Arrhythmia monitoring and outcome after myocardial infarction (BIO|GUARD-MI): a randomized trial.

Objectives: Cardiac arrhythmias predict poor outcome after myocardial infarction (MI). We studied if arrhythmia monitoring with an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) can improve treatment and outcome.

Design: BIO|GUARD-MI was a randomized, international open-label study with blinded outcome assessment.

Outcomes After Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock (from the German ALKK PCI Registry).

Early revascularization therapy with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Data from consecutive patients with AMI and CS treated with PCI enrolled into the prospective Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitende Kardiologische Krankenhausärzte-PCI registry were centrally collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into 4 groups with PCI for left main (LM), 1-vessel, 2-vessel, and 3-vessel diseases.

Left atrial appendage closure with the watchman device reduces atrial fibrillation management costs.

Aims: To report hospitalization costs of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) submitted to percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the Watchman device.

Methods: Pre- and post-procedural hospitalization AF-related costs were calculated using the DRG system (diagnosis-related groups) and compared.

Results: Between 2012 and 2016, 677 non-valvular AF patients underwent LAAC.

Source attribution of community-acquired cases of Legionnaires' disease-results from the German LeTriWa study; Berlin, 2016-2019.

Introduction: Sources of infection of most cases of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease (CALD) are unknown.

Objective: Identification of sources of infection of CALD.

Setting: Berlin; December 2016-May 2019.

Changes in treatment for NSTEMI in women and the elderly over the past 16 years in a large real-world population.

Aims: This study investigates the changes in therapy for Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) over the past 16 years in a large German registry. In particular, the high-risk population of female and elderly patients was analyzed.

Methods: In total, 19.

Procedural Success Rates and Mortality in Elderly Patients With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Cardiogenic Shock.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of age on procedural and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS).

Background: The use of early revascularization therapy with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by CS.

Methods: Data from consecutive patients with AMI and CS treated with PCI enrolled into the prospective ALKK (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitende Kardiologische Krankenhausärzte) PCI registry were centrally collected and analyzed.

The clinical effect of arrhythmia monitoring after myocardial infarction (BIO-GUARD|MI):study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The increasing use of implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) allows early documentation of asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias that would previously have gone unnoticed. The addition of remote monitoring to cardiac devices means that physicians receive an early warning in cases of new-onset arrhythmias. While remote monitoring has been suggested to increase survival in heart failure patients with implantable defibrillators, trials using ICMs for continuous electrocardiographic monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias in the postmyocardial infarction setting have shown that patients who experienced cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia have an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events.

Transmission and loss of ECG snapshots: Remote monitoring in implantable cardiac monitors.

Introduction: Remote monitoring including transmission of electrocardiogram (ECG) strips has been implemented in implantable cardiac monitors (ICM). We appraise whether the physician can rely on remote monitoring to be informed of all possibly significant arrhythmias.

Methods: We analyzed remote monitoring transmissions of patients in the ongoing BIO|GUARD-MI study, in which Biotronik devices are used.

Effect of renal insufficiency and diabetes mellitus on in-hospital mortality after acute coronary syndromes treated with primary PCI. Results from the ALKK PCI Registry.

Background: It is known that patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are at higher risk for in-hospital adverse events. However, we hypothesized that the higher event rate is due to the patients' subgroup with renal failure (RF), a common sequel of DM.

Methods And Results: We used data of the prospective ALKK-PCI registry including all consecutive percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for ACS of 48 hospitals between 2008 and 2013.

[Regional Aspects in Treatment of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction in the North-East of Germany].

Background:  In recent decades, guideline-based therapy of myocardial infarction has led to a considerable reduction in myocardial infarction mortality. However, there are relevant differences in acute care and the extent of infarction mortality. The objective of this survey was to analyze the current care situation of patients with acute myocardial infarction in the region of northeast Germany (Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern).

Comparing routine administrative data with registry data for assessing quality of hospital care in patients with myocardial infarction using deterministic record linkage.

Background: Assessment of quality of care in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) should be based on data that effectively enable determination of quality. With the need to simplify measurement techniques, the question arises whether routine data can be used for this purpose. We therefore compared data from a German sickness fund (AOK) with data from the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry (BMIR).

The Emergency Medical Care of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Optimizing the emergency medical care chain might shorten the time to treatment of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The initial care by a physician, and, in particular, correct ECG interpretation, are critically important factors.

Methods: From 1999 onward, data on the care of patients with myocardial infarction have been recorded and analyzed in the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Use and impact of thrombectomy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST-segment elevation: results of the prospective ALKK PCI-registry.

