Impact of a Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion on the Incidence of Appropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks and Mortality: A Substudy of the Dutch Outcome in ICD Therapy (DO-IT)) Registry.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO) substantially increase the risk for sudden cardiac death. Among patients with chronic ischemic heart disease at risk for sudden cardiac death, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the favored therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. This study sought to investigate the impact of CTOs on the risk for appropriate ICD shocks and mortality within a nationwide prospective cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a subanalysis of the nationwide Dutch-Outcome in ICD Therapy (DO-IT) registry of primary prevention ICD recipients in The Netherlands between September 2014 and June 2016 (n=1442). We identified patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (n=663) and assessed available coronary angiograms for CTO presence (n=415). Patients with revascularized CTOs were excluded (n=79). The primary end point was the composite of all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shocks. Clinical follow-up was conducted for at least 2 years. A total of 336 patients were included, with an average age of 67±9 years, and 20.5% was female (n=69). An unrevascularized CTO was identified in 110 patients (32.7%). During a median follow-up period of 27 months (interquartile range, 24-32), the primary end point occurred in 21.1% of patients with CTO (n=23) compared with 11.9% in patients without CTO (n=27; P=0.034). Corrected for baseline characteristics including left ventricular ejection fraction, and the presence of a CTO was an independent predictor for the primary end point (hazard ratio, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.03-3.22]; P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Within this nationwide prospective registry of primary prevention ICD recipients, the presence of an unrevascularized CTO was an independent predictor for the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shocks.

Importance of Systematic Diagnostic Testing in Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation: Results From the Dutch iVF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (iVF) is a diagnosis of exclusion. Systematic diagnostic testing is important to exclude alternative causes for VF. The early use of "high yield" testing, including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), exercise testing, and sodium channel blocker provocation, has been increasingly recognized. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance and consistency of systematic diagnostic testing in iVF. METHODS: This study included 423 iVF patients from 11 large secondary and tertiary hospitals in the Netherlands. Clinical characteristics and diagnostic testing data were ascertained. RESULTS: IVF patients experienced the index event at a median age of 40 years (IQR: 28-52 years), and 61% were men. The median follow-up time was 6 years (IQR: 2-12 years). Over the years, "high yield" diagnostic tests were increasingly performed (mean 68% in 2000-2010 vs 75% in 2011-2021; P < 0.001). During follow-up, 38 patients (9%) originally labeled as iVF received an alternative diagnosis. Patients in whom "high-yield" diagnostic tests were consistently performed during the initial work-up received an alternative diagnosis less frequently during follow-up (HR: 0.439; 95% CI: 0.219-0.878; P = 0.020). Patients who received an alternative diagnosis during follow-up had a worse prognosis in terms of cardiac death (P = 0.012) with a trend toward more implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy (P = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Although adherence to (near) complete diagnostic testing in this population of iVF patients increased over the years, patients with iVF still undergo varying levels of diagnostic evaluation. The latter leads to initial underdiagnosis of alternative conditions and is associated with a worse prognosis. Our results underscore the importance of early systematic diagnostic assessment in patients with apparent iVF.

Development and external validation of prediction models to predict implantable cardioverter-defibrillator efficacy in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

AIMS: This study was performed to develop and externally validate prediction models for appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shock and mortality to identify subgroups with insufficient benefit from ICD implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited patients scheduled for primary prevention ICD implantation and reduced left ventricular function. Bootstrapping-based Cox proportional hazards and Fine and Gray competing risk models with likely candidate predictors were developed for all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shock, respectively. Between 2014 and 2018, we included 1441 consecutive patients in the development and 1450 patients in the validation cohort. During a median follow-up of 2.4 (IQR 2.1-2.8) years, 109 (7.6%) patients received appropriate ICD shock and 193 (13.4%) died in the development cohort. During a median follow-up of 2.7 (IQR 2.0-3.4) years, 105 (7.2%) received appropriate ICD shock and 223 (15.4%) died in the validation cohort. Selected predictors of appropriate ICD shock were gender, NSVT, ACE/ARB use, atrial fibrillation history, Aldosterone-antagonist use, Digoxin use, eGFR, (N)OAC use, and peripheral vascular disease. Selected predictors of all-cause mortality were age, diuretic use, sodium, NT-pro-BNP, and ACE/ARB use. C-statistic was 0.61 and 0.60 at respectively internal and external validation for appropriate ICD shock and 0.74 at both internal and external validation for mortality. CONCLUSION: Although this cohort study was specifically designed to develop prediction models, risk stratification still remains challenging and no large group with insufficient benefit of ICD implantation was found. However, the prediction models have some clinical utility as we present several scenarios where ICD implantation might be postponed.

Shorter RSPV cryoapplications result in less phrenic nerve injury and similar 1-year freedom from atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: In the 123-study, we prospectively assessed, in a randomized fashion, the minimal cryoballoon application time necessary to achieve pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with the aim to reduce complications by shortening the application duration. The first results of this study demonstrated that shortened cryoballoon applications (<2 minutes) resulted in less phrenic nerve injury (PNI) without compromising acute isolation efficacy for the right PVs. We now report the 1-year follow-up results regarding safety and efficacy of shorter cryoballoon applications. METHODS: A total of 222 patients with AF were randomized to two applications of 1 min "short," 2 min "medium," or 3 min "long" duration, 74 per group. Recurrence of AF and PV reconduction at 1-year follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: The overall 1-year freedom from AF was 79% and did not differ significantly between the short, medium, and long application groups (77%, 74%, and 85% for short, medium, and long application groups, respectively; P = 0.07). In 30 patients, a redo PVI procedure was performed. For all four PVs, there was no significant difference in reconduction between the three groups. Reconduction was most common in the left superior PV (57%). The right superior PV (RSPV) showed significantly less reconduction (17%) compared to the other PVs. CONCLUSIONS: Shortening cryoballoon applications of the RSPV to <2 minutes results in less PNI, while acute success and 1-year freedom from AF are not compromised. Therefore, shorter cryoballoon applications (especially) in the RSPV could be used to reduce PNI.

Predicting Early Mortality Among Implantable Defibrillator Patients Treated With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of a cardiac resynchronization defibrillator (CRT-D) in patients with heart failure, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and wide QRS have clearly been established. Nevertheless, mortality remains high in some patients. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a risk score to identify patients at high risk for early mortality who are implanted with a CRT-D. METHODS AND RESULTS: For predictive modelling, 1282 consecutive patients from 5 centers (74% male; median age 66 years; median LVEF 25%; New York Heart Association class III-IV 60%; median QRS-width 160 ms) were randomly divided into a derivation and validation cohort. The primary endpoint is mortality at 3 years. Model development was performed using multivariate logistic regression by checking log likelihood, Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion. Model performance was validated using C statistics and calibration plots. The risk score included 7 independent mortality predictors, including myocardial infarction, LVEF, QRS duration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, hyponatremia, and anemia. Calibration-in-the-large was suboptimal, reflected by a lower observed mortality (44%) than predicted (50%). The validated C statistic was 0.71 indicating modest performance. CONCLUSION: A risk score based on routine, readily available clinical variables can assist in identifying patients at high risk for early mortality within 3 years after CRT-D implantation.

Effect of remote monitoring on patient-reported outcomes in European heart failure patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: primary results of the REMOTE-CIED randomized trial.

AIMS: The European REMOTE-CIED study is the first randomized trial primarily designed to evaluate the effect of remote patient monitoring (RPM) on patient-reported outcomes in the first 2 years after implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The sample consisted of 595 European heart failure patients implanted with an ICD compatible with the Boston Scientific LATITUDE® RPM system. Patients were randomized to RPM plus a yearly in-clinic ICD check-up vs. 3-6-month in-clinic check-ups alone. At five points during the 2-year follow-up, patients completed questionnaires including the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS) to assess their heart failure-specific health status and ICD acceptance, respectively. Information on clinical status was obtained from patients' medical records. Linear regression models were used to compare scores between groups over time. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed no significant group differences in patients' health status and ICD acceptance (subscale) scores (all Ps > 0.05). Exploratory subgroup analyses indicated a temporary improvement in device acceptance (FPAS total score) at 6-month follow-up for secondary prophylactic in-clinic patients only (P < 0.001). No other significant subgroup differences were observed. CONCLUSION: Large clinical trials have indicated that RPM can safely and effectively replace most in-clinic check-ups of ICD patients. The REMOTE-CIED trial results show that patient-reported health status and ICD acceptance do not differ between patients on RPM and patients receiving in-clinic check-ups alone in the first 2 years after ICD implantation.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01691586.

