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Resumen Introducción y objetivos: Comparar las características clínicas y los resultados de cohortes contemporáneas de pacientes menores y mayores de 70 años que han sido sometidos a ablación de fibrilación auricular (FA) mediante catéter. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en pacientes sometidos a ablación con catéter debido a la presencia de FA refractaria. Se realizó un seguimiento mínimo de 12 meses por paciente. Resultados: En el estudio se incluyeron un total de 239 pacientes sometidos a ablación de FA, de los cuales 171 (71,5%) pertenecían al grupo de edad < 70 años y 68 (28,5%) al grupo de edad > 70 años. La edad promedio de la población estudiada fue de 62,4 años (desviación estándar [DE] = 10,87). El grupo < 70 años presentó una edad promedio de 58,03 años (DE = 9,71), mientras que el grupo > 70 años tuvo una edad promedio de 73,4 años (DE = 3,05). Además, se observó una mayor prevalencia de FA paroxística en el grupo de pacientes menores de 70 años, mientras que en el grupo de pacientes mayores de 70 años se encontró una mayor prevalencia de FA persistente. Estas diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas en ambos casos. Las tasas de recurrencia después del primer procedimiento de ablación fueron similares entre los dos grupos (21,43% en el grupo menor de 70 años frente a 23,53% en el grupo mayor de 70 años, p = 0,79). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a complicaciones. El grupo menor de 70 años experimentó 18 complicaciones, mientras que el grupo mayor de 70 años tuvo 5 complicaciones, con un valor de p de 0,472. Conclusión: Los pacientes mayores de 70 años sometidos al primer procedimiento de ablación de FA por catéter presentan resultados clínicos similares a los pacientes menores de 70 años.
Abstract Introduction and objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of contemporary cohorts of patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), stratified by age (< 70 years and ≥ 70 years). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent catheter ablation for refractory AF. The minimum follow-up duration per patient was 12 months. Results: A total of 239 patients were included in the study, with 171 (71.5%) in the < 70 years group and 68 (28.5%) in the ≥ 70 years group. The mean age of the study population was 62.4 years (SD 10.87). The < 70 years group had a mean age of 58.03 years (SD 9.71), while the ≥ 70 years group had a mean age of 73.4 years (SD 3.05). Furthermore, a higher proportion of paroxysmal AF was observed in patients < 70 years, whereas a higher proportion of persistent AF was found in patients ≥ 70 years. These differences were statistically significant. The recurrence rates after the initial ablation procedure were similar between the two groups (21.43% in the < 70 years group vs. 23.53% in the ≥ 70 years group, p = 0.79). Additionally, there were no significant differences in terms of complications. The < 70 years group experienced 18 complications, while the ≥ 70 years group had 5 complications (p = 0.472). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that patients aged 70 years and older who undergo their first catheter ablation procedure for AF demonstrate similar clinical outcomes compared to patients younger than 70 years.
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Objective:To investigate clinical electrophysiological characteristics of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in pediatric patients.Methods:A total of 328 consecutive pediatric patients with VAs and treated with RFCA in the First Hospital of Tsinghua University from January 2014 to December 2019 were recruited, involving 205 males and 123 females with the mean age of (7.8±3.9) years and the mean body weight of (32.8±17.7) kg.Their clinical electrophysiological characteristics, RFCA outcomes of different origins of VAs and complications were analyzed.Results:Among the 328 patients with the mean onset age of (5.4±4.1) years, 57.6% had frequent premature ventricular complex (PVC), 28.7% had paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 13.7% had incessant VT.A total of 38/328 cases (11.6%) VAs children were complicated with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.Except for 13 cases of non-induced VAs, among 315 cases there were 152/328 cases (46.4%) originated from the ventricular outflow tract (including 46.1% of the origination of the right ventricular outflow tract septum, 27.6% of the origination of the left coronary cusp, 18.4% of the origination of the right coronary cusp, and 7.9% of the origination of the right ventricular outflow tract free wall), 55/328 cases (16.5%) originated from the tricuspid valve, 54/328 cases (17.4%) originated from the left posterior fascicle, 39/328 cases (11.9%) originated from the left posterior papillary muscle, 5/328 cases (1.5%) originated from multi-origin VAs, 3/328 cases (0.9%) originated from the left anterior fascicle, and 7/328 cases (2.1%) originated from other origins.Among 307/328 cases (93.6%) VAs patients receiving RFCA, 271/307 cases (88.3%) were instantly successful, 14/307 cases (4.6%) were effectively treated and 22/307 cases (7.2%) were invalid.During the follow-up time of 3 to 36 months, there were 42/271 cases (15.5%) recurrent cases.The mean radiation time and dose were (3.2±5.8) min, and (1.4±2.6) mGy, respectively.The mean dose-area product (DAP) was (384.2±42.6) mGy·cm 2.A total of 4/328 cases (1.2%) reported perioperative vascular