Bernd Nowak

Comparison of Antiplatelet Effects of Aspirin, Ticlopidine, or Their Combination After Stent Implantation

BACKGROUND This study was performed to analyze the influence of either aspirin, ticlopidine, or their combination on platelet activation and aggregation parameters after stent implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty-one patients with successful implantation of a single Palmaz-Schatz stent in a native coronary artery were randomly assigned to either group A (aspirin 300 mg/d+ticlopidine 2X250 mg/d), group B (ticlopidine 2X250 mg/d), or group C (aspirin 300 mg/d). Platelet activation was evaluated on days 1, 7, and 14 by flow cytometry measurement of expression of CD62p (p-selectin) and the binding of fibrinogen to the platelet surface glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor. Platelet aggregation was induced by addition of ADP or collagen. Differences between treatment groups were compared by ANOVA. Between days 1 and 14, we observed a significant decrease in collagen-induced platelet aggregation in group A (62.2+/-2.5% versus 36.9+/-3.1%), whereas an increase was seen in group B (58.3+/-2.5% versus 67.7+/-3.2%) and no change was seen in group C (P<.0001). The ADP-induced aggregation declined significantly in group A (74.7+/-1.4% versus 55.3+/-2.6%), whereas a delayed reduction was seen in group B (72.0+/-3.0% versus 52.6+/-4.2%) and no change was seen in group C (P=.0017). The CD62p expression declined significantly in groups A (68.2+/-2.7% versus 41.3+/-2.7%) and B (64.8+/-2.9% versus 39.3+/-3.5%) but not in group C (P<.0001). Moreover, the fibrinogen binding decreased significantly in group A (61.0+/-4.3% versus 36.3+/-4.2%) and with delay in group B (58.3+/-2.2% versus 39.4+/-3.0%), whereas no alterations were seen in group C (P=.012). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate synergistic and accelerated platelet inhibitory effects of ticlopidine plus aspirin in patients after stent implantation compared with a monotherapy with either ticlopidine or aspirin alone.

Cardiac output in single-lead VDD pacing versus rate-matched VVIR pacing

The importance of atrioventricular synchronous pacing compared with single-chamber rate-responsive pacing is still under discussion, especially for low-intensity workload representing daily life activities. We evaluated hemodynamics in single-lead VDD pacing versus VVIR pacing in 11 patients (8 men and 3 women, aged 58.6 +/- 13.8 years) with normal left ventricular function and a previously implanted single-lead VDDR pacemaker. A low-intensity steady-state treadmill test at 1 to 2.5 mph with a gradient of 2% to 4% was performed. Cardiac output was determined using a standard carbon dioxide rebreathing technique. Initially, the VDD mode was programmed, and after 5 minutes of exercise, cardiac output was measured in steady-state conditions. The pacemaker was then reprogrammed to the VVI mode at a rate 5 to 10 beats above the maximal atrial tracking rate to simulate rate-matched VVIR pacing (VVIRm). After 5 additional minutes of steady-state exercise, cardiac output was measured again. The maximal atrial rate in the VDD mode was 119 +/- 19 beats/min versus a programmed rate of 129 +/- 18 beats/min in the VVIRm mode. VDD pacing resulted in a significantly higher cardiac output than VVIRm pacing (10.6 +/- 1.9 vs 9.2 +/- 1.4 L/min; p < 0.002), with a mean difference of 1.6 +/- 1.2 L/min between the 2 modes. In the VDD mode, stroke volume (90.7 +/- 20.1 vs 71.6 +/- 13.0 ml; p < 0.001) and maximal oxygen uptake (1,183 +/- 264 vs 1,076 +/- 289 ml/min, p < 0.01) were also higher than in VVIRm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Low-energy epicardial pacing in children: the benefit of autocapture

BACKGROUND Permanent cardiac pacing in children results commonly in augmented energy consumption because of the high pacing rates and the ample stimulation safety margin applied in children. Cardiovascular anatomy and limited venous access sometimes preclude the otherwise preferred endocardial approach. In this multicenter patient series, we studied the feasibility, safety, and energy saving obtained by a combination of steroid-eluting epicardial leads with autocapture devices capable of ongoing adjustment of the stimulation output to the prevailing threshold. METHODS Autocapture devices (Pacesetter Microny SR+/- and Regency SR+/-; Pacesetter, Solna, Sweden) and steroid-eluting epicardial pacing leads (Medtronic CapSure Epi 10366; Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, MN) were implanted in 14 children. Thresholds, telemetry data, evoked response, and polarization signals were obtained at discharge and follow-up, and battery service life was calculated. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 6.5 months, autocapture pacing was applied in 12 of 14 children. The automatically adjusted pulse amplitude of autocapture devices demonstrated low-energy pacing with no significant changes between discharge and 6 months follow-up (1.1 +/- 0.3 versus 0.9 +/- 0.3 V). Autocapture-programmed pacemakers had calculated life spans of 7.8 +/- 1.4 years (Microny) and 21.0 +/- 1.6 years (Regency). No adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS Autocapture-controlled pacing with bipolar epicardial pacing leads is feasible and safe in children. Autocapture programming results in substantial energy savings and extends battery life markedly.

