Influence of permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with new-generation devices.

OBJECTIVE: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the most common complication after the procedure. PPMI rates remain high with the new-generation TAVI devices despite improved outcomes concerning paravalvular aortic regurgitation and vascular access complications. However, the impact of PPMI on mortality and clinical outcome is still a matter of debate, and data with new-generation devices on this matter are scarce. Therefore, we sought to analyse the influence of PPMI in patients treated with the new-generation devices on one-year outcome. METHODS: We enrolled 612 consecutive patients without prior pacemaker undergoing transfemoral TAVI with the new-generation devices. Patients with or without PPMI were compared with respect to clinical outcome within one year. RESULTS: PPMI was performed in 168 patients (24.4% of the overall study population). There was no significant difference in one-year outcome concerning all-cause mortality (PPMI vs. no-PPMI: 12.2% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.94), rate of major adverse events including cardiac, cerebral or valve-related events and bleeding complications (22.1% vs. 24.5%, p = 0.55) or need for rehospitalisation due to cardiac symptoms (16.1% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.63). In patients with reduced ejection fraction (<45%) there was also no impact of PPMI on one-year mortality (14.3% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.86). Furthermore, multivariate analysis did not reveal PPMI to be independently associated with one-year mortality (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.50-1.74, p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: In this large all-comers TAVI population with new-generation devices the need for postprocedural PPMI did not show a statistical significant impact on survival or combined endpoint of major adverse events within one year.

Image-guidance for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and cerebral embolic protection.

The study was aimed at evaluation of the feasibility and potential benefit of image fusion (IF) of pre-procedural CT angiography (CTA) and x-ray (XR) fluoroscopy for image-guided navigation in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the strong focus on guiding the double-filter cerebral embolic protection device and valve prosthesis placement. METHODS: In 31 patients undergoing TAVI, image registration of CTA-derived 3D anatomical models of the relevant cardiac anatomy and vasculature, and live XR was performed applying a commercially available navigation tool. The approach was evaluated in terms of the accuracy of the overlay. In 27 TAVI patients with IF receiving double-filter cerebral embolic protection device overall procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and total volume of intra-procedural iodinated contrast agent (CA) were registered and compared to those of a control group of prospectively enrolled during the same period of time N=27 patients receiving the same protection system but without IF. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Image co-registration and model-based guidance is feasible in TAVI procedures. The overlay facilitates placement of the embolic protection device, placement of the guide wire in the left ventricle and initial alignment of the valve prosthesis prior to final deployment, thus improving the confidence level of the operators during the procedure without compromising CA or XR dose.

[Causes of death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : Results from the Rhineland-Palatinate ALS registry]. / Todesursachen bei amyotropher Lateralsklerose : Ergebnisse aus dem ALS-Register Rheinland-Pfalz.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with an increased mortality. Knowledge of possible causes of death could lead to an individualization of the palliative treatment concept and result in a differentiated palliative treatment pathway. Currently, only few systematic data are available on the heterogeneity of causes of death associated with ALS. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the various causes of death in a prospective population-based German cohort of ALS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of data of the Rhineland-Palatinate ALS registry in which newly diagnosed patients who had been identified between October 2009 and September 2012 were prospectively enrolled and followed up at regular intervals. From this prospective cohort study the causes of death were elicited based on information provided by the attending physicians, family members and by means of death certificates registered by the regional health authorities in Rhineland-Palatinate. RESULTS: Out of 200 ALS patients registered 148 died between register initiation on 1 October 2009 and the end of follow-up on 30 September 2015 (78 males and 70 females, death rate 74%). The most frequent cause of death was respiratory failure as a consequence of weakness of respiratory muscles (n = 91, 61%). Less frequent causes of death were pneumonia (n = 13, 9%), terminal cachexia (n = 9, 6%) and death from cardiovascular causes including sudden death (n = 9, 6%). Cases of suicide were rare (n = 3, 2%) as were deaths due to concurrent diseases (n = 2). In 21 cases (14%) the exact cause of death could not be clarified. Differences in the causes of death only showed a tendency towards the ALS phenotype. Respiratory failure was the cause of death in all patients with a respiratory phenotype and in 78% of patients with flail arm syndrome. Despite the low number of patients (8%) with additional frontotemporal dementia (FTD) a distinct difference in causes of death between those with and without FTD could be observed. Death due to respiratory failure was less frequent in ALS patients with FTD (33% vs. 65%) while pneumonia was more frequent (27% vs. 7%). CONCLUSION: Respiratory failure was the most frequent cause of death in our cohort of ALS patients. In contrast, pneumonia and nutritional disorders played a less important role as the cause of death. The phenotypic expression of ALS might in part allow the cause of the prospective death to be predicted. Differentiation of ALS phenotypes is an important foundation for patient counseling on the process of dying to be expected and for the determination of an individual palliative concept.

