Analysis of microplastics in drinking water and other clean water samples with micro-Raman and micro-infrared spectroscopy: minimum requirements and best practice guidelines.

Microplastics are a widespread contaminant found not only in various natural habitats but also in drinking waters. With spectroscopic methods, the polymer type, number, size, and size distribution as well as the shape of microplastic particles in waters can be determined, which is of great relevance to toxicological studies. Methods used in studies so far show a huge diversity regarding experimental setups and often a lack of certain quality assurance aspects. To overcome these problems, this critical review and consensus paper of 12 European analytical laboratories and institutions, dealing with microplastic particle identification and quantification with spectroscopic methods, gives guidance toward harmonized microplastic particle analysis in clean waters. The aims of this paper are to (i) improve the reliability of microplastic analysis, (ii) facilitate and improve the planning of sample preparation and microplastic detection, and (iii) provide a better understanding regarding the evaluation of already existing studies. With these aims, we hope to make an important step toward harmonization of microplastic particle analysis in clean water samples and, thus, allow the comparability of results obtained in different studies by using similar or harmonized methods. Clean water samples, for the purpose of this paper, are considered to comprise all water samples with low matrix content, in particular drinking, tap, and bottled water, but also other water types such as clean freshwater.

Real-world analysis of a Biolimus A9 polymer-free drug-coated stent with very short dual antiplatelet therapy in patients at high bleeding risk.

BACKGROUND: Patients at high risk of bleeding requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) need careful evaluation of both their thrombotic and their bleeding risks. In these patients, a polymer-free metallic stent coated with biolimus-A9 (BA9-DCS) followed by 1­month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) could be a safe option; however, real-world data are still lacking. We analyzed the performance of the device in a real-world scenario. METHODS: Patients assessed as being at high risk of bleeding with an indication for PCI were treated with BA9-DCS and DAPT consisting of aspirin (100 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75 mg/day) for at least 1 month, followed by either oral anticoagulation or single antiplatelet therapy. No exclusion criteria were used. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of an adverse event after PCI, i.e. severe bleeding requiring hospitalization, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, clinically driven stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction or cardiac death. RESULTS: Overall, 89 patients were enrolled in this study [median age 75 (66-81) years; 27 females (30%)] and 171 interventions were performed. During a median follow-up of 203 (145-273) days the primary endpoint occurred in 20 patients (23%): 12 (13%) had clinically significant bleeding, four (5%) ischemic stroke and four (5%) died from cardiac causes related neither to stent thrombosis nor to acute myocardial infarction. Female gender emerged as the only statistically significant predictor of an adverse event (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-8.7, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In real-world patients at high risk of bleeding, implantation of the polymer-free metallic stent coated with Biolimus-A9 (Biofreedom®; Biosensors Europe, Morges, Switzerland) followed by 1 -month DAPT showed encouraging results without any stent thrombosis.

The Localization Behavior of Different CNTs in PC/SAN Blends Containing a Reactive Component.

Co-continuous blend systems of polycarbonate (PC), poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN), commercial non-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or various types of commercial and laboratory functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and a reactive component (RC, N-phenylmaleimide styrene maleic anhydride copolymer) were melt compounded in one step in a microcompounder. The blend system is immiscible, while the RC is miscible with SAN and contains maleic anhydride groups that have the potential to reactively couple with functional groups on the surface of the nanotubes. The influence of the RC on the localization of MWCNTs and SWCNTs (0.5 wt.%) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-filtered TEM. In PC/SAN blends without RC, MWCNTs are localized in the PC component. In contrast, in PC/SAN-RC, the MWCNTs localize in the SAN-RC component, depending on the RC concentration. By adjusting the MWCNT/RC ratio, the localization of the MWCNTs can be tuned. The SWCNTs behave differently compared to the MWCNTs in PC/SAN-RC blends and their localization occurs either only in the PC or in both blend components, depending on the type of the SWCNTs. CNT defect concentration and surface functionalities seem to be responsible for the localization differences.

