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Resuscitation Jun 2024Non-shockable initial rhythm is a known risk factor for high mortality at cardiac arrest (CA). However, knowledge on its association with self-reported health in CA...
BACKGROUND
Non-shockable initial rhythm is a known risk factor for high mortality at cardiac arrest (CA). However, knowledge on its association with self-reported health in CA survivors is still incomplete.
AIM
To examine the associations between initial rhythm and self-reported health in CA survivors.
METHODS
This nationwide study used data from the Swedish Register for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 3-6 months post CA. Health status was measured using EQ-5D-5L and psychological distress by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine differences in self-reported health between groups of different initial rhythms. To control for potential confounders, age, sex, place of CA, aetiology, witnessed status, time to CPR, time to defibrillation, and neurological function were included as covariates in multiple regression analyses for continuous and categorical outcomes.
RESULTS
The study included 1783 adult CA survivors. Overall, the CA survivors reported good health status and symptoms of anxiety or depression were uncommon (13.7% and 13.9% respectively). Survivors with PEA and asystole reported significantly more problems in all dimensions of health status (p = 0.037 to p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.034), and depression (p = 0.017) compared to VT/VF. Overall, these differences did not remain in the adjusted regression analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
Initial rhythm is not associated with self-reported health when potential confounders are controlled. Initial rhythm seems to be an indicator of unfavourable factors causing the arrest, or factors related to characteristics and treatment. Therefore, initial rhythm may be used as a proxy for identifying patients at risk for poor outcomes such as worse health status and psychological distress.
PubMed: 38871072
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2024.110268 -
MRI in Patients with Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices and Fractured or Abandoned Leads.Radiology. Cardiothoracic Imaging Jun 2024Purpose To examine the clinical effect of lead length and lead orientation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and lead fragments or...
Purpose To examine the clinical effect of lead length and lead orientation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and lead fragments or abandoned leads undergoing 1.5-T MRI. Materials and Methods This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective study included patients with CIEDs and abandoned leads or lead fragments undergoing 1.5-T MRI from March 2014 through July 2020. CIED settings before and after MRI were reviewed, with clinically significant variations defined as a composite of the change in capture threshold of at least 50%, in sensing of at least 40%, or in lead impedance of at least 30% between before MRI and after MRI interrogation. Adverse clinical events were assessed at MRI and up to 30 days after. Univariable and multivariable analysis was performed. Results Eighty patients with 126 abandoned CIED leads or lead fragments underwent 107 1.5-T MRI examinations. Sixty-seven patients (median age, 74 years; IQR, 66-78 years; 44 male patients, 23 female patients) had abandoned leads, and 13 (median age, 66 years; IQR, 52-74 years; nine male patients, four female patients) had lead fragments. There were no reported deaths, clinically significant arrhythmias, or adverse clinical events within 30 days of MRI. Three patients with abandoned leads had a significant change in the composite of capture threshold, sensing, or lead impedance. In a multivariable generalized estimating equation analysis, lead orientation, lead length, MRI type, and MRI duration were not associated with a significant change in the composite outcome. Conclusion Use of 1.5-T MRI in patients with abandoned CIED leads or lead fragments of varying length and orientation was not associated with adverse clinical events. Cardiac Assist Devices, MRI, Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device © RSNA, 2024.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Defibrillators, Implantable; Retrospective Studies; Pacemaker, Artificial; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Equipment Failure
PubMed: 38869431
DOI: 10.1148/ryct.230303 -
Clinical Practice and Cases in... May 2024Spontaneous splenic rupture is an extremely rare complication of infective endocarditis.
INTRODUCTION
Spontaneous splenic rupture is an extremely rare complication of infective endocarditis.
CASE REPORT
We present a case of a 56-year-old immunocompetent female with porcine bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement, automated implanted cardioverter-defibrillator, and atrial fibrillation on apixaban who was found to have in-hospital atraumatic splenic rupture complicating infective endocarditis with The rupture was treated successfully by endovascular embolization. Usual treatment with six weeks of antibiotics provided durable cure without further complication, and no surgical intervention was needed for either the valve or spleen.
CONCLUSION
Transcatheter arterial embolization should be considered early in atraumatic splenic rupture. Relevant abdominal and cerebral imaging should be considered in all cases of suspected or confirmed infective endocarditis where unexplained symptoms are present.
PubMed: 38869341
DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.1399 -
Clinical Practice and Cases in... May 2024Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead perforation through the myocardium may result in chest pain and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes concerning for...
INTRODUCTION
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead perforation through the myocardium may result in chest pain and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes concerning for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The clinical context of the ECG aids in appropriate management.
