Practice setting and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. The aim of the analysis was to compare time trends in the extent to which cardiovascular prevention guidelines have been implemented by primary care physicians and specialists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hospitals with cardiology departments serving the city and surrounding districts in the southern part of Poland participated in the study. Consecutive patients hospitalized due to an acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularization procedure were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months after hospitalization. The surveys were carried out in 1997-1998, 1999-2000, 2006-2007 and 2011-2013. RESULTS: The proportion of smokers increased from 16.0% in 1997-1998 to 16.4% in 2011-2013 among those who declared that a cardiologist in a hospital outpatient clinic decided about the treatment, from 17.5% to 34.0% (p < 0.01) among those treated by a primary care physician, and from 7.0% to 19.7% (p = 0.06) among patients treated in private cardiology practices. The corresponding proportions were 44.6% and 42.4% (p < 0.01), 47.7% and 52.8% (p = 0.53), 44.2% and 42.2% (p = 0.75) for high blood pressure, and 42.5% and 71.2% (p < 0.001), 51.4% and 79.6% (p < 0.001), 52.4% and 72.4% (p < 0.01) for LDL cholesterol level not at recommended goal. The proportion of patients prescribed cardioprotective medications increased in every analyzed group. CONCLUSIONS: The control of cardiovascular risk in CAD patients has only slightly improved since 1997/98 in all health care settings. The greatest potential for further improvement was found among patients whose post-hospital care is provided by primary care physicians. It is associated with promotion of a no-smoking policy and enhanced prescription of guideline-recommended drugs.

Factors related to the effectiveness of hypercholesterolemia treatment following hospitalization for coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION    Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVES    The aim of the study was to identify factors related to control of hypercholesterolemia in patients after hospitalization for CAD. PATIENTS AND METHODS    The study included consecutive patients from 5 hospitals with cardiology departments serving one city in southern Poland. Patients were hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularization procedure. Interviews and examinations were conducted 6 to 18 months after hospitalization. RESULTS    Overall, 83.6% of the patients were taking statins; 2.1%, fibrates; and 0.5%, ezetimibe. A statin at a high dose (≥40 mg of atorvastatin or ≥20 mg of rosuvastatin) was taken by 36.1% of the participants. Younger age and index hospitalization in a teaching hospital were significantly associated with a higher probability of taking a statin. Overall, 28.1% of the patients had good control of hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol levels <1.8 mmol/l), whereas 71.9%, 38.6%, 24.4%, and 10.3% had LDL cholesterol levels of 1.8 mmol/l or higher, 2.5 mmol/l or higher, 3.0 mmol/l or higher, and 4.0 mmol/l or higher, respectively. Younger age, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose levels were related to a higher probability of having LDL cholesterol levels of 1.8 mmol/l or higher, while younger age, shorter period of education, professional inactivity, lack of cardiac rehabilitation, and high blood pressure were related to the probability of LDL cholesterol levels of 4.0 mmol/l or higher. CONCLUSIONS    The frequency of statin use is affected by age and health care-related factors, while control of hypercholesterolemia after hospitalization due to CAD is dependent mainly on patient-related and clinical factors.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Real Life.

Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) improves prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, not much is known about the effectiveness of CRP in real life. The aim of this analysis was to identify factors related to the referral to CRP following hospitalization for CAD and estimate the effectiveness of the programs in real life.Medical records of 1061 consecutive patients aged ≤80 years, hospitalized due to an acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularization procedure in 5 hospitals serving the city and surrounding counties, were reviewed and 611 patients were interviewed 6-18 months posthospitalization.Of 611 patients participating in the interview, 212 (34.7%) were referred following the hospitalization to a center providing CRP. Age, hospitalization in a teaching hospital, and index diagnosis were independently related to being granted a referral. Among the referred patients, 86.3% participated in the CRP. Participation in CRP was related to the lower probability of having high total cholesterol (23% vs 32%, P < 0.05), fasting glucose (11% vs 18%, P = 0.05), HbA1c (8% vs 16%, P = 0.05), and body mass index (27% vs 37%, P < 0.05). Generally, the effect of the CRP was significant in participants with a higher education, but not in those with a low education level. Other factors were not significantly related to the effectiveness of CRP.This study shows that CRPs are effective, but underused in Poland. The participant's education level may influence the effectiveness of CRP. Therefore, in order to increase the impact of CRP, the content of such programs should vary depending on the education level of the participants.

Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in contemporary clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: The highest priority in preventive cardiology was given to patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to assess the implementation of guidelines for secondary prevention in everyday clinical practice by evaluating control of the main risk factors and the cardioprotective medication prescription rates for patients, following their hospitalization for CAD. METHODS: Five hospitals with cardiology departments serving the city and its surround-ing districts in southern part of Poland participated in the study. Consecutive patients aged ≤ 80 years, hospitalized from January 1 2010 to April 31 2012 due to an acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularization procedure were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months after hospitalization. RESULTS: The medical records of 595 patients (mean age: 62.8 ± 9.0 years, 397 men and 198 women) were reviewed and included in the analyses. Proportions of medical records with available information on risk factors were high with the exception of total cholesterol levels as well as weight and height measurements, which were available in less than 80% of the hospital records. The prescription rate at discharge for antiplatelets was 99%, beta-blockers (BB)--85%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or sartans--85%, and lipid-lowering drugs--94%. Patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were significantly less often prescribed BB, ACEI or sartans, and lipid-lowering drugs. The proportion of patients with high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) 6-18 months after hospitalization was 47%, with high LDL cholesterol level (≥ 1.8 mmol/L) 73%, and with a high HbA1c level (≥ 7.0%) 14%, whereas 20% of participants were smokers and 80% were overweight. The proportion of patients taking an antiplatelet agent 6-18 months after hospitalization was 90%, BB--82%, ACEI--or sartan 78%, and lipid-lowering drug--82%. Overall, 33.9% of the study participants declared that they had been advised to participate in a rehabilitation/secondary prevention program following their hospitalization and 30.5% participated in a rehabilitation/secondary prevention program. However, only 28.2% took part in at least half of the planned sessions. Using a multivariate analysis we showed that, in general, risk factors control and the prescription rates of cardioprotective medications were related to the patients' age, education, and participation in a rehabilitation/secondary prevention program following their hospitalization due to CAD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that there is a considerable potential for further reduction of cardiovascular risk in CAD patients. Our results suggest that increasing patient participation rates in rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs may improve the implementation of the secondary prevention.

Secondary prevention in patients after hospitalisation due to coronary artery disease: what has changed since 2006?

BACKGROUND: The evidence concerning the quality of secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Poland in recent years is scarce. AIM: To compare the implementation of secondary prevention guidelines into everyday clinical practice between 2006-2007 and 2011-2012 in patients after hospitalisation due to CAD. METHODS: Five hospitals with departments of cardiology serving a city and its surrounding districts in the southern part of Poland participated in the study. Consecutive patients aged ≤ 80 years, hospitalised from April 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006 (first survey) and from April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 (second survey) due to acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularisation procedure were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months after hospitalisation. RESULTS: Medical records of 640 patients were reviewed and included in the first survey and 466 in the second survey. The proportion of medical records with available information on smoking did not differ between the surveys, whereas the proportion of medical records with available information on blood pressure and total cholesterol was lower in patients hospitalised in 2010-2011. The prescription rate of ß-blockers at discharge decreased from 90% to 84% (p < 0.05), whereas the prescription rates at discharge of other drug classes did not change significantly. The proportion of patients with high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) one year after hospitalisation decreased in 2011-2012 compared to 2006-2007 (from 48% to 35%, p < 0.05), whereas the proportion of subjects with high LDL cholesterol, high fasting glucose, and obesity did not change significantly. We did not note a significant difference in the smoking rate. The proportions of patients taking an antiplatelet agent (90% vs. 91%), a ß-blocker (87% vs. 79%), an ACE inhibitor or a sartan (79% vs. 76%), a calcium antagonist (22% vs. 25%), a diuretic (35%vs. 45%), and a lipid-lowering drug (86% vs. 87%) one year after discharge did not change significantly (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We noted a modest improvement in the implementation of CAD secondary prevention guidelines in everyday clinical practice: blood pressure was better controlled, although the control of all other main risk factors did not change significantly. Our data provides evidence that there is a considerable potential for further reduction of cardiovascular risk in CAD patients.

Age, sex, and secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in everyday practice.

