• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.406-412
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• 2009

ECG is used on purpose to keep good health or monitor cardiac function of aged person as well as on purpose to diagnose the disease of heart patients. The ambulatory ECG monitoring system under guarantee of safety and accuracy is very efficient to prevent the progress of heart disease and sudden death. These systems can detect the temporary change of ECG that is very significant to diagnose heart disease such as myocardial ischemia, arrhyamia and cardiac infarction. In this paper, we describe the ECG signal analysis algorithm and measurement device for ECG monitoring. The authors designed a small-size portable ECG device that consisted of instrumentation amplifier, micro-controller, filter and RF module. The device measures ECG with four electrodes on the body and detects QRS complex and ST level change in realtime. Also it transmits the measured signals to the personal computer. The developed software for ECG analysis in personal computer has the function to detect the feature points and ST level changes.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2021

An important, albeit rare, cause of fetal bradycardia is long QT syndrome (LQTS). Congenital LQTS is an ion channelopathy caused by mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channel proteins. Fetal onset of LQTS imposes high risk of life-threatening tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Here, we report the case of a female newborn with fetal onset of bradycardia and a 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block. After birth, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed bradycardia with QT prolongation of a corrected QT (QTc) interval of 680 ms and pseudo 2:1 AV block. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous Gly402Ser (c.1204G>A) mutation in CACNA1C, confirming the diagnosis of LQTS type 8 (LQT8). The patient received propranolol at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg. Mexiletine was subsequently administered owing to the sustained prolongation of the QT interval and pseudo 2:1 AV block. One week after mexiletine inception, the ECG still showed QT interval prolongation (QTc, 632 ms), but no AV block was observed. There were no life-threatening tachyarrhythmias in a follow-up period of 13 months.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2020

Torsades de pointes refers to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT), which is caused by the suppression of potassium channels owing to genetic and electrolytic abnormalities, resulting in the extension of the QT interval. Symptoms range from spontaneous circulation recovery to fainting and sudden death. Defibrillation, magnesium correction, and the use of lidocaine as an antiarrhythmic agent are recommended as treatments for persistent torsades de pointes. Currently, only amiodarone is available in the ambulance; however, torsades de pointes does not respond efficiently to amiodarone because it suppresses potassium channels and increases the refractory period of the myocardium. Lidocaine, in contrast, reduces the relative refractory period of the myocardium caused by suppressing sodium channels; thus, it inhibits the occurrence of and treats arrhythmia. In cases where PMVT did not respond to defibrillation, the administration of lidocaine showed no difference in survival and discharge rates compared to amiodarone. Thus, ambulances must be equipped with provisions to administer lidocaine.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.235-241
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• 2021

Cardiogenic syncope occurs due to arrhythmia (bradycardia and tachycardia) or decreased cardiac output, and if proper treatment is not provided, it can lead to acute sudden death. A detailed medical history and physical examinations are required to determine the cause of syncope, and clinical approaches, including 12-lead ECG, are important. The 12-lead ECG does not have a chest lead in the posterior wall of the left ventricle; therefore, ECG of the isolated posterior wall myocardial infarction caused by left circumflex artery occlusion is not observed with ST elevation. Therefore, the significantly higher appearance of ST depression and R waves than S waves from V1 to V3 of the chest lead must be interpreted meaningfully. Isolated posterior wall myocardial infarction is small in the area of myocardial necrosis, and tension is increased in the necrotic area due to the contraction of the normal myocardial muscle, which can cause ventricular wall rupture. Therefore, it is necessary to additionally check Beck's triad, such as jugular venous distension and decreased heart sound, in patients with low blood pressure with an isolated posterior wall myocardial infarction on 12-lead ECG in patients with syncope.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.7-16
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• 1998

Background and Purpose The increasing evidence for neurally mediated cardiac damage and sudden death has focused attention on the central autonomic control of cardiac function. Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability(HRV) can detect autonomic consequences of stroke. We performed power spectral analysis of heart rate variability from 24-hour holter recording to identify cerebral hemispheric lateralization and gender effect in cardiac autonomic control. Methods Data were obtained from 24-hour holter recordings in 30 consecutive patients with hemispheric brain infarction in the subacute phase. We analysed the time domain and frequency domain measures of HRV and ST segment by hemispheric lateralization and Gender. Results ST segment was depressed in women compared with man. There was no statistically significant differences between right and left hemisphere stroke patients in any standard index of HRV and ST segment changes. Conclusions These data are partial consistent with evidence from the recent literature that two cerebral hemispheres and gender have a differential influence on the nature and severity of cardiac dysfunction. We think the prospective and definite study was necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.326-332
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• 1978

