We present a case of successful treatment of near-fatal beta-blocker self-poisoning but requiring extracorporeal circulatory support with severe complications. A 38-year-old woman ingested a mixture of tablets including betaxolol (5.32 g). Despite intensive treatment with fluid, dobutamine, isoprenaline, epinephrine, nor-epinephrine and glucagon, sustained cardiogenic shock occurred with almost complete hypokinesia of the left ventricular 14 h later. Therefore, a cardiac support was performed with a percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass device at bedside. We review the literature with emphasis on both the best time to start this technique and its complications.
RF ablation of common flutter induces a prothrombotic state and the release of platelet and leukocyte-derived procoagulant microparticles. Whereas this activation of blood coagulation could be viewed as clinically marginal in right-sided procedures, its relevance in left-sided procedures should be established.
Aims
While elevated resting heart rate measured at a single point of time has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes, utility of continuous monitoring of nocturnal heart rate (NHR) has never been evaluated. We hypothesized that dynamic NHR changes may predict, at short term, impending cardiovascular events in patients equipped with a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD).
Methods and results
The WEARIT-France prospective cohort study enrolled heart failure patients with WCD between 2014 and 2018. Night-time was defined as midnight to 7 a.m. NHR initial trajectories were classified into four categories based on mean NHR in the first week (High/Low) and NHR evolution over the second week (Up/Down) of WCD use. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. A total of 1013 [61 (interquartile range, IQR 53–68) years, 16% women, left ventricular ejection fraction 26% (IQR 22–30)] were included. During a median WCD wear duration of 68 (IQR 44–90) days, 58 patients (6%) experienced 69 events. After considering potential confounders, High-Up NHR trajectory was significantly associated with the primary endpoint compared to Low-Down [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 6.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.56–14.45, P < 0.001]. Additionally, a rise of >5 bpm in weekly average NHR from the preceding week was associated with 2.5 higher composite event risk (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.22–5.18, P = 0.012) as well as total mortality (HR 11.21, 95% CI 3.55–35.37, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular hospitalization (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.51–4.82, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Dynamic monitoring of NHR may allow timely identification of impending cardiovascular events, with the potential for ‘pre-emptive’ action.
Registration number
Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03319160
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