Theophylline Use to Prevent Permanent Pacing in the Contemporary Era of Heart Transplantation: The Rotterdam Experience.

Introduction: Sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular conduction disorders occur increasingly after orthotopic heart transplantation (HTX) due to aging donors and may require permanent pacemaker (PM) implantation. Theophylline has been used in the past in selected cases as an alternative to PM implantation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and success of oral theophylline administration after orthotopic heart transplantation preventing permanent PM implantation.

Emerging electromagnetic interferences between implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and left ventricular assist devices.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of electromagnetic interference (EMI) between left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)/pacemakers (PMs).

Methods And Results: A retrospective single-centre study was conducted, including all patients undergoing HeartMate II (HMII) and HeartMate 3 (HM3) LVAD implantation (n = 106). Electromagnetic interference was determined by the inability to interrogate the ICD/PM.