Nationwide Longitudinal Follow-Up of Riata Leads Under Advisory at 3 Annual Screenings: Report From the Netherlands Heart Rhythm Association Device Advisory Committee.

Objectives: This study sought to determine prospectively the rate of conductor externalization (CE), and whether this was associated with electrical failure.

Background: The Riata family of defibrillator leads was placed under U.S.

A case of reversible third-degree AV block due to Lyme carditis.

The most common manifestation of Lyme carditis is a varying degree of atrioventricular (AV) conduction block. This case describes a 45-year-old male with third-degree AV block due to Lyme carditis. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics resulted in complete normalization of AV conduction, thereby averting permanent pacemaker implantation.

Atrial fibrillation in cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator: a risk factor for mortality, appropriate and inappropriate shocks.

Introduction: Knowledge about predictive factors for mortality and (in)appropriate shocks in cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) should be available and updated to predict clinical outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 543 consecutive patients assigned to CRT-D in 2 tertiary medical centers. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for all-cause mortality, appropriate and inappropriate shocks.

Functional response to cardiac resynchronization therapy is associated with improved clinical outcome and absence of appropriate shocks.

Introduction: We evaluated clinical outcome and incidence of (in)appropriate shocks in consecutive chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated with CRT with a defibrillator (CRT-D) according to functional response status. Furthermore, we investigated which factors predict such functional response.

Methods And Results: In a large teaching hospital, 179 consecutive CHF patients received CRT-D in 2005-2010.

Long-term follow-up after catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: a comparison of cryothermal and radiofrequency energy in a large series of patients.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is highly successful but carries a risk for inadvertent atrioventricular block. Cryoablation (cryo) has the potential to assess the safety of a site before the energy is applied.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of cryothermal ablation in a large series of patients and compare it to RF.

Effects of a digital clinical pathway for elective electrocardioversion for atrial fibrillation on quality of care.

Background: Clinical pathways attempt to increase efficiency by organizing the care-delivery process into individual analyzable steps. However, full advantage may only be taken if the process is governed by a "process care taker." Currently, new opportunities are emerging for nurses to become involved as health care experts and may become an intermediate between patient and clinical team.

Ice mapping during cryothermal ablation of accessory pathways in WPW: the role of the temperature time constant.

Aim: Cryothermal energy has the ability reversibly to demonstrate loss of function with cooling, ice mapping, at less deep temperatures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of the temperature during ice mapping of accessory pathways.

Methods And Results: Thirteen patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome underwent cryoablation.

Interatrial septum pacing guided by three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography.

Objectives: Currently, the interatrial septum (IAS) pacing site is indirectly selected by fluoroscopy and P-wave analysis. The aim of the present study was to develop a novel approach for IAS pacing using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE).

Background: Interatrial septum pacing may be beneficial for the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.