Analysis of Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Regimes in a Multicenter Cohort of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair Patients.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent comorbidity in patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Recent studies show a deleterious outcome of patients with concomitant AF after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). This underlines the essential need for additional strategies that ameliorate the prognosis of these patients. Fundamental data on AF characteristics and treatment regimes in this special cohort of patients are lacking. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 542 consecutive patients with severe MR undergoing TMVR in three tertiary heart centers with special focus on AF type and underlying treatment strategies. RESULTS: The prevalence of concomitant AF was 73.3%, and AF did not affect the procedural success or the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. The patients with AF were more frequently >75 years, had more tricuspid regurgitation, and less coronary artery disease than non-AF patients. The distribution of AF types was 32% paroxysmal AF, 27% persistent AF, and 41% permanent AF. Except for a higher degree in severe tricuspid regurgitation and a higher likelihood of male sex, no substantial differences were observed while comparing permanent and nonpermanent AF patients. The predominant treatment regime was rate control (57%), with only beta blockers (BB) in the majority of persistent and permanent AF patients, while additional digitalis or a pacemaker was used infrequently. Rhythm control was mainly achieved with BB alone in paroxysmal AF patients and with additional antiarrhythmic drugs in the majority of persistent AF patients. Interventional rhythm control therapy was performed in 2.5% and 30.9% of paroxysmal and persistent AF patients, respectively. The guideline-adherent use of oral anticoagulants was comparable and high in both groups (91.9% in nonpermanent vs. 90.1% in permanent AF). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to provide necessary information for the understanding of the current clinical practice in dealing with TMVR patients. Since evidence suggests that AF is not a benign concomitant disease, further investigations are needed to assess the prognostic impact of these different AF treatment strategies.

A sirolimus-eluting bioabsorbable polymer-coated stent (MiStent) versus an everolimus-eluting durable polymer stent (Xience) after percutaneous coronary intervention (DESSOLVE III): a randomised, single-blind, multicentre, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: MiStent is a drug-eluting stent with a fully absorbable polymer coating containing and embedding a microcrystalline form of sirolimus into the vessel wall. It was developed to overcome the limitation of current durable polymer drug-eluting stents eluting amorphous sirolimus. The clinical effect of MiStent sirolimus-eluting stent compared with a durable polymer drug-eluting stents has not been investigated in a large randomised trial in an all-comer population. METHODS: We did a randomised, single-blind, multicentre, phase 3 study (DESSOLVE III) at 20 hospitals in Germany, France, Netherlands, and Poland. Eligible participants were any patients aged at least 18 years who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in a lesion and had a reference vessel diameter of 2·50-3·75 mm. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) to implantation of either a sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable polymer stent (MiStent) or an everolimus-eluting durable polymer stent (Xience). Randomisation was done by local investigators via web-based software with random blocks according to centre. The primary endpoint was a non-inferiority comparison of a device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE)-cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularisation-between the groups at 12 months after the procedure assessed by intention-to-treat. A margin of 4·0% was defined for non-inferiority of the MiStent group compared with the Xience group. All participants were included in the safety analyses. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02385279. FINDINGS: Between March 20, and Dec 3, 2015, we randomly assigned 1398 patients with 2030 lesions; 703 patients with 1037 lesions were assigned to MiStent, of whom 697 received the index procedure, and 695 patients with 993 lesions were asssigned to Xience, of whom 690 received the index procedure. At 12 months, the primary endpoint had occurred in 40 patients (5·8%) in the sirolimus-eluting stent group and in 45 patients (6·5%) in the everolimus-eluting stent group (absolute difference -0·8% [95% CI -3·3 to 1·8], pnon-inferiority=0·0001). Procedural complications occurred in 12 patients (1·7%) in the sirolimus-eluting stent group and ten patients (1·4%) in the everolimus-eluting stent group; no clinical adverse events could be attributed to these dislodgements through a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. The rate of stent thrombosis, a safety indicator, did not differ between groups and was low in both treatment groups. INTERPRETATION: The sirolimus-eluting bioabsorbable polymer stent was non-inferior to the everolimus-eluting durable polymer stent for a device-oriented composite clinical endpoint at 12 months in an all-comer population. MiStent seems a reasonable alternative to other stents in clinical practice. FUNDING: The European Cardiovascular Research Institute, Micell Technologies (Durham, NC, USA), and Stentys (Paris, France).

