The impact of supraventricular arrhythmias on the outcomes of guideline-compliant implantable cardioverter defibrillator programming.

Introduction: Several implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) programming strategies are applied to minimize ICD therapy, especially unnecessary therapies from supraventricular arrhythmias (SVA). However, it remains unknown whether these optimal programming recommendations only benefit those with SVAs or have any detrimental effects from delayed therapy on those without SVAs. This study aims to assess the impact of SVA on the outcomes of ICD programming based on 2015 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement and 2019 focused update on optimal ICD programming and testing guidelines.

Meteorological Influence on Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter: A Nationwide Observational Study in South Korea (2010-2022).

Background and rationale The impact of meteorological factors, including atmospheric temperature, humidity, and wind speed, on the incidence of atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF) has been the subject of several studies, but the findings have been inconsistent. Given the complex and multifaceted nature of this relationship, a larger-scale study was necessary to provide sufficient statistical power and elucidate potential associations between them. The aim of this study was, thus, to investigate the potential associations between meteorological factors and the incidence of AF.

Avoiding unnecessary ventricular pacing is associated with reduced incidence of heart failure hospitalizations and persistent atrial fibrillation in pacemaker patients.

Aims: In bradycardia patients treated with dual-chamber pacing, we aimed to evaluate whether pacing with atrioventricular (AV) delay management [AV hysteresis (AVH)], compared with standard pacing with fixed AV delays, reduces unnecessary ventricular pacing percentage (VPP) and is associated with better clinical outcomes. Main study endpoints were the incidence of heart failure hospitalizations (HFH), persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), and cardiac death.

Methods And Results: Data from two identical prospective observational studies, BRADYCARE I in the USA and BRADYCARE II in Europe, Africa, and Asia, were pooled.

Programming of implantable cardioverter defibrillators for primary prevention: outcomes at centers with high vs. low concordance with guidelines.

Background: While ICD therapy reduction programming strategies are recommended in current multi-society guidelines, concerns remain about a possible trade-off between the benefits of ICD therapy reduction and failure to treat episodes of ventricular arrhythmias. The study is to evaluate the outcomes of primary prevention patients followed in centers with high and low concordance with the 2015 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement and 2019 focused update on optimal ICD programming and testing guidelines.

Methods: Consecutive patients with primary prevention ICD implantation from two centers between 2014 and 2016 were included.

Low-dose Amiodarone Is Safe: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Amiodarone is commonly used for a variety of arrhythmias and, in some parts of the world, is the only available antiarrhythmic drug (AAD). Yet, amiodarone is known to have a wide range of potential side effects, many of which are dose- and duration-dependent. We sought to study the incidence of side effects leading to the discontinuation of low-dose amiodarone, arbitrarily defined as 200 mg/day or less, and very-low-dose amiodarone, defined as 100 mg/day or less.

Programming implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in primary prevention: Guideline concordance and outcomes.

Background: Inappropriate therapy is a common adverse effect in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) that may be prevented by appropriate programming.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of device programming based on a 2015 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement and a 2019 focused update on optimal ICD programming and testing.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent ICD insertion for primary prevention from 2014-2016 at 3 centers were included in the retrospective analysis.

Amiodarone-induced Hyponatremia: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Amiodarone is a widely used medication for controlling various types of cardiac arrhythmias. Nonetheless, it carries several known adverse effects that may preclude its use or necessitate discontinuation. Hyponatremia resulting from amiodarone is rarely reported, and its incidence is unknown.