Electrophysiological study in chagasics with syncope and conduction disorder.

BACKGROUND: Investigation of syncope involves the use of electrophysiological study, particularly in patients with cardiac conduction disorder. There is conflicting evidence about the role of electrophysiological study in patients with Chagas disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological study findings in patients with Chagas disease and bundle branch block and/or divisional block presenting with syncope. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with Chagas disease and cardiac conduction disorder who underwent electrophysiological study from 2017 to 2021 for the investigation of syncope in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Those with non-interpretable ECG, known coronary artery disease, and/or other cardiomyopathies were excluded. HV interval and electrophysiological study-induced malignant ventricular arrhythmias data were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients (60.2±11.29 years, 57.8% males) were included. The mean HV interval was 58.37 ms±10.68; 22.2% of the studied population presented an HV interval of ≥70 ms; and malignant ventricular arrhythmias were induced in 57.8% patients. The use of beta-blockers and amiodarone (p=0.002 and 0.036, respectively), NYHA functional class≥II (p=0.013), wide QRS (p=0.047), increased HV interval (p=0.02), Rassi score >6.5 (p=0.003), and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.031) were associated with increased risk of inducible malignant ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients with Chagas disease, syncope, and cardiac conduction disorder have inducible malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Prolonged HV interval was observed in only 20% of population. Wide QRS, prolonged HV, reduced ejection fraction, and higher Rassi score were associated with increased risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Cardiac and Vascular Causes of Syncope and Atherosclerosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Among the most common causes of cardiac syncope are arrhythmias and ischemic heart disease, both of which can coexist. The purpose of this review is to discuss the main causes of cardiac and vascular syncope related to atherosclerosis, its epidemiological and clinical aspects, warning signs, and initial approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiac syncope may have a frequency of up to 34% in elderly people. Atherosclerosis-related causes of cardiac and vascular syncope may be due to cardiac arrhythmia and/or structural impairment of the heart or arteries. Late ventricular tachycardia and late-onset high-grade atrioventricular block associated with myocardial ischemia may occur with syncope, which is related to higher mortality. Besides ventricular dysfunction, concentric remodeling is also a prognostic factor. In calcific degenerative aortic stenosis, syncope carries a worse prognosis than the other cardinal signs. Cardiac syncope has a high recurrence and mortality rate. There are red flag alerts that must be considered in risk stratification.

Assembling the Puzzle: Taking into Account Clinical Presentation and Predictive Scores.

Syncope is a common cause of emergency department visits. Physicians must scrutinize for life-threatening causes to avoid patient morbidity and mortality. Clinical decision rules are used to stratify risks and guide the course of action, including the need for further testing. This is the case of a 83-year-old man was brought to the emergency department after a 5-minute episode of sudden loss of consciousness. Vital signs showed hypotension and physical examination was unremarkable. Despite Wells score of 0, clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism persisted, for which further testing was pursued. D-dimer was elevated at 13.77 mcg/mL and a chest computed tomography with angiography showed an extensive bilateral pulmonary embolism involving the distal right and left main pulmonary arteries. He was started on full-dose anticoagulation. This case exemplifies the need of high clinical suspicion along with the importance of applying predictive scores for diagnosing unusual causes of syncope.

Síncope por mixoma auricular: a propósito de un caso clínico / Syncope due to atrial myxoma: presentation of a clinical case / Síncope por mixoma atrial: a propósito de um caso clínico

Las neoplasias cardíacas se dividen en tumores primarios y secundarios; estos últimos son 30 veces más frecuentes. La mayoría de las neoplasias cardíacas son benignas y dentro de este grupo destaca el mixoma auricular. La presentación clínica es muy variable en relación con su ubicación, tamaño y movilidad, y los hallazgos a nivel de las pruebas complementarias son inespecíficos. Dado que su historia natural muchas veces pasa inadvertida, el mixoma puede culminar en la obstrucción auriculoventricular, obstrucción del tracto de salida ventricular o incluso embolias sistémicas; de esta forma, es el causante de sintomatología severa como síncope, insuficiencia cardíaca y muerte súbita cardíaca. Su manifestación clínica como un síncope es bastante frecuente. Se expone el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 81 años que consultó en el servicio de urgencias por un síncope. Durante su valoración, se identificó el mixoma auricular como etiología de este.

Cardiac neoplasms are divided into primary and secondary tumors, the latter are 30 times more frequent. Most are benign and within this group the atrial myxoma stands out. The clinical presentation is very variable in relation to its location, size and mobility, and the findings in the complementary tests are nonspecific. Since its natural history often goes unnoticed, the myxoma can culminate in atrial ventricular obstruction, ventricular outflow tract obstruction or even systemic embolism, causing severe symptoms such as syncope, heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Its clinical manifestation as syncope is quite common. The case of an 81-year-old male patient who consulted at the emergency department for syncope is presented, in which the atrial myxoma was subsequently identified as the etiology of the event during the further evaluation.

