The surface electrocardiogram (ECG) can provide many clues to a patient’s underlying medical condition or tendency for arrhythmogenesis. An 80-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for advanced heart block presented with burping, chest discomfort and intermittent pounding sensations. His ECG showed atrial fibrillation with intermittent ventricular pacing at 60 bpm characterized by irregularly irregular rhythm, absent P waves, narrow intrinsic QRS complexes alternating with wide-paced beats (left bundle branch block [LBBB] morphology, superior axis) and visible pacing spikes. Device interrogation revealed ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm with multiple appropriate ICD shocks explaining his pounding sensations. This report highlights two key teaching points: recognizing atrial fibrillation during ventricular pacing—a frequently missed diagnosis affecting nearly half of patients with pacemakers—and managing VT storm to reduce shock burden. After device reprogramming and antiarrhythmic adjustment, the patient became asymptomatic.

Human ; Male ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Thorax ; Teaching ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Electrocardiography ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Bundle-branch Block ; Constriction, Pathologic

BACKGROUND

Hospitalization is a major complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its burden has been rising across Asia. In Korea alone, AF-related hospitalizations increased by 420% from 2006 to 2015. However, comparable data are lacking in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AF-related hospitalizations among adult patients aged 19 years or older using database claims of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in 2017 and 2018.

RESULTS

In both 2017 and 2018, approximately 19–20 per 10,000 total hospital admissions were due to AF. The median patient age was 68 years in 2017 and 69 years in 2018. Most admissions occurred in private tertiary hospitals located in urban areas, with a median length of stay of three days. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.1% for both years.

CONCLUSION

Among the arrhythmias, AF was the most common cause of hospitalization in the Philippines in 2017 and 2018, which accounted for 19 per 10,000 hospitalizations. Despite this burden, the associated in-hospital mortality rate remained low.

Atrial Fibrillation ; Hospitalization ; Mortality ; Philippines

BACKGROUND

Hospitalization is a major complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its burden has been rising across Asia. In Korea alone, AF-related hospitalizations increased by 420% from 2006 to 2015. However, comparable data are lacking in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AF-related hospitalizations among adult patients aged 19 years or older using database claims of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in 2017 and 2018.

RESULTS

In both 2017 and 2018, approximately 19–20 per 10,000 total hospital admissions were due to AF. The median patient age was 68 years in 2017 and 69 years in 2018. Most admissions occurred in private tertiary hospitals located in urban areas, with a median length of stay of three days. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.1% for both years.

CONCLUSION

Among the arrhythmias, AF was the most common cause of hospitalization in the Philippines in 2017 and 2018, which accounted for 19 per 10,000 hospitalizations. Despite this burden, the associated in-hospital mortality rate remained low.

Atrial Fibrillation ; Hospitalization ; Mortality ; Philippines

Introduction: Accounting for less than 2% of all pituitary adenomas, TSHsecreting pituitary adenomas (TSHoma) are an uncommon cause of hyperthyroidism. Majority are macroadenomas with delayed diagnosis as most patients are unwittingly treated for primary hyperthyroidism. Recurring discordant thyroid function test (TFT) with elevated thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) and Free T4 is a hint and warrants additional investigation to facilitate diagnosis. Case: We report a case of a 48-year-old female who was treated for primary hyperthyroidism since her late 20s with multiple admissions for recurrent congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The cardiac issue was preceded by worsening thyrotoxicosis. Previous thyroid autoantibodies were negative. Of note, she had recurring discordant TFT results from two different assays (TSH:84.7, free thyroxine 4 [FT4]:75.43) (TSH:37.86, FT4:27.34) during admission, excluding assay interference and prompting toward TSHoma or Resistance to Thyroid Hormone (RTH). Examination revealed a large goiter (10 × 8 cm) hard in consistency, and pansystolic murmur over tricuspid area. No thyroid eye disease nor bitemporal hemianopia or clinical sign of acromegaly. Echocardiography showed dilated left atrium and mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation with preserved ejection fraction. Thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test demonstrated blunted TSH response confirming TSHoma. Anterior pituitary hormone profile revealed normal insulin-like growth factor-1 level with suppressed sex hormones and prolactin, thus excluding co-secreting hormone. Sex hormone-binding globulin level, α-subunit, and T3 suppression test were not done due to unavailability. Magnetic resonance imaging pituitary uncovered pituitary mass measuring (2.6 × 3.3 × 2.2 cm) suggestive of macroadenoma with encasement of cavernous internal carotid arteries and cavernous sinus compression. Computed tomography neck revealed diffuse thyroid enlargement with compressive mass effects onto adjacent structure with trachea narrowing. After discussing with a multidisciplinary team, we planned her for total thyroidectomy followed by transsphenoidal surgery. Conclusion Late presentation and diagnosis in TSHoma remain a major challenge. TFT interpretation is fundamental in identifying the causes of secondary hyperthyroidism to avert detrimental sequalae and to guide optimal treatment.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Thyrotropin

