Nonsustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Research Articles

Abstract 17593: Betel Quid Addiction Causing Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

A 44-year-old woman presented to the emergency room due to worsening shortness of breath over the past few days with accompanying dizziness, cough, and fever. Her history was significant for asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. Upon arrival, she was noted to be hypoxic on room air and required supplemental oxygen. Physical exam showed extensive pitting edema in the lower extremities and crackles in bilateral lung fields. Chest radiograph revealed an enlarged cardiac silhouette and increased interstitial infiltrates consistent with pulmonary edema. While in the emergency department she was noted to have frequent episodes of asymptomatic non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Further questioning revealed the patient had been using betel quid daily for over 20 years to improve her mood and energy levels. She had attempted to quit in the past but was unable to do so. Echocardiogram was performed which showed preserved left ventricular function and severely dilated right ventricle. BNP was elevated at 1930 pg/mL. Due to her ventricular arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, coronary angiography was performed; this was negative for epicardial coronary artery obstruction. Case was discussed with electrophysiology who determined the arrhythmias were likely caused by the extensive betel quid consumption. She was placed on beta-blockers and betel quid cessation was strongly recommended. Betel quid is a chewing product made from of areca nut, betel leaf, slaked lime, with or without tobacco. It is commonly used in the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of East Africa, and is the fourth most widely consumed addictive substances in the world due to its ability to increase alertness and produce mild euphoria. Adverse effects of betel quid include tachycardia, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hepatotoxicity, and it is a known carcinogen. The active compound is arecoline, which acts as a parasympathomimetic on muscarinic and cholinergic receptors, increasing the central sympathetic response and producing tachycardia. Betel quid has been shown to produce ventricular arrhythmias in patients with underlying cardiomyopathy, which is likely what occurred in our patient. Betel quid cessation therefore advised in these patients.

Sustained Ventricular Fibrillation in a Conscious Pediatric LVAD Patient

<h3>Introduction</h3> Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), defined by ventricular tachycardia lasting less than 30 seconds, is common in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs)​. Ventricular tachy-arrhythmias (VAs) such as sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) are uncommon but carry a significant risk of morbidity and death. <h3>Case Report</h3> A 16-year-old male underwent continuous flow LVAD implantation after presenting with end stage heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Prior to LVAD, he had an increasing burden of NSVT, which improved post-LVAD insertion. On post-op day 11, he developed palpitations related to sinus tachycardia and monomorphic NSVT. He remained conscious with clinical signs of adequate peripheral perfusion. The VAD flows fell from 5.2 L/min to 1.9 L/min secondary to the effects of the VA on the right ventricle (RV). The VAs then deteriorated into sustained polymorphic VT followed by VF (<i>Image 1</i>). He continued to answer questions appropriately but complained of dizziness and visual changes. Medical management included lidocaine, calcium, magnesium, amiodarone, and epinephrine for RV support. In addition, he received 4 defibrillations, the last of which successfully converted him to sinus rhythm. He did not require chest compressions and maintained adequate cardiac output throughout. He underwent cardiac catheterization which confirmed normal coronary arteries and enabled optimization of LVAD settings. He was discharged home 15 days later on LVAD support, with amiodarone, metoprolol and a home automated external defibrillator. He remains well 10 months later with no further events. <h3>Summary</h3> VF, a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia, was remarkably well tolerated in a teenager on LVAD support despite some evidence of RV compromise. This case highlights the importance of improved risk stratification of NSVTs in the LVAD population to establish the need for anti-arrhythmic medication or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Beck's Quadrad? A Rare Case of Pericardial Tamponade Presenting as Transient Pre-Excitation Early after Cardiac Transplantation

<h3>Introduction</h3> Cardiac tamponade is a potentially fatal complication after cardiac surgery. An acute accumulation of fluid generally presents as Beck's triad, however, a slowly accumulating pericardial effusion can have variable clinical presentations. We report a case of transient pre-excitation on post-operative electrocardiogram (ECG) after cardiac transplantation with resolution of aberrant conduction following pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade. <h3>Case Report</h3> A 46-year-old African American male with NICM HFrEF (EF 18%) presented in cardiogenic shock, COVID pneumonia requiring milrinone infusion and intra-aortic balloon pump support for stabilization. After clearance of his viral replicon, he underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. His postoperative course was complicated by monomorphic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. His ECGs revealed a right bundle branch block with prominent delta waves concerning for pre-excitation through an accessory pathway. Electrophysiology was consulted and confirmed an accessory pathway localized to the right superior paraseptal region. He subsequently developed atrial fibrillation and his mean blood pressure dropped from 80 to 60mmHg. A bedside echocardiogram showed a large, circumferential pericardial effusion concerning for cardiac tamponade. He was emergently taken to the catheterization lab for pericardiocentesis with drainage of 500cc of serosanguinous fluid. Post-pericardiocentesis ECG revealed resolution of his atrial fibrillation, and unexpectedly, his wide QRS and pre-excitation pattern was replaced by narrow complex sinus rhythm. <h3>Summary</h3> This case illustrates the atypical presentation of cardiac tamponade in patients who have undergone orthotopic heart transplantation. The pre-excitation and wide QRS pattern may be secondary to pericardial irritation from the effusion leading to changes in the conduction properties of a previously concealed accessory cardiac pathway.

Usefulness of subcutaneous Implantable Loop Recorder in Brugada Syndrome. A single UK centre experience

Abstract Background Experience with implantable loop recorder (ILR) in Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is limited. Purpose We sought to evaluate the usefulness of continuous monitoring in BrS patients in a UK based Inherited Cardiac Conditions centre. Methods Subjects with BrS were consecutively recruited and demographic, clinical, device and follow-up data acquired. Results Of 452 subjects with BrS recruited in our centre, 41 (9%) received an ILR. Twenty-one (51%) were males. Twenty-four subjects (59%) had a high probability of BrS based on the Shanghai score. Mean age at implantation was 45.3±15.5 years. The indications for the implantation were: syncope or pre-syncope in 28 subjects (68%), palpitations in 12 (29%), family history of SADS in 1 case. Sixteen subjects presented with a spontaneous type 1 pattern, of whom 12 (75%) underwent an electrophysiological study for risk stratification which was negative. During a mean follow-up of 82±46 months (range 4.0–182), 5 new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation (AF) or supraventricular tachycardia were made; 3 subjects had symptomatic pathological pauses (in one case associated with fast AF) and underwent permanent pacemaker or ICD implantation; one subject experienced an asymptomatic episode of fast, non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. In 2 cases the device was explanted prematurely due to site infection. Patients who received an ECG diagnosis following interrogation of the ILR were older (mean age 55±11 vs 43±16m p=0.04), although there were no differences in sex or Shanghai score. Conclusions In a large UK cohort of BrS patients, the use of ILR was low. However, continuous subcutaneous monitoring yielded a diagnosis of tachy- or brady-arrhythmic episodes in 22% of cases, and therefore can be helpful in guiding the management of low/intermediate risk BrS patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Robert Lancaster Memorial Fund

A novel SCN5A gene mutation causing LQT3 with unique phenotype in a large canadian kindred

Abstract Background SCN5A gene mutations are associated with diverse clinical phenotypes including Long QT (LQT) Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, progressive conduction system disease and cardiomyopathy. Objective We identified a novel SCN5A variant (T731I) in a pedigree affected by QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia. Clinical phenotype and co-segregation with genotype within the pedigree were characterized. Methods Family members were invited to attend clinics held in their indigenous community. All subjects underwent a history, physical exam, 12 lead ECG and had blood samples collected for genetic testing. Patients were assessed by an adult or pediatric cardiologist and genetic counselors over a six year period. There were 86 females and 69 males ranging in age from 1 to 82 years (mean 36 years) at the time of first assessment. ECG analysis was performed by a cardiac electrophysiologist blinded to patient identity and genotype. The QTc was calculated using Bazett's formula. Results One hundred and fifty five family members were evaluated (86 (55%) female; mean age 36 years (range 1 to 82 years). Mean QTc was 461 + 21 ms for the gene positive group and 419 + 22 ms for the gene negative group (P&amp;lt;0.001) (Figure). There was no significant difference in age or sex between the gene positive and gene negative groups. Gene positive family members were also noted to have low right atrial p waves and frequent unifocal ventricular ectopy and non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. One gene positive individual developed dilated cardiomyopathy with high burden ventricular tachycardia and required cardiac transplantation. Conclusion This novel SCN5A variant co-segregated with an abnormal phenotype consisting of significant QTc prolongation, low atrial rhythm, and ventricular arrhythmia. This pedigree highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of SCN5A gene mutations and the importance of cascade family screening to identify at risk family members. Figure 1. QTc intervals Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Multiple Arrhythmias in COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series

