Point-by-point versus multisite electrode mapping in VT ablation: does freedom from VT recurrences depend on mapping catheter? An observational study.

Purpose: This study was conducted with the purpose of determining whether or not the potential technical advantages of multi-electrode mapping catheters in catheter ablation (CA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) result in any relevant clinical benefit for VT patients.

Methods: A single-center VT study, having taken place from 2012 to 2014 using a standard 3.5-mm catheter (Thermocool SF® group 1) and from 2014 to 2016 using a 1-mm multi-electrode-mapping catheter (PentaRay® group 2), was conducted.

Pulmonary vein potential mapping in atrial fibrillation with high density and standard spiral (lasso) catheters: A comparative study.

Background: The dominant single-shot procedure for Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) is the Cryoballoon Ablation (CBA) technique using a spiral catheter (Achieve™, AC) for mapping and monitoring purposes. We hypothesized that Basket Catheters, such as the High Density Mesh Mapper (HDMM), with its high-density mapping properties, could detect Pulmonary Vein Potentials (PVPs) that the octapolar AC would not be able to identify.

Methods: Twenty-four patients (average age 61.

Effect of patient's age on the profitability of inpatient cardiac catheterization: a contribution margin analysis of frequently performed procedures over a 5-year period.

Background: Due to a continuing age shift in the German society hospital providers are concerned about the additional costs associated with the treatment of elderly patients. It is not clear if cardiac catheterization in aged patients leads to higher resource utilization and if DRG-revenues do compensate for this factor.

Methods: Procedure-related and administrative data of all patients who underwent cardiac catheterization at a tertiary heart center between 2007 and 2011 were collected and analyzed.

Is it time to rebalance the case mix? A portfolio analysis of direct catheterization laboratory costs over a 5-year period.

Background: Cardiac catheterization laboratories (CLL) have continued to function as profit centers for hospitals. Due to a high percentage of material and labor costs, they are natural targets for process improvement. Our study applied a contribution margin (CBM) concept to evaluate costs and cost dynamics over a 5-year period.