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Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

The Fetal Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

The aim of foetal cardiac therapy is to treat an abnormality at the developmental stage so that the process of cardiac growth, which is complex and relies on the volume and direction of circulating blood as well as genetic determinants, can continue. In reality, most cardiac interventions are palliative; hence, major abnormalities are still present at birth. Nevertheless, tangible benefits following successful foetal intervention include improved haemodynamics and reduction in secondary damage leading to better postnatal outcomes. Read More

Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2019 Feb 15:e3140. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.

It is commonly held that the gallbladder (GB) is not indispensable for life. However, recent studies strongly suggest that GB removal can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). With the recent recognition of the role of bile acids (BAs) in systemic metabolic regulation, it is worthwhile to re-examine the function of the GB, which can be regarded as the physiological 'pacemaker' of BA flow. Read More

J Tehran Heart Cent 2018 Jul;13(3):136-139

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.

Intraventricular conduction abnormalities following cardiac surgery have been thoroughly described, especially after valvular surgery. It is also widely known that several anesthetic factors can cause autonomic disturbances resulting in the unmasking of sinus node dysfunction, significant bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse during the intraoperative period. However, little is known about asymptomatic episodes, especially those occurring prior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Read More

Hemodial Int 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Kidney Disease, Kawashima Hospital, 1-39 Kitasakoichiban-cho, Tokushima, 770-0011, Japan.

Hemodialysis patients have weakened immune systems and can exhibit fever due to various causes. Herein, we describe the case of a 61-year-old hemodialysis patient who exhibited intermittent low-grade fever after a pacemaker had been implanted 2 months before due to sick sinus syndrome. She had a medical history of subcutaneous sarcoidosis and uveitis. Read More

J Vet Cardiol 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Clinica Veterinaria Malpensa, Viale Marconi 27, 21017 Samarate, Varese, Italy.

Pacemaker implantation is considered as a standard procedure for treatment of symptomatic bradycardia in both dogs and cats. Advanced second-degree and third-degree atrioventricular blocks, sick sinus syndrome, persistent atrial standstill, and vasovagal syncope are the most common rhythm disturbances that require pacing to either alleviate clinical signs or prolong survival. Most pacemakers are implanted transvenously, using endocardial leads, but rarely epicardial leads may be necessary. Read More

Rev Port Cardiol 2019 Jan 23;38(1):65.e1-65.e3. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Cardiology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is typically dramatic. Although the diagnosis is usually easy, elucidation of the etiology is difficult. We present a patient who developed SVC syndrome early after transvenous pacemaker implantation and who was subsequently diagnosed with lung carcinoma. Read More

Pharmacol Res 2019 Jan 21;141:443-450. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Despite recent advances in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the available options are still limited and associated with some complications. Induction of biological pacemakers via Tbx18 gene insertion in the heart tissue has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for cardiac arrhythmia. Following a previous in vitro study reporting the production of Tbx18-expressing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs), we aimed to investigate the efficacy of these engineered cells to generate pacemaker rhythms in a murine model of complete heart block. Read More

Cardiology 2019 Jan 16;141(3):172-175. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Division of Cardiology, Departments of Pathology and Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Objective: Although several studies have described the effects of adriamycin on the heart, electrocardiographic total 12-lead QRS voltage (distance in millimeters from the peak of the R wave to the nadir of either the Q or S wave, whichever was deeper, with 10 mm [1 mV] being standard) both before and after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) has not been reported. This study describes the total 12-lead QRS voltage in 8 patients studied at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, from 1994 to June 2018, who underwent OHT for severe heart failure caused by anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

Method: Prior to OHT, the total 12-lead non-paced QRS voltages ranged from 86 to 189 mm (mean 125 ± 56) and for paced QRS voltages from 82 to 113 mm (mean 97 ± 15). Read More

Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2018 8;8:618. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Local Health Unit of Reggio Emilia, Neurology Division, Castelnovo né Monti and Scandiano (RE), IT.

