Cardiometabolic assessment of lamin A/C gene mutation carriers: a phenotype-genotype correlation.

AIMS: Mutations of the LMNA gene encoding lamin A/C induce heterogeneous phenotypes ranging from cardiopathies and myopathies to lipodystrophies. The aim of this study was to compare cardiometabolic complications in patients with heterozygous LMNA mutations at the 482nd codon, the 'hotspot' for partial lipodystrophy, with carriers of other, non-R482 LMNA mutations. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 29 patients with R482 LMNA mutations, 29 carriers of non-R482 LMNA mutation and 19 control subjects. Cardiac and metabolic phenotypes were compared between groups. A family history of either cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs; P < 0.001) or sudden death (P < 0.01) was more frequent in non-R482 than R482 carriers. The non-R482 carriers also had more abnormalities on electrocardiography and received CIEDs more often than R482 carriers (P < 0.001). On cardiac ultrasound, non-R482 patients had greater frequencies of left atrial enlargement (P < 0.05) and lower left ventricular ejection fractions (P < 0.01) than R482 carriers. In contrast, R482 carriers had lower BMI (P < 0.05), leptin (P < 0.01) and fat mass (P < 0.001), but higher intra-/total abdominal fat-mass ratios (P < 0.001) and prevalences of diabetes (P < 0.01) and hypertriglyceridaemia (P < 0.05) than non-R482 carriers, with a trend towards more coronary artery disease. However, non-R482 carriers had higher intra-/total abdominal fat-mass ratios (P < 0.02) and prevalences of diabetes (P < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridaemia (P < 0.05) than the controls. CONCLUSION: Non-R482 carriers present more frequently with arrhythmias than R482 carriers, who twice as often have diabetes, suggesting that follow-up for laminopathies could be adjusted for genotype. Non-R482 mutations require ultra-specialized cardiac follow-up, and coronary artery disease should not be overlooked. Although overlapping phenotypes are found, LMNA mutations essentially lead to tissue-specific diseases, favouring genotype-specific pathophysiological mechanisms.

[Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in pediatric patients: results in a series of 33 cases]. / Le défibrillateur automatique implantable chez l'enfant et l'adolescent: indications, complications et résultats à propos d'une étude multicentrique française de 33 cas.

UNLABELLED: Implantable defibrillator is the recognized treatment of sudden cardiac death. Miniaturization of the devices allows implantation in children. METHODS: This multicentric retrospective study analyzed data of 33 children aged 18 years and less who were implanted from 1990 to 2005. RESULTS: Age of patients are 10 to 18 years, 20 patients were implanted after a resuscitation of sudden death, 10 after a syncope, 2 after a ventricular tachycardia and 1 in a prophylactic way. Tachycardias on primary electrical disease are most frequent (46%). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy accounts for 22%, DAVD for 14%, congenital cardiopathies for 12%. Seventeen patients received appropriate shocks and 14 patients had inappropriate shocks. There were two unexplained deaths. Five leads fractures and two device infections were noted. CONCLUSION: Implantable defibrillator is an effective treatment for children high-risk of sudden death. Occurrence of inappropriate shocks due to sinusal tachycardia, infections and leads fractures are frequent.

Post-operative use of heparin increases morbidity of pacemaker implantation.

AIMS: The objective of this study is to characterize the incidence of peri-operative severe adverse events (AEs) related to the post-operative use of heparin in patients undergoing pacemaker surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively compared the outcome of 38 patients with mechanical valves (MVs) and 76 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with control cases matched for gender, age, and surgical details. Heparin was systematically used post-operatively in MV patients, but left to clinical judgment in AF patients. The relative risk for severe haemorrhagic AEs was 11 (CI 1.5-81.1, P < 0.01) in the MV group when compared with matched controls and 8 (CI 1.0-62.5, P < 0.05) in the AF group. Overall, the relative risk of heparin use in the post-operative period was 14 (CI 1.88-104, P = 0.0006) and the post-operative stay was prolonged from 7 days in this group when compared with control cases (P < 0.0001).The variables associated with haemorrhage were the delay to restart heparin after surgery and the presence of an MV. CONCLUSION: Post-operative use of heparin increases morbidity of pacemaker implantation. A different approach to management of these patients is possible.

