Utilization of 3D mapping systems in interventional electrophysiology and its impact on procedure time and fluoroscopy-Insights from the "Go for Zero Fluoroscopy" project.

AIM: The implementation of 3D mapping systems plays an important role in interventional electrophysiology (EP) in recent years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate use of 3D mapping systems regarding fluoroscopy and procedure duration. METHOD: In the "Go for Zero Fluoroscopy" project 25 European centers provided data of consecutive EP procedures. Data on use of 3D mapping systems as well as utilization of contact force catheters and multipolar mapping catheters were associated with fluoroscopy time, dose area product (DAP), and procedure duration. RESULT: A 3D mapping system was used in 966 (54%) cases. Use of 3D mapping for atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001), DAP (p = 0.04) but increased procedure time (p = 0.029). Moreover, fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and DAP (p = 0.005) were significantly lower in the 3D mapping group in ablation of typical atrial flutter. However, the procedure time (p < 0.001) increased. Use of 3D mapping in the ablation of accessory pathway (AP) was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and DAP (p < 0.001) with no significant increase in procedure time (p = 0.066). In the case of atrial fibrillation, a 3D mapping system was used in 485 patients (75.8%). Additional use of a contact force catheter was associated with lower fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and DAP (p < 0.001). Use of a multipolar mapping catheter was associated with lower fluoroscopy time (p = 0.002). The implementation of 3D mapping systems in the ablation of ventricular tachycardias resulted in a significant increase in the procedure time (p = 0.001) without significant differences regarding the DAP (p = 0.773) and fluoroscopy time (p = 0.249). CONCLUSION: Use of 3D mapping systems in ablation of supraventricular tachycardias is associated with lower radiation exposure. Nevertheless, the procedure time often increases, except in the case of ablation for AP. Use of contact force catheters and multipolar mapping catheters is associated with yet lower radiation exposure values. Prospective randomized studies are needed to further elucidate potential benefit of these technological tools.

Delayed Improvement of Left Ventricular Function in Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure Depends on Etiology-A PROLONG-II Substudy.

In patients with newly diagnosed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), three months of optimal therapy are recommended before considering a primary preventive implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). It is unclear which patients benefit from a prolonged waiting period under protection of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) to avoid unnecessary ICD implantations. This study included all patients receiving a WCD for newly diagnosed HFrEF (n = 353) at our center between 2012 and 2017. Median follow-up was 2.7 years. From baseline until three months, LVEF improved in patients with all peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Beyond this time, LVEF improved in PPCM and DCM only (10 ± 8% and 10 ± 12%, respectively), whereas patients with ICM showed no further improvement. The patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF were compared to 29 patients with a distinct WCD indication, which is an explantation of an infected ICD. This latter group had a higher incidence of WCD shocks and poorer overall survival. All-cause mortality should be considered when deciding on WCD prescription. In patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF, the potential for delayed LVEF recovery should be considered when timing ICD implantation, especially in patients with PPCM and DCM.

Feasibility and First Results of Heart Failure Monitoring Using the Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is used in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In addition to arrhythmic events, the WCD provides near-continuous telemetric heart failure monitoring. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of additionally recorded parameters, such as heart rate or step count. We included patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF prescribed with a WCD. Via the WCD, step count and heart rate were acquired, and an approximate for heart rate variability (HRV5) was calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze predictors for an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Two hundred and seventy-six patients (31.9% female) were included. Mean LVEF was 25.3 ± 8.5%. Between the first and last seven days of usage, median heart rate fell significantly (p < 0.001), while median step count and HRV5 significantly increased (p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, a delta of HRV5 > 23 ms was an independent predictor for LVEF improvement of ≥10% between prescription and 3-month follow-up. Patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF showed significant changes in heart rate, step count, and HRV5 between the beginning and end of WCD prescription time. HRV5 was an independent predictor for LVEF improvement and could serve as an early indicator of treatment response.

The impact of Twitter/X promotion on visibility of research articles: Results of the #TweetTheJournal study.

Aim: Social media (SoMe) are emerging as important tools for research dissemination. Twitter/X promotion has been shown to increase citation rates in well-established journals. We aimed to test the effect of a SoMe promotion strategy on the Mendeley reader counts, the Altmetric Attention Score and the number of citations in an upcoming open-access journal. Methods: The #TweetTheJournal study is a randomized, controlled study. Articles published in seven subsequent issues of the International Journal of Cardiology Heart & Vasculature (April 2021-April 2022) were randomized to a Twitter/X promotion arm (articles were posted four times) and to a control arm (without active posting). Articles with accompanied editorials were excluded. Primary endpoint of the study was Mendeley reader count, secondary endpoints were Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations. Follow-up was one year. Results: SoMe promotion of articles showed no statistically significant difference in Mendeley reader counts or number of citations at one year follow up. SoMe promotion resulted in a statistically significant higher Altmetric Attention Score in the intervention compared to the control group (RR 1.604, 95 % CI 1.024-2.511, p = 0.039). In the overall group, Altmetric Attention Score showed a correlation with Mendeley reader counts (Spearman's ρ = 0.202, p = 0.010) and Mendeley reader counts correlated significantly with number of citations (Spearman's ρ = 0.372, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A dedicated SoMe promotion strategy did not result in statistically significant differences in early impact indicators as the Mendeley reader count in a upcoming journal, but increased the Altmetric Attention Score.

Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Implications of Implantable Loop Recorders in Patients with Syncope in Germany: A National Database Analysis.

