«Torsade de pointes¼ en paciente con uso de abiraterona / «Torsade de pointes¼ in a patient on abiraterone

Resumen Introducción: La progresión del 10 al 30% del cáncer de próstata a metástasis y su resistencia a la terapia de deprivación androgénica (TDA) configuran el cáncer de próstata resistente a castración metastásico (CPRCm), en el que medicamentos como la abiraterona mejoran la sobrevida, pero a costa de efectos secundarios cardiovasculares entre los que se incluyen prolongación de QT e hipocalemia. La asociación entre arritmias ventriculares tipo torsade de pointes (TdP) y la abiraterona es rara, por lo cual se reporta este caso. Caso clínico: Se trata de un hombre de 81 años, que ingresó a urgencias por síncope, y en quien inicialmente se halló bloqueo de rama derecha y prolongación del QTc y posteriormente desarrolló TdP facilitada por hipocalemia grave e hipomagnesemia. La función sistólica estaba levemente reducida y se encontró enfermedad coronaria no significativa. Requirió desfibrilación, corrección de hipocalemia e hipomagnesemia, con normalización del QTc. Los resultados del eje adrenal fueron compatibles con hiperaldosteronismo secundario a abiraterona de reciente inicio, por lo que se suspendió esta terapia y se ajustó la suplencia esteroidea. Egresó sin ninguna complicación. Conclusiones: La terapia hormonal en el cáncer de próstata tiene repercusiones cardiovasculares, de ahí que tanto el abordaje como el seguimiento multidisciplinario sean indispensables en pacientes de edad avanzada y con predisposición por anormalidades estructurales.

Abstract Introduction: The progression of 10-30% of prostate cancer (PC) to metastasis and its resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) constitutes metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), in which new therapies such as abiraterone improve survival, but with significant cardiovascular side effects such as QT prolongation and hypokalemia. The association between torsade de pointes (TdP) ventricular arrhythmias and abiraterone is rare, which is why we report this case. Clinical case: An 81-year-old man was seen in the emergency room after syncope, with an initial ECG showing a right bundle branch block, supraventricular extrasystoles with QTc prolongation, and subsequent TdP associated with severe hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. Ventricular systolic function was slightly reduced, and he was found to have mild coronary artery disease. His management required defibrillation along with hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia correction, resulting in QTc normalization. Abiraterone was discontinued and corticosteroid supplementation was added. The adrenal axis results were compatible with hyperaldosteronism secondary to the recent use of abiraterone. The patient was discharged without any complications. Conclusions: Hormone therapy in PC has cardiovascular repercussions; therefore, a multidisciplinary approach and follow-up is essential in elderly patients with structural abnormalities that predispose them to major complications such as acquired long QTc and TdP.

Value of metoprolol combined with Wenxin Keli in treatment of atrial tachycardia after catheter ablation due to atrial fibrillation / 中华老年心脑血管病杂志

Objective To explore the therapeutic value of metoprolol combined with Wenxin Keli(a Chinese patent drug)on atrial tachycardia(AT)after catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods A total of 290 patients who were diagnosed with AF and underwent catheter ablation successfully in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from May 2018 to January 2022 were enrolled,and were randomly divided into Wenxin Granule group(Group W),metoprolol group(Group M),combined group(Group MW)and blank control group(Group C).The times of AT,heart beats during the longest AT episode,average heart rate and adverse reactions were compared among the 4 groups.Results The mean heart rate,episodes of AT,heart beats during the longest AT episode,and numbers of premature atrial contractions(PAC)of class Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ in Group C in 1 year after operation were all sig-nificantly higher than the baseline levels(P＜0.01),so were in the Group W,Group M and Group MW(P＜0.01).Group MW had obviously lower mean heart rate,episodes of AT,heart beats dur-ing the longest AT episode,and numbers of PAC of class Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ when compared with Group W and Group M(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the total incidence of ad-verse reactions in Group W,Group M and Group MW(7.1％vs 13.9％vs 8.9％,P=0.301).Con-clusion Metoprolol combined with Wenxin Keli can be used to treat AT after AF catheter abla-tion.The combination can effectively reduce the average heart rate,episodes of AT,numbers of PAC and heart beats during the longest AT episode,and thus decrease the recurrence of postopera-tive AF with high safety.

