Patient exposure data and operator dose in coronary interventional procedures: Impact of body-mass index and procedure complexity.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess patient exposure data and operator dose in coronary interventional procedures, when considering patient body-mass index and procedure complexity.

Methods: Total air kerma area product (P), Air-Kerma (AK), Fluoroscopy time (FT), operator dose and patient body-mass index (BMI) from 97 patients' procedures (62 coronary angiography (CA) and 35 Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) were collected for one year. For PCI procedures, also the complexity index-CI was collected.

Role of pacing mode and algorithms for effective prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery occurs in 30 to 40% of patients. Prophylactic therapy with drugs is not always possible and not always efficient. Atrial pacing may play a role in the prevention of atrial fibrillation.

An unusual way to diagnose asymptomatic right ventricular perforation by a temporary endocardial pacing electrode.

Right ventricular perforation by a temporary endocardial pacing electrode can be fatal and needs to be detected promptly. This usually symptomatic situation is diagnosed by X-ray or echocardiographic findings. We present the case of a patient with an asymptomatic right ventricular perforation, in whom serial electrocardiograms enabled us to detect the displacement of the right ventricular lead.

Loss of left ventricular epicardial lead capture due to pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax is a rare complication of pacemaker lead insertion by subclavian way. We report a case of temporary ineffective biventricular pacing due to pneumothorax. This complication has to be ruled out before electing to reposition or to replace the lead.