Roman Steckiewicz

Detection of patients at risk for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful electrical cardioversion by signal-averaged P-wave ECG

The aim of the study was to assess the value of signal-averaged ECG of P-wave in predicting recurrence of atrial fibrillation after direct-current electrical cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation. The signal-averaged ECG triggered by P-wave was recorded in 35 patients after successful electroconversion. Duration of the high frequency P-wave and the root mean square voltages for the last 20 ms (RMS20) P-wave of the vector magnitude were calculated. After 6 months follow-up recurrence of atrial fibrillation was observed in 11 patients (group I) and in 24 patients sinus rhythm was maintained (group II). A filtered P-wave was significantly longer in group I with recurrence of atrial fibrillation, than in patients from group II who maintained sinus rhythm (145+/-11.8 vs 130+/-10.8 ms, p<0.001). RMS20 was significantly lower in group I than in patients from group II (1.6+/-0.6 vs 2.2+/-0.9 microV, p<0.02). A filtered P-wave of duration >q37 ms associated with a RMS 20 ms <1.9 microV had a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 71% for the detection of patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful direct-current electrical cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation. These results suggest that signal-averaged ECG of P-wave may be helpful for identification of patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful direct-current electrical cardioversion.

The prevalence of superior vena cava anomalies as detected in cardiac implantable electronic device recipients at a tertiary cardiology centre over a 12-year period.

INTRODUCTION The vast majority of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) recipients require transvenous lead insertion, which may be hindered by the presence of venous anomalies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and variations of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) and to conduct subsequent outpatient follow-up in terms of device function and the clinical condition of the recipients using data from CIED placement procedures conducted over a 12-year period. METHODS The study population included patients undergoing first-time transvenous implantation of cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). The presence of PLSVC was determined based on intra-procedure venography. Outpatient follow-up involved assessments of patient condition, radiological imaging, and CIED function. RESULTS Of a total of 4708 CIED recipients, PLSVC was detected in eight patients (mean age 65.5±13.9); five of them had double superior vena cava (DSVC), including three cases in which the vessels were bridged with a brachiocephalic vein (BCV). Three patients presented PLSVC associated with the absence of the right superior vena cava (RSVC), a very rare anomaly. Seven patients remain under observation, for a total of 78.4±48.4 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The rate of venous anomalies in the form of PLSVC detected in the evaluated population was 0.17%. These PLSVC cases were asymptomatic, which hindered their earlier detection. The presence of these anomalies made the procedures more challenging for the operator and increased the perioperative complication rates; however, neither patient condition nor CIED function was affected based on the long-term outpatient follow-up.

Selected clinical challenges of a supraclavicular cephalic vein in cardiac implantable electronic device implantation.

BACKGROUND Supraclavicular variations of the cephalic vein (CV) are detected sporadically. A somewhat more common finding is a CV variation with the typical course of the main vessel but with an additional supraclavicular branch, called the jugulocephalic vein (JCV). The aim of the study was to detect supraclavicular CVs or JCVs via intra-operative venography as well as assess their effects on primary and later revision cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures in our patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed venographic images obtained during CIED procedures at our centre between 2011 and 2015. Out of the 324 venographies conducted during first-time CIED implantation, we identified 14 showing either a supraclavicular course of the CV itself or a persistent JCV. Among revision procedure venographies, we identified 1 case of pertinent CV variations. These vessels had been morphometrically altered by previous medical interventions. RESULTS Based on topography and morphometric parameters, we identified three anatomical variations of supraclavicular vessels: 2 cases of a supraclavicular CV and 12 cases of an infraclavicular CV accompanied by a persistent supraclavicular JCV (with the diameter larger than that of the main CV in 5 cases and smaller in 7 cases). In 2 cases the enlarged diameter of the JCV was probably due to increased collateral venous flow resulting from thrombotic lesions in the subclavian vein. CONCLUSIONS Supraclavicular CV variations are rare. Nonetheless, they may significantly affect both first-time and later revision CIED procedures. The presence of a supraclavicular vein is an indication for diagnostic venography in the area of the clavipectoral triangle before the CIED procedure.

Low-symptomatic skeletal muscle disease in patients with a cardiac disease – Diagnostic approach in skeletal muscle laminopathies

Mild skeletal muscle symptoms might be accompanied with severe cardiac disease, sometimes indicating a serious inherited disorder. Very often it is a cardiologist who refers a patient with cardiomyopathy and/or cardiac arrhythmia and discrete muscle disease for neurological consultation, which helps to establish a proper diagnosis. Here we present three families in which a diagnosis of skeletal muscle laminopathy was made after careful examination of the members, who presented with cardiac arrhythmia and/or heart failure and a mild skeletal muscle disease, which together with positive family history allowed to direct the molecular diagnostics and then provide appropriate treatment and counseling.

