Why is the clinical response to cardiac resynchronization better in LBBB patients?

Aims: The improved clinical response in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) over LBBB-free patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) is commonly attributed to an LBBB abnormality. We aimed to find an alternative explanation.

Methods And Results: We analysed an immediate effect of selecting the LBBB group of patients in a cohort of 63 non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (non-ICM) and 83 ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients treated with CRT-D; 75% of non-ICM and 51% of ICM patients had an LBBB abnormality on the electrocardiogram, with a significant difference (P = 0.

The OPTI-MIND study: a prospective, observational study of pacemaker patients according to pacing modality and primary indications.

Aims: The OPTI-MIND study aims to collect 2-year clinical outcomes of pacemaker patients in real-world clinical practice, overall and according to patient characteristics and pacemaker settings.

Methods And Results: The present analysis of the OPTI-MIND study describes the programmed device settings after discharge from the pacemaker implant. The objective was to determine whether these settings fit recent guidelines for device-programmed physiological pacing based on the preservation of atrioventricular synchrony, avoiding unnecessary pacing, ensuring rate increase during exercise or preventing neurally mediated symptoms.

Thoracoscopic left ventricular lead implantation.

Objective: Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a therapeutic option in patients with chronic heart failure. Epicardial lead implantation for biventricular pacing is usually the method of second choice after failed coronary sinus cannulation. The present study describes an initial experience with minimally invasive surgical lead implantation using thoracoscopy.

Reduction of atrial fibrillation burden by atrial overdrive pacing: experience with an improved algorithm to reduce early recurrences of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Two independent studies have revealed a potential limitation of post-mode switch overdrive pacing (PMOP), which is its delayed start.

Methods And Results: We conducted a prospective, randomized, single blind, crossover design study (the post-long pause overdrive pacing study) to test the efficacy of an improved version of PMOP (PMOP(enhanced)). A total of 45 patients were enrolled, of whom 41 were analysed.

Reduction of atrial tachyarrhythmia episodes during the overdrive pacing period using the post-mode switch overdrive pacing (PMOP) algorithm.

Background: Early recurrences within 10 minutes after termination of an atrial tachyarrhythmia, such as atrial tachycardia (AT), atrial flutter, or atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, account for a large part of paroxysmal AT/AF episodes. It is unclear whether these arrhythmias can be suppressed by overdrive pacing.

Objective: We set out to prove that overdrive pacing is effective in preventing early recurrences of AT/AF.