Efficacy of metoprolol versus ivabradine in treatment of POTS in elderly patients after COVID-19 infection / 中华老年心脑血管病杂志

Objective To explore the difference in efficacy of metoprolol versus ivabradine in the treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome(POTS)in the elderly after COVID-19 infection.Methods A total of 110 patients diagnosed with POTS at our department from Decem-ber 1,2022 to January 31,2023 were included.According to their drug regimen,they were divided into metoprolol group(62 patients)and ivabradine group(48 patients).On the 28th day of out-patient follow-up,the resting heart rate,heart rate of 10 min of standing,symptom disappearance rate,hospitalization rate,and mortality rate were compared between the two groups.Results On the 28th day of treatment,the resting heart rate and postural heart rate for 10 min were decreased in both groups when compared with the levels at initial diagnosis(P＜0.01).And there were no significant differences in the two types of heart rate between the two groups on the 28th day(71.0±7.0 vs 72.1±7.0,P=0.401;76.5±7.2 vs 77.4±7.6,P=0.573).No obvious differences were observed between the two groups in symptom disappearance rate,hospitalization rate,or mortality rate(88.7％vs 89.6％,3.2％vs2.1％,0％vs 0％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Metoprolol and ivabradine can effectively treat POTS in the elderly patients after COVID-19 infection.

Advances in the pathogenesis of postural tachycardia syndrome in children / 国际儿科学杂志

Hypovolemic and hemodynamic disorders，autonomic nervous dysfunction and hyperadrenergic state are recognized pathogenesis of postural tachycardia syndrome（POTS）. According to this，POTS can be divided into three types：hypovolemic POTS，neurogenic POTS and hyperadrenergic POTS. Autoimmune abnormalities，changes in hormone levels，and gene mutations may also cause POTS. In addition，some patients have joint overactivity syndrome，functional gastrointestinal disorders，Ehlers Danlos syndrome，mast cell activation disorders and other diseases.Therefore，POTS is a complex clinical syndrome that may involve multiple mechanisms.This article aims to offer clinicians an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of pediatric POTS through a comprehensive review of this disease.

The Effect of Yangyin Xifeng Tongluo Formula （养阴熄风通络方） and Its Core Herb-Pairs on Prevention of Aconitine-Induced Ventricular Precontraction in Rats / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yangyin Xifeng Tongluo Formula （养阴熄风通络方） and its core herbs combination on prevention of ventricular precontraction （PVC）. MethodsExperiment 1： Forty SD rats were randomly divided into model group， formula group， core herb-pairs medium-dose group and amiodarone group， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model group were given 10 ml/（kg·d） of pure water by gavage， rats in the formula group were given 1.125 g/（kg·d） of Yangyin Xifeng Tongluo Granules （养阴熄风通络方颗粒） by gavage， rats in the core herb-pairs medium-dose group were given 0.585 g/（kg·d） of granules of core herb-pairs by gavage， and rats in the amiodarone group were given 18 mg/（kg·d） of amiodarone hydrochloride tablets by gavage. The rats in each group were gavaged once a day for 14 consecutive days， and then a PVC model was established using rat tail vein injection of aconitine 25 μg/kg to compare the mortality and incidence of PVC， ventricular tachycardia （VT） and ventricular fibrillation （VF）， the time of the appearance of PVC， and the duration of PVC in the rats in each group. Experiment 2： Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group， the amiodarone group， and the core herb-pairs of low， medium and high dose groups， 12 rats in each group. Rats in the model group were gavaged with 10 ml/（kg·d） of purified water， rats in the low， medium， and high dose groups were gavaged with 0.2925， 0.585， and 1.17 g/（kg·d） of the core herb-pairs granules respectively， and rats in the amiodarone group were gavaged with 18 mg/（kg·d） of amiodarone hydrochloride tablets. All of them were gavaged once a day. After 14 days， rats in each group were injected intravenously into the tail vein with aconitine 25 μg/kg， and then the rats in each group were observed to show the mortality and incidence of PVC， VT and VF， and the time of appearance and duration of PVC. ResultsExperiment 1： Compared with the model group， The difference in the incidence of PVC in rats of all groups was not statistically signi-ficant （P＞0.05）， and the mortality and incidence of VT and VF in rats in the formula group， the core herb-pairs medium-dose group， and the amiodarone group significantly reduced， with delayed time of the occurrence of PVC and shorter duration of the PVC （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01） as compared with the model group， whereas the difference between each group with medication intervention was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. Experiment 2： There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PVC in all groups （P＞0.05）， and the mortality and incidence of VT and VF reduced in the core herb-pairs of low-， medium-， and high-dose groups and in the amiodarone group， and the appearance of PVC delayed and its duration shortened （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01） as compared with the control group， whereas the differences were not statistically significant in the comparison among groups with medication （P＞0.05）. ConclusionBoth Yangyin Xifeng Tongluo Formula and its core herb-pairs could delay the time of occurrence and shorten the duration of PVC.

