High predictive value of paced QRS frequency in verification of left bundle branch pacing.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a newer technique to deliver more synchronous left ventricular activation. Several criteria have been proposed, but not fully validated, to confirm LBBAP during implantation of the pacing lead. Spectral analysis has been used to characterize the frequency components of the clinical QRS utilizing the Fourier transform algorithm.

Risk factors associated with higher mortality in patients with cardiac implantable electronic device infection.

Introduction: Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) are widely used for the management of advanced heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. CIED-Infection (CIED-I) has very high mortality, especially in the subsets of patients with limited health-care access and delayed presentation. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk-predictors mortality in subjects with CIED-I.

From background to solutions: Eliminating sex gaps in clinical electrophysiology practice.

Sex, a biological construct, and gender, a sociocultural construct, both influence the epidemiology and outcomes of various cardiac arrhythmias, leading to disparities that have been observed in clinical practice. Addressing disparities is crucial to improve the quality of clinical care. We recognize gender equality as the ultimate goal to ensuring equitable health care and propose the following strategies to achieve the goal: sex- and gender-stratified research, quality improvement initiatives, implicit bias training, promotion of women into leadership positions in cardiology, peer support, and shared decision-making to help mitigate disparities.

Sex-Specific Considerations in Drug and Device Therapy of Cardiac Arrhythmias: JACC Focus Seminar 6/7.

Sex and gender are important factors influencing the epidemiology and outcomes of cardiovascular care in various cardiac arrhythmias. Observed sex-related differences are influenced by the effects of both biologically determined sex and culturally defined gender. Under-representation of women in clinical trials and incomplete understanding of the mechanisms behind sex differences have led to inadequate evidence to guide effective sex-specific treatment.

Biventricular Strain Imaging with Cardiac MRI in Genotyped and Histology Validated Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

Unlabelled: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a common and potentially fatal infiltrative cardiomyopathy. Contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI (CMR) is used as a diagnostic tool. However, utility of CMR for the comprehensive analysis of biventricular strains and strain rates is not reported as extensively as echocardiography.

What clinical trials of ablation for atrial fibrillation tell us - and what they do not.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice. Radiofrequency and cryoballoon catheter ablation are therapeutic options in addition to antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of AF. Ablation is effective at reducing recurrent atrial arrhythmias and also in the reduction of AF burden.

Feasibility and Usability of Patch-based Continuous Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring in Comparison with Traditional Telemetry in Noncritically Ill Hospitalized Patients.

Research on traditional cardiac telemetry demonstrates that excessive alarms are related to lead failures and noise-related interruptions. Patch-based continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring (CCRM) has emerged in outpatient ambulatory monitoring situations as a means to improve recording fidelity. In this study, patients hospitalized but not in the intensive care unit were simultaneously monitored via telemetry in parallel with the use of the Vital Signs Patch™ (VSP) CCRM system (LifeWatch Services, Rosemont, IL, USA), applying standardized monitoring and notifications provided by an off-site central monitoring unit (CMU).

Atrial Tachyarrhythmias Among Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Prevalence, Clinical Outcomes, and Impact of Rhythm Control Strategies.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the burden of atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and to evaluate the impact of rhythm control strategies.

Background: AF and AFL among patients with LVADs are poorly characterized.

Methods: Retrospective multivariable survival analysis of all LVAD recipients at the Cleveland Clinic from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2016 examining the association of death, thromboembolism, and major bleeding with AF/AFL and exposure to rhythm control measures.

Initial arterial pH as a predictor of neurologic outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A propensity-adjusted analysis.

Background: Lower pH after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been associated with worsening neurologic outcome, with <7.2 identified as an "unfavorable resuscitation feature" in consensus treatment algorithms despite conflicting data. This study aimed to describe the relationship between decremental post-resuscitation pH and neurologic outcomes after OHCA.

Repeat ablation or medical management alone for recurrent arrhythmias after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Management of persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) remains challenging, and many patients are left on medical therapy after a failed first ablation. In patients with recurrent symptomatic arrhythmias after PersAF ablation, we aimed to compare outcomes of repeat ablation and medical therapy versus medical therapy alone.

Methods And Results: All 682 consecutive patients with recurrent symptomatic arrhythmia after a first ablation for PersAF at our institution (2005-2012) were included.