scholarly journals Unearthing the evidence: post-mortem interrogation of cardiac implantable electronic devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Block ◽  
E Paratz ◽  
A La Gerche ◽  
D Stub ◽  
N Strathmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Patient Identification ◽  
Unexplained Death ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices ◽  
Intrathoracic Impedance

Abstract Background The diagnostic yield of post-mortem interrogation of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) including pacemakers, defibrillators and implantable loop recorders has not been well described. Methods We reviewed all post-mortem CIED interrogations performed by our statewide Institute of Forensic Medicine between 2005–2020 for investigation of sudden or unexplained death. Results 260 patients (68.8% male, median age 72.8 years [IQR 62.7–82.2]) underwent post-mortem CIED interrogation (202 pacemakers, 56 defibrillators and 2 loop recorders). CIEDs were implanted for a median of 2.0 [IQR 0.75–5] years, with 19 devices requiring replacement (and 5 end of life). Post-mortem interrogation was successful in 256 (98.5%) cases. Potential CIED malfunction was identified in 21 (8.1%) cases: untreated ventricular arrhythmias (n=13), lead failures (n=3) and battery depletion (n=5). CIED interrogation directly informed cause of death in 130 (50.0%) cases, with fatal ventricular arrhythmias identified in 121 patients (46.5%). In retrospect, 72 (27.7%) patients had abnormalities recorded by their device in the 30 days preceding death: non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (n=26), rapid atrial fibrillation (n=17), longevity concerns (n=22), intrathoracic impedance alarms (n=3), lead issues (n=3) or therapy delivered (n=1). In 6 cases where the patient was found deceased after a prolonged time, CIED interrogation accurately determined time of death. In one case, CIED interrogation was the primary method of patient identification. Conclusion Post-mortem CIED interrogation frequently contributes important information regarding critical device malfunction, pre-mortem abnormalities, cause and time of death or patient identity. Device interrogation should be considered for select patients with CIEDs undergoing autopsy. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on electrophysiological procedures at a national referral center

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Cueva-Parra ◽  
G Munoz-Benavides ◽  
W Ortiz-Solis ◽  
J Gomez-Flores ◽  
MF Marquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Referral Center ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices ◽  
Electrophysiological Studies ◽  
Electrophysiological Procedures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Large Groups ◽  
Made In ◽  
Funding Acknowledgements

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background - Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated serious repercussions on the health system, reducing the number of all cardiology procedures worldwide. Objectives Describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the procedures performed by the electrophysiology department in a national referral center.  Methods We made a retrospective review of our data base and we compared procedures made in the last 3 years since 2017 to 2019 with the procedures made in the 2020. We divide the procedures into two large groups: Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) related procedures (which included implants, revisions, changes, upgrades and extractions) and electrophysiological studies and ablations (which included conventional and complex procedures). Other types of procedures were no included. Results There was a significant reduction in all procedures, the average of procedures performed in the last 3 previous years was 467 (there were 479 in 2017, 411 in 2018 and 511 in 2019), while in 2020 we performed only 319 (p = 0.01); this represents a reduction of 33.4% in the total number of procedures performed in our center. There was no statistical difference regarding the CIED related procedures, the average of procedures of the last 3 previous years was 174 (there were 186 in 2017, 148 in 2018 and 188 in 2019), and in 2020 we performed 189 procedures, this value is near to the average of the last 3 previous years and very close to the value of the 2019 (p = 0.46). Regarding the electrophysiological studies and ablations, the average of procedures of the last 3 previous years was 293 (there were 293 in 2017, 263 in 2018 and 323 in 2019), while in 2020 we performed only 129 procedures, considerably decreasing compared to the previous years (p < 0.01). The reduction in the electrophysiological studies and ablations was 55.97%. The most affected months were April, May and June. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic considerably affected the number of electrophysiological procedures in our center, reducing it by 33.4% compared to the previous years. The reduction of procedures fundamentally affected the electrophysiological studies and ablations, reducing them by 55.97%. The number of CIED related procedures were no affected. Electrophysiological procedures Procedures2017201820192017-2019 average2020CIED related procedures186148188174189Electrophysiological studies and ablations293263323293129Total479411511467319Comparative table of the electrophysiological procedures performed in our center in recent years.Abstract Figure. Comparison of the procedures.

scholarly journals Last before-death transmission in patients with heart failure and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator followed by remote monitoring - insights from the COMMIT-HF registry

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Dyrbus ◽  
M Tajstra ◽  
L Pyka ◽  
A Kurek ◽  
M Gasior
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Remote Monitoring ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Biventricular Pacing ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Median Period ◽  
Funding Acknowledgements

