Cardiac resynchronization therapy in the presence of total atrioventricular block reduces long-lasting atrial fibrillation episodes

BACKGROUND There is an ongoing debate on how cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in the presence of total AV block affects atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and symptoms in patients with AF. METHODS Seventy-five patients with symptomatic, drug and ablation refractory AF received, irrespective of their left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), either a CRT device and underwent subsequent atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation or already had a total AV block and underwent CRT upgrade. Long-lasting AF episodes (>48 h), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left atrial diameter (LAD), NTproBNP levels, EHRA score, and NYHA class had been monitored on the follow-up. RESULTS The number of patients experiencing long-lasting AF episodes (>48 h) and symptoms decreased significantly within 24 months after CRT implantation in the presence of total AV block (p < .001) from 57 (76%) to 25 (33.3%). Mean LAD decreased from 52 mm (IQR 48.0-56.0) to 48 mm (IQR 42.0-52.0, p < .001) and LVEDD from 54 mm (IQR 49.0-58.0) to 51 mm (IQR 46.5-54.0, p < .001). CONCLUSION A combination of total AVN block and biventricular pacing markedly reduces long-lasting AF episodes, symptoms, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter

Clinical impact of repolarization changes in supine versus upright body position

Background: The impact of postural changes on various electrocardiography (ECG) characteristics has only been assessed in a few small studies. This large prospective trial was conducted to confirm or refute preliminary data and add important results with immediate impact on daily clinical practice. Methods: ECGs in supine and upright position from 1028 patients were analyzed. Evaluation was made according to changes in T-wave vector and direction, ST-segment deviation, heart rate, QT interval and QTc interval was performed. Findings were correlated with the medical history of patients. Results: Positional change from supine to upright resulted in a significantly increased heart rate (8.05 ± 7.71 bpm) and a significantly increased QTc interval after Bazetts (18 ± 23.45 ms) and Fridericas (8.84 ± 17.30) formula. In the upright position significantly more T-waves turned negative (14.7%) than positive (5.7%). ST elevation was recorded in only 0.4% and ST depression in not more than 0.2% of all patients. Conclusions: The majority of the patients do not show significant morphological changes in their ECG by changing the body position from supine to upright. Changes of QTc time instead, are significant and the interval might be overestimated in upright. Therefore assessment of the QTc interval should strictly be done in a supine position

CME-EKG 66/Antworten: Torsade de pointes: die Gefahr der rotierenden Herzachse

Die Torsade-de-pointes-Tachykardie ist eine maligne Herzrhythmusstörung, der eine Verlängerung des QT-Intervalls zugrunde liegt. Diese Verlängerung der QT-Zeit ist entweder angeboren oder erworben. Die erworbene Form wird meist durch medikamentöse Therapie verursacht. Die Torsade-de-pointes-Tachykardie ist durch einen stetigen Achsenwechsel und Undulation der QRS-Amplitude um die Grundlinie charakterisiert und meist selbstlimitierend. Dennoch kann sie in einigen Fällen auch in ein Kammerflimmern degenerieren und damit zum Herzkreislaufstillstand führen. Dieser Artikel soll einen Einblick in Ätiologie, Diagnostik, Prävention und Management dieser Herzrhythmusstörung geben. = CME ECG 66/Answers: Torsade de Pointes: The Danger of a Rotating Heart Axis Abstract. Torsade de pointes tachycardia is a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder, caused by prolongation of the QT interval resulting in triggered activity. This QT prolongation can be congenital or acquired. If acquired, it is mainly caused by pharmacological therapy. The hallmark of torsade de pointes is an undulating QRS axis with a twist of the QRS complex around the ECG's baseline. Often, this polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is self-limiting, but degeneration into ventricular fibrillation is possible, which makes torsade de pointes tachycardia dangerous. This article aims to provide insights into etiology, diagnostics, prevention and management of this heart rhythm disorder

CME-EKG 66: Torsade de pointes: die Gefahr der rotierenden Herzachse

CME ECC 66: Torsade de Pointes: The Danger of a Rotating Heart Axis Abstract. Torsade de pointes tachycardia is a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder, caused by prolongation of the QT-interval resulting in triggered activity. This QT-prolongation can be congenital or acquired. If acquired, it is mainly caused by pharmacological therapy. The hallmark of torsade de pointes is an undulating QRS axis with a twist of the QRS complex around the ECG's baseline. Often, this polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is self-limiting, but degeneration into ventricular fibrillation is possible, which makes torsade de pointes tachycardia dangerous. This article aims to provide insights into etiology, diagnostics, prevention and management of this heart rhythm disorder. Keywords: Heart rhythm disorders; Herzrhythmusstörungen; Long-QT; Torsade de pointes; ventricular tachycardia; ventrikuläre Tachykardie. Zusammenfassung. Die Torsade-de-pointes-Tachykardie ist eine maligne Herzrhythmusstörung, der eine Verlängerung des QT-Intervalls zugrunde liegt. Diese Verlängerung der QT-Zeit ist entweder angeboren oder erworben. Die erworbene Form wird meist durch medikamentöse Therapie verursacht. Die Torsade-de-pointes-Tachykardie ist durch einen stetigen Achsenwechsel und Undulation der QRS-Amplitude um die Grundlinie charakterisiert und meist selbstlimitierend. Dennoch kann sie in einigen Fällen auch in ein Kammerflimmern degenerieren und damit zum Herzkreislaufstillstand führen. Dieser Artikel soll einen Einblick in Ätiologie, Diagnostik, Prävention und Management dieser Herzrhythmusstörung geben. CME ECC 66: Torsade de Pointes: The Danger of a Rotating Heart Axi

