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Cardiovascular mortality has declined significantly in recent years, however, sudden cardiac death remains the leading cause of death in a range of different mortality indicators, very often caused by cardiac arrhythmias. The electrophysiological causes of sudden cardiac death include ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, asystole and pulseless electrical activity. In addition, other cardiac arrhythmias may also trigger sudden cardiac death, periarrest arrhytmias. The rapid and accurate recognition of the various arrhythmias and their appropriate management are major challenges at both prehospital and hospital care levels. In these conditions, prompt recognition of life-threatening conditions, rapid response and proper treatment are critical. This publication reviews the various device and drug treatment modalities for the management of periarrest arrythmic conditions in the light of the 2021 guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council. This article highlights the epidemiology and aetiology of periarrest arrythmic states, and outlines the state-of-the-art treatment options for various tachy- and bradyarrhythmias, providing guidance in the management of these conditions both in hospital and out-of-hospital settings. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(13): 504-509.

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease, infection-related mortality has been tracked worldwide and the number of deaths caused by the virus is counted daily. The coronavirus pandemic has not only transformed our daily life, but reorganized the whole healthcare system. In response to the increased demand for hospital admissions, leaders in different countries have implemented a number of emergency actions. The restructuring has had both direct and indirect negative effects on the epidemiology of sudden cardiac death, the willingness of lay rescuer to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators, but these negative effects vary widely across continents and countries. In order to protect lay people and health workers as well as to prevent the spread of the pandemic, the previous recommendations of the European Resuscitation Council on basic and advanced life support have undergone a few modifications. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(13): 483-487.

The standard process of basic and advanced life support can be complicated by a number of special circumstances. Over the last decade, the European Resuscitation Council developed an increasingly detailed guideline regarding the diagnosis and therapy of these situations. In our short review, we summarize the most important recommendations for the management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in special circumstances. The proper training in non-technical skills and teamwork is crucial in the management of these situations. In addition, extracorporeal circulatory and respiratory support play an increasingly important role in some special circumstances with appropriate patient selection and timing. We also summarize the therapeutic options regarding the reversible causes of cardiac arrest as well as the steps of diagnostic and treatment methods in some special situations (cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the operating room, after cardiac surgery, in a catheterisation laboratory, after sudden cardiac arrest at dentistry or dialysis station) and among special patient populations (patient with asthma or COPD, neurologic disorders, obese patient, pregnant woman). Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(13): 488-498.

The frequency of the administration of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation is increasing both in the treatment of in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The latest resuscitation guidelines support the use of mechanical circulatory support devices in the cases of prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation in certain selected patient groups. However, only little evidence is available regarding the effectiveness of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and many open questions remained unanswered regarding the adequate conditions of this modality. The timing and location of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation are important factors, as well as the appropriate training of the personnel using extracorporeal techniques. Our review briefly summarizes, according to the current literature and recommendations, in which cases extracorporeal resuscitation may be beneficial, which type of mechanical circulatory support is the first choice of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which factors influence the efficacy of this supportive treatment, and which complications may be expected during mechanical circulatory support during resuscitation. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(13): 510-514.

The fourth element of chain-of-survival contains advanced life support and post-resuscitation treatment. Both treatment options influence the outcome of patients suffering cardiac arrest. Advanced life support includes all interventions that require special medical equipment and expertise. High-quality chest compressions and early defibrillation (if indicated) compose the main elements of advanced life support. Clarifying and treating the cause of cardiac arrest have also high priority, in which point-of-care ultrasound plays an important role. In addition, securing higher level of airway and capnography, securing intravenous or intraosseous line, and the parenteral administration of drugs - such as epinephrine or amiodarone - are the most important steps of advanced life support. If conventional therapy is unsuccessful, extracorporeal circulatory support can be used in special patient populations. The protection of vital organs that are sensitive to hypoxia (brain and heart) has a high priority after the return of spontaneous circulation beside the causative treatment of cardiac arrest. The most important parts of the supportive post-resuscitation treatment are: targeting normoxia, normocapnia, normotension, normoglycemia, and the application of target temperature management. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(12): 454-462.

