Permanent pacemaker dependency in patients with new left bundle branch block and new first degree atrioventricular block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Conduction disorders with need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation remain frequent complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Up to 22% of PPM after TAVI are implanted for new onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) and atrioventricular block (AVB) I. However, clinical benefit and predictors of ventricular pacing in TAVI patients receiving PPM for this indication remain unclear.

Survival after left ventricular assist device implantation correlates with a novel device-based measure of heart rate variability: the heart rate score.

Objectives: The heart rate score (HRS) serves as a device-based measure of impaired heart rate variability and is an independent predictor of death in patients with heart failure and a cardiac implantable electrical device. However, no data are available for predicting death from the HRS in patients with end stage heart failure and a left ventricular assist device.

Methods: From November 2011 to July 2018, a total of 56 patients with a pre-existing cardiac implantable electrical device underwent left ventricular assist device implantation at our 2 study sites.

Functional Characterization of Rare Variants in the Gene Identified in Sinus Node Dysfunction and Atrial Fibrillation.

Sinus node dysfunction (SND) and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist; however, the molecular mechanisms linking both conditions remain elusive. Mutations in the homeobox-containing gene have been recently associated with early-onset and familial AF. Shox2 is a key regulator of sinus node development, and its deficiency leads to bradycardia, as demonstrated in animal models.

Impairment of Quality of Life among Patients with Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapy (LifeVest®): A Preliminary Study.

Background: Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) therapy is feasible and safe in patients as a transient protection against sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the impact of WCD therapy on quality of life (QoL) has not been studied.

Methods: In our single-centre study, 109 consecutive patients with a prescription of WCD were retrospectively analysed.

Impact of polyphenols on physiological stress and cardiac burden in marathon runners - results from a substudy of the BeMaGIC study.

Both physiologic stress and chronic heart disease are associated with increased systemic levels of chromogranin A (CGA) and NT-proBNP. Marathon running causes physiological stress and imposes a significant cardiac burden. Polyphenol-rich Mediterranean and Asian diets have been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Coding and non-coding variants in the SHOX2 gene in patients with early-onset atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia with a strong genetic component. Molecular pathways involving the homeodomain transcription factor Shox2 control the development and function of the cardiac conduction system in mouse and zebrafish. Here we report the analysis of human SHOX2 as a potential susceptibility gene for early-onset AF.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Acute Atrial Remodeling in Marathon Runners (The miRathon Study--A Sub-Study of the Munich Marathon Study).

Introduction: Physical activity is beneficial for individual health, but endurance sport is associated with the development of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. The underlying mechanisms leading to this increased risk are still not fully understood. MicroRNAs are important mediators of proarrhythmogenic remodeling and have potential value as biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases.