Artificial intelligence electrocardiogram-predicted biological age gap and mortality: Capturing dynamic risk with multiple electrocardiograms.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) can predict biological age from electrocardiograms (ECGs), which is prognostic for mortality. Widely available and inexpensive, serial ECG measurements may enhance individual risk profiles.

Objective: We investigated whether repeated measurement of AI-derived biological age identifies divergent biological and chronological aging and whether it significantly improves all-cause mortality hazard estimates.

Pulsed-field ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated the safety of pulsed-field ablation (PFA) systems; however, patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have been excluded because of concerns about the impact of strong electrical fields on device function and integrity.

Objective: This study assesses the effect of PFA on the function and integrity of CIEDs.

Methods: Patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing ablation were studied at 2 sites.

Left bundle area pacing in hypertrophied hearts: An ex vivo ovine model to study deployment of pacing leads in thick septum.

Background: Knowledge of lead biomechanics in a hypertrophied interventricular septum (IVS) may improve the success rate of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in these patients.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the biomechanics of lead penetration in an ex vivo ovine model of a hypertrophied IVS and compare the behavior of lumenless leads (LLL) vs stylet-driven leads (SDL) in terms of torque transfer and penetrating capacity.

Methods: Twenty fresh ex vivo ovine interventricular septae were excised to create a virtual hypertrophied IVS model by having 2 septae sandwiched together and placed in a custom-made clamp.

Adoption of left bundle branch area pacing using stylet-driven lead in a tertiary academic training center: Learning curve and acute procedural outcomes.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently emerged as a strategy for conduction system pacing.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial learning experience and acute procedural success in adopting this procedure in an academic training center.

Methods: A retrospective review of LBBAP procedures using the Biotronik Solia stylet-driven lead from June 2022 to December 2023 was performed.