Ventricular and Atrial Defibrillation Using New Transvenous Tripolar and Bipolar Leads with 5 French Electrodes and 8 French Subcutaneous Catheters

This study evaluated the use of new small fransvenous atrial and ventricular leads for converting atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in 10 adult male mongrel dogs. Five dogs (group A) received a right atrial "J" (AJ) and right ventricular (RV) active fixation tripolar lead, each consisting of a platinized platinum pacing tip, anode band, and braided defibrillalion electrode. The remaining five dogs (group B) received one bipolar R V lead and one tripolar AJ lead. The RV leads were implanted in the right ventricular upex (RVA) and the AJ leads were placed in the atrial appendage. Additionally all dogs received two 8 French subcutaneous defibrillulion catheters in the fifth and seventh intercostal spaces. Twenty asymmetric biphasic shocks consisting of five randomized voltage levels were used to convert VF in groups A and B. The bipolar RV lead (group B) had a significantly higher probability of success in converting VF than the tripolar RV lend (group A). In group A defibrillation thresholds for converting AF were obtained using two electrode configurations. No significant difference was observed between the two electrode configurations used to convert AF. Pacing and sensing thresholds were satisfactory for bipolar and tripolar lead configuration.     

An Experimental Device for Low-Energy, Precise Ablation of AV Conduction

A combination suction catheter-bipolar lead system permits precise ablation of AV conduction with low energy. The electrode is positioned to maximize the bipolar His potential, then to maximize the HP between the lip and a surface electrode. With the tip held in place by 100–200 mmHg of suction, this site is paced. If the St-V interval is short and the ventricular morphology is similar to a sinus beat, a shock of 10 or 20 J is delivered. If complete heart block does not result, additional shocks are delivered. The device was used in eight dogs. When the St-V was close to the unpaced H-V interval, a shock of 20 J always produced permanent CHB. In contrast, an initial shock of 10 J always failed, and more shocks of up to 30 J were required to produce CHB which, even then, did not always persist. At 60 days the hearts were healed with a round, white, dense scar of about 2 mm in diameter just above the leaflet of the tricuspid valve. This device can produce permanent dissociation of the atria and ventricles with a shock of 20 J. It also enables precise positioning of the electrode.     

The Ventricular Depolarization Gradient: Effects of Exercise, Pacing Rate, Epinephrine, and Intrinsic Heart Rate Control on the Right Ventricular Evoked Response

A new pacing technique is described that permits high fidelity recording of the paced ventricular evoked response, including cardiac depolarization. Integration of the paced R wave yields the ventricular depolarization gradient (G_D), which is dependent on activation sequence and the spatial dispersion of activation times. G_Dwas studied in 27 dogs to determine the ejects of treadmill exercise at fixed rate pacing (n = 10), elevation of heart rate in the absence of stress (n = 20), epinephrine at fixed rate (n = 6), and exercise in the presence of normal chronotrophic response (n = 7). Low level exercise (1 mph, 2 min, 15°) at a fixed heart rate produced significant (P < 0.0005) decreases in G_Dthat averaged —-10.8 ± 4.0% (mean ± SD). The rate of change in G_Dwas faster at the onset of exercise than at its cessation (P < 0.0005). Artificial elevation of heart rate at rest produced significant (P < 0.0005) increases in G_D; mean sensitivity of G_Dto rote was 0.27 ± 0.12%/beats/min. Intravenous injection of epinephrine produced significant (P < 0.001) decreases in G_D at two dosage levels (2.5 and 5.0 μg/kg) when evaluated at two baseline pacing rates (150 and 190 beats/min); mean changes in G_Dwere –20.64 ± 0.53% (2.5 μ/kg at 150 beats/min), –25.19 ± 4.20% (5.0 μ/kg at 150 beats/min), –14.18 ± 5.19% (2.5 μ/kg at 190 beats/min), and –24.22 ± 4.94% (5.0 μ/kg at 190 beats/min). Sensitivity of G_Dto epinephrine was dose-dependent (P < 0.01) at each baseline rate, but was independent (P > 0.05) of the rate itself. In the presence of a normal chronotropic response. G_D remained unchanged (P > 0.5) during exercise in spite of significant elevation in heart rate (105.0 to 167.1 beats/min, P < 0.001). These data suggest the presence of an intrinsic negative-feedback control mechanism that maintains G_Dconstant in the healthy heart during homeostatic disturbance. Applications in closed-loop rate adaptive pacing are described.     

