A26-3 Tip design in a new steroid-elution pacing lead influences ventricular electrical parameter variations in DDD pacemaker implanted patients

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Structure-function relationships in bombinins H, antimicrobial peptides from Bombina skin secretions.

Skin secretions of amphibia of the Bombina genus contain two families of antimicrobial peptides, the bombinins (bombinin-like peptides)and the bombinins H (H for hydrophobic and hemolytic). The latter family includes a number of peptides containing a D-amino acid in the second position, in addition to their corresponding all L-isomers. The antimicrobial activity of three pairs of bombinin H isomers, H2/H4,H6/H7 and GH-1D/GH-1L, has been investigated. The first two pairs of peptides were actually isolated from the secretion, whereas the third was synthesized according to the sequence deduced from a gene coding for a bombinin-like peptide in Bombina orientalis

Expert opinion on advanced techniques for hemostasis in liver surgery

Background: Reduction of perioperative blood loss and intraoperative transfusion are two major factors associated with improving outcomes in liver surgery. There is currently no consensus as to the best technique to achieve this. Methods: An international Panel of Experts (EP), made up of hepatobiliary surgeons from well-known high-volume centres was assembled to share their experience with regard to the management of blood loss during liver resection surgery. The process included: a review of the current literature by the panel, a face-to-face meeting and an on-line survey completed by the EP prior to and following the face-to-face meeting, based on predetermined case scenarios. During the meeting the most frequently researched surgical techniques were appraised by the EP in terms of intraoperative blood loss. Results: All EP members agreed that high quality research on the subject was lacking. Following an agreed risk stratification algorithm, the EP concurred with the existing research that a haemostatic device should always be used along with any user preferred surgical instrumentation in both open and laparoscopic liver resection procedures, independently from stratification of bleeding risk. The combined use of Ultrasonic Dissector (UD) and saline-coupled bipolar sealing device (Aquamantyse) was the EP preferred technique for both open and laparoscopic surgery. Conclusions: This EP propose the use of a bipolar sealer and UD for the best resection technique and essential equipment to minimise blood loss during liver surgery, stratified according to transfusion risk, in both open and laparoscopic liver resection

The MINERVA study design and rationale: a controlled randomized trial to assess the clinical benefit of minimizing ventricular pacing in pacemaker patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Dual-chamber (DDD) pacing has generally been regarded as "physiologic pacing" and therefore expected to be superior to ventricular pacing. Major randomized trials have so far failed to demonstrate significant reductions in the incidences of mortality, stroke, and heart failure. It has been shown that unnecessary ventricular pacing in patients with sinus node dysfunction or only intermittent atrioventricular block is associated with ventricular desynchronization and increased risk of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATA)