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JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Syncope, Vasovagal; Aging; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
PubMed: 38385915
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.01.004 -
Transfusion May 2024Many blood banks use upper age limits for donors out of concern for a higher donor complication rate in older donors. Experienced donors are known to have lower donor...
BACKGROUND
Many blood banks use upper age limits for donors out of concern for a higher donor complication rate in older donors. Experienced donors are known to have lower donor complication rates, and older donors are often more experienced, confounding the effect of age on donor complication rate.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
We studied donor complication rates in whole blood, plasma, and plateletpheresis donors from 2012 to 2022. Donor complication rates were compared between age groups in inexperienced (<20th donation) and experienced (≥20th donation) donors. In addition to this direct comparison, we made use of logistic regression with finer-grained experience groups, to further quantify the effects of age, experience and other factors on donor complication rate.
RESULTS
While overall rate of vasovagal reaction was lower, rate of moderate/severe vasovagal syncope was highest in 70-79 year donors, however, only reached significance for plasma donors. Furthermore, rates of failed stab were highest in this age group. Hematoma rate showed a U-shaped pattern with regard to age, where the rate was not higher in the 70-79 year age group than in the 18-23 year age group. Pain decreased with age, however, rates were higher in the 70-79 year age group than in the 65-69 year age group.
DISCUSSION
When properly accounting for donor experience, donor complication rate profiles clearly change with age. The increased risk for moderate/severe vasovagal syncope in older donors should be clearly communicated. Extra caution is needed if these donors are accepted for first-time donations.
Topics: Humans; Blood Donors; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Syncope, Vasovagal; Male; Female; Age Factors; Adolescent; Young Adult; Plateletpheresis; Hematoma; Plasma; Blood Platelets
PubMed: 38385649
DOI: 10.1111/trf.17759 -
International Journal of Cardiology.... Apr 2024Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is an ablation technique that targets epicardial ganglionic plexi to reduce syncope burden and avoid pacemaker implantation in patients with...
BACKGROUND
Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is an ablation technique that targets epicardial ganglionic plexi to reduce syncope burden and avoid pacemaker implantation in patients with cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (VVS). This study aims to demonstrate feasibility and safety of CNA in high-risk refractory VVS patients using continuous monitoring with an implantable loop recorder (ILR).
METHODS
Data was collected prospectively for patients undergoing CNA. Patients were required to have recurrent syncope with documented asystole, refractory to conservative measures. Ganglionic plexi (GPs) were identified by fragmented signals and high frequency stimulation (HFS). Ablation was performed until loss of positive response to HFS, Wenckebach cycle shortening was achieved, or an increase in sinus rate of > 20 bpm. Follow-up was performed through remote and clinic follow-up of their ILRs.
RESULTS
Between December 2020 and July 2023 six patients (mean age 29 ± 3, 67 % female)underwent CNA. The baseline heart rate and Wenckebach cycle length was 63.2 ± 15 bpm and 582 ms before and 91 ± 5 bpm and 358 ms after ablation respectively. During a median follow-up of 13.4 months, 3/5 patients had no further syncopal episodes, 1 had a recurrence, underwent repeat CNA with no further episodes at 1 year, and 1 had 5 syncopal events, which was a dramatic reduction from nearly daily episodes pre-CNA. There were no procedure related complications.
CONCLUSIONS
A dramatic reduction in documented pauses and syncope burden was noted post CNA. Appropriate patient selection with rigorous objective follow-up in an experienced center is necessary. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings.
PubMed: 38379634
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101360 -
European Journal of Dental Education :... May 2024As the population ages and more patients experience medical emergencies during dental treatments, dentists must competently and confidently manage these situations. We...
INTRODUCTION
As the population ages and more patients experience medical emergencies during dental treatments, dentists must competently and confidently manage these situations. We developed a simulation training course for medical emergencies in the dental setting using an inexpensive vital sign simulation app for smartphones/tablets without the need for an expensive simulator. However, the duration for which this effect is maintained is unclear. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term educational effect at 3, 6, and 12 months after taking the course.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-nine dental residents participated in this course. Scenarios included vasovagal syncope, anaphylaxis, hyperventilation syndrome, and acute coronary syndrome, each of which the participants had to diagnose and treat. The participants were evaluated using a checklist for anaphylaxis diagnosis and treatment skills immediately after and 3, 6, and 12 months after the course. The participants were also surveyed about their confidence in diagnosing and treating these conditions by questionnaire before, immediately after, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the course.
