Ablation of Premature Ventricular Complexes Triggering Ventricular Fibrillation in a Patient with Long QT Syndrome

We describe the case of a patient with long QT syndrome and recurrent ventricular fibrillation, triggered by premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) with a left bundle branch block pattern and inferior axis of the QRS. Activation mapping demonstrated the origin of the PVCs to be in the right ventricular outflow tract. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was successfully treated by catheter ablation of the triggering PVCs and there has been no recurrence of VF during a follow-up period of 14 months.     

Ganglionic Plexus Ablation During Pulmonary Vein Isolation - Predisposing to Ventricular Arrhythmias?

Catheter ablation is increasingly used to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Ablation of ganglionic plexi is often performed to reduce vagal innervation and has been shown to confer a better long-term outcome in terms of AF recurrence. We report a case of a patient having AF ablation with a profound vagal response, suggesting ganglionic plexus ablation, who subsequently developed ventricular fibrillation after programmed ventricular stimulation. Reduced vagal modulation is known to predispose to ventricular arrhythmias and vagal denervation following AF ablation may predispose to ventricular arrhythmias and requires further study.     

Mechanically induced sudden death in chest wall impact (commotio cordis)

Sudden death due to nonpenetrating chest wall impact in the absence of injury to the ribs, sternum and heart is known as commotio cordis. Although once thought rare, an increasing number of these events have been reported. Indeed, a significant percentage of deaths on the athletic field are due to chest wall impact. Commotio cordis is most frequently observed in young individuals (age 4–18 years), but may also occur in adults. Sudden death is instantaneous or preceded by several seconds of lightheadedness after the chest wall blow. Victims are most often found in ventricular fibrillation, and successful resuscitation is more difficult than expected given the young age, excellent health of the victims, and the absence of structural heart disease. Autopsy examination is notable for the lack of any significant cardiac or thoracic abnormalities.

In an experimental model of commotio cordis utilizing anesthetized juvenile swine, ventricular fibrillation can be produced by a 30 mph baseball strike if the strike occurred during the vulnerable period of repolarization, on the upslope of the T-wave. Energy of the impact object was also found to be a critical variable with 40 mph baseballs more likely to cause ventricular fibrillation than velocities less or greater than 40 mph. In addition, more rigid impact objects and blows directly over the center of the chest were more likely to cause ventricular fibrillation. Peak left ventricular pressure generated by the chest wall blow correlated with the risk of ventricular fibrillation. Activation of the K⁺_ATP channel is a likely cause of the ventricular fibrillation produced by chest wall blows. Successful resuscitation is attainable with early defibrillation.     

Premature Ventricular Contractions and Non-sustained Ventricular Tachycardia: Association with Sudden Cardiac Death,Risk Stratification,and Management Strategies

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) are frequently encountered and a marker of electrocardiomyopathy. In some instances, they increase the risk for sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death. While often associated with a primary cardiomyopathy, they have also been known to cause tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in patients without preceding structural heart disease. Medical therapy including beta-blockers and class III anti-arrhythmic agents can be effective while implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) are indicated in certain patients. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the preferred, definitive treatment in those patients that improve with anti-arrhythmic therapy, have tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, or have certain subtypes of PVCs/NSVT. We present a review of PVCs and NSVT coupled with case presentations on RFA of fascicular ventricular tachycardia, left-ventricular outflow tract ventricular tachycardia, and Purkinje arrhythmia leading to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.     

Phase singularities and filaments: simplifying complexity in computational models of ventricular fibrillation

In the whole heart, millions of cardiac cells are involved in ventricular fibrillation (VF). Experimental studies indicate that VF is sustained by re-entrant activity, and that each re-entrant wave rotates around a filament of phase singularity. Filaments act as organising centres, and offer a way to simplify and quantify the complex spatio-temporal behaviour observed in VF. Where a filament touches the surface of fibrillating myocardium re-entrant activity can be observed, however the behaviour of filaments within bulk ventricular myocardium is difficult to observe directly using present experimental techniques. Large scale computational simulations of VF in three-dimensional (3D) tissue offer a tool to investigate the properties and behaviour of filaments, and the aim of this paper is to review recent advances in this area as well as to compare recent computational studies of fibrillation in whole ventricle geometries.     

Identification of loss-of-function RyR2 mutations associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and sudden death

Mutations in cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) are linked to catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Most CPVT RyR2 mutations characterized are gain-of-function (GOF), indicating enhanced RyR2 function as a major cause of CPVT. Loss-of-function (LOF) RyR2 mutations have also been identified and are linked to a distinct entity of cardiac arrhythmia termed RyR2 Ca²⁺ release deficiency syndrome (CRDS). Exercise stress testing (EST) is routinely used to diagnose CPVT, but it is ineffective for CRDS. There is currently no effective diagnostic tool for CRDS in humans. An alternative strategy to assess the risk for CRDS is to directly determine the functional impact of the associated RyR2 mutations. To this end, we have functionally screened 18 RyR2 mutations that are associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) or sudden death. We found two additional RyR2 LOF mutations E4146K and G4935R. The E4146K mutation markedly suppressed caffeine activation of RyR2 and abolished store overload induced Ca²⁺ release (SOICR) in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. E4146K also severely reduced cytosolic Ca²⁺ activation and abolished luminal Ca²⁺ activation of single RyR2 channels. The G4935R mutation completely abolished caffeine activation of and [³H]ryanodine binding to RyR2. Co-expression studies showed that the G4935R mutation exerted dominant negative impact on the RyR2 wildtype (WT) channel. Interestingly, the RyR2-G4935R mutant carrier had a negative EST, and the E4146K carrier had a family history of sudden death during sleep, which are different from phenotypes of typical CPVT. Thus, our data further support the link between RyR2 LOF and a new entity of cardiac arrhythmias distinct from CPVT.     

The Virtual Ventricular Wall: A Tool for Exploring Cardiac Propagation and Arrhythmogenesis

Methods for the experimental and clinical investigation of cardiac arrhythmias are limited to inferring propagation within the myocardium, from surface measurements, or from electrodes at a few sites within the cardiac wall. Biophysically and anatomically detailed computational models of cardiac tissues offer a powerful way for studying the electrical propagation processes and arrhythmias within the virtual heart. We use virtual tissues to study and visualise the effects of patho- and physiological conditions, and pharmacological interventions on transmural propagation in the virtual ventricular walls. Class III drug actions are quantitatively explained by changes induced in the transmural dispersion of action potential duration. We illustrate the automated construction of a virtual anisotropic ventricle from Diffusion Tensor MRI for individual hearts, and use it to explore mechanisms leading to ventricular fibrillation. The virtual ventricular wall provides an effective tool for exploring, evaluating and visualising processes during the initiation and maintenance of ventricular arrhythmias.     

A Rat Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Resuscitation by Conventional Closed-chest Technique

A rat model of electrically-induced ventricular fibrillation followed by cardiac resuscitation using a closed chest technique that incorporates the basic components of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in humans is herein described. The model was developed in 1988 and has been used in approximately 70 peer-reviewed publications examining a myriad of resuscitation aspects including its physiology and pathophysiology, determinants of resuscitability, pharmacologic interventions, and even the effects of cell therapies. The model featured in this presentation includes: (1) vascular catheterization to measure aortic and right atrial pressures, to measure cardiac output by thermodilution, and to electrically induce ventricular fibrillation; and (2) tracheal intubation for positive pressure ventilation with oxygen enriched gas and assessment of the end-tidal CO₂. A typical sequence of intervention entails: (1) electrical induction of ventricular fibrillation, (2) chest compression using a mechanical piston device concomitantly with positive pressure ventilation delivering oxygen-enriched gas, (3) electrical shocks to terminate ventricular fibrillation and reestablish cardiac activity, (4) assessment of post-resuscitation hemodynamic and metabolic function, and (5) assessment of survival and recovery of organ function. A robust inventory of measurements is available that includes – but is not limited to – hemodynamic, metabolic, and tissue measurements. The model has been highly effective in developing new resuscitation concepts and examining novel therapeutic interventions before their testing in larger and translationally more relevant animal models of cardiac arrest and resuscitation.     

