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12,000 | Disturbed Left Atrial Function is Associated with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertension. | Hypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The pressure overload in the left atrium induces pathophysiological changes leading to alterations in contractile function and electrical properties.</AbstractText>In this study our aim was to assess left atrial function in hypertensive patients to determine the association between left atrial function with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).</AbstractText>We studied 57 hypertensive patients (age: 53 ± 4 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 76 ± 6.7%), including 30 consecutive patients with PAF and 30 age-matched control subjects. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured using the modified Simpson's biplane method. Three types of LA volume were determined: maximal LA(LAVmax), preatrial contraction LA(LAVpreA) and minimal LA volume(LAVmin). LA emptying functions were calculated. LA total emptying volume = LAVmax-LAVmin and the LA total EF = (LAVmax-LAVmin )/LAVmax, LA passive emptying volume = LAVmax- LAVpreA and the LA passive EF = (LAVmax-LAVpreA)/LAVmax, LA active emptying volume = LAVpreA-LAVmin and LA active EF = (LAVpreA-LAVmin )/LAVpreA.</AbstractText>The hypertensive period is longer in hypertensive group with PAF. LAVmax significantly increased in hypertensive group with PAF when compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.010). LAAEF was significantly decreased in hypertensive group with PAF as compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.020). A' was decreased in the hypertensive group with PAF when compared to those without PAF (p = 0.044).</AbstractText>Increased LA volume and impaired LA active emptying function was associated with PAF in untreated hypertensive patients. Longer hypertensive period is associated with PAF.</AbstractText> |
12,001 | At-admission risk stratification for in-hospital life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and death in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients. | Identification of patients with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) at higher risk of in-hospital life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (LT-VA) and death is crucial for determining appropriate levels of care/monitoring during hospitalisation. We assessed predictors of in-hospital LT-VA and all-cause mortality in a consecutive series of NSTEMI patients.</AbstractText>We prospectively studied 1325 consecutive patients (69.7% males, median age 70 (61-79) years) presenting with NSTEMI and undergoing continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. The primary study end-point was the occurrence of spontaneous (unrelated to coronary interventions) in-hospital LT-VA, including sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation; the secondary end-point was in-hospital mortality from all causes. Of 1325 patients, 21 (1.5%) experienced LT-VA and 62 (4.7%) died from either arrhythmias (n=1) or other causes (n=61). Seven of the 20 patients who survived LT-VA subsequently died of heart failure. Independent predictors of in-hospital LT-VA were the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score >140 (odds ratio (OR)=7.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-33.3; p=0.008) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF)<35% (OR=4.1; 95% CI 1.7-10.3; p=0.002). GRACE score >140 (OR=14.6; 95% CI 3.4-62) and LV-EF <35% (OR=4.4; 95% CI 1.9-10) also predicted in-hospital all-cause death. The cumulative probability of in-hospital LT-VA and death was respectively 9.2% and 23% in the 98 (7.4%) patients with GRACE score >140 and LV-EF<35%, while it was respectively 0.2% and 0% among the 627 (47.3%) with GRACE score ≤140 and LV-EF ≥35%.</AbstractText>Simple risk stratification at admission based on GRACE score and echocardiographic LV-EF allows early identification of NSTEMI patients at higher risk of both in-hospital LT-VA and all-cause mortality.</AbstractText>© The European Society of Cardiology 2014.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,002 | Handheld ECG in analysis of arrhythmia and heart rate variability in children with Fontan circulation. | Our aim was to evaluate the intermittent use of a handheld ECG system for detecting silent arrhythmias and cardiac autonomic dysfunction in children with univentricular hearts.</AbstractText>Twenty-seven patients performed intermittent ECG recordings with handheld devices during a 14-day period. A manual arrhythmia analysis was performed. We analyzed heart rate variability (HRV) using scatter plots of all interbeat intervals (Poincaré plots) from the total observation period. Reference values of HRV indices were determined from Holter-ECGs in 41 healthy children.</AbstractText>One asymptomatic patient had frequent ventricular extra systoles. Another patient had episodes with supraventricular tachycardia (with concomitant palpitations). Seven patients showed reduced HRV.</AbstractText>Asymptomatic arrhythmia was detected in one patient. The proposed method for pooling of intermittent recordings from handheld or similar devices may be used for detection of arrhythmias as well as for cardiac autonomic dysfunction.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,003 | Clinical significance of left ventricular apical aneurysms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients: the role of diagnostic electrocardiography. | Some patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) develop left ventricular apical aneurysm, leading to serious cardiovascular complications. The aims of this study were to identify the incidence and clinical course of HCM patients with apical aneurysms in Japan, and to evaluate the role of electrocardiography (ECG) as a screening test to detect apical aneurysms in HCM patients.</AbstractText>In a retrospective, single center analysis of a population of 247 HCM patients, 21 patients (8.5%) had left ventricular apical aneurysms. Their mean age was 60 ± 14 years (range: 23-77 years) at study entry. Over 4.7 ± 3.3 years of follow-up, 10 patients (47.6%) experienced an adverse clinical event (annual event rate: 10.1%/y), including five implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantations for ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF), an appropriate discharge of ICD for VT/VF, and four nonfatal thromboembolic strokes. Two patients developed systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <50%). No sudden cardiac death or progressive heart failure was detected. Fourteen patients showed ST-segment elevation (≥ 1 mm) in V3 through V5 of ECG. In four patients, progression of the ST-segment elevation was recognized. When the ST-segment elevation was used to identify apical aneurysms in HCM patients, the sensitivity was 66.7%, and the specificity was 98.7%.</AbstractText>Apical aneurysms in HCM patients in Japan are not rare, and are associated with serious cardiovascular complications. The early diagnosis of apical aneurysms can be achieved by serial ECG.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,004 | Ambulatory cardiac monitoring for discharged emergency department patients with possible cardiac arrhythmias. | Many emergency department (ED) patients have symptoms that may be attributed to arrhythmias, necessitating outpatient ambulatory cardiac monitoring. Consensus is lacking on the optimal duration of monitoring. We describe the use of a novel device applied at ED discharge that provides continuous prolonged cardiac monitoring.</AbstractText>We enrolled discharged adult ED patients with symptoms of possible cardiac arrhythmia. A novel, single use continuous recording patch (Zio®Patch) was applied at ED discharge. Patients wore the device for up to 14 days or until they had symptoms to trigger an event. They then returned the device by mail for interpretation. Significant arrhythmias are defined as: ventricular tachycardia (VT) ≥4 beats, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ≥4 beats, atrial fibrillation, ≥3 second pause, 2nd degree Mobitz II, 3rd degree AV Block, or symptomatic bradycardia.</AbstractText>There were 174 patients were enrolled and all mailed back their devices. The average age was 52.2 (± 21.0) years, and 55% were female. The most common indications for device placement were palpitations 44.8%, syncope 24.1% and dizziness 6.3%. Eighty-three patients (47.7%) had ≥1 arrhythmias and 17 (9.8%) were symptomatic at the time of their arrhythmia. Median time to first arrhythmia was 1.0 days (IQR 0.2-2.8) and median time to first symptomatic arrhythmia was 1.5 days (IQR 0.4-6.7). 93 (53.4%) of symptomatic patients did not have any arrhythmia during their triggered events. The overall diagnostic yield was 63.2%</AbstractText>The Zio®Patch cardiac monitoring device can efficiently characterize symptomatic patients without significant arrhythmia and has a higher diagnostic yield for arrhythmias than traditional 24-48 hour Holter monitoring. It allows for longer term monitoring up to 14 days.</AbstractText> |
12,005 | Trying to predict the unpredictable: Variations in device-based daily monitored diagnostic parameters can predict malignant arrhythmic events in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy. | The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of device-based diagnostic parameters in predicting ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients.</AbstractText>Ninety-six CRT-D patients participating in TRUST CRT Trial were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were: heart failure in NYHA ≥ 3 class, QRS ≥ 120 ms, LVEF £ 35% and significant mechanical dyssynchrony. Patients were divided into those with (n = 31, 92 arrhythmias) and without (n = 65) appropriate ICD interventions within follow-up of 12.03 ± 6.7 months. Daily monitored device-based parameters: heart rate (HR), thoracic impedance (TI), HR variability and physical activity were analyzed in 4 time windows: within 10, 7, 3 days and 1 day before appropriate ICD interventions.</AbstractText>A consistent pattern of changes in three monitored factors was observed prior to arrhythmia: 1) a gradual increase of day HR (from 103.43% of reference within 10-day window to 105.55% one day before, all p < 0.05 vs. reference); 2) variations in night HR (104.75% in 3 days, 107.65% one day before, all p < 0.05) and 3) TI decrease (from 97.8% in 10 days to 96.81% one day before, all p < 0.05). The combination of three parameters had better predictive value, which improved further after exclusion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The predictive model combining HR and TI together with LVEF and NT-proBNP was more prognostic than the model involving LVEF and NT-proBNP alone (difference in AUC 0.05, 95% CI 0.0005-0.09, p = 0.04).</AbstractText>Daily device-monitored parameters show significant variations prior to ventricular arrhythmia. Combination of multiple parameters improves arrhythmia predictive performance by its additive value to baseline risk factors, while presence of AF diminishes it.</AbstractText> |
12,006 | [Hypoglycemia and cardiac arrhythmia in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2]. | Hypoglycemia is a common and potentially life-threatening adverse effect of inappropriate diabetes treatment. Typical cardiac complications are ischemia with angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke and arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia and heart failure. Elderly multimorbid patients with type 2 diabetes and polypharmacy and/or cardiac autonomous neuropathy represent a very high risk group for cardiovascular complications associated with hypoglycemia. Targets for glycemic control have to be adapted to the risk of hypoglycemia with a priority of stable glucose homeostasis without rapid fluctuations. Elderly patients with diabetes have a >20% risk of AF. At blood glucose levels of <3 mmol/l with a duration of >30 min, prolongation of QTc time and ventricular tachycardia occur with an increased risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. Ventricular arrhythmias and AF significantly increase mortality in patients with heart failure. Rapid fluctuations with a mean amplitude of glucose excursion (MAGE) >5 mmol/l promote vulnerability of electrical stability of the heart, particularly in frail patients with preexisting coronary heart disease and autonomic neuropathy. Antihyperglycemic agents, such as metformin, acarbose and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have only a low risk of severe hypoglycemia. Dipeptidyl peptase 4 (DPP-IV) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) analogues as insulin secretagogues have a lower risk for hypoglycemia than sulfonylurea and insulin. Early basal insulin treatment in patients insufficiently controlled with metformin is efficient, safe and convenient. Targets for glucose control and HbA1c have to be individualized and the choice of drugs must be risk-adjusted. Risk of hypoglycemia should be used as guide in decision-making for safe treatment of diabetes. |
12,007 | Worldwide experience with a totally subcutaneous implantable defibrillator: early results from the EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry. | The totally subcutaneous implantable-defibrillator (S-ICD) is a new alternative to the conventional transvenous ICD system to minimize intravascular lead complications. There are limited data describing the long-term performance of the S-ICD. This paper presents the first large international patient population collected as part of the EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry.</AbstractText>The EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry is a non-randomized, standard of care, multicentre Registry designed to collect long-term, system-related, clinical, and patient reported outcome data from S-ICD implanted patients since June 2009. Follow-up data are systematically collected over 60-month post-implant including Quality of Life. The study population of 472 patients of which 241 (51%) were enrolled prospectively has a mean follow-up duration of 558 days (range 13-1342 days, median 498 days), 72% male, mean age of 49 ± 18 years (range 9-88 years), 42% mean left ventricular ejection fraction. Complication-free rates were 97 and 94%, at 30 and 360 days, respectively. Three hundred and seventeen spontaneous episodes were recorded in 85 patients during the follow-up period. Of these episodes, 169 (53%) received therapy, 93 being for Ventricular Tachycardia/Fibrillation (VT/VF). One patient died of recurrent VF and severe bradycardia. Regarding discrete VT/VF episodes, first shock conversion efficacy was 88% with 100% overall successful clinical conversion after a maximum of five shocks. The 360-day inappropriate shock rate was 7% with the vast majority occurring for oversensing (62/73 episodes), primarily of cardiac signals (94% of oversensed episodes).</AbstractText>The first large cohort of real-world data from an International patient S-ICD population demonstrates appropriate system performance with clinical event rates and inappropriate shock rates comparable with those reported for conventional ICDs. Clinical trial registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier NCT01085435.</AbstractText>© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,008 | Surviving two hours of ventricular fibrillation in accidental hypothermia. | Cardiac arrest as a consequence of deep accidental hypothermia is associated with high mortality. Standardized prehospital management as well as rewarming with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) are important factors to improve survival. The objective of this case report is to illustrate the importance of effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ECC in a cardiac arrest following deep accidental hypothermia.</AbstractText>A 42-year-old man was found unresponsive to external stimuli and pulseless at an outdoor temperature of 1°C. CPR was started at the scene by laypersons, and the emergency medical services (EMS) arrived 5 minutes after the emergency call. Resuscitation according to International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines was initiated by EMS. The first recorded rhythm was ventricular fibrillation (VF), which persisted, despite repeated defibrillation. The patient showed signs of severe hypothermia and, during ongoing CPR, was transported to hospital where on arrival the patient's rectal temperature was measured at 22°C. Resuscitation measures were continued and warming was started at the emergency room. Due to persistent VF and deep hypothermia, the patient was transferred to a cardiothoracic surgical unit for rewarming with ECC. At commencement of ECC, CPR had been going for approximately 130 minutes and a total of 38 defibrillations had been made. During this time interval the patients was pulseless. At a core temperature of 30°C, one defibrillation restored sinus rhythm and subsequently stable circulation was achieved. The patient received a further 24 hours of hypothermia treatment at 32-34°C. He was discharged to rehabilitation facilities after 3 weeks of hospital care. Three months after the cardiac arrest the patient was fully recovered, was back to work, and had resumed normal activities.</AbstractText>We demonstrate a case of cardiac arrest due to deep accidental hypothermia that stresses the importance of effective CPR and early-stage consideration of the use of ECC for safe and effective rewarming.</AbstractText> |
12,009 | Clinical correlates of echocardiographic tissue velocity imaging abnormalities of the left atrial wall during atrial fibrillation. | In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), echocardiographic tissue velocity imaging (TVI) enables assessment of electrical and structural remodelling by measuring, respectively, the AF cycle length (AFCL-TVI) and the atrial fibrillatory wall motion velocity (AFV-TVI). We investigated the clinical and echocardiographic correlates of atrial remodelling assessed by TVI.</AbstractText>We studied 215 patients presenting with AF. In all patients, we measured the AFCL-TVI and the AFV-TVI in the left atrium. Standard baseline characteristics were recorded. We divided patients by median value of AFV-TVI and AFCL-TVI to evaluate the determinants of atrial remodelling. A low AFV-TVI was related with a longer median duration of the current AF episode, a higher prevalence of significant mitral regurgitation and a thicker left ventricle (LV). Multivariate analysis revealed that a low AFV-TVI was independently associated with a longer median duration of the current AF episode [OR 0.09 (95% CI 0.03-0.027); P < 0.001]. Univariately, a short AFCL-TVI was associated with a long median duration of the current AF episode, the use of anti-arrhythmic drugs, a lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and a smaller left atrial volume index (LAVI). Multivariate analysis revealed that LVEF [OR 1.48 (95% CI 1.09-2.01); P = 0.013] and LAVI [OR 1.37 (95% CI 1.08-1.74); P = 0.010] were independently associated with AFCL-TVI.</AbstractText>This study investigated the clinical and echocardiographic correlates of atrial remodelling assessed by TVI. The AFV-TVI is reduced in patients with a long AF duration and who have mitral regurgitation. In addition, the AFCL is long if LAVI is high and LVEF preserved. Tissue velocity imaging parameters measured during AF may be helpful to characterize the degree of atrial remodelling and optimize treatment.</AbstractText>Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,010 | Early prosthetic valve degeneration with Mitroflow aortic valves: determination of incidence and risk factors†. | We describe a cluster of early valve degeneration (EVD) in a series of 281 Mitroflow valves implanted during 1999-2013. Patients with EVD were identified as having symptomatic stenosis or regurgitation within 6 years of implantation leading to reoperation.</AbstractText>Freedom from reoperation was estimated by Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis. Patient and valve characteristics in the EVD group were compared with those without using univariate and Cox proportional hazard multivariate regression analysis.</AbstractText>The rate of actuarial freedom from reoperation was 97% at 6 years and 92.5% at 10 years. The linearized rate of reoperation was 0.7% per patient-year. Ten patients required repeat surgery for EVD. Reoperation occurred from 2 years of implantation in patients with a mean age of 60, compared with 70 in those without EVD. Causes of explantation were stenosis (8), regurgitation (1) and mixed disease (1). The age was the only significant predictor of early degeneration; P = 0.03, hazard ratio = 2.89. Other factors analysed were atrial fibrillation, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, diabetes, preoperative angina, poor left ventricular function, renal dysfunction and extracardiac arteriopathy. There were no significant postoperative complications or operative mortality in those patients undergoing repeat surgery.</AbstractText>There is an unexplained incidence (3.6%) of EVD resulting in explantation in some patients at 2 years after surgery. Mitroflow valves may not be suited to a younger age population.</AbstractText>© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,011 | Significance of repeat programmed ventricular stimulation at electrophysiology study for arrhythmia prediction after acute myocardial infarction. | The prognostic significance of a second programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) at electrophysiology study (EPS), when the first PVS is negative for inducible ventricular tachycardia (VT), in patients following myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown.</AbstractText>Consecutive ST-elevation MI patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% following revascularization underwent early EPS. