Sentinel surveillance for enterovirus 71, Taiwan, 1998.

Outbreaks of enterovirus 71 have been reported around the world since 1969. The most recent outbreak occurred in Taiwan during April-July 1998. This hand, foot, and mouth disease epidemic was detected by a sentinel surveillance system in April at the beginning of the outbreak, and the public was alerted

Control Measures for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Taiwan

As of April 14, 2003, Taiwan had had 23 probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), all imported. Taiwan isolated these first 23 patients with probable SARS in negative-pressure rooms; extensive personal protective equipment was used for healthcare workers and visitors. For the first 6 weeks of the SARS outbreak, recognized spread was limited to one healthcare worker and three household contacts

The Association between Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Promoter Polymorphism and the Outcomes of Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

<div><p>A length polymorphism of GT repeats in the promoter region of the human heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene modulates its gene transcription to protect against myocardial injury. The present study investigated the association between HO-1 promoter polymorphisms and the outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The allelic frequencies of GT repeats in the HO-1 gene promoter were screened in 205 random individuals who underwent catheter ablation for drug refractory AF.In the patients who received catheter ablation, those with AF recurrence had fewer GT repeats (53.4±7.1 vs. 56.1±6.5, p = 0.004), a lower incidence of hyperlipidemia, more non-paroxysmal AF, and a larger left atrial diameter. After conducting a multivariate logistic analysis, the number of GT repeats (Odds ratio: 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.99, p = 0.01) and the diameter of the left atrium (Odds ratio: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.15, p = 0.01) remained independent predictors. The carriers of GT repeats, which were <29 in both alleles, were associated with a lower sinus maintenance rate after catheter ablation (38.5% vs. 60.1%, p = 0.003). The patients were divided into paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF groups; the number of GT repeats was associated with AF recurrence only in the patients with paroxysmal AF. The number of GT repeats, combined with LAD, was significant for predicting AF recurrence after catheter ablation (p = 0.01). The number of GT repeats was not found to be associated with differences in the left atrial diameter, the biatrial voltage, or the levels of bilirubin, ferritin, iron, C-reactive protein, or von-Willibrand factor. In conclusions, HO-1 gene promoter polymorphisms were associated with AF recurrence after catheter ablation.</p> </div

Comparisons of clinical impacts on individuals with Brugada electrocardiographic patterns defined by ISHNE criteria or EHRA/HRS/APHRS criteria: A nationwide community-based study

[[abstract]]INTRODUCTION: Identifying Brugada electrocardiographic pattern (BrP) early is crucial to prevent sudden cardiac death. Two different diagnostic criteria proposed by International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiography (ISHNE) and Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association/Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (HRS/EHRA/APHRS) were widely used in clinical practice. The difference in prevalence and prognosis of BrP by applying the two different criteria was never studied before. METHODS: This study was prospectively conducted in a nationwide large-scale stratified random sampling community-based cohort (HALST) from Han Chinese population in Taiwan from December 2008 to December 2012. We compared the prevalence and prognosis of BrP defined by the two diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: A total of 5214 adults were enrolled (2530 men) with mean age of 69.3 years. Four had spontaneous type 1 BrP (0.077%). By the HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria, 68 individuals have type 2 BrP (1.30%) and 101 have type 3 BrP (1.94%) whereas by the ISHNE criteria, 46 individuals exhibited type 2 BrP (0.88%). When applying the ISHNE criteria, the number of individuals with BrP decreased by 71%. However, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were not different between individuals with or without BrP, irrespective of the criteria used. CONCLUSIONS: The two different criteria may impact the diagnostic yield of individuals with BrP, but do not affect the prognosis of the individuals with BrP. Key messages Comparing with the use of HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria, the number of individuals with Brugada ECG patterns was decreased by 71% when applying the ISHNE criteria. The prognosis of individuals with Brugada ECG patterns defined by 2012 ISHNE or 2013 HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria were not different

Comparisons of clinical impacts on individuals with Brugada electrocardiographic patterns defined by ISHNE criteria or EHRA/HRS/APHRS criteria: a nationwide community-based study

<p><b>Introduction:</b> Identifying Brugada electrocardiographic pattern (BrP) early is crucial to prevent sudden cardiac death. Two different diagnostic criteria proposed by International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiography (ISHNE) and Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association/Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (HRS/EHRA/APHRS) were widely used in clinical practice. The difference in prevalence and prognosis of BrP by applying the two different criteria was never studied before.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This study was prospectively conducted in a nationwide large-scale stratified random sampling community-based cohort (HALST) from Han Chinese population in Taiwan from December 2008 to December 2012. We compared the prevalence and prognosis of BrP defined by the two diagnostic criteria.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> A total of 5214 adults were enrolled (2530 men) with mean age of 69.3 years. Four had spontaneous type 1 BrP (0.077%). By the HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria, 68 individuals have type 2 BrP (1.30%) and 101 have type 3 BrP (1.94%) whereas by the ISHNE criteria, 46 individuals exhibited type 2 BrP (0.88%). When applying the ISHNE criteria, the number of individuals with BrP decreased by 71%. However, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were not different between individuals with or without BrP, irrespective of the criteria used.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> The two different criteria may impact the diagnostic yield of individuals with BrP, but do not affect the prognosis of the individuals with BrP.Key messages</p><p>Comparing with the use of HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria, the number of individuals with Brugada ECG patterns was decreased by 71% when applying the ISHNE criteria.</p><p>The prognosis of individuals with Brugada ECG patterns defined by 2012 ISHNE or 2013 HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria were not different.</p><p></p> <p>Comparing with the use of HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria, the number of individuals with Brugada ECG patterns was decreased by 71% when applying the ISHNE criteria.</p> <p>The prognosis of individuals with Brugada ECG patterns defined by 2012 ISHNE or 2013 HRS/EHRA/APHRS criteria were not different.</p