Success of electrocardioversion on the elderly.

BACKGROUND: There are two treatment strategies for medication-resistant atrial fibrillation (AF): rhythm control or rate control. It has been suggested that rate control is a valid strategy in well-tolerated AF because it does not result in increased mortality. We aimed to investigate the 1-year outcome of rhythm control in an elderly population of AF patients. METHOD: The study was retrospective, using the data collected from electrocardioversions (ECV) of elderly patients and the data of their follow-up visits to the outpatient clinic. We looked for recurrence of AF within the first year after ECV. Furthermore, we investigated possible predictors of recurrence. RESULTS: From February 2008 till November 2011, 436 consecutive elderly patients admitted for ECV were included. The 1-year recurrence rate of AF was 51.3 %. We found that being female and a large left atrial diameter were independent predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSION: The AF recurrence rate in our elderly population is comparable with reported AF recurrence rates in a younger population; we conclude that rhythm control can be regarded as the viable strategy in persistent AF in elderly patients.

Follow-up of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy: comparison of coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.

PURPOSE: Since several large trials have proven the effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, disadvantages have become more apparent. As the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases is improving, assessment of ICD patients and re-evaluation of the current guidelines is mandatory. We aimed to evaluate differences in mortality and occurrence of (in)appropriate shocks in ICD patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: In a large teaching hospital, all consecutive patients with systolic dysfunction due to CAD or DCM who received an ICD with and without resynchronisation therapy, were collected in a database. RESULTS: A total of 320 consecutive patients (age 67 ± 10 years) were classified as CAD patients and 178 (63 ± 11 years) as DCM patients. Median follow-up was 40 months (interquartile range [IQR] 23─57 months). All-cause mortality was 14 % (CAD 15 % vs DCM 13 %). Appropriate shocks occurred in 13 % of all patients (CAD 15 % vs DCM 11 %, p = 0.12) and inappropriate shocks occurred in 10 % (CAD 8 % vs DCM 12 %, p = 0.27). Multivariate analysis demonstrated impaired left ventricular ejection fraction, QRS >120, age ≥75 years and low estimated glomerular filtration rate as predictors for all-cause mortality. Predictors for inappropriate shocks were permanent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: Mortality rates were similar in patients with CAD and DCM who received an ICD. Furthermore, no differences were found in the occurrence of appropriate and inappropriate ICD interventions between these patient groups.

Permanent cardiac pacing for neurocardiogenic syncope.

Vasovagal syncope is not a benign condition in the elderly population. In patients not responsive to conservative therapy and whose abrupt faints are associated with serious injuries and seriously affected quality of life, pacemaker therapy was suggested. However, the usefulness of cardiac pacing for the prevention of recurrences of vasovagal syncope remains controversial because of the dominant role of the vasodepressor component during the episode. In the Medical Center Alkmaar, the Head-Up Tilt Test (HUTT) has been used since 1996 during the work-up of patients who present with vasovagal syncope. The HUTT showed a dominant cardioinhibitory response in 4.5% of our patients; in elderly patients with vasovagal syncope without prodromal symptoms and refractory on conservative therapy, pacemaker therapy was very effective in preventing syncope during long-term follow-up. (Neth Heart J 2008;16(Suppl1):S15-S19.).

Conventional and dedicated atrial overdrive pacing for the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the AFTherapy study.