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was implanted for a positive (inducible monomorphic VT) but not a negative (no arrhythmia or inducible ventricular fibrillation [VF]/flutter) EPS. The combined primary end point of death or arrhythmia (sudden death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and spontaneous VT/VF) was assessed in EPS-positive patients grouped according to if VT was induced on the first PVS application, or the second PVS application, when the first was negative.</AbstractText>EPS performed a median 8 days post-MI in 290 patients was negative in 70% (n = 203) and positive in 30% (n = 87). In patients with a positive EPS, VT was induced on the first PVS in 67% (n = 58) and the second PVS, after the first was negative, in 33% (n = 29). Predischarge ICD was implanted in 79 of 87 patients with a positive EPS. Three-year primary end point occurred in 20.9 ± 5.6% and 38.3 ± 9.7% of patients with VT induced by the first and second PVS, respectively (P = 0.042) and in 6.3 ± 1.9% of electrophysiology-negative patients (P < 0.001).</AbstractText>In patients with post-MI left ventricular dysfunction, VT can be induced in a significant proportion with a second PVS when negative on the first. These patients have a similar higher risk of death or arrhythmia compared to patients with VT induced on the first PVS.</AbstractText>©2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,012 | Implantable defibrillators with enhanced detection algorithms: detection performance and safety results from the PainFree SST study. | Implantable defibrillators (ICD) are highly effective in reducing arrhythmia-related mortality. ICD shock therapy has been shown to increase psychological distress, health care utilization, and is associated with increased mortality. The Protecta ICDs (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) have algorithms designed to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate shock therapy.</AbstractText>The PainFree SmartShock™ Technology (PainFree SST) study is a prospective, multicenter, clinical trial with two consecutive phases, a premarket phase safety study and a postmarket phase effectiveness study. We report the results of the PainFree SST safety study. The premarket phase aimed to investigate safety in the first year postimplant, and to determine if the novel algorithms (T-wave discrimination, right ventricular lead noise discrimination and confirmation+) affect appropriate ventricular fibrillation (VF) detection. Patients (total: n = 246 [male 78%, mean age 63 year, primary prevention indication in 76%]) were implanted either with a Protecta XT dual-chamber ICD (n = 114 [46%]) or a defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization therapy (n = 132 [54%]). Appropriate VF detection was measured during VF induction at implantation when the novel algorithms were programmed ON. A two-second delay in VF detection was classified as clinically significant. No delay in VF detection was observed with all algorithms programmed ON. No unanticipated serious adverse device effects occurred during first year postimplant.</AbstractText>The results of the premarket phase of the PainFree SST trial demonstrate the safety of the Protecta XT defibrillators. Detection of induced VF was not delayed with SmartShock™ algorithms ON.</AbstractText>©2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,013 | Extracorporeal life support for cardiac arrest in a paediatric emergency department. | The initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the emergency department (ED) is a rare event. Herein, we report a case of acute fulminant myocarditis in a nine-year-old girl who was successfully resuscitated by early initiation of ECMO support in the paediatric ED of KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. The patient had rapidly progressed into a witnessed pulseless ventricular tachycardia on presentation, and ECMO was started in the ED following the failure of standard resuscitation measures to establish spontaneous circulation. ECMO was continued for nine days. The patient recovered well with normal neurocognitive function. The initiation of ECMO in the ED is potentially life-saving in the resuscitation of children with witnessed in-hospital cardiac arrest due to a reversible cause. |
12,014 | Permanent leadless cardiac pacing: results of the LEADLESS trial. | Conventional cardiac pacemakers are associated with several potential short- and long-term complications related to either the transvenous lead or subcutaneous pulse generator. We tested the safety and clinical performance of a novel, completely self-contained leadless cardiac pacemaker.</AbstractText>The primary safety end point was freedom from complications at 90 days. Secondary performance end points included implant success rate, implant time, and measures of device performance (pacing/sensing thresholds and rate-responsive performance). The mean age of the patient cohort (n=33) was 77±8 years, and 67% of the patients were male (n=22/33). The most common indication for cardiac pacing was permanent atrial fibrillation with atrioventricular block (n=22, 67%). The implant success rate was 97% (n=32). Five patients (15%) required the use of >1 leadless cardiac pacemaker during the procedure. One patient developed right ventricular perforation and cardiac tamponade during the implant procedure, and eventually died as the result of a stroke. The overall complication-free rate was 94% (31/33). After 3 months of follow-up, the measures of pacing performance (sensing, impedance, and pacing threshold) either improved or were stable within the accepted range.</AbstractText>In a prospective nonrandomized study, a completely self-contained, single-chamber leadless cardiac pacemaker has shown to be safe and feasible. The absence of a transvenous lead and subcutaneous pulse generator could represent a paradigm shift in cardiac pacing.</AbstractText>http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01700244.</AbstractText> |
12,015 | Bedside tool for predicting the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: the POAF score. | Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. The present study aim was to derive an effective bedside tool to predict postoperative AF and its related complications.</AbstractText>Data of 17 262 patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery were retrieved at 3 European university hospitals. A risk score for postoperative AF (POAF score) was derived and validated. In the overall series, 4561 patients (26.4%) developed postoperative AF. In the derivation cohort age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emergency operation, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%, estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min per m(2) or dialysis, and any heart valve surgery were independent AF predictors. POAF score was calculated by summing weighting points for each independent AF predictor. According to the prediction model, the incidences of postoperative AF in the derivation cohort were 0, 11.1%; 1, 20.1%; 2, 28.7%; and ≥3, 40.9% (P<0.001), and in the validation cohort they were 0, 13.2%; 1, 19.5%; 2, 29.9%; and ≥3, 42.5% (P<0.001). Patients with a POAF score ≥3, compared with those without arrhythmia, revealed an increased risk of hospital mortality (5.5% versus 3.2%, P=0.001), death after the first postoperative day (5.1% versus 2.6%, P<0.001), cerebrovascular accident (7.8% versus 4.2%, P<0.001), acute kidney injury (15.1% versus 7.1%, P<0.001), renal replacement therapy (3.8% versus 1.4%, P<0.001), and length of hospital stay (mean 13.2 versus 10.2 days, P<0.001).</AbstractText>The POAF score is a simple, accurate bedside tool to predict postoperative AF and its related or accompanying complications.</AbstractText> |
12,016 | Cerebral oximetry levels during CPR are associated with return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest: an observational study. | Cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy measures regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) non-invasively and may provide information regarding the quality of cerebral oxygen perfusion. We determined whether the level of rSO2 obtained during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival in Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting with cardiac arrest.</AbstractText>We conducted a retrospective, observational study of adult ED patients presenting at an academic medical centre with cardiac arrest in whom continuous cerebral oximetry was performed. Demographic and clinical data including age, gender, presenting rhythm and mean rSO2 readings were abstracted. Cerebral oxygenation was measured with a commercially available oximeter.</AbstractText>A convenience study sample included 59 patients ages 18-102 years (mean age 68.7±14.9 years); 50 (84.7%) were men. Presenting rhythms included pulseless electrical activity (21), asystole (20) and ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia (17). 24 patients (40.6%) had ROSC and only 1 (1.7%) survived to hospital discharge. Patients with and without ROSC were similar in age and presenting cardiac rhythms. The mean of mean rSO2 levels was higher in patients with ROSC, 43.8 (95% CI 40.1 to 47.6) compared with those without ROSC, 34.2 (95% CI 30.6 to 37.8); p=0.001. 91.7% of patients with ROSC had a rSO2 of 30% or greater compared with 62.9% in those without ROSC (p=0.01). The area under the curve for mean rSO2 as a predictor of ROSC was 0.76 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.89).</AbstractText>In ED patients with cardiac arrest higher cerebral oxygen saturations are associated with higher rates of ROSC.</AbstractText>Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,017 | Effects of Nardostachys chinensis on spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in rats with acute myocardial infarction. | To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Nardostachys chinensis (NC) on spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in rats with hyper-acute myocardial infarction (AMI).</AbstractText>Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into the control group (n = 24), metoprolol group (n = 24), and the NC group (n = 24). Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), ventricular tachycardias (VTs), ventricular fibrillations (VFs), and blood pressure were monitored for 4 hours after coronary artery ligation. The connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in ventricular myocardium was measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time RT-PCR.</AbstractText>Compared with the control, metoprolol and NC decreased the VF incidence (50% vs. 4.2%, P < 0.001, and 50% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.005, respectively). There was a steady decrease in the cumulative number of PVCs and VTs within 4 hours from ligating in 3 groups. Compared with the control, metoprolol and NC reduced the cumulative number of VTs and PVCs. Compared with control, metoprolol and NC decreased the infarct size of the left ventricular tissue (55.98% ± 6.20% vs. 39.13% ± 4.53%, P < 0.001, and 55.98% ± 6.20% vs. 42.39% ± 3.44%, P < 0.001, respectively). The results from immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time RT-PCR showed that the protein expression of Cx43 in the control group was significantly lower than that in the metoprolol and NC groups in the infarcted zone.</AbstractText>NC decreased the incidence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias (especially VF), reduced Cx43 degradation, and improved Cx43 redistribution in myocardial infarcted zone in rats with hyper-AMI. The data of the present study indicated that NC may be a promising drug in the future to prevent patients with AMI from lethal ventricular arrhythmias in prehospital setting.</AbstractText> |
12,018 | Ranolazine for the prevention or treatment of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. | The use of currently available antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation is limited by their moderate efficacy and the considerable proarrhythmic risk. Ranolazine, an antianginal agent, has been reported to possess antiarrhythmic properties, resulting in a reduction of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. We performed a systematic review of the clinical studies reporting the outcome of patients treated with ranolazine for the prevention or treatment of atrial fibrillation in various clinical settings. We searched PubMed and abstracts of major conferences for clinical studies using ranolazine, either alone or in combination with other antiarrhythmic agents for the prevention or treatment of atrial fibrillation. Ten relevant records were identified. These included both randomized trials and retrospective cohort studies concerning the use of ranolazine in different clinical settings; prevention of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute coronary syndrome, prevention as well as conversion of postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting, conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation, sinus rhythm maintenance in drug-resistant recurrent atrial fibrillation and facilitation of electrical cardioversion in cardioversion-resistant patients. A beneficial, mostly modest effect of ranolazine was homogeneously reported in all clinical settings. There were no substantial proarrhythmic effects. No meta-analysis could be performed because for most of the clinical scenarios, there was only one study investigating the effect of ranolazine. Except for one large randomized trial, all the other studies were either relatively small randomized studies or retrospective cohort analyses, which in several cases lacked a control group. This systematic review indicates a modest beneficial effect of ranolazine administered for the prevention or treatment of atrial fibrillation across several clinical settings without substantial proarrhythmic risk. |
12,019 | B-type natriuretic peptide predicts stroke of presumable cardioembolic origin in addition to coronary artery calcification. | B-type natriuretric peptide (BNP) is a marker of cardiac dysfunction that is released from myocytes in response to ventricular wall stress. Previous studies suggested that BNP predicts stroke events in addition to classical risk factors. It was suggested that the BNP-associated risk results from coronary atherosclerosis or atrial fibrillation.</AbstractText>Three thousand six hundred and seventy five subjects from the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (45-75 years; 47.6% men) without previous stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarcts, open cardiac valve surgery, pacemakers and defibrillators were followed up over 110.1 ± 23.1 months. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to examine BNP as a stroke predictor in addition to vascular risk factors (age, gender, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, diabetes, smoking), renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation/known heart failure and coronary artery calcification.</AbstractText>Eighty-nine incident strokes occurred (80 ischaemic, 9 hemorrhagic). Subjects suffering stroke had significantly higher BNP values at baseline than the remaining subjects [26.3 (Q1; Q3 = 12.9; 51.0) vs. 17.4 (9.4; 31.4); P < 0.001]. In a multivariable regression, log10 BNP was an independent stroke predictor [hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-3.41; P = 0.017] in addition to age (1.24 per 5 years, CI 1.04-1.49; P = 0.016), systolic blood pressure (1.25 per 10 mmHg, CI 1.14-1.38; P < 0.001), smoking (2.05, CI 1.24-3.39; P = 0.005), atrial fibrillation/heart failure (2.25, CI 1.05-4.83; P = 0.037) and computed-tomography-based log10 (coronary artery calcification + 1) (1.47, CI 1.15-1.88; P = 0.002). Log10 BNP predicted stroke in men but not women, both in subjects ≤65 and >65 years. In subsequent analyses, BNP discriminated the incidence of cardioembolic stroke (P for trend = 0.001), but not stroke of macroangiopathic (P = 0.555), microangiopathic (P = 0.809) or unknown (P = 0.367) origin.</AbstractText>BNP predicts presumable cardioembolic stroke independent of coronary calcification.</AbstractText>© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,020 | Derivation of indices of left ventricular contractility in the setting of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support. | It is important to accurately monitor residual cardiac function in patients under long-term continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cfLVAD) support. Two new measures of left ventricular (LV) chamber contractility in the cfLVAD-unloaded ventricle include IQ, a regression coefficient between maximum flow acceleration and flow pulsatility at different pump speeds; and K, a logarithmic relationship between volumes moved in systole and diastole. We sought to optimize these indices. We also propose RIQ, a ratio between maximum flow acceleration and flow pulsatility at baseline pump speed, as an alternative to IQ. Eleven patients (mean age 49 ± 11 years) were studied. The K index was derived at baseline pump speed by defining systolic and diastolic onset as time points at which maximum and minimum volumes move through the pump. IQ across the full range of pump speeds was markedly different between patients. It was unreliable in three patients with underlying atrial fibrillation (coefficient of determination R(2) range: 0.38-0.74) and also when calculated without pump speed manipulation (R(2) range: 0.01-0.74). The K index was within physiological ranges, but poorly correlated to both IQ (P = 0.42) and RIQ (P = 0.92). In four patients there was excellent correspondence between RIQ and IQ, while four other patients showed a poor relationship between these indices. As RIQ does not require pump speed changes, it may be a more clinically appropriate measure. Further studies are required to determine the validity of these indices. |
12,021 | Echocardiography-based hemodynamic management of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: a feasibility and safety study. | Patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) are at increased risk of postoperative adverse events. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using echocardiography-guided hemodynamic management (EGHEM) during surgery in subjects with LVDD compared to conventional management. The feasibility of using echocardiography to direct a treatment algorithm and clinical outcomes were compared for safety between groups.</AbstractText>Subjects were screened for LVDD by preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and randomized to the conventional or EGHEM group. Subjects in EGHEM received hemodynamic management based on left ventricular filling patterns on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Primary outcomes measured were the feasibility to obtain TEE images and follow a TEE-based treatment algorithm. Safety outcomes also compared the following clinical differences between groups: length of hospitalization, incidence of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack and renal failure measured 30 days postoperatively.</AbstractText>Population consisted of 28 surgical subjects (14 in conventional group and 14 in EGHEM group). Mean subject age was 73.4 ± 6.7 years (36% male) in conventional group and 65.9 ± 14.4 years (36% male) in EGHEM group. Procedures included orthopedic (conventional = 29%, EGHEM 36%), general (conventional = 50%, EGHEM = 36%), vascular (conventional = 7%, EGHEM = 21%), and thoracic (conventional = 14%, EGHEM = 7%). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse clinical events between the 2 groups. The EGHEM group had less CHF, atrial fibrillation, and shorter length of stay.</AbstractText>Echocardiography-guided hemodynamic management of patients with LVDD during surgery is feasible and may be a safe alternative to conventional management.</AbstractText>© 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,022 | Association of electrocardiographic and imaging surrogates of left ventricular hypertrophy with incident atrial fibrillation: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). | This study sought to examine the association between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and electrocardiography (ECG), with incident atrial fibrillation (AF).</AbstractText>Previous studies of the association between AF and LVH were based primarily on echocardiographic measures of LVH.</AbstractText>The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) enrolled 4,942 participants free of clinically recognized cardiovascular disease. Incident AF was based on MESA-ascertained hospital-discharge International Classification of Diseases codes and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inpatient hospital claims. CMR-LVH was defined as left ventricular mass ≥95th percentile of the MESA population distribution. Eleven ECG-LVH criteria were assessed. The association of LVH with incident AF was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for CVD risk factors.</AbstractText>During a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 214 incident AF events were documented. Participants with AF were more likely to be older, hypertensive, and overweight. The risk of AF was greater in participants with CMR-derived LVH (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15 to 3.62). AF was associated with ECG-derived LVH measure of Sokolow-Lyon voltage product after adjusting for CMR-LVH (HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.06 to 3.14, p = 0.02). The associations with AF for CMR-LVH and Sokolow-Lyon voltage product were attenuated when adjusted for CMR left atrial volumes.</AbstractText>In a multiethnic cohort of participants without clinically detected cardiovascular disease, both CMR and ECG-derived LVH were associated with incident AF. ECG-LVH showed prognostic significance independent of CMR-LVH. The association was attenuated when adjusted for CMR left atrial volumes.