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Programming tachycardia zones to reduce avoidable defibrillator shocks
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  • Rita Marinheiro,
  • Leonor Parreira,
  • Pedro Amador,
  • Dinis Mesquita,
  • Cláudia Lopes,
  • Artur Lopes,
  • Ana Esteves,
  • José Farinha,
  • Marta Fonseca,
  • Rui Caria
Rita Marinheiro
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE

Corresponding Author:ritamarinheiro@gmail.com

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Leonor Parreira
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Pedro Amador
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Dinis Mesquita
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Cláudia Lopes
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Artur Lopes
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Ana Esteves
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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José Farinha
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Marta Fonseca
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Rui Caria
Centro Hospitalar de Setubal EPE
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Most of avoidable defibrillator therapies can be reduced by evidence-based programming, but defining tachycardia configurations across all device manufacturers is not straightforward. The aims were to determine if a uniform programming of tachycardia zones, independently of the manufacturer, result in a lower rate of avoidable shocks in primary-prevention heart failure (HF) patients and also if programming high-rate or delayed therapies can have some benefit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective cohort with historical controls. HF patients with a primary-prevention indication for a defibrillator were randomized to receive one of two new programming configurations (high-rate or delayed therapies). A historical cohort of patients with conventional programming was analyzed for comparison. The primary endpoint was any therapy [shock or anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP)]. Secondary endpoints were appropriate shocks, appropriate ATP, appropriate therapies, inappropriate shocks, syncope and death. 89 patients were assigned for new programming group [high rate (n=47) or delayed therapy (n=42)]. They were compared with 94 historical patients with conventional programming. During a mean follow-up of 20±7 months, the new programming was associated with a reduction of any therapy (HR = 0.265, 95% CI 0.121-0.577, p=0.001), even after adjustment. Aproppriate ATP and any shock were also reduced. Syncope did not occur. Sudden, cardiovascular and all-cause deaths were not different between the groups. In the new programming group, neither high-rate nor delayed programming were better than the other. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, programming tachycardia zones homogeneously across all manufacturers was possible and resulted in a lower rate of therapies, shocks and appropriate ATP.