OBJECTIVES: To develop an early atrial fibrillation (AF) risk prediction model based on large-scale electrocardiogram (ECG) data from the Chinese population. METHODS: The data of multiple ECG records of 30 383 patients admitted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital between 2009 and 2023 were randomly divided into the training set and the internal testing set in a 7:3 ratio. The predictive factors were selected based on the training set using univariate analysis, LASSO regression, and the Boruta algorithm. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to establish the ECG model and the composite model incorporating age, gender, and ECG model score. The discrimination power, calibration, and clinical net benefits of the models were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), calibration curves, and decision curves. RESULTS: The cohort included 51.1% male patients with a median age of the patients of 51 (36, 62) years and an AF incidence of 4.5% (1370/30 383). In the ECG model, the parameters related to the P wave and QRS complex were identified as significant predictors. In the testing set, the AUROC of the ECG model for predicting 5-year AF risk was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.74-0.80), which was increased to 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78-0.83) after incorporating age and gender, with a net reclassification improvement of 0.123 and an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.04 (P<0.05). The calibration curve of the model was close to the diagonal line. Decision curve analysis showed that the clinical net benefit of the composite model was higher than that of the ECG model across the majority of threshold probability. CONCLUSIONS The composite model incorporating quantitative ECG features during sinus rhythm, along with age and gender, can effectively predict AF risk in the Chinese population, thus providing a low-cost screening tool for early AF risk assessment and management.
Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Electrocardiography ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; China/epidemiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Risk Assessment ; East Asian People

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

COVID-19 has been associated with cardiac injury, often detectable through electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. This study seeks to characterize the cardiovascular and electrocardiographic profiles of adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

METHODS

This study included adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 from June 2021 to June 2022. Clinical profiles and 12-lead ECG tracings were obtained from electronic medical records and reviewed independently by three cardiologists. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize the cardiovascular and electrocardiographic findings in this population.

RESULTS

The study included 998 COVID-19 patients (mean age: 50 years; 53.7% male). The most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. A majority (31.36%) presented with severe COVID-19 infection. The most frequent significant ECG abnormalities observed at admission were sinus tachycardia (22.8%), and atrial fibrillation (11.02%). Additional ischemic findings included ST segment depression (2.91%), T-wave inversion (1.70%), and ST segment elevation (2.71%).

CONCLUSION

The baseline ECG findings among COVID-19 patients were predominantly normal; however, significant abnormalities were also identified. The most frequent abnormalities included sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic changes, all of which may have clinical implications.

Human ; Coronavirus Disease 19 ; Covid-19 ; Electrocardiography ; Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrythmia to occur after cardiovascular surgery. Inflammation being pivotal in POAF perpetuation has been utilized as a therapeutic target. Owing to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, beta-blockers (BB) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) became research interests in the pursuit for an effective POAF prevention strategy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of NAC plus BB versus BB alone in preventing POAF in cardiac surgery patients.

METHODOLOGY

A literature search using the following search engines: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Review Central, Clinical Trials Registry, ResearchGate, Mendeley and Google Scholar for relevant randomized trials were conducted. Published and unpublished studies indexed from inception until 2023 were included. Three independent reviewers evaluated the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for eligibility. The pooled estimates for POAF prevention as primary outcome and MACE, mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, ICU LOS and hospital LOS as secondary outcomes were measured using the RStudio statistical software.