A rare vascular anomaly in the form of double left brachiocephalic vein detected incidentally during cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) placement

The growing number of transvenous cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation procedures helps detect rare vascular anomalies. Genetic disturbances in vascular development can produce systemic vein anomalies, including the left brachiocephalic vein (BCV). BCV anomalies commonly coexist with a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), detected in 0.3-0.5% of the general population. The three known anatomical variations of PLSVC are two variations involving a BCV bridge and the third with BCV agenesis. BCV anomalies occur in 1% of patients with congenital heart defects, whereas the estimated proportion of BCV anomalies in the population with no cardiovascular symptoms is below 0.4%. A rarely observed, and thus rarely reported, BCV variation is a double left BCV, with the additional vessel typically found inferior and posterior to the ascending aorta prior to draining into the superior vena cava. This case report presents a previously unreported variation of double left BCV, with both vessels coursing parallel to each other, superior to the aortic arch. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 161-165).

Clinical implications of cephalic vein morphometry in routine cardiac implantable electronic device insertion

BACKGROUND Morphometric parameters of the venous vasculature constitute an important aspect in successful cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) insertion. The purpose of this study was to present morpho-anatomical variations of the cephalic vein (CV) and their effect on the course of CIED implantation procedures, based on the patients from our centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed contrast venography results obtained during first-time lead placement. Venography was indicated in the cases of problematic lead introduction with either the CV cutdown or axillary/subclavian vein puncture techniques. The 214 cases of venography (15%) performed out of 1425 first-time lead placement in the period 2011-2013 were divided into 9 subgroups according to the most commonly observed CV variations of similar morpho-anatomical features that limited the use of the CV cutdown technique for lead insertion. RESULTS The following CV morphometric parameters were found to be unfavo-urable in terms of lead placement: CV diameter of ≤ 1 mm (18%), sharp curva-ture of the terminal CV segment as it joined the axillary vein (14%), terminal CV bifurcation (9%), additional CV branches (7%) or tributaries (7%), stenoses (5%), sharply winding course (5%), single CV with a supraclavicular course (4%). CONCLUSIONS The radiographic records obtained during the procedures allowed us to assess the prevalence of those atypical CV variations in our study group, with graphic presentation of characteristic types and sporadically reported CV variations.

Difficulties in attempt of pacemaker implantation in patient with persistent left superior vena cava and agenesis of the right superior vena cava led to diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis—three in one rare pathologies: a case report

A 52-year-old female patient was referred to a district hospital for pacemaker implantation due to symptomatic paroxysmal second/third degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Placement of pacemaker leads through the left-sided approach was hampered by a vascular anomaly. The electrode was placed into the right …

Radiographic implications of procedures involving cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) – Selected aspects

BACKGROUND Some cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation procedures require the use of X-rays, which is reflected by such parameters as total fluoroscopy time (TFT) and dose-area product (DAP - defined as the absorbed dose multiplied by the area irradiated). MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study evaluated 522 CIED implantation (424 de novo and 98 device upgrade and new lead placement) procedures in 176 women and 346 men (mean age 75±11 years) over the period 2012-2015. The recorded procedure-related parameters TFT and DAP were evaluated in the subgroups specified below. The group of 424 de novo procedures included 203 pacemaker (PM) and 171 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation procedures, separately stratified by single-chamber and dual-chamber systems. Another subgroup of de novo procedures involved 50 cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. The evaluated parameters in the group of 98 upgrade procedures were compared between 2 subgroups: CRT only and combined PM and ICD implantation procedures. RESULTS We observed differences in TFT and DAP values between procedure types, with PM-related procedures showing the lowest, ICD - intermediate (with values for single-chamber considerably lower than those for dual-chamber systems) and CRT implantation procedures - highest X-ray exposure. Upgrades to CRT were associated with 4 times higher TFT and DAP values in comparison to those during other upgrade procedures. Cardiac resynchronization therapy de novo implantation procedures and upgrades to CRT showed similar mean values of these evaluated parameters. CONCLUSIONS Total fluoroscopy time and DAP values correlated progressively with CIED implantation procedure complexity, with CRT-related procedures showing the highest values of both parameters. Med Pr 2017;68(3):363-374.

Altered topography of systemic veins following lung tissue resection: the effect on de novo cardiac implantable electronic device implantation

Venous anomalies discovered on cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation may hinder both the insertion of cardiac leads and the selection of their optimal intraventricular placement. Such venous anomalies may be a result of congenital vascular defects, e.g. anomalies of the foetal venous system, or be a consequence of earlier cardio- or thoracosurgical procedures. In the case of the latter, the extent of morphometric changes to mediastinal structures may depend on the extent of prior lung tissue resection. This paper presents 3 cases of CIED implantation procedures performed in patients with systemic veins topographically and morphometrically altered post lung surgery.

Mechaniczna kompresja lewej żyły ramienno-głowowej wykryta podczas implantacji stymulatora

Significant morphometric and/or topographic anomalies of the veins used during cardiac implantable electronic device implantation procedures may affect the course of the procedure and increase the risk of postoperative complications. Congenital venous anomalies, post-thrombotic lesions, or compression by upper mediastinal lesions may alter the diameter and shape of the lumen in systemic veins. Vein compression by adjacent anatomical structures prompts blood drainage compensation via collateral circulation, slows blood flow, and causes localized blood stagnation. We present a case report of pacemaker implantation in a patient with a significantly reduced patency of the left brachiocephalic vein due to mechanical compression of the vessel by the brachiocephalic trunk and the sternum.