房颤大鼠模型心室重构与心肌细胞钙稳态和心律失常的关联

摘要 目的：探讨房颤大鼠模型心室重构与心肌细胞钙稳态和心律失常的关联性。方法：将雄性Wistar大鼠随机平分为两组,各组8只,模型组采用乙酞胆碱-氯化钙混合液尾静脉注射法建立房颤动物模型,对照组注射同剂量的生理盐水,记录两组心室重构、心肌细胞钙稳态、心律失常情况并进行相关性分析。结果：模型组建模第2周与第4周的左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左室收缩末期内径（LVESD）值都高于对照组（P<0.05）。模型组建模第2周与第4周的血清肌钙蛋白（cTnT）含量高于对照组（P<0.05）。模型组建模第2周与第4周心脏体外牵张性心律失常持续时间都高于对照组（P<0.05）。Pearson相关分析显示建模第2周与第4周的LVEDD、LVESD、cTnT与牵张性心律失常持续时间存在正相关（P<0.05）。结论：房颤大鼠伴随有心室重构与心肌细胞钙离子的大量释放,可增加牵张性心律失常持续时间,相关性分析结果表明：心室重构、心肌细胞钙稳态和心律失常存在显著正相关性。     

Extensive Preferential Pathway Ablation for the Elimination of Premature Ventricular Contractions Arising from the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract

A 76 y/o women presented with 2 different types of premature ventricular contractions (VPCs 1 and 2) arising from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Catheter ablation (CA) eliminated PVC1 at the earliest activation site (EAS), but thereafter another PVC morphology (PVC3) appeared. Small potentials preceding the local potential were broadly exhibited from the RVOT’s supero-anterior region to the EAS during PVC3. Point CA targeting such prepotentials failed. Transverse-linear CA with a line connecting sites with such pre-potentials eliminated both PVCs 3 and 2. In cases with broadly spreading preferential pathways, extensive CA might be needed to eliminate the PVCs.     

Mechanisms of Premature Ventricular Complexes Caused by QT Prolongation

QT prolongation, due to lengthening of the action potential duration in the ventricles, is a major risk factor of lethal ventricular arrhythmias. A widely known consequence of QT prolongation is the genesis of early afterdepolarizations (EADs), which are associated with arrhythmias through the generation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). However, the vast majority of the EADs observed experimentally in isolated ventricular myocytes are phase-2 EADs, and whether phase-2 EADs are mechanistically linked to PVCs in cardiac tissue remains an unanswered question. In this study, we investigate the genesis of PVCs using computer simulations with eight different ventricular action potential models of various species. Based on our results, we classify PVCs as arising from two distinct mechanisms: repolarization gradient (RG)-induced PVCs and phase-2 EAD-induced PVCs. The RG-induced PVCs are promoted by increasing RG and L-type calcium current and are insensitive to gap junction coupling. EADs are not required for this PVC mechanism. In a paced beat, a single or multiple PVCs can occur depending on the properties of the RG. In contrast, phase-2 EAD-induced PVCs occur only when the RG is small and are suppressed by increasing RG and more sensitive to gap junction coupling. Unlike with RG-induced PVCs, in each paced beat, only a single EAD-induced PVC can occur no matter how many EADs in an action potential. In the wide parameter ranges we explore, RG-induced PVCs can be observed in all models, but the EAD-induced PVCs can only be observed in five of the eight models. The links between these two distinct PVC mechanisms and arrhythmogenesis in animal experiments and clinical settings are discussed.     

