Heart Rate Variability and Its Role in Predicting Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Background

An association between heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac events in certain diseases has been demonstrated. However, the association with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between HRV and new-onset AF in patients undergoing CABG during a 6-month follow-up.

Methods

This prospective study included 119 consecutive patients who underwent off-pump CABG. All patients were assessed using 24-hour Holter recordings 2 days before CABG and 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. HRV was analyzed, and AF was detected from its recordings.

Main results

In patients undergoing CABG, NYHA III increased the AF rate 7 days postoperatively, and advanced age and diabetes were associated with AF 6 months postoperatively. A reduction in time-domain measurements before surgery was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing AF seven days postoperatively; no association between preoperative HRV and AF was found at six months. Reduced preoperative HRV (SDNN (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals [) < 50 ms) was an independent predictor of AF at 3 (AUC = 0.65) and 6 months (AUC = 0.62) following surgery.

Conclusion

A reduction in the time domain measurements before CABG was associated with a higher risk of new-onset AF at 7 days postoperatively but not at 6 months. An SDNN <50 ms was a weak independent predictor of a higher incidence of AF at 3 and 6 months post-surgery.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in refractory anaphylactic shock after bee stings: A case report

An allergy to insect stings is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylactic reactions. Such reactions can be fatal, even on the first reaction, although it very rarely happens. The use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in refractory anaphylactic shock was previously described. We report a case of a 31-year-old female who presented with refractory anaphylactic shock after bee stings without the presence of cutaneous manifestations other than the rashes in her neck. The toxic component of bee venom and systemic allergic response plays a vital role in pathophysiology. She did not respond to conventional advanced life support, but following urgent VA ECMO, she survived neurologically intact. Despite an uncommon indication for anaphylaxis, ECMO support may be possible and effective in patients with refractory shock.

Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in a Patient With Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy With Coronary Artery-to-Left Ventricle Fistulas

Coexistence of coronary artery-to-left ventricle fistula (CALVF) and noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCC) is rare in patients with severe multiple coronary stenosis. We report CALVF in a 70-year-old man with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and NCC. Left ventricular ejection fraction may not improve by total revascularization in this condition. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

First report of biliary tract infection caused by multidrug-resistant Serratia fonticola

Serratia fonticola is widely distributed in nature and a rare human pathogen. We report the first Case of biliary tract infection due to multidrug-resistant Serratia fonticola in a 78-year-old woman in Vietnam. Bile culture grew S. fonticola. Based on the antibiogram, S. fonticola is resistant to all antibiotic classes. The patient developed septic shock and died.

First report of infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus pseudoporcinus in Vietnam

We report a first case of Streptococcus pseudoporcinus bacteraemia causing infective endocarditis in a 40-year-old man in Vietnam. This is the second case of Streptococcus pseudoporcinus infective endocarditis in the literature. The patient was successfully treated by antibiotics, combined with aortic valve replacement. Streptococcus pseudoporcinus may be an emerging infectious agent causing endocarditis.