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BACKGROUND: The number of cancer patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices receiving radiotherapy is increasing. Irradiation of such patients can cause malfunctions in pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. In this respect, it is necessary to make a proper irradiation plan for such cancer patients to minimize the dose received by both cardiac devices and pacing leads. However, planning computed tomography (CT) scans have metal artifacts that degrade the image quality and make it difficult to create a qualitative radiation plan. In fact, there is a problem of correct contouring not only of critical organs and planning target volume, but also of cardiac devices and pacing leads during the planning of CT scan operations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To analyze this issue, we tested the Metal Deletion Technique (MDT) on nine cancer patients with different tumor localizations near cardiac implantable electronic devices and device types who were treated at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute. We conducted a radiotherapy planning in Eclipse Treatment Planning System, version 11.0 (Varian, Palo Alto, Canada) (employing three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy irradiation techniques). We analyzed the influence of MDT on plan parameters and compared CT scans without and with application of the MDT method. RESULTS: The results confirm the need to use the MDT method for reduction the likelihood of malfunctions in devices. The greatest error in determining the dose received by implantable devices and pacing leads is more than 3% of the total dose. It can significantly change the patients treatment plan. CONCLUSION: The data obtained in this experiment are crucial for physicists when selecting radiation techniques and suitable methods for planning the irradiation of patients with implantable electronic devices. Key words radiation therapy - cardiac devices - Metal Deletion Technique - artifacts - quality improvement.

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UNLABELLED: Determination of the cause of death in sudden deaths of young people is a relatively common problem in routine medical practice. In cases of poor or negative morphologic findings at autopsy and poor or negative test results from laboratory, diagnostic quandary can occur. The grant project IGA MZ CR (Internal Grant Agency of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic) targets cases of the sudden deaths of young people under 40 years of age, where, even after an autopsy performed, and other laboratory examinations at the Department of Forensic Medicine are completed, it fails to detect the exact cause of death and death as a possible etiology is supposed malignant cardiac arrhythmias. The project aims to introduce a genetic analysis of these sudden deaths of individuals and determine the frequency of genetic pathologies related to malignant arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies, as well as clinical examination of direct relatives of the deceased by cardiologist, focusing on the identification of families at risk of sudden cardiac death. This examination and identification of causes of death will offer bereaved relatives prevention of sudden death and appropriate therapy. This article summarizes a retrospective analysis of sudden deaths of young people with a focus on monitoring diagnosed and unspecified cause of death and an analysis by age, gender and time of day. In the age range 1-40 years, the authors found less than 15 % of sudden death cases where it was not possible after performing autopsies or laboratory examinations to establish a clear cause of death. In such cases, it is considered category of hereditary channelopathies such as largely the congenital long-QT syndromes as possible etiology of sudden cardiac death. The authors consider useful to offer cardiological investigation to the relatives of the deceaseds, as well as genetic analysis of sudden deaths (molecular autopsy) and their relatives, which in the Czech Republic is not usually performed. KEYWORDS: sudden and unexpected death - malignant cardiac arrhythmias - LQT syndrome - molecular autopsy.

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We assessed 850 patients with a history of myocardial infarction >1 month ago who attended outpatient clinics of the Clinic of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Faculty Hospital Brno between 1st September 2009 and 31st December 2009. There were more men (650 vs. 200) and patients under 70 years of age (576 vs. 264) in the cohort. 87.8% of patients experienced one myocardial infarction only and the mean age at the first infarction was 59.0 years in men and 65.5 in women (p < 0.001). 75.8% of patients had been prescribed all recommended pharmacotherapeutic groups according to guidelines (RAAS blockers, beta-blockers, statins, antiagregation agents) and each group individually was used in > 90% of patients. There were no differences between men and women and older and younger patients. ACE inhibitors and statins were not always prescribed in recommended (high) doses. Perindopril was the most frequently prescribed ACE inhibitor and atorvastatin the most frequently prescribed statin. Blood pressure of< 140/90 mm Hg was identified in 60.1% of patients, 75% of men and 65% of women had cholesterol level of <5 mmol/l and > 50% of patients had cholesterol < or = 4.5 mmol/l, metabolic syndrome was found in about 1/2 of patients and smoking was admitted by 12.5% of patients.

