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Heart Rhythm 2021 Jun 17. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Arrhythmias Unit, Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; European Reference Network for Rare and Low Prevalence Complex Disease of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart). Electronic address:

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inheritable disease with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Although several score systems have been proposed, the management of children with BrS has been inconsistently described.

Objective: To identify the characteristics, outcome and risk factors associated with cardiovascular and arrhythmic events in children < 12 years with BrS. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2021 Jun 11;21(1):289. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China.

Background: Nationwide data on the prevalence of atrioventricular (AV) block are currently unavailable in China. Thus, we aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of AV block among Chinese health examination adults.

Methods: A total of 15,181,402 participants aged ≥ 18 years (mean age 41. Read More

Internist (Berl) 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Klinik für Innere Medizin - Kardiologie, Angiologie, Nephrologie und konservative Intensivmedizin, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Rudower Str. 48, 12351, Berlin, Deutschland.

A 39-year-old male patient presented with dyspnea and palpitations. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a first degree atrioventricular (AV) block and frequent atrial extra systoles. Within the following 48 h the AV block gradually developed into a third degree intermittent complete AV block. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 May 12;14(5). Epub 2021 May 12.

Internal Medicine, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Visine eye drops are a commonly used topical drug for irritation of the eye. The active component in Visine eye drops is tetrahydrozoline. Tetrahydrozoline is an imidazoline derivative found in several ophthalmic and nasal decongestants. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 May 12;10(10):e020767. Epub 2021 May 12.

Cardiological Center University of Ferrara Italy.

Background The 12-lead ECG plays a key role in the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome (BrS). Since the spontaneous type 1 ECG pattern was first described, several other ECG signs have been linked to arrhythmic risk, but results are conflicting. Methods and Results We performed a systematic review to clarify the associations of these specific ECG signs with the risk of syncope, sudden death, or equivalents in patients with BrS. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 May 7;10(10):e020033. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester MN.

Background The temporal incidence of high-grade atrioventricular block (HAVB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is uncertain. As a result, periprocedural monitoring and pacing strategies remain controversial. This study aimed to describe the temporal incidence of initial episode of HAVB stratified by pre- and post-TAVR conduction and identify predictors of delayed events. Read More

Amyloid 2021 Apr 20:1-5. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Introduction: Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is an inherited systemic amyloidosis with well-known ophthalmological, neurological and cutaneous symptoms. Additionally, cardiomyopathies, conduction disorders and need of cardiac pacemakers occur in some patients. This study focuses on electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in AGel amyloidosis and their relation to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) changes. Read More

Pediatrics 2021 May 13;147(5). Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Pediatrics, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

A male individual aged 18 years with no significant past medical history presented with fever, headache, dry cough, and chest pain. On clinical examination, he had tachycardia and hypotension needing intravenous fluid resuscitation and inotropic support. A chest radiograph revealed streaky lung opacities, and he was treated with antibiotics for suspected community-acquired pneumonia complicated by septic shock. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Dermatology, Clinical University Hospital, Valencia, University of Valencia, Spain.

Cureus 2021 Feb 11;13(2):e13276. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Cardiology, University of Miami at Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, USA.

The appearance of first-degree atrioventricular block and mitral annulus calcification in an end-stage renal failure patient with elevated parathyroid hormone levels should raise the suspicion of metastatic cardiac calcification. Measures should be taken to normalize the parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels to limit the progression of atrioventricular block. Exploration or removal of parathyroid glands should be considered if heart block worsens. Read More

J Nippon Med Sch 2021 Mar 9. Epub 2021 Mar 9.

Department of General Medicine and Health Science, Nippon Medical School.

Amyloid light-chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis is known to result in restrictive cardiomyopathy, which has a poor prognosis. Although electrocardiography (ECG) is useful for its diagnosis and management, there are few reports on the long-term follow-up of electrocardiographic changes. The patient in the present case was a 62-year-old woman who visited our hospital due to palpitation and lower leg edema. Read More

Int J Pediatr 2021 23;2021:6657796. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

University of Arkansas of the Medical Sciences, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 4301 W Markham St Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.

Objective: Low-dose nonselective blockade is an effective treatment for problematic infantile hemangioma (PIH). Screening electrocardiograms (ECG) are performed prior to the initiation of propranolol to minimize the risk of exacerbating undiagnosed heart block. How ECG results affect subsequent propranolol usage and patient management remains unclear. Read More

Med Mol Morphol 2021 Mar 2. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan.

A 16-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of syncope during exercise. His father and his younger brother had permanent pacemaker implantation because of sick sinus syndrome. Several examinations revealed first-degree atrioventricular block, complete right bundle branch block, sick sinus syndrome, and ventricular tachycardia with normal cardiac function. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Dec 7;4(6):1-7. Epub 2020 Dec 7.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.

Background: The 2017 ESC guideline on patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) provides guidance regarding the optimal management of these patients. Transient atrioventricular (AV) block is a relatively common complication of inferior STEMI and its management is also addressed in the guidelines.

Case Summary: A 64-year-old gentleman with multiple cardiovascular risk factors presented to the emergency department with a history of ischaemic type chest pain and evidence of inferior ST-segment elevation on his electrocardiogram (ECG). Read More

Heart Vessels 2021 Feb 17. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.

