Herzschrittmachertherapie & Elektrophysiologie
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Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol · Sep 2017
Case ReportsRight bundle branch block and anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction.
We report the case of an acute anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction with new left anterior fascicular block and pre-existing right bundle branch block. Due to a wide right bundle branch block, no ST segment elevation was visible in lead V1. ⋯ However, also the R' of the right bundle branch block became significantly shorter after revascularization, dismanteling a minor ST segment elevation. The ST elevation in lead V1 in anterior wall infarction and right bundle branch block may merge with the R' and cause a further QRS widening as an "equivalent" to the ST elevation.
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Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol · Mar 2017
Case ReportsWellens' syndrome can indicate high-grade LAD stenosis in case of left bundle branch block.
Diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in left bundle branch block (LBBB) is challenging. Modified Sgarbossa criteria are known to help detect AMI in LBBB. ⋯ A left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenosis was diagnosed and successfully treated. Wellens' syndrome can be diagnosed in a case of LBBB and help detect a high-grade LAD stenosis even if modified Sgarbossa criteria are not met.
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Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol · Jun 2005
Review[Resuscitation in ventricular fibrillation: what is essential?].
Prognosis of prehospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation is dependent on the first minutes, as survival decreases by 10% for each minute by which resuscitation attempts are delayed. Thus, early defibrillation plays a key role in improving outcome of cardiac arrest victims. ⋯ Whereas the use of intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs, particularly amiodarone, remains controversial, new data support the use of vasopressine instead of epinephrine as vasopressor drug in cardiac arrest patients. The present review aims to focus on the above mentioned aspects as well as on the changes to the present ILCOR guidelines which have led to modification of the resuscitation guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).
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Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol · Jun 2005
Review Comparative Study[Technical requirements for early defibrillation: what are the capabilities of automated external defibrillators].
Modern automated external defibrillators (AEDs) offer a variety of technical improvements which increase the efficacy of early defibrillation, facilitate the application by not or minimally trained persons and improve safety. The development of biphasic shocks allows better myocardial protection, the use of lithium batteries, and a marked decrease of AEDs, in size. Microprocessors realize complex acoustic and visual prompts which lead the user through all steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to current guidelines. ⋯ The ability to perform CPR after defibrillation guided by the AED depends primarily on the clarity of acoustic prompts which have to consider the terms and abbreviations of the respective language. Currently available AEDs surpass performance goals of the AHA. However, all devices exhibit advantages and disadvantages which will be discussed in this review.
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A number of trials have shown that irrespective of baseline QRS duration, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure are more common in patients with right ventricular (RV) than in those with biventricular (BiV) pacing. By contrast, preliminary results of the BIOPACE trial (follow-up 5.6 years) yielded a disappointing comparison of RV vs. BiV pacing. ⋯ Organizational guidelines recommend BiV pacing for bradycardia irrespective of QRS duration for patients with LVEF < 35 %. At this time, BiV pacing for antibradycardia therapy (irrespective of QRS duration) has to be individualized in the setting of a normal or decreased LVEF (> 35 %) and according to the expected percentage of RV pacing. The benefit of BiV pacing should be considered against procedural complications, which are more frequent than with traditional RV pacing.