Remote-control Interrogation, Testing, and Reprogramming of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices with Telehealth Protocol for the Management of Patients at Home: The DOMUM REMOTUS Study.

Remote control (RC) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has been tested as safe and effective in the magnetic resonance imaging space. We sought to evaluate RC applications of patients at home. RC of cardiac devices in patients' homes is feasible, safe, and effective, with consistent patient satisfaction.

Incidental Cardiac Computed Tomography Findings in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) is an effective technique for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is a non-invasive imaging modality that is used as a crucial part of planning before CA procedures which can detect other incidental findings and require further diagnostic investigations.

Objectives: We sought to assess the prevalence and distribution of incidental CCT findings in patients with AF undergoing CA.

Treatment of Cryptogenic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Detected by Insertable Cardiac Monitors Reduces Recurrent Stroke Risk to Background Levels.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a known risk factor of ischemic stroke with a reported fivefold increase in incidence. However, it is not well established whether treatment with oral anticoagulation (OAC) in cryptogenic stroke patients with AF, detected by insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs), reduces the risk of recurrent stroke. We aimed to compare recurrent stroke rates between cryptogenic stroke patients who have AF detected by ICMs and thus started on OAC treatment and those without detected AF.

Impact of Remote Monitoring on Hospitalizations for Heart Failure: A Five-year Single-center Experience.

The impact of a provider-driven assessment and treatment algorithm based on remote OptiVol (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) fluid index levels on hospitalizations for congestive heart failure (CHF) remains unknown. We implemented a physician-guided screening and educational strategy for elevated OptiVol fluid index levels measured on remote implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) monitoring and assessed clinical outcomes over a five-year period. Patients with CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40% or less with a previously implanted ICD underwent monthly remote monitoring from January 2015 to November 2019.

The Axillary Fossa: An Uncovered Hidden Site as a New Alternative for Cardiac Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implantation.

Inadequate thickness of subcutaneous tissue, pectoralis muscle wasting, and/or a lack of availability of subpectoral space can become significant issues in patients with or requiring cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This is particularly concerning but not exclusive in the elderly population, who may experience discomfort and hypersensitivity of the site as well as the potential for erosion and an increased risk of infection. Thus, the use of an alternative location, the axillary fossa, offers several advantages that make it a suitable option.

Remote Control of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Exploring the New Frontier-First Clinical Application of Real-time Remote-control Management of Cardiac Devices Before and After Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of remote-control (RC) management of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in clinical practice using a new service model in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The number of CIEDs is constantly growing, alongside the demands for prompt checks. Although remote CIED interrogation exists, ultimately, real-time remote management is the goal.

Is dual-chamber programming inferior to single-chamber programming in an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator? Results of the INTRINSIC RV (Inhibition of Unnecessary RV Pacing With AVSH in ICDs) study.

Background: The INTRINSIC RV (Inhibition of Unnecessary RV Pacing with AVSH in ICDs) study tested the hypothesis that dual-chamber rate-responsive (DDDR) with atrioventricular search hysteresis (AVSH) 60-130 programming is not inferior to single-chamber (VVI)-40 programming in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with respect to all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations using an equivalence margin of 5%.

Methods And Results: At 108 centers, 1530 patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator indication received a VITALITY AVT (Guidant Corporation, St. Paul, Minn) implantable cardioverter defibrillator programmed consistently to DDDR AVSH 60-130 for the first week.