Comparison of 24 h ECG Holter Monitoring with Real-time Long-term ECG Monitoring System using ECGalert Software and Savvy Single-Lead Patch

AIM: The aim of the study was to show non-inferiority of the single-channel ECGalert system to the gold standard (ECG Holter) in the detection of arrhythmias over the total wear time of both devices. METHODS: A prospective study enrolled a total of 165 patients hospitalized at the University Clinic of Cardiology, who underwent simultaneous single-channel ECG recording with ECGAlert system and a conventional 24 h Holter monitor on the 1st day and continued ECGAlert monitoring for few more days, under assignment of the doctor or at the wish of the patient. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were included in the study, 61.2% male, mean age of 58.4 ± 12.7 years. Mean duration of ECG Holter monitoring was 23.2 ± 0.5 h and mean duration of ECGalert/Savvy monitoring was 64.6 ± 31.2. During the first 24 h of simultaneous ECG monitoring with both methods, no statistically significant difference was found in arrhythmia detection. Over the total wear time of both devices, the ECGalert system detected significantly more AF episodes as compared to Holter (p < 0.000). ECGalert demonstrated significantly lower detection rate of false pauses (0.001). However, false detection of episodes of VT or AF was significantly higher in ECGalert system versus Holter (p < 0.000 and p < 0.000 respectively). Patients were more satisfied with ECGalert system, due to lesser interference in daily activities. CONCLUSION: The ECGalert system demonstrated superiority over traditional Holter monitoring in arrhythmia detection in the total monitoring period, but not in the first 24 h

Recurrent myocardial infarction in a young football player with antithrombin III deficiency

Acute myocardial infarction is a rare condition in young athletes. One of the causes could be a hypercoagulable state due to congenital antithrombin III deficiency, together with a prothrombotic state soon after strenuous physical training. We present the case of myocardial reinfarction in young football player with antithrombin III deficiency, treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and drug eluting stent, as well as the functional repercussions of continuous intensive physical activity

Antiphospholipid Syndrome - A Case Report of Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Followed with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patient with Systemic Sclerosis

AIM: We are presenting an uncommon case of pulmonary embolism, followed with an acute myocardial infarction, in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A female 40 years of age was admitted with signs of pulmonary embolism, confirmed with CT scan, which also reviled a thrombus in the right ventricle. The patient had medical history of systemic sclerosis since the age of 16 years. She suffered an ischemic stroke 6 years ago, but she was not taking any anticoagulant or antithrombotic medications ever since. She received a treatment with thrombolytic therapy, and subsequent UFH, but, on the second day after receiving fibrinolysis, she felt chest pain accompanied with ECG changes consistent for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent coronary angiography was undertaken, which reviled cloths causing total occlusion in 4 blood vessels, followed with thromboaspiration, but without successful reperfusion. Several hours later the patient developed rapid deterioration with letal ending. During the very short hospital course, blood sampling reviled presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. CONCLUSION: The acquired antiphospholipid syndrome is common condition in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, but relatively rare in patients with systemic sclerosis. Never the less, we have to be aware of it when treating the patients with systemic sclerosis

Вентрикуларна фибрилација по ендоскопска ретроградна холангиопанкреатографија кај пациент со вграден уред за лево вентрикуларна асистенција – приказ на случај

Congestive heart failure is a growing global health problem. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a method used to extend the life of patients with congestive heart failure as a definitive treatment or to “bypass” the period until heart transplantation. Ventricular arrhythmias in patients with LVAD are not uncommon. The aim of this paper is to present the case of a patient with an already implanted LVAD and the need for appropriate interdisciplinary medical treatment. Case report: We present the case of a 54-year old patient, A. D., with implanted LVAD - HeartMate 3 due to severe congestive heart failure. The patient was admitted with jaundice at the PHIU Clinic for Gastroenterohepatology with performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)) procedure and a stent was placed in the choledochus duct. Immeasurable blood pressure and pulse were recorded in this patient. The ECG was approaching VF (ventricular fibrillation) and it was all asymptomatic by the patient.  LVAD mechanical pump leads to continuous blood flow, which means that patients with LVAD not infrequently have no pulse or measurable blood pressure. Also, in patients with LVAD, ECG pulses are with electrical disturbances. VF and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are ventricular arrhythmias that are often seen on ECG in patients with implanted LVAD. Usually these arrhythmias occur with unknown duration and terminate spontaneously. Conclusion: Patients with LVAD are prone to cardiac arrhythmias. The continuous development of medical devices leads to a continuous educational and clinical approach to patients.                                                                        Конгестивната срцева слабост е растечки глобален здравствен проблем. Уредот за лево вентрикуларна асистенција (LVAD) се користи за продолжување на животот на пациентите со конгестивна срцева слабост како дефинитивен третман или за премостување на периодот до трансплантација на срце. Вентрикуларните аритмии кај пациентите со LVAD не се невообичаени. Целта на овој труд е да се прикаже случајот на пациент со веќе вграден LVAD и потребата од соодветен интердисциплинарен медицински третман. Приказ на случај: Ви претставуваме случај на 54-годишен пациент, А. Д., со вграден LVAD - HeartMate 3 поради тешка конгестивна срцева слабост. Пациентот е примен со иктерус на ЈЗУ Клиниката за гастроентерохепатологија по што е извршена ендоскопска ретроградна холангиопанкреатографија (ERCP)) и е поставен стент во холедохусниот канал. Кај овој пациент е регистрирано немерлив крвен притисок и пулс. На ЕКГ е регистрирана VF вентрикуларна фибрилација (VF) и сето тоа беше асимптоматски од страна на пациентот. Механичката пумпа на LVAD води до континуиран проток на крв, што значи дека пациентите со LVAD не ретко немаат пулс или мерлив крвен притисок. Исто така, кај пациентите со LVAD, ЕКГ импулсите се со електрични нарушувања. VF и вентрикуларна тахикардија (VT) се вентрикуларни аритмии кои често се гледаат на ЕКГ кај пациентите со имплантиран LVAD. Најчесто овие аритмии се јавуваат со непознато времетраење и спонтано завршуваат. Заклучок: Пациентите со ЛВАД се склони кон срцеви аритмии. Континуираниот развој на медицинските помагала води кон континуиран едукативен и клинички пристап во третманот на пациентите

