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Sequential synchronized atrioventricular (AV) pacing provides enhanced electrophysiologic parameters which contribute to improved hemodynamic parameters and increased cardiac performance to subsequently confer a clinical advantage over traditional ventricular pacing. Current temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters are limited to only one electrode which paces solely the right ventricle, thus lacking the capability to provide the optimal pacing mode. A new multilead pacemaker device was developed in response to the need for improved temporary pacing through the utilization of sequential synchronized atrioventricular pacing (TAVSP). It consists of seven preformed, preshaped nitinol wires electrodes, of which four are for intra-atrial and three for intraventricular positioning and endocardial contact, respectively. Each wire carries a ball tip designed to minimize tissue trauma and provide a high current density for adequate myocardial capture. The device is not yet Food and Drug Administration approved.To present the unique structural components and mechanical properties of a novel sequential synchronized AV pacing device for temporary insertion and to report its first-in-human application with an analysis of the early clinical experience.Following a process of development and proof of concept of the novel pacing modality in an animal model which demonstrated feasibility and safety, a series of patients who were candidates for the device application was identified. During left and right heart catheterization, the novel temporary pacing catheter was inserted transvenously and delivered in most patients under fluoroscopy or echocardiography. The catheter was deployed to its target right heart anatomic sites and then activated in an AV sequential mode. The technical aspects, the corresponding clinical utilization, and device performance were documented and analyzed.The series included 10 enrolled subjects. During planned left and right heart catheterization, the novel TAVSP device was inserted transvenously and then delivered and deployed successfully in a timely fashion in all patients. The pacing catheter achieved proper threshold and impedance in all (100%) patients. The performance of all ventricular leads was adequate; however, in 1 (10%) patient poor performance of the atrial leads was detected. The device was successfully retrieved in all patients. No adverse arrhythmia, impaired hemodynamics, or clinical adverse events occurred. No technical difficulties, component failure, or wires thrombosis were detected. All patients sustained the device application without sequala and were discharged home.Initial clinical experience with the utilization of a novel TAVSP demonstrates feasibility and safety in humans. The TAVSP modality potentially offers improved pacing capability and subsequent hemodynamic benefits over the current temporary pacing catheters. Further experience with the clinical application of this pacing catheter is warranted.

Introduction Both transfemoral (TF) and transapical (TA) routes are utilized for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) using Edwards SAPIEN & SAPIEN XT valves. We intended to perform a meta-analysis comparing the complication rates between these two approaches in studies published before and after the standardized Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) definitions. Methods We performed a comprehensive electronic database search for studies published until January 2014 comparing TF and TA approaches using the Edwards SAPIEN/SAPIEN XT aortic valve. Studies were analyzed based on the following endpoints: 1-year mortality, 30-day mortality, stroke, new pacemaker implantation, bleeding, and acute kidney injury. Results Seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Patients undergoing TA TAVR had a significantly higher logistic EuroSCORE (24.6 ± 12.9 vs. 21.3 ± 12.0; P

Right ventricular pacing (RVP) may impair left ventricular function, but is often used for advanced atrioventricular block and normal or mildly reduced ejection fraction (EF). We aimed to compare His bundle pacing (HBP), biventricular pacing (BiVP) and RVP for advanced atrioventricular block without

Background— Atrial fibrillation ablation has made tremendous progress with respect to innovation, efficacy, and safety. However, limited data exist regarding the burden and trends in adverse outcomes arising from this procedure. The aim of our study was to examine the frequency of adverse events attributable to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and the influence of operator and hospital volume on outcomes. Methods and Results— With the use of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified AF patients treated with catheter ablation. We investigated common complications including cardiac perforation and tamponade, pneumothorax, stroke, transient ischemic attack, vascular access complications (hemorrhage/hematoma, vascular complications requiring surgical repair, and accidental arterial puncture), and in-hospital death described with AF ablation, and we defined these complications by using validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. An estimated 93 801 AF ablations were performed from 2000 to 2010. The overall frequency of complications was 6.29% with combined cardiac complications (2.54%) being the most frequent. Cardiac complications were followed by vascular complications (1.53%), respiratory complications (1.3%), and neurological complications (1.02%). The in-hospital mortality was 0.46%. Annual operator ( Conclusions— The overall complication rate was 6.29% in patients undergoing AF ablation. There was a significant association between operator and hospital volume and adverse outcomes. This suggests a need for future research into identifying the safety measures in AF ablations and instituting appropriate interventions to improve overall AF ablation outcomes.

Tricuspid valve (TV) perforation is a rare complication after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and permanent pacemaker implantation. In reported cases of lead-related TV perforations, patients' present with symptoms months to years postimplantation. We describe a case where a patient presented with signs of severe TV regurgitation secondary to traumatic perforation of the septal leaflet two weeks after ICD implantation and review of the literature associated with this complication.

Ablation techniques have been described for the management of symptomatic Brugada syndrome, but this treatment is still considered experimental. We performed a systematic review of the current evidence on substrate modification to manage patients with symptomatic Brugada syndrome. PubMed, Embase

Background: Sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) are important clinical end points to assess the outcomes of many cardiovascular conditions. Examination of seasonal variation of certain diseases has led to new insights into pathophysiologic triggers. We assessed the seasonal variations in SCD. Methods: The

Background: Syncope is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits and hospitalizations. We investigated the implications of such presentations from a large volume, nation-wide perspective, particularly to determine the trends in admissions, cost, and mortality. Methods: Data

Background: The outcomes related to chest pain associated with cocaine use and its burden on healthcare system are not well studied. Methods: Data were collected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2001 — 2012). Subjects were identified by using the ICD-9-CM codes. Primary outcome was a

Tricuspid valve (TV) perforation is a rare complication after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and permanent pacemaker implantation. In reported cases of lead-related TV perforations, patients' present with symptoms months to years postimplantation. We describe a case where a patient presented with signs of severe TV regurgitation secondary to traumatic perforation of the septal leaflet two weeks after ICD implantation and review of the literature associated with this complication.

This review discusses the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias. Recent studies addressing the management of nonsustained ventricular arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure and those recovering from myocardial infarction are discussed. Determination of the origin of wide QRS complex tachycardia is usually possible at the bedside and the diagnostic criteria are provided. Therapy to prevent recurrent ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation is difficult and controversial. A widely accepted approach based on electrophysiologic testing and implantable defibrillators appears to be the most effective. Recognition and management of common bradyarrhythmias including the indications for pacemakers are discussed.

Management of cardiac arrhythmias has undergone major changes in the last few years. In the first part of this review, general principles of arrhythmia diagnosis are discussed. New techniques such as event recording and signal-averaged electrocardiography have a significant role in the clinical management of arrhythmias. Many new antiarrhythmic drugs are now available. Suppression of premature ventricular contractions to prevent malignant ventricular arrhythmias has been demonstrated to be an ineffective strategy. Implantable defibrillators and radio frequency ablation have revolutionized the treatment of arrhythmias. Differentiation of various supraventricular tachycardias has become very important since some these arrhythmias may be cured by radiofrequency ablation. Diagnosis and treatment of common supraventricular arrhythmias are discussed.

The epidemiology of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) must be explored from multiple aspects, each of which contributes insights into the problem and no one of which exerts exclusive dominance for preventive or therapeutic strategies. These include: (1) population dynamics, using conventional epidemiologic approaches; (2) risk as a function of time from an index event; (3) conditioning risk factors, based on the presence of underlying disease states; (4) transient risk factors that are dynamic and trigger a potentially fatal event at a specific point in time; and (5) “response risk,” which refers to individual susceptibility (possibly determined genetically) to the adverse effects of longitudinal and/or dynamic risk factors. Major inroads into profiling individual or population risk of SCD will require better understanding of each of these epidemiologic-clinical-physiologic interactions. The disciplines range from epidemiology, through clinical medicine, to membrane channel physiology, genetic determinants, and molecular biology.

We aim to evaluate the health care associated cost of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in the United States. We used the US National Inpatient Sample (2003 to 2012) to identify patients with SCD. Total health care inflation adjusted cost was the primary outcome. Overall, an estimated 1,387,396 patients

Cirrhotic patients are considered a high risk group for coronary revascularization. We assessed in-hospital mortality in these patients with myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing coronary revascularization. We used the National Inpatient Sample from 2003-2012 to identify cirrhotic patients with MI