Subcutaneous air entrapment after subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation evaluated by computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate shock (IAS) caused by subcutaneous air entrapment (AE) in an early period after subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation has been reported, however, no detailed data on air volume are available. We evaluated the subcutaneous air volume after implantation and its absorption rate one week after implantation. METHODS: Patients who underwent S-ICD implantation in our hospital received chest CT scans immediately after implantation and followed up 1 week later. The total subcutaneous air volume, air around the generator, the distal electrode, and the proximal electrode within 3 cm were calculated using a three-dimensional workstation. Fat areas at the level of the lower edge of the generator were also analyzed. RESULT: Fifteen patients received CT immediately after implantation. The mean age was 45.6 ± 17.9 (66.7% of men), and the mean body mass index was 24.3 ± 3.3. The three-incision technique was applied in seven patients and two-incision technique was in the latter eight patients. The mean total subcutaneous air volume was 18.54 ± 7.50 mL. Air volume around the generator, the distal electrode, and the proximal electrode were 11.05 ± 5.12, 0.72 ± 0.72, and 0.88 ± 0.87 mL, respectively. Twelve patients received a follow-up CT 1 week later. The mean total subcutaneous air was 0.25 ± 0.45 mL, showing a 98.7% absorption rate. CONCLUSION: Although subcutaneous air was observed in all patients after S-ICD implantation, most of the air was absorbed within 1 week, suggesting a low occurrence of AE-related IAS after a week postoperation.

A Simple Risk Score to Differentiate Between Coronary Artery Obstruction and Coronary Artery Spasm of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Without Persistent ST-Segment Elevation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to create a risk scoring model to differentiate obstructive coronary artery (CA) from CA spasm in the etioology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods and Results: We included 753 consecutive patients with ACS without persistent ST-segment elevation (p-STE). The exclusion criteria were: (1) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; (2) cardiogenic shock; (3) hemodialysis; (4) atrial fibrillation/flutter; (5) severe valvular disease; (6) no coronary angiography; (7) non-obstructive coronary artery without "definite" vasospastic angina definition; and/or (8) missing data. From the multivariate logistic regression analysis for prediction of obstructive CA, an integer score of 2 to each 0.5 increment in odds ratio was given, and values were divided into quartiles according to the total score. The scores were as follows: age >70 years (6 points), non-STE myocardial infarction (9 points), diabetes mellitus (5 points), B-type natriuretic peptide >90 pg/mL (7 points), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >2 (5 points), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <50 mg/dL (5 points). CA spasm-induced ACS occurred in 50.0% in Quartile 1 (total score: 0-13), 20.5% in Quartile 2 (total score: 14-19), 4.9% in Quartile 3 (total score: 20-26), and 2.2% in Quartile 4 (total score: 27-37) (P<0.001), indicating that a total score of <20 was a potential clinical indicator of CA spasm-induced ACS. CONCLUSIONS: CA spasm-induced ACS should be suspected if a total score of <20, and a spasm provocation test was being considered.

Admission free-fatty acid level is a predictor of the mid-term worsening renal function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Whether free fatty acids (FFAs), which are generators of reactive oxygen species and substrates of cytotoxic lipid peroxidation products in proximal tubules of the kidney, can be a predictor of worsening renal function (WRF) is not fully elucidated. A total of 110 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 24 h after symptom onset were included. The exclusion criteria were out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, vasospastic angina, hemodialysis, and/or lack of data. FFAs and serum cystatin C were measured on admission, and urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) was measured 3 h after admission. WRF, defined as an increase in serum creatinine by ≥ 0.3 mg/dL for 2-year follow-up, was observed in 16 patients (15%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis (a stepwise algorithm) revealed that the FFA level was an independent predictor of WRF (P = 0.024). The FFA level was associated with WRF adjusted after serum cystatin C (odds ratio [OR]: 1.378 per 1 mEq/L, P = 0.017), L-FABP (OR: 1.370 per 1 mEq/L, P = 0.016), or the Mehran contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) risk score (OR: 1.362 per 1 mEq/L, P = 0.021). The FFA level was inversely associated with the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate level for 2 years (R2 = 0.051, P = 0.018). The FFA level on admission was associated with the mid-term WRF in patients with STEMI.

Thickness Measurement at High Lift-Off for Underwater Corroded Iron-Steel Structures Using a Magnetic Sensor Probe.

Infrastructure facilities that were built approximately half a century ago have rapidly aged. Steel sheet piles, the inspection object in this study, are severely corroded, resulting in cave-in damages at wharfs. To solve such a problem, non-destructive inspection techniques are required. We previously demonstrated plate thickness measurement using extremely low-frequency eddy current testing. However, when the steel sheet piles are located in water, shellfish adhere to their surface, causing a lift-off of several tens of millimeters. Therefore, this large lift-off hinders the thickness measurement owing to fluctuations of magnetic signals. In this study, sensor probes with different coil diameters were prototyped and the optimum size for measuring steel sheet piles at high lift-off was investigated. Using the probes, the magnetic field was applied with a lift-off range from 0 to 80 mm, and the intensity and phase of the detected magnetic field were analyzed. Subsequently, by increasing the probe diameter, a good sensitivity was obtained for the thickness estimation with a lift-off of up to 60 mm. Moreover, these probes were used to measure the thickness of actual steel sheet piles, and measurements were successfully obtained at a high lift-off.

Skeletal muscle mass is associated with glycemic variability in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Skeletal muscle function has been studied to determine its effect on glucose metabolism; however, its effect on glycemic variability (GV), which is a significant glycemic marker in patients with coronary artery disease, is unknown. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the association between skeletal muscle mass and GV. Two hundred and eight consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent continuous glucose monitoring to evaluate mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) as GV and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to evaluate skeletal muscle mass were enrolled. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) level was calculated as skeletal muscle mass divided by height squared (kg/m2). SMI level in men had a weak inverse correlation with Log MAGE level by the linear regression model in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (R2 = 0.139, P = 0.004) and even in non-DM patients (R2 = 0.068, P = 0.004). Multivariate linear regression analysis with a stepwise algorithm (age, male sex, body mass index [BMI], hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, and SMI; R2 = 0.203, P < 0.001) demonstrated that HbA1c level (B = 0.077, P < 0.001) and SMI level (B = - 0.062, P < 0.001) were both independently associated with Log MAGE level. This association was also confirmed in limited non-DM patients with a subgroup analysis. SMI level was associated with Log MAGE level (B = - 0.055, P = 0.001) independent of BMI or HbA1c level. SMI level was inversely associated with MAGE level independent of glucose metabolism in STEMI patients, suggesting the significance of skeletal muscle mass as blood glucose storage for glucose homeostasis to reduce GV.

