Arterial stiffness in acute COVID-19 and potential associations with clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) interferes with the vascular endothelium. It is not known whether COVID-19 additionally affects arterial stiffness. METHODS: This case-control study compared brachial-ankle pulse wave (baPWV) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocities (cfPWV) of acutely ill patients with and without COVID-19. RESULTS: Twenty-two COVID-19 patients (50% females, 77 [67-84] years) were compared with 22 age- and sex-matched controls. In COVID-19 patients, baPWV (19.9 [18.4-21.0] vs. 16.0 [14.2-20.4], P = 0.02) and cfPWV (14.3 [13.4-16.0] vs. 11.0 [9.5-14.6], P = 0.01) were higher than in the controls. In multiple regression analysis, COVID-19 was independently associated with higher cfPWV (ß = 3.164, P = 0.004) and baPWV (ß = 3.532, P = 0.003). PWV values were higher in nonsurvivors. In survivors, PWV correlated with length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 appears to be related to an enhanced PWV reflecting an increase in arterial stiffness. Higher PWV might be related to an increased length of hospital stay and mortality.

Hemodynamic effects of Vernakalant in cardio-surgical ICU-patients treated for recent-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is one of the most frequent complications after cardiothoracic surgery and a predictor for postoperative mortality and prolonged ICU-stay. Current guidelines suggest the multi-channel inhibitor Vernakalant as a treatment option for rhythm control. However, rare cases of severe hypotension and cardiogenic shock following drug administration have been reported. To elucidate the impact of Vernakalant on hemodynamics, we included ten ICU patients developing POAF after elective cardiac surgery, all of them awake and breathing spontaneously, in this prospective trial. Patients received the recommended dosage of Vernakalant and were clinically observed and monitored (heart rate, invasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, central venous pressure) in 1-minute-intervals for 20 minutes before- and 120 minutes after the first dose of Vernakalant. The median time from the end of surgery until occurrence of POAF amounted up to 52.8 [45.9-77.4] hours, it took 3.5 [1.2-10.1] hours from occurrence of POAF until the first application of Vernakalant. All patients received catecholamine support with epinephrine that was held steady and not dynamic throughout the observational phase. We noted stable hemodynamic conditions, with a trend towards a reduction in heart rate throughout the 120 minutes after drug administration. In 7 patients (70%), conversion to sustained sinus rhythm (SR) occurred within 8.0 minutes [6.0-9.0]. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were noted during the observation period. In this prospective trial in ICU-patients showing POAF after cardiac surgery, intravenous Vernakalant did not induce clinically relevant negative effects on patients' hemodynamics but resulted in conversion to sustained SR after a median of 8.0 minutes in 7 out of ten patients.

Reduced hands-off-time and time to first shock in CPR according to the ERC Guidelines 2005.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chest compressions and early defibrillation are crucial in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Guidelines 2005 brought major changes to the basic life support and automated external defibrillator (BLS-AED) algorithm. We compared the European Resuscitation Council's Guidelines 2000 (group '00) and 2005 (group '05) on hands-off-time (HOT) and time to first shock (TTFS) in an experimental model. METHODS: In a randomised, cross-over design, volunteers were assessed in performing BLS-AED over a period of 5min on a manikin in a simulated ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest situation. Ten minutes of standardised teaching and 10min of training including corrective feedback were allocated for each of the guidelines before evaluation. HOT was chosen as the primary and TTFS as the secondary outcome parameter. RESULTS: Forty participants were enrolled; one participant dropped out after group allocation. During the 5-min evaluation period of adult BLS-AED, HOT was significantly (p<0.001) longer in group '00 [273+/-3s (mean+/-standard error)] than in group '05 (188+/-3s). The TTFS was significantly (p<0.001) longer in group '00 (91+/-3s) than in group '05 (71+/-3s). CONCLUSION: In this manikin setting, HOT and TTFS improved with BLS-AED performed according to Guidelines 2005.

