Discordant regulation of CRP and NT-proBNP plasma levels after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been suggested to be prognostically relevant markers in patients with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, BNP and CRP plasma levels seem to be independently elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there are only sparse data about the significance and temporal course of these plasma markers after restoration of sinus rhythm (SR).

Remote detection of incessant slow VT with an ICD capable of home monitoring.

In this case report, we present a 57-year-old patient who suffered from incessant slow ventricular tachycardia because of a change in therapy 2 weeks after the implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) with Home Monitoring (HM). HM is a fully automatic and wireless system capable of transmitting device data including episode counters. The patient had mild symptoms with only short episodes of dizziness and would not have contacted the primary care centre.

Outpatient electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: efficacy, safety and patients' quality of life.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. To lower costs and to reduce hospitalization electrical cardioversion (CV) is frequently performed in an outpatient setting although data on safety and patient-acceptance are sparse. Aims of this study were to fill this gap by evaluating efficacy, complication rate, quality of life after CV and patient-acceptance of outpatient CV.

Randomized comparison of anterolateral versus anteroposterior electrode position for biphasic external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Background: In biphasic external cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF), the influence of different electrode positions on efficacy and incidence of early recurrent atrial fibrillation is not known. This study compared anteroposterior (AP) vs anterolateral (AL) electrode positioning.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred for CV of persistent AF were randomized either to an AP or an AL electrode position.

Impact of biphasic electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation on early recurrent atrial fibrillation and shock efficacy.

Introduction: Early recurrent atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 12% to 26% of patients. Whether biphasic cardioversion has an impact on the incidence of ERAF after cardioversion of AF is unclear.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients (n = 216, mean age 66 years, 71% male, 88% with structural cardiovascular disease or hypertension) underwent cardioversion with a biphasic (Bi) or monophasic (Mo) shock waveform in randomized fashion.

Clinical value of routine predischarge testing after ICD-implantation.

Aims: After implantation of a cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) predischarge testing is often performed to ensure appropriate therapy function. Nevertheless there is no proven evidence for the necessity of this examination. In this retrospective single-centre analysis we investigated the clinical value of routine predischarge testing.

Incidence and management of early recurrent atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after transthoracic electrical cardioversion.

Aims: The purpose was to determine the incidence of early recurrent atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after transthoracic cardioversion (CV) of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate the efficacy of a predefined strategy for its management.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients (n=135) underwent elective CV of AF. CV was performed according to a predefined step-up protocol with rising energy delivery (200 J to 360 J).

Defibrillation efficacy and pain perception of two biphasic waveforms for internal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Unlabelled: Efficacy and Pain Perception of Two Biphasic Waveforms.

Introduction: We evaluated the influence of the peak voltage of waveforms used for internal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation on defibrillation efficacy and pain perception. A low peak voltage biphasic waveform generated by a 500-microF capacitor with 40% tilt was compared to a standard biphasic waveform generated by a 60-microF capacitor with 80% tilt.

Focal parvovirus B19 myocarditis in a patient with Brugada syndrome.

The Brugada syndrome is characterized by a distinct ECG pattern consisting of ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads and right bundle branch block, a propensity for life-threatening arrhythmias, and an apparently structurally normal heart. The authors describe the case of a patient with an aborted sudden cardiac death and the typical ECG signs of Brugada syndrome. Nevertheless, magnetic resonance imaging displayed signal enhancement in the left ventricular myocardium.