[Percutaneus coronary interventions for ostial lesions]. / Perkutane koronare Intervention ostialer Läsionen.

An ostial lesion is defined as a lesion near to the ostium (≤3 mm) and is characterized by a rigid fibrotic texture with pronounced sclerosis associated with a very high tendency to recoil. Under certain circumstances this may lead to a modest primary interventional result accompanied by a higher complication rate and in particular a higher rate of restenosis. Ostial lesions of the right coronary artery in particular represent a greater challenge for percutaneous interventions with a higher rate of restenosis despite the introduction of various new techniques. In contrast ostial stenosis of the left main trunk shows very good results after percutaneous interventions and implantation of drug-eluting stents. The indications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of an ostial lesion correspond to the indications for treatment of all other lesions. The article gives an overview of the experiences and recommendations with respect to the diagnostics and interventional therapy of ostial lesions.

GMP-adapted overexpression of CXCR4 in human mesenchymal stem cells for cardiac repair.

BACKGROUND: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been utilized for cardiac regeneration after myocardial damage. Their clinical effects are marginal and only a minority of administered cells could make their way into the myocardium. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 has been identified as crucial for migration and homing of stem cells. In this study we overexpressed CXCR4 on human MSC to improve cell trafficking and tissue repair. METHODS: Human MSC were isolated from the spongiosa of tibia and femur as well as from pelvic bone marrow. MSC were characterized by differentiation assays and FACS analysis. CXCR4 was overexpressed by mRNA-nucleofection. Intracellular signaling was analyzed to demonstrate functionality of CXCR4. The modified Boyden chamber, wounding assays and time lapse microscopy were utilized to investigate MSC migration. RESULTS: MSC did not express relevant amounts of CXCR4 spontaneously. CXCR4 could be overexpressed in 93% of MSC with a cell viability of 62%. Functionality of the overexpressed CXCR4 was demonstrated by a significant cytosolic Ca(2+) increase and activation of different MAP kinases followed by SDF-1α stimulation. In contrast no improvement of cell migration could be observed. There was a strong basal MSC chemokinesis independent from CXCR4 expression. CONCLUSIONS: CXCR4 could be effectively overexpressed in human MSC by mRNA-nucleofection. Despite functionality of CXCR4 MSC were characterized by a strong basal chemokinesis that could not be further enhanced by CXCR4 overexpression. As isolation, culture and nucleofection of pelvic bone marrow-derived MSC basically fulfill the GMP-requirements our approach seems suited for an in vivo application in patients.

[CNS dysfunction as symptom of internal disease]. / Veränderungen des ZNS als Symptome wichtiger innerer Erkrankungen.

Patients with symptoms and signs of central nervous system dysfunction frequently present to outpatient clinics and emergency departments. Disturbances of consciousness and cognition, headache, vertigo, dizziness or light-headedness, seizures, hemiparesis or hemisensory deficits, and other motor dysfunctions may be due to diseases of internal medicine in up to 50% of cases apart from exclusively neurological diseases. A neurological syndrome oriented analysis of each clinical case allows the exact differential diagnosis of the causes of the disease. A combined approach of internal medicine physicians and neurologists is often warranted.

