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Aims Conduction abnormalities post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are common. Post-TAVI PR prolongation was mainly studied as an adjunct to new-onset bundle branch block. The net effect of isolated PR prolongation (IPRP) without post-TAVI QRS changes is not well known. The aim of this study was to define the incidence and clinical significance of post-TAVI IPRP. Methods and results A total of 1108 consecutive TAVI patients were reviewed. Patients with IPRP were compared with patients without post-TAVI electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Clinical outcomes included permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) and overall mortality. A total of 146 patients with IPRP were compared with 290 patients without post-TAVI ECG changes. At 1 year follow-up, 4 (2.7%) and 7 (2.4%) patients underwent PPI (P = 0.838) and 10 (6.8%) and 25 (8.6%) died (P = 0.521), from the study and control groups, respectively. No patient with IPRP and narrow QRS underwent PPI during 1 year post-TAVI, and all death events were non-cardiac except one unknown cause. Permanent pacemaker implantation rates among patients with IPRP and wide QRS were higher (n = 4, 12.1%), compared with patients with wide QRS without post-TAVI ECG change (n = 3, 4%) however not reaching statistical significance (P = 0.126). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that in patients with narrow QRS, neither PR prolongation nor baseline or maximal PR intervals was associated with the combined endpoint of PPI and mortality. However, in patients with wide QRS, baseline PR intervals and QRS width, but not PR prolongation were associated with the combined outcome. Conclusion Post-TAVI IPRP in patients with narrow QRS is not associated with adverse outcome. This finding may translate clinically into a more permissive approach to these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This reviews the transition of remote monitoring of patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices from curiosity to standard of care. This has been delivered by technology evolution from patient-activated remote interrogations at appointed intervals to continuous monitoring that automatically flags clinically actionable information to the clinic for review. This model has facilitated follow-up and received professional society recommendations. Additionally, continuous monitoring has provided a new level of granularity of diagnostic data enabling extension of patient management from device to disease management. This ushers in an era of digital medicine with wider applications in cardiovascular medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Little is known about patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB)-ventricular tachycardia (VT) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Our aims were: (i) to describe electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics of sinus rhythm (SR) and VT; (ii) to correlate SR with RBBB-VT ECGs; and (iii) to compare VT ECGs with electro-anatomic mapping (EAM) data. Methods and results From the European Survey on ACM, 70 patients with spontaneous RBBB-VT were included. Putative left ventricular (LV) sites of origin (SOOs) were estimated with a VT-axis-derived methodology and confirmed by EAM data when available. Overall, 49 (70%) patients met definite Task Force Criteria. Low QRS voltage predominated in lateral leads (n = 37, 55%), but QRS fragmentation was more frequent in inferior leads (n = 15, 23%). T-wave inversion (TWI) was equally frequent in inferior (n = 28, 42%) and lateral (n = 27, 40%) leads. TWI in inferior leads was associated with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF; 46 ± 10 vs. 53 ± 8, P = 0.02). Regarding SOOs, the inferior wall harboured 31 (46%) SOOs, followed by the lateral wall (n = 17, 25%), the anterior wall (n = 15, 22%), and the septum (n = 4, 6%). EAM data were available for 16 patients and showed good concordance with the putative SOOs. In all patients with superior-axis RBBB-VT who underwent endo-epicardial VT activation mapping, VT originated from the LV. Conclusions In patients with ACM and RBBB-VT, RBBB-VTs originated mainly from the inferior and lateral LV walls. SR depolarization and repolarization abnormalities were frequent and associated with underlying variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aims of this study is to characterize the transvenous lead extraction (TLE) population with active (A) compared with passive fixation (PFix) leads and to compare the safety, efficacy, and ease of extracting active fixation (AFix) compared with PFix right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) leads.Methods and Results: The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled Registry (ELECTRa) was analysed. Patients were divided into three groups; those with only AFix, only PFix, and combined Fix leads. Three outcomes were defined. Difficult extraction, complete radiological, and clinical success. Multivariate model was used to analyse the independent effect of Fix mechanism on these outcomes. The study included 2815 patients, 1456 (51.7%) with only AFix leads, 982 (34.9%) with only PFix leads, and 377 (13.4%) with combined Fix leads. Patients with AFix leads were younger with shorter lead dwelling time. Infection was the leading cause for TLE among the combined Fix group with lowest rates among AFix group. No difference in complications rates was noted between patients with only AFix vs. PFix leads. Overall, there were 1689 RA (1046 AFix and 643 PFix) and 2617 RV leads (1441 AFix and 1176 PFix). Multivariate model demonstrated that PFix is independently associated with more difficult extraction for both RA and RV leads, lower radiological success in the RA but has no effect on clinical success.Conclusion: Mechanism of Fix impact the ease of TLE of RA and RV leads and rates of complete