Cope's sign and complete heart block secondary to acute cholecystitis: A case report

Rationale: Cope's sign is reflex bradycardia seen in the patient presenting with symptoms of acute cholecystitis. This bradycardia may be due to vagally mediated cardio-biliary reflex. Many of these reflexes due to acute cholecystitis have similar clinical features (some electrocardiographic changes like bradycardia, complete heart block, and asystole) mimicking that of acute coronary syndrome. Patient's concern: A 60-year old male presented with symptoms of acute cholecystitis and referred to the emergency department with complete heart block and abdominal pain with hypotension requiring an emergency temporary pacemaker. Diagnosis: Cope's sign and complete heart block. Intervention: Emergency temporary cardiac pacemaker insertion. Outcomes: The patient was discharged after three days with regular follow-up and advice for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Lessons: Complete heart block or any symptomatic bradycardia associated with abdominal pain should be under consideration of cholecystitis that may be associated with either presence or absence of gall stones due to cardio biliary reflex.

COVID-19 presenting as complete heart block:A case report

Rationale:COVID-19 has a wide range of clinical presentations requiring a high index of suspicion for diagnosing patients presenting with extrapulmonary manifestations.Among them,patients with cardiovascular involvement have a high mortality.Patient’s concerns:A 50-year-old male patient with COVID-19 infection presented with multiple syncopal episodes,myalgia,and mild respiratory symptoms.Diagnosis:Mild COVID-19 infection with complete heart block.Interventions:Temporary pacing followed by permanent pacemaker insertion 10 days after the onset.Outcomes:The patient was managed as per COVID-19 protocol in an isolation ward,and his condition improved but remained pacemaker dependent until a repeat RT-PCR for COVID-19 tested negative,after which he was shifted back to the cardiac care unit for permanent pacemaker insertion.The patient was discharged after inflammatory markers were normal and clinical condition was completely stable.Lessons:COVID-19 has a wide range of clinical presentations,and extrapulmonary manifestations,especially,cardiovascular involvement can not be ignored.

Unusual course of congenital complete heart block in an adult:A case report

BACKGROUND Congenital complete heart block(CCHB)with normal cardiac structure and negativity for anti-Ro/La antibody is rare.Additionally,CCHB is much less frequently diagnosed in adults,and its natural history in adults is less well known.CASE SUMMARY A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for frequent syncopal episodes.She had bradycardia at the age of 1 year but had never had impaired exercise capacity or a syncopal episode before admission.The possible diagnosis of acquired complete atrioventricular block was carefully ruled out,and then the diagnosis of CCHB was made.According to existing guidelines,permanent pacemaker implantation was recommended,but the patient declined.With regular follow-up for 28 years,the patient had an unusually good outcome without any invasive intervention or medicine.She had an uneventful pregnancy and led a normally active life without any symptoms of low cardiac output or syncopal recurrence.CONCLUSION This case implies that CCHB in adulthood may have good clinical outcomes and does not always require permanent pacemaker implantation.

Acquired Complete Heart Block with Long QT Interval and Recurrent Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report

We are reporting a case of acquired complete heart block and long QT interval (a dispersion of repolarization that leads to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) that has presented with loss of conscious and proved to be due to torsade de pointes. The patient responded well to cardiac pacing and beta blocker therapy. The association of complete acquired heart block and long QT interval is quite rare.

Unruptured Right Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Dissecting into Interventricular Septum Causing Complete Heart Block: Can Early Surgical Correction Revert Rhythm Disturbances?

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) is abnormal dilatation of the either aortic sinuses, area of the aortic root between the aortic valve annulus and the sinotubular junction. Their clinical presentation may range from being asymptomatic as an incidental finding on cardiac imaging to symptomatic presentations related to the compression of adjoining structures or intracardiac shunting caused by rupture of the SOVA mostly into the right side of the heart. The compression leads to findings of tricuspid valve regurgitation, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction and rarely complete heart block (CHB). Dissection or erosion into interventricular septum is one of the rarest complications of SOVA. The symptomatic presentation is almost always a surgical emergency. Here we present a case report of a patient with unruptured sinus of valsalva originating from right sinus dissecting into interventricular septum causing complete heart bock. In this case after surgical correction the complete heart block reverted to sinus rhythm.

