[Practical guidance for the implantation of non-transvenous ICD systems].

As an alternative to transvenous ICD systems, two non-transvenous ICD systems have been established in recent years: The subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD), which has been established for several years, has a presternal electrode that is implanted subcutaneously and offers a shock function and, to a limited extent, post-shock pacing. In addition, the extravascular ICD (EV-ICD) has been available in Europe since 2023 which does not require transvenous electrodes and offers the option of providing patients with antibradycardic and antitachycardic stimulation in combination with a conventional ICD function. The lead of this device is implanted substernally.

[Lead extraction in cardiac implantable electronic devices].

Lead extraction due to infection or lead dysfunction has become more important in recent years. Patients with high risk of severe and life-threatening complications should only undergo surgery in experienced centers where appropriate personnel and equipment are available. In this review, different techniques and methods to safely and successfully perform transvenous lead extraction are summarized.

[Venous access routes for cardiac implantable electronic devices].

Various venous access routes in the region of the clavicle are available for cardiac device treatment. After many years of choosing access via the subclavian vein, current data explicitly show that lateral approaches such as preparation of the cephalic vein or puncture of the axillary vein are clearly superior in terms of probe durability and risk of complications. This article describes the preparation and performance of the various access techniques and is intended to provide a practical guide for the work in cardiac pacemaker operations.

[Vascular surgery in old people].

The age pyramid in Germany is upside down. According to the Federal Statistical Office this development will continue in the coming years, which presents a challenge for surgeons to surgically treat increasingly more and increasingly older people. Particularly in vascular surgery, which is a surgery of old people, this fact represents a special challenge.

[Focal atrial tachycardias: diagnostics and therapy].

In this article, typical characteristics of focal atrial tachycardias are described and a systematic approach regarding diagnostics and treatment options in the field of invasive cardiac electrophysiology (EP) is presented. Subjects of this article include the definition of focal atrial tachycardias, knowledge about localizing the origin of such, and guidance on how to approach an invasive EP study (e.g.

Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair After a Migrated EVAR Bypassing a Severely Kinked Previous Endograft.

Purpose: To describe a novel technique to repair a juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (JAAA) after failed endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) with severely kinked anatomy.

Technique: We present a patient who underwent an EVAR with a Medtronic Talent device 15 years ago and a proximal cuff extension 3 years earlier for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Computed tomography (CT) done for a known gastritis showed a 12 cm JAAA, with a migrated endograft and a type Ia endoleak (EL).

[Atypical atrial fibrillation : Diagnostics and therapy].

In contrast to typical atrial flutter, atypical atrial flutter is a heterogeneous group of right and left atrial macro- or localized reentry tachycardias whose critical component for maintaining tachycardia is not the cavotricuspid isthmus. Atypical atrial flutter occurs more frequently after previous catheter ablation and after cardiac surgery. The intraprocedural success rate during ablation is high, although the recurrence rate depends on structural changes in the atria as well as the underlying mechanism.

[Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardias in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy].

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an effective treatment option of scar-related ventricular tachycardias (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Several studies proved the benefit of VT catheter ablation, which has become routine in most electrophysiology laboratories. This article provides practical instructions to perform a VT catheter ablation.

Medical treatment of pulmonary hypertension in adults with congenital heart disease: updated and extended results from the International COMPERA-CHD Registry.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is common in congenital heart disease (CHD). Because clinical-trial data on PAH associated with CHD (PAH-CHD) remain limited, registry data on the long-term course are essential. This analysis aimed to update information from the COMPERA-CHD registry on management strategies based on real-world data.

[Practical guide for safe and efficient cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation : Practical procedure, tips and tricks].

In the current guidelines on treatment of atrial fibrillation, cryoballoon-based catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is recommended in addition to radiofrequency ablation and has become established as a standard procedure in the clinical routine of many centers for index pulmonary vein isolation. A safe, simplified and often durable pulmonary vein isolation can be achieved by a systematic approach. This review article provides a practical guide for all steps of cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation, including preprocedural preparation and postinterventional follow-up.

