Risk of recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmia following the occurrence of a first ventricular arrhythmic event in patients with a primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: There are limited data on clinical and arrhythmic outcomes after a first ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) in heart failure (HF) patients who receive a primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Objective: This study was designed to quantify the burden of and to identify risk factors for recurrent VTA in this population and to evaluate the risk of all-cause mortality associated with recurrent VTA.

Methods: The study comprised 789 patients who experienced VTA following primary prevention ICD implantation in 5 ICD trials (MADIT-II, MADIT-RISK, MADIT-CRT, MADIT-RIT, RAID).

Risk stratification for ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator reduces mortality among patients with heart failure (HF) due to ischemic heart disease. Clinical trial data have called into question the benefit of an ICD in patients with HF due to nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). We developed a risk stratification score for ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) among patients with NICM receiving a primary prevention ICD.

Coronary artery disease and the risk of life-threatening cardiac events after age 40 in long QT syndrome.

Background And Aims: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are both associated with increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia However, there are limited data on the incremental risk conferred by CAD in adult patients with congenital LQTS. We aimed to investigate the risk associated with CAD and life threatening events (LTEs) in patients with LQTS after age 40 years.

Methods: The risk of LTEs (comprising aborted cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death, or appropriate defibrillator shock) from age 40 through 75 years was examined in 1,020 subjects from the Rochester LQTS registry, categorized to CAD ( = 137) or no-CAD ( = 883) subgroups.

Assessing Military Mental Health during the Pandemic: A Five Country Collaboration.

Purpose Of Review: Members of a technical panel representing Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US collaborated to develop surveys designed to provide military leaders with information to guide decisions early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of this collaboration and a review of findings from the resulting body of work.

Recent Findings: While surveys pointed to relatively favorable mental health and perceptions of leadership among military personnel early in the pandemic, these observations did not reflect the experiences of personnel deployed in COVID-19 response operations, nor were these observations reflective of later stages of the pandemic.

Association of device detected atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmia with adverse events in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Introduction: Heart failure patients with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) are known to have worse outcomes. However, there are limited data on the temporal relationship between development of these arrhythmias and the risk of subsequent congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation and death.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 5511 patients implanted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in landmark clinical trials (MADIT-II, MADIT-RISK, MADIT-CRT, MADIT-RIT, and RAID) who were in sinus rhythm at enrollment.

Safety of Sports for Patients with Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (SPORT S-ICD): study rationale and protocol.

Background: Recent studies suggest that participation in recreational and even competitive sports is generally safe for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). However, these studies included only patients with implanted transvenous ICD (TV-ICD). Nowadays, subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) is a safe and effective alternative and is increasingly implanted in younger ICD candidates.

Risk Prediction in Male Adolescents With Congenital Long QT Syndrome: Implications for Sex-Specific Risk Stratification in Potassium Channel-Mediated Long QT Syndrome.

Background: Sex-specific risk management may improve outcomes in congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS). We recently developed a prediction score for cardiac events (CEs) and life-threatening events (LTEs) in postadolescent women with LQTS. In the present study, we aimed to develop personalized risk estimates for the burden of CEs and LTEs in male adolescents with potassium channel-mediated LQTS.

Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment.

The risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with cancer receiving cancer therapies is not well defined. In this study we aimed to (1) evaluate the risk of SCD during the first 6 months of cancer treatment and (2) identify risk factors (RFs) for SCD in patients who underwent active cancer treatment. The study population comprised 8,356 patients who received any cancer treatment at the University of Rochester Medical Center from 2011 to 2020.

QRS Morphology and the Risk of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Recipients.

Background: There are conflicting data on the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) on the risk of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia in heart failure patients.

Objectives: The authors aimed to assess whether QRS morphology is associated with risk of ventricular arrhythmias in CRT recipients.

Methods: The study population comprised 2,862 patients implanted with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)/CRT-D for primary prevention who were enrolled in 5 landmark primary prevention ICD trials (MADIT-II [Multicenter Automated Defibrillator Implantation Trial], MADIT-CRT [Multicenter Automated Defibrillator Implantation Trial-Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy], MADIT-RIT [Multicenter Automated Defibrillator Implantation Trial-Reduction in Inappropriate Therapy], MADIT-RISK [Multicenter Automated Defibrillator Implantation Trial-RISK], and RAID [Ranolazine in High-Risk Patients With Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillators]).

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion versus Novel Oral Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation-One-Year Survival.

Unlabelled: Aim To compare the 1-year survival rate of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) following left atrial appendage occluder (LAAO) implantation vs. treatment with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Methods: We have conducted an indirect, retrospective comparison between LAAO and NOAC registries.

Maternal and prenatal outcomes of hemochromatosis in pregnancy: A population-based study.

Background: This retrospective study investigated the impact of hemochromatosis on maternal and perinatal outcomes among delivery hospitalizations in the United States between 2010 and 2019, revealing notable trends and associations.

Methods: Utilizing data from over 36 million delivery hospitalizations, we conducted a comprehensive analysis, focusing on maternal complications, perinatal outcomes, and healthcare utilization among women with hemochromatosis compared to those without.

Results: Women with hemochromatosis exhibited a longer length of hospital stay (3.

Primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator in cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is effective for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The benefit of the ICD in patients with advanced CKD, remains elusive. Moreover, the benefit of the ICD in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HFrEF who are cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients may be attenuated.

Upgrade of right ventricular pacing to cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure: a randomized trial.

Background And Aims: De novo implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) reduces the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with left bundle branch block, heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, among HFrEF patients with right ventricular pacing (RVP), the efficacy of CRT-D upgrade is uncertain.

Methods: In this multicentre, randomized, controlled trial, 360 symptomatic (New York Heart Association Classes II-IVa) HFrEF patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), high RVP burden ≥ 20%, and a wide paced QRS complex duration ≥ 150 ms were randomly assigned to receive CRT-D upgrade (n = 215) or ICD (n = 145) in a 3:2 ratio.