Flecainide causing elevated capture thresholds on pacemaker implantation.

Flecainide is a Vaughan Williams class 1c antiarrhythmic used to treat supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. It has been described as a rare cause for increased pacemaker capture thresholds. We describe a report of a patient, in her early 80s, presenting with tachy-brady syndrome on a background of permanent atrial fibrillation.

Computerized tomography image correlation of His bundle/deep septal pacing location and outcomes: an analysis from the Canberra HIs bundle/deep septal Pacing Study (CHIPS).

Background: Localisation of the conduction system under fluoroscopy is not easy and the ideal location of the pacing leads in physiological pacing is still being debated.

Objective: The primary aim was to assess the lead locations using cardiac CT scan. Secondary aims were clinical outcomes including success and safety of the procedure and lead performance.

Symptom-to-Balloon Time is a Strong Predictor of Adverse Events Following Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the Australian Capital Territory PCI Registry.

Background: Notwithstanding improvements in door-to-balloon time, adverse event rates after primary PCI have remained steady. We analysed the effect of symptom-to-balloon (STB) time, a reflection of total ischaemic time, on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and explored predictors of prolonged STB time.

Methods: The study population included 1002 consecutive patients (22.

Shorter ischaemic time and improved survival with pre-hospital STEMI diagnosis and direct transfer for primary PCI.

Background: We sought to determine if our regional program for pre-hospital STEMI diagnosis and direct transfer for primary PCI (PPCI) was associated with shorter ischaemic times and improved survival compared with ED diagnosis.

Methods: STEMI diagnosis was made at the scene by pre-hospital ECG or in local EDs depending on patient presentation. Ambulance ECGs were transmitted to our ED for cath lab activation.

Efficacy of non-compliant balloon post-dilation in optimization of contemporary stents: A digital stent enhancement study.

Background: There is no evidence from randomized trials for the benefit of routine non-compliant balloon (NCB) post-dilation after stent deployment. Despite being the gold standard, intravascular ultrasound is infrequently performed due to time and cost constraints and a suitable alternative technology is required for routine assessment of stent expansion. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of NCB post-dilation in optimizing contemporary stents by using digital stent enhancement (DSE).