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The long-term electrocardiographic recording with retrospective evaluation (Holter system) has been widely used not only in cardiology, but also in other disciplines of internal medicine and in pharmaceutical research. The Holter system can be used in mini-pig, sheep, dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, and rat. In this paper hardware, software, and anesthesia requirements are summarized with respect to the experimental work with various species. As the Holter systems work in bipolar mode, the use of bipolar leads in sagittal and transversal planes has been proved to be the most appropriate because of large amplitude of QRS complex and uncomplicated consequent automatic analysis of the record. In conclusion, Holter electrocardiography represents a simple and applicable method for monitoring the electrical activity of the heart in small animals' experimental studies.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was an analysis of patients with ICD implanted in primary prevention (PP) in long-term follow-up and comparison with data obtained in secondary prevention patients (SP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed 73 patients with PP ICD and 138 patients with SP ICD. Males were in majority with 88% in PP group and 78% in SP group. The average age was 63 years. Majority of patients suffered from coronary artery disease. The mean ejection fraction (LV EF) was 28% in PP patients and 38% in SP patients. The number of affected coronary arteries and medication were similar in both groups. We compared the occurrence of intercurrent diseases, malignant arrhythmias, inappropriate therapies, hospital readmissions and patients' survival. RESULTS: PP patients had lower LV EF ejection fraction (p < 0.001), higher number of revascularized arteries (p < 0.001) and lower occurrence of inappropriate therapies and arrhythmic storms (p < 0.001). There was higher number of patients with diabetes (p = 0.009), dyslipidemia (p < 0.001) and cerebral artery disease (p = 0.017) among those in PP group. Renal insufficiency was related to a higher risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PP ICD implantation have lower LVEF, and more intercurrent diseases then patients with ICD implanted form SP reasons. Their myocardium is more often revascularized and the occurrence of inappropriate therapy is low. Arrhythmic storm is a typical feature of patients with ICD implanted in secondary prevention.

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UNLABELLED: The heart rate turbulence is promising marker of a sudden cardiac death. The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of the ventricular premature beat (VPB) coupling interval on the values of turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) parameters in the three groups of patients--"healthy" with ventricular premature beats, pts post myocardial infarction (MI) and pts with chronic heart failure with the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.35. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 382 pts were examined: healthy--149, post MI--123 and LVEF < 0.35 - 110. The distribution ofVPB was analyzed and the values ofTO and TS were evaluated according to the coupling intervals of VPB--in the intervals 00-50, 51-100 (% of RR interval) and in the intervals 34-66 and 67-100 (% of RR interval). RESULTS: The coupling interval of spontaneous ventricular premature beats cause the statistically significant variability HRT values in all three groups of pts. CONCLUSION: The values of TO in the groups of post MI pts and pts with chronic heart failure are higher (risky for sudden cardiac death) after VPB with longer coupling intervals (50-100%, event. 67-100% of RR interval). The TS values are lower (risky for sudden cardiac death) after VPB with longer coupling interval, too. For evaluation of HRT we should use the VPBs with long coupling intervals.

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BACKGROUND: The number of patients with pacemakers is icreasing. The first reason is longer survival, the second reason is widening indications to cardiostimulation. Along with increasing numbers of performances, we have to recken larger number of complications and these complications solve so, that we avoid more serious damage of a patient. METHODS AND RESULTS: In our article we focused an possible complications in the area of pacemaker pockets, monitored their appearence, watched the type of complication, the danger of the creation infection endocarditis and we present our own experiences with solving such complications. From the total numer of 3978 surgical interventions was 141 patients indicated for the revision of the pocket. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated controls of the pocket and early reported of the patients to the specialised clinic is necessary for the safety of tke patients with pacemakers.

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Some studies have demonstrated circadian incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), ventricular ectopies, acute coronary syndromes and heart rate variability. One of new parameters applied in non-invasive stratification of sudden cardiac death is heart rate turbulence (HRT). Detection of circadian oscillations in HRT and optimised measurement of HRT can increase the positive predictive value of HRT as a sign of SCD risk. The set consisted of 48 patients in a sequence order aged 45 +/- 12 years (of which 23 men and 25 women), indicated for Holter monitoring ofventricular ectopies who had good left ventricular function with LV EF 0.53 +/- 0.11. HRT was measured in two-hour intervals within a 24 hour period, followed by an analysis of circadian dependence of HRT. A significant circadian oscillation in the TS (turbulence slope) parameter was recorded. No circadian signs were detected for the TO (turbulence onset) parameter. The project is supported by grant no. NR/8478-3.