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,023 | Outcomes in pacemaker-dependent patients upgraded from conventional pacemakers to cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators. | Pacemaker-dependent patients with left ventricular dysfunction benefit from upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Those at low risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias may benefit similarly from upgrade to a CRT-defibrillator or CRT-pacemaker.</AbstractText>To determine whether coronary artery disease (CAD), because of associated scar that supports reentry, predicts higher risk of appropriate shocks in pacemaker-dependent patients upgraded to a CRT-defibrillator.</AbstractText>We grouped 157 pacemaker-dependent patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, no prior sustained ventricular arrhythmias, and conventional pacemakers upgraded to CRT-defibrillators according to the presence (n = 75) or absence (n = 82) of significant CAD. Overall survival, risk of appropriate shocks and antitachycardia pacing, complications related to high-power system components, and LVEF and end-systolic volume changes were contrasted between groups.</AbstractText>Patients with CAD had more comorbidities and exhibited increased mortality during a follow-up of 59 ± 30 months (hazard ratio 2.55; 95% confidence interval 1.49-4.36; P = .001). Of 12 patients with appropriate shocks, 11 had CAD. Time to first shock, antitachycardia pacing, and tachyarrhythmia therapy were significantly shorter in patients with CAD (P < .01). The risk of an appropriate shock in patients without CAD was 1 per 362 person-years compared with 1 shock per 26 person-years in patients with CAD. Complications specific to high-energy device components necessitated another procedure in 32 (20%) patients. LVEF improvement and end-systolic volume reduction were similar between groups.</AbstractText>Among pacemaker-dependent patients with no prior ventricular arrhythmias upgraded from a pacemaker to a CRT-defibrillator, patients without significant CAD have fewer comorbidities, longer survival, and low risk of appropriate shocks than do patients with CAD. CRT-pacemakers may be appropriate in such patients without CAD.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,024 | Obesity and sleep apnea are independently associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling and clinical outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation and preserved ventricular function. | Obesity is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), and both obesity and AF are independently associated with the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. We tested the hypothesis that sleep apnea (SA) would have a body mass index (BMI) independent association with adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and clinical outcomes in patients with AF and preserved LV function.</AbstractText>From 720 consecutive patients with AF, 403 patients without myocardial disease (preserved LV function) were identified and followed up for 3.3 ± 1.5 years. The primary outcome was a combination of all-cause mortality/heart failure hospitalization. Left ventricular mass and LV mass-to-volume ratio were higher in patients with SA and obesity (P < .0001 for all). Body mass index (β per log = .47; P < .0001) and SA (β = .05; P = .045) were independently associated with LV mass index. Patients with treated SA had a lower LV mass index (but not LV mass-to-volume ratio) compared with untreated (P = .002). In a best overall multivariable model, SA therapy (β = -.129; P = .001) and BMI (β per log = .373; P = .0007) had opposing associations with LV mass index. Sleep apnea (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.94; P = .0004) and BMI (HR per 1 kg/m(2) = 1.08; P = .004) were associated with clinical outcome in unadjusted analysis. Only SA was associated with clinical outcome in a best overall multivariable model (HR = 2.14; P = .02).</AbstractText>Sleep apnea and obesity are independently associated with adverse LV remodeling and clinical outcomes in patients with preserved LV function, whereas continuous positive airway pressure therapy is associated with a beneficial effect on LV remodeling. Research investigating SA therapies in patients at high risk for LV remodeling and heart failure is warranted.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,025 | Electrocardiographic Findings in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: ECG Evolution and Its Difference from the ECG of Acute Coronary Syndrome. | Electrocardiogram (ECG) manifestations of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) produce ST-segment elevation or T-wave inversion, mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We describe the ECG manifestation of TC, including ECG evolution, and its different points from ACS.</AbstractText>We studied 37 consecutive patients (age 67 ± 15 years, range 23-89, M:F = 12:25) from March 2004 to November 2012 with a diagnosis of TC who were proven to have apical ballooning on echocardiography or left ventricular angiography and normal coronary artery. We analyzed their standard 12-lead ECGs, including rate, PR interval, QRS duration, corrected QT (QTc) interval, ECG evolutions, and arrhythmia events.</AbstractText>Two common ECG findings in TC were ST-segment elevation (n = 13, 35%) and T inversion (n = 24, 65%), mostly in the precordial leads. After ST-segment resolution, in a few days (3.5 days), diffuse and often deep T-wave inversion developed. Eight patients (22%) had transient Q-waves lasting a few days in precordial leads. No reciprocal ST-segment depression was noted. T-wave inversion continued for several months. QT prolongation (<440 milliseconds) was observed in 37 patients (97%). There were no significant life-threatening arrhythmias except atrial fibrillation (n = 6, 16%).</AbstractText>There are distinct differences between the ECGs of TC and ACS. These differences will help to differentiate TC from ACS.</AbstractText> |
12,026 | Torsade de pointes as a reperfusion arrhythmia following intravenous thrombolytic therapy. | Many types of cardiac arrhythmias have been noted following acute myocardial infarction. Polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) related to an acute myocardial infarction generally strike during the hyperacute phase, are clearly related to ischaemia and are not associated with a long QT interval time. Pause-dependent Torsade de pointes has been reported following acute myocardial infarction and this arrhythmia generally occurs 3-11 days after the onset of acute myocardial infarction and none has been reported during the hyperacute phase. Torsade de pointes - a specific ventricular tachycardia with specific characteristics has been described in hypokalemia, hypomagnesaemia, during Quinidine therapy, and while using phenothiazines and tricyclic antidepressants. It is reported following liquid protein diet, brady-arrhythmias [especially III° AV Block], sick-sinus syndromes. Torsade de pointes either pause-dependent or pause-independent occurring directly as a reperfusion arrhythmia during intravenous thrombolytic therapy has not been reported in the literature to the best of the authors knowledge. Here, an episode of Torsade de pointes as a direct consequence of reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy in a patient of acute myocardial infarction is described. |
12,027 | Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is associated with cerebral white matter lesions (leukoaraiosis) in elderly patients without ischemic heart disease and stroke. | Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) are known to increase with age, as is left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction with normal contraction. Although aging is a common risk factor, the link between these diseases is not fully understood. The aim was to clarify this relationship, using the ratio between early diastolic mitral inflow and early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E/E'). E/E' measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography offers an indicator of the severity of LV diastolic dysfunction, reflecting both diastolic LV stiffness and diastolic LV filling pressure.</AbstractText>Participants comprised 75 patients aged between 65 and 75 years with normal LV contraction and no signs or history of symptomatic heart failure, ischemic heart diseases, atrial fibrillation, stroke, or cognitive dysfunction. The volume of WML was quantified on brain magnetic resonance imaging.</AbstractText>The participants were classified into three groups: Low E/E', E/E' ≤ 8; Middle E/E', 8 < E/E' < 15; and High E/E', E/E' ≥ 15. WML volume was 3.6 ± 3.0 mL in Low E/E', 5.4 ± 6.5 mL in Middle E/E' and 12.0 ± 11.0 mL in High E/E', increasing significantly with increased diastolic LV stiffness (Low vs High, P = 0.034; Middle vs High, P = 0.016). Linear regression analysis showed the positive association between the volume of WML and E/E' ratio (r = 0.377, P = 0.0009).</AbstractText>This investigation identified an association between LV diastolic dysfunction and WML. Further investigations are required to clarify whether there is a direct association between the two diseases.</AbstractText>© 2014 Japan Geriatrics Society.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,028 | [Public access defibrillation: successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to automatic external defibrillator at traffic accident]. | A 65-year-old man collapsed after he stepped out of his car after a traffic accident.</AbstractText>Fortunately, two police officers on a routine patrol in the area were quickly on the scene and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A passerby noticed that the patient was in distress and that an automatic defibrillator was nearby. He attached the electrodes of the defibrillator to the chest of the patient in accordance with instructions on the defibrillator and terminated the ventricular fibrillation (200 joule, biphasic).</AbstractText>Emergency cardiac catheterization revealed a subtotal stenosis proximally in the right coronary artery, which was successfully treated with a stent. Based on the ideal basic life support, the immediate care by emergency mobile system and coronary angioplasty with successful revascularisation the patient could be released without any neurological deficit.</AbstractText>This case illustrates that laypersons can use automatic external defibrillator in case of cardiac resuscitation sufficiently and quickly.</AbstractText>© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,029 | Effects of the self-myocardial retroperfusion with aortic-coronary sinus shunt on cardiac output and ischemic events in high-risk patients undergoing OPCAB surgery. | Despite controversies, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery has become a routine procedure. Obvious advantages have been demonstrated in high-risk patients. However, OPCAB surgery has limitations in specific high-risk situations with hazards of operative deleterious events. We describe an innovative procedure of self-myocardial retroperfusion (SMR) with an aortic-coronary sinus shunt (ACSS). We prospectively evaluated the protective effects and benefits of SMR in high-risk coronary patients with impaired LVEF.</AbstractText>Eighteen consecutive high-risk (ES>10) coronary patients (mean age: 65.94 years; range: 34-85; mean ES: 26.97%) with LVEF≤35% who were not eligible for IABP were assigned for OPCAB surgery. Following sternotomy, the cardiac indexes (CI) were measured before, during SMR and after completion of coronary artery bypasses. Operative events with and without SMR were accurately collected, and postoperative cardiac Troponin T release was measured.</AbstractText>OPCAB procedures were performed in all patients. Intraoperative use of SMR significantly increased CI (P=3.1041810.10-8) and reversed deleterious operative events (ECG changes/low cardiac output). Hospital mortality was 0%. Incidence of transient atrial fibrillation was 33.33%. Neither stroke nor renal insufficiency was observed. The mean graft number/patient was 2.05. Mean postoperative cardiac Troponin T value was 0.79 μg/L. Beating heart preservation optimized by SMR contributed to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury, as validated by an immediate increase of CI after completion of coronary bypasses (P=3.35009.10-9).</AbstractText>The concept of SMR with an ACSS during OPCAB procedures definitely improved CI and reversed ischemic features in high-risk patients and should be considered as an operative temporary myocardial assistance.</AbstractText> |
12,030 | Association of time of occurrence of electrical heart storms with environmental physical activity. | Many publications in recent decades have reported a temporal link between medical events and environmental physical activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the time of occurrence of electrical heart storms against levels of cosmological parameters.</AbstractText>The sample included 82 patients (71 male) with ischemic cardiomyopathy treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator at a tertiary medical center in 1999-2012 (5,114 days). The time of occurrence of all electrical heart storms, defined as three or more events of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation daily, was recorded from the defibrillator devices. Findings were analyzed against data on solar, geomagnetic, and cosmic ray (neutron) activity for the same time period obtained from space institutions in the United States and Russia.</AbstractText>Electrical storms occurred in all months of the year, with a slight decrease in July, August, and September. Most events took place on days with lower-than-average levels of solar and geomagnetic activity and higher-than-average levels of cosmic ray (neutron) activity. There was a significant difference in mean daily cosmic ray activity between the whole observation period and the days of electrical storm activity (P = 0.0001).</AbstractText>These data extend earlier findings on the association of the timing of cardiac events and space weather parameters to the most dangerous form of cardiac arrhythmia-electric storms. Further studies are needed to delineate the pathogenetic mechanism underlying this association.</AbstractText>©2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,031 | Contrasting effects of HMR1098 on arrhythmogenicity in a Langendorff-perfused phase-2 myocardial infarction rabbit model. | The stability of dynamic factors has been reported to play a role in the antiarrhythmic actions of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) opener in phase-2 myocardial infarction (MI) hearts. In the situation of the downregulation of KATP, the effects of KATP blocker (HMR1098) on the dynamic factors and electrophysiological changes during phase-2 MI remain unclear.</AbstractText>Dual voltage and intracellular Ca(2+) (Cai) optical mapping was performed in nine Langendorff-perfused hearts 4-5 hours after coronary artery ligation and five control hearts. Electrophysiology studies, including action potential duration (APD) restitution, conduction velocity (CV), inducibility of ventricular fibrillation (VF), VF dominant frequency, APD and Cai alternans, and Cai decay, were performed. The same protocol was repeated in the presence of HMR1098 (10 μm) after the baseline studies.</AbstractText>HMR1098 significantly prolonged APD and effective refractory period to prevent sustained VF in five of nine MI hearts and two of five control hearts compared to none at baseline in both groups. On the other hand, HMR1098 steepened APD restitution slope to enhance spatially concordant alternans in both groups. In the phase-2 MI group, HMR1098 steepened CV restitution slope and enhanced spatially discordant alternans (SDA), which might account for a decreased pacing threshold of VF induction during HMR1098 infusion in phase-2 MI hearts.</AbstractText>In phase-2 MI hearts, HMR1098 has contrasting effects on arrhythmogenesis, suppressing reentry and VF persistence but facilitating VF inducibility. The mechanism is the intensified induction of SDA because of the steepened APD and CV restitution slopes.</AbstractText>©2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,032 | MitraClip implantation for high risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation: the Sheba experience. | Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair using the MitraClip system has evolved as a new tool in the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR).</AbstractText>To present our initial experience with MitraClip implantation in 20 high risk patients at Sheba Medical Center.</AbstractText>Twenty high surgical risk patients with symptomatic significant MR underwent MitraClip implantation. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and at follow-up.</AbstractText>The patients' mean age was 76 years and 65% were male. Coronary artery disease was present in 85% and 45% ent in had previous bypass surgery. Renal failure was present in 65%, atrial fibrillation in 60%, and 30% had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy device. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 36%. Grade III-IV MR was present in all patients with the vast majority suffering from functional MR secondary to ventricular remodeling. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was III-IV in 90%. Patients were followed for a mean of 231 days. Acute reduction of MR grade to < or = 2 was accomplished in 19 of the 20 patients (95%) with a 30 day mortality of 5%. At follow-up MR was reduced to < or = 2 in 64% of patients, and NYHA class improved in 70% of patients. An additional 2 patients (11%) died during follow-up.</AbstractText>MitraClip implantation is feasible and safe in high risk highly symptomatic patients with significant MR. Acute and mid-term results are comparable to similar high risk patient cohorts in the literature. Continued surveillance and longer follow-up are needed to elucidate which patients are most likely to benefit from the procedure.</AbstractText> |
12,033 | Incident stroke is associated with common carotid artery diameter and not common carotid artery intima-media thickness. | The common carotid artery interadventitial diameter is measured on ultrasound images as the distance between the media-adventitia interfaces of the near and far walls. It is associated with common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and left ventricular mass and might therefore also have an association with incident stroke.</AbstractText>We studied 6255 individuals free of coronary heart disease and stroke at baseline with mean age of 62.2 years (47.3% men), members of a multiethnic community-based cohort of whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Chinese. Ischemic stroke events were centrally adjudicated. Common carotid artery interadventitial diameter and IMT were measured. Cases with incident atrial fibrillation (n=385) were excluded. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were generated with time to ischemic event as outcome, adjusting for risk factors.</AbstractText>There were 115 first-time ischemic strokes at 7.8 years of follow-up. Common carotid artery interadventitial diameter was a significant predictor of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-2.17 per millimeter) and remained so after adjustment for risk factors and common carotid IMT with a hazard ratio of 1.52/mm (95% confidence interval, 1.22-1.88). Common carotid IMT was not an independent predictor after adjustment (hazard ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-1.19).</AbstractText>Although common carotid IMT is not associated with stroke, interadventitial diameter of the common carotid artery is independently associated with first-time incident ischemic stroke even after adjusting for IMT. Our hypothesis that this is in part attributable to the effects of exposure to blood pressure needs confirmation by other studies.</AbstractText>http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00063440.</AbstractText> |
12,034 | Impacts of patient characteristics on the effectiveness of landiolol in AF/AFL patients complicated with LV dysfunction: Subgroup analysis of the J-Land study. | Results from the multicenter trial (J-Land study) of landiolol versus digoxin in atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction revealed that landiolol was more effective for controlling rapid HR than digoxin. The subgroup analysis for patient characteristics was conducted to evaluate the impact on the efficacy and safety of landiolol compared with digoxin.</AbstractText>Two hundred patients with AF/AFL, heart rate (HR) ≥ 120 beats/min, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 25-50% were randomized to receive either landiolol (n = 93) or digoxin (n = 107). Successful HR control was defined as ≥20% reduction in HR together with HR < 110 beats/min at 2 h after starting intravenous administration of landiolol or digoxin. The subgroup analysis for patient characteristics was to evaluate the impact on the effectiveness of landiolol in AF/AFL patients complicated with LV dysfunction.</AbstractText>The efficacy in patients with NYHA class III/NYHA class IV was 52.3%/35.3% in landiolol, and 13.8%/9.1% in digoxin (p < 0.001 and p = 0.172), lower LVEF (25-35%)/higher LVEF (35-50%) was 45.7%/51.1% in landiolol, and 14.0%/12.7% in digoxin (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), CKD stage 1 (90 < eGFR)/CKD stage 2 (60 ≤ eGFR < 90)/CKD stage 3 (30 ≤ eGFR < 60)/CKD stage 4 (15 ≤ eGFR < 30) was 66.7%/59.1%/39.6%/66.7% in landiolol, and 0%/13.8%/17.0%/0% in digoxin (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.015 and p = 0.040).</AbstractText>This subgroup analysis indicated that landiolol was more useful, regardless of patient characteristics, as compared with digoxin in AF/AFL patients complicated with LV dysfunction. Particularly, in patients with impaired renal function, landiolol should be preferred for the purpose of acute rate control of AF/AFL tachycardia.</AbstractText> |