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy reduces functional mitral regurgitation during dynamic exercise in patients with chronic heart failure: an acute echocardiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess non-invasively the acute effects of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) on functional mitral regurgitation (MR) at rest and during dynamic exercise. METHODS: 21 patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and functional MR at rest, treated with CRT, were studied. Each patient performed a symptom-limited maximal exercise with continuous two dimensional Doppler echocardiography twice. The first exercise was performed with CRT; the second exercise was performed without CRT. Mitral regurgitant flow volume (RV), effective regurgitant orifice area (ERO) and LV dP/dt were measured at rest and at peak exercise. RESULTS: CRT mildly reduced resting mitral ERO (mean 8 (SEM 2) v 11 (2) mm(2) without CRT, p = 0.02) and RV (13 (3) v 18 (3) ml without CRT, p = 0.03). CRT attenuated the spontaneous increase in mitral ERO and RV during exercise (1 (1) v 9 (2) mm(2), p = 0.004 and 1 (1) v 8 (2) ml, p = 0.004, respectively). CRT also significantly increased exercise-induced changes in LV dP/dt (140 (46) v 479 (112) mm Hg/s, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Attenuation of functional MR, induced by an increase in LV contractility during dynamic exercise, may contribute to the beneficial clinical outcome of CRT in patients with chronic heart failure and LV asynchrony.

Local symptoms at the site of pacemaker implantation indicate latent systemic infection.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether local complications at the site of pacemaker implantation indicate infection of the intravascular part of the lead as well as of the pacemaker pocket. METHODS: 105 patients admitted for local inflammatory findings, impending pacemaker or lead exteriorisation, frank pacemaker or lead exteriorisation, or overt infection were studied prospectively. After systematic lead extraction, the initial clinical presentation was related to the results of lead cultures. RESULTS: Regardless of the initial presentation, the intravascular parts of the leads gave positive cultures in 79.3% of patients. Additionally, 91.6% of the cultures of the extravascular lead segments were positive, in contrast to 38.1% positivity for wound swab cultures. No clinical observations or laboratory investigations permitted identification of patients with negative lead cultures. In a subgroup of 50 patients with manifestations strictly limited to the pacemaker implantation site, cultures of intravascular lead segments were positive in 72%. Infection recurred in 4/8 patients without complete lead body extraction (50%) v 1/97 patients (1.0%) whose leads were totally extracted (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Local complications at the site of pacemaker implantation are usually associated with infection of the intravascular part of the leads, with a risk of progressing to systemic infection. Such local symptoms should prompt the extraction of leads even in the absence of other infectious manifestations.

[Use of semi-automatic defibrillators outside the hospital]. / Utilisation extrahospitalière du défibrillateur semi-automatique.

With an annual incidence of 1 to 2@1000 and a rate of survival without complication of 2%, sudden death outside hospital constitutes a serious public health problem in France. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is responsible for more than three quarters of these deaths. The rate of survival is inversely proportional to the duration of VF making early defibrillation a strong link in the chain of survival. The chances of survival are much greater if the cardio-respiratory arrest occurs with a witness, basic first aid is started rapidly, diagnosis of VF is made quickly and the first shock is delivered as soon as possible. These last two criteria are being met more often since the advent of the semi-automatic defibrillator (SAD) and its availability to first line rescuers. The SAD is a light and compact defibrillator capable of automatic analysis of the electrocardiographic trace, charging if it detects ventricular tachycardia (VT) or VF. By analysing the QRS amplitude, its slope, its morphology, its spectral density and the duration of the isoelectric line, the SAD is capable of recognising VF with a sensibility of 98% and a specificity of 93%. The shock, however, is only delivered with a manoeuvre from the operator. The SAD memorizes both the rhythmic event treated and certain parameters relating to its use. During the last decade, the SAD has benefited from the technological evolutions of the implantable automatic defibrillator, with the introduction of a biphasic shock. The use of a biphasic shock allows reduction in the minimal defibrillation charge and thus lightens the apparatus and increases the number of shocks which the SAD can deliver on a charged battery. In authorizing paramedics by statute to use the SAD, it has been possible to reduce the interval from alert to first delivered shock to 8 minutes although it would be 10 minutes if the medical team was awaited, and to obtain a survival rate without complication of 6.3%. The progress achieved by the use of the SAD in the chain of survival cannot be denied. However, to surpass automatic defibrillation and widen the use of defibrillators to an informed and motivated public would certainly bring our results closer to those obtained in America where the survival rate reaches 30% in the best cases; subject to widespread first aid training for the population.

