-
European Cardiology Jul 2015Impaired interatrial conduction or interatrial block is now well-documented but is not described as an individual electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern in the majority of... (Review)
Review
Impaired interatrial conduction or interatrial block is now well-documented but is not described as an individual electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern in the majority of ECG literature. In fact the term has been adopted to encompass both left atrial enlargement (LAE) and interatrial block. In this paper, we maintain that interatrial blocks and atrial enlargement are separate entities, and that interatrial blocks, similar to other types of blocks at sinoatrial, AV junctional, and ventricular level, exhibit a specific ECG pattern that may present first, second, and third degree types of conduction block. The third degree or advanced interatrial block (A-IAB) is frequently associated with atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFl), and constitutes a true newly-described syndrome.
PubMed: 30310424
DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2015.10.01.54 -
Annals of Translational Medicine Jan 2018Although sepsis is a known risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias, data on incidence and outcomes of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in severe sepsis is limited. The...
BACKGROUND
Although sepsis is a known risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias, data on incidence and outcomes of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in severe sepsis is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of severe sepsis with cardiac arrhythmias and their impact on outcome in this patient population.
METHODS
We used hospital discharge data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) during the year 2012. All patients 18 years or older were included in the study. The International Classification of Diseases-Clinical Modification, 9th revision (ICD-9-CM) code was used to identify patients with discharge diagnosis of severe sepsis, atrial fibrillation (A Fib), atrial flutter (AFL), ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest and non-ventricular fibrillation (non-VF) arrest. In order to study the association of arrhythmias with severe sepsis, two groups were defined: group a-with severe sepsis was compared to group b-without severe sepsis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to adjust for potential confounding factors and variables associated with cardiac arrhythmias were determined.
RESULTS
A total of 30,712,524 NIS hospital discharges (weighted for national estimate) were included in our study, of which 1,756,965 (5.7%) had severe sepsis. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders, severe sepsis was associated with higher risk of A Fib (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.21-1.24), AFL (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.30-1.40), VF arrest (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 2.38-2.79) (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 3.07-3.57) and non-VF arrest (OR, 4.91; 95% CI, 4.74-5.07). In the severe sepsis group, cardiac arrhythmia was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.37-1.45), length of stay (LOS) >75% quartile (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.46-1.53) and total hospital charges >75% quartile (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.34-1.41). Advanced age, male sex, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), congestive heart failure (CHF), valvular heart disease, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation and use of vasopressors were independently associated with cardiac arrhythmias.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with severe sepsis are at high risk of atrial and life threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Despite adjustment for potential confounding factors, patients hospitalized with severe sepsis carry a significantly higher risk for cardiac arrest and increased mortality.
PubMed: 29404352
DOI: 10.21037/atm.2017.12.26 -
Herz Jun 2023Arrhythmic manifestations of COVID-19 include atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, sinus node dysfunction, atrioventricular conduction... (Review)
Review
Arrhythmic manifestations of COVID-19 include atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, sinus node dysfunction, atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiovascular dysautonomias including the so-called long COVID syndrome. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been implicated, such as direct viral invasion, hypoxemia, local and systemic inflammation, changes in ion channel physiology, immune activation, and autonomic dysregulation. The development of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias in hospitalized COVID-19 patients has been shown to portend a higher risk of in-hospital death. Management of these arrhythmias should be based on published evidence-based guidelines, with special consideration of the acuity of COVID-19 infection, concomitant use of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs, and the transient nature of some rhythm disorders. In view of new SARS-CoV‑2 variants that may evolve, the development and use of newer antiviral and immunomodulator drugs, and the increasing adoption of vaccination, clinicians must remain vigilant for other arrhythmic manifestations that may occur in association with this novel but potentially deadly disease.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Incidence; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Hospital Mortality; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Death, Sudden, Cardiac
PubMed: 37277617
DOI: 10.1007/s00059-023-05186-2 -
World Journal of Cardiology Sep 2023Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging could enable major advantages when guiding in real-time cardiac electrophysiology procedures offering high-resolution anatomy,... (Review)
Review
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging could enable major advantages when guiding in real-time cardiac electrophysiology procedures offering high-resolution anatomy, arrhythmia substrate, and ablation lesion visualization in the absence of ionizing radiation. Over the last decade, technologies and platforms for performing electrophysiology procedures in a CMR environment have been developed. However, performing procedures outside the conventional fluoroscopic laboratory posed technical, practical and safety concerns. The development of magnetic resonance imaging compatible ablation systems, the recording of high-quality electrograms despite significant electromagnetic interference and reliable methods for catheter visualization and lesion assessment are the main limiting factors. The first human reports, in order to establish a procedural workflow, have rationally focused on the relatively simple typical atrial flutter ablation and have shown that CMR-guided cavotricuspid isthmus ablation represents a valid alternative to conventional ablation. Potential expansion to other more complex arrhythmias, especially ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, would be of essential impact, taking into consideration the widespread use of substrate-based strategies. Importantly, all limitations need to be solved before application of CMR-guided ablation in a broad clinical setting.