Clinical impact of admission urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine level for predicting cardiovascular mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), which is a marker of oxidative stress, can predict future cardiovascular death in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 551 consecutive patients with ACS who underwent admission urinary 8-OHdG measurements were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the optimal cutoff value of admission urinary 8-OHdG determined by a receiver-operating characteristics curve for the prediction of cardiovascular death: a high admission urinary 8-OHdG group, 169 patients with admission urinary 8-OHdG ≥ 17.92 ng/mg creatinine; and a low admission urinary 8-OHdG group, 382 patients with admission urinary 8-OHdG < 17.92 ng/mg creatinine. The patients were followed up for a median period of 34 months. The primary and secondary end points were the incidence of cardiovascular death and major cardiovascular events (MACE) composed of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or urgent hospitalization for heart failure. Of the 551 patients, cardiovascular deaths and MACE occurred in 14 (2.5%) and 35 (6.4%), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the event-free rate revealed cardiovascular deaths and MACE were more likely in the high admission 8-OHdG group than in the low admission 8-OHdG group (log rank, both P < 0.001). Multiple adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that high admission urinary 8-OHdG was an independent predictor of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR] 7.642, P = 0.011) and MACE (HR 2.153, P = 0.049). High admission urinary 8-OHdG levels predict cardiovascular mortality after adjustment in patients with ACS.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Vasospastic Angina Diagnosed by a Provocation Test with Secondary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and prognosis of patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) diagnosed by a provocation test with a secondary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), compared with patients with organic coronary stenosis. We retrospectively evaluated 309 consecutive patients who received an ICD implantation between January 2010 and March 2018 in our institutions. Of these patients, 206 were implanted with an ICD for secondary prevention. In these 206 patients, 40 with VSA and 72 with organic coronary stenosis were evaluated. Patients with VSA were characterized by younger age (56.1 ± 13.1 versus 69.2 ± 9.5 years, respectively), and a lower prevalence of diabetes (15.0% versus 40.3%, respectively) and heart failure (2.5% versus 26.4%, respectively) than patients with organic coronary stenosis (P < 0.001). Using the Kaplan-Meier analysis, with the VSA group as the reference, the incidence of appropriate ICD shock was similar between the two groups (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.341-2.109; P = 0.722). The incidence of ventricular fibrillation was significantly higher in the VSA group (hazard ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.057-0.814; P = 0.024), whereas the incidence of major adverse cardiac events, including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina pectoris, and heart failure, was significantly higher in the organic coronary stenosis group (hazard ratio, 13.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.756-98.17; P = 0.012). In conclusion, patients with VSA with an ICD implanted for secondary prevention have a higher risk of ventricular fibrillation and lower risk of major adverse cardiac events than patients with organic coronary stenosis.

Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism in Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and bleeding complications of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) in routine clinical practice remain unclear. Moreover, data on long-term outcomes in patients with cancer-associated VTE who received DOAC therapy are limited.Methods and Results:This retrospective study enrolled 1,096 consecutive patients with acute VTE who received warfarin or DOAC therapy between April 2014 and May 2017. The mean follow-up period was 665±490 days. The number of cancer-associated VTE patients who received DOAC therapy was 334. Patients who could not be followed up and those prescribed off-label under-dose DOAC were excluded. Finally, 303 patients with cancer-associated VTE were evaluated. The number of cases of major bleeding and VTE recurrence was 54 (17.8%) and 26 (8.6%), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the factors correlated with major bleeding were high cancer stage, high performance status, liver dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and stomach cancer; those correlated with recurrent VTE were initial diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, uterine cancer, and previous cerebral infarction. Major bleeding was an independent risk factor of all-cause death. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, those who received prolonged DOAC therapy had lower composite major bleeding and recurrent VTE risks than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: In DOAC therapy for cancer-associated VTE, major bleeding prevention is important because it is an independent risk factor of death.

Evaluation of an Integrated Device Diagnostics Algorithm to Risk Stratify Heart Failure Patients　- Results From the SCAN-HF Study.

BACKGROUND: Integrated device diagnostics, Triage-HF, is useful in risk stratifying patients with heart failure (HF), but its performance for Japanese patients remains unknown. This is a prospective study of Japanese patients treated with a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), with a Medtronic OptiVol 2.0 feature.Methods and Results:A total of 320 CRT-D patients were enrolled from 2013 to 2017. All received HF treatment in the prior 12 months. Following enrollment, they were followed every 6 months for 48 months (mean, 22 months). Triage-HF-stratified patients at low, medium and high risk statuses at every 30-day period, and HF-related hospitalization occurring for the subsequent 30 days, were evaluated and repeated. The primary endpoint was to assess Triage-HF performance in predicting HF-related hospitalization risk. All device data were available for 279 of 320 patients (NYHA class II or III in 93%; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 31%). During a total of 5,977 patient-month follow-ups, 89 HF-related hospitalization occurred in 72 patients. The unadjusted event numbers for Low, Medium and High statuses were 19 (0.7%), 42 (1.6%) and 28 (4.1%), respectively. Relative risk of Medium to Low status was 2.18 (95% CI 1.23-3.85) and 5.78 (95% CI 3.34-10.01) for High to Low status. Common contributing factors among the diagnostics included low activity, OptiVol threshold crossing, and elevated night heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Triage-HF effectively stratified Japanese patients at risk of HF-related hospitalization.

