Radiofrequency ablation of a hepatic neoplasm in a patient with an abdominal pacemaker.

We present the case of a 52 year-old male with a history of C-hepatitis and two liver neoplastic lesions treated by radiofrequency (RF) ablation. The patient wears an abdominally-implanted unipolar VVI pacemaker that did not show any signs of interference during RF pulses. We describe the procedure performed and discuss the present knowledge regarding the possibilities of RF interference with the normal pacemaker functioning in several settings related to abdominal RF treatments.

[Current concepts on sudden death].

Sudden death is defined as the death occurring less than one hour before the onset of the patient's symptoms. It is a severe condition considered a public health issue in several countries and in ours, it accounts for 33 000 to 53 000 annual deaths mainly related to ischemic heart disease. The main cause of sudden death are severe ventricular arrhythmias, but determining what patients are at risk for such an episode is complex, that is why risk stratification is usually a low cost-effective intervention.

[Impact of optimal medical therapy on the arrhythmias and heart rate variability detected with 24 hour Holter in a series of patients from a heart failure clinic].

Unlabelled: Pharmacological treatment of heart failure (HF) patients usually induces improvements in their functional class (FC). Heart rate variability and Holter-detected arrhythmias are sudden cardiac death predictors and should be evaluated in the presence of optimal medical treatment.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational and linear study to evaluate ventricular arrhythmia presence and heart rate variability through 24-hr Holter.

Detection of myocardial viability could be improved by rest GIK (glucose-insulin-potassium solution)-Tc 99m sestamibi compared with TL-201 reinjection, in post myocardial infarction patients.

Unlabelled: GIK solutions improve detection of myocardium viability after acute infarction because they could change the metabolic conditions, improving myocardial perfusion defects.

Methods And Results: Seventy four patients (52 men, 22 women, mean age 53.3.

Effect of bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome, electrocardiogram, and pulmonary arterial pressure.

Background: We evaluated the impact of surgically-induced weight loss on Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS), electrocardiographic changes, pulmonary arterial pressure and daytime sleepiness in morbidly obese patients.

Methods: 16 women and 13 men (n=29) underwent bariatric surgery in a 3-year period. The following tests were performed before and 1 year after surgery: nocturnal polysomnography, daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), and echocardiogram.

[Description of the resting electrocardiogram in a series of patients with myasthenia gravis].

Unlabelled: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease characterized by the presence of acetylcholine receptor-directed autoantibodies. Functional cardiac disorders are the most common since there is no neuro-muscular plate in the heart. Autonomic nervous system is involved in MG, but the cardiac manifestations of such an involvement remain unclear.

Clinical findings as predictors of positivity of head-up tilt table test in neurocardiogenic syncope.

Background: Neurocardiogenic (vasovagal) syncope occurs frequently and can be diagnosed with the head-up tilt table (HUTT) test. Our objective in this study was to identify clinical predictors of the positivity of HUTT test in neurocardiogenic syncope.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 117 cases (81 women and 36 men, 13-85 years of age) referred to our Institution for HUTT testing.