complication.In 20 infant patients younger than 3 years, only 1 case was not induced during procedure of RFCA, and the remaining 19 cases were performed with RFCA, including 18/19 cases (94.7%) with an instant success and 4/18 (22.2%) recurrent cases during follow-up.There were 1/20 case (5.0%) had perioperative vascular complication caused by vascular puncture.No serious complications, such as myocardial perforation, cardiac tamponade and atrioventricular block were reported. Conclusions:The right ventricular outflow tract septum is the most common origin of the idiopathic VAs in pediatric patients.VAs originated from the ventricular outflow tract and tricuspid valve usually have an acceptable outcome following ablation.The recurrent rate is high following ablation in VAs cases originated from the left ventricular fascicle and posterior papillary muscle.RFCA is safe and effective for drug resistant or intolerant VAs in infants, but the surgical indications should be strictly mastered and operated by experienced pediatric electrophysiologists.The radiation dose of RFCA can be limited in a safe range under the guidance of the 3-dimensional mapping system.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) in atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the strategies for atrial substrate modification, the mechanism behind CFAE as an electrophysiological substrate remains unclear. We investigated structural differences between CFAE sites and their matched non-CFAE sites by comparing their histopathologic characteristics in canine AF models. METHODS: Atrial electrograms of four dogs were obtained from the epicardial site. AF was induced through burst atrial pacing at 600 bpm for 30 min. CFAE sites were identified during AF according to patterns visualized on the electrograms, and their matched non-CFAE sites were selected in the adjacent region, within 5 mm of each CFAE site. Tissues were harvested from CFAE sites and their matched non-CFAE sites at various locations in both atria. Histopathologic differences were identified between CFAE and non-CFAE sites. RESULTS: A total of 24 atrial tissues (12 with CFAE, 12 with non-CFAE) were evaluated. The atrial myocardium was significantly thicker at CFAE sites (1757.5±560.5 µm) than at non-CFAE sites (1279.5±337.2 µm) (p=0.036). At CFAE sites, it was filled with a significantly larger amount of fibrotic tissue than at non-CFAE sites (22.8±6.9% versus 7.2±4.7%, p < 0.001). Results were consistent across various tissue locations. The distribution of autonomic nerve innervation was similar between CFAE and non-CFAE sites. CONCLUSION: This study provides a better understanding of histological characteristics of CFAE sites, namely a thicker wall and greater amount of fibrosis. These findings may be associated with the development of CFAE and its pathophysiological contribution to AF.
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Animals , Dogs , Atrial Fibrillation , Autonomic Pathways , Catheter Ablation , Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac , Fibrosis , MyocardiumABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the value of parameters obtained by dual-pulse wave Doppler to predict the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA) and the value of the technology to evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function of the AF.@*Methods@#Sixty-seven AF patients who were subjected to ablation were selected as the case group, and 47 patients with sinus rhythm were matched as control group. The general clinical data of the case group and the control group was collected, routine ultrasound examination and dual-pulse wave Doppler examination were performed to all of them. A 24-hour Holter examination was performed at 3, 6 and 12 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation in the case group, the patients were divided into two groups with and without recurrence according to the results. Dual-pulse wave Doppler parameters included: ①the time interval between the onset of early transmitral flow velocity (E) and that of early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e′) (TE-e′); ②peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and tissue Doppler septal (S) mitral annular early diastolic velocity (e′), peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and tissue Doppler lateral (L) mitral annular early diastolic velocity (e′), E/e′(S) and E/e′(L). The differences between the case group and the control group, and between the recurrent and the non-recurrent group were compared. The factors influencing the recurrence of AF after RFCA were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Logistic regression.@*Results@#①The parameters E/e′(S), E/e′(L) and TE-e′ of case group were higher than those of control group (all P<0.05); ②During follow-up examinations after the ablation, 21 (31.34%) patients recurred. TE-e′ of the recurrence group was higher than that in the nonrecurrence group (P<0.001). The parameters E/e′(S) and E/e′(L) in the recurrence group had no difference compared with those in nonrecurrence group without recurrence(all P>0.05); ③Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression suggested that TE-e′ was an independent predictor for the recurrence of AF patients after the ablation(P=0.001).@*Conclusions@#Dual-pulse wave Doppler can evaluate left ventricular diastolic function of atrial fibrillation, TE-e′ is an independent predictor for the recurrence of AF patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation.
