True bipolar or extended bipolar left ventricular pacing is associated with better survival in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients.

Background: Limited studies are available on the clinical significance of left ventricular (LV) lead polarity in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), with a recent study suggesting better outcomes with LV true bipolar pacing.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether true bipolar LV pacing is associated with reduced mortality in a large, real-life CRT cohort, followed by remote monitoring.

Methods: We analyzed de-identified device data from CRT patients followed by the Boston Scientific LATITUDE remote monitoring database system.

Propensity-Matched Comparison of Oral Anticoagulation Versus Antiplatelet Therapy After Left Atrial Appendage Closure With WATCHMAN.

Objectives: In this propensity-matched analysis of post-left atrial appendage closure antithrombotic therapy, the safety and effectiveness of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and antiplatelet therapy (APT) were compared.

Background: Left atrial appendage closure with the WATCHMAN device is an alternative to OAC in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, who are at high bleeding risk. Initial trials included 45 days of post-implantation OAC, but registry data suggest that APT may suffice.

HeartLogic Multisensor Algorithm Identifies Patients During Periods of Significantly Increased Risk of Heart Failure Events: Results From the MultiSENSE Study.

Background: Care of heart failure (HF) patients results in a high burden on healthcare resources, and estimating prognosis is becoming increasingly important to triage resources wisely. Natriuretic peptides are recommended prognosticators in chronic HF. Our objective was to evaluate whether a multisensor HF index and alert algorithm (HeartLogic) replaces or augments current HF risk stratification.

Atrioventricular and ventricular-to-ventricular programming in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy: results from ALTITUDE.

Purpose: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes in patients with heart failure, yet response rates are variable. We sought to determine whether physician-specified CRT programming was associated with improved outcomes.

Methods: Using data from the ALTITUDE remote follow-up cohort, we examined sensed atrioventricular (AV) and ventricular-to-ventricular (VV) programming and their associated outcomes in patients with de novo CRT from 2009-2010.

Utilization trends and clinical outcomes in patients implanted with a single- vs a dual-coil implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead: Insights from the ALTITUDE Study.

Background: Historically, the most commonly implanted implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead is dual coil. Conventional wisdom holds that single-coil leads may be less effective than dual-coil leads, but easier to extract. No contemporary large-scale studies have evaluated the relative epidemiology of these 2 leads or compared their respective clinical outcomes.

Incidence of defibrillator shocks after elective generator exchange following uneventful first battery life.

Background: A significant number of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients do not experience shocks after ICD implant. Elective generator exchange (GE) has been associated with increased risk of infection and ICD lead failure. There is a paucity of contemporary data reporting on shock incidence with replacement devices.

A prospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the TAXUS Element paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system for the treatment of de novo coronary artery lesions: design and statistical methods of the PERSEUS clinical program.

Background: Paclitaxel-eluting stents decrease angiographic and clinical restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention compared to bare metal stents. TAXUS Element is a third-generation paclitaxel-eluting stent which incorporates a novel, thinner-strut, platinum-enriched metal alloy platform. The stent is intended to have enhanced radiopacity and improved deliverability compared to other paclitaxel-eluting stents.