[Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in the prevention of sudden cardiac death].

The article highlights the role of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in the primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. It considers the results of multicenter studies comparing the efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs and implantable devices in the primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death, including that in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and discusses quality of life in patients with ICDs.

Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation on Patient with Situs Inversus Totalis.

A 56-year-old male with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation refractory to class IC and class III antiarrhythmic drugs was admitted to our hospital for radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. During preoperative examination situs inversus totalis was revealed. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation was successfully performed with atrial fibrillation termination and elimination of all PV potentials.

[Long-term results of low-speed irrigated radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial flutter].

The authors studied long-term results of low-speed (10 ml/min) irrigated radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) of the lower isthmus (LI) in patients with typical atrial flutter (AF). This treatment was based upon combined use of local and indirect criteria of the block of isthmus conduction. The influence of RFA LI on quality of life (QL), echocardiographic parameters and cardiac rhythm variability (CRV) was studied.

[Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure].

Aim: To study quality of life of heart failure patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Material And Methods: Cardiac resynchronization devices were implanted to 27 consecutive patients (69.7+/-11.