A New Acceleration Driven Pacemaker: Rate Modulation Versus Normal Sinus Rhythm—Comparison During Treadmill Exercise

The pocing rate response of a new acceleration driven pulse generator (SWING 100, SORIN BIOMEDICA) was compared with simultaneous normal sinus rhythm (NSR) during two different treadmill exercises. This pacemaker has a gravitational acceleration sensor able to discriminate between physical activities and vibrations. Six healthy volunteers (three male, three female; aged 21.7 ± 4,3 years), with the pacemaker strapped to their right infraclavicular area, performed each test three times with different rise response curve (RRC) each time: fast, normal, and slow. The fall response curve used was the same as the rising one during each test. Pacing rates were recorded using the VEGA analyzer (SORIN BIOMEDICA) and compared with simultaneous NSR recorded by a 7-channel ECG recorder (MINGOGRAF 7, SIEMENS), During all tests immediate (within seconds) rapid increase in pacemaker rate was seen up to about 60 seconds, then a slower increase followed thereafter. The mean correlation between pacing rates and NSR during the Bruce tests were 0.7941 ± 0.10, 0.8562 ± 0.14, and 0.8292 ± 0.07; during the discontinous tests 0.7292 ± 0.16, 0.7233 ± 0.10, and 0.7480 ± 0.11 for fast, normal, and slow RRC, respectively. Each 30 seconds, nonsignificant differences were present between pacing rate and NSR during all the discontinuous tests; similar responses were observed only during the first two stages of Bruce tests after which NSR was significantly higher than pacemaker rates. The speed of rise to upper rate was the main difference between the different programs (fast, normal, and slow). The discontinuous tests showed that the pacemaker responds more to speed than to grade. In conclusion, the Swing pacemaker is easy to use and program, fast, reliable, and is able to mimic the normal sinus behavior especially during discontinuous activities.     

A Hemodynamically Responsive Antitachycardia System: Theoretical Bases for Design

Current antitachycardia systems such as the automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD), detect tachyarrhythmias primarily by sensing rate and thereby perform inadequately in differentiating hemodynamically stable from unstable arrhythmias. As a result, these devices may discharge during stable tachycardias (such as sinus tachycardia), causing discomfort to the patient and depleting the device's limited energy supply. If a parameter which could reflect the particular hemodynamic state of a tachycardia were incorporated into the sensing algorithm of these systems, function may be more hemodynamically precise and discharge specificity may be improved.     

Reliability of Transesophageal Pacing in the Assessment of Sinus Node Function in Patients with Sick Sinus Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to find out whether transesophageal pacing could be utilized for assessment of sinus node function in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS). In 17 patients with SSS (study group) we compared the results of sinus node tests obtained both in the basal state and after pharmacological autonomic blockade by endocavitary stimulation and, 24 hours later, by transesophageal pacing. In another group of 17 patients with SSS (control group), we compared the results obtained by two endocavitary studies. In "study group", sinus cycle length (SCL) and corrected sinus node recovery time (CSRT) did not show significant differences between the two studies both in the basal state and after autonomic blockade, whereas sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) was more prolonged during esophageal pacing (P less than 0.01). In "control group", sinus node measures did not show significant differences between the two studies. In the "study group," the following coefficients of correlation were obtained in the basal state; SCL, r = 0.65, CSRT, r = 0.57, SACT, r = 0.52 and after autonomic blockade: SCL, r = 0.95, CSRT, r = 0.62 and SACT, r = 0.53. In the basal state, the correlation for SCL and CSRT between the two studies was lower in the "study group" than in the "control group" (P less than 0.05), whereas after autonomic blockade the correlation for sinus node measures did not show significant differences between the two groups of patients. These data suggest that transesophageal study influences the autonomic tone regulating the sinus node; however, it is not responsible for important variations in sinus node measures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Safety and Effectiveness of Transvenous Lead Extraction in Octogenarians

Transvenous Lead Extraction . Introduction: As the population ages, the number of elderly patients with implantable cardiac devices referred for transvenous lead extraction will dramatically increase in Western countries. The safety and effectiveness of lead extraction in elderly patients has not been well evaluated. We report the safety and effectiveness of transvenous lead extraction in octogenarians. Methods and Results: From January 2005 to January 2011, we reviewed data from consecutive patients ≥ 80 years referred to our institutions for transvenous lead extraction because of cardiac device infection or lead malfunction. Clinical characteristics, procedural features, and periprocedural major and minor complications were compared between octogenarians and younger patients. Out of 849 patients undergoing lead extraction in the participating institutions during the study period, 150 (18%) patients were octogenarians (mean age 84 years; range 80–96; 64% males). A significantly higher percentage of octogenarians presented with chronic renal failure (55% vs 26%; P < 0.001), history of malignancy (22% vs 6%; P < 0.001), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (46% vs 19%; P < 0.001). Complete lead extraction rates were similar in the 2 age groups (97% in octogenarians vs 96% in patients <80 years; P = 0.39). Periprocedural death occurred in 2 (1.3%) patients ≥80 years and in 5 (0.72%) patients <80 years (P = 0.45 for comparison). No differences in terms of other periprocedural major and minor complications were found between the 2 age groups. Conclusion: Despite presenting with a significantly higher rate of comorbidities, transvenous lead extraction can be performed safely and successfully in octogenarians. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 pp. 1103‐1108, October 2012)     

