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Biomedical subjects

E Lichstein

Publications and source records attributed to E Lichstein.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Characteristics of ventricular ectopic beats in patients with ventricular tachycardia. A 24-hour Holter monitor study.

A total of 99 consecutive 24-hour Holter recordings with ventricular tachycardia were reviewed. Ventricular premature beats which occurred alone, and ventricular premature beats which initiated ventricular tachycardia were examined to determine which characteristics correlated with occurrence of ventricular tachycardia and which predicted rate and duration of ventricular tachycardia. The preceding R-R interval, the coupling interval, and a ratio of the two were examined. We found that ventricular tachycardia rate and duration increase with a shorter coupling interval, and the coupling interval/preceding R-R ratio was significantly different in single beats not initiating ventricular tachycardia. The ratio for the beat initiating ventricular tachycardia was smaller, indicating more prematurity.

Aged↗

A-V block in accidental hypothermia.

His bundle electrocardiography was performed on a patient with accidental hypothermia on whom the standard electrocardiogram (ECG) showed absent P waves, prominent J waves and a slightly irregular rhythm. Sino-ventricular conduction and a prolonged AH interval not responsive to atropine were found. These abnormalities reversed with rewarming.

Action Potentials↗

Right bundle branch block with periods of alternating left anterior and left posterior hemiblock. Clinical evidence of incomplete fascicular block.

The case presented had an electrocardiographic pattern of complete right bundle branch block with alternating periods of left anterior hemiblock and left posterior hemiblock. During one of the periods of alternating hemiblock, an His bundle electrogram was recorded and the His Purkinje (H-V interval) conduction time was within normal limits. In a second episode of alternating hemoblock, periods of Mobitz type II second-degree A-V block were noted. It is postulated that this case provides clinical evidence that incomplete block of a fascicle may occur in spite of an electrocardiographic pattern of complete fascicular block. It is thought that the periods of alternating hemiblock result from a changing relationship between conduction velocity and refractory period.

Aged↗

Significance and treatment of nocturnal angina preceding myocardial infarction.

The presence of nocturnal angina and congestive heart failure within the month prior to admission was evaluated in the 174 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Heart size was evaluated radiographically at the time of admission. Twenty-three patients (13 per cent) experienced nocturnal angina. The incidence of nocturnal angina was significantly higher in those with anterior myocardial infarction (p less than 0.005) and subendocardial infarction (p less than 0.02) when compared with patients with inferior MI. Congestive heart failure was more common prior to admission in those with nocturnal angina (9/23) as opposed to those without (3/141) (p less than 0.001). Cardiomegaly was seen in 9/23 patients with nocturnal angina and 22/141 without (p less than 0.02). We conclude that the presence of nocturnal angina in those who develop MI increases the likelihood that the infarction will be either anterior or subendocardial rather than inferior. The association of nocturnal angina and congestive heart failure to anterior myocardial infarction is probably due to more severe and probably significant left coronary artery disease.

Acute Disease↗

Follow-up studies in patients with right bundle branch block and left anterior hemiblock: significance of H-V interval.

Thirty-eight patients with right bundle branch block and left anterior hemiblock who had undergone His bundle recordings were prospectively followed for development of heart block. Twenty-five were male and thirteen female. Their ages ranged from 35 to 92 with an average age of 74 years. The mean follow-up period was 28.5 months (range 2-52 months). The H-V interval was 55 msec or less in 17 patients (Group A), between 56 and 75 msec in 13 (Group B), and more than 75 msec in eight (Group C). Ten patients (26%) died during the follow-up period. Of these, three were in Group A (mortality rate 8% per year), three in Group B 10% per year), and four in Group C (21% per year). None of the deaths in Groups A and B were sudden, while one possible sudden death occurred in Group C. Mode of death in one patient each from Groups B and C remained unknown. Heart block was not seen in any patient from Group A and B, while two patients from Group C progressed to complete heart block during the follow-up period. It is concluded that patients with right bundle branch block and left anterior hemiblock with prolonged H-V intervals tend to show a higher mortality when compared to those with normal H-V intervals. A definite risk of heart block exists in patients with H-V intervals of more than 75 msec.

Adult↗

Diabetic treatment and primary ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction.

