Are Contemporary Smartwatches and Mobile Phones Safe for Patients With Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices?

Objectives: Given the increasing prevalence of mobile phone and smartwatch use, this study tested patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for the incidence and consequence of contemporary mobile phone and smartwatch-produced electromagnetic interferences.

Background: Electromagnetic interferences can be hazardous for patients with CIEDs.

Methods: In total, 148 patients with CIEDs and leads from 4 different manufacturers were subjected to 1,352 tests.

The effect of iron deficiency on cardiac resynchronization therapy: results from the RIDE-CRT Study.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves functional status, induces reverse left ventricular remodelling, and reduces hospitalization and mortality in patients with symptomatic heart failure, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and QRS prolongation. However, the impact of iron deficiency on CRT response remains largely unclear. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of functional and absolute iron deficiency on reverse cardiac remodelling, clinical response, and outcome after CRT implantation.

Benefit of Contact Force Sensing Catheter Technology for Successful Left Atrial Anterior Line Formation: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Introduction: The value of contact force information for ablation of LA anterior line is unknown. In a prospective randomized clinical trial, we investigated if information on contact force during left atrial (LA) anterior line ablation reduces total radiofrequency time and results in higher rates of bidirectional line block in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus substrate modification.

Methods: We included patients with indication for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and additional substrate modification.

Association between left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony with myocardial perfusion and functional parameters in patients with left bundle branch block.

Objective: To identify predictors of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) in patients with known left bundle branch block (LBBB) using gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) phase analysis.

Methods: 81 patients (74% male, 70 ± 10 years) with LBBB and suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent ECG-gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. LV perfusion and functional parameters were measured, and phase analysis was performed to quantify LV-dyssynchrony.

Electrocardiogram-gated 18F-FDG PET/CT hybrid imaging in patients with unsatisfactory response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: initial clinical results.

Unlabelled: The present study aimed to distinguish responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) from nonresponders, using electrocardiogram-gated 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Methods: Seven consecutive CRT nonresponders were included in the study, along with 7 age- and sex-matched CRT responders, serving as reference material. Therapy response was defined as clinical improvement (≥1 New York Heart Association class) and evidence of reverse remodeling.