Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
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J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol. · Jan 1999
Comparative StudyBezold-Jarisch-like reflex during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary vein tissues in patients with paroxysmal focal atrial fibrillation.
Information is lacking about the occurrence of ablation-related proarrhythmic events during application of radiofrequency (RF) energy at the pulmonary veins in patients with paroxysmal focal atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this study was to assess the theoretical risk of reflex bradycardia and hypotension response during RF ablation of these regions rich in endocardial nerve terminals. ⋯ RF catheter ablation of the pulmonary vein tissues could evoke a variety of profound bradycardia-hypotension responses. The Bezold-Jarisch-like reflex might be the underlying mechanism.
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J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol. · Jan 1999
Comparative StudyClinical profile of commotio cordis: an under appreciated cause of sudden death in the young during sports and other activities.
Not particularly well recognized are athletic field catastrophes in which virtually instantaneous cardiac arrest is produced by nonpenetrating chest blows in the absence of heart disease or identifiable morphologic injury to the chest wall or heart (commotio cordis). To better characterize the clinical profile of this syndrome, we have assembled 70 cases, including 34 occurring during organized competitive athletics and 36 others that occurred during informal recreational sports at home, school or the playground, or during nonsporting activities. Ages were 2 to 38 (mean age: 12) with 70% < 16 years old. ⋯ Eleven of the events (16%) occurred despite the presence of chest padding believed to be potentially protective. Four victims experienced modest chest blows while in circumstances completely unrelated to sports activities; three of the four individuals who delivered these blows were ultimately convicted of criminal acts within the justice system. An experimental model of low-energy chest wall impact demonstrates that commotio cordis events are due largely to the exquisite timing of blows during a narrow window within the repolarization phase of the cardiac cycle, 15 to 30 msec prior to the peak of the T wave.