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BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 30;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Cardiology, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey, USA.

We present a case of a 38-year-old man with a previous medical history of asthma and refractory epilepsy requiring vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) placement 7 years prior to the presentation who was found to be in atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response during a preoperative evaluation, which prompted transoesophageal echocardiography and subsequent cardioversion. In preparation for cardioversion, the VNS was turned off and the patient was cardioverted to normal sinus rhythm. Following cardioversion, the VNS was activated again. Read More

Heart Vessels 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) is a widely recognized complication associated with TAVI (incidence up to 20%). Smaller registries have identified several variables associated with PPI. The objective was to validate patient- and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)-related procedural variables associated with PPI. Read More

J Int Med Res 2020 Jun;48(6):300060520925596

Department of Echocardiography, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Objective: Autoantibody-related congenital heart block (ACHB) is a passively acquired autoimmune disease. This study aimed to examine the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of ACHB.

Method: The clinical data of two fetuses with first-degree ACHB were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Medanta Heart Institute, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram, India.

J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020 Jun 11;145:74-83. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Vegetative Physiology and Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior MCMBB, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Despite recent progress in the understanding of cardiac ion channel function and its role in inherited forms of ventricular arrhythmias, the molecular basis of cardiac conduction disorders often remains unresolved. We aimed to elucidate the genetic background of familial atrioventricular block (AVB) using a whole exome sequencing (WES) approach. In monozygotic twins with a third-degree AVB and in another, unrelated family with first-degree AVB, we identified a heterozygous nonsense mutation in the POPDC2 gene causing a premature stop at position 188 (POPDC2), deleting parts of its cAMP binding-domain. Read More

Int J Clin Pract 2020 Jun 13:e13583. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.

Aims: Many tachy-brady syndrome (TBS) patients, are implanted a permanent pacemaker (PPM) to allow continuation of anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy to maintain sinus rhythm. Many of these PPM's are implanted as a preventive measure, in absence of symptomatic bradycardia. Our primary aim was to evaluate pacing use among these patients and find predictors for PPM use. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Section of Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.

The classical form of typical atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is a "slow-fast" pathways tachycardia, and the usual therapy is an ablation of the slow pathway since it carries a low risk of atrioventricular (AV) block. In patients with long PR interval and/or living on the anterograde slow pathway, an alternative technique is required. We report a case of a 42-year-old lady with idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy, persistent atrial fibrillation status post pulmonary vein isolation, and premature ventricular complex ablation with a systolic dysfunction, who presented with incessant slow narrow complex tachycardia of 110 bpm that appeared to be an AVNRT. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2020 Jun 7. Epub 2020 Jun 7.

Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by progressive cardiac conduction impairment, arrhythmias and sudden death. Mexiletine is a sodium-channel blocker drug used in such patients for the treatment of myotonia, even if definitive proof of its safety over long-term follow-up is lacking OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of mexiletine for treatment of neurological symptoms on the composite endpoint of significant ECG modification (new onset or worsening of atrioventricular or intraventricular conduction delay) and bradyarrhythmic complications requiring pacemaker implantation (advanced atrioventricular block, symptomatic sinus pause >3 s) METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study included a series of consecutive patients with genetically confirmed DM1 evaluated in our Neurology and Cardiology Clinic from January 1 2011 to January 1 2020, who received a 200 mg twice daily (BID) dose of mexiletine. Patients with pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillation, or severe conduction abnormality (PQ interval ≥230ms, complete bundle branch block or atrial fibrillation) at enrollment were excluded RESULTS: we included 18 mexiletine-treated patients and 68 mexiletine-free controls. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Aims: Clinical outcomes for patients suspected of having heart failure (HF) who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of any type of HF by echocardiography remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical predictors of all-cause mortality in patients with suspected HF, a raised N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of any type of HF by echocardiography.

Methods And Results: Relevant data were taken from the Sheffield HEArt Failure (SHEAF) registry (222349P4). Read More

Emerg Med Int 2020 11;2020:7695638. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) is the graphical display of electrical potential differences of an electric field originating in the heart. Interpretation of ECG is a core clinical skill in the department of emergency medicine. The main aim of this survey was to assess competency of ECG interpretation among 2018 graduating class medical students in Addis Ababa University and Haramaya University. Read More

Coron Artery Dis 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Object: The relationship between PR interval prolongation during hospitalization and long-term prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of PR interval prolongation in a prospective cohort of patients with post-STEMI.