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Objectives: To evaluate the changes of left atrial volume (LAV) and the maximum ostial cross-sectional area (CAS) of pulmonary vein (PV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation radiofrequency catheter ablation (CPVA-RFCA) and to explore their relationship to AF recurrence by enhanced cardiac MRI evaluation. Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: Control group, n=20 healthy subjects and AF group, n=78 patients whom were classified into 2 subgroups as Paroxysmal AF subgroup, n=46 and Persistent AF subgroup, n=32; 66 patients received CPVA-RFCA and based on 6 months post-operative recurrence, they were divided into another set of 2 groups: AF recurrent subgroup, n=17 and Non-AF recurrent subgroup, n=49. Pre- and 6 months post-operative maximum ostial CSA of PV were measured by enhanced cardiac MRI, LAV were obtained by 3D reconstruction and the differences were compared between AF group and Control group, Paroxysmal AF subgroup and Persistent AF subgroup, AF recurrent subgroup and Non-AF recurrent subgroup; their relationships to AF recurrence were studied.Results: Compared with Control group, AF group had increased LAV and elevated ostial CSA of superior PV (SPV), both P<0.05. Compared with Paroxysmal AF subgroup, Persistent AF subgroup had increased LAV and elevated ostial CSA of SPV, both P<0.05. Compared with pre-operative condition, at 6 months after the operation, Non-AF recurrent subgroup showed reduced ostial CSAs in left SPV (LSPV), right SPV (RSPV), right inferior PV (RIPV) and decreased LAV, all P<0.05;while AF recurrent subgroup showed expanded RSPV and increased LAV,allP<0.05.Post-operative reductions of LAV and ostial CSA of SPV had close correlation; multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that LAV (HR=1.05, P<0.01)and ostial CSA of RSPV(HR=1.09,P=0.05)were related to AF recurrence after RFCA. Conclusions: CAPV-RFCA could reverse left atrial and PV remodeling in AF patients, LAV and ostial CSA of RSPV were related to post-operative AF recurrence.
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Objective To investigate the effect of early ambulation on the comfort and complications in patients undergoing radiofre-quency catheter ablation via femoral vein approach. Methods From April,2016 to April,2017,120 patients were randomly assigned into control group(n=40),group A(n=40)and group B(n=40).The control group received the routine care of remaining bed rest for eight hours with the affected leg immobilized at least four hours.Group A ambulated after four hours of the affected leg immobili-zation,and group B changed their position after ablation and ambulated after four hours of bed rest.They were assessed with the General Comfort Questionnaire,Numerical Rating Scale of back pain and State Anxiety Inven-tory.Their vascular complications were recorded. Results The incidence of bleeding and hematoma was not significantly different among the groups(P>0.05).Group B was more comfortable than the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,groups A and B were less in back pain intensity(F>10.376,P<0.001),and had less anxiety(t=3.278,P<0.05),less incidence of limb numbness, difficulty falling asleep, and loss of appetite and dysuria (χ2>6.409, P<0.05). Group B was the best among them. Conclusion There is little risk of early physical activity and ambulation in the vascular complications after radiofrequen-cy catheter ablation via femoral vein approach,which may reduce their discomfort.