Metoprolol for prevention of bucking at orotracheal extubation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial

Abstract Background: Respiratory responses to extubation can cause serious postoperative complications. Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, can interfere with the cough pathway. However, whether metoprolol can effectively control respiratory reflexes during extubation remains unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous metoprolol in attenuating respiratory responses to tracheal extubation. Methods: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Tertiary referral center located in Brasília, Brazil. Recruitment: June 2021 to December 2021. Sample: 222 patients of both sexes with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III aged 18-80 years. Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous metoprolol 5 mg IV or placebo at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who developed bucking secondary to endotracheal tube stimulation of the tracheal mucosa during extubation. Secondary outcomes included coughing, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, Mean Blood Pressure (MAP), and Heart Rate (HR) levels. Results: Two hundred and seven participants were included in the final analysis: 102 in the metoprolol group and 105 in the placebo group. Patients who received metoprolol had a significantly lower risk of bucking (43.1% vs. 64.8%, Relative Risk [RR = 0.66], 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI 0.51-0.87], p = 0.003). In the metoprolol group, 6 (5.9%) patients had moderate/severe coughing compared with 33 (31.4%) in the placebo group (RR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.08-0.43, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Metoprolol reduced the risk of bucking at extubation in patients undergoing general anesthesia compared to placebo.

Doble tormenta tiroidea y arrítmica en una gestante con múltiples taquicardias refractarias mediadas por un haz de kent intermitente ablacionado exitosamente

La tormenta tiroidea es un estado crítico y poco frecuente que condiciona la disfunción de múltiples órganos por el efecto del exceso de las hormonas tiroideas, esta disfunción endócrina tiene una elevada mortalidad y genera manifestaciones típicas como la taquicardia, fiebre, alteraciones gastrointestinales, cardiovasculares y del sistema nervioso central. El embarazo se ha asociado con un incremento en la incidencia de arritmias. Necesitan un tratamiento inmediato con drogas antiarrítmicas, cardioversión eléctrica o cesárea de urgencia. El WPW es una anormalidad cardiaca congénita que consiste en la presencia de un haz anómalo (Haz de Kent) que evita el sistema normal de conducción uniendo directamente aurículas y ventrículos. Veremos el caso de una gestante de 32 semanas que presenta un cuadro de tormenta tiroidea y múltiples episodios de taquicardia paroxística supraventricular (TPS), de tórpida y sombría evolución clínica mediada por un haz anómalo de Kent intermitente. Es evidente que la tormenta tiroidea en el contexto de la gestación produjo cambios en las propiedades electrofisiológicas del haz anómalo de Kent intermitente lo cual propició el desarrollo de múltiples taquicardias paroxísticas supraventriculares refractarias a la cardioversión eléctrica y farmacológica. Tampoco mejoró con la tiroidectomía total, solamente cedió por completo con la ablación por catéter de radiofrecuencia del haz anómalo de Kent.