Randomized controlled trial of landiolol, a short-acting beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker, illustrating changes in high-molecular weight adiponectin levels after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Adiponectin (APN) has cardioprotective properties and bisoprolol has been reported to increase myocardial APN expression and reduce myocardial damage. Administration of landiolol, which has a higher cardio-selectivity and shorter half-life than bisoprolol, during the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may increase serum APN and high-molecular weight (HMW)-APN, an active form of APN, in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). We recruited 70 patients with SAP and randomized them to intravenous landiolol during PCI (N = 35) or control group (N = 35). The primary endpoint was serum APN and HMW-APN level 3 days after PCI. There was no difference in the primary endpoint between the landiolol and control groups (8.93 ± 5.24 vs. 10.18 ± 5.81 µg/mL, p = 0.35 and 3.36 ± 2.75 vs. 4.28 ± 3.13 µg/mL, p = 0.20) for APN and HMW-APN levels, respectively. APN and HMW-APN level were significantly decreased 1 day after PCI [-0.55 ± 0.92 µg/mL (9.87-9.32 µg/mL), p < 0.001 and -0.20 ± 0.45 µg/mL (3.89-3.69 µg/mL), p < 0.001, respectively]. Additionally, the absolute change in HMW-APN was significantly smaller in the landiolol group compared to the control group (-0.08 ± 0.27 vs. -0.31 ± 0.55 µg/mL, p = 0.031). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that use of landiolol was an independent predictor of change in HMW-APN (ß = 0.276, p = 0.014). Serum APN and HMW-APN level 3 days after PCI were similar between patients treated with and without landiolol. APN and HMW-APN decreased 1 day after PCI in the SAP and landiolol mitigated decrease in HMW-APN.

Significance of Ventricular Arrhythmia Based on Stored Electrogram Analysis in a Pacemaker Population.

The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with an implanted pacemaker is not yet known. The aim of this study was to analyze non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) episodes based on stored electrograms (EGM) and determine the occurrence rate and risk factors for NSVT in a pacemaker population.This study included 302 consecutive patients with a dual-chamber pacemaker. A total of 1024 EGMs stored in pacemakers as ventricular high-rate episodes were analyzed. The definition of NSVT was ≥ 5 consecutive ventricular beats at ≥ 150 bpm lasting < 30 seconds.In baseline, most patients (94.8%) had ≥ 60% left ventricular ejection fraction. Of 1024 EGMs, 420 (41.0%) showed appropriate NSVT episodes, as well as premature atrial contractions, atrial tachyarrhythmia, or atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response, whereas other EGMs did not show an actual ventricular arrhythmia. On EGM analysis, during a mean follow-up period of 46.1 months, NSVT occurred one or more times in 82 patients (33.1%). On multivariate analysis, ≥ 50% right ventricular pacing was an independent risk factor for NSVT (odds ratios, 4.519; P < 0.001), but NSVT was not associated with increased all-cause mortality.Moreover, in the pacemaker population, ≥ 50% right ventricular pacing is an independent risk factor for NSVT; however, NSVT was not associated with increased all-cause mortality because of the preserved left ventricular function.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory effects of rivaroxaban vs. dabigatran in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (RIVAL-AF study): multicenter randomized study.