Methods: The values of ionized calcium were calculated as the mean level of two measurements during hospitalization. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(19):e20120

Department of Pediatric Cardiology.

Introduction: Aortic regurgitation (AR) was recognized as a major, but rare complication after device closure for perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSD). Most of them are temporary and non-significant. Infectious endocarditis (IE) is another extremely rare post-procedure complication of PmVSD. Read More

Immunol Med 2020 May 6:1-8. Epub 2020 May 6.

Department of Rheumatology, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

We report a case of incipient systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that rapidly progressed to complete atrioventricular block (cAVB). A 20-year-old man was admitted with facial erythema, painless oral aphtha, polyarthritis, and myalgia of each extremity. On admission, he developed first-degree atrioventricular block, pericarditis, pleuritis, renal failure, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, neurophychiatric SLE (left cerebellar infarction), and bacteremia. Read More

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2020 03 29;6(3):295-303. Epub 2020 Jan 29.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Case Western Reserve University, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a risk prediction model for high-grade atrioventricular block requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: High-grade atrioventricular block requiring CIED remains a significant sequelae following TAVR. Although several pre-operative characteristics have been associated with the risk of post-operative CIED implantation, an accurate and validated risk prediction model is not established yet. Read More

Ecotoxicology 2020 May 12;29(4):375-388. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Hypoxia and mercury contamination often co-occur in tropical freshwater ecosystems, but the interactive effects of these two stressors on fish populations are poorly known. The effects of mercury (Hg) on recorded changes in the detailed form of the electrocardiogram (ECG) during exposure to progressive hypoxia were investigated in two Neotropical freshwater fish species, matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus and traíra, Hoplias malabaricus. Matrinxã were exposed to a sublethal concentration of 0. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Mar 9;9(6):e015911. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Division of Cardiology Department of Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh PA.

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Mar 9;9(6):e015064. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Department of Cardiology Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo Japan.

Background The association between first-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) and life-threatening cardiac events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains unclear. This study sought to investigate whether presence of first-degree AVB was associated with HCM-related death in patients with HCM. Methods and Results We included 414 patients with HCM (mean age, 51±16 years; 64. Read More

Turk J Pediatr 2019 ;61(5):810-814

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Rize Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Training and Research Hospital, Rize, Turkey.

Bağrul D. Syncope due to acute rheumatic fever with pacemakerlike syndrome. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 810-814. Read More

Epileptic Disord 2020 Feb;22(1):83-89

Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. Madrid, Spain.

Lacosamide (LCM) is a well-tolerated and increasingly used second-generation AED, and side effects such as atrial fibrillation are rare and poorly characterized. Supported by a literature review, we share our experience of the management of the first reported case of cardioembolic cerebral infarcts in the context of de novo atrial fibrillation, which appeared following a 200-mg intravenous infusion of LCM for the treatment of non-convulsive status epilepticus. Case report and literature review using search items including "atrial fibrillation OR atrial flutter AND LCM" in the thesaurus of Medline. Read More

BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2019 12 2;20(1):73. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

Department of Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orelans, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.

Background: Timolol Maleate is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker that is commonly used to treat open-angle glaucoma. Despite its topical administration, ophthalmic timolol enters systemic circulation and produces a systemic beta-adrenergic blockade. We report a case of long-term timolol use that uncovered and worsened an underlying cardiac conduction defect demonstrated as a third degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2020 01 15;125(1):107-113. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Quebec Heart & Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

The objective of this study was to determine the long-term (>1 year) electrocardiographic (ECG) and clinical outcomes of patients without significant changes in their electrocardiogram after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI; including patients with pre-existing ECG abnormalities). Among 772 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI in our institution, 397 patients (51%) without new ECG changes were included. TAVI patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of pre-existing ECG-conduction disturbances (ECG-CD: 140 patients, non-ECG-CD: 257 patients). Read More

BMC Neurol 2019 Nov 15;19(1):287. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

State of the Heart Cardiology, Plaza 1, Medical Pkwy. N Suite 103, Dallas, TX, 75234, USA.

