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Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) are a cornerstone of the treatment of heart failure and wide QRS. In such subjects, there is often concomitant right ventricular (RV) dysfunction., Aims: We aimed to assess whether there is an association between RV function parameters and all-cause mortality or CRT-D therapies., Methods: The clinical data from study participants were obtained from the COMMIT-HF registry (NCT02536443). RV function parameters we focused on were RV dimension, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). Data on the long-term hard endpoints were obtained from the national healthcare provider, while data on device therapies were obtained from the investigator-initiated remote monitoring database. The predictors of the study outcomes - all-cause mortality and appropriate and inappropriate CRT-D therapies - were assessed with multivariable logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier curves., Results: Between July 2009 and November 2019, 335 patients were enrolled in the remote monitoring program after implantation of CRT-D. During the median (IQR) follow-up of 5.3 (2.8-6.6) years, 117 of them (34.9%) died, 111 (33.1%) received appropriate and 37 (11.0%) inappropriate shocks. The independent predictors of all-cause mortality were reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and an increase in RVSP. Lower age and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter were independent predictors of appropriate therapies, while lower age and increased RVSP were independent predictors of inappropriate therapies. Neither tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion nor RV dimension was a predictor of the analyzed outcomes., Conclusions: RVSP is an independent predictor of inappropriate therapies and all-cause mortality in remotely monitored patients with heart failure and CRT-D.

Aims: The number of patients with heart failure (HF) and implantable cardiac electronic devices has been growing steadily. Remote monitoring care (RC) of cardiac implantable electronic devices can facilitate patient-healthcare clinical interactions and prompt preventive activities to improve HF outcomes. However, studies that have investigated the efficacy of remote monitoring have shown mixed findings, with better results for the system including daily verification of transmission. The purpose of the RESULT study was to analyse the impact of remote monitoring on clinical outcomes in HF patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD/cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D)] in real-life conditions., Methods and Results: The RESULT is a prospective, single-centre, randomized trial. Patients with HF and de novo ICD or CRT-D implantation were randomized to undergo RC vs. in-office follow-ups (SC, standard care). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and hospitalization due to cardiovascular reasons within 12 months after randomization. We randomly assigned 600 eligible patients (299 in RC vs. 301 in SC). Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were well-balanced and similar in both arms. The incidence of the primary endpoint differed significantly between RC and SC and involved 39.5% and 48.5% of patients, respectively, (P = 0.048) within the 12-month follow-up. The rate of all-cause mortality was similar between the studied groups (6% vs. 6%, P = 0.9), whereas hospitalization rate due to cardiovascular reasons was higher in SC (37.1% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.045)., Conclusion: Remote monitoring of HF patients with implanted ICD or CRT-D significantly reduced the primary endpoint rate, mostly as a result of a lower hospitalization rate in the RC arm (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02409225)., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The number of patients with heart failure implantable cardiac electronic devices (CIEDs) is growing. Hospitalization rate in this group is very high and generates enormous costs. To avoid the need for hospital treatment, optimized monitoring and follow-up is crucial. Remote monitoring (RM) has been widely put into practice in the management of CIEDs but it may be difficult due to the presence of differences in systems provided by device manufacturers and loss of gathered data in case of device reimplantation. Additionally, conclusions derived from studies about usefulness of RM in clinical practice apply to devices coming only from a single company. An integrated monitoring platform allows for more comprehensive data analysis and interpretation. Therefore, the primary objective of Remote Supervision to Decrease Hospitalization Rate (RESULT) study is to evaluate the impact of RM on the clinical status of patients with ICDs or CRT-Ds using an integrated platform. Six hundred consecutive patients with ICDs or CRT-Ds implanted will be prospectively randomized to either a traditional or RM-based follow-up model. The primary clinical endpoint will be a composite of all-cause mortality or hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons within 12 months after randomization. The primary technical endpoint will be to construct and evaluate a unified and integrated platform for the data collected from RM devices manufactured by different companies. This manuscript describes the design and methodology of the prospective, randomized trial designed to determine whether remote monitoring using an integrated platform for different companies is safe, feasible, and efficacious (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02409225)., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Current real-life information from all-comers registries from middle and east Europe about the incidence and type of complications during long-term follow-up of patients with cardioverters-defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization devices-defibrillators (CRT-D) is still insufficient. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence and determinants of short- and long-term complications related to implantable ICD and CRT-D., Methods: We studied 1,105 recipients hospitalized in our center in 2009-2013, followed for a mean of 2.4 years (total of 2,652 patient-years). The independent association between ICD and CRT-D recipients' and implantation-procedures' characteristics with the incidence of complications was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression analysis., Results: In 2-month post-procedural period, 124 (11.2%) patients developed complications. Independent predictors of short-term complications (within 2 months) were: atrial fibrillation, dual chamber ICD implantation, and use of antiplatelet therapy or coumarin. Twenty-seven (2.44%) patients experienced complications, mostly lead-related (n = 21). Independent predictors of long-term complications (2-12 months after implantation) were atrial fibrillation and dual chamber ICD implantation., Conclusions: Despite significant technological progress and operators' experience, the occurrence of complications in ICD and CRT-D recipients is still substantial. Majority of complications are recorded in the early post-implantation phase. Analysis of independent predictors of complications seem to be essential in helping to reduce adverse events in the future and strongly supports the need for routine follow-up.

