Right anterior ganglionated plexus: The primary target of cardioneuroablation?

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of ganglionated plexus (GP) as cardioneuroablation in the left atrium (LA) has been used to treat vasovagal syncope (VVS). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of ablation of GPs on heart rate and to observe the acute, short-term, and long-term effects after cardioneuroablation. METHODS: A total of 115 consecutive patients with VVS who underwent cardioneuroablation were enrolled. GPs of the LA were identified by high-frequency stimulation and/or anatomic landmarks being targeted by radiofrequency catheter ablation. RESULTS: During ablation of right anterior ganglionated plexus (RAGP), heart rate increased from 61.3 ± 12.2 bpm to 82.4 ± 14.7 bpm (P <.001), whereas during ablation of other GPs only vagal responses were observed. During follow-up of 21.4 ± 13.1 months (median 18 months), 106 participants (92.2%) had no recurrence of syncope or presyncope. Holter data showed that minimal heart rate significantly increased at all follow-up time points (all P<.05), and mean heart rate remained higher than baseline 12 months after ablation (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Cardioneuroablation via GP ablation in the LA effectively inhibited the recurrence of VVS. Ablation of RAGP could increase heart rate immediately and for the long term. This unique phenomenon may provide a new potential approach for treatment of neural reflex syncope or bradyarrhythmias.

A rat model of complete atrioventricular block recapitulates clinical indices of bradycardia and provides a platform to test disease-modifying therapies.

Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a life-threatening arrhythmia. A small animal model of chronic CAVB that properly reflects clinical indices of bradycardia would accelerate the understanding of disease progression and pathophysiology, and the development of therapeutic strategies. We sought to develop a surgical model of CAVB in adult rats, which could recapitulate structural remodeling and arrhythmogenicity expected in chronic CAVB. Upon right thoracotomy, we delivered electrosurgical energy subepicardially via a thin needle into the atrioventricular node (AVN) region of adult rats to create complete AV block. The chronic CAVB animals developed dilated and hypertrophied ventricles with preserved systolic functions due to compensatory hemodynamic remodeling. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias, which are difficult to induce in the healthy rodent heart, could be induced upon programmed electrical stimulation in chronic CAVB rats and worsened when combined with ß-adrenergic stimulation. Focal somatic gene transfer of TBX18 to the left ventricular apex in the CAVB rats resulted in ectopic ventricular beats within days, achieving a de novo ventricular rate faster than the slow atrioventricular (AV) junctional escape rhythm observed in control CAVB animals. The model offers new opportunities to test therapeutic approaches to treat chronic and severe CAVB which have previously only been testable in large animal models.

Etiology of tricuspid valve disease is a predictor of bradyarrhythmia after tricuspid valve surgery.

AIMS: The tricuspid valve is situated in close proximity to cardiac conduction tissue and damage to this tissue can affect postoperative rhythm. The aim of this study was to quantify the incidence of pacemaker requirement after tricuspid valve surgery and investigate predictors. METHODS: Data were collected via our operative data collection system and patient files. All patients who underwent surgical procedures of the tricuspid valve from 2004 until 2017 and lacked a pacemaker preoperatively were included in the study. RESULTS: In our cohort of 505 patients 54 required a pacemaker in the first 50 days after surgery. We calculated a 17.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.5-21.3) risk of pacemaker implantation at 4 years postoperatively. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative active endocarditis (odds ratio 3.17; CI, 1.32-7.65; P = 0.010) and "inadequate pacemaker dependent rhythm" (defined as any intrinsic heart rate below 45 per minute requiring pacing) upon admission to the intensive care unit after surgery (odds ratio 5.924; CI, 2.82-12.44; P = 0.001) as predictors for pacemaker requirement in the first 50 days after surgery. Twenty-six pacemakers (48%) were implanted for atrioventricular block, 16 (30%) for sinus node dysfunction and 12 (22%) for atrial fibrillation. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in survival between the pacemaker and no pacemaker group. CONCLUSION: Surgery of the tricuspid valve has a high burden of postoperative pacemaker requirement. Preoperative active endocarditis and the initial postoperative rhythm are predictors. Understanding this allows for better decision-making regarding further medical/device therapy.