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BACKGROUND: Some study reported circadian occurence of sudden cardiac death, ventricle ectopic activity, acute coronary syndromes and heart rate variability. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is one of a new markers of noninvasive stratification of sudden cardiac death. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have evaluated HRT in 120 consecutive patiens post myocardial infarction in mean age 62.7+/-12.4 years (90 M, 30 W), indicated for ecg Holter monitoring with LVEF 0.45+/-0.12 in 2hours interval during 24 hours. We have analysed circadian variation of the HRT. CONCLUSIONS: The statistically significant circadian patterns were found in turbulence slope parameter of HRT. No significant changes for turbulence onset parameter were described.

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The purpose of this article is to present the aim of analysis of the group of patients treated with implantable electronic medical devices and to address pathologists who could possibly like to participate in the project. The number of implantable devices has been growing up--estimated number of annual increase in the number of implanted pacemakers recently has been about 225 000 just in the USA, number of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators is similarly increasing. Number of pacemaker implantations in Czech Republic was 4590 in 1995, in 2001 6025 patients. Number of ICD implantations in Czech Republic in 1995 was 60 patients, in 2004 650 patients. The aetiology of death depends on type of device--in group of patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators it is mostly cardiac death, in group of patients with pacemaker dominate non-cardiac death. Recent data shows assumption of malfunctions in 3-15 %. Post-mortem evaluation of electronic medical devices should be standard praxis.

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BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction survivors may develop a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. The risk markers: left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular premature beats, late potentials on averaged ECG, baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability are used as non-invasive stratification markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Occurrence of the autonomic and morphologic dysfunction risk markers in the myocardial infarction patients treated by thrombolysis and by primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is compared. We studied a cohort of 48 acute myocardial infarction survivors treated by primary PTCA and 96 patients treated by thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated by primary PTCA had significantly lower occurrence of premature ventricular beats and pathological parameters of the heart rate variability.

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BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of therapy with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators is usually evaluated according to the total mortality of ICD patients. The aim of this study is to analyse the total mortality of long-term followed ICD patients and to evaluate mortality according to the main diagnosis and analyse the influence of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have observed 138 consecutive patients in mean age of 62.0+/-12.2 year (108 M, 30 F) with mean LVEF 0.38+/-0.14, who had ICD implanted for malignant ventricular arrhythmias from X/95 to XII/02 from secondary preventive reasons. The mean follow-up was 47.35 months. 99 patients had coronary artery disease, 16 dilated cardiomyopathy, 5 right ventricle dysplazia, 4 LQT syndrome, 1 valvular disease and 13 pts were without structural heart disease. The total mortality of the group of patients was 22% (31 patients). The terminal heart failure was the main cause of death in our pts--in 84% of the cases. We had no sudden death in our group of pts. The highest mortality (27%) was in pts with coronary artery disease, nobody died in the group of pts without structural heart disease. The higher mortality was in patients in pts where the revascularization was not possible before ICD implantation (38% versus 20%) One-year survival of the whole group of pts covered 90% and two-year survival was 87%. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of ICD pts is shorter if coronary artery disease is present and there is no possibility to revascularize pts before ICD implantation.

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BACKGROUND: Using implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias revealed new complications specific to this therapy. Inappropriate therapy, arrhythmic storm and device related proarrhythmia belong to the most significant complications. The authors describe specific complications in a group of ICD patients, analyze their etiology and prognostic value. There are some recommendations for the management of specific complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: 138 consecutive patients underwent ICD implantation between 1994-2001. Median follow-up was 47,35 months. Average left ventricular ejection fraction was 38 +/- 14% and 71% of patients suffered from coronary artery disease. From the total of 2490 arrhythmic episodes 1490 were evaluated in detail. 253 episodes (17%) were classified as inappropriate therapy. The most common etiology of inappropriate therapy was atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (68%), atrial flutter (13%) and sinus tachycardia (11%). After the therapeutic intervention, 65% of them remained free of inappropriate therapy. There were 38 arrhythmic storms in 19 patients as another serious complication. CONCLUSIONS: All the observed arrhythmic episodes were ventricular tachycardias (p<0.04). Patients with arrhythmic storm in history had significantly lower survival (p<0.05). The risk factors of cardiac nonsudden death were: age >66 years, left ventricular ejection fraction <35% and arrhythmic storm history. The authors present recommendations for the treatment of the most common specific ICD complications.

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Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have become an integral part of treatment of patients with malignant chamber arrhythmias over last 10 years both in secondary and primary prevention of sudden deaths. Based on monitoring of a group of 182 patients and based on information in literature, authors present a survey of the most frequent situations, rules and complications related to therapy with implantable defibrillators. In the end they try to answer summary of the most frequent questions of internal medicine physicians and GPs concerning patients with this implanted device.

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