Absent right bundle branch block: Is it a clue of pre-excitation in Ebstein's anomaly?

A 14-year-old male with a history of symptomatic tachycardia was referred for ablation. Sinus rhythm electrocardiogram was not showing any pre-excitation. Tachycardia episode was showing antidromic tachycardia with left bundle branch block morphology. Echocardiographic examination was showing Ebstein's anomaly with septal tricuspid leaflet displaced 24mm apically. The right bundle branch block (RBBB) was concealed during sinus rhythm. The RBBB was revealed with ablation of right posterior atriofascicular accessory pathway.

Gerbode Defect-A Rare Defect of Atrioventricular Septum and Tricuspid Valve.

Left ventricular to right atrial communications (the Gerbode defect) are rare types of ventricular septal defect and present as direct or an indirect type. We hereby, report two cases, one direct and another indirect type. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery was done and a successful suture closure of ventricularseptal defect using pericardial patch was performed.

Left ventricular function by echocardiogram in children with sickle cell anaemia in Mumbai, Western India.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular events and complications are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with sickle cell disease. Cardiac abnormalities occur frequently and at an early stage in sickle cell anaemia patients, despite being more evident in adulthood. Sickle cell anaemia patients are increasingly able to reach adulthood owing to improved healthcare, and may, therefore, suffer the consequences of chronic cardiac injury. Thus, the study of cardiac abnormalities is essential in children OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the echocardiographic changes in left ventricular function in children suffering from sickle cell disease in Mumbai, Western India. METHODS: The study comprised of 48 cases of sickle cell anaemia and 30 non-anaemic controls with normal haemoglobin and electrophoresis pattern. M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic measurements of patients and controls were performed according to the criteria of the American Echocardiography Society. RESULTS: On Doppler study, the A wave height was increased and the E/A ratio was decreased, whereas the deceleration and isovolumetric relaxation times were prolonged, which is typically seen in slowed or impaired myocardial relaxation (p<0.001). Although chamber dilatations were present, echocardiographic parameters showed no statistically significant correlation with severity of anaemia and age among the sickle cell patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the increased left ventricular stiffness, compared with controls, might be due to fibrosis related to ischaemia caused by SS disease in addition to wall hypertrophy.

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm associated with a systemic embolism.

A 20 year-old woman presented with systemic embolisation. On subsequent investigation, she was diagnosed with a congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm. Few case reports are reported in the literature. This cardiac malformation presents a diagnostic challenge in patients with cardiomegaly.