Management of patients with an electrical storm or clustered ventricular arrhythmias: a clinical consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association of the ESC-endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, Heart Rhythm Society, and Latin-American Heart Rhythm Society.

Electrical storm (ES) is a state of electrical instability, manifesting as recurrent ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) over a short period of time (three or more episodes of sustained VA within 24 h, separated by at least 5 min, requiring termination by an intervention). The clinical presentation can vary, but ES is usually a cardiac emergency. Electrical storm mainly affects patients with structural or primary electrical heart disease, often with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Management of ES requires a multi-faceted approach and the involvement of multi-disciplinary teams, but despite advanced treatment and often invasive procedures, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. With an ageing population, longer survival of heart failure patients, and an increasing number of patients with ICD, the incidence of ES is expected to increase. This European Heart Rhythm Association clinical consensus statement focuses on pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and acute and long-term management of patients presenting with ES or clustered VA.

Prevention of Early Sudden Cardiac Death after Myocardial Infarction Using the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator-Results from a Real-World Cohort.

BACKGROUND: After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), patients are at risk of sudden cardiac death. The VEST trial failed to show a reduction in arrhythmic mortality in AMI patients with an LVEF ≤ 35% prescribed with a WCD, having a lower-than-expected WCD wearing compliance. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to investigate on outcomes of patients in a real-world Austrian cohort with good compliance. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all eligible Austrian WCD patients according to the VEST trial inclusion and exclusion criteria between 2010 and 2020 was performed. RESULTS: In total, 105 Austrian patients (64 ± 11 years, 12% female; LVEF 28 ± 6%) received a WCD for a median of 69 (1; 277) days after AMI (wearing duration 23.5 (0; 24) hours/day). Within the first 90 days, 4/105 (3.8%) patients received 9 appropriate shocks (2 (1; 5) shocks). No inappropriate shocks were delivered, and 3/105 (2.9%) patients died during follow-up. Arrhythmic mortality (1.9% Austria vs. 1.6% VEST, p = 0.52), as well as all-cause mortality (2.9% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.42) was comparable in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The WCD is a safe treatment option in a highly selected cohort of patients with LVEF ≤ 35% after AMI. However, despite excellent WCD wearing duration in our cohort, the arrhythmic mortality rate was not significantly different.

Visualization of the SyncAV® Algorithm for CRT Optimization by Non-invasive Imaging of Cardiac Electrophysiology: NICE-CRT Trial.

(1) Background: Periodic repetitive AV interval optimization using a device-based algorithm in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices may improve clinical outcomes. There is an unmet need to successfully transform its application into clinical routine. (2) Methods: Non-invasive imaging of cardiac electrophysiology was performed in different device programming settings of the SyncAV® algorithm in 14 heart failure patients with left bundle branch block and a PR interval ≤ 250 milliseconds to determine the shortest ventricular activation time. (3) Results: the best offset time (to be manually programmed) permitting automatic dynamic adjustment of the paced atrioventricular interval after every 256 heart beats was found to be 30 and 50 milliseconds, decreasing mean native QRS duration from 181.6 ± 23.9 milliseconds to 130.7 ± 10.0 and 130.1 ± 10.5 milliseconds, respectively (p = 0.01); this was followed by an offset of 40 milliseconds (decreasing QRS duration to 130.1 ± 12.2 milliseconds; p = 0.08). (4) Conclusions: The herein presented NICE-CRT study supports the current recommendation to program an offset of 50 milliseconds as default in patients with left bundle branch block and preserved atrioventricular conduction after implantation of a CRT device capable of SyncAV® optimization. Alternatively, offset programming of 30 milliseconds may also be applied as default programming. In patients with no or poor CRT response, additional efforts should be spent to individualize best offset programming with electrocardiographic optimization techniques.

2023 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS Expert Consensus Statement on Practical Management of the Remote Device Clinic.

Remote monitoring is beneficial for the management of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices by impacting morbidity and mortality. With increasing numbers of patients using remote monitoring, keeping up with higher volume of remote monitoring transmissions creates challenges for device clinic staff. This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide cardiac electrophysiologists, allied professionals, and hospital administrators in managing remote monitoring clinics. This includes guidance for remote monitoring clinic staffing, appropriate clinic workflows, patient education, and alert management. This expert consensus statement also addresses other topics such as communication of transmission results, use of third-party resources, manufacturer responsibilities, and programming concerns. The goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations impacting all aspects of remote monitoring services. Gaps in current knowledge and guidance for future research directions are also identified.

2023 HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS Expert Consensus Statement on Practical Management of the Remote Device Clinic.

Remote monitoring is beneficial for the management of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices by impacting morbidity and mortality. With increasing numbers of patients using remote monitoring, keeping up with higher volume of remote monitoring transmissions creates challenges for device clinic staff. This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide cardiac electrophysiologists, allied professionals, and hospital administrators in managing remote monitoring clinics. This includes guidance for remote monitoring clinic staffing, appropriate clinic workflows, patient education, and alert management. This expert consensus statement also addresses other topics such as communication of transmission results, use of third-party resources, manufacturer responsibilities, and programming concerns. The goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations impacting all aspects of remote monitoring services. Gaps in current knowledge and guidance for future research directions are also identified.

A Soccer Shot with Lengthy Consequences-Case Report & Current Literature Review of Commotio Cordis.

(1) Background: Commotio cordis, caused by objects being directly delivered to the chest, may cause cardiac arrest in young athletes, even without identifiable structural damage to the sternum, ribs or heart itself. Its prevention and management often remain suboptimal, resulting in dismal outcomes. (2) Case summary: A 32-year semi-professional goalkeeper suffered from a non-penetrating blunt thoracic trauma after being struck by a high-velocity shot during a regional league soccer game. He immediately lost consciousness, collapsed, and was successfully resuscitated through early defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation. After an uneventful follow-up for approximately 6 years, recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia occurred, which could ultimately only be prevented by epicardial ablation. (3) Conclusion: Very late recurrences of ventricular tachyarrhythmias may occur after ventricular fibrillation due to blunt chest trauma, even in the primary absence of evident structural myocardial damage.

[Atrial fibrillation in athletes : Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment]. / Vorhofflimmern beim Sportler : Häufigkeit, Diagnose und Therapie.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased by an average of approximately 2.5-fold in recreational and elite athletes, depending on the intensity of exercise. It is, however, difficult to determine the exact duration or intensity of exercise that increases the risk of AF. The pathophysiological mechanisms of AF in athletes are a combination of pulmonary vein ectopy as a trigger, myocardial changes such as fibrosis and remodeling processes, and modulators such as changes in the autonomic nervous system. However, gastroesophageal reflux also seems to play an important role. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The classic AF diagnosis is performed by means of 12-lead or Holter ECG; arrhythmia recordings via chest belts and pulse watches are not sufficient for the differentiation of the arrhythmia. However, wearables with the capability of ECG recording can also be used for AF screening. The first AF documentation in an athlete should be followed by cessation of physical exercise and initiation of detailed cardiac diagnostics. Thereafter, evaluation of oral anticoagulation is important. Long-term antiarrhythmic therapies are usually not tolerated or desired by athletes. Thus, valuable therapeutic options are either a "pill in the pocket" therapy with antiarrhythmic drugs or catheter ablation.

