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J Vet Cardiol 2021 Apr 18;36:64-76. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Regional Campus, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560024, India.

Introduction: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) causes mortality in calves due to myocarditis; however, the effects of FMD virus on cardiac arrhythmogenesis and Purkinje cells are unknown. Identifying diagnostic and prognostic markers in FMD-affected calves may be useful in disease management in the endemic countries.

Materials And Methods: A total of 81 FMD-affected calves were prospectively monitored till death or recovery. Read More

Paediatr Int Child Health 2021 Jun 11:1-7. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Myocardial bridging is largely considered to be a benign, symptomless congenital anomaly of the coronary arteries in which the intramyocardial coronary course is partially 'tunnelled' and leads to vessel compression during ventricular systole. There are few data regarding children. To report on myocardial bridging observed in children seeking medical help in the paediatric emergency room. Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2021 Feb 12;2(1):37-45. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is less common in African Americans (AA) than Caucasians (C) despite a higher prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension (HTN).

Objective: Test the hypothesis that differences in extracellular matrix (ECM) between AA and C in response to HTN might attenuate atrial enlargement and alter myocardial fibrosis.

Methods: ECM-related plasma biomarkers and echo data were collected from 326 C and 129 AA subjects with no history of AF, stratified by the presence of HTN, HTN with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), or HTN with LVH and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2020 Dec 10;1(5):376-384. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Department of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Background: Outcomes of patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and low ejection fraction implanted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D), especially in contemporary, real-life cohorts, are not fully understood.

Objective: We aimed to better characterize outcomes of death and ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, implanted with an ICD or CRT-D, and specifically assess differences by sex.

Methods: The AnaLysIs of Both Sex and Device Specific FactoRs on Outcomes in PAtients with Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (BIO-LIBRA) study was designed to prospectively assess outcomes of device-treated ventricular tachyarrhythmias and all-cause mortality events in nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients, indicated for an ICD or CRT-D implantation for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD), with a specific focus on sex differences. Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2020 Dec 28;1(5):326-335. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) is an alternative to conventional transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) therapy to reduce lead complications.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes in channelopathy vs patients with structural heart disease in the EFFORTLESS-SICD Registry and with a previously reported TV-ICD meta-analysis in channnelopathies.

Methods: The EFFORTLESS registry includes 199 patients with channelopathies (Brugada syndrome 83, long QT syndrome 24, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation 78, others 14) and 786 patients with structural heart disease. Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2020 Oct 25;1(4):311-314. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Heart Rhythm Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Background: The management of patients with atrial fibrillation and an abnormally fast ventricular response has been through the use of pharmacologic agents. In those cases where rate control cannot be achieved pharmacologically, a standard approach has been atrioventricular (AV) junctional ablation and ventricular pacemaker implantation to achieve a stable ventricular rate. Long-term ventricular pacing has been shown to result in diminished ventricular function that can lead to heart failure. Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2020 Oct 24;1(4):268-274. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyorin University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: The incidence of pericardial effusion (PE) during radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation is approximately 1%. PE is a major complication during CA, but there has been limited literature about the perforation site responsible.

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the characteristics of the procedure and the patients in whom PE developed during CA. Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2020 Jun 15;1(2):126-135. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York.

Background: Cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) dysfunction and elevated diastolic Ca leak have been linked to arrhythmogenesis not only in inherited arrhythmia syndromes but also in acquired forms of heart disease including heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, stabilizing RyR2 may exert therapeutic effects in these conditions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stabilizing RyR2 with chronic dantrolene treatment on HF development and AF inducibility in a myocardial infarction (MI)-induced HF model in rats. Read More

Heart Rhythm O2 2020 Jun 15;1(2):120-125. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Clinical Specialties, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York.