Incidence and predictors of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy and its complications in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation patients.

AIMS: Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is a rare cause of sudden cardiac arrest. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation is currently the only treatment option. Limited data are available on the prevalence and complications of ICD therapy in these patients. We sought to investigate ICD therapy and its complications in patients with IVF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were selected from a national registry of IVF patients. Patients in whom no underlying diagnosis was found during follow-up were eligible for inclusion. Recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) was derived from medical and ICD records, electrogram records of ICD therapies were used to differentiate between appropriate or inappropriate interventions. Independent predictors for appropriate ICD shock were calculated using cox regression. In 217 IVF patients, recurrence of sustained VAs occurred in 66 patients (30%) during a median follow-up period of 6.1 years. Ten patients died (4.6%). Thirty-eight patients (17.5%) experienced inappropriate ICD therapy, and 32 patients (14.7%) had device-related complications. Symptoms before cardiac arrest [hazard ratio (HR): 2.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.48-4.24], signs of conduction disease (HR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.15-4.47), and carrier of the DPP6 risk haplotype (HR: 3.24, 1.70-6.17) were identified as independent predictors of appropriate shock occurrence. CONCLUSION: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy is an effective treatment in IVF, treating recurrences of potentially lethal VAs in approximately one-third of patients during long-term follow-up. However, device-related complications and inappropriate shocks were also frequent. We found significant predictors for appropriate ICD therapy. This may imply that these patients require additional management to prevent recurrent events.

Shorter cryoballoon applications times do effect efficacy but result in less phrenic nerve injury: Results of the randomized 123 study.

BACKGROUND: The second-generation cryoballoon significantly improves outcome of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) but may cause more complications than the first generation. Currently, no consensus regarding optimal cryoballoon application time exists. The 123-study aimed to assess the minimal cryoballoon application duration necessary to achieve PVI (primary endpoint) and the effect of application duration on prevention of phrenic nerve injury (PNI). METHODS: Patients <75 years of age with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, normal PV anatomy, and left atrial size <40 cc/m² or <50 mm were randomized to two applications of different duration: "short," "medium," or "long." A total of 222 patients were enrolled, 74 per group. RESULTS: Duration per application was 105 (101-108), 164 (160-168), and 224 (219-226) s and isolation was achieved in 79, 89, and 90% (P < 0.001) of the PVs after two applications in groups short, medium, and long, respectively. Only for the left PVs, the success rate of the short group was significantly less compared to the medium- and long-duration groups (P < 0.001). PNI during the procedure occurred in 19 PVs (6.5%) in the medium and in 20 PVs (6.8%) in the long duration groups compared to only five PVs (1.7%) in the short duration group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Short cryoballoon ablation application times, less than 2 min, did affect the success for the left PVs but not for the right PVs and resulted in less PNI. A PV tailored approach with shorter application times for the right PVs might be advocated.

Diagnostic yield of external loop recording in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a strong risk factor for first-ever stroke and stroke recurrence. The detection rate is low and detection is often costly and time-consuming. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of an external loop recorder (ELR) in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA, and assessed factors that are associated with AF detection. We prospectively studied patients admitted to the stroke unit with ischemic stroke or TIA, without a history of AF, and no AF on routine-ECG and 24-h telemetry. Patients received an ELR for another 24-h registration. Rhythm registration with an ELR was performed in 94 patients. AF was identified in 5 patients (5 %). AF was associated with cryptogenic stroke and cortical or subcortical involvement. If ELR was limited to patients with cryptogenic stroke in combination with cortical or subcortical involvement, the detection rate increased to 17 %. Automated recording with ELR was easy to use in the acute setting of ischemic stroke or TIA and seems promising to detect AF or atrial flutter, in particular in patients with cryptogenic stroke in combination with cortical or subcortical symptoms.

