The American journal of cardiology
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Comparative Study
Effect of chest compressions on ventricular activation.
External mechanical forces can cause ventricular capture and fibrillation (i.e., commotio cordis). In animals, we showed that chest compressions (CCs) can also cause the phenomenon. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ventricular capture by CCs occurs in humans. ⋯ Refibrillation occurred in 22 patients; it began during the CCs in 16 and closely following their initiation in 3. In conclusion, CCs during cardiopulmonary resuscitation can electrically stimulate the heart. Additional studies evaluating the effect of ventricular capture on cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes, its relation to refibrillation, and methods to prevent or time ventricular capture by CCs are warranted.
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Scimitar syndrome is a relatively rare variety of congenital heart disease characterized by partial or complete anomalous pulmonary venous connection of the right lung into the inferior vena cava. There are virtually no reports of the use of 320-slice computed tomography in establishing the diagnosis. The investigators present a case of scimitar syndrome confirmed by 320-slice computed tomography.