[Contribution of the implantable ECG monitor in the etiologic diagnosis of syncope and unexplained recurrent syncopal attacks. Initial experience with 32 patients]. / Apport du moniteur ECG implantable pour le diagnostic étiologique des syncopes et lipothymies récidivantes inexpliquées. Expérience initiale à propos de 32 patients.

UNLABELLED: Following an exhaustive aetiological investigation, 10 to 26% of syncopal attacks remain unexplained. In these cases the correlation between symptoms and rhythm is a deciding step for the aetiological diagnosis. We report our initial experience using an implantable electrocardiographic monitor, a new diagnostic tool in patients suffering from syncope and recurrent unexplained syncopal attacks. RESULTS: The study included 32 patients (average age 55 +/- 22 years; 23 males) suffering from syncope and/or recurrent syncopal attacks remaining unexplained following an exhaustive aetiological investigation. The average follow up was 10.2 +/- 2.5 months. No case of sudden death was registered, and the device was removed in only one patient due to poor tolerance. During follow up, 21 recordings were memorized and analysed in 15 patients (45%), giving an average of 1.4 recordings per patient. The average interval for recurrence of symptoms after implantation was from 84 +/- 104 days, 75% of the episodes coming in the first 2 months following implantation. An arrhythmia was detected on 10 occasions: a malignant ventricular arrhythmia in 2 patients, a non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in 1 patient, a junctional tachycardia in 1 patient, entry into paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 4 patients, a sinus bradycardia in 1 patient, and a sinus pause for 19 seconds in 1 patient. In one patient ST segment depression was documented following anterior chest pain. The tracing was normal with sinus rhythm recorded on 10 occasions, representing the only documented information in 4 patients. In total, an aetiology was found in 11 of the 32 patients evaluated (34%). Once the aetiological diagnosis was established and a specific treatment initiated, all the patients became asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results underline the significance of the implantable ECG monitor in the diagnostic approach to recurrent unexplained syncopal attacks. The exact place of this tool in the decisional algorithm for syncope remains to be defined with further studies.

Long-term follow-up of children and adolescents with syncope; predictor of syncope recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that investigation by tilt testing is very appropriate in paediatrics, but the characteristics of children and adolescents who are at high risk of recurrent syncope, once the diagnosis is established, remain unclear. This study was set up to analyse the risk factors attributed to syncope recurrence in paediatric patients. METHODS: One hundred and one children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years, undergoing a tilt test for recurrent syncope, were studied. They were subsequently followed-up in clinic visits with a final interview at the clinic or by telephone at the end of the follow-up period. RESULTS: A head-up tilt test elicited syncope or pre-syncope in 67 children. The positive responses included vasovagal syncope in 58 patients and psychogenic syncope in nine patients. Gender, age, number of pre-tilt test syncopal episodes or duration of symptoms made no difference to children with positive or negative tilt test results. Following the tilt test, 43 of 67 children with a positive tilt test were treated empirically. No treatment was prescribed for the remaining 24 with a positive test, or for those with a negative tilt test. There were no differences between treated and untreated children with respect to the number of pre-tilt test syncopes, duration of symptoms and duration of follow-up. Follow-up data were available in 97 children. During a mean follow-up of 46+/-28 months, syncope recurred in 31 children (32%). The recurrence rate was similar between positive and negative tilt test groups (22/66 vs 9/31, respectively; P=ns), as well as between treated and untreated children (14/43 vs 8/23, respectively; P=ns). When comparing syncope-free children at follow-up in a univariate analysis, children with recurrent syncope reported a greater number of historical syncopal spells (7+/-8 vs 3+/-3, P=0.01). In addition linear correlation (r=0.6, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.72, P<0.0001) was significant between the number of historical syncope episodes and the risk of recurrent syncope. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the risk of syncope recurrence for children and adolescents with such a history is not correlated to the tilt test result or prophylactic treatment. The number of historical syncopal spells is, however, predictive.