Összefoglaló. A landiolol intravénásan alkalmazandó, kifejezetten cardioselectiv, gyors hatású és rövid felezési idejű béta-1-receptor-blokkoló, mely elsősorban negatív chronotrop és inotrop hatással bír, vérnyomáscsökkentő hatása elhanyagolható. Főleg hemodinamikailag instabil állapotú, supraventricularis ritmuszavarban szenvedő betegek kamrafrekvenciájának csökkentésére használható. Nagy esetszámú, randomizált vizsgálatok igazolták hatékonyságát szívműtétek után jelentkező pitvarfibrilláció megelőzésében, valamint súlyos akut szívelégtelenségben és szívműtétek posztoperatív szakában jelentkező pitvari tachyarrhythmiák kezelésében. Ezek mellett kisebb vizsgálatok alapján a használata biztonságosnak tűnik akut myocardialis infarctusban, hatékony szeptikus állapotú, pitvarfibrillációban szenvedő betegek kamrafrekvencia- és ritmuskontrolljára, valamint nem cardialis műtétek esetén a pitvarfibrilláció prevenciójára és kezelésére. Sikerrel alkalmazható elektromos vihar esetén is, és jól használható angiográfiás coronaria-CT-vizsgálat előtt az optimális szívfrekvencia elérésére. A gyógyszer 2016 óta Európában, 2018 óta Magyarországon is elérhető. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(2): 53-62. Summary. Landiolol is an intravenous, selective beta-1-receptor blocking agent with rapid onset of action and ultra-short half-life that has a predominant negative chronotropic and only mild negative inotropic effect without significant reduction of blood pressure. Landiolol is indicated to control the ventricular heart rate predominantly in patients with hemodynamic instability due to supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Large randomized controlled trials have proven the efficacy of landiolol in the prevention of atrial fibrillation and atrial tachyarrhythmias in severe acute heart failure or post-cardiac surgery. Based on lower case-number studies, the administration of landiolol has been proven to be efficient and safe in rhythm and rate control in atrial fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction, sepsis, and in the prevention of atrial fibrillation in non-cardiac surgery. Landiolol may be used in electrical storm, and even during coronary CT-angiography to achieve an optimal heart rate for imaging. The drug is available in Europe since 2016 and in Hungary since 2018. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(2): 53-62.

