Burden of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients With Anthracycline-Related Cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of arrhythmias and device (internal cardiac defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator) therapies in patients with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and anthracycline exposure.

Background: The burden of arrhythmias in adult cancer survivors with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy has not been studied, but might have important implications for clinical management and outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) who underwent internal cardiac defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator implantation at the Mayo Clinic from 1990 to 2012.

Definition of performance metrics and methods for screening for sudden cardiac arrest risk at a tertiary care medical center.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the results of manual and automatic electronic medical record-based screening of patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) based on measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: Counseling regarding SCA risk and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy is underutilized in patients with reduced LVEF. We developed and implemented an electronic medical record (EMR)-based system for screening of such patients to improve care.

Use of an autologous blood recovery system during emergency pericardiocentesis in the electrophysiology laboratory.

Introduction: Emergency pericardiocentesis during electrophysiology procedures is often associated with significant aspiration of pericardial blood, requiring transfusion. We sought to assess the feasibility of urgent use of an autologous blood recovery system in the electrophysiology laboratory to autotransfuse blood aspirated from the pericardium.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed Mayo Clinic electrophysiology records for patients who had ablation procedure-related pericardial effusions requiring emergency pericardial drainage during an 8-month period.

Dysrhythmias and the athlete.

Young competitive athletes are perceived by the general population to be the healthiest members of society. The possibility that highly trained high school and college athletes may have a potentially serious cardiac condition that can predispose to life-threatening dysrhythmias or sudden cardiac death (SCD) seems paradoxical. The occurrence of SCD in young athletes from dysrhythmias is an uncommon but highly visible event.