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Scientific Reports May 2024The main objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with microtia, and to explore...
The main objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with microtia, and to explore cardiac maldevelopment associated with microtia. This retrospective study analyzed a large cohort of microtia patients admitted to Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, from September 2017 to August 2022. The routine electrocardiographic reports of these patients were reviewed to assess the incidence and characteristics of abnormalities. The study included a total of 10,151 patients (5598 in the microtia group and 4553 in the control group) who were admitted to the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College. The microtia group had a significantly higher incidence of abnormal electrocardiographies compared to the control group (18.3% vs. 13.6%, P < 0.01), even when excluding sinus irregularity (6.1% vs. 4.4%, P < 0.01). Among the 1025 cases of abnormal electrocardiographies in the microtia group, 686 cases were reported with simple sinus irregularity. After excluding sinus irregularity as abnormal, the most prevalent abnormalities was right bundle branch block (37.5%), followed by sinus bradycardia (17.4%), ST-T wave abnormalities (13.3%), atrial rhythm (9.1%), sinus tachycardia (8.3%), and ventricular high voltage (4.7%). Less common ECG abnormalities included atrial tachycardia (2.1%), ventricular premature contraction (2.4%), and ectopic atrial rhythm (1.8%). atrioventricular block and junctional rhythm were present in 1.2% and 0.9% of the cases, respectively. Wolff Parkinson White syndrome and dextrocardia had a lower prevalence, at 0.6% and 0.9%, respectively. The occurrence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in microtia patients was found to be higher compared to the control group. These findings highlight the potential congenital defect in cardiac electrophysiology beyond the presence of congenital heart defect that coincide with microtia.
Topics: Humans; Congenital Microtia; Male; Female; Electrocardiography; Retrospective Studies; Adolescent; Child; Adult; Young Adult; Incidence; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; China
PubMed: 38702362
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60610-9 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports Apr 2024The left ventricular (LV) summit has anatomical limitations, so the detailed mapping is difficult. Therefore, the mechanism of ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating...
Bipolar radiofrequency ablation for re-entrant ventricular tachycardia of right bundle branch block and left bundle branch block morphologies with the common slow conduction zone at the left ventricular summit: a case report.
BACKGROUND
The left ventricular (LV) summit has anatomical limitations, so the detailed mapping is difficult. Therefore, the mechanism of ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the LV summit is not well understood.
CASE SUMMARY
A 70-year-old man had VTs with right bundle branch block (VT1 and VT3) and left bundle branch block (VT2) morphologies originating from the left ventricular summit (LV summit). During the VT2 and VT3, fragmented potentials, which occurred earlier than the QRS onset, were recorded from bipolar electrodes of a catheter at the anterior intraventricular vein (AIV). By pacing from right ventricular apex, constant and progressive fusion were observed. During the entrainment pacing, the fragmented potentials in the AIV catheter were activated orthodromically and those in the His bundle were activated antidromically. In addition, there were two components of the ventricular electrogram at the LV summit area with the interval of more than 100 ms during the VTs. We performed bipolar radiofrequency ablation between the LV endocardium and AIV, and the VTs became non-inducible.
DISCUSSION
Non-sustained VT/premature ventricular contraction originating from LV summit is generally considered to occur due to abnormal automaticity or triggered activity. In contrast, using entrainment technique, we demonstrated that the VTs with multiple morphologies were sustained with a re-entrant mechanism. Fragmentated potentials recorded in the AIV catheter were activated orthodromically with the entrainment pacing, indicating the slowly conducting isthmus. The intramural VT substrate was also suggested with a prolonged conduction time between the two ventricular components during the VTs.
PubMed: 38690559
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae191 -
World Journal of Cardiology Apr 2024The deleterious effects of long-term right ventricular pacing necessitated the search for alternative pacing sites which could prevent or alleviate pacing-induced...
The deleterious effects of long-term right ventricular pacing necessitated the search for alternative pacing sites which could prevent or alleviate pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. Until recently, biventricular pacing (BiVP) was the only modality which could mitigate or prevent pacing induced dysfunction. Further, BiVP could resynchronize the baseline electromechanical dssynchrony in heart failure and improve outcomes. However, the high non-response rate of around 20%-30% remains a major limitation. This non-response has been largely attributable to the direct non-physiological stimulation of the left ventricular myocardium bypassing the conduction system. To overcome this limitation, the concept of conduction system pacing (CSP) came up. Despite initial success of the first CSP His bundle pacing (HBP), certain drawbacks including lead instability and dislodgements, steep learning curve and rapid battery depletion on many occasions prevented its widespread use for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Subsequently, CSP left bundle branch-area pacing (LBBP) was developed in 2018, which over the last few years has shown efficacy comparable to BiVP-CRT in small observational studies. Further, its safety has also been well established and is largely free of the pitfalls of the HBP-CRT. In the recent metanalysis by Yasmin , comprising of 6 studies with 389 participants, LBBP-CRT was superior to BiVP-CRT in terms of QRS duration, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac chamber dimensions, lead thresholds, and functional status amongst heart failure patients with left bundle branch block. However, there are important limitations of the study including the small overall numbers, inclusion of only a single small randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a small follow-up duration. Further, the entire study population analyzed was from China which makes generalizability a concern. Despite the concerns, the meta-analysis adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of LBBP-CRT. At this stage, one must acknowledge that the fact that still our opinions on this technique are largely based on observational data and there is a dire need for larger RCTs to ascertain the position of LBBP-CRT in management of heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.