Background: Rarely, cardiac pacemaker implant can lead to the development of involuntary hyperkinetic movement disorders localized to the abdominal wall or the diaphragm.

Phenomenology Shown: We report a case of a 79-year-old female who developed rhythmic continuous clonic right abdominal movements caused by cardiac pacemaker lead dislodgement.

Educational Value: Our case highlights that, in the differential diagnosis of hyperkinetic abdominal movement disorder, the presence and the possible pathogenic role of a cardiac pacemaker should be kept in mind. Read More

Case Rep Cardiol 2018 13;2018:5498052. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.

A 73-year-old female with multiple comorbidities including coronary artery disease was admitted for an elective PCI of a lesion detected in the RCA. On the day of the planned PCI, shortly after right femoral artery cannulation, the patient developed a sudden complete heart block requiring the administration atropine and insertion of a temporary pacemaker. Concomitantly, the patient developed acute pulmonary edema, hypotension, and hypoxia requiring intubation for mechanical ventilation. Read More

Circ Genom Precis Med 2019 Jan;12(1):e002238

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), University Hospital Münster, Germany (J.K., B.S., S.Z., G.S., E.S.-B.).

Background: Inherited forms of sinus node dysfunction (SND) clinically include bradycardia, sinus arrest, and chronotropic incompetence and may serve as disease models to understand sinus node physiology and impulse generation. Recently, a gain-of-function mutation in the G-protein gene GNB2 led to enhanced activation of the GIRK (G-protein activated inwardly rectifying K channel). Thus, human cardiac GIRK channels are important for heart rate regulation and subsequently, genes encoding their subunits Kir3. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2019 Mar 27;279:105-111. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Pathophysiology, Oita University, 1397-1, Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1298, Japan.

The most common cardiac feature of Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is atrioventricular block (AVB), and pacemaker implantations (PMIs) are recommended for KSS patients with advanced AVB. However, some KSS patients develop fatal arrhythmias such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) and die suddenly even after PMIs. We report a patient with KSS who developed PMVT, VF, and QT prolongation, and was treated with mexiletine and successfully managed with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Read More

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2019 Jan 11:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A , University of Murcia , Murcia , Spain.

Circadian system is comprised by central circadian pacemaker and several peripheral clocks that receive information from the external environment, synchronizing the circadian clocks. It is widely known that physiology is rhythmic and that the rupture of this rhythmicity can generate serious consequences. Circadian clocks, led by suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the central nervous system, are the responsible for generating this biological rhythmicity. Read More

J Cardiol 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Medical Science and Cardio-renal Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.

Background: Recent pacemakers with transthoracic impedance sensors have a specific algorithm identifying sleep apnea (SA). Our aim was to evaluate the algorithm in Japanese patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients implanted with a pacemaker with sleep apnea monitoring algorithm at our hospital were enrolled prospectively. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 20;70 Suppl 3:S435-S441. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Dr. Newale Health Centre, Navi Mumbai, 400614, India. Electronic address:

Increased heart rate (HR) is associated with deleterious effects on several disease conditions. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the cardiovascular diseases with recurrent hospitalization burden and an ongoing drain on health-care expenditure. Despite advancement in medicine, management of CHF remains a challenge to health-care providers. Read More

Circulation 2018 Nov 6:CIR0000000000000628. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Circulation 2018 Nov 6:CIR0000000000000627. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Biomed Res Int 2018 18;2018:7487324. Epub 2018 Nov 18.

Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.

Objective: Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is one of the most common causes of cardiac impairment necessitating pacemaker implantation. However, studies of SSS pathogenesis are neither comprehensive nor conclusive due to limited success in achieving a stable rat SSS model. Here, we modified pinpoint press permeation to establish a stable rat SSS model. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2018 Dec 30;6(12):2445-2450. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Cardiology Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dinant/Godinne Yvoir Belgium.

