DOAC Dipstick Testing Can Reliably Exclude the Presence of Clinically Relevant DOAC Concentrations in Circulation.

In certain clinical situations, it is necessary to determine whether clinically relevant plasma levels of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are present. We examined whether qualitative testing of DOACs in urine samples can exclude DOAC plasma concentrations of ≥30 ng/mL. This prospective single-center cohort study included consecutive patients treated with an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor (DXI) (apixaban, n = 31, rivaroxaban, n = 53) and direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI) (dabigatran, n = 44). We aimed to define the negative predictive value (NPV) and other statistical parameters of detecting DXIs and DTIs by DOAC Dipstick at plasma concentrations of ≥30 ng/mL. We also determined the best-fit threshold plasma levels using chromogenic substrate assays by logistic regression analysis. Between July 2020 and July 2021, 128 eligible patients (mean age 66 years, 55 females) were included into the study. The NPVs and sensitivities for DXI and DTI of DOAC Dipstick were 100% at ≥30 ng/mL plasma, for specificities 6 and 21% and for positive predictive values 62 and 72%, respectively. All diagnostic statistical tests improved to values between 86 and 100% at best-fitting plasma thresholds of ≥14 ng/mL for DXI and ≥19 ng/mL for DTI. Visual analysis using the DOAC Dipstick was 100% in agreement with that of the optoelectronic DOASENSE Reader for all the three DOACs.DOAC Dipstick testing can reliably exclude the presence of DOACs in urine samples at best-fitting thresholds of >14 and >19 ng/mL in plasma. The performance of the DOAC Dipstick at detecting lower DOAC concentrations in plasma requires confirmation.

High prevalence of hyperlipidaemia in patients with AV re-entry tachycardia and AV nodal re-entry tachycardia.

Diet rich in lipids and hyperlipidaemia increases incidence of atrial premature beats and all supraventricular arrhythmias. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperlipidaemia in patients with AV re-entry tachycardia (AVRT) and AV nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT). We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, case-control study that included all consecutive patients for whom AVRT or AVNRT was confirmed during electrophysiology study. Age and gender-matched patients admitted to hospital or outpatient clinic for various reasons were randomly included and served as a control group. Hyperlipidaemia was defined according to 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. A total of 1448 subjects were included: 725 patients with AVRT/AVNRT and 723 controls. AVRT/AVNRT patients had high hyperlipidaemia prevalence, which was significantly higher when compared to the control group (50.1 vs. 35.8%, p < 0.001). AVRT patients, with median age of 37.5 years, had hyperlipidaemia prevalence of 45.7%. In a multivariate analysis, hyperlipidaemia was independently associated with AVRT/AVNRT (OR 2.128, p < 0.001), both with AVNRT (OR 1.878, p < 0.001) and AVRT (OR 2.786, p < 0.001). Hypercholesterolemia was significantly more prevalent in patients with AVNRT and AVRT, while this was not the case for hypertriglyceridemia. There were no differences between the AVRT and AVNRT patients regarding hyperlipidaemia prevalence (51.9 vs. 45.7%, p = 0.801), even though AVRT patients were significantly younger (37.5 vs. 48.5, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this is the first study that investigated hyperlipidaemia prevalence in patients with AVRT or AVNRT. AVRT/AVNRT patients had higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemia and higher total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Noninvasive Recanalization of a Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous recanalization of a chronically occluded artery is rare and reported anecdotally. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a patient with a chronically occluded right coronary artery, found on a coronary angiography performed due to acute ST elevation myocardial infarction with an occluded circumflex artery as a culprit lesion. Three months later, a follow-up angiography was performed and a recanalization of the occluded right coronary artery was detected. DISCUSSION: There is a possibility that intrinsic fibrinolytic mechanisms with the additional effect of standard antithrombotic drugs administrated after the acute coronary event led to the recanalization.

Failure of Intracardiac Pacing After Fatal Propafenone Overdose: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Propafenone is a sodium-channel blocker, class IC antiarrhythmic drug, frequently used to manage supraventricular dysrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. We report a self mono-intoxication with propafenone. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old woman presented with a decreased level of consciousness, hypotension, and electrocardiogram showing QRS widening with atrial asystole and extreme bradycardia < 20 beats/min. After initial stabilization with transcutaneous pacing, laboratory findings detected normal electrolyte ranges and metabolic acidosis, and her medical history revealed availability of propafenone due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and depressive syndrome, which led to the suspicion of intoxication. Despite intravenous sodium bicarbonate, calcium, norepinephrine, and aggressive fluid replacement (10% glucose with insulin), hemodynamic stability was not achieved. Temporary intracardiac pacing was implanted. However, even with multiple electrode positions, effective capture could not be achieved. At that time, transcutaneous pacing was also ineffective. Consequently, the patient died in refractory asystole due to complete myocardial nonexcitability. The concentration of 5270 ng/mL of propafenone was found in the blood at autopsy, using gas spectrometry-mass chromatography. It is the third highest reported propafenone lethal concentration and the first case in which the myocardial nonexcitability refractory to intracardiac pacing was seen despite normal electrode position in the right ventricle, with failure to achieve the patient's hemodynamic stability. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians should be aware of possible propafenone ingestion causing toxicity, which is probably more frequent than previously described, especially because propafenone is widely available due to its use in managing atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia nowadays.

The Role of Standard Echocardiographic Parameters in Endomyocardial Biopsy Proven Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Primary light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is a plasma cell dyscrasia associated with the deposition of immunoglobulin-derived amyloid in multiple organs. In the heart, this results in an infiltrative cardiomyopathy, with increased left ventricular wall thickness, normal or decreased left ventricular (LV) cavity size and congestive heart failure. Cardiac involvement is a major determinant of prognosis of AL amyloidosis. We report a patient with cardiac amyloidosis proven by cardiac biopsy, and aim to point out at transthoracic echocardiography as the hallmark of diagnostics. Echocardiography revealed increased LV thickness at 20mm, impaired LV ejection fraction (EF) at 35%, enlarged atria, transmitral deceleration time at 156 ms and increased E/A ratio at 4.25. Early diagnosis and intervention can have a significant impact on the patient's response to treatment, especially when the underlying condition involves a malignancy or infiltrative disorder. Standard transthoracic echocardiography as a noninvasive diagnostic tool is valuable and has a significant role in diagnosis and prognosis.