Prognosis of pacing-dependent patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND: Data on the prognostic significance of pacing dependency in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are sparse. METHODS: The prognostic significance of pacing dependency defined as absence of an intrinsic rhythm ≥ 30 bpm was determined in 786 patients with CIEDs at the authors' institution using univariate and multivariate regression analysis to identify predictors of all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During 49 months median follow-up, death occurred in 63 of 130 patients with pacing dependency compared to 241 of 656 patients without pacing dependency (48% versus 37%, hazard ratio [HR] 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.78, P = 0.04). Using multivariate regression analysis, predictors of all-cause mortality included age (HR 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05-1.08, P < 0.01), history of atrial fibrillation (HR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.03-1.69, P < 0.01), chronic kidney disease (HR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.00-1.63, P = 0.048) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ III (HR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.52-2.62, P < 0.01), but not pacing dependency (HR 1.15; 95% CI: 0.86-1.54, P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to age, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease and heart failure severity as indexed by NYHA functional class III or IV, pacing dependency does not appear to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with CIEDs.

Conversion to everolimus in pediatric heart transplant recipients is a safe treatment option with an impact on cardiac allograft vasculopathy and renal function.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and nephrotoxicity affect long-term survival after heart transplantation (HTX). Studies, mostly conducted in adults, showed a positive effect of everolimus (EVL) on these problems. We describe the effects of conversion of the immunosuppressive therapy to an everolimus including regime on CAV, renal function, and safety in heart transplanted children/adolescents. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included 36 participants (mean time after HTX 6.3 ± 4.7 years). Descriptive pre/post-comparisons were performed with an observation period partially up to 4 years. Impact on CAV was assessed based on intravascular imaging and Stanford grading. Safety analysis included cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infection and acute rejection. RESULTS: In terms of CAV (9 out of 36 patients) four showed no progression, three an improvement, one a worsening; one new diagnosis. The average CrCl showed a significant improvement 6, 12, and 24 months after conversion regarding all patients (n = 29). There was no acute rejection or CMV-infection. CONCLUSION: Conversion to an EVL-based therapy after pediatric HTX is a safe immunosuppressive regime without increasing risk of acute rejection or CMV-infection. There was some evidence of reduction in progression of CAV and a significant improvement of the renal function.

Predictors of pacing-dependency in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND: Data on the prevalence and predictors for the development of pacing-dependency in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are sparse. METHODS: Pacing-dependency defined as an absence of intrinsic rhythm of ≥ 30 bpm was determined in 802 consecutive patients with CIEDs who visited the documented pacemaker or implantable cardioverter- defibrillator outpatient clinic for routine follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 131 (16%) patients were found to be pacing-dependent 67 ± 70 months after CIED implant. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between pacing-dependency and the following clinical variables: second or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block at implant (OR = 19.9; 95% CI: 10.9-38.5, p < 0.01), atrial fibrillation at implant (OR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.16-4.05, p = 0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 30% (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.03-4.15, p = 0.04), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) > 150 pg/mL (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.16-3.97, p = 0.02), chronic kidney disease (OR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.08-3.26, p = 0.03), and follow-up duration after implantation > 5 years (OR = 3.29; 95% CI: 1.96-5.64, p < 0.01). None of the remaining clinical variables including age, gender, diabetes mellitus, underlying heart disease, prior cardiac surgery or medication during follow-up including betablockers and amiodarone predicted pacing-dependency. CONCLUSIONS: Pacing-dependency is associated with second or third-degree AV-block at implant, atrial fibrillation before implant, low LVEF, elevated BNP, chronic kidney disease and follow-up duration after implant.