Do Patients with Asymptomatic Congenital Complete Heart Block Require a Pacemaker for Non-Cardiac Surgery?

The appropriate preparation of the patient with asymptomatic congenital complete heart block (CCHB) and a narrow QRS complex for elective non-cardiac surgery is controversial. Prophylactic temporary pacemaker insertion is associated with well-defined risks, and less invasive techniques exist to treat transient, hemodynamically significant intraoperative brady-arrhythmias. The present case report details the performance of general anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery in an adult patient with this condition without a pacemaker. Documentation of preoperative chronotropic competence with isoproterenol may be of value in deciding whether to proceed without temporary pacing capability in this setting.

Clinical Nursing Intervention of Moxibustion on Abdominal Distension Symptoms in Heart Failure (Heart and Kidney Yang Deficiency and Blood Stasis Blocking Collaterals Syndrome)

Objective:To investigate the clinical nursing intervention effect of moxibustion on abdominal distension symptoms in heart failure(heart and kidney yang deficiency and blood stasis blocking collaterals syndrome).Methods:62 patients with heart failure(heart and kidney yang deficiency and blood stasis blocking collaterals syndrome)admitted to our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024 were selected and divided into the observation group(n=31)and the control group(n=31)by using the random numerical table method.The control group adopted conventional nursing interventions,and the observation group received the nursing program of the control group with the addition of moxibustion nursing interventions.The nursing effectiveness,quality of life scores,and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results:The nursing effectiveness of the observation group was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05);the quality of life score of the observation group was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05);the nursing satisfaction of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of moxibustion nursing intervention in patients with heart failure(heart and kidney yang deficiency and blood stasis blocking collaterals syndrome)can effectively relieve the symptoms of abdominal distension,improve patients'quality of life,and increase nursing satisfaction,which has promotion and application values.

Autoimmune-associated Congenital Heart Block： A New Insight in Fetal Life

Objective： Congenital heart block （CHB） is a rare but life-threatening disorder. More than half of CHB cases are associated with maternal autoimmune, which are termed as autoimmune-associated CHB. This review summarized the recent research findings in understanding autoimmune-associated CHB, discussed the current diagnostic approaches and management strategies, and summarized the problems and future directions for this disorder. Data Sources： We retrieved the articles published in English from the PubMed database up to January 2017, using the keywords including＂Autoimmune-associated＂, ＂Autoimmune-mediated＂, and ＂Congenital heart block＂. Study Selection： Articles about autoimmune-associated CHB were obtained and reviewed. Results： Observational studies consistently reported that transplacental maternal antibodies might recognize fetal or neonatal antigens in various tissues and result in immunological damages, but the molecular mechanisms underlying CHB pathogenesis still need illuminated. Multiple factors were involved in the process of atrioventricular block development and progression. While several susceptibility genes had been successfully defined, how these genes and their protein interact and impact each other remains to be explored. With currently available diagnostic tools, fetal ultrasound cardiography, and fetal magnetocardiography, most of CHB could be successfully diagnosed and comprehensively evaluated prenatally. The efficacy of current approaches for preventing the progression and recurrence of CHB and other autoimmune-mediated damages was still controversial. Conclusions： This review highlighted the relationships between autoimmune injuries and CHB and strengthened the importance of perinatal management and therapy for autoimmune-associated CHB.

Misinterpretation of sleep-induced second-degree atrioventricular block

A number of publications have claimed that Mobitz type Ⅱ atrioventricular block(AVB)may occur during sleep.None of the reports defined type Ⅱ AVB and representative electrocardiograms were either misinterpreted or missing.Relatively benign Wenckebach type Ⅰ AVB is often misdiagnosed as Mobitz type Ⅱ which is an indication for a pacemaker.Review of the published reports indicates that Mobitz type II AVB does not occur during sleep when it is absent in the awake state.Conclusion:There is no proof that sleep is associated with Mobitz type Ⅱ AVB.

