Echocardiographic screening for heart failure and optimization of the care pathway for individuals with pacemakers: a randomized controlled trial.

Individuals with pacemakers are at increased risk of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Whether screening for and optimizing the medical management of LVSD in these individuals can improve clinical outcomes is unknown. In the present study, in a multicenter controlled trial (OPT-PACE), we randomized 1,201 patients (717 men) with a pacemaker to echocardiography screening or usual care.

Optimising pacemaker therapy and medical therapy in pacemaker patients for heart failure: protocol for the OPT-PACE randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Permanent artificial pacemaker implantation is a safe and effective treatment for bradycardia and is associated with extended longevity and improved quality of life. However, the most common long-term complication of standard pacemaker therapy is pacemaker-associated heart failure. Pacemaker follow-up is potentially an opportunity to screen for heart failure to assess and optimise patient devices and medical therapy.

Multicentre randomised trial comparing contact force with electrical coupling index in atrial flutter ablation (VERISMART trial).

Introduction: Electrical coupling index (ECI) and contact force (CF) have been developed to aid lesion formation during catheter ablation. ECI measures tissue impedance and capacitance whilst CF measures direct contact. The aim was to determine whether the presence of catheter / tissue interaction information, such as ECI and CF, reduce time to achieve bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus block during atrial flutter (AFL) ablation.

Effects of Vitamin D on Cardiac Function in Patients With Chronic HF: The VINDICATE Study.

Background: Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) are frequently deficient in vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels are associated with a worse prognosis.

Objectives: The VINDICATE (VitamIN D treatIng patients with Chronic heArT failurE) study was undertaken to establish safety and efficacy of high-dose 25 (OH) vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation in patients with chronic HF due to LVSD.

South Asian ethnicity is associated with a lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation despite greater prevalence of established risk factors: a population-based study in Bradford Metropolitan District.

Aims: Previous studies indicate that South Asians (SAs) may have a reduced risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) despite having a higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This observational study was designed to explore the relative differences between SAs and Whites in a well-defined, multi-ethnic population with careful consideration of traditional cardiovascular risk factors that are thought to contribute to the development of AF.

Methods And Results: Anonymized data from 417 575 adults were sourced from primary care records within Bradford Metropolitan District, UK.

An evaluation of 20 year survival in patients with diabetes mellitus and acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an established adverse prognostic factor in patients sustaining myocardial infarction (MI). However, its impact on long-term survival remains less clear. The aim of this observational study was to quantify lifetime mortality and years of life lost after MI in patients with and without DM.