Registro español de desfibrilador automático implantable. XIX informe oficial de la Asociación del Ritmo Cardiaco de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2022) / Spanish implantable cardioverter-defibrillator registry. 19th official report of Heart Rhythm Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (2022)

Introducción y objetivos: Se presentan los datos de implantes de desfibrilador automático implantable en España en el año 2022.Métodos: Los datos provienen de los centros implantadores, que cumplimentaron voluntariamente una hoja de recogida de datos durante el implante, a mano o a través de una página web.Resultados: Durante 2022, han participado en el registro 170 hospitales. Se han recibido 7.693 formularios, frente a los 7.970 comunicados por la European Confederation of Medical Suppliers Associations (Eucomed), lo que representa un 96,5% de los dispositivos. La tasa total de implantes registrados fue 162/millón de habitantes (168 según Eucomed), un ligero incremento respecto a años anteriores. Las diferencias entre las comunidades autónomas persisten, así como nuestra última posición respecto a los países europeos que participan en la Eucomed.Conclusiones: Los datos del registro de 2022 reflejan la recuperación completa de la actividad tras el impacto de la pandemia de la COVID-19 en 2020. Pese a la leve mejora, se mantiene nuestra posición en Europa y también las grandes diferencias entre nuestras comunidades autónomas.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: This article presents data on implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implants in Spain in 2022.Methods: The data were collected from implantation centers, which voluntarily completed a data collection sheet during the implantation process, either manually or through a web page.Results: In 2022, 170 hospitals participated in the registry. A total of 7693 forms were received compared with the 7970 reported by Eucomed (European Confederation of Medical Suppliers Associations), representing 96.5% of the devices. The total rate of registered implants was 162/million inhabitants (168 according to Eucomed), showing a slight increase compared with previous years. Disparities persisted among autonomous communities and Spain continued to have the lowest implantation rate among countries participating in Eucomed.Conclusions: The data from the registry for 2022 reflect the complete recovery of activity after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Despite a slight improvement, there was no significant change in our position in Europe or in the substantial differences among autonomous communities.(AU)

Registro español de desfibrilador automático implantable. XVIII informe oficial de la Asociación del Ritmo Cardiaco de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2021) / Spanish implantable cardioverter-defibrillator registry. 18th official report of the Heart Rhythm Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (2021)

Introducción y objetivos Se presentan los datos correspondientes a los implantes de desfibrilador automático implantable (DAI) en España en el año 2021. Métodos Los datos provienen de los centros implantadores, que cumplimentaron voluntariamente una hoja de recogida de datos durante el implante. Resultados En 2021 se recibieron 7.496 formularios de implante, frente a los 7.743 comunicadas por Eucomed (European Confederation of Medical Suppliers Associations), lo que implica que se han recogido datos del 96,8% de los dispositivos implantados en España. El cumplimiento osciló entre el 99,9% en el campo «nombre del hospital implantador» y el 8,9% en la variable «hospital de referencia». En 2021, 199 hospitales han participado en el registro, lo cual supera las cifras de los años previos en que el número de participantes osciló alrededor de 170 hospitales. La tasa total de implantes registrados fue 158/millón de habitantes (163 según Eucomed), lo que la sitúa como el año con mayor actividad. Sin embargo, el registro sigue mostrando diferencias importantes entre las comunidades autónomas y la tasa de implante más baja de todos los países europeos participantes en Eucomed. Conclusione El Registro español de desfibrilador automático implantable del año 2021 recoge un incremento en el número de implantes de DAI y refleja la recuperación de la actividad hospitalaria tras el impacto inicial de la pandemia por COVID-19 durante 2020. A pesar del incremento en el número total de implantes en España, este sigue siendo muy inferior a la media de la Unión Europea y persisten las diferencias entre las comunidades autónomas españolas (AU)

Introduction and objectives This article presents the data corresponding to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantations in Spain in 2021. Methods The data were drawn from implanting centers, which voluntarily completed a data collection sheet during the procedure. Results In 2021, 7496 implant data sheets were received, compared with 7743 reported by Eucomed (European Confederation of Medical Suppliers Associations), indicating that data were collected from 96.8% of the devices implanted in Spain. Data completion ranged from 99.9% for “name of implanting hospital” to 8.9% for “implanting hospital”. In 2021, 199 hospitals participated in the registry, exceeding the figures of previous years, with around 170 participating hospitals. The total rate of registered implants was 158/million inhabitants (163 according to Eucomed), making 2021 the year with the highest activity. However, the registry continues to show significant differences among the various autonomous communities and the lowest implantation rate of all the European countries participating in Eucomed. Conclusions The Spanish implantable cardioverter-defibrillator registry for 2021 recorded an increase in the number of ICD implantations, reflecting the recovery of hospital activity after the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Although the total number of implants has increased in Spain, figures are still much lower than the European Union average, with differences persisting among Spanish autonomous communities (AU)

Variation in regional implantation patterns of cardiac implantable electronic device in Switzerland.

INTRODUCTION: There is a substantial geographical variation in the rates of pacemaker (PM), implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation across European countries. We assessed the extent of regional variation and potential determinants of such variation. METHODS: We conducted a population-based analysis using discharge data for PM/ICD/CRT implantations from all Swiss acute care hospitals during 2013-2016. We derived hospital service areas (HSA) by analyzing patient flows. We calculated age- and sex-standardized rates and quantified variation using the extremal quotient (EQ) and the systemic component of variation (SCV). We estimated the reduction in variance of crude implantation rates across HSAs using multilevel regression models, with incremental adjustment for age and sex, language, socioeconomic factors, population health, diabetes mellitus, and the density of cardiologists on the HSA level. RESULTS: We analyzed implantations of 8129 PM, 1461 ICD, and 1411 CRT from 25 Swiss HSAs. The mean age- and sex-standardized implantation rate was 29 (range 8-57) per 100,000 persons for PM, 5 (1-9) for ICD, and 5 (2-8) for CRT. There was a very high variation in PM (EQ 7.0; SCV 12.6) and ICD (EQ 7.2; SCV 11.3) and a high variation in CRT implantation rates (EQ 3.9; SCV 7.1) across HSAs. Adjustments for age and sex, language, socioeconomic factors, population health, diabetes mellitus, and density of cardiologists explained 94% of the variance in ICD and 87.5% of the variance in CRT implantation rates, but only 36.3% of the variance in PM implantation rates. Women had substantially lower PM/ICD/CRT implantation rates than men. CONCLUSION: Switzerland has a very high regional variation in PM/ICD implantation and a high variation in CRT implantation rates. Women had substantially lower implantation rates than men. A large share of the variation in PM procedure rates remained unexplained which might reflect variations in physicians' preferences and practices.

Hospital Characteristics and Early Enrollment Trends in the American College of Cardiology Voluntary Public Reporting Program.

Importance: Limited data exist regarding the characteristics of hospitals that do and do not participate in voluntary public reporting programs. Objective: To describe hospital characteristics and trends associated with early participation in the American College of Cardiology (ACC) voluntary reporting program for cardiac catheterization-percutaneous coronary intervention (CathPCI) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) registries. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed enrollment trends and characteristics of hospitals that did and did not participate in the ACC voluntary public reporting program. All hospitals reporting procedure data to the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI or ICD registries that were eligible for the public reporting program from July 2014 (ie, program launch date) to May 2017 were included. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify hospital characteristics associated with voluntary participation. Enrollment trends were evaluated considering the date US News & World Report (USNWR) announced that it would credit participating hospitals. Data analysis was performed from March 2017 to January 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hospital characteristics and participation in the public reporting program. Results: By May 2017, 561 of 1747 eligible hospitals (32.1%) had opted to participate in the program. Enrollment increased from 240 to 376 hospitals (56.7%) 1 month after the USNWR announcement that program participation would be considered as a component of national hospital rankings. Compared with hospitals that did not enroll, program participants had increased median (IQR) procedural volumes for PCI (481 [280-764] procedures vs 332 [186-569] procedures; P < .001) and ICD (114 [56-220] procedures vs 62 [25-124] procedures; P < .001). Compared with nonparticipating hospitals, an increased mean (SD) proportion of participating hospitals adhered to composite discharge medications after PCI (0.96 [0.03] vs 0.92 [0.07]; P < .001) and ICD (0.88 [0.10] vs 0.81 [0.12]; P < .001). Hospital factors associated with enrollment included participation in 5 or more NCDR registries (odds ratio [OR],1.98; 95% CI, 1.24-3.19; P = .005), membership in a larger hospital system (ie, 3-20 hospitals vs ≤2 hospitals in the system: OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.65-3.17; P = .001), participation in an NCDR pilot public reporting program of PCI 30-day readmissions (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 2.19-3.91; P < .001), university affiliation (vs government affiliation: OR, 3.85, 95% CI, 1.03-14.29; P = .045; vs private affiliation: OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.35-3.57; P < .001), Midwest location (vs South: OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.06-2.08; P = .02), and increased comprehensive quality ranking (4 vs 1-2 performance stars in CathPCI: OR, 8.08; 95% CI, 5.07-12.87; P < .001; 4 vs 1 performance star in ICD: OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.48-3.44; P < .001) (C statistic = 0.829). Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that one-third of eligible hospitals participated in the ACC voluntary public reporting program and that enrollment increased after the announcement that program participation would be considered by USNWR for hospital rankings. Several hospital characteristics, experience with public reporting, and quality of care were associated with increased odds of participation.

