Cycle length characteristics differentiating non-sustained from self-terminating ventricular fibrillation in Brugada syndrome.

Aims: Limited information is available on self-terminating (ST) ventricular fibrillation (VF). Understanding spontaneous fluctuations in VF cycle length (CL) is required to identify arrhythmia that will stop before shock. Using Brugada syndrome (BS) as a model, the purpose of the study was to compare ST-VF and VF terminated by electrical shock and to look for spontaneous fluctuations in ventricular CL.

Incidence and prognostic significance of spontaneous and inducible antidromic tachycardia.

Aims: Orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (ORT) is the most common arrhythmia at electrophysiological study (EPS) in patients with pre-excitation. The purpose of the study was to determine the clinical significance and the electrophysiological characteristics of patients with inducible antidromic tachycardia (ADT).

Methods And Results: Electrophysiological study was performed in 807 patients with a pre-excitation syndrome in control state and after isoproterenol.

Is ablation of atrial flutter always safe?

Background: Radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter is largely used and is considered as safe. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and the causes of severe adverse event (AE) following atrial flutter ablation.

Methods: Ablation of typical flutter was performed by conventional method with an 8-mm-tip electrode catheter, a maximum power of 70 W, and a maximum target temperature of 70° for 60 seconds in 883 patients, (685 males and 198 females aged from 18 to 93 years [64 ± 11.

Safety and efficacy of programming a high number of antitachycardia pacing attempts for fast ventricular tachycardia: a prospective study.

Aims: Little is known about the optimal number of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) attempts to programme in the fast ventricular tachycardia (FVT) zone. We sought to analyse the long-term efficacy and safety of programming a high number of ATP attempts for FVTs.

Methods And Results: All patients receiving an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) for coronary artery disease or dilated cardiomyopathy for primary and secondary prevention between 2000 and 2009 were prospectively included.

Incidental extracardiac findings in cardiac computed tomography performed before radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation has became a validated therapeutic technique for symptomatic drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is used to evaluate left atrial (LA) anatomy in order to improve AF ablation. The analysis of noncardiac structures during cardiac CT may identify clinically significant incidental findings (IFs).

Missing diagnosis of preexcitation syndrome on ECG: clinical and electrophysiological significance.

Unlabelled: Electrocardiographic criteria of preexcitation syndrome are sometimes not visible on ECG in sinus rhythm (SR). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the significance of unapparent preexcitation syndrome in SR, when overt conduction through accessory pathway (AP) was noted at atrial pacing.

Methods: Anterograde conduction through atrioventricular AP was identified at electrophysiological study (EPS) in 712 patients, studied for tachycardia (n=316), syncope (n=89) or life-threatening arrhythmia (n=55) or asymptomatic preexcitation syndrome (n=252).

Risk of atrial fibrillation according to the initial presentation of a preexcitation syndrome.

Background: Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) is frequent in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is rare. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors of spontaneous AF in WPW according to the initial presentation.

Recall alerts in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients: implications for patients and physicians.

Backgrounds: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) malfunctions sometimes need recall. Despite the increasing number of device implantation, ICD recalls and advisories' impacts have been little studied. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of ICD generator advisory in our center and to examine its clinical and financial implication.

Factors likely to affect the long-term results of ventricular stimulation after myocardial infarction.

Background: The results of programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) may change after myocardial infarction (MI). The objective was to study the factors that could predict the results of a second PVS.

Methods: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and QRS duration were determined and PVS performed within 3 to 14 years of one another (mean 7.