A multicenter post-marketing evaluation of the Elixir DESolve® Novolimus-eluting bioresorbable coronary scaffold system: First results from the DESolve PMCF study.

OBJECTIVES: To date, experience with bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) that elute agents other than everolimus is limited. Thus, a post-marketing clinical follow-up study was conducted to evaluate the continued safety and effectiveness of the DESolve® NOVOLIMUS™ Eluting BRS as treatment for patients with stable coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: The DESolve BRS combines a poly-l-lactide-based backbone with a biodegradable polylactide-based polymer and Novolimus, a macrocyclic lactone mTOR inhibitor. METHODS: One hundred and two patients (mean age 62 years, 77.5% male) were enrolled at 10 European sites. Comparison of baseline and post-procedural angiographic assessment was performed, and a device-oriented composite endpoint (comprising cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target lesion revascularization) and rate of scaffold thrombosis at 12 months were examined. RESULTS: The device was successfully delivered and deployed in 98.2% (107/109) of the lesions, with two failures to cross the lesion. A total of 100 patients (109 lesions) were treated with a DESolve BRS. Post-procedural angiographic assessment indicated an in-scaffold acute gain of 1.54 ± 0.44 mm, with a reduction in % diameter stenosis from 61.00 ± 11.29 to 12.69 ± 0.44. At 12 months, the device-oriented composite endpoint had occurred in 3.0% (3/100) of patients, with 1.0% (1/100) experiencing scaffold thrombosis and myocardial infarction and 3.0% (3/100) undergoing target lesion revascularization. There were no cardiac deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Results through 12 months indicate that the DESolve BRS is a safe and effective treatment for coronary lesions, though larger, long-term prospective studies are needed.

Comparison of µ-ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and py-GCMS as identification tools for microplastic particles and fibers isolated from river sediments.

In recent years, many studies on the analysis of microplastics (MP) in environmental samples have been published. These studies are hardly comparable due to different sampling, sample preparation, as well as identification and quantification techniques. Here, MP identification is one of the crucial pitfalls. Visual identification approaches using morphological criteria alone often lead to significant errors, being especially true for MP fibers. Reliable, chemical structure-based identification methods are indispensable. In this context, the frequently used vibrational spectroscopic techniques but also thermoanalytical methods are established. However, no critical comparison of these fundamentally different approaches has ever been carried out with regard to analyzing MP in environmental samples. In this blind study, we investigated 27 single MP particles and fibers of unknown material isolated from river sediments. Successively micro-attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-ATR-FTIR) and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GCMS) in combination with thermochemolysis were applied. Both methods differentiated between plastic vs. non-plastic in the same way in 26 cases, with 19 particles and fibers (22 after re-evaluation) identified as the same polymer type. To illustrate the different approaches and emphasize the complementarity of their information content, we exemplarily provide a detailed comparison of four particles and three fibers and a critical discussion of advantages and disadvantages of both methods.

Bromocriptine for the treatment of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a multicentre randomized study.

AIMS: An anti-angiogenic cleaved prolactin fragment is considered causal for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Experimental and first clinical observations suggested beneficial effects of the prolactin release inhibitor bromocriptine in PPCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this multicentre trial, 63 PPCM patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% were randomly assigned to short-term (1W: bromocriptine, 2.5 mg, 7 days) or long-term bromocriptine treatment (8W: 5 mg for 2 weeks followed by 2.5 mg for 6 weeks) in addition to standard heart failure therapy. Primary end point was LVEF change (delta) from baseline to 6 months assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Bromocriptine was well tolerated. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 28 ± 10% to 49 ± 12% with a delta-LVEF of + 21 ± 11% in the 1W-group, and from 27 ± 10% to 51 ± 10% with a delta-LVEF of + 24 ± 11% in the 8W-group (delta-LVEF: P = 0.381). Full-recovery (LVEF ≥ 50%) was present in 52% of the 1W- and in 68% of the 8W-group with no differences in secondary end points between both groups (hospitalizations for heart failure: 1W: 9.7% vs. 8W: 6.5%, P = 0.651). The risk within the 8W-group to fail full-recovery after 6 months tended to be lower. No patient in the study needed heart transplantation, LV assist device or died. CONCLUSION: Bromocriptine treatment was associated with high rate of full LV-recovery and low morbidity and mortality in PPCM patients compared with other PPCM cohorts not treated with bromocriptine. No significant differences were observed between 1W and 8W treatment suggesting that 1-week addition of bromocriptine to standard heart failure treatment is already beneficial with a trend for better full-recovery in the 8W group. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, study number: NCT00998556.

