Impact of initiation of SGLT2 inhibitor treatment on the development of arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardiac devices.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been associated with improved prognosis in patients with heart failure, but their impact on atrial arrhythmic (AA) and ventricular arrhythmic (VA) events is not fully understood. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators who initiated treatment with SGLT2i. AA and VA events were compared in 2 time periods for each patient: 1 year before and 1 year after starting SGLT2i. RESULTS: The study included 195 patients (66.8 [61.3-73.1] years, 18.5% women). In the post-SGLT2i period, there was a reduction in the percentage of patients with any VA (pre: 52.3% vs post: 30.3%; P<.001) and clinically relevant VA (excluding nonsustained ventricular tachycardia) (pre: 21.5% vs post: 8.7%; P<.001). There was also a decrease in the number of episodes per patient/y of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (pre: 2 (1-5) vs post: 1 (0-2); P<.001) and sustained ventricular tachycardia (pre: 1 (1-3) vs post: 0 (0-2); P=0.046). However, no differences were observed in the prevalence of AA (24.7% vs 18.8%; P=.117) or the burden of atrial fibrillation (pre: 0% (0-0.1) vs post: 0% (0-0); P=.097). CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of SGLT2i treatment was associated with a decrease in the percentage of patients with relevant VA but this effect was not observed for AA.

Predictors of adoption and impact of evidence-based programming on the incidence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The ADVANCE III trial showed that a delayed-detection strategy reduces implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies. Here, we describe the adherence to and predictors of ADVANCE adoption and compare ICD therapy rates between patients with and without ADVANCE programming. METHODS: This observational retrospective study analyzed patients implanted with Medtronic ICDs included from 2005 to 2016 in a Spanish national multicenter registry (UMBRELLA database; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01561144). Changes in ADVANCE programming adoption were described in relation to a) publication of the ADVANCE trial, b) implementation of an "ADVANCE awareness" campaign, and c) publication of an expert consensus statement. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of adoption. Therapy incidence rates were compared between groups by estimating the adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) using negative binomial regression. RESULTS: A total of 3528 patients were included. An ADVANCE strategy was used in 20% overall and in 44% at the end of the study. ADVANCE III adoption increased after trial publication, with less growth after an "ADVANCE awareness" campaign and after expert consensus statement publication. Predictors of ADVANCE adoption were as follows: ICD device with a nominal number of intervals to detect 30/40 (aOR, 4.4; 95%CI, 3.5-5.4), implantation by an electrophysiologist (aOR, 1.7; 95%CI, 1.4-2.2), and secondary prevention (aOR, 3.2; 95%CI, 2.6-3.9). Dual-chamber ICDs (aOR, 0.6; 95%CI, 0.5-0.8) and cardiac resynchronization-defibrillators (aOR, 0.5; 95%CI, 0.4-0.7) were associated with lower adoption. ADVANCE programming was associated with reduced total therapy burden (aIRR, 0.77; 95%CI, 0.69-0.86) and fewer inappropriate shocks (aIRR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.52-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: ADVANCE adoption remains modest and can be improved through evidence-driven selection of nominal ICD settings. ADVANCE programming is associated with reduced therapy rates in real-world ICD recipients.

Spanish Pacemaker Registry. 14th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2016).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This report describes the results of analysis of implanted pacemakers reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry. METHODS: The analysis was based on information provided by the European Pacemaker Identification Card. RESULTS: Information was received from 115 hospitals, with a total of 12 697 cards, representing 32.3% of the estimated activity. Use of conventional and resynchronization pacemakers was 818 and 79 units per million inhabitants, respectively. A total of 200 leadless pacemakers were implanted. The mean age of the patients receiving an implant was 77.8 years, and 52% of devices were implanted in persons older than 80 years. In all, 74.9% were first implants and 23.4% corresponded to generator exchange. Endocardial leads were bipolar, 82.9% with active fixation, and 16.1% had magnetic resonance imaging protection. Most patients received bicameral sequential pacing, although single chamber pacing VVI(R) was used in 26.7% of the patients with sick sinus syndrome and in 23.8% of those with atrioventricular block, despite sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: Total use of pacemaker generators in Spain has increased by 1.6% compared with 2015. Most implanted leads have active fixation and less than 20% have magnetic resonance imaging protection. Age and sex directly influenced pacing mode selection, which could be improved in around 32% of patients.

