Cardiol J
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To assess the influence of electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern on prognosis and complications of patients hospitalized with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). ⋯ In our population of APE patients, the sum of negative T waves, the number of leads with negative T waves and the ST segment elevation in lead V1 were independent predictors of death during hospitalization. In turn, the sum of negative T waves, the number of leads with negative T waves, and RBBB and ST segment elevation in leads V1 and aVR were independent predictors of complications during hospitalization. We conclude that ECG analysis may be a useful noninvasive method for risk stratification of patients with APE.
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We report a 47 year-old male patient with coexistence of left ventricular noncompaction and Brugada syndrome. He presented malignant ventricular arrhythmias followed by cardioverter- -defibrillator implantation, atrial fibrillation and flutter and progressive heart failure. This case could be an example of the coexistence of two rare diseases of various genetic patterns that only partially showed overlapping symptomatology and complications, particularly ventricular arrhythmias.
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Our study set out to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and variables that influence its presence in patients hospitalized for heart failure. Depression is associated with a substantially increased risk of developing heart failure in individuals at risk, and has been related to adverse outcomes in patients with established heart failure. It is important to determine its prevalence in different populations and assess related causes. ⋯ Because depressive symptoms in patients hospitalized for heart failure are very common, it is important to detect these disorders. The prevalence of these varies according to socio-demographic and clinical data, and these factors should be taken into consideration when planning future studies, as well as screening and intervention programs for co-morbid depressive disorders in hospitalized patients with heart failure.
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Prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) holds independent prognostic importance in predicting mortality in patients with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure. However, its association with all cause or cardiac mortality in the general population remains unclear. We evaluated the relationship between prolonged QTc and total mortality among patients with syncope. ⋯ In elderly patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope, QTc interval ≥ 500 ms helps identify patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes.
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We report the case of a 69 year-old Chinese lady with pheochromocytoma who developed chest pain and acute ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads on electrocardiography. She was given intravenous phenoxybenzamine for alpha-blockade before undergoing urgent coronary angiography. ⋯ The Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy eventually resolved with surgical removal of the pheochromocytoma. This case highlights the challenging management of suspected acute myocardial infarction in pheochromocytoma crisis and also reinforces the notion that Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is likely precipitated by catecholamine excess.