[Value of an implantable EKG monitor for the diagnosis of arrhythmic syncope in children]. / Intérêt d'un moniteur ECG implantable pour le diagnostic de syncopes rythmiques chez l'enfant.

The value of an implantable ECG monitor (Reveal TM Plus) is reported in a 12 year old child with unexplained syncopal episodes despite extensive investigations. Twenty-seven days after the implantation, ventricular tachycardia at 450/min was recorded at the first recurrence. This case shows that this type of monitoring can be particularly useful when an arrhythmia is thought to be the cause of syncope in a child and the initial investigation is negative.

Signal-averaged electrocardiography in children with anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

The aim of the present study was to determine if signal-averaged ECG of patients with anthracycline-induced left ventricular dysfunction could differentiate between patients with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and those without. Sixteen children with anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy, aged 6.5 to 15.5 years (anthracycline dose = 198-737 mg/m2), and 31 patients aged 5.0 to 16.7 years, who received anthracyclines without evidence of left ventricular dysfunction (anthracycline dose = 120-517 mg/m2), were studied with signal averaged ECG. The two groups were comparable in age, body surface area, and time since completion of chemotherapy. Signal averaged ECG parameters of the patients were compared with data obtained from 530 healthy children. These parameters were converted to z-scores to account for growth-related changes in signal averaged ECG recordings. Z-scores for filtered QRS duration and low amplitude terminal signal < 40 microV were significantly lower (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015, respectively), and Z-score for root mean square voltage of the last -30 ms of filtered QRS tended to be higher (p = 0.06) in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Filtered QRS duration lower than -1.5 SD was found in 4 of 16 patients with left ventricular dysfunction and in only 1 of 31 patients without (p < 0.05) yielding a sensitivity of 25% and a specificity of 97% to detect left ventricular dysfunction. Only 1 patient had late potentials; his left ventricular function was normal. Left ventricular mass index tended to be lower in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (p = 0.07), whereas left ventricular diastolic diameter was similar in the two groups. The mechanism that accounted for the difference in signal averaged-ECG between the two groups of patients could be linked with the decrease in left ventricular mass in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. In conclusion, children with left ventricular dysfunction following anthracycline therapy have a SA ECG different from those without left ventricular dysfunction, which is mainly characterized by a lower filtered QRS duration. A prospective study is needed in order to determine if this modification of SA ECG recordings precedes alteration of left ventricular function, and, therefore, if it could help in early detection of cardiac toxicity of anthracyclines.

Long-term evaluation of autonomic tone in patients below 50 years of age with unexplained cerebral infarction: relation to atrial vulnerability.

UNLABELLED: Preliminary studies have described, in young patients with unexplained cerebral infarction, electrophysiological abnormalities similar to those observed in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Moreover, in young adults with 'normal' hearts, increased susceptibility to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with autonomic abnormalities as assessed by heart rate variability analysis have been reported. METHODS: The long-term time and frequency domain measures of heart rate variability were analysed prospectively from 24-h Holter ECG recordings in 25 patients (39 +/- 8 years) with unexplained cerebral infarction, and in 25 age-, sex- and cigarette-smoking-matched healthy control subjects. The day following the Holter ECG recordings, 9 +/- 4 months (mean) after the stroke, stroke patients underwent an electrophysiological study in order to analyse the electrical characteristics of their right atria and also to determine their vulnerability to atrial fibrillation. The correlations between autonomic tone parameters and electrophysiological findings were therefore assessed with linear regression analyses. RESULTS: All the measured components of heart rate variability either in time (SDNN, pNN50, SDANN/5, rMSSD) or frequency domains (total power, low-frequency, high-frequency power, low-frequency/high-frequency power ratio) were similar between stroke patients and controls. During electrophysiological study, atrial fibrillation was induced in 80% of stroke patients. Among these patients, atrial refractory periods were significantly shorter, local electrograms were longer, and latent atrial vulnerability index was markedly decreased when compared with patients having no inducible atrial fibrillation. Concerning heart rate variability analysis, no difference was found between patients with induced atrial fibrillation when compared with a matched subgroup of healthy control subjects. Furthermore, there was no statistically linear correlation between any of the measured autonomic tone parameters and any of the discovered atrial vulnerability markers. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term autonomic tone parameters of young patients presenting with a history of unexplained cerebral infarction are similar to those of healthy control subjects and are not correlated with atrial vulnerability parameters or atrial fibrillation inducibility.

