Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE
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Pacing Clin Electrophysiol · Apr 2010
Managing superior vena cava syndrome as a complication of pacemaker implantation: a pooled analysis of clinical practice.
Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a rare complication of pacemaker implantation. Numerous methods have been employed to treat this condition, ranging from anticoagulation and thrombolysis to surgical interventions and stenting. However, thus far only small case series have been reported and there is no currently accepted standard of care. ⋯ Currently, transvenous stenting is the most common treatment used for pacemaker-related SVCS, usually with conservation of the implanted leads. Both surgery and stenting appear to be effective treatments, with low incidences of recurrent SVCS over the first 12 months, but there is unfortunately a paucity of data on long-term outcomes. (PACE 2010; 420-425).
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Pacing Clin Electrophysiol · Apr 2010
Review Case ReportsSick sinus syndrome in a patient with extensive cardiac lipomatosis (sinus node dysfunction in lipomatosis).
We present a case of a 45-year-old man with an incidental and longstanding diagnosis of extensive mediastinal and cardiac lipomatosis. Along the years, he had experienced various arrhythmias, mainly bradyarrhythmias, mostly asymptomatic. Recently after documenting a sinus pause of 6 seconds and runs of nonsustained ventricular tachycardias, he underwent an implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. There are many reports of cardiac lipomatosis in the literature, including reports of related ventricular arrhythmias, some of which are fatal. (PACE 2010; 513-515).
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Pacing Clin Electrophysiol · Apr 2010
Cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation in patients with therapeutic international normalized ratios.
Many patients who need cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) require chronic anticoagulation. Current guidelines recommend discontinuation of warfarin and the initiation of anticoagulant "bridging" therapy during these procedures. We evaluated the safety of CRT-device (CRT-D) implantation without interruption of warfarin therapy. ⋯ Our findings suggest that implantation of CRT-Ds without interruption of warfarin therapy in patients at high risk of thromboembolic events is a safe alternative to routine bridging therapy. This strategy is associated with reduced risk of pocket hematomas and shorter length of hospital stay. (PACE 2010; 400-406).
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Pacing Clin Electrophysiol · Apr 2010
Case ReportsRecovery following propofol-associated brugada electrocardiogram.
Brugada syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death that has typical electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns. Recently, there have been reports of Brugada ECG patterns seen in critically ill patients who received propofol,(1) and this pattern was associated with a very high imminent mortality. We report a case in which a critically ill patient developed a Brugada ECG pattern following high-dose propofol infusion. Once the ECG pattern was recognized, the propofol was discontinued and the ECG pattern resolved, and the patient was discharged home with no arrhythmic sequelae.
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Pacing Clin Electrophysiol · Apr 2010
The relationship between warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel continuation in the peri-procedural period and the incidence of hematoma formation after device implantation.
Many patients requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) or implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) placement are anticoagulated with warfarin, aspirin (ASA), and clopidogrel for a number of thromboembolic risk indications. The present review sought to evaluate the relationship between continuation of these medications in the peri-procedural period and the incidence of hematoma formation after implantation. ⋯ This study suggests that hematoma formation after PPM or ICD implantation is rare, even among those who are anticoagulated. There were more patients with hematoma on DAPT than warfarin therapy and half of these patients with this complication needed pocket revision for evacuation. (PACE 2010; 385-388).