Interventional cardiology and X-ray exposure of the head: overview of clinical evidence and practical implications.

Interventional cardiologists are significantly exposed to X- rays and no dose of radiation may be considered well tolerated or harmless. Leaded aprons protect the trunk and the thyroid gland, leaded glasses protect the eyes. The operator's legs, arms, neck and head are, instead, not fully protected. In fact, the operator's brain remains the closest part to the primary X-ray beam and scatter in most interventional procedures and specifically the physician's front head is the most exposed region during device implantation performed at the patient's side. After the initial description of cases of brain and neck tumours, additional reports on head and neck malignancies have been published. Although a direct link between operator radiation exposure and brain cancer has not been established, these reports have heightened awareness of a potential association. The use of lead-based cranial dedicated shields may help reduce operator exposure but upward scattered radiation, weight and poor tolerability have raised concerns and hindered widespread acceptance. The purpose of this review is to describe current knowledge on occupational X-ray exposure of interventional cardiologists, with a special focus on the potential risks for the head and neck and efficacy of available protection devices.

Reduction of admissions for urgent and elective pacemaker implant during the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Italy.

AIMS: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak has been recently associated with lower hospitalization rates for acute coronary syndromes. Aim of the study was to investigate whether a similar behaviour is observed in admissions for urgent pacemaker implant. METHODS: This retrospective study included 1315 patients from 18 hospitals in Northern Italy with a high number of COVID-19 cases. Hospitalization rates for urgent pacemaker implant were compared between the following periods: 20 February to 20 April 2020 (case period); from 1 January to 19 February 2020 (intra-year control period); from 20 February to 20 April 2019 (inter-year control period). RESULTS: The incidence rate of urgent implants was 5.0/day in the case period, 6.0/day in the intra-year control period and 5.8/day in the inter-year control period. Incidence rate in the case period was significantly lower than both the intra-year [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.99, P = 0.040] and inter-year control periods (IRR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.95, P = 0.012); this reduction was highest after the national lockdown (IRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.52-0.91, P = 0.009). The prevalence of residents in rural areas undergoing urgent pacemaker implant was lower in the case period (36%) than in both the intra-year (47%, P = 0.03) and inter-year control periods (51%, P = 0.002). Elective pacemaker implants also decreased in the case period, with the incidence rate here being 3.5/day vs. 6.4/day in the intra-year (-45%) and 6.9/day in the inter-year period (-49%). CONCLUSION: Despite severe clinical patterns, the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively affected the population presentation to Emergency Departments for bradyarrhythmias requiring urgent pacemaker implant in Northern Italy. This mainly occurred after the national lockdown and concerned patients living in rural areas.

Can we improve the accuracy of electrocardiographic algorithms for accessory pathway location in children?

BACKGROUND: Predicting an accessory pathway location is extremely important in pediatric patients. AIMS: We designed a study to compare previously published algorithms by Arruda, Boersma, and Chiang. METHODS: This multicenter study included patients who had undergone successful ablation of one accessory pathway. Analysis of resting 12-lead electrocardiograms was carried out. An aggregated prediction score was constructed on the basis of algorithm agreement, and a structured workflow approach was proposed. RESULTS: The total population was 120 patients (mean age, 12.7 [± 3.6] years). The algorithm by Boersma had the highest accuracy (71.7%). The inter-rater agreement among the 3 reference algorithms, according to left-sided accessory pathway (AP) identification, was good between Boersma and Chiang (κ = 0.611; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.468-0.753) but moderate between Arruda and Chiang and between Arruda and Boersma (κ = 0.566; 95% CI, 0.419-0.713 and κ = 0.582; 95% CI, 0.438-0.727, respectively). Regarding locations at risk of atrioventricular (AV) block, agreement was fair between Arruda and Chiang and between Boersma and Chiang (κ = 0.358; 95% CI, 0.195-0.520 and κ = 0.307; 95% CI, 0.192-0.422, respectively) but moderate between Arruda and Boersma (κ = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.304-0.597). On applying a first-step diagnostic evaluation, when concordance was achieved, we were able to correctly identify left-sided or non-left-sided ablation sites in 96.4% (n = 80) of cases. When concordance was achieved, correct prediction of risk/no risk of AV block was achieved in 92.2% (n = 59) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: An aggregated prediction score based on 3 reference algorithms proved able to predict an accessory pathway location very precisely and could be used to plan safely invasive procedures.

