Cardiology
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Primary electrical syndromes are a group of rare inherited diseases that predispose to arrhythmias in the absence of structural abnormalities of the heart, and are associated with several ion channel mutations. Extrinsic factors, such as fever, may contribute to the development of electrical instability in these patients. ⋯ An automated defibrillator was implanted for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. We believe that these findings may represent a new form of presentation of a genetic electrical syndrome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
QT prolongation and serum sotalol concentration are highly correlated following intravenous and oral sotalol.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between QT interval (QT) and serum sotalol concentration following a single low dose of oral and intravenous sotalol. ⋯ A strong correlation was observed between serum sotalol concentration and QTc prolongation across the entire concentration range. Low-dose sotalol caused significant QT prolongation. At similar concentrations, intravenous and oral sotalol caused similar QT and QTc effects. Knowing the QT effect can be used to guide further dose increase.
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Comparative Study
Non-invasive measurement of cardiac output during atrial fibrillation: comparison between cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and inert gas rebreathing.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most frequent heart rhythm disorders. It potentially influences cardiac function and its measurement. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has become the new gold standard for non-invasive assessment of cardiac output (CO). A novel inert gas rebreathing (IGR) device based on the Fick Principle also proved promising in patients in sinus rhythm (SR). The aim of our study was to compare the agreement of non-invasive CO measurements between CMR and IGR in AF patients. ⋯ Non-invasive CO measurements using CMR and IGR are feasible in patients suffering from AF. Good agreement was found between the two methods in an unselected cohort. Hyperdynamic circulatory conditions can lead to significant measurement differences which, however, do not affect the reproducibility of IGR.
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Diabetes mellitus is associated with the risk of restenosis and mortality after coronary stenting, but the relation between glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c) and prognosis has not yet been fully elucidated in patients with diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether hemoglobin A1c is associated with a risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after successful drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in patients with diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Hemoglobin A1c is associated with an increased risk of MACE after successful DES implantation in patients with diabetes mellitus.