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Matsuki A, Kawasaki T, Kawamata H, Sakai C, Harimoto K, Kamitani T, Yamano M, Matoba S. Ventricular late potentials and myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Electrocardiol 2019; 58:87-91. [PMID: 31790854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Ventricular late potentials (VLPs) represent delayed conduction due in part to myocardial fibrosis. We sought to examine the relationship of signal-averaged electrocardiography findings with myocardial fibrosis as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHODS This study consisted of 41 HCM patients with sinus rhythm who had undergone risk assessment including CMR and signal-averaged electrocardiography such as VLPs, filtered QRS duration, low amplitude signal duration of the terminal filtered QRS below 40 μV (LAS), and root mean square voltage of the late 40 ms of the filtered QRS (RMS). The concordance rate between VLPs and myocardial fibrosis as assessed by CMR was examined. RESULTS Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR was detected in 13 patients, and VLPs were detected in 14. Filtered QRS duration, LAS, RMS, and VLPs were not associated with LGE. The results of LGE and VLPs were concordant in 26 patients, whereas 15 exhibited discordance. Patients with discordance had a higher maximum wall thickness (24.1 ± 4.0 mm versus 21.0 ± 5.9 mm, p < 0.05), higher LGE volume (2.3 ± 1.2 g/cm versus 0.0 ± 0.8 g/cm, p < 0.01), lower LGE volume/the total number of sites with LGE (1.5 ± 0.7 versus 3.1 ± 2.8, p < 0.01), and predominant LGE location of the interventricular septum and anterior wall (60% versus 8%, p < 0.01) than patients with concordance. CONCLUSION VLPs were not a reliable marker for the detection of myocardial fibrosis as assessed by LGE on CMR in our cohort of patients with HCM. CONDENSED ABSTRACT Ventricular late potentials on signal-averaged electrocardiography represent delayed conduction due in part to myocardial fibrosis but were not an alternative to cardiac magnetic resonance for detecting myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Matsuki
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kawasaki
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Kawamata
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chieko Sakai
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kuniyasu Harimoto
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadaaki Kamitani
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michiyo Yamano
- Department of Cardiology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Osaka, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoaki Matoba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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Pathak RK, Sanders P, Deo R. Primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and opportunities for sudden cardiac death risk assessment in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Eur Heart J 2019; 39:2859-2866. [PMID: 30020440 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for approximately one-third of all deaths among patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy has been the primary intervention for managing individuals at high risk for SCD. However, individual ICD trials in the NICM population have failed to demonstrate a mortality benefit with prophylactic ICD implantation. Current guidelines recommend ICD implantation in NICM patients with symptomatic heart failure and a left ventricular ≤35% and are based on meta-analyses of multiple trials that span three decades and include the recent Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients with Non-ischaemic Heart Failure on Mortality (DANISH) trial. These pooled analyses report a significant reduction in all-cause mortality with ICD implantation compared with medical therapy alone. In addition, each of these trials has demonstrated consistently a reduction in the risk of SCD compared with medical therapy alone. As a result, a refined approach of risk stratification that selects patients at the highest risk for SCD may lead to a significant improvement in ICD efficacy. In this clinical review, we first discuss the evolution of clinical trials that have evaluated ICDs in the NICM population. We then highlight some key markers of arrhythmia risk that hold promise in personalizing risk stratification for SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev K Pathak
- Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 9 Founders Pavilion, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rajat Deo
- Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 9 Founders Pavilion, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Kadowaki S, Watanabe T, Otaki Y, Narumi T, Honda Y, Takahashi H, Arimoto T, Shishido T, Miyamoto T, Kubota I. Combined assessment of myocardial damage and electrical disturbance in chronic heart failure. World J Cardiol 2017; 9:457-465. [PMID: 28603594 PMCID: PMC5442415 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i5.457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate feasibility of combined assessment of biochemical and electrophysiological myocardial impairment markers risk-stratifying patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
METHODS Serum levels of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) as a marker of ongoing myocardial damage and QRS duration on electrocardiogram were measured at admission in 322 consecutive patients with CHF. A prolonged QRS duration was defined as 120 ms or longer. The cut-off value for H-FABP level (4.5 ng/mL) was determined from a previous study. Patients were prospectively followed during a median follow up period of 534 d. The primary endpoint was cardiac deaths and rehospitalization for worsening CHF.
RESULTS There were 117 primary events, including 27 cardiac deaths and 90 rehospitalizations. Patients were stratified into four groups according to H-FABP level and QRS duration (≥ 120 ms). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high H-FABP levels [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.745, P = 0.021] and QRS prolongation (HR 1.612, P = 0.0258) were independent predictors of cardiac events. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the combination of high H-FABP levels and QRS prolongation could be used to reliably stratify patients at high risk for cardiac events (log rank test P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION Combined assessment of myocardial damage and electrical disturbance can be used to risk-stratify patients with CHF.
