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Introduction and objectives Atrial and ventricular pacing (AP/VP) have been related to a higher risk of clinical atrial fibrillation (AF). Subclinical AF (SCAF) is detected as atrial high rate episodes by cardiac pacing devices. We aimed to determine whether the percentage of AP/VP is related with the development of SCAF. Methods From February 2012 to September 2015 we recruited consecutive patients with dual chamber pacemakers and no history of AF. SCAF (atrial high rate episodes), clinical AF (electrocardiographically documented) and cardiovascular events were registered. Results A total of 249 patients (57% men; 75 ± 9 years) were included. After a mean follow-up of 33 ± 11 months, 38.5% developed SCAF and 10.4% AF. Patients with AP ≥ 50% presented higher risk of SCAF (62.5% vs 32.3%; OR, 3.48; 95%CI, 1.93-6.4; P Conclusions Atrial and ventricular pacing are related with higher risk of developing subclinical and clinical AF in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers and no history of previous AF. Our data suggest, that patients presenting a high percentage of AP should be closely followed during routinely pacemaker check-ups assessing for SCAF.

ECG of patients with Wolf Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome may simulate other entities such as myocardial infarction, ventricular premature complexes, ventricular bigeminy, accelerated idioventricular rhythm, intermittent bundle branch block or electrical alternans. On the other hand, the opposite can also occur where these other conditions may simulate WPW. We present the case of a young patient referred for WPW ablation showing an incessant accelerated idioventricular rhythm mimicking preexcitation.

Introduction and objectives: This report presents the findings of the 2018 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. Methods: Data collection was retrospective. A standardized questionnaire was completed by each of the participating centers. Results: Data sent by 100 centers were analyzed, with a total number of 16,566 ablation procedures performed (the highest historically reported in this registry) for a mean of 165.5 ± 127.9 and a median of 119 procedures per center. The ablation targets most frequently treated were atrial fibrillation (n = 4234; 25.6%), atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (n = 3525; 21.3%) and cavotricuspid isthmus (n = 3425; 20.7%). A new peak was observed in the ablation of atrial fibrillation, increasing the distance from the other substrates. The overall success rate was 91%. The rate of major complications was 2.2%, and the mortality rate was 0.04%. A total of 2.1% of the ablations were performed in pediatric patients. Conclusions: The Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry systematically and continuously enrolls the ablation procedures performed in Spain, showing a progressive increase in the number of ablations over the years, with a high success rate and low percentage of complications.

Introduction and objectives Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are still widely used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. However, the access to international normalised ratio (INR) determinations is sometimes difficult and the time in therapeutic range (TTR) is not always available. The aim of this study was to design and validate a simple and easy-to-use questionnaire that enables the identification of atrial fibrillation patients with poor quality of anticoagulation. Methods This is a national, multi-centre, observational, and cross-sectional study including consecutive non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients receiving VKA therapy and followed up at cardiology clinics. At inclusion, INR determinations during the last 6 months were analysed to determine the TTR and the ICUSI questionnaire was completed. A TTR < 65% was considered suboptimal. Results A total of 813 patients (55% men, 75±9 years old) were available for the analyses. The mean TTR was 62.2%±20.3% and 427 (52.5%) patients had a TTR < 65%. The final version of the ICUSI questionnaire included 4 questions and the mean ICUSI score was 1.19±1.17. The predictive ability of the ICUSI questionnaire for predicting TTR < 65% was moderate (c-index, 0.707; 95%CI, 0.670–0.740; P

Introduction Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defrilator (CRT-D) has been shown to reduce mortality in HFrEF. The width and morphology of the QRS are essential when deciding on the implantation of these devices. QRS fragmentation (fQRS) has been shown to be a good predictor of cardiovascular events in certain patients, but its role in patients with CRT-D has not been studied. The aim of this study is to determine whether the presence of a fQRS at the time of CRT-D implantation can predict clinical events. Methods All patients who underwent CRT-D implantation from 2010 to 2017 were included. Patients' ECG were evaluated at the time of implantation, and the incidence of clinical events during follow-up was also assessed. fQRS was defined as the presence of an RSR' pattern with a notch in the R wave or in the ascending or descending branch of the S wave in two continuous leads on the ECG. Results We studied 131 patients (mean age 73 years, 76.5% male). The mean follow-up period was 37±26 months. No difference in baseline characteristics was found (Table 1); the proportion of fQRS was 48.9%. 25 patients (19.1%) had hospital admissions secondary to cardiovascular causes (heart failure, arrhythmic events, acute coronary syndrome, and death from other causes). We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis aiming at an association between the presence of fQRS and the increased risk of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular causes OR 2.92 (95% CI: 1.04–8.21, P=0.04). Conclusion The presence of a fQRS at the time of implantation of a CRT-D is an independent predictor of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular causes. Therefore this could be a useful marker to identify the population at high risk of cardiovascular events, for this we consider necessary to conduct future studies and thus assess the value of the fQRS for the selection of patients requiring closer monitoring thus avoiding further hospital admissions. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Ictal asystole can appear in patients with focal epilepsy, even in early phases. We present our experience of 7 cases, remarking the electrocardiographic characteristics, the role of apnea, treatment and long-term evolution. Awareness of this entity and collaboration between neurologists and cardiologists are essential for a correct diagnosis and management.

ObjectivesThe association between obesity and atrial fibrillation (AF) is well-established. We aimed to evaluate the impact of index body mass index (BMI) on AF recurrence at 12 months following catheter ablation using propensity-weighted analysis. In addition, periprocedural complications and fluoroscopy details were examined to assess overall safety in relationship to increasing BMI ranges.MethodsBaseline, periprocedural and follow-up data were collected on consecutive patients scheduled for AF ablation. There were no specific exclusion criteria. Patients were categorised according to baseline BMI in order to assess the outcomes for each category.ResultsAmong 3333 patients, 728 (21.8%) were classified as normal (BMI 2), 1537 (46.1%) as overweight (BMI 25.5–29.0 kg/m2) and 1068 (32.0%) as obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2). Procedural duration and radiation dose were higher for overweight and obese patients compared with those with a normal BMI (p=0.002 and p2led to a 1.2-fold increased likelihood of experiencing recurrent AF at 12-months follow-up as compared with overweight patients (HR 1.223; 95% CI 1.047 to 1.429; p=0.011), while no significant correlation was found between overweight and normal BMI groups (HR 0.954; 95% CI 0.798 to 1.140; p=0.605) and obese versus normal BMI (HR 1.16; 95% CI 0.965 to 1.412; p=0.112).ConclusionsPatients with a baseline BMI ≥30 kg/m2have a higher recurrence rate of AF following catheter ablation and therefore lifestyle modification to target obesity preprocedure should be considered in these patients.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Se describen los resultados del Registro Espanol de Ablacion con Cateter correspondientes al ano 2017. Metodos La recogida de datos se llevo a cabo de forma retrospectiva con la cumplimentacion de un formulario de recogida de datos de cada uno de los centros participantes. Resultados El numero total de procedimientos de ablacion fue de 15.284 realizados en 98 centros (mayor numero de centros y de procedimientos de ablacion comunicados historicamente en este registro) con una media de 156 ± 126 y una mediana de 136 procedimientos. El sustrato abordado con mas frecuencia ha sido por primera vez en el registro la fibrilacion auricular (n = 3.457; 22,6%), seguida del istmo cavotricuspideo (n = 3.449; 22,5%) y la taquicardia intranodular (n = 3.429; 22,4%). La tasa total de exito fue del 87%; la de complicaciones mayores, del 2,6% y la mortalidad, del 0,09%. Se ha producido un aumento de los procedimientos realizados sin apoyo de fluoroscopia hasta suponer un 6% del total de las ablaciones. Un 2,3% de las ablaciones se realizo en pacientes pediatricos. Conclusiones El Registro Espanol de Ablacion con Cateter recoge sistematica e ininterrumpidamente los procedimientos de ablacion realizados en Espana, y esto nos ha permitido observar un aumento progresivo del numero de ablaciones y de centros que las realizan manteniendo una tasa de exito elevada y unos porcentajes de complicaciones bajos.