12,035 | A rare manifestation of atrial fibrillation in the presence of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. | We report a 68-year-old man who presented with heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response and wide QRS complexes. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) due to persistent AF developing on the basis of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome was considered. Signs and symptoms of heart failure improved with restoration of sinus rhythm. This case suggested that persistent AF in a patient with WPW syndrome is one of the rare causes of TIC. |
12,036 | Malignant ventricular arrhythmias after off-pump coronary artery bypass. | <AbstractText Label="BACKGROUND/PURPOSE" NlmCategory="OBJECTIVE">Sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) are rare complications after coronary surgery. Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) was developed to decrease postoperative complications. No studies to date have specifically addressed VT/VF after OPCAB. We sought to assess the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of VT/VF after OPCAB.</AbstractText>The study included a retrospective review of 1010 patients undergoing OPCAB between 2000 and 2012. Data were compared between the VT/VF patients and control patients who were the first cases of OPCAB in each month during the study period and did not have VT/VF.</AbstractText>Twenty-three patients (2.3%) developed VT/VF after OPCAB. The hospital mortality rate was 17.4%. In univariate analysis, the risk factors for VT/VF were old age, rapid heart rate, prolonged corrected QT interval, severe congestive heart failure, poor left ventricular ejection fraction, large left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, chronic kidney disease, preoperative dialysis, low blood hemoglobin level, preoperative intubation, recent myocardial infarction, high European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation, urgent/emergent operation, use of intra-aortic balloon pump, conversion to on-pump beating heart, postoperative dialysis, and no use of beta-blockers after operation. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative corrected QT interval > 426 milliseconds [odds ratio (OR) = 4.501; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.153-17.570] and estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) (OR = 4.876; 95% CI = 1.112-21.374) as independent risk factors.</AbstractText>Postoperative VT/VF was rare after OPCAB but was associated with high mortality. Prolonged corrected QT interval and chronic kidney disease were independent risk factors. Recognition of these risk factors, proper prevention, and early intervention may improve survival.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,037 | Comparison of end-tidal carbon dioxide levels with cardiopulmonary resuscitation success presented to emergency department with cardiopulmonary arrest. | To measure end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PetCO2) in preset interval in order to evaluate the efficiency of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed on patients in cardiopulmonary arrest, evaluate the validity of PetCO2 in predicting the mortality and finally assess the PetCO2 levels of the patients in cardiopulmonary arrest based on the initial presenting rhythm.</AbstractText>This prospective study was conducted at the Ankara Training and Research Hospital on patients who presented with cardiopulmonary arrest. Standard ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) protocols were performed. Patients were categorized in two groups based on their rhythms as Ventricular Fibrillation and Asystole. Patients' PetCO2 values were recorded.</AbstractText>PetCO2 levels of the Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) group in the 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th minutes were significantly higher compared to the exitus group (p<0.001). In distinguishing ROSC and exitus, PetCO2 measurements within 5-20 minute intervals showed highest performance on the 20th and lowest on the 5th minutes.</AbstractText>PetCO2 values are higher in the ROSC group. During the CPR, the most reliable time for ROSC estimation according to PetCO2 values is 20th minute. None of the patients who had PetCO2 levels less than 14 mmHg survived.</AbstractText> |
12,038 | Dynamic alterations of connexin43, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 during ventricular fibrillation in canine. | The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamic alterations of cardiac connexin 43 (Cx43), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in the setting of different ventricular fibrillation (VF) duration. In this study, thirty-two dogs were randomly divided into sham control group, 8-min VF group, 12-min VF group, and 30-min VF group. Cx43 and phosphorylated Cx43 (p-Cx43) in tissues were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results showed that Cx43 levels in three VF groups were significantly decreased compared with sham control group. p-Cx43 levels in 12-min and 30-min VF groups were significantly reduced compared with sham control group. The ratio of p-Cx43/Cx43 was also decreased in VF groups. Compared with sham controls, no significant difference was observed between the sham control group and 8-min VF group in MMP-2 level, but MMP-2 level increased in 12-min and 30-min VF groups. The ratios of MMP-2/TIMP-2 were higher in VF groups, and were correlated with the duration of VF. A remarkable correlation was observed between the ratio of p-Cx43/Cx43 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 (r = -0.93, P < 0.01). In conclusion, the alteration of Cx43 and/or p-Cx43 levels and the imbalance of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 may contribute to the initiation and/or persistence of VF. Maneuvers managed to modulate Cx43 level or normalize the balance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 are promising to ameliorate prognosis of VF. |
12,039 | The low triiodothyronine syndrome: a strong predictor of low cardiac output and death in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. | There is strong clinical and experimental evidence that altered thyroid homeostasis negatively affects survival in cardiac patients, but a negative effect of the low triiodothyronine (T3) syndrome on the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has not been demonstrated. This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic significance of low T3 syndrome in patients undergoing CABG.</AbstractText>The thyroid profile was evaluated at hospital admission in 806 consecutive CABG patients. Known thyroid disease, severe systemic illness, and use of drugs interfering with thyroid metabolism were considered exclusion criteria. The effect of the baseline free T3 (fT3) concentration and of preoperative low T3 syndrome (fT3 <2.23 pmol/L) on the risk of low cardiac output (CO) and death was analyzed in a logistic regression model.</AbstractText>There were 19 (2.3%) deaths, and 64 (7.8%) patients experienced major complications. After univariate analysis, fT3, low T3, New York Heart Association class greater than II, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and emergency were associated with low CO and hospital death. History of atrial fibrillation, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and peripheral vascular disease were associated only with low CO. At multivariate analysis, only fT3, low T3, emergency, and LVEF were associated with low CO, and fT3 (odds ratio, 0.172, 95% confidence interval, 0.078 to 0.379; p < 0.0001) and LVEF (odds ratio, 0.934, 95% confidence interval, 0.894 to 0.987; p = 0.03) were the only independent predictors of death.</AbstractText>Our study demonstrates that low T3 is a strong predictor of death and low CO in CABG patients. For this reason, the thyroid profile should be evaluated before CABG, and patients with low T3 should be considered at higher risk and treated accordingly.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,040 | Chronic atrial fibrillation in presence of aortic stenosis in a patient with polysplenia syndrome. | We report a rare case of "situs viscerum ambiguous" with polysplenia syndrome, in a 69 year old female patient with aortic stenosis and chronic atrial fibrillation. The presenting symptom was dyspnoea on moderate exertion and an ECG showed supra ventricular arrhythmia. Patients trans-thoracic echocardiogram revealed a dilated left atrium, reduced ejection fraction, mild tricuspid regurgitation, moderate-severe pulmonary hypertension and severe aortic stenosis. The patient was successfully treated with a replacement of her aortic valve and ascending aorta. |
12,041 | Median frequencies of prolonged ventricular fibrillation treated by V-A ECMO correspond to a return of spontaneous circulation rate. | The aim of our study was to analyze, in a pig model of prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF) treated by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the time dependent changes of VF wavelet frequency obtained from intracardial signals and its relations to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).</AbstractText>11 female pigs (50.3 ± 3.4 kg) under general anesthesia had undergone 15 min of VF with ECMO flow of 5 to 10 ml/kg per min simulating "untreated" VF followed by continued VF with full ECMO flow of 100 ml/kg per min. The median frequency (MF) of VF from right ventricular apex, coronary perfusion pressure, myocardial oxygen metabolism and resuscitability were determined.</AbstractText>Median (interquartile range) of MF of fibrillatory wavelets in minute 15 of low ECMO flow [9.7 Hz (8.3; 10.1)] was not significantly changed in comparison to minute 1 [10.5 Hz (9.8; 12.4)], p = 0.12. Five minutes after full ECMO initiation MF increased [11.6 Hz (10.6; 13.5)], p = 0.04 (compared to minute 15 of VF) and did not deteriorate during the rest of ECMO treatment. Out of all subjects, three animals did not reach ROSC. Those subjects demonstrated deeper decrease of MF at the VF minute 15 as compared to others [-2.4 Hz (-2.5; -2.3) vs. -0.6 Hz (-1.6; -0.1)] and continuously significantly higher increase in MF on full ECMO support [4.3 Hz (2.9; 5.6) vs. 1.1 Hz (0.6; 1.6)] with p = 0.05 for both observations, respectively.</AbstractText>The veno-arterial ECMO reperfusion influences MF of VF wavelet obtained from right ventricular apex. The course of changes in wavelet frequency corresponds to a presence of later ROSC.</AbstractText> |
12,042 | Echocardiographic diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis: Mayo Clinic criteria. | Constrictive pericarditis is a potentially reversible cause of heart failure that may be difficult to differentiate from restrictive myocardial disease and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiography provides an important opportunity to evaluate for constrictive pericarditis, and definite diagnostic criteria are needed.</AbstractText>Patients with surgically confirmed constrictive pericarditis (n=130) at Mayo Clinic (2008-2010) were compared with patients (n=36) diagnosed with restrictive myocardial disease or severe tricuspid regurgitation after constrictive pericarditis was considered but ruled out. Comprehensive echocardiograms were reviewed in blinded fashion. Five principal echocardiographic variables were selected based on prior studies and potential for clinical use: (1) respiration-related ventricular septal shift, (2) variation in mitral inflow E velocity, (3) medial mitral annular e' velocity, (4) ratio of medial mitral annular e' to lateral e', and (5) hepatic vein expiratory diastolic reversal ratio. All 5 principal variables differed significantly between the groups. In patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter (n=29), all but mitral inflow velocity remained significantly different. Three variables were independently associated with constrictive pericarditis: (1) ventricular septal shift, (2) medial mitral e', and (3) hepatic vein expiratory diastolic reversal ratio. The presence of ventricular septal shift in combination with either medial e'≥9 cm/s or hepatic vein expiratory diastolic reversal ratio ≥0.79 corresponded to a desirable combination of sensitivity (87%) and specificity (91%). The specificity increased to 97% when all 3 factors were present, but the sensitivity decreased to 64%.</AbstractText>Echocardiography allows differentiation of constrictive pericarditis from restrictive myocardial disease and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Respiration-related ventricular septal shift, preserved or increased medial mitral annular e' velocity, and prominent hepatic vein expiratory diastolic flow reversals are independently associated with the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.</AbstractText>© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,043 | [Examination of relationship between lactate clearance and neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation]. | A significant relationship between lactate clearance and mortality rates in cardiac arrest cases has been reported. However, the relationship between lactate clearance and neurologic outcomes in cardiac arrest cases is not clear. We examined lactate clearance in cardiac arrest cases induced by ventricular fibrillation. We investigated 13 patients with cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation from April, 2006 to March, 2012 in which therapeutic hypothermia was performed. Patients were classified into two groups: those with a favorable neurologic outcome (n=7) and those with a poor outcome (n=6). We compared lactate clearance levels between the two groups. There was no significant difference in lactate concentrations at admission and 8 or 24 hours lactate clearance between the two groups 8 or 24 hours after admission. This result suggests we may not predict the neurologic outcome of cardiac arrest cases induced by ventricular fibrillation using lactate clearance. |
12,044 | Combination of intravenous ascorbic acid administration and hypothermia after resuscitation improves myocardial function and survival in a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest model in the rat. | Intravenous (IV) administration of ascorbic acid during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was reported to facilitate defibrillation and improves survival in ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest. We investigated whether IV administration of ascorbic acid after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can improve outcomes in VF cardiac arrest in a rat model and its interaction with therapeutic hypothermia.</AbstractText>Ventricular fibrillation-induced cardiac arrest followed by CPR and defibrillation was performed in male Wistar rats. After ROSC, the animals were equally randomized to the normothermia (NormoT), hypothermia (HypoT), ascorbic acid (AA+NormoT), and ascorbic acid plus hypothermia (AA+HypoT) groups. The AA+NormoT and AA+HypoT groups received IV ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg). In the HypoT and AA+HypoT groups, therapeutic hypothermia was maintained at 32°C for 2 hours.</AbstractText>There were 12 rats in each group. Within 4 hours after ROSC, the HypoT, AA+NormoT, and AA+HypoT groups had significantly lower myocardial lipid peroxidation than the NormoT group. Within 4 hours following ROSC, the AA+NormoT group had a significantly better systolic function (dp/dt40 ) than the NormoT group (6887.9 mm Hg/sec, SD ± 1049.7 mm Hg/sec vs. 5953.6 mm Hg/sec, SD ± 1161.9 mm Hg/sec; p < 0.05). The AA+HypoT group also showed a significantly better diastolic function (-dp/dtmax ) than the HypoT group (dp/dt40 : 8524.8, SD ± 1166.7 mm Hg/sec vs. 7399.8 mm Hg/sec, SD ± 1114.5 mmHg/sec; dp/dtmax : -8183.4 mm Hg/sec, SD ± 1359.0 mm Hg/sec vs. -6573.7 mm Hg/sec, SD ± 1110.9 mm Hg/sec; p < 0.05) at the fourth hour following ROSC. Also at 4 hours, there was less myocytolysis in the HypoT, AA+NormoT, and AA+HypoT groups than the NormoT group. The HypoT, AA+NormoT, and AA+HypoT groups had significantly better survival rates and neurologic outcomes than the NormoT group. Compared with only five surviving animals in the NormoT group, there were nine, eight, and 10 in the HypoT, AA+NormoT, and AA+HypoT groups, respectively, with good neurologic outcomes at 72 hours.</AbstractText>Intravenous ascorbic acid administration after ROSC in normothermia may mitigate myocardial damage and improve systolic function, survival rate, and neurologic outcomes in VF cardiac arrest of rat. Combination of ascorbic acid and hypothermia showed an additive effect in improving both systolic and diastolic functions after ROSC.</AbstractText>© 2014 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,045 | Recommendations for management of equine athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities. | Murmurs and arrhythmias are commonly detected in equine athletes. Assessing the relevance of these cardiovascular abnormalities in the performance horse can be challenging. Determining the impact of a cardiovascular disorder on performance, life expectancy, horse and rider or driver safety relative to the owner's future expectations is paramount. A comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular abnormality detected is essential to determine its severity and achieve these aims. This consensus statement presents a general approach to the assessment of cardiovascular abnormalities, followed by a discussion of the common murmurs and arrhythmias. The description, diagnosis, evaluation, and prognosis are considered for each cardiovascular abnormality. The recommendations presented herein are based on available literature and a consensus of the panelists. While the majority of horses with cardiovascular abnormalities have a useful performance life, periodic reexaminations are indicated for those with clinically relevant cardiovascular disease. Horses with pulmonary hypertension, CHF, or complex ventricular arrhythmias should not be ridden or driven. |
12,046 | Elective use of femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass during transcatheter aortic valve implantation. | Elective use of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may reduce the risks associated with the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure in selected high-risk TAVI patients.</AbstractText>Between April 2008 and August 2013, 1177 consecutive patients underwent TAVI. Elective normothermic femoro-femoral CPB was used in 3.7% of patients (n=43, 27 males, 16 females; mean age 75±10 [range 38-90] years). The EuroSCORE I was 65±23%, the EuroSCORE II was 39±24% and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 31±24%. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 24±12% (range 5-50%).</AbstractText>The device success rate (Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria) was 98% in this study group. The median duration of CPB was 20 (range 5-297) min. In 20 patients with pulmonary hypertension combined with an enlarged right ventricle (RV), or with poor RV ejection fraction or LVEF (mean LVEF: 18±3% [range 10-20%]), CPB was used to prevent haemodynamic instability during valve deployment and to eliminate the adverse effects of possible ventricular fibrillation. Additionally, it was used to promote cardiac recovery by unloaded failing hearts in 23 patients (53%) with cardiogenic shock. Whereas the 30-day mortality rate in the group of patients in cardiogenic shock was 28.6%, no patient in the other group died. The 1-year survival rate was 36±11 and 86±9.5%, respectively.</AbstractText>The use of preoperatively planned CPB may increase the safety of the TAVI procedure in patients with severely reduced heart function or in cardiogenic shock.</AbstractText>© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,047 | Ventricular tachycardia in a disseminated MDR-TB patient: a case report and brief review of literature. | Although significant breakthroughs have been achieved in tuberculosis management, we still encounter numerous difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Additionally, a new challenge, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with unspecific clinical presentation, often results in delayed diagnosis. In this paper, we reported a case of disseminated tuberculosis with rare presentation of ventricular fibrillation, which proved resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin. A review of literature showed that ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia in tuberculosis patients with pericarditis or myocarditis has been sporadically reported in the past, but none has been conducted involving patients with MDR-TB infections. |
12,048 | Mapping and ablation of ventricular fibrillation-how and for whom? | The involvement of the Purkinje system in a subset of patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation or polymorphic VT/VF related to structural heart disease was first demonstrated in the pioneering work of Michel Haissaguerre and co-workers (Circulation 106:962-967, 2002 and Lancet 359:677-678, 2002). It is very important to identify these patients with recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation and/or ICD shocks with regard to the presence of triggering premature ventricular contractions (PVC), which may be amenable to mapping and catheter ablation by screening Holter and ICD recordings. The practical problem, which is frequently encountered, is the absence of these PVCs when the patients are brought to the EP lab. However, catheter ablation is an important adjunctive tool to antiarrhythmic drug treatment, beta blocker therapy, and general anesthesia in this setting. Local electrogram criteria related to this phenomenon have been identified guiding mapping and ablation (e.g., low amplitude, high-frequency Purkinje potentials preceding a closely coupled ventricular signal (Fig. 1a)). The favorable long-term follow-up after catheter ablation has been demonstrated in the setting of right and left ventricular Purkinje-related PVCs leading to polymorphic VT/VF (Leenhardt et al., Circulation 89:206-215, 1994) and also following myocardial infarction (Baensch et al., Circulation 108:3011-3016, 2003) and right ventricular outflow tract-associated VF (Noda et al., Journal of the American College of Cardiology 46:1288-1294, 2005). Most recently, epicardial ablation strategies leading to suppression of polymorphic VT/VF episodes related to the Brugada syndrome have been described irrespective to the presence of premature ventricular beats (Nademanee et al., Circulation 123:1270-1279, 2011). |