[Postpartum cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after epidural anaesthesia]. / Sinusvenenthrombose nach geburtshilflicher Epiduralanästhesie.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis during pregnancy or puerperium is not a rarity. Nevertheless, it is often misdiagnosed. With the increasing use of regional anaesthesia in obstetrics the differential diagnosis of postdural puncture headache is often difficult. The case of a patient is reported who suffered from both intracranial hypotension and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in the postpartum period.

Health-related quality of life in segmental dystonia is improved by bilateral pallidal stimulation.

In contrast to generalized dystonia, reports on the effectiveness of pallidal stimulation on quality of life in patients with segmental dystonia are sparse to date. In ten patients with idiopathic segmental dystonia we prospectively evaluated the effect of pallidal stimulation on quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire. Parallel to the improvement of motor scores, total SF-36 scores and physical and mental health subscores improved significantly at follow-up to a mean of 17 months postoperatively. Thus, pallidal stimulation should be recognized as a promising treatment option in patients with segmental dystonia.

Patients with in-stent restenoses: comparison of intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a rhenium-188 filled balloon catheter with the polymer-based paclitaxel-eluting taxus-express stent.

AIMS: We compared the intracoronary beta-brachytherapy using a liquid rhenium-188 filled balloon with the slow-release, polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent for treatment of in-stent restenoses. PATIENTS, METHODS: During the same study period, patients with restenoses in bare-metal stents were either treated with Taxus-Express stents (n = 50) or beta-brachytherapy after successful angioplasty (n = 51). For brachytherapy 30 Gy in 0.5 mm tissue depth were administered. The irradiated segment exceeded the traumatized segment 7.5 mm on both sides. Primary endpoint was the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) at the target lesion at six months follow-up. Angiographic follow-up was available in 78% (n = 79/101) and clinical follow-up in all patients. RESULTS: Baseline parameters did not differ statistically. The Taxus-Express stent resulted in a significantly larger MLD and a significantly lower percent diameter stenosis post intervention compared to beta-brachytherapy, which both maintained until angiographic follow-up (primary endpoint 2.44 +/- 0.74 mm versus 1.73 +/- 0.74 mm, p < 0.0001). Therefore, Taxus-Express stents were associated with a lower angiographic restenosis rate compared with beta-brachytherapy, both for the target lesion (6.1% versus 17.4%) and the total segment (9.1% versus 23.9%). Moreover, use of Taxus-stent was associated with a clinical benefit based on a significantly lower MACE rate compared with beta-brachytherapy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stents resulted in superior clinical and angiographic outcomes compared to intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a liquid (188)Re filled balloon for treatment of restenosis within a bare-metal stent.

[Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy induced ultrastructural changes to the renal parenchyma under aspirin use. Electron microscopic findings in the rat kidney]. / Ultrastrukturelle Veränderungen am Nierenparenchym durch ESWL unter Acetylsalicylsäure (ASS). Elektronenmikroskopische Befunde an der Rattenniere.

BACKGROUND: The risk of hemorrhagic complications after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) increases in patients with aspirin intake, but the hematoma-inducing mechanism has not been understood completely at the ultrastructural level. METHODS: The effect off shock-waves on the kidneys of male Wistar-rats (n=24) was investigated in an experimental setting using a special ESWL device. Ultrastructural examination was performed by light-, transmission electron- and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Shock-wave induced tissue damage appeared in all kidneys independently of aspirin intake. Endothelial detachment, lethal cell injury, gaps and mechanical disruption of the glomerular basement membrane were regularly found. After 1 week, repair processes were completed with evidence of permanent fibrosis in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL can induce modest as well as fatal damage to renal tissue cells. Therefore, after an ESWL-induced hematoma a second ESWL should not be performed within 1 week of the first treatment.

Patterns of reoccurrence of segmental dystonia after discontinuation of deep brain stimulation.

