Cardiol J
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Arrhythmias play a significant role in the mortality and morbidity as well as hospitalizations of patients who carry a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. With improving survival in a world of novel medications and devices, an understanding of the pathophysiology and management of these arrhythmias is crucial. ⋯ Anti-arrhythmic drugs and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators were also beneficial in selected patients. Innovative electrophysiological techniques need to be considered in special situations.
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Review Case Reports
QT interval prolongation and torsades de pointes in a patient undergoing treatment with vorinostat: a case report and review of the literature.
Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor used in the treatment of recurrent or persistent cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). A retrospective review of 116 patients from phase I and II clinical trials who had a baseline and at least one subsequent ECG revealed that four patients had Grade 2 and one patient had Grade 3 QTc interval prolongation; however, a MEDLINE search found no reported cases of torsades de pointes (TdP) in patients treated with vorinostat. We describe the case of a 49 year-old male with a history of CTCL actively undergoing treatment with vorinostat. ⋯ Other factors implicated in this case included concurrent sertraline and doxepin therapy (both drugs have been associated with the development of TdP in overdose). The mechanism of development of TdP in this patient is postulated to be related to vorinostat use in combination with hypokalemia and concomitant treatment with medications associated with QTc prolongation. This case highlights the importance of post-market surveillance.
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Review
Autonomic dysreflexia: an important cardiovascular complication in spinal cord injury patients.
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a life-threatening complication of spinal cord injury (SCI) at T6 or above that results in an uncontrolled sympathetic discharge in response to noxious stimuli. It is a symptom complex characterized by a lethal rise in blood pressure with dangerous consequences. Autonomic dysreflexia is often secondary to urological, gastrointestinal, or gynecological problems or manipulations. ⋯ Its management starts primarily with its prevention. Easy measures can avoid this high risk event, and physicians should be aware of the simple procedures and the possible treatment cascade that could be undertaken. The purpose of this systematic review is to review the clinical data on the mechanisms and pathophysiology of this condition and the clinical evidence about the various strategies currently used to prevent and manage AD in the SCI population; and to improve awareness of AD among cardiologists, family physicians and medical personnel in the emergency department.
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Negative emotional conditions contribute to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Depression and anxiety are prognostic factors in patients with CAD. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between emotional conditions and left ventricular (LV) systolic functions in CAD. ⋯ This study demonstrated that emotional status and DM are factors associated with impaired LV systolic function in patients with stable CAD.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
All-cause readmission and repeat revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the most frequently performed cardiac interventions. However, there is limited data regarding the cause of recurrent hospitalization and repeat revascularization. The aim of this study was to assess re-hospitalization and repeat revascularization within 30 days of the initial hospitalization for PCI, using data from Opolskie Voivodeship, National Health Fund (NHF) Registry. ⋯ Almost one in seven PCI patients requires readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge. Approximately 50% of all readmitted PCI patients resulted in a repeat revascularization procedure. PCI patients who were readmitted within 30 days of an index PCI procedure had a significantly higher all-cause 30-day mortality rate.