Variations of heart rate variability parameters prior to the onset of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sinus tachycardia in ICD patients. Results from the heart rate variability analysis with automated ICDs (HAWAI) registry.

The HAWAI registry evaluated the role of heart rate variability in predicting the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) and sinus tachycardia in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (45 patients with 155 RR recordings). A significant decrease of the mean value of all RR intervals (MeanNN) was observed in the period starting 20 and 40 min prior to VT/VF and sinus tachycardia, respectively. The standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN) and the power at low frequency (LF) were the only parameters with significant changes prior to VT/VF.

Causes of death and heart pathology in pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-def ibrillator patients who died in hospital.

Unlabelled: 83 pacemaker (PM)/14 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) autopsied patients, predominantly males, deceased 4.0±3.0/2.

Histological findings around electrodes in pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients: comparison of steroid-eluting and non-steroid-eluting electrodes.

Aims: To analyse histological findings surrounding the electrodes in pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (PM/ICD) patients. To compare histology around steroid-eluting and non-steroid ventricular pacing electrodes.

Methods And Results: In autopsied PM/ICD patients histopathological findings around the electrodes were determined.

Autopsy and clinical context in deceased patients with implanted pacemakers and defibrillators: intracardiac findings near their leads and electrodes.

Aims: To evaluate intracardiac findings near leads and causes of death in pacemaker/defibrillator patients.

Methods And Results: Special autopsy was performed on 78 patients deceased in a hospital. Age at death was 77.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy. Midterm follow-up of 128 patients.

Objective: Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been used in the treatment of advanced heart failure with inter- and intraventricular dyssynchrony for more than ten years.

Aim Of The Study: A retrospective study was conducted to assess midterm results of biventricular (BiV) pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Methods: 128 consecutive patients (age 61.