Nawracający zawał serca u młodego piłkarza z niedoborem antytrombiny III

Ostry zawał serca jest stosunkowo rzadko obserwowanym schorzeniem u młodych sportowców. Jedną z przyczyn rozwoju zawału serca w tej grupie chorych może być stan nadmiernej krzepliwości krwi wtórny do wrodzonego niedoboru antytrombiny III w połączeniu ze stanem prozakrzepowym, który pojawia się wkrótce po dużym wysiłku fizycznym. W niniejszej pracy opisano przypadek kliniczny kolejnego zawału serca u młodego piłkarza z niedoborem antytrombiny III, leczonego za pomocą pierwotnej przezskórnej angioplastyki wieńcowej połączonej z implantacją stentu uwalniającego lek oraz następczym funkcjonalnym ograniczeniem intensywności wysiłku fizycznego

Antiphospholipid Syndrome - A Case Report of Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Followed with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patient with Systemic Sclerosis

AIM: We are presenting an uncommon case of pulmonary embolism, followed with an acute myocardial infarction, in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A female 40 years of age was admitted with signs of pulmonary embolism, confirmed with CT scan, which also reviled a thrombus in the right ventricle. The patient had medical history of systemic sclerosis since the age of 16 years. She suffered an ischemic stroke 6 years ago, but she was not taking any anticoagulant or antithrombotic medications ever since. She received a treatment with thrombolytic therapy, and subsequent UFH, but, on the second day after receiving fibrinolysis, she felt chest pain accompanied with ECG changes consistent for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent coronary angiography was undertaken, which reviled cloths causing total occlusion in 4 blood vessels, followed with thromboaspiration, but without successful reperfusion. Several hours later the patient developed rapid deterioration with letal ending. During the very short hospital course, blood sampling reviled presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. CONCLUSION: The acquired antiphospholipid syndrome is common condition in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, but relatively rare in patients with systemic sclerosis. Never the less, we have to be aware of it when treating the patients with systemic sclerosis

RADIAL ARTERY ANOMALIES IN THE MACEDONIAN POPULATION DURING TRANSRADIAL ANGIOGRAPHY PROCEDURES

Objective: To assess the incidence of arterial anomalies of the radial artery in the Macedonian population registered during transradial access (TRA) angiography procedures in a large series of patients. Background: Transradial angiography (TRA) is now the recommended access for percutaneous coronary intervention, but technically is a more challenging approach for angiography procedures mostly due to the anatomic anomalies on the radial artery, which may influence the success rate of transradial angiographic procedures. Methods: All consecutive 19292 patients from our Center, in the period from March 2011 until December 2014 were examined. Preprocedural radial artery angiography was performed in all patients. Clinical and procedure characteristics, type and incidence of vascular anatomy variants and access site complications were analyzed. Results: Anatomical variants were present in 1625 (8.8%) patients. The most frequent was high-bifurcating radial artery origin from the axillary and brachial arteries in 1017(5.5%) patients, 227 (1.2%) had extreme radial artery tortuosity, 176(0.95%) had a full radial loop, 32(0.17%) with hypoplastic radial artery and 173(0.9%) had tortuous brachial, subclavian and axillary arteries. Radial artery spasm was very common in patients with present radial artery anomalies. Conclusion: Radial artery anomalies are very common in the general population. Knowing the anatomy of the radial artery helps the interventional cardiologist in successfully planning and performing this procedure. Radial artery angiography is strongly encouraged in every patient before the begining of the transradial angiography procedures