As neoplasias cardíacas dividem-se em tumores primários e secundários, estes últimos são 30 vezes mais frequentes. A maioria são benignas e dentro deste grupo destaca-se o mixoma auricular. A apresentação clínica é muito variável em relação com sua localização, tamanho e mobilidade, e os achados a nível dos testes complementares são inespecíficos. Dado que a sua história natural muitas vezes passa despercebida, o mixoma pode culminar na obstrução aurículo-ventricular, obstrução do tracto de saída ventricular ou mesmo embolias sistémicas, sendo assim o causador de sintomatologia severa como síncope, insuficiência cardíaca e morte súbita cardíaca. Sua manifestação clínica como síncope é bastante comum. Apresenta-se o caso de um paciente de sexo masculino de 81 anos que consultou no serviço de urgências para um síncope. Durante a sua avaliação, se identificou mixoma auricular como etiologia deste

Application and side effects of blood flow restriction technique: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of professionals.

ABSTRACT: The physiological benefits of applying blood flow restriction (BFR) in isolation or in the presence of physical exercise have been widely documented in the scientific literature. Most investigations carried out under controlled laboratory conditions have found the technique to be safe. However, few studies have analyzed the use of the technique in clinical settings.To analyze how the BFR technique has been applied by professionals working in the clinical area and the prevalence of side effects (SEs) resulting from the use of this technique.This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 136 Brazilian professionals who perform some function related to physical rehabilitation, sports science, or physical conditioning participated in this study. Participants answered a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of 21 questions related to the professional profile and methodological aspects and SEs of the BFR technique.Professionals reported applying the BFR technique on individuals from different age groups from youth (≤18 years; 3.5%) to older adults (60-80 years; 30.7%), but mainly on people within the age group of 20 to 29 years (74.6%). A total of 99.1% of the professionals coupled the BFR technique with resistance exercise. Their main goals were muscle hypertrophy and physical rehabilitation. The majority (60.9%) of interviewees reported using BFR in durations of less than 5 minutes and the pressure used was mainly determined through the values of brachial blood pressure and arterial occlusion. Moreover, 92% of professionals declared observing at least 1 SE resulting from the BFR technique. Most professionals observed tingling (71.2%) and delayed onset of muscle soreness (55.8%). Rhabdomyolysis, fainting, and subcutaneous hemorrhaging were reported less frequently (1.9%, 3.8%, and 4.8%, respectively).Our findings indicate that the prescription of blood flow restriction technique results in minimal serious side effects when it is done in a proper clinical environment and follows the proposed recommendations found in relevant scientific literature.

Syncope in Patients with Cardiac Pacemakers.

INTRODUCTION: It is challenging to diagnose syncope in patients with pacemakers. Because these patients have increased morbidity and mortality risks, they require immediate attention to determine the causes in order to provide appropriate treatment. This study aimed to investigate the causes and predictive factors of syncope as well as the methods used to diagnose syncope in cardiac pacemaker patients. METHODS: Patients with pacemakers implanted owing to sinus node disease or atrioventricular block were evaluated with standardized questionnaires, endocavitary electrograms, and other tests based on the suspected causes of syncope. Mann- Whitney U tests were used to analyze continuous variables and Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was P<0.05. RESULTS: The study included 95 patients with pacemakers: 47 experienced syncope in the last 12 months and 48 did not. Of the 100 documented episodes of syncope, 48.9% were vasovagal syncopes, 17% had cardiac-related causes, 10.6% had unknown causes, and 8.5% had pacemaker failure. The multivariate analysis showed that a New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II was a significant factor for developing syncope (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: While the most common type of syncope in pacemaker patients was neurally mediated, it is important to perform detailed evaluations in this population as the causes of syncope can be life-threatening. The best diagnostic methods were stored electrogram analysis and the tilt table test. NYHA Functional Class II patients were found to have a higher risk for syncope.

