Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Clin Sleep Med 2021 May 13. Epub 2021 May 13.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

Study Objectives: Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system that is caused by variants in the PHOX2B gene. About 10% of patients with CCHS have nonpolyalanine repeat mutations (NPARM) that are associated with severe phenotypes requiring continuous assisted ventilation, Hirschsprung's disease, and increased neural crest tumor risk. However, some patients with NPARMs have milder phenotypes. Read More

Semin Thromb Hemost 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) has been increasing in incidence due to the escalating use of central venous catheters such as peripherally inserted central catheters. UEDVT can be primary idiopathic or secondary to pacemaker leads, intravascular catheters or cancer. In comparison to conventional venous thromboembolism such as lower limb deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism the risk factors, investigations, and management are not well defined. Read More

Minerva Med 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy -

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) represents about 5-10% of all cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with a steadily increasing incidence mostly due to the high prevalence of cancer and frequent use of intravascular devices such as central venous catheters and pacemaker. In primary UEDVT, the venous outflow obstruction and subsequent thrombosis are related to congenital or acquired anatomical abnormalities, whereas secondary UEDVT is often associated with malignancy or indwelling lines. A considerable proportion of patients with UEDVT develops serious complications such as recurrent thrombosis, post-thrombotic syndrome, and pulmonary embolism, therefore timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are of crucial importance. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2021 ;62(4):262-266

Department of Internal Medicine, Kohsei Chuo General Hospital.

A 71-year-old woman presented to a clinic with the chief complaint of facial edema and dyspnea; chest radiography showed mediastinal mass shadow and right pleural effusion. Computed tomography guided biopsy of the mediastinal mass had been performed by her previous doctor, and she was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She was referred to our hospital for chemotherapy. Read More

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2021 Jan 28;34(3):405-406. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.

Seckel syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by facial dysmorphic features known as bird-headed dwarfism. Only about 100 cases have been reported. Cardiac anomalies have been described as a potential association with Seckel syndrome. Read More

Nat Commun 2021 05 5;12(1):2551. Epub 2021 May 5.

Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.

Endogenous cardiac pacemaker function regulates the rate and rhythm of cardiac contraction. The mutation p.Lys23Glu in the cohesin protein Shugoshin-1 causes severe heart arrhythmias due to sinoatrial node dysfunction and a debilitating gastrointestinal motility disorder, collectively termed the Chronic Atrial and Intestinal Dysrhythmia Syndrome, linking Shugoshin-1 and pacemaker activity. Read More

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2021 10;2021:5572140. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is one of the common causes of cardiac syncope and sudden death; the occurrence of SSS is associated with the accumulation of ROS in the sinoatrial node (SAN). Shenxian-shengmai (SXSM) is a traditional Chinese medicine available as oral liquid that causes a significant increase in heart rate. The objective of this study is to observe the improvement of SXSM on SAN function in SSS mice and explore its potential mechanism. Read More

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to discover regulatory universal mechanisms of normal automaticity in sinoatrial nodal (SAN) pacemaker cells that are self-similar across species.

Background: Translation of knowledge of SAN automaticity gleaned from animal studies to human dysrhythmias (e.g. Read More

Kardiol Pol 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Permanent cardiac pacing is a recognized method of treatment of patients with sick sinus syndrome and/or atrioventricular conduction disturbances. Implantation of a traditional pacing systems with transvenous leads is associated with a risk of complications, such as pneumothorax perforation of cardiac wall or cardiac device related infection. An alternative method that may be used for permanent cardiac pacing is represented by the leadless pacemaker, implanted directly into the target cardiac chamber. Read More

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021 Apr 13;8(4). Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.

The sinoatrial node (SAN), the primary pacemaker of the heart, consists of a heterogeneous population of specialized cardiac myocytes that can spontaneously produce action potentials, generating the rhythm of the heart and coordinating heart contractions. Spontaneous beating can be observed from very early embryonic stage and under a series of genetic programing, the complex heterogeneous SAN cells are formed with specific biomarker proteins and generate robust automaticity. The SAN is capable to adjust its pacemaking rate in response to environmental and autonomic changes to regulate the heart's performance and maintain physiological needs of the body. Read More

N Engl J Med 2021 Apr 24;384(17):e63. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA

J Emerg Trauma Shock 2020 Oct-Dec;13(4):312-316. Epub 2020 Dec 7.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

One of the rare causes of diffuse T-wave inversion (TWI) in electrocardiogram (ECG) is memory T-waves. This should be considered among the differentials of diffuse TWI in ECG of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), especially when they have previous episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or pacemaker implantation or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. These TWIs are benign and do not require any treatment. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Apr 19;14(4). Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA.

A 74-year-old woman with a history of primary hyperparathyroidism, thyroid nodules, atrial fibrillation and pacemaker placement for sick sinus syndrome presented with fatigue, constipation and persistent lower extremity oedema. She underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy and left thyroid lobectomy. Histopathology revealed amyloidosis affecting the thyroidand parathyroids confirmed by Congo Red Staining with Mayo Clinic subtyping of light chain kappa-type amyloidosis. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 16;13(3):e13922. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Internal Medicine/Nephrology, McLaren Health Care, Flint/Michigan State University, Michigan, USA.

Primary light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) rarely presents as sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. A higher index of suspicion is needed to diagnose AL amyloidosis in patients presenting with SSS. Recognizing the electrocardiography (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) findings for amyloidosis are crucial for early recognition, proper management, and to improve the patients' quality of life. Read More

Front Genet 2021 1;12:654925. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States.