Human heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein as a point-of-care test in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: At very early stages of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), highly sensitive biomarkers are still lacking. AIM: To evaluate the utility of human heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP) for early diagnosis of AMI. DESIGN: Prospective diagnostic study. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain or dyspnoea within 24 h of symptom onset were included. At presentation, the h-FABP test result was compared to the standard diagnostic work-up, including repeated ECG and troponin T measurements. Sensitivity analysis was performed for inconclusive tests. RESULTS: We enrolled 280 patients presenting to hospital with a median symptom onset of 3 h (IQR 2-6 h): 109 (39%) had AMI. At presentation, h-FABP had a sensitivity of 69% (95%CI 59-77) and specificity of 74% (95%CI 66-80); 45 tests were false-positive and 34 were false-negative. Omitting inconclusive tests increased sensitivity and specificity only slightly. AMI was identified significantly earlier by h-FABP than by troponin T (24 vs. 8 patients, p=0.005). DISCUSSION: Although h-FABP can help to detect myocardial damage at an early stage in patients with chest pain or dyspnoea, it appears unsuitable as a stand-alone test for ruling out AMI.

Practical impact of the European Resuscitation Council's BLS algorithm 2005.

BACKGROUND: The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines 2005 have brought major changes in the BLS algorithm. The aim of our investigation was to look for the practical impact of these modifications. METHODS: In a randomized cross-over design we evaluated how adults would adhere to the BLS algorithm of the ERC guidelines 2000 (group A) compared to the guidelines 2005 (group B). The secondary endpoint was to determine the amount of time that elapsed before the start of the chest compressions in the two different groups. Participants were recruited from the streets and an office building of the Austrian Red Cross and were randomized to commence either with A or B. The volunteers were taught the allocated BLS sequence according to their group placement, and before evaluation each of the two groups was given the opportunity to train until they felt confident in using the algorithm. Performance during evaluation was documented automatically with a recording resuscitation manikin (Resusci-Anne, Skill Reporter). RESULTS: Sixty people were included in the study, one individual dropped out after randomisation. In group A 9/59 (15.25%) participants followed the algorithm correctly versus 24/59 (40.68%) in group B (p=0.006). The time to start of chest compressions was significantly shorter in group B (21.31+/-7.11s), compared to group A (36.68+/-11.75s, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared to the 2000 BLS algorithm, the 2005 BLS sequence seems to be easier to learn and to retain, though nearly 60% of participants did not follow the new algorithm correctly. As expected, there was a significantly shorter time elapsing before the start of chest compressions when applying the 2005 algorithm. These findings should translate to better survival after cardiac arrest.

Compromising bradycardia: management in the emergency department.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Bradycardia may represent a serious emergency. The need for temporary and permanent pacing is unknown. METHODS: We analysed a registry for the incidence, symptoms, presenting rhythm, underlying mechanism, management and outcome of patients presenting with compromising bradycardia to the emergency department of a university hospital retrospectively during a 10-year period. RESULTS: We identified 277 patients, 173 male (62%), median age 68 (IQR 58-78), median ventricular rate 33 min(-1) (IQR 30-40). The leading symptoms were syncope [94 (33%)], dizziness [61 (22%)], collapse [46 (17%)], angina [46 (17%)] and dyspnoea/heart failure [30 (11%)]. The initial ECG showed high grade AV block [134 (48%)], sinus bradycardia/AV block [46 (17%)], sinuatrial arrest [42 (15%)], bradycardic atrial fibrillation [39 (14%)] and pacemaker-failure [16 (6%)]. The underlying mechanisms were primary disturbance of cardiac automaticity and/or conduction [135 (49%)], adverse drug effect [58 (21%)], acute myocardial infarction [40 (14%)], pacemaker failure [16 (6%)], intoxication [16 (6%)] and electrolyte disorder [12 patients (4%)]. In 107 (39%) patients bed rest resolved the symptoms. Intravenous drugs to increase ventricular rate were given to 170 (61%) patients, 54 (20%) required additional temporary transvenous/transcutaneous pacing. Two severely intoxicated patients could be stabilised only by cardiopulmonary bypass. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in 137 patients (50%). Mortality was 5% at 30 days. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, about 20% of the patients presenting with compromising bradycardia required temporary emergency pacing for initial stabilisation, in 50% permanent pacing had to be established.

The recommended dose of idarucizumab may not always be sufficient for sustained reversal of dabigatran.

