Der Untergang der Kinokultur

Das Kino Schon In der Frühzeit des Kinos gab es die Debatte, ob Kino als Kunst oder Jahrmarktsattraktion gelten soll. Dass die Frage damals nicht eindeutig beantwortet wurde, zeigt sich an der heutigen Kinosituation. Entsprang das Kino damals aus der Theaterkultur, so lässt sich heute eher in der Diskokultur ansiedeln: Wo damals Vorhänge die Leinwand verbargen, Orgelspieler und Orchester die Zuschauer einstimmten und nicht selten der Film persönlich angekündigt wurde, steht heute ein Laserstrahlenteppich im Raum, begleitet von harten Technobeats und eingeführt durch 45 Minuten lange Werbeclips und Trailer. Traurig ist auch die Tatsache, dass die Kinobetreiber meist der Wirtschaftsbranche entstammen und kein cineastisches Feingefühl besitzen

Incidence and prognostic significance of malignant arrhythmias during (repetitive) Holter electrocardiograms in patients with pulmonary hypertension

BackgroundIn patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) may lead to increased right ventricular afterload and cardiac remodelling, potentially providing the substrate for ventricular arrhythmias. Studies dealing with long term monitoring of patients with PH are rare. The present study evaluated the incidence and the types of arrhythmias retrospectively recorded by Holter ECG in patients with newly detected PH during a long-term Holter ECG follow-up. Moreover, their impact on patient survival was evaluated.Patients and methodsMedical records were screened for demographic data, aetiology of PH, incidence of coronary heart disease, level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), results from Holter ECG monitoring, 6-minute walk test distance, echocardiographic data and hemodynamic data derived from right heart catheterization. Two subgroups were analyzed: 1. patients (n = 65) with PH (group 1 + 4) and derivation of at least 1 Holter ECG within 12 months from initial detection of PH and 2. patients (all PH etiologies, n = 59) with 3 follow-up Holter ECGs. The frequency and complexity of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) was classified into “lower” and “higher” (=non sustained ventricular tachycardia, nsVT) burden.ResultsHolter ECG revealed sinus rhythm (SR) in most of the patients (n = 60). Incidence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) was low (n = 4). Patients with premature atrial contractions (PAC) tend to have a shorter period of survival (p = 0.098), PVC were not correlated with significant survival differences. During follow-up PAC and PVC were common in all PH groups. Holter ECG revealed non sustained ventricular tachycardia in 19/59 patients [(32.2%); n = 6 during first Holter-ECG, n = 13 during second/third Holter-ECG]. In all patients suffering from nsVT during follow-up previous Holter ECG revealed multiform/repetitive PVC. PVC burden was not linked to differences in systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, brain natriuretic peptide and results of six-minute walk test.ConclusionPatients with PAC tend to have a shortened survival. None of the evaluated parameters (BNP, TAPSE, sPAP) was correlated with the development of arrhythmias. Patients with multiform/repetitive PVC seem to be at risk for ventricular arrhythmias

MRI-detected brain lesions in AF patients without further stroke risk factors undergoing ablation - a retrospective analysis of prospective studies

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) without other stroke risk factors is assumed to have a low annual stroke risk comparable to patients without AF. Therefore, current clinical guidelines do not recommend oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention of AF in patients without stroke risk factors. We analyzed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging to estimate the rate of clinically inapparent (“silent”) ischemic brain lesions in these patients. Methods We pooled individual patient-level data from three prospective studies comprising stroke-free patients with symptomatic AF. All study patients underwent brain MRI within 24–48 h before planned left atrial catheter ablation. MRIs were analyzed by a neuroradiologist blinded to clinical data. Results In total, 175 patients (median age 60 (IQR 54–67) years, 32% female, median CHA2DS2-VASc = 1 (IQR 0–2), 33% persistent AF) were included. In AF patients without or with at least one stroke risk factor, at least one silent ischemic brain lesion was observed in 4 (8%) out of 48 and 10 (8%) out of 127 patients, respectively (p > 0.99). Presence of silent ischemic brain lesions was related to age (p = 0.03) but not to AF pattern (p = 0.77). At least one cerebral microbleed was detected in 5 (13%) out of 30 AF patients without stroke risk factors and 25 (25%) out of 108 AF patients with stroke risk factors (p = 0.2). Presence of cerebral microbleeds was related to male sex (p = 0.04) or peripheral artery occlusive disease (p = 0.03). Conclusion In patients with symptomatic AF scheduled for ablation, brain MRI detected silent ischemic brain lesions in approximately one in 12 patients, and microbleeds in one in 5 patients. The prevalence of silent ischemic brain lesions did not differ in AF patients with or without further stroke risk factors