Implantation of cardiac electronic devices in active COVID-19 patients: Results from an international survey.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation rates as well as the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes in patients with known active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gather information regarding CIED procedures during active COVID-19, performed with personal protective equipment, based on an international survey. METHODS: Fifty-three centers from 13 countries across 4 continents provided information on 166 patients with known active COVID-19 who underwent a CIED procedure. RESULTS: The CIED procedure rate in 133,655 hospitalized COVID-19 patients ranged from 0 to 16.2 per 1000 patients (P <.001). Most devices were implanted due to high-degree/complete atrioventricular block (112 [67.5%]) or sick sinus syndrome (31 [18.7%]). Of the 166 patients in the study survey, the 30-day complication rate was 13.9% and the 180-day mortality rate was 9.6%. One patient had a fatal outcome as a direct result of the procedure. Differences in patient and procedural characteristics and outcomes were found between Europe and North America. An older population (76.6 vs 66 years; P <.001) with a nonsignificant higher complication rate (16.5% vs 7.7%; P = .2) was observed in Europe vs North America, whereas higher rates of critically ill patients (33.3% vs 3.3%; P <.001) and mortality (26.9% vs 5%; P = .002) were observed in North America vs Europe. CONCLUSION: CIED procedure rates during known active COVID-19 disease varied greatly, from 0 to 16.2 per 1000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients worldwide. Patients with active COVID-19 infection who underwent CIED implantation had high complication and mortality rates. Operators should take these risks into consideration before proceeding with CIED implantation in active COVID-19 patients.