Background: Fingolimod (Gilenya®) is approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in the USA. Owing to transient heart-rate effects when initiating fingolimod, eligible patients undergo precautionary baseline assessment and first-dose observation (FDO) for ≥6 h. Prior to 2014, FDO was undertaken only in clinics. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019 10 7;19(1):214. Epub 2019 Oct 7.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.

Background: First-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) has traditionally been regarded as a benign condition but recent studies have challenged this conception. Prevalence of 1-2% have been reported in developed countries in Asia. However, no epidemiologic studies have established the prevalence of first-degree AVB in developing countries. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 10 30;124(8):1239-1245. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Department of Cardiology. Electronic address:

Long-term evolution of new-onset conduction abnormalities and need of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have not been extensively evaluated. We describe the incidence and time course of new conduction abnormalities and the rate of PPI with the new-generation transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis Edwards SAPIEN 3 (S3). In total, 266 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Clin Drug Investig 2019 Nov;39(11):1109-1116

MSD China, Building 21 Rongda Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China.

Background And Objectives: New intravenous and solid oral formulations of the antifungal agent posaconazole have been developed. This randomized, open-label, crossover study in 18 healthy adult Chinese male and female subjects evaluated the pharmacokinetics of single-dose posaconazole (oral 300-mg posaconazole tablet fasted, intravenous 300-mg posaconazole solution fasted, and oral 300-mg posaconazole tablet with standard high-fat breakfast). Primary objectives were to determine the single-dose pharmacokinetics of posaconazole in healthy Chinese subjects when administered as an intravenous solution and as an oral tablet under fasted conditions and the effect of food on the absorption of posaconazole. Read More

J Arrhythm 2019 Aug 14;35(4):584-590. Epub 2019 May 14.

Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita Jakarta Indonesia.

Background: Risk stratification in patients with asymptomatic Brugada Syndrome is challenging, and despite recent advances, there is no clear evidence. The first-degree atrioventricular block was hypothesized to be a predictor of arrhythmic events. Measurement of the PR interval and diagnosing atrioventricular block from surface ECG is easy, noninvasive, and cost-effective. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 08 24;8(15):e010401. Epub 2019 Jul 24.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland OH.

Background Habitual high-intensity endurance exercise is associated with increased atrial fibrillation (AF) risk and impaired cardiac conduction. It is unknown whether these observations extend to prior strength-type sports exposure. The primary aim of this study was to compare AF prevalence in former National Football League (NFL) athletes to population-based controls. Read More

J Zoo Wildl Med 2019 Jun 13;50(2):482-486. Epub 2019 Jun 13.

Alfort Cardiology Unit (UCA), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire d'Alfort (CHUVA), National Veterinary School of Alfort, 94704 Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.

A 0.5 kg, 5-yr-old male bearded dragon () presented with a 2-mo history of lethargy, anorexia, and impaired locomotion. Upon physical examination, bradyarrhythmia (heart rate: 20 beats/min) and balance disorders were noted. Read More

Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2019 07 20;12(7):e007150. Epub 2019 Jun 20.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (B.M.K., C.A., M.S.D., M.G.L., R.S.V.).

Background: The etiopathogenesis of electrocardiographic bundle branch and atrioventricular blocks is not fully understood. We investigated familial clustering of cardiac conduction defects and pacemaker insertion in the FHS (Framingham Heart Study). Additionally, we assessed familial clustering of pacemaker insertion in the Danish general population. Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 Jun 14;29(6):744-748. Epub 2019 Jun 14.

KidzFirst Children's Hospital,South Auckland,New Zealand.

Objectives: First-degree heart block is a minor manifestation of acute rheumatic fever. Second and third degree heart block and junctional rhythms occur less commonly. We report patients presenting with these latter three electrocardiographic abnormalities and investigate their diagnostic utility. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019 09 2;30(9):1569-1577. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

Introduction: Atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common, regular narrow-complex tachycardia. The established treatment is catheter ablation of the AV nodal slow pathway (SP). However, in a select group of patients with long PR intervals in sinus rhythm, SP ablation can lead to AV block due to the absence of robust anterograde conduction through the fast pathway (FP). Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 May 6;29(5):697-698. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Pediatric Cardiology, Saglik Bilimleri University Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Research and Training Hospital,Istanbul,Turkey.

