Analysis of clinical risk factors of failed electrical cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter

Background@#Although rhythm control could be the best for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), some patients fail to achieve sinus rhythm (SR). This study aimed to identify clinical risk factors of failed electrical cardioversion (ECV). @*Methods@#A total of 248 patients who received ECV for persistent AF or atrial flutter (AFL) were retrospectivelyreviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 maintained SR for > 1 year, group 2 maintained SR ≤ 1 yearafter ECV, and group 3 failed ECV. SR maintenance was assessed using regular electrocardiography or Holter monitoring. @*Results@#Patients were divided into group 1 (73, 29%), group 2 (146, 59%), and group 3 (29, 12%). The mean ageof patients was 60 ± 10 years, and 197 (79%) were male. Age, sex, and baseline characteristics were similar amonggroups. However, increased cardiac size, digoxin use, heart failure (HF), and decreased left ventricular ejection frac‑ tion (LVEF) were more common in group 3. Univariate analysis of clinical risk factors for failed ECV was increasedcardiac size [hazard ratio (HR) 2.14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–4.34, p = 0.030)], digoxin use [HR 2.66 (95% CI, 1.15–6.14), p = 0.027], HF [HR 2.60 (95% CI, 1.32–5.09), p = 0.005], LVEF < 40% [HR 3.45 (95% CI, 1.00–11.85), p = 0.038], and decreased LVEF [HR 2.49 (95% CI, 1.18–5.25), p = 0.012]. Among them, HF showed clinical significance only by multivariate analysis [HR 3.01 (95% CI, 1.13–7.99), p = 0.027]. @*Conclusions@#Increased cardiac size, digoxin use, HF, LVEF < 40%, and decreased LVEF were related to failed ECV for persistent AF or AFL. Among these, HF was the most important risk factor. Further multi-center studies including greater number of participants are planned.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation misdiagnosed as WPW syndrome

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with an increased incidence of Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome and atrial fibrillation. However, a delta-like wide QRS can be observed in the hypertrophied myocardium. When considering the rarity of the paraseptal bypass tract (BT), the normal QRS axis suggests a higher possibility of HCM origin. Otherwise, there is no known electrocardiographic clue indicating a wide QRS differentiation between HCM and WPW syndrome. Moreover, the atriofascicular, nodofascicular/ventricular or fasciculoventricular BT should be differentiated. In this case, atrioventricular conduction system incidental injury revealed a wide QRS origin from the HCM, but this method should be avoided except in some selected cases.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation misdiagnosed as WPW syndrome

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with an increased incidence of Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome and atrial fibrillation. However, a delta-like wide QRS can be observed in the hypertrophied myocardium. When considering the rarity of the paraseptal bypass tract (BT), the normal QRS axis suggests a higher possibility of HCM origin. Otherwise, there is no known electrocardiographic clue indicating a wide QRS differentiation between HCM and WPW syndrome. Moreover, the atriofascicular, nodofascicular/ventricular or fasciculoventricular BT should be differentiated. In this case, atrioventricular conduction system incidental injury revealed a wide QRS origin from the HCM, but this method should be avoided except in some selected cases.

Heart Failure: Complications of Type 2 Diabetes / 임상당뇨병

There is a close relationship between diabetes mellitus and heart failure, both of which are known to increase morbidity and mortality. Diabetes can cause or aggravate heart failure, and heart failure can precipitate diabetes. Diabetes mellitus causes structural and functional changes in the heart, such as fibrosis of the myocardium and left ventricular dysfunction. The mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy are metabolic disturbance, myocardial fibrosis, microvascular disease, and autonomic dysfunction. Improper blood glucose control leads to deterioration of heart failure, but the role of strict glycemic control in reducing heart failure is unclear. The role of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing the incidence of heart failure is of great importance in the treatment of diabetic patients. However, further long-term follow-up and safety studies are needed.

Short-Long R-R Sequence Induced Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shock by Dislodged Lead Even Having Normal Interrogation Parameter

Inappropriate shocks from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can cause potentially dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and impaired quality of life. We describe a case in which a dislodged lead caused inappropriate ICD shocks through simultaneous sensing of atrial and ventricular signals. Interestingly, repeated short-long R-R sequences were recorded, but ICD interrogation parameters were usually unchanged.