Összefoglaló. A koronavírus-betegség (COVID-19) okozta közvetlen mortalitáson túl, a járvány közvetett úton is hatással lehet a hirtelen szívhalálra. Egyre növekvő számú közlemény foglalkozik a járványnak a hirtelen szívhalálra kifejtett közvetett hatásával. A kijárási korlátozások és az egészségügyi rendszerek átszervezése hozzájárulhatott ahhoz, hogy a járvány alatt mind a kórházon kívüli, mind a kórházon belüli szívhalál előfordulása megemelkedett. Közegészségügyi intézkedések, mint a korlátozások és a kórházak átszervezése, megváltoztathatják az egészségügyi szolgáltatásokhoz való hozzáférést, ezért hozzájárulhattak az elmúlt évben tapasztalt emelkedett számú szívmegálláshoz. Közleményünk célja a SARS-CoV-2-járvány hirtelen szívhalálra kifejtett hatására vonatkozó, a nemzetközi irodalomban jelenleg megtalálható tanulmányok összefoglalása, melyek a kórházon kívüli szívmegállás előfordulásának háromszoros emelkedéséről számoltak be a járványt megelőző évhez képest. Általánosságban elmondható, hogy a kórházon kívüli szívmegállás a járvány ideje alatt nagyobb gyakorisággal járt nem sokkolandó ritmussal, hosszabb idő telt el a mentők kiérkezéséig, alacsonyabb volt a szemtanú által megkezdett újraélesztés, a spontán keringés visszatérésének, valamint a kórházi elbocsátásnak a gyakorisága. A járványnak a kórházon belüli szívmegállásra kifejtett hatása kevésbé vizsgált az irodalomban. Míg a hirtelen szívhalált követő mortalitás néhány kutatásban jelentős emelkedést mutatott, addig máshol nem volt különbség a járványt megelőző időszakhoz képest. A COVID-19-pandémia ideje alatt jelentősen megnövekedett kórházon kívüli és belüli szívmegállás hátterében a járványnak közvetett úton is szerepe lehet, a fertőzés közvetlen hatása mellett. A túlélési lánc megbomlását számos helyen tapasztalták, ami hozzájárulhatott a kedvezőtlen kimenetelhez. Mind a prehospitális, mind pedig a hospitális ellátás gyakorlatában bekövetkező jelentős változások magyarázhatják a világ különböző pontjain megfigyelt eltéréseket. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(46): 1831-1841. Summary. The direct effect of COVID-19 on mortality through acute respiratory failure is well-established. However, there are a growing number of publications suggesting that the prevalence and outcome of sudden cardiac death may also be indirectly affected by the pandemic. Public health measures, such as lockdowns and reorganisation of hospitals, can alter the access to healthcare services and therefore might have contributed to the excess number of cardiac arrests which were seen over the last year. Our aim was to review the currently available publications regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrests. A recent study reported a 3-fold growth in the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests during the 2020 COVID-19 period compared to the year before. In general, the number of non-shockable rhythms increased, bystander-witnessed cases and bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation were reduced and ambulance response times were significantly delayed during the pandemic. Return of spontaneous circulation and survival to discharge substantially decreased compared to the time before the pandemic. The difference between the rate of mortality following in-hospital cardiac arrest during and before the pandemic is controversial according to published data. The incidence of out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrests significantly increased during the pandemic compared to previous years suggesting direct effects of COVID-19 infection and indirect effects from new public health measures. The disruption of the chain of survival could have contributed to the increased mortality following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(46): 1831-1841.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A cardiovascularis halálokok közül világszerte nagy jelentőségű a hirtelen szívhalál. Annak ellenére, hogy a cardiopulmonalis resuscitatio és a postresuscitatiós intenzív osztályos kezelés is komoly metodikai és technikai fejlődésen ment keresztül az elmúlt időszakban, kevés az olyan validált pontrendszer, amely jól becsülné a beteg intenzív osztályra kerülésekor a mortalitási rizikót. Célkitűzés: A sikeres újraélesztést követő intenzív osztályos kezelés kezdetekor felmért, a cardiogen shock rizikóstratifikációjára alkalmazott CardShock Risk Score (CSRS) és az általunk hozzáadott, specifikus súlyozófaktorokkal (iniciális ritmus, inotropigény) módosított CardShock Risk Score (mCSRS) összevetése a mortalitás előrejelzésében post-cardiac arrest szindrómás betegeknél. Módszerek: Retrospektív vizsgálatunk során 172, kórházon kívül sikeresen újraélesztett és klinikánkon ellátott consecutiv betegből a CSRS- és mCSRS-pontrendszerek segítségével végül 123 beteg adatait elemeztük. A CSRS- és mCSRS-változók és a korai/késői mortalitás közötti összefüggést Cox-regressziós analízissel vizsgáltuk. A pontszámok alapján 3 csoportba (1-3, 4-6, 7+) soroltuk a betegeket. Az összevont csoportok túlélését log-rank teszttel hasonlítottuk össze. Eredmények: A betegpopuláció átlagéletkora 63,6 év volt (69% férfi), és a hirtelen szívhalál hátterében 80%-ban akut coronaria szindróma állt. A korai/késői mortalitást leginkább a felvétel utáni neurológiai állapot, a szérumlaktátszint, a vesefunkció, az iniciális ritmus és a beteg katecholaminigénye határozta meg. A mCSRS alkalmazását követően mind az "1-3" és a "4-6" (p≤0,001), mind a "4-6" és a "7+" (p = 0,006) csoportok között szignifikáns különbséget találtunk a túlélésben. Következtetés: A felvételkori pontok alapján a mCSRS pontosabban definiálja és differenciálja egymástól az általunk beválasztott két extra súlyozófaktorral az enyhe, a közepes és a magas mortalitási rizikóval bíró betegpopulációkat, mint a CSRS. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(2): 52-60., Introduction: Sudden cardiac death is one of the most significant cardiovascular causes of death worldwide. Although there have been immense methodological and technical advances in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and following intensive care in the last decade, currently there are only a few validated risk-stratification scoring systems for the quick and reliable estimation of the mortality risk of these patients at the time of admission to the intensive care unit., Objective: Our aim was to correlate the mortality prediction risk points calculated by CardShock Risk Score (CSRS) and modified (m) CSRS based on the admission data of the post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) patients., Methods: The medical records of 172 out-of-hospital resuscitated cardiac arrest patients, who were admitted at the Heart and Vascular Centre of Semmelweis University, were screened retrospectively. Out of the 172 selected patients, 123 were eligible for inclusion to calculate CSRS and mCSRS. Based on CSRS score, we generated three different groups of patients, with scores 1 to 3, 4 to 6, and 7+, respectively. Mortality data of the groups were compared by log-rank test., Results: Mean age of the patients was 63.6 years (69% male), the cause of sudden cardiac death was acut coronary syndrome in 80% of the cases. The early and late mortality was predicted by neurological status, serum lactate level, renal function, initial rhythm, and the need of catecholamines. Using mCSRS, a significant survival difference was proven in between the groups "1-3" vs "4-6" (p≤0.001), "4-6" vs "7+" (p = 0.006)., Conclusion: Compared to the CSRS, the mCSRS expanded with the 2 additional weighting points differentiates more specifically the low-moderate and high survival groups in the PCAS patient population treated in our institute. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(2): 52-60.

