Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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Multicenter Study
German ablation registry: Cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation--One-year outcome data.
Although radiofrequency (RF) ablation has long been the standard of care for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, cryoballoon technology has emerged as a feasible approach with promising results. Prospective multicenter registry data referring to both ablation technologies in AF ablation are lacking so far. ⋯ AF recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up was similar in RF ablation compared to cryoablation, whereas the spectrum and relevance of complications were significantly different between the two ablation methods. This finding might influence the choice of ablation method offered to the individual paroxysmal AF patient.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Brain natriuretic peptide and the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in mildly symptomatic heart failure patients enrolled in MADIT-CRT.
There are limited data about the correlation between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and arrhythmic risk assessment in patients who receive device therapy for the treatment of heart failure (HF) or for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. ⋯ In MADIT-CRT, elevated baseline and follow-up BNP levels were independent predictors of increased risk for subsequent ventricular tachyarrhythmias, whereas BNP reductions following CRT-D implantation identified patients with a lower incidence of VT/VF during follow-up.
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Primary treatment of long QT syndrome (LQTS) currently consists of beta-blocker therapy, although an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is considered for high-risk patients. However, both overdiagnosis and overtreatment must be avoided because their sequelae can be significant. ⋯ Implications of overdiagnosis and overtreatment are profound because unnecessary ICD placement can be associated with infection, malfunction, inappropriate shocks, and subsequent anxiety.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Clinical safety of the ProMRI pacemaker system in patients subjected to thoracic spine and cardiac 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging scanning conditions.
Permanent cardiac pacemakers have historically been considered a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ The results of the ProMRI Phase B study demonstrate the clinical safety and efficacy of the ProMRI pacemaker system in patients subjected to thoracic spine and cardiac MRI conditions.
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The QT interval measures cardiac repolarization, and prolongation is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and death. The exponential Bazett correction formula overestimates the QT interval during tachycardia. ⋯ Although all correction formulas demonstrated an association between QTc values and cardiovascular events, only the Hodges formula identified one-third of individuals with tachycardia that are at higher risk of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, the Bazett correction formula overestimates the number of patients with a prolonged QT interval and was not associated with mortality. Future work may validate these findings and result in changes to automated algorithms for QT interval assessment.