Some experimental studies have shown that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have anti-inflammatory effects. However, the interval changes in inflammatory markers in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who receive DOACs remain unknown. Between July 2013 and April 2014, a total of 187 AF patients randomly assigned to receive rivaroxaban (n = 91) or dabigatran (n = 96) were assessed for eligibility. The levels of the following inflammatory markers were serially evaluated: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, pentraxin-3, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, growth and differentiation factor-15, and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM). The aim in this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of rivaroxaban and dabigatran in patients with AF, in addition to the impact of markers on bleeding events. Finally, 117 patients (rivaroxaban: n = 55, dabigatran: n = 62) were included in the analysis at 12 months. Although the interval changes in sTM levels tended to be greater in the dabigatran group [0.3 (0-0.7) vs. 0.5 (0-1.0) FU/ml, p = 0.061], there were no significant differences in the interval changes in any inflammatory marker between 2 groups. There were no significant differences in bleeding events between 2 groups. The interval changes in sTM levels were significantly greater in patients with bleeding compared with those without [0.8 (0.5-1.3) vs. 0.4 (- 0.1-0.8) FU/ml, p = 0.017]. There were no significant differences in the interval changes in any inflammatory marker between rivaroxaban and dabigatran treatments in patients with AF. The increased levels of sTM after DOACs treatment might be related to bleeding events.

New non-invasive indexes of arterial stiffness are significantly correlated with severity and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness gradually develop before the manifestation of catastrophic cardiovascular events. Therefore, detection and assessment of vascular function are required to address pre-existing pathological conditions. However, the currently available diagnostic devices and methods are insufficient due to variability among investigators and the time-consuming nature of manual procedures. METHODS: Recently, novel devices were developed for the detection of both arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in a single blood pressure measurement using a cuff-oscillometric technique (AVE-1500, Shisei Datum, Japan). API (arterial pressure volume index) is defined as the reciprocal of the slope of the tangent of the brachial artery pressure-volume curve, and AVI (arterial velocity pulse index) is defined as the ratio of the difference between the ejection and reflection waves. In the present study, we performed retrospective, cross-sectional analyses of subjects (n = 102; mean age = 70.5 ± 10.4 years) with detailed coronary angiographic examinations and clinical background parameters. RESULTS: After adjusting for various variables using multiple linear regression analyses, we found that API, but not AVI, was significantly correlated with coronary artery severity and complexity scores. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that API may be a new vascular index useful for monitoring and assessing the severity and complexity of atherosclerosis in subjects with coronary artery disease and for evaluating atherosclerotic diseases.

An Inappropriate Shock Case Early after Implantation of a Subcutaneous Cardiac Defibrillator by Subcutaneous Entrapped Air.

A 17-year-old woman was resuscitated from cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and was diagnosed with concealed long QT syndrome. She underwent subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation at our hospital. The device electrogram immediately after implantation was normal. Four days after implantation, she received an inappropriate shock. The device interrogation revealed a continuous baseline shift and frequent oversensing for low amplitude signals, followed by a shock. A chest radiograph in the orthogonal view showed entrapped subcutaneous air surrounding the distal electrode. Entrapped subcutaneous air can cause inappropriate shocks in the early period after S-ICD implantation.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Pacemaker-Identified New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Japanese People.

BACKGROUND: The characteristics and prognosis of implanted pacemaker-identified new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in Japanese people has not been well evaluated.Methods and Results:A total of 395 consecutive patients with newly implanted pacemakers were retrospectively analyzed between January 2010 and December 2015 at Yokohama City University Hospital. Patients with a prior history of AF, VVI mode pacemaker, congenital heart disease, severe valvular heart disease, and cardiovascular surgery before pacemaker implantation were excluded. Among the remaining patients, 44 (21.3%) developed new AF during follow-up (mean follow-up, 1,115±651 days; range, 9-2,176 days). Patients with new-onset AF had a significantly higher CHADS2score (2.09±1.27 vs. 1.31±1.08, P<0.001) and CHA2DS2-VASc score (3.00±1.39 vs. 2.26±1.19, P<0.001) compared with those without new-onset AF. On Cox regression analysis only age at implantation was significantly correlated with new-onset AF. Interestingly, the incidence of hospitalization due to heart failure was significantly higher in the new-onset AF than in the without new-onset AF group. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 21.3% of pacemaker-implanted patients with high CHADS2and CHA2DS2-VASc scores developed new-onset AF during a mean follow-up of 3.1 years; and pacemaker-identified AF was associated with an increased risk of worsening heart failure.