Background: Data about the impact of thrombectomy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are inconsistent. The aim of our study was an evaluation of both the real-world use of thrombectomy and the impact of thrombectomy on outcome in unselected patients treated with primary PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: We used the data of the prospective ALKK PCI-registry of 35 hospitals from January 2010 to December 2013.

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome in the real world: Data from the Berlin AFibACS Registry.

Background: Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AFib) recommend antithromboembolic treatment strategies for patients with AFib and acute coronary syndrome (AFibACS). Our study assessed how current guidelines are implemented in the metropolitan area of Berlin and which therapeutic options were chosen in light of stroke and bleeding riskin everyday practice.

Methods And Results: Between April 2008 and January 2012, we included 1,295 AFibACS patients in the AFibACS Registry, as part of the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Long-term prognostic value of restitution slope in patients with ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathies.

Background: An action potential duration (APD) restitution curve with a steep slope ≥1 has been associated with increased susceptibility for malignant ventricular arrhythmias. We aimed to evaluate the "restitution hypothesis" and tested ventricular APD restitution slope as well as effective refractory period (ERP)/APD ratio for long-term prognostic value in patients with ischemic (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methodology/principal Findings: Monophasic action potentials were recorded in patients with ICM (n = 32) and DCM (n = 42) undergoing routine programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS).

Age-related differences in diagnosis, treatment and outcome of acute coronary syndromes: results from the German ALKK registry.

Aims: The elderly constitute an increasing proportion of all patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, increased age has been identified as an important risk factor for adverse events and complications of ACS and treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in presentation and diagnostics, as well as contemporary treatment and outcome in a large series of elderly patients receiving an invasive strategy for ACS.

Effect of paclitaxel elution from reservoirs with bioabsorbable polymer compared to a bare metal stent for the elective percutaneous treatment of de novo coronary stenosis: the EUROSTAR-II randomised clinical trial.

Aims: To compare the angiographic and clinical performance of a paclitaxel-eluting stent using reservoirs technology and a bioabsorbable polymer, without surface coating (CoStar), vs. an equivalent bare metal stent (BMS) using an identical metallic platform.

Methods And Results: Three hundred and three (303) patients (335 lesions) with de novo coronary artery stenosis suitable for elective percutaneous treatment were randomised in an international multicentre single-blind trial to receive the CoStar stent (n=152) or the equivalent BMS (n=151).

T-wave alternans testing in pacemaker patients: comparison of pacing modes and long-term prognostic relevance.

Background: T-wave alternans (TWA) is a useful method for identifying patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death. We aimed to determine the effects of different pacing modes on test results and long-term prognostic relevance of TWA in patients following a dual-chamber (DDD) pacemaker implantation.

Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age 68 ± 13 years) with structural heart disease and recently implanted DDD pacemakers were enrolled.

Routine early invasive strategy and in-hospital mortality in women with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results from the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry (BMIR).

Background: It is under discussion whether female patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) benefit from routine invasive treatment strategy. We accordingly applied our data from the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry (BMIR) to analyze the association between early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and hospital mortality in NSTEMI patients.

Methods: Data prospectively collected in the BMIR between 2004 and 2008 from 2808 patients (m=1820/w=988) directly admitted to hospitals with 24-h PCI facilities were included in the analysis.

Comparison of a novel, single-lead atrial sensing system with a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system in patients without antibradycardia pacing indications: results of a randomized study.

Background: Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are the main cause for inappropriate therapy by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). For better rhythm discrimination, an atrial electrogram is helpful and usually obtained from an additional atrial lead, even in the absence of sinus node or atrioventricular nodal disease. An A+-ICD system with integrated atrial sensing rings mounted 15 to 18 cm from the tip of an ICD lead may obviate the need to implant a separate atrial lead.

Time of admission, quality of PCI care, and outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: Our study aimed to analyse the hospital mortality of patients admitted in- and off-regular working hours with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within the special logistical setting of the urban area of the city of Berlin.

Background: There is a debate whether patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to hospital outside regular working hours experience higher mortality rates than those admitted within regular working hours.

Methods: This study analyses data from the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry and comprises 2,131 patients with STEMI and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 2004-2007.

Improved therapy and outcome for patients with acute myocardial infarction--data of the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry from 1999 to 2004.

Background: Guidelines for treatment of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) have been regularly updated. In addition, a new definition for acute MI has been recently established. The aim of our study was to evaluate development of treatment and effects on patient outcome.