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The article focuses on investigating a case of symptomatic loss of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in a patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, despite initially favorable response. Topics include the mechanisms underlying CRT failure, potential adjustments to device programming to enhance heart failure management, and considerations for optimizing CRT efficacy to prevent recurrent decompensation episodes.

The article present a case study of 73-year-old woman with syncope due to 2/1 atrioventricular (AV) block, QT prolongation, and paroxysmal polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. It discusses that patient had a dual-chamber pacemaker with an Auto-PVARP algorithm, which failed to adapt to a rapid increase in sinus rhythm, leading to functional undersensing and 2/1 AV block; and also mentions about reprogramming the pacemaker or considering an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is well established as a primary treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). The POLAR ICE study was designed to collect prospective real world data on the safety and effectiveness of the POLARxTM cryoballoon for PVI to treat paroxysmal AF. Methods: POLAR ICE, a prospective, non‐randomized, multicenter (international) registry (NCT04250714), enrolled 399 patients across 19 European centers. Procedural characteristics, such as time to isolation, cryoablations per pulmonary vein (PV), balloon nadir temperature, and occlusion grade were recorded. PVI was confirmed with entrance block testing. Results: Data on 372 de novo PVI procedures (n = 2190 ablations) were collected. Complete PVI was achieved in 96.8% of PVs. Procedure and fluoroscopy times were 68.2 ± 24.6 and 15.6 ± 9.6 min, respectively. Left atrial dwell time was 46.6 ± 18.3 min. Grade 3 or 4 occlusion was achieved in 98.2% of PVs reported and 71.2% of PVs isolation required only a single cryoablation. Of 2190 cryoapplications, 83% had a duration of at least 120 s; nadir temperature of these ablations averaged −56.3 ± 6.5°C. There were 6 phrenic nerve palsy events, 2 of which resolved within 3 months of the procedure. Conclusion: This real‐world usage data on a novel cryoballoon suggests this device is effective, safe, and relatively fast in centers with cryoballoon experience. These data are comparable to prior POLARx reports and in keeping with reported data on other cryoballoons. Future studies should examine the long‐term outcomes and the relationship between biophysical parameters and outcomes for this novel cryoballoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 48-year-old man who had a familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who was referred for a first episode of persistent palpitations. Post-termination 12-lead electrocardiogram showed a sinus rhythm having first-degree atrioventricular block and left anterior fascicular blocks. A decision has been made to implant a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator based on arrhythmic event.

The IntellaMap OrionTM (Boston Scientific) is a 64‐electrode basket catheter allowing for ultrahigh‐density mapping of complex cardiac arrhythmias. We report the case of a basket catheter vascular entrapment, requiring surgical removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a reversible cardiomyopathy frequently precipitated by a sudden emotional or physical stress. The exact physiopathology is still debated and may involve catecholamine-induced myocardial stunning. Alcohol withdrawal is associated with an hyperadrenergic state and may be a period at risk of cardiac events. We report a 56-year-old man with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by alcohol withdrawal.[Alexandre J, Benouda L, Champ-Rigot L, Labombarda F. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by alcohol withdrawal. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:434-437] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]