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…

GEL DOSIMETERS FOR RADIOTHERAPY APPLICATIONS: RESULTS OF A “RESEARCH PROJECT OF NATIONAL INTEREST” (PRIN)

Introduction: Gel dosimeters for three-dimensional mapping of radiotherapy doses were introduced at Yale University in the mid-1980’s. Soon after, research and development in this field also started in Italy. Early work was done at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and at the Universities of Pisa and Milan. Several institutes now collaborate on this topic with the goal of developing new formulations of hydrogel matrices with improved characteristics of stability, sensitivity and spatial resolution compared to those of earlier Fricke-gel and polymer-gel systems. Materials and methods: Contrary to earlier gels based on natural gelling agents, such as porcine skin gelatin and/or agarose, which …

P-364 Effectiveness and safety of transvenous ICD leads extraction

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].

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…

Novel GTA-PVA Fricke gels for three-dimensional dose mapping in radiotherapy

Abstract One of the most recent and promising developments in radiotherapy dosimetry was the introduction of 3D radiation-sensitive gels. These gels present tissue equivalent composition and density, so they also serve as phantoms, and their response is largely independent of radiation quality and dose rate. Some gels are infused with ferrous sulfate and rely on the radiation-induced oxidation of ferrous ions to ferric ions (Fricke-gels). These formulations suffer from spontaneous-oxidation and diffusion of ferric ions after irradiation; chelating agents such as xylenol-orange significantly reduces the latter. Other gel types consist of dispersed monomers, and rely on radiation-induced cros…