Background-Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) and heart failure often coexist; however, the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on the incidence of AF and on the outcome of patients with new-onset AF remains undefined. Methods and Results-In the CArdiac REsynchronisation in Heart Failure (CARE-HF) trial, 813 patients with moderate or severe heart failure were randomly assigned to pharmacological therapy alone or with the addition of CRT.

Evidence has accumulated for the existence of local tissue renin-angiotensin systems in the reproductive tissues. In the ovary the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been shown to influence ovulation and steroidogenesis. In this review we focus on aspects of a local RAS in the uteroplacental unit. High renin concentrations have been found in all tissues of the uteroplacental unit. The presence of renin mRNA in the endometrium, choriodecidua and the fetal part of the placenta indicates local renin synthesis. Angiotensin (Ang) II, formed by the enzymatic action of tissue renin and Ang I converting enzyme, acts by interaction with its receptors. These receptors have been demonstrated in high densities in the placenta and uterus, indicating an autocrine or paracrine action of Ang II. Several probable effects of the uteroplacental RAS can be defined. It is very likely that the uteroplacental RAS plays an important role during implantation and placentation by stimulation of decidualization and angiogenesis. Furthermore, Ang II may regulate synthesis and secretion of other hormones formed locally in the uteroplacental unit. During labour the action of Ang II may be important for contraction of the uterine musculature, Ang II is also involved in the complex regulation of the uteroplacental blood flow. Species difference in the expression of the uteroplacental RAS exists, and one may speculate that the physiological and pathophysiological roles vary between species.

1. In previous studies we have demonstrated and solved several methodological problems in relation to the measurement of prorenin by trypsin activation in rat, bovine, hog and horse plasma. 2. The aim of the present study was to develop a method for the measurement of prorenin in bovine and porcine ovarian follicular fluid. 3. Trypsin activation of follicular fluid generated angiotensin I immunoreactive material (AI IM) in both species. 4. The AI IM interfered with the renin assay, but could be completely removed by a cation exchange resin in a batch-wise technique. 5. The enzymatic activity of trypsin-activated prorenin and pre-existing active renin was completely inhibited by a specific inhibitor of renin. 6. The reactions were optimized and an accurate measurement of prorenin in ovarian follicular fluid was developed. 7. The existence of prorenin and renin in bovine ovarian follicular fluid was established. Prorenin and renin in porcine ovarian follicular fluid was demonstrated for the first time. 8. The ratio between ovarian follicular fluid and plasma was 43 for prorenin and 19 for active renin in cattle. The same ratios in pigs were 1.3 and 0.4, respectively. These findings indicate a species difference with respect to the amount of prorenin or active renin present in ovarian follicular fluid.