Bifurcation PCI with a hybrid strategy with drug- eluting balloons versus a stepwise provisional two- stent strategy: Rationale and design of the hybrid DEB study.

Unlabelled: The optimal treatment strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is complex and remains a subject of debate. Current guidelines advise a stepwise provisional approach with optional two-stent strategy. However, a two-stent strategy, both upfront and stepwise provisional, is technically demanding.

Application and comparison of the FADES, MADIT, and SHFM-D risk models for risk stratification of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator treatment.

Aims: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment is beneficial in selected patients. However, it remains difficult to accurately predict which patients benefit most from ICD implantation. For this purpose, different risk models have been developed.

The clinical course of patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: Extended experience on clinical outcome, device replacements, and device-related complications.

Background: Large randomized trials demonstrated the beneficial effect of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) treatments in selected patients. Data on long-term follow-up of patients outside the setting of clinical trials are scarce.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of ICD and CRT-D recipients.

Super-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy remain at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and benefit from defibrillator treatment.

Aims: Mortality and ventricular arrhythmias are reduced in patients responding to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). This response is accompanied by improvement in LVEF, and some patients even outgrow original eligibility criteria for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. It is however unclear if these patients still benefit from ICD treatment.

Cost-effectiveness of primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator treatment: data from a large clinical registry.

Background: Although randomized trials have shown the beneficial effect on survival of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) as primary prevention therapy in selected patients, data concerning the cost-effectiveness in routine clinical practice remain scarce. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of primary prevention ICD implantation in the real world.

Methods: Patients receiving primary prevention single-chamber or dual-chamber ICD implantation at the Leiden University Medical Center were included in the study.

Gender-specific differences in clinical outcome of primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients.

Objective: To assess differences in clinical outcome of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment in men and women.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: University Medical Center.

Suitability for subcutaneous defibrillator implantation: results based on data from routine clinical practice.

Objective: To assess the proportion of current implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients who would be suitable for a subcutaneous lead ICD (S-ICD).

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care facility in the Netherlands.

Clinical prediction model for death prior to appropriate therapy in primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients with ischaemic heart disease: the FADES risk score.

Objectives: To construct a risk score out of baseline variables to estimate the risk of death without prior implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in primary prevention ICD patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care facility in The Netherlands.

The mode of death in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator patients: results from routine clinical practice.

Background: Although data on the mode of death of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) patients have been examined in randomized clinical trials, in routine clinical practice data are scarce. To provide reasonable expectations and prognosis for patients and physicians, this study assessed the mode of death in routine clinical practice.

Objective: To assess the mode of death in ICD/CRT-D recipients in routine clinical practice.

Update on small-diameter implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads performance.

Background: The performance of small diameter implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads is questionable. However, data on performance during long-term follow-up are scarce. The aim of this study is to provide an update for the lead failure and cardiac perforation rate of Medtronic's Sprint Fidelis ICD lead (Medtronic Inc.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator longevity under clinical circumstances: an analysis according to device type, generation, and manufacturer.

Background: One of the major drawbacks of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment is the limited device service life. Thus far, data concerning ICD longevity under clinical circumstances are scarce. In this study, the ICD service life was assessed in a large cohort of ICD recipients.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients who are upgraded and respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy have less ventricular arrhythmias compared with nonresponders.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of upgrading implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) combined with defibrillator (CRT-D) on the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and appropriate ICD therapies.

Background: CRT has been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) systolic function and induce reverse LV remodeling. In addition, it has been hypothesized that CRT may reduce the incidence of VA.

Cardiac device infections are associated with a significant mortality risk.

Background: Cardiac device infections (CDIs) are a serious complication associated with the implantation of cardiac rhythm devices. However, the effect of CDI on the subsequent risk of mortality is unknown.

Objective: To assess the prognostic importance of CDI in recipients of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy - defibrillator.

Prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator treatment in the elderly: therapy, adverse events, and survival gain.

Aims: In elderly patients, obscurity remains regarding the benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment as primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. This study assesses implant rates, therapy, adverse events, and survival gain in the elderly primary prevention ICD patient.

Methods And Results: A total of 1395 patients treated with an ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death at the Leiden University Medical Center were included and allocated to three groups according to age.

Trans-venous lead removal without the use of extraction sheaths, results of >250 removal procedures.

Aims: The number of implanted cardiac rhythm devices has rapidly increased in the past decade. Subsequently, the need for lead extraction has also increased. Several techniques of lead removal have been documented from manual traction of the lead to lead extraction assisted with mechanical or laser sheaths.

Implantation-related complications of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

The number of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantations is increasing drastically worldwide, and hence, the number of implanting centers is also increasing. Despite abundant data on the beneficial effect of these devices, little is known regarding safety and complication rates. Eleven ICD and 7 CRT trials were systematically reviewed to provide data on the frequency of in-hospital mortality and complications related to the implantation.

Primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients: the need for defibrillator back-up after an event-free first battery service-life.

Introduction: In primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients, the relatively low incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) combined with the limited battery service-life potentially results in a large group of patients who have had no benefit of the ICD during first service-life. Data on the occurrence of VA after device replacement remain scarce. The purpose of this study was to give clinicians better insight in the dilemma whether or not to replace an ICD after an event-free first battery service-life.

Driving restrictions after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: an evidence-based approach.

Aims: Little evidence is available regarding restrictions from driving following implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation or following first appropriate or inappropriate shock. The purpose of the current analysis was to provide evidence for driving restrictions based on real-world incidences of shocks (appropriate and inappropriate).

Methods And Results: A total of 2786 primary and secondary prevention ICD patients were included.

How to reduce the incidence of contrast induced acute kidney injury after cardiac invasive procedures, a review and practical recommendations.

Background: Contrast induced acute kidney injury is an important complication after cardiac (invasive) procedures and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding contrast induced acute kidney injury.

Methods: Current literature was reviewed and relevant articles were selected.

Early reperfusion therapy affects inducibility, cycle length, and occurrence of ventricular tachycardia late after myocardial infarction.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of early reperfusion during acute myocardial infarction (MI) on ventricular tachycardia (Vt) inducibility, inducible Vt cycle length (CL), and occurrence of spontaneous Vt late after MI.

Methods And Results: Five hundred six patients (440 men; age, 63±11 years) with prior MI who underwent electrophysiology study before implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for primary or secondary prevention were assessed. Patients were classified according to the reperfusion strategy (reperfusion: thrombolysis, n=44, or percutaneous coronary intervention, n=65, versus no reperfusion, n=397) during acute MI.

Inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks: incidence, predictors, and impact on mortality.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, predictors, and outcome of inappropriate shocks in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients.

Background: Despite the benefits of ICD therapy, inappropriate defibrillator shocks continue to be a significant drawback. The prognostic importance of inappropriate shocks outside the setting of a clinical trial remains unclear.

Long-term follow-up of primary and secondary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients.

Aims: The beneficial effects of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in primary and secondary prevention patients are well established. However, data on potential differences between both groups in mortality and ICD therapy rates during long-term follow-up are scarce. The aim of the study was to assess differences in mortality and ICD therapy between secondary and primary prevention ICD recipients.

Recurrent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator replacement is associated with an increasing risk of pocket-related complications.

Background: Despite beneficial effects of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy, limited service life results in replacement within the majority of patients. Data concerning the effect of replacement procedures on the occurrence of pocket-related adverse events are scarce. In this study, the requirement for pocket-related surgical re-interventions following ICD treatment and the effect of device replacement were evaluated.