Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
-
The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) prospective snapshot survey is to assess peri-procedural practices, implantation techniques, and short-term procedure-related complications associated with implantation of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) or transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (TV-ICD), across tertiary European electrophysiology centres. An internet-based electronic questionnaire concerning implantation settings, peri-procedural routines, techniques, personnel, complications, and patient outcomes was sent to the centres routinely implanting both TV-ICDs and S-ICDs. The centres were requested to prospectively include consecutive patients implanted with either TV-ICD or S-ICD during the 8-week enrolment period. ⋯ This EHRA snapshot survey provides important insights into the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation routines and patient outcomes. Our study showed differences between the S-ICD and TV-ICD implantation routines with respect to implantation settings, peri-procedural management, and pre-defined procedural endpoints. However, the comparable duration of S-ICD or TV-ICD implantation and similar rates of peri-procedural complications indicate that both devices can be routinely used in clinical practice.
-
Long-term results from catheter ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) remain uncertain and clinical practice guidelines recommend continuation of long-term oral anticoagulation in patients with a high stroke risk. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with Watchman has emerged as an alternative to long-term anticoagulation for patients accepting of the procedural risks. We report on the initial results of combining catheter ablation procedures for AF and LAAC in a multicentre registry. ⋯ The outcomes from these international, multicentre registries support the feasibility and safety of performing combined procedures of ablation and Watchman LAAC for patients with non-valvular AF and high stroke risk. Further data are needed on long-term outcomes for the hybrid technique on all-cause stroke and mortality.
-
The Really ProMRI study evaluates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) access for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) as well as the performance of magnetic resonance (MR)-conditional leads when undergoing MRI. ⋯ In this study, we reported a 7.0/100 patient-year's event rate of MR prescriptions in CIED patients. Many examinations were denied, despite MR-conditional systems, especially in ICD patients. Regulatory and cultural changes are needed to allow wider access to MR imaging in CIED patients with MR-conditional systems.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Contemporary stroke prevention strategies in 11 096 European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Long-Term General Registry.
Contemporary data regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) management and current use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention are needed. ⋯ The EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry provides a full picture of contemporary use of OAC in European AF patients. The overall rate of OACs use was generally high (84.9%), and a series of factors were associated with the prescription of OAC. A significant geographical heterogeneity in prescription of NOACs vs. VKAs was evident.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy among patients with non-ischaemic vs. ischaemic cardiomyopathy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.
The magnitude of benefit related to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) and ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) has not been evaluated extensively in clinical practice. ⋯ NCT 01992458.