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Biomedical subjects

Haran Burri

Publications and source records attributed to Haran Burri.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Optimizing sequential biventricular pacing using radionuclide ventriculography.

BACKGROUND: Biventricular pacemakers are usually programmed with the default setting of synchronous biventricular pacing, although the ventricles may be paced sequentially. Whether this parameter is important for optimizing resynchronization therapy is not clear. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sequential pacing acutely improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and dyssynchrony and to assess the feasibility of nuclear ventriculography for device optimization. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients implanted with a biventricular pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for heart failure were studied. LVEF was measured using planar radionuclide ventriculography during simultaneous biventricular pacing and during sequential pacing at four different interventricular intervals ranging from LV-40 (preexciting the left ventricle by 40 ms) to LV+40 (preexciting the right ventricle). Interventricular and intraventricular dyssynchrony were analyzed by phase analysis at each setting. RESULTS: There was great heterogeneity in individual response to VV interval programming. Twenty-four of 27 patients (89%) had significant changes (both favorable and unfavorable) in LVEF at different interventricular delays, with variations of up to 10% in absolute terms. Simultaneous biventricular pacing yielded maximal LVEF in 9 of 27 patients (33%), with a relative increase in LVEF of 18 +/- 14% by optimized sequential pacing in the remaining patients. Interventricular dyssynchrony varied significantly, with least dyssynchrony at the LV-20 setting (P = .024). There were no significant differences in intraventricular dyssynchrony at the different settings. CONCLUSION: Programming VV intervals has considerable impact on LVEF. However, there is a great degree of variation between patients in response to these settings, requiring individual assessment for device optimization.

Aged↗

Technology insight: transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy.

Among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 5-10% have outflow tract obstruction that results in symptoms refractory to medical therapy. Surgical myectomy has been the gold standard for treating these patients since the 1960s. In the past 10 years, however, alcohol septal ablation has emerged as an alternative procedure. There is growing evidence to indicate that this technique is comparable to surgical myectomy with respect to hemodynamic and functional improvement, although no randomized comparative studies exist to date. The procedure consists of injecting as mall volume of alcohol into a septal perforator under balloon occlusion,preferably after localization of the target septal branch by myocardial contrast echocardiography. Relief of the gradient is instantaneous in about 90% of patients, and further decreases might occur over time. Functional class, exercise capacity and quality of life have been shown to be improved during follow-up. The main risk of the technique is atrioventricular block, which occurs in about 10% of patients. Because of this side-effect and a steep learning curve, the technique should be performed only by experienced operators and on carefully selected patients.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Prospective study of axillary vein puncture with or without contrast venography for pacemaker and defibrillator lead implantation.

Axillary vein puncture may be used to implant pacemaker (PM) or cardioverter defibrillator leads, though usually requires venography. We prospectively compared punctures guided by venography versus a new radiological landmark. In 232 patients, the puncture was guided by injecting diluted contrast material via an ipsilateral peripheral vein (group A, n = 142), or without venography using the intersection of the lateral borders of the second and third rib as a radiological landmark, followed by contrast injection in case of failure (group B, n = 90). We implantated 1-3 leads per patient. In group A, implantation was successful in 135 patients (95%) and in group B in 55 patients (61%, P < 0.001 vs group A). Subsequent contrast injection allowed successful implantations in 34 of 35 patients, with an success rate of 97% for the overall study population of 224 patients. Venous access was achieved after a mean of 10.4 +/- 3.2 minutes of skin incision in group A versus 9.4 +/- 3.0 minutes in group B (ns). Pneumothorax occurred in two patients (1% overall). Thus non-contrast guided puncture using a new radiological landmark was successful in a majority of patients. This technique may be useful in absence of ipsilateral peripheral vein access, or presence of contrast allergy.

Aged↗

Perioperative outcome and long-term survival of surgery for acute post-infarction mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors predictive of mortality in patients undergoing emergency mitral valve surgery in the setting of severe post-infarction regurgitation. METHODS: Patients admitted for an acute myocardial infarction who required urgent mitral valve surgery for severe regurgitation were studied. Factors predictive of outcome were analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients (mean 65+/-10 years, 37 males) were included. The infarct was inferior in 31 patients, posterior in 10, anterior in 9 and lateral in 5. Thirty-four patients (62%) were in Killip class IV. Peroperative findings confirmed total papillary muscle rupture in 25 patients (posteromedial in 21, anterolateral in 4), and partial rupture in 12 patients (posteromedial in 10, anterolateral in 2). Papillary muscle dysfunction without rupture was responsible for regurgitation in 18 patients (posteromedial in 15, anterolateral in 3). The mitral valve was replaced by a prosthesis in all but 4 patients, who had valvuloplasty. Coronary angiography was done in 32 patients, of whom 18 underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and 2 balloon angioplasty. Surgery was performed on average 7 days after infarction. Thirteen patients (24%) died during the perioperative period. Absence of coronary revascularisation was significantly associated with increased perioperative mortality (34% vs. 9%, P = 0.02). Of the 42 surviving patients, there were 5 deaths during a mean follow-up of 4.0+/-3.7 years. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute post-infarction mitral regurgitation, perioperative mortality is high, but can be improved with concomitant CABG in addition to valve surgery. Long-term outcome of survivors is favourable.