12,049 | Atrial electromechanical coupling intervals in pregnant subjects. | The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial conduction abnormalities obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and electrocardiogram analysis in pregnant subjects.</AbstractText>A total of 30 pregnant subjects (28 ± 4 years) and 30 controls (28 ± 3 years) were included. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function was measured using conventional echocardiography and TDI. Inter-atrial, intraatrial and intra-left atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) intervals were measured with TDI. P-wave dispersion (PD) was calculated from a 12-lead electrocardiogram.</AbstractText>Atrial electromechanical coupling at the septal and left lateral mitral annulus (PA septal, PA lateral) was significantly prolonged in pregnant subjects (62.1 ± 2.7 vs 55.3 ±3.2 ms, p < 0.001; 45.7 ± 2.5 vs 43.1 ± 2.7 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). Inter-atrial (PA lateral - PA tricuspid), intra-atrial (PA septum - PA tricuspid) and intra-left atrial (PA lateral - PA septum) electromechanical coupling intervals, maximum P-wave (Pmax) duration and PD were significantly longer in the pregnant subjects (26.4 ± 4.0 vs 20.2 ± 3.6 ms, p < 0.001; 10.0 ± 2.0 vs 8.0 ± 2.6 ms, p = 0.002; 16.4 ± 3.3 vs 12.2 ± 3.0 ms, p < 0.001; 103.1 ± 5.4 vs 96.8 ± 7.4 ms, p ± 0.001; 50.7 ± 6.8 vs 41.6 ± 5.5 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). We found a significant positive correlation between inter-atrial and intraleft atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and Pmax (r = 0.282, p = 0.029, r = 0.378, p = 0.003, respectively).</AbstractText>This study showed that atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and PD, which are predictors of AF, were longer in pregnant subjects and this may cause an increased risk of AF in pregnancy.</AbstractText> |
12,050 | Role of the autonomic nervous system in modulating cardiac arrhythmias. | The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the modulation of cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis. Decades of research has contributed to a better understanding of the anatomy and physiology of cardiac autonomic nervous system and provided evidence supporting the relationship of autonomic tone to clinically significant arrhythmias. The mechanisms by which autonomic activation is arrhythmogenic or antiarrhythmic are complex and different for specific arrhythmias. In atrial fibrillation, simultaneous sympathetic and parasympathetic activations are the most common trigger. In contrast, in ventricular fibrillation in the setting of cardiac ischemia, sympathetic activation is proarrhythmic, whereas parasympathetic activation is antiarrhythmic. In inherited arrhythmia syndromes, sympathetic stimulation precipitates ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death except in Brugada and J-wave syndromes where it can prevent them. The identification of specific autonomic triggers in different arrhythmias has brought the idea of modulating autonomic activities for both preventing and treating these arrhythmias. This has been achieved by either neural ablation or stimulation. Neural modulation as a treatment for arrhythmias has been well established in certain diseases, such as long QT syndrome. However, in most other arrhythmia diseases, it is still an emerging modality and under investigation. Recent preliminary trials have yielded encouraging results. Further larger-scale clinical studies are necessary before widespread application can be recommended. |
12,051 | Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in acardia. | In extreme situations, such as hyperacute rejection of heart transplant or major heart trauma, heart preservation may not be possible. Our experimental team works on a project of peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in acardia as a bridge to heart transplantation or artificial heart implantation. An ECMO support was established in five calves (58.6 ± 6.9 kg) by the transjugular insertion to the caval axis of a self-expanded cannula, with carotid artery return. After baseline measurements, ventricular fibrillation was induced, great arteries were clamped, heart was excised, and right and left atria remnants, containing pulmonary veins, were sutured together leaving an atrial septal defect over the caval axis cannula. Measurements of pump flow and arterial pressure were taken with the pulmonary artery clamped and anastomosed with the caval axis for a total of 6 hours. Pulmonary artery anastomosis to the caval axis provided an acceptable 6 hour hemodynamic stability, permitting a peripheral access ECMO support in extreme scenarios indicating a heart explantation. |
12,052 | Design of a phase 2b trial of intracoronary administration of AAV1/SERCA2a in patients with advanced heart failure: the CUPID 2 trial (calcium up-regulation by percutaneous administration of gene therapy in cardiac disease phase 2b). | Impaired cardiac isoform of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a) activity is a key abnormality in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. The CUPID 2 (Calcium Up-Regulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease Phase 2b) trial is designed to evaluate whether increasing SERCA2a activity via gene therapy improves clinical outcome in these patients.</AbstractText>Intracoronary delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1)/SERCA2a improves intracellular Ca(2+) handling by increasing SERCA2a protein levels and, as a consequence, restores systolic and diastolic function. In a previous phase 2a trial, this therapy improved symptoms, functional status, biomarkers, and left ventricular function, and reduced cardiovascular events in advanced heart failure patients.</AbstractText>CUPID 2 is a phase 2b, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational, multicenter, randomized event-driven study in up to 250 patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and New York Heart Association functional class II to IV symptoms despite optimal therapy. Enrolled patients will be at high risk for recurrent heart-failure hospitalizations by virtue of having elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide/BNP (>1,200 pg/ml, or >1,600 pg/ml if atrial fibrillation is present) and/or recent heart failure hospitalization. The primary endpoint of time-to-recurrent event (heart failure-related hospitalizations in the presence of terminal events [all-cause death, heart transplant, left ventricular assist device implantation or ambulatory worsening heart failure]) will be assessed using the joint frailty model. This ongoing trial is expected to complete recruitment in 2014, with the required number of 186 recurrent events estimated to occur by mid 2015.</AbstractText>Available data indicate that calcium up-regulation by AAV1/SERCA2a gene therapy is safe and of potential benefit in advanced heart failure patients.</AbstractText>The CUPID 2 trial is designed to study the effects of this therapy on clinical outcome in these patients. (Calcium Up-Regulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease Phase 2b [CUPID-2b]; NCT01643330).</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,053 | Prognostic value of the physical examination in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: insights from the AF-CHF trial (atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure). | This study sought to assess the prognostic value of physical examination in a modern treated heart failure population.</AbstractText>The physical examination is the cornerstone of the evaluation and monitoring of patients with heart failure. Yet, the prognostic value of congestive signs (i.e., peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, a third heart sound, and pulmonary rales) has not been assessed in the current era.</AbstractText>A post-hoc analysis was conducted on all 1,376 patients, 81% male, mean age 67 ± 11 years, with symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction enrolled in the AF-CHF (Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure) trial. The prognostic value of baseline physical examination findings was assessed in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.</AbstractText>Peripheral edema was observed in 425 (30.9%), jugular venous distension in 297 (21.6%), a third heart sound in 207 (15.0%), and pulmonary rales in 178 (12.9%) patients. Death from cardiovascular causes occurred in 357 (25.9%) patients over a mean follow-up of 37 ± 19 months. All 4 physical examination findings were associated with cardiovascular mortality in univariate analyses (all p values <0.01). In multivariate analyses, taking all 4 signs as potential covariates, only rales (hazard ratio 1.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.07 to 1.86; p = 0.013) and peripheral edema (hazard ratio: 1.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.57; p = 0.048) were associated with cardiovascular mortality, independent of other variables.</AbstractText>In the modern era, congestive signs on the physical examination (i.e., peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, a third heart sound, and pulmonary rales) continue to provide important prognostic information in patients with congestive heart failure.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,054 | Sarcomere gene mutations are associated with increased cardiovascular events in left ventricular hypertrophy: results from multicenter registration in Japan. | This study investigated the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with or without sarcomere gene mutations.</AbstractText>Although HHD and HCM are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), few data exist regarding the difference in prognosis between them.</AbstractText>We enrolled 256 patients with LVH (>13 mm) screened for sarcomere gene mutations. We divided them into 3 groups: the first had HHD without sarcomere gene mutations (group H), the second had sarcomere gene mutations (group G), and the third had neither sarcomere gene mutations nor HHD (group NG). We compared the occurrence of sudden cardiac death, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, admission for heart failure, and atrial fibrillation for 1 year.</AbstractText>Group G (n = 78, 36 men; mean age, 53.4 years) experienced more total cardiovascular events than group H (n = 45, 32 men; mean age, 67.4 years) (p = 0.042) after adjustments for age and sex, although there was no significant difference in total cardiovascular events between groups H and NG (n = 98, 66 men; mean age, 62.0 years). With Kaplan-Meier analysis, group G exhibited a significantly higher incidence of admission for heart failure (p = 0.017) and atrial fibrillation (p = 0.045) than group H in those 50 years of age and older. Additionally, there was a significant difference in total cardiovascular events between groups G and NG (p = 0.021).</AbstractText>These results demonstrate that HCM with sarcomere gene mutations can be associated with increased cardiovascular events compared with HHD or HCM without sarcomere gene mutations.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,055 | Clinical features, hemodynamics, and outcomes of pulmonary hypertension due to chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. | The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical, functional, and hemodynamic characteristics of passive and mixed pulmonary hypertension (PH), compare outcomes, and contrast conventional and novel hemodynamic partition values in patients with chronic heart failure of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF).</AbstractText>PH in HFREF may develop from left-sided venous congestion (passive PH) or the combination of pulmonary arterial disease and venous congestion (mixed PH). Subgroup outcomes are not well defined, and the partition values used to define risk are based largely on consensus opinion rather than outcome data.</AbstractText>Ambulatory patients referred for hemodynamic catheterization were analyzed retrospectively (N = 463).</AbstractText>Comparing patients with no PH to those with passive PH and mixed PH, a progressive gradient of more severely deranged hemodynamics, diastolic dysfunction, and mitral regurgitation was observed. In multivariate analysis, the presence of any PH or mixed PH was associated with older age, diuretic use, atrial fibrillation, and lower pulmonary artery compliance (PAC). Over a median follow-up of 2.1 years, patients with PH displayed greater risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.24; confidence limits [95% CL]: 1.39, 3.98; p < 0.001) with mixed PH demonstrating greater risk than passive PH (HR: 1.55; 95% CL: 1.11, 2.20; p < 0.001). Partition values identifying highest risk were pulmonary vascular resistance >4 Wood units, systolic pulmonary artery pressure >35 mm Hg, pulmonary wedge pressure >25 mm Hg, and PAC <2.0 ml/mm Hg.</AbstractText>Among stable HFREF outpatients, PH was associated with markers of greater disease severity and risk of death. However, the presence of pulmonary arterial disease (mixed PH) carries incremental risk. Abnormalities in pulmonary vascular resistance and compliance may serve as novel therapeutic targets.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,056 | Beta-blockers and outcome in heart failure and atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. | The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of beta blockade on outcome in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF).</AbstractText>Beta-blockers are widely used in patients with HF and AF. Recommendation in current HF guidelines, however, is based on populations in which the most patients had sinus rhythm. Whether beta-blockers are as useful in AF is uncertain.</AbstractText>Studies were included that investigated the effect of placebo-controlled, randomized beta-blocker therapy in patients with AF at baseline and HF with reduced systolic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%.</AbstractText>We identified 4 studies, which enrolled 8,680 patients with HF, and 1,677 of them had AF (19%; mean 68 years of age; 30% women); there were 842 patients treated with beta-blocker, and 835 with placebo. In AF patients, beta-blockade did not reduce mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66 to 1.13]; p = 0.28), while in sinus rhythm patients, there was a significant reduction (OR: 0.63 [95% CI: 0.54 to 0.73]; p < 0.0001). Interaction analysis showed significant interaction of the effects of beta-blocker therapy in AF versus that in sinus rhythm (p = 0.048). By meta-regression analysis, we did not find confounding by all relevant covariates. Beta-blocker therapy was not associated with a reduction in HF hospitalizations in AF (OR: 1.11 [95% CI: 0.85 to 1.47]; p = 0.44), in contrast to sinus rhythm (OR: 0.58 [95% CI: 0.49 to 0.68]; p < 0.0001). There was a significant interaction of the effects of beta-blocker therapy in AF versus that in sinus rhythm (p < 0.001).</AbstractText>Our findings suggest that the effect of beta-blockers on outcome in HF patients with reduced systolic LVEF who have AF is less than in those who have sinus rhythm.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,057 | QT prolongation and T-wave alternans during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a case report. | We report a case of a 63-year-old woman who developed profound QT prolongation, T-wave alternans, and spontaneous ventricular fibrillation during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. A thorough search into the possible mechanisms identified the use of sevoflurane, an inhalational gas anesthetic as the culprit. The patient was converted to propofol anesthesia and her QT interval normalized promptly. |
12,058 | Actual treatments for out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation at critical care medical centers in Osaka: a pilot descriptive study. | Although advanced treatments are provided to improve outcomes after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation, including shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation, the actual treatments in clinical settings have been insufficiently investigated. The aim of the current study is to describe the actual treatments carried out for out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation patients, including shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation patients, at critical care medical centers.</AbstractText>We registered consecutive adult patients suffering bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac origin, for whom resuscitation was attempted by emergency medical service personnel, who had ventricular fibrillation as an initial rhythm, and who were transported to critical care medical centers in Osaka from March 2008 to December 2008. This study merged data on treatments after transportation, collected from 11 critical care medical centers in Osaka with the prehospital Utstein-style database.</AbstractText>During the study period, there were 260 bystander-witnessed ventricular fibrillation arrests of cardiac origin. Of them, 252 received defibrillations before hospital arrival, 112 (44.4%) were transported to critical care medical centers, and 35 had shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation. At the critical care medical centers, 54% (19/35), 40% (14/35), and 46% (16/35) of shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation patients were treated with extracorporeal life support, percutaneous coronary interventions, and therapeutic hypothermia, respectively, but their treatments differed among institutions. Some patients with prolonged arrest without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation who received advanced treatments had neurologically favorable survival, whereas approximately two-thirds of shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation patients with advanced treatments did not.</AbstractText>This pilot descriptive study suggested that actual treatments for prehospital ventricular fibrillation patients differed between critical care medical centers. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of in-hospital advanced treatments for ventricular fibrillation including shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation.</AbstractText> |
12,059 | Can the T-peak to T-end interval be a predictor of mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction? | The interval between the peak and the end of the T wave (Tp-e interval) on 12-lead ECG is a measure of transmural dispersion of repolarization and may be related to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the Tp-e interval predicts in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).</AbstractText>This study included 488 consecutive patients with STEMI treated with pPCI. Electrocardiograms were obtained after pPCI and the Tp-e interval was measured in leads without ST-segment elevation.</AbstractText>There were 46 (9.4%) deaths in the population, with a mean follow-up time of 21.1±10.2 months. The Tp-e interval was associated with not only in-hospital ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, target vessel revascularization, and death but also long-term target vessel revascularization and death. Furthermore, the Tp-e interval measured using the tail method was found to be a significant predictor of long-term mortality in multivariable Cox analyses [odds ratio 1.018, 95% confidence interval (1.004-1.033)]. Findings were similar in the Tp-e interval and the heart rate-corrected Tp-e interval (cTp-e).</AbstractText>Tp-e and cTp-e measured using the tail method were found to be predictors of both in-hospital and long-term mortality.</AbstractText> |
12,060 | Serotonin syndrome after therapeutic hypothermia for cardiac arrest: a case series. | To describe causes, manifestations, and diagnosis of serotonin syndrome following therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after cardiac arrest.</AbstractText>Retrospective case series from a tertiary academic medical center.</AbstractText>Three male patients suffered witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and were treated with induced TH. Initial cardiac rhythms included asystole in two and ventricular fibrillation in one. Following completion of rewarming, all three developed neurological signs unexpected for their clinical condition. These included rigidity, hyperreflexia, diffuse tremors, ankle clonus, and marked agitated delirium. Patients also were febrile, hypertensive, and tachycardic. A diagnosis of serotonin syndrome was made in all cases and serotonergic medications were discontinued. All three patients recovered consciousness and two made a full neurological recovery. One patient remained dependent on others for activities of daily living at the time of hospital discharge because of short-term memory impairment.</AbstractText>Unexpected neurologic findings and prolonged high fever following recovery from TH can be manifestations of serotonin syndrome rather than post-cardiac arrest anoxic brain injury.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,061 | Cardiac sympathetic denervation to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias. | Experimental and clinical evidence indicating an antiarrhythmic effect of cardiac sympathetic denervation has been available for 100 years. Experimental data show that left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD), in particular, is not only antiarrhythmic, but also antifibrillatory-an effect exquisitely important for any clinical condition associated with a high risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. LCSD has additional effects on both the coronary circulation and the mechanical performance of the left ventricle, with important implications for patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Evidence also shows that LCSD increases the vagal activity directed to the heart, which has potential implications for the management of heart failure. In this Review, the current and novel clinical indications for LCSD are discussed, particularly in the context of results obtained in patients with channelopathies, such as long QT syndrome and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. |