Electroanatomic Mapping to Identify Breakthrough Sites in Recurrent Typical Human Flutter

SRA, J., et al. : Electroanatomic Mapping to Identify Breakthrough Sites in Recurrent Typical Human Flutter. The accuracy of conventional techniques in localizing previous radiofrequency (RF) ablation sites and thus breakthrough sites of recurrent atrial flutter is somewhat limited. We investigated the role of electroanatomic mapping for identifying breakthrough sites or "gaps" at the tricuspid annulus and inferior vena cava (IVC)/eustachian ridge isthmus to help RF ablation in patients with recurrent typical flutter. Twelve patients (  8 men, 4 women, age 63 ± 10 years  ) with recurrent typical atrial flutter were included in the study. An electroanatomic mapping system (CARTO) was used to create a voltage map and activation and propagation patterns in the right atrium. Detailed voltage, activation, and propagation mapping of the tricuspid annulus and IVC/eustachian ridge isthmus allowed precise identification of gaps in all 12 patients at the tricuspid annulus (eight sites), IVC ridges (two sites), mid-isthmus region (one site), and tricuspid annulus and IVC ridges (one site). Radiofrequency energy directed at these sites eliminated atrial flutter in all 12 patients, confirmed by noninducibility of atrial flutter and demonstration of conduction block during atrial pacing on either side of the lesion lines. During a mean follow-up of  14.8 ± 3.5 months  (  range 8–19 months  ), paroxysmal atrial flutter recurred in only one patient and was subsequently treated with amiodarone, although this had been ineffective prior to ablation. Electroanatomic mapping can precisely identify gaps in the lesion line responsible for breakthrough of recurrent typical atrial flutter at the tricuspid annulus and at the IVC/eustachian ridge isthmus. These sites can be targeted with RF ablation with a high degree of success.     

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: An experience from India

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is considered to be rare in India. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence, clinical profile and outcome of PSC seen in a tertiary care centre. Over a period of 10 years (July, 1984-June, 1994) 18 patients of PSC were diagnosed at cholangiography (14 patients by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, two patients by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and two patients by both methods). The presence of secondary causes, such as choledocholithiasis, biliary tract surgery, congenital biliary tract anomalies, cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic diseases, were excluded. These patients were evaluated retrospectively with respect to their clinical presentation, radiological findings, presence of associated idiopathic ulcerative colitis (IUC), treatment instituted and outcome. The mean (±s.d.) age at diagnosis of PSC was 39.0 (±16.1) years with a male: female ratio of 1.57:1. Nine (50%) patients had associated IUC. The diagnosis of IUC preceded that of PSC in all but one case. Fifteen (83.3%) patients had cholestatic jaundice at presentation, while three (16.7%) patients had asymptomatic rise of alkaline phosphatase. Three (16.7%) patients had recurrent cholangitis and five (27.8%) patients developed portal hypertension during the course of the disease. At cholangiography, intrahepatic radicles were involved in all and extrahepatic radicles in 12 (66.6%) cases. Patients were managed with steroids (n= 7), colchicine (n= 3), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA; n= 2) and methotrexate (n= 1), along with symptomatic measures. Mean duration of follow up available in 11 (61%) patients was 20.1 months (range: 1 month-8 years). Four (36.4%) patients died. Steroids and colchicine did not have any effect while the one patient on UDCA and one on methotrexate showed improvement. In conclusion, in India PSC does not seem to be a rare entity. Its clinical profile and outcome are somewhat similar to those seen in Western countries.