Tag Archives: implantable cardiac devices

Introduction Subclavian venoplasty (SV) was developed to re-establish vessel patency following complications from indwelling dialysis catheters.1 Recently, it has been adopted to aid device re-implantation or upgrade, which require the introduction of additional pacing leads; this avoids the need for lead extraction or contralateral tunnelling procedures, both of which are associated with their own technical limitations and procedural complications.2 In suitable patients, SV offers a safer alternative, preserving contralateral access for future use.2 However, these are mostly performed by interventional radiologists rather than cardiologists

Background One of the consequences of cardiovascular disease may be a limitation of physical activity, as a result of pain (e.g. in patients with angina) or inadequate cardiac output (e.g. in patients with heart failure). While the benefits of regular physical activity for secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease are well recognised,1 declines in physical activity may indicate a change in clinical status of a patient, whether this is in relation to cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure,2 or the more general wellbeing of the patient. Thus, one measure of disease severity is to assess the objective exercise capability of patient

Introduction Each year over 50,000 cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures are undertaken in the UK.1 Despite prophylactic measures, device infection, one of the more severe complications, still occurs. This complication is associated with hospital admissions, increased mortality and cost.2-4 The majority of infections are caused by Staphylococcus spp. (60–80%) with the remainder predominantly caused by other Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli and candida spp.5,6 Retrospective analysis of over 200,000 implantable cardioverter defibrillator procedures showed increased infection risk to be associated with generator cha