In TEE-guided management of nonvalvular AF, high LAA flow velocity identifies patients with greater likelihood to remain in SR for one year after successful CV. Low LAA velocity is of limited value in identifying patients who will relapse into AF.

BACKGROUND-Patients with a short QT syndrome (SQTS) are at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). It is not known whether abbreviation of cardiac repolarization alters mechanical function in SQTS. Controversies persist regarding whether the U wave is a purely electrical or mechanoelectrical phenomenon.

In patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, measurement of the left atrial appendage flow velocity profile by transoesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion provides valuable information for prediction of cardioversion outcome.

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BackgroundPericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade are rare but life-threatening complications of percutaneosuly inserted central line (PICL) use in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates, with an incidence reported between 0.07% and 2% of PICLs placement. Timely diagnosis and pericardiocentesis has been proven to be life-saving.Case presentationThe patient was a 620 g birth weight neonate who presented with sudden cardiac instability 18 days after the insertion of a PICL and in spite of a presumed satisfactory position of the catheter tip.The transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated severe pericardial effusion with evidence of cardiac tamponade.Successful urgent subxiphoid pericardiocentesis was performed; totally 2 ml of whitish fluid was collected, which resulted consistent to the composition of the hyperosmolar TPN solution infused.ConclusionCardiac tamponade should be considered in any newborn with a peripherally inserted central catheter who presents with cardiorespiratory instability (bradycardia, cyanosis and metabolic acidosis), even when lines are believed to be placed correctly.