Are Pre-Hospitalization ECG Abnormalities Associated With Increased Mortality in COVID-19 Patients? A Quantitative Systematic Literature Review
While COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory disease, cardiovascular complications occur and are associated with worse outcomes. Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are frequently observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, some of which are associated with increased mortality. It is unclear whether ECG abnormalities occurring before hospitalization are associated with increased mortality. This quantitative systematic literature review aims to determine which ECG changes occurring before hospitalization are associated with mortality and discuss whether these findings can aid the assessment of patients and decision-making in the pre-hospital environment.
Evaluating the Prognostic Significance of Cystatin C Level Variations Pre- and Post-Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in the Recurrence of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
To investigate the correlation between persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and alterations in cystatin C levels pre- and post-radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).
Unusual Recurrent Multivessel Coronary Artery Spasm: A Case Report and Literature Review
Coronary artery spasms (CAS) can manifest in various forms, from silent ischemia to severe cardiac events like myocardial infarction and sudden death. This case involves a 56-year-old male with recurrent ischemic chest pain and varying ECG signs. Cardiac catheterization revealed multiple coronary spasms that resolved spontaneously or with intracoronary nitroglycerin. The report emphasizes the severe presentations of multiple CAS and the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation to avoid unnecessary interventions, highlighting the diagnostic challenges in managing such cases.
Case of Successful Sympathetic Nerve Modulation by Targeted Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia
Non-invasive radioablation using stereotactic body radiation therapy with X-ray has been proposed as a rescue treatment for refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, there are concerns about the occurrence of late valvular or coronary disease. We treated VT originating from the aortic sinus cusp using the Bragg peak principle of a heavy ion beam, minimizing the dose to the aortic valve and coronary artery and providing an anti-arrhythmic effect and cardiac function recovery due to improved sympathetic nerve heterogeneity. We present a method for targeting sympathetic nerve distribution using I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy.
Efficacy and Safety of Ivabradine for Patients With Acute Heart Failure: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
The efficacy and safety of Ivabradine for patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is controversial, and there are few clinical trials addressing this topic.
Biotronik Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator for Measurement of Intrathoracic Impedance: A Report of Two Cases
Two patients were received ICDs (Biotronic Iforia7 VR-TDX). Holter analysis revealed pacing spikes, which occurred regularly at 100 ms intervals following QRS complexes, with consecutive 1024 test pulses at hourly intervals during a specific time, and the VP was 0%.
Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Premature Contractions Originating From RVOT With Interruption of the Inferior Vena Cava-A Case Report
Ventricular premature contractions (VPC) originating from right ventricular outflow tract is the most common type of ventricular arrhythmias in clinic settings, which can be effectively cured by catheter ablation. Interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare vascular anomaly resulting from aberrant development during embryogenesis. Herein, we reported a very rare case of VPC originating from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) with interruption of IVC, which was successfully ablated by transfemoral vein approach.
Predicting Spontaneous Termination of Atrial Fibrillation Based on Analysis of Standard Electrocardiograms: A Systematic Review
Forward prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) termination is a challenging technical problem of increasing significance due to rising AF presentations to emergency departments worldwide. The ability to non-invasively predict which AF episodes will terminate has important implications in terms of clinical decision-making surrounding treatment and admission, with subsequent impacts on hospital capacity and the economic cost of AF hospitalizations.
Magnetocardiography in the Evaluation of Sudden Cardiac Death Risk: A Systematic Review
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is responsible for 15%-20% of deaths globally/year, predominantly due to ventricular arrhythmias (VA) caused by vulnerable cardiac substrate. Identifying those at risk has proved difficult with several limitations of current methods. We evaluated the evidence for magnetocardiography (MCG) in predicting SCD events. We searched Embase/Medline databases for English language papers evaluating MCG in patients at risk of VA. A total of 119 papers were screened with 27 papers included for analysis (23 case-controlled, four cohort studies); study sizes varied (n = 12 to 158). Etiology was ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) in 22, dilated cardiomyopathy in 2, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in 1 and mixed in 2. In patients with ICM there were consistent discriminatory features seen using time-based and signal-complexity measures that persisted when evaluating the independence of these parameters. Current flow analysis demonstrated promising discriminatory results in other etiologies. The features studied support the role of MCG in identifying substrate for VA, particularly in ICM.