radiological success in the RA but not clinical success. These findings should be considered during implantation and TLE procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To develop a suite of quality indicators (QIs) for the evaluation of the care and outcomes for adults undergoing cardiac pacing.Methods and Results: Under the auspice of the Clinical Practice Guideline Quality Indicator Committee of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the Working Group for cardiac pacing QIs was formed. The Group comprised Task Force members of the 2021 ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy, members of the European Heart Rhythm Association, international cardiac device experts, and patient representatives. We followed the ESC methodology for QI development, which involved (i) the identification of the key domains of care by constructing a conceptual framework of the management of patients receiving cardiac pacing, (ii) the development of candidate QIs by conducting a systematic review of the literature, (iii) the selection of the final set of QIs using a modified-Delphi method, and (iv) the evaluation of the feasibility of the developed QIs. Four domains of care were identified: (i) structural framework, (ii) patient assessment, (iii) pacing strategy, and (iv) clinical outcomes. In total, seven main and four secondary QIs were selected across these domains and were embedded within the 2021 ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization therapy.Conclusion: By way of a standardized process, 11 QIs for cardiac pacing were developed. These indicators may be used to quantify adherence to guideline-recommended clinical practice and have the potential to improve the care and outcomes of patients receiving cardiac pacemakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Data on predictors of time-to-first appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with Brugada Syndrome (BrS) and prophylactically implanted ICD's are scarce.Methods and Results: SABRUS (Survey on Arrhythmic Events in BRUgada Syndrome) is an international survey on 678 BrS patients who experienced arrhythmic event (AE) including 252 patients in whom AE occurred after prophylactic ICD implantation. Analysis was performed on time-to-first appropriate ICD discharge regarding patients' characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to identify which parameters predicted time to arrhythmia ≤5 years. The median time-to-first appropriate ICD therapy was 24.8 ± 2.8 months. A shorter time was observed in patients from Asian ethnicity (P < 0.05), those with syncope (P = 0.001), and those with Class IIa indication for ICD (P = 0.001). A longer time was associated with a positive family history of sudden cardiac death (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression revealed shorter time-to-ICD therapy in patients with syncope [odds ratio (OR) 1.65, P = 0.001]. In 193 patients (76.6%), therapy was delivered during the first 5 years. Factors associated with this time were syncope (OR 0.36, P = 0.001), spontaneous Type 1 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) (OR 0.5, P < 0.05), and Class IIa indication (OR 0.38, P < 0.01) as opposed to Class IIb (OR 2.41, P < 0.01). A near-significant trend for female gender was also noted (OR 0.13, P = 0.052). Two score models for prediction of <5 years to shock were built.Conclusion: First appropriate therapy in BrS patients with prophylactic ICD's occurred during the first 5 years in 76.6% of patients. Syncope and spontaneous Type 1 Brugada ECG correlated with a shorter time to ICD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Dual-coil leads were traditionally considered standard of care due to lower defibrillation thresholds (DFT). Higher complication rates during extraction with parallel progression in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) technology raised questions on dual coil necessity. Prior substudies found no significant outcome difference between dual and single coils, although using higher rates of DFT testing then currently practiced. We evaluated the temporal trends in implantation rates of single- vs. dual-coil leads and determined the associated adverse clinical outcomes, using a contemporary nation-wide ICD registry.Methods and Results: Between July 2010 and March 2015, 6343 consecutive ICD (n = 3998) or CRT-D (n = 2345) implantation patients were prospectively enrolled in the Israeli ICD Registry. A follow-up of at least 1 year of 2285 patients was available for outcome analysis. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Single-coil leads were implanted in 32% of our cohort, 36% among ICD recipients, and 26% among CRT-D recipients. Secondary prevention indication was associated with an increased rate of dual-coil implantation. A significant decline in dual-coil leads with reciprocal incline of single coils was observed, despite low rates of DFT testing (11.6%) during implantation, which also declined from 31 to 2%. In the multivariate Cox model analysis, dual- vs. single-coil lead implantation was not associated with an increased risk of mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.23; P= 0.33], heart failure hospitalization (HR = 1.34; P=0.13), appropriate (HR = 1.25; P= 0.33), or inappropriate ICD therapy (HR = 2.07; P= 0.12).Conclusion: Real-life rates of single-coil lead implantation are rising while adding no additional risk. These results of single-coil safety are reassuring and obtained, despite low and contemporary rates of DFT testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with a defibrillator (CRT-D) has downsides of high cost and inappropriate shocks compared to CRT without a defibrillator (CRT-P). Recent data suggest that the survival benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy is attenuated in the older age group. We hypothesized that, among octogenarians eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy, CRT-P confers similar morbidity and mortality benefits as CRT-D.Methods and Results: We compared morbidity and mortality outcomes between consecutive octogenarian patients eligible for CRT therapy who underwent CRT-P implantation at Barzilai MC (n = 142) vs. those implanted with CRT-D for primary prevention indication who were prospectively enrolled in the Israeli ICD Registry (n = 104). Among the 246 study patients, mean age was 84 ± 3 years, 74% were males, and 66% had ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that at 5 years of follow-up the rate of all-cause mortality was 43% in CRT-P vs. 57% in the CRT-D group [log-rank P = 0.13; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.79, 95% CI 0.46-1.35, P = 0.37]. Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed no significant difference in the rates of the combined endpoint of heart failure or death (46 vs. 60%, respectively, log-rank P = 0.36; adjusted HR was 0.85, 95% CI 0.51-1.44, P = 0.55). A Cox proportional hazard with competing risk model showed that re-hospitalizations for cardiac cause were not different for the two groups (adjusted HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.7-2.6, P = 0.37).Conclusion: Our data suggest that, in octogenarians with systolic heart failure, CRT-P therapy is associated with similar morbidity and mortality outcomes as CRT-D therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To evaluate the incidence, mechanism, and clinical implications of atrioventricular (AV) block during catheter radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI). Although RF ablation of atrial flutter is the most frequently performed ablation procedure, data on the incidence and significance of an AV block occurring during the procedure are scarce. Methods and results Consecutive patients (n = 845, 73.5% male) undergoing CTI ablation (913 procedures) between 1998 and 2010 were studied. Data on the occurrence of complete AV block (lasting ≥3 s) during the procedure were prospectively collected. Sixteen (1.9%) patients experienced AV block, 12 during delivery of RF pulses (Group 1) and 4 (Group 2) during manipulation of catheters in the cardiac chambers. The AV block was short lived (<1 min), located in the AV node, and associated with septal isthmus RF lines in 11 Group 1 patients. It was long-lasting and led to pacemaker implantation in one Group 1 patient. Atrioventricular blocks had an infranodal location in four Group 2 patients, all of whom had a pre-existing complete left bundle branch block (LBBB). One Group 2 patient had an AV block during his two ablation procedures. Permanent pacemakers were implanted in five (0.6%) patients (one from Group 1 and four from Group 2). Conclusions Atrioventricular blocks requiring pacemaker implantation following administration of RF pulses at the CTI are rare (0.12%). The occurrence rate of AV block related to the procedure and requiring pacemaker implantation is, however, not negligible (0.6%) and mostly affects patients with a pre-existing complete LBBB. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background The utility of defibrillation threshold testing in patients undergoing implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) implantation is controversial. Higher defibrillation thresholds have been noted in patients undergoing implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D). Since the risks and potential benefits of testing may be higher in this population, we sought to assess the impact of defibrillation safety margin or vulnerability safety margin testing in CRT-D recipients. Methods and results A total of 256 consecutive subjects who underwent CRT-D implantation between January 2003 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects were divided into two groups based on whether (n= 204) or not (n= 52) safety margin testing was performed. Patient characteristics, tachyarrhythmia therapies, procedural results, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Baseline characteristics, including heart failure (HF) severity, were comparable between the groups. Four cases of HF exacerbation (2%), including one leading to one death, were recorded in the tested group immediately post-implantation. No complications were observed in the untested group. After a mean follow-up of 32 ± 20 months, the proportion of appropriate shocks in the two groups was similar (31 vs. 25%, P = 0.49). There were three cases of failed appropriate shocks in the tested group, despite adequate safety margins at implantation, whereas no failed shocks were noted in the untested group. Survival was similar in the two groups. Conclusion Defibrillation efficacy testing during implant of CRT-D was associated with increased morbidity and did not predict the success of future device therapy or improve survival during long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We present a 34-year-old patient with recurrent episodes of drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation referred for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation at our institution. During isolation of the right superior PV, a dissociated escape rhythm was observed on a portion of the PV that was disconnected, while the rest of the PV showed clear left atrium to PV conduction. This report demonstrates the rare possibility of escape PV rhythm from only partially disconnected PV, highlighting that dissociated PV rhythm does not necessarily reflect complete PV isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the 2021 cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy guidelines issued by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Topics explored include the initial patient evaluation process which consists of medical history taking and electrocardiogram, the need to consider pacing for reflex syncope in middle-aged patients, and the pacing procedures following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and cardiac surgery.