RESULTS
The checklist scores for anaphylaxis were significantly lower at 3, 6, and 12 months after the course than immediately after the course. The percentage of participants who provided a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment for vasovagal syncope, hyperventilation syndrome, and acute coronary syndrome was lower at all reassessments than immediately after the course.
CONCLUSION
Because medical emergency management skills and confidence declined within 3 months, it would be useful to introduce a refresher course approximately 3 months after the initial course to maintain skills and confidence.
Topics: Humans; Emergencies; Anaphylaxis; Acute Coronary Syndrome; Education, Dental; Simulation Training; Syncope, Vasovagal; Dentists; Clinical Competence
PubMed: 38379393
DOI: 10.1111/eje.12996 -
European Journal of Radiology Apr 2024This study aims to analyze our initial findings regarding CEM-guided stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy for MRI-only detected lesions and compare biopsy times by...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyze our initial findings regarding CEM-guided stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy for MRI-only detected lesions and compare biopsy times by MRI-guided biopsy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this retrospective analysis, CEM-guided biopsies of MRI-only detected breast lesions from December 2021 to June 2023were included. Patient demographics, breast density, lesion size, background parenchymal enhancement on CEM, lesion positioning, procedure duration, and number of scout views were documented. Initially, seven patients had CEM imaging before biopsy; for later cases, CEM scout views were used for simultaneous lesion depiction and targeting.
RESULTS
Two cases were excluded from the initial 28 patients with 29 lesions resulting in a total of 27 lesions in 26 women (mean age:44.96 years). Lesion sizes ranged from 4.5 to 41 mm, with two as masses and the remaining as non-mass enhancements. Histopathological results identified nine malignancies (33.3 %, 9/27), including invasive cancers (55.6 %, 5/9) and DCIS (44.4 %, 4/9). The biopsy PPV rate was 33.3 %. Benign lesions comprised 66.7 %, with 22.2 % high-risk lesions. The biopsy success rate was 93.1 % (27/29), and minor complications occurred in seven cases (25.9 %, 7/27), mainly small hematomas and one vasovagal reaction (3.7 %, 1/27). Median number of scout views required was 2, with no significant differences between cases with or without prior CEM (P = 0.8). Median duration time for biopsy was 14 min, significantly shorter than MRI-guided bx at the same institution (P < 0.001) by 24 min with predominantly upright positioning of the patient (88.9 %) and horizontal approach of the needle (92.6 %).
CONCLUSION
This study showed that CEM-guided biopsy is a feasible and safe alternative method and a faster solution for MRI-only detected enhancing lesions and can be accurately performed without the need for prior CEM imaging.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Biopsy; Mammography; Biopsy, Needle; Image-Guided Biopsy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 38364588
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111373 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Feb 2024A dual-chamber pacemaker with closed-loop stimulation (CLS) mode is effective in reducing syncopal recurrences in patients with asystolic vasovagal syncope (VVS). In...
AIMS
A dual-chamber pacemaker with closed-loop stimulation (CLS) mode is effective in reducing syncopal recurrences in patients with asystolic vasovagal syncope (VVS). In this study, we explored the haemodynamic and temporal relationship of CLS during a tilt-induced vasovagal reflex.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Twenty patients underwent a tilt test under video recording 3.9 years after CLS pacemaker implantation. Three patients were excluded from the analysis because of no VVS induced by the tilt test (n = 1) and protocol violation (n = 2). In 14 of the remaining 17 patients, CLS pacing emerged during the pre-syncopal phase of circulatory instability when the mean intrinsic heart rate (HR) was 88 ± 12 b.p.m. and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 108 ± 19 mmHg. The CLS pacing rate thereafter rapidly increased to 105 ± 14 b.p.m. within a median of 0.1 min [inter-quartile range (IQR), 0.1-0.7 min] when the SBP was 99 ± 21 mmHg. At the time of maximum vasovagal effect (syncope or pre-syncope), SBP was 63 ± 17 mmHg and the CLS rate was 95 ± 13 b.p.m. The onset of CLS pacing was 1.7 min (IQR, 1.5-3.4) before syncope or lowest SBP. The total duration of CLS pacing was 5.0 min (IQR, 3.3-8.3). Closed-loop stimulation pacing was not observed in three patients who had a similar SBP decrease from 142 ± 22 mmHg at baseline to 69 ± 4 mmHg at the time of maximum vasovagal effect, but there was no significant increase in HR (59 ± 1 b.p.m.).
