Interventricular septal thickness on cardiac computed tomography as a novel risk factor for conduction disturbances in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

AIMS: We examined whether thickness of the basal muscular interventricular septum (IVS), as measured by pre-procedural computed tomography (CT), could be used to identify the risk of conduction disturbances following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The IVS is a pivotal region of the electrical conduction system of the heart where the atrioventricular conduction axis is located. METHODS AND RESULTS: Included were 78 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent CT imaging prior to TAVR. The thickness of muscular IVS was measured in the coronal view, in systolic phases, at 1, 2, 5, and 10 mm below the membranous septum (MS). The primary endpoint was a composite of conduction disturbance following TAVR. Conduction disturbances occurred in 24 out of 78 patients (30.8%). Those with conduction disturbances were significantly more likely to have a thinner IVS than those without conduction disturbances at every measured IVS level (2.98 ± 0.52 mm vs. 3.38 ± 0.52 mm, 4.10 ± 1.02 mm vs. 4.65 ± 0.78 mm, 6.11 ± 1.12 mm vs. 6.88 ± 1.03 mm, and 9.72 ± 1.95 mm vs. 10.70 ± 1.55 mm for 1, 2, 5 and 10 mm below MS, respectively, P < 0.05 for all). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that pre-procedural IVS thickness (<4 mm at 2 mm below the MS) was a significant independent predictor of post-procedural conduction disturbance (adjOR 7.387, 95% CI: 2.003-27.244, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Pre-procedural CT assessment of basal IVS thickness is a novel predictive marker for the risk of conduction disturbances following TAVR. The IVS thickness potentially acts as an anatomical barrier protecting the underlying conduction system from mechanical compression during TAVR.

Predictive value of the PRAETORIAN score for defibrillation test success in patients with subcutaneous ICD: A subanalysis of the PRAETORIAN-DFT trial.

BACKGROUND: The PRAETORIAN score estimates the risk of failure of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) therapy by using generator and lead positioning on bidirectional chest radiographs. The PRospective randomized compArative trial of subcutanEous implanTable cardiOverter-defibrillatoR ImplANtation with and without DeFibrillation Testing (PRAETORIAN-DFT) investigates whether PRAETORIAN score calculation is noninferior to defibrillation testing (DFT) with regard to first shock efficacy in spontaneous events. OBJECTIVE: This prespecified subanalysis assessed the predictive value of the PRAETORIAN score for defibrillation success in induced ventricular arrhythmias. METHODS: This multicenter investigator-initiated trial randomized 965 patients between DFT and PRAETORIAN score calculation after de novo S-ICD implantation. Successful DFT was defined as conversion of induced ventricular arrhythmia in <5 seconds from shock delivery within 2 attempts. Bidirectional chest radiographs were obtained after implantation. The predictive value of the PRAETORIAN score for DFT success was calculated for patients in the DFT arm. RESULTS: In total, 482 patients were randomized to undergo DFT. Of these patients, 457 (95%) underwent DFT according to protocol, of whom 445 (97%) had successful DFT and 12 (3%) had failed DFT. A PRAETORIAN score of ≥90 had a positive predictive value of 25% for failed DFT, and a PRAETORIAN score of <90 had a negative predictive value of 99% for successful DFT. A PRAETORIAN score of ≥90 was the strongest independent predictor for failed DFT (odds ratio 33.77; confidence interval 6.13-279.95; P < .001). CONCLUSION: A PRAETORIAN score of <90 serves as a reliable indicator for DFT success in patients with S-ICD, and a PRAETORIAN score of ≥90 is a strong predictor for DFT failure.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator for the Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death among Patients With Cancer.