The relation between mode of therapy and mortality rate and incidence of primary ventricular fibrillation was studied in 265 patients with diabetes mellitus and acute myocardial infarction. Sixty patients were being treated with diet only, 54 were receiving insulin and 151 were taking oral hypoglycemic agents. Fourteen patients (5.3 percent) had primary ventricular fibrillation, and all but one died. No statistically significant association was found between the incidence of primary ventricular fibrillation and the type of treatment for diabetes mellitus. Sixty-four (24.2 percent) of the 265 patients died during hospitalization. Mortality was greater among diabetic patients receiving oral therapy. However, after adjusting for age and sex, the difference among these three treatment regimens did not reach the P less than 0.05 level of significance.

Age Factors↗

Chronic His bundle block. Clinical, electrocardiographic, electrophysiological, and follow-up studies on 16 patients.

This report describes 16 patients with block within the His bundle seen over a period of 55 months. Ten were women and 6 men, with an average age of 76 years, range, 42 to 98 years. All patients had His bundle recordings showing split His bundle potentials (H and H) (13 patients) or narrow QRS with block distal to the His bundle potential (3 patients). Of the 16 patients, 10 had complete heart block, 4 second degree AV block (2 patients with Mobitz type II, and 2 with 2:1), and 2 first degree AV block. Ten patients had a narrow QRS in the conducted beats or escape rhythms. Intravenous atropine (1 to 2 mg) had a variable effect on AV conduction and the rate of the escape rhythm. Twelve patients have had a permanent pacemaker implanted. During the follow-up period, 10 patients died 1 to 31 months from the time of initial examination. The remaining 6 patients (5 with pacemaker) are alive 3 to 58 months later.

Adult↗

Incidence and significance of left anterior hemiblock complicating acute inferior wall myocardial infarction.

The hospital course and serial vectorcardiograms of 56 consecutive patients with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction were reviewed. Left anterior hemiblock (LAH) complicating inferior wall myocardial infarction was diagnosed by vectorcardiographic criteria. Seven patients (12.5%) developed LAH between the first and third hospital day, while 49 patients did not. There was no significant difference between these two groups when compared for age, sex, incidence of congestive heart failure, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular (A-V) block, hospital mortality, and previous hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and myocardial infarction. We conclude that LAH is a relatively common complication of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, with no apparent effect on the clinical course.

Acute Disease↗

The natural history of trifascicular disease following permanent pacemaker implantation. Significance of continuing changes in atrioventricular conduction.

Seventy-two patients with trifasicular disease were followed for an average of 40 months following permanent pacemaker insertion. The indications for pacemaker insertion were either electrocardiographic evidence of complete heart block with a wide QRS escape complex or a pattern of bifasicular block with either periods of Mobitz type II atrioventricular (A-V) block or a documented history of syncope. The patients were then divided into three groups depending on subsequent change in A-V conduction. There were 31 (43%) patients with no change in A-V conduction, 17 (24%) with increasing A-V block, and 24 (33%) with decreasing A-V block. The characteristics of these three groups, including age and sex distribution, were compared and found to be similar. The incidence of previous transmural myocardial infarction as determined by electrocardiographic criteria was higher in the group with decreasing block. Survival curves showed a significantly decreased probablity of surviving for those with decreasing block compared to both those with increasing block and those with no charge in conduction (P less than 0.03). We conclude that the probability of long-term survival was less in the group with decreasing block. This finding may be related to the greater prevalence of coronary heart disease in the patients.

Aged↗

Heart block complicating acute inferior wall myocardial infarction.

Heart block was noted in 60 (35 complete and 25 second-degree) of 410 patients with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. This group with heart block was compared to a control group of 30 patients with acute inferior wall infarction without heart block. The incidences of prior myocardial infarction and hypertension, in addition to the highest level of serum creatine phosphokinase and a maximum degree of ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads, were all greater in patients with heart block, as compared to the controls. The incidences of various complications, including dizziness and syncope, transient hypotension, cardiogenic shock, and congestive heart failure, were also higher in the group with heart block, while sinus nodal distrubances and atrial arrhythmias occurred with equal frequency. The mortality in those with heart block was 28 percent compared to 13 percent for the control. It is concluded that patients with heart block complicating acute inferior myocardial infarction have a greater amount of myocardial necrosis, a higher incidence of complications, and a higher mortality. Insertion of a temporary pacemaker should be considered when specific indications are present and not routinely.

Acute Disease↗