Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Harshil Dhutia, Aneil Malhotra, Gherardo Finocchiaro, Sameer Parpia, Raghav Bhatia, Andrew D'Silva, Sabiha Gati, Greg Mellor, Rajay Narain, Navin Chandra, Elijah Behr, Maite Tome, Michael Papadakis, Sanjay Sharma
Summary: Screening with electrocardiography (ECG) in combination with a health questionnaire can significantly increase the ability to detect cardiovascular diseases associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young individuals, and is more cost effective compared to screening with a health questionnaire alone.
Article
Sport Sciences
H. MacLachlan, H. Dhutia, R. Bhatia, K. Boden, K. Forenc, J. Basu, C. Miles, R. Osborne, N. Chandra, A. Malhotra, G. Stuart, N. Peirce, S. Sharma, M. Papadakis
Summary: This study assessed the diagnostic yield and costs of a national screening program in elite cricket players using electrocardiogram as the basis. The study found that the screening program identified a certain proportion of major cardiac conditions in the athletes. The diagnostic yield can be further increased by combining transthoracic echocardiography and periodic evaluation but at an incremental cost.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
M. Albinski, M. Saubade, A. Menafoglio, P. Meyer, B. Capelli, T. Perrin, L. Trachsel, D. Hagemeyer, D. Casagrande, M. Wilhelm, C. Benaim, T. Pirrello, S. Albrecht, C. Schmied, Y. Mivelaz, S. Tercier, A. Baggish, V Gabus
Summary: This study aimed to assess electrocardiogram interpretation criteria in paediatric athletes and evaluate the cost of screening. The results showed a low count of abnormal findings in paediatric athletes, but the cost of screening was relatively high. Therefore, further longitudinal studies are necessary to elucidate the utility of including electrocardiograms in the screening of paediatric athletes.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jani T. Tikkanen, Tuomas Kentta, Kimmo Porthan, Olli Anttonen, Antti Eranti, Aapo L. Aro, Tuomas Kerola, Harri A. Rissanen, Paul Knekt, Markku Heliovaara, Arttu Holkeri, Anette Haukilahti, Teemu Niiranen, Jussi Hernesniemi, Antti Jula, Markku S. Nieminen, Robert J. Myerburg, Christine M. Albert, Veikko Salomaa, Heikki Huikuri, M. Juhani Junttila
Summary: This study found that prolonged QRS duration and QTc interval are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, when the QTc interval is deconstructed into QRS and JTc intervals, the repolarization component (JTc) appears to have no independent prognostic value.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hyun Jin Lee, A. Reum Choe, HaeJu Lee, Dong Ryeol Ryu, Ea Wha Kang, Jung Tak Park, Su Hwan Lee, Junbeom Park
Summary: The rate of sudden cardiac death is significantly higher in hemodialysis patients, with QTpe interval and ECG parameters being potential predictors for predicting SCD risk in this population.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Bharat Narasimhan, Neel Patel, Kam Ho, Birendra Amgai, David R. Okada, Dhrubajyoti Bandyopadhyay, Chayakrit Krittanawong, Lingling Wu, Kirtipal Bhatia, Rushil Shah, Ashish Correa, Davendra Mehta
Summary: This study identified that electrocardiographic markers of AV node dysfunction or bundle branch block are associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in patients with sarcoidosis. This association was observed in younger patients (<40 years) and those with normal ventricular function.
JACC-CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yun-Yu Chen, Fa-Po Chung, Yenn-Jiang Lin, Kuo-Liong Chien, Wei-Tien Chang
Summary: This study aimed to develop a point-based prediction model for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the general Asian population. A community-based longitudinal cohort study was conducted, and a novel scoring system (CCCC-SCD-Score) was derived using clinical factors, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data. The model effectively identified the risk for SCD in Asians without a history of coronary artery disease or low left ventricular ejection fraction.
CIRCULATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Gherardo Finocchiaro, Davide Radaelli, Stefano D'Errico, Michael Papadakis, Elijah R. Behr, Sanjay Sharma, Joseph Westaby, Mary N. Sheppard
Summary: This study investigated the causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in adolescents and found that the most common autopsy finding was structurally normal heart, indicative of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome. Among young athletes, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies, and commotio cordis were more common causes of SCD.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jenni J. Hekkanen, Tuomas Kentta, Mikko P. Tulppo, Antti M. Kiviniemi, Olavi H. Ukkola, M. Juhani Junttila, Heikki Huikuri, Juha S. Perkiomaki
Summary: This study evaluated the prognostic significance of temporal variability of P-wave morphology in relation to cardiac autonomic regulation. The results showed that the variability of P-wave morphology, when combined with cardiac autonomic regulation, independently predicts the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Fiorenzo Gaita, Natascia Cerrato, Carla Giustetto, Annamaria Martino, Laura Bergamasco, Michele Millesimo, Lorella Barbonaglia, Paula Carvalho, Domenico Caponi, Andrea Saglietto, Giacomo Bonacchi, Francesca Bianchi, Elisa Silvetti, Cinzia Crescenzi, Stefano Canestrelli, Melissa De Maio, Gaetano Maria De Ferrari, Giuseppe Musumeci, Francesco Rametta, Marco Scaglione, Leonardo Calo
Summary: The study evaluated the long-term prognosis of a large cohort of asymptomatic patients with Brugada ECG pattern. The entire population of asymptomatic patients with BrECG exhibited a relatively low event rate per year, with those having spontaneous type-1 BrECG and positive EPS showing higher risk. Asymptomatic patients with drug-induced-only BrECG had minimal arrhythmic risk, but ongoing follow-up was recommended to detect the appearance of spontaneous type-1 BrECG pattern.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Junichi Sugita, Katsuhito Fujiu, Yukiteru Nakayama, Takumi Matsubara, Jun Matsuda, Tsukasa Oshima, Yuxiang Liu, Yujin Maru, Eriko Hasumi, Toshiya Kojima, Hiroshi Seno, Keisuke Asano, Ayumu Ishijima, Naoki Tomii, Masatoshi Yamazaki, Fujimi Kudo, Ichiro Sakuma, Ryozo Nagai, Ichiro Manabe, Issei Komuro
Summary: It has been demonstrated that cardiac resident macrophages are crucial regulators of cardiac impulse conduction through the production of Amphiregulin, contributing significantly to the prevention of sudden death.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Li Fan, Ping Yin, Zuojun Xu
Summary: Sudden death in young adults can result from genetic and environmental factors, requiring an understanding of genetic etiology for prevention. The causes of sudden death are complex and varied, with genetic risk factors playing a significant role.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Linda C. Schroder, Arttu Holkeri, Antti Eranti, M. Anette E. Haukilahti, Tuomas Kerola, Tuomas Kentta, Kai Noponen, Tapio Seppanen, Harri Rissanen, Markku Heliovaara, Paul Knekt, M. Juhani Junttila, Heikki Huikuri, Aapo L. Aro
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence and prognostic implications of Poor R-wave progression (PRWP) in a general population. The findings suggest that PRWP is associated with an increased risk of cardiac death and all-cause mortality.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hanna-Kaisa Nordenswan, Pauli Poyhonen, Jukka Lehtonen, Kaj Ekstrom, Valtteri Uusitalo, Meri Niemela, Tapani Vihinen, Kari Kaikkonen, Petri Haataja, Tuomas Kerola, Tuomas T. Rissanen, Aleksi Alatalo, Paivi Pietila-Effati, Markku Kupari
Summary: Current guidelines for ICD implantation in patients with clinically manifest CS do not effectively distinguish a truly low-risk group, as the 5-year risk of SCD approaches 5% even in the absence of ICD indications. Further research is needed to investigate prognostic factors, including the role of diagnostic histology. In the meantime, all patients with CS presenting with clinical cardiac manifestations should be considered for ICD implantation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew E. Radbill, Lucy Y. Lei, Sachin Y. Paranjape, Daniel J. Blackwell, Robert L. Abraham, Derek S. Chew, Satish R. Raj, Bjorn C. Knollmann
Summary: This study aimed to assess rate-dependence of clinical surrogates of contractility and repolarization in humans with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Findings show that rapid pacing trains triggered ventricular ectopy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, but not controls. However, there were no significant differences observed in surrogate measures for cardiac contractility, suggesting that altered length-dependent myofilament activation may not have significant clinical implications in these patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Francis J. Ha, Hui-Chen Han, Prashanthan Sanders, Andre La Gerche, Andrew W. Teh, Omar Farouque, Han S. Lim
Summary: This study evaluated the causes and circumstances of exercise-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people in Australia. The most common causes were coronary artery disease (CAD) and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were disproportionately affected by CAD. Although many cases were witnessed, automated external defibrillator (AED) use prior to ambulance arrival was low.
