Ruediger Becker

Ventricular oversensing: A study of 101 patients implanted with dual chamber defibrillators and two different lead systems

WERETKA, S., et al. : Ventricular Oversensing: A Study of 101 Patients Implanted with Dual Chamber Defibrillators and Two Different Lead Systems. Modern dual chamber ICD systems are able to overcome various sensing problems. However, improvement of their performance is still required. The aim of this study was to assess the sensing function in 101 consecutive patients (84 men, 17 women; mean age 63 ± 12 years; mean follow‐up 24 ± 4 months) implanted with dual chamber defibrillators and integrated (IB) or dedicated bipolar (DB) lead systems. Follow‐up data were analyzed for the presence of ventricular oversensing. Oversensing occurred in 25 (25%) patients, significantly more frequent in patients implanted with IB compared to DB lead systems (21/52 vs 4/49, P = 0.0002). Patients with cardiomyopathies (CMs) were more prone to sensing malfunctions than patients with no CM (12/30 vs 13/71, P = 0.04). T wave oversensing (n = 14), respirophasic ventricular oversensing (n = 4), and P wave oversensing (n = 6) were the most common pitfalls of ventricular sensing. P wave oversensing was unique to the IB lead system. CT scans performed in these patients disclosed the position of the RV coil to be proximal to the tricuspid area. Four patients received inappropriate ICD shocks due to oversensing. In all but two patients who received lead revision, oversensing was resolved by noninvasive means. In conclusion: (1) ventricular oversensing is a common problem occurring in up to 25% of patients with dual chamber ICDs; (2) P wave oversensing is a ventricular sensing problem affecting function of 11% of dual chamber devices with IB lead systems; (3) IB leads are significantly more susceptible to T wave and P wave oversensing than DB leads; and (4) patients with cardiomyopathies are more prone to oversensing than patients with other heart diseases. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:65–70)

Rate- and Site-Dependent Effects of Propafenone, Dofetilide, and the New IKs-Blocking Agent Chromanol 293b on Individual Muscle Layers of the Intact Canine Heart

BACKGROUND Recent in vitro studies have demonstrated regional differences in electrophysiological properties of individual left ventricular muscle layers. Controversy exists on the relevance of these findings for the situation in vivo. Thus, this study was designed to determine whether the in vivo canine heart exhibits regional differences in left ventricular refractoriness and in the susceptibility to sodium and potassium channel blockers. METHODS AND RESULTS In 16 dogs, 36 needle electrodes (12 mm long, 4 bipolar electrodes, interelectrode distance 2.5 mm) were inserted into the left ventricular wall. By use of a computerized multiplexer-mapping system, the spread of activation in epicardial, endocardial, and midmyocardial muscle was reconstructed during ventricular pacing at 300- and 850-ms basic cycle length (BCL). Effective refractory periods (ERPs) were determined at baseline and after application of propafenone (2 mg/kg), dofetilide (30 microg/kg), or chromanol 293b (10 mg/kg) by the extrastimulus technique (BCL 300 and 850 ms). At baseline, activation patterns and ERPs were uniform in all muscle layers. Propafenone homogeneously decreased conduction velocity and moderately prolonged ERPs without any regional differences. Dofetilide and chromanol 293b did not affect the spread of activation. Dofetilide exhibited reverse use-dependent effects on ERP, still preserving transmural homogeneity of refractoriness. Chromanol 293b led to a regionally uniform but more pronounced increase in local ERPs at faster than at slower pacing rates. CONCLUSIONS At the heart rates applied, the in vivo canine heart does not exhibit regional differences in electrophysiological properties. Given the homogeneity of antiarrhythmic drug effects, induction of local gradients of refractoriness is obviously not a common mechanism of proarrhythmia in normal hearts.

