Diagnostic and prognostic significance of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes in men and women: A four year follow-up

Two hundred eighty patients (197 men and 83 women) with normal rest electrocardiograms and no history of prior myocardial infarction were referred for evaluation of chest pain. It was found that exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes had a lower sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in predicting significant coronary artery disease than exercise-induced ST segment depression greater than or equal to 1 mm. The incidence of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes was not significantly different in patients with no significant coronary artery disease, single vessel disease or multivessel disease. The site of origin of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes was not helpful in predicting the presence or severity of coronary artery disease. At a mean follow-up period of 47.1 months, exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes did not predict coronary events (cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction) in men or women

Relation of cytogenetic abnormalities and clinical outcome in metastatic melanoma.

The value of chromosomal analysis is well established in human hematologic neoplasms. In contrast, the relation between chromosomal abnormalities and clinical outcome in solid tumors in humans has received little study. We undertook this study to determine whether chromosomal abnormalities could provide information on the survival of patients with malignant melanoma. Chromosome-banding analysis was performed on tumor-biopsy samples from 62 patients with metastatic melanoma, and recurring cytogenetic abnormalities were correlated with survival. Patients with structural abnormalities of chromosome 7 or 11 had significantly shorter survival than patients without these abnormalities. We conclude that cytogenetic analysis may provide useful prognostic information about patients with metastatic melanoma

Relation of cytogenetic abnormalities and clinical outcome in metastatic melanoma.

The value of chromosomal analysis is well established in human hematologic neoplasms. In contrast, the relation between chromosomal abnormalities and clinical outcome in solid tumors in humans has received little study. We undertook this study to determine whether chromosomal abnormalities could provide information on the survival of patients with malignant melanoma. Chromosome-banding analysis was performed on tumor-biopsy samples from 62 patients with metastatic melanoma, and recurring cytogenetic abnormalities were correlated with survival. Patients with structural abnormalities of chromosome 7 or 11 had significantly shorter survival than patients without these abnormalities. We conclude that cytogenetic analysis may provide useful prognostic information about patients with metastatic melanoma

Radiofrequency ablation of premature ventricular ectopy improves the efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy in nonresponders

Objectives: This study sought to examine whether suppressing premature ventricular contractions (PVC) using radiofrequency ablation improves effectiveness of the cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in nonresponders. Background: CRT is an effective strategy for drug refractory congestive heart failure. However, one-third of patients with CRT do not respond clinically, and the causes for nonresponse are poorly understood. Whether frequent PVC contribute to CRT nonresponse remains unknown. Methods: In this multicenter study, CRT nonresponders with >10,000 PVC in 24 h who underwent PVC ablation were enrolled from a prospective database. Results: Sixty-five subjects (age 66.6 ± 12.4 years, 78% men, QRS duration of 155 ± 18 ms) had radiofrequency ablation of PVC from 76 foci. Acute and long-term success rates of ablation were 91% and 88% in 12 ± 4 months of follow-up. There was significant improvement in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (26.2 ± 5.5% to 32.7 ± 6.7 %, p 22% in 24 h. Conclusions: Frequent PVC is an uncommon yet significant cause of CRT nonresponse. Radiofrequency ablation of PVC foci improves LV function and New York Heart Association class and promotes reverse remodeling in CRT nonresponders. PVC ablation may be used to enhance CRT efficacy in nonresponders with significant PVC burden. © 2012 American College of Cardiology Foundation