Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy masquerading as infiltrative restrictive cardiomyopathy and refractory congestive failure-resolution with catheter ablation of atrial flutter - A case report.

We report a case of a young male presenting as Restrictive cardiomyopathy, refractory heart failure and syncope due to typical right atrial flutter complicating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Successful catheter ablation of the flutter promptly ameliorated the congestive failure with resolution of restrictive physiology.

Contribution of sudden cardiac death to total mortality in India - a population based study.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in India is understudied. METHODS: We assessed proportion of SCD among total mortality in a population in Southern India using a staged, questionnaire-based kindred-wide approach. Detailed questionnaires (DQs) were completed by medical trainees from 8 medical colleges. Preliminary questionnaires evaluated total deaths in the kindred of a respondent. Deaths due to obvious non-cardiac causes were excluded. DQs were completed for the remaining deaths and categorized using a three-member adjudication system. RESULTS: A total population of 22,724 was evaluated by 478 respondents, (278 M and 200 F). Out of a total of 2185 deaths, 1691 (77.4%) were recallable. A total of 173 (10.3%; 128 M and 45 F; mean age - 60.8 ± 14 years) deaths were adjudicated as SCD. Of these, 82 (47.3%) were ≤ 60 years of age. Prior MI, LV dysfunction and prior aborted SCD were found in 33.5%, 22.5% and 5.7% respectively. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was observed in 66 (38%) and acute myocardial infarction documented in 30 (17%). At least 1 of 3 CAD risk factors - hypertension, diabetes, or smoking was observed in 80.6%. Proportion of subjects with at least one risk factor for CAD were similar in the age groups above and below 50 years (67.6% vs. 81.7%, p=0.065). CONCLUSIONS: SCD contributed to 10.3% of overall mortality in this population from Southern India. On an average, SCD cases were 5-8 years younger compared to populations reported in the western hemisphere, with a high prevalence of major risk factors for CAD.

Ventricular dyssynchrony patterns in left bundle branch block, with and without heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with heart failure is used for selecting candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The patterns of regional distribution of dyssynchrony in a population with LBBB with and without heart failure have not been well delineated. This aspect forms the object of the study. METHODS: Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) data of consecutive patients with heart failure and LBBB (Group A) was compared with those with LBBB and normal LV function (Group B). All patients had standard 2D-echocardigraphic examination and TDI. Tissue velocity curves obtained by placing sample volumes in opposing basal and mid segments of septal, lateral, inferior, anterior and posterior walls were analyzed. Inter ventricular dyssynchrony (IVD) was assessed by the difference between aortic and pulmonary pre ejection intervals. LV dyssynchrony (LVD) was assessed by the difference in times to peak velocity. A delay of >/= 40 msec was considered significant for presence of IVD and LVD. RESULTS: There were 103 patients in Group A and 25 in Group B. The mean QRS duration and PR intervals respectively were 146 +/- 25 vs. 152+/-20 msec and 182+/- 47 vs. 165+/-36 msec. (p=NS) LVEF in the 2 groups were (32 +/- 6 % vs. 61+/- 11%; p< 0.01). Prevalence of dyssynchrony in the HF group compared to Group B was 72% vs. 16%, (P< 0.01). Lateral wall dyssynchrony in the 2 groups was 37% vs. 0% (p< 0.01) while septal dyssynchrony was 16% vs. 16% (p- NS). CONCLUSIONS: 72% of heart failure patients with LBBB have documented dyssynchrony on TDI, which has a heterogeneous regional distribution. Dyssynchrony may be seen in LBBB and normal hearts but it is does not involve the lateral wall. Septal dyssynchrony in heart failure patients may not have the same significance as lateral wall delay.

Catheter ablation of bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia.

Bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia (BBR-VT) is a form of macroreentrant tachycardia involving the bundle of His, both bundle branches, and the ventricular myocardium in the circuit. It generally occurs in the background of dilated cardiomyopathy, prior valve surgery, or other cardiac disease with an underlying His-Purkinje system (HPS) disease. Clinically, BBR-VT usually results in marked hemodynamic compromise and often presents with syncope, presyncope, or sudden cardiac arrest. When a ventricular tachycardia is induced, the presence of His deflections preceding every ventricular deflection should alert one to the possibility of this entity. It is important to show that oscillations in the H-H cycle length results in variations in V-V cycle length. Entrainment of the tachycardia from atrium and right ventricular apex and characteristics of postpacing intervals can be used to differentiate this arrhythmia from intramyocardial reentry and supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy. Right bundle branch ablation usually cures the tachycardia, and recurrence is uncommon. The underlying cardiac disease and ventricular dysfunction dictate the prognosis and choice of device therapy in these patients.

Successful ablation of aortic cusp tachycardia from right ventricle outflow tract using a superior approach.

We report a case of successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic aortic cusp tachycardia arising close to right coronary artery ostium performed safely from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) by unconventional superior approach. As both activation mapping and pace mapping of the tachycardia were suboptimal from transfemoral RV endocardial approach, retrograde aortic mapping was performed. This revealed that the site of ventricular tachycardia (VT) origin to be on the right coronary sinus. Due to close proximity of VT site of origin and the right coronary ostium, an alternate approach to ablation was considered. We approached this area easily and successfully ablated the VT with an ablation catheter introduced from a right-sided superior approach (jugular vein). The patient has remained free from recurrences over an 18 month follow-up period.