Összefoglaló. Az áramütés súlyos esetben hirtelen halállal vagy több szervrendszer kiterjedt károsodásával járhat. A magasfeszültségű áramütés (>1000 V) általában súlyosabb égési sérülésekkel és magasabb kórházi mortalitással jár, mint az alacsonyfeszültségű, de a sérülések súlyosságát a feszültségen kívül a test ellenállása, az áramexpozíció ideje, az áram fajtája, erőssége és útja is befolyásolja. A kritikus állapotú vagy súlyos égési sérüléseket szenvedett betegek sürgősségi ellátása komplex és multidiszciplináris szemléletet igényel. A súlyos szövődményekkel járó áramütéses balesetek ugyanakkor a fejlett országokban ritkák: az áramütés következtében sürgősségi osztályon jelentkező betegek döntő többsége panaszmentesen vagy minor panaszokkal kerül felvételre. A ritmuszavarok az áramütéses balesetek messze leggyakoribb cardialis szövődményei, és rendszerint közvetlenül az áramütés után jelentkeznek. Az elektromos áram kamrafibrillációt vagy asystoliát is kiválthat, mely a baleset helyszínén ellátás nélkül halálhoz vezethet. Bár sok helyen elterjedt gyakorlat az áramütést szenvedett betegek rutinszerű monitorozása, a klinikailag releváns arrhythmiák összességében ritkák, és a felvételi EKG alapján diagnosztizálhatók, ezért EKG-monitorozás csak meghatározott rizikófaktorok esetén szükséges. Jelen munkánk célja összefoglalni az áramütést szenvedett betegek optimális sürgősségi ellátásával kapcsolatos legfontosabb szempontokat, különös tekintettel az áramütéses balesetet követően fellépő cardialis szövődményekre és arrhythmiákra, valamint az EKG-monitorozás indikációira. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(47): 1979-1988. Summary. Electrical accidents (EA) may cause sudden death or severe injuries of multiple organs. High voltage injuries (>1000 V) are associated with more severe burn injuries and higher in-hospital mortality than low voltage injuries, however, the severity of complications depends on several other factors like resistance of the body, duration of current exposition, intensity, type and pathway of current. Critically ill patients with severe burns and/or other injuries require a multidisciplinary intensive treatment. However, such complications are rare in the developed countries: most patients present in the emergency department with no or minor symptoms and do not require hospital admission. Arrhythmias are the most frequent cardiac complications after EA. Electrical current may cause ventricular fibrillation or asystolia which can lead to death on the scene. In patients presenting in the emergency department, clinically relevant arrhythmias are rare and can be diagnosed by a 12-lead ECG, therefore a systematic monitoring may not be indicated. Aim of our work is to review the most frequent complications after an electrical accident with special focus on cardiac complications and arrhythmias. The other aim of the manuscript is to summarize the most important aspects of emergency treatment and indication for ECG monitoring after electrical accident. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(47): 1979-1988.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) presents a great challenge for the health care systems even in the highly developed countries. For several decades, our greatest efforts have been directed toward the improvement of the prehospital management, including promotion of lay resuscitation and deployment of public access automated defibrillators. Recently, the importance of the hospital phase of the OHCA-management has been also emphasized. Attention has been paid to targeted temperature management and also to early coronary intervention. For those patients who present with ST-elevation on their post-resuscitation ECG, our approach is straightforward: urgent coronary angiography is indicated. The optimal management of those survivors of OHCA who present without ST-elevation is, however, still debated. Although up to 30% of these subjects also suffer from acute occlusive epicardial coronary disease, the clear benefit of urgent coronary angiography for the whole group is yet to be documented. Several large-scale randomized studies are under way to resolve this question. In our present review we detail the above controversies and outline the future directions. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(46): 1826-1831.

