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J Trusty

Publications and source records attributed to J Trusty.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Defibrillation thresholds are increased by right-sided implantation of totally transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Whether an ICD is placed via a left- or right-sided approach depends on venous access, the presence of a preexisting pacemaker, and other factors. Since the DFT is affected by lead position, which in turn is determined in part by the side of access, right-sided venous access could adversely affect DFTs. Furthermore, right-sided active can placement directs electric current toward the right hemithorax, which could further increase DFTs. This study sought to determine whether DFTs were increased by right-sided vascular access, and whether active can technology was beneficial or detrimental with right-sided ICD placement. Stepdown to failure DFTs were found in 290 patients receiving transvenous systems at the time of initial ICD implantation. Of these, 271 (93%) received left-sided systems and 19 (7%) received right-sided systems. The mean DFT in systems placed via left-sided vascular access was 11.3 +/- 5.3 J versus 17.0 +/- 4.9 J for right-sided implantation (P < 0.0001); right-sided DFTs were elevated for both active can and cold can systems. Right-sided active can devices had a lower DFT than right-sided cold can systems (15 +/- 4.1 J vs 19 +/- 4.8 J, P = 0.05). The right-sided implantation of implantable defibrillators results in significantly higher DFTs than the left-sided approach. This may be due to the less favorable distribution of the defibrillating field relative to the myocardium with the devices on the right. When right-sided implantation is clinically mandated, active can devices result in lower thresholds and should be used.

Adult↗

Transtelephonic monitoring and transmission of stored arrhythmia detection and therapy data from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

A new transtelephonic monitoring device designed for use with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) was evaluated. It is capable of interrogating ICDs and transmitting the following data via telephone: programmed parameters (e.g., ventricular tachycardia [VT] and ventricular fibrillation [VF] detection, therapies), number of VT and VF episodes, identification of successful therapies, the 20 cycle lengths preceding the last episode detected, the 10 cycle lengths after the last delivered therapy, battery voltage, and real-time transmission of the patient's rhythm. Eighteen patients (mean age 64 +/- 17 years; 15 males) were implanted with an ICD and epicardial lead system. The patients who did not live near the primary hospital were provided with this transmitter and instructed to transmit monthly and whenever presyncope, syncope, or a shock were experienced. Five hundred ten episodes of spontaneous arrhythmia (495 VT, 15 VF) were detected in 14 of 18 patients in a 24-month period and the success of each therapy (antitachycardia pacing, cardioversion 0.4-34 J, defibrillation 34 J) was analyzed. The number of therapies delivered and their success (%) in terminating the arrhythmia were: 380 ramp/86%, 116 burst/84%, 119 cardioversion/57%, and 15 defibrillations/100%. Sixty-three (42%) of the 152 transmissions indicated an arrhythmia. Twenty-five (16%) of the 152 were transmitted because of symptoms. Sixteen (9.7%) of 165 VT episodes could not be terminated by the full set of programmed VT therapies. Analysis of the pre- and post-episode intervals along with the patient's transmitted rhythm indicated that sinus tachycardia or atrial fibrillation were likely responsible for these episodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atrial Fibrillation↗

Permanent pacemaker infections: characterization and management.

From January 1974 to June 1980, a total of 46 patients were treated for infections involving permanent pacing systems. Demographic characteristics, types of infecting organisms, specific clinical features, significance of an infected foreign body and various medical and surgical treatment methods are described. Likely infecting organisms depend on the mode of presentation and the time course of the infection. Optimal treatment for the large majority of patients requires removal of the entire infected pacing system. In a subgroup of patients, a short course of antibiotic therapy followed by one stage surgery involving implantation of a new pacing system and concurrent explanation of the infected pacemaker was used safely with excellent results.

Adult↗

Infected epicardial pacemaker systems. Partial versus total removal.

Nine patients with infected epicardial pacemakers are described. All of the patients had infection localized to the generator pocket. Staphylococcus epidermidis, the most common organism isolated, was found in seven (77.8%). Conservative nonsurgical treatment was initially attempted in five patients. This failed in all and necessitated subsequent operation. At the time of the initial operation, lead transection and partial removal of the system was performed in seven patients. In four of them (57%), persistent infection necessitated further operation and complete extraction to eradicate the infection. In contrast, in all six patients (100%) in whom total removal was achieved (two at the time of initial operation and four at the time of subsequent operation), there was successful resolution of the infection. Therefore, complete extraction of the entire pacing system should be carried out, whenever possible, to achieve the greatest likelihood of eradicating the infection.

Aged↗