CASE REPORT
We report the case of a 71-year-old woman experiencing chest pain after an ICD placement two weeks earlier. On presentation, she exhibited ST-segment elevation on her ECG. Computed tomography confirmed ICD lead migration. The patient's hemodynamics were normal, and she was discharged home after a five-day hospital stay following a lead revision.
CONCLUSION
Although rare, ICD lead perforation is a potential cause of chest pain and ischemic ECG changes. Emergency physicians should consider lead perforation as a potential differential diagnosis when evaluating chest pain in patients with ICDs, taking into account the potential complications of coronary angiography.
PubMed: 38869330
DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.1466 -
European Heart Journal Supplements :... Apr 2024Arrhythmic storm is a clinical emergency associated with high mortality, which requires multi-disciplinary management. Reprogramming of the implantable cardiac...
Arrhythmic storm is a clinical emergency associated with high mortality, which requires multi-disciplinary management. Reprogramming of the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) aimed at reducing shocks, adrenergic blockade using beta-blockers, sedation/anxiolysis, and blockade of the stellate ganglion represent the first simple and effective manoeuvres, but further suppression of arrhythmias with antiarrhythmics is often required. A low-risk patient (e.g. monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, functioning ICD, and haemodynamically stable) should be managed with a beta-blocker (possibly non-selective) plus amiodarone, in addition to sedation with a benzodiazepine or dexmedetomidine; in patients at greater risk (high burden and haemodynamic instability), autonomic modulation with blockade of the stellate ganglion and the addition of a second antiarrhythmic (lidocaine) should be considered. In patients refractory to these measures, with advanced heart failure, general anaesthesia with intubation and the establishment of a haemodynamic circulatory support should be considered. Ablation, performed early, appears to be superior in terms of mortality and reduction of future shocks compared with titration of antiarrhythmics.
PubMed: 38867867
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae016 -
European Heart Journal Supplements :... Apr 2024Brugada syndrome mainly affects young subjects with structurally normal heart and can cause x syncope or sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias, even as the first...
Brugada syndrome mainly affects young subjects with structurally normal heart and can cause x syncope or sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias, even as the first manifestation, in approximately 5-10% of cases. To date, two questions remain open: how to recognize subjects who will experience arrhythmic events and how to treat them. The guidelines suggest treating subjects with a previous history of cardiac arrest or arrhythmogenic syncope, while they are unconclusive about the management of asymptomatic patients, who represent ∼90% of Brugada patients. We recently demonstrated that in asymptomatic patients, the presence of spontaneous Brugada type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias at electrophysiological study allows us to identify a group of patients at greater risk who deserve treatment. Regarding treatment, there are three options: implantable cardioverter defibrillator, drugs, and epicardial transcatheter ablation. Recent studies have shown that the latter is effective and free from serious side effects, thus opening a new scenario in the treatment of Brugada patients at risk. Subjects who present drug-induced-only type 1 Brugada ECG pattern, in whom a spontaneous type 1 pattern has been ruled out with repeated ECGs and 12-lead 24-h Holter monitoring, represent a very low-risk group, provided they adhere to behavioural recommendations and undergo regular follow-up.
PubMed: 38867864
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae021 -
European Heart Journal Supplements :... Apr 2024Patients with advanced heart failure, due to the instability of their clinical conditions, need close surveillance to avoid dangerous exacerbations or sudden events....
Patients with advanced heart failure, due to the instability of their clinical conditions, need close surveillance to avoid dangerous exacerbations or sudden events. Digital technology can be of great help in this contest, thanks to remote monitoring, made possible with the use of wearable or implantable instruments. The latter are currently generally inserted inside defibrillators or resynchronization systems, or inserted inside the pulmonary circulation for monitoring pulmonary pressure. Parameters such as thoracic impedance, physical activity, heart rate variability, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, blood pressure, and O saturation can be controlled remotely. The data relating to the actual benefit in terms of avoidable events (death and hospitalizations) are not definitive, but certainly from an organizational point of view, the benefit is evident, both on the part of the patient and of the organization of care. The latter, provided in the form of televisits, requires a re-modulation of the system, making use of trained personnel, a well-structured network, and digital technologies (platforms, electronic health records) that are not yet perfectly developed. The evolution of the solutions offered by artificial intelligence guarantees a rapid and progressive refinement of telemedicine in this sector.
PubMed: 38867862
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae026 -
Resuscitation Jun 2024Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) complicated by refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) is associated with poor outcome. Beta-1-receptor selective blockade might...
BACKGROUND
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) complicated by refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) is associated with poor outcome. Beta-1-receptor selective blockade might overcome refractory VF and improve survival. This trial investigates the efficacy and safety of prehospital landiolol in OHCA and refractory VF.
