Emergency Department Re-Presentation for Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter.

Background: Identification and appropriate management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is critical to mitigate the consequences of the disease. We sought to assess the frequency and pattern of the emergency department (ED) use by patients who presented with AF and/or atrial flutter (AFL) in a midsized Canadian hospital.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who presented to the ED with AF and/or AFL during the calendar years 2010-2012.

Electromagnetic interference of communication devices on ECG machines.

Background: Use of communication devices in the hospital environment remains controversial. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can affect different medical devices. Potential sources for EMI on ECG machines were systematically tested.

Concealed antegrade penetration of the atrio-ventricular node.

We present a patient with paroxysmal, non-sustained atrial tachycardia (AT) on routine surveillance 24-hour Holter post pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Several asymptomatic ventricular pauses are noted to follow each burst of AT. We postulate that these pauses are due to the resultant concealed penetration of the atrio-ventricular node (AVN) in combination with sino-atrial node overdrive suppression.

Electromagnetic interference produced by a hearing aid device on electrocardiogram recording.

An 85-year-old male was implanted with a single-chamber permanent pacemaker because of atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response. The patient had a chronic hearing impairment and decided to buy a hearing aid device. The MyLink device (MyLink, Phonak, Stafa, Switzerland) is a multifrequency FM transmitter/receiver (169.