PubMed: 37900261
DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v15.i9.415 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... May 2023Few studies have explored the relationship between air pollution and arrhythmia onset at the hourly level. We aimed to examine the association of exposure to air...
BACKGROUND
Few studies have explored the relationship between air pollution and arrhythmia onset at the hourly level. We aimed to examine the association of exposure to air pollution with the onset of acute symptomatic arrhythmia at an hourly level.
METHODS
We conducted a nationwide, time-stratified, case-crossover study in China between 2015 and 2021. We obtained hourly information on the onset of symptomatic arrhythmia (including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial and ventricular premature beats and supraventricular tachycardia) from the Chinese Cardiovascular Association Database - Chest Pain Center (including 2025 certified hospitals in 322 cities). We obtained data on hourly concentrations of 6 air pollutants from the nearest monitors, including fine particles (PM), coarse particles (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone. For each patient, we matched the case period to 3 or 4 control periods during the same hour, day of week, month and year. We used conditional logistic regression models to analyze the data.
RESULTS
We included a total of 190 115 patients with acute onset of symptomatic arrhythmia. Air pollution was associated with increased risk of onset of symptomatic arrhythmia within the first few hours of exposure; this risk attenuated substantially after 24 hours. An interquartile range increase in PM, NO, SO and CO in the first 24 hours after exposure (i.e., lag period 0-24 h) was associated with significantly higher odds of atrial fibrillation (1.7%-3.4%), atrial flutter (8.1%-11.4%) and supraventricular tachycardia (3.4%-8.9%). Exposure to PM was associated with significantly higher odds of atrial flutter (8.7%) and supraventricular tachycardia (5.4%), and exposure to ozone was associated with higher odds of supraventricular tachycardia (3.4%). The exposure-response relationships were approximately linear, without discernible concentration thresholds.
INTERPRETATION
Exposure to air pollution was associated with the onset of symptomatic arrhythmia shortly after exposure. This finding highlights the importance of further reducing air pollution and taking prompt protective measures for susceptible populations during periods of elevated levels of air pollutants.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Over Studies; Atrial Fibrillation; Cities; Atrial Flutter; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Ozone; China; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 37127306
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220929 -
European Review For Medical and... Mar 2022Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often present other chronic comorbidities including arterial hypertension (AH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), ischemic heart disease... (Review)
Review
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often present other chronic comorbidities including arterial hypertension (AH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The frequent association of the latter conditions is considered part of the spectrum of cardio-renal syndromes (CRS), a group of disorders of the heart and kidneys whereby acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other. Verapamil is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) widely used in the treatment of hypertension, chronic stable angina, secondary prevention of reinfarction, paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia and for rate control in atrial fibrillation/flutter. In addition to its antihypertensive and anti-ischemic actions verapamil exerts favorable effects also on glycemic control, proteinuric diabetic nephropathy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and sympathetic nervous system overactivity which may potentially benefit patients with DM and CRS. In this narrative review, we summarize the current evidence on the potential role of verapamil in the prevention and treatment of CRS in diabetic hypertensive patients.
Topics: Cardio-Renal Syndrome; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Nephropathies; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Stroke Volume; Verapamil
PubMed: 35302215
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28217 -
Europace : European Pacing,... May 2023While clinical trials have suggested that a high ventricular rate is associated with increased risk of heart failure (HF) and mortality, all-comers studies are warranted.
AIMS
While clinical trials have suggested that a high ventricular rate is associated with increased risk of heart failure (HF) and mortality, all-comers studies are warranted.
OBJECTIVE
To assess 1-year risk of new-onset diagnosed HF and all-cause mortality among rate-control treated patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF) on an electrocardiogram (ECG) according to ventricular rate.
METHODS AND RESULTS
ECGs recorded at the Copenhagen General Practitioners Laboratory (2001-15) were used to identify patients with AF. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to compare risk of new-onset HF and all-cause mortality after first ECG presenting with AF according to ventricular rate on ECG [<60, 60-79, 80-99, and 100-110, > 110 beats per minute (bpm)]. We identified 7408 patients in treatment with rate control drugs at time of first ECG presenting with AF [median age 78 years (Q1,Q3 = 70-85 years)], 45.8% male, median ventricular rate 83 bpm, (Q1,Q3 = 71-101 bpm)]. During 1-year follow-up, 666 (9.0%) of all patients with AF developed HF and 858 (11.6%) died. Patients with AF ventricular rates 100-110 bpm and >110 bpm had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.46 (CI: 1.10-1.95) and 2.41 (CI: 1.94-3.00) respectively for new-onset HF, compared with 60-79 bpm. Similarly, patients with AF ventricular rates 100-110 bpm and >110 bpm had a HR of 1.44 (CI: 1.13-1.82) and 1.34 (CI: 1.08-1.65) respectively for all-cause mortality, compared with 60-79 bpm.