Long-term results of surgical minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal lone atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Transcatheter pulmonary vein ablation is the current treatment of choice for symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Video-assisted surgical pulmonary vein isolation (sPVI) is an alternative therapy to percutaneous ablation for the treatment of AF. Long-term results of sPVI are currently unknown. The aim of this study was to report on the long-term efficacy and safety of sPVI in patients with paroxysmal AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study design was observational and retrospective. From July 2005 to January 2011, 42 patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF underwent video-assisted sPVI in two different centres. Patients were eligible for sPVI when suffering from symptomatic, drug-refractory paroxysmal AF and they agreed to the alternative of sPVI. The median preoperative AF duration was 24 months (range 3-200). Success was defined as the absence of AF on 24 h or 96 h Holter monitoring during follow-up, off antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD). Adverse events and follow-up monitoring were based on the Heart Rhythm Society Consensus Statement 2012 for the catheter and surgical ablation of AF. Mean age was 55 ± 10 years, and 76% were males. After a mean follow-up of 5 years (SD 1.7), 69% of all patients were free from atrial arrhythmias without the use of AAD, and 83% with the use of AAD. Major peri-procedural adverse events occurred in four (9.5%) patients, no strokes or mortalities were registered during long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study shows that sPVI for the treatment of paroxysmal AF is effective and that the outcomes are maintained at long-term follow-up.

Scar tissue and microvolt T-wave alternans.

Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) is an electrocardiographic marker for predicting sudden cardiac death. In this study, we aimed to study the relation between MTWA and scar assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Sixty-eight patients with positive or negative MTWA and analysable CMR examination were included. Using CMR and the delayed enhancement technique, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), volumes, wall motion and scar characteristics were assessed. Overall, positive MTWA (n = 40) was related to male gender (p = 0.04), lower LVEF (p = 0.04) and increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (p < 0.01). After multivariate analysis, male gender (p = 0.01) and lower LVEF remained significant (p = 0.02). Scar characteristics (presence, transmurality, and scar score) were not related to MTWA (all p > 0.5). In the patients with ICM (n = 40) scar was detected in 38. Positive MTWA (n = 18) was related to higher LVEDV (p = 0.05). In patients with DCM (n = 28), scar was detected in 11. Trends were found between positive MTWA (n = 15) and male gender (p = 0.10), lower LVEF (p = 0.10), and higher LVEDV (p = 0.09). In both subgroups, the presence, transmurality or extent of scar was not related to MTWA (all p > 0.45). In this small study, neither in patients with ICM or DCM a relation was found between the occurrence of MTWA and the presence, transmurality or extent of myocardial scar. Overall there was a significant relation between heart failure remodeling parameters and positive MTWA.

High failure rate of the 5 French Sorin Hepta 4B pacemaker lead.

AIMS: The 5 French Sorin Hepta 4B lead is a bipolar transvenous pacemaker lead with a passive fixation mechanism. From 2003 to 2008, a total of 98 Sorin Hepta 4B right ventricular pacemaker leads were implanted in our hospital. We observed an unexpected high failure rate of this pacemaker lead. The aim of this study is to determine the performance of the Hepta 4B lead. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective single-centre survey was conducted on the performance of all implanted Hepta 4B leads in our high-volume tertiary hospital. Information on all implants was stored in a database. Analysis of this database and patients' charts was performed to assess the rate of complications of all implanted Hepta 4B leads. Median time of follow-up was 5.49 (4.15-6.44) years. Of the 98 implanted Hepta 4B leads, 21 (21%) were replaced. A total of 18 (18%) leads showed electrical malfunction, leading to symptoms in five (5%) patients. Electrical malfunction included impedance change, threshold rise, and sensing problems. CONCLUSION: In this single-centre retrospective observation we report an extreme and unexpected failure rate of the Sorin Hepta lead. The most common complication was electrical dysfunction. The reason for this phenomenon has to be analysed, but the co-radial multifilar design, allowing a smaller diameter of the lead, may explain this finding.

Early mortality in prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients: development and validation of a clinical risk score.