Asymptomatic left circumflex artery stenosis is associated with higher arrhythmia recurrence after persistent atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: The pathophysiology of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. While several studies have demonstrated an association between myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation, the role of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is still unknown. As a result, we aimed to assess the association between CAD obstruction and AF recurrence after persistent AF ablation in patients with no history of CAD. Materials and methods: This observational retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent routine preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CCT) before persistent AF ablation between September 2015 and June 2018 in 5 European University Hospitals. Exclusion criteria were CAD or coronary revascularization previously known or during follow-up. Obstructive CAD was defined as luminal stenosis ≥ 50%. Results: All in all, 496 patients (mean age 61.8 ± 10.0 years, 76.2% males) were included. CHA2DS2-VASc score was 0 or 1 in 225 (36.3%) patients. Obstructive CAD was present in 86 (17.4%) patients. During the follow-up (24 ± 19 months), 207 (41.7%) patients had AF recurrence. The recurrence rate was not different between patients with and without obstructive CAD (43.0% vs. 41.5%, respectively; P = 0.79). When considering the location of the stenosis, the recurrence rate was higher in the case of left circumflex obstruction: 56% vs. 32% at 2 years (log-rank P ≤ 0.01). After Cox multivariate analysis, circumflex artery obstruction (HR 2.32; 95% CI 1.36-3.98; P < 0.01) was independently associated with AF recurrence. Conclusion: Circumflex artery obstruction detected with CCT was independently associated with 2-fold increase in the risk of AF recurrence after persistent AF ablation. Further research is necessary to evaluate this pathophysiological relationship.

Ertugliflozin to reduce arrhythmic burden in ICD/CRT patients (ERASe-trial) - A phase III study.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) have proven profound positive effects in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). These effects are independent from the presence of diabetes. Metabolic effects, antiinflammatory, and antifibrotic properties are discussed as underlying mechanisms. Despite a strong correlation of ventricular arrhythmias with HFrEF, the impact of ertugliflozin on the ventricular arrhythmic burden has not been investigated, yet. Therefore, the Ertugliflozin to Reduce Arrhythmic burden in ICD ± CRT patientS (ERASe) trial was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in patients with reduced and midrange ejection fraction (EF) with or without diabetes. METHODS: Within a multicentre, national, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b trial we aim to enrol a total of 402 patients across Austria. Patients with reduced or midrange EF and ICD ± CRT therapy >3 months and previous ventricular tachycardia (at least 10 documented VT episodes within the last 12 months) are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to ertugliflozin (5 mg once daily orally administered) or matching placebo. The primary endpoint of the ERASe trial is to investigate the impact of ertugliflozin on total burden of ventricular arrhythmias. Further objectives will include number of therapeutic interventions of implanted devices, atrial fibrillation and heart failure biomarkers. CONCLUSION: The ERASe trial will be the first trial to test ertugliflozin in heart failure patients with nonpreserved ejection fraction and ongoing ICD ± CRT therapy regardless of their diabetic status. The ERASe trial may therefore extend the concept of SGLT2 inhibition to improve cardiac remodelling, including reduced arrhythmic burden. Trial registration Identifier EudraCT Nr. 2020-002581-14 / ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04600921.

Telemedical cardiac risk assessment by implantable cardiac monitors in patients after myocardial infarction with autonomic dysfunction (SMART-MI-DZHK9): a prospective investigator-initiated, randomised, multicentre, open-label, diagnostic trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction after myocardial infarction identifies patients at high risk despite only moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. We aimed to show that telemedical monitoring with implantable cardiac monitors in these patients can improve early detection of subclinical but prognostically relevant arrhythmic events. METHODS: We did a prospective investigator-initiated, randomised, multicentre, open-label, diagnostic trial at 33 centres in Germany and Austria. Survivors of acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular ejection fraction of 36-50% had biosignal analysis for assessment of cardiac autonomic function. Patients with abnormal periodic repolarisation dynamics (≥5·75 deg2) or abnormal deceleration capacity (≤2·5 ms) were randomly assigned (1:1) to telemedical monitoring with implantable cardiac monitors or conventional follow-up. Primary endpoint was time to detection of serious arrhythmic events defined by atrial fibrillation 6 min or longer, atrioventricular block class IIb or higher and fast non-sustained (>187 beats per min; ≥40 beats) or sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02594488. FINDINGS: Between May 12, 2016, and July 20, 2020, 1305 individuals were screened and 400 patients at high risk were randomly assigned (median age 64 years [IQR 57-73]); left ventricular ejection fraction 45% [40-48]) to telemedical monitoring with implantable cardiac monitors (implantable cardiac monitor group; n=201) or conventional follow-up (control group; n=199). During median follow-up of 21 months, serious arrhythmic events were detected in 60 (30%) patients of the implantable cardiac monitor group and 12 (6%) patients of the control group (hazard ratio 6·33 [IQR 3·40-11·78]; p<0·001). An improved detection rate by implantable cardiac monitors was observed for all types of serious arrhythmic events: atrial fibrillation 6 min or longer (47 [23%] patients vs 11 [6%] patients; p<0·001), atrioventricular block class IIb or higher (14 [7%] vs 0; p<0·001) and ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (nine [4%] patients vs two [1%] patients; p=0·054). INTERPRETATION: In patients at high risk after myocardial infarction and cardiac autonomic dysfunction but only moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, telemedical monitoring with implantable cardiac monitors was highly effective in early detection of subclinical, prognostically relevant serious arrhythmic events. FUNDING: German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) and Medtronic Bakken Research Center.

