Assessing the Risks Associated with MRI in Patients with a Pacemaker or Defibrillator.

Background: The presence of a cardiovascular implantable electronic device has long been a contraindication for the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We established a prospective registry to determine the risks associated with MRI at a magnetic field strength of 1.5 tesla for patients who had a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) that was "non-MRI-conditional" (i.

Challenges and Outcomes of Posterior Wall Isolation for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The left atrial posterior wall (PW) often contains sites required for maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). Electrical isolation of the PW is an important feature of all open surgeries for AF. This study assessed the ability of current ablation techniques to achieve PW isolation (PWI) and its effect on recurrent AF.

Accuracy of patient perception of their prevailing rhythm: a comparative analysis of monitor data and questionnaire responses in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines recommend that symptom relief be a primary goal in management. However, patient perception of their prevailing rhythm is often inaccurate, complicating symptom-targeted treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of patient perception of their prevailing rhythm and identify factors that predict inaccuracies.

Device therapies: new indications and future directions.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization (CRT) and combination (CRT-D) therapy have become an integral part of the management of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). ICDs treat ventricular arrhythmia and CRTs improve left ventricular systolic function by resynchronizing ventricular contraction. Device therapies (ICD, CRT-D), have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiac death.

Effect of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on outcomes of atrial fibrillation ablation.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an important pathogenic factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). There are few data on the effect of LVDD on recurrence of AF after catheter ablation. A cohort of 124 patients (59.

Effectiveness of atrial fibrillation monitor characteristics to predict severity of symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

The goal of treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) is often to control symptoms. It remains unclear whether targets for treatment such as AF rate or AF burden are correlated with AF symptom severity. Two hundred eighty-six patients completed a questionnaire of their general health and well-being, including a detailed AF symptom assessment immediately followed by a 7-day continuous monitor.

Brugada-type patterns are easily observed in high precordial lead ECGs in collegiate athletes.

Background: Displacement of ECG leads can result in unwarranted findings. We assessed the frequency of Brugada-type patterns in athletes when precordial leads were purposely placed upward.

Methods: Four hundred ninety-one collegiate athletes underwent two ECGs: one with standard leads, one with V1 and V2 along the 2nd intercostal space.

Lone atrial fibrillation is associated with pectus excavatum.

Background: Pectus excavatum is a skeletal abnormality that may have cardiac manifestations.

Objective: To determine whether pectus excavatum is associated with lone atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: The pectus severity index (PSI) is the ratio of the lateral diameter of the chest to the distance between the sternum and the spine on computed tomography scan.

Use of a closed loop irrigated catheter in epicardial ablation of ventricular tachycardia.

Purpose: Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) often requires a combined epicardial and endocardial approach. An open irrigated catheter for epicardial ablation of ventricular tachycardia is commonly used. However, this can be associated with problems of fluid accumulation in the pericardial space necessitating repeated aspirations and interfering with catheter-tissue contact.

Relation of atrial fibrillation burden and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

Previous studies have noted a correlation between the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and elevated brain natriuretic peptide hormone level, although the exact nature of this association is unclear. Understanding the relation between AF and brain natriuretic peptide may enhance care for this patient population. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between AF burden and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level.