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    The present study investigated the factors of atria1 fibrillation (AF) recurrence in right atria1 appendage paced patients with sick sinus syndrome.Methods: Fifty-six patients (aged 68&10 years; 19 men, 38 women) with sick sinus syndrome who received right appendage pacing were divided into 2 groups: 23 patients without AF (I+II; Rubenstein I or II) and 34 patients with AF (III; Rubenstein III).AF group was subdivided into 2 groups; 20 patients (IIIb) with a paced P wave in both leads II and V1 >130 msec, and the other 14 patients (IIIb).The clinical and electrocardiographic data and the actuarial curve of the paroxysmal AF free interval were compared among each group, and the factors of AF recurrence were analyzed through a logistic regression model.
    Sinus (botany)
    Sinus tachycardia
    The experience of using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of arrhythmias in children and adolescents is still limited. This study aimed to review the most recent results of RF ablation in children and adolescents in a highly experienced centre with access to both conventional techniques and non-fluoroscopic electroanatomic mapping (CARTO).A total of 154 consecutive patients younger than 19 years treated with RFA during the period 2000-04 were included. Numbers (%) or median (quartiles) are reported. Age was 15 (12-17) years, 70 (45%) were males. Five patients (3%) had congenital heart disease. RFA was successful in 147/154 patients (95%). Arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 11 patients (7%). Procedure time was 55 (35-90) min and fluoroscopy time was 8.8 (4-19) min. Number of RF applications was 4 (2-10) and number of RF applications >20 s was 2 (1-7). One patient (0.7%) had complicating high-grade atrioventricular block. CARTO was used in 18 RF ablation procedures (11%) performed in 15 patients.RF ablation can be undertaken in children and adolescents with a high success rate, few recurrences and complications, very short procedure times, and acceptable fluoroscopy times. Non-fluoroscopic electroanatomic mapping is helpful in selected patients.
    Quartile
    Atrioventricular block
    Citations (25)
    Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of chest sonography in the radiological diagnosis of small pleural effusions. Patients and methods. Patients referred for abdominal and/or chest sonographies for various reasons were examined for sonographic features of pleural effusion. From January 1997 till January 2000, 69 patients were included into the study. Fifty-two patients were found to have pleural effusion not exceeding 15 mm in depth, the rest of them served as controls. Subsequently erect posteroanterior and expiratory lateral decubitus projections were done in all patients. Results. Compared to radiological examination chest sonography had a positive predictive value of 92% in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions in our study population. The mean thickness of fluid was 9.2 mm on ultrasonography and 7.6 mm on expiratory lateral decubitus views (P<0.01). Conclusions. Chest sonography showed a high degree of accuracy for demonstrating small pleural effusions and could replace lateral decubitus chest radiographs adequately.
    Citations (4)
    Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS) has been demonstrated to be a valuable minimally invasive procedure for mediastinal staging of patients with lung cancer, diagnosis of intrathoracic lesions, diagnosis of unknown lymphadenopathy and re-staging the mediastinum following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for NSCLC. The aim of this minireview was to focus on EBUS for mediastinal staging of NSCLC and for further evaluation of intrathoracic lesions that remain undiagnosed despite conventional diagnostic evaluation. In conclusion, EBUS represents a good alternative to mediastinoscopy for mediastinal staging of patients with NSCLC because the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity is higher and suspicious chest lesions may be biopsied with hardly any risk of complications.
    Endobronchial ultrasound
    Lung cancer staging
    In this pictorial review, we have presented various technical and anatomical aspects useful during biopsy of mediastinal and lung lesions.Familiarity of the operator with these methods will be helpful in obtaining adequate tissue material while minimizing complications.
    Percutaneous biopsy
    Citations (72)
    The objective of this study is to evaluate complications from radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases. Eighty-one liver tumors in 38 consecutive patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation. All patients had one to six metastases treated in a single session. Eight patients underwent radiofrequency ablation intraoperatively after laparotomy and the remaining 30 patients were treated percutaneously with CT or ultrasound guidance. A total of 43 radiofrequency ablation procedures were studied. There was one (2%) mortality related to a hepatic abscess development 8 days after the procedure. One patient (3%) required a blood transfusion. Three patients (8%) developed severe upper abdominal or pleuritic chest pain that persisted several days after the procedure. We conclude that radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases is associated with a low rate of serious complications (two of 38; 5%). Complications requiring treatment usually develop several days after the procedure.
    Citations (53)
    CT Venography (CTV) performed at the time of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) images the central, pelvic, and extremity venous circulation with minimal additional time, radiation, and no added contrast. CTV has been added to CTPA routinely at our Level I trauma center since 2000, and we sought to determine if this addition had increased the diagnostic yield of CTPA in trauma patients. The attending radiologist's interpretation of all CTPA-CTV studies performed over a 5-year period ending in August 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. CTPAs and CTVs were categorized as "positive", "negative", or "indeterminate" for pulmonary embolus (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). During the study period, 3798 patients underwent both a CTPA and CTV; 309 (8%) of these were trauma patients. Forty-four (14%) had a PE diagnosed on CTPA. Seventeen (6%) had a DVT diagnosed on CTV. In eight (3%), the CTV added clinically relevant data, diagnosing a DVT in a patient without PE. As the consequences of a missed pelvic DVT are high and the added time burden, radiation, and contrast required for a CTV are low, further investigation into optimizing the sensitivity of CTV performed at the time of CTPA is warranted.
    Pulmonary angiography
    Venography
    PULMONARY EMBOLUS
    Computed Tomography Angiography