Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and QT interval prolongation: who are the patients at risk for torsades de pointes?

Objectives: QT interval prolongation is prevalent among patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), whereas torsades de pointes (TdP) has rarely been reported in these patients. We studied all peer-reviewed reports on TC-associated QT interval prolongation and all peer-reviewed reports on TC-associated TdP to characterize the clinical circumstances leading to TdP in patients with TC.

Methods: The literature search yielded 14 reports on TC-associated TdP and 26 reports on TC-associated QT interval prolongation.

Vigilance, awareness and a phone line: 20 years of expediting CPR for enhancing survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The 'SHL'-Telemedicine experience in Israel.

Objectives: The only large-scale report (1988) by the Israeli national ambulance service Magen David Adom (MDA) on the outcome of cardiac arrest victims who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by paramedics called for more frequent and more promptly initiated CPR and shorter time to arrival of paramedic care to improve survival. We report the 1987-2007 experience of resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims who were 'SHL'-Telemedicine subscribers and who underwent CPR by SHL-Telemedicine mobile intensive care units (MICUs) personnel or under their instructions.

Methods: 'SHL's records of MICU reports and specifics of CPR maneuvers and outcome of resuscitated patients, as recorded by its MICU physicians, were analyzed to determine whether the system enhanced survival.