Today’s pacemakers and defibrillators include diagnostic tools for detecting and treating cardiac arrhythmias like silent atrial fibrillation as atrial high rate episodes (AHREs). This diagnostic capability is crucial to prevent the potential embolic complications this AHREs are related to. However, sometimes data retrieved from diagnostic counters may be misleading reflecting limitations of detection algorithms, which must follow mathematical rules to classify events on a beat-to-beat basis. The incorporation of stored electrograms has been an important milestone in improving the diagnostic capabilities of these devices confirming the arrhythmia diagnosis.

Aims Atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) compatible with silent AF detected in pacemakers (PM) are related to an increased risk of stroke and silent ischaemic brain lesions (IBL) on CT scan. AHREs soon after PM implantation could be related with the procedure itself and the prognosis might be different. Methods and results We analysed the incidence of AHREs >5 min and the presence of silent IBL in 110 patients (56% men, aged 75 ± 9 year-old) with PM and no history of AF, in relation to time from implantation (≤3 months vs. >3 months) and the atrial lead fixation (LF) (active vs. passive). Mean CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc scores were 1.9 ± 1.2 and 3.5 ± 1.5, respectively. Time from implantation was ≤3 months in 88 patients (80%). Active LF was used in 55 patients (50%). After 24 ± 9 months, AHREs were present in 40 patients (36.4%). CT-scan showed silent IBL in 26 patients (23.6%). The presence of AHREs at 3 months was more frequent in the patients with recent PM implantation (17% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.09) and significantly related to active LF (OR 5.36, 1.43-20.07; P

Background: GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic t...

Introduction and objectives: Several clinical risk scores have been developed to identify patients at high risk of all-cause mortality despite implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. We aimed to examine and compare the predictive capacity of 4 simple scoring systems (MADIT-II, FADES, PACE and SHOCKED) for predicting mortality after defibrillator implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in a Mediterranean country. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed in 15 Spanish hospitals. Consecutive patients referred for defibrillator implantation between January 2010 and December 2011 were included. Results: A total of 916 patients with ischemic and nonischemic heart disease were included (mean age, 62 +/- 11 years, 81.4% male). Over 33.4 +/- 12.9 months, 113 (12.3%) patients died (cardiovascular origin in 86 [9.4%] patients). At 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, mortality rates were 4.5%, 7.6%, 10.8%, and 12.3% respectively. All the risk scores showed a stepwise increase in the risk of death throughout the scoring system of each of the scores and all 4 scores identified patients at greater risk of mortality. The scores were significantly associated with all-cause mortality throughout the follow-up period. PACE displayed the lowest c-index value regardless of whether the population had heart disease of ischemic (c-statistic = 0.61) or nonischemic origin (c-statistic = 0.61), whereas MADIT-II (c-statistic = 0.67 and 0.65 in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy, respectively), SHOCKED (c-statistic = 0.68 and 0.66, respectively), and FADES (c-statistic = 0.66 and 0.60) provided similar c-statistic values (P >= .09). Conclusions: In this nontrial-based cohort of Mediterranean patients, the 4 evaluated risk scores showed a significant stepwise increase in the risk of death. Among the currently available risk scores, MADIT-II, FADES, and SHOCKED provide slightly better performance than PACE. (C) 2016 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Se han elaborado varias puntuaciones clinicas del riesgo para identificar a los pacientes con un riesgo de mortalidad por cualquier causa elevado a pesar del implante de un desfibrilador implantable. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar y comparar la capacidad predictiva de 4 sistemas de puntuacion sencillos (MADIT- II , FADES, PACE y SHOCKED) por lo que respecta a la prediccion de la mortalidad tras implante de desfibrilador para la prevencion primaria de la muerte subita cardiaca en un pais mediterraneo. Metodos Se llevo a cabo un estudio multicentrico retrospectivo en 15 hospitales espanoles. Se incluyo a los pacientes consecutivos remitidos para implante de desfibrilador entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2011. Resultados Se incluyo a 916 pacientes con cardiopatia isquemica o no isquemica (media de edad, 62 ± 11 anos; el 81,4% varones). Durante un periodo de 33,4 ± 12,9 meses, fallecieron 113 pacientes (12,3%), el 9,4% (86 pacientes) por causa cardiovascular. A los 12, 24, 36 y 48 meses, la tasa de mortalidad fue del 4,5, el 7,6, el 10,8 y el 12,3% respectivamente. Todas las puntuaciones de riesgo mostraron un aumento escalonado del riesgo de muerte a lo largo de todo el sistema de puntuacion de cada una de ellas y las 4 identificaron a los pacientes en mayor riesgo de mortalidad. Las puntuaciones tuvieron asociacion significativa con la mortalidad por cualquier causa en todo el periodo de seguimiento. La puntuacion PACE fue la que mostro un valor del indice c mas bajo, tanto si la poblacion tenia una cardiopatia de origen isquemico (estadistico c = 0,61) como si era de origen no isquemico (estadistico c = 0,61), mientras que la puntuacion MADIT- II (estadistico c = 0,67 y 0,65 en la miocardiopatia isquemica y no isquemica respectivamente), las puntuaciones SHOCKED (estadistico c = 0,68 y 0,66 respectivamente) y FADES (estadistico c = 0,66 y 0,60) mostraron unos valores del estadistico c similares (p ≥ 0,09). Conclusiones En esta cohorte de pacientes mediterraneos que no formaba parte de un ensayo clinico, las 4 puntuaciones de riesgo evaluadas mostraron un significativo aumento escalonado del riesgo de muerte. De entre las puntuaciones de riesgo existentes, MADIT- II , FADES y SHOCKED aportan un rendimiento ligeramente superior al de la puntuacion PACE.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant clinical events and costs. A higher and increasing prevalence of AF has been reported, mostly due to advances in diagnosis methods (1). AF morbidity and mortality reports are based primarily on symptomatic AF. However, in at least one third of patients, AF is neither clearly symptomatic nor noticeable due to degradation of functional class.