The pacemaker cells of the cardiac sinoatrial node (SAN) are essential for normal cardiac automaticity. Dysfunction in cardiac pacemaking results in human sinoatrial node dysfunction (SND). SND more generally occurs in the elderly population and is associated with impaired pacemaker function causing abnormal heart rhythm. Read More

J Interv Cardiol 2021 30;2021:8810484. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Heart Institute, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.

Background: Sinus node artery occlusion (SNO) is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We analyze both the short- and long-term consequences of SNO.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1379 consecutive PCI's involving RCA and Cx arteries performed in our heart institute from 2016 to 2019. Read More

J Dev Behav Pediatr 2021 May;42(4):340-342

Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.

Case: Phillip is a young man born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome referred to your practice for a range of mental health concerns. He underwent palliation to an extracardiac Fontan in infancy and experienced multiple complications over the next decade including valvular regurgitation and arrhythmias necessitating a pacemaker. Phillip continued to have systolic heart failure with New York Heart Association class II symptoms, managed with 4 medications and anticoagulation. Read More

Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021 Apr 10;62:109-118. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address:

Son of Sevenless (SOS) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates the important cell signaling switch KRAS. SOS acts as a pacemaker for KRAS, the beating heart of cancer, by catalyzing the "beating" from the KRAS(off) to the KRAS(on) conformation. Activating mutations in SOS1 are common in Noonan syndrome and oncogenic alterations in KRAS drive 1 in seven human cancers. Read More

Dan Med J 2021 Mar 24;68(4). Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Introduction: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) is the treatment of choice for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias in adults. RFA is considered effective and is associated with few complications. We aimed to review the characteristics and outcomes of invasive electrophysiological study (EPS) and RFA in children with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2021 May 21;44(5):943-951. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Cardiovascular Research Center, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hospital Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, Aalst, B-9300, Belgium.

Background: Exercise capacity is an important aspect of quality of life in patients undergoing pacemaker implantation. Device algorithms for ventricular pacing avoidance have been developed to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful effects of right ventricular pacing. However, little data exists on the immediate response of these algorithms to sudden AV block during exercise. Read More

J Cardiothorac Surg 2021 Mar 31;16(1):63. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.

Background: The outcomes of mitral valve replacement (MVR) in pediatrics especially in the patients weighing less than 10 kg are not always favorable. This study aimed to measure long-term outcomes of MVR in our institution.

Methods: Nine young children weighing less than 10 kg underwent MVR with mechanical prostheses were enrolled in this retrospectively study. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2021 Mar 15;12(3):4447-4450. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Division of Cardiology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.

A subgroup of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) patients may also have features of neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS). Syncope and presyncope are predominant clinical features in this subgroup of patients. Asystole has been reported as the cause of some recurrent syncopal episodes following evaluation with an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2021 Apr 8;33:100741. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

The Heart Center, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.

Aims: Patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis have a 6-16% prevalence of occult cardiac amyloidosis. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is common in cardiac amyloidosis, but whether prior CTS surgery has a prognostic impact in patients undergoing AVR is unknown. This study examined the association between prior CTS surgery and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with AVR. Read More

Int Heart J 2021 Mar 17;62(2):344-349. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine.

Cardiovascular event rates of patients with a dipper blood pressure (BP) and dipper heart rate (HR) pattern are lower than those of patients with nondipper BP and HR patterns. However, how the pacemaker mode affects the diurnal BP and HR patterns remains unclear.We enrolled nine patients (average age 74. Read More

Cureus 2021 Feb 3;13(2):e13108. Epub 2021 Feb 3.

Cardiac Electrophysiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

A 65-year-old man presented with chronic pain due to frequent movement of a dual chamber pacemaker (PPM) within the device pocket despite being secured to the underlying muscle. Due to chronic pain and possible indolent infection, the PPM was removed and a new device was implanted on the contralateral side via a persistent left superior vena cava. To prevent device movement, it was placed within a CanGaroo® envelope (Aziyo Biologics Inc. Read More

Open Heart 2021 03;8(1)

Cardiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.

Objectives: The clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 has varied across countries with varying cardiovascular manifestations. We review the cardiac presentations, in-hospital outcomes and development of cardiovascular complications in the initial cohort of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients at Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, UK.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 498 COVID-19 positive adult admissions to our institute from 7 March to 7 April 2020. Read More

Rev Port Cardiol 2021 Mar 11;40(3):245.e1-245.e5. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Portugal.

Clinical Case: A 64-year-old male, with cardiovascular risk factors and previous history of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, presented with exertional retrosternal pain. The resting echocardiogram was unremarkable. A stress echocardiogram with dobutamine revealed hypokinesis of the inferior wall, associated with angina, followed by ventricular tachycardia. Read More

Pol Merkur Lekarski 2021 Feb;49(289):54-56

Cardiac Surgery Department, J. Strus Municipal Hospital, Poznan, Poland; Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.

In recent years the number of complications related to implantation of cardiac stimulating systems is increasing. Life-threatening myocardial perforation leading to cardiac tamponade is one of the rarest complications. In that case it is necessary to take the immediate lifesaving procedures. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2021 Mar 12. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruhr-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.

Objectives: Patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) treatment frequently present with concomitant aortic diseases, in which case they are usually considered to be at high interventional risk and, in particular, unable to undergo the transfemoral TAVI approach. Since the establishment of the 'transfemoral first' strategy for TAVI, there has been an evidence gap with regard to the outcomes of such patients. We aimed to evaluate the mid-term outcomes after transapical TAVI in patients with diverse aortic diseases. Read More

Vitam Horm 2021 5;115:67-88. Epub 2021 Feb 5.

Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

Preservation of a robust circadian rhythmicity (particulsarly of the sleep/wake cycle), a proper nutrition and adequate physical exercise are key elements for healthy aging. Aging comes along with circadian alteration, e.g. Read More