Artificial intelligence is able to read and interpret Ecg traces quickly and precisely, increasing the diagnostic capacity and offering the possibility of anticipating preventive therapies. However, ...there is no evidence on the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of certain practical applications. In fact, the literature shows the prognostic importance in favor of prevention, but clear evidence is not available that correcting strokes, embolisms, heart failure early improves quality and life span of patients.
Aims
Although patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB) are at high risk of developing atrio-ventricular block, syncope may be due to other aetiologies. We performed a prospective, ...observational study of the clinical outcomes of patients with syncope and BBB following a systematic diagnostic approach.
Methods and results
Patients with ≥1 syncope in the last 6 months, with QRS duration ≥120 ms, were prospectively studied following a three-phase diagnostic strategy: Phase I, initial evaluation; Phase II, electrophysiological study (EPS); and Phase III, insertion of an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Overall, 323 patients (left ventricular ejection fraction 56 ± 12%) were studied. The aetiological diagnosis was established in 267 (82.7%) patients (102 at initial evaluation, 113 upon EPS, and 52 upon ILR) with the following aetiologies: bradyarrhythmia (202), carotid sinus syndrome (20), ventricular tachycardia (18), neurally mediated (9), orthostatic hypotension (4), drug-induced (3), secondary to cardiopulmonary disease (2), supraventricular tachycardia (1), bradycardia-tachycardia (1), and non-arrhythmic (7). A pacemaker was implanted in 220 (68.1%), an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in 19 (5.8%), and radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed in 3 patients. Twenty patients (6%) had died at an average follow-up of 19.2 ± 8.2 months.
Conclusion
In patients with syncope, BBB, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 56 ± 12%, a systematic diagnostic approach achieves a high rate of aetiological diagnosis and allows to select specific treatment.
BACKGROUNDThe prognosis for heart failure (HF) patients remains poor, with a high mortality rate, and a marked reduction in quality of life (QOL) and functional status. This study aims to explore the ...ongoing needs of HF management and the epidemiology of patients followed by Italian HF clinics, with a specific focus on cardiac contractility modulation (CCM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSData from patients admitted to 14 HF outpatients clinics over 4 weeks were collected and compared to the results of a survey open to physicians involved in HF management operating in Italian centers. RESULTSOne hundred and five physicians took part in the survey. Despite 94% of patients receive a regular follow-up every 3-6 months, available therapies are considered insufficient in 30% of cases. Physicians reported a lack of treatment options for 23% of symptomatic patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and for 66% of those without reduced EF. Approximately 3% of HF population (two patients per month per HF clinic) meets the criteria for immediate CCM treatment, which is considered a useful option by 15% of survey respondents. CONCLUSIONSDespite this relatively small percentage, considering total HF population, CCM could potentially benefit numerous HF patients, particularly the elderly, by reducing hospitalizations, improving functional capacity and QOL.
: There is a growing interest in the study of the mechanisms of heart and brain interactions with the aim to improve the management of high-impact cardiac rhythm disorders, first of all atrial ...fibrillation. However, there are several topics to which the scientific interests of cardiologists and neurologists converge constituting the basis for enhancing the development of neuro-arrhythmology. This multidisciplinary field should cover a wide spectrum of diseases, even beyond the classical framework corresponding to stroke and atrial fibrillation and include the complex issues of seizures as well as loss of consciousness and syncope. The implications of a more focused interaction between neurologists and cardiologists in the field of neuro-arrhythmology should include in perspective the institution of research networks specifically devoted to investigate 'from bench to bedside' the complex pathophysiological links of the abovementioned diseases, with involvement of scientists in the field of biochemistry, genetics, molecular medicine, physiology, pathology and bioengineering. An investment in the field could have important implications in the perspectives of a more personalized approach to patients and diseases, in the context of 'precision'medicine. Large datasets and electronic medical records, with the approach typical of 'big data' could enhance the possibility of new findings with potentially important clinical implications. Finally, the interaction between neurologists and cardiologists involved in arrythmia management should have some organizational implications, with new models of healthcare delivery based on multidisciplinary assistance, similarly to that applied in the case of syncope units.
Left ventricular (LV) transmural repolarization gradient has been demonstrated in animal models with a longer endocardial action potential duration (APD) compared to the epicardial APD.
Background Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) indicates implantation of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) after myocardial infarction (MI). Since sudden ...cardiac death (SCD) also occurs without depressed EF, and the minority of ICD patients receive appropriate therapies, additional predictors are needed.
Aims
In the Multisensor Chronic Evaluation in Ambulatory Heart Failure Patients study, a novel algorithm for heart failure (HF) monitoring was implemented. The HeartLogic (Boston Scientific) index ...combines data from multiple implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)‐based sensors and has proved to be a sensitive and timely predictor of impending HF decompensation. The remote monitoring of HF patients by means of HeartLogic has never been described in clinical practice. We report post‐implantation data collected from sensors, the combined index, and their association with clinical events during follow‐up in a group of patients who received a HeartLogic‐enabled device in clinical practice.