Peripherally administered orexin improves survival of mice with endotoxin shock.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection, accounting for the most common cause of death in intensive care units. Here, we report that peripheral administration of the hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin improves the survival of mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced endotoxin shock, a well-studied septic shock model. The effect is accompanied by a suppression of excessive cytokine production and an increase of catecholamines and corticosterone. We found that peripherally administered orexin penetrates the blood-brain barrier under endotoxin shock, and that central administration of orexin also suppresses the cytokine production and improves the survival, indicating orexin's direct action in the central nervous system (CNS). Orexin helps restore body temperature and potentiates cardiovascular function in LPS-injected mice. Pleiotropic modulation of inflammatory response by orexin through the CNS may constitute a novel therapeutic approach for septic shock.

Factors associated with sinus bradycardia during crizotinib treatment: a retrospective analysis of two large-scale multinational trials (PROFILE 1005 and 1007).

Decreases in heart rate (HR) have been described in patients receiving crizotinib. We performed a large retrospective analysis of HR changes during crizotinib therapy. HRs from vital-sign data for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive nonsmall cell lung cancer enrolled in PROFILE 1005 and the crizotinib arm of PROFILE 1007 were analyzed. Sinus bradycardia (SB) was defined as HR <60 beats per minute (bpm). Magnitude and timing of HR changes were assessed. Potential risk factors for SB were investigated by logistic regression analysis. Progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated according to HR decrease by <20 versus ≥ 20 bpm within the first 50 days of starting treatment. For the 1053 patients analyzed, the mean maximum postbaseline HR decrease was 25 bpm (standard deviation 15.8). Overall, 441 patients (41.9%) had at least one episode of postbaseline SB. The mean precrizotinib treatment HR was significantly lower among patients with versus without postbaseline SB (82.2 bpm vs. 92.6 bpm). The likelihood of experiencing SB was statistically significantly higher among patients with a precrizotinib treatment HR <70 bpm. PFS was comparable among patients with or without HR decrease of ≥ 20 bpm within the first 50 days of starting crizotinib. Decrease in HR is very common among patients on crizotinib. The likelihood of experiencing SB was statistically significantly higher among patients with a precrizotinib treatment HR <70 bpm. This is the first large-scale report investigating the association between treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and the development of bradycardia. HRs should be closely monitored during crizotinib treatment.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with concomitant sinus bradycardia-Insights from the German Ablation Registry.

AIMS: This investigation addresses procedural characteristics of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus bradycardia. METHODS: From the prospective, multi-center German Ablation Registry 1073 patients with sinus rhythm at the time of AF ablation were divided into two groups according to heart rate at start of procedure (A, <60 beats per minute (bpm), n=197; B, 60-99bpm, n=876). RESULTS: Acute procedural success was high (≥98%) and similar between groups. Procedure duration and energy application time were increased in group A (180min vs. 155min and 2561s vs. 1879s, respectively). Major complications were more frequent in group A (2.2% vs. 0.5%), and a greater proportion of these patients was discharged under antiarrhythmic medication (64% vs. 52%). CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation of AF with concomitant sinus bradycardia is associated with high procedural efficacy, longer procedure- and energy application durations, and a slightly elevated complication rate.

Ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bradyarrhythmic events associated with ticagrelor combination therapy in the management of patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 300 patients with NSTEMI who were treated via percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the clopidogrel group (initial dose of 300 mg and then maintenance dose of 75 mg once daily, n = 151) and the ticagrelor group (initial dose of 180 mg and then maintenance dose of 90 mg twice daily, n = 149). All patients were followed up in the outpatient clinic. Follow-up included 12-lead electrocardiography and 24-h Holter monitoring performed 1, 6, and 12 months after the revascularization procedure. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients, 112 patients (36.7 %) had a decrease in heart rate at the 12-month follow-up. Of these, 80 patients were in the ticagrelor group (53.3 %) vs. 32 patients in the clopidogrel group (24.7 %; p < 0.05). However, the difference was not statistically significant at the 1-month and 6-month follow-up visits. After adjusting for potential confounders, the reduction in heart rate with ticagrelor combination therapy remained independently associated with a reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 2.1; 95 % CI, 1.90-2.23), while ticagrelor therapy reduced the risk to a level equivalent to that of patients in the clopidogrel group. CONCLUSION: Ticagrelor can lower the resting heart rate of patients and cause bradyarrhythmias in the 12th month after PCI.