Extra-pulmonary manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] infection such as cardiovascular complications have been reported and previous case reports have documented evidence of myocardial damage. Currently, very few case reports of the arrhythmias associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 [COVID-19] exist. In this case series, we demonstrate two cases of critically ill COVID-19 patients with cardiac rhythm abnormalities that might be a direct or indirect consequence of this infection. Each of the patients experienced a variety of cardiac rhythm abnormalities. None of the patients had any record of cardiac rhythm abnormalities prior to admission. The unique point of these cases is the multiple dysrhythmias in the same patients that have not been reported previously. We demonstrated that critically ill COVID-19 patients develop different arrhythmias ranging from sinus tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia was the most common arrhythmia in the two cases despite normalization of electrolyte imbalances and avoidance of QTc prolonging agents.

Electrocardiographic characteristics of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias based on anatomy.

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia (IVA) is a term used to describe a spectrum of ventricular arrhythmia without structural heart disease (SHD). IVAs contain premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), and sustained VT. Electrocardiography is a fundamental and important tool to diagnose and localize IVAs. More detailed, IVAs originating from different origins exhibit characterized ECGs due to their specific anatomic backgrounds. As catheter ablation becomes widely used to eliminate these arrhythmias, its high success rate is based on accurate localization of their origins. Therefore, these ECG characteristics show great importance for precise localization of their origins and subsequently successful ablation. This review aims to sum up ECG characteristics of IVAs based on anatomy and give brief introduction of mechanisms and treatment of IVAs.

Prognostic implications of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia morphology in high-risk patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The prognostic impact of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) morphology has never been explored in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In a single-center cohort of consecutive HCM patients implanted with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), we assessed NSVT morphology patterns and their prognostic implications. A cohort of consecutive HCM patients implanted with an ICD was followed from ICD implantation to last follow-up visit. Patients were assessed for NSVT as stored events in ICD memory. Ventricular tachycardias (VTs) were classified as monomorphic (MM) or polymorphic according to intracardiac electrogram morphology. One hundred nine consecutive HCM patients (68 males; mean age: 45 ± 17 years) composed the study population. During follow-up (71 ± 48 months), 7 polymorphic NSVT in 4 patients and 370 MM NSVT in 42 patients were retrieved from ICD memory. Among patients with only MM NSVT, 19 (45%) had one morphology, 17 (41%) had two morphologies, 3 (7%) had three morphologies, and 3 (7%) had four morphologies. Patients with polymorphic NSVT had the highest risk of ICD interventions (HR, 5.04; 95% CI, 1.26-20.19; P = .02). A stepwise increase of the risk of ICD interventions in patients with two, three, and four NSVT morphologies was observed. Out of 16 patients with both NSVT and ICD-treated VTs, 13 (81%) had at least one ICD-treated VT with the same morphology of a previous long-lasting NSVT. In high-risk HCM patients, the occurrence of polymorphic NSVT and of NSVT with multiple morphologies carries a high risk for ICD interventions. Sustained VTs tend to recur with the same morphology of previous long-lasting NSVTs.

