Edoxaban versus warfarin in vitamin K antagonist experienced and naïve patients from the edoxaban versus warfarin in subjects undergoing cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (ENSURE-AF) randomised trial.

Background: In ENSURE-AF study, edoxaban had similar efficacy and safety profile versus enoxaparin-warfarin (enox-warf) in patients undergoing electrical cardioversion of non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of edoxaban versus enox-warf in patients who were vitamin K antagonists (VKA) naïve or experienced at time of randomisation into ENSURE-AF trial.

Methods: The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of stroke, systemic embolic event, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death during the overall study period, 28 days on study drug after cardioversion and 30 days follow-up.

Associations between common ECG abnormalities and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is often the first manifestation of unrecognised cardiac disease. ECG abnormalities encountered in primary care settings may be warning signs of OHCA.

Objective: We examined the association between common ECG abnormalities and OHCA in a primary care setting.

Significant regional variation in use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in Denmark.

Aims: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment prevents sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. This study examined geographical variation in ICD implantation rates in Denmark and potential causes of variation.

Methods And Results: We obtained numbers of ICD implantations in the 5 Danish regions and 98 municipalities during 2007-13 from the Danish Pacemaker and ICD Registry.

Percutaneous versus thoracoscopic ablation of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a randomised controlled trial - the FAST II study.

Background: The most efficient first-time invasive treatment, for achieving sinus rhythm, in symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has not been established. We aimed to compare percutaneous catheter and video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary vein radiofrequency ablation in patients referred for first-time invasive treatment due to symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The primary outcome of interest was the prevalence of atrial fibrillation with and without anti-arrhythmic drugs at 12 months.

Single and dual coil shock efficacy and predictors of shock failure in patients with modern implantable cardioverter defibrillators-a single-center paired randomized study.

Purpose: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can treat life-threatening tachyarrhythmia with high-voltage shocks. The aims were to compare the efficacy of single and dual coil shock vectors in modern ICDs and to identify predictors of shock failure.

Methods: This is a single-center paired randomized study including 216 patients with mixed indications and ICDs from four manufacturers.

Disease progression after ablation for atrial flutter compared with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide cohort study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to study the risk of death and development of arrhythmia and/or subsequently heart failure after an atrial flutter ablation procedure compared with an atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure.

Methods: This observational study is based on data from Danish nationwide health databases. Patients with a first-time ablation procedure for either atrial flutter or AF in the period 2000-2016 were included.

Remote monitoring and clinical outcomes: details on information flow and workflow in the IN-TIME study.

Aims: Randomized clinical trials investigating a possible outcome effect of remote monitoring in patients with implantable defibrillators have shown conflicting results. This study analyses the information flow and workflow details from the IN-TIME study and discusses whether differences of message content, information speed and completeness, and workflow may contribute to the heterogeneous results.

Methods And Results: IN-TIME randomized 664 patients with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator indication to daily remote monitoring vs.

Edoxaban therapy increases treatment satisfaction and reduces utilization of healthcare resources: an analysis from the EdoxabaN vs. warfarin in subjectS UndeRgoing cardiovErsion of atrial fibrillation (ENSURE-AF) study.

Aims: The EdoxabaN vs. warfarin in subjectS UndeRgoing cardiovErsion of atrial fibrillation (ENSURE-AF) (NCT02072434) study was a multicentre prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint evaluation (PROBE) trial comparing edoxaban with enoxaparin/warfarin followed by warfarin alone in 2199 non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients undergoing electrical cardioversion and showed comparable rates of bleeding and thromboembolism between treatments. This prespecified ancillary analysis investigated the impact of edoxaban therapy on treatment satisfaction and utilization of healthcare services.

Atrial fibrillation in patients with severe mental disorders and the risk of stroke, fatal thromboembolic events and bleeding: a nationwide cohort study.

Objectives: Outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with severe mental disorders are largely unknown. We compared rates of stroke, fatal thromboembolic events and bleeding in patients with AF with and without mental disorders.

Design: Nationwide registry-based cohort study.

Mortality and risk of cardiac complications among immediate survivors of accidental electric shock: a Danish nationwide cohort study.

Objective: Exposure to electric shock has been associated with an increased risk of developing delayed cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac diseases. We examined whether electric shock patients have an increased risk of developing cardiac disease, cardiac arrhythmias or death compared with the general Danish population.

Design: Matched cohort study.

Risk factors of cardiac device infection: Glove contamination during device procedures.

Background: Infections in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) constitute a serious complication. We sought to identify contamination of gloves before handling the device in primary and replacement CIED procedures.

Methods: Two groups of 30 patients underwent primary CIED implantation or replacement.

Bystander Defibrillation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Public vs Residential Locations.