Thyroid storm is a critical and infrequent state that conditions the dysfunction of multiple organs due to the effect of excess thyroid hormones. This endocrine dysfunction has a high mortality and generates typical manifestations such as tachycardia, fever, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and heart disorders, and the central nervous system. Pregnancy has been associated with an increased incidence of arrhythmias. They need immediate treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs, electrical cardioversion, or emergency caesarean section. WPW is a congenital cardiac abnormality that consists of the presence of an abnormal bundle (Kent bundle) that prevents the normal conduction system, directly joining the atria and ventricles. We will see the case of a 32-week pregnant woman who presented symptoms of thyroid storm and multiple episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PST), with a torpid clinical course mediated by an abnormal intermittent Kent bundle. It is evident that the thyroid storm in the context of pregnancy produced changes in the electrophysiological properties of the intermittent Kent bundle, which led to the development of multiple PST refractory to electrical and pharmacological cardioversion. Moreover, it also did not improve with total thyroidectomy, only resolved completely with radiofrequency catheter ablation of the Kent bundle.

Ablação de Taquicardia Reentrante Nodal Atrioventricular com Crioablação Focal, Comparada com Ablação por Radiofrequência: Experiência em Centro Único / Ablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia with Focal Cryoablation, Compared with Radiofrequency Ablation: Single-Center Experience

Resumo Fundamento A ablação da taquicardia por reentrada nodal atrioventricular (TRNAV) com crioablação é uma alternativa à ablação por radiofrequência (RF) em pacientes devido ao baixo risco de bloqueio atrioventricular total. Um aumento nas recorrências precoces e tardias após a crioablação é relatado como uma desvantagem importante. Objetivos Neste estudo, objetivamos comparar o sucesso do procedimento agudo e as taxas de recorrência em longo prazo de pacientes com TRNAV submetidos a métodos. Métodos Foram incluídos no estudo 73 pacientes com TRNAV: 32 com crioablação e 41 com ablação por RF. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o sucesso agudo do procedimento nos métodos. O procedimento de ablação foi realizado por operador com experiência em arritmologia. A escolha entre RF ou crioablação foi feita no laboratório de eletrofisiologia com base no material já disponível durante o procedimento. Após o procedimento, os pacientes foram avaliados a cada 3 meses durante 2 anos em controle policlínico. O nível de significância adotado na análise estatística foi de 5%. Resultados Os dois grupos de pacientes foram homogêneos. O tempo de fluoroscopia (p<0,001) foi menor, mas os tempos his-átrio (p=0,004) e his-ventricular (p=0,015) foram maiores no grupo crioablação. Não houve diferença significativa em termos de sucesso agudo do procedimento, salto pós-procedimento sem eco único e presença de eco e salto. Conclusões A crioablação requer menos tempo de fluoroscopia e é uma alternativa segura e não inferior à ablação por RF em pacientes com TRNAV. O risco de bloqueio AV é um problema significativo com o uso de energia de RF, tornando-o menos adequado para uso em pacientes jovens e fisicamente ativos.

Abstract Background The ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with cryoablation is an alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients due to the low risk of total atrioventricular block. An increase in early-late recurrences after cryoablation is reported as an important disadvantage. Objectives In this study, we aimed to compare the acute procedural success and the long-term recurrence rates of patients, with AVNRT who underwent methods. Methods 73 patients with AVNRT were included in the study: 32 with cryoablation and 41 with RF ablation. There was no statistically significant difference between acute procedural success in methods. The ablation procedure was performed by an operator experienced in arrhythmology. The choice of RF or cryoablation was made in the electrophysiology laboratory based on the material already available during the procedure. After the procedure, the patients were evaluated every 3 months for 2 years in polyclinic control. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. Results The 2 groups of patients were homogeneous. The fluoroscopy time (p<0.001) was shorter, but atrium-his (p=0.004) and his-ventricular (p=0.015) times were longer in the cryoablation group. There was no significant difference, in terms of acute procedural success, post-procedure jump without a single echo, and presence of echo and jump. Conclusions Cryoablation requires less fluoroscopy time and is a safe non-inferior alternative to RF ablation in patients with AVNRT. The risk of AV block is a significant problem with the use of RF energy, making it less suitable for use in young and physically active patients.

