Atrial fibrillation recurrence prevention after electrical cardioversion in high-risk patients – benefits of non-antiarrhythmic drugs

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Kokina et al.Background: Recurrence prevention after Atrial Fibrillation (AF) termination by Eelectrical Cardioversion (ECV) remains challenging. Increasing attention is paid to pathophysiological effects of non-Antiarrhythmic Drugs (non-AADs), nevertheless, with heterogeneous results. Objective: We evaluated the potential benefits of different non-AADs as adjunctive therapy to Antiarrhythmic Drugs (AADs) for AF recurrence prevention after sinus rhythm restoration by ECV in high-risk patients. Methods: The study was conducted among high-risk AF patients after successful ECV. Prescription of class IC or class III AAD was required. Data were acquired in a face-to-face baseline interview and 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-month follow-up interviews. Results: 113 patients were included. Total AF recurrence rate reached 48.7%. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) intake, compared with non-use, demonstrated AF recurrence rate reduction by 8.5% (46.3 vs. 54.8%), with odds ratio (OR) reduced by 28.9% (OR 0.711, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.310-1.631, p = 0.420). Among mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) users, AF recurrence rate was reduced by 25.1% (29.6 vs. 54.7%) and OR by 65.1% (OR 0.349, 95%CI 0.138-0.884, p = 0.023). Present statin therapy reduced AF recurrence rate by 4.2% (46.8 vs. 51.0%) and OR by 15.5% (OR 0.845, 95%CI 0.402-1.774, p = 0.656). Diuretic use showed reduction of AF recurrence rate by 10.2% (41.7 vs. 51.9%) and OR by 33.9% (OR 0.661, 95%CI 0.297-1.469, p = 0.308). Conclusion: Non-AADs demonstrated practical benefits as adjunctive therapy to AADs for AF recurrence prevention after ECV in high-risk patients, with statistically significant results established for concomitant MRA intake.publishersversionPeer reviewe

History of the Development of Automated External Defibrillators

This chapter is structured as a historical overview of the history of the development of defibrillators and the most prominent personalities who contributed to the development of the modern concept of resuscitation. Defibrillators in medical practice can be external or implanted. The devices, known as automated external defibrillators, automate the diagnosis of a patient’s rhythm and the process of stopping arrhythmias, meaning they can be used successfully by nonspecialists. In Europe, 350,000–700,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest every year. On average, it is 55–113 per 100,000 people. Most of these people are usually at home, but about 10–20% of victims are in a public place at the time. Defibrillation within 3–5 minutes of cardiac arrest can increase survival by 50–70%. For every minute that defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival decreases by 10–12%. A significant contribution to the development of the defibrillation concept was made by Peter Kristians Abildgård, Albert Salisbury Hyman, William Bennett Couwenhoven, Paul Morris Zoll, James Francis Pantridge, and many others. Clinical studies confirm that public access defibrillators (PADs), when available and used correctly during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, were associated with a 40% median survival rate

Decrease in annual incidence of acute coronary syndrome and restructuring of coronary care in Latvia

Funding Information: No financial support was provided for the conduct of the research and the preparation of this article. Copyright: Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Introduction Improvement in coronary heart disease prevention and treatment, as well as availability of coronary care facilities, is important for the reduction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) incidence. Centralized acute coronary care system is crucial to provide optimal hospitalization and management algorithm for ACS patients. Aim The aim of the current report was to assess the annual incidence of ACS and the quality of acute coronary care in Latvia. Methods The Data from The Latvian Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes were analyzed covering the time period from 2005 to 2010. Results Since the year 2005 the annual incidence of hospitalization due to ACS decreased significantly in Latvia. The annual incidence of non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) decreased from 8019 to 4613 in absolute numbers based on the registry data during six years. Improvement in the use of guidelines based therapy and early invasive strategy in ACS patients was observed. Increase in primary percutaneous coronary intervention was achieved from 7.9% in 2005 to 57.0% in 2010, contributing to reduction in the proportion of STEMI patients without any reperfusion (from 45% in 2005 to 21% in 2010). Conclusions The annual incidence of hospitalized ACS, especially NSTE-ACS, decreased and guidelines based management of ACS improved from 2005 to 2010 in Latvia.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Lead-related infective endocarditis in latvia : A single centre experience