Different Effects of Right and Left Stellate Ganglion Block on Systolic Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Purpose: Whether or not right and left stellate ganglion blocks (SGB) affect blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) differently has been controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze BP and HR changes after large numbers of right or left SGBs. Methods: A total of 16,404 right SGBs and 13,766 left SGBs were performed with 6 ml of 1% mepivacaine using the anterior paratracheal approach at C6. Changes in systolic BP and HR 30 min after SGBs were compared to the baseline values. Results: Systolic BP decreased by 25 to 49 mmHg in 10.93% and more than 50 mmHg in 0.67% of 16,404 right SGBs. Those percentages were significantly higher than corresponding percentages;8.43% and 0.49% of 13,766 left SGBs (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). On the other hand, systolic BP increased by 25-49 mmHg in 5.74% and more than 50 mmHg in 0.52% of left SGBs, and in 4.15% and 0.18% of right SGBs (P < 0.0001and P < 0.0001 between left and right SGBs, respectively). Right SGB caused marked reduction in HR (greater than 30 beats/min), more than left SGB (4.22% versus 2.70%, P Conclusions: Both right and left SGBs could produce clinically significant hypertension and hypotension, and also severe bradycardia. However, right SGB produces a higher incidence of significant reductions in systolic BP and HR, compared to left SGB. On the other hand, left SGB produces a significant increase in systolic BP compared to right SGB. Those differences likely stem from the hemispheric asymmetry in autonomic cardiovascular control.

An index for evaluating distance of a healthy heart from Sino-Atrial blocking arrhythmia

In this paper, an index for evaluating Distance of a healthy heart from Sino-Atrial Blocking Arrhythmia (SABA) is presented. After definition of the main pacemakers' model of heart, Sino-Atrial (SA) and Atrio-Ventricular nodes (AV), the boundary of synchronization, which demonstrates the boundary of blocking arrhythmia, is obtained using perturbation method. In order to estimate of healthy heart characteristics, a parameter estimator is introduced. The distance from SABA is calculated using Lagrange method and Kohn-Tucker conditions. In addition, the maximum admissible decrease in the coupling intensity and the maximum admissible increase in the discrepancy between the natural frequencies of two pacemakers are determined in order to maintain the synchronization between the two pacemakers.

Heart stopping tick

Although Lyme carditis is relatively rare within 4-6 wk of exposure, it can uncommonly present as the first sign of disseminated Lyme disease. Here we present 17 year old boy who presented to the emergency department with chest discomfort and was later found to have complete atrioventricular block due to lyme carditis. He had uneventful recovery after empiric treatment with ceftriaxone. Our case highlights the importance of considering reversible causes of complete AV block since appropriate therapy can avoid the need for permanent pacemaker insertion.

Pediatric Post-Operative Atrio-Ventricular Block Meets the Affordable Care Act: A New Strategy for Management

Introduction: Post-operative (post-op) complete atrio-ventricular heart block (CAVB) occurs after 1% - 4% of pediatric cardiac operations. Current practice dictates implantation of permanent pacemaker (PPM) when post-op CAVB persists >9 days. We propose that earlier PPM implantation may be the most cost-effective methodology since patient costs increase with extended length of stay (LOS). Methods: Data on the probabilities of persistent post-op CAVB were extracted from published reports. No individual patient data were utilized during this study. This was utilized to create a decision-making model and a total cost analysis on post-op day 0 - 10 to determine the most cost-efficient day to implant a PPM. Cost variables included estimates of daily cardiac ICU care, cost of PPM implantation, LOS, cost related to possible superficial or deep infection based on published prevalence rates (2.3% and 4.9%, respectively) and need for explant due to deep infection or recovery of native conduction. The model assumes 5-day minimum LOS and 1 day increase in LOS with PPM implantation. Cost data were obtained from relevant billing codes and manufacturer list prices for PPM and leads. A secondary analysis evaluated probability of unnecessary PPMs implanted and excess costs. Results: Post-op day (POD) 4 is the lowest total cost of PPM implantation for post-op CAVB, even when accounting for possible risk of either superficial or deep infection. A one-way sensitivity analysis accounting for variability of cardiac ICU care costs between centers ranging from $3000 - $9000 per day consistently replicates POD 4 as the most cost-effective day for PPM implantation. Implant on POD 4 results in a 26% chance of unnecessary implantation. Conclusions: The most cost-efficient day for PPM implantation for post-op CAVB is post-op day 4, which results in a minimum total cost savings of $17,422 per patient. Added costs due to risk of superficial or deep infection are marginal due to low prevalence of post-operative infection in this population.