Structural Cardiac Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate preablation computed tomography angiography (CTA) for atrial and epicardial features to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after ablation. BACKGROUND: Structural atrial remodeling is a process associated with occurrence or persistence of AF. Different anatomical imaging features have been proposed to influence atrial remodeling both negatively and positively as substrate for AF. METHODS: Patients with nonvalvular AF underwent cardiac CTA before pulmonary vein isolation at 2 high-volume centers. Left atrial (LA) and right atrial volumes, LA wall thickness (LAWT), and epicardial adipose tissue volume and attenuation were evaluated. Additional subanalyses of electroanatomical maps were made. Follow-up was performed for at least 12 months, including subanalysis of repeated cardiac CTA studies. Interrater variability was assessed. RESULTS: Of 732 patients, 270 (36.9%) had AF recurrence after a mean of 7 months. CT analysis revealed larger indexed LA volume (47.3 mL/m2 vs 43.6 mL/m2; P = 0.0001) and higher mean anterior (1.91 mm vs 1.65 mm; P < 0.0001) and posterior (1.61 mm vs 1.39 mm; P = 0.001) LAWT in patients with AF recurrence. Epicardial adipose tissue volume in patients with AF recurrence was higher (144.5 mm³ vs 128.5 mm³; P < 0.0001) and further progressed significantly in a subset of 85 patients after 2 years (+11.8 mm2 vs -3.5 mm2; P = 0.041). Attenuation levels were lower, indicating a higher lipid component associated with AF recurrence (-69.1 HU vs -67.5 HU; P = 0.001). A total of 103 atrial voltage maps were highly predictive of AF recurrence and showed good discriminatory power for patients with low voltage >50% and LAWT (1.55 ± 0.5 mm vs 1.81 ± 0.6 mm; P = 0.032). Net reclassification improvement (NRI) showed a significant incremental benefit (NRI = 0.279; P < 0.0001) when adding LAWT to established risk models. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial wall thickness, epicardial fat volume, and attenuation are associated with AF recurrence in patients undergoing ablation therapy.

Lost but Not Lost-Embolization of a Leadless Pacemaker to the Pulmonary Artery with Consecutive Endovascular Recovery.

BACKGROUND: Leadless transcatheter pacemaker systems (TPS) have become a valuable alternative to transvenous pacemakers in selected indications. With the steadily increasing amount of TPS implantations performed worldwide, reports of periprocedural complications are likewise increasingly found in the literature but are still underreported. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 75 year old male undergoing TPS implantation due to cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope. The implantation was primarily uneventful; adequate pacing parameters and fixation of the device were achieved. Unfortunately, dislocation of the leadless pacemaker occurred at the end of the procedure and the device embolized into a primary side branch of the right pulmonary artery. Endovascular retrieval was performed by using a single snare technique without any further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although challenging, endovascular recovery of embolized TPS from the pulmonary artery is feasible and may be successfully accomplished by experienced implanters.

