Key Results
Key Result 1
Incidence of AT/AF Diagnosis: Significantly Higher with ICD DX Compared to Single-Chamber ICDs
2-Year Incidence of New-Onset AT/AF Diagnosis
THINGS Clinical Trial
The Role of Atrial Sensing for New-Onset Atrial Arrhythmias Diagnosis and Management in Single-Chamber Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Recipients: Results From the THINGS Registry
BIFFI M ET AL., JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY 2020
doi: 10.1111/jce.14396
Study Design
- Prospective, observational, multi-center study (15 centers in Italy), based on a patient selection of the THINGS registry
- To explore whether a single-lead ICD with an atrial dipole (ICD DX) improves AT/AF diagnosis and management as compared to standard single-chamber ICD (ICD VR)
- 376 patients (140 ICD DX and 236 ICD VR) with standard ICD indication and without history of AT/AF
Key Result 2
Incidence of OAC Onset: In Tendency Higher with ICD DX
2-Year Incidence of OAC Onset After AT/AF Diagnosis
Clinical Relevance
- An early first diagnosis of AT/AF is of clinical importance, yet can be challenging as silent AF is common.
- DX systems allow early detection of atrial arrhythmias and quantification of arrhythmic burden.
- The results show that DX systems are associated with an almost 4-fold likelihood of detecting AT/AF compared to conventional devices.
- The diagnosis of AT/AF often leads to clinical interventions, mainly represented by oral anticoagulation (OAC) onset.
Study Details
Study Objective
- To explore whether a single-lead ICD with an atrial dipole (ICD DX) improves AT/AF diagnosis and management compared to standard single-chamber ICD (ICD VR)
Primary Endpoint
- Incidence of new-onset AT/AF diagnosis and the related clinical interventions
Clinical Sites
- 15 centers in Italy
Sample Size
- 376 patients (140 ICD DX and 236 ICD VR)
Main Inclusion Criteria
- Patients with standard ICD indication for ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy according to the last ESC Guidelines
Main Exclusion Criteria
- Patients needing atrial pacing
Follow-Up
- In-hospital study follow-ups were performed every 6 months for a period longer than 2 years
Study Duration
- July 2007 - December 2010
Principal Investigators
- Mauro Biffi (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola-Maplighi, Bologna, Italy.)