Geographic, ethnic and socioeconomic factors influencing access to implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: We examined equity of access to implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in New Zealand in 2010 by district health board (DHB), ethnicity and socioeconomic status. METHODS: All new ICD recipients in 2010 were examined according to home district health board, ethnicity according to the national health database, and socioeconomic status using the NZDep index. RESULTS: During 2010, 352 new ICDs were implanted nationwide, giving an overall implantation rate of 80.6/million. However, implant rates varied significantly across the 20 DHBs with the highest implant rate observed in Tairawhiti at 192.3/million, and the lowest at 22/million in the Nelson region. There was also significant variation in implant rate by ethnicity, with Maori ethnicity at an implant rate of 114/million, European patients at 83/million, Pacific Island patients at 47/million and Asian patients an implant rate of 32/million. There was no significant difference in number of implants by socioeconomic decile. CONCLUSIONS: The variance in implantation rate by district health board and by ethnicity suggests that access to ICD therapy is not equitable in New Zealand. Investigation into causes of inequity of access is required.

Initial experience with a novel re-sterilisable decapolar electrophysiology catheter.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic electrophysiology catheters are single-use and their expense can act as a barrier to their use. A decapolar catheter with a re-sterilisable handle and inner core was developed, along with a disposable outer sheath. This initial experience evaluated the performance of the Khelix partially recyclable steerable decapolar electrophysiology catheter. METHODS: Sequential patients requiring a decapolar steerable catheter were included in the study. Parameters such as time to positioning from right femoral vein, fluoroscopy time and dose, pacing and sensing thresholds, and the requirement for reposition and/or support sheath were recorded. A retrospective analysis from cases using a standard disposable decapolar catheter was used to compare CS cannulation success, support sheath requirement and cost. RESULTS: 11 re-sterilisable catheter handles were used in 64 patients, each time with a disposable sheath, at two New Zealand centres from December 2017 to June 2018. Pre-defined safety measures were met in all patients, with no catheter-related adverse events. The catheter was successfully positioned in the coronary sinus for 59 cases (92%). Based on initial manufacturer recommendations, the inner recyclable portion of the catheter was able to be re-used successfully up to 12 times with re-sterilisation between cases. CONCLUSIONS: This initial study of an innovative, partially reusable, steerable decapolar electrophysiology catheter demonstrates that it may be used safely and successfully. Use of such a catheter may decrease the cost required for electrophysiology studies.

Functional tricuspid regurgitation secondary to aortic annular abscess: An unusual presentation of infective endocarditis.

An unusual case of aortic annular abscess is presented, in which the patient presented with features of gross tricuspid regurgitation. There was no direct involvement of the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid regurgitation disappeared following surgical repair of the annular abscess. The present case also illustrates the utility of trans-oesophageal echocardiography in establishing the diagnosis and planning surgical intervention.