Reciprocal communication of pericoronary adipose tissue and coronary atherogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) has been linked to underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) and proposed to modulate adjacent atherosclerotic plaque formation over pro-inflammatory pathways. In vitro and ex vivo studies support the bilateral communication of adipose tissue and vessel wall. We quantified PCAT and its dynamics in a low coronary risk cohort with a semi-automated software in serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: We retrospectively included patients from a tertiary care hospital who underwent serial coronary CTA with a low cardiovascular risk profile. All examinations were evaluated in a standardized approach: epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and attenuation was quantified in total, in the atrioventricular (RCA, LCX) or interventricular (LAD) sulcus and within a 5 mm radius for each coronary artery (PCAT). Coronary plaques were quantified using a semi-automated software and compared for progression, stability or regression. RESULTS: Of 120 patients (27% females), 59.2% showed atherosclerotic plaques. After 36 months mean follow-up, 22 (18.3%) showed plaque regression, 39 (32.5%) were stable and 49 (40.8%) were progressive. Total EAT volume decreased by -15.6 ±â€¯37.2 mm³ in the regressive group, increased by 2.7 ±â€¯30.6 mm³ in the stable group and by 24.3 ±â€¯37.1 mm³ in the progressive group (p = 0.003). Per-vessel analysis showed a significant decrease of PCAT attenuation in patients with CAD regression (-3.8 ±â€¯7.6HU) compared to the stable (1.2 ±â€¯9.1HU) and progressive group (3.5 ±â€¯8.2HU, p < 0.0001). Mean sulcus EAT attenuation did not show a significant change (p = 0.135). CONCLUSION: Epicardial adipose tissue volume is mutually changing with the progression or regression of coronary artery disease. Perivascular but not epicardial attenuation levels correlate to adjacent plaque and support a direct bilateral influence.

Central Sleep Apnea and Pacing-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

The role of central sleep apnea (CSA) in pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) remains speculative. In a prospective trial entitled UPGRADE, the presence of CSA was assessed by single-night polysomnography (PSG) in 54 PICM patients within 1 month after left ventricular lead implantation (with biventricular stimulation still not activated). CSA was diagnosed in half of patients (n = 27). Patients with moderate or severe CSA were randomized to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) versus right ventricular pacing (RVP) in a double-blinded cross-over design and re-scheduled for a follow-up PSG within 3 to 5 months. After crossing-over of stimulation mode another PSG was conducted 3 to 5 months later. CRT led to a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction and significant reduction in left ventricular end systolic volumes and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels, whereas no significant effects were observed with ongoing RVP. CSA was significantly improved after 3.9 (3.2 to 4.4) months of CRT: apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 39.1 (32.1 to 54.0) events per hour at baseline to 22.2/h (10.9 to 36.7) by CRT (p <0.001). Central apnea index decreased from 27.1/h (17.7 to 36.1) at baseline to 6.8/h (1.1 to 14.4) after CRT activation (p <0.001). Ongoing RVP yielded only a minor improvement in apnea-hypopnea index and central apnea index. Pre-existent CSA did not affect structural response rate and had no impact on mid-term follow-up (median 2.8 years). In conclusion, CSA is highly prevalent in patients with PICM. CRT upgrading significantly improves CSA leading to a similar outcome in PICM patients without pre-existent CSA.