Importance: Bystander-delivered defibrillation (hereinafter referred to as bystander defibrillation) of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) remains limited despite the widespread dissemination of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Objective: To examine calendar changes in bystander defibrillation and subsequent survival according to a public or a residential location of the cardiac arrest after nationwide initiatives in Denmark to facilitate bystander-mediated resuscitative efforts, including bystander defibrillation.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This nationwide study identified 18 688 patients in Denmark with first-time OHCA from June 1, 2001, to December 31, 2012, using the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry.

Death and thrombo-embolic risk after ablation of atrial flutter compared with atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a similar mortality and thrombo-embolic risk, after an atrial ablation procedure, compared with an atrial fibrillation (AF) procedure.

Methods And Results: Using data from nationwide Danish health registries, we identified patients aged 18-75 years undergoing a first-time atrial flutter or an AF ablation procedure in the period 2000-13. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) after 5 years of follow-up, adjusting for concomitant risk factors.

Venous thromboembolism in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Aims: To examine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its risk factors among patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Methods And Results: All first-time ICD recipients in Denmark during 2000-12 were identified from medical databases. Incident VTEs were ascertained, overall and according to gender, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score (no, moderate, or severe comorbidity), prior pacemaker or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) implantation, and ICD type (single-chamber, dual-chamber, or CRT-D).

Regional differences in referral, procedures, and outcome after ablation for atrial fibrillation in Europe: a report from the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Registry of the European Society of Cardiology.

Aims: Ablation is an effective treatment of symptomatic and drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Using data from the European AF Ablation Pilot Registry comprising 1410 patients from 10 European countries, we prospectively investigated regional differences in AF ablation regarding patient selection, ablation strategy, and outcome.

Methods And Results: Countries were divided into three regions: South (Greece, Italy, Spain), East (Czech Republic, Poland), and West/North (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and the Netherlands).

Single-coil and dual-coil defibrillator leads and association with clinical outcomes in a complete Danish nationwide ICD cohort.

Background: The best choice of defibrillator lead in patients with routine implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is not settled. Traditionally, most physicians prefer dual-coil leads but the use of single-coil leads is increasing.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes in patients with single- and dual-coil leads.

New strict left bundle branch block criteria reflect left ventricular activation differences.

Aims: Pacing lead electrical delays and strict left bundle branch block (LBBB) criteria were assessed against cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) outcome.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with LBBB and QRS duration >130 milliseconds underwent CRT-implantation. Sensed right ventricular to left ventricular electrical delay (RV-LV-IED) was measured.

Atrial flutter and thromboembolic risk: a systematic review.

Atrial flutter confers a thromboembolic risk, but contrary to atrial fibrillation the relationship has only been addressed in few studies. This study performs an up to date systematic review of the literature to investigate the association between atrial flutter and thromboembolic events. Articles were found by MEDLINE, EMBASE search and a manual search of references list in included articles.

Thirteen-year nationwide trends in use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and subsequent long-term survival.

Background: Long-term trends in use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and outcomes are rare.

Objective: We examined 13-year nationwide trends in ICD implantation and survival rates in Denmark.

Methods: Using medical databases, we identified all first time ICD recipients in Denmark during 2000-2012 (N = 8460) and ascertained all-cause mortality.

Groin hematoma after electrophysiological procedures-incidence and predisposing factors.

Objectives: We evaluated the incidence and predisposing factors of groin hematomas after electrophysiological (EP) procedures.

Design: Prospective, observational study, enrolling consecutive patients after EP procedures (Atrial fibrillation: n = 151; Supraventricular tachycardia/Diagnostic EP: n = 82; Ventricular tachycardia: n = 18). Patients underwent manual compression for 10 min and 3 h post procedural bed rest.

Prospective nationwide fluoroscopic and electrical longitudinal follow-up of recalled Riata defibrillator leads in Denmark.

Background: Recalled St. Jude Medical Riata defibrillator leads are prone to insulation failures with externalized conductors (ECs). Longitudinal studies are needed to guide lead management.

[Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation].

Restoration of sinus rhythm should be considered in patients with atrial fibrillation. Prior to cardioversion, each patient must be assessed individually. In haemodynamically unstable patients due to atrial fibrillation, acute DC cardioversion should be performed.

Health economic evaluation of single-lead atrial pacing vs. dual-chamber pacing in sick sinus syndrome.

Aims: The recent Danish Multicentre Randomized Trial on Single-Lead Atrial (AAIR) Pacing versus Dual-Chamber (DDDR) Pacing in Sick Sinus Syndrome (DANPACE) suggested DDDR pacing as standard care. However, previous findings supported the routine use of AAIR pacing. This study investigated the cost-effectiveness of DDDR pacing compared with AAIR pacing for sick sinus syndrome.

Long pacing pulses reduce phrenic nerve stimulation in left ventricular pacing.

Introduction: Phrenic nerve stimulation is a major obstacle in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Activation characteristics of the heart and phrenic nerve are different with higher chronaxie for the heart. Therefore, longer pulse durations could be beneficial in preventing phrenic nerve stimulation during CRT due to a decreased threshold for the heart compared with the phrenic nerve.