P1483 Noninvasive multimodality imaging in diagnosis and management of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS)

Abstract Introduction The clinical presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) ranges from an incidentally discovered condition to heart failure with risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). As there is no single reliable test for detecting CS, noninvasive multimodality imaging plays a crucial role in establishing the diagnosis and SCD risk-stratification. We present a case of a young patient diagnosed with CS in whom, on the basis of multiple imaging results, dual-chamber ICD for primary prevention was implanted outside practice guidelines. Case A 37-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to occasional palpitations and incidentally recorded nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). One year ago she was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis and was put on methylprednisolone; ECG, 24-h Holter monitoring and echocardiogram were normal. In the present admission control echocardiogram, with the exception of decreased longitudinal deformation of the basal and mid segments of the infero- and anterolateral left ventricle (LV) wall, was unremarkable. However, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) showed sub-epicardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) along the lower third of the antero- and inferolateral LV free wall and in the apical lateral segment of LV. Apart from some focal metabolically active lesions in the lungs and liver, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) displayed increased metabolic activity in the apical half of the antero- and infero-lateral segments of the LV. On the basis of this results CS was confirmed. Given the age, reduced longitudinal strain, notable LV LGE presence and increased cardiac metabolic activity, dual-chamber ICD to prevent SCD and possible bradycardia risk was implanted. The patient continued with immunosupressive therapy; 8 mg of methylprednisolone every other day. Conclusion In our case, integrated multimodality imaging played a crucial role in establishing CS diagnosis and SCD risk stratification. A comprehensive evaluation of patients with CS is vital for making the best clinical decisions.

124High incidence of monomorphic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients without apical aneurysms

124High incidence of monomorphic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients without apical aneurysms

Rapid and Potent Antiarrhythmic Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in a Patient with Advanced Dilated Cardiomyopathy and a Large Ventricular Arrhythmia Burden.

We report a case demonstrating a rapid and potent antiarrhythmic effect of biventricular pacing. A 67-year-old male patient with dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted for heart failure. The initial surface electrocardiogram revealed a left bundle branch block with a QRS complex duration of 200 ms. Echocardiographic examination revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 16%, a left ventricular end-diastolic dimension of 91 mm, and marked interventricular dyssynchrony. Continuous rhythm monitoring revealed frequently-recurring non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Polymorphic VT, which persisted for 27 seconds, occurred on the third day after admission, and the R on T phenomenon recurred every two to three days thereafter. Optimal medical therapy for four weeks failed to suppress the recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias or ameliorate heart failure. Cardiac resynchronization therapy was initiated for an anticipated antiarrhythmic effect of biventricular pacing. Three days after the initiation of biventricular pacing, the ventricular arrhythmias disappeared almost completely.

Mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of outflow tract tachycardia.

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia is a generic term for a spectrum of arrhythmias that occur in the absence of structural heart disease or ion channelopathy. These arrhythmias include monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), and sustained VT. Most idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originate from the right and left ventricular outflow tracts and include sites accessed from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva. Outflow tract arrhythmia is identified by an electrocardiographic pattern consistent with a left bundle branch block inferior axis morphology. Characteristically, outflow tract VT is caused by cAMP-mediated triggered activity, and is terminated by administration of adenosine. Outflow tract arrhythmias are focal and, therefore, are readily amenable to definitive treatment with catheter-based radiofrequency ablation. Although arrhythmia might be associated with reversible PVC-mediated cardiomyopathy, and infrequently with PVC-induced polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation, prognosis is generally favourable.

Left ventricular apical aneurysm in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy—A case report

A 56-year-old female, who immigrated to the USA from Honduras, presented with worsening shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and decreased exercise tolerance over the previous 2 months. She was diagnosed 1 year previously with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was placed. Cause for her dilated cardiomyopathy was unknown at that time. On admission, her electrocardiogram showed low voltage complexes, with frequent premature ventricular contractions. Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiogram (2D ECHO) showed severely reduced ejection fraction of 20%, severe mitral regurgitation with left ventricular (LV) hypokinesis, and inferolateral and inferior wall akinesis. On review of her records, a contrast 2D ECHO from the previous year revealed an aneurysm of the LV apical region. Live three-dimensional (3D) ECHO on her present admission showed persistent LV apical aneurysm. Computed tomography angiogram showed no atherosclerotic lesions. Multiple episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia were recorded on telemetry. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of Chagas cardiomyopathy was entertained. Serological tests for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies were done and returned positive. We report a case of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy that was initially missed but ultimately diagnosed based on the finding of LV apical aneurysm.<Learning objective: Chagas cardiomyopathy is becoming increasingly prevalent in non-endemic countries. One hallmark finding associated with Chagas cardiomyopathy is left ventricle apical aneurysm. We were able to identify this finding with transthoracic contrast 2D ECHO and live 3D ECHO.>