PubMed: 38690215
DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v16.i4.186 -
Cureus Mar 2024Assessing the quality of life serves as a crucial metric during various therapeutic or surgical procedures. The rise in cardiac electronic device implantations in recent...
INTRODUCTION
Assessing the quality of life serves as a crucial metric during various therapeutic or surgical procedures. The rise in cardiac electronic device implantations in recent years underscores the significance of evaluating the quality of life among such patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a study focusing on the quality of life of 438 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices). These patients were diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, or severe heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III- IV (NYHA III-IV)), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, with/without complete left bundle branch block (QRS ≥ 130 μs), or with a history of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. The study utilized the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire and the EQ visual analog scale, which patients completed both prior to cardiac device implantation and during six post-implantation follow-up visits. The analysis of the research findings was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics software program (Armonk, NY).
RESULTS
Cardiac pacemaker implantation in patients with sick sinus syndrome and high-grade AV block demonstrated significant and highly reliable positive effects on quality of life concerning mobility, self-care, and usual activity. Similarly, cardiac resynchronization device implantation in individuals with severe heart failure with reduced LVEF and wide QRS showed significant positive effects in these areas. However, cardioverter-defibrillator implantation did not yield positive effects on these modules. Regarding pain/discomfort, neither pacemaker nor cardiac resynchronization device implantation resulted in improved quality of life, while there was a somewhat positive effect observed in the cardioverter-defibrillator group. In terms of anxiety/depression, pacemaker implantation in patients with sick sinus syndrome and high-degree AV block had a significant and highly reliable positive impact on quality of life. Additionally, relatively positive impacts were noted at various periods following cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization device implantations.
CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac implantable electronic devices play a crucial role not only in saving lives but also in positively impacting the quality of life of patients when appropriately selected.
PubMed: 38686247
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57261 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Apr 2024Conduction system pacing (CSP) and atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA) improve the outcomes in patients with symptomatic, refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). In...
Conduction system pacing (CSP) and atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA) improve the outcomes in patients with symptomatic, refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). In this setting, AVJA can be performed simultaneously with implantation or in a second procedure a few weeks after implantation. Comparison data on these two alternative strategies are lacking. A prospective, multicentre, observational study enrolled consecutive patients with symptomatic, refractory AF undergoing CSP and AVJA performed in a single procedure or in two separate procedures. Data on the long-term outcomes and healthcare resource utilization were prospectively collected. A total of 147 patients were enrolled: for 105 patients, CSP implantation and AVJA were performed simultaneously (concomitant AVJA); in 42, AVJA was performed in a second procedure, with a mean of 28.8 ± 19.3 days from implantation (delayed AVJA). After a mean follow-up of 12 months, the rate of procedure-related complications was similar in both groups (3.8% vs. 2.4%; = 0.666). Concomitant AVJA was associated with a lower number of procedure-related hospitalizations per patient (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.0 ± 0.3; < 0.001) and with a lower number of hospital treatment days per patient (4.7 ± 1.8 vs. 7.4 ± 1.9; < 0.001). Concomitant AVJA resulted as being as safe as delayed AVJA and was associated with a lower utilization of healthcare resources.
PubMed: 38673430
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082157 -
Europace : European Pacing,... May 2024
Coronary venous lead reimplantation vs. left bundle branch area pacing crossover following cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator extraction: a single-centre experience.
Topics: Humans; Defibrillators, Implantable; Male; Aged; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; Female; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices; Device Removal; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome; Bundle of His; Replantation; Coronary Vessels; Heart Failure; Electric Countershock; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38666452
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae101 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; Heart Failure; Bundle of His; Heart Ventricles; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Treatment Outcome; Ventricular Function, Right; Bundle-Branch Block; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices
PubMed: 38651191
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae084 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2024Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has increasingly become a safe, feasible, and widely accepted alternative surgical treatment for patients with severe... (Review)
Review
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has increasingly become a safe, feasible, and widely accepted alternative surgical treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. However, the incidence of conduction abnormalities associated with TAVR, including left bundle branch block (LBBB) and high-degree atrioventricular block (HAVB), remains high and is often correlated with risk factors such as the severity of valvular calcification, preexisting conditions in patients, and procedural factors. The existing research results on the impact of post-TAVR conduction abnormalities and permanent pacemaker (PPM) requirements on prognosis, including all-cause mortality and rehospitalization, remain contradictory, with varied management strategies for post-TAVR conduction system diseases across different institutions. This review integrates the latest research in the field, offering a comprehensive discussion of the mechanisms, risk factors, consequences, and management of post-TAVR conduction abnormalities. This study provides insights into optimizing patient prognosis and explores the potential of novel strategies, such as conduction system pacing, to minimize the risk of adverse clinical outcomes.