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Pezawas T, Diedrich A, Winker R, Robertson D, Richter B, Wang L, Byrne DW, Schmidinger H. Multiple autonomic and repolarization investigation of sudden cardiac death in dilated cardiomyopathy and controls. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2014; 7:1101-8. [PMID: 25262115 DOI: 10.1161/circep.114.001745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prophylactic defibrillator implantation is recommended in dilated, nonischemic heart disease and left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤0.30 to 0.35. Noninvasive testing should improve accuracy in decision making of prophylactic defibrillator implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS We enrolled 60 patients (median age, 57 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.50, and 30 control subjects (median age, 59 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction >0.50. The protocol included an initial assessment, a second assessment after 3 years, and a final follow-up: pharmacological baroreflex testing (baroreceptor reflex sensitivity), short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (low frequency/high frequency), and long-term time domain analysis (SD of all normal-to-normal R-R intervals), exercise microvolt T wave alternans, and signal-averaged ECG, and corrected QT-time. The median follow-up was 7 years. End points were cardiac death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and arrhythmic death. Cardiac death was observed in 21 patients. Resuscitated cardiac arrest and arrhythmic death caused by ventricular tachyarrhythmias ≥240 per minute was observed in 7 and 10 patients, respectively. In the single time point analysis, microvolt T wave alternans, baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, and SD of all normal-to-normal R-R intervals at initial testing added significant information regarding cardiac death. Microvolt T wave alternans added information on resuscitated cardiac arrest or arrhythmic death at multiple time points (P<0.001). False-negative microvolt T wave alternans results were seen in 8% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Noninvasive testing and left ventricular ejection fraction could not reliably identify patients with dilated cardiomyopathy at risk of fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Therefore, the strategy to confine prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation to patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and severely reduced LV function should be reconsidered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pezawas
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.).
| | - André Diedrich
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
| | - Robert Winker
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
| | - David Robertson
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
| | - Bernhard Richter
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
| | - Li Wang
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
| | - Daniel W Byrne
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
| | - Herwig Schmidinger
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (T.P., B.R., H.S.); Departments of Medicine (A.D.), and Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Neurology (D.R.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN; Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria (R.W.); and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (L.W., D.W.B.)
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Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global health issue. The unexpected nature of this devastating condition compounds the urgency of discovering methods for early detection of risk, which will lead to more effective prevention. However, the complex and dynamic nature of SCD continues to present a considerable challenge for the early identification of risk factors. Measurement of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is currently the only major risk factor used for stratification in clinical practice. Severely decreased LVEF is likely to manifest late in the natural history of SCD, however, and may only affect a small subgroup of patients who will suffer SCD. A growing body of literature describes novel risk markers and predictors of SCD, such as high-risk phenotypes, genetic variants and biomarkers. This Review will discuss the potential utility of these markers as early identifiers of risk, and suggests a framework for the conduct of future studies for the discovery, validation, and deployment of novel SCD risk factors.
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Tamaki S, Yamada T, Okuyama Y, Morita T, Sanada S, Tsukamoto Y, Masuda M, Okuda K, Iwasaki Y, Yasui T, Hori M, Fukunami M. Cardiac iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging predicts sudden cardiac death independently of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction: results from a comparative study with signal-averaged electrocardiogram, heart rate variability, and QT dispersion. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009; 53:426-35. [PMID: 19179201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2008] [Revised: 10/20/2008] [Accepted: 10/26/2008] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We prospectively compared the predictive value of cardiac iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging for sudden cardiac death (SCD) with that of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG), heart rate variability (HRV), and QT dispersion in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND Cardiac MIBG imaging predicts prognosis of CHF patients. However, the long-term predictive value of MIBG imaging for SCD in this population remains to be elucidated. METHODS At entry, cardiac MIBG imaging, SAECG, 24-h Holter monitoring, and standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) were performed in 106 consecutive stable CHF outpatients with a radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%. The cardiac MIBG washout rate (WR) was obtained from MIBG imaging. Furthermore, the time and frequency domain HRV parameters were calculated from 24-h Holter recordings, and QT dispersion was measured from the 12-lead ECG. RESULTS During a follow-up period of 65 +/- 31 months, 18 of 106 patients died suddenly. A multivariate Cox analysis revealed that WR and LVEF were significantly and independently associated with SCD, whereas the SAECG, HRV parameters, or QT dispersion were not. Patients with an abnormal WR (>27%) had a significantly higher risk of SCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 4.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.55 to 14.76). Even when confined to the patients with LVEF >35%, SCD was significantly more frequently observed in the patients with than without an abnormal WR (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Cardiac MIBG WR, but not SAECG, HRV, or QT dispersion, is a powerful predictor of SCD in patients with mild-to-moderate CHF, independently of LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Tamaki
- Division of Cardiology, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan.