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yasuhito Kotake, Chrishan J. Nalliah, Timothy Campbell, Richard G. Bennett, Samual Turnbull, Saurabh Kumar
Summary: This study compared the differences in arrhythmogenic substrate between ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) using high-density mapping. The results showed that ICM patients had a larger proportion of dense scar area compared to NICM patients. Additionally, ICM patients exhibited more complex electrograms, longer and wider conducting channels, longer VT cycle length, and greater maximal stimulation-QRS interval. The prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) storm was higher in ICM than NICM, and NICM had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of VA recurrence during the follow-up period.
JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elizabeth D. Paratz, Alexander van Heusden, Jocasta Ball, Karen Smith, Dominica Zentner, Natalie Morgan, Sarah Parsons, Tina Thompson, Paul James, Vanessa Connell, Andreas Pflaumer, Christopher Semsarian, Jodie Ingles, Dion Stub, Andre La Gerche
Summary: Administrative coding of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in young patients is heterogeneous, with nearly one-third of diagnoses including neither the cardiac arrest nor any underlying cause. Patients receiving a noninformative diagnosis were more likely to have survived the cardiac arrest or been referred for forensic assessment and had a longer length of stay.
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Stephen J. Foulkes, Erin J. Howden, Mark J. Haykowsky, Yoland Antill, Agus Salim, Sophie S. Nightingale, Sherene Loi, Piet Claus, Kristel Janssens, Amy M. Mitchell, Leah Wright, Ben T. Costello, Anniina Lindqvist, Lauren Burnham, Imogen Wallace, Robin M. Daly, Steve F. Fraser, Andre La Gerche
Summary: Exercise training for 12 months in breast cancer survivors receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and prevent cardiac dysfunction, but does not have a lasting effect on functional disability.
Article
Physiology
Ruben De Bosscher, Jonathan Moeyersons, Christophe Dausin, Mathias Claeys, Kristel Janssens, Piet Claus, Kaatje Goetschalckx, Jan Bogaert, Caroline M. Van de Heyning, Bernard Paelinck, Prashanthan Sanders, Jonathan Kalman, Sabine Van Huffel, Carolina Varon, Andre La Gerche, Hein Heidbuchel, Guido Claessen, Rik Willems
Summary: The correlation between QRS voltages and left ventricular mass (LVM) is poor in endurance athletes. Adipose tissue has a minor impact on QRS voltages, while lean body mass (LBM) is the strongest predictor of LVM. Combining electrocardiogram (ECG), demographics, and VO(2)max provides the best prediction of LVM in endurance athletes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jessica J. Orchard, Katrina Giskes, John W. Orchard, Andre La Gerche, Lis Neubeck, Charlotte Hespe, Nicole Lowres, Ben Freedman
Summary: From 2012 to 2016, the OAC treatment determination for AF patients shifted from the CHADS(2) score to the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. Analyzing data from clinical records in Australia, the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score captured a higher proportion of AF patients compared to CHADS(2), especially for older patients (age >= 65). This change resulted in more AF patients being recommended OAC due to the revised scoring for age.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Brian Cowie, Imogen Wadlow, Andrew Yule, Kristel Janssens, Jason Ward, Steve Foulkes, Ruhi Humphries, Forbes McGain, Rana Dhillon, Andre La Gerche
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of high-intensity exercise on aerosol production. The study found that high-intensity exercise generates aerosol particles in the range of 0.2-1 micrometers, and the concentration of aerosols decreases as the distance from the exerciser increases. Wearing a surgical face mask can reduce submicron aerosol concentration in front of the exerciser. Therefore, safer exercise measures should focus on distance and airflow, rather than solely relying on mask wearing.
