Pericarditis as a manifestation of IgG4-related disease.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic, immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disease that can affect virtually every organ system. It is usually insidious in onset and often mimics malignant or other inflammatory disorders. Diagnosis frequently requires a combination of clinical, serological, radiographic, and histopathological features, including increased serum-IgG4 levels and tissue infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells with associated fibrosis.

Unifocal Right-Sided Ablation Treatment for Neurally Mediated Syncope and Functional Sinus Node Dysfunction Under Computed Tomographic Guidance.

Background Biatrial, extensive, and complex ablation strategies have been published for the treatment of neurally mediated syncope, sinus node dysfunction, and functional atrioventricular block. We have developed a less extensive and more specific approach compared with previously published cardioneuroablation strategies, called cardio-neuromodulation. It is based on tailored vagolysis of the sinoatrial node through partial ablation of the anterior right-ganglionated plexus, preferentially through a right-sided approach.

Formation of thermal coagulum on multielectrode catheters during phased radiofrequency energy ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can unfavorably cause coagulum on the ablation electrode. The aim of this study was to assess this phenomenon on three different multielectrode catheters used to treat persistent atrial fibrillation with duty-cycled RFA.

Methods And Results: Twenty-six consecutive patients have been treated with the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) and the multiarray ablation catheter (MAAC).

Intoxication with taxus baccata: cardiac arrhythmias following yew leaves ingestion.

The use of yew leaves (Taxus Baccata) as a means of deliberate self-harm is infrequent. The potent effect of the toxin is primarily cardiac and results in rhythm alterations and ultimately ventricular fibrillation. As there is no known antidote, and classic antiarrhythmic therapy proves to be ineffective, a prompt diagnosis is of great importance as immediate supportive action is the only valuable alternative.