Data are limited regarding the characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer who are found eligible for primary defibrillator therapy. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with preexisting cancer diagnoses who become eligible for a primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) defibrillator. Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial-ICD (MADIT-ICD) benefit scores were calculated. The study included 75 cancer patients at a median age of 73 (interquartile range 64, 81) years at heart failure diagnosis. Active cancer was present in 51%. Overall, 55% of the cohort had coronary artery disease and 37% were CRT eligible. We found that 48%, 49%, and 3% of cohorts had low, intermediate, and high MADIT-ICD Benefit scores, respectively. Only 27% of patients underwent primary defibrillator implantation. Using multivariate analysis, indication for CRT and intermediate/high MADIT-ICD Benefit categories were found as independent predictors for implantation (odds ratio 8.42 p <0.001 and odds ratio 3.74 p = 0.040, respectively). During a median follow-up of 5.3 (interquartile range 4.5, 7.2) years, one patient (5%) with a defibrillator had appropriate shock therapy and 2 patients (10%) had bacteremia. Of 13 patients with CRT defibrillator-implants, one patient was admitted for heart failure exacerbation (8%). Using a time-varying covariate model, we did not observe statistically significant differences in the survival of patients with cancer implanted versus those not implanted with primary defibrillators (hazard ratio 0.521, p = 0.127). In conclusion, although primary defibrillator therapy is underutilized in patients with cancer, its relative benefit is limited because of competing risk of nonarrhythmic mortality. These findings highlight the need for personalized cardiologic and oncologic coevaluation.

Consumer-Led Screening for Atrial Fibrillation: Frontier Review of the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration.

The technological evolution and widespread availability of wearables and handheld ECG devices capable of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF), and their promotion directly to consumers, has focused attention of health care professionals and patient organizations on consumer-led AF screening. In this Frontiers review, members of the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration provide a critical appraisal of this rapidly evolving field to increase awareness of the complexities and uncertainties surrounding consumer-led AF screening. Although there are numerous commercially available devices directly marketed to consumers for AF monitoring and identification of unrecognized AF, health care professional-led randomized controlled studies using multiple ECG recordings or continuous ECG monitoring to detect AF have failed to demonstrate a significant reduction in stroke. Although it remains uncertain if consumer-led AF screening reduces stroke, it could increase early diagnosis of AF and facilitate an integrated approach, including appropriate anticoagulation, rate or rhythm management, and risk factor modification to reduce complications. Companies marketing AF screening devices should report the accuracy and performance of their products in high- and low-risk populations and avoid claims about clinical outcomes unless improvement is demonstrated in randomized clinical trials. Generally, the diagnostic yield of AF screening increases with the number, duration, and temporal dispersion of screening sessions, but the prognostic importance may be less than for AF detected by single-time point screening, which is largely permanent, persistent, or high-burden paroxysmal AF. Consumer-initiated ECG recordings suggesting possible AF always require confirmation by a health care professional experienced in ECG reading, whereas suspicion of AF on the basis of photoplethysmography must be confirmed with an ECG. Consumer-led AF screening is unlikely to be cost-effective for stroke prevention in the predominantly young, early adopters of this technology. Studies in older people at higher stroke risk are required to demonstrate both effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The direct interaction between companies and consumers creates new regulatory gaps in relation to data privacy and the registration of consumer apps and devices. Although several barriers for optimal use of consumer-led screening exist, results of large, ongoing trials, powered to detect clinical outcomes, are required before health care professionals should support widespread adoption of consumer-led AF screening.

