Background: The declining number of electrophysiologists pursuing academic research careers could have a negative impact on innovation for patients with heart rhythm disorders in the coming decades.
Objective: The objective of this study was to explore determinants of research engagement after graduation from electrophysiology (EP) fellowship programs and to evaluate associated barriers and opportunities.
Methods: A mixed methods survey of EP fellows and early-career electrophysiologists was conducted, drawing from Heart Rhythm Society members.
Eur Heart J Case Rep
September 2023
Background: Sustained forms of tachycardia especially from the left ventricular summit are rare. Adenosine sensitive outflow tachycardias, especially from the left ventricular summit, are rarer still. These arrhythmias may be exercise or stress induced as they are facilitated by catecholamines and characteristically terminate with adenosine, vagal manoeuvres, and beta-blockers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Right ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (RVMI) decreases and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) increases rapidly and substantially during early infancy. The relationship between these sizeable mass transformations and simultaneous electrocardiographic changes have not been previously delineated.
Methods: Normal term infants (#45 initially enrolled) were prospectively evaluated at 2 days and at 2-week, 2-month, and 4-month clinic visits.
Background: Trivial regurgitation from a normal aortic valve is rarely seen in healthy children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate timing of presentation, associated conditions, and medium-term prognosis of this incidental finding.
Methods: Paediatric patients observed to have trivial aortic valve regurgitation with otherwise normal echocardiograms were retrospectively analysed.
Excessive premature atrial complexes (PACs) in pediatric patients with a structurally normal heart are presumed to be benign and self-resolving, but no studies have confirmed this. Adults with excessive PACs, however, are at increased risk for future sustained atrial arrhythmias and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the clinical course of frequent PACs in asymptomatic children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIndian Pacing Electrophysiol J
June 2022
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare, genetically-inherited cardiomyopathy that may be fatal. We present the case of a 17 year old male who presented after a witnessed cardiac arrest with indeterminate echocardiogram and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings for a specific etiology. Genetic testing revealed a mutation in the PKP2 and DSC2 genes, consistent with ARVC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChiari network is an infrequently visualized web-like structure in the right atrium that is usually thin and small. Rarely, it can be prominent and elongated with protrusion into the right ventricle during diastole and complications have been reported. Thirty-eight patients (median age 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: This retrospective case series study sought to describe the safety and clinical effectiveness of propafenone for the control of arrhythmias in children with and without CHD or cardiomyopathy.
Methods: We reviewed baseline characteristics and subsequent outcomes in a group of 63 children treated with propafenone at 2 sites over a 15-year period Therapy was considered effective if no clinically apparent breakthrough episodes of arrhythmias were noted on the medication.
Results: Sixty-three patients (29 males) were initiated on propafenone at a median age of 2.
A 3-month-old infant who developed persistent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT)-induced cardiomyopathy that was successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation. To our knowledge this is the youngest reported patient with a successful epicardial lesion placed in a diverticulum off the coronary sinus and also the first report of a PJRT connection located at an epicardial site distinct from the mitral and tricuspid valve annulus. We use this case to highlight how low-power lesions in the coronary sinus in the youngest of patients can achieve results safely.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects females in the home and workplace. This study aimed to acquire information regarding the gender-specific effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on aspects of professional and personal lives of a subset of pediatric cardiologists. We sent an online multiple-choice survey to a listserv of Pediatric Cardiologists.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patients with antegrade pulmonary blood flow after a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (Glenn) may have better pulmonary artery growth. This study evaluated pulmonary artery growth in patients with and without prior additional pulsatile antegrade flow in a Glenn shunt at midterm follow-up after a Fontan procedure.
Methods: We reviewed 212 patients who had single-ventricle palliation in a 10-year period;103 (33 in pulsatile group 1 and 70 in nonpulsatile group 2) were selected for analysis.
Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J
April 2020
Background: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are often used for long-term monitoring of cardiac rhythm. The Medtronic's LINQ Reveal ™ is a new generation wireless, automated, and patient responsive subcutaneous ECG monitoring device. Despite several advantages to its small size we have noted an unusually high incidence of extrusion at our center.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur Heart J Case Rep
September 2018
Background: Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is a rare arrhythmia disorder caused by a mutation in the KCNJ2 gene. Typical presentation includes a triad of cardiac arrhythmia, dysmorphia, and periodic paralysis. However, KCNJ2 mutations can mimic other disorders such as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) making treatment challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors report for the first time a novel mutation in the FLNC gene associated with cardiac arrhythmias in two half-siblings. The FLNC gene on chromosome 7q32 encodes filamin C, which stabilizes the actin network within the cardiomyocyte. The proband is an 8-year-old asymptomatic patient with frequent premature ventricular contractions noted on serial monitoring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective The purpose is to determine the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, including borderline and prolonged QT, among screened children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to analyze their subsequent medical workup. Study Design Institutional Review Board-approved case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary academic center.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite several surgical modifications, the reported incidence of neoaortic coarctation after stage 1 palliation (S1P) of hypoplastic left heart syndrome remains high. A modification of aortic arch reconstruction that may decrease the incidence of neoaortic coarctation after S1P is described.
Methods: Between January 2008 and May 2013, 114 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent S1P.
Based on efficacy, safety, and ease of use, novel oral anticoagulants will likely replace VKAs for many if not most patients with atrial fibrillation. Novel anticoagulants have a lower rate of intracranial hemorrhage compared with vitamin K antagonists. The incidence of other life-threatening bleeds is similar if not lower.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 7q11.23 microduplication syndrome, caused by the reciprocal duplication of the Williams-Beuren syndrome deletion region, is a genomic disorder with an emerging clinical phenotype. Dysmorphic features, congenital anomalies, hypotonia, developmental delay highlighted by variable speech delay, and autistic features are characteristic findings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
February 2013
Objective: To compare the results of bidirectional Glenn when performed with or without pulsatile pulmonary blood flow in a cohort of patients with a single ventricle.
Methods: Records of 212 patients undergoing staged single ventricle palliation during a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Of those, 103 (33 in pulsatile group A and 70 in nonpulsatile group B) were selected.
Background: The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has been rising steadily over the last few decades and is now considered one of the most important issues worldwide.
Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of body mass on fitness in a healthy cohort of urban children and adolescents and to evaluate the difference in the cardiovascular responses, as measured by heart rate and endurance time, elicited with exercise in each gender.
Methods: This observational study was conducted in an exercise laboratory.