宫产率、产后出血率、新生儿死亡率,但对于胎膜早破者需及时、有效、合理选择广谱抗生素,降低羊膜腔感染和子宫内膜炎发生率,降低早产率。     

Regulation of fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction by interleukin-1β

Fibroblasts incorporated within collagen gels induce a cell-mediated contraction of the gel to form a three-dimensional, tissue-like structure by a mechanism thought to mimic wound contraction in vivo . In this study a gel contraction model was used to investigate the ability of fibroblasts derived from adult gingiva, adult skin and fetal skin to organise a collagen matrix. In addition the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the contraction process was also investigated. Over the concentration range 5-50 U/ml, IL-1β induced a statistically significant inhibition of gel contraction in all fibroblast cell types ( P <0.05), although fetal fibroblasts appeared least responsive and gingival fibroblasts most responsive to the inhibitory effects of this cytokine. Comparison of gel contraction by the different fibroblast strains indicated that fetal and gingival fibroblasts shared similar contraction kinetics. For the adult skin fibroblasts, three of five strains studied showed significantly diminished levels of gel contraction compared to fetal and gingival cells. This apparent difference in fibroblast phenotype may, at least in part, explain the fetal-like wound healing pattern seen in the oral mucosa.     

心钠素对心肌血管钙超载的影响

提要本研究是在大鼠VD_3+Nicotine引起的心血管钙超载模型上观察心钠素(ANF)治疗(10ug ·kg~-1/d),对钙超载的影响。结果发现,钙超载组动物主动脉、心肌组织钙含量较对照组分别增高24倍(54.4±2.2vs 2.3±0.04fumol/gww)和9倍(16.9±2.1vs1.8±0.1umol/gww)。ANF治疗能显著抑制钙超载的发生,主动脉和心肌组织钙含量较钙超载组分别降低92％(3.8±0.4 umol/gww)和66％(5.6±0.6umol/gww)。离体滋流的钙超载血管环较对照组对去甲肾上腺素收缩反应增强;对乙酰胆碱舒张反应减弱,对硝普钠舒张反应无影响。ANF能显著改善钙超载所致的血管反应性障碍。实验结果表明,ANF具有显著的防治心血管钙超载的作用。