Sick sinus syndrome is uncommon in children, and syndromic forms are rare. Some forms of sick sinus syndrome like the bradycardia-tachycardia type could be managed by a radiofrequency ablation, even in young children, and could be helpful to delay the implantation of a pacemaker. Read More

J Vet Cardiol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA. Electronic address:

The sinoatrial node (SAN) is the primary pacemaker in canine and human hearts. The SAN in both species has a unique three-dimensional heterogeneous structure characterized by small pacemaker myocytes enmeshed within fibrotic strands, which partially insulate the cells from aberrant atrial activation. The SAN pacemaker tissue expresses a unique signature of proteins and receptors that mediate SAN automaticity, ion channel currents, and cell-to-cell communication, which are predominantly similar in both species. Read More

Innovations (Phila) 2018 Nov/Dec;13(6):455-457

LSI SOLUTIONS, Victor, NY USA.

Traditionally, pacing leads are placed transvenously, although smaller pediatric patients who require permanent pacemakers may benefit from delaying tranvenous lead placement until they are larger. Alternative, minimally invasive atrioventricular pacing options have not previously existed for this patient population, leaving many of these children with large sternotomies or thoracotomies. Using three port sites and an adjustable shaft dual-needle suturing device, we placed a steroid-eluting, sew-on epicardial lead on the right atrium of a 9-year-old patient. Read More

Echocardiography 2019 01 9;36(1):201-203. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical & Research Center, Tehran, Iran.

Residual fibrous structures, referred as "ghosts", are occasionally encountered following lead extraction. Though typically detected in patients with cardiac device infections, their prognostic and therapeutic implications remain speculative. We describe a 62-year-old gentleman with history of sick sinus syndrome who presented atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Read More

Int Heart J 2019 Jan 5;60(1):12-18. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a group of hereditary muscular dystrophy syndrome caused by deficiency of genes encoding nuclear envelope proteins. Patients having EDMD show the triad of muscle dystrophy, joint contracture, and cardiac disease. In almost all patients, cardiac involvement is prevalent and is the most severe aspect of EDMD. Read More

J Atr Fibrillation 2018 Aug 31;11(2):2052. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Division of Cardiology, Altru Health System, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201.

We present a particularly rare case and the first ever report of a ventricular self-extraction in a 98-year old female. Our patient had a past medical history significant for severe Alzheimer's dementia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and sick sinus syndrome who was admitted in clinically stable condition following the unwitnessed self-extraction the ventricular lead of her dual chamber pacemaker. This case highlights the potential risks and other clinical challenges of pacemaker and ICD placement in elderly patients and in patients with cognitive impairment. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Introduction: Cardiac perforation of the right ventricle associated with pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads' implantation is uncommon, albeit potentially life-threatening, complication. The aim of this study is to further identify the optimal therapeutic strategy, especially when lead dislocation has occurred outside the pericardial sac.

Methods And Results: The study population included 10 consecutive patients (six female, mean age: 66. Read More

Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2019 Mar;40(1):61-64

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China.

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and PMCT angiography are increasingly used in forensic practice. However, their application in court is still limited because they need professional equipment or software to be displayed. In this article, the authors introduce 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology as a new approach to provide evidence in court. Read More

Pediatr Pulmonol 2019 Feb 20;54(2):E4-E6. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Division and Chair of Cardiology, Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) patients may have heart rhythm disorders related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction such as, sinus bradycardia and transient asystole with potentially dramatic syncopal events. The diagnosis of these cardiac alterations may be challenging with conventional periodical Holter monitoring. The case shows how continuous heart rhythm monitoring provided by the implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) may play a crucial role for their early diagnosis and the choice of the appropriate therapeutic intervention. Read More

J Forensic Sci 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Forensic Pathology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS) is widely considered to be related to hereditary fatal arrhythmias. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4 (HCN4) channels are widely distributed in sinus myocytes and play a profound role in generating pacemaker electro-activity in cardiomyocytes. In the present study, the potential correlation between HCN4 gene variations and the occurrence of SUNDS was investigated. Read More

Intern Med 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Heart Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan.