12,062 | A case of commotio cordis treated with therapeutic hypothermia. | Therapeutic hypothermia is used as a neuroprotective strategy for patients who have persistent neurologic compromise after return of spontaneous circulation from cardiac arrest. The 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines recommend the use of therapeutic hypothermia in adult cardiac arrest patients when the initial rhythm is ventricular fibrillation. These recommendations are based on primary research in patients with a cardiac cause of their ventricular fibrillation.</AbstractText>A 43-year-old male was brought to our emergency department (ED) with commotio cordis. He was struck in the chest with a baseball bat, after which he collapsed at the scene and was pulseless. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved after defibrillation by treating paramedics, and the patient remained comatose on arrival to the ED. He was transferred to the intensive care unit and treated with therapeutic hypothermia at target temperature of 32-34°C. He was extubated on day 3, and discharged home on day 8 with good neurologic function. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: We report a case of commotio cordis in which the adult patient was treated with therapeutic hypothermia and had a favorable outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of its kind. Evidence for the use of therapeutic hypothermia is incomplete in patients with a traumatic cause of cardiac arrest, such as commotio cordis, despite probable similarities in the pathophysiology of anoxic brain injury. Our case illustrates that there may be benefit from use of therapeutic hypothermia for a broader population than is currently recommended.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,063 | Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in both lean and obese subjects. | Even though polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by increased inflammatory activity and insulin resistance, there is no clinical data about whether risk of atrial fibrillation are increased in these patients. We aimed to evaluate atrial conduction parameters predicting atrial involvement in this patient group.</AbstractText>The study population comprised 50 women 18-40 years of age who had been diagnosed with PCOS. The patients were divided into two groups: lean women (L-PCOS) with a body mass index (BMI) under 25 kg/m² and obese women (O-PCOS) with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m². Twenty-five age-matched lean healthy women were enrolled voluntarily as the control group. Difference between maximum and minimum P-wave duration was calculated and was defined as P-wave dispersion (Pd). Inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delays (inter-AED, intra-AED, respectively) were measured with tissue Doppler imaging.</AbstractText>Inter- and intra-AED parameters were higher in the L-PCOS group when compared with control subjects (anova, P=0.004 and P=0.013, respectively), and were also significantly higher in the O-PCOS group compared with other groups (anova, P<0.001 for both). The regression analyses indicated that Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (β=0.603, P<0.001) and BMI (β=0.379, P<0.001) were the independent predictors of inter-AED, HOMA-IR (β=0.835, P<0.001) was an independent predictor of intra-AED, and BMI (β=0.457, P=0.006) and the left atrial diameter (β=0.350, P<0.034) were independent predictors of Pd.</AbstractText>Consequently, our findings provide data regarding prolonged atrial conduction parameters in PCOS patients, especially when accompanied by obesity.</AbstractText>© 2014 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2014 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,064 | The relationship between chest compression fraction and outcome from ventricular fibrillation arrests in prolonged resuscitations. | Guidelines direct rescuers to minimize CPR interruptions during resuscitation. There is little evidence that evaluates the relationship of increasing CPR fraction among patients with relatively high fractions or prolonged resuscitation.</AbstractText>We conducted an observational study of persons who suffered out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation arrest and required >5 min of emergency medical services (EMS) CPR for persistent pulselessness. We determined the association between hands-on CPR fraction and outcomes of spontaneous circulation, survival to hospital discharge, and neurologically favorable survival. Analyses were stratified by median hands-on CPR and were conducted for those who required 5, 10, and 20 min of EMS CPR for persistent pulselessness.</AbstractText>Of 414 potentially eligible patients, 323 (78%) required >5 min of EMS CPR, 234 (56%) required >10 min of EMS CPR, and 153 (37%) required EMS CPR for >20 min. The median CPR fraction was 81%. We did not observe a significant association for the outcomes of hospital survival and neurologically favorable survival for the 5-min and 10-min groups. When restricted to patients who required >20 min of EMS CPR, the half who received a higher hands-on CPR fraction were more likely to achieve spontaneous circulation (40% versus 18%, p=0.004), survival to hospital discharge (20% versus 8%, p=0.03), and neurologically favorable survival (20% versus 7%, p=0.02).</AbstractText>Over one-third required 20 min of persistent EMS CPR. The EMS was able to achieve a high hands-on CPR fraction in the context of advanced therapies. Those who required the most prolonged EMS CPR appeared to benefit from greater hands-on CPR fraction.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,065 | Short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes - an important cause of syncope and sudden death. | We describe 5 cases of a rare and often lethal arrhythmia: short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes. In the light of quitecharacteristic electrocardiograms and clinical picture of this arrhythmia, we consider the name 'short-coupled variant torsade de pointes' as more appropriate than, the more commonly applied term for such cases - 'idiopathic ventricular fibrillation'. We suggest that in patients with unexplained syncope, normal echocardiogram, normal QT interval and frequent premature ventricular contraction with short coupling this arrhythmogenic entity should be suspected. We stress that these premature beats are often misclassified as supraventricular since the two major factors (slow initial depolarisation of the working myocardium and structural abnormalities of the left ventricle) responsible for typical morphological features of ventricular beats are lacking. |
12,066 | Symetis Acurate Transapical Aortic Valve: the initial experience with a second generation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement device. | Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has proven to be a valuable alternative to conventional surgical aortic valve replacement in high risk and surgically in operable patients who suffer from severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. However, a significant number of complications, associated with both the learning curve and device specificity, have required attention and subsequent improvement. The Symetis transapical TAVR system is a self-positioning bioprosthesis composed of a non-coronary leaflet of surgical quality porcine tissue valve sewn into a self-expanding nitinol stent that iscovered with a PET-skirt.</AbstractText>From June to September 2013 six patients have been operated on severe aortic stenosis using the new TAVR device. All patients have undergone critical assessment of a local Heart Team and have been disqualified from conventional AVR. Five were woman. Mean age was 82.3 ± 2.0 (mean LogEuroScore 23.9 ± 14.3). Four patients suffered from coronary artery disease - two had history of previous percutaneous coronary intervention with intracoronary stents, while the next two had history of coronary artery bypass grafting. Diabetes was frequent (n = 3) as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 4). Carotid artery disease was encountered in three patients similarly to atrial fibrillation. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 51.5 ± 11.8%, but one patient had suffered from low-flow-low-gradient aortic stenosis with LVEF of 29%.</AbstractText>The procedure was carried out successfully in all six cases. Two patients have received the valve sized L, three - M and one - S. Mean procedure time was 180 ± 19 min, mean cine 7.2 ± 1.2 min. Mean X-ray dose 930 ± 439 mGy, while mean volume of contrast given was 135 ± 61 mL. In all patients but one perivalvular leak (PVL) was not present. One patient had trace of PVL. Also, good LVEF was noted in all patients. Similar findings were obtained 30 days post procedure. No strokes, transient ischaemic attack or other cerebrovascular incidents were observed.</AbstractText>This brief clinical communication reports the first Polish experience with the second generation of TAVR device - the Symetis Acurate Transapical Aortic Valve. While it lacks large patient population and longer follow-up, it reveals that TAVR procedure can be performed safely, with minimal X-ray exposure time and contrast given and successfully - with almost nonexistent PVL and no cerebrovascular incidents or heart rhythm disturbances. Heart Team approach is vital, and transapical access should not be treated inferiorly, but rather as an equally appealing TAVR option.</AbstractText> |
12,067 | Identifying patients at low risk for activity-related events: the RARE Score. | To prospectively assess whether the Risk of Activity Related Events (RARE) Score accurately identifies patients who are at low risk of experiencing an adverse event while exercise training at cardiac rehabilitation.</AbstractText>Individuals screened for entry into cardiac rehabilitation were classified as high-risk (RARE Score ≥ 4) or low-risk (RARE Score < 4) using the RARE Score. Patients were followed until program completion or withdrawal, and adverse events were documented.</AbstractText>Individuals (n = 656) were eligible for analysis (high risk: n = 260; low risk: n = 396). Eleven events (1 major, 10 minor) were recorded during the study, and the overall event rate was low (1 event per 1321 patient hours of exercise training). Individuals triaged as high-risk had significantly more events than the low-risk cohort (high risk: n = 8 vs low risk: n = 3; P = .024) and were 4 times more likely to experience an adverse event (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.0-20.0). More than 99% of low-risk patients were event free (negative predictive value: 99.2%; 95% CI: 98.3-99.8), while participating in exercise at cardiac rehabilitation.</AbstractText>The RARE Score accurately identifies patients who are at low risk of experiencing adverse events during exercise training at cardiac rehabilitation. The identification of low-risk patients allows for the possibility of reduced on-site supervision and monitoring, or the provision of alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation, including community- or home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs.</AbstractText> |
12,068 | Complexity of atrial fibrillation patients and management in Chinese ethnicity in routine daily practice: insights from the RealiseAF Taiwanese cohort. | Most atrial fibrillation (AF) epidemiology described Western populations; there is a paucity of data from Chinese ethnicity. This study presented differences in patient characteristics and management strategies, and assessed the quality of life (QoL) and AF control in Taiwanese patients from RealiseAF.</AbstractText>RealiseAF enrolled 10,523 patients internationally, in which Taiwanese cohort accounts for 7.1%. Physicians were randomly selected from a global list. Patient characteristics, management and therapeutic strategies of AF, QoL measured by the EQ-5D questionnaire, and the control of AF (in sinus rhythm, or AF with a ventricular rate ≤80 beats per minute) evaluated by electrocardiography were assessed.</AbstractText>Taiwanese patients were mostly outpatients (93.9%), older (70.2±11.8 years), accompanied by more comorbidities, more frequently (51.7%) in permanent AF, and symptomatic (European Heart Rhythm Association score ≥II: 81.5%) compared with the non-Taiwanese cohort. A rhythm-control strategy was less preferable to rate-control than in non-Taiwanese cohort as well as the use of class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs); 85.2% of Taiwanese patients received AADs, among which beta-blockers were the most common (46.9%). QoL was compromised (Visual Analogue Scale: 70.3±14.4; single index utility score: 0.81±0.25) and only 48.6% of the Taiwanese patients had AF controlled.</AbstractText>AF complexity in the Taiwanese cohort was similar to or even greater than that in the non-Taiwanese cohort. The Taiwanese patients were highly symptomatic; QoL was impaired despite the widespread use of medications and AF control was unsatisfactory. There is an apparent unmet need in AF treatment in Chinese ethnicity.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,069 | Heart rate variability findings as a predictor of atrial fibrillation in middle-aged population. | Autonomic nervous system modifies atrial electrophysiologic properties and arrhythmia vulnerability.</AbstractText>Heart rate (HR) variability, an indicator of cardiac autonomic regulation, was measured in 784 subjects (mean age 51 ± 6 years; 54% males) from a standardized 45-minute period in a study population (n = 1,045), which consisted of randomly selected hypertensive and age- and sex-matched control subjects at the time of recruitment in 1991-1992 (the OPERA study).</AbstractText>During a mean follow-up of 16.5 ± 3.5 years, 76 subjects (9.7%) had developed symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), needing hospitalization. HR did not predict the occurrence of AF. Among the various spectral and time-domain HR variability indexes, only the low-frequency (LF) spectral component independently predicted AF. In the Cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio of reduced HR corrected LF (LFccv ≤ 1.59%, optimal cutoff from the ROC curve) in predicting the AF was 3.28 (95% CI: 2.06-5.24; P < 0.001). In the multiple Cox regression model, including LFccv and other predictors of AF, such as age, gender, hypertension, history of coronary artery disease, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, β-blocking, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and aspirin medication, left atrial size, left ventricular mass index, and left ventricular size obtained by echocardiography, only LFccv (hazard ratio 2.81; 95% CI: 1.64-4.81; P < 0.001), age (P = 0.006), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.02) remained as significant predictors of AF.</AbstractText>Impaired LF oscillation of HR predicts new-onset AF in a middle-aged population emphasizing the important role of autonomic nervous system in the genesis of symptomatic AF.</AbstractText>© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,070 | Dabigatran anticoagulation and Stanford type A aortic dissection: lethal coincidence: Case report with literature review. | Novel oral anticoagulants are now encountered in patients needing emergency surgery. Knowledge and treatment options are limited.</AbstractText>We present the case of a 76-year-old patient who suffered from an acute Stanford type A aortic dissection, needing emergency surgical aortic repair. He was anticoagulated with dabigatran due to past atrial fibrillation. Despite haemodiafiltration, surgical revision and massive transfusion of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, coagulation factors, and recombinant factor VIIa, the patient died from intractable bleeding with sustained therapeutic levels of dabigatran.</AbstractText>After reviewing the literature, we summarize the limited treatment options and show possible approaches for patients treated with dabigatran needing emergency surgery.</AbstractText>© 2014 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,071 | Acute coronary ischemia identified by EMS providers in a standing middle-aged male with atypical symptoms. | Acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction have been described to present with atypical symptoms in certain subsets of patients. However, these subsets commonly do not include middle-aged males with a paucity of underlying medical conditions. We present a very unique case of acute coronary syndrome in a 53-year-old male, with no previously identified medical conditions other than chronic back pain. The patient was encountered by rural emergency medical service providers presenting with syncope followed by intermittent episodes of lightheadedness. Further, electrocardiographic changes consistent with acute ischemia could only be demonstrated with the patient in a standing position, prior to the development of an occurrence of ventricular tachycardia, which degenerated into ventricular fibrillation. To our knowledge, this is a very rare case of electrocardiographic changes consistent with occult, acute cardiac ischemia with a proven coronary artery lesion seen initially only with the patient in a standing position. |
12,072 | Myocardial infarction due to lightning strike. | Cardiac events due to lightning strike and their severity vary according to the strength of the electric current and the duration of exposure. The electrophysiological effects of lightning on the heart can result in ventricular fibrillation, asystole, QT prolongation, supraventricular tachycardia, and non-specific ST-T wave changes. In this report, a case of a patient who suffered myocardial infarction due to lightning strike is presented, which is a rare complication. |
12,073 | [Anesthetic management of a hemodialysis patient presenting with apparent LV diastolic dysfunction after undergoing extensive pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis]. | We present a case of anesthetic management in a hemodialysis patient suffering from constrictive pericarditis who underwent pericardiectomy. The patient was a 54-year-old male, complicated with hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease, with congestive heart disease of NYHA III. After anesthetic induction with midazolam and fentanyl, pericardiectomy was performed with CPB stand by for unexpected surgical blood loss. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed severely constricted ventricles with normal ejection fraction. CPB was induced due to refractory ventricular fibrillation during pericardiectomy. CPB was discontinued after performing pericardiectomy and CABG, and cardiac index increased from 1.3 to 3.0 l x min(-1) x m(-2) and stroke index increased from 18.6 to 34.1 ml x beats(-1) x m(-2). However, continuous catecholamine infusion including adrenaline and noradrenaline and intraaortic balloon pumping were necessary to maintain systemic blood pressure against systemic hypotension with pulmonary hypertension, regardless of normal cardiac index. TEE after pericardiectomy revealed a dilated right ventricle and unchanged size of the left ventricle compared with those at pre-operative exam. The patient remained in an intensive care for 9 days and was discharged on the 21st post-operative day. NYHA status improved from III to II after the surgery. Post-operative echocardiography revealed dilated left atrium and apparent diastolic dysfunction with normal ejection fraction compared with those in the pre-operative period. |
12,074 | "Through the looking glass: 10-year-single centre experience in cardiac electrophysiology and radiofrequency ablation". | Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an emerging curative modality of treatment for several types of cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of our study was to evaluate our experience of electrophysiology procedures over a 10-year-period and compare it with the published literature.</AbstractText>All patients undergoing cardiac electrophysiology and radiofrequency ablation procedures during the period from 01 January 2003 to 30 April 2012 were included in this study. The study analyzed 892 patients of which atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) was n = 513 (57.5%), accessory pathways n = 230 (25.8%), atrial tachycardia n = 26 (2.9%), atrial flutter n = 15 (1.7%), atrial fibrillation = 9 (1.0%), ventricular tachycardia n = 37 (4.2%) and diagnostic studies n = 62 (6.9%). Three-dimensional electro-anatomic mapping was performed in n = 17 (1.9%). The success rate was 99% with AVNRT, 94% with accessory pathway, 81% with atrial tachycardia, 64% with ventricular tachycardia and 34% with atrial fibrillation. The major and serious complications rate was 0.45%.</AbstractText>The procedural success rate and the complication rate in this real-world study of the Armed Forces were comparable/superior to the reported literature.</AbstractText> |