RESULTS

Seven eligible RCTs allocated 1069 cardiac surgery patients to NAC + BB (n=539) and BB alone (N = 530) treatment arms. The effect estimate using random effect model disclosed significantly reduced POAF events (RR 0.62, 95% CI [0.44, 0.86], p = 0.005) in those on NAC + BB. While no statistical difference between the study arms were demonstrated in reducing mortality (RR 0.63, 95% CI [0.23, 1.73], p = 0.37); myocardial infarction (RR 1.02, 95% CI [0.49, 2.13], p = 0.96); stroke (RR 0.95, 95% CI [0.24, 3.68], p = 0.94); ICU LOS (std. mean difference 0.14, 95% CI [-0.43, 0.70], p = 0.41), and hospital LOS (std. mean difference 0.08, 95% CI [-0.06, 0.21], p = 0.19).

CONCLUSION

Among cardiac surgery patients, the use of NAC in combination with BB compared with BB alone significantly reduced POAF.

Acetylcysteine ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Myocardial Infarction ; Omega-chloroacetophenone

INTRODUCTION

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) poses a therapeutic dilemma for the attending physician. Standard anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) plus dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin reduces the risk of stroke and thrombosis, but increases risk of bleeding. The effectiveness and safety of several novel oral anticoagulants are still unclear in these patients.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases were systematically searched for studies from 2016 until 30 November 2023. The search key terms were ‘DOACs,’ ‘atrial fibrillation,’ ‘percutaneous coronary intervention’ and ‘bleeding.’ Two independent reviewers appraised eligible studies using well-defined criteria. The main outcomes of interest were International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) major bleeding, stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The random-effects model was used to derive pooled estimates.

RESULTS

The search yielded four studies which were all randomized controlled trials (RCTs). There were a total of 10,963 participants. Pooled estimates showed a statistically significant difference between direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) + P2Y12 and VKA + DAPT for ISTH major bleeding (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.57 – 0.69, p = < 0.00001). There was no statistically significant difference between DOACs + P2Y12 and VKA + DAPT for stent thrombosis (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.79 – 1.72, p = 0.43) and MACE (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.87 – 1.13, p = 0.07).

DISCUSSION

In patients with AF who had undergone PCI, the risk of bleeding was lower among those who received dual therapy with DOAC + P2Y12 than among those who received triple therapy with warfarin, a P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin. However, dual therapy was noninferior to triple therapy with respect to the risk of stent thrombosis and MACE.

Human ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the clinical profile and incidence of in-hospital outcomes of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Z Benefit Package (PZBP).

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive cohort study. A review of medical records was done from July 2017 to October 2023 to collect data and in-hospital outcomes of patients who underwent CABG surgery under Z benefit package.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-six patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 60 years and majority of them were male and came from NCR. Hypertension was the leading cause of comorbidity. The top two most common in-hospital outcomes were hospital-acquired pneumonia and postoperative atrial fibrillation. Most commonly observed caused of increased length in hospitalization was pneumonia. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) (operative mortality) and Euro scores were 1.04 ± 0.82 and 0.88 ± 0.56, respectively. All patients had successful surgical outcome with no mortality and an average length of stay in the hospital of six days.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will serve as a future reference to enhance screening criteria and improved in-hospital outcomes for those who will undergo CABG under Z benefit package. The study also showed insights on clinical profile and in-hospital outcomes of patients who underwent CABG in our own institution and this may give way to a larger scale of study involving multiple centers who also offer the said program.

Human ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Insurance, Health

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

COVID-19 has been associated with cardiac injury, often detectable through electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. This study seeks to characterize the cardiovascular and electrocardiographic profiles of adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

METHODS

This study included adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 from June 2021 to June 2022. Clinical profiles and 12-lead ECG tracings were obtained from electronic medical records and reviewed independently by three cardiologists. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize the cardiovascular and electrocardiographic findings in this population.

RESULTS

The study included 998 COVID-19 patients (mean age: 50 years; 53.7% male). The most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. A majority (31.36%) presented with severe COVID-19 infection. The most frequent significant ECG abnormalities observed at admission were sinus tachycardia (22.8%), and atrial fibrillation (11.02%). Additional ischemic findings included ST segment depression (2.91%), T-wave inversion (1.70%), and ST segment elevation (2.71%).

CONCLUSION

The baseline ECG findings among COVID-19 patients were predominantly normal; however, significant abnormalities were also identified. The most frequent abnormalities included sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic changes, all of which may have clinical implications.

Human ; Coronavirus Disease 19 ; Covid-19 ; Electrocardiography ; Atrial Fibrillation