Arrhythmic risk stratification in ischemic, non-ischemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A two-step multifactorial, electrophysiology study inclusive approach.

Annual arrhythmic sudden cardiac death ranges from 0.6% to 4% in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), 1% to 2% in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), and 1% in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Towards a more effective arrhythmic risk stratification (ARS) we hereby present a two-step ARS with the usage of seven non-invasive risk factors: Late potentials presence (≥ 2/3 positive criteria), premature ventricular contractions (≥ 30/h), non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (≥ 1episode/24 h), abnormal heart rate turbulence (onset ≥ 0% and slope ≤ 2.

Catheter ablation in grown-up congenital heart disease patients: A single-center experience.

Background: Supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias represent a common complication in grown-up patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) associated with worsening of functional capacity and increased morbidity. The aim of this study was to present the experience of our department on catheter ablation (CA) addressing safety and efficacy concerns.

Methods: Consecutive patients with CHD treated with CA between 2002 and 2021 in our hospital were included in this study.

Permanent pacemaker implantation in unexplained syncope patients with electrophysiology study-proven atrioventricular node disease.

Objective: Syncope, whose cause is unknown after an initial assessment, has an uncertain prognosis. It is critical to identify patients at the highest risk who may require a pacemaker and to identify the cause of recurrent syncope to prescribe proper therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of permanent pacing on the incidence of syncope in patients with unexplained syncope and electrophysiology study (EPS)-proven atrioventricular (AV) node disease.

Arrhythmic risk stratification in heart failure mid-range ejection fraction patients with a non-invasive guiding to programmed ventricular stimulation two-step approach.

Background: Although some post myocardial infarction (post-MI) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with mid-range ejection fraction heart failure (HFmrEF/40%-49%) face an increased risk for arrhythmic sudden cardiac death (SCD), current guidelines do not recommend an implantable cardiac defibrilator (ICD). We risk stratified hospitalized HFmrEF patients for SCD with a combined non-invasive risk factors (NIRFs) guiding to programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) two-step approach.

Methods: Forty-eight patients (male = 83%, age = 64 ± 14 years, LVEF = 45 ± 5%, CAD = 69%, DCM = 31%) underwent a NIRFs screening first-step with electrocardiogram (ECG), SAECG, Echocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory ECG (AECG).

Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers: Current status of a modern approach in pacing.

Since the first transvenous pacemaker implantation, which took place 50 years ago, important progress has been achieved in pacing technology. Consequently, at present, more than 700,000 pacemakers are implanted annually worldwide. However, conventional pacemakers' implantation has a non-negligible risk of periprocedural and long-term complications associated with the transvenous leads and pacemaker pocket.

The subcutaneous ICD as an alternative to the conventional ICD system: Initial experience in Greece and a review of the literature.

The introduction of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in clinical practice has revolutionized our therapeutic approach for both primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD), as it has proven to be superior to medical therapy in treating potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and has resulted in reduced mortality rates. However, implantation of a conventional ICD carries a non-negligible risk of periprocedural and long-term complications associated with the transvenous ICD leads. The entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) has recently emerged as a therapeutic alternative to the conventional ICD for patients with various cardiopathies and who are at high risk of SCD.

Transvenous extraction of cardiac rhythm device leads: a report of the experience from a single referral centre in Greece.

Introduction: As rates of implanted cardiac electronic devices continue to rise, lead extraction procedures are crucial for the management of complications. The optimal method for such procedures has been constantly debated. We sought to review our experience of lead extraction using a conventional technique.

Upgrading pacemaker to cardiac resynchronization therapy: an option for patients with chronic right ventricular pacing and heart failure.

Introduction: Long-term pacing from the right ventricle (RV) has been shown to induce a deleterious effect on left ventricular function. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for heart failure (HF) patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit from upgrading to CRT in chronically RV-paced patients with a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF<35%).

Bifocal right ventricular pacing: an alternative way to achieve resynchronization when left ventricular lead insertion is unsuccessful.

Purpose: Bifocal pacing in the right ventricle is an option for patients with end-stage heart failure in whom biventricular pacing is not possible, due to failure in left ventricular (LV) lead insertion. The purpose of this prospective study was to document the clinical response of these patients, after bifocal pacing.

Methods: From the patients referred for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), from 2009 to 2010, 13 cardiac CRT candidates who underwent unsuccessful LV lead implantation were included.

The role of the implantable loop recorder in the investigation of recurrent syncope.

Recurrent syncope is a common clinical problem. Patients with recurrent syncope frequently undergo extensive investigations that consume significant health care resources. Nevertheless, in a large percentage of patients syncope remains unexplained.