Clinical observations with Closed Loop Stimulation pacemakers in a large patient cohort: the CYLOS routine documentation registry (RECORD).

Aims: Closed Loop Stimulation (CLS) pacemakers couple pacing rate to myocardial contraction dynamics by monitoring unipolar right ventricular impedance on a beat-to-beat basis. The aim of this large-scale registry was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the CLS therapy under clinical routine conditions.

Methods And Results: A total of 706 patients was enrolled in the clinical investigation 'Registry: CYLOS Routine Documentation' (RECORD) at 57 investigational sites in Europe and Hong Kong.

Near elimination of ventricular pacing in SafeR mode compared to DDD modes: a randomized study of 422 patients.

Aims: SafeR performance versus DDD/automatic mode conversion (DDD/AMC) and DDD with a 250-ms atrioventricular (AV) delay (DDD/LD) modes was assessed toward ventricular pacing (Vp) reduction.

Methods: After a 1-month run-in phase, recipients of dual-chamber pacemakers without persistent AV block and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomly assigned to SafeR, DDD/AMC, or DDD/LD in a 1:1:1 design. The main endpoint was the percentage of Vp (%Vp) at 2 months and 1 year after randomization, ascertained from device memories.

Slow breathing increases arterial baroreflex sensitivity in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: It is well established that a depressed baroreflex sensitivity may adversely influence the prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and in those with previous myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: We tested whether a slow breathing rate (6 breaths/min) could modify the baroreflex sensitivity in 81 patients with stable (2 weeks) CHF (age, 58+/-1 years; NYHA classes I [6 patients], II [33], III [27], and IV [15]) and in 21 controls. Slow breathing induced highly significant increases in baroreflex sensitivity, both in controls (from 9.