Hemodynamic Responses to Rapid Pacing: A Model for Tachycardia Differentiation

The hemodynamic responses to rapid atrial and ventricular pacing were examined in 10 closed-chest anesthetized dogs in an attempt to distinguish hemodynamically stable from unstable tachycardias. Pressure monitoring catheters were placed in the femoral artery, right atrium, and right ventricle to measure mean arterial pressure, mean right atrial pressure, and mean right ventricular pressure at baseline heart rate and after rapid high right atrial and right ventricular apex pacing. Pressures recorded during rapid pacing (average of the pressures at 30 and 60 seconds of pacing) at pacing rates of 180, 250, and 280/minute were compared to those recorded initially at baseline heart rates. Rapid right ventricular apex pacing resulted in significant increases in mean right atrial pressure (from 6 ± 1 mmHg (mean ± standard error) to 12 ± 1 mmHg, a 100% increase, P < 0.001) and mean right ventricular pressure (from 11 ±1 mmHg to 16 ± 1 mmHg, a 45% increase, p < 0.02) with marked hemodynamic compromise (mean arterial pressure decreased from 85 ± 6 mmHg to 50 ± 6 mmHg, a 41% decrease, P < 0.01). These parameters remained stable (no statistically significant difference from baseline) during high right atrial pacing. In half of the dogs high right atrial pacing at rates 250 resulted in atrioventricular Wenckebach. Thus, it is concluded that mean right atrial pressure and mean right ventricular pressure may be useful in distinguishing hemodynamically significant tachycardias, and in the future design of antitachycardia devices.     

The intraventricular conduction time of fetal heart in pregnancies with suspected fetal growth retardation

Summary. Electrocardiographs from 68 fetuses with ultrasound evidence of growth retardation were recorded from the maternal abdomen; QRS duration was measured and compared to normal standards previously obtained in our Institute. Of these fetuses, 54 were small-for-gestational-age at birth and 44 exhibited QRS duration values below -2SD for their gestational age. All but one of the 14 normal fetuses showed normal QRS values (positive predictive value = 98%; negative predictive value = 57%). Of 11 fetuses with QRS duration values below -4SD, nine were particularly small, below the 2nd centile of weight for gestation. QRS duration measurements may represent a sensitive method for identifying fetal growth-retardation. The QRS duration also seems to provide a reliable prognosis of perinatal outcome. Normal values are a reassuring factor: abnormal cardiotocographic records were observed in only 2 out of 23 cases and no low Apgar scores or perinatal deaths occurred. QRS values below -4 SD proved to be associated with abnormal cardiotocographic records (7/13), low Apgar scores (5/15) and perinatal deaths (3/15).     

Ventricular Pacing Threshold and Time to Capture Postdefibrillation in Patients Undergoing Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation

To assess the effect of defibrillation and amiodarone on ventricular pacing threshold and time to capture in patients undergoing automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) implantation, 28 patients were prospectively evaluated. The patients were entered into one of two protocols: la—epicardial ventricular pacing threshold measured at baseline (preventricular fibrillation induction) and 10 and 60 seconds postdefibrillation with 20 J, or Ib—two fibrillation-defibrillation sequences were performed 3 minutes apart and ventricular pacing thresholds were measured for each sequence at baseline and at 10 and 60 seconds postdefibrillation with 20 J. Ten patients also underwent asynchronous pacing at 1.1 times baseline threshold during ventricular fibrillation with measurement of time to capture postdefibrillation. All patients were randomly assigned to receive either amiodarone or no antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Ventricular fibrillation was induced with AC (applied for 1-2 seconds), and standard epicardial bipolar and epicardial patch electrodes of the AICD were used for pacing and defibrillation, respectively. Ventricular pacing threshold at baseline, 10 seconds, 60 seconds, and 3 minutes postdefibrillation did not differ significantly. There were no significant differences in patients with or without amiodarone therapy. Furthermore, there was no transient loss of ventricular capture postdefibrillation or significant difference in time to capture with amiodarone (≤ 2 seconds). We conclude that following internal defibrillation with 20 J: (1) ventricular pacing threshold at 10 seconds, 60 seconds, and 3 minutes were not significantly different from baseline with one or two fibrillation-defibrillation sequences, (2) time to capture was short, and (3) there was no significant difference in no drug versus amiodarone. These findings have direct clinical importance in considering device therapy with both pacing and defibrillating capabilities.     

Duplex-Doppler assessment of cirrhosis in patients with chronic compensated liver disease

Portal venous flow velocity (PFV) was measured with duplex-Doppler equipment in 50 normal subjects and in 117 patients with suspected chronic liver disease who showed no evidence of decompensation such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice or oesophageal bleeding. All the patients underwent percutaneous liver biopsy which demonstrated non-cirrhotic liver disease in 58 cases (CH-patients: steatosis 8, persistent chronic hepatitis 8, active chronic hepatitis 42) and liver cirrhosis in the other 59 cases (LC-patients). The normal subjects and the CH-patients had similar values of max-PFV and mean-PFV (max-PFV 26.7±3.2 and 25.7±3.4 cm/s respectively; mean-PFV 22.9±2.8 and 22.4±3.8 cm/s respectively). The LC-patients’ values (max-PFV 19.3±3.5; mean-PFV 16.9±2.9) were significantly lower than those of the normal subjects (P<0.001) and of the CH-patients (P<0.001). Considering the normal max-PFV to be in the range 20–33.1 cm/s (mean±2 s.d. of the normal subjects, 95% confidence limits), max-PFV was reduced in 0/50 normal subjects, 1/58 CH-patients and 39/59 LC-patients (66.1% sensitivity; 98.2% specificity). In conclusion, the duplex-Doppler measurement of PFV is of great interest in the diagnostic study of patients with suspected chronic compensated liver disease and in the early diagnosis of cirrhosis. A low max-PFV is a reliable pointer to liver cirrhosis, whereas a normal max-PFV indicates a non-cirrhotic liver disease but is less probative. Each centre should standardize normal PFV values in order to establish their own threshold value for diagnosing liver cirrhosis.