AIMS: To reduce sudden cardiac death, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are indicated in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%. Current guidelines do not recommend device therapy in patients with a life expectancy <1 year since benefit in these patients is low. In this study, we evaluated the incidence and predictors of early mortality (<1 year after implantation) in a consecutive primary prevention population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Analysis was performed on a prediction and validation cohort. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1 year. The prediction cohort comprised 861 prophylactic ICD recipients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy or dilated cardiomyopathy from the Academic Medical Center (Amsterdam) and Thorax Center Twente (Enschede). Detailed clinical data were collected. After multivariate analysis, a risk score was developed based on age ≥75 years, LVEF ≤ 20%, history of atrial fibrillation, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Using these predictors, a low (≤1 factor), intermediate (2 factors), and high (≥3 factors) risk group could be identified with 1-year mortality of, respectively, 3.4, 10.9, and 38.9% (P< 0.01). Afterwards, the risk score was validated in 706 primary prevention patients from the Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam). One-year mortality was, respectively, 2.5, 13.2, and 46.3% (all P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: A simple risk score based on age, LVEF, eGFR, and atrial fibrillation can identify patients at low, intermediate, and high risk for early mortality after ICD implantation. This may be helpful in the risk assessment of ICD candidates.

Surgical minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation for lone atrial fibrillation: midterm results of a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation (SMI-PVI) is an emerging therapy for the treatment of symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, the midterm and long-term results of SMI-PVI remain unknown. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to report on midterm efficacy and safety of SMI-PVI. METHODS: The study design was retrospective, multicentric, and observational. From July 2005 to November 2011, a total of 86 patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal or persistent AF underwent SMI-PVI in three centers. Patients were eligible for SMI-PVI if they had symptomatic, drug-refractory AF or after failed transcatheter pulmonary vein isolation. Success was defined as absence of AF on 24- or 96-hour Holter monitoring during follow-up, in the absence of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). RESULTS: The mean ± SD age was 54 ± 11 years, and 78% were men. The median AF duration was 30 months (range, 2-203); paroxysmal AF was present in 86% of the patients, persistent in 14%. Fifteen patients (17%) underwent previous transcatheter ablations. After a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 6-78), 72% of all patients were free from atrial arrhythmias without the use of AADs. With AADs, this was 83%. Major perioperative adverse events occurred in 7 patients (8%). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective multicenter study shows that SMI-PVI is effective at a median follow-up of 24 months for the treatment of mostly paroxysmal drug-refractory AF. Perioperative adverse events do remain a point of caution.

Performance of an external transtelephonic loop recorder for automated detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia, some of the properties make its detection challenging. In daily practice, underdiagnosis can lead to less effective treatment in prevention of stroke. Based on data from studies on treatment of AF, more intensive follow-up strategies, including 7-day Holter recording, 30-day event recording, and even implantable cardiac monitoring devices, are suggested. The study purpose is to evaluate the performance of a continuous single-channel loop recorder with automatic AF detection and transtelephonic electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission capabilities. METHODS AND RESULTS: A consecutive cohort of 153 patients admitted to the stroke unit with a presumptive diagnosis of ischemic cerebrovascular accident was screened for AF. Twenty-four-hour rhythm observation was performed using a single-channel external loop recorder (ELR) configured for automated AF detection. A total of 45 patients with a known history of AF, AF on the admission ECG, or incomplete registrations were excluded. Extensive additional frequency-based settings were used to establish a reference registration. In total, 2923 recordings were transmitted. We evaluated all events, of which 1190 were designated by the device as AF. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for identifying AF using the ELR were, respectively, 93%, 51%, 5%, and 99%. CONCLUSIONS: In this ELR validation study, the dedicated AF detection algorithm showed to be highly sensitive but not specific for AF. Applicability of an ELR might be limited for efficacious detection of AF, as manual verification is mandatory for a vast amount of recordings.

Infarct tissue characterization in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients for primary versus secondary prevention following myocardial infarction: a study with contrast-enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.