BACKGROUND: Many researchers have studied age- and sex-related differences in the management of patients with coronary artery disease. However, the results are inconsistent. AIM: To assess sex- and age-related bias in the secondary prevention in patients hospitalised due to ischaemic heart disease. METHODS: Five hospitals with departments of cardiology serving a city and surrounding districts in southern Poland participated in the study. Consecutive patients hospitalised from 1 April 2005 to 31 July 2006 due to acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularisation procedure and aged ≤ 80 years were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months after hospitalisation. RESULTS: The hospital records of 640 patients were reviewed and 513 (80.2%) patients participated in the follow-up interview. Women were older and less educated than their male counterparts. Sex was not independently associated with the control of major risk factors in the post-discharge period, whereas age was related to a higher probability of having high blood pressure and a lower chance of smoking. Multivariate analysis showed that females were prescribed calcium antagonists (odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.34-3.39) and diuretics (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.00-2.31) more often than males. Age was independently related to the prescription rate of diuretics (≥ 70 years vs. < 60 years; OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.19-2.20). The prescription rate of antiplatelets, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors/sartans, lipid-lowering drugs, and anticoagulants was not related to age or sex. CONCLUSIONS: We found no major sex-related difference in the frequency of achieving recommended goals in secondary prevention, whereas age was related to a lower prevalence of smoking and a higher probability of having high blood pressure in subjects after hospitalisation for coronary artery disease.

Increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome and indications for treatment with oral anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet drugs currently constitute the basic treatment of coronary artery disease (acute coronary syndrome [ACS], stable angina and patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions [PCI]). The number of patients with indication for dual antiplatelet therapy with comorbidities with high thrombo-embolic risk (such as atrial fibrillation [AF], venous thrombotic disease, valvular diseases) is increasing. That is why the need for simultaneous administration of dual antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant therapy (triple therapy) has become more common recently. The AF is the most common indication for chronic anticoagulation. Because of the lack of large randomised trials regarding triple therapy, characteristics of this group has not been well established. AIM: To assess the presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and concomitant diseases in patients with ACS requiring triple therapy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis included 2279 patients diagnosed with ACS who were admitted to the Departments of Cardiology in Cracow in 2008. In this group, 365 (16%) patients had indications for chronic anticoagulation. Demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients were compared with those of patients included in other published registries. RESULTS: Patients requiring triple therapy were aged 73.2 ± 9.5 years. Hypertension was diagnosed in 80%, hyperlipidaemia in 63%, smoking in 36%, prior myocardial infarction in 33%, prior stroke in 15%, previous treatment with PCI in 13%, coronary artery bypass grafting in 7%, diabetes in 36%, heart failure in 46%, anaemia in 33% and chronic ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease in 9%. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 46 ± 15%. Compared with other registries of patients without indications for triple therapy, our patients had significantly more frequently hypertension, diabetes and were older. CONCLUSIONS: Patients after an ACS requiring triple therapy have more often a history of comorbidities and CV risk factors when compared with the group of patients with ACS without indication for triple therapy.

Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in hospital practice over the decade 1996-2006. Results of the Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and Polish parts of the EUROASPIRE II and EUROASPIRE III surveys.

BACKGROUND: Both in the European and Polish guidelines the highest priority for preventive cardiology was given to patients with established cardiovascular disease. The Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease was initiated in 1996. The main goal of the program was to assess and improve the quality of clinical care in the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease. Later, the same centres joined the EUROASPIRE (European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention Intervention to Reduce Events) II and III surveys. AIM: To compare the quality of secondary prevention in Krakow cardiac departments in 1996/1997, 1998/1999 and 2005/2006. METHODS: Five hospitals serving the area of the city of Krakow and surrounding districts (former Krakow Voivodship), inhabited by 1,200,000 persons, took part in the surveys. Consecutive patients hospitalised from July 1, 1996 to September 31, 1997 (first survey), from March 1, 1998 to March 30, 1999 (second survey), and from April 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006 (third survey) due to acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina or for myocardial revascularisation procedures, below the age of <71 years were recruited and included to the present analysis. All medical records were reviewed by trained reviewers using standardised data collection forms. RESULTS: Medical records of 536 patients treated in 1996/1997, 515 treated 1998/1999, and 540 treated in 2005/2006 were reviewed and analysed. Proportions of medical records with available information on risk factors prior to hospitalisation as well as proportions of medical records with available information on blood pressure (by 10%, p < 0.05) and lipids (by over 30%, p < 0.05) measurements during the first 24 h of hospitalisation as well as on weight and height measurements (by 16%, p < 0.05) increased significantly from 1996/1997 to 2005/2006. Antiplatelets prescription rate at discharge increased from 87% to 97% (p < 0.05), prescription rate for beta-blockers increased from 66% to 91% (p < 0.05), ACE inhibitors/sartans from 50% to 89% (p < 0.05), and lipid lowering drugs from 27% to 96% (p < 0.05) between 1996/1997 and 2005/2006, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of secondary prevention guidelines into clinical practice in the Krakow cardiac departments improved in 2005/2006 as compared to 1996/1997 and 1998/1999. Our results suggest that recent decade brought significant improvement in the approach to secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in hospital practice.

Changes in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in the post-discharge period over the decade 1997-2007. Results of the Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and Polish parts of the EUROASPIRE II and III surveys.

BACKGROUND: Both in the European and Polish guidelines, the highest priority for preventive cardiology was given to patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease was introduced in 1996 to assess and improve the quality of clinical care in secondary prevention. Departments of cardiology of five participating hospitals serving the area of the city of Kraków and surrounding districts (former Kraków Voivodship) inhabited by a population of 1 200 000 took part in the surveys. In 1999/2000 and 2006/2007 the same hospitals joined the EUROASPIRE (European Action on Secondary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events) II and III surveys. The goal of the EUROASPIRE surveys was to assess to what extent the recommendations of the Joint Task Force of International Scientific Societies were implemented into clinical practice. AIM: To compare the quality of secondary prevention in the post-discharge period in Kraków in 1997/1998, 1999/2000 and 2006/2007. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalised from 1 July 1996 to 31 September 1997 (first survey), from 1 March 1998 to 30 March 1999 (second survey), and from 1 April 2005 to 31 July 2006 (third survey) due to acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina or for myocardial revascularisation procedures, below the age of 71 years were identified and then followed up, interviewed and examined 6-18 months after discharge. RESULTS: The number of patients who participated in the follow-up examinations was 418 (78.0%) in the first survey, 427 (82.9%) in the second and 427 (79.1%) in the third survey. The use of cardioprotective medication increased significantly: antiplatelets from 76.1% (1997/1998) to 86.9% (1999/2000) and 90.1% (2006/2007), beta-blockers from 59.1% (1997/1998) to 63.9% (1999/2000) and 87.5% (2006/2007), and ACE inhibitors/sartans from 45.9% (1997/1998) to 79.0% (2006/2007). The proportion of patients taking lipid lowering agents increased from 34.0% (1997/1998) to 41.9% (1999/2000) and 86.8% (2006/2007). Simultaneously, a significant improvement in the control of hyperlipidemia could be noted. In 2006/07, over 60% had a serum LDL cholesterol < 2.5 mmol/l. No significant change was found in the proportion of subjects with well-controlled hypertension or diabetes. In 2006/2007, elevated blood pressure was found in 46.6% of participants and glucose > 7 mmol/l in 13.4%. There was no significant change in smoking rates (16.3 vs. 15.9 vs. 19.2%). The proportion of obese patients increased reaching 33.9% in 2006/2007. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of CAD prevention guidelines into clinical practice over the decade from 1997/1998 to 2006/2007 changed significantly. The use of cardioprotective drugs increased largely but among risk factors a significant improvement could be found only in the case of hypercholesterolemia. No improvement in the control of hypertension and diabetes, no change in smoking rates and increasing prevalence of obesity suggest insufficient lifestyle modifications in CAD patients.

[Variant Brugada syndrome--mild ST segment elevation in inferior leads and aborted sudden cardiac death]. / Wariant zespolu Brugadów--chory z uniesieniem odcinka ST w zakresie sciany dolnej i naglym zatrzymaniem krazenia.

We describe a case of an otherwise healthy 48-year-old man who survived aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD). His ECG showed ST segment elevation in inferior leads, therefore an acute coronary syndrome was suspected. However, serial troponin T and CPK-MB were negative, echocardiogram was unremarkable and exercise test was negative. On the basis of electrophysiological study, positive ajmaline test, persistent ST segment elevation in inferior leads and other clinical features (PQ interval of 240 ms, family history of SCD) a diagnosis of variant Brugada syndrome was made. Persistent ST segment elevations in inferior leads can be a marker of variant Brugada syndrome.

Synchronous primary heart liposarcoma and papillary renal carcinoma--a case report.

A case of synchronous primary cardiac dedifferentiated liposarcoma and papillary renal carcinoma is presented. The occurrence of typical areas of round cell liposarcoma made the pathological diagnosis of the sarcoma relatively easy; however the neoplasm was not diagnosed correctly before the autopsy. Cardiac liposarcoma is a very rare primary malignant neoplasm and its diagnosis based on image procedures may be extremely difficult especially at non-advanced stage of disease.

[Radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and preexcitation syndrome]. / Zastosowanie ablacji pradem o czestotliwosci radiowej w leczeniu nawrotnego czestoskurczu wezlowego i zespolu preekscytacji.

