Sudden Death Due to Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:

Abstract

FAVALE, S., et al.: Sudden Death Due to Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Predictable Event in a Young Patient. This case refers to a 39‐year‐old woman with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and family history of sudden death (SD). In 1985, high rate atrial stimulation induced VF. In 1996 an ICD was implanted and she remained without arrhythmic events until November 2000 when the device reported one episode of atrial fibrillation degenerating into VF and terminated by the ICD. The VF induction mechanism recorded by the ICD was similar to that observed in 1985. The high incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias in HCM renders cases like this at higher risk of SD. The predictive role of incremental atrial stimulation merits highlighting in future studies. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:637–639)

A985G Polymorphism of the Endothelin-2 Gene and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

“…[1][2][3][4][5] The prevalence of AF has been reported to be 10-28% in HCM at 7-10 years after the initial diagnosis. 2,3,[34][35][36] The incidence of AF in the present series was almost identical to that reported in previous studies.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] It is well known that hemodynamic changes followed by sympathetic or parasympathetic activation play an important role in the triggering of AF. 6,7 Thomson et al reported that hypotension during central unloading might provide an additional or alternate trigger for arrhythmia in some patients with HCM.…”

Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Structural Heart Disease

“…59,60 Rapid rates during AF may lead to hemodynamic deterioration with degeneration to ventricular fibrillation. 61,62 In contrast to most other conditions, AF may truly be a life-threatening arrhythmia in HCM.…”

Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with a Dual Defibrillator: Characteristics of Spontaneous and Induced Episodes and Effect of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Induction

“…Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a relatively common arrhythmia in patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) 1–6 . Moreover, AF may favor the onset of ventricular tachyarrhythmias 7–11 . Dual‐chamber ICDs offer the possibility of monitoring, discriminating, and selectively treating both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Moreover, AF may favor the onset of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. [7][8][9][10][11] Dual-chamber ICDs offer the possibility of monitoring, discriminating, and selectively treating both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This has further increased interest in the characteristics of AF in this setting and in the complex interaction between atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.…”