The incidence of atrial fibrillation detected by implantable loop recorders: a comparison between patients with and without embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Aims: Stroke is the most debilitating outcome of atrial fibrillation (AF). The use of implantable loop recorders increases the detection of AF episodes among patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. The significance of device-detected AF, or subclinical AF, is unknown.

Perceived benefits of patient support groups and their format for people with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Background: Support groups for people with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) are widely used, however, it is not clear what people with ICDs gain from a support group or what format they should take.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to define the perceived benefit of ICD support groups and develop practical recommendations for group format.

Methods: 14 individuals with ICDs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide.

Location, Location, Location: A Pilot Study to Compare Electrical with Echocardiographic-Guided Targeting of Left Ventricular Lead Placement in Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy is ineffective in 30-40% of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Targeting non-scarred myocardium by selecting the site of latest mechanical activation using echocardiography has been suggested to improve outcomes but at the cost of increased resource utilisation. The interval between the beginning of the QRS complex and the local LV lead electrogram (QLV) might represent an alternative electrical marker.

Exploring the Temporal Patterns of Right Ventricular Pacing Burden.

Elevated right ventricular pacing (RVP) burdens are associated with the development of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This association is alluded to in the recent European and American pacing guidelines where anticipated pacing burden forms part of the indications for conduction system pacing. Understanding the temporal pattern of RVP burden is important with respect to anticipating future burden and ensuring that the most appropriate pacing modality is selected for patients.

Atrial fibrillation in embolic stroke of undetermined source: role of advanced imaging of left atrial function.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected in over 30% of patients following an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) when monitored with an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Identifying AF in ESUS survivors has significant therapeutic implications, and AF risk is essential to guide screening with long-term monitoring. The present study aimed to establish the role of left atrial (LA) function in subsequent AF identification and develop a risk model for AF in ESUS.

Electrocardiographic Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common pathological arrhythmia, and its complications lead to significant morbidity and mortality. However, patients with AF can often go undetected, especially if they are asymptomatic or have a low burden of paroxysms. Identification of those at high risk of AF development may help refine screening and management strategies.

The predictive value of abnormal P-wave axis for the detection of incident atrial fibrillation: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: There is growing interest in the prediction of incident atrial fibrillation (AF). The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been a particularly rich target for possible prediction strategies.

Purpose: The P-wave axis is an ECG parameter that reflects the dominant vector of atrial depolarisation and is usually 0° -75°.

Benefits of support groups for patients living with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) experience anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: This mixed-methods systematic review evaluates whether ICD support groups have a beneficial effect on mental well-being.

Methods: Literature searches were carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science.

Corrigendum: Service evaluation of the impact of capnography on the safety of procedural sedation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.

Service Evaluation of the Impact of Capnography on the Safety of Procedural Sedation.

Background: Capnography has been associated with a reduced incidence of events related to respiratory compromise during procedural sedation.

Methods: A prospective service evaluation was conducted at a large United Kingdom (UK) teaching hospital to assess the impact of capnography on patient safety within four speciality services: bronchoscopy, endoscopy, interventional cardiology, and interventional radiology. Events were defined as provided by the World Society of Intravenous Anaesthesia.

Managing anticoagulation in patients receiving implantable cardiac devices.

A substantial proportion of patients who undergo cardiac device implantation receive oral anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism or antiplatelets to prevent thrombotic events. Anticoagulation and antiplatelets increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications, while discontinuation may increase thromboembolic risk and thrombotic events. With the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant agents and the newer antiplatelet agents such as prasugrel or ticagrelor, the perioperative management of patients has become more challenging.

An open-label study to assess the feasibility and tolerability of rilmenidine for the treatment of Huntington's disease.

Unlabelled: Preclinical data have shown that rilmenidine can regulate autophagy in models of Huntington's disease (HD), providing a potential route to alter the disease course in patients. Consequently, a 2-year open-label study examining the tolerability and feasibility of rilmenidine in mild-moderate HD was undertaken. 18 non-demented patients with mild to moderate HD took daily doses of 1 mg Rilmenidine for 6 months and 2 mg for a further 18 months followed by a 3-month washout period.

Development of a multiparametric score to predict left ventricular remodelling and prognosis after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Optimal delivery of CRT requires appropriate patient selection and device implantation. Echocardiographic predictors of CRT response individually appear to enhance patient selection, but do not fully reflect the complex underlying myocardial dysfunction. We hypothesized that a multiparametric approach would offer greater predictive value and sought to derive a score incorporating baseline characteristics including: dyssynchrony, LV function, and LV lead position.

Prognostic benefit of optimum left ventricular lead position in cardiac resynchronization therapy: follow-up of the TARGET Study Cohort (Targeted Left Ventricular Lead Placement to guide Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy).

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the impact of left ventricular (LV) lead position on longer-term survival after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Background: An optimal LV lead position in CRT is associated with improved clinical outcome. A strategy of speckle-tracking echocardiography can be used to guide the implanter to the site of latest activation and away from segments of low strain amplitude (scar).

Safety of the colonoscope magnetic imaging device (ScopeGuide) in patients with implantable cardiac devices.

Background And Study Aims: Use of the colonoscope magnetic imaging device (ScopeGuide, Olympus Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) is currently contraindicated by the manufacturer for patients with implantable cardiac devices, a group of patients that is increasing annually along with the number of colonoscopies performed in the era of colorectal cancer screening. This is the first study to examine the safety of ScopeGuide in patients with permanent pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Patients And Methods: Nonimplanted cardiac devices were exposed to the electromagnetic field of ScopeGuide ex vivo and assessed for evidence of interference or change in device settings.

Incidence of atrial fibrillation detected by implantable loop recorders in unexplained stroke.

Objectives: The usefulness of the implantable loop recorder (ILR) with improved atrial fibrillation (AF) detection capability (Reveal XT) and the factors associated with AF in the setting of unexplained stroke were investigated.

Methods: A cohort study is reported of 51 patients in whom ILRs were implanted for the investigation of ischemic stroke for which no cause had been found (cryptogenic) following appropriate vascular and cardiac imaging and at least 24 hours of cardiac rhythm monitoring.

Results: The patients were aged from 17 to 73 (median 52) years.