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Is More Prevalent than Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Patients

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). More extensive diagnostic effort is required to detect paroxysmal AF (pxAF) than persistent AF (pAF); the prevalence of pxAF in stroke patients is unknown. We evaluated the prevalence of pAF and pxAF in ischemic stroke and TIA patients. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke/TIA were enrolled prospectively. We aimed to detect patients with a history of AF, with AF newly diagnosed in the emergency room (ER), or with newly diagnosed AF during a 3-month period following the event. Differences in the frequency of AF diagnosis with respect to the disposition of patients after ER work-up were assessed. Results: A total of 692 patients were enrolled (male: 52.2%; ischemic stroke: 69.1%; TIA: 30.9%). A previously documented history of AF was present in 19.7% (pAF: 47.1%, pxAF: 52.9%). In 3.8% of patients, AF was newly diagnosed in the ER (pxAF: 61.5%) and in 5.2% during the 3-month follow-up period. The overall prevalence of AF was 28.6% (pxAF: 62.6%). Previously documented pxAF evaded diagnosis at ER presentation in 48.6%. The prevalence of AF increased with age (p < 0.001). Patients with pxAF were younger than those with pAF (p = 0.004) and more often female (p = 0.05). The presence of any AF was associated with higher initial NIHSS scores (p < 0.001) and higher modified Rankin scores after 3 months (p < 0.001). Conclusion: pxAF occurs more often than pAF in stroke/TIA patients. As effective stroke prevention is available for AF, it is important to develop and evaluate sensitive methods for detecting pxAF.

Multisite pacing for prevention of atrial tachyarrhythmias: potential mechanisms ☆

OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of single-, dual-, triple- and quadruple-site atrial pacing on atrial activation and refractoriness in normal canine hearts. BACKGROUND Multisite pacing has been suggested to be superior to single-site pacing for prevention of atrial tachyarrhythmias. However, the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms are undetermined at the moment, as is the rationale for the selection of pacing locations and the number of pacing sites. METHODS In 13 normal beagle dogs, an epicardial multielectrode (128 bipoles) and a multiplexer mapping system were used to reconstruct epicardial atrial activation patterns obtained during simultaneous stimulation from up to four electrodes located in the high and low right and left atrium, respectively. For all pacing modes (single-, dual-, triple- and quadruple-site pacing), total activation times and local effective refractory periods at eight randomly selected sites as well as local recovery intervals were determined. In a subgroup of five dogs, total epicardial activation times were also obtained during single-site septal stimulation (septal group). RESULTS Activation times and local recovery intervals were minimized by triple-site stimulation, whereas a fourth site did not produce further shortening. Septal stimulation produced epicardial activation times comparable to quadruple-site stimulation. Local refractory periods and their dispersion always remained unaffected. Functional conduction blocks apparent during single-site were found to resolve during multisite stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Multisite pacing can prevent functional conduction blocks by multidirectional excitation and a reduction in total activation time. Triple-site and, possibly, septal pacing modes are expected to be most efficient because both minimize total activation times and maximize the multidirectionality of excitation. In spite of unaffected local refractory periods, the shortening of local recovery intervals might homogenize atrial repolarization and, thus, contribute to the preventive effects of multisite pacing.

Effects of the IKr-Blocking Agent Dofetilide and of the IKs-Blocking Agent Chromanol 293b on Regional Disparity of Left Ventricular Repolarization in the Intact Canine Heart

Recent in vitro studies have described regional differences of ion current expression and function, possibly accounting for reduced homogeneity of repolarization in the heart. In 11 intact canine hearts regional disparity of repolarization was determined at baseline and after administration of the IKr blocking agent dofetilide (30 &mgr;g/kg) and the IKs-blocking agent chromanol 293b (10 mg/kg). Effective refractory periods (ERPs) were determined through up to 10 needle electrodes inserted into basal, midwall and apical regions of the left ventricular wall using the extrastimulus technique (cycle length [CL] 300 and 850 ms). At baseline (CL of 850 ms), ERPs were significantly longer in epicardial muscle layers of the apex compared to the base. In deeper muscle layers regional differences of ERPs were not detectable. Administration of dofetilide increased apico-basal disparity of repolarization, due to a more marked increase of ERPs in the apex than in the base. In contrast, homogeneous ERPs were evident along the apico-basal axis after administration of chromanol 293b. Transmural dispersion of refractoriness could not be observed in any region at baseline, or after drug-administration. In the intact canine heart, apico-basal disparity of repolarization varies between individual muscle layers. Dependent on their current specificity, antiarrhythmic agents may enhance or diminish regional disparity of repolarization.