Intracoronary autologous bone marrow cell transfer after myocardial infarction: the BOOST-2 randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIMS: Intracoronary infusion of autologous nucleated bone marrow cells (BMCs) enhanced the recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the randomised-controlled, open-label BOOST trial. We reassessed the therapeutic potential of nucleated BMCs in the randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind BOOST-2 trial conducted in 10 centres in Germany and Norway. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a multiple arm design, we investigated the dose-response relationship and explored whether γ-irradiation which eliminates the clonogenic potential of stem and progenitor cells has an impact on BMC efficacy. Between 9 March 2006 and 16 July 2013, 153 patients with large STEMI were randomly assigned to receive a single intracoronary infusion of placebo (control group), high-dose (hi)BMCs, low-dose (lo)BMCs, irradiated hiBMCs, or irradiated loBMCs 8.1 ± 2.6 days after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in addition to guideline-recommended medical treatment. Change in LVEF from baseline (before cell infusion) to 6 months as determined by MRI was the primary endpoint. The trial is registered at Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN17457407). Baseline LVEF was 45.0 ± 8.5% in the overall population. At 6 months, LVEF had increased by 3.3 percentage points in the control group and 4.3 percentage points in the hiBMC group. The estimated treatment effect was 1.0 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -2.6 to 4.7; P = 0.57). The treatment effect of loBMCs was 0.5 percentage points (-3.0 to 4.1; P = 0.76). Likewise, irradiated BMCs did not have significant treatment effects. BMC transfer was safe and not associated with adverse clinical events. CONCLUSION: The BOOST-2 trial does not support the use of nucleated BMCs in patients with STEMI and moderately reduced LVEF treated according to current standards of early PCI and drug therapy.

[Risk epidemiology and child protection statistics in early childhood ­ a pilot study in southern Germany]. / Risikoepidemiologie und Kinderschutzstatistik in der frühen Kindheit: Eine Pilotuntersuchung mit dem "Wahrnehmungsbogen für den Kinderschutz".

In contrast to many other countries in Europe, Germany lacks sufficient empirical data on the incidence/prevalence of child maltreatment and its risk factors. This pilot study generated systematic data on the prevalence of child abuse and neglect and its risk factors in Germany. Using a newly developed questionnaire (ESM1 and ESM2) on child abuse and neglect as well as indicators for risk factors, we conducted a survey on 35 child daycare centers in a county in southern Germany, the goal being to generate reliable data. The questionnaire and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was completed by daycare professionals for every child between 4 and under 7 years who was attending the participating daycare center (1,122 children). Child maltreatment was reported in 13.2 % of the cases, and risk factors for future child maltreatment were detected in 38.4 % cases. This study demonstrates that systematic data collection concerning child protection is feasible in child daycare centers. In the future, we recommend that local child protection networks be modified on the basis of reliable empirical data.

Analysis of environmental microplastics by vibrational microspectroscopy: FTIR, Raman or both?

