Spatio-temporal distribution, prediction and relationship of three major acute cardiovascular events: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, ST-elevation myocardial infarction and stroke.

Background: Predicting the incidence of time-sensitive cardiovascular diseases like out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and stroke can reduce time to treatment and improve outcomes. This study analysed the spatio-temporal distribution of OHCAs, STEMIs, and strokes, their spatio-temporal correlation, and the performance of different prediction algorithms.

Methods: Adults who experienced an OHCA, STEMI, or stroke in Canton Ticino, Switzerland from 2005 to 2022 were included.

Leadless Pacemaker Implantation, Focusing on Patients With Conduction System Disorders Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Impairment of the conduction system is a common complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which is typically performed in elderly patients. A leadless pacemaker (LP) may be a suitable option in this frail population, but the available scientific data concerning the efficacy and safety of leadless pacing after TAVR are sparse. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LP implantation in patients with relevant bradycardias after TAVR, compared to other indications.

Validation of Utstein-Based score to predict return of spontaneous circulation (UB-ROSC) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background And Aims: The Utstein Based-ROSC (UB-ROSC) score has been developed to predict ROSC in OHCA victims. Aim of the study was to validate the UB-ROSC score using two Utstein-based OHCA registries: the SWiss REgistry of Cardiac Arrest (SWISSRECA) and the Lombardia Cardiac Arrest Registry (Lombardia CARe), northern Italy.

Methods: Consecutive patients with OHCA of any etiology occurring between January 1st, 2019 and December 31st 2021 were included in this retrospective validation study.

Peri-Procedural Management of Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) in Transcatheter Miniaturized Leadless Pacemaker Implantation.

Introduction: Data on peri-operative management of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) during transcatheter pacing leadless system (TPS) implantations remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate a standardized DOAC management regime consisting of interruption of a single dose prior to implantation and reinitiation within 6-24 h; also, patient clinical characteristics associated with this approach were identified.

Method: Consecutive patients undergoing standard TPS implantation procedures from two Swiss tertiary centers were included.

Efficacy and Safety of Leadless Pacemaker Implantation in Octogenarians.

Introduction: Long-term complication rates in standard transvenous pacemakers are reported around 4-12% with a higher incidence in the elderly population. We report our experience in octogenarians undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation in two large-volume centers in Switzerland.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation at two Swiss large volume centers (University Hospital Zurich, Zurich and Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, Lugano) between October 2015 and March 2020 were included in this retrospective analysis.

Dispatch of Volunteer Responders to Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests.

Background: Systems for dispatch of volunteer responders to collect automated external defibrillators and/or to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in cases of nearby out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are widely implemented.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether the activation of a volunteer responder system to OHCAs was associated with higher rates of bystander CPR, bystander defibrillation, and 30-day survival vs no system activation.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational analysis within the ESCAPE-NET (European Sudden Cardiac Arrest network: Towards Prevention, Education, New Effective Treatment) collaborative research network.

Perceived threats and challenges experienced by first responders during their mission for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aim: No study has systematically captured the perceived threat, discomfort or issues experienced by First Responders (FRs). We aimed to report the FRs' experience during a mission for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in a ten-year span.

Methods: We collected all the 40-items questionnaires filled out by the FRs dispatched in Ticino Region (Switzerland) from 01/10/2010 to 31/12/2020.

Association Between Postresuscitation 12-Lead ECG Features and Early Mortality After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Post Hoc Subanalysis of the PEACE Study.

Background Once the return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is achieved, a 12-lead ECG is strongly recommended to identify candidates for urgent coronary angiography. ECG has no apparent role in mortality risk stratification. We aimed to assess whether ECG features could be associated with 30-day survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Impact of sex and role of coronary artery disease in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting with refractory ventricular arrhythmias.

Introduction: There are limited data on sex-related differences in out-of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) with refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and, in particular, about their relationship with cardiovascular risk profile and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Purpose: Aim of this study was to characterize sex-related differences in clinical presentation, cardiovascular risk profile, CAD prevalence, and outcome in OHCA victims presenting with refractory VA.

Methods: All OHCAs with shockable rhythm that occurred between 2015 and 2019 in the province of Pavia (Italy) and in the Canton Ticino (Switzerland) were included.

Role of genetic testing in young patients with idiopathic atrioventricular conduction disease.

Aims: To investigate the role of genetic testing in patients with idiopathic atrioventricular conduction disease requiring pacemaker (PM) implantation before the age of 50 years.

Methods And Results: All consecutive PM implantations in Southern Switzerland between 2010 and 2019 were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were: (i) age at the time of PM implantation: < 50 years; (ii) atrioventricular block (AVB) of unknown aetiology.

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) at intubation and its increase after 10 minutes resuscitation predicts survival with good neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

Aim: To evaluate whether end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) value at intubation and its early increase (10 min) after intubation predict both the survival to hospital admission and the survival at hospital discharge, including good neurological outcome (CPC 1-2), in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods: All consecutive OHCA patients of any etiology between 2015 and 2018 in Pavia Province (Italy) and Ticino Region (Switzerland) were considered. Patients died before ambulance arrival, with a "do-not-resuscitate" order, without ETCO2 value or with incomplete data were excluded.

Electromechanical factors associated with favourable outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Electromechanical coupling in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is not fully understood. Our aim was to determine the best combination of electrical and mechanical substrates associated with effective CRT.

Methods And Results: Sixty-two patients were prospectively enrolled from two centres.

Perioperative Management of Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices and Utility of Magnet Application.

With the demographic evolution of the population, patients undergoing surgery today are older and have an increasing number of sometimes complex comorbidities. Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are also getting more and more complex with very sophisticated programming algorithms. It may be generally assumed that magnet application reverts pacing to an asynchronous mode in pacemakers and disables tachycardia detection/therapy in internal cardioverter-defibrillators.

Feasibility and clinical efficacy of double suture-mediated closure device technique for hemostasis during positioning of miniaturized wireless pacemaker.

Purpose: The miniaturized transcatheter pacing system (TPS) implant is performed using a 27 Fr sheath. Achieving femoral vein access hemostasis after sheath removal is of utmost importance. Feasibility and clinical effectiveness of double device-based suture-mediated closure technique (DualPerclose) were evaluated.

Long-term outcome of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with severe left atrial enlargement and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims: Data regarding the efficacy of catheter ablation in heart failure patients with severely dilated left atrium and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are scanty. We sought to assess the efficacy of catheter ablation in patients with reduced LVEF and severe left atrial (LA) enlargement, and to compare it to those patients with preserved left ventricular function and equally dilated left atrium.

Methods And Results: Three patient groups with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing a first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were considered: Group 1 included patients with normal or mildly abnormal LA volume (≤41 mL/m2) and normal LVEF; Group 2 included patients with severe LA enlargement (>48 mL/m2) and normal LVEF; and Group 3 included patients with severe LA enlargement and reduced LVEF.

Impact of SMART Pass filter in patients with ajmaline-induced Brugada syndrome and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator eligibility failure: results from a prospective multicentre study.

Aims: Ajmaline challenge can unmask subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) screening failure in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and non-diagnostic baseline electrocardiogram (ECG). The efficacy of the SMART Pass (SP) filter, a high-pass filter designed to reduce cardiac oversensing (while maintaining an appropriate sensing margin), has not yet been assessed in patients with BrS. The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to investigate the effect of the SP filter on dynamic Brugada ECG changes evoked by ajmaline and to assess its value in reducing S-ICD screening failure in patients with drug-induced Brugada ECGs.