Torsades de pointes and myocardial infarction following reversal of supraventricular tachycardia with adenosine: a case report

ABSTRACT Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic drug that slows conduction through the atrioventricular node and acts as a coronary blood vessel dilator. This case report highlights two unusual life-threatening events following the use of adenosine to revert supraventricular tachycardia in a structurally normal heart: non-sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and myocardial infarction. A 46-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a two-hour history of palpitations and was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia. Vagal maneuvers were ineffective, and after intravenous adenosine administration, the patient presented with chest pain and hypotension. The rhythm degenerated into non-sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and spontaneously reverted to sinus rhythm with ST elevation in lead aVR and ST depression in the inferior and anterolateral leads. The patient spontaneously recovered within a few minutes. Despite successful arrhythmia reversal, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit because of an infarction without obstructive atherosclerosis. This report aims to alert emergency physicians about the potential complications associated with supraventricular tachycardia and its reversal with adenosine.

Supraventricular tachycardia at 37 weeks with electro cardioversion therapy

The health of both the mother and the fetus is at risk when symptomatic maternal arrhythmias occur during pregnancy. Sustained symptomatic arrhythmias should be managed, much like in the non-pregnant population. The specific arrhythmia that has been identified or is suspected must be treated. Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is used to treat supraventricular arrhythmias when medication therapy and physical therapy, such as sinus carotid massage or Valsalva movements, fail or in life-threatening conditions where the patient is hemodynamically unstable. A 27-year-old primipara came to Bengkalis hospital at 37 weeks of gestation due to complaints of palpitations. palpitations felt since 4 hours before admission to the hospital. The patient had experienced the same complaint and was examined by a cardiologist who said that the patient had a tendency to arrhythmia and was given bisoprolol. An ECG examination was carried out in the emergency room, the impression was supraventricular tachycardia with HR 185 bpm, an abdominal termination of pregnancy was carried out, and the cardiologist performed electro-cardioversion (ECV) in the operating room 3 times, and the mother's HR returned to sinus rhythm. The outcome was a baby girl born with a birth weight of 3200 grams, an Apgar score of 8/9. Mother was treated and went home on the 3rd post-operative day in good condition. Provided that a multidisciplinary approach, continuous fetal heart rate monitoring and the possibility to perform a caesarean section are applied, it can be concluded that cardioversion is a safe and effective treatment for maternal tachycardia in pregnancy.

Taquicardia ventricular polimórfica tipo torsadess de pointes secundaria a estimulación por marcapasos / Polymorphic ventricular taquicardia "torsades de pointes" associated to abnormal pacemaker stimulation

La taquicardia ventricular polimórfica se origina en los ventrículos, cuyos complejos QRS son de morfología, amplitud y dirección variable, con frecuencias que oscilan entre 200 y 250 lpm, pudiendo ser autolimitadas o degenerar en una fibrilación ventricular. La TdP es un tipo de taquicardia ventricular polimórfica caracterizada por complejos con un eje eléctrico que gira alrededor de la línea isoeléctrica y que está asociada a QT largo. Se presenta el caso de una paciente portadora de marcapaso que presenta episodios de taquicardia ventricular polimórfica, con una morfología típica de TdP, sin documentación de QT prolongado previo ni actual, generada por la estimulación ventricular sobre onda T, de forma accidental por desplazamiento del electrodo auricular a Ventrículo Derecho (VD).

Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a tachycardia originating in the ventricles, where the QRS complexes have variable morphology, amplitude, and direction, with frequencies ranging between 200 and 250 bpm; it may be self-limited or degenerate into ventricular fibrillation. Torsades de Pointes (TdP) is a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia characterized by complexes with an electrical axis that rotates around the isoelectric line and that is associated with long QT interval. We present the case of a patient with a pacemaker who presents episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, with a typical morphology of TdP, without documentation of previous or current prolonged QT, generated by ventricular stimulation on the T wave, accidentally due to displacement of the atrial electrode to the Right Ventricle (RV).

