The variability and burden of severe sleep apnea and the relationship with atrial fibrillation occurrence: analysis of pacemaker-detected sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: This was a pilot study to evaluate the long-term variability and burden of respiratory disturbance index (RDI) detected by pacemaker and to investigate the relationship between RDI and atrial fibrillation (AF) event in patients with pacemakers.

Methods: This was a prospective study enrolling patients implanted with a pacemaker that could calculate the night-to-night RDI. The mean follow-up was 348 ± 34 days.

Utility of transthoracic impedance and novel algorithm for sleep apnea screening in pacemaker patient.

Background: Pacing patients was revealed with a high prevalence of sleep disorder, but mostly undiagnosed. The pacemaker with transthoracic impedance sensor and novel algorithm could identify sleep apnea (SA) event. This study aimed to evaluate accuracy of pacemaker in sleep apnea diagnosis.

The gender difference of utilization of cardiac implantable electronic device in China: data from Arrhythmia Interventional Therapy Data Registry.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) greatly improve survival and life quality of patients. However, there are gender differences regarding both the utilization and benefit of these devices. In this prospective CIED registry, we aim to appraise the gender differences in CIED utilization in China.

The prognostic significance of fragmented QRS in patients with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy.

Background: Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) were proven to be associated with the prognosis of several heart diseases. However, no data is available regarding fQRS in left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), in which the outcome varies greatly and a simple yet practicable prognostic predictor is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of fQRS in LVNC patients.

Impact of automatic threshold capture on pulse generator longevity.

Background: The automatic, threshold tracking, pacing algorithm developed by St. Jude Medical, verifies ventricular capture beat by beat by recognizing the evoked response following each pacemaker stimulus. This function was assumed to be not only energy saving but safe.

Incidence and causes of inappropriate detection and therapy by implantable defibrillators of cardioversion in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the only effective therapy in patients with life threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Inappropriate detection and therapy by ICDs are the most common causes of side effects that affect the quality of life in ICD recipients. This study evaluated the incidence and causes of inappropriate detection and therapy by ICDs in patients in our hospital.