Cardiol J
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Device optimization is not routinely performed in patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation. Noninvasive optimization of CRT devices by measurement of cardiac output (CO) can be used as a simple method to assess ventricular systolic performance. The aim of this study was to assess whether optimization of atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delay can improve hemodynamic response to CRT and whether this optimization should be performed for each patient individually. ⋯ Both AV and VV delay optimization should be performed in clinical practice. Optimal AV delay improved outcome. However, combination of optimized AV/VV delays provided the best hemodynamic response. Optimized AV/VV delays with left ventricle-preexcitation or simultaneous biventricular pacing increased hemodynamic output compared to intrinsic rhythm and VV factory setting delay.
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Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is one of the leading causes of death associated with transfusion of blood and blood components. The understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of this syndrome has much improved during the last decades, nevertheless numerous issues are still unresolved and symptomatic treatment remains the cornerstone of medical management. ⋯ The awareness of the problem within the medical society is still unsatisfactory which results in a high number of unrecognized cases or of inaccurate diagnoses one of which is cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The aim of this review is to make the TRALI syndrome more familiar to clinicians and to emphasize how significant proper medical management is both for the patients presenting TRALI symptoms as well as for future recipients of blood components.
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In the great majority of cases the ECG pattern of early repolarization (ERP) is a benign phenomenon observed predominantly in teenagers, young adults, male athletes and the black race. The universally accepted criterion for its diagnosis is the presence, in at least two adjoining leads, of ≥ 1 mm or 0.1 mV ST segment elevation. In benign ERP reciprocal ST segment changes are possible only in lead aVR. ⋯ The management of IVF has class I indication for ICD implantation. Ablation therapy is considered additional to ICD implantation in those patients with repetitive ventricular arrhythmia. Quinidine is a highly efficient drug that prevents recurrence.
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Review Meta Analysis
Updated evidence on intracoronary abciximab in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Intracoronary (IC) abciximab administration remains a promising approach aimed to increase a drug concentration in the target area and possibly improve clinical outcomes in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The goal of this literature review and meta-analysis is to update available knowledge comparing IC and intravenous (IV) abciximab administration in STEMI patients. ⋯ Our updated meta-analysis shows that the clinical superiority of IC over IV abciximab administration in STEMI patients is no longer clear after the release of the AIDA STEMI trial results. Further research in high-risk STEMI patients is warranted to finally determine clinical advantages of IC vs IV abciximab administration.
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Review Case Reports
QT interval prolongation and torsades de pointes in a patient undergoing treatment with vorinostat: a case report and review of the literature.
Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor used in the treatment of recurrent or persistent cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). A retrospective review of 116 patients from phase I and II clinical trials who had a baseline and at least one subsequent ECG revealed that four patients had Grade 2 and one patient had Grade 3 QTc interval prolongation; however, a MEDLINE search found no reported cases of torsades de pointes (TdP) in patients treated with vorinostat. We describe the case of a 49 year-old male with a history of CTCL actively undergoing treatment with vorinostat. ⋯ Other factors implicated in this case included concurrent sertraline and doxepin therapy (both drugs have been associated with the development of TdP in overdose). The mechanism of development of TdP in this patient is postulated to be related to vorinostat use in combination with hypokalemia and concomitant treatment with medications associated with QTc prolongation. This case highlights the importance of post-market surveillance.