[Safety and effectiveness of single-lead VDD pacing]. / Seguridad y eficacia de los sistemas de estimulación VDD monosonda.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Single-lead VDD pacing provides the physiological benefits of atrioventricular synchrony with the convenience of a single-lead system. However, concern remains about the method's safety and effectiveness. METHOD: In total, 700 patients with single-lead VDD pacemakers were evaluated retrospectively. The following parameters were recorded: age, sex, etiology, the symptoms and electrocardiographic diagnosis that justified pacemaker implantation, the venous access route used for implantation, atrial sensing at implantation, atrial undersensing at follow-up, the occurrence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, and final pacing mode. RESULTS: Third-degree atrioventricular block was the main indication for pacemaker implantation (66.4%). The most commonly used venous access route was via the right cephalic vein (49.1%). At implantation, the mean atrial signal was 1.8 (4 1.15) mV. During follow-up, significant atrial undersensing occurred in 7.7% of patients; in 1.9%, it could not be corrected by device reprogramming. Uncontrollable supraventricular arrhythmias were observed in 6.4% of patients. Symptomatic sinus node disease was rare. By the end of follow-up, 91.4% of patients were still on VDD pacing, while, in 8.3%, the pacemaker had to be reprogrammed to the VVI mode. Only 0.3% required atrial lead implantation for DDD pacing. Left-side venous access during implantation was a independent predictora of atrial undersensing at follow-up. Low values of atrial detection at implant did not reach statistical signification although it showed a remarkable trend. CONCLUSIONS: Single-lead VDD pacing seems to be safe and effective when appropriately indicated. Our findings are consistent with those of previously published studies.

[Coronary aneurysms not associated to stenosis of coronary arteries. Conservative treatment and evolution in six patients]. / Aneurismas coronarios no asociados a estenosis en las arterias coronarias. Tratamiento conservador y evolución en un registro de 6 casos.

Coronary artery aneurysms are a relatively infrequent finding with an incidence of 1-2% per year. The most frequent cause is atherosclerosis and, in that case, they are always associated to stenosis of coronary arteries. We reviewed the coronary angiographic studies performed in the past seven years and we identified six patients that were admitted with an acute coronary syndrome, whose angiographic studies showed the presence of aneurysms in, at least, one of the coronary arteries. In these patients, we found no relation between aneurysms and distal or proximal stenosis. Although there was no angiographic evidence of classical coronary atherosclerosis, we think that atherosclerotic disease could have been the etiological cause, due to injury of the endothelium and media by deposits of lipids, smooth muscle cells, collagen, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes that would have damaged the adventitia layers of the vessel wall, stimulating "vasa-vasorum" neovascularization. The evolution of coronary aneurysms without associated stenosis in the same coronary artery and without another potentially treatable cause is unknown. Due to the limited literature regarding this issue and, taking into account our experience, we feel that, in these cases, medical treatment might be a good option as we detected no major cardiac events in any patient at mid and long-term follow up.

[Conservative management of a post infarction intramyocardial dissecting hematoma]. / Tratamiento conservador de un hematoma disecante intramiocárdico postinfarto.

Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma is an infrequent complication of subacute myocardial infarction. Pathological findings consist of a cavity filled with blood, the outer wall of which is the myocardium and pericardium and the inner wall, which faces the ventricular cavity, is part of the myocardium and endocardium. There is scarce information on the subject and the management of these patients continues to be debated. However, there is a certain preference for surgical repair of the defect. Cases in which conservative treatment is a therapeutic option have been reported. We report the case of a patient with an intramyocardial dissecting hematoma after acute anterolateral myocardial infarction who was treated conservatively and achieved a satisfactory outcome in the intermediate-to-long term period.

Vasoespasmo coronario asintomático y arritmias ventriculares graves / Asymptomatic Coronary Artery Spasm and Severe Ventricular Arrhythmias

El vasoespasmo coronario generalmente evoluciona con episodios de dolor torácico y elevación del ST. No obstante, existen casos de vasoespasmo sin dolor torácico con taquiarritmias ventriculares documentadas. Su incidencia se desconoce y debe incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial de taquicardia o fibrilación ventricular idiopática. En esta presentación se describe el caso de un paciente con historia de dos cuadros sincopales sin cardiopatía estructural aparente. La monitorización electrocardiográfica continua objetivó episodios de elevación del ST que conducían a taquicardia ventricular polimorfa. Con el diagnóstico de vasoespasmo coronario asintomático se inició tratamiento con calcioantagonistas y se implantó un cardiodesfibrilador automático.

Coronary artery spasm usually results in episodes of chest pain and ST-segment elevation. However, it may occasionally occur in the absence of angina with documented severe ventricular arrhythmias. The incidence of this condition is unknown and should be included in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. We describe the case of a patient with a history of two episodes of syncope without apparent structural heart disease. Continuous ECG monitoring revealed the presence of episodes of ST-segment elevation leading to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Asymptomatic coronary artery spasm was diagnosed and treatment with calcium channel blockers was initiated; an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device was implanted.

Aneurismas coronarios no asociados a estenosis en las arterias coronarias: Tratamiento conservador y evolución en un registro de 6 casos / Coronary aneurysms not associated to stenosis of coronary arteries: conservative treatment and evolution in six patients

Los aneurismas coronarios son una patología relativamente infrecuente, con una incidencia anual del 1-2%. La causa más frecuente es la ateroesclerosis coronaria y en este caso se suelen asociar a estenosis en las arterias coronarias. Revisamos todos los estudios angiográficos realizados en los últimos 7 años y recogimos los casos de 6 pacientes ingresados por síndrome coronario agudo a los que se realizó coronariografía, demostrando dilataciones aneurismáticas en las arterias coronarias sin relación con estenosis proximales o distales. A pesar de la ausencia de estenosis coronarias, pensamos que la enfermedad ateroesclerótica podría ser la causa mediante: lesión del endotelio y la elástica interna con el depósito de lípidos, células musculares lisas, colágeno, macrófagos y linfocitos T, con afectación final de las capas media y adventicia, y neoformación de vasa-vasorum. Se desconoce la evolución de los aneurismas coronarios sin estenosis significativas asociadas y sin otra causa etiológica tratable. A tenor de la escasa literatura publicada al respecto y con nuestra experiencia creemos que el tratamiento médico conservador podría ser una buena opción en estos casos. En el seguimiento a medio-largo plazo no se registraron eventos cardíacos mayores en ningún paciente.

Coronary artery aneurysms are a relatively infrequent finding with an incidence of 1-2% per year. The most frequent cause is atherosclerosis and, in that case, they are always associated to stenosis of coronary arteries. We reviewed the coronary angiographic studies performed in the past seven years and we identified six patients that were admitted with an acute coronary syndrome, whose angiographic studies showed the presence of aneurysms in, at least, one of the coronary arteries. In these patients, we found no relation between aneurysms and distal or proximal stenosis. Although there was no angiographic evidence of classical coronary atherosclerosis, we think that atherosclerotic disease could have been the etiological cause, due to injury of the endothelium and media by deposits of lipids, smooth muscle cells, collagen, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes that would have damaged the adventitia layers of the vessel wall, stimulating "vasa-vasorum" neovascularization. The evolution of coronary aneurysms without associated stenosis in the same coronary artery and without another potentially treatable cause is unknown. Due to the limited literature regarding this issue and, taking into account our experience, we feel that, in these cases, medical treatment might be a good option as we detected no major cardiac events in any patient at mid and long-term follow up.

Evolución a corto y medio plazo del infarto agudo de miocardio transmural en mujeres ancianas. ¿Son tratadas correctamente? / Short- and mid-term outcomes of Q-wave acute myocardial infarction in elderly women. Are they receiving appropriate treatment?

Objetivos: dado que el infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) con onda Q es una afección con elevada mortalidad en mujeres ancianas, intentamos conocer cuál es su evolución actual, su tratamiento y los factores que condicionan el pronóstico. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo que incluyó a todas las mujeres >= 75 años con diagnóstico de IAM transmural en el período 2002-2005. Se analizaron las variables epidemiológicas, clínicas, complicaciones vasculares y la evolución durante la estancia intrahospitalaria y a medio plazo. Se compararon estas variables según hubieran recibido en fase aguda terapia de reperfusión o no, y se registró el motivo de no recibir ese tratamiento. Resultados: se incluyó a 152 mujeres; la edad media fue de 82,2 ± 6,2 años. Un 34,2% eran diabéticas y con IAM anterior en el 40,8%; el 27% tenía un grado Killip III-IV. Se realizó tratamiento de revascularización en fase aguda al 21,1%. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 25,8% y la acumulada a 6 meses del 37,3%. La incidencia de eventos mayores al año fue 43,8%. No recibir terapia de reperfusión estuvo condicionado por. la edad, el bloqueo de la rama izquierda, la demora en acudir al hospital y por decisión médica. La mortalidad fue 3,3 veces menor en el grupo tratado, aunque con un riesgo relativo de complicación hemorrágica del 2,5. Además de la ausencia de tratamiento revascularizador, el grado Killip y la fracción de eyección fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. Conclusiones: el IAM en las ancianas continúa siendo una afección con elevada morbimortalidad. A pesar del beneficio observado, estas pacientes reciben escasa terapia de reperfusión en fase aguda, aunque no existe contraindicación formal en la mitad de los casos