Genetic predisposition for sudden cardiac death in myocardial ischaemia: the Arrhythmia Genetics in the NEtherlandS study

Sudden cardiac death from ventricular fibrillation during myocardial infarction is a leading cause of total and cardiovascular mortality. This multifactorial, complex condition clusters in families, suggesting a substantial genetic cause. We carried out a genomewide association study (GWAS) for sudden cardiac death, in the AGNES (Arrhythmia Genetics in the Netherlands) population, consisting of patients with (cases) and without (controls) ventricular fibrillation during a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The most significant association was found at chromosome 21q21 (rs2824292; odds ratio = 1.78, 95% CI 1.47–2.13, P = 3.3 × 10⁻¹⁰), 98 kb proximal of the CXADR gene, encoding the Coxsackie and adenovirus receptor. This locus has not previously been implicated in arrhythmia susceptibility. Further research on the mechanism of this locus will ultimately provide novel insight into arrhythmia mechanisms in this condition.     

Left Atrial Appendage Dysfunction in a Patient with Premature Ventricular Contractions - A Risk Factor for Stroke?

A 16-year-old female with ventricular dysfunction and frequent ventricular arrhythmia presented with a cardioembolic stroke. Prior electrophysiology study and ablation was performed for ventricular tachycardia (VT). For remaining ventricular ectopy, the patient was maintained on carvedilol and mexiletine. After one year on this regimen, she presented with an acute stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed no evidence of an intracardiac or ventricular thrombus but demonstrated markedly decreased left atrial appendage (LAA) flow velocity worsened during frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC). In the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the LAA dysfunction was considered secondary to the frequent PVCs and was thought to be the underlying cause for the stroke. We present this case to highlight a potential under recognized association between LAA dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmia, similar to that observed with atrioventricular dyssynchronous pacing.     

猪急性心肌梗死模型发生心室颤动的相关因素分析

目的探讨猪冠状动脉前降支(LAD)结扎后发生室颤的特点及其相关因素,以期提高猪急性心肌梗死模型的成活率。方法57只小型猪开胸结扎心脏LAD不同位点,对室颤和体重、性别、术前心率、术前左室射血分数(LVEF)、开胸径路(旁正中/肋间)、手术时间、结扎百分位点、术后心率、术后发生室早或短阵室速等因素进行单因素相关分析和Logistic回归分析,进而对室颤的发生时间、室颤前心电图特点等进行评价。结果57例动物手术过程发生室颤18例,死亡11例。室颤均发生在结扎冠脉后35 min内,高峰时间为结扎冠脉后5 min和20 min;心率快于160 bpm或慢于60 bpm时容易诱发室颤。与非室颤组动物比较,室颤组动物的结扎位点高,术后最快心率>60 bpm的动物较多,短阵室速发生率高(P<0.01)。Logistic回归分析显示结扎位点过高是急性心肌梗死后发生室颤唯一的独立危险因素。结论结扎位点过高是猪急性心肌梗死后发生室颤的最重要危险因素;冠脉结扎后30 min内应该严密心电监护,特别注意结扎冠脉后5 min和20 min二个时间点、>160 bpm或<60 bpm二种心率、以及短阵室速等先兆事件。     

Twenty-Four-Hour Variation in the Occurrence and Survival of Potentially Lethal Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

The temporal pattern in the occurrence and primary outcome of resuscitation of out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia was studied. The onset time of 117 cases of tachyarrhythmia exhibited a double-peaking 24-h variation with a first prominent peak in the midmorning and a second less prominent one during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Survival after resuscitation also was time dependent, showing a quite different temporal pattern. Survival was lowest during the daytime and greatest (four to five times greater) during the night. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia may be dependent on autonomic regulation.     