The coexistence of long QT syndrome with 2:1 or complete atrioventricular blocks has been reported in the literature, but, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first pediatric case of long QT syndrome coexisting with first-degree atrioventricular blocks( 1 - 3 ). Read More

Circulation 2019 07 3;140(4):293-302. Epub 2019 Jun 3.

APHP, Cochin Hospital, Cardiology Department, FILNEMUS, Centre de Référence de Pathologie Neuromusculaire Nord/Est/Ile de France, Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University (K.W., D.D.).

Background: An accurate estimation of the risk of life-threatening (LT) ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) in patients with LMNA mutations is crucial to select candidates for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation.

Methods: We included 839 adult patients with LMNA mutations, including 660 from a French nationwide registry in the development sample, and 179 from other countries, referred to 5 tertiary centers for cardiomyopathies, in the validation sample. LTVTA was defined as (1) sudden cardiac death or (2) implantable cardioverter defibrillator-treated or hemodynamically unstable VTA. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2019 May 27;20:748-752. Epub 2019 May 27.

Department of Cardiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.

BACKGROUND Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. The diagnosis of PE may be challenging, as there can be a wide range of atypical presentations. CASE REPORT A 92-year-old man with asymptomatic first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, hypertension that was controlled on medication, and a past medical history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), presented with dizziness, weakness, and collapse while getting dressed. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2020 Mar 7;95(4):783-790. Epub 2019 May 7.

Division of Interventional Cardiology, Reina Sofia Hospital, University of Córdoba, Maimonides Institute for Research in Biomedicine of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.

Objectives: To compare the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) with the CoreValve and Evolut R prostheses, to evaluate the implantation depth with both types of prostheses, and to study factors predicting the need for PPI.

Background: The Evolut R CoreValve can be recaptured and repositioned during deployment, allowing a more precise implantation.

Methods: A total of 208 patients treated with CoreValve and 137 patients treated with Evolut R were analyzed. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2018 Dec 20;2(4):yty120. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Cardiology Department, Santa Cruz Hospital, Western Lisbon Medical Centre, Av. Prof. Dr. Reinaldo dos Santos, Carnaxide, Lisbon, Portugal.

Background: The benefits of exercise are well documented. Intensive exercise for more than 4 h per week is associated with cardiovascular remodelling, including increases in ventricular dimensions, wall thickness, and left ventricular mass. These changes are influenced by sex, ethnicity, and type and duration of exercise. Read More

Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2019 09 24;24(5):e12651. Epub 2019 Apr 24.

Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Background: Osteogenic circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) play a pathogenic role in cardiovascular system degeneration through promulgating vasculature calcification, but its role in conduction disorders as part of the cardiovascular degenerative continuum remained unknown.

Aim: To investigate the role of osteocalcin (OCN)-expressing circulating EPCs in cardiac conduction disorders in the unique clinical sample of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptible to both abnormal bone metabolism and cardiac conduction disorders.

Methods: We performed flow cytometry studies in 134 consecutive asymptomatic patients with rheumatoid arthritis to derive osteogenic circulating OCN-positive (OCN+) CD34+KDR+ vs. Read More

J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2019 Aug 9;55(2):207-211. Epub 2019 Mar 9.

Cardiology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal.

Background: Despite the important role of cardiac pacing in preventing syncope and sudden cardiac death in familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), we lack clear guidelines as to the ideal timing and indications for permanent pacemaker implantation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ideal timing for pacemaker implantation in FAP patients submitted to liver transplantation.

Methods: Retrospective study of 258 FAP patients submitted to liver transplantation between 1992 and 2012. Read More

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2019 01;10(1):50-57

1 Department of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, Medical Hospital of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Background: Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a common arrhythmia causing hemodynamic impairment following corrective cardiac surgery such as tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair.

Methods: We report our experience with postoperative JET following surgical repair of TOF. The retrospective study was done from 2003 to 2012 with a total of 105 patients who underwent TOF repair. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019 Nov;54(5):625-633

Department of Medical Physics, The University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were, first, to evaluate the association between fetal echocardiographic atrioventricular (AV) and magnetocardiographic (fMCG) PR intervals at different gestational ages (GAs) in normal and anti-Ro/SSA-antibody-positive pregnancies; second, to determine if PR interval could be predicted by AV interval; and third, to assess the neonatal outcome of fetuses with prolonged AV and PR intervals, with the goal of developing criteria for fetal first-degree AV block (AVB-I).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of anti-Ro/SSA-antibody-positive pregnancies (cases) and controls that underwent fMCG and fetal echocardiography at the same recording session. Cardiac cycle length, GA and AV (by mitral inflow/aortic outflow Doppler) and PR (by fMCG) intervals were measured. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2019 05 31;37(5):1006.e1-1006.e4. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Emergency Medicine Department, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.