Acute Disease↗

Amiodarone versus placebo and class Ic drugs for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis compared amiodarone with placebo and class Ic drugs for the cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), defined as lasting less than seven days. BACKGROUND: Despite the lack of trials that support its efficacy convincingly, amiodarone is widely used for conversion of recent-onset AF. METHODS: We searched Medline and EMBASE databases, as well as the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register for randomized trials on recent-onset AF comparing amiodarone to placebo or class Ic drugs. Data were combined according to a fixed effect model. The primary end point was the rate of conversion at 24 h. To study time-dependency of the drugs, efficacy at 1 to 2 h, 3 to 5 h, 6 to 8 h, and at 24 h was analyzed. RESULTS: We found six studies randomizing amiodarone versus placebo (595 patients) and seven studies versus class Ic drugs (579 patients). There was no significant difference between amiodarone and placebo at 1 to 2 h, but significant efficacy was found after 6 to 8 h (relative risk [RR] 1.23, p = 0.022) and at 24 h (RR 1.44, p < 0.001). Efficacy with amiodarone was inferior to class Ic drugs for up to 8 h (RR 0.67, p < 0.001) but no difference was seen at 24 h (RR 0.95, p = 0.50). There were no major adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Amiodarone is superior to placebo for cardioversion of AF, and even though the onset of conversion is delayed, its efficacy is similar at 24 h compared with class Ic drugs. These results favor amiodarone as a reasonable alternative for patients with recent AF in whom class Ic and other, more rapidly acting antiarrhythmic drugs cannot be used.

Adult↗

QT dynamicity and sudden death after myocardial infarction: results of a long-term follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether impaired adaptation of the QT interval to changes in heart rate predicts sudden death after an acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Groupe d'Etude du Pronostic de l'Infarctus du Myocarde (GREPI) trial was a prospective multicenter study designed to evaluate the long-term outcome of myocardial infarction. QT dynamicity was evaluated in 265 patients by analyzing 24-hour Holter recordings obtained 9 to 14 days after myocardial infarction. The linear regression slope of QT intervals measured to the apex and to the end of the T wave (QTe) plotted against RR intervals was calculated using a dedicated Holter algorithm. The value of QT/RR in predicting sudden death and total mortality was compared with those of ejection fraction, heart rate variability, and late potentials. Mean follow-up was 81 +/- 27 months. There were 73 deaths, of which 23 were sudden. Of all the parameters, an increased diurnal QTe/RR slope (>0.18) was the strongest independent predictor of sudden death (relative risk 6.07, confidence interval 1.48-24.95, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Increased diurnal QTe dynamicity is independently predictive of sudden death among patients with myocardial infarction. This simple parameter may help to stratify risk and select patients who may benefit from antiarrhythmic prophylaxis.

Aged↗

Drainage of the inferior vena cava to the left atrium.

Drainage of the inferior vena cava to the left atrium is an extremely unusual congenital heart disease. We describe a 54-year-old woman, in whom the diagnosis was suggested by transthoracic echocardiography, and then confirmed by a transesophageal exam and magnetic resonance imaging, which also revealed an associated secundum atrial septal defect. Surgical management involved reconstruction of the interatrial septum to include the inferior vena cava in the right atrium. The few previously reported cases in the literature are reviewed.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Pharmacologic myocardial protection in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: a quantitative systematic review.

A number of drugs have been tested in clinical trials to decrease cardiac complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. To compare the results of these studies, we conducted a quantitative systematic review. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials that assessed myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, 30-day cardiac mortality, and adverse effects. Data were combined using a fixed-effect model and expressed as Peto odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and as numbers-needed-to-treat/harm (NNT/H). Twenty-one trials involving 3646 patients were included: 11 trials using beta-blockers (6 drugs; 866 patients), 6 clonidine or mivazerol (614 patients), 3 diltiazem or verapamil (121 patients), and 1 nitroglycerin (45 patients). All trials had an inactive control; there were no direct comparisons. beta-blockers decreased ischemic episodes during surgery (7.6% versus 20.2% with placebo; OR 0.32 [95% CI, 0.17-0.58]; NNT 8) and after surgery (15.2% versus 27.9% with control; OR 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26-0.81]; NNT 8). alpha(2)-agonists decreased ischemia during surgery only (19.4% versus 32.8%; OR 0.47 [95% CI, 0.33-0.68]; NNT 7). beta-blockers reduced the risk of myocardial infarction (0.9% versus 5.2%; OR 0.19 [95% CI, 0.08-0.48]; NNT 23) but only when 2 trials with high-risk patients were included. The effect of alpha(2)-agonists on myocardial infarction was not significant (6.1% versus 7.3%; OR 0.85 [95% CI, 0.62-1.14]). beta-blockers significantly decreased the risk of cardiac death from 3.9% to 0.8% (OR 0.25 [95% CI, 0.09-0.73], NNT 32). alpha(2)-agonists significantly decreased the risk of cardiac death from 2.3% to 1.1% (OR 0.50 [95% CI, 0.28-0.91], NNT 83). For calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin, evidence of any benefit was lacking. The most common adverse effect was bradycardia, which occurred in 24.5% of patients receiving a beta adrenergic blocker versus 9.1% of controls (OR 3.76 [95% CI, 2.45-5.77], NNH 6).

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Characterization of an Unusual Right Atrial Mass by Echocardiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, and Angiography.

A right atrial mass was discovered by echocardiography in a 53-year-old man. A work-up consisting of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography studies established the diagnosis of atrial lipoma. The echocardiographic features are compared with the radiological findings, and the characteristics permitting differentiation of lipoma from other causes of cardiac masses are discussed. In this case, echocardiography not only permitted the initial identification of the mass but also proved to be useful in follow-up of its evolution over time, thereby influencing the therapeutic management.

Journal Article↗