Delayed occurrence of an accelerated idioventricular rhythm with alternating bundle branch block after myocardial infarction as predictor of sudden cardiac arrest: a case report.

Background: Accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) is known as reperfusion arrhythmia in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In healthy individuals, it is usually considered to be benign. Alternating bundle branch block (ABBB) often progresses to complete atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation.

Feasibility of entirely subcutaneous ICD™ systems in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: The subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD™) is an important advance in device therapy for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although current guidelines recommend S-ICD™ use, long-term data are still limited, especially in subgroups. Among several cardiac diseases that prone to SCD, coronary artery disease (CAD) carries several peculiarities that may hamper S-ICD™ therapy in this cohort.

Extended ECG monitoring with an implantable loop recorder in patients with cryptogenic stroke: time schedule, reasons for explantation and incidental findings (results from the TRACK-AF trial).

Background: Implantable loop recorders (ILR) may be used to detect occult atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cryptogenic stroke. At present, there has been no description on the incidental findings of stored episodes in these patients. Furthermore, no standard practice has been established with respect to the duration of continued ECG monitoring in these patients.

Follow-up of the first patients with a totally subcutaneous ICD in Germany from implantation till battery depletion.

Background: The subcutaneous ICD is a promising treatment option in patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. Approved in 2009, the first S-ICD in Germany was implanted in June 2010. Although large prospective registry studies have shown safety and efficacy of the system, there is a lack of long-term data with regard to battery longevity of the S-ICD.

Long-term single-center experience of defibrillator therapy in children and adolescents.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) systems are established therapy for prevention of sudden cardiac death. Long-term data on ICD systems in children and adolescents is rare. The present study displays a long-term single-center follow-up of children and adolescents with ICD systems.

Change of sensing vector in the subcutaneous ICD during follow-up and after device replacement.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) has been established as a valuable alternative to transvenous ICD for prevention of sudden cardiac death. The system automatically chooses the optimal sensing vector. However, during follow-up and especially after device replacement we observed a change of the suggested sensing vector in automatic setup.

Long-Term Experience With the Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Teenagers and Young Adults.

Objectives: This study sought to examine the use of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) in teenagers and young adults.

Background: The S-ICD is an important advance in device therapy for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Although guidelines recommend S-ICD use, long-term data are still limited, especially in subgroups.

Postoperative ergometry-guided programming does not prevent T-wave oversensing and inappropriate shocks in S-ICD patients.

Background: T-wave oversensing (TWOS) is a feared complication after subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation, potentially leading to inappropriate shocks (IS) with tremendous impact on quality of life.

Hypothesis: Postoperative ergometry facilitates primary and secondary prevention of TWOS or other potential causes of IS and optimizes S-ICD programming.

Methods: We analyze the impact of ergometry guided-programming (EMGP) on primary and secondary prevention of TWOS/IS in S-ICD patients, we screened 146 patients implanted in our center (2010-2016) for the incidence of TWOS/IS during postoperative ergometry.

[Management of inappropriate shocks/T-wave-oversensing in S-ICD®-patients].

Inappropriate shocks are a feared complication after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation and have a tremendous impact on quality of life. Inappropriate shocks in patients with subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD®, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) have various underlying causes. This review summarizes the current literature on this topic and lists possible treatment options.

Sensitive Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Stroke Patients by Short-Term Bedside Electrocardiography Monitoring Software Analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important cause of stroke. Continuous electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring with software-based analysis algorithms has been suggested to enhance the AF detection rate. We investigated the ability of stroke risk analysis (SRA) in the detection of AF in acute stroke patients.

Right versus left parasternal electrode position in the entirely subcutaneous ICD.

Objectives: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) has been established as an alternative to conventional transvenous ICD for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Initial studies have shown safety and efficacy of the system with a left parasternal (LP) electrode. However, several case studies reported a right parasternal (RP) position.

Posttraumatic stress and quality of life with the totally subcutaneous compared to conventional cardioverter-defibrillator systems.

Background: For prevention of sudden cardiac death, the transvenously implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy (tv-ICD) is well accepted. The subcutaneous system (S-ICD) is promising in terms of reducing ICD complications. Nevertheless, the impact of the novel generator position on patients' quality of life (QoL) is yet unknown.

Long-time "real-life" performance of the subcutaneous ICD in patients with electrical heart disease or idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.

Backgrounds: The totally subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) has been designed as a new alternative to conventional implantable defibrillators. This system is especially attractive for young patients. However, long-term experience is not yet available.

Intraoperative Defibrillation Testing of Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Systems-A Simple Issue?

Background: The results of the recently published randomized SIMPLE trial question the role of routine intraoperative defibrillation testing. However, testing is still recommended during implantation of the entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) system. To address the question of whether defibrillation testing in S-ICD systems is still necessary, we analyzed the data of a large, standard-of-care prospective single-center S-ICD registry.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm expansion due to late distal stent graft-induced new entry.

Objectives: This study analyzed the mechanism and risk factors of thoracic aortic aneurysm expansion due to late distal stent graft-induced new entry (dSINE).

Background: This late complication of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) for aortic dissection is under-recognized but potentially life-threatening.

Methods: In 142 patients who underwent TEVAR with endovascular entry sealing for acute and chronic aortic type B dissection, using commercially available straight (nontapered) stent-grafts, we examined the oversizing rate, the aortic taper ratio, and the need for reintervention.

[Screening for diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: a critical review of an annual routine].

Background: The German diabetes guideline published in 2010 recommends an annual retinopathy screening for all type 2 diabetics. Patients' and physicians' questions about the need for this routine procedure prompted our critical review.

Methods: Based on guidelines from six industrial nations, recent scientific studies, and from the type 2 disease management programme of North Rhine-Westphalia we reviewed alternative retinopathy screening strategies and their implications for over- and underuse.