Predictors and consequences of hemodynamic instability after carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors and consequences of hemodynamic instability (HI) after carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: The records of all patients undergoing CAS in a single institution were reviewed. Patient demographics and risk factors were recorded. Indications for CAS, medications including statins, atropine, and beta blockers, anatomic risk factors, balloon and stent length and diameter, and degree of stenosis were noted. The presence of periprocedural hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] >160), hypotension (SBP <90), and bradycardia (heart rate <60) lasting longer than 1 hr was documented, as was more transient HI. Rates of transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death within 30 days of the procedure were calculated. Chi-squared analysis was used to determine the role of periprocedural factors in predicting the risk of HI and to determine if patients experiencing HI were more likely to experience major adverse events (MAEs) than those who did not. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2012, 199 CAS were performed in 191 patients. One hundred seventeen were men and 74 were women. Their ages ranged from 46 to 92 years (mean, 73.6 years). Eighty-seven percent had hypertension, 48.5% were smokers, 48% had coronary disease, and 38% were diabetic. CAS was performed for asymptomatic stenosis in 55% of patients, 24% had previous TIA, and 20% previous stroke. Sixty-three percent of patients were on statins, 41.4% on beta blockers, and 92% received atropine before balloon dilatation or stent placement. Overall, 130 (65.3%) patients experienced HI and 67 patients (33.7%) experienced HI lasting longer than 1 hr. Octogenarians were more likely to experience both transient and prolonged HI, whereas angina or contralateral occlusion was predictive of any HI, and female sex was predictive of prolonged HI. Transient HI was not predictive of MAE. Patients with HI persisting longer than 1 hr were more likely to experience a TIA than those who did not (P = 0.045), but they were no more likely to experience stroke, MI, or death (P > 0.35 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Periprocedural HI occurs frequently during CAS even with prophylactic atropine administration. Although patients experiencing HI were more likely to experience a TIA, its presence is not associated with an increase in stroke, MI, or death.

Prognosis of the bradycardia pacemaker recipient assessed at first implantation: a nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Pacing technology and care have improved notably over the past decade, justifying an update on the long-term prognosis and pre-implantation determinants of prognosis of bradycardia pacemaker (PM) recipients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: 23 Dutch pacemaker centres PATIENTS: Pre-implantation characteristics of 1517 patients receiving a first bradycardia PM between 2003-2007 were studied in relation to survival. INTERVENTIONS: None; patients were followed up during routine clinical practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cause and time to death. RESULTS: At the end of a mean follow-up of 5.8 (SD 1.1) years, 512 patients (33%) died, mostly of non-cardiac cause (67%). There were two PM related deaths. Survival rates were 93%, 81%, 69%, and 61% after 1, 3, 5 and 7 years, respectively. PM recipients without concomitant cardiovascular disease at implantation showed survival rates comparable to age and sex matched controls. Predictors at time of implantation associated with cardiac mortality were: age, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, heart failure, valve disease, and the indication for PM implantation. Predictors for all cause mortality were: male gender, age, body mass index, CAD, cardiac surgery, diabetes, heart failure, and maintained atrioventricular synchrony. CONCLUSIONS: A pre-implantation history of heart failure, CAD, and diabetes are the most important predictors for worse prognosis in PM recipients. Without baseline heart disease, survival rates equal that of the general population, suggesting that the prognosis of contemporary PM recipients is mainly determined by comorbid diseases and a bradycardia pacing indication as such does not influence survival. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00135174.

Heart rate variability risk score for prediction of acute cardiac complications in ED patients with chest pain.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to develop a risk score incorporating heart rate variability (HRV) and traditional vital signs for the prediction of early mortality and complications in patients during the initial presentation to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with a primary complaint of chest pain at the ED of a tertiary hospital. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, cardiac arrest, ventricular tachycardia, hypotension requiring inotropes or intraaortic balloon pump insertion, intubation or mechanical ventilation, complete heart block, bradycardia requiring pacing, and recurrent ischemia requiring revascularization, all within 72 hours of arrival at ED. RESULTS: Three hundred nine patients were recruited, and 25 patients met the primary outcome. Backwards stepwise logistic regression was used to derive a scoring model that included heart rate, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and low frequency to high frequency ratio. For predicting complications within 72 hours, the risk score performed with an area under the curve of 0.835 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.749-0.920); and a cutoff of 4 and higher in the risk score gave a sensitivity of 0.880 (95% CI, 0.677-0.968), specificity of 0.680 (95% CI, 0.621-0.733), positive predictive value of 0.195, and negative predictive value of 0.985. The risk score performed better than ST elevation/depression and troponin T in predicting complications within 72 hours. CONCLUSION: A risk score incorporating heart rate variability and vital signs performed well in predicting mortality and other complications within 72 hours after arrival at ED in patients with chest pain.

