Real-time monitoring of luminal esophageal position and temperature is feasible, enhances recognition of esophageal heating, and may add useful information beyond that provided by fluoroscopic assessment of esophageal position. There is a potential role for esophageal monitoring to help avoid thermal injury to the esophagus during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

No abstract

Patients needing an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system, but without suitable access from jugular or subclavian routes present a vexing problem. Such patients would normally undergo thoracotomy for epicardial lead placement. However, for patients who decline such an intervention, there have been no alternatives for them. There is scarce data from the published literature addressing this dilemma. We report two cases of successful ICD and biventricular ICD placement from an ileofemoral approach.

In high-risk ICD patients, treatment with ranolazine did not significantly reduce the incidence of the first VT or VF, or death. However, the study was underpowered to detect a difference in the primary endpoint. In prespecified secondary endpoint analyses, ranolazine administration was associated with a significant reduction in recurrent VT or VF requiring ICD therapy without evidence for increased mortality. (Ranolazine Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Trial [RAID]; NCT01215253).