Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Resuscitation 2019 Jan 13. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Aims: Although the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions have significantly improved over the past decade, whether they have reduced the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not known. We sought to evaluate the temporal trends of SCD in a large unselected population.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using multiple linked longitudinal data In Ontario Canada. Read More

Clin Schizophr Relat Psychoses 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

1. Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Hershey, PA, USA.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a cardiac conduction abnormality characterized by ventricular contractions that appear sooner than the usual interval regulated by the atrioventricular (AV) node. It is commonly asymptomatic but in rare cases can lead to sudden cardiac death. Little is known about the cardiac effects of antipsychotics on patients with WPW. Read More

Circ Genom Precis Med 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Background: Triadin knockout syndrome (TKOS) is a rare, inherited arrhythmia syndrome caused by recessive null mutations in TRDN-encoded cardiac triadin. Based previously on five TRDN null patients, TKOS has been characterized by extensive T-wave inversions, transient QT prolongation, and severe disease expression of exercise-induced cardiac arrest in early childhood refractory to conventional therapy.

Methods: We have established the International Triadin Knockout Syndrome Registry (ITKOSR) to include patients who have genetically proven homozygous/compound heterozygous TRDN null mutations. Read More

Brain 2019 Jan 12. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a fatal complication of epilepsy in which brainstem spreading depolarization may play a pivotal role, as suggested by animal studies. However, patiotemporal details of spreading depolarization occurring in relation to fatal seizures have not been investigated. In addition, little is known about behavioural and neurophysiological features that may discriminate spontaneous fatal from non-fatal seizures. Read More

Curr Diabetes Rev 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Acibadem City Clinic Cardiovascular Center - University Hospital, Sofia. Bulgaria.

Problems in measuring the QT-dispersion are associated mostly with inaccurate location of the T-wave end. The complications are: (i) in methodology due to various definition for Tend, (ii) in automatic measurements, due to low amplitude of T-wave, presence of U-wave and noise, and (iii) in manual measurements, due to lack of repeatability in the results, and involuntary subjectivism, when the QT-dispersion is measured by a person familiar with the ultimate goal of the study. New ECG repolarization parameter, 'T-wave area dispersion' (TWAD), has been defined by Kenttä et al. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 17;2018:8730593. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China.

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) can cause heart remodeling and it is an independent risk factor for malignant arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and other malignant cardiovascular events. It is often characterized by myocardial interstitial collagen deposition and hyperproliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). The transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1) is the most influential profibrogenic factor. Read More

Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol 2018 Dec 31;15(4):246-253. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Cardiology Institute and Clinic, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) is a rare form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, occasionally resulting in severe complications. The paper covers the etiology and pathogenesis of AHCM, different imaging methods and characteristic appearance of the disease in each of them. Echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are known to be the most valuable imaging methods. Read More

Prescrire Int 2016 Oct;25(175):238-240

The results of two large epidemiological studies on the association between domperidone and ventricular arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death were published in 2015; one study was conducted in Taiwan and the other in the United Kingdom. They also examined metoclopramide. Both studies demonstrated an increased risk of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia with metoclopramide, similar to the risk associated with domperidone. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2018 Dec 27. 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

Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2019 Feb 7;169:19-36. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Electrical Engineering, Payame Noor University of North Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Background And Objective: Taking into consideration the critical importance of Sudden cardiac death (SCD), as it could be the first and the last heart condition to be diagnosed in a person while continuing to claim millions of lives around the world, prediction of sudden cardiac death has increasingly been regarded as a matter of substantive significance. This study does not seek to once again define features to predict and detect SCD, as there already has been adequate discussion addressing feature extraction in our previous works and other recent studies. What seems to be lacking attention is the need for an appropriate strategy to manage the extracted features to such an extent that the best classification is presented. Read More

G Ital Cardiol (Rome) 2019 Jan;20(1):46-61

Presidente SIC, Struttura Cardiologica, Policlinico Universitario, Cagliari.

Palliative care is recognized as an approach that improves quality of life of patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses. This is achieved through prevention, early identification, assessment and treatment of symptoms and other psycho-social, spiritual and economic issues. Palliative care is not dependent on prognosis and can be delivered as "simultaneous care", together with disease-modifying treatments and adequate symptom relief. Read More

J Magn Reson Imaging 2019 Jan 13. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

Department of Cardiology, Barbara and Donald Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, Manhasset, New York, USA.

Myocarditis encompasses both primary and secondary processes causing inflammation of the myocardium. Viral infections are a common secondary cause of myocarditis with important clinical relevance. Viral myocarditis has a varied clinical presentation, potentially resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Read More

Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Kardiologie, Elektrophysiologie, Pneumologie und konservative Intensivmedizin, St.-Marien Hospital, Klinikum Lünen, Lünen, Deutschland.