IS THERE A RISK FOR INTERACTION BETWEEN MOBILE PHONES AND SINGLE LEAD VDD PACEMAKERS

Mobile phones may cause pacemaker interference. Patients with a single lead VDD pacemaker might be at special risk, since the atrial sensitivity is often programmed to low (high sensitivity) threshold values and the majority of patients are pacemaker dependent due to the underlying high degree AV block. We evaluated 31 patients with three types of single lead VDD pacemakers: 12 Unity, 292–07 (Intermedics, Inc.); 10 Thera VDD, 8948 or 8968i (Medtronic, Inc.); and 9 Saphir 600 (Vitatron, Inc.) for interference from a cellular mobile phone with a power of 2 W (D‐net). For this purpose, atrial and ventricular sensitivity settings were programmed to their most sensitive values (A: 0.1–0.25 mV; V: 1.0 mV) and ventricular sensing was programmed to unipolar. With the ECG continuously monitored, the phones extendable antenna was brought in direct contact with the patients skin at the right sternal border, with the tip of the antenna in skin contact just below the clavicle, within 5 cm of the pacemaker connector. Then multiple phases of phone calls were performed, and the effects on the pacemakers recorded. In our group of patients with three different types of single lead VDD pacemakers, no interference could be detected using a 2‐W mobile phone in the digital D‐net. The programmed values remained unchanged after the interference test. Therefore, the risk of interference seems to be low for the VDD pacemakers tested, although our study design does not allow to entirely exclude the possibility of interference from a mobile phone.

Implantation strategy of the atrial dipole impacts atrial sensing performance of single lead VDD pacemakers.

WIEGAND, U.K.H., et al.: Implantation Strategy of the Atrial Dipole Impacts Atrial Sensing Perfor‐mance of Single Lead VDD Pacemakers. Intermittent atrial undersensing is observed in a considerable percentage of patients with single lead VDD pacemakers. Analyzing the 2‐year data of the Saphir Multicenter Follow‐Up Study, the authors investigated predictors for the occurrence of undersensing. The study included 194 patients with high degree AV block who received a VDD pacemaker system with an identical sensing amplifier. Placement strategy of the atrial dipole was left to the discretion of the implanting physician. At the final position, atrial potential amplitudes were measured during deep and shallow respiration. Atrial dipole position was determined by intraoperative fluoroscopy subdividing the right atrium in a high, mid, and low portion. Undersensing was defined by evidence of at least one not sensed P wave during Holter monitoring or exercise testing and by the presence of 0.1–0.2 mV amplitudes in the P wave amplitude histogram of the pacemaker. Incidence of undersensing was 25.8%; 9.3% of patients showed frequent (> 5%) or symptomatic undersensing. Patients with undersensing were older (76.6 ± 10.6 vs 64.2 ± 14.8 years), showed a lower minimum of intraoperative atrial potential amplitude (Pmin 0.86 ± 0.64 vs 1.43 ± 0.77 mV), a wider range of potential amplitude (ΔP 1.71 ± 1.44 vs 0.94 ± 0.84 mV), and a higher incidence of dipole placement in the low right atrium (50.0% vs 11.1%, P < 0.001 for all comparisons). In a multivariate regression analysis, patient age > 66 years, Pmin < 0.6 mV, > 1.3 mV and atrial dipol placement in the low right atrium were independently predictive for undersensing. Minimal atrial potential amplitude, range of potential amplitude, and atrial dipole position influence atrial sensing performance in single lead VDD pacing. Thus, implantation guidelines should reflect these rules to improve the outcome of VDD pacemaker recipients.