Automated detection of atrial fibrillation based on vocal features analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is desirable but challenging due to the often-asymptomatic nature of AF. Known screening methods are limited and most of them depend of electrocardiography or other techniques with direct contact with the skin. Analysis of voice signals from natural speech has been reported for several applications in medicine. The study goal was to evaluate the usefulness of vocal features analysis for the detection of AF. METHODS: This prospective study was performed in two medical centers. Patients with persistent AF admitted for cardioversion were enrolled. The patients pronounced the vowels "Ahh" and "Ohh" were recorded synchronously with an ECG tracing. An algorithm was developed to provide an "AF indicator" for detection of AF from the speech signal. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients were recruited. The final analysis of "Ahh" and "Ohh" syllables was performed on 143 and 142 patients, respectively. The mean age was 71.4 ± 9.3 and 43% of patients were females. The developed AF indicator was reliable. Its numerical value decreased significantly in sinus rhythm (SR) after the cardioversion ("Ahh": from 13.98 ± 3.10 to 7.49 ± 1.58; "Ohh": from 11.39 ± 2.99 to 2.99 ± 1.61). The values at SR were significantly more homogenous compared to AF as indicated by a lower standard deviation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was >0.98 and >0.89 ("Ahh" and "Ohh," respectively, p < .001). The AF indicator sensitivity is 95% with 82% specificity. CONCLUSION: This study is the first report to demonstrate feasibility and reliability of the identification of AF episodes using voice analysis with acceptable accuracy, within the identified limitations of our study methods. The developed AF indicator has higher accuracy using the "Ahh" syllable versus "Ohh."

Impact of lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and arrhythmia burden in heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Restricted outdoor activity during COVID-19 related lockdown may accelerate heart failure (HF) progression and thereby increase cardiac arrhythmias. We analyzed the impact of March/April 2020 lockdown on physical activity and arrhythmia burden in HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices with daily, automatic remote monitoring (RM) function. METHODS: The study cohort included 405 HF patients enrolled in Observation of Clinical Routine Care for Heart Failure Patients Implanted with BIOTRONIK CRT Devices (BIO|STREAM.HF) registry in 16 countries, who had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% (mean 28.2 ± 6.6%) and NYHA class II/III/IV (47.9%/49.6%/2.5%) before CRT pacemaker/defibrillator implantation. The analyzed RM data comprised physical activity detected by accelerometer, mean heart rate and nocturnal rate, PP variability, percentage of biventricular pacing, atrial high rate episode (AHRE) burden, ventricular extrasystoles and tachyarrhythmias, defibrillator shocks, and number of implant interrogations (i.e., follow-ups). Intraindividual differences in RM parameters before (4-week period) versus during (4-week period) lockdown were tested for statistical significance and independent predictors were identified. RESULTS: There was a significant relative change in activity (mean -6.5%, p < .001), AHRE burden (+17%, p = .013), and follow-up rate (-75%, p < .001) during lockdown, with no significant changes in other RM parameters. Activity decreased by ≥8 min/day in 46.5% of patients; predictors were higher LVEF, lower NYHA class, no defibrillator indication, and more activity before lockdown. AHRE burden increased by ≥17 min/day in 4.7% of patients; predictors were history of atrial fibrillation, higher LVEF, higher body mass index, and activity decrease during lockdown. CONCLUSION: Unfavorable changes in physical activity, AHRE burden, and follow-up rate were observed during lockdown, but not in ventricular arrhythmia.

Radial strain imaging-guided lead placement for improving response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy: the Raise CRT trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the benefit of speckle tracking radial strain imaging (STRSI)-guided left ventricular (LV) lead (LVL) positioning in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients (pts) with ischaemic cardiomyopathy with CRT indication. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients were enrolled in nine centres with 2:1 randomization into two groups (guided vs. control). Patients underwent STRSI to identify the optimal LV position from six LV segments at midventricular level. Implantation via STRSI was attempted for recommended segment in the guided group only. Follow-up included echocardiography (6 months) and clinical evaluation (6 and 12 months). The primary endpoint was comparison % reduction in LV end-systolic volume at 6 months with baseline. Secondary endpoints included hospitalizations for heart failure and death, and improvement in additional echocardiographic measurements and quality of life score. A total of 172 patients (115 guided vs. 57 control) were enrolled. In the guided group, 60% of the implanted LV leads were adjudicated to be successfully located at the recommended segment, whereas in the control group 44% reached the best STRSI determined segment. There was no difference between the groups in any of the primary or secondary endpoints at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that echo-guided implantation of an LV lead using STRSI does not improve the clinical or echocardiographic response compared with conventional implantation.

Albumin as a Prognostic Marker for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence following Cryoballoon Ablation of Pulmonary Venous.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation has clinical significance. Identifying risk factors for AF recurrence is important. We investigated serum albumin (SA) levels (g/dL) as a prognostic factor for the recurrence of AF following cryoballoon PVI ablation. Methods: We included patients who underwent cryoballoon PVI ablation at our institution between the years 2013 and 2018. The primary outcome was recurrence of AF during follow up. Results: Our cohort consisted of 126 patients (67% males, mean age 61.8 ± 10.0 years). The pattern of AF amongst the cohort was paroxysmal in 62.5%, persistent in 25.4%, and longstanding persistent in 6.3%. Those with lower SA levels had a mean AF duration significantly less than those with higher SA levels (2.81 years, 7.34 years, and 6.37 years for SA levels of <3.8, 3.8−4.1, and ≥4.1, respectively; p = 0.003). Patients with lower SA levels were significantly more likely to have had more previous cardioversions and a larger left atrial area and volume. The mean follow-up was 380 days, in which the AF recurrence rate was 20.6%. Patients with lower SA level had significantly more AF recurrences (47.4%, 16.7%, and 2.2% for SA levels of <3.8, 3.8−4.1, and ≥4.1, respectively; p < 0.001). Upon multivariate analysis, an SA level < 3.8 was associated with a higher risk of AF recurrence (OR = 5.422 95% CI 1.134; 25.910; p < 0.001). Conclusion: SA levels were found to be a strong independent marker for AF recurrence following PVI ablation.

Comparison of permanent pacemaker implantation rate after first and second generation of transcatheter aortic valve implantation-A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) rates among patients undergoing Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) with first generation (G1) versus second generation (G2) valves and the impact of PPMI on long-term mortality. BACKGROUND: PPMI is a known adverse event after TAVI. Recently, two novel iterations of valve designs of both the balloon expandable valves (BEV) and self-expanding valves (SEV) were introduced as a second generation valves. METHODS: All patients included in the Israeli multicenter TAVI registry were grouped according to valve type (BEV vs. SEV) and generation (G1 vs. G2). A comparison was made for clinical and outcome indices of patients undergoing TAVI with G1 and G2 in each of the valve systems. RESULTS: A total of 1377 patients were included. The incidence of PPMI did not differ between G1-BEV versus G2-BEV (15.3% vs. 17.4%; p = 0.598) nor between G1-SEV versus G2-SEV (23.4% vs. 20.3%; p = 0.302). Depth of implantation and complete right bundle branch block were independently associated with PPMI post-TAVI in both valve systems. PPMI was not associated with an increased risk for 2-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PPMI remains a relevant adverse event post-TAVI even when the newer generation valves are used. Since the predictors for PPMI are well established, a standardized approach for the management of conduction disorders is much needed.

Safety of High-Dose Dabigatran in Elderly and Younger Patients with a Low Bleeding Risk: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk for stroke, dabigatran 150 mg twice a day (DE150) is superior to warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there is paucity of data with respect to bleeding risk at this dose in elderly patients (≥75 years). We aimed to evaluate the safety of DE150 in comparison to warfarin in a real-world population with AF and low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score ≤2). METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 754 consecutive patients with AF and HAS-BLED score ≤2 were included. We compared outcome of elderly patients (age ≥75 tears) to younger patients (age <75 years). The primary end point was the combined incidence of all-cause mortality, stroke, systemic emboli, and major bleeding event during a mean follow-up of 1 year. RESULTS: There were 230 (30%) elderly patients, 151 patients were treated with warfarin, and 79 were treated with DE150. Fifty-two patients experienced the primary endpoint during the 1-year follow-up. Among the elderly, at 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative event rate of the combined endpoint in the DE150 and warfarin was 8.9 and 15.9% respectively (p = 0.14). After adjustment for age and gender, patients who were treated with DE150 had a nonsignificant difference in the risk for the combined end point as patients treated with warfarin both among the elderly and among the younger population (HR 0.58, 95% C.I = 0.25-1.39 and HR = 1.12, 95% C.I 0.62-2.00, respectively [p for age-group-by-treatment interaction = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Dabigatran 150 mg twice a day can be safely used among elderly AF patients with low bleeding risk.