Lateral tunnel Fontan in the current era: is it still a good option?

BACKGROUND: Construction of a total cavopulmonary anastomosis using an intra-atrial lateral tunnel Fontan (LTF) is known to yield good early and midterm results. Given the current controversy regarding indications for a total extracardiac conduit Fontan, we reviewed the long-term outcomes after a LTF operation and compared them with recently published series using one or both techniques. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2008, 220 of 280 patients (median age, 2.5 years; range, 1 to 45) with a wide range of underlying diagnoses underwent a fenestrated or nonfenestrated LTF operation at our institution. Current follow-up information was available for 215 patients (98%; mean follow-up, 6.7 +/- 3.9 years). Risk factor analysis included patient-related and procedure-related variables, with death, failure (takedown or transplantation), and bradyarrhythmia or tachyarrhythmia as outcome variables. RESULTS: There was 1 early death, 10 late deaths, 3 takedown operations, and 1 heart transplantation. Kaplan-Meier estimated survival was 96% at 5 years and 95% at 10 and 15 years, and freedom from failure was 94% at 5 years and 93% at 10 years. Freedom from new supraventricular tachyarrhythmia was 98% at 5 years and 95% at 10 years; freedom from new bradyarrhythmia was 97% at 5 years and 96% at 10 years. Six patients have protein-losing enteropathy, and 2 of 6 have had Fontan takedown. Multivariable risk factors for development of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia included atrioventricular valve abnormalities (p = 0.02), and preoperative bradyarrhythmia (p = 0.01). Risk factors for bradyarrhythmia included the need for early postoperative pacing (p = 0.001). None of the patient-related variables significantly influenced survival. CONCLUSIONS: The LTF operation results in excellent midterm outcome even when used in patients with complex anatomy. The incidence of postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmia is low and depends largely on the underlying cardiac morphology and incidence of preoperative arrhythmia. The good midterm outcome after a LTF operation should serve as a basis for comparison with other surgical alternatives to complete the Fontan circulation.

Arritmias na infância / Arrhthmias in childhood

Arritmias cardíacas de algum tipo ocorrem entre 10 por cento e 30 por cento nos exames de Holter nas crianças. Podem ser assintomáticas e benignas, porém em muitos casos produzem sintomas incapacitantes e risco de morte súbita. Frequentemente estão relacionadas a cardiopatias congênitas ou a cirurgias de correção, assim como à presença de feixes ou vias anômalas ou a cardiopatias adquiridas. A ablação por cateter por meio de radiofrequência mudou a história natural de muitas arritmias pediátricas, permitindo a cura definitiva na maioria dos casos. Adicionalmente, marcapassos especiais, desfibriladores e ressincronizadores estão cada vez mais estendendo seus benefícios ao pequeno paciente. Análises clínicas e laboratoriais...

Long-term follow-up after pacemaker implantation in neonates and infants.

BACKGROUND: Pacemaker (PM) system implantation in neonates and infants is often complicated by hemodynamic instability, small vessel size, and abnormal cardiovascular anatomy. Thus, an open surgical approach for epicardial lead insertion is often required. We assessed the long-term outcomes after epicardial PM implantation in this age group. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2004, 22 consecutive patients underwent PM implantation within the first year of life. Bipolar steroid-eluting epicardial leads (Medtronic CapSure Epi 10366 and 4968) were inserted through median sternotomy, the sybxyphoid approach, or thoracotomy, and connected to various pulse generators. RESULTS: Pacemakers were implanted at a median age of 35 days (range, 1 to 300). Intracardiac anatomy was abnormal in 17 patients. Indications for PM therapy were heart block in 18 patients and sinus node dysfunction in 4 patients. During a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 4 days to 12.8 years), 7 devices were replaced owing to end of battery life (n = 6) or elective device repositioning (n = 1), at a median of 4.1 years (range, 1 to 7.8). One dislodged ventricular lead and 2 atrial lead sensing failures were observed. Sensing, pacing thresholds, and lead impedances showed good implant and stable follow-up values. CONCLUSIONS: Pacemaker-associated morbidity is low. Pacemaker system complications with epicardial leads are rare. Battery life is relatively shorter compared with children and adults because of the fast heart rate and complete PM dependency in most of these children. Even for neonates and infants, modern pacemaker therapy is feasible, safe, and effective.

