Unexplained cardiac arrest: a tale of conflicting interpretations of KCNQ1 genetic test results.

Objective: Unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA) is often the first manifestation of an inherited arrhythmogenic disease. Genetic testing in UCA is challenging due to the complexities of variant interpretation in the absence of supporting cardiac phenotype. We aimed to investigate if a KCNQ1 variant [p.

Endocardial Energy Harvesting by Electromagnetic Induction.

Objective: cardiac pacemakers require regular medical follow-ups to ensure proper functioning. However, device replacements due to battery depletion are common and account for ∼25% of all implantation procedures. Furthermore, conventional pacemakers require pacemaker leads which are prone to fractures, dislocations or isolation defects.

Towards Batteryless Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices-The Swiss Way.

Energy harvesting devices are widely discussed as an alternative power source for todays active implantable medical devices. Repeated battery replacement procedures can be avoided by extending the implants life span, which is the goal of energy harvesting concepts. This reduces the risk of complications for the patient and may even reduce device size.

Markers for silent atrial fibrillation in esophageal long-term electrocardiography.

Purpose: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) often remains undiagnosed. Long-term surface ECG is used for screening, but has limitations. Esophageal ECG (eECG) allows recording high quality atrial signals, which were used to identify markers for PAF.

Failure rate and conductor externalization in the Biotronik Linox/Sorin Vigila implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead.

Background: We observed a case of conductor externalization in a Biotronik Linox lead.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate lead performance of the Linox lead and the identical Sorin Vigila lead and prevalence of conductor externalization.

Methods: We compared lead performance of all Linox and Vigila leads implanted at our center (BL group; n = 93) with that of all Boston Scientific Endotak Reliance leads (ER group; n = 190) and Medtronic Sprint Quattro leads (SQ group; n = 202) implanted during the same period.

The first batteryless, solar-powered cardiac pacemaker.

Background: Contemporary pacemakers (PMs) are powered by primary batteries with a limited energy-storing capacity. PM replacements because of battery depletion are common and unpleasant and bear the risk of complications. Batteryless PMs that harvest energy inside the body may overcome these limitations.

Turnover of grassland roots in mountain ecosystems revealed by their radiocarbon signature: role of temperature and management.

Root turnover is an important carbon flux component in grassland ecosystems because it replenishes substantial parts of carbon lost from soil via heterotrophic respiration and leaching. Among the various methods to estimate root turnover, the root's radiocarbon signature has rarely been applied to grassland soils previously, although the value of this approach is known from studies in forest soils. In this paper, we utilize the root's radiocarbon signatures, at 25 plots, in mountain grasslands of the montane to alpine zone of Europe.

Successful pacing using a batteryless sunlight-powered pacemaker.

Aims: Today's cardiac pacemakers are powered by batteries with limited energy capacity. As the battery's lifetime ends, the pacemaker needs to be replaced. This surgical re-intervention is costly and bears the risk of complications.

Software-based detection of atrial fibrillation in long-term ECGs.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common and may have severe consequences. Continuous long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely used for AF screening. Recently, commercial ECG analysis software was launched, which automatically detects AF in long-term ECGs.

The optimal lead insertion depth for esophageal ECG recordings with respect to atrial signal quality.

Background: Diagnosing supraventricular arrhythmias by conventional long-term ECG can be cumbersome because of poor p-waves. Esophageal long-term electrocardiography (eECG) has an excellent sensitivity for atrial signals and may overcome this limitation. However, the optimal lead insertion depth (OLID) is not known.

Gender differences in patients referred for atrial fibrillation management to a tertiary center.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is less frequently performed in women than in men. Although the prevalence of AF is slightly higher in men, this does not fully account for the lower number of AF ablations performed in women. This study sought to examine the effect of gender on referral for AF and subsequent AF management.

Electrocardiographic pattern as a guide for management and radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

Background: Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) often originates from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), but foci deep to the endocardium, in the epicardium, or in the left ventricle are not uncommon. Although these extra-RVOT foci can be targeted with ablation, risks involved are higher and success rates lower. Simple electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria allowing (1) discrimination of RVOT foci from extra-RVOT foci and (2) assessment of the chance of success of a right heart ablation procedure are desirable.