How can we identify the best implantation site for an ECG event recorder

ZELLERHOFF, C., et al.: How Can We Identify the Best Implantation Site for an ECG Event Recorder? The aim of this study was to show how to find the preferable implantation site for an ECG event recorder (ECG‐ER). We compared the quality of bipolar ECG recordings (4‐cm electrode distance, vertical position) in 65 patients at the following sites: left and right subclavicular, left and right anterior axillary line (4th‐5th interspace), left and right of the sternum (4th‐5th interspace), heart apex, and subxyphoidal. The results were compared to the standard ECG lead II. In 30 patients, an additional comparison between vertical and horizontal ECG registrations was done using the same sites. ECG signals in five patients were compared positioning the electrodes towards the skin with turning them towards the muscle during ECG‐ER implantation. The best ECG quality (defined as highest QRS amplitude, best visible P wave and/or pacemaker spike, best measurable QRS duration, and QT interval) and best agreement with the standard lead II was found in 68% on the left of the sternum, significantly less often (P < 0.001) on the right of the sternum (14.1%), left subclavicular (6.9%), apical (5.5%) and subxyphoidal (4.2%). A significantly higher QRS amplitude was measured and the P wave was more often visible in the vertical electrode position than in the horizontal position. In all five ECG‐ER patients, there was a good agreement between the bipolar surface ECG at the implantation site and ECG‐ER stored signals. A significant noise signal occurred in all five patients when the ECG‐ER was implanted with electrodes towards the muscle. A P wave was visible in only three of those patients, but there was an insignificantly higher QRS amplitude than in ECG‐ERs implanted with electrodes towards the skin. From these results, it can be concluded that the best implantation site for an ECG‐ER is right or left of the sternum, positioning the electrodes vertically and towards the skin.

A Simple Method for Preoperative Assessment of the Best Fitting Electrode Length in Single Lead VDD Pacing

For single lead VDD pacing, electrodes with various distances between the lead tip and the floating atrial dipole (AV distance) are available. Using different AV distances allows positioning of the atrial dipole in the mid‐ to high right atrium, regardless of the size of the right heart. In this position, reliable atrial sensing and rejection of ventricular far‐field potentials can be expected. A simple test for the preoperative assessment of the best fitting AV distance in the individual patient was tested. We studied 24 consecutive patients prior to implantation of AVDD pacemaker. With the patient in supine position, a test electrode with an AV distance of 13 cm was taped onto the thorax. Under fluoroscopic control, it was moved until its course and projection onto the heart was equal to that of a ventricular lead. If fluoroscopy then showed a projection of the atrial dipole onto the mid‐ to high right atrium, a lead with a similar AV distance of 13 or 13.5 cm was used for implantation. If the atrial dipole projected itself too high or too low, a shorter or longer lead had to be implanted. The maximum time for the test was 2 minutes, and the maximum fluoroscopy time was 15 seconds. According to the test, a lead with an AV distance of 13 or 13.5 cm was implanted in 18 of 24 patients, and a lead with an AV distance of 15.5 or 16 cm was implanted in 6 of 24 patients. The atrial dipole could easily be positioned in the mid‐ to high right atrium in all patients, demonstrating a correct preoperative assessment of the best fitting AV distance. Intraoperatively, a P wave amplitude of 3.5 ± 3.0 mV was measured. The described test allows a fast and reliable assessment of the best fitting electrode length in single lead VDD pacing.

Verborgene intrakardiale Leitungsstörungen und deren spontaner Verlauf bei Patienten mit progressiver Muskeldystrophie