The pattern of reoccurrence of symptoms after discontinuation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has not been systematically studied in dystonia. Eight patients (mean age (SD) 53.8 (14.4) years) with segmental dystonia at a mean follow-up of 11.3 (4.2) months were studied after implantation of bilateral DBS electrodes in the internal globus pallidus using a standard video protocol and clinical rating scales, immediately and at 2 and 4 h after switching off DBS. Dystonic signs returned sequentially, with a rapid worsening of phasic and a slower worsening of tonic dystonic components. In all patients, phasic dystonic features appeared within a few minutes, whereas the tonic elements of dystonia reoccurred with a more variable delay. Differential clinical effects when withdrawing DBS might reflect its influence on different pathophysiological mechanisms in dystonia.

Comparison of the slow-release polymer-based paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent with the bare-metal Express stent for saphenous vein graft interventions.

BACKGROUND: The paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent is superior regarding angiographic and clinical outcome compared with its bare-metal platform for lesions in native coronary arteries. We studied the potential impact of the Taxus-Express stent in comparison with its bare-metal counterpart for treatment of lesions in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). Furthermore, a meta-analysis was performed regarding use of drug-eluting (DES) vs bare-metal stents (BMS) in SVG lesions. METHODS: We analyzed 13 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous revascularization in SVG lesions using the slow-release, paclitaxel-eluting Taxus-Express stent. These lesions were balanced with 26 patients with SVG lesions treated with the bare-metal Express stent (BMS) in the preceding period. Angiographic follow-up was performed after 6 months, clinical follow-up after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences regarding clinical, procedural and angiographic parameters pre and post intervention. Binary restenoses occurred significantly less in the Taxus group compared with the BMS group (0% vs 34.6%; p=0.016). This translated into a significantly lower occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, repeat target vessel revascularization) in the Taxus group compared with the BMS group at the 6-month (0% vs 26.9%, p=0.039) and 12-month follow-up (7.7% vs 38.5%, p=0.045). Multivariate predictors for freedom of binary restenosis were the reference diameter pre intervention and treatment with Taxus stents. Meta-analysis including 280 DES and 256 BMS patients revealed an odds ratio of 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.21-0.54) for MACE and 0.26 (95% confidence interval 0.16-0.44) for target vessel revascularizations, both favoring DES. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the use of the slow-release Taxus-Express stent has the potential to be superior regarding angiographic and clinical outcome compared with its bare-metal counterpart for treatment of SVG lesions within a 12-month follow-up. A large, randomized trial including a long follow-up period is now required to prove the results of the meta-analysis.

Chronic spinal cord stimulation in medically intractable orthostatic tremor.

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic tremor with its sense of unsteadiness when standing may have a devastating effect on affected persons. Currently, there are no other treatment options in those who do not respond or who do not tolerate medical treatment. OBJECTIVES: To report on a pilot study on spinal cord stimulation in medically intractable orthostatic tremor. METHODS: Chronic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was performed in two patients with medically-intractable orthostatic tremor via quadripolar plate electrodes implanted at the lower thoracic spine. The electrodes were connected to implantable pulse generators. RESULTS: Subjective and objective improvement of unsteadiness was achieved within a frequency range of 50 to 150 Hz, and occurred in the presence of stimulation-induced paraesthesia. With optimized stimulation settings polygraphic electromyelogram (EMG) recordings continued to show the typical 14-16 Hz EMG activity. The beneficial effect of SCS was maintained at long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study indicate that SCS may be an option in patients with otherwise intractable orthostatic tremor.

Oscillatory pallidal local field potential activity correlates with involuntary EMG in dystonia.

The pathophysiology of dystonia is unclear. The authors recorded local field potentials (LFPs) from deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted in the pallidum of 13 dystonic patients. LFP power correlated with the level of dystonic EMG in the sternocleidomastoid, with maximal positive correlations at the lower contacts of pallidal electrodes. The data suggest that the neuronal synchronization indexed by LFP oscillations in the globus pallidus may be mechanistically linked to dystonic EMG activity.

Bilateral paramedian midbrain infarct: an uncommon variant of the "top of the basilar" syndrome.