Objectives: Q-wave acute myocardial infarction leads to high mortality in elderly women. The aim of this study was to determine current outcomes, treatment and prognostic factors in these patients. Material and methods: all women aged >=75 with Q-wave acute myocardial infarction admitted to our hospital from 2002-2005 were included in this descriptive study. Epidemiological and clinical variables, vascular complications, intra-hospital outcomes, and mid-term follow-up were analyzed and compared depending on whether reperfusion therapy was administered on admission or not. The reasons for not administering this therapy were recorded. Results: we included 152 women. The mean age was 82.2 years (SD 6.2). A total of 34.2% had diabetes and 40.8% had anterior myocardial infarction. Killip class III-IV was found in 27.0%. Reperfusion therapy was administered to 21.1% of the patients. Intra-hospital mortality was 25.8% and 6-month mortality was 37.3%. The incidence of major cardiac events at 1 year was 43.8%. Non-administration of reperfusion therapy was related to age, left bundle-branch block, delayed admission, and medical decision. Mortality was 3.3 times lower in treated patients, although the relative risk of hemorrhagic complications was 2.5 times higher than that in non-treated patients. Independent predictors of mortality were lack of reperfusion therapy, high Killip class on admission, and low ejection fraction. Conclusions: acute myocardial infarction in elderly women continues to cause high morbidity and mortality. Reperfusion therapy is little used in this group of patients, despite the observed benefits. Half these patients have no contraindications for reperfusion therapy

Seguridad y eficacia de los sistemas de estimulación VDD monosonda / Safety and effectiveness of single-lead VDD pacing

Introducción y objetivos. La estimulación VDD monosonda proporciona los beneficios fisiológicos de la sincronía auriculoventricular, sumando a ello la comodidad de ser un sistema de cable único. No obstante, la inquietud que generan su seguridad y eficacia parece mantenerse todavía. Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo en 700 pacientes portadores de marcapasos con estimulación VDD monosonda. Los parámetros analizados fueron: edad, sexo, etiología, síntomas y diagnóstico electrocardiográfico que motivaron el implante, vía venosa de acceso, detección auricular al implante, infradetección auricular durante el seguimiento, episodios de taquiarritmias supraventriculares y modo de estimulación final. Resultados. La indicación prioritaria de implante fue el bloqueo auriculoventricular de tercer grado (66,4%). La vena cefálica derecha fue la vía de acceso más comúnmente utilizada (49,1%). La detección auricular media al implante fue 1,84 ± 1,15 mV. Durante el seguimiento un 7,7% de los casos presentó infradetección auricular inaceptable, que no se pudo corregir mediante reprogramación en el 1,9%. Se observó aparición de taquiarritmias supraventriculares incontrolables en el 6,4% de los pacientes. La presencia de disfunción sinusal sintomática fue testimonial. Al final del seguimiento, el 91,4% de los pacientes persistían en modo de estimulación VDD, se tuvo que reprogramar en VVI a un 8,3% y sólo un 0,3% precisó el implante de una sonda auricular para estimular en DDD. Las vías venosas de acceso izquierdo fueron un predictor independiente de infradetección auricular. Valores bajos de detección auricular al implante mostraron una clara tendencia, aunque sin llegar a la significación estadística. Conclusiones. La estimulación VDD monosonda es segura y eficaz cuando la indicación es correcta. Comparando nuestros resultados con los estudios publicados, encontramos correlación en términos de seguridad y eficacia (AU)

Introduction and objectives. Single-lead VDD pacing provides the physiological benefits of atrioventricular synchrony with the convenience of a single-lead system. However, concern remains about the method's safety and effectiveness. Method. In total, 700 patients with single-lead VDD pacemakers were evaluated retrospectively. The following parameters were recorded: age, sex, etiology, the symptoms and electrocardiographic diagnosis that justified pacemaker implantation, the venous access route used for implantation, atrial sensing at implantation, atrial undersensing at follow-up, the occurrence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, and final pacing mode. Results. Third-degree atrioventricular block was the main indication for pacemaker implantation (66.4%). The most commonly used venous access route was via the right cephalic vein (49.1%). At implantation, the mean atrial signal was 1.8 (4 1.15) mV. During follow-up, significant atrial undersensing occurred in 7.7% of patients; in 1.9%, it could not be corrected by device reprogramming. Uncontrollable supraventricular arrhythmias were observed in 6.4% of patients. Symptomatic sinus node disease was rare. By the end of follow-up, 91.4% of patients were still on VDD pacing, while, in 8.3%, the pacemaker had to be reprogrammed to the VVI mode. Only 0.3% required atrial lead implantation for DDD pacing. Left-side venous access during implantation was a independent predictora of atrial undersensing at follow-up. Low values of atrial detection at implant did not reach statistical signification although it showed a remarkable trend. Conclusions. Single-lead VDD pacing seems to be safe and effective when appropriately indicated. Our findings are consistent with those of previously published studies (AU)

Tratamiento conservador de un hematoma disecante intramiocárdico postinfarto / Conservative management of a post infarction intramyocardial dissecting hematoma

El hematoma disecante intramiocárdico es una complicación infrecuente de la fase subaguda del infarto agudo de miocardio. El hallazgo anatomopatológico es una cavidad sanguínea limitada exteriormente por miocardio y pericardio, y hacia la cavidad ventricular por el resto del miocardio y el endocardio. Existe cierta controversia respecto a la actitud a seguir y, aunque hay cierta preferencia por el tratamiento quirúrgico de reparación del defecto, se han descrito casos en los que el seguimiento médico podría ser una opción válida. Presentamos el caso de un hematoma disecante intramiocárdico secundario a un infarto agudo de miocardio anterolateral que se trató de forma conservadora, con una evolución satis-factoria a medio-largo plazo (AU)