Rare Variation in Drug Metabolism and Long QT Genes and the Genetic Susceptibility to Acquired Long QT Syndrome.

Background: Acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS) is a serious unpredictable adverse drug reaction. Pharmacogenomic markers may predict risk.

Methods: Among 153 aLQTS patients (mean age 58 years [range, 14-88], 98.

An inherited sudden cardiac arrest syndrome may be based on primary myocardial and autonomic nervous system abnormalities.

Background: A recently discovered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) syndrome is linked to a risk haplotype that harbors the dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 (DPP6) gene as a plausible culprit.

Objective: Because DPP6 impacts both cardiomyocyte and neuronal function, we hypothesized that ventricular fibrillation (VF) in risk haplotype carriers arises from functional changes in both the heart and autonomic nervous system.

Methods: We studied 6 risk haplotype carriers with previous VF (symptomatic), 8 carriers without VF (asymptomatic), and 7 noncarriers (controls).

High haemoglobin A1c level is a possible risk factor for ventricular fibrillation in sudden cardiac arrest among non-diabetic individuals in the general population.

Aims: This study aimed to establish whether higher levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) are associated with increased sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk in non-diabetic individuals.

Methods And Results: Case-control study in non-diabetic individuals (HbA1c < 6.5%) in the Netherlands.

Women have lower chances than men to be resuscitated and survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aims: Previous studies on sex differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) had limited scope and yielded conflicting results. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overall view on sex differences in care utilization, and outcome of OHCA.

Methods And Results: We performed a population-based cohort-study, analysing all emergency medical service (EMS) treated resuscitation attempts in one province of the Netherlands (2006-2012).

Transaortic Aortic Valve Implantation in 100 Patients: Follow-up to 3 Years.

Objective: Transaortic aortic valve implantation (TAo-AVI) through the ascending aorta is a novel technique and is used as an alternative in patients with poor femoral access. Although early results have been promising, no midterm data have been published yet. To determine whether this approach is an acceptable treatment option, we analyzed the first 100 cases performed at our institution with a follow-up to 3 years.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators have reduced the incidence of resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by lethal arrhythmias.

Background: Over the last decades, a gradual decrease in ventricular fibrillation (VF) as initial recorded rhythm during resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been noted. We sought to establish the contribution of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy to this decline.

Methods And Results: Using a prospective database of all OHCA resuscitation in the province North Holland in the Netherlands (Amsterdam Resuscitation Studies [ARREST]), we collected data on all patients in whom resuscitation for OHCA was attempted in 2005-2008.