Age-dependency of EHRA improvement based on quality of life at diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

Background: In this study, the relationship between AF-related quality of life (AFEQT) at baseline in AF-patients and the improvement on perceived symptoms and general state of health (EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association score) at 12 months was assessed across predefined age categories.

Methods: Between November 2014 and October 2019 patients diagnosed with AF de novo in four hospitals embedded within the Netherlands Heart Network were prospectively followed for 12 months. These AF-patients were categorized into quartiles based on their AFEQT score at diagnosis and EHRA score was measured at diagnosis and 12 months of follow-up.

Persistent phrenic nerve palsy after atrial fibrillation ablation: Follow-up data from The Netherlands Heart Registration.

Background: Persistent phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is an established complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, especially during cryoballoon and thoracoscopic ablation. Data on persistent PNP reversibility is limited because most patients recover <24 h. This study aims to investigate persistent PNP recovery, freedom of PNP-related symptoms after AF ablation and identify baseline variables associated with the occurrence and early PNP recovery in a large nationwide registry study.

Development and external validation of prediction models to predict implantable cardioverter-defibrillator efficacy in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Aims: This study was performed to develop and externally validate prediction models for appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shock and mortality to identify subgroups with insufficient benefit from ICD implantation.

Methods And Results: We recruited patients scheduled for primary prevention ICD implantation and reduced left ventricular function. Bootstrapping-based Cox proportional hazards and Fine and Gray competing risk models with likely candidate predictors were developed for all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shock, respectively.

Clamping versus nonclamping thoracoscopic box ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes of clamping devices and linear nonclamping devices for isolation of the posterior left atrium (box) in thoracoscopic ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Eighty patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation using a bipolar clamping device (42 patients) or bipolar nonclamping device (38 patients) to create the roof/inferior lesions for box isolation were included from 2 centers. Follow-up consisted of 24-hour Holter at regular intervals.

Web-based distress management for implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Sudden cardiac arrest caused by cardiac arrhythmias is 1 of the leading causes of death worldwide. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are considered as standard care for patients with increased risk of arrhythmias. However, 1 in 4 ICD patients experiences psychological distress post-ICD implantation.

E-health to manage distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: primary results of the WEBCARE trial.

Unlabelled: The Web-based distress management program for patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD; WEBCARE) was developed to mitigate distress and enhance health-related quality of life in ICD patients. This study investigated the treatment effectiveness at 3-month follow-up for generic and disease-specific outcome measures.

Methods: Consecutive patients implanted with a first-time ICD from six hospitals in the Netherlands were randomized to either the "WEBCARE" or the "usual care" group.

Age-related differences in the effect of psychological distress on mortality: Type D personality in younger versus older patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

Background: Mixed findings in biobehavioral research on heart disease may partly be attributed to age-related differences in the prognostic value of psychological distress. This study sought to test the hypothesis that Type D (distressed) personality contributes to an increased mortality risk following implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) treatment in younger patients but not in older patients.

Methods: The Type D Scale (DS14) was used to assess general psychological distress in 455 younger (≤70 y, m = 59.

New image processing and noise reduction technology allows reduction of radiation exposure in complex electrophysiologic interventions while maintaining optimal image quality: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Despite their carcinogenic potential, X-rays remain indispensable for electrophysiologic (EP) procedures.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dose reduction and image quality of a novel X-ray technology using advanced image processing and dose reduction technology in an EP laboratory.

Methods: In this single-center, randomized, unblinded, parallel controlled trial, consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for complex arrhythmias were eligible.

[Catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation: what will change in daily practice?].

A recent publication compared catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs as initial therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. No difference was seen in the primary endpoint of the cumulative AF burden over two years. The burden of AF was documented objectively by a series of 7-day continuous ECG recordings; a method that will evolve as a gold standard for measuring the AF burden.

Anxiety and risk of ventricular arrhythmias or mortality in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Objective: A subgroup of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) experiences anxiety after device implantation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether anxiety is predictive of ventricular arrhythmias and all-cause mortality 1 year post ICD implantation.

Methods: A total of 1012 patients completed the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline.

Trajectories of perceived emotional and physical distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Background: Little is known about the course of emotional and physical distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Purpose: We examined (1) trajectories of emotional and physical distress in the first 18 months postimplantation and (2) predictors of these trajectories, including demographical, clinical, and personality factors.

