Proarrhythmic ECG deterioration caused by myocardial ischemia of the conus branch artery in patients with a Brugada ECG pattern.

The Brugada-type electrocardiogram (ECG) is characterized by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial ECG leads and has been reported to have the potential of sudden death. Right ventricular outflow tract supplied from the conus branch of the coronary artery (CB) is considered as the anatomopathologic substrate of Brugada syndrome. We experienced two asymptomatic patients with a saddleback Brugada-type ECG who exhibited a dynamic ECG conversion to a coved type following a ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VT/VF) episode when myocardial ischemia occurred exclusively at the CB.

Coronary artery revascularization before peripheral vascular surgery in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) approaches 50%. The incidence of perioperative cardiac complications is high in patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery (PVS). However, the long-term efficacy of coronary artery revascularization in patients with PAD prior to PVS remains controversial.

Use of an air ambulance system improves time to treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify whether a helicopter ambulance system (doctor helicopter system; DHS) could shorten the time interval to coronary intervention in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in comparison with ground ambulance (GA).

Methods: The time from the emergency call to coronary angiography (CAG time) or to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI time), and the inhospital outcome were evaluated in 76 AMI patients. Twenty patients were transported by DHS, and the other 56 were by GA.

Early access to patients with life-threatening cardiovascular disease by an air ambulance service.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of an air ambulance service using a helicopter with a critical care physician and nurse on board (doctor helicopter service; DHS) could shorten the prehospital delay. We evaluated the initial treatment time and the transport time in 30 patients transported by DHS and 30 patients transported by ground ambulance service (GAS). The initial treatment time was significantly shorter in the DHS group (11.