Clinical Study Electrophysiological Studies in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Retrospective Investigation

Few studies have investigated patients with pulmonary hypertension and arrhythmias. Data on electrophysiological studies in these patients are rare. In a retrospective dual-centre design, we analysed data from patients with indications for electrophysiological study. Fifty-five patients with pulmonary hypertension were included (Dana Point Classification: group 1: 14, group 2: 23, group 3: 4, group 4: 8, group 5: 2, and 4 patients with exercised-induced pulmonary hypertension). Clinical data, 6-minute walk distance, laboratory values, and echocardiography were collected/performed. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia was the most frequent indication ( = 15) for an electrophysiological study, followed by atrial flutter ( = 14). In summary 36 ablations were performed and 25 of them were successful (atrial flutter 12 of 14 and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia 4 of 4). Fluoroscopy time was 16 ± 14.4 minutes. Electrophysiological studies in patients with pulmonary hypertension are feasible and safe. Ablation procedures are as effective in these patients as in non-PAH patients with atrial flutter and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and should be performed likewise. The prognostic relevance of ventricular stimulations and inducible ventricular tachycardias in these patients is still unclear and requires further investigation

Datasheet1_Incidence and prognostic significance of malignant arrhythmias during (repetitive) Holter electrocardiograms in patients with pulmonary hypertension.docx

BackgroundIn patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) may lead to increased right ventricular afterload and cardiac remodelling, potentially providing the substrate for ventricular arrhythmias. Studies dealing with long term monitoring of patients with PH are rare. The present study evaluated the incidence and the types of arrhythmias retrospectively recorded by Holter ECG in patients with newly detected PH during a long-term Holter ECG follow-up. Moreover, their impact on patient survival was evaluated.Patients and methodsMedical records were screened for demographic data, aetiology of PH, incidence of coronary heart disease, level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), results from Holter ECG monitoring, 6-minute walk test distance, echocardiographic data and hemodynamic data derived from right heart catheterization. Two subgroups were analyzed: 1. patients (n = 65) with PH (group 1 + 4) and derivation of at least 1 Holter ECG within 12 months from initial detection of PH and 2. patients (all PH etiologies, n = 59) with 3 follow-up Holter ECGs. The frequency and complexity of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) was classified into “lower” and “higher” (=non sustained ventricular tachycardia, nsVT) burden.ResultsHolter ECG revealed sinus rhythm (SR) in most of the patients (n = 60). Incidence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) was low (n = 4). Patients with premature atrial contractions (PAC) tend to have a shorter period of survival (p = 0.098), PVC were not correlated with significant survival differences. During follow-up PAC and PVC were common in all PH groups. Holter ECG revealed non sustained ventricular tachycardia in 19/59 patients [(32.2%); n = 6 during first Holter-ECG, n = 13 during second/third Holter-ECG]. In all patients suffering from nsVT during follow-up previous Holter ECG revealed multiform/repetitive PVC. PVC burden was not linked to differences in systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, brain natriuretic peptide and results of six-minute walk test.ConclusionPatients with PAC tend to have a shortened survival. None of the evaluated parameters (BNP, TAPSE, sPAP) was correlated with the development of arrhythmias. Patients with multiform/repetitive PVC seem to be at risk for ventricular arrhythmias.</p