Suppression of atrial fibrillation by multisite and septal pacing in a novel experimental model

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the preventive efficacy of multisite and septal atrial pacing in an experimental model. METHODS Sterile right atrial pericarditis was induced in 12 foxhounds to provide an anatomical substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). As a trigger mechanism, atrial extrasystoles were simulated by constant asynchronous pacing at a cycle length of 1000 ms from randomly selected right or left atrial electrodes, using a biatrial epicardial multielectrode with 128 bipoles. Additionally, a transvenous pacing lead was screwed into the interatrial septum. Four electrodes located in the high and low right (HRA/LRA) and left atrium (HLA/LLA) were selected for preventive multisite stimulation. Constant pacing at a cycle length 30 ms below sinus rate was applied from the following site(s): HRA, septal, HRA+LRA, HRA+LLA, HRA+LRA+LLA and HRA+LRA+HLA+LLA (order randomized). Number and duration of AF episodes were studied during 10 min intervals, separated by 5 min pauses, respectively. To validate the model, the protocol was repeated 10 min after i.v. bolus administration of D,L-sotalol (1 mg/kg body weight). RESULTS The number of AF episodes decreased with increasing number of pacing sites, reaching statistical significance compared to HRA stimulation for quadruple-site and single-site septal pacing only (P<0.05). Single-site septal was as efficient as quadruple-site pacing in suppressing AF. The duration of AF episodes was not significantly affected by the pacing configuration. D,L-sotalol almost completely suppressed AF irrespective of the pacing configuration used. CONCLUSIONS In this novel experimental model, quadruple-site and septal pacing effectively suppress paroxysmal AF.

Intercaval block in normal canine hearts : role of the terminal crest.

Background—The intriguing monotony in the occurrence of intercaval conduction block during typical atrial flutter suggests an anatomic or electrophysiological predisposition for conduction abnormalities. Methods and Results—To determine the location of and potential electrophysiological basis for conduction block in the terminal crest region, a high-density patch electrode (10×10 bipoles) was placed on the terminal crest and on the adjacent pectinate muscle region in 10 healthy foxhounds. With a multiplexer mapping system, local activation patterns were reconstructed during constant pacing (S1S1=200 ms) and introduction of up to 2 extrastimuli (S2, S3). Furthermore, effective refractory periods were determined across the patch. If evident through online analysis, the epicardial location of conduction block was marked for postmortem verification of its endocardial projection. Marked directional differences in activation were found in the terminal crest region, with fast conduction parallel to and slow conduction perpendicular to the intercaval axis (1.1±0.4 versus 0.5±0.2 m/s, P <0.01). In the pectinate muscle region, however, conduction velocities were similar in both directions (0.5±0.3 versus 0.6±0.2 m/s, P =NS). Refractory patterns were relatively homogeneous in both regions, with local refractory gradients not >30 ms. During S3 stimulation, conduction block parallel to the terminal crest was inducible in 40% of the dogs compared with 0% in the pectinate muscle region. Conclusions—Even in normal hearts, inducible intercaval block is a relatively common finding. Anisotropic conduction properties would not explain conduction block parallel to the intercaval axis in the terminal crest region, and obviously, refractory gradients do not seem to play a role either. Thus, the change in fiber direction associated with the terminal crest/pectinate muscle junction might form the anatomic/electrophysiological basis for intercaval conduction block.

