The software and hardware related to mapping technologies for cardiac arrhythmias have evolved considerably over the past decades. The history of cardiac mapping dates back to the mid-1900s when Durrer and others used the isolated heart models perfected by Langendorff…
Introduction The quality of electrograms (EGMs) determines an electrophysiologist’s ability to interpret data. Nevertheless, there are a myriad of factors that influence the quality of EGMs. Consequently, it is important to have a basic knowledge of the recording circuitry and…
Introduction As the population ages and indications for implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) expand, increasing numbers of CIEDs are implanted with some data suggesting the rate of CIED infection is outpacing the rate of implant. CIED infection carries…
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a device-based, electrical therapy for heart failure (HF) that has been available in clinical practice for the last quarter century. Delivery of CRT via biventricular (BiV) pacing has been validated in multiple large-scale randomized controlled…
Introduction Risk stratification of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains challenging, with only a small proportion of high-risk individuals identified through conventional discriminators, such as ejection fraction (EF). Yet sudden death continues to be the leading cause of quality-adjusted life years…
Evidence supporting the efficacy of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in their ability to correct ventricular fibrillation (VF) is extensive and secure. , The conventional transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) has evolved considerably after being initially somewhat cumbersome and requiring surgical placement of epicardial…
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) provide important therapy for patients at high risk for ventricular fibrillation (VF) or life-threatening ventricular tachycardia (VT). This chapter complements Chapter 121 on technical aspects and Chapter 123 on the subcutaneous (S) ICD. Risk Stratification and Indications…
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have revolutionized the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The basic functions include tachycardia detection and tachycardia termination. The ICD relies on a very complex series of steps, including sensing of myocardial potentials, delivering these signals to the…
The use and sophistication of permanent pacemakers have increased steadily since the first pacemaker was implanted in 1958. Indications for their use have broadened as the technology has advanced, and pacemakers have become a mainstay of therapy. Those involved in…
Indications for Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation Anticoagulation is indicated for thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who meet established criteria. For a long time, warfarin was the sole drug for this indication. This agent was identified by Karl…