Methods and results
Patients with ICD and cardiac resynchronization therapy ICD were remotely monitored. In December 2017, the HeartLogic feature was activated on the remote monitoring platform, and multiple ICD‐based sensor data collected since device implantation were made available: HeartLogic index, heart rate, heart sounds, thoracic impedance, respiration, and activity. Their association with clinical events was retrospectively analysed. Data from 58 patients were analysed. During a mean follow‐up of 5 ± 3 months, the HeartLogic index crossed the threshold value (set by default to 16) 24 times (over 24 person‐years, 0.99 alerts/patient‐year) in 16 patients. HeartLogic alerts preceded five HF hospitalizations and five unplanned in‐office visits for HF. Symptoms or signs of HF were also reported at the time of five scheduled visits. The median early warning time and the time spent in alert were longer in the case of hospitalizations than in the case of minor events of clinical deterioration of HF. HeartLogic contributing sensors detected changes in heart sound amplitude (increased third sound and decreased first sound) in all cases of alerts. Patients with HeartLogic alerts during the observation period had higher New York Heart Association class (P = 0.025) and lower ejection fraction (P = 0.016) at the time of activation.
Conclusions
Our retrospective analysis indicates that the HeartLogic algorithm might be useful to detect gradual worsening of HF and to stratify risk of HF decompensation.
Aims
Although an organizational model for syncope management facilities was proposed in the 2004 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), its implementation in clinical practice and ...its effectiveness are largely unknown.
Methods and results
This prospective study enrolled 941 consecutive patients referred to the Syncope Units of nine general hospitals from 15 March 2008 to 15 September 2008. A median of 15 patients per month were examined in each unit, but the five older units had a two-fold higher volume of activity than the four newer ones (instituted <1 year before): 23 vs. 12, P = 0.02. These figures give an estimated volume of 163 and 60 patients per 100 000 inhabitants per year, respectively. Referrals: 60% from out-of-hospital services, 11% immediate and 13% delayed referrals from the Emergency Department, and 16% hospitalized patients. A diagnosis was established on initial evaluation in 191 (21%) patients and early by means of 2.9 ± 1.6 tests in 541 (61%) patients. A likely reflex cause was established in 67%, orthostatic hypotension in 4%, cardiac in 6% and non-syncopal in 5% of the cases. The cause of syncope remained unexplained in 159 (18%) patients, despite a mean of 3.5 ± 1.8 tests per patient. These latter patients were older, more frequently had structural heart disease or electrocardiographic abnormalities, unpredictable onset of syncope due to the lack of prodromes, and higher OESIL and EGSIS risk scores than the other groups of patients. The mean costs of diagnostic evaluation was €209 per outpatient and €1073 per inpatient. The median cost of hospital stay was €2990 per patient.
Conclusion
We documented the current practice of syncope management in specialized facilities that have adopted the management model proposed by the ESC. The results are useful for those who wish to replicate this model in other hospitals. Syncope remains unexplained during in-hospital evaluation in more complex cases at higher risk.
We report a case of a 78-year-old woman admitted to hospital due to cardiac tamponade 3 months after surgical mitral valve repair. The patient developed an early left ventricular dysfunction after ...removal of the pericardial effusion, with complete recovery within 10 days. Transient ventricular dysfunction after pericardiocentesis is a very rare complication, we present a review of the different mechanisms suggested in the literature to explain the pathophysiology of this rare phenomenon.
BACKGROUND—Syncope in patients with bifascicular block (BFB) is a common event whose causes might be difficult to assess.
METHODS AND RESULTS—Prevention of syncope through permanent cardiac pacing in ...patients with bifascicular block (PRESS) is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blinded study designed to demonstrate a reduction in symptomatic events in patients with bifascicular block and syncope of undetermined origin implanted with permanent pacemaker. Device programming mode (NASPE/BPEG code) at DDD with a lower rate of 60 ppm is compared with backup pacing at DDI with a lower rate of 30 ppm. The end point consisted of (1) syncope, (2) symptomatic presyncopal episodes associated with a device intervention (ventricular pacing), and (3) symptomatic episodes associated with intermittent or permanent atrioventricular block (any degree). One hundred one patients were enrolled and randomized. Primary end point events at 2 years were observed in 23 patients, with a significant lower incidence in the study group (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.10–0.96; P=0.042). Reduction of any symptoms, associated or not with device intervention, was superior in DDD60 compared with DDI30 (hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.78; P=0.0053). Fourteen patients developed other rhythm diseases and met class I indication for pacing. The annual incidence of rhythm disease development was 7.4%.
CONCLUSIONS—In patients with bifascicular block and syncope of undetermined origin, the use of a dual chamber pacemaker programmed to DDD60 led to a significant reduction of syncope or symptomatic events associated with a cardioinhibitory origin, compared with DDI30 programming. Symptoms associated with a new onset of rhythm disease were found in 15% of the population at 2 years.
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