Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The prognostic value of early repolarization (J wave) and ST-segment morphology after J wave in Brugada syndrome: multicenter study in Japan.
The prognostic value of a J wave and ST-segment morphology after J wave in inferolateral leads in Brugada syndrome (BS) is still unknown. ⋯ The presence of a J wave in multiple leads and horizontal ST-segment morphology after J wave may indicate a highly arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with BS.
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Conventional therapy with beta-blockers is incompletely effective in preventing arrhythmic events in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). We have previously discovered that flecainide in addition to conventional drug therapy prevents ventricular arrhythmias in patients with genotype-positive CPVT. ⋯ Flecainide was effective in patients with genotype-negative CPVT, suggesting that spontaneous Ca(2+) release from ryanodine channels plays a role in arrhythmia susceptibility, similar to that in patients with genotype-positive CPVT.
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Comparative Study
Dabigatran vs warfarin for radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
It is not clear whether dabigatran is as safe and effective as uninterrupted anticoagulation with warfarin during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ When held for approximately 24 hours before the procedure and resumed 4 hours after vascular hemostasis, dabigatran appears to be as safe and effective as uninterrupted warfarin for periprocedural anticoagulation in patients undergoing RFA of AF.
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Comparative Study
Antipsychotic drugs are associated with pulseless electrical activity: the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study.
There has been a paradigm shift in the manifestation of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), with steadily decreasing rates of ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia (VF/VT) and a significant increase in the proportion of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) and asystole. ⋯ When drugs modifying myocardial contractility were evaluated in a comprehensive analysis of patients who suffered SCA, use of antipsychotic agents was a significant and independent predictor of manifestation with PEA.
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Comparative Study
Sympathetic nerve fibers and ganglia in canine cervical vagus nerves: localization and quantitation.
Cervical vagal nerve (CVN) stimulation may improve left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with heart failure. ⋯ Sympathetic nerve fibers are invariably present in the CVNs of normal dogs and occupy in average up to 2.8% of the cross-sectional area. Because sympathetic nerve fibers are present in the periphery of the CVNs, they may be susceptible to activation by electrical stimulation. Spontaneous activation of the sympathetic component of the vagal nerve may accelerate the heart rate.