AIMS: This investigation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of several conventional overdrive pacing modalities (single rate and rate responsive pacing at various lower rates) and of four dedicated preventive pacing algorithms in the suppression of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). METHOD AND RESULTS: In this multi-centre, randomized trial, 372 patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF were enrolled. Patients received a dual-chamber pacing device capable of delivering conventional pacing therapy as well as dedicated AF prevention pacing therapies and to record detailed AF-related diagnostics. The primary endpoint was AF burden, whereas secondary endpoints were time to first AF episode and averaged sinus rhythm duration. During a conventional pacing phase, patients were randomized to single rate or rate-responsive pacing with lower rates of either 70 or 85 min(-1) or to a control group with single rate pacing at 40 min(-1). In the subsequent preventive pacing phase, patients underwent pacing at a lower rate of 70 min(-1) with or without concomitant application of four preventive pacing algorithms. A substantial amount of data was excluded from the analysis because of atrial-sensing artefacts, identified in the device-captured diagnostics. In the conventional pacing phase, no significant differences were found between various lower rates and the control group receiving single rate pacing at 40 min(-1) or between single rate and rate-responsive pacing. Patients receiving preventive pacing with all four therapies enabled had a similar AF burden compared with patients treated with conventional pacing at 70 min(-1) (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: The results do not demonstrate a significant effect of conventional atrial overdrive pacing or preventive pacing therapies. However, the observations provided important information for further consideration with respect to the design and conduct of future studies on the effect of atrial pacing therapies for the reduction of AF.

The social experiences of cancer patients under treatment: a comparative study.

As part of a larger study on the quality of life of cancer patients under treatment, the positive and negative experiences in social interaction have been examined as compared to those of a control group (nonpatients, n = 201). Two patient groups were included: 109 patients who had recently undergone surgery and 108 patients receiving chemotherapy. The respondents returned a mailed questionnaire. Contrary to the assumptions based on a review from the literature, cancer patients appear to have more positive and fewer negative social experiences than a random sample from the 'normal' population. Even under more severe medical circumstances (a poor prognosis or heavy chemotherapy, a large number of chemotherapy cycles, poor progress after surgery) the poorer the patients, medically speaking, the more help and support they perceive. The results of this study do not support the idea of stigmatization. The personality characteristics, neuroticism and self-esteem are especially important for the having of positive and negative experiences in social interaction. Positive social experiences show a relationship with self-esteem and negative social experiences show a relationship with neuroticism.

[Hypocalcemia as a cause of reversible heart failure]. / Hypocalciëmie als oorzaak van reversibel hartfalen.

A 72-year-old woman with therapy resistant congestive heart failure presented with severe hypocalcaemia due to hypoparathyroidism after strumectomy more than 25 years before. After suppletion of calcium her complaints resolved and there was considerable improvement in left ventricular function. Our case report suggests that hypocalcaemia induced cardiomyopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of therapy resistant heart failure and that myocardial impairment is reversible after administration of calcium.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia with syncope: a case report.

We present the case of a 60-year-old woman with known glossopharyngeal neuralgia who was admitted to hospital because of recurrent syncopes associated with episodes of painful sensations in the caudal region of her tongue. Rhythm observation showed prolonged asystole, which was accompanied by a loss of consciousness. The asystole was preceded by an episode of pain. We concluded that the bradyarrhythmia and syncopes where associated with the glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Because of the life-threatening condition, we inserted a permanent dual-chamber pacing device. After implantation of the pacemaker, the patient had no further syncopes, although she still complained of episodic tongue pain.

Initial experience with single lead intracardial cardioversion for refractory atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, associated with a substantial morbidity (thromboemboli, worsening left ventricular function). Established therapy for pharmacological refractory AF is high-energy trans-thoracic electric cardioversion (TTCV), but this strategy is ineffective for 10-30% of the patients. The purpose of the present study is to establish the safety and efficacy of low-energy intracardiac cardioversion (ICCV) with a relatively new balloon-guided single-catheter system with dual chamber pacing possibility for this group of patients. METHODS: Patients in whom an attempt to restore sinus rhythm (SR) by TTCV under antiarrhythmic therapy failed were eligible for the study. For the ICCV-attempt, a single flow-guided atrial cardioversion catheter was used. Low-energy biphasic shocks of increasing energy (6-15 J) were delivered, if necessary in combination with intravenous amiodarone, until SR was restored. In case of early recurrence of AF, another attempt was made with immediate post-shock overdrive pacing (AOO) in order to suppress premature atrial activity. RESULTS: Initially, 14 of the 16 treated patients (90%) were converted to SR successfully. In eight patients additional amiodarone i.v. was administered and in six patients atrial overpacing was used after ICCV. In seven and five patients, respectively, these strategies were successful. Long-term follow-up (1-3 months) showed that in nine patients (56%) SR was preserved; eight of them on oral amiodarone. No adverse events were seen during the procedure and follow-up, especially no bleedings, despite puncturing under adequate anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: ICCV using a single atrial cardioversion catheter is a safe and effective method to restore SR in patients in whom TTCV failed previously. Long-term follow-up of this procedure is comparable to that of other studies. Results are influenced by antiarrhythmic drug therapy, compliance and patient selection.