Long term survival of successfully resuscitated patients is primarily determined by their post-cardiac arrest neurological function. If the patient undergoes a long-term resuscitation or remains comatose as part of the post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS), organ-specific intensive care is urged to aim hemodynamic stabilisation, normalisation of organ perfusion and prevention of injuries at cellular level. One of the basic measures of PCAS intensive care is to prevent hypoxic brain injury by mild therapeutic hypothermia (THT). The physiological changes of the human body at hypothermic conditions require high level monitoring and specially focused intensive care limiting its implementation. The multicentric, controlled, randomized targeted temperature management (TTM) trial published in 2013 compared the TTM against the THT in the treatment of PCAS patients. The equal outcome of the 2 methods has partly changed the practice of the intensivists in the treatment of such patients. This manuscript gives the pros and cons for each therapeutic method in post-resuscitation therapy. Nevertheless, the author shows the possible implementations and the DRG (diagnosis-related group) reimbursement of the method in Hungary. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(46): 1840-1844.

Post-resuscitation brain injury forms the leading cause of death of patients after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation that explains why post-resuscitation neuroprotection is the most important part of post-resuscitation therapy. The goals of the neuroprotection tools available today are preventing the evolution of primary and formation of secondary brain injury. We are going to summarize the neuroprotective possibilities that we can reach today. We will discuss the role of pharmacologic strategies including sedation, the modalities of upholding brain perfusion, the monitoring of proper hemodynamic variables and the practice of targeted temperature management. It is very important to avoid hypo- and hyperoxia, to keep normocapnia, normoglycemia and to control seizures during the management of post-cardiac arrest patients. There is still a lack of evidence to prove which pharmacologic agent may be effective in postresuscitation neuroprotection, however, there are some promising results regarding thiamine. Hemodynamic management guided by higher level hemodynamic monitoring may be beneficial in enhancing brain perfusion but more clinical studies are needed to investigate its usefulness. Targeted temperature management constitutes the main element of post-resuscitation neuroprotection, however, the details of its implementation raise several questions. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(46): 1832-1839.