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Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, electrocardiography, electrophysiological features and the eff ectiveness of catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from left ventricle posterior papillary muscles. Methods Clinical features and electrocardiography of 16 patients with ventricular arrhythmias arising from left ventricular posterior papillary muscles underwent catheter ablation were retrospectively analyzed. Activation mapping and/or pace mapping were performed to identify the site of origin and transthoracic echocardiography were used to demonstrate ablation catheter position and contact. The immediate success and recurrence rates were evaluated. Results During arrhythmias, QRS wave duration of 16 patients [5 men, mean age (45.0±18.2) years] was (155.1±9.0)ms. The prevalence of R>r' and r<R' of V1QRS morphology was 6/16 and 9/16, respectively. Earliest local ventricular electrogram preceded QRS wave by (30.8±8.4)ms at successful ablation site. Immediate success were achieved in 14 patients (14/16) ,11 patients(11/16) had full clinical follow-up and recurrences occurred in 5 patients (5/11). Conclusions Electrocardiography of ventricular arrhythmias originating from left ventricular posterior papillary muscles has its specifi c features. Earliest focal electrogram indicates successful ablation site and transthoracic echocardiography can demonstrate ablation catheter position and increase success rate but recurrence rate is still high.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Completely-zero-ray for radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFA)of premature ventricular complexes from right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT-PVC)using a 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system with single catheter compared with conventional two-dimensional catheter ablation guided by X-ray. Methods 25 patients with RVOT-PVC undergoing ablation treatment in our hospital between April 2015 and March 2017 were included in the research.13 patients were in the 3-dimensional(3-D)group treated by CARTO 3 molding and mapping and ablation with completely zero X-ray.12 patients were in the 2-dimensional(2-D)group treated by ablation guided by traditional X-ray. Such indexes as mapping time,total fluoroscopy time,total procedure time,discharge times,success rate,and complications of the two groups were compared.Results The two groups have no difference in success rate(91.6% vs 92.3%,P=0.953). Compared with 2-D group,the 3-D group have the significant decrease in mapping time(14.8 ± 4.3 vs 4.5 ± 2.2,P=0.000),total fluoroscopy time(20.0 ± 4.6 vs 0 ± 0,P=0.000),total procedure time(63.8 ± 3.9 vs 54.4 ± 4.6,P=0.000)and discharge times(5.7 ± 2.3 vs 3.4 ± 1.0,P=0.003). Conclusions Compared with traditional X-ray guided ablation, mapping time,operation time,discharge times in 3-D group decreased significantly,and zero fluoroscopy can be avoided.Complete ablation for RVOT-PVC guided by zero X-ray fluoroscopy using the CARTO 3 is safe and effective.
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Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of two modeling methods of CARTO3 system for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients. Methods: A total of 150 PAF patients with RFCA were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A: using conventional point-to-point mapping to guide circumferential pulmonary vein isolation; Group B, using fast anatomical modeling to guide circumferential pulmonary vein RFCA; Group C, using combined application of 2 mapping methods to guide circumferential pulmonary vein RFCA. n=50 in each group and the rest operative procedures were the same in 3 groups. The operative time, X-ray exposure time, success rate and complication rates were recorded in 3 groups; the size of left atrium and systolic function of left ventricle at pre- and 6 months post-operation were compared. Results: Compared with Group A and Group B, Group C had the shorter operative time and X-ray exposure time, P<0.05;the success rates were similar among 3 groups. No serious complication occurred in all 3 groups. Echocardiography presented that compared with pre-operative condition, the size of left atrium and LVEF were similar at 6 months post-operation. Conclusion: Combined using of two modeling methods of CARTO3 system was safe and effective for RFCA in PAF patients; it may reduce the operative time and X-ray exposure time, improve the accuracy of circumferential pulmonary vein locating and help guiding RFCA of PAF at certain degree.