Performance of Leadless Pacemaker in Japanese Patients vs. Rest of the World　- Results From a Global Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: A global study designed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a transcatheter pacing system included 38 Japanese patients enrolled at 4 sites. Subgroup analysis to evaluate the performance of the leadless intracardiac transcatheter pacing system in Japanese patients was performed.Methods and Results:Safety and efficacy outcomes, patient and implant procedure characteristics, and patient and physician acceptability from the Japanese population were compared with those from outside Japan. Differences in patient characteristics, implant procedure characteristics and patient acceptability were observed. There were no major complications in Japanese patients and pacing thresholds remained low and stable throughout follow-up. There were no observable differences between Japanese patients and patients from outside Japan in the freedom from major complication rate at 12-months post-implant (100.0% vs. 95.7%, P=0.211) or physician acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: Although some differences in specific baseline characteristics, such as body size and pacing indication, and in implant procedure characteristics, including anticoagulation strategy and hospitalization period, were observed in the Japanese patients, transcatheter pacemaker performance was similar to that in the global trial. (Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02004873.).

Development of Atrioventricular Block and Diagnostic Value of Stored Electrograms in Patients With Sick Sinus Syndrome and Implanted Pacemaker.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of atrioventricular block (AVB) in pacemaker patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is not yet known. The aim of this study was to analyze AVB episodes in SafeR mode based on stored electrograms (EGM), and determine the occurrence rate and risk factors for advanced AVB in a pacemaker population with SSS. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 50 consecutive patients with SSS without a history of advanced AVB who had a dual-chamber pacemaker programmed in SafeR mode. A total of 377 EGM stored in the pacemakers as AVB episodes fulfilling the second- or third-degree criterion were analyzed. Of 377 EGM, 73 EGM (19.4%) were appropriate episodes, whereas the other EGM did not show actual AVB, and showed atrial tachyarrhythmia, ventricular event in the blanking period, or premature atrial contractions with block. On EGM analysis, advanced AVB occurred in 9 patients (18%), and the occurrence rate was 11.7% per year. Moreover, on multivariate analysis ß-blocker use was an independent risk factor for advanced AVB (OR, 9.10; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence rate of advanced AVB in patients with SSS is much higher than previously reported, and ß-blocker use is an independent risk factor for advanced AVB. SafeR is useful to detect latent AVB. Stored EGM, however, sometimes include inaccurately classified events.

Clinical significance of collateral superficial vein across clavicle in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic device.

BACKGROUND: Obstruction of the access vein is a well-known complication after cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. In that case, well-developed collateral superficial veins are frequently observed on the skin surface around the CIED. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between venous obstruction and development of a superficial vein across the clavicle. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 107 patients scheduled for generator replacement, device upgrade, or lead extraction were enrolled. The skin surface around the device was photographed. A 20-ml bolus of contrast medium was injected into a peripheral arm vein on the side of CIED implantation, and contrast venography was performed. Venous obstruction was defined as luminal diameter narrowing >75%. Venography showed venous obstruction in 27 patients (25.2%). There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics between the venous obstruction and no venous obstruction group. Of 107 patients, 44 (41.1%) had a superficial vein across the clavicle on the side of CIED implantation. The sensitivity of the presence of a superficial vein across the clavicle in the diagnosis of venous obstruction was 96.3% and specificity was 77.5% (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a superficial vein across the clavicle is useful for the prediction of venous obstruction in patients with CIED.