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Purpose: Cardiac involvement in limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)2A and LGMD2B, the most common subgroups of LGMD, is controversial. Our study aims to determine whether myocardial dysfunction develops in LGMD2A and LGMD2B patients. Methods: The study included 16 LGMD2A, 12 LGMD2B patients, and 48 healthy individuals. Comparisons included demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of LGMD2A and LGMD2B subgroups and traditional echocardiography and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE) parameters with the normal population. Results: The median age was 33 (22–39 interquartile range [IQR]) in the LGMD2A group, 33 (27–38 IQR) in the LGMD2B group, and 28 (25–35 IQR) in the control group. The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of both LGMD2A and LGMD2B groups was similar to the control group (p = 0.296 and p = 0.918). Apical 4‐chamber longitudinal strain (LS), Apical 2‐chamber LS, Apical 3‐chamber LS, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS)‐mid‐myocardial, LVGLS‐endocardium, and LVGLS‐epicardium were lower (less negative) in the LGMD2B group compared to the control group (p = 0.006, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: LV 2D‐STE parameters of LGMD2A patients were similar to the control group, while they decreased significantly (less negative) in LGMD2B patients, indicating that LV subclinical myocardial dysfunction may develop in LGMD2B patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Single‐center observational studies have shown promising results with fragmented electrogram (FE)‐guided ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation in patients with vagally mediated bradyarrhythmia (VMB). We aimed to compare the acute procedural characteristics during FE‐guided GP ablation in patients with VMB performed by first‐time operators and those of a single high‐volume operator. Methods and Results: This international multicenter cohort study included data collected over 2 years from 16 cardiac hospitals. The primary operators were classified according to their prior GP ablation experience: a single high‐volume operator who had performed > 50 GP ablation procedures (Group 1), and operators performing their first GP ablation cases (Group 2). Acute procedural characteristics and syncope recurrence were compared between groups. Forty‐seven consecutive patients with VMB who underwent FE‐guided GP ablation were enrolled, n = 31 in Group 1 and n = 16 in Group 2. The mean number of ablation points in each GP was comparable between groups. The ratio of positive vagal response during ablation on the left superior GP was higher in Group 1 (90.3% vs. 62.5%, p =.022). Ablation of the right superior GP increased heart rate acutely without any vagal response in 45 (95.7%) cases. The procedure time was longer in group 2 (83.4 ± 21 vs. 118.0 ± 21 min, respectively, p <.001). Over a mean follow‐up duration of 8.0 ± 3 months (range 2–24 months), none of the patients suffered from syncope. Conclusion: This multi‐center pilot study shows for the first time the feasibility of FE‐guided GP ablation across a large group of procedure‐naïve operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cardiovascular complications are the leading causes of premature deaths in hemodialysis patients. Due to rapid changes in volume and electrolyte concentration following dialysis, the some electrocardiographic (ECG) changes or arrhythmias might be seen. Objective To investigate the acute effects of hemodialysis on the ECG parameters in patients with chronic end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Method We included the consecutive ESRD patients who underwent a hemodialysis. Before and after hemodialysis, some 12 lead ECG parameters were analyzed by two different cardiologists by using electronic digital caliper device. Results A total of 62 patients (mean 52 ± 15 years; 65% male) with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis were recruited to the study. P-wave amplitude, QRS amplitude, QRS duration, QTc dispersion, the sum of amplitudes in V1S + V5R derivations, total QRS amplitude, and duration were significantly greater in posthemodialysis patients compared to the prehemodialysis ones. However, T-wave amplitude and QTc duration were significantly lower in posthemodialysis patients. Conclusion The ECG changes including prolangated QRS and increased QTc interval after hemodialysis should be kept in mind and assessed carefully in ESRD patients. Prolongation of these parameters may prove to be a further noninvasive marker of susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]