Low output syndrome significantly increases morbidity and mortality of cardiac surgery and lengthens the durations of intensive care unit and hospital stays. Its treatment by catecholamines can lead to undesirable systemic and cardiac complications. Levosimendan is a calcium sensitiser and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel (I K,ATP ) opener agent. Due to these effects, it improves myocardium performance, does not influence adversely the balance between O 2 supply and demand, and possesses cardioprotective and organ protective properties as well. Based on the scientific literature and experts' opinions, a European recommendation was published on the perioperative use of levosimendan in cardiac surgery in 2015. Along this line, and also taking into consideration cardiac surgeon, anaesthesiologist and cardiologist representatives of the seven Hungarian heart centres and the children heart centre, the Hungarian recommendation has been formulated that is based on two pillars: literature evidence and Hungarian expert opinions. The reviewed fields are: coronary and valvular surgery, assist device implantation, heart transplantation both in adult and pediatric cardiologic practice. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(22): 870-877.

In the last fifteen years mild therapeutic hypothermia became an accepted and widespread therapeutic method in the treatment of successfully resuscitated patients due to sudden cardiac death. Based on the available evidence therapeutic hypothermia is part of the resuscitation guidelines, however, many aspects of its therapeutic use are based on empirical facts. In particular, the subjects of intense debate are the ideal target temperature and the benefit of hypothermia in patients found with non-shockable rhythm. Hypothermia affects almost all organ systems and, therefore, early detection and treatment of side effects are essential. The aim of the authors is to summarize the clinical role and pathophysiologic effects of therapeutic hypothermia in the treatment of resuscitated patients based on current evidence and their practical experience.

Introduction: Since the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the first heart transplantation in Hungary in 2012 the emerging need for modern heart failure management via mechanical circulatory support has evolved. In May 2012 the opening of a new heart failure and transplant unit with 9 beds together with the procurement of necessary devices at Semmelweis University accomplished this need., Aim: The aim of the authors was to report their initial experience obtained in this new cardiac assist device program., Method: Since May, 2012, mechanical circulatory support system was applied in 89 cases in 72 patients. Indication for support were end stage heart failure refractory to medical treatment and acute left or right heart failure., Results: Treatment was initiated for acute graft failure after heart transplantation in 27 cases, for end stage heart failure in 24 cases, for acute myocardial infarction in 21 cases, for acute postcardiotomy heart failure in 14 cases, for severe respiratory insufficiency in 2 cases and for drug intoxication in one case. Among the 30 survivor of the whole program 13 patients were successfully transplanted., Conclusions: The available devices can cover all modalities of current bridge therapy from short term support through medium support to heart transplantation or long term support and destination therapy. These conditions made possible the successful start of a new cardiac assist device program.

Migration of a permanent pacemaker generator from their intramuscular pocket to the abdominal cavity is a less frequent, but potentially life-threatening complication. The authors present the case of a 69-year-old woman, who visited the emergency department of the clinic, with complains of non-specific abdominal symptoms. Her past medical history included a complete atrioventricular block diagnosed in 2009 during the mitral valve replacement and since then she had an epicardial permanent pacemaker; the pulse generator was placed into an intramuscular pouch created in the left subcostal region. Surprisingly, radiologic examinations showed that the generator migrated into the pouch of Douglas. Considering patient safety, first a new intracardiac pacemaker was implanted and then the migrated device was removed surgically. The patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day.

Therapeutic use of hypothermia has come to the frontline in the past decade again in the prevention and in mitigation of neurologic impairment. The application of hypothermia is considered as a successful therapeutic measure not just in neuro- or cardiac surgery, but also in states causing brain injury or damage. According to our present knowledge this is the only proven therapeutic tool, which improves the neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest, decreasing the oxygen demand of the brain. Besides influencing the nervous system, hypothermia influences the function of the whole organ system. Beside its beneficial effects, it has many side-effects, which may be harmful to the patient. Before using it for a therapeutic purpose, it is very important to be familiar with the physiology and complications of hypothermia, to know, how to prevent and treat its side-effects. The purpose of this article is to summarize the physiologic and pathophysiologic effects of hypothermia.

