Measures to Prevent Infection in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Replacements or Upgrades.

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections represent one of the most threatening complications associated with device implantation, due to an increase in morbidity and mortality rates, as well as healthcare costs. Besides, it is important to highlight that when compared to the initial implantation of a device, the risks associated with procedures like generator changes, lead and pocket revisions, or device upgrades double. Consequently, to address this issue, various scoring systems, like the PADIT (Prior Procedures, Age, Depressed Renal Function, Immunocompromised Status, Type of Procedure), the RI-AIAC (Ricerca Sulle Infezioni Associate a ImpiAnto o Sostituzione di CIED), and the Shariff score, along with predictive models, have been developed to identify patients at a greater risk of infection.

Consistency of ablations with trainee and increasing independence during fellowship training-Analysis of ablation data by CARTONET.

Introduction: Training in clinical cardiac electrophysiology (CCEP) involves the development of catheter handling skills to safely deliver effective treatment. Objective data from analysis of ablation data for evaluating trainee of CCEP procedures has not previously been possible. Using the artificial intelligence cloud-based system (CARTONET), we assessed the impact of trainee progress through ablation procedural quality.

Improved all-cause mortality with left bundle branch area pacing compared to biventricular pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has emerged as a physiological alternative pacing strategy to biventricular pacing (BIVP) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We aimed to assess the impact of LBBAP vs. BIVP on all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF)-related hospitalization in patients undergoing CRT.

Chlorhexidine gluconate pocket lavage to prevent cardiac implantable electronic device infection in high-risk procedures.

Background: Infection is the most dreaded complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), particularly in patients undergoing high-risk procedures (eg, generator change, device upgrade, lead/pocket revision).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) pocket lavage in high-risk procedures.

Methods: Patients from a prospective multicenter registry undergoing high-risk procedures were included.

Facilitated Myocardial Ablation Using Heat-Sensitive Liposomes Containing Doxorubicin: A Proof-of-Concept Preclinical Study.

The authors sought to evaluate a method for improving radiofrequency (RF) lesion durability using doxorubicin encased in heat-sensitive liposomes (HSL-dox). Using a porcine model, RF ablations were performed in the right atrium after systemic infusion of either HSL-dox or saline control given immediately before mapping and ablation. Lesion geometry was measured with voltage mapping immediately postablation and after 2 weeks of survival.

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Versus Biventricular Pacing as Initial Strategy for Cardiac Resynchronization.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an alternative to biventricular pacing (BiVp).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes between LBBAP and BiVp as an initial implant strategy for CRT.

Methods: In this prospective multicenter, observational, nonrandomized study, first-time CRT implant recipients with LBBAP or BiVp were included.

10-year single center experience of catheter ablation of focal atrial tachycardia.

Background: Focal atrial tachycardias (ATs) represent 5-15% of sustained supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs). Characteristic distribution of sites of origin and detailed electrophysiologic characterization of AT from specific sites of origin (SOO) have been described. Acute success and recurrence are less favorable than for other SVTs.