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Background:Sinus node dysfunction (SND) and atrial tachyarrhythmias frequently co-exist in the aging patient with congenital heart disease (CHD), even after surgical correction early in life. We examined differences in electrophysiological properties of the sino-atrial node (SAN) area between pediatric and adult patients with CHD.MethodsEpicardial mapping of the SAN was performed during sinus rhythm in 12 pediatric (0.6 [0.4–2.4] years) and 15 adult (47 [40–55] years) patients. Unipolar potentials were classified as single-, short or long double- and fractionated potentials. Unipolar voltage, relative R-to-S-amplitude ratio and duration of all potentials was calculated. Conduction velocity (CV) and the amount of conduction block (CB) was calculated.ResultsSAN activity in pediatric patients was solely observed near the junction of the superior caval vein and the right atrium, while in adults SAN activity was observed even up to the middle part of the right atrium. Compared to pediatric patients, the SAN region of adults was characterized by lower CV, lower voltages, more CB and a higher degree of fractionation. At the earliest site of activation, single potentials from pediatrics consisted of broad monophasic S-waves with high amplitudes, while adults had smaller rS-potentials with longer duration which were more often fractionated.ConclusionsCompared to pediatric patients, adults with uncorrected CHD have more inhomogeneous conduction and variations in preferential SAN exit site, which are presumable caused by aging related remodeling. Long-term follow-up of these patients is essential to demonstrate whether these changes are related to development of SND and also atrial tachyarrhythmias early in life.

Background Statin treatment is one of the hallmarks of secondary prevention after myocardial infarction. Adherence to statins tends to be difficult and can be improved by patient education. Novel technologies such as Mixed Reality (MR) expand the possibilities to support this process. Objective To assess if an MR medication-application supports patient education focused on function of statins after myocardial infarction. Methods A human centred design-approach was used to develop an MR statin tool for Microsoft HoloLens™. Twenty two myocardial infarction patients were enrolled; twelve tested the application, ten patients were controls. Clinical, demographic, and qualitative data were obtained. All patients performed a test on statin knowledge. To test if patients with a higher tendency to become involved in virtual environments affected test outcome in the intervention group, validated Presence- and Immersive Tendency Questionnaires (PQ and ITQ) were used. Results Twenty two myocardial infarction patients (STEMI, 18/22, 82%) completed the study. Ten out of twelve (83%) patients in the intervention group improved their statin knowledge by using the MR application (median 8 points, IQR 8). Test improvement was mainly the result of increased understanding of statin mechanisms in the body and secondary preventive effects. A high tendency to get involved and focussed in virtual environments was moderately positive correlated with better test improvement (r = 0.57, P < 0.05) The median post- test score in the control group was poor (median 6 points, IQR 4). Conclusions An MR statin education application can be applied effectively in myocardial infarction patients to explain statin function and importance.

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