Expert review of medical devices
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2013
ReviewLinear and radial endobronchial ultrasound in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in recent years has become a routine diagnostic procedure in bronchology. Linear EBUS shows high diagnostic yield in evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes. It is mainly used for nodal evaluation in lung cancer, but has also proven to be efficient in diagnostic evaluation of mediastinal masses. ⋯ The application of miniature radial EBUS probes, together with guiding sheaths and other guiding accessories, allow the access to smaller and more peripheral lung lesions. In addition, EBUS bronchoscopy can be utilized for the placement of brachytherapy catheters, or evaluation of the distal bronchi in order to chose between different therapeutic bronchoscopic techniques for desobstruction. An experienced bronchoscopist, availability of ROSE and additional guiding devices might be necessary to accomplish the best possible results of EBUS bronchoscopy.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2013
CommentWill biventricular pacing replace right ventricular pacing for antibradycardia therapy?
Evaluation of: Curtis AB, Worley SJ, Adamson PB, et al; Biventricular versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients with Atrioventricular Block (BLOCK HF) Trial Investigators. Biventricular pacing for atrioventricular block and systolic dysfunction. N. ⋯ Possible new indications for CRT (currently under investigation), include heart failure due to diastolic dysfunction (normal LVEF) with left bundle branch block or intraventricular conduction delay in the absence of bradycardia, and conditions not necessarily associated with a wide QRS complex or bradycardia, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and LV non-compaction. The widespread use of CRT will be limited by the greater complications of LV pacing, unfamiliarity with implantation techniques and cost. At first, CRT will be favored in young patients and those with a low LVEF where ventricular pacing is required >40% of the time.