Essentials Reversal of anticoagulant effects of dabigatran may occur despite application of idarucizumab. Monitoring of dabigatran level after antidote application is crucial to detect rebound. Repeated doses of idarucizumab may be necessary in cases of massive dabigatran accumulation. Combination of antidote application and renal replacement therapy may offer additional benefit. SUMMARY: Idarucizumab is a monoclonal antibody fragment designed for reversing the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran. Administration is recommended as two intravenous boluses of 2.5 g within 15 min of each other or as a single 5 g bolus. However, in certain situations a second dose of the drug could be necessary. We report the case of a 77-year-old man, treated with dabigatran for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. He presented at our department with acute renal failure, concomitant massive dabigatran accumulation and subsequent acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Fifty minutes after the administration of idarucizumab, the dabigatran plasma concentration decreased from a peak of 1630 ng ml-1 to a level below the detection limit of 30 ng ml-1 and bleeding stopped. Eight hours after administration, the dabigatran plasma level started to increase up to 1560 ng ml-1 (96% of the maximum value obtained), accompanied by a further drop in hemoglobin. Concomitant hemodialysis and hemofiltration led to a continuous decrease in dabigatran plasma levels. However, sepsis and multiorgan failure ensued, which led to death. With this case report we raise the question of whether massive dabigatran accumulation requires repeated doses of idarucizumab, or alternatively, if the combination of antidote with hemodialysis/renal replacement therapy is advisable in order to remove circulating levels of dabigatran.

Proton pump inhibition prevents gastrointestinal bleeding in ultramarathon runners: a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Ultra-endurance running is emerging as a popular sport in Western industrialised countries. Gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported to be an adverse effect in these runners. OBJECTIVE: To see if the oral administration of a proton pump inhibitor would reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding in an ultramarathon. METHODS: In a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled study, a prophylactic regimen of three days of an oral proton pump inhibitor (pantoprazole 20 mg) was tested in healthy athletes participating in the Spartathlon ultramarathon. The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding was assessed by a stool guaiac test. RESULTS: Results were obtained for 70 healthy volunteers. The data for 20 of 35 runners in the intervention group and 17 of 35 runners in the placebo group were entered into the final analysis. At the end of the ultramarathon, two subjects in the intervention group and 12 in the placebo group had positive stool guaiac tests (risk difference 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.96; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A short prophylactic regimen of oral proton pump inhibition can successfully decrease the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding in participants in an ultramarathon.

Pulmonary embolism as a cause of cardiac arrest: presentation and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a possible noncardiac cause of cardiac arrest. Mortality is very high, and often diagnosis is established only by autopsy. METHODS: In a retrospective study, we analyzed clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapy, and outcome of patients with cardiac arrest after PE admitted to the emergency department of an urban tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Within 8 years, PE was found as the cause in 60 (4.8%) of 1246 cardiac arrest victims. The initial rhythm diagnosis was pulseless electrical activity in 38 (63%), asystole in 19 (32%), and ventricular fibrillation in 3 (5%) of the patients. Pronounced metabolic acidosis (median pH, 6.95, and lactate level, 16 mmol/L) was found in most patients. In 18 patients (30%), the diagnosis of PE was established only postmortem. In 42 (70%) it was diagnosed clinically, in 24 of them the diagnosis of PE was confirmed by echocardiography. In 21 patients, 100 mg of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator was administered as thrombolytic treatment, and 2 (10%) of these patients survived to hospital discharge. Comparison of patients of the thrombolysis group (n = 21) with those of the nonthrombolysis group (n = 21) showed a significantly higher rate of return of spontaneous circulation (81% vs 43%) in the thrombolysis group (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality related to cardiac arrest caused by PE is high. Echocardiography is supportive in determining PE as the cause of cardiac arrest. In view of the poor prognosis, thrombolysis should be attempted to achieve return of spontaneous circulation and probably better outcome.

Acute renal infarction. Clinical characteristics of 17 patients.

We analyzed the medical records of patients with an established diagnosis of acute renal infarction to identify predictive parameters of this rare disease. Seventeen patients (8 male) who were admitted to our emergency department between May 1994 and January 1998 were diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) as having acute renal infarction (0.007% of all patients). We screened the records of the 17 patients for a history with increased risk for thromboembolism, clinical symptoms, and urine and blood laboratory results known to be associated with acute renal infarction. A history with increased risk for thromboembolism with 1 or more risk factors was found in 14 of 17 patients (82%); risk factors were atrial fibrillation (n = 11), previous embolism (n = 6), mitral stenosis (n = 6), hypertension (n = 9), and ischemic cardiac disease (n = 7). All patients reported persisting pain predominantly from the flank (n = 11), abdomen (n = 4), and lower back (n = 2). On admission, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase was found in 16 (94%) patients, and hematuria was found in 12 (71%) of 17 patients. After 24 hours all patients showed an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, and 14 (82%) had a positive test for hematuria. Our findings suggest that in all patients presenting with the triad--high risk of a thromboembolic event, persisting flank/abdominal/lower back pain, elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and/or hematuria within 24 hours after pain onset--contrast-enhanced CT should be performed as soon as possible to rule out or to prove acute renal infarction.

