Reel syndrome, a diagnostic conundrum: a case report.

Background: Pacemaker lead dislodgement and failure, related to device manipulation, is a rare complication of permanent pacemaker (PPM) insertion. Reel's, Twiddler's, and Ratchet syndrome are rare causes of pacemaker failure with varying mechanisms, defined by their classical lead and generator findings on chest X-ray imaging. Misleading patient presentations may be attributed to lead stimulation of surrounding structures.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for refractory cardiac arrest.

The identification and treatment of reversible causes is paramount to the success of resuscitation in cardiac arrest, particularly when standard therapy has failed. Acute coronary occlusion is one such cause, and the introduction of primary percutaneous coronary intervention services may provide an opportunity for emergency revascularization in this setting. This article describes 2 patients with cardiac arrest as a result of coronary occlusion, in which standard therapeutic measures proved futile.

Comparison of bivalirudin with heparin versus abciximab with heparin for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in "Real World" practice.

Objective: We aimed to carry out a "real world" comparison of bivalirudin plus unfractionated heparin (UFH) versus abciximab plus UFH in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We included patients who had abciximab or bivalirudin during their PPCI in our unit between Sept 2009 and Nov 2011.

Results: The study included 516 and 484 patients in the bivalirudin and abciximab group respectively.

First time and repeat cardioversion of atrial tachyarrhythmias - a comparison of outcomes.

Introduction: Repeat cardioversion may be necessary in over 50% of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), but identifying responders remains challenging. This study evaluates the long-term success of direct current cardioversion (DCCV) and the clinical and echocardiographical parameters that influence them, in over 1000 sedation-cardioversion procedures undertaken at Eastbourne General Hospital between 1996 and 2006.

Methods: A total of 770 patients of mean age (SD) 70.