INTRODUCTION Cardiac resynchronization devices are part of modern heart failure management. After implantation, we analyze and program devices in an attempt to ensure their success. Biventricular pacing should be 98% or more for the lowest mortality and best symptom improvement. CASE PRESENTATION In this case series, we present a combination of far field sensing and automatic mode switching (...

In 2003, Medina-Ravell et al. 1 published a study that suggested that biventricular pacing could be arrhythmogenic in a subset of patients because of the reversal of the normal endocardial-to-epicardial activation sequence by left-ventricular epicardial pacing. As epicardial action potentials are briefer than endocardial action potentials, transmural dispersion of the repolarization (TDR) is la...

BACKGROUND To evaluate, with different pacing modes, acute changes in left ventricular systolic function, obtained by continuous cardiac output thermodilution in various subsets of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Increments of mean arterial pressure and cardiac output were considered the end point. METHODS Fifty cases electively submitted to cardiac surgery were analyzed. ...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on antitachycardia pacing still has to be determined. PATIENTS AND METHOD A total of 490 heart failure patients with an indication for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator participated in the VENTAK CHF/CONTAK CD study, a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. We compared antitachycardia pacing effic...

Despite many recent advances in the medical management of congestive cardiac failure, specifically with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and betablockade, the prognosis and quality of life of patients with heart failure remains poor. Recent reports have suggested that intervention with biventricular pacing may help a subgroup of patients with heart failure. The intention of this review ...

In recent years, concerns have been raised about possible harmful effects of long-term right ventricular (RV) apical pacing. These detrimental effects may be related to changes in left ventricular (LV) mechanics during RV apical pacing. As a consequence, alternative RV pacing sites have been proposed, and in selected patients an upgrade from RV to biventricular pacing may be considered. Novel t...

To optimize resynchronization in biventricular pacing with epicardial leads, mapping to determine the best pacing site, is a prerequisite. A port access surgical mapping technique was developed that allowed multiple pace site selection and reproducible lead evaluation and implantation. Pressure-volume loops analysis was used for real time guidance in targeting epicardial lead placement. Even th...

OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the effects of biventricular (BDOO) pacing compared with conventional (CDOO) atrioventricular (AV) sequential and atrial (AOO) pacing in children and infants in the early postoperative period after open heart surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). BACKGROUND Biventricular pacing using right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) leads can improve hemo...

Pacemaker lead displacements can be defined as any other pacemaker position change, whether the functionality of the pacemaker is affected or not. However, only those displacements that provoke a malfunction in the pacing system are clinically relevant. Chronologically speaking, there are early displacements, which occur within the first six weeks after implantation, and late displacements, aft...

Correspondence to: Cecilia Linde MD, Department of Cardiology, Karolinska Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden; [email protected] _________________________ P atients with severe heart failure in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III– IV, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and broad QRS have been shown to benefit from biventricular pacing in randomised crossover and p...