Heart failure is one of the most common diseases. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Since heart failure is age-associated, the number of patients with heart failure is constantly increasing. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Jan 12;25:357-364. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND Karoshi, which is sudden death associated with overwork, has become a serious problem in China. Many studies have examined the relationship between cardiovascular risks and karoshi, but there is little evidence that explains the exact mechanism by which overwork induces sudden death. In these cases, there are few obvious positive findings from forensic autopsies except for histories of overwork prior to death. Read More

Emerg Med J 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Paris Fire Brigade Medical Emergency Department, Paris, France.

Cytogenet Genome Res 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe cardiovascular disease which can lead to heart failure and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The typical feature of DCM is left ventricular enlargement or dilatation. In some conditions, DCM and arrhythmia can occur concurrently, apparently promoting the prevalence of SCD. Read More

Chin Med J (Engl) 2019 Jan;132(1):17-24

Department of Pacing and Electrophysiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, China.

Background: Little is known about the risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the overall hospitalized cardiac department population. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors and develop a predictive model for SCD in a hospitalized cardiac department population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to the cardiac department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2015 to February 2017. Read More

Bull Exp Biol Med 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Physiology, Research Institute of Cardiology, National Medical Research Cardiology Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.

Differential high-resolution ECG (V1-V2) and pelvic electric potential measured between the coccyx and perineum were recorded simultaneously in resting supine position in men with autonomic nervous system disorders (N=37). In healthy volunteers (N=23), the effective (rms) value of PEP presented by median and interdecile range was 30 (20-80) μV within the frequency band of 0.03-80 Hz. Read More

Int Heart J 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are an effective treatment to prevent sudden cardiac death; however, lead dysfunction is an important complication during the long-term follow-up period in ICD recipients. Careful device programming is required in accordance with the individual situation in patients with lead dysfunction. We herein present a patient in whom programming to AAI triggered palpitations during exercise. Read More

J Card Surg 2019 Jan 9;34(1):7-13. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

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

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (VIV-TAVI) in patients with degenerated small bioprostheses.

Methods: Outcomes of consecutive 27 high-risk patients (logistic EuroSCORE 35.5 ± 18. Read More

Kardiologiia 2018 Dec 25;58(12):76-84. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.

The article covers the development of the problem of sudden cardiac death prevention with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillators from the moment of creation of these devices to our days. The current concept of primary prevention of sudden cardiac death, based on the severity of manifestation of heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, is not effective enough. Its practical application is difficult because it requires mass application of implantable defibrillators, with low predictive accuracy of these criteria in terms of development of life-threatening arrhythmias. Read More

Kardiologiia 2018 Dec 25;58(12):52-58. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Clinical Institute of Pediatrics named after Academician Y. E. Veltishev; RNIMU after N.I. Pirogov.

Purpose: to assess specificities of course of the long-QT syndrome in children before and after implantation of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), and optimization of indications to ICD-therapy.

Materials And Methods: We included in this study 48 children with long-QT syndrome from 44 unrelated families (28 boys and 20 girls), who underwent ICD implantation at the mean age 11.8±3. Read More

Kardiologiia 2018 Dec 25;58(12):22-29. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Semey State Medical University.

Purpose: to elucidate independent clinical and laboratory predictors of adverse cardiovascular events (ACVE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting in early inhospital period.

Materials And Methods: We included in this prospective single center study 130 patients with ACS who underwent PCI with stenting. All patients prior to and after PCI received dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. Read More

Kardiologiia 2018 Nov 24;58(11):94-100. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Russian Cardiology Research Center.

In this brief review we focus on major updates and key points of 2017 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society (AHA/ACC/HRS) guideline for management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Read More

J Neurophysiol 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, United States.

Sudden death is an important but under-recognized consequence of stroke. Acute stroke can disturb central control of autonomic function, and result in cardiac dysfunction and sudden death. Previous study showed that bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCAL) in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP) is a well-established model for forebrain ischemic sudden death. Read More

J Trop Pediatr 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Pediatrics, Van Yuzuncu Yil Universitiy, Van 65090, Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the effect of inflammation on the conducting system of the heart in patients diagnosed with brucellosis.

Methods: A total of 42 patients diagnosed with brucellosis and 39 age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled into the study. Pre- and post-treatment electrocardiographic parameters in brucellosis and control group were recorded from an electrocardiogram for each patient. Read More

J Hypertens 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Pharmacology, INSERM U970.

Objective: Increased carotid stiffness and remodelling is reported in patients with moderate and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with cardiovascular events. Here, we tested the hypothesis that carotid artery alterations start earlier, during mild CKD.