Refined atrial fibrillation screening and cost-effectiveness in the German population.

Objective: Little is known on optimal screening population for detecting new atrial fibrillation (AF) in the community. We describe characteristics and estimate cost-effectiveness for a single timepoint electrocardiographic screening.

Methods: We performed a 12-lead ECG in the German population-based Gutenberg Health Study between 2007 and 2012 (n=15 010), mean age 55±11 years, 51% men and collected more than 120 clinical and biomarker variables, including N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP), risk factors, disease symptoms and echocardiographic variables.

[Pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency ablation].

Catheter ablation represents the primary treatment for most arrhythmias. The effectiveness of catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is superior to drug therapy. Therefore, catheter ablation has been established as an increasingly common procedure in clinical routine.

[Puncture techniques in invasive cardiac electrophysiology].

Due to good results, increasing standardization and lack of equivalent alternatives, catheter ablation has been established as an increasingly common procedure in clinical routine. This article describes common and necessary puncture techniques in catheter ablation (puncture of the groin vessels, transseptal puncture, pericardial puncture) and represents a practical instruction for the catheter laboratory. This article is part of a series of manuscripts presenting topics of interventional electrophysiology in the course of electrophysiology training.

Heart failure in the young: Insights into myocardial recovery with ventricular assist device support.

Background: Data on ventricular unloading-promoted myocardial recovery and post-weaning outcome in children is scarce. We analyzed the weaning outcome in children with heart failure (HF) supported with ventricular assist device (VAD).

Methods: A multi-institutional data on VAD implanted in 193 children and adolescents with HF between April 1990 and November 2015 was reviewed.

[Aortic Aneurysm: Fenestrated/Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR) and Fenestrated/Branched Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR). Is Total Endovascular Repair Already Here?].

Five years after the first endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), Park et al. reported the first implantation of a fenestrated endoprosthesis. In the meantime, advanced generations of new fenestrated and branched endografts evolved.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: Real-World Data from the International COMPERA-CHD Registry.

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), aggravating the natural, post-operative, or post-interventional course of the underlying anomaly. The various CHDs differ substantially in characteristics, functionality, and clinical outcomes among each other and compared with other diseases with pulmonary hypertension.

Objective: To describe current management strategies and outcomes for adults with PH in relation to different types of CHD based on real-world data.

Innovative tools for atrial fibrillation ablation.

Introduction: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an effective treatment option with encouraging clinical outcome data. Further improvement of catheter technologies is desirable, in particular for patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of novel ablation tools in AF-ablation.

Feasibility, safety, and acute efficacy of the fourth-generation cryoballoon for ablation of atrial fibrillation: Another step forward?

Background: The second-generation cryoballoon (CB2) is widely used for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, the novel fourth-generation CB (CB-Advance PRO) was introduced, incorporating a shortened catheter tip.

Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acute efficacy of PVI using the CB-Advance PRO.

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: State of the Art and Future Perspectives.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia, is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Maintenance of stable sinus rhythm (SR) is the intended treatment target in symptomatic patients, and catheter ablation aimed at isolating the pulmonary veins provides the most effective treatment option, supported by encouraging clinical outcome data. A variety of energy sources and devices have been developed and evaluated.

Current Generation Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Valve Positioning Strategies During Aortic Valve-in-Valve Procedures and Clinical Outcomes.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate SAPIEN 3 (S3) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) positioning using different strategies.

Background: Aortic valve-in-valve (ViV) is associated with high risk of elevated gradients.

Methods: S3 aortic ViV procedures in stented bioprostheses were studied.

Developing High Medical Technology, a Challenge for Developing Countries: The Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects Using Nit-Occlud ASD-R: Early and Mid-term Results.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the Nit-Occlud ASD-R (PFM S.R.L, La Paz, Bolivia) in the percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD).