0000000001037882
AUTHOR
Thomas Deneke
Gold vs. platinum-iridium tip catheter for cavotricuspid isthmus ablation: the AURUM 8 study
Aims Gold electrodes have the theoretical advantage of creating bigger lesions than platinum–iridium (Pt–Ir) electrodes. We performed a prospective randomized study to compare the clinical efficacy of standard 8 mm Pt–Ir tip catheter (control) and 8 mm gold-tip catheters in the ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter. Methods and results A total of 463 patients undergoing CTI ablation in 19 clinical centres were randomized to receive the treatment by gold-tip or control catheter. The primary endpoint was cumulative radiofrequency (RF) application duration until achieving bidirectional CTI block. It did not differ significantly for the two catheters. The gold-tip…
Efficacy of a web-based intervention for improving psychosocial well-being in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: the randomized controlled ICD-FORUM trial
Abstract Aims Anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (QoL) are common in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Treatment options are limited and insufficiently defined. We evaluated the efficacy of a web-based intervention (WBI) vs. usual care (UC) for improving psychosocial well-being in ICD patients with elevated psychosocial distress. Methods and results This multicentre, randomized controlled trial (RCT) enrolled 118 ICD patients with increased anxiety or depression [≥6 points on either subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)] or reduced QoL [≤16 points on the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)] from seven German sites (mean age 58…