Incidence and treatment of congenital coronary artery anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Congenital coronary arteries anomalies are a rare entity. Although their identification started in the 60th, there is a lack of data concerning their frequency and clinical significance in Tunisia. AIM: To characterize clinical and imaging features and mid-term follow up data of congenital coronary artery anomalies in a population of Tunisian adults. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 6358 adult patients who underwent coronary angiography between 2009-2015 years in Mongi Slim hospital La Marsa, Tunisia. Multidetector computed tomography was performed on all patients diagnosed having these anomalies and Angelini classification was used for their arrangement. Patients, having intramural coronary artery, were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had congenital coronary arteries anomalies (seven females and six males). Ten had anomalies of origination and course while the others had anomalies of coronary termination. The right coronary artery was the vessel involved most frequently. It originated from an anomalous coronary ostium in four patients and a unique right coronary artery was reported in one case. An anomalous left main coronary artery was seen in four cases. One patient had the left anterior descending artery originating from the right Valsalva sinus. Four patients underwent coronary revascularization, one died before the intervention and the remainder received medical management. The mean follow up was 54.1±20 months. CONCLUSION: Congenital coronary arteries anomalies have a low incidence in adults. Coronary revascularization is actually indicated in anomalous aortic origin with inter aorto-pulmonary course.

Attempted suicide by Flécainide overdose: A case report.

Class Ic antiarrythmic overdose is associated with a relatively high mortality. We presenta case report regarding a suicidal intoxication of an 18-year old female with a medical history of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The preliminary examination highlighted a profound cardiovascular collapse. The electrocardiogram showed a PR interval extended to 360 ms. The QRS complexes were enlarged to 360 ms with a right bundle brunch block appearance associated with left posterior hemibloc. There were repolarization abnormalities such as elevation of the J-point, convex ST segment and biphasic T wave in the right precordial leads ("Brugada-Like ECG pattern"). Sodium bicarbonate was administered. A rapid decrease in the duration of the QRS complexes was noted as well as a slowing of the heart rate. The electrocardiogram aspect on the 4th day showed the reappearance of the ventricular pre-excitation. The severity and lethal potential of Flecainide poisoning are linked to the cardiotoxic effects of these molecules. The prognosis remains poor despite progress in intensive care procedures.

Hisian extrasystole mimicking second degree atrioventricular block. a case report.

Hisian extrasystoles originate from the His bundle. They are rare and usually misdiagnosed. In fact, they manifest on the EKG, with a p' wave located before, in or after the QRS complex. More rarely, the extrasystole blocks the propagation of the influx to the ventricles simulating a Mobitz II atrioventricular (AV) block. We report the case of a 36-Year-old woman with no medical History, suffering from presyncope and palpitations at rest. Her physical examination and EKG were normal. The 24-hour Holter monitoring showed some long periods with unexpected blocked p waves but with no significant pause. Considering her young age and the absence of causes of AV block, we performed an intracardiac electrophysiological study which showed hisian extrasystoles with normal conduction tissue properties at baseline and under flecainide. The diagnosis of hisian extrasystoles simulating Mobitz II AV block was made. A simple monitoring with beta-blockers therapy was recommended. Hisian extrasystoles may simulate first or second degree AV block with different therapeutic and prognostic implications. Nevertheless, these hisian extrasystoles may be the marker of a vulnerable AV conduction, long-term follow up should be considered.

Atrial fibrillation and hypertension: State of the art.

Atrial fibrillation and hypertension are often coexistent. Their incidence increases with advancing age and they are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. The relation between theses 2 diseases has long been discussed and determined by clinical studies. Left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial remodeling during hypertension favor the development of atrial fibrillation. AF during hypertension increases the risk of thromboembolic complications and heart failure. In patients with hypertension, pharmacological treatment may control the cardiac structural changes and retard or prevent the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. In case of atrial fibrillation, treatment should be focused on the control of heart rate and rhythm and the prevention of thromboembolic accidents. A strict control of blood pressure is highly required in this situation.