Acute phase reactants in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that an inflammatory process is present in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) to varying degrees. The aim of this study was to compare acute phase reactants in patients with asymptomatic AAA, symptomatic AAA without rupture and ruptured AAA. METHOD: Two hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients treated because of AAA were included in this case-control study. Polynomial logistic regression analysis was applied to compare admission C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood count (WBC) measured in 111 asymptomatic outpatients, 52 symptomatic patients without rupture and 62 patients with rupture of the aneurysm. We adjusted for the potentially confounding effect of age, sex, haemoglobin levels and aneurysm diameter. RESULTS: Patients with symptomatic AAA and patients with ruptured AAA had significantly elevated CRP (p=0.002) and WBC (p<0.0001) levels compared to asymptomatic patients. There was no statistically significant difference in CRP and WBC between patients with symptomatic AAA and ruptured AAA. Median CRP values of asymptomatic, symptomatic and ruptured AAA were <0.5 (interquartile range (IQR) <0.5-0.85), 1.1(IQR <0.5-4.0) and 2.4 mg/dl (IQR 0.65-8.6), respectively, and median WBC values were 6.5 (IQR 5.5-8.0), 8.7 (IQR 6.8-11.2) and 13.2 (IQR 10.5-17.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: A significant elevation of CRP and WBC could be found in patients who presented with symptoms or rupture of an AAA. These indicators of inflammation were not observed in asymptomatic patients with AAA.

Use of an age-adjusted Doppler E/A ratio in patients with moderate to severe hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ratio of early (E) to late atrial (A) mitral Doppler peak flow velocity (Doppler E/A ratio) before and after adjustment for age in patients with moderate to severe hypertension, in whom left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an early finding. Mitral flow patterns can be used to assess diastolic filling characteristics, and the Doppler E/A ratio is the parameter most commonly used, although it is known to be strongly age dependent. There are no established normal values for this ratio. DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis. SETTING: A 2000-bed tertiary-care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: We studied 190 patients (99 women and 91 men; ages 55 +/- 13 years) with moderate to severe hypertension. INTERVENTIONS: The ratio of early (E) to late atrial (A) mitral Doppler peak flow velocity was measured. As this ratio depends on age, a Z score was calculated to control for this influence. The Z score is the standardized normal deviation of the mean, with a normal value of 0 +/- 2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivities and specificities for detecting an age-dependent reduction in Doppler E/A score (Z score less than -2) with a non-age-dependent Doppler E/A ratio (less than 1) were calculated. RESULTS: In 106 of the patients (56%) the Doppler E/A ratio was less than 1.0. Only nine patients (4.7%) had a Z score less than -2. The sensitivity of the Doppler E/A ratio threshold of 1.0 for detecting a Z score less than -2 was 0.89 and the specificity was 0.46. A Z score less than -2 was found only in patients younger than 45 years. CONCLUSIONS: The Doppler E/A ratio was reduced in a large proportion of our patients. However, after correction for age it was decreased in only 4.7% of these patients. The use of a single Doppler E/A ratio threshold value has a weak diagnostic power to detect age-independent changes in mitral flow patterns.

Creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB release after nontraumatic cardiac arrest.

The aim of the study was to describe the course of serum creatine kinase (CK) and its MB fraction (CK-MB) in patients surviving cardiac arrest, and to identify factors influencing CK and CK-MB release. The study was set in the community of Vienna, Austria. Data concerning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, collected within a period of 33 months, were evaluated retrospectively and compared with laboratory blood investigations collected prospectively (on admission and after 6, 12, and 24 hours) in 107 adult patients surviving a witnessed cardiac arrest for 24 hours. CK and CK-MB were elevated in >75% of the patients within 24 hours. Release of CK and CK-MB was mainly associated with electrocardiographic evidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cumulative energy administered during defibrillation, and duration of chest trauma by compression. The CK-MB/CK ratio was elevated in 32% of the patients. Of patients with electrocardiographic evidence of AMI, only 49% had an elevated CK-MB/CK ratio. In conclusion, the elevation in serum CK and CK-MB fraction in patients after nontraumatic cardiac arrest is a frequent finding, and is associated with ischemic myocardial injury, as well as physical trauma to the chest. This should be considered when interpreting the course of CK and CK-MB fraction for the diagnosis of AMI.