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Objective To explore the characteristics of electrocardiogram(ECG) and target potential features of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) in patients with complete left/right bundle branch block (CL/RBBB) and compare with those without CL/RBBB. Methods A retrospective analysis was done in 8 outflow tract PVC patients with CL/RBBB, who successfully underwent radiofrequency ablation from August 2009 to June 2017. According to the bundle branch block chamber, patients were divided into the complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) group (n=4) and the complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) group (n=4). The control group were those who successfully underwent ablation at the same position as the above two groups but without CL/RBBB. The characteristics of ECG and target potential features were compared among groups. Results One case in the CRBBB group was successfully ablated in the great cardiac vein with precordial R/S>1 transition at V1 and one case in the CLBBB group was successfully ablated in the right coronary cusp with precordial R/S>1 transition at V2, while other 6 cases were all with precordial R/S>1 transition at lead V4. Precordial R/S>1 transition was not later than sinus rhythm (SR) in the CLBBB group. No statistical difference was found in the QRS complex duration between SR and PVC in the CL/RBBB patients [(134.38 ± 23.80)ms vs (156.75 ± 25.93)ms, P>0.05], while statistical difference was shown in the control group [ (92.63 ± 5.76)ms vs (140.25 ± 15.97)ms,P<0.05]. Conclusion Bundle branch block can lead to misjudgment of PVC origin with CL/RBBB during sinus rhythm, thus the origin chamber of the PVC should be determined according to the mapping and ablation result.
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Objective To observe brain functional activity of patients with arrhythmia after radiofrequency ablation with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF).Methods Twenty-six patients with anxiety disorder after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were included as RFCA group.Age and sex matched twenty-six healthy volunteers were included as control group.The difference of ALFF between the two groups was analyzed by two-sample t test.Partial correlation between extracted values from dysfunctional brain regions and hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) scores were investigated.Results Compared with control group,ALFF of left middle temporal gyrus,right putamen,left amygdala significantly increased,and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC),right praecuneus,left middle frontal gyrus and right middle occipital gyus significantly decreased in RFCA group (Alphasim correction,P＜0.01).ALFF values of left DLPFC were negatively correlated with HAMA scores (r=-0.872,P=0.013).Conclusion The brain activity of RFCA patients in resting state is abnormal.ALFF can provide more evidences for the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation.Methods Retrospective analysis was made among a total of ninety-seven cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation in Chaoyang Central Hospital from January 2011 to December 2015.The patients were divided into recurrent group and successful group,depending on whether they had recurrence in six months after radiofrequency catheter ablation.The concentration of the patients'' serum hs-CRP and IL-6 before radiofrequency catheter ablation were detected and compared with those of the healthy subjects (control group) during the same period.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors in atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation.Results The levels of serum hs-CRP was (4.6±1.2) mg/L and IL-6 was(0.19±0.05) mg/L in the recurrent group,higher than those in the control group ((2.0±0.3) mg/L,(0.10±0.03) mg/L).The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P=0.037,0.046).According to the atrial fibrillation recurrence,97 patients were divided into recurrent group (29 cases) and successful group (68 cases).The levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 in the recurrent group were (5.61±2.30) mg/L,(0.30±0.07) mg/L,respectively,while the data of the successful group were (3.29±1.62) mg/L,(0.15±0.06) mg/L,respectively.There were significant differences between the two groups (P=0.047,0.036).Logistic regression analysis showed that the left ventricular anterior and posterior diameter (OR=2.073,95%CI:1.078~4.126,P=0.031),levels of serum hs-CRP (OR=1.943,95%CI:1.025-3.698,P=0.042) and serum IL-6 (OR=2.071,95%CI:1.089-10.101,P=0.027) were all risk factors in atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation.Conclusions Inflammatory factors might be involved in the occurrence and maintenance of atrial fibrillation.The expression levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 are related to the recurrence of AF,which could be independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation recurrence.
