Epistatic interaction of PDE4DIP and DES mutations in familial atrial fibrillation with slow conduction.

The genetic causes of atrial fibrillation (AF) with slow conduction are unknown. Eight kindreds with familial AF and slow conduction, including a family affected by early-onset AF, heart block, and incompletely penetrant nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) underwent whole exome sequencing. A known pathogenic mutation in the desmin (DES) gene resulting in p.

Herpes zoster infection and cardiac arrest.

We present a case of post herpetic neuralgia in a patient admitted with a prior herpetic infection complicated by recurrent episodes of asystole and cardiac arrest. We first tried medical therapy with the use of high doses of intravenous analgesics, opiates, carbamazepine and phenytoin. However, the high recurrence rate of the pain episodes with concomitant cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation warranted first the placement of a temporary pacing lead, and shortly after a permanent device as a rescue procedure.

[Cardiac pacing in children with severe form of breath-holding spells, an exceptional treatment. A case report].

Breath-holding spells (BHS) are frequent and benign in children. Medical treatment is rarely needed but exceptionally severe forms require the implantation of a pacemaker. We describe here the case of an 18-month-old girl who presented to our department with severe episodes of BHS associated with loss of consciousness.

Three-dimensional mapping of the common atrial flutter circuit in the right atrium.

Background: The full circuit of common atrial flutter using conventional methods of sequential or multielectrode activation mapping is not completely understood.

Methods And Results: We performed three-dimensional right atrial endocardial activation mapping during common counterclockwise atrial flutter in 17 patients (16 men, 1 woman; mean age, 53+/-11 years) by using the Cordis-Biosense EP Navigation system and assessed the distribution of estimated conduction velocities and double and fractionated potentials. ECG flutter wave morphologies were compared with activation patterns.