Perioperative cardiac issues: postoperative arrhythmias.

This article reviews current concepts about the diagnosis and acute management of postoperative arrhythmias. A systematic approach to diagnosis of arrhythmias and evaluation of predisposing factors is presented, followed by consideration of common bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias in the postoperative setting. Postoperative arrhythmias are common and represent a major source of morbidity after surgical procedures, both cardiac and noncardiac. Postoperative dysrhythmias are most likely to occur in patients with structural heart disease. The initiating factor for an arrhythmia following surgery is usually a transient insult such as hypoxemia, cardiac ischemia, catecholamine excess, or electrolyte abnormality. Management includes correction of these imbalances and, if clinically indicated, medical therapy directed at the arrhythmia itself.

Hemodynamic instability after carotid endarterectomy: risk factors and associations with operative complications.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidences of hypertension, hypotension, and bradycardia after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to identify any hemodynamic variables predictive of postoperative stroke, death, or cardiac complications. METHODS: Retrospective population-based cohort study of 291 consecutive patients undergoing CEA using hospital chart review. Hemodynamic data collected from time of arrival in the recovery room until the end of the 1st postoperative day. Primary and secondary outcome events were stroke or death within 30 days of surgery and any postoperative cardiac complication (angina, congestive heart failure, dysrhythmia, or myocardial infarction), respectively. RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 220 mm Hg), hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg), and bradycardia (pulse < 60 beats/min) were 9% (26 of 290 cases), 12% (36 of 290 cases), and 55% (159 of 290 cases), respectively. The stroke or death rate was 5.2% (15 of 291 cases). Postoperative hypertension was associated significantly with stroke or death (P = 0.04) and by a statistical trend with cardiac complications (P = 0.07). Independent preoperative risk factors for postoperative hypertension by multivariate analysis included angiographic intracranial carotid stenosis greater than 50%, cardiac dysrhythmia, preoperative systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mm Hg, neurological instability, and renal insufficiency. Postoperative hypotension and bradycardia did not correlate with primary or secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic instability was commonly observed after CEA, but only postoperative hypertension was associated with stroke or death and, possibly, with cardiac complications. Patients undergoing CEA, especially those at risk for postoperative hypertension, may be monitored best in settings suited to the expeditious management of neurological and cardiovascular emergencies.

A newly recognized autosomal dominant limb girdle muscular dystrophy with cardiac involvement.

Sixty-five members of three families with limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) underwent neurological, cardiological, and ancillary investigations. Thirty-five individuals were diagnosed as having slowly progressive autosomal dominant LGMD. Symmetrical weakness started in the proximal lower limb muscles, and gradually upper limb muscles also became affected. Early contractures of the spine were absent. Contractures of elbows and Achilles tendons were either minimal or late. Serum creatine kinase activity was normal to moderately elevated. Electromyogram and muscle biopsy were consistent with a mild muscular dystrophy. Cardiological abnormalities, found in more than one-half the patients, included dysrhythmias and atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances presenting as bradycardia, syncopal attacks necessitating pacemaker implantation, and sudden cardiac death. There was a significant relation between the severity of AV conduction disturbances and age. In nearly all patients, neuromuscular symptomatology preceded cardiological involvement. The early recognition of this previously not described, autosomal dominant LGMD with life-threatening cardiac involvement offers an opportunity for therapeutic intervention.

Permanent pacemaker for rejection episodes after heart transplantation: a poor prognostic sign.

