Single site left ventricular pacing induced dyssynchrony and cardiomyopathy.

Single site left ventricular (LV) pacing in the absence of intrinsic ventricular activity can be as detrimental to LV function as right ventricular apical pacing. This report describes a patient with complete heart block who developed significant dyssynchrony and cardiomyopathy secondary to single site lateral LV pacing. The process was reversed by placement of a second anterior LV lead.

The effect of bipole tip-to-ring distance in atrial electrodes upon atrial tachyarrhythmia sensing capability in modern dual-chamber pacemakers.

Introduction: Accurate atrial arrhythmia discrimination is important for dual chamber pacemakers and defibrillators. The aim was to assess the accuracy of atrial arrhythmia recording using modern devices and relate this to atrial tip-to-ring (TTR) distance.

Methods: One hundred eighty-two patients (72 + or - 9 years, 55% male) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were enrolled and were included in the study if they had an atrial fibrillation (AF) burden of 1-50% during a monitoring phase.

The use of atrial overdrive and ventricular rate stabilization pacing algorithms for the prevention and treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the Pacemaker Atrial Fibrillation Suppression (PAFS) study.

Aims: The PAFS study is a randomized, multicentre investigation of the effects of third generation anti-atrial fibrillation pacemaker algorithms in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods And Results: 182 patients (72 +/- 9 years, 55% male) with at least three symptomatic episodes of PAF within prior 3 months resistant to two anti-arrhythmics were enrolled. A pacemaker-derived atrial fibrillation (AF) burden of 1-50% was required in the initial induction phase.

Temporal changes in atrial refractoriness following DC cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation in man.

Aims: Studies have demonstrated shortening of the atrial effective refractory period (ERP) after episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF). This is termed atrial remodelling. It is unclear whether restoration of SR after persistent AF in patients with a clinical substrate results in reversal of this shortening and whether this is maintained long term.

Does sinus rhythm beget sinus rhythm? Long-term follow-up of the patient activated atrial defibrillator.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of early patient activated cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) using the atrial defibrillator on recurrence of AF. Fifteen patients, mean age 63 +/- 14 years, 80% men, with drug-resistant persistent AF were implanted with the Jewel AF atrial defibrillator. All patients performed self-administered cardioversion for AF recurrences.