The POTTER AF registry looked at oesophageal fistula formation following atrial fibrillation ablation, with focus on the real world incidence, characteristics, optimal management and patient outcomes. In this touchCARDIO interview, we speak with Professor Roland Tilz (University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany) to discuss the results of the POTTER AF registry and […]

The AdaptResponse trial was designed to assess two methods of restoring resynchronization to the heart in patients with heart failure with left bundle branch block. In this touchCARDIO interview, we speak with Dr Bruce Wilkoff (Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA) to discuss the design of the AdaptResponse trial, the outcomes as well as the clinical […]

Recently it has been shown that NT-proBNP may be a useful tool for finding people with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. In this touchCARDIO interview, we speak with Dr Søren Zöga Diederichsen (Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark) to discuss the post hoc analysis of the LOOP study. The abstract entitled ‘Atrial […]

The OptiVALL study aimed to assess the atrioventricular synchronous pacing capabilities of the Micra AV device, and to describe what programming changes are needed. In this touchCARDIO interview, we speak with Dr Sem Briongos Figuero (Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain) to discuss the purpose, design and findings of the OptiVALL study, as well as the […]

With the global increase in life expectancy, the proportion of elderly people in the community is expected to increase gradually. This is referred to as the ‘Coming of the Gray Dawn’ or the ‘Gray Wave’, and highlights the need for current day healthcare professionals to better understand the specific disease processes that occur in the […]

Cardiac complications constitute a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period, contributing to over a third of perioperative deaths.1 More than 230 million major surgeries are performed annually worldwide, with older patients representing an increasing proportion of the surgical population; a group with a significant burden of cardiovascular risk factors and a higher […]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is strongly associated with severe macro- and micro-vascular complications; it is also proven to be a strong independent risk factor for developing heart failure (HF).1 In fact, the prevalence of DM is reported to be as high as 20% amongst patients with HF compared with 5–6% in the general population.2 Recent studies have […]

For decades, right ventricular pacing (RVP) has been the leading pacing technique and has been proven to be effective in treating patients with symptomatic bradycardia. However, dyssynchrony caused by non-physiological ventricular activation results in pacing-induced cardiomyopathy occurs in approximately 15% of patients with >20% ventricular pacing after 5 years.1 Pacing of the right ventricular septum has […]