The Impact of Charlson Comorbidity Index on De Novo Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Procedural Outcomes in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) as a measure of comorbidity burden to predict procedural outcomes after de novo cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. METHODS: All de novo CIED implantations in the United States National Inpatient Sample between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, stratified by CCI score (0=no comorbidity burden, 1=mild, 2=moderate, ≥3=severe). Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to examine the association between unit CCI score (scale) and in-hospital outcomes (major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events [MACCE]: composite of all-cause mortality, acute ischemic stroke, thoracic and cardiac complications, and device-related complications; and MACCE individual components). RESULTS: Of 474,475 CIED procedures, the distribution of CCI score was as follows: CCI=0 (17.7%), CCI=1 (21.8%), CCI=2 (18.7%), and CCI=3+ (41.8%). Charlson comorbidity index score was associated with increased odds ratios of MACCE (1.10; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.11), all-cause mortality (1.23; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.25), and acute stroke (1.45; 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.46). This finding was consistent across all CIED groups except the cardiac resynchronization therapy groups in which CCI was not associated with increased risk of mortality. A higher CCI score was not associated with increased odds of procedural (thoracic and cardiac) and device-related complications. CONCLUSION: In a nationwide cohort of CIED procedures, higher comorbidity burden as measured by CCI score was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality and acute ischemic stroke, but not procedure-related (thoracic and cardiac) or device-related complications. Objective assessment of comorbidity burden is important to risk-stratify patients undergoing CIED implantation for better prognostication of their in-hospital survival.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with or without defibrillator in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Randomized data on the efficacy/safety of cardiac resynchronization therapy with vs. without defibrillator (CRT-D,-P) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are scarce. We aimed to evaluate survival associated with use of CRT-D vs. CRT-P in a contemporary cohort with HFrEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients from Swedish HF Registry treated with CRT-D/CRT-P and fulfilling criteria for primary prevention defibrillator use were included. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of CRT-D non-use. All-cause mortality was compared in CRT-D vs. CRT-P by Cox regression in a 1 : 1 propensity-score-matched cohort. Of 1988 patients with CRT, 1108 (56%) had CRT-D and 880 (44%) CRT-P. Older age, higher ejection fraction (EF), female sex, and the lack of referral to HF nurse-led outpatient clinic were major determinants of CRT-D non-use. After matching, 645 CRT-D patients were compared with 645 with CRT-P. The CRT-D use was associated with lower 1- and 3-year all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR):0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.58-0.98; HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-0.99, respectively]. Results were consistent in all pre-specified subgroups except for CRT-D use being associated with lower 3-year mortality in patients with an EF < 30% but not in those with an EF ≥ 30% (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.59-0.89 and HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.83-1.85, respectively; P-interaction = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In a contemporary HFrEF cohort, CRT-D was associated with lower mortality compared with CRT-P. The CRT-D use was less likely in older patients, females, and in patients not referred to HF nurse-led outpatient clinic. Our findings support the use of CRT-D vs. CRT-P in HFrEF, in particular with severely reduced EF.

Periprocedural complications of cardiac implantable electronic device implantation in very elderly patients with cognitive impairment: A prospective study.

ABSTRACT: Very elderly people (over 80 years) with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) indications often have a higher prevalence of aging comorbidity, among which cognitive impairment is not uncommon. This study aimed to investigate periprocedural complications of CIED implantation among very elderly patients with and without cognitive impairment. One hundred eighty patients ≥80 years of age indicated for CIED implantation were included in our study. During hospitalization, the cognitive evaluation was performed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition). According to the cognitive test results, patients were divided into 2 groups (90 patients with normal cognitive function and 90 patients with cognitive impairment). Meanwhile, their physical parameters and laboratory measurements were completed. The procedural data and periprocedural complications were collected from both groups. The association between cognitive impairment and periprocedural complications was analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. During a one-month follow-up, the most frequent periprocedural complications in very elderly patients were pocket hematoma and thrombosis events. Cognitively impaired patients had a higher incidence of complications than normal cognitive patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment was positively correlated with periprocedural complications in very elderly patients. Cognitive impairment is associated with increased periprocedural complications of CIED implantation in very elderly patients.

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and defibrillation testing: A propensity-matched pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To date, only a few comparisons between subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) patients undergoing and those not undergoing defibrillation testing (DT) at implantation (DT+ vs DT-) have been reported. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term clinical outcomes of 2 propensity-matched cohorts of DT+ and DT- patients. METHODS: Among consecutive S-ICD patients implanted across 17 centers from January 2015 to October 2020, DT- patients were 1:1 propensity-matched for baseline characteristics with DT+ patients. The primary outcome was a composite of ineffective shocks and cardiovascular mortality. Appropriate and inappropriate shock rates were deemed secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Among 1290 patients, a total of 566 propensity-matched patients (283 DT+; 283 DT-) served as study population. Over median follow-up of 25.3 months, no significant differences in primary outcome event rates were found (10 DT+ vs 14 DT-; P = .404) as well as for ineffective shocks (5 DT- vs 3 DT+; P = .725). At multivariable Cox regression analysis, DT performance was associated with a reduction of neither the primary combined outcome nor ineffective shocks at follow-up. A high PRAETORIAN score was positively associated with both the primary outcome (hazard ratio 3.976; confidence interval 1.339-11.802; P = .013) and ineffective shocks alone at follow-up (hazard ratio 19.030; confidence interval 4.752-76.203; P = .003). CONCLUSION: In 2 cohorts of strictly propensity-matched patients, DT performance was not associated with significant differences in cardiovascular mortality and ineffective shocks. The PRAETORIAN score is capable of correctly identifying a large percentage of patients at risk for ineffective shock conversion in both cohorts.