高脂血症对大鼠心电图的影响及其作用机制

目的:探讨在高脂血症状态下,大鼠心电图的变化情况,及高胆固醇血症对心肌电生理特性影响的机制。方法:将20只Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组和高脂饮食组,喂养10周后,检测大鼠的血脂水平、心电图和室颤阈值,并通过全细胞膜片钳记录心室肌细胞的ICa,L;利用组织病理学方法评价对照组及高脂饮食组的大鼠动脉粥样硬化的程度。结果:高脂饮食组的大鼠血脂水平与对照组相比明显增高(P<0.01);在高脂饮食组的大鼠动脉血管管壁中,可见广泛分布的粥样硬化斑块。在高脂饮食组的大鼠心电图中,室颤阈值为(4.23±0.12)V,明显低于对照组(12.80±6.34)V,P<0.05。高脂饮食组大鼠的QTc间期(94±16)ms,与对照组(67±12)ms相比明显延长,P<0.05。高脂饮食组大鼠的心室肌细胞的ICa,L密度为(12.83±3.28)pA/pF,与对照组(9.21±2.16)pA/pF相比明显高,P<0.05。结论:高脂饮食后,大鼠的心电图有明显变化,QTc间期延长;高胆固醇血症能明显增加大鼠心肌细胞的ICa,L的,延长复极时程,降低室颤阈值。     

Effect of myocardial infarction and ischemia on induction of cardiac reentries and ventricular fibrillation

The present work is aimed at investigating the effects of myocardial infarction and ischemia on induction of ventricular fibrillation. Electrophysiologic effects of global and local ischemia (variation of the dispersion of refractory periods as well as conduction velocity) on initiation of reentry mechanisms was studied by means of computer simulations based on a cellular automata model of propagation of activation wave through a ventricular surface element. A local area of ischemia where effects of the dispersion of refractory periods are investigated is then simulated. This is made using a Gaussian distribution characterized by its mean and standard deviation. These simulations show that ischemia is capable of initiating reentry phenomena which propagate through the whole ventricle; they are responsible for ventricular fibrillation which causes sudden cardiac death, even when ischemia only involves limited parts of the myocardium. Statistical study of the probability of reentries as a function of both of the size of ischemic zones and the rate of dispersion of refractory periods shows that the latter parameter is of primary importance in triggering cardiac reentries.     

Atrial fibrillation and preexcitation - A licence to kill

Atrial fibrillation becomes a potentially lethal arrhythmia in the presence of preexcitation because the rapid ventricular activation can result in ventricular fibrillation. Fortunately, radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for these patients. Specific points of interest regarding this association are the mechanism of increased incidence of atrial fibrillation and the current management of patients presenting in atrial fibrillation. These are discussed in this editorial.     

高脂血症对大鼠心电图的影响及其作用机制

目的：探讨在高脂血症状态下,大鼠心电图的变化情况,及高胆固醇血症对心肌电生理特性影响的机制。方法：将20只Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组和高脂饮食组,喂养10周后,检测大鼠的血脂水平、心电图和室颤阈值,并通过全细胞膜片钳记录心室肌细胞的ICa,L;利用组织病理学方法评价对照组及高脂饮食组的大鼠动脉粥样硬化的程度。结果：高脂饮食组的大鼠血脂水平与对照组相比明显增高（P〈0．01）;在高脂饮食组的大鼠动脉血管管壁中,可见广泛分布的粥样硬化斑块。在高脂饮食组的大鼠心电图中,室颤阈值为（4．23±0．12）V,明显低于对照组（12．80±6．34）V,P〈0．05。高脂饮食组大鼠的QTe间期（94±16）ms,与对照组（67±12）ms相比明显延长,P〈0．05。高脂饮食组大鼠的心室肌细胞的ICa,L密度为（12．83±3．28）pA／pF,与对照组（9．21±2．16）pA／pF相比明显高,P〈0．05。结论：高脂饮食后,大鼠的心电图有明显变化,QTe间期延长;高胆固醇血症能明显增加大鼠心肌细胞的ICa,L的,延长复极时程,降低室颤阈值。