Introduction and objectives: This report describes the findings of the 2017 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. Methods: Data collection was retrospective. A standardized questionnaire was completed by each of the participating centers. Results: A total of 15 284 ablation procedures were performed by 98 institutions (the highest number of ablations and institutions historically reported in this registry), with a mean of 156 ± 126 and a median of 136 procedures per center. For the first time, the most frequently treated ablation target was atrial fibrillation (n = 3457; 22.6%), followed by cavotricuspid isthmus (n = 3449; 22.5%) and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (n = 3429; 22.4%). The overall success rate was 87%. The rate of major complications was 2.6%, and the mortality rate was 0.09%. The percentage of procedures performed without fluoroscopic support increased to 6% of all ablations, and 2.3% of all ablations were performed in pediatric patients. Conclusions: The Spanish Ablation Catheter Registry systematically and uninterruptedly collects data on the ablation procedures performed in Spain, revealing that both the number of ablations and the number of centers performing them has progressively increased, while maintaining a high success rate and a low percentage of complications.

We report on a case of a 78-years-old patient with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) and an episode of a sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) at a rate slower than the programmed shock zone. Because of T-wave oversensing the device interpreted it as fast VT that triggered the delivery of an “inappropriately appropriate shock” that terminated it. The patient had again more VT episodes but after programming the SMART pass algorithm (previously programmed “OFF”) the device showed no longer frequent T-wave oversensing and no additional inappropriate shocks occurred.

BACKGROUND Hypertensive patients present a higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation and its complications. Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have shown reliable atrial fibrillation detection as atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs). The presence of AHRE more than 5 min has been related to increased risk of stroke, but a high proportion of ischemic brain lesions (IBLs) could be subclinical and thromboembolic risk underestimated. METHODS We included hypertensive patients with CIED and we analyzed the incidence of AHRE and the presence of IBL on computed tomography (CT) scan. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-three patients (57% men) aged 77 ± 8 years were evaluated during a mean follow-up of 15 ± 9 months. AHREs were documented in 46 patients (37%). Cranial CT scan showed silent IBL in 34 patients (27%). Univariate analysis showed that age, CHADS2 and CHADS2VA2Sc scores, history of prior stroke/ transient ischemic attack and the presence of AHRE were significantly related to higher risk for IBL on CT scan (P

