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In patients with wide-QRS tachycardia (WORST), atrioventricular dissociation, fusion complexes, and capture complexes are uncommon but important findings, because the presence of any of these characteristics indicates ventricular tachycardia (VT) [...]

Physiologic and clinical correlations that clarify a challenging diagnosis ABSTRACT: The distinction between wide-QRS ventricular tachycardia (VT) and wide-QRS supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is not always readily apparent but is very [...]

Acute treatment of atrial fibrillation is costly although spontaneous conversion rates are high. We reviewed 114 patients admitted to our inpatient service via the emergency department with a principal diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and found the spontaneous conversion rate was 50% in 48 hours, the average length of stay was 3.9 +/- 5.2 days, and the average cost was $6,692 +/- $4,928. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple trials using antiarrhythmic drugs, pharmacologic therapy, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators have been performed in an attempt to improve survival in patients: (1) postmyocardial infarction; (2) with congestive heart failure, with and without nonsustained ventricular tachycardia; and (3) with sustained ventricular tachycardia and those who have survived an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This article reviews some of the key findings and limitations of completed and ongoing trials. We also make recommendations for the current treatment of such patients based on the results of these trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offers information on the use of drugs for the conversion of atrial fibrillation, which is the most common arrhythmia in patients visiting a primary care practice. What is the most effective means of converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm; Percentage of atrial fibrillation prevalent in the adult population; What atrial fibrillation is associated with; Details on the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

An athletic 43-year-old man presented with symptomatic bradycardia and atrial flutter after being diagnosed with HLA B27 associated spondyloarthropathy several months earlier. The patient was admitted and underwent electrophysiology evaluation with ablation of his atrial flutter and eventually underwent pacemaker implantation. His cardiac workup showed a structurally normal heart and strongly suggested that his HLA B27 associated spondyloarthropathy was responsible for his presentation. A review of the literature suggests that HLA B27 spondyloarthropathy related heart block may be an often overlooked cause of heart block in otherwise healthy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The author reflects on the findings of various studies on comorbidities which primarily cause mortality in patients. A study of 2467 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients found that the advanced age, heart failure and other comorbidities predicted greater mortality in patients. But another study in a primary prevention trial showed that patients over 75 years old enjoyed reduction in mortality. The author also stated on the dramatic increase in the use of ICDs.

The article presents the author's view on sinus rhythm. Accordingly, the sinus rhythm is a term used in medicine to describe the normal beating of the heart, as measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG). There are two significant substudies which were conducted by cardiologists including the Rate Control Versus Electrical Cardioversion (RACE) and Atrial Fibrillation Following Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) Trial. These two substudies would help the patients with hypertension.

Presents a response to a letter to the editor about the article "A Decade of Clinical Trial Developments in Postmyocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure and Sustained Ventricular Tachyrhythmia Patients: From CAST to AVID and Beyond," published in a 1998 issue.

An athletic 43-year-old man presented with symptomatic bradycardia and atrial flutter after being diagnosed with HLA B27 associated spondyloarthropathy several months earlier. The patient was admitted and underwent electrophysiology evaluation with ablation of his atrial flutter and eventually underwent pacemaker implantation. His cardiac workup showed a structurally normal heart and strongly suggested that his HLA B27 associated spondyloarthropathy was responsible for his presentation. A review of the literature suggests that HLA B27 spondyloarthropathy related heart block may be an often overlooked cause of heart block in otherwise healthy patients.