BACKGROUND: The development of arrhythmias early or late after heart transplantation has been associated with acute and chronic rejection. This study aims to document the importance of this relationship and its value as a prognostic sign in those patients who required a permanent pacemaker for rejection episodes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 158 orthotopic heart transplantations performed in 157 patients between December 1988 and April 1995 was done. The clinical course and the outcome of 6 patients who underwent insertion of a permanent pacemaker for bradyarrhythmias caused by acute or chronic allograft rejection were compared with the course and outcome of 9 patients who had pacemaker placement as a result of sinus node dysfunction not associated with rejection. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 100% for patients whose indication for permanent pacing was severe acute or chronic rejection. Conversely, 8 of the 9 patients who underwent pacemaker placement for sinus node dysfunction not associated with rejection are long-term survivors; the one late death was due to a noncardiac cause. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a strong relationship between bradyarrhythmias requiring a permanent pacemaker and severe acute or chronic allograft rejection. This association suggests a poor prognosis and indicates that these patients should be managed aggressively. Such management includes close immunologic surveillance for cellular and humoral rejection, increased frequency of endomyocardial biopsies and coronary angiography, and early consideration for retransplantation.

Bradiarritmia grave induzida por antidepressivo tricíclico em paciente idosa / Severe bradyarrythmia induced by tricyclic antidepressants in an elderly patient

Paciente de 66 anos, do sexo feminino, fazendo uso da associaçao amitriptilina e carbamazepina, indicada para o tratamento de dor crônica devido a radiculopatia diabética, apresentou, durante o tratamento antidepressivo, bradicardia sinusal grave com repercussao hemodinâmica, evoluindo para rítmo juncional, tendo sido necessária a implantaçao de marcapasso cardíaco provisório. Após 36 horas da suspensao da medicaçao antidepressiva observou-se retorno ao ritmo sinusal. Os antidepressivos tricíclicos (ADT) têm sido indicados no controle da síndrome dolorosa crônica, e seus efeitos farmacológicos compreeendem a melhor transmissao das monoaminas por inibiçao da recaptaçao do transmissor na sinapse, alteraçoes na sensibilidade do receptor andrenérgico pré e pós- sináptico e açoes anticolinérgicas. A utilizaçao de doses elevadas de ADT pode provocar graves efeitos cardíacos, principalmente distúrbios do ritmo e da conduçao intraventricular. Conclui-se que o uso de ADT, particularmente em idosos, deve ser cuidadosamente monitorado.

Miocardiopatía diagnosticada in utero en madre con anticuerpos contra SS-A tratada con plasmaféresis / Miocardiopathy diagnosed in utero in a woman with SS-A antibodies, treated with plasmapheresis

Se presenta una paciente con Síndrome de Sjögren, que se embaraza. Es tratada con prednisona y aspirina pero a las 26 semanas de embarazo con el informe de bradicardia en el producto, se documenta una recaída y de laboratorio obteniéndose un título de anti SS-A /Ro de 1:51 200 y anticuerpos contra fosfolípidos de 1:400. En este momento la evaluación cardiológica muestra la presencia de una disociación A-V y una miocarditis severa. Con estos datos, se le maneja con tres plasmaféresis. Desafortunadamente, 25 días más tarde por escosonografía no se observan movimientos fetales y con el Doppler hay ausencia de la frecuencia cardiaca fetal, por lo que se decide terminar el embarazo por medio de una cesárea. Posteriormente la paciente ha estado totalmente asintomática con tratamiento a base de prednisona y metotrexate

[Morbidity and mortality in sleep apnea and nocturnal bradyarrhythmia]. / Morbidität und Letalität bei Schlafapnoe und nächtlichen Bradyarrhythmien.

The as yet unanswered question, whether patients with sleep apnoea and apnoea-associated bradyarrhythmias have a higher morbidity and mortality rate, was retrospectively investigated in 132 men with sleep apnoea (apnoea index > 10/h). Sleep-associated bradycardic arrhythmias were recorded in 71 (mean age 50.1 years; group 1). For comparison served 61 men with sleep apnoea but no bradyarrhythmias (mean age 51.4 years; group 2), matched for age and weight. There was no significant difference between the two groups as to diagnosis and initial findings on ergometry, lung function tests and blood gas analysis. The apnoea index of 48.1 +/- 23.9/h in group 1 was significantly higher than that of 31.9 +/- 20.1/h in group 2 (P < 0.001). During a follow-up period of a mean of 41.1 (19-66) months, two patients in group 1 died (of myocardial infarction), while one died (of bronchial carcinoma) in group 2 (follow-up period of 29.6 [18-54] months). The two deaths in group 1 were in a subgroup of 16 patients who had declined treatment or had used it irregularly. There was no death among those who had been treated (n = 54), by nasal continuous positive airway pressure, operation or pacemaker implantation. However, no causal relationship could be established from these data between increased mortality rate and apnoea-associated arrhythmias.