Masquerading Bundle-Branch Block—Electrophysiological Correlation

The term masquerading bundle-branch block has been used to describe a peculiar electrocardiographic abnormality in which the standard leads exhibit a left bundle-branch block pattern while the precordial leads manifest a right bundle-branch configuration. Autopsy studies of patients who have had this electrocardiographic pattern in life have shown diffuse conduction system disease, but direct recordings of conduction system function have never been reported. We recently cared for a man with masquerading bundle-branch block, and in this report we summarize the results of invasive electrophysiological testing. Our findings confirm that masquerading bundle-branch block can be associated with severe and diffuse conduction system disease, and that patients with this finding may require permanent pacemaker implantation, especially if they are symptomatic.     

心脏永久性起搏器术后上肢深静脉血栓形成的危险因素分析

目的 调查和分析心脏永久性起搏器置入术后患者发生上肢深静脉血栓形成的相关危险因素,为临床预防提供理论依据.方法 研究分析97例心脏永久性起搏器置入术后患者发生上肢深静脉血栓形成的危险因素,单因素分析采用x2检验,有统计学意义的因素代入多因素非条件logistic回归分析进行分析.结果 临时起搏器置入（OR=6.314）、房颤病史（OR=2.583）、感染（OR=8.368）、吸烟（OR=1.639）、心功能≥NYHAⅢ级（OR=1.972）为心脏永久性起搏器置入术后患者上肢深静脉血栓形成的危险因素.抗凝治疗（β=-1.761;OR=2.169）是心脏永久性起搏器置入术后患者上肢深静脉血栓形成的保护因素.结论 临时起搏器置入、房颤病史、感染、吸烟、心功能≥NYHAⅢ级是心脏永久性起搏器置入术后患者发生上肢深静脉血栓形成的独立危险因素.     

基于体表生理信号的呼吸功能监测仪研制

目的：研制一款基于体表心电、膈肌电和胸阻抗信号的呼吸功能监测仪原理样机,可在家庭、医疗急救等场合实现对呼吸功能的持续监测。方法：以STM32F411VET6单片机开发系统为平台,用一对Ag/AgCl电极作为高频激励信号的输出和心电、胸阻抗信号的检测电极,另一对Ag/AgCl电极作为膈肌电信号检测电极,两对电极同时检测心电、膈肌电和胸阻抗信号。系统硬件主要包括心电信号检测电路、胸阻抗信号检测电路、膈肌电信号检测电路、恒流源激励电路以及微控制器。系统采用12 V可充电锂电池供电,模拟信号通过单片机A/D转换成数字信号,通过SDIO接口存储于SD卡。在完成样机制作和性能测试之后,采集13例因呼吸功能障碍实施机械通气患者和13例健康成年人的信号,计算15个与呼吸功能相关的参数,比较机械通气患者与健康对照组参数之间的差异,验证了呼吸功能监测仪的可靠性。结果：样机采集信号的信噪比>10 dB、共模抑制比>80 dB,样机漏电流<30μA。机械通气患者的吸气时间、呼气时间、潮气量、胸阻抗峰峰值、胸阻抗1 s变化量、膈肌电低频功率、膈肌电高频功率、高频比低频、膈肌放电面积、膈肌放电时...     

基于光学体表监控和X射线透视影像的膈肌运动自动跟踪

目的:基于直线加速器的光学体表监控系统和X射线透视影像利用人工智能构建膈肌顶点运动的自动跟踪模型。方法:同步采集7例肝肿瘤患者胸腹部的光学体表运动信息和千伏级X射线透视影像,选取其中3例患者数据利用主成分分析与偏最小二乘回归结合的方法计算不同体表感兴趣区域与膈肌运动的相关系数,选择相关系数最大的体表感兴趣区域作为光学体表监控区。首先,使用全卷积网络模型自动识别透视图像中膈肌顶点的位置;再利用随机森林方法建立体表与膈肌顶点运动的关联模型,基于体表运动信息实时预测膈肌顶点运动轨迹;最后,把自动跟踪的膈肌顶点位置与放疗医生手动勾画位置进行对比,以评估模型精度。结果:3例患者的体表感兴趣区域与膈肌运动的平均相关系数在前后（AP）方向最高达到（0.73±0.01） mm,上下（SI）方向最高达到（0.88±0.01） mm。自动跟踪模型预测结果与手动勾画位置的平均绝对误差和均方根误差SI方向分别为（3.09±0.79） mm和（3.89±0.89） mm,AP方向分别为（1.42±0.43） mm和（1.78±0.46） mm。结论:体表呼吸运动与体内膈肌运动是相关的,在放疗过程中基于光学体表运动信息可以实时跟踪体内膈肌顶点运动,该技术可用于胸腹部肿瘤放疗期间膈肌附近肿瘤的实时及无创运动管理。     

Noise Mode Response at Peak Exercise in a DDD Pacemaker

The noise sampling period has been recognized as a cause of apparent sensing malfunction in demand pacemakers. Physiologic signals as well as external electromagnetic interference can cause certain demand pacemakers to remain refractory and escape asynchronously at a specified rate. In this case, noise mode reversion pacing at the programmed lower rate limit of a Cordis 415A DDD pacemaker was observed during exercise when P-waves fell within the noise sampling period.     

