Emergent Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia: Predictors of Prolonged Hospitalization and Mortality.

Background: Patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) frequently present in unstable VT and are subject to urgent/high-risk ablation procedures. Clinical predictors of prolonged hospitalization and mortality are needed for optimal management of these patients.

Objectives: This study seeks to identify factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality in emergent unplanned VT ablation procedures.

How to Approach Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices and Bacteremia.

The approach to a patient with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) and bacteremia requires a high index of suspicion. The microorganism and duration of bacteremia affect the pretest probability of CIED infection. When transesophageal echocardiography findings are equivocal, fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography can increase the sensitivity and specificity for CIED infection.