Acute renal failure after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and independent predictors of severe acute renal failure in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. DESIGN: A cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. SETTING: Emergency department of a tertiary care 2200-bed university hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive adult (> 18 years) patients admitted from 1 July 1991 to 31 October 1997 after witnessed ventricular fibrillation out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Acute renal failure was defined as a 25% decrease of creatinine clearance within 24 h after admission. Out of 187 eligible patients (median age 57 years, 146 male), acute renal failure occurred in 22 patients (12%); in 4 patients (18%) renal replacement therapy was performed. Congestive heart failure (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.6-21.7; p = 0.007), history of hypertension (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-14.7; p = 0.02) and total dose of epinephrine administered (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; p = 0.009) were independent predictors of acute renal failure. Duration of cardiac arrest, pre-existing impaired renal function and blood pressure at admission were not independently associated with renal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Severe progressive acute renal failure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is rare. Pre-existing haemodynamics seem to be more important for the occurrence of acute renal failure than actual hypoperfusion during resuscitation.

The association between blood lactate concentration on admission, duration of cardiac arrest, and functional neurological recovery in patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between arterial lactate concentration on admission and the duration of human ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, and to what degree the arterial lactate concentration on admission is an early predictor of functional neurological recovery in human cardiac arrest survivors. DESIGN: Cohort study. Arterial lactate concentrations and out-of-hospital data concerning cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were collected retrospectively according to a standardized protocol. Functional neurological recovery was assessed prospectively at regular intervals for 6 months. SETTING: Emergency department of an urban tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 167 primary survivors of witnessed out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. MEASUREMENTS: The association between arterial lactate concentration on admission, the duration of cardiac arrest, and functional neurological recovery was assessed. Further, we assessed whether admission concentrations of arterial lactate and duration of cardiac arrest can predict unfavorable functional neurological recovery. Functional neurological recovery was measured in cerebral performance categories (CPC). No or minimal functional impairment (CPC 1 and 2) was defined as favorable outcome; the remaining categories (CPC 3, 4 and 5) were defined as unfavorable functional neurological recovery. RESULTS: In 167 patients, a weak association between total duration of cardiac arrest and admission levels of lactate (r = 0.49, P < 0.001) could be shown. With increasing admission concentrations of arterial lactate functional neurological recovery was more likely to be unfavorable (OR 1.15 per mmol/l increase, 95% CI 1.04-1.27). Nevertheless, only at very high levels of lactate (16.3 mmol/l) could unfavorable neurological recovery be detected with 100% specificity, yielding a very low sensitivity of 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The arterial admission lactate concentration after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is a weak measure of the duration of ischemia. High admission lactate levels are associated with severe neurological impairment. However, this parameter has poor prognostic value for individual estimation of the severity of subsequent functional neurological impairment.

Arterial remodelling of native human coronary arteries in patients with unstable angina pectoris: a prospective intravascular ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in detecting the presence of arterial remodelling in patients with unstable angina. DESIGN: Prospective case study. PATIENTS: 60 of 95 consecutively admitted patients with unstable angina (41 male, 19 female), mean (SD) age 61.2 (8.1) years. INTERVENTIONS: Qualitative and quantitative coronary angiography and IVUS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adaptive or constrictive remodelling (AR, CR) was considered present when the cross sectional area of the external elastic membrane at the lesion site was larger than the proximal cross sectional area or smaller than the distal cross sectional area, respectively. RESULTS: 22 of the 60 patients (37%) showed AR and 14 (23%) showed CR. No remodelling was seen in 24 patients (group NR). The plaque contained more thrombus and plaque rupture in group AR than in groups CR and NR (thrombus: 91% v 50% and 67%, respectively, p = 0.023; rupture: 73% v 29% and 42%, p = 0.020). AR was associated with a larger plaque cross sectional area (12.6 (SD 4.6) mm2 v 10.8 (6.3) and 9.2 (3.7) mm2, p = 0.001) and larger external elastic membrane cross sectional area (16.5 (5.8) mm2 v 13.2 (5.2) and 14.4 (3.6) mm2, p = 0.01 in group AR v groups CR and NR, respectively), while the plaque burden was larger in groups AR (74.9 (9.1)%) and CR (72.4 (16.6)%) than in group NR (66.2 (18.1)%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: IVUS is capable of detecting adaptive and constrictive remodelling of target lesions and its relation to plaque morphology in unstable angina.