A case of a 77 year old male with a history of multiple pacemaker replacement procedures, a new ventricular lead implanted and an old one left in place, and imminent skin erosion at the site of a pacemaker pocket is presented. Clinical diagnosis included right- -sided heart failure, pneumonia, pleural effusion and suspicion of pulmonary infarction as well as endocarditis. Chest radiogram and computerised tomography revealed an unusual location of an old ventricular lead which proximal, sharp end migrated through the venous system via right ventricle and pericardium to the left pleural cavity.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) without ST elevation (which include unstable angina [UA] and non ST elevation MI [NSTEMI]) are caused by dynamic changes in the atherosclerotic plaque and coronary blood flow. To determine characteristics, in-hospital outcome and management of patients with ACS without ST elevation. The total of 502 patients were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were: rest angina within the last 24 hours, ST-segment deviation (>0,05 mV), T-wave inversion (>0,1 mV) in at least two leads, positive serum cardiac markers. There were 63,3% of patients with Braunwald's IIIB UA and 6,8% with IIIC UA, 29,9% of patients were diagnosed with NSTEMI. All patients were diagnosed invasively with subsequent revascularization (PCI-73,1% or CABG-16,7%) if apprioppriate. 1,6% of patients underwent PCI and elective CABG and 16,7% of patients were treated conservatively. Overall mortality was 2,98%--PCI subgroup (N = 367) 1,36%, CABG subgroup (N = 84) 8,33% and conservative subgroup (N = 43) 6,07%. Non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) complicated the hospital course in 0,99%, 0,27%, 3,57%, and 2,32% of patients respectively. 1,4%, 0,54%, 6% and 0% of patients respectively had fatal MI. Early invasive strategy in patients with ACS without ST elevation is efficacious method of treatment.

Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), the efficacy of thrombolysis is low. Angioplasty after failed thrombolysis (rescue percutaneous coronary angioplasty [PTCA]) has been associated with an increase in the incidence of inhospital complications. It has been proposed that these complications result from the procedure itself. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, inhospital complications, and mortality rate of patients with MI who are treated with primary PTCA and PTCA after initial thrombolysis (rescue or immediate rescue) in an experienced clinical center specializing in percutaneous coronary interventions., Methods and Results: The study group consisted of consecutive patients with MI treated with primary PTCA (n = 195) or PTCA after initial thrombolysis (n = 179). The study was performed in a referral center with a 24-hour catheter-laboratory service. The success rate of the procedure was 90.5% and 88.2% in the PTCA after initial thrombolysis group and primary PTCA group, respectively. The groups did not differ in the frequency of reocclusion, emergency surgical revascularization (coronary artery bypass grafting), or stroke. In patients without cardiogenic shock, the inhospital mortality rates were 3.2% and 0.6% in the rescue and immediate rescue group and primary PTCA group, respectively (not significant). In a subgroup of patients with cardiogenic shock, the mortality rate was 36.0% in the initial thrombolysis PTCA group and 30.8% in the primary PTCA group. However, after successful PTCA in this subgroup, the mortality rate dropped to 18% and 10%, respectively., Conclusions: After initial thrombolysis, PTCA is safe, effective, and likely to restore grade 3 Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow in about 90% of patients. When available, immediate rescue PTCA should be performed in all patients, including patients with cardiogenic shock.