Differenzialdiagnostische Aspekte von Herzbeschwerden: Wann Psychotherapeuten sich nicht mit einer psychologischen Ursache zufriedengeben sollten

Herzerkrankungen können sich mit vielfältigen körperlichen Beschwerden manifestieren. Diese Symptome können im Zusammenhang mit Stress oder einer psychischen Erkrankung auftreten, z. B. einer Angststörung. Allerdings helfen erst eine biopsychosoziale Anamnese und Kenntnisse zu den gängigen Krankheiten und Untersuchungen in der Kardiologie bei der Entscheidung weiter, ob Herzbeschwerden auf eine somatische Ursache abgeklärt werden sollten

CME-EKG 68/Antworten: Der Einfluss des Geschlechts bei Herzrhythmusstörungen

CME ECG 68/Answers: Gender Specificities in Heart Rhythm Disorders Abstract. Sex differences in heart rhythm disorders have been described, especially due to differences of hormone status in women and men. In general, women do have a higher baseline heart rate than men and shorter refractory periods of most structures in the conduction system, except the ventricles. This is particularly apparent in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. The incidence of a dual AV nodal physiology is the same in both sexes. However, an AV-nodal reentry tachycardia is much more frequent in women than in men. The embryonal disposition for an accessory pathway, as well as the resultant AV reentry tachycardia is more common in men than in women. Focal atrial tachycardias do not reveal a clear dominance between the sexes. Knowledge about sex-related differences in heart rhythm disorders are relevant for its diagnostics. Therefore, important aspects will be discussed in this article

Clinical impact of repolarization changes in supine versus upright body position

BACKGROUND The impact of postural changes on various electrocardiography (ECG) characteristics has only been assessed in a few small studies. This large prospective trial was conducted to confirm or refute preliminary data and add important results with immediate impact on daily clinical practice. METHODS ECGs in supine and upright position from 1028 patients were analyzed. Evaluation was made according to changes in T-wave vector and direction, ST-segment deviation, heart rate, QT interval and QTc interval was performed. Findings were correlated with the medical history of patients. RESULTS Positional change from supine to upright resulted in a significantly increased heart rate (8.05 ± 7.71 bpm) and a significantly increased QTc interval after Bazetts (18 ± 23.45 ms) and Fridericas (8.84 ± 17.30) formula. In the upright position significantly more T-waves turned negative (14.7%) than positive (5.7%). ST elevation was recorded in only 0.4% and ST depression in not more than 0.2% of all patients. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the patients do not show significant morphological changes in their ECG by changing the body position from supine to upright. Changes of QTc time instead, are significant and the interval might be overestimated in upright. Therefore assessment of the QTc interval should strictly be done in a supine position

Robot-assisted training early after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: To assess feasibility and safety of a robot-assisted gait therapy with the Lokomat® system in patients early after open heart surgery. METHODS: Within days after open heart surgery 10 patients were subjected to postoperative Lokomat® training (Intervention group, IG) whereas 20 patients served as controls undergoing standard postoperative physiotherapy (Control group, CG). All patients underwent six-minute walk test and evaluation of the muscular strength of the lower limbs by measuring quadriceps peak force. The primary safety end-point was freedom from any device-related wound healing disturbance. Patients underwent clinical follow-up after one month. RESULTS: Both training methods resulted in an improvement of walking distance (IG [median, interquartile range, p-value]: +119 m, 70-201 m, p = 0.005; CG: 105 m, 57-152.5m, p < 0.001) and quadriceps peak force (IG left: +5 N, 3.8 7 N, p = 0.005; IG right: +3.5 N, 1.5-8.8 N, p = 0.011; CG left: +5.5 N, 4-9 N, p < 0.001; CG right: +6 N, 4.3-9.8 N, p < 0.001) in all participants. Results with robot-assisted training were comparable to early postoperative standard in hospital training (median changes in walking distance in percent, p = 0.81; median changes in quadriceps peak force in percent, left: p = 0.97, right p = 0.61). No deep sternal wound infection or any adverse event occurred in the robot-assisted training group. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted gait therapy with the Lokomat® system is feasible and safe in patients early after median sternotomy. Results with robot-assisted training were comparable to standard in hospital training. An adapted and combined aerobic and resistance training intervention with augmented feedback may result in benefits in walking distance and lower limb muscle strength (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT 02146196)