Impact of centre volume on atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes in Europe: a report from the ESC EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term (AFA LT) Registry.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate differences in clinical outcomes and complication rates among European atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation centres related to the volume of AF ablations performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data for this analysis were extracted from the ESC EHRA EORP European AF Ablation Long-Term Study Registry. Based on 33rd and 67th percentiles of number of AF ablations performed, the participating centres were classified into high volume (HV) (≥ 180 procedures/year), medium volume (MV) (<180 and ≥74/year), and low volume (LV) (<74/year). A total of 91 centres in 26 European countries enrolled in 3368 patients. There was a significantly higher reporting of cardiovascular complications and stroke incidence in LV centres compared with HV and MV (P = 0.039 and 0.008, respectively) and a lower success rate after AF ablation (55.3% in HV vs. 57.2% in LV vs. 67.4% in MV centres, P < 0.001), despite lower CHA2DS2-VASc score of patients, enrolled in LVs and less complex ablation techniques used. Adjustments of confounding factors (including type of AF ablation) led to elimination of these differences. CONCLUSION: Low-volume centres tended to present slightly higher cardiovascular complications' and stroke incidence and a lower unadjusted success rate after AF ablation, despite the fact that ablation procedures and patients were of lower risk compared with MV and HV centres. On the other hand, adjusted overall complication and recurrence rates were non-significantly different among different volume centres, a fact reflecting the heterogeneity of patient and procedural profiles, and a counterbalance between expertise and risk level among participating centres.

Supplemental dataset on the influence of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in pacing-induced cardiomyopathy and concomitant central sleep Apnea.

This article contains supplemental data to the publication "Central Sleep Apnea and Pacing-Induced Cardiomyopathy" [1], which was the most recent publication of the "UPGRADE" study. It provides in-depth analysis of the effects of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in patients suffering from pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) on cardiac remodeling as well as functional cardiac parameters in comparison to continuous right ventricular pacing (RVP). Furthermore, it also covers additional data on several sleep parameters, which were not presented in the main article including the index for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the index for mixed sleep apnea and the oxygen saturation measurements during polysomnography. Further, Kaplan-Meier curves are presented for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and overall mortality by severity of sleep apnea. Generally, the "UGRADE" study was a single-center prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial lasting from 2014 to 2020. The methodology included a cross-over design giving the possibility to detect differences while CRT was activated and while continuous RVP was applied. The presented data should aid clinicians in daily practice as upgrading to CRT is not limited to improvement in cardiac parameters, but also modifies sleep apnea in patients with PICM, a generally sparsely studied entity of heart failure.

Recommendations on the utilization of telemedicine in cardiology.

The enormous progress made in recent years in the field of information and communication technology and also in sensor and computer technology has affected numerous fields of medicine and is capable of inducing even radical changes in diagnostic and therapeutic processes. This is particularly true for cardiology, where, for example, telemetric monitoring of cardiac and circulatory functions has been in use for many years. Nevertheless, broad application of newer telemedical processes has not yet been achieved to the extent one would expect from the encouraging results of numerous clinical studies in this field and the state of the art of the underlying technology. In the present paper, the Working Group on Rhythmology of the Austrian Cardiological Society aims to provoke a critical discussion of the digital change in cardiology and to make recommendations for the implementation of those telemedical processes that have been shown to exert positive effects on a wide variety of medical and economic parameters. The greatest benefit of telecardiological applications is certainly to be found in the long-term care of patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, follow-up care of patients with cardiological rhythm implants, management of chronic heart failure and secondary prevention following an acute cardiac event during rehabilitation are currently the most important fields of application. Telemedicine is intended to enable high-quality and cost-efficient care for an increasing number of patients, whose care poses one of the greatest challenges to our healthcare system. Not least of all, telemedicine should make a decisive contribution to improving the quality of life of this segment of the population by favorably influencing mortality, morbidity and hospitalization as well as the patient's contribution to treatment.

State-of-the-art consensus on non-transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

Within the last decade, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) systems with non-transvenous leads were developed in order to minimize complications related to the cardiovascular position of transvenous ICD leads. This national expert consensus gives an overview of potential indications for the implantation of non-transvenous ICD systems, and provides specific recommendations for implantation, follow-up, and complication management in patients with subcutaneous ICD. Regarding particular issues like the necessity for shock efficacy testing, or the clinical outcome as compared to transvenous ICD, randomized data are expected in the near future.