Use of the Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Among Patients With Myocarditis and Reduced Ejection Fraction or Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia: Data From a Multicenter Registry.

Background Data on the use of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) among patients with myocarditis remain sparse. Consequently, evidence for guideline recommendations in this patient population is lacking. Methods and Results In total, 1596 consecutive patients were included in a multicenter registry from 8 European centers, with 124 patients (8%) having received the WCD due to myocarditis and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction or prior ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Age differences of patients treated with wearable cardioverter defibrillator: Data from a multicentre registry.

Background: Wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCD) are used as a 'bridging' technology in patients, who are temporarily at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Several factors should be taken into consideration, for example patient selection, compliance and optimal drug treatment, when WCD is prescribed. We aimed to present real-world data from seven centres from Germany and Switzerland according to age differences regarding the outcome, prognosis, WCD data and compliance.

Incidence, recurrence and management of electrical storm in Brugada syndrome.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, the presence of electrical strom (ES) and its management still debated.

Objectives: We present the outcome and management of 44 BrS patients suffering from ES.

Pooled Analysis of Complications with Transvenous ICD Compared to Subcutaneous ICD in Patients with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Arrhythmia.

Background: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is associated with arrhythmic events which may lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD). A leading therapy for CPVT besides medical treatment with beta-blockers is the use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). For this paper we compared data from a pooled analysis to get further evidence about the complications of transvenous and subcutaneous ICDs.

Takotsubo Syndrome: Translational Implications and Pathomechanisms.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is identified as an acute severe ventricular systolic dysfunction, which is usually characterized by reversible and transient akinesia of walls of the ventricle in the absence of a significant obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients present with chest pain, ST-segment elevation or ischemia signs on ECG and increased troponin, similar to myocardial infarction. Currently, the known mechanisms associated with the development of TTS include elevated levels of circulating plasma catecholamines and their metabolites, coronary microvascular dysfunction, sympathetic hyperexcitability, inflammation, estrogen deficiency, spasm of the epicardial coronary vessels, genetic predisposition and thyroidal dysfunction.

Preclinical short QT syndrome models: studying the phenotype and drug-screening.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in developed and developing countries. Inherited cardiac channelopathies are linked to 5-10% of SCDs, mainly in the young. Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a rare inherited channelopathy, which leads to both atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, and even SCD.