CONCLUSION
The reproducibility of a vasovagal reflex was high. High-rate CLS pacing was observed early during the pre-syncopal phase in most patients and persisted, although attenuated, at the time of maximum vasovagal effect.
REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06038708.
Topics: Humans; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Hemodynamics; Pacemaker, Artificial; Reproducibility of Results; Syncope, Vasovagal; Tilt-Table Test
PubMed: 38340330
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae045 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Syncope, Vasovagal; Pacemaker, Artificial; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Hemodynamics
PubMed: 38340323
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae046 -
Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology... Mar 2024A 50-year-old female patient, presented with repeated syncope for more than 2 years. Prior assessments were conducted at different hospitals, but no definite...
A 50-year-old female patient, presented with repeated syncope for more than 2 years. Prior assessments were conducted at different hospitals, but no definite abnormalities were found. The patient's fear and anxiety about possible future attacks were escalating. Through a Head-up tilt test, the cause was finally identified as vasovagal syncope. Following a 5-min administration of nitroglycerin, the patient reported palpitations, nausea, and deep, rapid breathing. The electrocardiogram initially showed a first-degree atrioventricular block, progressing swiftly to a second-degree type I atrioventricular block-high atrioventricular block. Immediate intervention was undertaken, but blood pressure was not instantly ascertainable, coinciding with an abrupt loss of consciousness. Subsequent electrocardiographic findings included paroxysmal third-degree atrioventricular block, sinus arrest, and complete cardiac arrest, prompting the initiation of external cardiac compressions. The longest recorded ventricular arrest approximated 15 s, with sinus rhythm resuming post 10 s of cardiac compressions and the patient regaining consciousness. The patient underwent vagal ablation and no longer experienced syncope.
Topics: Middle Aged; Humans; Female; Atrioventricular Block; Electrocardiography; Syncope; Syncope, Vasovagal; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Tilt-Table Test
PubMed: 38339802
DOI: 10.1111/anec.13110 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jan 2024Syncope is a highly prevalent clinical condition characterized by a rapid, complete, and brief loss of consciousness, followed by full recovery caused by cerebral... (Review)
Review
Syncope is a highly prevalent clinical condition characterized by a rapid, complete, and brief loss of consciousness, followed by full recovery caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. This symptom carries significance, as its potential underlying causes may involve the heart, blood pressure, or brain, leading to a spectrum of consequences, from sudden death to compromised quality of life. Various factors contribute to syncope, and adhering to a precise diagnostic pathway can enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness. A standardized initial assessment, risk stratification, and appropriate test identification facilitate determining the underlying cause in the majority of cases. New technologies, including artificial intelligence and smart devices, may have the potential to reshape syncope management into a proactive, personalized, and data-centric model, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life. This review addresses key aspects of syncope management, including pathogenesis, current diagnostic testing options, treatments, and considerations in the geriatric population.
PubMed: 38337421
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030727 -
Age and Ageing Feb 2024Syncope can have devastating consequences, resulting in injuries, accidents or even death. In our ageing society, the subsequent healthcare usage, such as emergency room...
Syncope can have devastating consequences, resulting in injuries, accidents or even death. In our ageing society, the subsequent healthcare usage, such as emergency room presentations, surgeries and hospital admissions, forms a significant and growing socioeconomic burden. Causes of syncope in the older adult include orthostatic hypotension, carotid sinus syndrome, vasovagal syncope, structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities. As stated in the recently published World Falls Guidelines, syncope in older adults often presents as falls, which is either due to amnesia for loss of consciousness, or pre-syncope leading to a fall, especially in those prone to falls with several other risk-factors for falls present. This difference in presentation can hinder the recognition of syncope. In patients with unexplained falls, or in whom the history comprises red flags for potential syncope, special attention to (pre)syncope is therefore warranted. When syncope is mistaken for other causes of a transient loss of consciousness, such as epileptic seizures, or when syncope presents as falls, patients are often referred to multiple specialists, which may in turn lead to excessive and unnecessary diagnostic testing and costs. Specialist services that are able to provide a comprehensive assessment can improve diagnostic yield and minimise diagnostic testing, thus improving patient satisfaction. Comprehensive assessment also leads to reduced length of hospital stay. Increasingly, geriatricians are involved in the assessment of syncope in the older patient, especially given the overlap with falls. Therefore, awareness of causes of syncope, as well as state-of-the-art assessment and treatment, is of great importance.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Syncope; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Aging; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38331395
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad245