The Value of Programmed Ventricular Extrastimuli From the Right Ventricular Basal Septum During Supraventricular Tachycardia.

Background: The difference between the right ventricular (RV) apical stimulus-atrial electrogram (SA) interval during resetting of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) versus the ventriculoatrial (VA) interval during SVT (ΔSA-VA) is an established technique for discerning SVT mechanisms but is limited by a significant diagnostic overlap.

Objectives: This study hypothesized that the difference between the RV SA interval during resetting of SVTs versus the VA interval during SVTs (ΔSA-VA) would yield a more robust differentiation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) when using the RV basal septal stimulation (ΔSA-VA) as compared to the RV apical stimulation (ΔSA-VA). Moreover, it was predicted that the ΔSA-VA might distinguish septal from free wall accessory pathways (APs) effectively.

Ventricular arrhythmia detection for contemporary Biotronik and Abbott implantable cardioverter defibrillators with markedly prolonged detection in Biotronik devices.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are typically programed with both ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) treatment zones. Biotronik and Abbott ICDs do not increment the VT counter when the tachycardia accelerates to the VF zone, which could result in a prolonged delay in tachycardia detection.

Methods: Patients with Biotronik and Abbott ICDs receiving care at Veterans Affairs facilities in Northern California were identified.

Dysregulated carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and risk of atrial fibrillation in advanced old age.

Objective: Obesity and dysmetabolism are major risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF). Fasting and postload levels of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) reflect different facets of metabolic regulation. We sought to study their respective contributions to AF risk concurrently.

Fasting and Post-Load Glucose and Non-Esterified Fatty Acids and Risk of Heart Failure and Its Subtypes in Older Adults.

Background: Glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are myocardial fuels whose fasting and post-prandial levels are under different homeostatic regulation. The relationships of fasting and post-load glucose and NEFA with incident heart failure (HF) remain incompletely defined.

Methods: Serum glucose and NEFA were measured during fasting and 2 hours post-oral glucose tolerance test, performed in Cardiovascular Health Study participants not receiving hypoglycemic medication.

Temporal and geographical trends in women operators of electrophysiology procedures in the United States.

Background: Cardiac electrophysiology (EP) has few women physicians.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine temporal and geographical trends in the proportion of women EP operators in the United States.

Methods: We extracted data from the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database from 2013 to 2019 using procedure codes for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, supraventricular tachycardia/atrial flutter (SVT/AFL) ablation, and cardiac device implantation.

Effects of Supervised Exercise Training on Atrial Fibrillation: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS.

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with the comorbidities of a sedentary lifestyle. Endurance athletes also show an increased incidence of AF. The role of exercise in the treatment of AF is unknown so this study aimed to examine the effects of supervised exercise on AF.

Efficacy and mortality of rotating sheaths versus laser sheaths for transvenous lead extraction: a meta-analysis.

Background: Rotating and laser sheaths are both routinely used in transvenous lead extraction (TLE) which can lead to catastrophic complications including death. The efficacy and risk of each approach are uncertain. To perform a meta-analysis to compare success and mortality rates associated with rotating and laser sheaths.

Use of Adenosine to Release an Entrapped Catheter During Ablation of Premature Ventricular Complexes.

Catheter entrapment is a rare complication during catheter ablation that may require surgical intervention. Use of adenosine to prolong diastole can be a safe and effective strategy to free the catheter and avoid significant morbidity. ().

Individual non-esterified fatty acids and incident atrial fibrillation late in life.

Objective: Obesity and dysmetabolism are major risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF). Expansion of fat depots is associated with increased circulating total non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), elevated levels of which are associated with incident AF. We undertook comprehensive serum measurement of individual NEFA to identify specific associations with new-onset AF late in life.

Reported mortality with rotating sheaths vs. laser sheaths for transvenous lead extraction.

Aims: Rotating sheaths and laser sheaths are commonly used for transvenous lead extraction. This study aims to compare observed mortality between both approaches.

Methods And Results: The Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database was searched from 2011 to 2016 to determine number of deaths associated with each sheath.

Longer Ambulatory ECG Monitoring Increases Identification of Clinically Significant Ectopy.

Background: Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can cause a reversible reduction in systolic function. Most studies use 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms (AECGs) to assess PVC burden; however, PVC counts vary across 24-hour periods. We hypothesized that extended AECG monitoring would better identify clinically significant ectopy.

Epidemiology and definition of inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a clinical syndrome lacking formal diagnostic criteria. It is generally defined as an elevated resting heart rate (HR; >90-100 bpm) with an exaggerated response to physical or emotional stress and a clearly sinus mechanism. Clinical manifestations are broad from a complete lack of symptoms to incapacitating incessant tachycardia.