Effect of intravenous amiodarone on QT and T peak–T end dispersions in patients with nonischemic heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization-defibrillator therapy and electrical storm

Background: The effect of intravenous amiodarone on spatial and transmural dispersion of ventricular repolarization in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains unclear. Methods: We studied 14 patients with nonischemic heart failure who received CRT with a defibrillator, experienced electrical storm and were treated with intravenous amiodarone. Each patient underwent 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and 187-channel repolarization interval-difference mapping electrocardiography (187-ch RIDM-ECG) before and during the intravenous administration of amiodarone infusion. Results: A recurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia was observed in 2 patients during the early period of intravenous amiodarone therapy. Intravenous amiodarone increased the corrected QT interval (from 470±52 ms to 508±55 ms, P=0.003), but it significantly decreased the QT dispersion (from 107±35 ms to 49±27 ms, P=0.001), T peak–T end (Tp–e) dispersion (from 86±17 ms to 28±28 ms, P=0.001), and maximum inter-lead difference between corrected Tp–e intervals as measured by using the 187-ch RIDM-ECG (from 83±13 ms to 50±19 ms, P=0.001). Conclusions: Intravenous amiodarone suppressed the electrical storm and decreased the QT and Tp–e dispersions in patients treated by using CRT with a defibrillator

Differences in Risk Factors for Decreased Cervical Lordosis after Multiple-Segment Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Pilot Study

Study Design Retrospective study. Purpose To compare the radiographic risk factors for decreased cervical lordosis (CL) after laminoplasty, focusing on the difference between cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (C-OPLL). Overview of Literature A few reports compared the risk factors for decreased CL between CSM and C-OPLL although these two pathologies have their characteristics. Methods This study included 50 patients with CSM and 39 with C-OPLL who underwent multi-segment laminoplasty. Decreased CL was defined as the difference between preoperative and 2-year postoperative neutral C2–7 Cobb angles. Radiographic parameters included preoperative neutral C2–7 Cobb angles, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope (T1S), dynamic extension reserve (DER), and range of motion. The radiographic risk factors were investigated for decreased CL in CSM and C-OPLL. Additionally, the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was assessed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Results C2–7 SVA (p=0.018) and DER (p=0.002) were significantly correlated with decreased CL in CSM, while C2–7 Cobb angle (p=0.012) and C2–7 SVA (p=0.028) were correlated with decreased CL in C-OPLL. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that greater C2–7 SVA (B=0.22, p=0.026) and small DER (B=−0.53, p=0.002) were significantly associated with decreased CL in CSM. By contrast, greater C2–7 SVA (B=0.36, p=0.031) was significantly associated with decreased CL in C-OPLL. The JOA score significantly improved in both CSM and C-OPLL (p<0.001). Conclusions C2–7 SVA was associated with a postoperative decreased CL in both CSM and C-OPLL, but DER was only associated with decreased CL in CSM. Risk factors for decreased CL slightly differed depending on the etiology of the condition

Terorisme kontemporer dunia Islam

This study is inspired by the problem of claims against terrorism as an expression of momentary interest, activities program, and products of history constructivism. To solve such problem, the study uses a critical historical analysis approach of Karl Rudolf Bultmann. The study concludes that terrorism, as a part of the wholeness of history, has played critical roles, namely the control role to the tyrannical-dominance and the role of ideology actualization. With the provision of institutionalized historical legacy, terrorism is not merely a temporary expression but it penetrates into borders of period of the history. In addition, with an emphasis on problem solving at the contemporary era, terrorism action is charged to provide a momentary response. Conceptual sources of this study are the view of Ahmad Jainuri about the character of terrorism and the view of Diniesh D’Souza on the profile and the main motive of terrorism. Based on evidences, data, and discussions of experts as well the terror doers themselves, the author argues that the essential meaning of terror—as a compelled action—lays in the fact that it is a noble meaning of historical and ideological aspects as well as a transcendent honor, which cross over the boundary of all conditions or all kinds of worldly reward