PubMed: 38650916
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1370244 -
Cureus Mar 2024Saudi Arabia has a high metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. Having MetS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD mortality, and myocardial infarction...
REVIEW
Saudi Arabia has a high metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. Having MetS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD mortality, and myocardial infarction (MI). There is a lack of information regarding MetS and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in Saudi Arabian populations. Further, it is unclear to what extent MetS components are associated with abnormal ECGs in Saudi populations.
AIM
We investigated whether ECG abnormalities and MetS are associated with Saudi adults. Furthermore, we assessed the relationship between ECG abnormalities and the components of MetS based on the age and gender of the individuals. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 208 patients with MetS. Participants' clinical and laboratory data were examined. A detailed analysis of the ECG was performed. ECG abnormalities were divided into minor and major abnormalities based on Novacode criteria. In addition to ischemic ECG findings, the ECG showed prolonged PR intervals, prolonged P duration, prolonged QRS duration, and prolonged QTc intervals. Results: One hundred and thirty-seven participants (65.9%) had elevated fasting blood glucose (FBS), 129 had central obesity (62%), 93 had high blood pressure (BP) (44.7%), 74 had elevated triglycerides (35.6%), and 49 had low high-density lipoprotein (23.6%). An abnormal ECG was found in 86 (41.3%) participants. It consisted of ischemic ECGs, atrioventricular (AV) block (first and second degrees), bundle branch block (right bundle branch block [RBBB], left bundle branch block [LBBB], RBBB with left anterior hemiblock, RBBB with right anterior hemiblock), arrhythmias (premature ventricular contractions [PVCs], premature atrial complexes [PACs], atrial fibrillation [AF], sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia), prolonged QTc, prolonged PR interval, and prolonged QRS duration. There were 29 (13.9%) cases with multiple ECG abnormalities, 57 (27.4%) had one abnormal ECG, 42 (20.2%) had minor abnormal ECGs, and 44 (21.2%) had major abnormal ECGs. Middle-aged and elderly males accounted for the majority of these ECG changes. In the central obesity group, 22 participants (10.6%) had ischemic ECGs, 18 (8.7%) had prolonged QTc, 10 (4.8%) had first-degree AV block, 6 (2.9%) had sinus bradycardia, 7 (3.4%) had RBBB, 4 (1.9%) had LBBB, 3 (1.4%) had PVCs, 2 (1%) had ventricular preexcitation, and one (0.5%) had PACs. An elevated FBS group included 19 participants (9.1%) with an ischemic ECG, 18 (8.7%) with a prolonged QTc, 11 (5.3%) with a first-degree AV block, 9 (4.3%) with sinus bradycardia, 6 (2.9%) with slight ST-T abnormality, 5 (2.4%) with RBBB, and 5 (2.4%) with LBBB. Finally, one (0.5%) of these patients had second-degree AV block, RBBB with left anterior hemiblock, left anterior hemiblock, PVCs, AF, ventricular preexcitation, and sinus arrhythmia for each.
CONCLUSION
Saudi Arabian populations with MetS were strongly associated with abnormal ECG findings, particularly ischemic ECG findings, AV block (firstand second degrees), and BBB (RBBB, LBBB). Middle-aged and elderly males accounted for the majority of these ECG changes. The most important factors contributing to ECG changes were elevated FBS and central obesity.
PubMed: 38650800
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56782 -
Journal of Cardiology Cases Apr 2024Non-reentrant fascicular tachycardia (NRFT) developed in a 6-year-old Japanese boy. Because of drug-resistant recurrences, he received catheter mapping and ablation at...
UNLABELLED
Non-reentrant fascicular tachycardia (NRFT) developed in a 6-year-old Japanese boy. Because of drug-resistant recurrences, he received catheter mapping and ablation at age 10 years. An electrocardiogram exhibited a superior left-axis deviation, a right bundle branch block-type configuration, and relatively narrow QRS with sharp R wave. It suggested verapamil-sensitive ventricular tachycardia (VT), but showed no sensitivity to verapamil or reentrant characteristics in the electrophysiological study. Detailed VT mapping determined the earliest presystolic Purkinje potential on the left posterior fascicle at the mid-ventricular septum. Radiofrequency current applications to the lesion led to his NRFT-free life without restriction.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Purkinje-related idiopathic ventricular tachycardias (VTs) are commonly due to reentrant mechanisms, and non-reentrant fascicular tachycardia (NRFT) is a rare form of idiopathic VT in adults. Although it is crucial to distinguish NRFT from reentrant VTs, there is no information about the electrophysiological studies and the treatment effect in pediatric-onset NRFT.
PubMed: 38646079
DOI: 10.1016/j.jccase.2023.12.002