Heart rate variability and the presence of late potentials are independent predictor factors for cardiac death and electrical vulnerability of the ischemic myocardium, especially after myocardial infarction(MI). Respiratory infection are known to be associated with MI both through direct action of the pathogen and by altering the hemodynamic status, through tachycardia and a rise in myocardial oxigen demand. Our paper wants to highlight that respiratory infection during subacute and late recovery phase of myocardial infarction can aggravate the electrical vulnerability of the myocardium and increases the arrhythmic risk. We analysed heart rate variability and the presence of late potentials on signal-averaged ECG in patients who developed acute respiratory infection after MI. All parameters of heart rate variability were signifficantly decreased in our target group. Incidence of late potentials did not differ between the two groups, meaning that the electrophysiological substrate of arrhythmias was not influenced by respiratory infection. Ventricular arrhythmias were more severe and frequent in the infection group. Respiratory infectious disease in early and late recovery phase after acute myocardial infarction, increases the risk of life threatening arrhythmias. It must be emphasized the need to consider prevention and early treatment of respiratory viral or bacterial infections, particularly in patients with cardiac ischemic disease.
Methadone-Induced Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Complicated by Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Malnourished Patient
