Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of Helix-Fixation Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers.

Background: The growing use of leadless pacemaker (LP) technology requires safe and effective solutions for retrieving and removing these devices over the long term.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate retrieval and removal of an active helix-fixation LP studied in worldwide regulatory clinical trials.

Methods: Subjects enrolled in the LEADLESS II phase 1 investigational device exemption, LEADLESS Observational, or LEADLESS Japan trials with an attempted LP retrieval at least 6 weeks postimplantation were included.

Three-Dimensional Rotary Culture to Model Mycobacterial Biofilms in Low-Shear Detergent-Free Liquid Suspension.

In vitro biofilm models have allowed researchers to investigate the role biofilms play in the pathogenesis, virulence, and antimicrobial drug susceptibility of a wide range of bacterial pathogens. Rotary cell culture systems create three-dimensional cellular structures, primarily applied to eukaryotic organoids, that better capture characteristics of the cells in vivo. Here, we describe how to apply a low-shear, detergent-free rotary cell culture system to generate biofilms of Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

Same-day discharge after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation has become an increasingly effective and safe strategy for the management of AF. With increased safety of catheter ablation, same-day discharge (SDD) is a potential way to minimize health care resource utilization and improve patient experience.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and patient satisfaction of SDD after contemporary AF ablation.

Ischemic or Coronary Evaluations in Patients With Monomorphic VT Electrical Storm Undergoing VT Ablation.

Background: Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) electrical storm (ES) in patients with coronary artery disease is dependent on scarred myocardium. The role of routine ischemic or coronary evaluations before ablation in patients presenting with monomorphic VT storm, without acute coronary syndrome (ACS), remains unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the impact of ischemic or coronary evaluations on procedural outcomes and post-ablation mortality in monomorphic VT storm patients.

Design and rationale of the MODULAR ATP global clinical trial: A novel intercommunicative leadless pacing system and the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) has demonstrated safety and efficacy for the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. However, a limitation of the S-ICD lies in the inability to either pace-terminate ventricular tachycardia or provide prolonged bradycardia pacing support.

Objective: The rationale and design of a prospective, single-arm, multinational trial of an intercommunicative leadless pacing system integrated with the S-ICD will be presented.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Young Adults: Measuring Quality of Life Using Patient-Reported Outcomes Over 5 Years.

Background: Ablation is used for both rhythm control and improved quality of life (QoL) in atrial fibrillation (AF). It has been suggested that young adults may experience high recurrence rates after ablation and data remain lacking regarding QoL benefits. We aimed to investigate AF ablation outcomes and QoL benefits in young adults undergoing AF ablation using a large prospectively maintained registry and automated patient-reported outcomes (PRO).

Lack of methoxy-mycolates characterizes the geographically restricted lineage 7 of complex.

Lineage 7 (L7) emerged in the phylogeny of the complex (MTBC) subsequent to the branching of 'ancient' lineage 1 and prior to the Eurasian dispersal of 'modern' lineages 2, 3 and 4. In contrast to the major MTBC lineages, the current epidemiology suggests that prevalence of L7 is highly confined to the Ethiopian population, or when identified outside of Ethiopia, it has mainly been in patients of Ethiopian origin. To search for microbiological factors that may contribute to its restricted distribution, we compared the genome of L7 to the genomes of globally dispersed MTBC lineages.

in Sudan: Multidrug Resistance, Polyclonal Dissemination, and Virulence.

The emergence and global expansion of hyper-virulent and multidrug resistant (MDR) is an increasing healthcare threat worldwide. The epidemiology of MDR is under-characterized in many parts of the world, particularly Africa. In this study, isolates from hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan, have been whole-genome sequenced to investigate their molecular epidemiology, virulence, and resistome profiles.

Leadless cardiac ventricular pacing using helix fixation: Step-by-step guide to implantation.

Introduction: Leadless cardiac pacemakers are an alternative modality to traditional transvenous pacemaker systems. Recently receiving Food and Drug Administration approval, the AVEIR VR leadless pacemaker system provides a helix based active fixation leadless pacemaker system. This step-by-step review will cover patient selection, preprocedural planning, device implantation technique, implant site evaluation, troubleshooting, short- and long-term complications as well as future directions for leadless pacing.

Development and evaluation of TaqMan-based, one-step, real-time RT-PCR assays for pepper mild mottle virus detection for near source tracking and wastewater-based epidemiology validation.

Emergence of novel human pathogens pose significant challenges to human health as highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) has previously been employed to identify viral pathogens and outbreaks by testing samples from regional wastewater treatment plants. Near source tracking (NST) allows for more targeted WBE by analysing samples from individual buildings such as schools or even individual floors such as in multi-floor office buildings.

Wireless Communication Between Paired Leadless Pacemakers for Dual-Chamber Synchrony.

Background: Leadless pacemakers (LPs) can mitigate conventional pacemaker complications related to the transvenous leads and subcutaneous pocket surrounding the pulse generator. Although single-chamber leadless pacing has been established, multichamber pacing requires wireless bidirectional communication across multiple LPs to maintain synchrony. This preclinical study demonstrates the chronic performance of implant-to-implant (i2i) communication that achieves synchronous, dual-chamber pacing with 2 LPs.

High Levels of Methicillin-Resistant Carriage Among Healthcare Workers at a Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: First Evidence Using Detection.

Background: is a major human pathogen and causes healthcare and community-acquired infection. Data on the extent of MRSA colonization among health-care workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Hence, we determined the burden of MRSA colonisation among HCWs and administrative staff in Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital (TASH), College of Health Sciences (CHS), Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Acute pericarditis after atrial fibrillation ablation: Incidence, characteristics, and risk factors.

Background: Little is known about the incidence and risk factors for the development of acute pericarditis after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to describe the occurrence of and associations with suspected acute pericarditis after AF ablation.

Methods: All patients undergoing AF ablation in our center were enrolled in a prospectively maintained registry.

Outcomes of atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with or without silent pulmonary veins from prior ablation procedure.

Introduction: Pulmonary venous (PV) electrical recovery underlies most arrhythmia recurrences after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Little is known about procedural profiles and outcomes of patients with electrically silent PVs upon redo ablation for AF.

Methods: In a prospectively maintained registry, we enrolled 838 consecutive patients (2013-2016) undergoing redo ablation procedures.

Searching for new therapeutic options for the uncommon pathogen Mycobacterium chimaera: an open drug discovery approach.

Background: Mycobacterium chimaera is a slowly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium associated with outbreaks of fatal infections in patients after cardiac surgery, and it is increasingly being detected in patients with chronic lung conditions. M chimaera can cause disseminated disease, osteomyelitis, and chronic skin or soft-tissue infections. We aimed to find new inhibitory compounds and drug repurposing opportunities for M chimaera, as current therapeutic options often result in poor outcomes.

Contemporary maternal and fetal outcomes in the treatment of LQTS during pregnancy: Is nadolol bad for the fetus?

Background: β-Blocker therapy, specifically nadolol, is the recommended treatment for long QT syndrome (LQTS). Previous studies assessing maternal and fetal outcomes were published before the nadolol era.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine contemporary maternal and fetal outcomes in the treatment of LQTS during pregnancy.

Increasing Lesion Dimensions of Bipolar Ablation by Modulating the Surface Area of the Return Electrode.

Objectives: This study sought to examine the effect of the return electrode's surface area on bipolar RFA lesion size.

Background: Bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is typically performed between 2 3.5-mm tip catheters serving as active and return electrodes.

Atrial fibrillation future clinic. Novel platform to integrate smart device electrocardiogram into clinical practice.

Background: Direct-to-consumer devices allow patients to record electrocardiograms (ECG) and detect atrial fibrillation (AF). Clinical adoption of these devices has been limited owing to the lack of efficient workflow.

Objective: To assess a new care model for following patients after AF ablation that uses a smartphone ECG coupled with a novel cloud-based platform.