Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
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Administrative discharge codes are widely used in epidemiology, but the specificity and sensitivity of this coding is unknown and must be validated. We assessed the validity of the discharge diagnosis of syncope in administrative registers and reviewed the etiology of syncope after workup. ⋯ ED and hospital discharge diagnostic coding for syncope has a positive predictive value of 95% and a sensitivity of 63%.
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Multicenter Study
Rate, causes, and impact on patient outcome of implantable device complications requiring surgical revision: large population survey from two centres in Italy.
The long-term impact of implantable device-related complications on the patient outcome has not been thoroughly evaluated. The aims of this retrospective, bi-centre study were to analyse the rate and nature of device-related complications requiring surgical revision in a large series of patients undergoing device implantation, elective generator replacement and pacing system upgrade and to systematically assess the impact of such complications on patient outcome and healthcare utilization. ⋯ Cardiac resynchronisation therapy implantation was the procedure with the highest risk of complications requiring surgical revision. Complications were associated with substantial clinical consequences and a significant increase in the number and length of hospitalizations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and safety of nitroglycerin for preventing venous spasm during contrast-guided axillary vein puncture for pacemaker or defibrillator leads implantation.
We investigated the efficacy and safety of nitroglycerin for preventing venous spasm during contrast-guided axillary vein puncture for pacemaker or defibrillator leads implantation. ⋯ Intravenous nitroglycerin is effective and safe for preventing venous spasm during contrast-guided axillary vein puncture for pacemaker or defibrillator leads implantation.
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Sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk can be managed by implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). Defibrillation shocks can be delivered via ICD generator and/or intracardiac or subcutaneous coil configurations. We present our single-centre use of childhood ICDs. ⋯ Innovative shock delivery systems can be used in children requiring an ICD. The insertion technique and device used need to accommodate the age and weight of the child, and concomitant need for pacing therapy. We have demonstrated effective defibrillation with shocks delivered via configurations employing subcutaneous coils in children.