[Determinants of survival after implantation of an automatic defibrillator. Report of 127 patients]. / Déterminants de la survie après implantation d'un défibrillateur automatique implantable. A propos de 127 patients.

The authors present a retrospective and longitudinal study of the predictive factors of mortality in patients having an implanted automatic defibrillator. The population comprised 127 patients implanted between September 1988 and September 1997. There were 107 men with a mean age of 57.7 +/- 13 years. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 39.3%. The proportion of coronary patients was 68%; 20% of patients had atrial fibrillation and 5% were in Class III of the NYHA classification. The indications were: resuscitated cardiac arrest (N = 56) and poorly tolerated ventricular tachycardia (N = 71). The follow-up period was 30 +/- 25 months. There were 23 early and 10 late complications. Seventy-two patients had received an electric shock; 57 had an appropriate shock. There were 23 arrhythmic storms (ventricular arrhythmia requiring at least 2 shocks in less than 24 hours) in 17 patients. The operative mortality was 1.1%; at 1 year, the global survival was 93.9 +/- 2.2%; cardiac survival was 94.7 +/- 2.1%; survival without sudden death was 98.3 +/- 1.2%. Multivariate analysis isolated predictive factors for mortality; atrial fibrillation was predictive for global mortality; an ejection fraction < 30% and the fact of having received an appropriate shock were predictive of cardiac mortality; and an arrhythmic storm was predictive of sudden death.

[Infections secondary to the implantation of a pacemaker: update]. / Infections secondaires à l'implantation d'un stimulateur cardiaque: mise au point.

Pacemaker lead infection is a major complication of endovascular permanent pacing. The incidence is less than 1% but it is a frequent disease due to the high number of pacemaker implanted. The diagnosis is difficult due to the insidious symptoms. Pacemaker infection must be systematically considered in patients with a pacemaker and symptoms of infection. Several investigations are useful for the diagnosis particularly the transesophageal echocardiography, but all investigations have a low negative predictive value. All of the implanted material must be completely removed.

[Mapping and radiofrequency ablation in different forms of right peri-atriotomy flutter]. / Cartographie et ablation par radiofréquence des différentes formes du flutter péri-atriotomie droite.

Peri-atriotomy flutter is a possible complication of surgical atriotomy. This tachycardia in an indication for radiofrequency ablation. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of the flutter, evaluate the possibility of mapping and the role of radiofrequency ablation in its treatment. Eleven patients with a mean age of 45 years (26-70) were referred for ablation of atrial flutter observed on average 15 years after surgical atriotomy. In 7 patients (Group I), the ECG appearances before the procedure were that of a rare flutter. Endocavitary mapping showed a circuit limited to the free wall of the right atrium with a posterior caudo-cranial and an anterior cranio-caudal front. A series of radiofrequency applications joining the atriotomy scar to the inferior vena cava interrupted the flutter in all patients and created a bidirectional block around the atriotomy. In 4 patient (Group II), the ECG appearances were that of a common flutter. A series of radiofrequency ablations in the cavo-tricuspid isthmus led to sudden change in polarity of the F wave in all patients. Repeat mapping then showed a peri-atriotomy circuit identical to that described in Group I. The whole was interpreted as a figure-of-eight circuit. The primary success rate was 100%. There were no complications but the early recurrence rate remained high. This preliminary experience confirms the value of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of peri-atriotomy flutter and shows ECG polymorphism related to a figure-of-eight reentry circuit.