Long-term Outcomes Associated With Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Importance: Prior studies investigating the long-term clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone permanent pacemaker implantation after aortic valve replacement reported conflicting results. Objective: To investigate long-term outcomes after primary surgical aortic valve replacement among patients who underwent postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included all patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement in Sweden from 1997 to 2018. All patients who underwent primary surgical aortic valve replacement in Sweden and survived the first 30 days after surgical treatment were included. Patients who underwent preoperative permanent pacemaker implantation, concomitant surgical treatment for another valve, or emergency surgical treatment were excluded. Patients who underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting or surgical treatment of the ascending aorta were included. Follow-up data were complete for all patients. Data were analyzed from October through December 2020. Exposures: Patients underwent implantation of a permanent pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator within 30 days after aortic valve replacement. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results: Among 24 983 patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement, 849 patients (3.4%) underwent permanent pacemaker implantation within 30 days after surgical treatment and 24 134 patients (96.6%) did not receive pacemakers in that time. The mean (SD) age of the total study population was 69.7 (10.8) years, and 9209 patients were women (36.9%). The mean (SD) and maximum follow-up periods were 7.3 (5.0) years and 22.0 years, respectively. At 10 years and 20 years after surgical treatment, the Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates were 52.8% and 18.0% in the pacemaker group, respectively, and 57.5% and 19.6% in the nonpacemaker group, respectively. All-cause mortality was statistically significantly increased in the pacemaker group compared with the nonpacemaker group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.29; P = .03), and so was risk of heart failure hospitalization (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.31-1.89; P < .001). No statistically significant increase was found in the risk of endocarditis in the pacemaker group. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that there were increased risks of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization among patients who underwent permanent pacemaker implantation after surgical aortic valve replacement, suggesting that these risks are important considerations, especially in an era when transcatheter aortic valve replacement is used in younger patients at lower risk of adverse surgical outcomes. These findings further suggest that future research should investigate how to avoid permanent pacemaker dependency after surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

CMR-Based Risk Stratification of Sudden Cardiac Death and Use of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is one of the most important entities for arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Previous studies suggest a lower benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with NICM as compared to ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Nevertheless, current guidelines do not differentiate between the two subgroups in recommending ICD implantation. Hence, risk stratification is required to determine the subgroup of patients with NICM who will likely benefit from ICD therapy. Various predictors have been proposed, among others genetic mutations, left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left-ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDD), and T-wave alternans (TWA). In addition to these parameters, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has the potential to further improve risk stratification. CMR allows the comprehensive analysis of cardiac function and myocardial tissue composition. A range of CMR parameters have been associated with SCD. Applicable examples include late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), T1 relaxation times, and myocardial strain. This review evaluates the epidemiological aspects of SCD in NICM, the role of CMR for risk stratification, and resulting indications for ICD implantation.

Long-Term Impact of Body Mass Index on Survival of Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Multi-Centre Study.

Obesity is a risk factor for heart failure (HF), but its presence among HF patients may be associated with favorable outcomes. We investigated the long-term outcomes across different body mass index (BMI) groups, after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and whether defibrillator back-up (CRT-D) confers survival benefit. One thousand two-hundred seventy-seven (1,277) consecutive patients (mean age: 67.0 ± 12.7 years, 44.1% women, and mean BMI: 28.3 ± 5.6 Kg/m2) who underwent CRT implantation in 5 centers between 2000-2014 were followed-up for a median period of 4.9 years (IQR 2.4 to 7.5). More than 10% of patients had follow-up for ≥10 years. Patients were classified according to BMI as normal: <25.0 Kg/m2, overweight: 25.0 to 29.9 Kg/m2 and obese: ≥30.0 Kg/m2. 364 patients had normal weight, 494 were overweight and 419 were obese. CRT-Ds were implanted in >75% of patients, but were used less frequently in obese individuals. The composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or cardiac transplant/left ventricular assist device (LVAD) occurred in 50.9% of patients. At 10-year follow-up, less than a quarter of patients in the lowest and highest BMI categories were still alive and free from heart transplant/LVAD. After adjustment BMI of 25 to 29.9 Kg/m2 (HR = 0.73 [95%CI 0.56 to 0.96], p = 0.023) and use of CRT-D (HR = 0.74 [95% CI 0.55 to 0.98], p = 0.039) were independent predictors of survival free from LVAD/heart transplant. BMI of 25 to 29.9 Kg/m2 at the time of implant was independently associated with favourable long-term 10-year survival. Use of CRT-D was associated with improved survival irrespective of BMI class.

