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The need to improve access to health services for the transgender community has become evident, especially concerning cardiovascular risk, which is higher compared to the general population. Surgical procedures and hormone therapies are common in this population to affirm gender identity, but they pose challenges as they are associated with disruptions in lipid metabolism, body fat concentration, and insulin resistance. Additionally, there is an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as venous thromboembolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The influence of sex hormones on the electrophysiological properties of the heart has been studied, highlighting gender differences that may predispose the transgender population to cardiac arrhythmias. Exogenous hormone therapy, for both transgender women and men, can affect the QT interval and increase the risk of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Although the incidence of arrhythmias in the transgender population is not entirely clear, evidence suggests the need for careful cardiovascular monitoring and consideration of risk factors before initiating hormone therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We narrate the main stages of the long journey that led to the structuring of modern electrovectorcardiography based on the fundamentals established by Willem Einthoven (1860- 1927), who held the physiology chair of the Leyden University (The Netherlands), and presented his string electrocardiograph in 1901. The Mexican electrovectorcardiography became strong thanks to the endeavor of Dr. Demetrio Sodi Pallares, a disciple of F.N. Wilson of Ann Arbor. Dr. Sodi Pallares founded the Mexican School of Electrovectorcardiography, which was a cornerstone in the field and was widely recognized internationally for several decades. This fact is due to the rational and not empirical approach to the electrical exploration of the heart, thanks to the application of the inductive---deductive Galilean procedure. It was then possible to obtain these results, through the study of myocardial depolarization and repolarization processes, under normal conditions and with bundle branch block, performed by Dr. Gustavo A. Medrano and collaborators, in the 1950 decade. The electrovectorcardiographic manifestations of the non complicated myocardial infarct were the object of studies, as well as those of the infarction complicated with rhythm and conduction disorders. Likewise, proximal and distal or peripheral blocks were studied. The current disciples of that School are now studying of cardiac arrhythmias with promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We relate the fundamental stages of the long road leading to the discovery of electricity and its uses in cardiology. The first observations on the electromagnetic phenomena were registered in ancient texts; many Greek and Roman writers referred to them, although they provided no explanations. The first extant treatise dates back to the XIII century and was written by Pierre de Maricourt during the siege of Lucera, Italy, by the army of Charles of Anjou, French king of Naples. There were no significant advances in the field of magnetism between the appearance of this treatise and the publication of the study De magnete magneticisque corporibus (1600) by the English physician William Gilbert. Scientists became increasingly interested in electromagnetic phenomena occurring in certain fish, i.e., the so-called electric ray that lived in the South American seas and the Torpedo fish that roamed the Mediterranean Sea. This interest increased in the 18th century, when condenser devices such as the Leyden jar were explored. It was subsequently demonstrated that the discharges produced by ''electric fish'' were of the same nature as those produced in this device. The famous ''controversy'' relating to animal electricity or electricity inherent to an animal's body also arose in the second half of the 18th century. The school of thought of the physicist Volta sustained the principle of a single electrical action generated by metallic contact. This led Volta to invent his electric pile, considered as the first wet cell battery. Toward the middle of the XIX century, the disciples of the physiologist Galvani were able to demonstrate the existence of animal electricity through experiments exploring the so-called current of injury. On the path of Volta's approach, many characteristics of electricity were detailed, which ultimately led to their usage in the industrial field. The route followed by Galvani-Nobili-Matteucci led to the successes of Waller, Einthoven, etcetera, enabling the modern conquests of electro-vectorcardiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present document reviews various aspects of the current status of cardiac resynchronization therapy: mechanisms of action, current indications and implantation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interventional treatment of arrhythmias with catheter ablation have become the first line therapy for a significant number of tachyarrithmias, offering curative treatment in the majority of them. Ventricular arrhythmias form a group of great interest for the interventional electrophysiologist, because in contrast to the traditional thought, today we can identify some sub-groups of monomorphic sustained ventricular tachycardia (MSVT) with very good percentages of cure, whereas others like those with ischemic etiology ablation is still a palliative procedure. In this paper we will review the different types of MSVT, its etiology and therapeutic options from the interventionist point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present report describes the program of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients referred to the AF Clinic of the National Heart Institute. If the patient had specific inclusion criteria for RFCA of AF, and electrophysiological study is performed. A trans-septal approach and special mapping catheters are used to detect abnormal electrical activity (AEA). Pulmonary vein isolation is performed at the ostium/antrum of those veins with AEA if the patient had paroxysmal AF. Global pulmonary vein isolation with some additional lines guided by electroanatomical mapping is performed in the case of chronic AF. Postoperative follow-up includes consultation, ECG and Holter monitoring at 1, 3, 6 and 12-month. RFCA is a useful and relatively safe procedure for the treatment of AF and the only one with curative potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial perforation related to cardiac electronic devices leads is a rare, but unfortunate complication, since its clinical implications are potentially lethal. The fluoroscopic outcome of case of subacute right ventricular perforation is presented, together with an analysis based on a literature review., (Copyright © 2017 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.)