Effects of Na+ Channel Blockers on Extrasystolic Stimulation-evoked Changes in Ventricular Conduction and Repolarization

Antiarrhythmic agents which belong to class Ia (quinidine) and Ic (flecainide) reportedly increase propensity to ventricular tachyarrhythmia, whereas class Ib agents (lidocaine and mexiletine) are recognized as safe antiarrhythmics. Clinically, tachyarrhythmia is often initiated by a premature ectopic beat, which increases spatial nonuniformities in ventricular conduction and repolarization thus facilitating reentry. This study examined if electrical derangements evoked by premature excitation may be accentuated by flecainide and quinidine, but unchanged by lidocaine and mexiletine, which would explain the difference in their safety profile. In perfused guinea pig hearts, a premature excitation evoked over late repolarization phase was associated with prolonged epicardial activation time, reduced monophasic action potential duration (APD), and increased transepicardial dispersion of the activation time and APD. Flecainide and quinidine increased conduction slowing evoked by extrasystolic stimulation, prolonged APD, and accentuated spatial heterogeneities in ventricular conduction and repolarization associated with premature excitation. Spontaneous episodes of nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia were observed in 50% of heart preparations exposed to drug infusion. In contrast, lidocaine and mexiletine had no effect on extrasystolic stimulation-evoked changes in ventricular conduction and repolarization or arrhythmic susceptibility. These findings suggest that flecainide and quinidine may promote arrhythmia by exaggerating electrophysiological abnormalities evoked by ectopic beats.

Novel class III antiarrhythmic agent niferidile: review of experimental and clinical studies

This article reviews experimental and clinical studies of a novel antiarrhythmic agent niferidile. Niferidile, a class III antiarrhythmic agent, blocks potassium outward currents, prolongs repolarization and refractory periods predominantly in atria than in ventricles. Intravenous Niferidile was efficient for interruption of AV-nodal and orthodromic re-entrant tachycardias with rates of 75% to 80%. Niferidile had a conversion rate of up to 87.3% in persistent atrial fibrillation and up to 100% in persistent atrial flutter. Proarrhythmic action of niferidil administration manifested as nonsustained torsade de pointes and monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in 1.2 and 3.7% of cases, respectively. Niferidile can be used for pharmacological cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation and flutter as an alternative to electrical cardioversion.

Hemodialysis Treatment of Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Associated with Chronic Lithium Toxicity

A patient with chronic lithium toxicity developed a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia that resolved during removal of lithium by hemodialysis. Chronic lithium toxicity commonly results from diminished elimination and can produce neurotoxicity. Cardiovascular complications have been reported and generally affect the sinoatrial node and produce bradyarrhythmias. The majority of these arrhythmias require no emergent intervention. Ventricular arrhythmias associated with lithium toxicity are occasionally mentioned in the literature, but actual cases are rarely reported. A 74-year-old man was brought into the emergency department with a 3-day history of progressive encephalopathy, tremor, and weakness. The lithium level was elevated at 2.2mmol/L, with a normal serum potassium. Electrocardiography revealed nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (120-130 beats/min) lasting up to 1min, alternating with sinus bradycardia and wandering atrial pacemaker. Episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia recurred >100 times. The patient required a norepinephrine infusion for hypotension. Emergent hemodialysis was initiated to remove lithium and to treat the monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, which was felt to be secondary to lithium toxicity. Episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia abated as hemodialysis progressed. The episodes resolved completely within 4h of initiating hemodialysis. The patient was discharged home in sinus rhythm on day 5. Lithium was not reinstated. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with chronic lithium toxicity is exceptionally rare. Hemodialysis is a treatment option.

