2023
Variation in hospital use of cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator among eligible patients and association with clinical outcomes
Chui P, Lan Z, Freeman J, Enriquez A, Khera R, Akar J, Masoudi F, Ong E, Curtis J. Variation in hospital use of cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator among eligible patients and association with clinical outcomes. Heart Rhythm 2023, 20: 1000-1008. PMID: 36963741, DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.03.022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEligible patientsICD RegistryCardiac resynchronizationNational Cardiovascular Data Registry ICD RegistryCRT-D implantationCRT-D useHospital-level outcomesStrong guideline recommendationsHospital-level variationPatient-level outcomesIntraclass correlation coefficientQuality improvement effortsHospital mortalityGuideline indicationsReadmission ratesSelect patientsClinical outcomesGuideline recommendationsHospital variationHospital ratesUse of CRTHospital levelHospital usePatientsCase mix
2017
Arrhythmias after left ventricular assist device implantation: Incidence and management
Kadado AJ, Akar JG, Hummel JP. Arrhythmias after left ventricular assist device implantation: Incidence and management. Trends In Cardiovascular Medicine 2017, 28: 41-50. PMID: 28734595, DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2017.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLeft ventricular assist deviceMechanical circulatory supportVentricular arrhythmiasCirculatory supportContinuous-flow devicesVentricular assist device implantationAssist device implantationNewer-generation continuous-flow devicesHeart failure patientsVentricular assist deviceImplant ICDsFailure patientsHemodynamic supportLVAD recipientsHeart failureDevice implantationFatal outcomeDestination therapySudden deathLethal arrhythmiasMortality ratePatientsArrhythmiasAssist deviceLVAD deviceAddition of Blood Pressure and Weight Transmissions to Standard Remote Monitoring of Implantable Defibrillators and its Association with Mortality and Rehospitalization
Al-Chekakie MO, Bao H, Jones PW, Stein KM, Marzec L, Varosy PD, Masoudi FA, Curtis JP, Akar JG. Addition of Blood Pressure and Weight Transmissions to Standard Remote Monitoring of Implantable Defibrillators and its Association with Mortality and Rehospitalization. Circulation Cardiovascular Quality And Outcomes 2017, 10: e003087. PMID: 28506978, DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.116.003087.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood pressure dataImplantable defibrillatorsRemote patient monitoringTransmission of weightHeart failure hospitalizationImpaired ejection fractionCardiac resynchronization therapyCox regression modelRisk of mortalityLogistic regression modelsRoutine weightCause hospitalizationFailure hospitalizationBlood pressureCardiovascular hospitalizationEjection fractionResynchronization therapyRegression modelsDevice implantationService patientsHospital characteristicsIndependent associationImproved outcomesLandmark analysisSimilar risk
2011
Caveat Emptor: Implantable Devices in End‐Stage Renal Disease
CLANCY JF, AKAR JG. Caveat Emptor: Implantable Devices in End‐Stage Renal Disease. Journal Of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 2011, 22: 1105-1106. PMID: 21848637, DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2011.02094.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2008
Endothelial dysfunction in heart failure identifies responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Akar JG, Al-Chekakie MO, Fugate T, Moran L, Froloshki B, Varma N, Santucci P, Wilber DJ, Matsumura ME. Endothelial dysfunction in heart failure identifies responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Heart Rhythm 2008, 5: 1229-1235. PMID: 18774094, DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2008.05.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCardiac resynchronization therapyFlow-mediated dilationBaseline flow-mediated dilationBaseline endothelial dysfunctionAdditive prognostic valueEndothelial dysfunctionCRT respondersWalk distanceResynchronization therapyPrognostic valueBrachial artery flow-mediated dilationArtery flow-mediated dilationBaseline functional capacityEndothelial function assessmentHeart failure mortalityHeart failure outcomesLikelihood of responseLogistic regression analysisQuality of lifeCurrent selection criteriaEndothelial functionHeart failureQRS durationCurrent guidelinesFunction assessment
2006
Mapping arrhythmias in the failing heart: from Langendorff to patient
Akar JG, Akar FG. Mapping arrhythmias in the failing heart: from Langendorff to patient. Journal Of Electrocardiology 2006, 39: s19-s23. PMID: 16920143, DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2006.03.011.Peer-Reviewed Educational MaterialsConceptsHeart failureVentricular arrhythmiasOptical action potential mappingSudden cardiac deathCardiac deathIntact tissue preparationsCardiac remodelingMost arrhythmiasArrhythmic substrateArrhythmiasElectrophysiological propertiesMapping arrhythmiasTissue levelsIndividual myocytesMajor causeReentrant excitationOrgan system levelPatientsMultiple mechanismsTissue preparationsHeartRecent findingsHost of changesCellular studiesLangendorffPredicting elevated defibrillation energy requirements in heart failure with reasonable probability
Akar JG. Predicting elevated defibrillation energy requirements in heart failure with reasonable probability. Heart Rhythm 2006, 3: 1017-1018. PMID: 16945793, DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2006.06.015.Peer-Reviewed Original Research