ECG characteristics of "true" left bundle branch block: Insights from transcatheter aortic valve-related LBBB and His-Purkinje conduction system pacing-correctable LBBB.

BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern on the electrocardiogram includes patients with both complete conduction block in the His-Purkinje system as well as nonspecific left ventricular conduction delay without discrete block. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize electrocardiographic morphological features of LBBB patterns in patients with (1) LBBB after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and (2) LBBB correctable by conduction system pacing (CSP). METHODS: Consecutive patients with post-TAVR (n = 123) or CSP-correctable LBBB (n = 58) from 2 centers were included in this retrospective evaluation. QRS durations as well as detailed morphological features, including notching and slurring, of QRS complexes in leads I, aVL, V1, V2, V5, and V6 and in all 3 inferior leads were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the entire cohort was 78.3 ± 10.1 years, with 48% of the cohort being male (87/181). In the CSP-correctable group (n = 58), 14 (24.1%) underwent His-bundle pacing and 44 (75.9%) left bundle branch area pacing. A total of 17 of 181 (9.4%) of the combined cohort failed to completely meet the Strauss criteria. QRS morphology in lead V1/V2 was always either rS or QS, and there were no q/Q waves noted in lead V5/V6. Although dominant R waves were seen in leads I and aVL of 176 of 181 (97.2%), q/Q waves were present in only 21 of 181 (11.6%). Importantly, notched or slurred QRS complexes were identified in at least 1 lead of 4 leads I, aVL, V5, and V6 in 181 of 181 (100%). CONCLUSION: Strauss criteria and QRS notching are highly prevalent in LBBB after TAVR and in LBBB correctable by CSP.

High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL6 rearrangements presenting as a cervical mass.

Lymphoid malignancies represent 0. 008% of all cervical tumours. While uncommon, lymphoid malignancies of the gynaecological tract require careful diagnosis and classification to ensure appropriate treatment. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman with HIV who presented with urinary and faecal incontinence for 2 weeks, associated with the feeling of a mass in her vagina. A smooth flesh-coloured pelvic mass was seen on physical examination, and a transvaginal biopsy revealed infiltration of atypical lymphoid cells with fluorescence in situ hybridisation positive for MYC and BCL6, and negative for IGH/BCL2. Bone marrow and cerebral spinal fluid analysis also showed involvement by atypical lymphocytes. She was diagnosed with stage IV high-grade B-cells lymphoma (HGBLs) with MYC and BCL6 rearrangements. She was given R-CODOX-M plus IVAC with no evidence of disease at 4-month follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first literature report of a HGBL with MYC and BCL6 rearrangement presenting as a cervical mass.

Mechanisms of Lead Failure by Recall Status and Manufacturer: Results From the Pacemaker and Implantable Defibrillator Leads Survival Study ("PAIDLESS").

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the differences in lead failure mechanisms across the major United States implantable defibrillator lead manufacturers (Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and St. Jude Medical), between all non-recalled and recalled leads, and between two recalled lead families (Medtronic Sprint Fidelis and the St. Jude Medical Riata and Riata ST). METHODS: This was a single-center, non-randomized, retrospective study analyzing 3802 patients with 4078 leads who underwent implantable defibrillator lead implantation between February 1, 1996 and December 31, 2011. Lead failure mechanisms were defined as lead fracture, insulation defect, and other. RESULTS: A total of 153 leads (3.8%) failed during the trial period. Failed Medtronic and St. Jude Medical leads presented predominantly as lead fractures (75.8% and 52.8%, respectively). Failed Boston Scientific leads displayed greater variability, although many also failed by fracture (44.4%). The majority of failed non-recalled and recalled leads presented as fractures (50.7% and 82.9%, respectively). The recalled Medtronic Sprint Fidelis and St. Jude Medical Riata/Riata ST leads primarily presented as fractures (89.3% and 65.0%, respectively). Patients whose lead failed via an insulation defect or other mechanism appeared to have a faster time to mortality following lead failure than patients whose lead failed via fracture (P<.01 and P=.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Lead fracture is the most common form of lead failure regardless of the failure points previously identified in these leads. Patients who experienced a lead failure as a result of an insulation defect or other mechanism appeared to die faster than patients whose lead failed via fracture.

The Development of Innovative Handheld Devices to Augment Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Therapy and External Cardioversion and Defibrillation.

Active compression-decompression (ACD) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) devices were conceived and invented by Drs. Todd Cohen and Keith Lurie to improve the low survival rates for conventional CPR. Active decompression creates greater chest recoil as compared with the passive decompression used in standard CPR, leading to increased preload and greater cardiac output. ACD CPR devices use a suction cup to adhere themselves to the patient's chest. Putting downward force onto the device allows for the operator to actively compress the chest. Active chest decompression is achieved by pulling up on the device (using its suction), which in turn pulls up on the patient's chest, enabling greater chest expansion. Animal and human studies have demonstrated an improvement in overall circulation when using ACD CPR versus standard CPR. The impedance threshold device (ITD) was created to enhance ACD CPR. This device connects to the patient's airway and prevents the influx of air during chest decompression. ACD CPR plus ITD improves myocardial and cerebral perfusion, increases survival rates, and is associated with more favorable neurological outcomes. CPR guidelines permit the use of the above two devices by properly trained personnel. Additionally, an insulated handheld compression device can be actively applied over a standard defibrillation patch to decrease transthoracic impedance. This methodology has been incorporated into a patented PrestoPush™ device (Nexus Control Systems LLC, Port Washington, NY, USA), which is a handheld external cardioversion/defibrillation augmenter. This paper reviews the development of these innovative devices to augment standard CPR and external cardioversion and defibrillation, including summaries of studies the authors consider to those that are most significant in ACD CPR development.