The contamination of aquatic ecosystems with microplastics has recently been reported through many studies, and negative impacts on the aquatic biota have been described. For the chemical identification of microplastics, mainly Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are used. But up to now, a critical comparison and validation of both spectroscopic methods with respect to microplastics analysis is missing. To close this knowledge gap, we investigated environmental samples by both Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Firstly, particles and fibres >500 µm extracted from beach sediment samples were analysed by Raman and FTIR microspectroscopic single measurements. Our results illustrate that both methods are in principle suitable to identify microplastics from the environment. However, in some cases, especially for coloured particles, a combination of both spectroscopic methods is necessary for a complete and reliable characterisation of the chemical composition. Secondly, a marine sample containing particles <400 µm was investigated by Raman imaging and FTIR transmission imaging. The results were compared regarding number, size and type of detectable microplastics as well as spectra quality, measurement time and handling. We show that FTIR imaging leads to significant underestimation (about 35 %) of microplastics compared to Raman imaging, especially in the size range <20 µm. However, the measurement time of Raman imaging is considerably higher compared to FTIR imaging. In summary, we propose a further size division within the smaller microplastics fraction into 500-50 µm (rapid and reliable analysis by FTIR imaging) and into 50-1 µm (detailed and more time-consuming analysis by Raman imaging). Graphical Abstract Marine microplastic sample (fraction <400 µm) on a silicon filter (middle) with the corresponding Raman and IR images.

Left Ventricular Assist Devices as Bridge to Cardiac Recovery in Nonischemic Heart Failure: Keeping Weaning from the Device in Mind.

A minority of patients on left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) display myocardial recovery raising the question of device explantation. We report a series of seven LVAD patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy allowing explantation of the VAD. In case of four patients we overview follow-up periods of 4 to 10 years. Remarkably, in three cases device explantation was considered beyond 1 year of LVAD support. Explantation was finally performed after 20 months and more on the device. In light of the scarcity of donor organs we conclude that patients on LVAD support should be evaluated for possible weaning from the device on a regular basis.

Identification of microplastics by FTIR and Raman microscopy: a novel silicon filter substrate opens the important spectral range below 1300 cm(-1) for FTIR transmission measurements.

The presence of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems is a topical problem and leads to the need of appropriate and reliable analytical methods to distinctly identify and to quantify these particles in environmental samples. As an example transmission, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging can be used to analyze samples directly on filters without any visual presorting, when the environmental sample was afore extracted, purified, and filtered. However, this analytical approach is strongly restricted by the limited IR transparency of conventional filter materials. Within this study, we describe a novel silicon (Si) filter substrate produced by photolithographic microstructuring, which guarantees sufficient transparency for the broad mid-infrared region of 4000-600 cm(-1). This filter type features holes with a diameter of 10 µm and exhibits adequate mechanical stability. Furthermore, it will be shown that our Si filter substrate allows a distinct identification of the most common microplastics, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP), in the characteristic fingerprint region (1400-600 cm(-1)). Moreover, using the Si filter substrate, a differentiation of microparticles of polyesters having quite similar chemical structure, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), is now possible, which facilitates a visualization of their distribution within a microplastic sample by FTIR imaging. Finally, this Si filter can also be used as substrate for Raman microscopy-a second complementary spectroscopic technique-to identify microplastic samples.

Highly luminescent thin films of the dense framework ∞(3)[EuIm2] with switchable transparency formed by scanning femtosecond-pulse laser deposition.

Highly luminescent switchable thin films of the dense framework ∞(3)[EuIm2] were deposited by a scanning laser ablation technique using a femtosecond laser. The films can be controlled in terms of film thickness and amount of material deposited such that the material properties of the bulk material are retained on the nanometer scale. Polycrystalline films are formed that can be switched between transparent at visible light and nontransparent at UV light due to the intrinsic luminescence of the hybrid material, expanding the concept of smart films. The new femtosecond pulsed laser deposition method also provides a novel approach for coatings with framework compounds and coordination polymers.

Evaluation of the Composition, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior, and Color Changes of Artificially and Naturally Aged Polymers for the Conservation of Stained Glass Windows.

