Cardiovascular Medicine

2 pages, 163 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Dreiländertreffen Herzinsuffizienz, 2.–4. Oktober 2014 in Bern

by René Lerch, Paul Mohacsi, Otmar Pfister, Hans Rickli and Thomas Suter

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 195; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00257 - 25 Jun 2014

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Das 14. D reiländertreffen Herzinsuffizienz findet vom 2.–4. Oktober 2014 im Auditorium Ettore Rossi des Inselspitals Bern statt [...] Full article

1 pages, 435 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Working on a Control Program for Rheumatic Heart Disease

by Maneesha Bhaya

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 193; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00250 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

The annual grant 2012 of the Swiss Society of Cardiology enabled me to receive practical training for research application of various modalities real time three-dimensional (RT 3D) echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle tracking (at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, Prof Navin Nanda) [...] [...] Read more.

The annual grant 2012 of the Swiss Society of Cardiology enabled me to receive practical training for research application of various modalities real time three-dimensional (RT 3D) echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle tracking (at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, Prof Navin Nanda) [...] Full article

2 pages, 429 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Fonds de Bourse de la Société Suisse de Cardiologie

by Andres Jaussi and François Mach

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 191; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00249 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

Depuis 2002, le comité de la Société Suisse de Cardiologie (SSC), sur préavis d’une commission ad hoc de trois de ses membres, alloue une subvention annuelle de l’ordre de CHF 10 000 à un ou plusieurs jeunes médecins [...] Full article

2 pages, 698 KB

Open AccessInteresting Images

ARVD with Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia Episodes

by Chrysanthi Margariti and Vassiliki Vlagouli

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 189; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00245 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

Case presentation An 80-year-old female Caucasian patient presented at the emergency room (ER) with dizziness and presyncope [...] Full article

3 pages, 668 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Inappropriate ICD Discharge Induced by Electrical Belt Stimulation for Muscle-Building

by Victorine Walter, Jean-Jacques Goy, Hélène Villeneuve and Denis Graf

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00253 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

We describe the case of a 57-year-old man who had received a biventricular ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) 2 years previously for malignant ventricular arrythmia and cardiac arrest in the setting of ischaemic heart disease. He experienced inappropriate ICD shock with the use of a [...] Read more.

We describe the case of a 57-year-old man who had received a biventricular ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) 2 years previously for malignant ventricular arrythmia and cardiac arrest in the setting of ischaemic heart disease. He experienced inappropriate ICD shock with the use of a belt stimulation for muscle building. Full article

6 pages, 498 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Development of Heart Failure Following Anterior Myocardial Infarction

by Costantina Manes, Sally Greaves, Marc A. Pfeffer, John D. Rutherford, Jean-Lucien Rouleau, Charles Hennekens and Scott D. Solomon

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 180; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00252 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

Background: Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing heart failure after myocardial infarction, particularly when left ventricular function is severely impaired. We aimed to investigate the influence of diabetes on the development of heart failure in a dynamically changing post-myocardial [...] Read more.

Background: Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing heart failure after myocardial infarction, particularly when left ventricular function is severely impaired. We aimed to investigate the influence of diabetes on the development of heart failure in a dynamically changing post-myocardial infarction population. Methods: In 272 patients enrolled in the Healing and Early Afterload Reducing Therapy (HEART) trial, left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and infarct segment length were assessed by echocardiography on day 1, day 14 and day 90. Echocardiographic measures, as well as clinical outcomes, were compared between diabetics and non-diabetics. Results: At presentation with myocardial infarction, diabetics (n = 56, 21%) demonstrated higher Killip class than non-diabetics (n = 216, 79%) despite similar infarct size. Changes in left ventricular size and function in the three months following infarction were similar in diabetics and non-diabetics. At one-year followup, diabetics demonstrated increased incidence of heart failure (29% versus 14%, p = 0.014) and total cardiovascular events (39% versus 19%, p = 0.002). Conclusions: The coexistence of diabetes enhances the risk for developing heart failure after myocardial infarction even in patients with mild left ventricular dysfunction or preserved ejection fraction. This risk is independent of infarct size, ejection fraction, or subsequent ventricular remodeling. Full article

9 pages, 839 KB

Open AccessReview

Katheterablation von Vorhofflimmern

by Laurent M. Haegeli

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 171; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00244 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

Updated appraisal of catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation. Catheter ablation is a cornerstone for management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Numerous prospective randomised trials have demonstrated the superiority of catheter ablation over antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with AF with regard to [...] Read more.

Updated appraisal of catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation. Catheter ablation is a cornerstone for management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Numerous prospective randomised trials have demonstrated the superiority of catheter ablation over antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with AF with regard to sinus rhythm maintenance and quality of life. This particularly applies to patients with paroxysmal AF and normal heart structure. For this patient population, the scientific community’s guidelines currently recommend catheter ablation following initial failure of antiarrhythmic drug therapy. While AF ablation can be considered for first-line therapy in a selected group of patients, it is worth noting that currently available ablation techniques are still complex and time-consuming. Moreover, these techniques also still present a risk of potentially fatal procedural-related complications, such as atrio-oesophageal fistula, stroke, or cardiac tamponade. Though rare, such complications must be taken into account for all treatment-related decisions of both patients and physicians. In recent years, significant and rapid progress has been made, with different kinds of novel ablation techniques becoming available. With the advent of radiofrequency energy ablation in the 1980s, no one would have predicted that, today, catheter ablation would be the most commonly used ablation method in atrial fibrillation management. Full article

4 pages, 456 KB

Open AccessReview

Atrial Fibrillation—European and Swiss Perspectives: Reflections on Epidemiology, Costs and Treatment Options

by Nikola Pavlovic, Christian Sticherling and Michael Kühne

Cardiovasc. Med. 2014, 17(6), 167; https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2014.00242 - 25 Jun 2014

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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in the general population and its prevalence is increasing as the population becomes older. It is related to an increase in the incidence of stroke, but also to an overall increased morbidity and mortality. Huge efforts [...] Read more.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in the general population and its prevalence is increasing as the population becomes older. It is related to an increase in the incidence of stroke, but also to an overall increased morbidity and mortality. Huge efforts are made by the medical community to try and reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation in the general population and to reduce the negative impact on morbidity and mortality. While some of these goals have been achieved with the use of drugs, namely anticoagulants, there is a plethora of unmet needs in patients with atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein isolation has emerged as a treatment option for selected patients with atrial fibrillation with a high aim of curing the arrhythmia. The treatment has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation but whether it impacts survival remains to be shown. The increase in atrial fibrillation prevalence as well as novel drugs and therapies increase the treatment costs of patients with atrial fibrillation. Increased treatment costs are reflected in higher healthcare expenditures in all European countries which are becoming a significant financial burden for health care systems. The economic burden of atrial fibrillation influences the availability of treatment options in some European countries. Full article

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Cardiovasc. Med., Volume 17, Issue 6 (06 2014) – 8 articles

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