Background Heart failure (HF) hospitalizations have a negative impact on quality of life and imply important costs. Intrathoracic impedance (ITI) variations detected by cardiac devices have been hypothesized to predict HF hospitalizations. Although Optivol™ algorithm (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) has been widely studied, CorVue™ algorithm's (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) long-term efficacy has not been systematically evaluated in a "real-life" cohort. Methods CorVue™ was activated in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) patients to store information about ITI measures. Clinical events (new episodes of HF requiring treatment and hospitalizations) and CorVue™ data were recorded every 3 months. Appropriate CorVue™ detection for HF was considered if it occurred in the 4 prior weeks to the clinical event. Results Fifty-three ICD/CRT-D (26 ICD and 27 CRT-D) patients (67 ± 1 years old, 79% male) were included. Device position was subcutaneous in 28 patients. At inclusion, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 25 ± 7% and 27 patients (51%) were in New York Heart Association class I, 18 (34%) in class II, and eight (15%) in class III. After a mean follow-up of 17 ± 9 months, 105 ITI drops alarms were detected in 32 patients (60%). Only six alarms were appropriate (true positive) and required hospitalization. Eighteen patients (34%) presented 25 clinical episodes (12 hospitalizations and 13 emergency room/ambulatory treatment modifications). Nineteen of these clinical episodes (76%) remained undetected by the CorVue™ (false negative). Sensitivity of CorVue™ resulted in 24%, specificity was 70%, positive predictive value of 6%, and negative predictive value of 93%. Conclusions CorVue™ showed a low sensitivity to predict HF events. Therefore, routinely activation of this algorithm could generate misleading information.

We present a case series of five patients reporting abnormal automatic mode switching (AMS) episodes during routinary cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and pacemaker (PM) follow-up. This non-previously described phenomenon was reported to St. Jude Medical (Abbott) Technical Support that confirmed the inappropriate automatic mode switching.

BACKGROUND The presence of interatrial block (IAB) is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to determine whether P-wave duration and presence of IAB before the implantation of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) are associated with the presence of atrial high rate episodes (AHRE), during long-term follow-up. METHODS 380 patients (57% men; 75 ± 10 years) were included. IAB was defined according to the International Consensus Criteria. AHRE was defined as an episode of atrial rate ≥225 beats/min with a minimum duration of 5 minutes. RESULTS Documented paroxysmal AF before the implantation was present in 24% of the patients; 80% had hypertension and 32% structural heart disease. Mean P-wave duration was 123 ± 23 ms, and 39% of the patients had IAB (32% partial, 7% advanced). After a mean follow-up of 18 ± 12 months, 33% of the patients presented AHRE. Patients with AHRE had a P-wave duration significantly longer (130 ± 24 ms vs 119 ± 21 ms; P

BACKGROUND: Device-detected subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) refers to infrequent, short-lasting, asymptomatic AF that is detected only with long-term continuous monitoring. Subclinical AF is common and associated with an increased risk of stroke; however, the risk of stroke with subclinical AF is lower than for clinical AF, and very few patients with subclinical AF alone have been included in large AF anticoagulation trials. The net benefit of anticoagulation in patients with subclinical AF is unknown.DESIGN: ARTESiA is a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, recruiting patients with subclinical AF detected by an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, or cardiac monitor, and who have additional risk factors for stroke. Patients with clinical AF documented by surface electrocardiogram will be excluded from the study. Participants will be randomized to receive either apixaban (according to standard AF dosing) or aspirin 81mg daily. The primary outcome is the composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging evidence of cerebral infarction, and systemic embolism. Approximately 4,000 patients will be enrolled from around 230 clinical sites, with an anticipated mean follow-up of 36months until 248 adjudicated primary outcome events have occurred.SUMMARY: ARTESiA will determine whether oral anticoagulation therapy with apixaban compared with aspirin reduces the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with subclinical AF and additional risk factors.

