In patients with an ICD, the development of MCD is an independent predictor of cardiac and arrhythmic mortality. If this finding is confirmed in larger studies, it may help to identify patients in whom other therapeutic alternatives, ie, heart transplantation, should be considered during follow-up after ICD implantation.

Regional diastolic wall motion is impaired at baseline in ischaemic myocardial segments, even when systolic contraction is preserved. Pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging is a useful non-invasive technique which allows the assessment of regional diastolic performance and dynamics of the left ventricular myocardium. Further studies are required to define this role in the evaluation of coronary heart disease.

These data suggest the presence of rate-dependent transversal conduction block at the crista terminalis in patients with typical AFL. Block is usually observed at longer pacing cycle lengths with PW pacing than with LW pacing. This difference may be a critical determinant of the counterclockwise rotation of typical AFL.

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