Occlusion of the rostral portion of the basilar artery can result in ischaemia of the midbrain and thalami, as well as of the temporal and occipital lobes. The so called "top of the basilar" syndrome manifests clinically as numerous combinations of abnormalities of alertness, sleep-wake cycle, and behaviour and oculomotor or pupillomotor functions. A 67 year old man presented with bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia, rubral tremor, and daytime somnolence. He was awake during the night and mostly agitated and aggressive. An ischaemic lesion was visible on the magnetic resonance (MR) image in the central portion of the midbrain just ventral to the aqueduct, clearly affecting the paramedian structures bilaterally. MR angiographic images demonstrated a hypoplastic basilar artery ending in both superior cerebellar arteries. Both posterior cerebral arteries were seen to arise from the corresponding internal carotid arteries via the posterior communicating branches. This unique case of an acute bilateral paramedian infarct represents a highly uncommon variant of the "top of the basilar" syndrome and was due to the affected ischaemic territory--that is, the "distal field" of the variant basilar artery.

Assessment of left ventricular function with steady-state-free-precession magnetic resonance imaging. Reference values and a comparison to left ventriculography.

UNLABELLED: Ejection fraction (EF) and end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index (EDVI/ ESVI) derived from ventriculography are important prognostic parameters. Cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a steady-state, free-precession sequence (SSFP) offers excellent delineation of the endocardial borders and highly reproducible and accurate results for cardiac volumes. We evaluated MRI volumetry against routine x-ray ventriculography. In 200 patients EF, EDVI and ESVI were measured with MRI volumetry and x-ray ventriculography. The same MRI protocol was applied to 102 healthy persons in order to establish reference values. In healthy subjects mean EF was 68.8% +/- 5.4% (range 59-84%), mean EDVI 69 +/- 10 (43-90) and mean ESVI 22 +/- 5.8 (10-35 ml). In the patients, overall correlation (Spearman's R) of MRI with ventriculography was 0.86 for EF, 0.77 for EDVI and 0.88 for ESVI. For postextrasystolic beats (38% of the measurements), R was 0.73/0.65/0.73 for EF/EDVI/ESVI. MRI correlated best with biplane ventriculography during sinus rhythm (0.96/0.85/0.93); the worst correlation (0.78/0.81/0.83) resulted from patients with wall motion abnormalities in comparison to monoplane x-ray ventriculography. CONCLUSION: Contemporary MRI volumetry compares well to invasive data obtained under optimal conditions. In view of the known limitations of single plane ventriculography, MRI seems to allow exact volumetry independent from regional wall motion abnormalities.

Detection of delayed focal MR changes in the lateral hippocampus in transient global amnesia.

BACKGROUND: There is still limited knowledge on the location and etiology of transient global amnesia (TGA). MR studies including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have been unable to demonstrate consistently the location and underlying pathology of TGA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate patients with TGA using serial DWI performed from the day of symptom onset through days 1 and 2. METHODS: After reporting negative DWI results in a previous study, the authors used a modified study design to investigate patients with TGA using serial DWI performed from the day of symptom onset through days 1 and 2. RESULTS: Of 31 consecutive patients studied, 26 developed a small, punctate DWI lesion in the lateral aspect of the hippocampal formation (pes and fimbria hippocampi) on either side (left, n = 15; right, n = 6) or bilaterally (n = 5). Lesions were rarely noted in the hyperacute phase (n = 2), but all became visible regularly at 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the involvement of hippocampal parenchyma in the pathophysiology of TGA. The delayed detectability of the lesions may explain the incongruence of previous MR DWI studies in TGA patients.

Risperidone-responsive segmental dystonia and pallidal deep brain stimulation.

A 67-year-old man with risperidone-responsive segmental dystonia underwent bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus. Prospectively, the authors assessed the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale in medication (M) and stimulation (S) "on"/"off" states. With DBS at 9 months, the score improved by 86% to 8.5 in M-"on"/S-"on" and 12.5 in M-"off"/S-"on." Studies of the effects of DBS and concomitant medication may be warranted in selected patients treated by DBS for dystonia.