Registro Costarricense de Resincronizadores, Desfibriladores Automáticos y Marcapasos Endovasculares (RECORDAME). I Informe oficial de la Comisión de Electrofisiología de la Asociación Costarricense de Cardiología (2019-2020) / Costa Rican Registry of Resynchronizers, Automatic Defibrillators and Endovascular Pacemakers (RECORDAME). I Official Report of the Electrophysiology Commission of the Costa Rican Cardiology Association (2019-2020)

Resumen Introducción y objetivo: Comunicar el primer informe del del registro nacional de dispositivos de estimulación cardíaca de agosto 2019 a agosto 2020, registro prospectivo de participación voluntaria. Métodos: Se analiza la información registrada, en forma voluntaria, por los centros implantadores con respecto a la población de pacientes a quienes se implantó un marcapaso, un desfibrilador o un resincronizador entre el 22 de agosto de 2019 hasta setiembre de 2020. Resultados: Se registraron un total de 317 procedimientos de marcapasos, por 10 centros implantadores, lo que corresponde a una participación en el registro de un 40%. La tasa de uso de marcapasos de 6,27 x 100 mil habitantes. Un 83% de los marcapasos fueron implantados en centros públicos, un 70% correspondió a dispositivos bicamerales. La edad media de la población fue de 73,7 años. La indicación más frecuente fue el trastorno de conducción AV (70,3%). Los electrodos de fijación activa fueron los más utilizados (97,8%). Un 83,3% de los sistemas implantados tuvieron compatibilidad con resonancia magnética. El uso de marcapasos unicamerales fue más frecuente en pacientes con 80 o más años. Con respecto a la terapia DAI se registraron un total de 63 procedimientos, por 5 centros implantadores, con una participación del 41%. La tasa total de implantes durante el período fue de 1,25 x 100 mil habitantes. La cardiomiopatía dilatada no isquémica fue la cardiopatía más frecuente en la población registrada. Conclusiones: El registro permite conocer la dinámica de procedimientos e indicaciones más usuales para el uso de dispositivos electrónicos cardíacos así como establecer la tasa de uso de las terapias en nuestro país. El porcentaje de participación en el registro puede mejorar. La implantación de dispositivos de estimulación cardíaca es financiada predominantemente por el sistema de seguridad social. La tasa de implantación es baja con respecto a otras regiones.

Abstract Costa Rican Registry of Resynchronizers, Automatic Defibrillators and Endovascular Pacemakers (RECORDAME). I Official Report of the Electrophysiology Commission of the Costa Rican Cardiology Association (2019-2020) Introduction and objective: To communicate the results of the first national registry of cardiac stimulation devices from August 2019 to August 2020. Methods: We analyze the information recorded prospectively, on a voluntary basis, by the implant centers with respect to the population of patients who were implanted with a pacemaker, a defibrillator or a resynchronizer between August 22, 2019 and September 2020. Results: A total of 317 pacemaker procedures were registered from 10 centers participated. Participation was 40% of total procedures reported by companies. The pacemaker implantation rate was 6.27 per hundred thousand. A 83% of pacemakers were implanted in public centers, 70% corresponded to dual chamber devices. Mean age of the population was 73.7 years. Most frequent indication was AV conduction disorder (70.3%). Active fixation electrodes were the most used (97.8%). A 83.3% were MRI conditional. Use of single chamber pacemakers was more frequent in patients aged 80 years or older. Regarding ICD therapy, a total of 63 procedures were registered. from 5 centers, with a participation of 41%. Rate of ICD use was 1.25 per hundred thousand. Non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy was the most common heart disease in the recorded population. Conclusions: The registry allowed to know the frequency of procedures and more usual indications as well as to establish the rate of use of therapies in our country. The percentage of participation in the registration can be improved. The implementation of cardiac stimulation devices is predominantly financed by the social security system. The implantation rate is low compared to other regions.