Spanish Pacemaker Registry. Thirteenth Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2015).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We describe the results of the analysis of the devices implanted and conveyed to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2015. METHODS: The report is based on the processing of information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card. RESULTS: We received information from 111 hospitals, with a total of 12 555 cards, representing 32.1% of all the estimated activity. The use of conventional generators and resynchronization devices was 820 and 73 units per million population, respectively. The mean age of the patients receiving an implantation was 77.7 years, and more than 50% of the devices were implanted in patients over 80 years of age. Overall, 58.6% of the implants and 58.8% of the replacements were performed in men. All of the endocardial leads employed were bipolar, 81.5% had an active fixation system, and 16.5% were compatible with magnetic resonance. Although dual chamber sequential pacing continues to be more widespread, pacing with VVI/R mode is used because up to 23.8% of the patients with sinus node disease are in sinus rhythm, as are 24.1% of those with atrioventricular block. CONCLUSIONS: The total use of pacemaker generators in Spain has increased by about 5% with respect to 2014. The majority of the leads implanted are of active fixation, and less than 20% are protected from magnetic resonance. The factors directly related to the selection of pacing mode are age and sex. In around 20% of patients, the choice of the pacing mode could be improved.

Spanish pacemaker registry. 10th official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2012).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the pacemaker implantations and replacements reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2012 with special reference to the selection of pacing modes. METHOD: The analysis was based on information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card. RESULTS: Data were received from 115 hospitals, with a total of 12 856 cards. An estimated 745.8 pacemaker generators and 53.1 resynchronization devices were implanted per million population. Active fixation leads were implanted in more than 70% of the patients; of these leads, more than 20% were safe for use with magnetic resonance. The most common electrocardiographic indication for pacemaker implantation was atrioventricular block (56%). In all, 28% of the patients with sick sinus syndrome were paced in VVIR mode. CONCLUSIONS: The use of conventional pacemakers remained stable, whereas the implantation of resynchronization devices increased. Active fixation leads are now employed in most patients. The findings of this study confirm the higher incidence of implantation in men and at an earlier age due to the higher rate of conduction disorders. Age is a factor that influences the choice of the appropriate pacing mode.

Spanish Pacemaker Registry. Ninth official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2011).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the results of the analysis of pacemaker implantations reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2011, with particular reference to the population distribution and the selection of pacing modes. METHODS: Information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card was processed using a purpose-built computer application. RESULTS: Data from 115 hospitals were analyzed, totaling 13,373 cards, representing an estimated 38% of implantations. The number of pacemaker generators and resynchronization devices implanted was 738 and 56.2 units per million population, respectively. The mean age of the patients who received a device was 76.7 years. Overall, 57.2% of first implantations and 56.5% of replacements were performed in men. Most implantations (38.7%) and generator replacements (41.9%) were performed in patients aged between 80 and 89 years. Of the pacemaker leads used, 99.7% were bipolar and 63% used an active fixation system. Overall, 20% of the patients with atrioventricular block or sick sinus syndrome were paced in VVI/R mode despite being in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to previous years, the use of conventional pacemakers remained stable and the implantation of resynchronization devices has increased. The number of implantation procedures continues to be higher in men and in younger patients. Age and the degree of blockage remain as factors influencing the appropriate choice of pacing mode.

[Advances in cardiac pacing]. / Novedades en estimulación cardiaca.

This article contains a review of the current status of remote monitoring and follow-up involving cardiac pacing devices and of the latest developments in cardiac resynchronization therapy. In addition, the most important articles published in the last year are discussed.

[Spanish pacemaker registry. Eighth official report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Pacing (2010)]. / Registro Español de Marcapasos. VIII Informe Oficial de la Sección de Estimulación Cardiaca de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2010).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to describe the analysis of the pacemaker implants and replacements reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2010, with special reference to the selection of pacing modes. METHODS: Data collection was based on the information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card, which was processed using a specially designed computer application. RESULTS: Information was received from 101 hospitals, covering a total of 11 648 cards. An estimated 738 pacemaker generators per million population were placed in 2010. The number of pacemaker implantations is higher and the mean age of the recipients lower among men. Overall, 95.5% of the pacemaker leads used were bipolar, 56% employed an active fixation system, and 60% were placed in atrium. The most common electrocardiographic indication was atrioventricular block, followed by sick sinus syndrome. Twenty-four percent of the patients with atrioventricular block and 25.6% of those with sick sinus syndrome are being paced in VVI/R mode (12% of the patients in each group are aged 80 years or under). Cardiac resynchronization device implantation has reached the level of 47 units per million population, 25.7% of which are not associated with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. CONCLUSIONS: The upward trend in the use of pacemaker generators continues. The pacemaker leads used are predominantly bipolar, and the majority are active fixation leads. Age remains a factor in the choice of the appropriate pacing mode for the different types of heart disease. This choice could be improved in more than 20% of the cases of pacemaker implantation.

[Progress in cardiac pacing]. / Avances en estimulación cardiaca.

This article contains a discussion of the most recent developments in cardiac resynchronization therapy, of the feasibility of performing magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac pacemakers, and of the current and future status of leadless pacing. Finally, the most significant scientific articles published in the last year are reviewed.