In patients with unexplained syncope, implantable loop recorders (ILR) are used to detect arrhythmias as a cause of syncope. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield and clinical implications arising from ILR implantation in patients with syncope in Germany. Secondary longitudinal data were obtained from a large German research database including anonymized data from nationwide statutory health insurances, representative for the German population. Patients ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of syncope and ILR implantation between 2017 and 2018 were analyzed, and cardiac diagnoses and therapies during a follow-up period of two years assessed. Of 2,403,301 continuously insured persons in 2017-2018, 1360 (0.1%) received an ILR and 675 patients (45.6% female) were included. During follow-up, arrhythmias were diagnosed in 65.0%. The following antiarrhythmic therapies were established: pacemaker and defibrillator implantations in 20% and 1.5%, respectively, ablation therapy in 3.0%, and antiarrhythmic drug therapy in 4.7%. Aside from the diagnoses typically associated with syncope, atrial fibrillation or flutter was diagnosed in 37.0%, and anticoagulation therapy was initiated in 21.5%. There was a high diagnostic yield of arrhythmias following ILR implantation, leading to a relevant number of syncope-specific treatment. Arrhythmias not necessarily related to syncope were also diagnosed, leading to a high rate of anticoagulation therapy.

Changes in eligibility for a subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator after implantation of a left ventricular assist device-A prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The number of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implanted in patients with end-stage heart failure is increasing. In this patient cohort, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) could be a promising alternative to transvenous ICDs due to lower infection rates and avoidance of venous access. However, eligibility for the S-ICD depends on ECG features that may be influenced by an LVAD. The aim of the present study was a prospective evaluation of S-ICD eligibility before and after LVAD implantation. METHODS: The study recruited all patients presenting at Hannover Medical School for LVAD implantation between 2016 and 2020. S-ICD eligibility was evaluated using the ECG-based and the device-based S-ICD screening test before and after LVAD implantation. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (57.3 ± 8.7 years of age, 95.5% male) were included in the analysis. The most common underlying diseases were dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 16, 72.7%) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 5, 22.7%). Before LVAD implantation 16 patients were found eligible for the S-ICD according to both screening tests (72.7%), but only 7 patients were eligible after LVAD, 31.8%; p = 0.05). Oversensing due to electromagnetic interference was observed in 6 patients (66.6%) found ineligible for S-ICD after LVAD implantation. A lower S wave amplitude in leads I (p = 0.009), II (p = 0.006) and aVF (p = 0.006) before LVAD implantation was associated with higher rate of S-ICD ineligibility after LVAD implantation. CONCLUSION: LVAD implantation can impair S-ICD eligibility. Patients with lower S wave amplitude in leads I, II and aVF were more likely to be ineligible for S-ICD implantation after LVAD implantation. Thus, S-ICD therapy should be carefully considered in patients who are candidates for LVAD therapy.

Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring Using Wearables for Clinical Guidance before and after Catheter Ablation.

Mobile health technologies are gaining importance in clinical decision-making. With the capability to monitor the patient's heart rhythm, they have the potential to reduce the time to confirm a diagnosis and therefore are useful in patients eligible for screening of atrial fibrillation as well as in patients with symptoms without documented symptom rhythm correlation. Such is crucial to enable an adequate arrhythmia management including the possibility of a catheter ablation. After ablation, wearables can help to search for recurrences, in symptomatic as well as in asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, those devices can be used to search for concomitant arrhythmias and have the potential to help improving the short- and long-term patient management. The type of wearable as well as the adequate technology has to be chosen carefully for every situation and every individual patient, keeping different aspects in mind. This review aims to describe and to elaborate a potential workflow for the role of wearables for cardiac rhythm monitoring regarding detection and management of arrhythmias before and after cardiac electrophysiological procedures.

["Zero fluoro"-a chance for more women in electrophysiology]. / "Zero fluoro" ­ eine Chance für mehr Frauen in der Elektrophysiologie.

Many young women in cardiology are concerned about radiation exposure, and this issue contributes to the low number of female interventional cardiologists. The proportion of women in interventional electrophysiology is particularly low. However, radiation exposure during catheter ablation of arrhythmias can be minimized and even avoided completely using modern 3D mapping systems. The "zero fluoro" approach can improve patients' safety but also motivate more women to become interventional electrophysiologists.

Extended follow-up after wearable cardioverter-defibrillator period: the PROLONG-II study.

AIM: The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is used for temporary protection from sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction before considering an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). However, the prognostic significance of the WCD remains controversial due to conflicting evidence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate prognosis of patients receiving life-saving WCD shocks. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients receiving a WCD at Hannover Medical School for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction between 2012 and 2017 were included. Data were acquired at baseline, at 3 months and at last available follow-up (FU). Three hundred and fifty-three patients were included (69% male; age 56 ± 15 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 25 ± 8%). FU after the WCD was 2.8 ± 1.5 years with a maximum of 6.8 years. Daily WCD wear time was 22 ± 4 h. Fourteen patients (4%) received appropriate WCD shocks. Two patients (0.6%) died during the WCD period. Thirty patients (9%) died during extended FU. Mean estimated survival after the WCD was similar between patients with and without WCD shocks. Patients without an ICD recommendation after WCD prescription did not experience SCD during FU. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with WCD shocks showed a favourable survival. Patients without an ICD recommendation after WCD prescription had no SCD during FU. These findings support the practice of careful risk stratification before considering an ICD and the use of the WCD for temporary protection from SCD.