Methods: Within the Paris Prospective Study 3, a large prospective observational survey of nonreferred people aged 50-75 who received an extensive health check-up, there were 294 participants with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of at least 45 and less than 60 ml/min per 1. Read More

Cardiol Res Pract 2018 29;2018:7373610. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Wearable cardioverter-defibrillators (WCD, LifeVest, ZOLL) can protect from sudden cardiac death bridging a vulnerable period until a decision on implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation can be reached. WCD is commonly used for 3 months or less. It is unknown, which patients use WCD longer and which patients are most likely to benefit from it. Read More

World J Cardiol 2018 Dec;10(12):254-266

Division of Cardiology, Lang Research Center, New York Presbyterian Medical Group - Queens Hospital, Flushing, NY 11355, United States.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a multisystem disorder that essentially can affect any organ in the human body. The hallmark of the pathogenesis in TTP is the large von Willebrand factor multimers on platelet-mediated micro-thrombi formation, leading to microvascular thrombosis. Autopsy studies showed that cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction are the most common immediate causes of death in these patients. Read More

World J Cardiol 2018 Dec;10(12):250-253

Department of Cardiology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich NR4 7UY, United Kingdom.

Sudden arrhythmic cardiac death remains a significant, potentially reversible, cardiological challenge in terms of creating accurate risk prediction models. The current guidelines for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy are mainly based on left ventricular ejection fraction despite its low sensitivity and specificity in predicting sudden cardiac death (SCD). Chronic total occlusions have been associated with increased mortality but further research is required to clarify if they should be incorporated in a risk model predicting SCD aiming to identify patients that would benefit from ICD therapy even with preserved ejection fraction. Read More

Biochemistry 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

The key events in regulating muscle contraction involve the Troponin (Tn) heterotrimeric protein complex where the binding to and release of Ca from the highly conserved Troponin C (TnC) subunit triggers a series of structural changes within Tn, and the other thin filament proteins, to result in contraction. In the heart, the control of contraction and relaxation events can be altered by many single point mutations which may result in cardiomyopathy and sometimes sudden cardiac death. Here we have examined the structural effects of one hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation, L29Q, on Ca induced structural transitions within whole TnC. Read More

Biochemistry 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

KCNQ1 (Kv7.1 or KvLQT1) is a potassium ion channel protein found in the heart, ear and other tissues. In complex with the KCNE1 accessory protein it plays a role during the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2018 18;5:184. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.

Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) is a component of the desmosome complex and known for its role in cell-cell adhesion. Recently, alterations in the gene have been associated with different inherited cardiac conditions including Arrythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM or ARVC), Brugada syndrome (BrS), and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation to name the most relevant. However, the assessment of pathogenicity regarding the genetic variations associated with is still a challenging task: the gene has a positive Residual Variation Intolerance Score and the potential deleterious role of several of its variants has been disputed. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2018 11;5:176. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.

In spite of the widespread role of calmodulin (CaM) in cellular signaling, CaM mutations lead specifically to cardiac manifestations, characterized by remarkable electrical instability and a high incidence of sudden death at young age. Penetrance of the mutations is surprisingly high, thus postulating a high degree of functional dominance. According to the clinical patterns, arrhythmogenesis in CaM mutations can be attributed, in the majority of cases, to either prolonged repolarization (as in long-QT syndrome, LQTS phenotype), or to instability of the intracellular Ca store (as in catecholamine-induced tachycardias, CPVT phenotype). Read More

Front Neurol 2018 11;9:1079. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of epilepsy-related death in patients with refractory epilepsy. Convergent lines of evidence suggest that SUDEP occurs due to seizure induced perturbation of respiratory, cardiac, and electrocerebral function as well as potential predisposing factors. It is consistently observed that SUDEP happens more during the night and the early hours of the morning. Read More

Front Physiol 2018 19;9:1832. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.

Patients who present with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) and enhancement on late gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-CMR), are at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Further risk stratification of these patients based on LGE-CMR may be improved through better understanding of fibrosis microstructure. Our aim is to examine variations in fibrosis microstructure based on LGE imaging, and quantify the effect on reentry inducibility and mechanism. Read More

J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Cardiology, Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurring in the first minutes to hours of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a frequent cause of death and treatment options are limited. The aim was to test whether early infusion of amiodarone 10 min after onset of AMI reduced the incidence of VF in a porcine model. Eighteen female Danish landrace pigs were randomized to a control and an amiodarone group. Read More

Heart Fail Rev 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Mid-German Heart Center, Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medical Care, University Hospital Halle, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.

Treatment of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) with septal reduction, either with myectomy or alcohol septal ablation, is aiming to reduce the LVOT gradient and improve symptoms in patients who are refractory to or do not tolerate medical treatment. Apart from contributing to the evolution to heart failure, LVOT obstruction is considered a risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Both septal reduction treatments have been proven effective in reducing symptoms and seem to improve survival, which has been shown equal to the expected in the normal population. Read More

Eur J Pediatr 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Centro de Referência de Doenças Hereditárias do Metabolismo, Departamento de Pediatria Médica, Hospital de Santa Maria - CHULN, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-035, Lisbon, Portugal.

Fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) disorders have a wide variety of symptoms, not usually evident between episodes of acute decompensations. Cardiac involvement is frequent, and severe ventricular arrhythmias are suspected of causing sudden death. Expanded newborn screening (ENS) for these disorders, hopefully, contribute to prevent potentially acute life-threatening events. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) are an established therapy for preventing sudden cardiac death. However, a considerable number of patients still undergo inappropriate shocks even after conventional pre-implantation ECG screening.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the additional impact of diurnal variations in the QRS complex and T-waves of 24-h Holter monitoring on the S-ICD eligibility. Read More

Open Heart 2018 16;5(2):e000877. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Objective: The cardiac inherited disease (CID) population has suboptimal adherence to long-term β-blocker therapy, which is known to be a risk for sudden cardiac death. This study aimed to identify the clinical and psychosocial variables associated with non-adherence in this population.

Methods: 130 individuals (aged 16-81 years, median: 54) from the New Zealand Cardiac Inherited Disease Registry taking β-blockers participated: 65 (50%) long QT syndrome, 42 (32%) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 23 (18%) other. Read More

J Electrocardiol 2018 Dec 21;53:40-43. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

University of Foggia, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, Foggia, Italy. Electronic address:

Here we report the identification of two novel mutations in a previously asymptomatic young man who suffered an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. During following evaluation, diagnosis of early stage dilated cardiomyopathy was established, while electrocardiogram monitoring showed frequent complex ventricular arrhythmias, incomplete right bundle branch block and prolonged QT duration. No reversible causes explaining the clinical presentation were established and an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator was therefore implanted. Read More

Mayo Clin Proc 2019 Jan;94(1):84-88

Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

The prevalence of Fabry disease (FD) in adult patients with suspected hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been reported between 0.3% and 4%. Fabry disease-specific therapy necessitates early diagnosis; however, the optimal screening strategy and cost efficacy of routine α-galactosidase A (α-gal A) vs comprehensive galactosidase alpha gene (GLA) testing remain poorly understood. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Interv 2019 Jan;12(1):e007081

SAMU 78, Versailles Hospital, Le Chesnay, France (Y.L.).

Background: Mortality of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreased drastically, mainly through reduction in inhospital mortality. Prehospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) became one of the most feared complications. We assessed the incidence, outcome, and prognosis' predictors of prehospital SCA occurring after emergency medical services (EMS) arrival. Read More

Heart Vessels 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Division of Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

According to current guidelines prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy is recommended in patients with significantly impaired left ventricular systolic function. However, the recently published DANISH trial did not find a significantly lower long-term rate of death from any cause compared with usual clinical care in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. We investigated whether registry data from a multi-center 'real-life' registry on patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy are similar to this trial. Read More

Vet J 2019 Jan 12;243:21-25. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Division of Cardiology, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Arrhythmias can complicate cardiac disease in cats and are a potential cause of sudden death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and nature of cardiac arrhythmias, and the potential correlation between plasma serum troponin I (cTnI) concentrations and the presence or severity of arrhythmias in cats with decompensated (dHCM) and compensated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (cHCM). Forty one client-owned cats were studied: 16 with cHCM, 15 with dHCM and 10 healthy control cats. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019 Jan 3;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.

Background: There are limited data about modes of death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in South East Asian population. The aim of the study was to examine modes of death and clinical outcomes in Thai patients with HCM.

Methods: Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013, 166 consecutive patients with HCM diagnosed in our institution were evaluated. Read More

Europace 2019 Jan 2. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Department of Cardiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Timone, F-13385 Marseille, France.

Aims: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce sudden cardiac death in selected patients but inappropriate ICD shocks have been associated with increased mortality. The THORN registry aims to describe the rate of inappropriate ventricular arrhythmia diagnoses and therapies in patients followed by remote monitoring, as well as the following delay to next patient contact (DNPC).

Methods And Results: One thousand eight hundred and eighty-two patients issued from a large remote monitoring database first implanted with an ICD for primary or secondary prevention in 110 French hospitals from 2007 to 2014 constitute the THORN population. Read More

PLoS One 2019 3;14(1):e0209297. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Sugiyama Clinic, Shizuoka, Japan.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, including sudden cardiac death (SCD), are the leading cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. A prolonged QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a risk factor for SCD in HD patients. This study investigated whether the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval becomes prolonged along with dialysis vintage. Read More

Heart Vessels 2019 Jan 2. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Department of Forensic Biology, School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Wenhua Street 55#, Jinzhong, 030619, Shanxi, China.

It has been demonstrated that S1P receptors affect heart ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) induced injury. However, whether S1P receptors affect IR-induced cardiac death has not been investigated. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the role of S1P receptors in IR-induced cardiac death. Read More