The tick bite transmitted Lyme disease is one of the most common antropozoonosis, about 10 000 new infections are reported in Hungary each year. The progress and clinical presentation can vary, and carditis can occur in later stages. A serologically verified Lyme disease caused third degree atrioventricular block in young male presenting with presyncope. Based on the tick-bites mentioned a few weeks prior to hospital admission, Lyme carditis was considered with the administration of antibiotics and monitor observation. Typical skin lesions were not recognized and laboratory findings showed no pathology. An electrophysiological study recorded a predominant supra-His atrioventricular block. Total regression of conduction could be detected later and the serological tests established an underlying Lyme disease. Currently no definite treatment recommendation is available for the potentially reversible Lyme carditis. The tick bite seemed to be the key on our way to diagnosis; however, serological tests proved the disease to be older than one year. A detailed medical history and serological tests are essential in identifying the cause and pacemaker implantation can be avoided.

Idiopathic fascicular ventricular tachycardia is an important and not very rare cardiac arrhythmia with specific electrocardiographic features and therapeutic options. Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by relatively narrow QRS complex and right bundle branch block pattern. The QRS axis depends on which fascicle is involved in the re-entry. Left axis deviation is noted with left posterior fascicular tachycardia and right axis deviation with left anterior fascicular tachycardia. A left septal fascicular tachycardia with normal QRS axis is also possible. Idiopathic fascicular tachycardia is usually seen in individuals without structural heart disease. Response to verapamil is an important feature of fascicular tachycardia. In some cases intravenous adenosine may also terminate the arrhythmia. During electrophysiology study, presystolic or diastolic potentials precede the QRS, presumed to originate from the Purkinje fibers. The potentials can be recorded during sinus rhythm and ventricular tachycardia in many patients with fascicular tachycardia. This potential (so-called Purkinje potential) has been used as a guide to catheter ablation. Correct diagnosis of fascicular tachycardia is very important because catheter ablation is very effective in the treatment of this type of ventricular tachycardia. In this review, we describe three patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and their successful catheter ablation, and summarize the actual knowledge of the diagnosis and management of this special ventricular tachycardia.

Endocardial radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed because of frequent, 150/min monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). In February 2005 it was many times terminated only by ICD shock in a 55-year-old postinfarction patient who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) 5 years ago because of rapid, monomorphic VT. After being asymptomatic for two months, a slower, 120/min, however, incessant ventricular tachycardia was present which was untreatable by a repeated endocardial ablation. Combined antiarrhythmic treatment was not effective either. In June 2005, after another unsuccessful endocardial ablation, epicardial ablation was decided as an "ultimum refugium". After subxyphoidal percutaneous pericardial punction we positioned the ablation catheter in the pericardial space, and ablation at the earliest activation point terminated the permanently ongoing arrhythmia for one and a half month within 5 seconds. After another three ablations we were unable to induce ventricular arrhythmia even with programmed ventricular extrastimulation. During a three-year follow-up, ventricular tachycardia was noticed in only two cases, ICD terminated both arrhythmias with the first antitachycardia pacing. The patient is in NYHA stage II at present. According to our knowledge, our case is the first successful epicardial ablation of incessant ventricular tachycardia in a postinfarction patient in Hungary.

Heart failure has a high prevalence and it has a poor prognosis despite the advances in pharmacological treatment. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with biventricular pacemaker has a clinically proven efficacy in the treatment of heart failure with intraventricular dyssynchrony. Conventionally the therapy is indicated in severe drug refractory heart failure (NYHA III-IV) with optimal drug treatment, increased QRS duration (> or = 120 ms), echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction at most 35%). Implementation of new methods (tissue doppler echocardiography, CT, MRI, electroanatomical mapping) can help to select potentially responding patients. Individual optimization of therapy can be performed with non-invasive and invasive methods, the efficacy can be improved even in responding patients. Due to the outstanding efficiency widening the indications is a must. Currently, the efficacy is being investigated in mild heart failure and patients with narrow QRS. Several other questions (transvenous or surgical implantation, need of an implantable defibrillator) will be answered in future trials.

