Rare Variant of Meigs Syndrome Associated With Pericardial Effusion.

Meigs syndrome is an uncommon entity associated with benign ovarian tumor, pleural effusion, and ascites. Its association with pericardial effusion is extremely rare. We report a case of Meigs syndrome associated with recurrent pericardial effusion that resolved after surgical resection of the ovarian tumor. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Determination of sources of error and improvement in accuracy of left ventricular mass measurement by echocardiography.

Abnormal Left ventricular mass (LVM) prognosticates adverse cardiovascular events. Conventionally, LVM measured by echo assumes a prolate ellipsoid (PE) shape; however, it poorly correlates with reference standard of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) derived LVM. PE model assumes LVL = 2 × LVID. We developed a new echo LVM formula based on LV length and tested for accuracy against CMR. A retrospective study of consecutive patients with an echocardiogram and CMR within 3 months. Derivation (n = 170) and validation cohorts (n = 54) were used to test the new formula. Following analysis of correlation of interventricular septum (IVS), LV internal dimension (LVID), posterior wall (PW) and LVL between echo and CMR, a novel paraboloid-shape linear regression (PLR) model was derived. LVM by both models were compared to CMR. Poor correlation observed between actual and assumed LVL (0.52 with CMR; 0.44 with echo). Strong correlation was noted between echo and CMR measured LVL, LVID, IVS (r > 0.80) and a moderate correlation with PW (r = 0.62). Strong correlation of LVL was harnessed to develop PLR model, which significantly decreased paired error in derivation cohort (from 64 ± 42 to 22 ± 21 gm) and validation cohort (from 63 ± 46 to 25 ± 18 gm). Furthermore, it demonstrates significant reduction in absolute, relative errors and variability along with superior correlation in both cohorts. Between echo and CMR, LVL demonstrates one of the best correlation among LV dimensions. The assumption, LVL = 2 × LVID appears inaccurate. PLR model incorporates LVL and significantly improves accuracy, reduces variability of LVM.

Influence of "high" defibrillation thresholds on patient survival and impact of system modification.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether a high defibrillation threshold (DFT) marks patients with poor outcomes which are improved when DFT is decreased by system modification (subcutaneous coil implant; SM). BACKGROUND: The electrical substrate generating fast ventricular arrhythmias may generate poor outcomes among patients treated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), even when arrhythmias are treated successfully. Since patients with high DFTs have increased mortality, we contrasted survival among patients with high DFT treated with and without SM. METHODS: We studied consecutive patients undergoing ICD implantation and DFT testing at Cleveland Clinic over a 14-year period. High DFT was defined as successful defibrillation by shock strength >25 J or ≤10 J of maximal device output. Mortality was recorded using the Social Security Death Index. Survival was compared among those high DFT patients receiving SM versus the remainder. RESULTS: Out of 6353 patients tested, 191 (3%) had high DFT (32.1 ± 3.7 J) versus 13.9 ± 4.9 J in the remainder ("acceptable DFT," p < .001). One hundred twenty-one high DFT patients (63%; 33.3 ± 3.4 J) underwent SM, which significantly decreased DFT (24.8 ± 5.9 J; p < .001). Seventy patients (37%; 30.3 ± 3.3 J) did not undergo SM. During follow-up, 38% (2363/6162; 7.8 yrs) patients with acceptable DFT died versus 48% high DFT patients (91/191; 5.6 yrs.; p < .001). Concomitantly, 48% patients with SM (58/121) died, as compared to 47% patients (33/70) without SM (p = .91); median follow-up 4.9 yrs). CONCLUSION: Patients with high DFT have a higher mortality than those with acceptable DFT. The additional subcutaneous coil implant decreases DFT to an acceptable range but does not appear to improve survival. The electrical substrate underlying high DFT appears to determine survival.