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Objective To investigate the clinical value of the transluminal radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for malignant esophageal obstruction.Methods The retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 52 patients with malignant esophageal obstruction who underwent transluminal RFCA at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Academy of Medical Science between March 2013 and March 2016 were collected.Patients received the bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under dualchannel endoscopy and X-ray.Observation indicators:(1) intra-and post-operative situations:operation situations,operation time,time of RFA,postoperative complications and duration of postoperative hospital stay,(2) follow-up.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect the subsequent treatment,survival of patients and recurrence of esophageal obstruction up to June 2016.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as average (range).Results (1) Intra-and post-operative situations:52 patients underwent successful RFCA,without the occurrence of aspiration,asphyxia,hemorrhage and perforation.Esophageal obstruction was disappeared after treatment,X-ray findings showed a smooth esophagus.Average operation time and time of RFCA were respectively 58 minutes (range,20-71 minutes) and 23 minutes (range,8-42 minutes).Patients took liquid food at postoperative day 2 and normal food at postoperative day 3,without the sensations of esophageal obstruction.Of 52 patients,1 with postoperative hypotension returned to normal level through rehydration and increasing blood volume.Five patients with postoperative substernal pain were improved after 2-day symptomatic treatment.And other 46 patients didn't have postoperative complications.Average duration of postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range,1-5 days).(2)Follow-up:52 patients were followed up for 3-24 months,with a median time of 13 months.Of 52 patients,17 underwent single intravascular interventional therapy,15 underwent intravascular interventional therapy combined with single systemic chemotherapy,14 underwent single systemic chemotherapy and other 6 didn't undergo antineoplastic therapy.During the follow-up,9 patients didn't have esophageal obstruction and 26 were complicated with esophageal obstruction again.Esophageal obstruction of 26 patients was respectively occurred at 3-8 months postoperatively,20 patients were improved after bipolar transluminal RFCA under dual-channel endoscopy and X-ray and 6 received parenteral nutrition support therapy due to extreme exhaustion.Seventeen patients died of cachexia caused by terminal malignant tumors.Conclusion Transluminal RFCA is safe and effective for malignant esophageal obstruction,with a good short-term outcome.
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BACKGROUND: To achieve a prolonged therapeutic effect in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome, radiofrequency medial branch neurotomy (RF-MB) is commonly performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of paravertebral muscle twitching when performing RF-MB in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome. METHODS: We collected and analyzed data from 68 patients with confirmed facet joint syndrome. Sensory stimulation was performed at 50 Hz with a 0.5 V cut-off value. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the twitching of the paravertebral muscle during 2 Hz motor stimulation: ‘Complete’, when twitching was observed at all needles; ‘Partial’, when twitching was present at 1 or 2 needles; and ‘None’, when no twitching was observed. The relationship between the long-term effects of RF-MB and paravertebral muscle twitching was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean effect duration of RF-MB was 4.6, 5.8, and 7.0 months in the None, Partial, and Complete groups, respectively (P = 0.47). Although the mean effect duration of RF-MB did not increase significantly in proportion to the paravertebral muscle twitching, the Complete group had prolonged effect duration (> 6 months) than the None group in subgroup analysis. (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Paravertebral muscle twitching while performing lumbar RF-MB may be a reliable predictor of long-term efficacy when sensory provocation under 0.5 V is achieved. However, further investigation may be necessary for clarifying its clinical significance.
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Humans , Ablation Techniques , Catheter Ablation , Fasciculation , Low Back Pain , Needles , Prognosis , Zygapophyseal JointABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant therapy with rivaroxaban in atrial fibrillation( AF) pa-tients after radiofrequency catheter ablation( RFCA) . Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in the study. Totally 141 AF pa-tients with RFCA in our hospital were enrolled from January 2014 to October 2015. The patients were divided into rivaroxaban group(70 patients)and warfarin group (71 patients). In rivaroxaban group,rivaroxaban(10 mg, po,qd)was given for at least 3 months after RFCA. In warfarin group,low molecular heparin (100 IU·kg-1,ih) was given before RFCA, and standard dose of warfarin (3-5 mg,po,qd) was given for at least 3 months by adjusting the INR within the range of 2. 0-3. 0 after RFCA as bridging therapy. The death rate, throm-boem bolism events and bleeding events between the groups were evaluated and companed groups. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups except the diastolic pressure. There were no significant differences in the death and thromboembolism events(transient cerebral ischemia , ischemic encephalopathy, 2/70 vs 4/71,P>0. 05)between the groups. There were no TIMI major bleeding events in both groups. There were no significant differences in minor bleeding events between the groups (3/70 vs 4/71,P>0. 05). Conclusion: Compared with those of warfarin,the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban show the similar effect in AF patients after RFCA. Rivaroxaban can be safely and effectively used in AF patients with low or middle risk of thromboembo-lism after RFCA.
