We found U22 useful to quantify symptoms associated with SVTA.

Aims Radiofrequency (RF) ablation requires placement of several catheters at critical positions. The catheters are positioned with fluoroscopy, resulting in a significant radiation exposure. We have investigated to what degree an intracardiac navigation system reduces the fluoroscopy duration in different groups of routine RF ablations. Methods and resultsThe fluoroscopy time was evaluated in 365 consecutive routine RF ablations, performed between 2002 and 2005. An intracardiac navigation system (LocaLisa, Medtronic) was used from 2003. The data were prospectively entered into a database and subsequently retrieved, and the procedures classified as being performed with fluoroscopy only or with the aid of the LocaLisa system. After introduction of the LocaLisa system, the median fluoroscopy time decreased from 24 to 10 min in the 141 atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT) ablations and from 43 to 28 min in the 71 atrial flutter (AFl) ablations (P , 0.005 for both). In the 145 Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) ablations, a decrease from 27 to 23 min was observed (P ¼ 0.03). The decrease in AVNRT and AFl, but not in WPW was associated with the introduction of the LocaLisa system. Conclusion The use of the LocaLisa system during RF ablations significantly reduced the fluoroscopy time in AVNRT and AFl ablations, by a median of 58% and 46%, respectively. KEYWORDSRadiofrequency ablation; Non-fluoroscopic mapping system; Radiation exposure Introduction Radiofrequency (RF) ablation requires placement of several catheters at critical positions within the heart. The catheters were originally positioned and monitored with fluoroscopy only. The procedures are associated with a significant radiation exposure to the patients and the staff. Non-fluoroscopic navigation and mapping systems have subsequently been developed, allowing more precise placement of the catheters. The most widely used systems are the Carto (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA), EnSite NavX (St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, USA), and LocaLisa (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The former also have mapping capabilities, whereas the latter is a simpler navigation system. 1 In addition, these systems offer the potential for reducing the radiation exposure associated with the procedures.2 For LocaLisa, this has been studied in several smaller studies.3-6 The use of EnSite NavX was associated with a significant reduction in radiation exposure in a recent prospective study of PV-isolation. 7 We have investigated the procedure time and fluoroscopy time during RF ablations before and after the introduction of the LocaLisa intracardiac navigation system in consecutive ablations of the most common supraventricular tachycardias. MethodsThe RF ablations of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW), atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT), and atrial flutter (AFl), performed at our centre between January 2002 and December 2005 were evaluated. The procedures during the entire period were performed by four operators (with 10, 4, 3, and 1 years of ablation experience ...

Patients with preserved left ventricular function are excellent candidates for ICD, with life-saving ICD therapies in a substantial proportion, low mortality and good quality of life.

In this randomized controlled study, the exact RV pacing site, either apex or outflow tract, did not influence the benefits of CRT in a group of patients with chronic heart failure and AF. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00457834.

Combining prolonged t-IVT and the conventionally used broad QRS duration has a significantly higher specificity in identifying patients likely to respond to CRT. Moreover, in AF patients, only prolonged t-IVT independently predicted CRT response.