Aims Monitoring capabilities of cardiac implantable electronic devices have revealed that a large proportion of patients present silent atrial fibrillation (AF) detected as atrial high rate episodes (AHREs). Atrial high rate episodes >5 min have been linked to increased risk of clinical stroke, but a high proportion of ischaemic brain lesions (IBLs) could be subclinical. Methods and results We prospectively analysed the incidence of AHRE > 5 min in 109 patients (56% men, aged 74 ± 9 years) and the presence of silent IBL on computed tomography (CT) scan. Mean CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc scores were 2.3 ± 1.3 and 3.9 ± 1.6, respectively. Seventy-five patients (69%) had no history of AF or stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA). After 12 months, 28 patients (25.7%) showed at least one AHRE. Patients with AHREs were more likely to have history of AF. Computed tomography scan showed silent IBL in 28 (25.7%). The presence of IBL was significantly related to older patients, prior history of AF or stroke/TIA, higher CHADS2 or CHA2DS2VASc scores, and the presence of AHRE. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that AHRE was an independent predictor for silent IBL in overall population [hazard ratio (HR) 3.05 (1.06–8.81; P < 0.05)] but also in patients without prior history of AF or stroke/TIA [HR 9.76 (1.76–54.07; P < 0.05)]. Conclusion Cardiac implantable electronic devices can accurately detect AF as AHRE. Atrial high rate episodes were associated to a higher incidence of silent IBL on CT scan. Atrial high rate episodes represent a kind of silent AF where management recommendations are lacking despite the fact that a higher embolic risk is present.

Assessment of the prevalence of silent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a challenge, since the arrhythmia may be brief, completely asymptomatic, and difficult to detect. Lack of symptoms from AF should not be equated to lack of risk of thromboembolic complications. Today's cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) diagnostics include system diagnostics accurately revealing asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias as atrial high rate episodes (AHRE). The presence of AHRE has been related to increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism. The application of anticoagulation therapy in patients with device-detected AHRE is yet unclear and challenging in the absence of randomized studies. Until further studies are available, anticoagulation therapy should be individualized and promoted attending to the CHADS2 score. Future guidelines should deal with this peculiar AF scenario to make professionals who routinely perform CIED follow-ups aware of these relevant episodes and their clinical implications.

Aims AutoCapture (St Jude Medical) is a technological development that confirms ventricular capture analysing the evoked response after a pacing impulse and adjusts the energy output to changes in the stimulation threshold. Although this algorithm is aimed to assure capture minimizing energy consumption, some patients might not benefit from it. The objective of this study is to identify them. Methods and results Long-term AutoCapture efficiency was assessed using the data recorded in the programmer reports of patients undergoing scheduled pacemaker check-ups during 2012 in our institution. We have evaluated 160 consecutive patients (58% men) aged 78 ± 9 years. Pacemaker stimulation mode was DDD in 116 patients (72.5%) and VVI in 44 patients (27.5%). During the scheduled visits for pacemaker check-up, 73 patients (45.6%) showed abnormalities in the long-term AutoCapture function report (high variability in the AutoCapture stimulation threshold and/or out-of-range values). After multivariate analysis, abnormal AutoCapture pattern was associated to the presence of atrial fibrillation [odds ratio (OR) 3.96 (1.59–9.82; P < 0.05)]; and a ventricular pacing ≤25% of the time [OR 4.80 (2.09–11.05; P < 0.05)]. AutoCapture abnormalities were also described in three (1.8%) patients with very low stimulation threshold. Conclusion Although AutoCapture algorithm has shown both efficacy and safety, our findings suggest that some patients with atrial fibrillation or those requiring ventricular pacing ≤25% of the time may not benefit from it. Activation of the algorithm should be individualized according to the patient's characteristics and long-term AutoCapture pattern checked in the routine follow-up.

