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…

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…