In patients with progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD) invasive electrophysiologic studies can detect hidden intracardiac conduction disturbances. The aim of this study was a long-term follow-up of these patients.    Twelve consecutive patients (9m, 3f, age 28±4 yrs) without cardiac symptoms and with normal echocardiographic findings were included in the study. They suffered from different stages of PMD type Erb (n=4), Becker-Kiener (n=4), Duchenne (n=2) and Landouzy-Déjerine (n=2). At the beginning of the study all patients underwent an invasive electrophysiologic study (EPS). The follow-up of 5.5 yrs included regular clinical visits, ECGs, and Holter recordings (every 3 months) as well as an echocardiography every 6 months. In 4 patients the EPS revealed a hidden interatrial conduction disturbance (AHRS-ACS 120±18ms), and in 10 pts an infrahisian conduction disturbance was found (HV max. 156±4ms). Conduction defects were seen independently from the type of PMD and the stage of the disease. During the follow-up the initially hidden interatrial conduction disturbance became evident in the surface ECG in 2 of 4 pts. One of them developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.    Five of 10 pts with an initially hidden infrahisian conduction disturbance developed an AV block grade I–III and in one case additionally a bundle branch block. Four of these pts – whose PMD showed progression or who developed congestive cardiomyopathy – needed pacemaker implantation because of a first-degree AV block + bifascicular bundle branch block (n=1), a Mobitz II second-degree AV block (n=1) or a third-degree AV block (n=2).    None of the pts with normal findings at the EPS showed abnormal p-waves, an AV block, or an intraventricular conduction disturbance during the follow-up.    We conclude that intracardiac conduction disturbances, especially infrahisian defects including high-degree AV blocks, are a common finding in pts with PMD. Therefore a regular cardiological screening including an ECG and a Holter recording is reasonable in these patients. Ziel dieser prospektiven Studie war die Beobachtung des spontanen Verlaufs invasiv dokumentierter verborgener intrakardialer Leitungsstörungen bei Patienten mit progressiver Muskeldystrophie (PMD).    12 konsekutive kardial asymptomatische und echokardiographisch unauffällige Patienten (9 Männer, 3 Frauen, Alter 28±4 J) mit PMD Typ Erb (n=4), Becker-Kiener (n=4), Duchenne (n=2) und Landouzy-Déjerine (n=2) mit unterschiedlichem Schweregrad der Muskelerkrankung wurden am Anfang der Studie invasiv elektrophysiologisch untersucht und im Langzeitverlauf über 5,5 Jahre klinisch und mittels EKG, Langzeit-EKG (alle 3 Monate) und Echokardiographie (alle 6 Monate) kontrolliert. Bei 4 Patienten (33%) wurde elektrophysiologisch eine verborgene interatriale Leitungsstörung (AHRA-ACS von 120±18ms) und bei 10 Patienten (83%) eine infrahissäre Leitungsstörung (HV maximal 156±54ms) gesichert. Intrakardiale Leitungsstörungen waren bei jeder PMD-Form und jedem PMD-Schweregrad nachzuweisen. Im Follow-up entwickelte sich bei 2 von 4 Patienten aus einer zunächst verborgenen eine im EKG manifeste interatriale Leitungsstörung, wobei bei 1 Patienten auch ein paroxysmales Vorhofflimmern auftrat. Bei 5 von 10 Patienten mit initial verborgener infrahissärer Leitungsstörung war im Langzeitverlauf ein AV-Block I-III Grades und außerdem ein Schenkelblock zu beobachten. 4 von diesen 5 Patienten, die auch entweder eine dilatative Kardiomyopathie oder eine Progredienz der Muskelerkrankung aufwiesen, wurde wegen eines AVB I° und bifaszikulären Blocks (n=1), AVB II° Typ Mobitz (n=1) oder AVB III° (n=2) ein Schrittmacher implantiert.    Bei keinem der Patienten mit normalem elektrophysiologischem Befund konnte im Follow-up eine verbreiterte P-Welle, ein AV-Block oder eine intraventrikuläre Leitungsstörung dokumentiert werden.    Somit sind intrakardiale, vor allem infrahissäre Leitungsstörungen bis hin zum höhergradigen AV-Block, bei Patienten mit progressiver Muskeldystrophie ein häufiger Befund. Diese Patienten sollten daher mittels regelmäßiger EKG- und Langzeit-EKG-Kontrollen auch von Kardiologen beobachtet werden.

Pacemaker therapy in premature children with high degree AV block.

The smallest pacemaker pulse generator and a steroid‐eluting bipolar epicardial lead were implanted in two premature children with symptomatic AV block. Stable capture threshold and high amplitude evoked response electrogram resulted in normal function of the pacemaker Autocapture algorithm, which adjusts output 0.3 V above the measured capture threshold. Autocapture hud previously been used only with endocardial leads. Longer‐term observation is required.

Holter Recordings with Continuous Marker Annotations: A New Tool in Pacemaker Diagnostics

Pacemakers provide marker annotations to facilitate the interpretation of pacemaker electrocardiograms (ECGs) and can be used in cases of suspected pacemaker malfunction or to understand pacemaker behavior. Due to the need for a programmer, only short‐term evaluations are possible. We evaluated a prototype Telemetry Data Logger (TDL) designed to continuously transfer markers from the pacemaker to a conventional Holter recorder. A miniaturized telemetry receiving coil was attached to patients skin above the pacemaker, which was programmed to transmit markers continuously. The TDL, which receives and converts markers into eight positive and eight negative deflections, ranging from ‐2.5 to +2.5 mV in amplitude, was connected to one channel of a conventional Holter recorder (Tracker 2). We performed 20 Holters in 13 patients who had implanted VDDB or DDDR devices from the same manufacturer and evaluated three versions of software. Marker transmission was possible in all patients, producing Holter ECGs with complete marker annotations. Artifacts occurred < 4 % of the time. A 50‐ms rectangular pulse was optimal for marker interpretation. The device, which was easy to use and well accepted by the patients, assisted in the diagnosis of inappropriate pacemaker programming, even when the surface ECG seemed to show regular pacemaker function. In the presence of low quality surface ECGs, marker annotations allowed the assessment of pacemaker function. The capability to annotate the onset of special algorithms, like tachycardia termination algorithms or mode switching, facilitates interpretation of pacemaker behavior, enabling a reliable assessment of the appropriateness of such algorithms. Conclusion: The TDL effectively enables pacemaker markers to be inscribed onto a conventional Holter recording, facilitating the interpretation of pacemaker ECGs and the diagnosis of inappropriate pacemaker programming even when not discernible from the surface ECG alone.