Background Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is characterized by persistent and disproportional elevation of heart rate (HR). Ivabradine has been successfully used in some patients. Methods Twenty-four patients (18 women, 41 ± 13 year olds) were diagnosed with IST according to current guidelines criteria. Patients were treated with 5–7.5 mg of ivabradine twice a day. Twenty-four-hour Holter recordings and the SF-36 Health Survey were performed at 6 months to evaluate both HR control and clinical status. Results Holter recordings before and after 6 months on treatment showed a significant reduction in the average maximal HR of 155 ± 18 beats/min versus 132 ± 16 beats/min, mean HR of 97 ± 6 beats/min versus 79 ± 8 beats/min (mean daytime HR of 103 ± 8 beats/min vs 84 ± 10 beats/min) and minimal HR of 58 ± 12 beats/min versus 48 ± 7 beats/min (Wilcoxon analysis, P < 0.05). The SF-36 mean score showed a significant improvement on ivabradine treatment (57 ± 23 vs 76 ± 20), with a better physical and mental status scores (56 ± 25 vs 74 ± 22 and 58 ± 24 vs 78 ± 18, respectively) (Wilcoxon analysis, P < 0.001). Mean dose of ivabradine was 5.8 ± 1.4 mg. No episodes of severe bradycardia or syncope were reported. After 1 year, patients were asked to stop treatment to reevaluate the situation. Twenty patients were on treatment and only 10 patients accepted to stop ivabradine. Only two patients (20%) remained on IST criteria. Conclusions IST patients treated with ivabradine showed both HR normalization and quality-of-life improvement maintained in the long-term follow-up. Stopping ivabradine after 1 year unexpectedly showed that HR remained in the normal limits in 80% of the patients.

Aims Cardiac remote telemetry (CR-TEL) is in wide use in cardiac units, but its diagnostic value in the setting of unexplained syncope is unknown. Methods One hundred and two consecutive patients (73 ± 14 years) arriving to the emergency department due to an unexplained syncope were admitted under CR-TEL. Heart rhythm was continuously monitored from a central station by trained nurses. Events included all causes of mortality and arrhythmias unnoticed on emergency department. Results Thirty patients (29.4%) presented events. There were no deaths during the time of monitoring (4.8 ± 2.7 days). Events requiring transfer to the coronary care units (CCU) occurred in 15 patients (14.7%), principally due to AV-block and extreme bradycardia. Cardiac remote telemetry was diagnostic in 18 patients (17.6%) in whom the arrhythmic event occurred simultaneously with the syncopal episode. Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥86 years ( P < 0.01) and heart failure on admission ( P < 0.04) were the strongest predictors of events. All transfers to the CCU were documented within the first 4 days. The best cut-off point as a threshold for CR-TEL monitoring time was 72 hours (sensitivity 73%, specificity 86%). Conclusion Cardiac remote telemetry appears to be a useful tool in the management of patients with unexplained syncope, especially in those older and presenting heart failure on admission.

Introduction and hypothesis: Repeated hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) have a negative effect on quality of life and imply an important cost for the health care system. A drop of intrathoracic impedance due to pulmonary congestion detected by cardiac devices has been hypothesized to decrease hospitalization rate. Although Optivol algorithm (Medtronic) has been widely studied, we present the first study that evaluates the efficacy of CorVue algorithm (St. Jude Medical) to predict HF in a “real-life” cohort. Methods: CorVue algorithm (St Jude Medical) was activated in ICD or CRT-D patients to store information about intrathoracic impedance changes using nominal settings (with patient’s alarm emission off). Patients were followed every 3 months. Clinical events (new episodes of HF requiring ambulatory or emergency room (ER) treatment modification or hospitalization) and CorVue data were recorded. Appropriate CorVue detection for HF was considered if it occurred in the 4 prior weeks to the clinical event. Results: Sixty-five ICD/CRT-D patients (70 ± 1 year-old, 78% male) were included (36 ICD (55%) and 29 CRT-D patients). Device position was subcutaneous in 43 patients (69%) and submuscular in 19 cases. Time from implantation to algorithm activation was 21 ± 2 months. At inclusion, mean LVEF was 33.8 ± 1.7 % and 38 patients (59%) were in NYHA class I, 20 (31%) class II and 7 (11%) class III. After a mean follow-up of 14 ± 1 months, 51 patients (78%) remained in a clinically stable condition and 14 patients (21%) presented 20 episodes of HF: 9 hospitalizations and 11 ER/ambulatory treatment modification. On the other hand, a total of 83 CorVue algorithm alarm episodes were registered in 32 patients (49%), with a mean number of alarms per patient of 2.6 ± 0.2 (range 1 - 6). Only 5 alarm episodes (6%) resulted to be appropriate: 2 ambulatory diuretic therapy intensification and 3 hospitalizations. The sensitivity of CorVue algorithm was 25%. None of the variables analyzed to determine a better scenario for this algorithm improved significantly the diagnostic efficacy. Conclusion: CorVue algorithm (St Jude Medical) resulted to have a low sensitivity for the prediction of HF and its routinary activation could generate misleading information.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure (HF) and a widened QRS complex improves clinical outcomes and reduces mortality in selected patients. Its role in patients aged ≥75 years, is not well established. From January 2008 to April 2012 we have recruited