Local Atrial/Ventricular Ratio as an Adjuvant Marker for Catheter Ablation of Atrioventricular Accessory Pathways

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The earliest atrial (A)/ventricular (V) activation potential, or accessory pathway (AP) potential are commonly used as ablation targets for atrioventricular (AV) APs. However, these targets are sometimes ambiguous. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 119 catheter ablation cases in 112 patients diagnosed with orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) or Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Local A/V amplitude potentials with the earliest activation or AP potential were measured shortly before achieving antegrade AP conduction block, ventriculoatrial block during right ventricle (RV) pacing, or AVRT termination with no AP conduction. RESULTS: APs were located in the left lateral (55.5%), left posterior (17.6%), left posteroseptal (10.1%), midseptal (1.7%), right posteroseptal (7.6%), right posterior (1.7%), and right lateral (5.9%) regions. The mean earliest activation time was 16.7±15.5 ms, mean A/V potential was 1.1±0.9/1.0±0.9 mV, and mean A/V ratio was 1.7±2.0. There was no statistically significant difference between the activation methods (antegrade vs. RV pacing vs. orthodromic AVRT) or AP locations (left vs. right atrium). However, when the local A/V ratio was divided into 3 groups (≤0.6, 1.0±0.3, and ≥1.4), the antegrade approach resulted in an A/V ratio greater than 1.0±0.3 (86.7%, p=0.007), and the orthodromic AVRT state resulted in a ratio of less than 1.0±0.3 (87.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The mean local A/V potential and ratio did not differ by activation method or AP location. However, a different A/V ratio based on activation method (≥1.0±0.3, antegrade approach; and ≤1.0±0.3, orthodromic AVRT state) could be a good adjuvant marker for targeting AV APs.

Mechanical Extraction of a Massive Intracoronary Thrombus from the Super-Dominant Right Coronary Artery in Thrombogenic Lung Cancer Patient

The congenital absence of the left circumflex artery and a compensatory super-dominant right coronary artery (RCA) is a very rare benign coronary anomaly in the clinic. The presence of a massive thrombus in the super-dominant RCA can lead to fatal results in cases of acute myocardial infarction, unless the thrombus is mechanically removed. Aspiration of the thrombus using a 6 Fr right Judkins guide catheter is useful to extract a massive thrombus and is both safe and effective. We report a case of complete revascularization of the super-dominant RCA after thrombus aspiration using a 6 Fr Judkins right catheter in a patient with acute inferior and inferolateral wall myocardial infarction.

A Primer on the Methods and Applications for Contrast Echocardiography in Clinical Imaging

Contrast echocardiography is broadly described as a variety of techniques whereby the blood pool on cardiac ultrasound is enhanced with encapsulated gas-filled microbubbles or other acoustically active nano- or microparticles. The development of this technology has occurred primarily in response to the need improve current diagnostic applications of echocardiography such as the need to better define left ventricular cavity volumes, regional wall motion, or the presence or absence of masses and thrombi. A secondary reason for the development of contrast echocardiography has been to expand the capabilities of echocardiography. These new applications include myocardial perfusion imaging for detection of ischemia and viability, perfusion imaging of masses/tumors, and molecular imaging. The ability to fill all of these current and future clinical roles has been predicated on the ability to produce robust contrast signal which, in turn, has relied on technical innovation with regards to the microbubble contrast agents and the ultrasound imaging paradigms. In this review, we will discuss the basics of contrast echocardiography including the composition of microbubble contrast agents, the unique imaging methods used to optimize contrast signal-to-noise ratio, and the clinical applications of contrast echocardiography that have made a clinical impact.

