Background In this study, we propose a method for automatically predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) based on convolutional neural network (CNN) using a short-term normal electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Methods We designed a CNN model and optimized it by dropout and normalization. One-dimensional convolution, max-pooling, and fully-connected multiple perceptron were used to analyze the short-term normal ECG. The ECG signal was preprocessed and segmented to train and evaluate the proposed CNN model. The training and test sets consisted of the two AF and one normal dataset from the MIT-BIH database. Results The proposed CNN model for the automatic prediction of AF achieved a high performance with a sensitivity of 98.6%, a specificity of 98.7%, and an accuracy of 98.7%. Conclusion The results show the possibility of automatically predicting AF based on the CNN model using a short-term normal ECG signal. The proposed CNN model for the automatic prediction of AF can be a helpful tool for the early diagnosis of AF in healthcare fields.

PurposeTo assess the long-term outcomes of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and to identify influencing factors for failure in these cases.MethodsA total of 136 women who underwent TVT procedures with minimum follow-up duration of 3 years were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups (non-ISD and ISD groups) based on preoperative urodynamic studies. Patient outcomes were assessed from retrospective chart review and telephone research. Cure was defined as the subjective resolution of SUI in any circumstances. Improvement was defined as the subjective improvement of SUI without complete resolution. Failure was defined as the subjective lack of improvement of SUI. Patients in ISD group were subdivided into two subgroups (cure and non-cure groups) and were compared to identify influencing factors for TVT procedure failure.ResultsEighty-nine patients were in non-ISD group, and 47 in ISD group. The mean follow-up durations were 50.3±9.2 and 49.7±9.7 months, respectively. Subjective cure rate was 75.3% for non-ISD group, and 76.7% for ISD group (P>0.05). Improvement rate was 6.7% for non-ISD group, and 2.1% for ISD group (P>0.05). Satisfaction scores was 3.8±1.2 points in the non-ISD group, and 3.5±1.2 points in ISD group (P>0.05). In ISD subgroups, VLPP was 41.9±12.0 cmH2O for non-cure group, and 50.5±8.6 cmH2O for cure group, and was the only factor that showed significant statistical difference between the two subgroups (P=0.011).ConclusionsWith our long-term results, TVT is an effective treatment even in women with ISD. However, ISD patients with low VLPP should be counseled carefully about TVT outcome.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to report our initial experience about the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of transobturator tension-free vaginal mesh (Prolift TM ) and concomitant tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) as a treatment of female anterior vaginal wall prolapse associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Materials and Methods:We reviewed the charts of patients who underwent Prolift TM and TVT between April 2009 and March 2010. All patients had a physical examination and staging of cystocele. According to the International Continence Society system 2, 5 and 3 women had stage grade II, III and IV respectively. All the patients underwent pelvic examination 1, 3, 6 month and 1 year after operation and anatomical and functional outcomes were recorded. An anatomic cure after intervention was defined as stage 0 and an improvement was defined as stage I. Anatomic failures were defined as stage II or higher on the last physical examination. Results:The mean follow-up was 7.1 (1-11) months. Overall success rate of cystocele repair was 90%. The anatomical cure rate of cystocele was 50%. The cystocele repair improved 4 patients, but failed in 1. SUI was cured in all patients. No significant complications including bladder or vessel injury and mesh related erosion occurred. The postoperative complication was transient voiding difficulty (2 cases). Conclusions:These preliminary results suggest that Prolift TM and TVT offer a safe and effective treatment for female anterior vaginal wall prolapse and SUI. However, a long-term follow up is necessary in order to support the good result maintenance.

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