True Incidence of Pacemaker Syndrome

HELDMAN, D., ET AL.: True Incidence of Pacemaker Syndrome. Although the purported incidence of pacemaker syndrome according to the literature is only 5%–15%, this is based on a series of patients with VVI pacing. Increasing numbers of studies are being reported in which patients prefer the dual chamber mode despite little benefit being demonstrated on objective testing, suggesting that pacemaker syndrome may be more common than is generally reported. This study was designed to evaluate the reported symptoms in a series of patients programmed to both the VVI and one or more dual chamber modes. Forty unselected patients with dual chamber pacemakers were entered into a blind, randomized trial comparing the symptoms associated with VVI pacing to those associated with dual chamber pacing. Patients were randomized to either WI or dual chamber pacing. At the end of 1 week, questionnaires rating 16 different symptoms were completed. Blood pressure, LV function, presence of ventriculoatrial conduction, and ability to override the pacemaker were evaluated. The pacemaker was then programmed to the other mode. Overall, 12 of 16 symptoms were significantly worse in the VVI as compared to dual chamber mode. The most highly significant (p < 0.005) were shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, pulsations in the neck or abdomen, cough, and apprehension. Pacemaker syndrome was clinically recognized in 83% of patients paced in the WI mode with 65% of patients experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. There were no readily identified clinical, hemodynamic, or electrophysiological parameters that predicted which patients would develop pacemaker syndrome. Thus, when patients have an opportunity to experience both pacing modes in close proximity to one another, there is a high incidence of pacemaker syndrome in the VVI mode.     

Intrapatient Comparison Between Chronic VVIR and DDD Pacing 'In Patients Affected by High Degree AV Block Without Heart Failure

MENOZZI, C., ET AL.: Intrapatient Comparison Between Chronic VVIR and DDD Pacing in Patients Affected by High Degree AV Block Without Heart Failure. In patients affected by high degree AV block without preexisting congestive heart failure there is no definite demonstration that DDD pacing gives real clinical advantages in respect to VVIR pacing. We performed an intrapatient, long-term study between the two pacing modes in 14 high degree AV block patients, using the Medtronic Synergyst 7027 dual chamber pacemaker, who could be programmed alternatively in DDD or VVIR mode. After a 4-week run-in period following the pacemaker implant, patients completed a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study to compare the effect of 6-week period VVIR and DDD pacing on symptoms and cardiovascular parameters. A semiquantitative score scale was used to quantify the symptoms of general well-being, palpitations, dizziness, pulsating sensation in the neck or abdomen, shortness of breath at rest and during effort, chest pain, and NYHA classification. The sum of symptom scores was 10.4 ± 6.7 in VVIR period and 4.6 ± 2.7 in DDD period (p < 0.001); five patients (36%) crossed over early from VVIR to DDD because of intolerable symptoms; overall, eight patients preferred the DDD mode and no one preferred the VVIR. Cardiac output at rest (echo-Doppler method) was 4.7 ± 1.4 versus 5.7 ± 1.6 liter/min (p < 0.01), body weight was 65.9 ± 6.6 versus 64.9 ± 6.1 kg (p < 0.02), atrial natriuretic peptide was 236 ± 112 versus 198 ± 110 pg/mL (p < 0.01), respectively, during VVIR and DDD modes. Effort tolerance was similar with the two modes of pacing (68 ± 15 vs 70 ± 18 watt/min). In conclusion, hemodynamic advantages of atrial synchronization reflect a better quality of life for the patients even if an individual variability exists.     

Colonic Perforation Following Intraoperative Temporary Pacemaker Implantation

OZA, P.M., et al .: Colonic Perforation Following Intraoperative Temporary Pacemaker Implantation. This report describes the case of a 73-year-old man who was referred for consultation for increasing abdominal free air 1 week after he underwent surgery for aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting with intraoperative pacemaker implantation. Laparoscopic exploration revealed that the pacemaker wires had passed through the left transverse colon. Although no previous reports of colonic perforation due to pacemaker lead placement was found, this experience suggests that physicians should suspect this complication in patients with increasing free intraabdominal air and peritoneal signs who have recently undergone placement of a temporary cardiac pacing system. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:918–919)     

Synchronous Ventricular Pacing without Crossing the Tricuspid Valve or Entering the Coronary Sinus—Preliminary Results

Background: Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing promotes tricuspid regurgitation (TR), electromechanical dyssynchrony, and ventricular dysfunction. We tested a novel intramyocardial bipolar lead to assess whether stimulation of the atrioventricular septum (AVS) produces synchronous ventricular activation without crossing the tricuspid valve (TV). Methods: A lead with an active external helix and central pin was placed on the AVS and the RVA in three dogs. High‐density electroanatomic (EA) mapping was performed of both ventricles endocardially and epicardially. Intracardiac echocardiography was used to access ventricular synchrony. Results: The lead was successfully deployed into the AVS in all cases with consistent capture of the ventricular myocardium without atrial capture or sensing. The QRS duration was less with AVS compared with RVA pacing (89 ± 4 ms vs. 100 ± 11 ms [P < 0.0001, GEE P = 0.03]). There was decreased delay between color Doppler M‐mode visualized peak contraction of the septum and the mid left ventricular free wall with AVS compared with RVA pacing (89 ± 91 ms vs. 250 ± 11 ms [P < 0.0001, GEE P = 0.006]). Activation time between the mid septum and mid free wall was shorter with AVS versus RVA pacing (20.4 ± 7.7 vs. 30.8 ± 11.6 [P = 0.01, GEE P = 0.07]). The interval between QRS onset to earliest free wall activation was shorter with AVS vs. RVA pacing (19.2 ± 6.4 ms vs. 31.1 ± 11.7 ms [P = 0.005, GEE P = 0.02]). Conclusion: The AVS was successfully paced in three dogs resulting in synchronous ventricular activation without crossing the TV.