Postural dysautonomia in response to head-up tilt in a military pilot aspirant: Aeromedical considerations

Intolerance to orthostasis encompasses a group of responses on assumption of upright posture. One such response is postural dysautonomia. One of the types of postural dysautonomia is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which is characterised by an increase in heart rate of more than 30 bpm without hypotension along with other features of dysautonomia on attaining an erect posture, either actively or passively. This paper brings out a case of postural dysautonomia in a pilot aspirant in response to Head-up tilt (HUT) test. A 23-year-old female military pilot aspirant reported for evaluation of Syncope and Air Sickness. She gave a history of solitary episode of loss of consciousness on ground while preparing for an early morning sortie. She was diagnosed with a case of neurocardiogenic syncope and was put back to flying training. Subsequently, after about 2 months, she developed features of air sickness while flying and also could not tolerate preliminary motion sickness desensitisation at her unit. A thorough medical evaluation failed to reveal any neurocardiological abnormality. Before commencing the air sickness desensitisation protocol at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, she was subjected to HUT during which she developed signs and symptoms suggestive of postural dysautonomia. A test retest assessment with repeat HUT and passive standing test revealed similar responses.

Comportamiento del tiempo de conducción retrógrada al momento de la inducción de las taquicardias supraventriculares y su rol en el diagnóstico diferencial / Behavior of Retrograde Conduction Time at Supraventricular Tachycardia Induction and its Role in Differential Diagnosis

RESUMEN Antecedentes : El diagnóstico diferencial entre la taquicardia reentrante ortodrómica (TRO) y la taquicardia por reentrada nodal atípica (TRNa) puede ser dificultoso. Nuestra hipótesis es que las TRNa tienen más variabilidad en el tiempo de con ducción retrógrada al comienzo de la taquicardia que las TRO. Nuestros objetivos fueron evaluar la variabilidad en el tiempo de conducción retrógrada al inicio de la taquicardia en TRNa y TRO, y proponer una nueva herramienta diagnóstica para diferenciar estas dos arritmias. Métodos : Se midió el intervalo ventrículo-auricular (VA) de los primeros latidos tras la inducción de la taquicardia, hasta su estabilización. La diferencia entre el intervalo VA máximo y el mínimo se definió como delta VA (ΔVA). También contamos el número de latidos necesarios para que se estabilice el intervalo VA. Se excluyeron las taquicardias auriculares. Resultados : Se incluyeron 101 pacientes. Se diagnosticó TRO en 64 pacientes y TRNa en 37. El ΔVA fue 0 (rango intercuartílico, RIC, 0-5) milisegundos (ms) en la TRO frente a 40 (21-55) ms en la TRNa (p < 0,001). El intervalo VA se estabilizó significativamente antes en la TRO (1,5 [1-3] latidos) que en la TRNa (5 [4-7] latidos; p < 0,001). Un ΔVA < 10 ms diagnosticó TRO con 100% de sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos positivo y negativo. La estabilización del intervalo VA en menos de 3 latidos predijo TRO con buena precisión diagnóstica. Los resultados fueron similares considerando sólo vías accesorias septales. Las TRN típicas tuvieron una variación intermedia. Conclusión : Un ΔVA < 10 ms es un criterio simple, que distingue con precisión la TRO de la TRNa, independientemente de la localización de la vía accesoria.

ABSTRACT Background : Differential diagnosis between orthodromic reentrant tachycardia (ORT) and atypical nodal reentrant tachy cardia (ANRT) can be challenging. Our hypothesis was that ANRT presents more variability in retrograde conduction time at tachycardia onset than ORT. Objectives : The objectives of this study were to assess retrograde conduction time variability at the start of tachycardia in ANRT and ORT, and postulate a new diagnostic tool to differentiate these two types of arrhythmias. Methods : The ventriculoatrial (VA) interval of the first beats after tachycardia induction was measured until stabilization. The difference between the maximum and minimum VA interval was defined as delta VA (ΔVA), and the number of beats needed for VA interval stabilization was also assessed. Atrial tachycardias were excluded. Results : In a total of 101 patients included in the study, ORT was diagnosed in 64 patients and ANRT in 37. ΔVA interval was 0 (interquartile range [IQR] 0-5) milliseconds (ms) in ORT vs. 40 (21-55) ms in ANRT (p <0.001). The VA interval significantly stabilized earlier in ORT (1.5 [1-3] beats) than in ANRT (5 [4-7] beats) (p<0.001). A ΔVA <10 ms diagnosed ORT with 100% sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Ventriculoatrial interval stabilization in less than 3 beats predicted ORT with good diagnostic accuracy. The results were similar considering only accessory septal pathways. Typical NRTs presented an intermediate variation. Conclusion : Presence of DVA <10 ms is a simple criterion that accurately differentiates ORT from ANRT, independently of the accessory pathway localization.

