Left bundle branch area pacing in patients with atrioventricular conduction disease: A prospective multicenter study.

Background: The reported success rate of His-bundle pacing (HBP) in patients with infranodal atrioventricular (AV) conduction disease is only 52%-76%. The success rate of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in this cohort is not well studied.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and electrophysiological characteristics of LBBAP in patients with AV conduction disease.

Atrioventricular junction ablation in patients with conduction system pacing leads: A comparison of His-bundle vs left bundle branch area pacing leads.

Background: Single-center studies have shown feasibility of conduction system pacing (CSP) via His-bundle pacing (HBP) or left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in patients with HBP and LBBAP leads undergoing AVJA.

Methods: Consecutive patients with CSP leads referred for AVJA between October 2014 and May 2021 were included.

Electrocardiographic characteristics and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the basal inferoseptal area.

Aims: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) from the basal inferoseptal (BIS) area are rare and can pose unique challenges during catheter ablation (CA) due to the anatomic complexity. The study sought to describe the electrocardiographic and clinical characteristics of VAs originating from the BIS area.

Methods And Results: Patients with VAs and successful ablation at the BIS area from 2016 to 2020 were included.

Safety and feasibility of left bundle branch area pacing following valvular interventions: Multicenter study.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in patients with valvular interventions.

Methods: Eighty-four patients were included in this study. All patients underwent recent surgical or percutaneous valvular interventions.

Imaging-Based Localization of His Bundle Pacing Electrodes: Results From the Prospective IMAGE-HBP Study.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the correlation between His bundle (HB) pacing (HBP) implantation characteristics, lead-tip location, and association of intraprocedural His recordings with approximated HB anatomic landmarks using computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Background: HBP continues to grow in clinical practice due to offering true physiological pacing. However, a clear understanding of HB anatomy and the lead-tip location's influence on pacing characteristics is lacking.

Intermediate-term performance and safety of His-bundle pacing leads: A single-center experience.

Background: The short-term safety, feasibility, and performance of His-bundle pacing (HBP) leads have been reported; however, their longer-term performance beyond 1 year remains unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the intermediate-term performance and safety of HBP.

Methods: All HBP lead implants at Virginia Commonwealth University between January 2014 and January 2019 were analyzed.

Initial Experience, Safety, and Feasibility of Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the safety and feasibility of conduction system pacing by performing left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).

Background: There are limited data from single centers showing that LBBAP may circumvent the technical and electrophysiological challenges encountered with His bundle pacing.

Methods: Patients referred for pacemaker implantation at 2 centers between February 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, were considered for LBBAP.

Novel Method for Assessment of His Bundle Pacing Morphology Using Near Field and Far Field Device Electrograms.

Background: The 12-lead ECG is considered the gold standard to differentiate between selective (S), nonselective (NS) His bundle pacing (HBP), and right ventricular septal capture in routine clinical practice. We sought to assess the utility of device EGM recordings as a tool to identify the type of HBP morphology.

Methods: One hundred forty-eight consecutive patients underwent HBP with a 3830 Select Secure lead (Medtronic, Inc) at 3 centers between October 2016 and October 2017.

Profound Sinoatrial Arrest Associated with Ibrutinib.

Background: Ibrutinib is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor approved for second-line treatment for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Ibrutinib use has been linked to increased incidence of atrial fibrillation and hypertension in multiple studies. Other forms of cardiac toxicities have also been reported in isolated case reports.

Repetitive nonreentrant ventriculoatrial synchrony: An underrecognized cause of pacemaker-related arrhythmia.

Similar to endless loop tachycardia (ELT), repetitive nonreentrant ventriculoatrial synchrony (RNRVAS) is a ventriculoatrial (VA) synchrony pacemaker-mediated arrhythmia. RNRVAS was first described in 1990 and can only occur in the presence of retrograde VA conduction and dual-chamber or cardiac resynchronization devices with tracking (P-synchronous ventricular pacing such as DDD, DDDR) or nontracking pacing modes that allow AV-sequential pacing (DDI, DDIR). RNRVAS is promoted by (1) high lower rate limit or any feature that allows rapid pacing, (2) long AV intervals, or (3) long postventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP).

Thoracic Sympathectomy for Severe Refractory Multivessel Coronary Artery Spasm.

Coronary artery spasm is a rare but potentially fatal disease. Herein, we report a case of recurrent ST-segment myocardial infarctions and ventricular fibrillation complicating severe multivessel coronary artery spasm successfully treated with bilateral thoracic surgical sympathectomy.

Characteristics of ventricular tachycardia ablation in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation or as destination therapy. Patients with LVADs are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias. This study describes ventricular arrhythmia characteristics and ablation in patients implanted with a Heart Mate II device.

Conduction disorders after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a focused review.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive approach to aortic valve replacement than traditional open chest surgery. It has been very successful in elderly and sick patients who might have otherwise been turned down for surgery. However, many patients who have the procedure develop conduction disease, including new LBBB or complete heart block, and may need permanent pacing or ongoing follow-up to monitor for worsening conduction problems.

Novel quinoline derivatives as inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV.

A structurally novel set of inhibitors of bacterial type II topoisomerases with potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity was developed. Dual-targeting ability, hERG inhibition, and pharmacokinetic properties were also assessed.

Discovery, synthesis and SAR of azinyl- and azolylbenzamides antagonists of the P2X₇ receptor.

The discovery, of a series of 2-Cl-5-heteroaryl-benzamide antagonists of the P2X(7) receptor via parallel medicinal chemistry is described. Initial analogs suffered from poor metabolic stability and low Vd(ss). Multi parametric optimization led to identification of pyrazole 39 as a viable lead with excellent potency and oral bioavailability.

The CD40 agonist antibody CP-870,893 enhances dendritic cell and B-cell activity and promotes anti-tumor efficacy in SCID-hu mice.

CD40 is a member of the TNF family of receptors that has been shown to play a crucial role in enhancing dendritic cell activity and fostering anti-tumor immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate the in vitro properties and in vivo efficacious activity of the CD40 agonist antibody, CP-870,893. CP-870,893 is a fully human, IgG2 antibody that selectively interacts with CD40 at a site distinct from its ligand-binding region with a KD of 0.

An alternative technique of implanting a nontransvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system in adults with no or limited venous access to the heart.

Background: In some patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death, a transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) cannot be implanted owing to limited vascular access. These patients can benefit from a nontransvenous defibrillation system consisting of a rate-sensing lead attached to the epicardium and a subcutaneous (SQ) array.

Objective: We examine the feasibility, safety, and clinical circumstances requiring implant of nontransvenous defibrillation system in adults.

An unusual source of electromagnetic interference: a device-device interaction.

Introduction: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are susceptible to oversensing of extracardiac signals, also known as electromagnetic interference (EMI). We report a case of an unusual source of electrical interference of only the high voltage (HV) impedance measurement in the Teligen ICD (Boston Scientific, St. Paul, MN, USA) caused by electrical interference from an electrosurgical generator with an electrocautery patch located in close proximity to the ICD pulse generator.

Results of a minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation and ganglionic plexi ablation for atrial fibrillation: single-center experience with 12-month follow-up.

Background: The Cox Maze procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited by its complexity and requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass. Long-term follow-up and success using criteria established by the Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association/European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society consensus statement have not been reported for surgical AF ablation. We describe the results of using a thorascopic approach and radiofrequency energy to perform bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial ganglionic plexi ablation for treatment of AF.