Ventricular arrhythmias induced by endothelin-1 or by acute ischemia: a comparative analysis using three-dimensional mapping

OBJECTIVES To analyze three-dimensional activation patterns of ventricular arrhythmias induced by endothelin-1 in comparison with ischemia-induced tachycardias. METHODS Following AV node ablation, sixty pin electrodes containing four bipoles each were inserted into both ventricles of ten foxhounds. Using a computerized mapping system, this would allow to simultaneously record 240 endo-, epi- and midmyocardial electrograms for reconstruction of the three-dimensional activation pattern. In five dogs, endothelin-1 was infused into the LAD at 60 pmol/min. In another five animals, the LAD was ligated. During the following 40 min, all ventricular arrhythmias were recorded for subsequent analysis. Furthermore, left ventricular conduction times during constant pacing and local effective refractory periods at eight left ventricular sites were determined before and after either intervention. RESULTS Endothelin-1 had no significant effect on conduction time and refractoriness, whereas ligation prolonged both parameters significantly. Endothelin-1 as well as ligation induced multiple mono- and polymorphic nonsustained ventricular tachycardias. Endothelin-1-induced arrhythmias were exclusively based on focal mechanisms, whereas during ligation, macroreentrant mechanisms were involved in the maintenance of tachycardias in 29% of episodes. CONCLUSION The differences in the effects of endothelin-1 and LAD ligation on electrophysiologic properties and the difference in the mechanism of induced ventricular tachycardias support the hypothesis that, apart from vasoconstrictive properties, endothelin-1 exerts an intrinsic arrhythmogenic effect.

There is no transmural heterogeneity in an index of action potential duration in the canine left ventricle

BACKGROUND Transmural heterogeneity in ventricular repolarization demonstrated in vitro has been difficult to confirm in vivo. Whether this discrepancy reflects a physiological phenomenon or a methodological problem remains a vivid matter of debate despite a plethora of experimental work. Therefore, we have measured the relevant electrophysiological parameters first in vivo and repeated these in the same heart and at identical sites in vitro. Methodological issues were tackled by using both unipolar and bipolar recordings. Physiological issues were explored by measuring both local and functional electrophysiological parameters. METHODS In 10 healthy dogs, 2 high-resolution needle electrodes were inserted into the left ventricle. Effective refractory periods (ERP) as well as activation recovery intervals (ARI) were determined at each electrode along both needles at basic cycle lengths (BCL) of 850 and 300 ms, respectively. After excision of the heart, ERP and ARI measurements were repeated in the arterially perfused wedge preparations. RESULTS First, we observed that ERPs and ARIs were significantly shorter in vivo than in vitro. Mean ERPs and ARIs of all muscle layers were relatively uniform throughout the ventricular wall in vivo. The transition from the in vivo to the in vitro preparation was associated with a significant albeit small increase of mean ARIs in the subendocardium, whereas interlayer differences in mean ERPs did not reach statistical significance as in vivo. CONCLUSION In the intact canine left ventricular wall, a more or less homogeneous distribution in transmural ERP and ARI is present.

Far-field R wave oversensing in a dual chamber arrhythmia management device: predisposing factors and practical implications.

WERETKA, S., et al.: Far‐Field R Wave Oversensing in a Dual Chamber Arrhythmia Management Device: Predisposing Factors and Practical Implications. Initial experience with the Medtronic Jewel 7250, the ICD designed to detect and treat ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, is very promising. Its effectiveness, however, depends on sensing performance, which has not yet been systematically examined. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of, predisposing factors for, and practical implications of far‐field R wave oversensing (FFRWOS) in this dual chamber ICD. During a total follow‐up of 797 months in 48 patients who had the Jewel 7250, follow‐up strip charts, 12‐channel Holter recordings and, in particular cases, Holter recordings with intracardiac markers were analyzed for the presence of FFRWOS. FFRWOS was documented in ten (21.3%) patients. Compared to other lead locations, the right atrial appendage lead position was most frequently associated with FFRWOS (7/27 vs 3/21, P < 0.05). Patients with FFRWOS had significantly more treated and nontreated atrial episodes, many of which were judged to have been detected inappropriately. In one case, inappropriate atrial antitachycardia pacing due to R wave oversensing triggered sustained ventricular tachycardia, terminated eventually with a high energy shock. In dual chamber ICDs, FFRWOS may represent a frequent phenomenon possibly leading to serious consequences. For atrial leads, a lateral atrial wall position seems to be preferable. In most cases, FFRWOS can be eliminated by optimization of atrial sensing parameters. Given the possibility of ventricular proarrhythmia with atrial pacing therapy, the capability of ventricular backup defibrillation in respective devices is at least reassuring.