HEART LUNG AND CIRCULATION
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Elizabeth D. Paratz, Stephanie J. Rowe, Dion Stub, Andreas Pflaumer, Andre La Gerche
Summary: Autopsy is the gold standard for determining cause of death, but most countries globally do not transparently report autopsy rates, which hinders accurate calculation of global disease burdens and rates of sudden cardiac death.
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Marius Myrstad, Eivind Sorensen, Kristel Janssens, Amy Mitchell, Turid Apelland, Guido Claessen, Andre La Gerche
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Stefano Palermi, Elena Cavarretta, Flavio D'Ascenzi, Silvia Castelletti, Fabrizio Ricci, Marco Vecchiato, Alessandro Serio, Luna Cavigli, Eduardo Bossone, Giuseppe Limongelli, Alessandro Biffi, Emanuele Monda, Andre La Gerche, Aaron Baggish, Antonello D'Andrea
Summary: Athlete's heart is a spectrum of changes that occur in individuals who engage in regular and long-term intense physical activity, which may overlap with structural and electrical cardiac diseases. It is important to avoid overdiagnosis and identify underlying cardiac disorders to prevent sudden cardiac death. A step-by-step multimodality approach, including personal and family history evaluation, clinical evaluation, and various diagnostic tests, is crucial in distinguishing between physiological adaptations and cardiac pathology in athletes.
REVIEWS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Adrian D. Elliott, Jonathan Ariyaratnam, Erin J. Howden, Andre La Gerche, Prashanthan Sanders
Summary: The left atrium (LA) plays a critical role in receiving pulmonary venous return and modulating left ventricular filling, with its function contributing to the augmentation in stroke volume during exercise. Structural remodeling and dysfunction of the LA are associated with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease, leading to exercise intolerance and increased risk of hospital admissions and mortality. Exercise training is recommended in patients with cardiovascular disease to improve outcomes and maintain functional capacity, with less attention given to the changes in LA structure and function compared to the left ventricle.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Jessica L. Fairley, Laura Ross, Alannah Quinlivan, Dylan Hansen, Elizabeth Paratz, Wendy Stevens, Peter M. Kistler, Alex McLellan, Andre La Gerche, Mandana Nikpour
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD), arrhythmia, and conduction defects in SSc patients. The findings showed that the annual incidence of SCD in SSc patients ranged from 1.0% to 3.3%, which is at least 10 times higher than the general population. Additionally, arrhythmias were common even in SSc patients without known or suspected SSc-associated heart involvement.
SEMINARS IN ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jessica Orchard, Angus J. Davis, John Orchard, Andre La Gerche, Christopher Semsarian, Rob N. Doughty, Bruce Hamilton
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Turid Apelland, Kristel Janssens, Jan Pal Loennechen, Guido Claessen, Eivind Sorensen, Amy Mitchell, Andreas Berg Sellevold, Steve Enger, Sophia Onarheim, Jon Magne Letnes, Hielko Miljoen, Arnljot Tveit, Andre La Gerche, Marius Myrstad
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of a period of training adaption on atrial fibrillation (AF) burden in endurance athletes with paroxysmal AF. 120 endurance athletes diagnosed with paroxysmal AF are randomly assigned to a 16-week period of intervention (training adaption) or a control group. The primary endpoint is AF burden, with secondary endpoints including number of AF episodes, adherence to training adaption, exercise capacity, AF symptoms, health-related quality of life, echocardiographic signs of cardiac remodelling, and risk of cardiac arrhythmias related to upholding training intensity.
BMJ OPEN SPORT & EXERCISE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ruben De Bosscher, Mathias Claeys, Christophe Dausin, Kaatje Goetschalckx, Piet Claus, Lieven Herbots, Olivier Ghekiere, Caroline Van De Heyning, Bernard P. Paelinck, Kristel Janssens, Leah Wright, Michael Darragh Flannery, Andre La Gerche, Rik Willems, Hein Heidbuchel, Jan Bogaert, Guido Claessen
Summary: Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is an accurate technique to assess cardiac structure, and it shows strong correlation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). It can accurately detect changes in cardiac volumes and function over time. However, 3DE tends to underestimate volumes, especially in larger hearts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2023)