Epicardial fat and the risk of atrial tachy-arrhythmia recurrence post pulmonary vein isolation: a computed tomography study.

Epicardial and Pericardia fat have been hypothesized to exert local and systemic pathogenic effects on nearby cardiac structures. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of epicardial and pericardial fat volumes on the outcome of patients that underwent a first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with cryoablation. We included 130 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) that underwent contrast enhanced ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography (CCT) before a PVI. The control group included 50 patients in normal sinus rhythm that underwent ECG-gated CT to rule out coronary artery disease. Epicardial and pericardial fat volumes were quantified with CCT. Patients with AF compared to patients with normal sinus rhythm (control group) had significantly larger epicardial (140.3 ± 58.1 vs. 55.9 ± 17.7 ml; respectively, P < 0.001) and pericardial (77.0 ± 35.5 ml vs. 27.2 ± 9.5 ml; respectively, P < 0.001) fat volumes. Among patients that underwent PVIs, those with AF recurrence had a greater epicardial (175.0 ± 54.4 ml vs. 130.7 ± SD 54.2 ml; respectively, P < 0.001) and pericardial (93.7 ± SD 42.8 vs. 72.5 ± SD 31.9 ml; respectively, P < 0.001) fat volumes, compared to patients with no AF recurrence. Multivariate analyses revealed that epicardial fat was an independent predictor of recurrence post-ablation (HR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.16 per 10-ml increase in volume; P = 0.009). Pericardial fat was associated with 7% increase in risk of recurrent AF (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.98-1.18; P = 0.117). Epicardial fat, assessed with contrast enhanced CCT, is an independent predictor of AF recurrence after PVI ablation.

Effect of fibrotic capsule debridement during generator replacement on cardiac implantable electronic device infection risk.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) replacement is increasingly common. It has been proposed that capsule removal at the time of CIED replacement may reduce infection rates. In this study, we aimed to assess how pocket capsule removal impacted infection rates in patients undergoing CIED replacement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent CIED replacement from 2006 to 2016 at a single centre. We retrieved patient data, procedure details, and clinical outcomes. To evaluate the relationship between capsule removal and CIED infection, we used the Cox proportional hazard model, with adjustment for multiple variables. RESULTS: During the study period, 773 patients underwent device replacement. Of these patients, 194 (25%) underwent capsule debridement during the replacement procedure. The mean patient age was 75 ± 15 years, and 281 (36.3%) were females. The replaced CIEDs included DDD pacemakers (32%), VDD pacemakers (15%), VVI/AAI pacemakers (13%), defibrillators (22%), and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-D/P) (17%). During an average follow-up of 3.6 years, 42 (5%) patients experienced a CIED infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients who underwent capsule removal had a significantly lower risk of CIED infection, with a hazard ratio of 0.32 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.83; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Capsule debridement during CIED replacement was associated with a significant reduction of CIED infection risk. There is a need for randomized controlled studies to confirm these findings.

Developing a risk score to predict mortality in the first year after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: Data from the Israeli ICD Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Life expectancy of less than 1 year is usually a contraindication for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. The aim was to identify patients at risk of death during the first year after implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were derived from a prospective Israeli ICD Registry. Two groups of patients were compared, those who died and those who were alive 1 year after ICD implantation. Factors associated with 1-year mortality were identified on a derivation cohort. A risk score was established and validated. A total of 2617 patients have completed 1 year of follow-up after ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation. Age greater than 75 years (hazard ratio [HR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.6 to 4.4), atrial fibrillation (AF; HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.17), chronic lung disease (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.76), anemia (HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.93) and chronic renal failure (CRF; HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.74 to 6.6) were independent risk factors for 1-year mortality. We propose a simple AAACC ("triple A double C") score for prediction of 1-year mortality after ICD implantation: Age greater than 75 years (3 points(pts)), anemia (2 pts), AF (1 pt), CRF (3 pts) and chronic lung disease (1 pt). Mortality risk increased with rising number of points (from 1% with 0 pts to 12.5% with >4 pts). The risk score was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve of the validation curve is 0.71 (95% CI, 0.66 to 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Age greater than 75, AF, chronic lung disease, anemia, and CRF were independent risk factors for 1-year mortality. AAACC risk score identifies patients at high risk of death during 1 year after ICD implantation.