Ventricular tachyarrhythmia after coronary bypass surgery: incidence and outcome

Ventricular tachyarrhythmia after coronary artery bypass graft is common and the occurrence has been described, but the incidence and risk factors are not well defined. To evaluate the incidence of arrhythmias and to detect high-risk populations. In this prospective study, 856 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft were monitored for new-onset ventricular tachyarrhythmias: non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, sustained monomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, sustained polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and ventricular fibrillation. Detailed analyses of the clinical, demographic, echocardiographic, and surgical findings and arrhythmias occurrence was carried out during 6 months of follow-up. The incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia was 26.6% (17.6% non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, 5.5% sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, 0.8% sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and 2.7% ventricular fibrillation). The strongest degrees of statistical significance were for low ejection fraction (p = 0.01) and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02). The incidence of ventricular fibrillation (61%) was greatest in the first 48 h after surgery. Postoperative myocardial infarction (p = 0.03) and hemodynamic instability (p = 0.05) were also predictors of arrhythmia occurrence. Recurrence of arrhythmia was highest in the ventricular fibrillation group (52%). The correlations between tachyarrhythmia, age, sex, electrolyte disorders, body mass index, and systemic or pulmonary hypertension were not significant. In view of the strong relationship between ventricular arrhythmias and low ejection fraction, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease severity, postoperative myocardial infection, and hemodynamic impairment, continuous monitoring is necessary, especially in the first 48 h after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Value of Electro‐Vectorcardiogram in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The electrocardiogram is an important tool for the initial diagnostic suspicion of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in any of its forms, both in symptomatic and in asymptomatic patients because it is altered in more than 90 percent of the cases. Electrocardiographic anomalies are more common in patients carriers of manifest hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the electrocardiogram alterations are earlier and more sensitive than the increase in left ventricular wall thickness detected by the echocardiogram. Nevertheless, despite being the leading cause of sudden death among young competitive athletes there is no consensus over the need to include the method in the pre-participation screening. In apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy the electrocardiographic hallmarks are the giant negative T waves in anterior precordial leads. In the vectorcardiogram, the QRS loop is located predominantly in the left anterior quadrant and T loop in the opposite right posterior quadrant, which justifies the deeply negative T waves recorded. The method allows estimating the left ventricular mass because it relates to the maximal spatial vector voltage of the left ventricle in the QRS loop. The recording on electrocardiogram or Holter monitoring of nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in patients with syncope, recurrent syncope in young patient, hypotension induced by strain, bradyarrhythmia, or concealed conduction are markers of poor prognosis. The presence of rare sustained ventricular tachycardia is observed in mid-septal obstructive HCM with apical aneurysm. The presence of complete right bundle branch block pattern is frequent after the percutaneous treatment and complete left bundle branch block is the rule after myectomy.

A case of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia in a 14-year-old obese patient due to golden berry fruit extract pills for weight loss

Several studies have determined an association between obesity and increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia. Currently, due to the increased frequency of obesity, food-, plant-, and drug-based therapies for weight loss have gained great attention. A 14-year-old female patient presented with complaints of palpitation of one-hour onset. Blood pressure was 110/70 mmHg and peripheral pulses were present. She had been using golden berry extract pill three times a day for 10 days. The electrocardiogram showed nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Echocardiographic examination and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were normal. She returned to sinus rhythm following amiodarone infusion. She refused the electrophysiologic study, which plays a vital role in the diagnosis and establishment of the appropriate therapy. Although there was no decrease in body mass index (BMI) of the patient during the two-year follow-up, she had no complaint or evidence of VT on intermittent rhythm Holter studies. This case suggests the primary role of golden berry extract use in the development of VT, rather than obesity.

Ventricular Tachycardia Induced by Weight Loss Pills

A previously healthy 29-year-old man was admitted with palpitations, dizziness, and near-syncope after he had recently started taking weight loss pills purchased on the internet. The pills contained caffeine and ephedrine. An electrocardiogram and telemetry revealed multiple episodes of non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, which was successfully treated with amiodarone. In conclusion, unauthorized weight loss pills can be harmful. In particular, ephedrine-containing drugs carry a risk of ventricular tachycardia and should be discouraged.