Syncope in patients with cardiac pacemakers

Abstract Introduction: It is challenging to diagnose syncope in patients with pacemakers. Because these patients have increased morbidity and mortality risks, they require immediate attention to determine the causes in order to provide appropriate treatment. This study aimed to investigate the causes and predictive factors of syncope as well as the methods used to diagnose syncope in cardiac pacemaker patients. Methods: Patients with pacemakers implanted owing to sinus node disease or atrioventricular block were evaluated with standardized questionnaires, endocavitary electrograms, and other tests based on the suspected causes of syncope. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze continuous variables and Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was P<0.05. Results: The study included 95 patients with pacemakers: 47 experienced syncope in the last 12 months and 48 did not. Of the 100 documented episodes of syncope, 48.9% were vasovagal syncopes, 17% had cardiac-related causes, 10.6% had unknown causes, and 8.5% had pacemaker failure. The multivariate analysis showed that a New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II was a significant factor for developing syncope (P<0.01). Conclusion: While the most common type of syncope in pacemaker patients was neurally mediated, it is important to perform detailed evaluations in this population as the causes of syncope can be life-threatening. The best diagnostic methods were stored electrogram analysis and the tilt table test. NYHA Functional Class II patients were found to have a higher risk for syncope.

Pediatric Syncope: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to perform the first systematic review of pediatric syncope etiologies and to determine the most common diagnoses with credible intervals (CredIs). METHODS: Review was performed within Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and used Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial databases. The following inclusion criteria for the articles were used: minimum of 10 patients, standard definition of syncope used, subjects who were 21 years or younger, and subjects who were either a consecutive retrospective group or a prospective group. No restrictions were made regarding language of the studies, but an English abstract was required. The following information was collected: purpose of the study, definition of syncope, number of patients, patient age range, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and etiologies of syncope. RESULTS: Of the 500 articles initially identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were the basis for this review. Three thousand seven hundred patients were included, ranging in age from 3 months to 21 years. The most common etiologies identified were vasovagal (52.2%; 95% CredI, 50.6-53.9), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (13.1%; 95% CredI, 12.1-14.2), and cardiac causes (4.0%; 95% CredI, 3.39-4.65). A total of 18.3% (95% CredI, 17.0-19.5) of patients were found to have syncope of unknown cause. CONCLUSIONS: Syncope is a common pediatric complaint. Most cases seen are a result of benign causes, with only a small percentage because of serious medical conditions. In addition, most syncopal episodes in the pediatric population are diagnosed clinically or with minimally invasive testing, emphasizing the importance of a detailed history and physical examination.

Super large cardiac hemangioma in right atrium and inferior vena cava: case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac hemangiomas are rare cardiac neoplasia usually diagnosed in autopsies, from being asymptomatic to debuting with sudden death. The largest hemangioma published in the literature is of 130 mm size, we present the following case of a successful cardiac hemangioma excision of 280 × 35 mm in size, diagnosed due to recurrent cardiac symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old female patient, Jehovah's Witness, with no previous diagnoses, is admitted due to recurrent syncopal episodes in the previous months. A transthoracic echocardiogram diagnosed a tumor in the right atrium and inferior vena cava producing a diastolic right ventricular, with preservation of the left ventricular ejection fraction at 55%. Given the high mortality risk, a surgical intervention was performed immediately. Successful excision was completed confirming a 280 × 35 mm mass without any complications, consistent with hemangioma on histopathology. Postoperative recovery showed no recurrence or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac hemangiomas are rare and its clinical course can be varied from patient to patient. We present excision of a large cardiac mass with a high mortality risk due to its size and the patient's spiritual beliefs.

La autopsia molecular en la muerte súbita cardiaca / Molecular autopsy in sudden cardiac death

Resumen Actualmente hay un porcentaje importante de autopsias que quedan sin un diag nóstico concluyente del fallecimiento, especialmente cuando este evento letal se produce súbitamente. El análisis genético se ha ido incorporando recientemente al campo de la medicina forense, sobre todo en aquellos pacientes que han fallecido de forma repentina, y donde no se identifica causa concluyente del fallecimiento tras una autopsia médico-legal completa. En estos casos las enfermedades eléctricas primarias son las principales responsables del fallecimiento. Hasta la fecha se han descrito más de 40 genes asociados a afecciones arritmogénicas causantes de muerte súbita cardiaca. Las principales enfermedades arritmogénicas son el síndrome de QT largo y la taquicardia ventricular; estudios genéticos post-mortem no solo permiten llevar a cabo un diagnóstico de la causa del fallecimiento, sino que también permiten una traslación clínica hacia los familiares, focalizado en la identificación precoz de individuos en riesgo de síncope, así como adopción de medidas terapéuticas personalizadas para la prevención de un episodio arrítmico letal.

Abstract Currently, there are a significant percentage of autopsies left without a conclusive diagnosis of death, especially when this lethal event occurs suddenly. Genetic analysis has been recently incorporated into the field of forensic medicine, especially in patients with sudden death and where no conclusive cause of death is identified after a complete medical- legal autopsy. Inherited arrhythmogenic diseases are the main cause of death in these cases. To date, more than 40 genes have been associated with arrhythmogenic disease, and causing sudden cardiac death has been described. The main arrhythmogenic diseases are Long QT Syndrome, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Brugada Syndrome, and Short QT Syndrome. These post-mortem genetic studies, not only allow a diagnosis of the cause of death, but also allow a clinical translation in relatives, focusing on the early identification of individuals at risk of syncope, as well as adopting personalised therapeutic measures for the prevention of a lethal arrhythmic episode.

