Effectiveness
This resource provides a practical, guideline-based overview of sudden cardiac death risk stratification and ICD indications across a range of cardiomyopathies. It is designed to support clinicians with clear algorithms…
This SOP provides a concise, guideline-based framework for sudden cardiac death risk stratification and ICD indications across multiple cardiomyopathies, including ischemic and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ARVC, HOCM, myotonic dystrophy, and…
This protocol uses 3-month CPX as the individual baseline and mandates a two-step device optimization bundle (rate response + upper rate review) for Yellow results, with escalation and CPX-based reassessment…
This algorithm is intended to provide a standardized framework for in-clinic and remote follow-up of permanent pacemakers. It supports systematic assessment of patient symptoms, device function, programming optimization, safety surveillance,…
This resource provides clear, easy-to-understand information for patients with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). It explains what to expect after device implantation, how to care for your incision, safety tips…
This patient-facing educational resource explains the Convergent Hybrid Ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation, a two-stage treatment option designed for patients with persistent or long-standing AF who continue to have symptoms…
This patient-facing educational handout provides clear, step-by-step guidance to help reduce infection risk and support optimal recovery for patients undergoing implantable cardiac device procedures. Designed for use before pacemaker, ICD,…
Journal Articles: Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the 2nd-generation cryoballoon (CB2) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has demonstrated encouraging acute and mid-term results. However, follow-up data on outcomes beyond 1 year are sparse. We investigated the 3-year outcome after PVI using the CB2. Methods and Results: 100 patients with paroxysmal (PAF, 70/100 [70%] patients) or persistent AF (pAF, 30/100 [30%] patients) underwent CB2-based PVI in 2 experienced centers in Germany. Freeze-cycle duration was 240 s. After successful PVI a bonus freeze-cycle of the same duration was applied in the first 71 patients but was omitted in the following 29 patients. Phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 3 patients (3%); 2 patients were lost to follow-up. After a median follow-up of 38 (29–50) months, 59/98 (60.2%) patients remained in stable sinus rhythm (PAF: 48/70 (69%), pAF: 11/28 (39%) P=0.0084). In 32/39 (77%) patients with arrhythmia recurrence, a second ablation procedure using radiofrequency energy was conducted. Persistent PVI was noted in 76/125 (61%) PVs. After a mean of 1.37±0.6 procedures and a median follow-up of 35 (25–39) months, 77/98 (78.6%) patients remained in stable sinus rhythm (PAF: 56/70 (80%), pAF: 20/28 (71%), P=0.0276). Conclusions: CB2-based PVI resulted in a 60.2% single-procedure and a 78.6% multiple-procedure success rate after 3 years. Repeat procedures demonstrated a high rate of durable PVI.
Guidelines/Clinical Documents: Guidelines document outlining best practices for the management of AFib.
Organizations for QI: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality PCOR compares the impact of two or more preventive, diagnostic, treatment, or health care delivery approaches on health outcomes, including those that are meaningful to patients. Congress instructed AHRQ to …