Scalp block for brain abscess drainage in a patient with uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot

We report a case of an 11-year-old boy with diagnosed but uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot presented to us for brain abscess drainage. The child was managed successfully with scalp block with sedation.

Biventricular pacing for treating heart failure in children: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT) can be used as an escalated therapy to improve heart function in patients with cardiac dysfunction due to long-term right ventricular pacing. However, guidelines are only targeted at adults. CRT is rarely used in children.CASE SUMMARY This case aimed to implement biventricular pacing in one child with heart failure who had a left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% at 4 years after implantation of an atrioventricular sequential pacemaker due to atrioventricular block.Postoperatively, echocardiography showed atrial sensing ventricular pacing and QRS wave duration of 120-130 ms, and cardiac function significantly improved after upgrading pacemaker.CONCLUSION Patients whose cardiac function is deteriorated to a level to upgrade to CRT should be upgraded to reverse myocardial remodeling as soon as possible.

High Degree Atrioventricular Block Complicated Cardiac Sarcoidosis: Case Report

Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) is a rare and deceptive disease affecting young adults with catastrophic results including life threatening arrhythmia, congestive heart failure and even sudden death as the initial presentation. CS has been linked to a significant high morbidity & mortality. We present two patients: The first patient with an initial cardiac event that led us to a diagnosis of Pulmonary and Cardiac Sarcoidosis. A second patient, who was diagnosed initially with pulmonary Sarcoidosis, presented with a severe heart conduction abnormality. Both patients were successfully treated with permanent pacemakers. The dual purpose of our study is first to emphasize the importance of follow up on patients with Non-Cardiac Sarcoidosis for cardiac involvement and secondly to increase awareness of CS as part of a differential diagnosis among young adults with unexplained arrhythmia.

左侧星状神经节阻滞对心内直视术患者血流动力学及预后的影响

目的 探究左侧星状神经节阻滞对心内直视术患者血流动力学及预后的影响。方法 选取111例心内直视术患者作为研究对象,依据随机数字分配法分为观察组(56例)和对照组(55例)。对照组患者给予局部麻醉(局麻)后采集右侧颈内的血液标本并实行心内直视术,观察组患者在对照组基础上实行左侧星状神经节阻滞术。比较两组患者在逆行置管后(T0)、主动脉开放10 min(T1)、术后2 h(T2)、术后6 h(T3)、术后24 h(T4)时的血流动力学指标、血浆炎症因子[肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)]水平及血浆神经组织蛋白(S100β)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)水平。结果 两组患者T0~T4时平均动脉压(MAP)、心率(HR)无明显差异(P>0.05)。两组患者T0时血浆炎症因子水平无明显差异(P>0.05);两组患者T1~T4时TNF-α、IL-8、IL-10均高于T0时,且观察组患者T1~T4时TNF-α、IL-8、IL-10均优于对照组(P<0.05)。两组患者TNF-α、IL-8、IL-10在T1~T4时随着时间变化先升高后降低,以T2时水平达到最高。T0~T4时,观察组患者S100β分别为(0.33±0.10)、(1.26±0.25)、(1.02±0.04)、(0.67±0.15)、(0.43±0.11)μg/L, NSE分别为(7.68±0.59)、(10.09±0.78)、(9.41±0.62)、(9.10±0.66)、(8.01±0.51)μg/L;对照组患者S100β分别为(0.31±0.08)、(1.52±0.35)、(1.18±0.12)、(1.05±0.33)、(0.52±0.25)μg/L, NSE分别为(7.56±0.65)、(11.35±1.33)、(10.66±1.01)、(10.56±1.02)、(8.98±0.68)μg/L。相比于T0时,两组患者的S100β、NSE水平在T1~T4时均有所上升(P<0.05);相比于对照组,观察组患者的S100β及NSE水平在T1~T4时均降低(P<0.05)。结论 左侧星状神经节阻滞对心内直视术患者血流动力学影响较小,且可减轻患者体内的炎症反应,改善神经因子。