Radiofrequency ablation is a standard tool for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. It is most frequently performed in patients with nodal tachycardia, atrial flutter, and accessory atrioventricular pathway. The site for effective ablation is selected using an anatomical or electrophysiological method or both. In patients with nodal tachycardia slow pathway ablation is preferable due to lower risk of atrioventricular block and lower frequency of recurrent tachycardia as compared with fast pathway ablation. The factors determining the site of ablation and its efficacy are Jackman's and Haissaguerre's potentials and the type of extrasystoles during the procedure. The presence of residual slow pathway conduction is not a major prognosticator of late arrhythmia recurrence. In patients with the accessory pathway ablation can be performed by destructing the ventricular entry of the accessory pathway from the femoral approach or the atrial entry from the transseptal approach. The choice of the technique depends on the experience and preferences of the operator. The localization of an effective ablation site is related to the following electrophysiological parameters: accessory pathway potential, VA interval, V-Delta interval, stability of the electrode and electrogram.

Verapamil improves the pacing-induced vasodilatation in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of verapamil on the response of diastolic coronary flow velocity and coronary vascular resistance to pacing in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In 14 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the coronary flow velocity was detected in the left anterior descending coronary artery using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. The peak diastolic coronary flow velocity and coronary vascular resistance was measured at baseline and during pacing. Changes of these parameters induced by the pacing (expressed as the percentage of baseline values) were compared on verapamil treatment and after verapamil withdrawal. The same measurements were obtained in ten control subjects. The results show that, in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, increase in coronary flow velocity during pacing was significantly higher on than off verapamil therapy (64.8+/-32.5 vs. 41.1+/-21.3%, P<0.05). In control subjects, pacing-induced increase in coronary flow velocity was comparable to changes in coronary flow velocity in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients receiving verapamil (80.2+/-18.4 vs. 64.8+/-32.5%, P>0.05). After verapamil withdrawal in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, coronary flow velocity increase during pacing was significantly lower than in control subjects (41.1+/-21.3 vs. 80.2+/-18.4%, P<0.05). During pacing the coronary vascular resistance decreased more on verapamil than after drug withdrawal (-34.7+/-11.7 vs. -24.6+/-12.9%, P<0.05). In control subjects the coronary vascular resistance decreased during pacing -38.6+/-6.3% to similar extent as in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients on verapamil. We can conclude that endothelium-dependent vasodilatation during pacing was impaired in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Verapamil treatment was able to restore adequate vasodilator response to pacing stress.

Early and late changes in myocardial function and heart rate variability in patients after myocardial revascularisation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of myocardial revascularisation and associated improvement of left ventricular systolic function on heart rate variability in patients after myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 35 patients, who within the previous 6 months had suffered from myocardial infarction and in whom low dose dobutamine ventriculography revealed hibernating myocardium, whereas coronary angiography provided indications to revascularisation. CABG was performed in 22 patients, PTCA of the infarct-related artery in 13 patients. At baseline, 3 months and 3 years after the procedure radionuclide ventriculography, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and 24hr continuous ECG recording were performed. RESULTS: After initial improvement of systolic function in ventriculography (EF = 48.63 +/- 11.6 v. 52.37 +/- 11.27 at p < 0.001) it slightly but not significantly decreased at long-term follow-up (EF = 51.8 +/- 10.77). The remaining parameters of systolic function function behaved in a similar way in radionuclide ventriculography. Diastolic function parameters did not change significantly at early and long-term follow-up. HRV measures did not change at 3 months but at 3 years both sympathetic- and parasympathetic- related parameters and global autonomic activity were diminished. At 3 years global autonomic activity and parasympathetic activity were diminished with their values similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that HRV measures diminish at long- -term follow-up. The type of revascularisation procedure is only of short-range value with the parameters stabilising on a similar level at long-term follow-up.

[Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia--ARVD--case study]. / Arytmogenna dysplazja prawej komory. Opis przypadku.

A case of 20-year-old male with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is presented. The patient was admitted to hospital due to exercise-related syncope which was preceded by palpitations. ECG, echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ARVD. Coronary angiography was normal. Exercise testing revealed ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads at the peak exercise, followed by sustained ventricular tachycardia of the left bundle branch block morphology, terminated by intravenous lignocaine. The patient received pacemaker and sotalol. During five-year follow-up no recurrences of syncope were observed and repeated Holter ECG monitoring demonstrated marked reduction of spontaneous ventricular ectopy.