Methods: Dutch patients with an ICD (N = 645) completed measures on anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and perceived disability at the time of implantation, and 2, 12, and 18 months postimplantation.

Prognostic importance of distressed (Type D) personality and shocks in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Background: Clinical trials have shown the benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) treatment. In this study, we examined the importance of chronic psychological distress and device shocks among ICD patients seen in clinical practice.

Methods: This prospective follow-up study included 589 patients with an ICD (mean age=62.

Emotional distress, positive affect, and mortality in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Background: Little is known about the relationship between emotional distress and mortality in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Our aim was to examine the predictive value of general negative and positive affect, and depressive symptoms (including its components somatic symptoms and cognitive-affective symptoms) for mortality.

Methods: ICD patients (N=591, 81% male, mean age=62.

Gender disparities in anxiety and quality of life in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Aims: A paucity of studies in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients has examined gender disparities in patient-reported outcomes, such as anxiety and quality of life (QoL). We investigated (i) gender disparities in anxiety and QoL and (ii) the magnitude of the effect of gender vs. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (III/IV), ICD shock, and Type D personality on these outcomes.

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator implantation on health status in patients with mild versus moderate symptoms of heart failure.

Indications for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) have expanded to include patients with mild congestive heart failure (CHF) symptoms (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class II) because of a demonstrated morbidity reduction in this subset of patients. However, little is known about postimplantation changes in their self-reported health status compared to patients with more severe CHF. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of baseline NYHA functional class on health status changes in the first 12 months after implantation of a CRT with defibrillator (CRT-D).

Posttraumatic stress 18 months following cardioverter defibrillator implantation: shocks, anxiety, and personality.

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been observed in cardiac patients, but little is known about PTSD in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients. We examined the prevalence and predictors (clinical variables, personality, and anxiety) of PTSD in ICD patients.

Method: Three hundred ninety-five ICD patients (20.

Three-dimensional CT overlay in comparison to CartoMerge for pulmonary vein antrum isolation.

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) navigation systems are widely used for pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI). To circumvent left atrial (LA) mapping, 3D CT reconstructions of the LA can be superimposed directly (CT overlay) on the fluoroscopy image to guide ablation catheters and to mark ablation sites.

Methods And Results: Sixty-eight patients (pts) with symptomatic AF refractory to medical therapy were randomly assigned to CT overlay (group 1, n = 38) or CartoMerge (group 2, n = 30).

Risk of ventricular arrhythmia after implantable defibrillator treatment in anxious type D patients.

Objectives: We sought to examine the combination of adverse psychological factors (anxiety, depression, and distressed or Type D personality) as a predictor of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Background: Little is known about the role of psychological factors and their clustering in the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias.

Methods: In this prospective study, 391 patients with an ICD (81% men, age 62.

Shocks, personality, and anxiety in patients with an implantable defibrillator.

Background: Studies have examined the relationship between shocks and anxiety, but little is known about the role of personality. Our aim was to examine the determinants of self-reported and interviewer-rated anxiety following implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation.

Methods: At baseline, that is, 0-3 weeks following ICD implantation, 308 ICD patients (82% men, mean age = 62.

Increased emotional distress in type-D cardiac patients without a partner.

Objective: The distressed (type D) personality is an emerging risk factor in coronary artery disease that has been associated with adverse prognosis, impaired health status, and emotional distress. Little is known about factors that may influence the impact of type-D personality on health outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the combined effect of type-D and not having a partner on symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Optimal sensed atrio-ventricular interval determined by paced QRS morphology.

Background: In cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), the atrio-ventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) intervals have to be optimized. For maximal optimization, the paced and sensed AV intervals have to be determined. We hypothesized that the morphology of the paced QRS complex at the optimal paced AV interval (PAV) can be used to determine the optimal sensed AV (SAV) interval in patients with normal AV conduction.

Relation of isovolumic times after cardiac resynchronization therapy to improvement in exercise capacity.

Isovolumic times (IVTs) comprise a determinant of exercise capacity in cardiomyopathy. We postulated that an increase in exercise capacity after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) might be related to a more efficient cardiac cycle due to decreasing IVTs and increased filling times. According to standard selection criteria, a CRT device was implanted in 52 patients (37 men; 69 +/- 8 years) with a QRS duration of 174 +/- 30 ms.