Lev's Syndrome is a rare, progressive cardiac conduction defect (PCCD) due to myocardial fibrosis first described by Maurice Lev in 1964. This condition, proposed to start in the fourth decade of life, involves a sclerotic fibro-fatty degeneration of the Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers, which Lev proposed caused increasing AV delay with age. With the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) use in the emergency department (ED) for cardiac- and non-cardiac complaints, dysrhythmias can be incidentally found and confuse diagnosis and disposition. Read More

J Inherit Metab Dis 2019 03 22;42(2):276-285. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital, Pediatric Cardiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III; Sanfilippo disease) is primarily characterized by neurocognitive decline with limited somatic disease. Only few reports addressed cardiac disease (CD) in MPS III. We investigated the prevalence of CD in a relatively large cohort of patients. Read More

Health Sci Rep 2018 Jun 9;1(6):e39. Epub 2018 May 9.

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Duke University Medical Center Durham NC USA.

Background: The optimal way of pacing in patients with an indication for pacing and concomitant first-degree atrioventricular (AV)-block is not known, and consequently, firm guidelines on this topic are lacking. This study explored the current pacemaker programming pattern in patients with first-degree AV-block who have a dual chamber pacemaker without cardiac resynchronization.

Methods: The study was a retrospective chart review conducted at Duke University Hospital. Read More

Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2019 Mar 26;112(3):153-161. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Henri Mondor hospital, 94101 Créteil, France.

Background: Long PR intervals may increase cardiovascular complications, including atrial fibrillation. In pacemakers, the SafeR™ mode monitors PR intervals, switching from AAI to DDD when criteria for atrioventricular block are met.

Aims: The PRECISE study evaluated the incidence and predictors of long PR intervals and their association with incident atrial fibrillation after 1 year in patients implanted for sinus node dysfunction and free from significant conduction disorders at baseline. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(52):e13807

Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.

Rationale: Cisplatin monotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is rare, and the prevalence remains unknown. It's extremely important to stop cisplatin when cardiotoxicity is considered.

Patient Concerns: A 53-year-old woman developed cervical cancer. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019 03 26;57(3):175-180. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

c Department of Emergency Medicine, New Jersey Poison Information and Education System , Rutgers New Jersey Medical School , Newark , NJ , USA.

Introduction: Loperamide is a readily accessible nonprescription medication that is increasingly being used surreptitiously as an opioid substitute to alleviate the symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with loperamide misuse and toxicity.

Methods: The ToxIC registry, a nationwide, prospectively collected cohort of patients evaluated by medical toxicologists was searched from November 2011-December 2016 for patients with loperamide exposure. Read More

Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2018 11;11(11):e006234

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan (Y.K., K. Fukuda, M.N., Y.H., K. Fukasawa, T.C., K.M., S.T., H.S.).

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the importance of mechanoelectrical interaction in patients with surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot. However, the significance of atrioventricular conduction disturbance, that is PR interval prolongation, on adverse cardiac events in those patients remains to be elucidated.

Methods: We examined electrocardiograms at baseline and their temporal change in a total of 176 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (49% men; median age, 17. Read More

Congenit Heart Dis 2019 Mar 28;14(2):280-287. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Objective: Outcomes after surgical repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect (cAVSD) have improved. With advancing age, the risk of development of dysrhythmias may increase. The aims of this study were to (1) examine development of sinus node dysfunction (SND), atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and (2) study progression of atrioventricular conduction abnormalities in young adult patients with repaired cAVSD. Read More

Turk Pediatri Ars 2018 Sep 1;53(3):197-199. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Necip Fazıl City Hospital, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.

Various rhythm and connection disorders can be seen in the acute phase of acute rheumatic fever. First degree atrioventricular block, one of the minor signs of acute rheumatic fever, is the most common connection disturbance in this disease. Complete atrioventricular block, which seriously affects the conduction pathways, is rare in the literature. Read More