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background  Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) in patients with heart failure allows to regularly analyze the devices" and patients" conditions.  Purpose  The purpose of this study was evaluation of the ultimate transmissions sent before death in patients monitored remotely.  Methods  The last transmissions delivered by the devices in patients enrolled into COMMIT-HF Registry (NCT02536443) who died when monitored remotely have been retrospectively analysed. The characteristics and contents of the transmissions and clinical reactions undertaken have been obtained from the RM systems of four major RM providers.  Results  Of 1,306 patients with CIEDs who were enrolled at the RM programme in our centre, 267 died and their last transmission occurred less than 90 days before death, of which 133 (49.8%) were scheduled and 134 (50.2%) alert-triggered. The median period between transmission and death was 31 days for scheduled and 8 days for alert-triggered transmissions. The most frequent alert-triggered transmissions were atrial fibrillation/flutter (35.8%) and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (24.6%). A clinical reaction has been undertaken after 9.8% of planned and 67.1% of alert-triggered transmissions and consisted mainly of telephone consultations and referrals for hospital admissions.  Conclusions  This is the first analysis of the ultimate transmissions delivered by CIEDs before death. In approximately 50% of patients, the last transmission has been alert-triggered. Hence, an appropriate organization of the RM facility, which should immediately analyse and react to the transmission, seems mandatory to obtain clinical benefit in patients with HF and RM. Causes of alerts and clinical reactionsCause of alertAll alert-triggered transmissions (N = 134)AF/AFL episode, n (%)48 (35.8%)Ventricular tachycardia, n (%)18 (13.4%)Ventricular fibrillation, n (%)15 (11.2%)Biventricular pacing percentage reduction, n (%)15 (11.2%)Others38 (28.3%)Congestion monitor indications, n (%)14 (10.4%)Clinical reactionPlanned transmission (N = 133)Alert-triggered transmission (N = 134)Telephone consultation10 (7.5%)58 (43.2%)Referral to the GP or outpatient specialist clinic visit2 (1.5%)12 (8.9%)Referral for hospital admission1 (0.7%)18 (13.4%)Pharmacotherapy modificationN/A2 (1.5%)Abstract Figure.

Unearthing the Evidence: Post-Mortem Interrogation of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. S104
Author(s):  
T. Block ◽  
E. Paratz ◽  
A. La Gerche ◽  
D. Stub ◽  
N. Strathmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

scholarly journals Ventricular Arrhythmia Burden and Relationship to Interdialytic Period in Dialysis Patients with Cardiac Devices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Harmon ◽  
Brittney Heard ◽  
Sarah Ratcliffe ◽  
Mark Smolkin ◽  
J Michael Mangrum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Ventricular Pacing ◽  
Device Therapy ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices ◽  
Cardiac Devices ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Esrd Patients

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major driver of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD). The degree to which ventricular arrhythmias (VA) play a role in SCD in ESRD patients is unclear. Objective: Use cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) to clarify VA burden in ESRD patients overall and in relation to interdialytic cycle. Methods: We identified 44 patients at a single academic center with CIEDs, 22 on HD, along with 22 age- and sex-matched controls. Device interrogations from 11/13/14 – 4/8/19 were reviewed. Results: Overall, there were no differences in HD patients and controls in adjusted overall event rate (HD 9.81 x 10-5 ± 1.5 x 10-3 events/patient-hours vs control 3.71 x 10-5 ± 9.1 x 10-4 events/patient-hours, p = 0.902), or proportion of patients experiencing VA event (HD 45.4% vs control 63.6%, p = 0.226). There was no difference in ventricular pacing burden. Controls were more likely to require device therapy for VT/VF episodes (total ATP episodes 2/38 in HD vs 10/22 in controls, p < 0.01, total ICD shocks 10/38 in HD vs 17/22 in controls, p < 0.01). HD patients were most likely to experience VA within 12-hours of HD completion (p < 0.01), and the vast majority of events were NSVT. Conclusion: VA and ventricular pacing burden was similar by CIED analysis between groups. In HD patients, VA were likely to occur within the first 12 hours post-dialysis, were primarily NSVT, and were unlikely to require device therapy.

Recent Advances in Pacing and Defibrillation

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Kathy L Lee ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Implantable Defibrillators ◽  
Cardiac Pacemakers ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Pacing Lead ◽  
Leadless Pacing ◽  
Device Complications

Cardiac pacemakers have been the standard therapy for patients with bradyarrhythmias for several decades. The pacing lead is an integral part of the system, serving as a conduit for the delivery of energy pulses to stimulate the myocardium. However, it is also the Achilles’ heel of pacemakers, being the direct cause of most device complications both acutely during implant and chronically years afterwards. Leadless pacing with ultrasound-mediated energy has been demonstrated in animals and humans to be safe and feasible in acute studies. Implantable defibrillators revolutionised the treatment and prevention of sudden cardiac death. Subcutaneous implantable defibrillators have been under development for more than 10 years. A permanent implantable system has been shown to be feasible in treating induced and spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmias. These developments and recent advances in pacing and defibrillation will arouse further interest in the research and development of leadless cardiac implantable electronic devices.

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