In Italy, a strict lockdown was imposed from 8 March 2020 to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We explored the effect of this lockdown on data transmitted by remote monitoring (RM) of implantable cardioverter and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (ICDs/CRT-Ds). RM daily transmissions from ICDs and CRT-Ds were analyzed and compared in two consecutive 1 month frames pre and post-lockdown: period I (7 February–7 March 2020) and period II (8 March–7 April 2020). The study cohort included 180 patients (81.1% male, 63.3% ICDs and 36.7% CRT-Ds) with a median age of 70 (interquartile range 62–78) years. The median value of physical activity provided by accelerometric sensors showed a significant reduction between period I and II [13.1% (8.2–18.1%) versus 9.4% (6.3–13.8%), p < 0.001]. Eighty nine % of patients decreased their activity, for 43.3% the relative reduction was ≥ 25%. The mean heart rate decreased significantly [69.2 (63.8–75.6) bpm vs 67.9 (62.7–75.3) bpm, p < 0.001], but with greater reduction (≈3 beats/minute) in patients aged < 70 years. Resting heart rate and thoracic impedance showed minor variations. No differences were observed in device pacing % and arrhythmias. In cardiac patients, the lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19 outbreak significantly reduced the amount of physical activity and the mean heart rate. These side effects of in-home confinement quarantine should be taken in consideration for frail patients.

Aim Remote monitoring (RM) of implantable cardiac devices has enabled continuous surveillance of atrial high rate episodes (AHREs) with well‐recognized clinical benefits. We aimed to add evidence on the role of the RM as compared to conventional follow‐up by investigating the interval from AHRE onset to physician’s evaluation and reaction time in actionable episodes. Methods and Results A total of 97 dual‐chamber pacemaker recipients were followed with RM (RM‐ON group; N = 64) or conventional in‐office visits (RM‐OFF group; N = 33) for 18 months. In‐office visits were scheduled at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months in the RM‐OFF group and at 1 and 18 months in the RM‐ON group. The overall AHRE rate was 1.98 per patient‐year (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76–2.20) with no difference between the two groups (RM‐ON vs. RM‐OFF weighted‐HR, 0.88; CI, 0.36–2.13; p = .78). In the RM‐ON group, 100% AHREs evaluated within 11 days from onset, and within 202 days in the RM‐OFF group, with a median evaluation delay 79 days shorter in the RM‐ON group versus the RM‐OFF group (p < .0001). Therapy adjustment in actionable AHREs occurred 77 days earlier in the RM‐ON group versus the control group (p < .001). In the RM‐ON group, there were 50% less in‐office visits as compared to the RM‐OFF group (p < .001). Conclusions In our pacemaker population with no history of atrial fibrillation, RM allowed significant reduction of AHRE evaluation delay and prompted treatment of actionable episodes as compared to biannual in‐office visit schedule.

Aims Syncope without prodromes in subjects with normal heart and normal electrocardiogram (ECG) is classified as non-classical neurally mediated syncope and is characterized by low adenosine plasma levels (APLs) and frequent asystolic syncope. We assessed the efficacy of theophylline, a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, in preventing syncopal events. Methods and results Participants received an implantable cardiac monitor, underwent APL measurement, and received oral theophylline at maximum tolerated dose (starting dose 300 mg b.i.d.). They were compared with a historical cohort of untreated patients with implantable cardiac monitor who had the same inclusion criteria and were balanced with the propensity score (PS) method as regard age, sex, lifetime syncopal episodes, APL, and antihypertensive drugs. Primary endpoint was time to first syncopal recurrence at 24 months. There were 76 patients in the theophylline group and 58 in the control group. Syncope recurred in 25 (33%) patients in the theophylline group and in 27 (47%) patients in the control group, with an estimated 2-year recurrence rate of 33% and 60%, respectively, and a hazard ratio of 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30–0.95; P = 0.034]. Most of the benefit of theophylline is derived from reduction of syncope due to asystolic atrioventricular (AV) block (hazard ratio of 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03–0.58; P = 0.008). Thirty (39%) patients discontinued theophylline after a median of 6.4 (interquartile range 1.7–13.8) months due to side effects. Conclusion Theophylline was effective in preventing recurrences in patients with syncope without prodromes, normal heart, and normal ECG. The benefit was greater in patients with syncope due to asystolic AV block. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03803215.

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Aims His bundle pacing (HBP) is becoming an increasing widespread approach for physiological pacing. However, successful HBP procedure could be hampered by limited implantation tools especially in challenging anatomies. We aimed to report our experience with HBP technique using a novel stylet-driven lead system in patients with right atriomegaly. Methods and results Consecutive patients with right atrium (RA) volume &gt;25 ml/m2 in men and &gt;21 ml/m2 in women who underwent permanent HBP for standard indications were enrolled from March 2020 to March 2021. The tool of first choice for HBP attempt was a stylet-driven lead (Solia S 60, Biotronik) delivered via a dedicated introducer sheath (Selectra 3D, Biotronik). The acute, 1-month and 6-month procedural success rates were assessed. We enrolled 24 patients [median age: 75 (70–79) years, 85% men] with an average RA volume of 50.7 ± 7.8 ml/m2. At implant, conduction system pacing using stylet-driven lead was achieved in 21 patients (87%): 12 (50%) selective HBP, 6 (25%) non-selective HBP, and 3 (12.5%) left bundle branch area pacing. In the three failures, HBP was further attempted with a lumen-less lead with fixed helix (SelectSecure 3830, Medtronic) with final procedural success in two cases. In the successful cases, there was a significant reduction of QRS duration between paced and spontaneous beats [152.5 (130–167.5) ms vs. 130 (122.5–137.5) ms, P = 0.003]. No lead dislodgment nor significant pacing threshold increase was observed at 1-month (1.30 ± 0.76 V@0.4 vs. 1.32 ± 0.80 V@0.4 ms, P &gt; 0.9) and 6-month follow-up (1.30 ± 0.76 V@0.4 vs. 1.38 ± 0.97 V@0.4 ms, P = 0.66). Conclusions In patients with right atriomegaly, the novel stylet-driven lead system showed high implant success rates with stable pacing thresholds.