ABSTRACT
The presence of a ventricular pre-excitation, which becomes evident only during episodes of atrial fibrillation, is a very rare event. The authors report a case of ventricular pre-excitation revealed by an access of atrial fibrillation with high ventricular frequency and hemodynamic failure. The ventricular pre-excitation signs were not evident after the sinus rythm had been restored. The electrophysiological study has shown that such behaviour is not related to a different input of the stimulus in the bypass tract during the passage from the sinus rhythm to the atrial fibrillation, as other authors have recently suggested, but to rate-dependent variations of the conduction in the Kent bundle: in the bypass either a phase-4 block of the conduction is present, or a supernormal conduction.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology , Heart Conduction System/physiopathology , Pre-Excitation Syndromes/physiopathology , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Electrocardiography , Humans , Middle Aged , Pre-Excitation Syndromes/complicationsABSTRACT
35 cases of heart stimulation using a transthoracic electrode are presented. It is emphasised that the technique is only applicable in very few cases (total AVB with a critical frequency below 20/min, all types of asystolia). The simple technique, results and complications (in theory many but in practice only 1 occurred) are briefly described.
Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation/methods , Heart Block/therapy , Heart Arrest/therapy , Humans , Psychotropic Drugs/poisoning , Radiography, Thoracic , Subcutaneous Emphysema/therapyABSTRACT
An account is offered of urgent transfers of patients carried out by the Imperia Hospital's cardiology section in a period of 5 yr. Frequency (1.5% of admitted patients), destination (63% to Genoa, the regional capital), modality (Red Cross ambulance in all but one case), and form of accompaniment (doctor or trained attendant in 81%) are described along with the reasons for the transfer. Of these, 73% were AV block with MAS. It is felt, if the section can be equipped in the future for the installation of permanent pacemakers, the number of such transfers could be cut down to a few cases per year.
Subject(s)
Coronary Care Units/supply & distribution , Heart Diseases/therapy , Transportation of Patients , Ambulances , Angina Pectoris/complications , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial , Coronary Disease/surgery , Emergencies , Heart Block/complications , Heart Block/surgery , Humans , Myocardial Infarction/complicationsABSTRACT
A case of slight thoracic trauma, part of more serious traumatism of the pelvis which developed a rare form of recurrent bradysystolia due to progressive slowdown of the sinus-atrial node, is reported. Emergency treatment with temporary i.v. electric stimulation allowed the patient to surmount the crisis and complete cure has now been evident for 8 months.
Subject(s)
Bradycardia/etiology , Thoracic Injuries/complications , Aged , Bradycardia/therapy , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial , Fractures, Bone/complications , Humans , Male , Pelvic Bones/injuries , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/complicationsABSTRACT
The approach to the diagnostic effort test recently recommended by the A.N.M.C.O. is discussed. The cost of equipment and staff required are examined. Precise data regarding the cost of such a unit in the cardiology department are given and stress is laid on the advisability of confining its use to cases in which clinico-historical investigation and preliminary clinical evaluation point to it as indispensable for cardiology diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Exercise Test/instrumentation , Exercise Test/economics , Hospitals, County , Hospitals, GeneralABSTRACT
Experience acquired in the electrical stimulation of the atrium via the oesophagus in 18 consecutive cases ir presented. An account is given of the technique and the results obtained. These confirm the reliability and simplicity of execution of the entire diagnostic procedure.
Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation/methods , Esophagus , Aged , Electrodes, Implanted , Female , Heart Atria , Humans , Male , Middle AgedSubject(s)
Pacemaker, Artificial , Humans , Italy , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital , Statistics as TopicSubject(s)
Angina Pectoris/drug therapy , Coronary Disease/drug therapy , Amiodarone/therapeutic use , Chronic Disease , Digitalis Glycosides/therapeutic use , Humans , Lidoflazine/therapeutic use , Oxyfedrine/therapeutic use , Perhexiline/therapeutic use , Practolol/therapeutic use , Prenylamine/therapeutic use , Verapamil/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Hypertension/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Clonidine/therapeutic use , Diet, Sodium-Restricted , Diuretics/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Hypertension/diet therapy , Male , Methyldopa/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Reserpine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
World statistics of infarction are given in brief from the viewpoints of incidence, mortality and prevalence. The results of analysing admittances for m.i. to the Imperia Hospital in the period 1960-1972 are then reported. The series is considered from the general and local standpoints, with reference to the organizational and welfare problems created by the high number of admittances and their high annual increment.
Subject(s)
Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology , Australia , Canada , Europe , Humans , Italy , Japan , Myocardial Infarction/mortality , United StatesABSTRACT
A retrospective study was carried out of 39 cases of posterior m.i. from 8 months to 6 years after acute episode. In each case the diagnostic reliability of the standard derivations of a series of parameters was evaluated (duration of Q D3 and Q aVF, Q.100/R ratio in aVF, R/S ratio in V1 and R V1/R V6) and of the following accessory derivations: De Maria, III P of Pescador (classical and in two personal modifications), dorsal and sternal derivations. It is concluded that in many cases, standard derivations do not enable previous posterior m.i. to be diagnosed. The De Maria and III P of Pescador derivations (with the proposed personal modifications) are advisable. In isolated cases, the sternal derivation may also be very useful.