A 58-year-old woman complained of general fatigue and was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) by ambulatory electrocardiogram, which demonstrated sinus arrest at midnight and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) at nighttime. Since her plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity had been persistently zero, she was diagnosed with ChE deficiency. She refused permanent pacemaker implantation, and treatment with positive chronotropic drugs is ongoing. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(45):e13185

Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

Rationale: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an infrequent disease caused by transplacental maternal autoantibodies. The most common effects of NLE include cutaneous involvement and congenital heart block (CHB), although it might involve multiple organs, such as the liver, lungs, blood, and nervous or digestive systems. Izmirly PM1 and Tonello et al recently reported cutaneous manifestations of neonatal lupus and risk of subsequent CHB. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Nov 2;19(11). Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK.

Increases in the prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome has led to the increase of atrial fibrillation (AF) cases in the developed world. These AF risk factors are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, previously modelled using peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1 ()-deficient murine cardiac models. We explored gene and protein expression profiles of selected molecular targets related to electrophysiological function in murine atria. Read More

Cureus 2018 Jul 8;10(7):e2946. Epub 2018 Jul 8.

Cardiology, Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, USA.

Post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) as a delayed complication of permanent pacemaker implantation has rarely been reported in the literature. A 67-year-old man who recently underwent a dual chamber permanent pacemaker implantation came to the hospital for increasing dyspnea and chest discomfort. A diagnosis of pericarditis was made, and the patient was discharged on ibuprofen therapy. Read More

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2018 Dec 3;29(12):1741-1747. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.

Purpose: To identify whether symptom relief and stent patency vary with use of long-term anticoagulation after stent placement for benign superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome.

Materials And Methods: Patients with benign SVC syndrome treated with stent placement between January 1999 and July 2017 were retrospectively identified (n = 58). Average age was 49 years (range, 24-80 y); 34 (58%) were women, and 24 (42%) were men. Read More

North Clin Istanb 2018 12;5(2):96-101. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

Department of Cardiology, Acibadem Atakent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: Technological advances have allowed cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) to detect, analyze, and store atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs), which are surrogate for the term silent atrial fibrillation (AF). The association of AHREs with adverse clinical events has been demonstrated in several recent studies, implying that morbidity and mortality can be significantly prevented by prompt recognition and intervention. Inflammation and oxidative stress are among several mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of AF. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Oct;7(19):e009629

1 Division of Cardiology Asan Medical Center University of Ulsan College of Medicine Seoul Korea.

Background To characterize the development of sick sinus syndrome ( SSS ) after the additive maze procedure ( MP ) during mitral valve surgery. Methods and Results Follow-up data (median, 3.6 years) of 750 patients with a prevalence of rheumatic cause of 57. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Sep;7(18):e009387

1 Keio University Hospital Tokyo Japan.

Background Brugada syndrome ( BS ) is known to be 9 times more prevalent in males than females. However, little is known about the development of sick sinus syndrome in female members with familial BS . Methods and Results Familial BS patients and family members, both from our institutions and collaborating sites that specialize in clinical care of BS , participated in this study. Read More

Herz 2018 Dec;43(8):701-709

Abteilung für Rhythmologie, HELIOS Herzzentrum Leipzig, Strümpellstraße 39, 04289, Leipzig, Deutschland.

Syncope is a common problem in clinical practice, which affects approximately 1% of patients admitted to European emergency departments. The clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) are based on the newest scientific data in the field and have provided clinical cardiologists with a structured therapeutic approach for affected patients over many years. The previous ESC guidelines on syncope were published in 2009 and are compared to the most recent edition, which was published in 2018. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Oct;97(42):e12833

Division of Cardiology, Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Background: The DANPACE study suggested implanting dual-pacing dual-sensing dual-response rate-adaptive (DDDR) pacemakers in patients with sick sinus syndrome, even though 90.7% of their atrial-pacing atrial-sensing inhibited-response rate-adaptive (AAIR) group did not require upgrade. Most centers implant DDDR pacemakers due to risk of future atrioventricular (AV) block. Read More

J Arrhythm 2018 Oct 22;34(5):572-575. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Kobe Japan.