Association of hypertension with consumption of energy drinks in an adolescent male

Use of energy drinks has dramatically increased in recent times. Athletes, teenagers and students being the most common population who consume it. Users believe that they are a source of instant energy but are unaware of its high Caffeine content resulting in severe adverse effects on health. We reported the case of a young boy who presented with palpitations and high blood pressure after a recent start of energy drink consumption. He had been consuming 憁onster� energy drink on regular basis as his annual sports meet was round the corner and he had to practise for hours for an upcoming football match. His medical examination revealed Sinus tachycardia and high blood pressure on more than 3 occasions. Rest of the physical examination and lab workup was within normal limits. His pulse and blood pressure returned to normal range after discontinuing 憁onster� energy drink usage and he was counselled on adverse effects of such products. Several studies have reported numerous health hazards including cardiac effects associated with energy drinks. Labels should be made on these drinks and Caffeine content should be mentioned along with adverse effects on health. Caution for use in children and pregnant or expecting patients should also be mentioned.

A rare ischemic ventricular tachycardia

Many times, physicians in emergency may get confronted with tachycardia. Some tachycardia are easily mistaken as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy which is actually a ventricular tachycardia. So, here we report a case of such tachycardia which was thought to be a SVT but which, in fact, was a ventricular tachycardia instead.

A rare ischemic ventricular tachycardia

Many times, physicians in emergency may get confronted with tachycardia. Some tachycardia are easily mistaken as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy which is actually a ventricular tachycardia. So, here we report a case of such tachycardia which was thought to be a SVT but which, in fact, was a ventricular tachycardia instead.

Programmed ventricular stimulation in structural heart disease: Implications of patterns of ventricular arrhythmias induced to long-term outcomes

Introduction: Currently available data gives some credence to utility of VT induction studies in patients with stable ischemic cardiomyopathy, there are some unresolved questions as to define sensitive threshold for low-risk and the prognostic relevance of ill sustained or non-specific tachycardia on induction study. We evaluated potential ability of VT inducibility to predict likelihood of SHD (Structural heart disease) patients for subsequent arrhythmic or adverse cardiac events. Material and Methods: All consecutive patients with syncope/documented arrhythmia who had VT induction done were included and patients with VT storm, ACS,uncontrolled HF were excluded. We studied in 4 groups-monomorphic VT, sustained polymorphicVT, ill sustainedVT/VF and no VT/VF induced. The primary-endpoints were e Sudden death, all-cause mortality and secondary-endpoints were e MACE (AICD shock, death,HF, recurrence of VT). We screened 411 patients and included 169 within inducible (n ¼ 79) and non-inducible group (n ¼ 90). Results: There were a higher number of patients with coronary artery disease, LV dysfunction, patients on amiodarone in inducible group and no difference in usage of beta-blockers. Recurrence of VT, composite of MACE was significantly higher in inducible group (p < 0.05). Mortality was not different in 3 groups compared with no VT/VF group. We found that monomorphic VT group had significantly higher MACE as compared to others and also predicted recurrence of VT and AICD shock and showed a trend towards significance for prediction of mortality. Inducible patients on AICD had mortality similar to noninducible group. Conclusion: Induction of monomorphicVT/polymorphicVT with 3extrastimuli is associated with a higher number of MACE events on follow up. Induction of monomorphicVT predicts recurrence of VT/ICD shock.