12,075 | What is the optimal left ventricular ejection fraction cut-off for risk stratification for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death early after myocardial infarction? | The optimal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to select patients early post myocardial infarction (MI) for risk stratification for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is unknown.</AbstractText>Consecutive patients (n = 1722) treated with PPCI for ST-elevation MI underwent early (median 4 days) LVEF assessment. An electrophysiological study (EPS) was performed if LVEF ≤40% and a prophylactic implantable-cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implanted for a positive [inducible monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT)], but not a negative, result. According to an early LVEF, a primary endpoint of inducible VT at EPS and a secondary endpoint of death or arrhythmia (SCD, resuscitated cardiac arrest or ECG-documented VT/ventricular fibrillation) were determined. The proportion of patients with early LVEF >40, 36-40, 31-35, and ≤30% were 75% (n = 1286), 7% (n = 128), 8% (n = 136), and 10% (n = 172), respectively. Inducible VT occurred in 22, 25, and 40% of patients with LVEF 36-40, 31-35, and ≤30%, respectively (P = 0.014). Three-year death or arrhythmia occurred in 6.6 ± 0.8, 8.1 ± 2.6, 18.0 ± 3.4, and 37.4 ± 3.9% of patients with LVEF >40, 36-40, 31-35, and ≤30%, respectively (overall P<0.001; LVEF 36-40% vs. LVEF > 40% P = 0.265). The number of EPS-positive patients implanted with an ICD to treat one or more arrhythmic event (95% confidence interval) was 18.3 ± 2.4, 11.5 ± 3.0, and 4.2 ± 5.6 if LVEF is 36-40, 31-35, and ≤30%, respectively.</AbstractText>A cut-off LVEF of ≤40% selects patients with a high incidence of inducible VT post-PPCI. Patients with LVEF ≤35% and inducible VT appear to derive a greater benefit from prophylactic ICD implantation due to their higher risk of death or arrhythmia.</AbstractText>Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,076 | Predictive value of the heart rate reserve in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation treated according to a strict rate-control strategy. | Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients treated according to a rate-control strategy seem to have excellent outcomes as long as their ventricular response is kept low. However, the stringency of the rate control to adopt with pharmacologic agents is not clearly defined. In particular, the clinical importance of preserving a heart rate (HR) reserve (HRR) during exercise has not yet been investigated.</AbstractText>We prospectively analysed the HR response profiles during exercise of 202 patients with permanent AF for whom a strict rate-control strategy was the preferred treatment option. Patients were asked to perform an exercise test on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion. The HRR was defined as the difference between the HR at peak exercise and the resting HR before exercise, divided by the resting HR. Patients were followed-up for at least 24 months or until death or hospitalization for heart failure. The mean resting HR was 80 ± 16 b.p.m. After a median follow-up period of 3 ± 1 years, 31 patients (15.3%) of our initial population (80% male, age 72 ± 12 years) presented either a hospitalization for heart failure (n = 13, 6.4%) or a death (n = 18, 8.9%). Using a univariate analysis, we found that these events correlated with a lower exercise capacity [hazard ratio, HR 0.98, 95% confidence interval, CI (0.96; 0.99), P < 0.001] and a lower HRR [HR 0.30, 95% CI (0.15; 0.60), P < 0.001]. Using a multivariate analysis, both the exercise capacity [HR 0.98, 95% CI (0.97; 0.99), P = 0.008] and the HRR [HR 0.42, 95% CI (0.20-0.87), P = 0.02] remained significantly associated with the outcome. In particular, 4-year survival free from hospitalization for heart failure was better in patients with a preserved HRR (HRR >40%, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between the treatment category (i.e. beta-blockers, calcium channel antagonist, and digoxin) and the HRR.</AbstractText>An impaired HRR in patients with permanent AF treated according to a strict rate-control strategy is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure.</AbstractText>Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,077 | Maze surgery normalizes left ventricular function in patients with persistent lone atrial fibrillation. | The aim of this study is to evaluate the mid-term clinical and functional outcomes of maze surgery in symptomatic refractory lone atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.</AbstractText>Between March 2008 and January 2013, 39 highly symptomatic patients [mean age 51 ± 10 (mean ± standard deviation); 95% CI, European Heart Rhythm Association class III-IV] underwent maze surgery for lone AF. Biatrial ablations were performed with bipolar radiofrequency and cryoenergy, according to a maze III lesion set (modified by omitting the intercaval line in 5 of 39 patients). Mean ejection fraction was 51 ± 9% (range 17-60), <45% in 10 patients (26%). Seventeen of 39 patients (44%) had persistent, 22 of 39 patients (56%) long-standing persistent AF, and 35 of 39 patients (90%) had previous transvenous ablations (median = 2; range 0-8). No patient had concomitant structural heart disease.</AbstractText>A minimally invasive approach was adopted in 22 patients (56%). Major complications were 1 mediastinitis, 1 re-exploration for bleeding and 2 pacemaker (5%) implantation. At a mean follow-up of 29.4 ± 14.2 months, freedom from arrhythmias was 92 and 93% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. Freedom without antiarrhythmic drugs was 75 and 85% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. Ejection fraction normalized in all cases, from 51.3 ± 9% to 61.1 ± 3% (P < 0.001) overall, and from 37.0 ± 10% to 60.3 ± 3% (P < 0.001) when ≤ 45% preoperatively. AF-related symptoms score decreased to class I in 36 patients (93%). No early or late stroke occurred.</AbstractText>Within a dedicated AF centre, maze surgery grants excellent outcomes, with symptoms relief and negligible risk. It provides a complete reversal of arrhythmia-related myocardial dysfunction and is therefore a convenient alternative to His bundle ablation and lifelong pacemaker dependency in symptomatic refractory patients.</AbstractText>© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,078 | Disease and region-related cardiac fibroblast potassium current variations and potential functional significance. | Fibroblasts, which play an important role in cardiac function/dysfunction, including arrhythmogenesis, have voltage-dependent (Kv) currents of unknown importance. Here, we assessed the differential expression of Kv currents between atrial and ventricular fibroblasts from control dogs and dogs with an atrial arrhythmogenic substrate caused by congestive heart failure (CHF).</AbstractText>Left atrial (LA) and ventricular (LV) fibroblasts were freshly isolated from control and CHF dogs (2-week ventricular tachypacing, 240 bpm). Kv currents were measured with whole-cell voltage-clamp, mRNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fibroblast proliferation by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. Robust voltage-dependent tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive K(+) currents (IC50 ∼1 mM) were recorded. The morphologies and TEA responses of LA and LV fibroblast Kv currents were similar. LV fibroblast Kv-current densities were significantly greater than LA, and Kv-current densities were significantly less in CHF than control. The mRNA expression of Kv-channel subunits Kv1.5 and Kv4.3 was less in LA vs. LV fibroblasts and was down-regulated in CHF, consistent with K(+)-current recordings. Ca(2+)-dependent K(+)-channel subunit (KCa1.1) mRNA and currents were less expressed in LV vs. LA fibroblasts. Inhibiting LA fibroblast K(+) current with 1 mmol/L of TEA or KCa1.1 current with paxilline increased proliferation.</AbstractText>Fibroblast Kv-current expression is smaller in CHF vs. control, as well as LA vs. LV. KCa1.1 current is greater in LA vs. LV. Suppressing Kv current with TEA enhances fibroblast proliferation, suggesting that Kv current might act to check fibroblast proliferation and that reduced Kv current in CHF may contribute to fibrosis. Fibroblast Kv-current remodelling may play a role in the atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate; modulating fibroblast K(+) channels may present a novel strategy to prevent fibrosis and AF.</AbstractText>Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,079 | Pregnancy in women with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: is it safe? | To describe obstetric/neonatal and cardiac outcomes for a cohort of women carrying implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) during pregnancy.</AbstractText>All women in routine follow-up at our institution for ICD implantation who became pregnant between 2006 and 2013 were included in this study. All ICDs were pre-pectoral devices with bipolar endocardial leads. Obstetric/neonatal and cardiac outcomes were assessed during pregnancy and post-partum. Twenty pregnancies were conceived by 12 women carrying ICD devices, 14 of which resulted in live births and none in maternal death. Seven of these women had structural cardiomyopathies and five had channelopathies. No device-related complications were recorded. Twelve shocks (nine transthoracic and three from ICDs) were experienced during pregnancy by two women, one of whom miscarried shortly afterwards at 4 weeks gestation. One stillbirth, three miscarriages and one termination were recorded for women with long QT syndrome, repaired tetralogy of Fallot and repaired Laubry-Pezzi syndrome, respectively. Intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and neonatal hypoglycaemia were recorded in four, three, and five pregnancies, respectively.</AbstractText>Pregnancy had no effect on ICD operation and no evidence was found to link ICD carriage with adverse pregnancy outcomes, although one miscarriage may have been induced by ICD shock therapy. A worsening of cardiac condition occurs in specific cardiac diseases and β-blocker therapy should be continued for all women carrying ICDs in pregnancy as the benefits outweigh the risks of taking this medication.</AbstractText>Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,080 | Comprehensive geriatric assessment and 2-year mortality in elderly patients hospitalized for heart failure. | In older adults hospitalized for heart failure, a poor score on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is associated with worse prognosis during hospitalization and at 1 month after discharge. However, the association between the CGA score and long-term mortality is uncertain.</AbstractText>This is a prospective study of 487 patients aged ≥75 years admitted for decompensated heart failure. At discharge, a CGA score (range, 0-10) was calculated based on limitation in activities of daily living, mobility limitation, comorbidity, cognitive decline, and previous medication use. The analysis of the association between the CGA score and 2-year subsequent mortality was performed with Cox regression and adjusted for the main confounders. A 1-point increase in the CGA score was associated with a 19% higher mortality (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.27). Results were similar regardless of age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the coexistence of atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, or hypertensive cardiopathy. All components of the CGA score showed a consistent association with higher death risk: the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of mortality was 1.78 (1.25-2.54) with ≥3 versus 0 limitations in activities of daily living, 1.36 (1.0-1.86) with moderate or severe versus no or mild limitation in mobility, 1.98 (1.29-3.03) with a ≥5 versus ≤1 score on the Charlson index, 2.48 (1.84-3.34) with previous cognitive decline, and 1.77 (0.99-3.18) in those using ≥8 versus ≤3 medications.</AbstractText>The score on a simple CGA is associated with long-term mortality in older patients hospitalized for heart failure.</AbstractText> |
12,081 | Post-resuscitation intestinal microcirculation: its relationship with sublingual microcirculation and the severity of post-resuscitation syndrome. | Post-resuscitation syndrome has been recognized as one of the major causes of the poor outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The aims of this study were to investigate the intestinal microcirculatory changes following cardiopulmonary resuscitation and relate those changes to sublingual microcirculation and the severity of post-resuscitation syndrome as measured by myocardial function and serum inflammatory cytokine levels.</AbstractText>Twenty-five rats were randomized into three groups: (1) short duration of cardiac arrest (n=10): ventricular fibrillation (VF) was untreated for 4 min prior to 6 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); (2) long duration of cardiac arrest (n=10): VF was untreated for 8 min followed by 8 min of CPR; (3) sham control group (n=5): a sham operation was performed without VF induction and CPR. Intestinal and sublingual microcirculatory blood flow was visualized by a sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging device at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 h post-resuscitation. Myocardial function was measured by echocardiography and serum cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</AbstractText>Both intestinal and sublingual microcirculatory blood flow decreased significantly with increasing duration of cardiac arrest and resuscitation. The decreases in intestinal microcirculatory blood flow were closely correlated with the reductions of sublingual microcirculatory blood flow (perfused small vessels density: r=0.772, p<0.01; microcirculatory flow index: r=0.821, p<0.01). The decreased microcirculatory blood flow was closely correlated with weakened myocardial function and elevated inflammatory cytokine levels.</AbstractText>The severity of post-resuscitation intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction is closely correlated with that of myocardial function and inflammatory cytokine levels. The measurement of sublingual microcirculation reflects changes of intestinal microcirculation and may therefore provide a new option for post-resuscitation monitoring.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,082 | Clinical characteristics and outcomes in super-elderly patients (>85 years) with heart failure: single center observational study in Japan. | The number of elderly patients with heart failure is increasing in Japan owing to the increase in the aging population. In the field of emergency medicine, the treatment and management of elderly patients with heart failure are key issues. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients.</AbstractText>We enrolled 72 consecutive patients (age, 76.5 ± 12.5 years) with heart failure who were admitted to our hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2010. The characteristics and outcomes of super-elderly patients aged >85 years (n</i> = 21) were compared with those of patients aged ≤85 years (n</i> = 51).</AbstractText>The overall prevalence of chronic atrial fibrillation was high (43.1%). Underlying diseases, left ventricular function, renal function, in-hospital mortality, hospital stay period, and major complications were similar between the two groups. The super-elderly group had a significantly higher mortality rate and lower event-free survival rate after discharge (log-rank test, P</i> = 0.0018 and P</i> = 0.0032, respectively).The incidence of readmission for heart failure recurrence was 55.0% in the super-elderly group and 25.0% in the younger group.</AbstractText>There were no significant differences in the background characteristics and in-hospital treatment between super-elderly heart failure patients and younger patients. High mortality and cardiovascular event rates after discharge were observed in the super-elderly group.</AbstractText> |
12,083 | Ivabradine protects against ventricular arrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction in the rat. | Ventricular arrhythmias are an important cause of mortality in the acute myocardial infarction (MI). To elucidate effect of ivabradine, pure heart rate (HR) reducing drug, on ventricular arrhythmias within 24 h after non-reperfused MI in the rat. ECG was recorded for 24 h after MI in untreated and ivabradine treated rats and episodes of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) were identified. Forty-five minutes and twenty-four hours after MI epicardial monophasic action potentials (MAPs) were recorded, cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling was assessed and expression and function of ion channels were studied. Ivabradine reduced average HR by 17%. Combined VT/VF incidence and arrhythmic mortality were higher in MI versus MI + Ivabradine rats. MI resulted in (1) increase of Ca(2+) sensitivity of ryanodine receptors 24 h after MI; (2) increase of HCN4 expression in the left ventricle (LV) and funny current (IF) in LV cardiomyocytes 24 h after MI, and (3) dispersion of MAP duration both 45 min and 24 h after MI. Ivabradine partially prevented all these three potential proarrhythmic effects of MI. Ivabradine is antiarrhythmic in the acute MI in the rat. Potential mechanisms include prevention of: diastolic Ca(2+)-leak from sarcoplasmic reticulum, upregulation of IF current in LV and dispersion of cardiac repolarization. Ivabradine could be an attractive antiarrhythmic agent in the setting of acute MI. |
12,084 | PQ segment depression in patients with short QT syndrome: a novel marker for diagnosing short QT syndrome? | Patients with short QT syndrome (SQTS) have an increased risk for atrial tachyarrhythmias, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and/or sudden cardiac death. PQ segment depression (PQD) is related to atrial fibrillation and carries a poor prognosis in the setting of acute inferior myocardial infarction and is a well-defined electrocardiographic (ECG) marker of acute pericarditis.</AbstractText>To evaluate the prevalence of PQD in SQTS and to analyze the association with atrial arrhythmias.</AbstractText>Digitalized 12-lead ECGs of SQTS patients were evaluated for PQD in all leads and for QT intervals in leads II and V5. PQD was defined as ≥0.05 mV (0.5 mm) depression from the isoelectric line.</AbstractText>A total of 760 leads from 64 SQTS patients (mean age 36 ± 18 years; 48 [75%] men) were analyzed. PQD was seen in 265 (35%) leads from 52 (81%) patients and was more frequent in leads II, V3, aVF, V4, and I (n = 43 [67%], n = 30 [47%], n = 27 [42%], n = 25 [39%], and n = 25 [39%], respectively). Nine of 64 (14%) patients presented with atrial tachyarrhythmias, and all of them had PQD.</AbstractText>Fifty-two of 64 (81%) patients with SQTS reveal PQD. As PQD is rarely observed in healthy individuals, this ECG stigma may constitute a novel marker for SQTS in addition to a short QT interval.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,085 | Mitral valve repair versus replacement in the elderly: short-term and long-term outcomes. | To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) versus mitral valve replacement (MVR) in elderly patients.</AbstractText>All patients, age 70 years or greater, with mitral regurgitation who underwent MVP or MVR with or without coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), tricuspid valve surgery, or a maze procedure between 2002 and 2011 were retrospectively identified. Patients with a rheumatic cause or who underwent concomitant aortic valve or ventricular-assist device procedures were excluded.</AbstractText>Overall, 556 patients underwent MVP and 102 patients underwent MVR. The mean age of the patients in the MVR group was 78 years versus 77 years for those in the MVP group (P<.02). The patients in the MVR group had a better mean left ventricular ejection fraction than those in the MVP group (60% vs 55%, P=.04). The incidence of concomitant CABG, tricuspid valve operations, and atrial fibrillation ablation procedures was similar in both groups, but perfusion time was significantly longer for the MVR group (median 177 minutes vs 146 minutes for MVP, P=.001). Postoperatively, patients in the MVR group had a higher incidence of stroke (6% vs 2%, P<.10) and significantly longer intensive care unit stay (median 86 hours vs 55 hours, P=.001) and hospital stay (9 days vs 8 days, P<.01). Operative mortality of patients was significantly higher for the MVR group (8.8% vs 3.6%, P=.03) and remained significant long-term on Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression analysis of all 658 patients and propensity-matched analysis of 96 patients also confirmed these results.</AbstractText>Elderly patients with mitral regurgitation who undergo MVP have better postoperative outcomes, lower operative mortality, and improved long-term survival than those undergoing MVR. MVP is a safe and more effective option for the elderly with mitral regurgitation.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,086 | Timing of valve repair for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation and long-term left ventricular function. | Current guidelines recommended surgery for patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) when specific left ventricular (LV) dimensions or ejection fraction (EF) are reached, based on previous postoperative survival studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictors of long-term postoperative LV dysfunction, and investigate the preoperative parameters necessary to maintain or recover long-term LV function in the era of mitral valve (MV) repair.</AbstractText>We retrospectively reviewed 473 consecutive patients undergoing MV repair for severe degenerative MR for whom both preoperative and 3-year postoperative echocardiographic data were available in our institution. Preoperative and 3-year postoperative echocardiographic data and clinical outcomes were evaluated.</AbstractText>Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified preoperative LVEF 63% or less (area under curve [AUC], 0.725; P<.001) and LV end-systolic dimension (ESD) 39 mm or greater (AUC, 0.724; P<.001) as cut-off values for predicting LVEF less than 50% 3 years after surgery. On multivariate analysis, both preoperative LVEF and LVESD were not significant predictors of 3-year postoperative LV dysfunction among patients with preoperative LVEF greater than 63% and LVESD less 39 mm, whereas preoperative LVESD (odds ratio [OR], 2.22; P=.004), higher age (OR, 1.03; P=.04), and atrial fibrillation (OR, 2.68; P=.01) were independent predictors among patients with preoperative LVEF 63% or less or LVESD 39 mm or greater.</AbstractText>Early MV repair with LVEF greater than 63% and LVESD less than 39 mm preserved long-term postoperative LV function well, and smaller preoperative LVESD was associated with long-term LV function recovery, even in patients with preoperative LV dysfunction.</AbstractText>Copyright © 2014 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,087 | Risk of cardiovascular, cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a public health problem of epidemic proportions worldwide. Accumulating clinical and epidemiological evidence indicates that NAFLD is not only associated with liver-related morbidity and mortality but also with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), abnormalities of cardiac function and structure (e.g., left ventricular dysfunction and hypertrophy, and heart failure), valvular heart disease (e.g., aortic valve sclerosis) and arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation). Experimental evidence suggests that NAFLD itself, especially in its more severe forms, exacerbates systemic/hepatic insulin resistance, causes atherogenic dyslipidemia, and releases a variety of pro-inflammatory, pro-coagulant and pro-fibrogenic mediators that may play important roles in the pathophysiology of cardiac and arrhythmic complications. Collectively, these findings suggest that patients with NAFLD may benefit from more intensive surveillance and early treatment interventions to decrease the risk for CHD and other cardiac/arrhythmic complications. The purpose of this clinical review is to summarize the rapidly expanding body of evidence that supports a strong association between NAFLD and cardiovascular, cardiac and arrhythmic complications, to briefly examine the putative biological mechanisms underlying this association, and to discuss some of the current treatment options that may influence both NAFLD and its related cardiac and arrhythmic complications. |
