Development of a Risk Score to Predict New Pacemaker Implantation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to define risk factors and develop a predictive risk score for new pacemaker implantation (PMI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: TAVR has become an accepted treatment alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis at elevated surgical risk. New PMI is a common occurrence after TAVR and is associated with poorer outcomes.

Safety and Quality of 1.5-T MRI in Patients With Conventional and MRI-Conditional Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices After Implementation of a Standardized Protocol.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and diagnostic utility of 1.5-T MRI examinations of individuals with conventional and MRI-conditional cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Subjects And Methods: Patients with a CIED who were referred for MRI were evaluated by radiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists for study participation.

Pulse Generator Exchange Does Not Accelerate the Rate of Electrical Failure in a Recalled Small Caliber ICD Lead.

Background: St. Jude Riata/Riata ST defibrillator leads (St. Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA, USA) were recalled by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 for an increased rate of failure.

Intermediate-term mortality and incidence of ICD therapy in octogenarians after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Clinical outcomes of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients over the age of 80 have not been well described.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 96 consecutive patients ≥ 80 years old who underwent an initial implant or an upgrade to CRT, with or without defibrillator (CRT-D vs. CRT-P), at our institution between January 2003 and July 2008.

Generator exchange is associated with an increased rate of Sprint Fidelis lead failure.

Background: The Medtronic Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead is at an increased risk for failure and was recalled in October 2007. Approximately 268,000 leads were implanted, and more than 100,000 patients still have active Fidelis leads. A number of studies have examined the rate and clinical predictors of lead failure, but none has addressed the effect of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator generator exchange on subsequent lead failure.