Impact of QT interval prolongation following antiarrhythmic drug therapy on left ventricular function.

Aim: We assessed whether antiarrhythmic drug-induced QT interval prolongation affects left ventricular function.

Methods: Study population included 54 patients with symptomatic recent onset atrial fibrillation spontaneously cardioverted to sinus rhythm. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic studies were done before initiating and after achieving drug's steady state.

Effect of heart rate on the intrinsic and the ventricular-paced QRS duration.

Background: We evaluated the effect of heart rate on the intrinsic and the ventricular-paced QRS duration in implanted device recipients with normal or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: We studied 239 outpatients with preserved intrinsic ventricular activation and normal (n=92) or reduced (n=147) EF who had apical (RVA) or mid-septal (RVS) right ventricular lead position. The QRS duration was measured at baseline and during atrial-based pacing at increased heart rate to ensure intrinsic or ventricular-paced QRS activation.

Facilitating assessment of QT interval duration during ventricular pacing.

Aims: We aimed to facilitate the assessment of the QT interval duration during conventional right ventricular pacing (VP) by uncovering relationships with the underlying QT interval during intrinsic atrioventricular conduction (IC).

Methods And Results: The study patients (n = 122, age 68 ± 11 years) were dual-chamber device recipients with preserved IC and narrow QRS complexes. Patients were classified into either 'normal-QT' (n = 70) or 'prolonged-QT' (n = 52) group.

Optimal QT/JT interval assessment in patients with complete bundle branch block.

Background: Prolonged ventricular repolarization duration confers increased risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmias. We sought to clarify the optimal method of QT/JT interval assessment in patients with complete bundle branch block (BBB).

Methods: Study patients (n = 71) were dual-chamber device recipients with baseline left or right BBB who preserved intrinsic ventricular activation during incremental atrial pacing.

Predictors of high on-treatment platelet reactivity early after clopidogrel loading in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Given that platelet inhibition is crucial when ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergo primary PCI (PPCI), the identification of factors associated with early high on-treatment platelet reactivity may be important.

Methods And Results: Consecutive STEMI patients admitted for PPCI were considered for platelet reactivity assessment 2 h after loading with 600 mg clopidogrel using the VerifyNow point-of-care P2Y12 assay. A cut-off of ≥235 P2Y12 reaction units indicated high on-treatment platelet reactivity.

Predicting torsade de pointes in acquired long QT syndrome: optimal identification of critical QT interval prolongation.

Objectives: To determine the optimal method of ventricular repolarization assessment in predicting torsade de pointes (Tdp) in acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS) within the context of the recommended cutoff levels of concern for QT/corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with LQTS and Tdp (age 66 ± 11 years) and matched controls were studied. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms were utilized to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using six different QT/JT heart rate correction methods.

A successfully thrombolysed acute inferior myocardial infarction due to type A aortic dissection with lethal consequences: the importance of early cardiac echocardiography.

Thrombolysis, a standard therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in non-PCI-capable hospitals, may be catastrophic for patients with aortic dissection leading to further expansion, rupture and uncontrolled bleeding. Stanford type A aortic dissection, rarely may mimic myocardial infarction. We report a case of a patient with an inferior STEMI thrombolysed with tenecteplase and followed by clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of successful reperfusion, which was found later to be a lethal acute aortic dissection.

Heart echinococcus cyst as an incidental finding: early detection might be life-saving.

We present a 46-year-old female smoker who was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital due to cough with blood-tinged sputum for the last four days before admission. Using echocardiography and Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) heart Echinococcosis was diagnosed. Echinococcosis is a severe health issue in some geographical regions of the world.