According to initial clinical results biventricular pacing seems to be effective in the treatment of patients suffering from drug refractory severe heart failure combined with intraventricular conduction disturbance. Biventricular cardioverter defibrillators and biventricular pacemakers were implanted in patients suffering from drug refractory severe heart failure in 3 and in 2 cases, respectively (follow up > 6 months). NYHA III-IV functional class, low left ventricular ejection fraction (23.2 +/- 5.4%), wide QRS (> 150 ms) with left bundle branch block and lateral dyssynchrony were present in each case. The left ventricle was enlarged in each patient (end-diastolic/end-systolic diameter: 78.6 +/- 9.2/66.2 +/- 8.1 mm). The indications of cardioverter defibrillator implantations were both sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia combined with syncope in 2 and in 1 case, respectively. The duration of QRS decreased (190 +/- 36 vs. 134 +/- 17 ms, p = 0.012) and wall movement disorder disappeared. At the last follow up every patients were in NYHA II functional class and a decrease in left ventricular diameter could be observed (end-diastolic: 72 +/- 10.4 mm, p = 0.07; end-systolic: 62 +/- 10 mm, p = 0.09). During the follow up period (7.3 +/- 1.7 months) 18 episodes of ventricular arrhythmias could be detected in the same patient. Biventricular pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators were implanted and applied successfully in the treatment of congestive heart failure for the first time in Hungary. The effect of biventricular pacing on morbidity and mortality, the cost-effectiveness, the exact indication and the combined use with cardioverter defibrillator have yet to be proven in future randomized trials.

According to initial clinical results biventricular pacing seems to be effective in the treatment of patients suffering from drug refractory severe heart failure combined with intraventricular conduction disturbance. Biventricular cardioverter defibrillators and biventricular pacemakers were implanted in patients suffering from drug refractory severe heart failure in 10 and in 15 cases, respectively. NYHA III-IV functional class, low left ventricular ejection fraction (24.2 +/- 6%), wide QRS (> 150 ms) with left bundle branch block and lateral dyssynchrony were present in each case. The left ventricle was enlarged in each patient (endodiastolic/endsystolic diameter: 78.6 +/- 9.2/68.2 +/- 8.3). The indications of cardioverter defibrillator implantations were both sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia combined with syncope in 7 and in 3 case, respectively. The duration of QRS decreased (187 +/- 32 vs. 136 +/- 19 ms, p = 0.012) and wall movement disorder disappeared. At the last follow up every patients were in NYHA II functional class and a decrease in left ventricular diameter could be observed (endodiastolic: 70.3 +/- 9.1 mm, p = 0.04; endosystolic: 61.9 +/- 8.8 mm, p = 0.04). During the follow up period (8.8 +/- 5.1 months) 18 episodes of ventricular arrhythmias were detected in the same patient, 2 patients died (1 arrhythmia death, 1 sudden cardiac death). Biventricular pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators were implanted and applied successfully in the treatment of congestive heart failure for the first time in Hungary.

Biatrial pacing seems to be a possible non-pharmacological therapeutic choice in the prevention of drug-refractory, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Biatrial pacing using standard right atrial and coronary sinus left atrial pacing shows an antiarrhythmic effect, which mechanism is not well understood. Biatrial pacemaker was implanted in three patients suffering from drug refractory, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (lone and nonvalvular in 2 and in one case, respectively). Interatrial conduction disturbance (P > 120 ms) was found in three case. Bradycardia dependent arrhythmia development was not observed. Left atrial and right atrial premature beats dominated in 2 and in one case, respectively. P-wave duration was decreased by biatrial pacing in every patients. Atrial fibrillation has not been detected in two patients 1 day and 4 weeks after pacemaker implantation (follow up period: 9 and 5 months), however antiarrhythmic drugs has been withdrawn. In the number of left atrial premature beats a marked decrease was observed. Neither biatrial nor standard right atrial pacing nor combined medical and atrial pacing antiarrhythmic therapy were proven to be effective. In Hungary we were the first to implant and apply effectively biatrial pacemaker in the prevention of paroxysmal drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. However better identification the responding patients subgroup with atrial fibrillation is needed.