Syncope: Clinical Presentation of Bronchial Asthma / Síncope: presentación clínica del asma bronquial

ABSTRACT Syncope, first described by Hippocrates, can be differentiated into neurological, cardiac and non-cardiac in origin, and this differentiation is of prognostic significance. The cardiac causes of syncope, which can be structural, electrophysiological or infectious, have a relatively poor prognosis and are associated with ethnicity, geographic location and sudden cardiac death. In decreasing frequency, the cardiac causes are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, anomalous coronary arteries, Marfan Syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy. Electrophysiological causes include supraventricular causes, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, ion channelopathies, long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome. The index case with bronchial asthma presented with syncope. There is an increased morbidity and mortality of this specific group of patients, if undiagnosed and not optimally treated; hence the need for a high index of suspicion and early diagnosis, after exclusion of cardiac and more common neurological causes. This is the first documented case of syncope secondary to bronchial asthma in an Afro-Caribbean.

RESUMEN El síncope, primeramente, descrito por Hipócrates, se puede clasificar como neurológico, cardíaco y no cardíaco atendiendo a su origen, y esta diferenciación tiene importancia pronóstica. Las causas cardíacas del síncope - que pueden ser estructurales, electrofisiológicas o infecciosas - tienen un pronóstico relativamente pobre y se asocian con la etnicidad, la localización geográfica y la muerte cardiaca repentina. En frecuencia decreciente, las causas cardíacas son la cardiomiopatía hipertrófica, las arterias coronarias anómalas, el síndrome de Marfan y la cardiomiopatía dilatada. Las causas electrofisiológicas incluyen las causas supraventriculares, el síndrome de Wolf-Parkinson-White, las canalopatías iónicas, el síndrome de QT largo, y el síndrome de Brugada. El caso índice con asma bronquial se presentó con síncope. Hay una mayor morbilidad y mortalidad de este grupo específico de pacientes, si no se diagnostica y no se trata de forma óptima. De ahí, la necesidad de un alto índice de suspicacia y diagnóstico temprano, luego de la exclusión de las causas cardíacas y las causas neurológicas más comunes. Éste es el primer caso documentado de síncope secundario al asma bronquial en un afrocaribeño.

[Molecular autopsy in sudden cardiac death]. / La autopsia molecular en la muerte súbita cardiaca.

Currently, there are a significant percentage of autopsies left without a conclusive diagnosis of death, especially when this lethal event occurs suddenly. Genetic analysis has been recently incorporated into the field of forensic medicine, especially in patients with sudden death and where no conclusive cause of death is identified after a complete medical-legal autopsy. Inherited arrhythmogenic diseases are the main cause of death in these cases. To date, more than 40 genes have been associated with arrhythmogenic disease, and causing sudden cardiac death has been described. The main arrhythmogenic diseases are Long QT Syndrome, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Brugada Syndrome, and Short QT Syndrome. These post-mortem genetic studies, not only allow a diagnosis of the cause of death, but also allow a clinical translation in relatives, focusing on the early identification of individuals at risk of syncope, as well as adopting personalised therapeutic measures for the prevention of a lethal arrhythmic episode.

Structural heart disease as the cause of syncope.

We described the clinical evolution of patients with structural heart disease presenting at the emergency room with syncope. Patients were stratified according to their syncope etiology and available scores for syncope prognostication. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the relationship between etiology of the syncope and event-free survival. Of the 82,678 emergency visits during the study period, 160 (0.16%) patients were there due to syncope, having a previous diagnosis of structural heart disease. During the median follow-up of 33.8±13.8 months, mean age at the qualifying syncope event was 68.3 years and 40.6% of patients were male. Syncope was vasovagal in 32%, cardiogenic in 57%, orthostatic hypotension in 6%, and of unknown causes in 5% of patients. The primary composite endpoint death, readmission, and emergency visit in 30 days was 39.4% in vasovagal syncope and 60.6% cardiogenic syncope (P<0.001). Primary endpoint-free survival was lower for patients with cardiogenic syncope (HR=2.97, 95%CI=1.94-4.55; P<0.001). The scores were analyzed for diagnostic performance with area under the curve (AUC) and did not help differentiate patients with an increased risk of adverse events. The differential diagnosis of syncope causes in patients with structural heart disease is important, because vasovagal and postural hypotension have better survival and less probability of emergency room or hospital readmission. The available scores are not reliable tools for prognosis in this specific patient population.