The American journal of cardiology
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Several studies have examined the ability of electrocardiography to differentiate between takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) and anterior wall acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AA-STEMI). In those studies, the magnitude of ST-segment elevation was not measured at the J point. The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology Foundation, and Heart Rhythm Society guidelines recommend that the magnitude of ST-segment elevation should be measured at the J point. ⋯ ST-segment elevation ≥1 mm in ≥1 of leads V(3) to V(5) without ST-segment elevation ≥1 mm in lead V(1) identified TC with sensitivity of 74.2% and specificity of 80.6%. Furthermore, this criterion could differentiate TC from each AA-STEMI subgroup, with similar diagnostic values. In conclusion, using the magnitude of ST-segment elevation measured at the J point, a new electrocardiographic criterion is proposed with an acceptable ability to differentiate TC from AA-STEMI.
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Given their advanced age and frequent co-morbidities, it is unclear whether octogenarians and nonagenarians with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) derive a survival benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in the primary prevention setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ICDs, age, and multiple co-morbidities on survival in elderly patients who otherwise meet implantation criteria for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Patients ≥80 years of age who received an ICD for LVEF ≤35% at our institution from 2001 through 2008 (n = 99) were compared to a cohort of patients ≥80 years of age with similarly low LVEF who did not receive an ICD (n = 53). ⋯ However, after adjusting for age, LVEF, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and CCI using multivariate Cox models, an ICD did not confer any survival benefit (hazard ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 1.20, p = 0.20), whereas age (p = 0.043) and GFR (p = 0.006) were the only independent predictors of survival. In conclusion, age and GFR are the main determinant of survival in octogenarians and nonagenarians with LV dysfunction. After correcting for these parameters, an ICD does not appear to confer a survival benefit.