First Asian population study of stereotactic body radiation therapy for ventricular arrhythmias.

We report the first Asian series on stereotactic body radiation (SBRT) for refractory ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in Taiwanese patients. Three-dimensional electroanatomic maps, delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI), and dual-energy computed tomography (CT) were used to identify scar substrates. The main target volume was treated with a single radiation dose of 25 Gy and the margin volume received 20 Gy using simultaneous integrated boost delivered by the Varian TrueBeam system. Efficacy was assessed according to VA events recorded by an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a 24-h Holter recorder. Pre- and post-radiation therapy imaging studies were performed. From February 2019 to December 2019, seven patients (six men, one woman; mean age, 55 years) were enrolled and treated. One patient died of hepatic failure. In the remaining six patients, at a median follow-up of 14.5 months, the VA burden and ICD shocks significantly decreased (only one patient with one ICD shock after treatment). Increased intensity on DE-MRI might be associated with a lower risk for VA recurrence, whereas dual-energy CT had lower detection sensitivity. No acute or minimal late adverse events occurred. In patients with refractory VA, SBRT is associated with a marked reduction in VA burden and ICD shocks, and DE-MRI might be useful for monitoring treatment effects.

Out of Hospital Sudden Death in a Rural Population: Low Rates of ICD Underutilization Among Decedents.

BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality in patients at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias. Implantation of ICDs in rural or economically disadvantaged populations is suspected to be low. This study examined Out of Hospital Premature Natural Death (OHPND) and electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify rates of non-implantation of ICDs among decedents in eastern North Carolina. METHODS: OHPND cases in 2016 were identified using mortality data and matched with EMRs. Those meeting criteria for ICD implantation based on chart review were adjudicated by two electrophysiologists to determine whether they qualified for implantation. Comorbidity burden was established using Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI). RESULTS: Out of 1316 OHPND cases, 967 (73.4%) had EMR records. Chart review identified 70 (7.2%) potential ICD candidates with a LVEF ≤35 of which 5 (7.1%) did not meet criteria because LVEF subsequently improved. Of the remaining 65 patients, 32 (49.2%) already received an ICD, and 33 patients (50.7%) met criteria but had not received one. Reasons for non-implantation included: limited life expectancy secondary to comorbidities, principally chronic kidney disease (CKD) (N = 11, 17%), physician non-adherence to guidelines (N = 9, 14%), loss to follow-up (N = 7, 11%), patient refusal (N = 5, 8%), and death before commencing medical therapy (N = 1, 2%). Among our cohort of 967 individuals who died unexpectedly, nine (0.9%) patients may have avoided death with an ICD. CONCLUSION: This study using decedent data shows low rates of ICD-underutilization in a rural population and emphasizes the role of advanced comorbidities such as CKD in ICD-underutilization.

Frequent inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy was determined to be dual atrioventricular nodal non-reentrant tachycardia: A case report.

RATIONALE: Dual atrioventricular node non-reentrant tachycardia (DAVNNRT) is a rare arrhythmia. We present a case of inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy caused by DAVNNRT. DAVNNRT is easily misdiagnosed as atrial fibrillation and is often identified as ventricular tachycardia (VT) by the supraventricular tachycardia-ventricular tachycardia (SVT-VT) discriminator of the ICD. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old man with ischemic heart disease (IHD) presented with palpitations accompanied by dyspnea and syncope. Frequent multifocal premature ventricular beats and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia were observed on ambulatory electrocardiography. The left ventricular ejection fraction decreased to 32%. DIAGNOSIS: He was diagnosed with IHD, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and VT. INTERVENTIONS: : Initially, the patient received a single-chamber ICD implantation for secondary prevention of sudden death. He then suffered from inappropriate anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP)/shock therapy many times after the procedure. DAVNNRT was confirmed in an electrophysiology study (EPS), and radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway successfully terminated this tachycardia. OUTCOMES: No episode of inappropriate ICD therapy or tachycardia occurred during the follow-up. LESSONS: In conclusion, it is essential to have a full understanding of DAVNNRT and eliminate slow pathways for patients with DAVNNRT and be prepared to implant an ICD.

Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are sparse. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the long-term risk and prognosis associated with cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure (HF), in patients with SLE. METHODS: Using Danish administrative registries, risks of outcomes were compared between SLE patients (diagnosed 1996 to 2018, no history of cardiovascular disease) and age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched control subjects from the background population (matched 1:4). Furthermore, mortality following HF diagnosis was compared between SLE patients developing HF and age- and sex-matched non-SLE control subjects with HF (matched 1:4). RESULTS: A total of 3,411 SLE patients (median age: 44.6 years [25th to 75th percentile: 31.9 to 57.0 years]; 14.1% men) were matched with 13,644 control subjects. The median follow-up was 8.5 years (25th to 75th percentile: 4.0 to 14.4 years). Absolute 10-year risks of outcomes were: HF, 3.71% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.02% to 4.51%) for SLE patients, 1.94% (95% CI: 1.68% to 2.24%) for control subjects; atrial fibrillation, 4.35% (95% CI: 3.61% to 5.18%) for SLE patients, 2.82% (95% CI: 2.50% to 3.16%) for control subjects; ischemic stroke, 3.75% (95% CI: 3.06% to 4.54%) for SLE patients, 1.92% (95% CI: 1.66% to 2.20%) for control subjects; myocardial infarction, 2.17% (95% CI: 1.66% to 2.80%) for SLE patients, 1.49% (95% CI: 1.26% to 1.75%) for control subjects; venous thromboembolism, 6.03% (95% CI: 5.17% to 6.98%) for SLE patients, 1.68% (95% CI: 1.44% to 1.95%) for control subjects; and the composite of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation/ventricular arrhythmias/cardiac arrest, 0.89% (95% CI: 0.58% to 1.31%) for SLE patients, 0.30% (95% CI: 0.20% to 0.43%) for control subjects. SLE with subsequent HF was associated with higher mortality compared with HF without SLE (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.08). CONCLUSIONS: SLE patients had a higher associated risk of HF and other cardiovascular outcomes compared with matched control subjects. Among patients developing HF, a history of SLE was associated with higher mortality.

Dutch Outcome in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy: Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator-Related Complications in a Contemporary Primary Prevention Cohort.

Background One third of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients receive appropriate therapy, but all remain at risk of defibrillator complications. Information on these complications in contemporary cohorts is limited. This study assessed complications and their risk factors after defibrillator implantation in a Dutch nationwide prospective registry cohort and forecasts the potential reduction in complications under distinct scenarios of updated indication criteria. Methods and Results Complications in a prospective multicenter registry cohort of 1442 primary implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implant patients were classified as major or minor. The potential for reducing complications was derived from a newly developed prediction model of appropriate therapy to identify patients with a low probability of benefitting from the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. During a follow-up of 2.2 years (interquartile range, 2.0-2.6 years), 228 complications occurred in 195 patients (13.6%), with 113 patients (7.8%) experiencing at least one major complication. Most common ones were lead related (n=93) and infection (n=18). Minor complications occurred in 6.8% of patients, with lead-related (n=47) and pocket-related (n=40) complications as the most prevailing ones. A surgical reintervention or additional hospitalization was required in 53% or 61% of complications, respectively. Complications were strongly associated with device type. Application of stricter implant indication results in a comparable proportional reduction of (major) complications. Conclusions One in 13 patients experiences at least one major implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related complication, and many patients undergo a surgical reintervention. Complications are related to defibrillator implantations, and these should be discussed with the patient. Stricter implant indication criteria and careful selection of device type implanted may have significant clinical and financial benefits.