Comparative study of acute and mid-term complications with leadless and transvenous cardiac pacemakers.

Background: Leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) aim to mitigate lead- and pocket-related complications seen with transvenous pacemakers (TVPs).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare complications between the LCP cohort from the LEADLESS Pacemaker IDE Study (Leadless II) trial and a propensity score-matched real-world TVP cohort.

Methods: The multicenter LEADLESS II trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of the Nanostim LCP (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL) using structured follow-up, with serious adverse device effects independently adjudicated.

Surveillance of AF recurrence post-surgical AF ablation using implantable cardiac monitor.

Background: Although pulmonary vein isolation is an effective treatment for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF), there is no consensus on the definition of success or follow-up strategies. Existing data are limited to intermittent Holter or transtelephonic monitoring with reliance on patient symptoms.

Objective: We sought to determine the outcomes of surgical ablation and post-ablation AF surveillance with a leadless implantable cardiac monitor (ICM).

Programming antitachycardia pacing for primary prevention in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: results from the PROVE trial.

Objectives: the PROVE trial was designed to determine if antitachycardia pacing (ATP) is clinically beneficial for primary prevention in patients who have implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds).

Background: use of ICDs and CRT-Ds reduces mortality in patients with ventricular dysfunction and mild to moderate heart failure. However, in studies of the primary prevention population, shock-only ICDs are predominantly used, without ATP programming for less painful termination of ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Role of microvolt T-wave alternans in assessment of arrhythmia vulnerability among patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction: primary results from the T-wave alternans sudden cardiac death in heart failure trial substudy.

Background: Sudden cardiac death remains a leading cause of mortality despite advances in medical treatment for the prevention of ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Recent studies showed a benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, but appropriate shocks for ventricular tachyarrhythmias were noted only in a minority of patients during 4 to 5 years of follow-up. Accordingly, better risk stratification is needed to optimize patient selection.

Vernakalant hydrochloride for rapid conversion of atrial fibrillation: a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The present study assessed the efficacy and safety of vernakalant hydrochloride (RSD1235), a novel compound, for the conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive vernakalant or placebo and were stratified by AF duration of 3 hours to 7 days (short duration) and 8 to 45 days (long duration). A first infusion of placebo or vernakalant (3 mg/kg) was given for 10 minutes, followed by a second infusion of placebo or vernakalant (2 mg/kg) 15 minutes later if AF was not terminated.

Statin use was associated with reduced mortality in both ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy and in patients with implantable defibrillators: mortality data and mechanistic insights from the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT).

Background: Recent observations suggest statin treatment may be associated with lower mortality in heart failure (HF). The SCD-HeFT was a study of 2521 functional class II and III HF patients with left ventricular ejection fractions < or = 35% and ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy followed up for a median of 45.5 months.

A randomized, controlled trial of RSD1235, a novel anti-arrhythmic agent, in the treatment of recent onset atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intravenous RSD1235 in terminating recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Anti-arrhythmic drugs currently available to terminate AF have limited efficacy and safety. RSD1235 is a novel atrial selective anti-arrhythmic drug.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.

Background: Mortality benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NS-VT) and inducible VT is well defined. Although NS-VT may suggest an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), the role of ICD therapy is unclear. This retrospective study compares follow-up data in these two groups after ICD implantation.

The impact of atrial prevention and termination therapies on atrial tachyarrhythmia burden in patients receiving a dual-chamber defibrillator for ventricular arrhythmias.

Introduction: This prospective, multicenter, randomized trial evaluated the effects of atrial prevention and termination therapies on atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) burden in patients with a standard indication for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Methods: A Jewel AF or GEM III AT ICD was implanted in 451 patients. At 1-month post-implant, patients were randomized to atrial prevention and termination therapies ON ( n = 199) or OFF ( n = 206) and followed for 6 additional months.