Contemporary medical therapy, sex-specific characteristics, and outcomes of patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy: a prespecified interim analysis of the BIO-LIBRA study.

Background: Contemporary data on characteristics, medical therapy, and outcomes in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) are lacking, and the role of sex remains unexplored due to historical low enrollment of females in device trials. The purpose of this pre-specified interim analysis of the BIO-LIBRA study was to assess characteristics, medical therapy, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT/VF) or mortality at 12 months in NICM patients with ICD or CRT-D, by sex.

Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, registry study, we recruited patients with primary prevention ICD or CRT-Ds with Home Monitoring®, aiming for 40% female enrollment, utilizing specific recruitment tools.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure using a modified single-operator-technician approach under deep sedation: A single-center experience.

Background: Historically, percutaneous transcatheter left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been performed under general anesthesia (GA) with transesophageal echocardiographic images obtained by a noninvasive cardiologist and usually requires an overnight hospital stay. Alternatively, we present our single-center experience performing LAACs under deep sedation (DS), employing an echocardiographic technician instead of a noninvasive cardiologist, and expediting same-day discharge. Mid- to long-term outcomes were also evaluated with follow-up imaging at a 45-day visit.

Left bundle branch area pacing using a stylet-driven, retractable-helix lead: Short-term results from a prospective multicenter IDE trial (the BIO-CONDUCT study).

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has swiftly emerged as a safe and effective alternative to right ventricular pacing. Limited data exist on the use of retractable-helix, stylet-driven leads for LBBAP.

Objective: The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the performance and safety of a stylet-driven pacing lead in a rigorously controlled multicenter trial to support US market application.

Lesion Index-guided workflow for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is safe and effective - Final results from the LSI Workflow Study.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation is a standard therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Lesion Index (LSI) is a metric to guide radiofrequency (RF) ablation using the TactiCath Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled with the EnSite Cardiac Mapping System (Abbott).

Objective: This study (NCT-03906461) was designed to capture best practices using LSI-guided catheter ablation to treat PAF subjects in a real-world setting.

Successful treatment of a cardiac resynchronization therapy nonresponder by identifying lead malpositioning.

This case describes some of the commonly overlooked device-related issues in patients who have reportedly failed to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The case demonstrates voltage-dependent right ventricular capture instead of right atrial capture by a subtly malpositioned right atrial lead. CRT therapy failed to improve symptoms of heart failure and the diagnosis of "CRT nonresponder" was made.

Atrial Fibrillation Monitoring in Cryptogenic Stroke: the Gaps Between Evidence and Practice.

Identifying occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as the etiology of cryptogenic stroke has been a top research priority in the past decade. This is because prompt initiation of anticoagulation has significantly decreased subsequent stroke risk. Available evidence suggests that prolonged cardiac monitoring after stroke increases the likelihood of detecting atrial fibrillation.