Investigations of historical conservation materials on historical stained glass windows of the Naumburg Cathedral in Germany offered an opportunity for the study of polymers, naturally aged in a non-controlled environment. This allowed the conservation history of the cathedral to be traced and expanded by valuable insights. The historical materials were characterized through the use of spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), thermal analysis, PY-GC/MS, and SEC on taken samples. The analyses show that acrylate resins were predominantly used for conservation. The lamination material from the 1940s is particularly noteworthy. Epoxy resins were also identified in isolated cases. Artificial aging was used to investigate the influence of environmental influences on the properties of the identified materials. Through a multi-stage aging program, influences of UV radiation, high temperatures and high humidity can be considered in isolation. Piaflex F20, Epilox, Paraloid B72 as a modern material and combinations of Paraloid B72/diisobutyl phthalate and PMA/diisobutyl phthalate were investigated. The parameters yellowing, FTIR spectra, Raman spectra, molecular mass and conformation, glass transition temperature, thermal behavior, and adhesive strength on glass were determined. The effects of the environmental parameters on the investigated materials are differentiated. UV and extreme temperatures tend to show a stronger influence than humidity. The comparison of the artificially aged samples with the naturally aged samples from the cathedral shows that the latter were less aged. Recommendations for the conservation of the historical stained glass windows were derived from the results of the investigation.

Sex-Specific Disparities in Outcomes of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation: A Multicenter "Real-World" Analysis.

BACKGROUND: mitral regurgitation (mr) is the most common valvular heart disease (vhd) in the elderly and tends to be more prevalent in women. while relevant sex differences in outcomes are evident in surgically treated collectives, there are very limited and conflicting sex-specific data for the growing cohort of patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (teer). OBJECTIVE: to investigate whether sex impacts procedural safety and efficacy, and in-hospital- and long-term outcomes, after teer for mr. METHODS: in a multicenter observational cohort study, patients who underwent teer were stratified by sex and relevant outcome measures, and analyzed using multivariable cox regression and propensity score matching (psm). RESULTS: a total of 821 patients were analyzed, of whom 37.4% (307/821) were female. compared to male patients, females were significantly older (77 ± 8.5 vs. 80.4 ± 6.7 years, p = 0.03), and had less coronary artery disease (cad, 67.7% vs. 53.1%, p < 0.0001) and a higher proportion of preserved left ventricular function (lvef > 50%, 32.5% vs. 50.5%, p > 0.0001). safety and efficacy of the teer procedure and in-hospital mortality did not differ between the sexes. after psm, women showed significantly better survival 3 years after teer compared to men (60.7% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.04) and a lower risk of all-cause death according to multiple cox regression (hr 0.8, 95% ci 0.6-0.9, p = 0.02). after sex-specific stratification for concomitant atrial fibrillation (af), the most common comorbidity in the present collective, women with af experience significantly worse adjusted survival compared to women without af (53.9% vs. 75.1%, p = 0.042) three years after teer and lose the survival advantage over men. CONCLUSIONS: female patients are older and less comorbid than males undergoing TEER. The TEER procedure is equally safe and effective in both sexes. While in-hospital mortality did not differ, female patients experienced a significantly better adjusted long-term survival compared to male patients. Concomitant AF offsets the prognostic advantage of females over males and, in contrast to males, significantly impairs long-term survival in women undergoing TEER. Further research is warranted to elucidate underlying causes for the observed sex disparities and to develop sex-tailored treatment recommendations.

Catheter ablation of concomitant atrial fibrillation improves survival of patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common concomitant disease in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for mitral regurgitation (MR) and detrimentally affects their outcome. While there is increasing evidence for prognostic improvement and safety of catheter ablation (CA) of AF in the overall cohort of heart failure patients, corresponding data in TEER patients are lacking. Objectives: To investigate the impact of treatment regimens for concomitant AF on survival of TEER patients. Methods: In a multicenter observational cohort study consecutive patients successfully undergoing TEER were analyzed and survival of patients receiving CA of concomitant AF was compared with that of patients on pharmacological AF treatment and with that of patients without a history of AF, using propensity score matching (PSM). Results: A total of 821 patients were analyzed. Of these, 608 (74.1%) had concomitant AF, of whom 48 patients received CA. Patients with CA in AF showed significantly higher 3-year-survival after TEER compared to PSM-patients on pharmacological AF treatment (75.5% [36/48] vs. 49.4% [166/336], p = 0.009). The 3-year-survival after TEER of patients with concomitant AF treated with CA was not significantly different from PSM-patients without AF (75.5% [36/48] vs. 68.3% [98/144], p = 0.36). Conclusions: CA of AF is superior to pharmacotherapy as it significantly improves the survival of TEER patients in a PSM analysis. CA even offsets the prognostic disadvantage of coexisting AF in TEER patients. Given the growing evidence of prognostic benefits in the overall cohort of HF patients, our data point out the importance of treating concomitant AF and support CA as an essential part of a holistic management of TEER patients.