X-ray management in electrophysiology: a survey of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC).

AIMS: Radiation use in medicine has significantly increased over the last decade, and cardiologists are among the specialists most responsible for X-ray exposure. The present study investigates a broad range of aspects, from specific European Union directives to general practical principles, related to radiation management among a national cohort of cardiologists. METHODS AND RESULTS: A voluntary 31-question survey was run on the Italian Arrhythmology and Pacing Society (AIAC) website. From June 2019 to January 2020, 125 cardiologists, routinely performing interventional electrophysiology, participated in the survey. Eighty-seven (70.2%) participants are aware of the recent European Directive (Euratom 2013/59), although only 35 (28.2%) declare to have read the document in detail. Ninety-six (77.4%) participants register the dose delivered to the patient in each procedure, in 66.1% of the cases both as fluoroscopy time and dose area product. Years of exposition (P = 0.009) and working in centers performing pediatric procedures (P = 0.021) related to greater degree of X-ray equipment optimization. The majority of participants (72, 58.1%) did not recently attend radioprotection courses. The latter is related to increased awareness of techniques to reduce radiation exposure (96% vs. 81%, P = 0.022), registration of the delivered dose in each procedure (92% vs. 67%, P = 0.009), and X-ray equipment optimization (50% vs. 36%, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Italian interventional cardiologists show an acceptable level of radiation awareness and knowledge of updated European directives. However, there is clear space for improvement. Comparison to other health professionals, both at national and international levels, is needed to pursue proper X-ray management and protect public health.

Elective replacement of a 4-year-old leadless pacemaker: New approach for end-of-life management.

We report the first case of new technique of replacement of a Micra TPS, due to battery depletion. A 38-year-old patient was admitted due to battery depletion of a TPS, after 44 months of regular pacemaker functioning. After routine implantation of a new TPS, we use a snare loop inserted in the delivery system to capture the old TPS. We believe this approach a good option not to abandon the depleted device, to avoid possible electrical interference or space occupation in right ventricle. This new approach allows to change the strategy during procedure and does not increase significantly the procedure costs.

Second European Society of Cardiology Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey: the Italian cohort.

AIM: Adherence to guidelines was not homogeneous in Europe, according to the survey on cardiac resynchronization therapy conducted in 2008-2009. The aim of our study was to compare the results in the Italian and European cohorts of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey. METHODS: Patients' characteristics, procedural data and follow-up were collected. Italian records were compared with European countries. RESULTS: Italian hospitals enrolled 526 patients. The italian cohort was older (71.6 ±â€Š9.5 vs. 68.4 ±â€Š10.8; P < 0.00001), had less severe NYHA class (>II 47.2 vs. 59.6%; P < 0.00001), higher ejection fraction (30.3 ±â€Š7.4 vs. 28.4 ±â€Š8.2%; P < 0.00001), and less atrial fibrillation prevalence (34.4 vs. 41.2%; P = 0.00197) than the European cohort. Italian patients were more frequently hospitalized for heart failure in the previous year (51.9 vs. 46.2%; P = 0.01118) and had lower mean QRS duration (151 ±â€Š26 vs. 157 ±â€Š27 ms; P < 0.0001). CRT-D were more often implanted in Italian patients (79.3 vs. 69.3%; P < 0.00001). The complication rate was similar (4.6% vs. 5.6%; ns). The rate of use of ACEi/ARBs in Italy was lower than in Europe (77.2 vs. 86.9%; P < 0.00001). Patients were followed up in the implantation centre (92.1 vs. 86%; P = 0.00014), but rarely with remote monitoring (25.9 vs. 30%; P = 0.04792). CONCLUSION: The survey demonstrates important similarities as well as substantial differences regarding most of the aspects evaluated. Efforts to implement adherence to guidelines will be endorsed in Italy.

Cavotricuspid isthmus ablation and subcutaneous monitoring device implantation in a 2-year-old baby with 2 SCN5A mutations, sinus node dysfunction, atrial flutter recurrences, and drug induced long-QT syndrome: a tricky case of pediatric overlap syndrome?

