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Cardiac arrest without evident cardiac disease may be caused by subclinical genetic conditions. Systematic provocative testing may unmask a phenotype of primary electrical disease. How often is an aetiology identified in patients who present with unexplained sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?

A new definition of syncope – was discussed at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona. The new definition– makes the diagnosis more precise and now dependent on a specific cause. Restrictions on driving are not recommended for drivers with mild reflex syncope.

Up to 1 in 4 patients thought to be suffering from epilepsy do not actually have this condition. Now an implantable ECG monitor allows detection of abnormal heart rate causing syncope, according to a presentation during the European Society of Cardiology recent congress in Barcelona.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality in the UK, accounting for about 53 000 deaths annually. 12 5000 strokes per year are thought to be directly attributable to atrial fibrillation (AF). Now two publications are available to update health care professionals on this challenging clinical problem.

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has been shown to provide improvement in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic heart failure patients according to findings from the MADIT-CRT and the REVERSE trials presented at the ESC Congress in Barcelona. Also, the Pre-SCD Registry shows ICDs protect patients one month or more post-MI. However, results from a European Survey shows that ICDs are being used outside of recommended guidelines.

A record number of 31,371 delegates attended the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)Congress in Barcelona this week. Clinical trials in atrial fibrillation were among the most well attended sessions, receiving worldwide news coverage within minutes of presentation. Principal among these were RE-LY and PLATO, details of which we feature here.

Findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona show that adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and high intake of caffeine favour arrhythmias in people without known cardiac disease and also that patients with high intake of caffeine and coffee are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation

A landmark international study led by McMaster University researchers found high doses of clopidogrel significantly reduce complications in heart patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) An international group of researchers from 39 countries found patients undergoing angioplasty benefited from a more aggressive antiplatelet regimen in which they were given double the standard dose for about a week.