Factors associated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in patients suffering from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Although intra-cardiac shocks are a lifesaving approach in patients with systolic heart failure (HF), the probable effective factors related to shock occurrence are less frequently recognized. We designed this study to assess the factors associated with inappropriate or appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM).

Methods: Ninety-nine patients with NICM who implanted ICD were enrolled from March 2018 to September 2019 and followed up with a three-month interval for up to one year.

The survey of electrophysiology lab activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: With the onset and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitalization and treatment of noncovid patients were dramatically affected. The aim of this study is to evaluate the electrophysiology (EP) lab activity in a referral center in Iran during the COVID-19 era.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted on EP lab activity in Shahid Chamran Heart Center, Isfahan, Iran.

Association between ambient air pollution and hospitalization caused by atrial fibrillation.

Background: Many studies have shown the worst effects of air pollution on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Present study focused on the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF), as one of the common arrhythmias, and air pollutants in Isfahan, Iran, an industrial city in the Middle East.

Methods: A case-crossover design was used to explore the associations between air pollution and AF hospitalized patients with ventricular response (VR) > 90 beats per minute (bpm) (fast response) and those with VR ≤ 90 bpm.

Electrocardiographic (ECG) clues to differentiate idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOTT) from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Introduction: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic cardiomyopathy that most commonly affects young adults. The most commonly observed reason of death in patients suffering from ARVC/D is sudden cardiac death (SCD). On the other hand, idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOT VT) usually has a benign course.

Acute effects of smoking on QT dispersion in healthy males.

Background: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death (SCD). QT dispersion (QTD) is an important predictor of cardiac arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to assess the acute effect of smoking a single standard cigarette containing 1.