Current Cardiology Reviews - Volume 17, Issue 1, 2021

Lyme carditis (LC) is an early-disseminated manifestation of Lyme disease, most commonly presenting as a high-degree atrioventricular block (AVB). The degree of AVB can fluctuate rapidly within minutes, and progression to third-degree AVB is potentially fatal if not recognized and managed promptly. However, the AVB in LC is often transient and usually resolves with appropriate antibiotic therapy. LC should be on th Read More

Medicine has many great pioneers, and in 1899, one such pioneer - Karel Frederik Wenckebach made a discovery which, even to this day, remains one of the fundamental concepts within electrophysiology. Since the Wenckebach Phenomenon was first described, the field of electrophysiology has developed at a rapid pace, allowing us to observe this behaviour, and its complexities, in many new ways. In a similar way, this chap Read More

Revision of the Task Force diagnostic criteria (TFC) for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D), in 2010, has increased the sensitivity for the diagnosis of early and familial forms of the disease. Epsilon wave (EW) is a major diagnostic criterion in the context of ARVC/D, however, it remains unquantifiable and therefore, may leave room for substantial subjective interpretation, thus, explaining the existing Read More

RBBB, a pattern seen on the 12-lead ECG, results when normal electrical activity in the His-Purkinje system is interrupted for some reason. The normal sequence of activation is altered in RBBB, with a resultant characteristic appearance on the ECG manifest by a widened QRS complex and changes in the directional vectors of the R and S waves. This ECG pattern is often seen in clinical practice and generally regarded as ben Read More

Many advances in the knowledge of medical science are due to the observation of an unknown phenomenon that remains an open question. A plausible hypothesis must be demonstrated and proved through a scientific method in order to be accepted by the scientific community and the same results must be reached by following either the same or different techniques. The original case described by Rosenbaum MB et al. Read More

ST-elevation myocardial (STEMI) is frequently associated with conduction disorders. Regional myocardial ischemia or injury may affect the cardiac conduction system at various locations, and neural reflexes or changes in the balance of the autonomous nervous system may be involved. Sinoatrial and atrioventricular blocks are more frequent in inferior than anterior STEMI, while new left anterior fascicular block and right Read More

Until the mid-1980s, it was believed that the vectorcardiogram (VCG) presented a greater specificity, sensitivity and accuracy in comparison to the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), in the cardiology diagnosis. Currently, the VCG still is superior to the ECG in specific situations, such as in the evaluation of myocardial infarctions when associated with intraventricular conduction disturbances, in the identification and location of a Read More

Asymptomatic bradyarrhythmias involving sinus node dysfunction and atrioventicular blocks are frequently noted in clinical practice. Its prevalence is expected to rise as devices that are developed for monitoring cardiac rhythm for longer duration become more widely available. Episodes of bradyarrhythmia that are asymptomatic are considered to have a benign course compared with those that cause symptoms and do not Read More

Atrial conduction disorders result from impaired propagation of cardiac impulses from the sinoatrial node through the atrial conduction pathways. Disorders affecting interatrial conduction alter P-wave characteristics on the surface electrocardiogram. A variety of P-wave indices reflecting derangements in atrial conduction have been described and have been associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and str Read More

Since its outbreak in China at the end of 2019, the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was characterized by both easy spreading and high mortality. The latter proved to be way more elevated in the North of Italy -with a peak of 18.4% in region Lombardia and even 31% in the city of Bergamo and surrounding county- than in the rest of the world. In an attempt to conceptualize the reasons for such a dramatic situation Read More

It is widely known that liver cirrhosis, regardless of the etiologies is accompanied by severe hemodynamic changes. The principal pathophysiological mechanisms are the hyperdynamic circulation with increased cardiac output, heart rate along with reduced systemic vascular resistance. Thus, counteractive mechanisms may develop that eventually lead to systolic as well as diastolic dysfunction and rhythm dist Read More

The fervency for advancement and evolution in percutaneous coronary intervention has revolutionised the treatment of coronary artery disease. Historically, the focus of the interventional cardiologist was directed at the restoration of luminal patency of the major epicardial coronary arteries, yet whilst this approach is evolving with much greater utilisation of physiological assessment, it often neglects consideration of the role o Read More

Background: Pericardial Decompression Syndrome (PDS) is defined as paradoxical hemodynamic deterioration and/or pulmonary edema, commonly associated with ventricular dysfunction. This phenomenon was first described by Vandyke in 1983. PDS is a rare but formidable complication of pericardiocentesis, which, if not managed appropriately, is fatal. PDS, as an entity, has discrete literature; this review is t Read More

N-Butyl cyanoacrylate embolization of peripheral pulmonary artery aneurysms has rarely been performed. This report presents a young woman with a history of patent ductus arteriosus and massive hemoptysis secondary to pulmonary artery aneurysm, successfully managed by embolotherapy using n-Butyl cyanoacrylate. This is the first report of n-Butyl cyanoacrylate embolization treatment of a bleeding pulmo Read More