Outcomes of Standard Permanent Active Fixation Leads for Temporary Pacing.

Objectives: This study investigated the performance of Temporary Pacing via an Externalized Active-Fixation (TPEAF) lead.

Background: The incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device infections is increasing, which necessitates the need for transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Pacemaker-dependent patients require temporary pacing during the guideline-recommended waiting period before reimplantation.

Device Management in Heart Failure.

Purpose Of Review: Medical devices have become an integral part of comprehensive heart failure management. Not all heart failure patients, however, accrue benefit from every new device, and even with extensive practice guidelines, this remains an evolving field.

Recent Findings: The addition of implantable devices, like internal cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and novel pacing technologies, including cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), have helped to compliment goal-directed medical therapy and positively impact prognosis in multiple high-quality clinical trials.

Outcomes of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in patients on hemodialysis.

Background: Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) provides potential benefits in patients on hemodialysis (HD) by reducing the risk of blood stream infection and preserving vascular access sites. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of S-ICD in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on HD.

Methods: All consecutive patients implanted with S-ICD between October 2012 and April 2015 at our high-volume center were included in this retrospective, single-center study.

Aggregatibacter aphrophilus pacemaker endocarditis: a case report.

Background: Aggregatibacter bacteria are a rare cause of endocarditis in adults. They are part of a group of organisms known as HACEK--Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Cardiobacter, Eikenella, and Kingella. Among these organisms, several Haemophilus species have been reclassified under the genus Aggregatibacter.

Protection from outpatient sudden cardiac death following ICD removal using a wearable cardioverter defibrillator.

Background: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is effective in preventing sudden cardiac death (SCD). Once an ICD is removed and reimplantation is not feasible, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) may be an alternative option. We determined the effectiveness of WCD for SCD prevention in patients who were discharged after ICD removal.

Arrhythmias and heart failure.

Atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachyarrhythmias are frequently seen in patients with heart failure, and complicate the management of such patients. Both types of arrhythmia lead to increased morbidity and mortality, and often prove to be challenging issues to manage. The many randomized studies that have been performed in patients with these conditions and concomitant heart failure have helped in designing optimal treatment strategies.

Clinical utility of intravascular ultrasound in the assessment of coronary allograft vasculopathy: a review.

Coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV) is one of the major factors that limit the long-term survival of heart transplant recipients. It is difficult to diagnose CAV, especially in the early stages. Traditional coronary angiography has been used for the diagnosis of CAV, but this method has limitations.

Renal dysfunction in heart failure patients: what is the evidence?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an increasingly common medical condition and the fastest growing cardiovascular diagnosis in North America. Over one-third of patients with heart failure also have renal insufficiency. It has been shown that renal insufficiency confers worsened outcomes to patients with heart failure.

Recognition of apertures in overhead transparent barriers by leopard frogs.

Anurans have independent systems for detecting moving stimuli and stationary opaque objects. We have discovered that leopard frogs will also orient to, and spontaneously and accurately jump through, circular apertures in overhead transparent covers. When given a choice between one large aperture of 3.