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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that has been considered as a relatively safe treatment for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, RFA has been shown to be associated with complications including mechanical and thermal damage. A 74-year-old man with hepatitis C virus-associated HCC was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography revealed two lobulated-HCC in segments 4 and 5. He had no medical history of hypertension and cardiac disease. During RFA, blood pressure was elevated to 200/140 mmHg. There was no evidence of pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, or ischemic heart disease. Laboratory findings for catecholamine surge were all within normal limits. After continuous intravenous nitroglycerin and oral beta-blocker treatment, patient's blood pressure gradually decreased and back within the normal range. Hypertensive crisis after RFA treatment for HCC is rare. Most reported cases of hypertensive crisis during RFA were related to adrenal gland injury with a release of catecholamine. In our case, the site of HCC was not close to the adrenal gland, and there was no evidence of catecholamine surge. Herein, we report a very rare case of hypertensive crisis without a surge in adrenal hormones after RFA treatment for HCC.
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Aged , Humans , Adrenal Glands , Blood Pressure , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Catheter Ablation , Heart Diseases , Hepatitis C , Hypertension , Myocardial Ischemia , Nitroglycerin , Pulmonary Embolism , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
Malignant biliary tract obstruction (MBTO) is caused by a group of neoplasms that compromise bile duct flow, and the clinical presentation includes obstructive jaundice. The optimal treatment depends on both the type of malignancy and the stage of disease. Surgical resection may be the first choice of treatment. However, an operation is often impossible because of locally advanced disease or a high metastatic potential at the time of diagnosis. Considering the unfavorable prognosis of unresectable MBTO, endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (EB-RFA) has emerged as a palliative therapeutic modality that directly ablates malignant tissue in the bile duct. To date, some reports have suggested that EB-RFA is possibly beneficial, but it remains unclear whether EB-RFA prolongs biliary stent patency or overall survival. Nevertheless, EB-RFA is regarded as a promising loco-regional therapy for MBTO. This review focuses on the clinical application of the technique and its appropriate use, along with the benefits afforded and the complications encountered.
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Bile Ducts , Biliary Tract , Biliary Tract Neoplasms , Catheter Ablation , Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde , Diagnosis , Jaundice, Obstructive , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Prognosis , StentsABSTRACT
Primary hyperparathyroidism is one of the most common endocrine diseases and is defined as the inappropriate overproduction of parathyroid hormone, resulting in hypercalcemia. It occurs mostly as a result of parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia. The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism increases with advancing age. The standard treatment of symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism is parathyroidectomy; however, in older patients with multiple comorbidities, the risks associated with surgical treatment involving general anesthesia are high. Compared with surgery, radiofrequency abalation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure, in which the mass is removed. We here present a case of an elderly patient with primary hyperparathyroidism associated with parathyroid adenoma who was successfully treated with ultrasonography-guided RFA. RFA is an alternative therapeutic option for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism for high-risk elderly patients, and further evaluation of its clinical value is warranted.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Anesthesia, General , Catheter Ablation , Comorbidity , Endocrine System Diseases , Hypercalcemia , Hyperparathyroidism , Hyperparathyroidism, Primary , Hyperplasia , Incidence , Parathyroid Hormone , Parathyroid Neoplasms , ParathyroidectomyABSTRACT
Our objective is to evaluate the accuracy of three algorithms in differentiating the origins of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OTVAs). This study involved 110 consecutive patients with OTVAs for whom a standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) showed typical left bundle branch block morphology with an inferior axis. All the ECG tracings were retrospectively analyzed using the following three recently published ECG algorithms: 1) the transitional zone (TZ) index, 2) the V2 transition ratio, and 3) V2 R wave duration and R/S wave amplitude indices. Considering all patients, the V2 transition ratio had the highest sensitivity (92.3%), while the R wave duration and R/S wave amplitude indices in V2 had the highest specificity (93.9%). The latter finding had a maximal area under the ROC curve of 0.925. In patients with left ventricular (LV) rotation, the V2 transition ratio had the highest sensitivity (94.1%), while the R wave duration and R/S wave amplitude indices in V2 had the highest specificity (87.5%). The former finding had a maximal area under the ROC curve of 0.892. All three published ECG algorithms are effective in differentiating the origin of OTVAs, while the V2 transition ratio, and the V2 R wave duration and R/S wave amplitude indices are the most sensitive and specific algorithms, respectively. Amongst all of the patients, the V2 R wave duration and R/S wave amplitude algorithm had the maximal area under the ROC curve, but in patients with LV rotation the V2 transition ratio algorithm had the maximum area under the ROC curve.