Publisher Copyright: © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Copyright: Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background and Objectives: Over the last five decades cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) have become established as the mainstay for the treatment of permanent bradycardias, chronic heart failure and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. These devices improve survival and quality of life in many patients. However, infections associated with CIED implantation, particularly lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE), can offset all benefits and make more harm than good for the patient. To date, there are no other studies in Latvia, addressing patients with lead-related infective endocarditis. The objective of this study was to identify the most common pathogens associated with LRIE and their antimicrobial resistance and to identify possible risk factors of patients who present with LRIE. Materials and Methods: The study was performed retrospectively at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital (PSCUH). The study included patients who were referred to PSCUH due to LRIE for lead extraction. Patients were identified from procedural journals. Information about isolated microorganisms, patient comorbidities and visual diagnostics data was taken from patient records. Results: Forty-nine patients with CIED related infective endocarditis were included in the study, 34 (69.4%) were male, median age of all patients was 65.0 (50.5–73.0) years, median hospital stay was 15.5 (22.0–30.5) days. Successful and complete lead extraction was achieved in all patients. Thirty-two (65.3%) had received antibiotics prior to blood sample. Only in 31 (63.3%) positive culture results were seen. The most common isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (23.5%). Other bacteria were isolated considerably less often. The atrial lead was most common location for lead vegetations, seen in 50.0% of cases. Five (10.2%) patients have died due to the disease. Conclusions: Lead-related infective endocarditis is a major complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices with considerable morbidity and mortality, which in our study was as high as 10.2%.Peer reviewe

Reperfusion therapy for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction 2010/2011: current status in 37 ESC countries

Aims Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to evaluate the contemporary status on the use and type of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. Methods and results A cross-sectional descriptive study based on aggregated country-level data on the use of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI during 2010 or 2011. Thirty-seven ESC countries were able to provide data from existing national or regional registries. In countries where no such registries exist, data were based on best expert estimates. Data were collected on the use of STEMI reperfusion treatment and mortality, the numbers of cardiologists, and the availability of PPCI facilities in each country. Our survey provides a brief data summary of the degree of variation in reperfusion therapy across Europe. The number of PPCI procedures varied between countries, ranging from 23 to 884 per million inhabitants. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis were the dominant reperfusion strategy in 33 and 4 countries, respectively. The mean population served by a single PPCI centre with a 24-h service 7 days a week ranged from 31 300 inhabitants per centre to 6 533 000 inhabitants per centre. Twenty-seven of the total 37 countries participated in a former survey from 2007, and major increases in PPCI utilization were observed in 13 of these countries. Conclusion Large variations in reperfusion treatment are still present across Europe. Countries in Eastern and Southern Europe reported that a substantial number of STEMI patients are not receiving any reperfusion therapy. Implementation of the best reperfusion therapy as recommended in the guidelines should be encourage

Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy in Diagnostics of Myocarditis

Endomyocardial biopsy as the cornerstone of diagnostics has been re-evaluated throughout the years, leaving unanswered questions on the precedence of it. The reported incidence of myocarditis has increased during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reinforcing discussions on appropriate diagnostics of myocarditis. By analysis of evidence-based literature published within the last demi-decade, we aimed to summarize the most recent information in order to evaluate the current role of endomyocardial biopsy in diagnostics and management of myocarditis. For the most part, research published over the last five years showed ongoing uncertainty regarding the use, informativeness, safety and necessity of performing a biopsy. Special circumstances, such as fulminant clinical course or failure to respond to empirical treatment, were reconfirmed as justified indications, with a growing applicability of non-invasive diagnostic approaches for most other cases. We concluded that endomyocardial biopsy, if performed properly and with adjunct diagnostic methods, holds a critical role for treatment correction in specific histological subtypes of myocarditis and for differential diagnosis between immune-mediated myocarditis and secondary infections due to immunosuppressive treatment. A high level of possible misdiagnosing was detected, indicating the need to review terminology used to describe findings of myocardial inflammation that did not meet Dallas criteria

2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European respiratory society (ERS) : The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

Guidelines summarize and evaluate available evidence with the aim of assisting health professionals in proposing the best management strategies for an individual patient with a given condition. Guidelines and their recommendations should facilitate decision making of health professionals in their daily practice. However, the final decisions concerning an individual patient must be made by the responsible health professional(s) in consultation with the patient and caregiver as appropriate

2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS).

Guidelines summarize and evaluate available evidence with the aim of assisting health professionals in proposing the best management strategies for an individual patient with a given condition. Guidelines and their recommendations should facilitate decision making of health professionals in their daily practice. However, the final decisions concerning an individual patient must be made by the responsible health professional(s) in consultation with the patient and caregiver as appropriate

2019 ESC guidelines for the dignosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the european respiratory society (ERS)

Guidelines summarize and evaluate available evidence with the aim of assisting health professionals in proposing the best management strategies for an individual patient with a given condition. Guidelines and their recommendations should facilitate decision making of health professionals in their daily practice. However, the final decisions concerning an individual patient must be made by the responsible health professional(s) in consultation with the patient and caregiver as appropriate