Interaction between cardioverter defibrillator and enhanced external counterpulsation device.

Background: Potential interference between implanted cardiac devices and other medical instruments is an important concern. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the possible device interaction between implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and external enhanced counterpulsation (EECP) treatment.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with an implanted ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) were enrolled into the study.

Sudden death in a patient with Noonan syndrome.

We report here the case of a 27-year-old woman with Noonan syndrome presenting with ventricular fibrillation. After successful defibrillation, echocardiography revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Normal echocardiographic cardiac structure and function were reported 11 years ago.

Giant floating thrombus localized in the ascending aorta.

We report the case of a 32-year-old male patient with symptoms of cerebrovascular accident manifesting with dysarthria. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed a floating mass localized in the ascending aorta, and a multislice computed tomography evaluation confirmed the diagnosis. With a comprehensive assessment of the mass, we decided on surgical intervention.

Ondansetron administration before transoesophageal echocardiography reduces the need for sedation and improves patient comfort during the procedure.

Aims: Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an uncomfortable procedure for the majority of patients. In the current double-blind randomized prospective study, we sought to assess whether ondansetron would improve patient comfort, reduce the need for sedation, and increase tolerance during TEE, and we compared ondansetron, metoclopramide, and placebo.

Methods And Results: One hundred and fifty-six patients who underwent TEE were randomized into three groups receiving ondansetron HCl, metoclopramide, or placebo.