Single center experience with femoral extraction of permanent endocardial pacing leads.

Between March 1995 and June 1997, 128 leads were extracted from the hearts of 28 women and 50 men, 69 +/- 15 years of age (mean +/- SD, range 22-92 years). The indications for the procedure were: Accufix leads in 18 patients (14%), dysfunction or incompatibility with ICD in 16 (12%), endocarditis on the lead in 41 (32%), pulse generator pocket infection in 28 (22%), and pulse generator and/or lead erosion in 25 patients (19%). The extraction was performed with a snare (lasso), via a femoral vein as a first approach in 116 leads, and as an alternate approach, after extraction from the original site of implantation had failed, in 12 leads. The leads had been implanted for 62 +/- 48 months (range 1-205 months). A Cook sheath was used in 7, and a femoral approach traction in 20 instances. Of the 128 leads, 122 (95%) were completely extracted, and 2 (2%) were partially extracted (the distal electrode remaining attached to the myocardium), and 4 (3%) could not be removed. Four complications occurred: 2 tears of the tricuspid valve without clinical consequences, one separation of the lead's distal electrode which migrated into the hypogastric vein, and one hemorrhage at the femoral puncture site. There was no death or serious complication caused by lead extraction in this series.

Inadequate sympathovagal balance in response to orthostatism in patients with unexplained syncope and a positive head up tilt test.

AIM: To analyse the immediate response of heart rate variability (HRV) in response to orthostatic stress in unexplained syncope. SUBJECTS: 69 subjects, mean (SD) age 42 (18) years, undergoing 60 degrees head up tilt to evaluate unexplained syncope. METHODS: Based on 256 second ECG samples obtained during supine and upright phases, spectral analyses of low (LF) and high frequency (HF) bands were calculated, as well as the LF/HF power ratio, reflecting the sympathovagal balance. All variables were measured just before tilt during the last five minutes of the supine position, during the first five minutes of head up tilt, and just before the end of passive tilt. RESULTS: Symptoms occurred in 42 subjects (vasovagal syncope in 37; psychogenic syncope in five). Resting haemodynamics and HRV indices were similar in subjects with and without syncope. Immediately after assuming the upright posture, adaptation to orthostatism differed between the two groups in that the LF/HF power ratio decreased by 11% from supine (from 2.7 (1.5) to 2.4 (1.2)) in the positive test group, while it increased by 11.5% (from 2.8 (1.5) to 3.1 (1.7)) in the negative test group (p = 0.02). This was because subjects with a positive test did not have the same increment in LF power with tilting as those with a negative test (11% v 28%, p = 0.04), while HF power did not alter. A decreased LF/HF power ratio persisted throughout head up tilt and was the only variable found to discriminate between subjects with positive and negative test results (p = 0.005, multivariate analysis). During the first five minutes of tilt, a decreased LF/HF power ratio occurred in 33 of 37 subjects in the positive group and three of 27 in the negative group. Thus a decreased LF/HF ratio had 89% sensitivity, 89% specificity, a 92% positive predictive value, and an 86% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Through the LF/HF power ratio, spectral analysis of HRV was highly correlated with head up tilt results. Subjects developing syncope late during continued head up tilt have a decrease in LF/HF ratio immediately after assuming the upright posture, implying that although symptoms have not developed the vasovagal reaction may already have begun. This emphasises the major role of the autonomic nervous system in the genesis of vasovagal (neurally mediated) syncope.

Extraction of endocardial implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads.