Relation of Left Ventricular Fractional Shortening to Needfor Permanent Pacemaker After Transcatheter AorticValve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can potentially alter conduction system function due to the mechanical force applied to the conduction system by the proximal edge of the valve, particularly the CoreValve. Some reasons for post-TAVI advanced atrioventricular block have been identified. We investigated whether the degree of the motion of the basal left ventricular (LV) walls impacted the development of advanced atrioventricular block post-TAVI. A total of 407 patients (82.1 ± 6.2 years) without prior permanent pacemakers (PPMs) underwent TAVI using CoreValve (70%) or Edwards-SAPIEN (30%) prosthetic devices. The LV fractional shortening (FS) of the basal segments was measured in each patient, and the association between FS and PPM requirement, or new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) was evaluated. During hospitalization, 64 patients (15.7%) required PPM implantation, and 128 patients (31.4%) required PPM implantation or developed new LBBB. Independent predictors of PPM implantation included preprocedural right bundle branch block, CoreValve prosthetic device, valve implantation depth, and FS. Patients with high FS (≥40%, upper tertile) had a 2.5-fold increased risk of PPM implantation (p = 0.004) and a 1.8-fold increased risk of PPM or new LBBB (p = 0.020). Every 10% increment in FS was consistently associated with an adjusted 42% increased risk of PPM implantation (p = 0.015) and with an adjusted 43% increased risk of PPM implantation or new LBBB (p = 0.005). Thus, in our cohort, LV FS was independently associated with the need for PPM implantation during hospitalization. Hence, this simple echocardiographic measure can be used to identify patients who are at risk after TAVI.

Gender-Related Differences in Outcomes of Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Gender-related differences (GRD) exist in the outcome of patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). OBJECTIVES: To assess GRD in patients who underwent CRT. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 178 patients who were implanted with a CRT in a tertiary center 2005-2009 was analyzed. Primary outcome was 1 year mortality. Secondary endpoints were readmission and complication rates. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in 1 year mortality rates (14.6% males vs. 11.8% females, P = 0.7) or in readmission rate (50.7% vs. 41.2%, P = 0.3). The complication rate was only numerically higher in women (14.7% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.09). Men more often had CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) implants (63.2% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.003) and had a higher rate of ischemic cardiomyopathy (79.2% vs. 38.2%, P < 0.001). There was a trend to higher incidence of ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia in men before CRT implantation (29.9% vs. 14.7%, P = 0.07%). A higher proportion of men upgraded from implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to CRT-D, 20.8% vs. 8.8%, P = 0.047. On multivariate model, chronic renal failure was an independent predictor of 1 year mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 3.6; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.4-9.5), CRT-D had a protective effect compared to CRT-pacemaker (HR 0.3, 95%CI 0.12-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: No GRD was found in 1 year mortality or readmission rates in patients treated with CRT. There was a trend toward a higher complication rate in females. Men were implanted more often with CRT-D and more frequently underwent upgrading of ICD to CRT-D.

