Predictors of sinus rhythm return during defibrillation testing in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation undergoing implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is present in a significant proportion of patients treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Defibrillation testing may lead to sinus rhythm (SR) restoration which may be hazardous due to the increased risk of thromboembolic complications in these patients.

Aim: To identify predictors of SR restoration during defibrillation testing in patients with permanent AF undergoing ICD implantation.

[Comparison of treatment effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillator in patients undergoing defibrillation threshold testing at the time of implantation versus no defibrillation threshold testing].

Unlabelled: Inability to perform defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing during implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation due to comorbidities may influence long-term survival.

Material And Methods: Retrospective review (2005-2007) identified 142 patients undergoing ICD implantation without DFT testing (No-DFT group). A control group consisting of 290 patients undergoing standard DFT testing (DFT group) was compared to the first group in terms of appropriate shocks, clinical shock efficacy and all-cause mortality.

[Return of sinus rhythm in permanent atrial fibrillation patients at the time of the testing defibrillation during cardioverter-defibrillator implantation].

Unlabelled: Among patients, who underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation procedure, there are some, who have permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). There is a theoretical possibility of return of sinus rhythm at these patients during ventricular defibrillation testing at the time of the ICD implantation procedure. The aim of the study was to attempt to find agents which can promote return of sinus rhythm at the time of the defibrillation testing during ICD implantation.

Transient atrioventricular block following catheter radiofrequency sinus node modification.

Complete atrioventricular block, second-degree Mobitz type II and first-degree atrioventricular block with right bundle branch block were observed consecutively following successful radiofrequency ablation in close proximity to the sinus node. This resulted in the modification and disappearance of the inappropriate sinus tachycardia that had previously been present. Neither tachycardia nor conduction disturbances have been recorded in the 9-year follow-up, implying that ventricular pacing standby should also be considered in high atrial ablation cases.

Submassive pulmonary embolism as a mask of acute coronary syndrome.

The paper presents a case of a 77-year-old man, who was admitted to hospital suffering from chest pain. The ECG showed horizontal ST segment depression in the V4-V6 leads. Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome was diagnosed.

[Atrial fibrillation in a long-term follow-up after mitral valve replacement].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to analyse cardiac rhythm after mitral valve replacement and to define pre-operative predictive factors for persistence of atrial fibrillation.

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 76 consecutive pts (54 F, 22 M), mean age 54.8 +/- 8.

[Long-term results of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias].

Background: Although the short-term results after radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), accessorry pathway (AP), atrioventricular junction (AVJ) and common atrial flutter (Aflu) have been widely reported, there is insufficient data on long-term outcome.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of RF ablation of cardiac arrhythmias in a single center.

Methods: The study population consisted of 349 consecutive patients (mean age 49.

[7 years retrospective analysis of implantation and reimplantation of cardioverter-defibrillators].

Aim: The aim of the study was to clinical analyse patients with cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treated in Cracow Department of Electrocardiology IK CMUJ between 1997-2004.

Methods: Data from 199 patients, aged 10 to 82, mean 56.9 year, in whom 198 implantations (31 of dual-chamber) and replacements were analyzed.

Biochemical markers of myocardial damage after radiofrequency ablation.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) may cause myocardial injury.

Aim: To assess changes in myocardial enzymes levels following RFCA.

Methods: Creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT), troponin I and myoglobin levels were assessed in 53 patients (33 females, 20 males, mean age 53 years, range 23-78 years) before and 20 hours after successful RFCA (WPW type A = 13, WPW type B = 10, atrio-ventricular nodal tachycardia n = 17, atrial fibrillation or flutter n = 5, atrial tachycardia n = 2 and complex arrhythmias n = 6).