Inhibition of a dual chamber pacemaker by oversensing of far-field atrial depolarisation in a patient after His-bundle ablation.

After His-bundle ablation, a 54-year-old pacemaker-dependent patient suffered from severe presyncopal attacks one year after pacemaker replacement. The attacks were caused by ventricular inhibition due to atrial far-field sensing during paroxysmal atrial flutter.

DDD versus DDDR pacing: effects on the occurrence of atrial arrhythmias and the quality of life in patients with the sick sinus syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of adaptive rate dual-chamber pacing to control the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias in patients with the brady-tachy variant of the sick sinus syndrome (SSS) with or without associated AV block. METHOD: A total of 23 patients were included in this double-blind, randomised, crossover study. In each patient a CPI 1230 dual pacemaker was implanted. The pacemaker was programmed blind to the investigator in a randomised order to four different pacing modalities for a period of four weeks each: DDD, lower rate 60 PPM; DDD, lower rate 80 PPM; DDD-R, lower rate 60 PPM; and DDD-R, lower rate 80 PPM. The incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmia events was determined by interrogating the event counter of the pacemaker, 24-hour Holter monitoring in each mode and documentation of the need for reprogramming, electro-cardioversion and antiarrhythmic medication. The quality of life in each pacing mode was assessed by quality-of-life questionnaires and patient diaries. RESULTS: None of the pacing modes were significantly better for the whole patient group with respect to the suppression of atrial arrhythmias. However, there were significant individual differences in the occurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias and tolerance for each mode. CONCLUSION: In dual-chamber pacing for patients with the brady-tachy variant of the SSS, the ideal programming cannot be predicted. Individual mode setting with usage of the pacemaker event counter should be performed to find the best antitachycardia mode.

Recommendations for pacemaker implantation for the treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias and resynchronisation therapy for heart failure: A report from the task force on pacemaker indications of the Dutch Working Group on Cardiac Pacing.

Today, new pacing algorithms and stimulation methods for the prevention and interruption of atrial tachyarrhythmias can be applied on patients who need bradycardia pacing for conventional reasons. In addition, biventricular pacing as additive treatment for patients with severe congestive heart failure due to ventricular systolic dysfunction and prolonged intraventricular conduction has shown to improve symptoms and reduce hospital admissions. These new pacing technologies and the optimising of the pacing programmes are complex, expensive and time-consuming. Based on many clinical studies the indications for these devices are beginning to emerge. To support the cardiologist's decision-making and to prevent waste of effort and resources, the 'ad hoc committee' has provided preliminary recommendations for implantable devices to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias and to extend the treatment of congestive heart failure respectively.

Ventricular asystole due to inhibition of ventricular backup pacing by a dual chamber pacemaker: possible pitfalls of default settings.

A 62-year-old patient presented with dizzy spells after her dual chamber pacemaker (Medtronic Enrhythm P1501DR), implanted for complete AV block, had been reprogrammed to deliver antitachycardia therapy (ATP) for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Her symptoms were caused by inhibition of ventricular backup pacing during ATP, leading to ventricular asystoles. Inhibition was the result of premature ventricular beats occurring prior to ATP: when ventricular backup pacing is left in the default setting, this pacemaker withholds backup pacing if any of the four preceding events is a sensed event. This case illustrates the possibly hazardous effects of default pacemaker settings, especially in pacemaker-dependent patients. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:323-6.).

Atrial pacing via unilateral persistent left superior vena cava.

