Electromagnetic interference with implantable cardioverter defibrillators causing inadvertent shock: case report and review of current literature.

As the number of patients having implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices is increasing, it is important for the physicians and patients to be aware of situations and conditions that can result in interference with normal functioning of these devices. There are multiple cases of malfunction of ICDs reported in literature and it may be of great significance to have an overview of these incidents for appropriate recognition and future prevention. Here we are reviewing the available literature as well as reporting an interesting case of electromagnetic interference (EMI) resulting from leak of current in pool water causing firing of ICD.

Rare case of coronary to pulmonary vein fistula with coronary steal phenomenon.

Coronary artery fistulas are abnormal connections between coronary artery territories and cardiac chambers or major vessels, most of them are congenital. Patients with coronary artery fistula can be asymptomatic or present with different symptoms like angina. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is one of the best modalities for diagnosis.

Do omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce risk of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias? A meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Introduction: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have demonstrated to have antiarrhythmic properties. However, randomized studies have shown inconsistent results.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the effect of omega-3 PUFA on preventing potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Successful endovascular extraction of newer generation Angio-Seal collagen plug and anchor after acute embolization.

A 75-year-old woman with past medical history of coronary bypass, atrial fibrillation, mitral valve repair undergoes percutaneous coronary intervention of left circumflex artery with a drug eluting stent. An Anglo-Seal vascular closure device was used post procedure to obtain hemostasis. Shortly after deployment, frank bleeding was observed necessitating manual compression at the arteriotomy site.

High-density lipoprotein in uremic patients: metabolism, impairment, and therapy.

Several studies have shown that HDL has altered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in chronic uremia, either by the reduction in its antioxidant enzymes or by the impairment of their activity. Systemic oxidative stress, which is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, has been shown to decrease antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of HDL and even transform it into a pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory agent. For this reason, we believe that the propensity for accelerated cardiovascular disease in CKD is facilitated by a few key features of this disease, namely, oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and disorders of lipid metabolism.

CASE REPORT Anomalies Associated With Congenitally Corrected Transposition of Great Arteries: Expect the Unexpected.

Objective: Congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (CCTGA) is characterized by atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance. Characterizations of these anomalies are important because they may influence surgical approach and management.

Methods: We present a case of newly diagnosed CCTGA at the age of 50.

Use of intracardiac echocardiography for early detection of phrenic nerve injury during cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation.

Cryoballoon catheter ablation has recently emerged as an effective tool to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Right-sided PVI with cryoballoon ablation has been associated with a significant incidence of phrenic nerve palsy. Multiple modalities are currently utilized to monitor phrenic nerve function during ablation.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy due to iatrogenic methadone withdrawal.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by transient apical ballooning or reversible midventricular systolic dysfunction. Most cases occur in postmenopausal women and are typically triggered by an acute medical illness or emotional or physical stress. Its presentation is highly suggestive of myocardial ischemia, but there is little or no evidence of epicardial coronary artery disease.

Drug-eluting stent thrombosis after 2029 days of placement: longest ever reported interval between drug-eluting stent placement and very late thrombosis.

In this era of very wide-spread use of percutaneous coronary intervention for the management of coronary artery disease, the appropriate duration of antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation still remains a subject of debate. Current recommendations from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (2007) is to continue treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel for 1 year and then continue with aspirin only. However, cases of very late stent thrombosis (more than 12 months postimplantation) are being increasingly reported in literature.

Relation of the ankle brachial index to left ventricular ejection fraction.

Low and high ankle brachial index (ABI) values are both a marker of peripheral arterial disease and associated with greater cardiovascular disease event rates. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the ABI is associated with left ventricular (LV) systolic function. We studied 175 patients (age 67 +/- 13 years, 58% men) referred for ABI determination who had had the LV ejection fraction (EF) determined using echocardiography within 14 days.

Warm, beating heart aortic valve replacement in a sickle cell patient.

Patients with sickle cell abnormalities undergoing surgery are generally considered to be at greater risk for perioperative complications. We present a 25-year-old woman with sickle cell disease (SCD) and severe aortic insufficiency. A minimally invasive, warm, beating heart approach was adopted to try and minimize the risk of sickling due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), low-flow states, cold cardioplegia and aortic cross-clamping.