Recently published articles on a novel entity called takotsubo syndrome raise the issue of whether we are dealing with a new entity or with a new form of presentation of an old one [1,2]. In the early nineties, this new cardiac syndrome was firstly reported. It involves patients (usually elder women) presenting with signs and symptoms of anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (MI) but, strikingly, no significant luminal coronary artery stenosis on early angiography. The “unique” feature of this syndrome is a balloon-like apical left ventricular (LV) akinesia on acute phase that sonny disappears. This peculiar LV shape was the reason for calling this entity tako-tsubo syndrome. The evolvement of tako-tsubo syndrome's electrocardiogram (ECG) is characterized by transient Q waves, STsegment elevation on admission evolving to deep negative T waves, and QT interval prolongation (Fig. 1). The etiology of this enigmatic syndrome remains unclear, although it has been recently postulated that it could be a form of aborted MI (the classically called myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries), [3] secondary to early lysis of a coronary thrombus [4]. This postulation was based on the presence of disrupted atherosclerotic

A 29-year-old comatose patient was brought to Emergency Department with severe alcohol intoxication. No risk factors or cardiac abnormalities were documented. The analysis was negative for other drugs. Plasma electrolyte and cardiac enzymes were normal. The electrocardiogram showed Mobitz type-I atrioventricular block that developed to a rapid junctional rhythm. The patient was stabilized and recovered completely, electrocardiogram then showed sinus rhythm. He admitted important absinthe consumption. Although tachyarrhythmias are frequently developed in acute alcohol intoxication, bradyarrhythmias are exceptional in this context. We present a Wenckebach-type atrioventricular-block in severe alcohol intoxication with absinthe that developed to a rapid junctional rhythm, never described before.

Assessment of the prevalence of silent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a challenge, since the arrhythmia may be brief, completely asymptomatic, and difficult to detect. Lack of symptoms from AF should not be equated to lack of risk of thromboembolic complications. Today's cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) diagnostics include system diagnostics accurately revealing asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias as atrial high rate episodes (AHRE). The presence of AHRE has been related to increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism. The application of anticoagulation therapy in patients with device-detected AHRE is yet unclear and challenging in the absence of randomized studies. Until further studies are available, anticoagulation therapy should be individualized and promoted attending to the CHADS2 score. Future guidelines should deal with this peculiar AF scenario to make professionals who routinely perform CIED follow-ups aware of these relevant episodes and their clinical implications.

We present the case of a 70-year-old man admitted in congestive heart failure. The patient was diagnosed 22 years ago of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). ECG showed a very peculiar and pathological form of left bundle branch block (LBBB). 2D-echocardiogram revealed a dilated left ventricle (LV) and ejection fraction of 25%. LV remodeling represents an important component of the pathophysiology of HC and, paradoxically, some patients develop LV wall thinning, systolic dysfunction, and congestive heart failure (in the absence of coronary artery disease). This evolution is designated as "end-stage" or "burned-out"phase. We present this rare LBBB and his pathological evolution along the time as unique manifestation of this "burned-out" phase. The mechanism of this wall thinning remains unclear but changes in ECG may alert us about it.