Background: A case report published in 2019 described a patient who presented with difficult-to-manage atrial fibrillation (AF) that consistently was associated with alcohol consumption. After the patient did not respond to drug therapy, a novel beta-blocker (BB) pretreatment regimen initiated immediately before alcohol consumption successfully prevented AF occurrence.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a novel prophylactic BB therapy given before alcohol consumption could prevent AF in a rat model. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 Mar 1;5(3):ytab054. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Cardiology Department, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Background: Myocarditis is a known cause of sudden cardiac death of the athlete. The impact of direct chest trauma in at-risk sports or activities in patients with a history of myocarditis has never been demonstrated or studied. We report herein two cases of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia secondary to non-penetrating blunt chest trauma while playing contact sports. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 Mar 15;5(3):ytab051. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Heart Tower-Room 807, Largo Città d'Ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute and transient heart failure syndrome due to reversible myocardial dysfunction characterized by a wide spectrum of possible clinical scenarios. About one-fifth of TTS patients experience adverse in-hospital events. Thromboembolic complications, especially stroke, have been reported, albeit in a minority of patients. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 Mar 31;5(3):ytab030. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.

Background: Anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital heart abnormality with varying clinical presentations, for which multiple imaging modalities are often required for diagnosis.

Case Summary: We present a case of a 76-year-old female presenting with 2 weeks of palpitations and shortness of breath who was found to be in rapid atrial fibrillation (AF) with congestive heart failure. Despite initial medical management, the patient developed cardiogenic shock with anuric renal failure. Read More

Kardiologiia 2021 May 31;61(5):51-58. Epub 2021 May 31.

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmars Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

Background    Obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was found to increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) regardless of the metabolic syndrome subgroups that may accompany it. In this study, the effect of NAFLD on the structural and electrical functions of the heart was investigated using tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) in non-obese NAFLD patients without any known risk factors for AF.Material and methods    The study included 43 female patients (31. Read More

Kardiologiia 2021 May 31;61(5):32-40. Epub 2021 May 31.

Federal Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, Astrakhan.

Aim      To evaluate the diagnostic significance of clinical and demographic parameters for predicting a 2-year probability of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (CHFrLVEF).Material and methods  This single-center, prospective cohort study included 175 patients with CHFrLVEF who were implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator (CD). The endpoint was a CD-detected episode of VT. Read More

Physiol Rep 2021 Jun;9(11):e14835

Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) with concomitant heart failure (HF) poses a significant therapeutic challenge. Mechanism-based approaches may optimize AF therapy. Small-conductance, calcium-activated K (K , KCNN) channels contribute to cardiac action potential repolarization. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 May 24;5(5):ytab142. Epub 2021 May 24.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, McLaren Macomb Regional Medical Center, 1000 Harrington Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, USA.

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) can clinically present as an acute coronary syndrome; however, the former has regional wall motion abnormalities that extend beyond a single coronary vascular territory without any plaque rupture. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy classically involves apical ballooning of left ventricle (LV). It is uncommon for TCM to present as cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) along with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 Apr 21;5(4):ytab120. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Department of cardiology, Heart Centre OLVG, Oosterparkstraat 9, 1091 AC Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare form of endocarditis notably described in patients with advanced malignancy and auto-immune diseases. It is characterized by the formation of sterile, fibrin-containing vegetations on cardiac endothelium, in the absence of positive blood cultures. It is predominantly located on the mitral- and aortic valve (AV). Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 Mar 10;5(3):ytab020. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Brest, Tanguy Prigent Boulevard, 29609 Brest Cedex, France.

Background : The transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is becoming a leading treatment option for symptomatic aortic stenosis for patients in all surgical risk categories. Recognition and management of potential complications are essential to ensure patient life and comfort. We present here a case report of a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) to right atrium (RA) fistula which is an extremely rare complication after TAVI. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Jun 9;14(6). Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Cardiology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta.

A 33-year-old man presented with a 3-week history of breathlessness and cough. He disclosed that he was informed regarding a heart defect as a child in his home country but was unaware of its nature and was never followed up. Examination revealed a pansystolic murmur (loudest at the apex), a hyperdynamic, displaced apex, and pulmonary oedema. Read More

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, American Heart of Poland, Bielsko-Biała, Poland.

Background: The evidence regarding the impact of patient's age and gender on del Nido cardioplegia cadioprotection capability in adults is strongly limited.

Methods: A group of 75 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with del Nido cardioplegia was divided into Group 1 (male) and Group 2 (female). Creatine kinase (CK-MB isoenzyme) and high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) values at 24 hours and 48 hours, occurrence of cardiac activity during crossclamp and ventricular fibrillation (VF) during reperfusion were compared. Read More

SAGE Open Med 2021 25;9:20503121211017756. Epub 2021 May 25.

