Frederic Sacher

Ventricular Fibrillation with Prominent Early Repolarization Associated with a Rare Variant of KCNJ8/KATP Channel

Background: Early repolarization in the inferolateral leads has been recently recognized as a frequent syndrome associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF). We report the case of a patient presenting dramatic changes in the ECG in association with recurrent VF in whom a novel genetic variant has been identified.

Noninvasive Panoramic Mapping of Human Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms: A Feasibility Report

Recent developments in body surface mapping and computer processing have allowed noninvasive mapping of atrial activation responsible for various cardiac arrhythmias with increasingly greater resolution. We developed specific algorithms to identify localized sources and atrial propagation occurring simultaneously during ongoing atrial fibrillation (AF).

Progressive Cardiac Conduction Defect is the Prevailing Phenotype in Carriers of a Brugada Syndrome SCN5A Mutation

Introduction: Loss‐of‐function mutations in the SCN5A gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel are responsible for Brugada syndrome (BS) and also for progressive cardiac conduction disease (inherited Lenègre disease). In an attempt to clarify the frontier between these two entities, we have characterized cardiac conduction defect and its evolution with aging in a cohort of 78 patients carrying a SCN5A mutation linked to Brugada syndrome.

Regional Substrate Ablation Abolishes Brugada Syndrome

A 43-year-old man presented with syncope, family history of unexplained sudden death in his 41-year-old father, and unprovoked and consistent electrocardiographic (ECG) features of Brugada syndrome. SCN5A mutation was absent. Two months after the implantation of a defibrillator, he experienced recurrent shocks triggered by frequent episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF). The ECG recorded between the episodes showed sinus rhythm with unprovoked Brugada pattern in leads V1 and V2 and frequent isolated left bundle branch block morphology ventricular ectopic beats with inferior axis and QRS transition in lead V4. On continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring, the ectopics initiating VF

Are Women with Severely Symptomatic Brugada Syndrome Different from Men

Introduction: Spontaneous type‐1 ECG has been recognized as a risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Brugada syndrome (BrS), but studied populations predominantly consisted of men. We sought to investigate whether a spontaneous type‐1 ECG pattern was also associated in women with severely symptomatic BrS. Other known risk factors were also examined for gender specificity.

Atrial Structure and Function 5 Years After Successful Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: An MRI Study

The atrial outcome after extensive ablation is unknown. We sought to quantify atrial structure and function years after successful ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF).

Sudden Cardiac Arrest: ECG Repolarization After Resuscitation.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest and ECG Repolarization.u2002Introduction: Early repolarization (ERep) abnormalities on electrocardiogram (ECG) are common immediately following cardiac arrest. We characterized and correlated electrocardiographic repolarization abnormalities immediately after cardiac arrest with acute coronary angiography.

Pre- and intra-procedural predictors of reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy: an MRI study.

Response rate after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains suboptimal. We sought to identify pre‐ and intraprocedural predictors of response using MRI.

Showing Up Channels for Postinfarct Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation

The number of scar‐related ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation procedures is increasing worldwide. This is certainly due to the ever growing number of patients implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in whom an ablation procedure may be required to better control the ventricular arrhythmia burden, but is also likely related to our better understanding of the arrhythmias mechanisms as well as the improvement of the mapping techniques during the last 15 years. Most VTs, especially those arising after myocardial infarction, depend on a critical isthmus. Defining precisely the critical isthmus of postinfarct VT may be challenging, particularly when the arrhythmia is poorly tolerated. In the literature, there are extensive data concerning the value of conventional electrophysiological techniques, especially entrainment mapping in association with postpacing interval measurements, regarding the identification of postinfarct VT isthmuses. There are, however, other—sometimes emerging—approaches to image critical postinfarct VT channels. We have summarized these, reviewing data from the published literature as well as our own experience. (PACE 2012;00:1–8)

Mitral isthmus ablation with and without temporary spot occlusion of the coronary sinus: a randomized clinical comparison of acute outcomes

Role of CS Occlusion for Mitral Isthmus Ablation. Objective:u2002To evaluate the safety and outcomes of mitral isthmus (MI) linear ablation with temporary spot occlusion of the coronary sinus (CS).