Multiple Papillary Fibroelastomas and Thrombus in the Left Heart

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPF) are benign cardiac tumors and usually discovered incidentally during echocardiography. This report describes the case of a 68-year-old man, referred to cardiology for multiple masses of the left ventricle and left atrium. The transthoracic echocardiography revealed multiple oscillating masses in the left ventricle and aortic valve, non-mobile mass in the left atrium with severe mitral stenosis and moderate aortic regurgitation. The patient underwent surgical resection of the masses with valve replacements. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of CPF in the left ventricle and aortic valve, thrombus in the left atrium.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in various cardiac diseases. However, the clinical availability of NLR in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been known. We evaluated the availability of NLR to predict clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 326 consecutive STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. The patients were divided into tertiles according to NLR: NLR6.53 (n=110). We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all causes of death, non-fatal MI, and ischemic stroke at the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: The high NLR group was associated with a significantly higher rate of 12-month MACE (19.1% vs. 3.7%, p<0.001), 12-month death (18.2% vs. 2.8%, p<0.001), in-hospital MACE (12.7% vs. 2.8%, p=0.010) and in-hospital death (12.7% vs. 1.9%, p=0.003) compared to the low NLR group. In the multivariable model, high NLR was an independent predictor of 12-month MACE {hazard ratio (HR) 3.33 (1.09-10.16), p=0.035} and death {HR 4.10 (1.17-14.46), p=0.028} after adjustment for gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, creatinine clearance, angiographic parameters and factors included in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score for STEMI. There was a significant gradient of 12-month MACE across the NLR tertiles with a markedly increased MACE hazard in the high NLR group (log rank test p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The NLR is a useful marker to predict 12-month MACE and death in patients with STEMI who have undergone primary PCI.

Fatal Subacute Stent Thrombosis Induced by Guidewire Fracture with Retained Filaments in the Coronary Artery

During percutaneous coronary intervention, guidewire fractures are very exceptionally encountered in medical practice, but can cause fatal complications such as intracoronary thrombus formation, embolization and perforation. Removal of the remnant segments of guidewire is important for the prognosis. There are several methods being recommended for the treatment of fractured guidewire remnants. However, the best treatment of remnant guidewire filament is still unclear. Herein, we present a case where we did not completely remove remnant guidewire filaments that caused fatal coronary thrombosis.

Low Pressure Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm with Atrial Septal Defect

Pulmonary artery (PA) aneurysm is a rare finding in the thoracic cavity, accompanied by pulmonary hypertension. Clinical presentation of PA aneurysms is usually asymptomatic. The guideline for PA aneurysm treatment is unclear. We report an unusual case of low pressure PA aneurysm associated with atrial septal defect in a 69-year-old man.

Fatal acute right heart failure in gastric cancer patients

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy [PTTM] is a rare condition causing pulmonary artery hypertension and acute right heart failure in patients with cancer. However, chest computer tomography shows negative finding of pulmonary thromboembolism. Serum D-dimer level may be elevated. Echocardiography reveals a dilated right ventricle and feature of pulmonary artery hypertension. Establishing this diagnosis can be very difficult, and most cases are diagnosed during autopsy, although a history of cancer may be a predictor. PTTM should be considered in all patients with apparent pulmonary artery hypertension and elevated D-dimer level, particularly when the patient is known to have an underlying malignancy, especially adenocarcinoma and most of all, the clinical manifestation is very rapidly progressive.

Clinical outcomes between different stent designs with the same polymer and drug: comparison between the Taxus Express and Taxus Liberte stents

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Taxus Liberte stent (Boston Scientific Co.) evolved from the Taxus Express stent, with enhanced stent deliverability and uniform drug delivery. This study was designed to compare angiographic and clinical outcomes in real-world practice between the Taxus Liberte and Taxus Express stents. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2008, 240 patients receiving the Taxus Liberte stent at three centers were registered and compared to historical control patients who had received the Taxus Express stent (n = 272). After propensity score matching, 173 patients treated with the Taxus Liberte stent and the same number of patients treated with the Taxus Express stent were selected. The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), ischemia driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), and stent thrombosis (ST) at 1 year. An additional angiographic assessment was conducted at 9 to 12 months. RESULTS: The study showed no significant difference between the Taxus Express and Taxus Liberte stents (death, 1.73% vs. 2.31%, p = 1.000; MI, 0% vs. 1.73%, p = 0.2478; TVR, 2.31% vs. 1.16%, p = 0.6848; and ST, 0% vs. 1.16%, p = 0.4986). The total MACE rate at 1 year did not differ between the groups (4.05% in Taxus Express vs. 4.05% in Taxus Liberte, p = 1.000). In addition, the binary restenosis rate did not differ (2.25% in Taxus Express vs. 1.80% in Taxus Liberte, p = 0.6848). CONCLUSIONS: In real-world experience with the two Taxus stent designs, both stents showed similarly good clinical and angiographic outcomes at 1 year. A long-term follow-up study is warranted.