Intracardiac Echocardiography and Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Dextrocardia
Dextrocardia with atrial fibrillation (AF) complicates radiofrequency ablation treatment.
Reassess Hospital Costs and Mortality Between Myocardial Infarction With and Without ST-Segment Elevation in a Modern Context
Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may have higher hospitalization costs and poorer prognosis than non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Coronary Angiographic Features of de Winter Syndrome: More Than Just Occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending Artery
The de Winter electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern is a rare presentation of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) equivalent. The clinical profile of de Winter syndrome remains to be clarified.
Association Between Different Insulin Resistance Indices and Heart Failure in US Adults With Diabetes Mellitus
This study aims to scrutinize the association between various Insulin Resistance (IR) indices and heart failure (HF) risk in adult diabetics within the United States.
Introducing a Novel Pacemaker-Mediated Arrhythmia: The Pseudo-RNRVAS Arising From Atrial Capture Challenges
This study aimed to define and explain a novel form of pacemaker-mediated arrhythmia which is initiated and sustained by atrial capture loss coinciding with ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction within the postventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP). Unlike repetitive nonreentrant VA synchrony (RNRVAS), in the pseudo-RNRVAS, the atrium is not stimulated due to pacing below the threshold level, rather than because of refractory atrial myocardium.
Effect of Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering on the Risk of Incident Silent Myocardial Infarction: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Silent myocardial infarction (SMI) frequently goes undetected, yet it is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The impact of intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering on the risk of SMI in those with hypertension remains uncertain.
Diagnostic Value of the Voltage-to-Mass Ratio in Biopsy-Proven Cardiac Amyloidosis
The calculation of left ventricular mass varies in different studies, and reference values of the voltage-to-mass ratio for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are lacking. This study aimed to determine the value of the voltage-to-mass ratio in diagnosing CA and provide an optimal cut-off value for different calculation methods.
Predictors of Myocardial Fibrosis Detected by CMR in Patients With Idiopathic PVCs
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a frequent electrocardiographic finding in routine medical practice, and 16% of the patients with idiopathic PVCs may have underlying heart disease.
Establishment of a prediction model of pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with hyperthyroidism
This study aims to assess the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/PASP ratio as a potential indicator for predicting the probability of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in hyperthyroidism patients. A nomogram model will be developed based on our findings, as well as the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Vectorcardiography Predicts Heart Failure in Patients Following ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Modeling outcomes, such as onset of heart failure (HF) or mortality, in patients following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is challenging but clinically very useful. The acute insult following a myocardial infarction and chronic degeneration seen in HF involve a similar process where a loss of cardiomyocytes and abnormal remodeling lead to pump failure. This process may alter the strength and direction of the heart's net depolarization signal. We hypothesize that changes over time in unique parameters extracted using vectorcardiography (VCG) have the potential to predict outcomes in patients post-STEMI and could eventually be used as a noninvasive and cost-effective surveillance tool for characterizing the severity and progression of HF to guide evidence-based therapies.
Manifested U-Waves Prior to Seizure Attacks in a Patient Who Had Remote Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) refers to unpredictable demise of a person following a seizure. Electroencephalograms can directly measure electrical activity in the brain; however, it cannot predict when seizures will occur. The use of electrocardiograms (ECGs) to monitor changes in brain electrical activity has gained attention, recently. In this case report, we retrospectively reviewed ECGs taken before and after seizure activity in a 75-year-old male who had a remote subarachnoid hemorrhage. Interestingly, U-waves appeared prior to his seizures and disappeared afterward, which suggests ECGs can be used to predict epilepsy in a certain population.
Motor Vehicle Driving-Related Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With Defibrillators
Reducing anxiety about motor vehicle driving in patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillators is important not only for improving quality of life but also for preventing vehicle collisions owing to driver distraction. This study aimed to clarify the driving-related anxiety of patients with these defibrillators and the factors that predict such anxiety.