The following electronic only articles are published in conjunction with this issue of Heart.

Beneficial effects of biventricular pacing in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction delay

C A Rinaldi, C A Bucknall, J S Gill

The beneficial use of biventricular pacing is reported in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction delay. This resulted in improvements in symptomatic status and exercise tolerance that may be related to cardiac resynchronisation. The improvement in symptoms by biventricular pacing in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and intraventricular conduction delay is previously undocumented and requires further investigation.

(Heart 2002;87:e6) www.heartjnl.com/cgi/content/full/87/6/e6

Diagnosis of amyloidosis by histological examination of subcutaneous fat sampled at the time of pacemaker implantation

G M Gribbin, J A Gilbertson, P N Hawkins

Atrioventricular conduction disease may occur in a range of conditions. If echocardiography suggests the presence of an infiltra-tive cardiomyopathy the diagnosis of amyloidosis may be confirmed by subcutaneous fat sampling from the site of pacemaker implantation. This technique requires no additional invasive procedure and confers no extra risk for the patient. Confirmation of amyloidosis provides important prognostic information and may allow specific treatment.

(Heart 2002;87:e7) www.heartjnl.com/cgi/content/full/87/6/e7

Mitral valve endocarditis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: case report and literature review

G Morgan-Hughes, J Motwani

Mitral endocarditis complicating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs predominantly on the left ventricular aspect of the anterior mitral valve leaflet in the presence of outflow tract obstruction. It is a rare condition and the estimated cumulative 10 year probability of developing endocarditis in patients with obstruction is < 5%. Combined mitral valve replacement and septal myectomy has been reported in this setting. A case of community acquired Staphylococcus aureus mitral valve endocarditis is reported in a previously asymptomatic young man with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. The potential treatment options are discussed.

(Heart 2002;87:e8) www.heartjnl.com/cgi/content/full/87/6/e8