A patient who suffered from sinus node dysfunction and automatic atrial tachycardias underwent pacemaker implantation during which time a unilateral left superior vena cava was found. Despite the known difficulties in using this venous route, it was possible to place a transvenous endocardial screw-in lead in a stable position in the lower lateral wall of the right atrium.

Transient oxygen uptake during myocardial reactive hyperemia in the dog.

Oxygen uptake during myocardial hyperemia (MRH) following occlusions of 2.5-30 s was studied in nine anesthetized open-chest dogs by continuous measurement of left anterior coronary blood flow and anterior coronary vein oxygen saturation with electromagnetic flowmeter and fiber-optic catheters, respectively. The ratio of excess oxygen uptake to debt multiplied by 100% was defined as the oxygen repayment ratio (RR) and varied between -50% and +150% (mean 78%). Application of a steady-state Fick formula, as used by previous investigators, results in a profound overestimate of the RR (70-400%, mean 295%). RR is severely distorted by the venous catheter system, and after consideration of these effects we would conclude that the "true" RR in MRH is even lower than we found. Comparing our results with steady-state exercise autoregulation leads us to the following conclusions: 1) chemical kinetic limitations in oxygen release by red blood cells are excluded, 2) a simple direct PO2 regulation of flow is unlikely, but 3) our results are not inconsistent with a more complex integral oxygen regulation or with the metabolic hypothesis.

Late purulent pacemaker pocket infection caused by staphylococcus epidermidis: serious complications of in situ management.

The pathophysiology of late pacemaker pocket infection is poorly understood. We report three cases of late infection caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. Despite initial local conservative management ultimate removal of the entire pacing system was required. In late pacemaker pocket infection we recommend initial removal of the entire pacing system and replacement on the contralateral side. When retrieval of the lead system requires open-heart surgery epicardial wires should be placed.

Pseudo infarction ECG pattern occurring during intravenous treatment with flecainide acetate.

A 79-year-old woman presented with atrial flutter and anginal complaints, which remitted on nitroglycerin but the flutter did not respond to digoxin and verapamil. Flecainide acetate was given intravenously; administration was stopped because of development of a significant increase in the QRS duration, existence of prominent deep Q waves and marked ST elevation in leads V1 to V4. These abnormalities mimicked the ECG changes seen in myocardial infarction. However, the presence of an acute myocardial infarction could be ruled out. On a second admission intravenous flecainide acetate resulted in comparable marked ECG changes.

Cancer patients and their network: the meaning of the social network and social interactions for quality of life.

A lot of research is carried out on the subject of social relations and quality of life. One should find at least some indication for an association between the social environment and quality of life of cancer patients; will interventions be appropriate and well-considered? But until now, less has been known about the association between the social network of cancer patients and their quality of life. In this study, the way in which the patients' network can effect their quality of life is examined. Two patient groups are distinguished: a group of cancer patients recently treated for their cancer by surgery and a group treated by chemotherapy (n = 108 and n = 109) and these are compared with a disease-free group of cancer patients (n = 192). Although an association between network, social relations and quality of life is found, only a small part of the variation in quality of life can be explained by this social component. It seems that the cancer itself and the cancer treatment mainly affect the patients' quality of life and that the impact of the social environment is less significant.

The distinction between affect and cognition in the quality of life of cancer patients--sensitivity and stability.

The distinction between affect and cognition has been put forward to clarify the lack of differences found in studies describing quality of life under deteriorated circumstances, such as serious illness. In the study reported here, cancer patients under treatment (n = 201) were compared with a random sample from the normal population (n = 200). As hypothesized, the affective component of life quality turned out to be more severely impaired than the cognitive component. Besides, it was investigated which factors contribute to the affective and the cognitive component of the quality of life of cancer patients under treatment. In cancer patients affect proved more strongly related to the physical domain. Cognition on the other hand was more strongly related to coping resources, especially personality characteristics like the level of self-esteem. It is concluded that an affective measure of quality of life is more sensitive to change in patients. The stability of life quality is attributed to the rather strong relation the affective and the cognitive component both have to coping resources.