Effects of verapamil and diltiazem on the ventricular rate during simulated atrial flutter in isolated guinea pig hearts.

To compare the direct effects of verapamil and diltiazem on the ventricular rate during atrial flutter, we developed an atrial flutter model in guinea pig isolated hearts. Atrial flutter was simulated by rapid atrial pacing (cycle length = 50 ms). At this atrial pacing cycle length, the shape of the frequency of distribution of the ventricular cycle lengths was comparable to that during spontaneous atrial flutter. Verapamil (0.01, 0.03 microM) and diltiazem (0.03, 0.09 microM) caused a comparable prolongation of the atrioventricular conduction time and atrioventricular refractoriness. Also, the anterograde Wenckebach cycle length was increased to a comparable degree by both substances. The mean ventricular cycle length during atrial flutter was comparable prolonged by both substances. The prolongation of the maximal ventricular cycle length was significantly more pronounced in the presence of verapamil. The time dependence of drug-induced alterations in atrioventricular conduction time during abrupt changes of heart rate is significantly more pronounced in the presence of verapamil compared to diltiazem. In conclusion, the more pronounced effect of verapamil on the maximal ventricular cycle length compared to the action of diltiazem may be explained by the slow binding kinetic of this drug to the Ca2+ channel resulting in a longlasting blockade of the Ca2+ channel.

Termination of recent-onset atrial fibrillation/flutter in the emergency department: a sequential approach with intravenous ibutilide and external electrical cardioversion.

Safety and effectiveness are the goals in treating patients with arrhythmias. In an open prospective study, we observed the efficacy and safety of up to 2 mg intravenous ibutilide, a new class III antiarrhythmic agent in haemodynamically stable patients presenting in the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of recent-onset (<48 h) atrial fibrillation/flutter. Arrhythmia termination within 90 min, haemodynamic parameters and proarrhythmic effects were assessed. Non-responders to the ibutilide infusion underwent external electrical cardioversion. We included 51 patients. In 31 patients therapeutic intervention with intravenous ibutilide was successful within 90 min (61%). In another seven patients conversion to sinus rhythm occurred after 90 min without any other intervention (14%). Blood pressure remained stable and no relevant proarrhythmic effects were observed. The 13 patients who did not respond to ibutilide treatment underwent successful external electrical cardioversion. The overall conversion rate was 100%. Forty-seven patients (92%) were discharged within a median of 9 h and managed as outpatients. In conclusion, in haemodynamically stable patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation/flutter intravenous ibutilide and external electrical cardioversion for conversion to sinus rhythm turned out to be effective and safe. The short duration of admission makes this strategy attractive for use in the ED.

Sudden cardiac death of a teenage girl.

Anomalies of coronary artery origin can be of little clinical significance and only an incidental autopsy finding. However recent case reports have shown that a wide range of potential pathologic alterations of congenital coronary anomalies are associated with clinical symptoms and exercise related sudden death. We describe the case of a 16-year-old girl who sustained a cardiac arrest and died after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of intractable cardiogenic shock. The sporty and previously healthy girl suddenly fainted after swimming in a tributary of the Danube. Autopsy revealed an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the anterior sinus of Valsalva and its course between aorta and pulmonary artery. The cause of this anomalous origin and possible mechanism for sudden death is discussed. We conclude that this congenital anomaly should be considered in cases of major cardiac events in young people.

Hemodynamic effects of active compression-decompression after prolonged CPR.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to test the effects of active compression-decompression (ACD) versus standard (STD) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on hemodynamics after prolonged cardiac arrest (CA). METHODS AND RESULTS: After nontraumatic prehospital CA, 21 patients were resuscitated in a prospective nonblinded setting sequentially with STD and ACD CPR at the emergency department, if it had not been possible to achieve restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before admission. The compression rate was 80/min with a 50% duty cycle, and 1 mg epinephrine was given every 5th min. Invasive arterial, central venous pressure and end tidal CO2 (ETCO2) were monitored. Comparing coronary perfusion pressure (CoPP) and ETCO2, no significant differences between STD and ACD CPR were found. In 3 cases ROSC could be achieved for a short time. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, a comparison of STD and ACD CPR revealed no significant differences in coronary perfusion pressures and ETCO2. We conclude that after prolonged CA, ACD CPR does not provide an apparent hemodynamic advantage over STD CPR.