Hendrick Medical Center, Abilene, TX, USA.

Introduction: Diltiazem is a preferred agent for rate control in atrial fibrillation due to its quick onset, minimal side effects, and low cost. Due to its intermittent national shortage since February 2018, the utilization of intravenous metoprolol and verapamil has increased. This study investigated the effect of intravenous diltiazem, metoprolol, and verapamil on rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate. Read More

Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J 2021 Apr 25;17(1):24-35. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Ventricular arrhythmias are potentially life-threatening disorders that are commonly treated with medications, catheter ablation and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Adult patients who continue to be symptomatic, with frequent ventricular arrhythmia cardiac events or defibrillation from ICD despite medical treatment, are a challenging subgroup to manage. Surgical cardiac sympathetic denervation has emerged as a possible treatment option for people refractory to less invasive medical options. Read More

J Electrocardiol 2021 May 27;67:94-97. Epub 2021 May 27.

Department of Cardiology, Kartal Koşuyolu Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Electrical storm is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. It can remain a clinical challenge despite anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation therapies. Autonomic modulation techniques have gained increased recognition in the treatment of refractory electrical storm cases. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2021 May 29;49:130-132. Epub 2021 May 29.

University of Virginia Health System, Department of Emergency Medicine, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22901, United States. Electronic address:

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have increased survival for heart failure patients. Individuals with LVADs are a growing patient population with frequent complications and Emergency Department (ED) visits. A 50-year-old female presented to the ED due to a low flow alarm on her LVAD. Read More

Chest 2021 Jun;159(6):e377-e380

Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, and Critical Care, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Case Presentation: An 80-year old man presented to the ED after being found down in his home. He had gone to the restroom to perform straight catheterization, as he normally does for his enlarged prostate, and was found slumped over and confused. On arrival to the ED, he was found to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, febrile, and hypotensive. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Jun 5:e020353. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and The Center for Simulation, Advanced Education, and Innovation The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia PA.

Background Amplitude spectral area (AMSA) predicts termination of fibrillation (TOF) with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival in adults but has not been studied in pediatric cardiac arrest. We characterized AMSA during pediatric cardiac arrest from a Pediatric Resuscitation Quality Collaborative and hypothesized that AMSA would be associated with TOF and ROSC. Methods and Results Children aged <18 years with cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation were studied. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2021 Jun 25;34:100802. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany.

Aim: The CHADS-VASC score has expanded its use beyond the initial purpose of predicting the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. We aimed to investigate the value of the CHADS-VASC score as a risk assessment tool to predict relevant coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and all-cause mortality after detected ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in patients with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD).

Methods: A total of 183 ICD-patients who underwent coronary angiography after VA were included and classified according to their CHADS-VASC score in a low(1-3), intermediate(4-5) and high(6-8) score group. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2021 Jun 19;34:100794. Epub 2021 May 19.

Maastricht University and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Physiology, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Background: Patients with a history of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease (CAD) have a higher risk of developing AF. Conversely, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a higher risk of developing myocardial infarction, suggesting a link in underlying pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to assess whether coronary angiographic parameters are associated with a substrate for AF in patients without a history of AF. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2021 20;8:668653. Epub 2021 May 20.

Heart Failure Unit, Department of Cardiology and Congenital Diseases of Adults, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Łódz, Poland.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of dehydration, body mass index (BMI) and other indices with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF) patients. The study included 113 patients [median age 64 years; 57.52% male] hospitalized due to HF. Read More

Cureus 2021 May 26;13(5):e15254. Epub 2021 May 26.

Surgical Clinic, National Transport Hospital 'Tzar Boris III', Sofia, BGR.

The deterioration of hepatorenal function due to worsening congestion is relatively common in acute heart failure and carries an independent adverse prognosis. In some patients, the risk of proarrhythmia is increased due to impaired drug metabolism. We described a patient with acute heart failure, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation episodes while receiving loading doses of amiodarone for atrial fibrillation. Read More