Organ transplants do not escape paradoxical embolisms.

Acute renal allograft dysfunction in the first weeks after transplantation primarily requires examination for acute rejection, drug-associated injury, pre-renal failure due to exsiccosis/dehydration, and post-renal problems such as urinary tract obstruction. In rare instances, main renal artery or vein thrombosis may be found, e.g. due to acute rejection of the vessels. Herein, we describe the clinical course of a patient with a recent renal transplantation who presented with an acute enigmatic renal allograft failure which, after intensive diagnostic efforts, emerged as paradoxical embolism with extensive allograft ischemia in consequence of a venous thrombosis and a patent foramen ovale - a so far unreported case.

Ablation of typical right atrial flutter in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: RF ablation for cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) dependent flutter is an established therapy. Right atrial hypertrophy and enlargement are associated with the occurrence of cavotricuspid isthmus dependent flutter. Therefore, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PAH) are prone to atrial arrhythmias like cavotricuspid isthmus dependent flutter. However, the influence of PAH on typical atrial flutter ablation procedure has not been systematically examined. METHODS: In a retrospective single-centre analysis data of patients undergoing an ablation procedure for cavotricuspid isthmus dependent flutter between January 2007 and October 2009 at Hannover Medical School, Germany were analysed. Only procedures performed by experienced electrophysiologists with an 8mm RF-ablation catheter were included. Data for 196 patients were analysed. Thirty-eight patients were identified with PAH and were compared to 158 patients without PAH for procedural ablation parameters, procedure time, ablation time, ablation points and fluoroscopy time. RESULTS: A bidirectional block of the CTI was achieved in all patients. Patients with severe PAH had a significantly longer procedure time (78±40 min vs. 62±29 min; p=0.033), total ablation time (20±11 min vs. 15±9 min; p=0.02) and more ablation lesions (26±16 vs. 19±12; p=0.018) as compared to patients without PAH. CONCLUSION: Cavotricuspid isthmus dependent flutter ablation in patients with PAH is associated with longer procedure duration and a greater amount of cumulative tissue ablation needed to achieve bidirectional block of the CTI compared to patients without pulmonary hypertension.

All-Carbon Monolithic Composites from Carbon Foam and Hierarchical Porous Carbon for Energy Storage.

We designed high-volumetric-energy-density supercapacitors from monolithic composites composed of self-standing carbon foam (CF) as the conducting matrix and embedded hierarchically organized porous carbon (PICK) as the active material. Using multiprobe scanning tunneling microscopy at selected areas, we were able to disentangle morphology-dependent contributions of the heterogeneous composite to the overall conductivity. Adding PICK is found to enhance the conductivity of the monoliths by providing additional links for the CF network, enabling high and stable performance. The resulting all-carbon CF-PICK composites were used as self-standing electrodes for symmetric supercapacitors without the need for a binder, additional conducting additive, metals as a current collector, or casting/drying steps. Supercapacitors achieved a capacitance of 181 F g-1 based on the entire mass of the monolithic electrode as well as an outstanding rate capability. Our symmetrical supercapacitors also delivered a record volumetric energy density of 19.4 mW h cm-3 when using aqueous electrolytes. Excellent cycling stability with almost quantitative retention of capacitance was found after 10,000 cycles in 6.0 M KOH as the electrolyte. Furthermore, charge-discharge testing at different currents demonstrated the fast charge-discharge capability of this material system that meets the requirements for practical applications.