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7
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Goldberger JJ, Cain ME, Hohnloser SH, Kadish AH, Knight BP, Lauer MS, Maron BJ, Page RL, Passman RS, Siscovick D, Stevenson WG, Zipes DP. American Heart Association/american College of Cardiology Foundation/heart Rhythm Society scientific statement on noninvasive risk stratification techniques for identifying patients at risk for sudden cardiac death: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology Committee on Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. Heart Rhythm 2009; 5:e1-21. [PMID: 18929319 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2008.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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8
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Goldberger JJ, Cain ME, Hohnloser SH, Kadish AH, Knight BP, Lauer MS, Maron BJ, Page RL, Passman RS, Siscovick D, Stevenson WG, Zipes DP. American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation/Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Statement on Noninvasive Risk Stratification Techniques for Identifying Patients at Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52:1179-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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9
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Somers VK, White DP, Amin R, Abraham WT, Costa F, Culebras A, Daniels S, Floras JS, Hunt CE, Olson LJ, Pickering TG, Russell R, Woo M, Young T. Sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: an American Heart Association/american College Of Cardiology Foundation Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research Professional Education Committee, Council on Clinical Cardiology, Stroke Council, and Council On Cardiovascular Nursing. In collaboration with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (National Institutes of Health). Circulation 2008; 118:1080-111. [PMID: 18725495 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.107.189375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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10
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Engel G, Beckerman JG, Froelicher VF, Yamazaki T, Chen HA, Richardson K, McAuley RJ, Ashley EA, Chun S, Wang PJ. Electrocardiographic arrhythmia risk testing. Curr Probl Cardiol 2004; 29:365-432. [PMID: 15192691 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2004.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the most compelling challenges facing cardiologists today is identification of which patients are at highest risk for sudden death. Automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are now indicated in many of these patients, yet the role of noninvasive risk stratification in classifying patients at high risk is not well defined. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the various electrocardiographic (ECG) techniques that appear to have potential in assessment of risk for arrhythmia. The resting ECG (premature ventricular contractions, QRS duration, damage scores, QT dispersion, and ST segment and T wave abnormalities), T wave alternans, late potentials identified on signal-averaged ECGs, and heart rate variability are explored. Unequivocal evidence to support the widespread use of any single noninvasive technique is lacking; further research in this area is needed. It is likely that a combination of risk evaluation techniques will have the greatest predictive power in enabling identification of patients most likely to benefit from device therapy.
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Stevenson WG, Epstein LM. Predicting sudden death risk for heart failure patients in the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator age. Circulation 2003; 107:514-6. [PMID: 12566358 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.0000053944.35059.fa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Cleland JGF, Chattopadhyay S, Khand A, Houghton T, Kaye GC. Prevalence and incidence of arrhythmias and sudden death in heart failure. Heart Fail Rev 2002; 7:229-42. [PMID: 12215728 DOI: 10.1023/a:1020024122726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Patients with heart failure are prone to a variety of arrhythmias, symptomatic and asymptomatic, that are prognostically significant and have an important bearing on the management of these patients. However there are some inherent problems in assessing the frequency of these arrhythmias within a large patient population, due to a lack of uniformity in defining heart failure and the transient nature of these rhythms. Patients with heart failure commonly die suddenly. The causes of these deaths are difficult to ascertain accurately and are often presumed arrhythmic. With the advent of effective interventions to prevent sudden death, accurately defining the causal relationship between the arrhythmias and sudden death has assumed great importance to appropriately target therapy. Several attempts have been made to predict such deaths on the basis of non-invasive and invasive diagnostic investigations with variable success. In this article we review the incidence and prevalence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden deaths in epidemiological studies, surveys and randomised control trials of patients with heart failure. We discuss the prognostic significance of these arrhythmias, the inherent problems in their diagnosis and whether their presence predicts the risk of sudden deaths and the mode of such deaths in the heart failure population. The role of various investigations in risk stratification of sudden death has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G F Cleland
- University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, Kingston-upon-Hull, HU16 5JQ.
