The implantation of CRT-D, rather than CRT-P, may be preferable in patients presenting with current class IA ESC indications for CRT. Indeed, CRT-D resulted in greater long-term survival and was independently associated with a better prognosis.

As first attempt, ultrasound-guided axillary method showed similarly high-success rate than subclavian approach and well performed when the first attempt in subclavian group failed. Axillary access can be considered a safe and effective alternative technique to the conventional subclavian method for device implantation.

Solution thermodynamics and mutual diffusivity of the system carbon dioxide-molten poly(caprolactone) (PCL) have been investigated experimentally in the temperature range 70-85 °C and at pressures up to 6.5 MPa. Sorption data have been interpreted on the basis of Sanchez-Lacombe lattice theory. Sanchez-Lacombe parameters for pure PCL have been evaluated by fitting experimental pressure-volume-temperature data obtained by using a high-pressure dilatometer, while parameters for carbon dioxide have been taken from the literature. Information on the free volume of the mixture, as gathered from the solution thermodynamics analysis, has been used in the classical free-volume theory proposed by Duda and Vrentas to fit mutual diffusivity data, obtained from sorption kinetics experiments.

The majority of patients with a standard indication for permanent pacing and normal LV function remained in a clinically stable condition after pacemaker implantation. However, ∼7% of patients developed new-onset HF over a period of follow-up of 27 months, and the presence of LBBB and LVEF <50% at the baseline predicted HF death or hospitalization.