We describe the case of 2-year-old baby with compound heterozygosity for paternal and maternal alleles mutation of α-subunit of the cardiac sodium channel (SCN5A), sinus node dysfunction, atrial flutter recurrences, and drug induced long-QT syndrome. In this setting, we chose at first to perform linear ablation of cavotricuspid isthmus resulting in a bidirectional isthmus block. As a second step, we decided to implant a miniaturized loop recorder that, with a minimally invasive procedure, permits us to follow the development of the disease in order to define the future strategy. After 8 months follow-up, automatic daily loop-recorder transmissions disclose the complete absence of any arrhythmia along with asymptomatic ventricular pauses due to sinus node dysfunction. Echocardiography shows normal findings, in particular no left ventricular dysfunction.

Kounis syndrome: inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction following a bumblebee sting.

The Kounis syndrome was first described in 1991 as'the allergic angina syndrome'which could progress to acute myocardial infarction which was named'allergic myocardial infarction. There are several causes underlying this syndrome including drugs, various conditions and a variety of environmental exposure factors such as animal stings. Hymenoptera stings can induce Kounis syndrome because hymenoptera venom contains allergenic proteins and peptides. The following case report describes a patient who experienced an anaphylactic shock associated with coronary artery ischaemia (inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) after a bumblebee sting.

[Tamoxifen treatment and pulmunary embolism: a case report and literature review]. / Trattamento con tamoxifene e rischio di embolia polmonare: un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Breast carcinoma is becoming a spread disease that needs a specif teraphy. Tamoxifen is the first line treatment in patients with positivity of expression of estrogen receptors. The risk of thromboembolism is high in patients treated with tamoxifene indipendent from the neoplastic disease. This work focuses the attention on tamoxifen mechanism of thrombosis.

Boerhaave's syndrome - a difficult differential diagnosis of chest pain.

Boerhaave's syndrome is a very rare disease characterised by a spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus. It is often misdiagnosed and there is no consensus as to the best treatment. We describe a case of a 61 year-old man without significant previous medical history presenting in the emergency room with acute chest and back pain. Despite objective and laboratory tests negative for chest pain screening, computed tomography showed the presence of mediastinal air and pneumothorax consistent with oesophagus rupture. Urgent surgical intervention saved the patient.

Jugular pacing lead extraction with laser sheath: a case report.

Over the past 20 years, the number of patients with pacemakers (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillators has risen markedly; consequently, an increasing number of lead-removal procedures have become necessary. A 64-year-old woman presenting with an infected device pocket and positive bacterial cultures (Staphylococcus aureus) was admitted to our department for lead removal; in 1991, she underwent VVI PM implantation for atrioventricular II degree Mobitz 1 block, and a unipolar lead was introduced via the left jugular vein. The procedure was performed in our Electrophysiology Lab with a cardiac surgeon on standby, using an excimer laser system emitting the energy at the tip of a flexible, fibre-optic 12 F sheath, developed by Spectranetics, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO, USA.

Electrocardiographic changes in hiatal hernia: a case report.

We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman admitted to our department for suspected silent myocardial ischaemia with the evidence of T wave inversion in anterior lead. All the instrumental exams excluded inducible myocardial ischaemia. A gastroscopy showed a moderate hiatal hernia. We postulate that electrocardiogram modification could be attributed to hiatal hernia.

Coronary artery spasm as a cause of ST elevation and inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator intervention.

Coronary artery spasm can cause both brady- and tachyarrhythmia, through induction of AV block (usually linked to coronary spasm of the right coronary artery) or ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation linked to extensive myocardial ischemia. The electrocardiographic aspect of coronary artery spasm is an ST segment elevation. We describe the case of patient implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for unexplained syncope which, during coronary artery spasm, received an inappropriate device firing due to ST segment elevation, leading to a double count of the QRS by the ICD.

A difficult diagnosis: right unilateral cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Usefulness of biochemical markers of heart failure for the correct diagnosis.

We describe a case of unilateral pulmonary edema occurring in a young woman affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complicated by acute worsening of mitral regurgitation. The relevant role of biochemical markers of heart failure, such as brain natriuretic peptide and carbohydrate antigen 125, in clarifying the final diagnosis of cardiogenic pulmonary edema and modifying treatment accordingly is emphasized.