Despite a growing number of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead removal indications, there is no consensus about extraction techniques. We applied our experience of pacemaker lead removal to ICD leads using a superior approach with a standard extractor kit, and an inferior approach with a lasso, or a surgical extraction. Fifteen leads were removed in 11 patients during 12 procedures (1 patient was referred twice): 11 right ventricular defibrillation leads, 3 right atrial coils, and 1 atrial lead implanted with a DDD-ICD. The indication for lead extraction was insulation failure (n = 4), conductor fracture (n = 2), abdominal pocket infection (n = 4), lead endocarditis (n = 1), and replacement of an atrial coil by an atrial lead for DDD-R pacing (n = 1). One patient had surgical extraction of 2 leads because of an endocarditis with large vegetations on a DDD-ICD. In 11 other cases, 5 leads were removed using a superior approach with a standard extraction kit and 8 leads were removed by a femoral approach using a lasso alone or added to a pigtail catheter. There was no failure of explantation. One extraction attempt failed with the superior approach but was successful with a secondary inferior approach. The main difficulties encountered were due to tight adherence of the proximal coil to the venous wall and to dislodgment of passive fixation leads from their endocardial insertion. One patient had subclavian vein thrombosis after intervention; no major complication was noted. Ten patients immediately underwent reimplantation. Two patients (1 with an endocarditis and 1 free of ICD therapy for 5 years) did not have reimplantation. During a 4- to 44-month follow-up, no late complication appeared. Thus, ICD lead explantation can be performed with a good success rate, with extraction techniques similar to those used for pacemaker leads.

Ventricular tachycardia originating from the posteroseptal process of the left ventricle with inferior wall healed myocardial infarction.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrates may form in preferential locations and similar electrocardiographic patterns may be observed when ventricular activation starts from a particular site. We examined the role of the posterior inferior process of the left ventricle in the mechanism of VT occurring after inferior wall myocardial infarction. We reviewed isochronal maps of 40 VTs obtained at surgery in 13 patients, with a 128-electrode system using epicardial sock and endocardial balloon electrode arrays. Based on the epicardial to left endocardial relation we observed 7 tachycardias in 7 patients with onset of activation over the crux of the heart. This activation mimicked excitation through a posteroseptal accessory pathway. Endocardial activation maps showed breakthroughs occurring 6 to 40 ms later and did not give evidence in favor of macroreentry. In all but 1 VT, left-axis deviation was present (-30 to -75 degrees) with a positive concordance from leads V2 to V6 (QRS wave patterns were variable in V1). These tachycardias, which were clinical in 3 of 7 cases, were interpreted as arising from the posterior inferior process of the left ventricle and successfully ablated by left septal and epicardial cryolesions. In another patient, this concept was further validated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of a tachycardia with the previously described morphology. In conclusion, VT may originate from the posteroseptal process of the left ventricle with inferior wall healed myocardial infarction. Because these tachycardias can be successfully eliminated, their characteristic morphologies may provide clinical markers for the identification of patient candidates to surgical or nonsurgical ablative therapy.

Extraction and reimplantation of defibrillation leads through a thrombotic subclavian vein.

Venous thrombosis is one of the most frequently encountered obstacles when reintervening on endocardial leads. We report on two patients with a ventricular defibrillator requiring lead replacement in whom a subclavian vein thrombosis was documented prior to the intervention. We recanalized the vein and replaced the lead through the same path to preserve the venous access.

[Complete atrioventricular block during temporal lobe epilepsy. Apropos of a case]. / Bloc auriculo-ventriculaire complet au cours d'une épilepsie temporale. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of a 37 years old woman with no previous medical history, admitted to hospital for investigation of unexplained syncope, sometimes associated with generalised fits. After standard non-invasive cardiovascular investigations, no diagnosis could be made. The tilt test induced a minor syncopal episode without reproducing the clinical symptoms. In view of the discordance between the induced and spontaneous symptoms, a neurological opinion was requested. During the recording of an electroencephalogram, syncopal atrioventricular block was observed, preceded by auditory hallucinations, reproducing exactly the clinical symptoms. Analysis of the sequence of events showed the conduction defect to arise after the onset of the epileptic fit, indicating a diagnosis of syncopal complete atrioventricular block complicating cryptogenic temporal epilepsy, and requiring specific treatment. This case illustrates the importance of close collaboration between cardiologists and neurologists in the management of cases of unexplained syncope.