Echocardiographic predictors of exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction.

Decreased exercise capacity (EC) is an established predictor of cardiac and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). No correlation has been found between EC and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. Moreover, data about the effect of right ventricular (RV) function on EC in HF with severe LV dysfunction are limited and contradictory.

Haemodynamic effects of etomidate, propofol and electrical shock in patients undergoing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator testing.

Background: Anaesthetic drugs and internal electrical shock may alter the haemodynamic status of patients undergoing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) testing. Comparative data on the mechanisms of etomidate and propofol-induced changes in haemodynamic parameters are inconsistent. Also the effects of ICD shock on haemodynamics have not been extensively studied.

Implantation of additional defibrillation lead into the coronary sinus: an effective method of decreasing defibrillation threshold.

We report a case of successful implantation of an additional defibrillation lead into the coronary sinus due to high defibrillation threshold (DFT) in a seriously ill patient with a history of extensive myocardial infarction referred for implantable cardioverter- defibrillator implantation after an episode of unstable ventricular tachycardia. All previous attempts to reduce DFT, including subcutaneous electrode implantation, had been unsuccessful.

Tilt-induced changes in haemodynamic parameters in patients with cardiac resynchronisation therapy - a pilot study.

Background: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has become a standard care in selected patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF). In order to achieve an adequate clinical response, CRT parameters have to be optimised following implantation. This procedure is usually performed on a patient in a supine position; however, measurement of haemodynamic parameters in an upright position may be clinically important.