There appears some conduction defects frequently after total correction of Tetralogy of Fallot. Common defect is right bundle branch block due to surgical intervention. We experienced complete A-V block which occured 3 months later after total correction of Tetralogy of Fallot in a 8 year old boy. The patient was completely free of any A-V block after the operation for 3 months, and sudden onset of A-V block with coupled premature ventricular contractions resulted him in shock state during the attack of severe bronchopneumonia for 4 days prior to the second visit. Emergency implantation of Cordis demand type temporary pacemaker was necessary to control the complete heart block with bradyarrhythmia and frequent ventricular fibrillation. Permanent cardiac pacemaker was implanted two weeks later as indicated with Cordis Stanicor lambda demand pacemaker, and the patient was discharged uneventfully on the 8th post implantation day with the heart rate of 72/min. Another 3 months after the implantation, the patient was transported to this hospital as dead on arrival after an accidental fall from a 2 meter height, and all possible cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 60 minutes at the emergency room in vain. Autopsy was done to find out the cause of sudden death and the etiology of complete heart block. Microscopic focal infarctions with scar formation were noted along the course of conduction system in the interventricular septum, which might be the main cause of complete heart block during the attack of severe bronchopneumonia complicated with acute bacterial endocarditis. The tip of the pacemaker wire was slipped from the granulation scar at the apex of the right ventricular cavity, and this might be the direct cause of pacing failure and death.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.208-215
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• 2017

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a cardiomyopathy characterized by predominant right ventricular fibro-fatty replacement, right ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias. It is a rare but important cause of sudden cardiac death in children and young adults. A meta-analysis on risk stratification of major ventricular tachyarrhythmic events indicating the need for implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in ARVC was performed. Methods: The pubmed database was searched from its inception to May 2015. Of the 433 citations identified, 12 were included in this meta-analysis. Data regarding major ventricular tachyarrhythmic events were retrieved in 817 subjects from the studies. For the variables, a combined odds ratio (OR) was calculated using a fixed-effects meta-analysis. Results: Extensive right ventricular dysfunction (OR, 2.44), ventricular late potential (OR, 1.66), inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmia during electrophysiology study (OR, 3.67), non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (OR, 3.78), and history of fatal event/sustained VT (OR, 5.66) identified as significant risk factors (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This meta-analysis shows that extensive right ventricular dysfunction, ventricular late potential, inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmia during electrophysiological study, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, and history of sustained ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation are consistently reported risk factors of major ventricular tachyarrhythmic events indicating implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in patients with ARVC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.355-359
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• 1995

A clinical analysis was performed on 48 cases with mitral stenosis who received open mitral commissurotomy from December 1983 to June 1991 at the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital. Fifteen patients were men and 33 were women. the mean age was 35.6 years with the range of 16 to 61 years. The distribution of preoperative NYHA Functional Classes was as follows; class II, 25 patients; class III, 20 patients; class IV, 3 patients. Three patients had cerebral emboli preoperatively, all of whom were in atrial fibrillation. The preoperative electrocardiographic studies revealed that 32 patients had sinus rhythms and 16 had atrial fibrillations. Twenty-six patients had open mitral commissurotomy alone and 22 patients had additional cardiac procedures. Intraoperatively, there were 6 cases of left atrial thrombosis. There was no perioperative death but early postoperative complications were found in 3 cases. The patients were followed up from 2 to 99 months[mean 33.7 months . There was one case of late unexplained sudden death. There was a case of late postoperative cerebral infarction, 5 cases of mitral restenosis and 3 cases of congestive heart failure and/or arrhythmia. Mitral valve replacements were required in 3 patients.But, it is evident that open mitral commissurotomy has many advantages beyond mitral valve replacement concerning the results of the mitral valve replacement underwent during the same period at the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.514-517
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• 2003

Anomalous aortic origin of left coronary artery is a rare congenital coronary anomaly that can cause clinical manifestations such as ischemic chest pain, arrhythmic syncope or even sudden cardiac death. We describe a case of anomalous aortic origin of left main coronary artery presented as a cardiogenic shock which was successfully treated by coronary artery transfer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2009

Brugada syndrome is characterized by an ECG pattern of right bundle branch block and ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads ($V_1-V_3$) without structural heart disease. It is also characterized by sudden cardiac death that's caused by ventricular fibrillation. This is a familial syndrome with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and it may be considerably more common in Southeast Asia. Many factors during anesthesia can precipitate malignant dysrrhythmia in these patients, so careful choice of anesthetics is required. We experienced a case of Brugada syndrome in a 59-year-old male patient who was under general anesthesia for trans-sphenoidal surgery to treat a pituitary adenoma, and the patient was diagnosed as having Brugada syndrome without any untoward cardiovascular events.