超声引导下RISS平面阻滞对胸腹部手术患者血清Cor、SP、PGE2、IL-6的影响

目的 探究超声引导下菱形肌-肋间肌-低位前锯肌(RISS)平面阻滞对胸腹部手术患者血清Cor、SP、PGE2、IL-6的影响。方法 选取2021年1月至2022年7月入住秦皇岛市第一医院接受胸腹部手术的患者126例,按照随机掷硬币法分为观察组和对照组,各63例,两组进行常规麻醉诱导,气管插管后观察组行超声引导下RISS平面阻滞,对照组不行神经阻滞。比较两组术后疼痛视觉模拟(VAS)评分及镇静Ramsay评分、手术麻醉药物用量、围术期血流动力学指标(收缩压、舒张压、心率)及炎症应激指标[皮质醇(Cor)、P物质(SP)、前列腺素E2(PGE2)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)]水平、不良反应发生情况。结果 手术结束后2 h、12 h、24 h,观察组VAS评分和Ramsay评分均显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);术中及术后24 h,观察组舒芬太尼使用量显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);插管后两组收缩压、舒张压和心率均低于插管前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),插管后10 min和停药后10 min,观察组收缩压、舒张压心率显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后两组外周血中Cor、SP、PGE2、IL-6水平均低于术前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后12 h、24 h,观察组Cor、SP、PGE2、IL-6水平均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组麻醉不良反应总发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 超声引导下RISS平面阻滞具有良好镇痛镇静效果,能减轻胸腹部手术患者应激及炎症反应,安全性较高,值得临床应用推广。

胎儿超声心动图诊断自身抗体相关的先天性心脏传导阻滞的研究进展

自身抗体相关的先天性心脏传导阻滞与母体抗干燥综合征抗原A、抗干燥综合征抗原B抗体阳性均相关,该病病情进展迅速,严重的房室传导阻滞患儿死亡率较高,大多患儿需植入永久起搏器,早期准确诊断对改善患儿预后具有重要的临床意义。本文就自身抗体对心脏的影响、自身抗体相关的先天性心脏传导阻滞发病特点和胎儿超声心动图诊断的研究进展进行综述。

妇科腹腔镜术中应用超声下腹横肌平面阻滞的效果

目的:观察妇科腹腔镜术中应用超声下腹横肌平面阻滞的效果。方法:选取2023年1月—2024年1月拟于青海红十字医院行妇科腹腔镜术的患者100例作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,各50例。在常规麻醉基础上,观察组术中实施超声下腹横肌平面阻滞,对照组注射生理盐水对照干预。对比两组生命体征变化情况和镇痛效果。结果:两组诱导前收缩压、舒张压及心率对比,无统计学差异(P>0.05);两组插管后收缩压、舒张压及心率高于诱导前,观察组低于对照组(P<0.05);两组拔管时收缩压、舒张压及心率高于诱导前,观察组收缩压及心率低于对照组(P<0.05);两组拔管时舒张压比较,无统计学差异(P>0.05)。两组术后8 h、24 h及48 h视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分均低于术后4 h(P<0.05);观察组术后4 h、8 h、24 h及48 h VAS评分低于对照组(P<0.001)。结论:妇科腹腔镜术中应用超声下腹横肌平面阻滞可保持患者生命体征稳定,并获得良好的镇痛效果。