[QTc variability. Is a single measurement of QT/QTc interval enough to perform risk stratification and therapeutic decisions in a patient with long QT syndrome?].

We described a case of 30 year-old woman with episodes of syncope primarily diagnosed as epilepsy, and finally recognised as long QT syndrome. Based on QTc prolongation > 600 ms in series of electrocardiograms and Holter monitoring the patient was implanted with cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). During follow-up many appropriate ICD shocks due to ventricular fibrillation occurred.

Recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy: evidence-based predictors.

Background: Ventricular arrhythmia (VA) is the most frequent cause of sudden death among patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Aim: To identify the important VA risk factors in patients with DCM.

Methods And Results: Eighty-five DCM patients (73 males, mean age 54 years) with DCM and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) were followed for 21+/-19 months after ICD implantation.

[Estimation of defibrillation threshold using abdominally implanted cardioverter-defibrillator with an additional defibrillation pole in a dual-coil lead endocardial defibrillation system].

Unlabelled: Safety of patients treated with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) depends on defibrillator threshold (DFT). In patients with frequent ICD interventions the high DFT influences battery life-time. The aim of the study was to compare DFT in abdominally placed ICD with an active and passive can and dual-coil endocardial leads.

Effects of shock polarity reversal on defibrillation threshold in an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: An increased defibrillation threshold (DFT) may limit the efficacy of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in termination of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. A search for methods of decreasing DFT has been ongoing since the introduction of ICD into clinical practice.

Aim: To assess the effects of various shock polarities on DFT.

[Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava--a case report].

A case of a successful implantation of cardioverter-defibrilator using the persistent left superior vena cava is presented. After six month of follow-up pacing and sensing parameters remained constant.

Comparison of defibrillation efficacy using implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with single- or dual-coil defibrillation leads and active can.

Introduction: The reduction of defibrillation threshold (DFT) in patients treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator increases patients' safety and prolongs ICD battery life.

Aim: To evaluate the possibility of reducing the defibrillation threshold in ICDs with an active can and an additional atrial defibrillation coil instead of the typical intracardiac single-coil lead.

Method: This study involved 138 patients (36 F and 102 M, mean age 54+/-15 years) including 62 subjects with dual-coil defibrillation lead (group A) and 76 ones with single-coil defibrillation lead (group B).

Clinical predictors of defibrillation threshold in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Background: Safety of patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias, treated with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), depends on the possibility of immediate and effective intracardiac defibrillation. It is especially important in those patients in whom there is a risk of increased defibrillation threshold (DFT) of ventricular fibrillation (VF). Thus, it is important to know whether some clinical parameters may predict a high DFT.