Management of Atrial Fibrillation Suppression in AF-HF Comorbidity Therapy (MASCOT) Trial

Inter- [1,2], intra- [3,4], and atrioventricular [51(AV) dyssynchrony are not new concepts, but only recently have attempts been made to correct these disorders in an effort to treat heart failure (HF). A series of trials [6] has addressed partial or comprehensive cardiac resynchronization in patients with severe HF and evidence of cardiac dyssynchrony. Cardiac resynchronization should improve left ventricular (LV) performance; several trials [7-10] have demonstrated improvement in many hemodynamic parameters (LV and aortic pressure, shortening of mitral diastolic regurgitation, synchronized LV and atrial systole, LV volume, reduced myocardial oxygen consumption) and clinical end-points (qu…

A study of the behaviour of Pt supported on CeO2–ZrO2/Al2O3–BaO as NO storage–reduction catalyst for the treatment of lean burn engine emissions

Abstract The behaviour of a Pt(1 wt.%) supported on CeO2–ZrO2(20 wt.%)/Al2O3(64 wt.%)–BaO(16 wt.%) as a novel NOx storage–reduction catalyst is studied by reactivity tests and DRIFT experiments and compared with that of Pt(1%)–BaO(15 wt.%) on alumina. The former catalyst, designed as a hydrothermally stable sample, is composed of an alumina modified with Ba ions and an overlayer of ceria-zirconia. The results pointed out that during the calcination barium ions migrates over the surface of the catalyst which thus show a good NOx storage–reduction behaviour comparable with that of Pt–BaO on alumina, although Ba ions result much better dispersed.

P-364 Effectiveness and safety of transvenous ICD leads extraction

Risedronate complexes with Mg2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+: Species thermodynamics and sequestering ability in NaCl(aq) at different ionic strengths and at T = 298.15 K

Abstract In this paper, potentiometry and calorimetry were used to determine the thermodynamics of interaction between risedronate and four bivalent metal cations, namely: Mg2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ in aqueous NaCl solutions at different ionic strengths and at T = 298.15 K. The data analysis allowed us to ascertain that the main species formed were the MLH2, MLH, ML and M2L; however scarcely soluble species precipitated at acidic pH values, between 4 and 7 depending on the metal cation involved, probably due to the formation of the neutral M2L(s) species. Comparison of the stability constants with other similar ligands suggests that metal complexation occurs through the phosphonate with an …

Surface and bulk changes of a Pt 1%/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 catalyst during CO oxidation in the absence of O2

The reduction of a Pt 1%/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 catalyst by CO in the absence of gaseous oxygen was studied by transient reactivity tests, temperature programmed surface reaction with CO, flow thermogravimetric tests and DRIFTS experiments, in order to obtain information generally on the OSC properties and, specifically, on the mechanism of CO oxidation over both, Pt catalyst and support-only sample (Ce0.6Zr0.4O2). The results of thermogravimetric experiments showed the presence of an induction time in the weight change % of the catalyst, depending on the CO concentration in the gas flow. This induction time could be related to the presence of two oxygen reactive sites. The first one leads to strongl…

Can Ventricular Resynchronization Reduce Atrial Fibrillation Recurrences?

In recent years a new pacing therapy has been proposed for patients affected by heart failure (HF) in order to reduce inter- [1,2], intra- [3,4], and atrioventricular [5] (AV) dyssynchrony. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has the goal of correcting these hemodynamic disorders, thus improving left ventricular (LV) performance. The benefits of CRT have been evaluated in a series of clinical trials [6-10].

Magnitude of QRS duration reduction after biventricular pacing identifies responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy

Background Several studies have investigated the association between native QRS duration (QRSd) or QRS narrowing and response to biventricular pacing. However, their results have been conflicting. The aim of our study was to determine the association between the relative change in QRS narrowing index (QI) and clinical outcome and prognosis in patients who undergo cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation. Methods and results We included 311 patients in whom a CRT device was implanted in accordance with current guidelines for CRT. On implantation, the native QRS, the QRSd and the QI during CRT were measured. After 6 months, 220 (71%) patients showed a 10% reduction in LVESV. The m…

Sleep Apnea: New Insights

Sleep apnea is the most common disorder of breathing during sleep. It is defined as repeated episodes of obstructive apnea and hypopnea during sleep, together with daytime sleepiness or altered cardiopulmonary function [1]. There are three syndromes of upper airway closure during sleep: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obstructive sleep hypopnea, and upper airway resistance. These three syndromes share two features: excessive daytime sleepiness and arousal associated with increased ventilatory effort in response to upper airway closure. The specific sites of narrowing or closure and upper airway dysfunction are influenced by the underlying neuromuscular tone, upper airway muscle synchrony, an…