Admission blood glucose and 10-year mortality among patients with or without pre-existing diabetes mellitus hospitalized with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: High admission blood glucose (ABG) level has been associated with a poor short-term outcome among non-diabetic patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to investigate the association between ABG levels and long-term (10 years) mortality in patients with or without pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) admitted with HF. METHODS: We analyzed data on 1811 patients with DM and 2182 patients without pre-existing DM who were hospitalized with HF during a prospective national survey. The relationship between ABG and 10-year mortality was assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model adjusting for multiple variables. ABG was analyzed both as a categorical (<110, 110-140, 140-200, and >200 mg/dL) and as a continuous variable. RESULTS: At 10 years of follow-up the cumulative probability of mortality was 85 and 78% among patients with DM and patients with no pre-existing DM (p < 0.001), respectively. Among patients with no pre-existing DM, glucose levels of 110-140, 140-200 and ≥200 mg/dL were associated with 9% (p = 0.140), 16% (p = 0.031) and 53% (p < 0.001) increased mortality risk compared to ABG < 110 mg/dL. Each 18-mg/dL (1-mmol/L) increase in glucose level was associated with a 5% increased risk of mortality (p < 0.001) among patients with no-pre-existing DM. In contrast, among patients with DM, only those with glucose levels >200 mg/dL had an increased mortality risk (>200 mg/dL versus <110 mg/dL; HR = 1.20, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Among hospitalized HF patients with no pre-existing DM there is a linear relationship between ABG level and long-term mortality, whereas among patients with DM only ABG level >200 mg/dL is associated with increased mortality risk.

Syncope in Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation.

BACKGROUND: Syncope prognosis varies widely: 1 year mortality may range from 0% in the case of vasovagal events up to 30% in the presence of heart disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes and prognosis of patients with implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and indication of primary prevention and compare patients presenting with or without prior syncope. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 75 patients who underwent ICD implantation with the indication of primary prevention and history of syncope and compared them to a control group of 80 patients without prior syncope. We assessed the number of ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), shock, anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP), and death in each group during the follow-up. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 893 days (810-976, 95% confidence interval) (no difference between groups). Patients with prior syncope had a higher ejection fraction (EF) (35.5 ± 12.6 vs. 31.4 ± 8.76, P = 0.02), more episodes of VT (21.3% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.001) and VF (8% vs. 0%, P = 0.01) and also received more electric shocks (18.7% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.004) and ATP (17.3% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.031). There were no differences in inappropriate shocks (6.7% vs. 5%, P = 0.74), in cardiovascular mortality (cumulative 5 year estimate 29.9% vs. 32.2% P = 0.97) and any death (cumulative 5 year estimate 38.1% vs. 48.9% P = 0.18) during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Syncopal patients before ICD implantation seem to have more episodes of VT/VF and shock or ATP. No mortality differences were observed.

Characteristics and outcomes of diabetic patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in a real world setting: results from the Israeli ICD registry.

AIMS: There are limited data regarding the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the risks of both appropriate and inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. The present study was designed to compare the outcome of appropriate and inappropriate ICD therapy in patients with or without DM. METHODS AND RESULTS: The risk of a first appropriate ICD therapy for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (including anti tachycardia pacing and shock) was compared between 764 DM and 1346 non-DM patients enrolled in the national Israeli ICD registry. We also compared the risks of inappropriate ICD therapy, and death or cardiac hospitalization between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients were older, were more likely to have ischemic cardiomyopathy, lower ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation, and other co-morbidities. The 3-year cumulative incidence of appropriate ICD therapy was similar in the DM and non-DM groups (12 and 13%, respectively, p = 0.983). Multivariate analysis showed that DM did not affect the risk of appropriate ICD therapy (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.78-1.47, p = 0.694) or inappropriate therapy (HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.42-1.23, p = 0.232). However, DM was associated with a 31% increased risk for death or cardiac hospitalization (p = 0.005). Results were similar in subgroup analyses including ICD and defibrillators with cardiac resynchronization therapy function recipients, primary or secondary prevention indication for an ICD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a significant excess of cardiac hospitalizations and mortality in the diabetic population, there was no difference in the rate of ICD treatments, suggesting that the outcome difference is not related to arrhythmias.