Aveir VR, retrievable leadless pacing in the young.

INTRODUCTION: Successful implantations of the Aveir VR, have been effectively demonstrated in adults; however, there remain limited reports supporting safe and feasible implantation of the Aveir VR in the young population. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study of Aveir VR implantation of young patients (≦21 years old) at UC Davis Medical Center from November 2022 to January 2024 via the internal jugular or femoral vein implantation approaches. Indications for pacing, patient demographics, pacing thresholds and longevity were reported at the time of implantation and last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients received the Aveir VR with a median age of years (IQR 12.5-17) and median weight of 50.8 kg (IQR 44.6-60.9) kg. The majority were male (80%). Aveir VR leadless pacemaker occurred via internal jugular venous (90%) or femoral venous (10%) approaches. Indications for placement were intermittent complete heart block (60%) and sinus pauses (40%). Adequate impedance, sensing and thresholds were maintained from implantation to a median follow-up of 9 months. Predicted pacemaker longevity at follow-up median was 23.8 years. There were no complications in any of the 10 patients. CONCLUSION: Aveir VR implantation via the internal jugular and femoral veins is feasible in the young patient population with stable pacing parameters at follow-up.

Loop recorder implantation in patients as young as 3-months of age; the benefit of the sub-scapular approach.

BACKGROUND: Loop recorder implants may have value in pediatric patients; however, size limitations exist due to the risk of erosion. METHODS: Retrospective review of five patients who underwent subscapular loop recorder implantation were reviewed. RESULTS: No complications occurred. Stable R-waves were noted but could be positional but with adequate diagnostics provided. CONCLUSION: Subscapular loop recorder implantation is feasible in patients as young as 3 months of age.

First report of an Aveir retrievable leadless pacemaker in a pediatric patient, via internal jugular vein access.

BACKGROUND: The Aveir device allows retrievability and mapping prior to fixation over alternative leadless pacemakers. CASE SUMMARY: We describe the first case of Aveir leadless pacemaker implantation into a 44.5 kg, pediatric patient with symptomatic sinus dysfunction. Access by the right internal jugular vein (RIJ) with 1st attempt implantation into the septal location. DISCUSSION: Placement of the Aveir leadless pacemaker is feasible in a 44.5 kg pediatric patient via a RIJ approach.

Genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells reduce behavioral deficits in the YAC 128 mouse model of Huntington's disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the transplantation of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), genetically engineered to over-express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or nerve growth factor (NGF) on motor deficits and neurodegeneration in YAC 128 transgenic mice. MSCs, harvested from mouse femurs, were genetically engineered to over-express BDNF and/or NGF and these cells, or the vehicle solution, were injected into the striata of four-month old YAC 128 transgenic and wild-type mice. Assessments of motor ability on the rotarod and the severity of clasping were made one day prior to transplantation and once monthly, thereafter, to determine the effects of the transplanted cells on motor function. The mice were sacrificed at 13-months of age for immunohistological examination. All YAC 128 mice receiving transplants had reduced clasping, relative to vehicle-treated YAC 128 mice, while YAC 128 mice that were transplanted with MSCs which were genetically engineered to over-express BDNF, had the longest latencies on the rotarod and the least amount of neuronal loss within the striatum of the YAC 128 mice. These results indicate that intrastriatal transplantation of MSCs that over-express BDNF may create an environment within the striatum that slows neurodegenerative processes and provides behavioral sparing in the YAC 128 mouse model of HD. Further research on the long-term safety and efficacy of this approach is needed before its potential clinical utility can be comprehensively assessed.