Late Simultaneous Presentation of Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm and Tricuspid Regurgitation after Blunt Chest Trauma

A 32-yr-old man developed progressive exertional dyspnea 4 yr after blunt chest trauma due to an automobile accident. Two-dimensional echocardiography and computed-tomographic coronary angiography demonstrated a large pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle and severe tricuspid regurgitation. The patient underwent successful surgical exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm by endoaneurysmal patch closure and repair of the tricuspid valve regurgitation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of these 2 different pathologies presenting late simultaneously after blunt chest trauma and successful surgical repairs in the published literature.

An Unusual Case of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Caused by a Silent Myocardial Infarction

Left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction. It presents with a very high mortality rate and can be rescued by accurate diagnosis and emergency surgery. LVFWR can occur with sudden overt clinical symptoms or present insidiously. This report highlights the case of a man with no prior history of coronary artery disease, who presented with LVFWR and pericardial effusion that evolved to severe bacterial pericarditis.

Persistent Complete Atrioventricular Block after Recovery from Acute Fulminant Myocarditis / 대한내과학회지

Acute myocarditis can be caused by viral, bacterial, or protozoal infection, or drug toxicity. Fulminant myocarditis progresses rapidly and frequently leads to cardiogenic shock, so patients should be supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), mechanical ventilation, or a temporary pacemaker to maintain hemodynamic status. Most patients recover with supportive therapy. However, a few patients have persistent atrioventricular (AV) block. We report the case of a 34-year-old male with persistent complete atrioventricular block after the regression of acute myocarditis. Ultimately, a permanent pacemaker was implanted.

A Case of Native Valve Infective Endocarditis Caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis / 대한내과학회지

A 37-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 1-month history of fever. She also complained of lower leg pain. Transthoracic echocardiography showed large vegetations on the mitral valve leaflets. Staphylococcus lugdunensis was isolated from blood cultures. She was diagnosed with infectious endocarditis due to S. lugdunensis and was treated with antibiotics and surgery. Infective endocarditis caused by S. lugdunensis can be invasive and often resembles endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, whenever this organism is found in patients with endocarditis, early surgical treatment of the infected valve should be considered.

Detection of Clopidogrel Hyporesponsiveness Using a Point-of-Care Assay and the Impact of Additional Cilostazol Administration after Coronary Stent Implantation in Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Impaired responsiveness to clopidogrel is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of a point-of-care assay to detect impaired responsiveness to clopidogrel after coronary stent implantation in patients with type 2 DM. METHODS: We measured P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) with the VerifyNow point-of-care assay in 544 consecutive patients undergoing dual or triple (i.e., dual plus cilostazol) anti-platelet therapy after coronary stent implantation. High platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as a PRU value > or = 240. RESULTS: The mean PRU values were 233.5 +/- 83.2 and 190.3 +/- 85.5 in patients undergoing dual or triple anti-platelet therapy, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients with DM manifested higher post treatment PRU values (238.3 +/- 82.4 vs. 210.8 +/- 86.8, p = 0.001) and a higher frequency of HPR (44.8% vs. 31.0%, p = 0.003) as compared to patients without DM. We also found that higher PRU values and a higher frequency of HPR were present in patients with DM who were undergoing both triple and dual anti-platelet therapy. However, the higher post-treatment PRU values observed in patients with DM decreased with triple anti-platelet therapy (219.4 +/- 82.5 vs. 247.9 +/- 81.1, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: A point-of-care assay can detect elevated platelet reactivity and impaired responsiveness to clopidogrel in patients with type 2 DM. The addition of cilostazol to dual anti-platelet therapy may decrease post-treatment PRU values in patients with type 2 DM.

A Case of Traumatic Tricuspid Regurgitation Caused by Multiple Papillary Muscle Rupture

Traumatic tricuspid regurgitation is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma. With the increase in the number of automobile accidents, traumatic tricuspid regurgitation has become an important problem after blunt chest trauma. It has been reported more frequently because of better diagnostic procedures and a better understanding of the pathology. The early diagnosis of traumatic tricuspid regurgitation is important because traumatic tricuspid injury could be effectively corrected with reparative techniques, early operation is considered to relieve symptoms and to prevent right ventricular dysfunction. Echocardiography can reveal the cause and severity of regurgitation. We experienced a case of tricuspid regurgitation after blunt chest trauma early diagnosis and valve repair were performed. This case reminds the physicians in the emergency department should be aware of this potential complication following non-penetrating chest trauma and echocardiography is useful and should play an early role.