CONCLUSIONS
Ventricular rates ≥100 bpm among patients presenting with AF on ECG in treatment with rate control drugs were associated with greater risk of both new-onset HF and all-cause mortality.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aged; Female; Atrial Fibrillation; Heart Failure; Electrocardiography; Heart Rate
PubMed: 37083042
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad088 -
Current Cardiology Reviews 2015One of the most important proarrhythmic complications after left atrial (LA) ablation is regular atrial tachycardia (AT) or flutter. Those tachycardias that occur after... (Review)
Review
One of the most important proarrhythmic complications after left atrial (LA) ablation is regular atrial tachycardia (AT) or flutter. Those tachycardias that occur after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can cause even more severe symptoms than those from the original arrhythmia prior to the index ablation procedure since they are often incessant and associated with rapid ventricular response. Depending on the method and extent of LA ablation and on the electrophysiological properties of underlying LA substrate, the reported incidence of late ATs is variable. To establish the exact mechanism of these tachycardias can be difficult and controversial but correlates with the ablation technique and in the vast majority of cases the mechanism is reentry related to gaps in prior ablation lines. When tachycardias occur, conservative therapy usually is not effective, radiofrequency ablation procedure is mostly successful, but can be challenging, and requires a complex approach.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Electrocardiography; Heart Atria; Humans; Tachycardia
PubMed: 25308808
DOI: 10.2174/1573403x10666141013122400 -
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and... Jan 2016Seizure-related cardiac arrhythmias are frequently reported and have been implicated as potential pathomechanisms of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Seizure-related cardiac arrhythmias are frequently reported and have been implicated as potential pathomechanisms of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). We attempted to identify clinical profiles associated with various (post)ictal cardiac arrhythmias. We conducted a systematic search from the first date available to July 2013 on the combination of two terms: 'cardiac arrhythmias' and 'epilepsy'. The databases searched were PubMed, Embase (OVID version), Web of Science and COCHRANE Library. We attempted to identify all case reports and case series. We identified seven distinct patterns of (post)ictal cardiac arrhythmias: ictal asystole (103 cases), postictal asystole (13 cases), ictal bradycardia (25 cases), ictal atrioventricular (AV)-conduction block (11 cases), postictal AV-conduction block (2 cases), (post)ictal atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation (14 cases) and postictal ventricular fibrillation (3 cases). Ictal asystole had a mean prevalence of 0.318% (95% CI 0.316% to 0.320%) in people with refractory epilepsy who underwent video-EEG monitoring. Ictal asystole, bradycardia and AV-conduction block were self-limiting in all but one of the cases and seen during focal dyscognitive seizures. Seizure onset was mostly temporal (91%) without consistent lateralisation. Postictal arrhythmias were mostly found following convulsive seizures and often associated with (near) SUDEP. The contrasting clinical profiles of ictal and postictal arrhythmias suggest different pathomechanisms. Postictal rather than ictal arrhythmias seem of greater importance to the pathophysiology of SUDEP.
Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Bradycardia; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Epilepsy; Humans; Tachycardia
PubMed: 26038597
DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2015-310559 -
Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports Feb 2019Theoretical benefits of real-time MRI guidance over conventional electrophysiology include contemporaneous 3D substrate assessment and accurate intra-procedural guidance...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Theoretical benefits of real-time MRI guidance over conventional electrophysiology include contemporaneous 3D substrate assessment and accurate intra-procedural guidance and evaluation of ablation lesions. We review the unique challenges inherent to MRI-guided electrophysiology and how to translate the potential benefits in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
RECENT FINDINGS
Over the last 5 years, there has been substantial progress, initially in animal models and more recently in clinical studies, to establish methods and develop workflows within the MR environment that resemble those of conventional electrophysiology laboratories. Real-time MRI-guided systems have been used to perform electroanatomic mapping and ablation in patients with atrial flutter, and there is interest in developing the technology to tackle more complex arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
SUMMARY
Mainstream adoption of real-time MRI-guided electrophysiology will require demonstration of clinical benefit and will be aided by increased availability of devices suitable for use in the MRI environment.
PubMed: 31501689
DOI: 10.1007/s12410-019-9481-9