12,088 | Differential effects of furnidipines' metabolites on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in rats in vivo. | We previously established that furnidipine (FUR) and oxy dihydropyridines prevent rats mortality by strong reduction of the lethal arrhythmias in reperfusion. Therefore we decided to study the influence of three main metabolites (M-2, M-3, M-8) of FUR on ischemia-and reperfusion- induced arrhythmias and hemodynamic parameters in rat model to examine their independent activity. The metabolites (M-2, M-3, M-8) were given orally 20 mg/kg (24 and 1 h before ischemia). Mortality was significantly diminished in M-2 and M-3 treated groups with M-3 preventing animal mortality entirely. All three examined substances significantly reduced the duration and incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) with M-3, once again, completely preventing VF. Moreover, only M-3 significantly decreased the duration of ventricular tachycardia but had no influence on their incidence. Through the occlusion and reperfusion periods, M-2 and M-3 were markedly less hypotensive than M-8 and did not influence on heart rate. We conclude that two tested metabolites of FUR, M-3 and M-2 exhibited the most pronounced anti-arrhythmic effect being at the same time the most normotensive and therefore caused the most beneficial effects. |
12,089 | The importance of Purkinje activation in long duration ventricular fibrillation. | The mechanisms that maintain long duration ventricular fibrillation (LDVF) are unclear. The difference in distribution of the Purkinje system in dogs and pigs was explored to determine if Purkinje activation propagates to stimulate working myocardium (WM) during LDVF and WM pacing.</AbstractText>In-vivo extracellular recordings were made from 1044 intramural plunge and epicardial plaque electrodes in 6 pig and 6 dog hearts. Sinus activation propagated sequentially from the endocardium to the epicardium in dogs but not pigs. During epicardial pacing, activation propagated along the endocardium and traversed the LV wall almost parallel to the epicardium in dogs, but in pigs propagated away from the pacing site approximately perpendicular to the epicardium. After 1 minute of VF, activation rate near the endocardium was significantly faster than near the epicardium in dogs (P<0.01) but not pigs (P>0.05). From 2 to 10 minutes of LDVF, recordings exhibiting Purkinje activations were near the endocardium in dogs (P<0.01) but were scattered transmurally in pigs, and the WM activation rate in recordings in which Purkinje activations were present was significantly faster than the WM activation rate in recordings in which Purkinje activations were absent (P<0.01). In 10 isolated perfused dog hearts, the LV endocardium was exposed and 2 microelectrodes were inserted into Purkinje and adjacent myocardial cells. After 5 minutes of LDVF, mean Purkinje activation rate was significantly faster than mean WM activation rate (P<0.01).</AbstractText>These extracellular and intracellular findings about activation support the hypothesis that Purkinje activation propagates to stimulate WM during sinus rhythm, pacing, and LDVF.</AbstractText> |
12,090 | Routine angiography in survivors of out of hospital cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation: a single site registry. | Coronary revascularization in resuscitated out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) patients has been associated with improved survival.</AbstractText>This was a retrospective review of patients with OOHCA between 01/07/2007 and 31/03/2009 surviving to hospital admission. Cardiac risk factors, demographics, treatment times, electrocardiogram (ECG), angiographic findings and in-hospital outcomes were recorded.</AbstractText>Of the 78 patients, 63 underwent coronary angiography. Traditional cardiac risk factors were common in this group. Chest pain occurred in 33.3% pre-arrest, 59.0% were initially treated at a peripheral hospital, 83.3% had documented ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, 55.1% had specific ECG changes, 65.4% had acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as the cause of OOHCA and the majority had multi-vessel disease. ST elevation strongly predicted AMI. The in-hospital survival was 67.9% with neurological deficit in 13.2% of survivors. The group of patients who had an angiogram were more likely to have AMI as a cause of cardiac arrest (71.4% vs 40.0%, p = 0.01) and more likely to have survived to discharge (74.6% vs 40.0%, p < 0.01). Poor outcome was associated with older age, cardiogenic shock, longer transfer times, diabetes, renal impairment and a long duration to return of spontaneous circulation.</AbstractText>Acute myocardial infarction was the commonest cause of OOHCA and a high rate of survival to discharge was seen with a strategy of routine angiography and revascularization.</AbstractText> |
12,091 | Adrenaline increases blood-brain-barrier permeability after haemorrhagic cardiac arrest in immature pigs. | Adrenaline (ADR) and vasopressin (VAS) are used as vasopressors during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Data regarding their effects on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neuronal damage are lacking. We hypothesised that VAS given during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after haemorrhagic circulatory arrest will preserve BBB integrity better than ADR.</AbstractText>Twenty-one anaesthetised sexually immature male piglets (with a weight of 24.3 ± 1.3 kg) were bled 35% via femoral artery to a mean arterial blood pressure of 25 mmHg in the period of 15 min. Afterwards, the piglets were subjected to 8 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation followed by 15 min of open-chest CPR. At 9 min of circulatory arrest, piglets received amiodarone 1.0 mg/kg and hypertonic-hyperoncotic solution 4 ml/kg infusions for 20 min. At the same time, VAS 0.4 U/kg was given intravenously to the VAS group (n = 9) while the ADR group received ADR 20 μg/kg (n = 12). Internal defibrillation was attempted from 11 min of cardiac arrest to achieve restoration of spontaneous circulation. The experiment was terminated 3 h after resuscitation.</AbstractText>The intracranial pressure (ICP) in the post-resuscitation phase was significantly greater in ADR group than in VAS group. VAS group piglets exhibited a significantly smaller BBB disruption compared with ADR group. Cerebral pressure reactivity index showed that cerebral blood flow autoregulation was also better preserved in VAS group.</AbstractText>Resuscitation with ADR as compared with VAS after haemorrhagic circulatory arrest increased the ICP and impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation more profoundly, as well as exerted an increased BBB disruption though no significant difference in neuronal injury was observed.</AbstractText>© 2014 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.</CopyrightInformation> |
12,092 | Vasovagal syncope initiating ventricular fibrillation in a healthy subject. | A 62-year-old man with cured lymphoma as only significant medical history experienced a first reflex syncope after prolonged orthostatic posture, with cardiac arrest. Prolonged asystole was followed by ventricular fibrillation needing external defibrillation. The defibrillator provided complete recordings. Thorough investigation revealed no cardiac abnormalities apart from a few right ventricular outflow tract premature complexes. This patient benefitted from implantation of an ICD for ventricular fibrillation secondary to reflex syncope, usually considered benign. |
12,093 | ECG Changes Due to Hypothermia Developed After Drowning: Case Report. | Drowning is one of the fatal accidents frequently encountered during the summer and is the most common cause of accidental death in the world. Anoxia, hypothermia, and metabolic acidosis are mainly responsible for morbidty. Cardiovascular effects may occur secondary to hypoxia and hypothermia. Atrial fibrillation, sinus dysrhythmias (rarely requiring treatment), and, in serious cases, ventricular fibrillation or asystole may develop, showing as rhythm problems on electrocardiogram and Osborn wave can be seen, especially during hypothermia. A 16-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital's emergency service with drowning is presented in this article. In our case, ventricular fibrillation and giant J wave (Osborn wave) associated with hypothermia developed after drowning was seen. We present this case as a reminder of ECG changes due to hypothermia that develop after drowning. Response to cardiopulmonary resuscitation after drowning and hypothermia is not very good. Mortality is very high, so early resuscitation and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory problems are important for life.</Abstract><AuthorList CompleteYN="Y"><Author ValidYN="Y"><LastName>Yilmaz</LastName><ForeName>Sabiye</ForeName><Initials>S</Initials><AffiliationInfo><Affiliation>Department of Cardiology, Yenikent State Hospital, Sakarya.</Affiliation></AffiliationInfo></Author><Author ValidYN="Y"><LastName>Cakar</LastName><ForeName>Mehmet Akif</ForeName><Initials>MA</Initials><AffiliationInfo><Affiliation>Department of Cardiology, Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya.</Affiliation></AffiliationInfo></Author><Author ValidYN="Y"><LastName>Vatan</LastName><ForeName>Mehmet Bulent</ForeName><Initials>MB</Initials><AffiliationInfo><Affiliation>Department of Cardiology, Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya.</Affiliation></AffiliationInfo></Author><Author ValidYN="Y"><LastName>Kilic</LastName><ForeName>Harun</ForeName><Initials>H</Initials><AffiliationInfo><Affiliation>Department of Cardiology, Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya.</Affiliation></AffiliationInfo></Author><Author ValidYN="Y"><LastName>Keser</LastName><ForeName>Nurgul</ForeName><Initials>N</Initials><AffiliationInfo><Affiliation>Department of Cardiology, Sakarya University Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya.</Affiliation></AffiliationInfo></Author></AuthorList><Language>eng</Language><PublicationTypeList><PublicationType UI="D002363">Case Reports</PublicationType></PublicationTypeList><ArticleDate DateType="Electronic"><Year>2016</Year><Month>02</Month><Day>26</Day></ArticleDate></Article><MedlineJournalInfo><Country>India</Country><MedlineTA>Turk J Emerg Med</MedlineTA><NlmUniqueID>101681782</NlmUniqueID><ISSNLinking>2452-2473</ISSNLinking></MedlineJournalInfo><OtherAbstract Type="Publisher" Language="tur">Suda boğulmalar özellikle yaz aylarında sıkça karşılaştığımız ölümcül kazalardandır, dünyada kaza ile ölümlerin en sık sebeplerinden biridir. Boğulmalardaki morbiditeden esas olarak anoksi, hipotermi ve sonucunda gelişen metabolik asidoz sorumludur. Kardiyovasküler etkiler hipoksi ve hipotermiye sekonderdir. Elektrokardiyografide (EKG) atriyal fibrilasyon, sinüs disritmileri (nadiren tedavi gerektirir), ciddi olgularda ventriküler fibrilasyon ya da asistol gibi ritim problemleri ve özellikle hipotermi sırasında sık karşılaşılan Osborn dalgaları izlenebilinir. Bu yazıda soğuk suda boğulma sonrasında hastane acil servisine getirilen 16 yaşında erkek hasta sunuldu. Olguda boğulma sonrası gelişen hipotermi ile ilişkili ventriküler fibrilasyon ve dev J dalgaları (Osborn dalgası) izlendi. Bu olguyu sunmamızın nedeni suda boğulma sonrası gelişen hipotermiye bağlı EKG değişikliklerini hatırlatmaktı. Suda boğulma ve hipotermi sonrası kardiyopulmoner resüsitasyona cevap çok iyi değildir. Mortalite oldukça yüksektir, erken resüsitasyon, agresif kardiyovasküler ve respiratuvar tedavi sağkalım için önemlidir. |
12,094 | The Role of Cardiac Imaging in Stroke Prevention. | This article reviews the role of cardiac imaging in stroke prevention, defining how imaging tools can be useful in this field. Cardioembolic sources during atrial fibrillation are discussed. New closure devices can be implanted in the left atrial appendage and routinely monitored with imaging modalities. Acute and chronic left ventricular dysfunction is reviewed, identifying the possible mechanism of thrombus formation and its early detection. Valvular evaluation of native heart disease and possible implications for stroke risk are defined. |
12,095 | Heart rate variability and alternans formation in the heart: The role of feedback in cardiac dynamics. | A beat-to-beat alternation in the action potential duration (APD) of myocytes, i.e. alternans, is believed to be a direct precursor of ventricular fibrillation in the whole heart. A common approach for the prediction of alternans is to construct the restitution curve, which is the nonlinear functional relationship between the APD and the preceding diastolic interval (DI). It was proposed that alternans appears when the magnitude of the slope of the restitution curve exceeds one, known as the restitution hypothesis. However, this restitution hypothesis was derived under the assumption of periodic stimulation, when there is a dependence of the DI on the immediate preceding APD (i.e. feedback). However, under physiological conditions, the heart rate exhibits substantial variations in time, known as heart rate variability (HRV), which introduces deviations from periodic stimulation in the system. In this manuscript, we investigated the role of HRV on alternans formation in isolated cardiac myocytes using numerical simulations of an ionic model of the cardiac action potential. We used this model with two different pacing protocols: a periodic pacing protocol with feedback and a protocol without feedback. We show that when HRV is incorporated in the periodic pacing protocol, it facilitated alternans formation in the isolated cell, but did not significantly change the magnitude of alternans. On the other hand, in the case of the pacing protocol without feedback, alternans formation was prevented, even in the presence of HRV. |
12,096 | [Analysis of P wave duration and dispersion in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. | Some findings in standard electrocardiogram (ECG) may be associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study was to evaluate P wave duration and P wave dispersion (Pdysp) derived from 12-lead standard surface ECG in sinus rhythm in patients with history of AF in comparison to control subjects without AF and with premature ventricular ectopic beats (PVEB).</AbstractText>The study group consisted of 20 patients (pts), 9M. 11F, mean age 47.6 +/- 5.5 years with paroxysmal AF. The control group consisted of 19 pts, 9M, 10F, mean age 46.7 +/- 4.7 years without history of AF with PVEB. All patients in both groups were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs. Left atrium dimensions (LA) in the transthoracic echocardiographic examinations (TTE) and maximal (P(max)), minimal (P(min)) wave duration and P(dysp) in a ECG recordings were analyzed. Pdysp was calculated as the difference between P(max) and P(min).</AbstractText>ECG analysis showed statistically significant differences, study group vs control group in P wave duration and P(dysp). We found that in AF group P(max) and P(dysp) were significantly greater (125.5 vs. 114.5 ms, p < 0.005 and 59.5 vs 45.4 ms, p < 0.01, respectively). LA were significantly greater in AF group (43.7 vs 41.8 mm, p < 0.05). P(dysp) correlated significantly with P(mex) and LA.</AbstractText>In AF patients, P wave duration and P wave dispersion, in other words atrial depolarization/repolarization inhomogeneity, were increased. A significant positive correlation between P wave dispersion and both Pmax and left atrium size were found.</AbstractText> |
12,097 | Acute Atrial Fibrillation as an Unusual Form of Cardiotoxicity in Chronic Lithium Overdose. | Lithium overdose primarily results in neurologic toxicity; however a number of important cardiac side effects have previously been reported, including nonspecific T-wave changes, ST-segment changes, QTc prolongation, sinus node dysfunction, atrioventricular blocks and ventricular dysrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation due to such toxicity is very uncommon. The current paper describes a patient who developed acute atrial fibrillation due to chronic lithium overdose. |
12,098 | The Effects of Ranolazine on Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Preliminary Observational Study. | The impact of ranolazine, an anti-ishemic agent with antiarrhythmic properties, on paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. Pacing devices can be useful tools for disclosing even asymptomatic PAF. Purpose of this study is to assess the effect of ranolazine on atrial fibrillation (AF), in patients with CAD, PAF and a dual-chamber pacemaker. We studied 74 patients with CAD, PAF, and sick sinus syndrome or atrio-ventricular block, treated with pacemakers capable to detect PAF episodes. The total time in AF, AF burden, and the number of PAF episodes within the last 6 months before enrolment in the study, mean AF duration per episode, and the QTc interval were initially assessed. Subsequently, patients were randomized into additional treatment with ranolazine (375 mg twice daily) or placebo. Following six months of treatment, all parameters were reassessed and compared to those before treatment. Ranolazine was associated with shorter total AF duration (81.56±45.24 hours versus 68.71±34.84 hours, p=0.002), decreased AF burden (1.89±1.05% versus 1.59±0.81%, p=0.002), and shortened mean AF duration (1.15±0.41 hours versus 0.92±0.35 hours, p=0.01). In the placebo group no such differences were observed. In both groups, no significant differences in the number of PAF episodes and QTc duration were observed. We conclude that in patients with CAD and PAF, ranolazine reduces the total time in AF, AF burden, and mean AF duration. These findings may imply additional antiarrhythmic properties of ranolazine on atrial myocardium and might indicate the necessity of its use in ischemic patients with PAF. |
12,099 | Two-Year Follow-up in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Referred for Catheter Ablation of the Atrioventricular Node. | At the present time there is still concern regarding the long-term deleterious effects of right ventricular apical pacing in patients referred for auriculoventricular node ablation (AVNA). Furthermore, scarce information is available regarding differences in the follow up according to the baseline cardiopathy and predictors associated with a worse outcome.</AbstractText>104 consecutives patients referred for AVNA were retrospectively analyzed. Patients included were seen in the outpatient clinic at 6, 12 and 24 months post ablation (mean follow-up 24 ± 2 months). An echocardiogram two years after the procedure was obtained in 68 patients. Three categories were done according to the change in the left ventricular function (LVEF) (increase, decrease or absence of change, defined as less than 10% variation in either LVEF).</AbstractText>After two years of follow up there was a decrease in the rate of hospital admission (from 0.9 admission/year to 0.35, p<0.001), an increase in the functional status in at least one NYHA class in 58 patients, and an increase in the global LVEF (from 48.9% to 54,1%; p<0.001). Valvular replacement and LVEF less than 50% were independently associated with a decrease in the LVEF. Regarding safety issues, one patient who presented a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (Torsade de pointes) 60 minutes after the ablation.</AbstractText>AVNA results in a decrease in hospital admission rates and an improvement in functional status. Baseline LVEF < 50% and mitral valvulopathy were multivariate predictor of LVEF decline, hence, it is our belief that, in this particular population, the "ablate and pace" strategy is not the most suitable option, and or maybe a biventricular pacemaker should be implanted or an AF ablation reconsidered." Finally, although it is a safe procedure and rate of complications were low, there is a potential risk of fatal complications.</AbstractText> |
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