Some previous studies demonstrated that first-degree atrioventricular block (f-AVB) was associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF), while evidence is scarce regarding the association between f-AVB and incident AF in older populations. Therefore, we sought to investigate the association of f-AVB with incident AF in the population predominantly including participants aged ≥ 60 years. Eligible participants were residents in Kanazawa City, Japan aged ≥ 40 years who underwent 12-lead ECG at the National Japanese Health Check-up in 2013. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2021 05 14;330:16-22. Epub 2021 Feb 14.

Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

Background: The relationship between preoperative cardiac conduction abnormalities (CCA) and long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation (TAVI-VIV) remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative CCA on mortality and morbidity after TAVI-VIV and to estimate the impact of new-onset CCA on postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2020, 201 patients with degenerated aortic bioprostheses were qualified for TAVI-VIV procedures in two German heart centers. Read More

Cardiovasc Revasc Med 2021 Jan 23. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

Cardiology Department, AHEPA General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

A 72-year-old male patient, with first degree atrioventricular block and LBBB on his baseline ECG, developed persistent complete atrioventricular block after recanalization of a chronic total occlusion of his left anterior descending artery (LAD) and ultimately underwent permanent pacemaker implantation. Occlusion of the second septal branch, probably supplying the right branch of the His bundle is speculated to have led to this complication. During elective intervention to the LAD territory in patients with prior conduction abnormalities on the ECG, care should be taken to preserve normal blood flow to the septal perforators. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021 Mar 19;32(3):772-781. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan.

Background: Determining the etiology of syncope is challenging in Brugada syndrome (BrS) patients. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement is recommended in BrS patients who are presumed to have arrhythmic syncope. However, arrhythmic syncope in BrS patients can occur in the setting of atrioventricular block (AVB), which should be managed by cardiac pacing. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Oct 19;4(5):1-8. Epub 2020 Sep 19.

Department of Echocardiography, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China.

Background: Diastolic mitral regurgitation (DMR) is a type of functional mitral regurgitation. Its occurrence in the diastolic phase of cardiac cycle renders DMR an easily ignored entity. Confusing it with systolic mitral regurgitation occasionally happens. Read More

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021 Apr;59(4):328-332

Objective: To report a case of second-degree atrioventricular block associated with concomitant use of aprepitant and amlodipine.

Case: A 73-year-old man with lung cancer was treated with aprepitant for prophylactic use for the prevention of nausea and vomiting, concomitantly with cisplatin, gemcitabine, and an investigational drug (anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody). He was diagnosed with first-degree atrioventricular block and was taking amlodipine for hypertension. Read More

Pathol Int 2021 Feb 14;71(2):141-146. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Department of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.

We pathologically investigated three autopsy cases of cystic tumor of the atrioventricular node (CTAVN) with sudden death. Case 1 was a 36-year-old woman without any clinical history. Case 2 was a 76-year-old man with an implanted pacemaker for complete atrioventricular block. Read More

J Saudi Heart Assoc 2020 19;32(3):350-357. Epub 2020 Aug 19.

Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Cheikh Khalifa Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin is widely discussed. This treatment can cause many severe cardiac side effects that makes us discuss its utility. The aim of this study is to describe the cardiovascular effect of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin by analyzing surface ECG in patients with COVID-19. Read More

Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes 2021 Mar;7(2):143-153

Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital and University of Turin, Italy.

Aims: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) may be required after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Evidence on PPI prediction has largely been gathered from high-risk patients receiving first-generation valve implants. We undertook a meta-analysis of the existing literature to examine the incidence and predictors of PPI after TAVI according to generation of valve, valve type, and surgical risk. Read More

Isr Med Assoc J 2020 Nov;11(22):711-716

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: Fetal complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is usually autoimmune mediated. The risk of developing CAVB is 2% to 3% in anti-Ro/SS-A seropositive pregnancies and it increases 10 times after previous CAVB in siblings. Despite being a rare complication, CAVB carries a 20% mortality rate and substantial morbidity, as about 65% of newborns will eventually need life-long pacing. Read More

Vet Sci 2020 Nov 20;7(4). Epub 2020 Nov 20.

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.

Pyometra is considered the most common disease in intact bitches, being associated with potentially life-threatening disorders. Myocardial damage is a potentially life-threatening consequence of pyometra. The aim of this study was to describe the electrocardiographic patterns in bitches affected by closed cervix pyometra, to assess the clinical relevance of electrocardiographic changes with the occurrence of pyometra, and to relate their severity with laboratory and clinical findings. Read More

Anaesth Rep 2020 Jul-Dec;8(2):135-137. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

Department of Anesthesiology McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton Canada.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults. Anaesthetic management should take into consideration the numerous body systems affected, including the musculoskeletal; respiratory; cardiovascular; gastro-intestinal; and central nervous systems. A 42-year-old man with myotonic dystrophy presented for septoplasty and bilateral inferior turbinate reductions. Read More

Pediatrics 2020 12 12;146(6). Epub 2020 Nov 12.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York

Objectives: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has spread through the pediatric population during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our objective for the study was to report the prevalence of conduction anomalies in MIS-C and identify predictive factors for the conduction abnormalities.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients <21 years of age presenting with MIS-C over a 1-month period. Read More

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021 01 1;35(1):360-362. Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Okayama, Japan.