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13
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Iuliano S, Fisher SG, Karasik PE, Fletcher RD, Singh SN. QRS duration and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure. Am Heart J 2002; 143:1085-91. [PMID: 12075267 DOI: 10.1067/mhj.2002.122516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES It has been suggested that prolongation of the QRS duration (>120 ms) is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between QRS duration and survival in patients with heart failure. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis to examine the association between QRS prolongation (> or =120 ms) and mortality. The study population included 669 patients with heart failure. Two groups, on the basis of baseline QRS duration <120 milliseconds or > or =120 milliseconds, were identified. The groups were compared with respect to total mortality and sudden death. Subgroups were also stratified by right bundle branch block and left bundle branch block, ejection fraction (EF) <30% and > or =30% to 40%, ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy, amiodarone and placebo. RESULTS Prolonged QRS was associated with a significant increase in mortality (49.3% vs 34.0%, P =.0001) and sudden death (24.8% vs 17.4%, P =.0004). Left bundle branch block was associated with worse survival (P =.006) but not sudden death. In patients with an EF <30%, QRS prolongation continued to be associated with a significant increase in mortality (51.6% vs 41.1%, P =.01) and sudden death (28.8% vs 21.1%, P =.02). In those with an EF of 30% to 40%, QRS prolongation was associated with a significant increase in mortality (42.7% vs 23.3%, P =.0036) but not in sudden death (13.3% vs 12.0%, P =.625). After adjustment for baseline variables, independent predictors of mortality were found to be prolongation of QRS (P =.0028, risk ratio 1.46) and depressed EF (P =.0001, risk ratio 0.965). Age, type of cardiomyopathy, and drug treatment group were not predictive of mortality. CONCLUSION QRS prolongation is an independent predictor of both increased total mortality and sudden death in patients with heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Iuliano
- Veterans Affairs and Georgetown University Medical Centers, Washington, DC 20422, USA
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14
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Carmona Salinas JR, Basterra Sola N. [Prevention of sudden death in patients awaiting heart transplantation]. Rev Esp Cardiol 2000; 53:736-45. [PMID: 10816177 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-8932(00)75147-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Sudden death, unexpectedly alters outcome in many patients awaiting heart transplantation. The prevention of sudden death in these patients has been the focus of intensive research to achieve a larger number of patients who finally receive transplants. Recent advances in the medical treatment of heart failure, have reduced mortality and in particular, that caused by sudden death. Nonetheless sudden death remains a frequent cause of mortality in patients awaiting cardiac transplantation. The recognition of patients at very high risk for sudden death is relatively easy, but most patients who suffer sudden death while awaiting cardiac transplantation, are not among those initially included in the overall high risk category. The betablockers, when patients are able to use them, can reduce sudden and total mortality. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs should not be used in patients with cardiac failure. Amiodarone does not increase mortality and may have a beneficial effect in some patients, but its efficacy is lower than that of the implantable defibrillator and its widespread use is not justified. The implantable defibrilator is the reference treatment to reduce sudden death in selected patients, awaiting transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Carmona Salinas
- Unidad de Arritmias, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital de Navarra, Pamplona.
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15
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Fauchier L, Babuty D, Cosnay P, Poret P, Rouesnel P, Fauchier JP. Long-term prognostic value of time domain analysis of signal-averaged electrocardiography in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol 2000; 85:618-23. [PMID: 11078277 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(99)00821-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). Time domain analysis of SAECG was assessed in 131 patients with angiographically confirmed IDC (age 52+/-12 years; 108 men; left ventricular ejection fraction 33+/-12%) using specific criteria in 44 patients with bundle branch block. Late potentials (LP) on SAECG were present in 27% of the patients. Patients with LP had a similar left ventricular ejection fraction and a similar left ventricular end-diastolic diameter than patients with a normal SAECG. With a follow-up of 54+/-41 months, 24 patients suffered cardiac death and 19 had major arrhythmic events (sudden death, resuscitated ventricular fibrillation, or sustained ventricular tachycardia). Patients with LP had an increased risk of all-cause cardiac death (RR 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 7.5, p = 0.004) and of arrhythmic events (RR 7.2, 95% confidence interval 2.6 to 19.4, p = 0.0001). Using multivariate analysis, only LP on SAECG (p = 0.001), reduced SD of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) (p = 0.002), increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (p = 0.005), and history of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia (p = 0.02) predicted cardiac death. A history of previous sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia (p = 0.0001), reduced SDNN (p = 0.003), and LP on SAECG (p = 0.006) were the only independent predictors of major arrhythmic events. Results were not altered when considering separately patients with or without bundle branch block, or after exclusion of patients with a history of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia. This study is one of the first to suggest that LP on SAECG is an independent predictor of all-cause cardiac death and is of high interest for arrhythmia risk stratification in IDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fauchier
- Service de Cardiologie B et Laboratoire d'electrophysiologie cardiaque, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France.
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Mäkijärvi M, Breithardt G, Reinhardt L, Fetsch T, Borggrefe M, Martinez-Rubio A. Signal-Averaged Electrocardiogram: Update 1997. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 1997. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1542-474x.1997.tb00204.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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