A 69-year-old man, who had undergone surgery for mitral and tricuspid regurgitation with the Maze procedure for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, was admitted with an episode of syncope due to sick sinus syndrome. Three days after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker (Accent MRI™, St. Jude Medical Inc. Read More

Cardiol Young 2018 Dec 17;28(12):1487-1488. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

1Department of Cardiology,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC,Pittsburgh, PA,USA.

Cardiac conduction disease affects patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome. We report a young asymptomatic patient with Kearns-Sayre syndrome with abnormal conduction on electrocardiogram and Holter monitor, although not advanced atrioventricular block. She underwent prophylactic pacemaker placement, and rapidly developed complete atrioventricular block, which resulted in 100% ventricular pacing. Read More

J Physiol 2018 Dec 2;596(24):6129-6130. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

University of Chicago, Pathology, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA.

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Oct 12;2018. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Although arrhythmias are frequent in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), data on sick sinus syndrome remain elusive. Here, we report a case of TTS initiated by a seizure as a physical trigger that led to sinus arrest. The patient presented with cardiogenic shock and bradycardia which required intensive cardiovascular care. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2018 Oct 11. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background: Data on robotic-assisted surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) operations are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate early and late outcomes after robotic-assisted ablation of AF combined with MV surgery.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2017, this study enrolled 94 patients (age: 53. Read More

Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) 2018 Nov 6;67(5):374-380. Epub 2018 Oct 6.

Groupe hospitalier public sud de l'Oise (GHPSO), service de cardiologie, site de Creil, boulevard Laennec, 60109 Creil cedex, France.

Since its first description in Japan in 1990, Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy has gained worldwide recognition. The disease is characterized by transient systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction with a variety of wall-motion abnormalities. She predominantly affects elderly women and she is often preceded by an emotional or physical trigger. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2018 Oct;20(4):229-234

Departmen of Pediatric Cardiology, Başkent University İstanbul Health and Education Hospital; İstanbul-Turkey.

Objective: The follow-up results of patients operated for atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) during 1996-2016 at Başkent University are presented.

Methods: Data obtained from hospital records consists of preoperative echocardiographic and angiographic details, age and weight at surgery, operative details, Down syndrome presence, postoperative care details, early postoperative and latest echocardiographic findings and hospitalization for reintervention.

Results: A total of 496 patient-files were reviewed including 314 patients (63. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2018 Jun 30;17(6):212-214. Epub 2018 Mar 30.

Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department - AOUP, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is an uncommon but serious complication associated with chronic transvenous implanted leads. In the recent past, open-heart surgery combining lead extraction and epicardial implant was usually performed to reduce syndrome recurrences. We describe the case of a 78-year-old man successfully treated by percutaneous lead extraction associated with venous balloon angioplasty and reimplantation of leadless pacemaker. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2017 Dec 12;16(6):219-222. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

Department of Cardiology, Kido General Hospital, Niigata, Japan.

In an 86-year-old woman who had been treated for sick sinus syndrome, the small high-frequency current delivered by pacemaker in order to measure the minutes ventilation for utilizing the rate-response mode was transiently over-sensed on the Holter electrocardiogram. Although her pacing system was working appropriately, the numbers of the paced beats on the automatic Holter analysis were undercounted (from >60% to <5%) during the over-sensing periods because these currents were recognized as multiple pacing spikes. Physicians need to pay attention to such multiple pacing spike markers, because these can be a cause of unreliable results of the Holter analysis. Read More