Knowledge about potential differences in infarct tissue characteristics between patients with prior life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia versus patients receiving prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) might help to improve the current risk stratification in myocardial infarction (MI) patients who are considered for ICD implantation. In a consecutive series of (ICD) recipients for primary and secondary prevention following MI, we used contrast-enhanced (CE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to evaluate differences in infarct tissue characteristics. Cine-CMR measurements included left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (EDV, ESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), wall motion score index (WMSI), and mass. CE-CMR images were analyzed for core, peri, and total infarct size, infarct localization (according to coronary artery territory), and transmural extent. In this study, 95 ICD recipients were included. In the primary prevention group (n = 66), LVEF was lower (23 ± 9% vs. 31 ± 14%; P < 0.01), ESV and WMSI were higher (223 ± 75 ml vs. 184 ± 97 ml, P = 0.04, and 1.89 ± 0.52 vs. 1.47 ± 0.68; P < 0.01), and anterior infarct localization was more frequent (P = 0.02) than in the secondary prevention group (n = 29). There were no differences in infarct tissue characteristics between patients treated for primary versus secondary prevention (P > 0.6 for all). During 21 ± 9 months of follow-up, 3 (5%) patients in the primary prevention group and 9 (31%) in the secondary prevention group experienced appropriate ICD therapy for treatment of ventricular arrhythmia (P < 0.01). There was no difference in infarct tissue characteristics between recipients of ICD for primary versus secondary prevention, while the secondary prevention group showed a higher frequency of applied ICD therapy for ventricular arrhythmia.

Conductor externalization of the Riata internal cardioverter defibrillator lead: tip of the iceberg? Report of three cases and review of literature.

AIMS: Recently, concerns about St Jude's Riata lead family have come to light. We present three cases of patients with Riata internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads with externalized conductors. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients had the same insulation defect, with externalized conductors, but differed in presentation and symptoms. These cases, which form 3 of 179 (1.68%) of our total Riata lead population, presented four or more years after implantation. This may be an indication that the problem with the Riata lead may well be greater than reported in the recent St Jude Medical device advisory letter. CONCLUSION: The management of the Riata lead problem is discussed as, up until now, management of patients with an implanted Riata lead has been based on detecting electric abnormalities on regular ICD interrogation only.

Concomitant off-pump modified maze and coronary surgery.

We describe a modification of the Cox-Maze III using bipolar radiofrequency combined with off-pump coronary artery surgery for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and long-standing permanent atrial fibrillation. This study reports the midterm outcome of 12 patients with coronary artery disease and long-standing permanent atrial fibrillation who underwent off-pump coronary artery surgery and concomitant modified Maze with bipolar radiofrequency. At a mean follow-up of 23 months, all patients were alive, and 75% (9 of 12) had sinus rhythm. Our modified Maze can be safely and effectively combined with coronary artery surgery in an off-pump setting.

ECG quantification of myocardial scar does not differ between primary and secondary prevention ICD recipients with ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial scar is an anatomic substrate for potentially lethal arrhythmias. Recent study showed that higher QRS-estimated scar size using the Selvester QRS score was associated with increased arrhythmogenesis during electrophysiologic testing. Therefore, QRS scoring might play a potential role in risk stratification before implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that QRS scores among ICD recipients for secondary prevention are higher than QRS scores in primary prevention patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the hospital database, 100 consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease and prior ICD implantation were selected. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) had been obtained before implantation. ECGs were scored following the 32-points Selvester QRS scoring system and corrected for underlying conduction defects and/or hypertrophy. Ninety-three ECGs were suitable for scoring; seven ECGs were rejected because of noise, missing leads, excessive ventricular extrasystoles, or ventricular pacing. No statistically significant difference in QRS score was found between the primary [6.90 (standard deviation [SD] 3.94), n = 63] and secondary prevention group [6.17 (SD 4.50) (P = 0.260), n = 30]. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly higher in the secondary prevention group [31% (SD 13.5) vs 24% (SD 11.7) (P = 0.015)]. When patients with LVEF > or =35% were excluded, QRS scores were still comparable, namely 7.02 (SD 4.04) in the primary prevention group (n = 52) and 6.28 (SD 4.24) in the secondary (P = 0.510) (n = 18). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in QRS score between the ischemic primary and secondary prevention groups. Therefore, a role of the Selvester QRS score as a risk stratifier remains unlikely.