Persistent electrocardiographic changes after flecainide overdose.

Flecainide acetate is a potent class 1C antiarrhythmic agent, overdosage with which is rare. An overdose is reported in a patient on long-term therapy, resulting in life-threatening arrhythmias and prolonged electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Ayrshire and Arran coronary prevention programme--baseline risk factor survey.

Scotland has very high mortality rates for coronary heart disease in both men and women. The Ayrshire and Arran health Board Area is co-terminus with four local government districts which all have male coronary mortality rates above the Scottish average. A survey of lifestyle and coronary risk factors was conducted in these four districts in preparation for the launch of a Prevention Programme's 'Healthy Heart Campaign'. This survey will be used as a baseline for evaluation of lifestyle modification and risk factor change over the next 5-10 years. The information provided by the survey is valuable to the direction and targeting of the Prevention Programme. The methods developed in this survey could be used for evaluation of other coronary prevention programmes. Similar data has been collected from another 20 districts as part of the Scottish Heart Health Study and has been distributed to all the Scottish mainland health boards.

Telephone monitoring of patients with pacemakers in the west of Scotland.

A regional telephone pacemaker follow-up service has been established in the west of Scotland. Medical care is provided by clinics at district general hospitals in Ayrshire, and the pacemaker signals are transmitted by telephone from these clinics to a pacemaker centre in Glasgow. The success of the pilot project in Ayrshire will allow expansion of the service to include hospitals in other areas of the west of Scotland. The scheme is carefully monitored to ensure that patients with pacemakers receive adequate attention with a minimum of inconvenience.

Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare disorder affecting mainly children and adolescents, and is usually fatal. However, there is increasing evidence that the aetiology of this condition is immunological, and that immunosuppressives may prolong remission. Two cases are reported, one of which has the atypical feature of a malabsorption syndrome. This has not been previously reported. The literature is reviewed and current ideas on the postulated immunological basis to IPH are discussed.

Rehabilitation after cardiac illness.

Though the total number of patients with cardiac illness referred to a work classification clinic was relatively small (57), the results obtained in terms of patients at work in the year after assessment is encouraging. It is suggested that a comparatively simple method can help in the rehabilitation of patients, often by removing minor anxieties, and by improving communication among the various agencies interested in the welfare and employment of the individual patient.