METHODS
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial, patients with OHCA and recurrent or refractory VF (at least 3 defibrillation attempts and last rhythm shockable), pretreated with epinephrine and amiodarone, were allocated to receive add-on treatment with landiolol or placebo. Landiolol was given as a 20 mg bolus infusion. The primary efficacy outcome was time from trial drug infusion to sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Safety outcomes included the onset of bradycardia and asystole.
RESULTS
A total of 36 patients were enrolled, 19 were allocated to the landiolol group and 17 to the placebo group. Time from trial drug infusion to sustained ROSC was similar between treatment groups (39 min [landiolol] versus 41 min [placebo]). Sustained ROSC was numerically lower in the landiolol group compared with the placebo group (7 patients [36.8%] versus 11 patients [64.7%], respectively). Asystole within 15 min of trial drug infusion occurred significantly more often in the landiolol group than in the placebo group (7 patients [36.8%] and 0 patients [0.0%], respectively).
CONCLUSION
In patients with OHCA and refractory VF who are pretreated with epinephrine and amiodarone, add-on bolus infusion of landiolol 20 mg did not lead to a shorter time to sustained ROSC compared with placebo. Landiolol might be associated with bradycardia and asystole.
PubMed: 38866231
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2024.110273 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Jun 2024BACKGROUND Spontaneous coronary artery dissection can present with acute coronary syndrome, ventricular arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death. Implantable...
BACKGROUND Spontaneous coronary artery dissection can present with acute coronary syndrome, ventricular arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection is controversial. The purpose of publishing this case is to inform physicians of potential benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old woman presented with chest pain, with an electrocardiogram revealing anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and troponin peak of 53.8 ng/mL. Coronary angiography revealed mid-left anterior descending artery occlusion, with appearance of spontaneous coronary artery dissection that was not amenable to revascularization. The decision was made to treat medically. In recovery, the patient experienced ventricular fibrillation arrest. The patient was defibrillated once with achievement of return of spontaneous circulation. An Impella CP was placed to stabilize the patient. After the patient was stabilized, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was placed. CONCLUSIONS Data on potential benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection are limited. Most patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection recover normal coronary architecture; however, there are no guidelines for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection with high-risk features may benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for secondary prevention of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, as shown with this case.
Topics: Humans; Defibrillators, Implantable; Female; Middle Aged; Coronary Vessel Anomalies; Vascular Diseases; Coronary Angiography; Electrocardiography; Ventricular Fibrillation
PubMed: 38861485
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942579 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Jun 2024Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) offer potentially distinct advantages over transvenous defibrillator systems. Recent randomized trials...
AIMS
Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) offer potentially distinct advantages over transvenous defibrillator systems. Recent randomized trials showed significantly lower lead failure rates than transvenous ICD. Still, S-ICDs remain associated with the risk of inappropriate shocks (IAS). While previous studies have reported varying causes of IAS, this study explores a rare cause of IAS, referred to as 'sense-B-noise.' It was recently described in case series, but its incidence has not been studied in a large cohort of S-ICD patients.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We retrospectively reviewed data from patients implanted with S-ICD models 1010, A209, and A219 between October 2009 and July 2023 across nine centres in Europe and the USA. The analysis concentrated on determining the incidence and understanding the implications of sense-B-noise events. Sense-B-noise represents a rare manifestation of distinct electrogram abnormalities within the primary and alternate sensing vectors. Data were collected from medical records, device telemetry, and manufacturer reports for investigation. This registry is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05713708). Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator devices of the 1158 patients were analysed. The median follow-up time for all patients was 46 (IQR 23-64) months. In 107 patients (9.2%) ≥1 IAS was observed during follow-up. Sense-B-noise failure was diagnosed in six (0.5 and 5.6% of all IAS) patients, in all patients, the diagnosis was made after an IAS episode. Median lead dwell time in the affected patients was 23 (2-70) months. To resolve the sense-B-noise defect, in three patients reprogramming to the secondary vector was undertaken, and two patients underwent system removal with subsequent S-ICD reimplantation due to low amplitude in the secondary vector. In one patient, the secondary vector was initially programmed, and subsequently, an S-ICD system exchange was performed due to T-wave-oversensing IAS episodes.
CONCLUSION
This multicentre analysis' findings shed light on a rare but clinically highly significant adverse event in S-ICD therapy. To our knowledge, we provide the first systematic multicentre analysis investigating the incidence of sense-B-noise. Due to being difficult to diagnose and limited options for resolution, management of sense-B-noise is challenging. Complete system exchange may be the only option for some patients. Educating healthcare providers involved in S-ICD patient care is crucial for ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective management of sense-B-noise issues.
Topics: Humans; Defibrillators, Implantable; Registries; Male; Retrospective Studies; Female; Middle Aged; Incidence; Electric Countershock; Aged; Europe; Equipment Failure; United States; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38861398
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae161