The Canadian journal of cardiology
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Characterization of ventricular tachycardias based on time and frequency domain analyses of cycle length variability in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
To discriminate between monomorphic (MVT) and polymorphic (PVT) ventricular tachycardias in humans using cycle length variability (CLV), and to characterize the onset of MVT and PVT using power spectral analysis of the CLV during sinus rhythm and the number of ventricular extrasystoles before onset of arrhythmia. ⋯ Discrimination between MVT and PVT episodes was possible based on CLV analysis. The onset of PVT was characterized by a greater number of preceding extrasystoles compared with the control. During sinus rhythm, the NHF spectral power activity decreased at the onset of both types of arrhythmic episodes compared with control, although statistical significance was marginal.
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Comparative Study
Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis - the gold standard for the management of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.
The conventional surgical pericardiotomy and blind needle-puncture pericardiocentesis using a subxiphoid approach have been reported to have only moderate success rates and to be associated with unacceptably high rates of morbidity and mortality. More recently, echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis was reported to improve considerably the likelihood of success and the safety of this procedure. ⋯ Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis is safe and effective, and is the method of choice for therapeutic and diagnostic drainage of pericardial effusions. While echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis was described originally at centres with large volumes of patients with clinically significant pericardial effusions and with extensive experience in using this technique, similar high success and low complication rates were attained at an institution with relatively low numbers of patients requiring pericardial drainage.