Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
Burden of sudden cardiac death in persons aged 1 to 49 years: nationwide study in Denmark.
Knowledge of the burden and causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is sparse in persons aged<50 years; better understanding is needed to lower the risk of SCD. The aim of this study was to report SCD incidence rates and autopsy findings in persons aged 1 to 49 years. ⋯ In a nationwide cohort of persons aged<50 years, the annual incidence rate of SCD was ≈10× higher in persons aged 36 to 49 years than in persons aged 1 to 35 years. Notably, coronary artery disease was the most common cause of SCD, followed by unexplained deaths. These findings may help in developing strategies to prevent SCD in the future.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
T-cell-mediated inflammatory activity in the stellate ganglia of patients with ion-channel disease and severe ventricular arrhythmias.
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are electric diseases characterized by catecholamine-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Unbalanced autonomic innervation of the heart may trigger arrhythmic events and stellectomy is a treatment option for patients who are resistant to pharmacological drugs. We analyzed left stellectomy specimens of LQTS and CPVT patients for signs of inflammatory activity. ⋯ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity toward ganglion cells may boost adrenergic activity as to trigger or enhance electric instability in LQTS/CPVT patients who are already genetically predisposed to arrhythmias.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyEffects of sex on the incidence of cardiac tamponade after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: results from a worldwide survey in 34 943 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures.
Cardiac tamponade is the most dramatic complication observed during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and the leading cause of procedure-related mortality. Female sex is a known risk factor for complications during AF ablation; however, it is unknown whether women have a higher risk of tamponade. ⋯ Tamponade during AF ablation procedures is relatively rare. Women have an ≈2-fold higher risk for developing this complication. The risk of tamponade among women decreases substantially in high-volume centers. Surgical backup and acute management skills for treating tamponade are important in centers performing AF ablation.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
Net clinical benefit of warfarin therapy in elderly Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation.
Little is known about the net clinical benefit of warfarin therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. ⋯ In elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, warfarin therapy is associated with lower death and ischemic stroke and an overall net clinical benefit.