Retrospective description and analysis of consecutive catheterization laboratory ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction activations with proposal, rationale, and use of a new classification scheme.

Background: Rapid activation of a cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) has reduced door-to-balloon times in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), leading to lower mortality. This process is accelerated with prehospital electrocardiography and notification. False activations of the CCL occur at an unknown rate and have been poorly described.

Effect of renal function on survival after implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are effective at reducing arrhythmic death in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, but few studies have investigated the outcomes after ICD implantation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a 2-center retrospective study of 958 patients who had undergone ICD placement for primary prevention from the 2000 to 2006. The patients were stratified into 5 groups according to the CKD stage (stage 1, glomerular filtration [GFR] 90 to 120 ml/min; stage 2, GFR 60 to 89 ml/min; stage 3, GFR 30 to 59 ml/min; stage 4, GFR 15 to 29 ml/min; and stage 5, GFR 0 to 14 ml/min).