Single-Center Experience on the Elective Hybrid Combination of Single Perclose + Angio-Seal VIP 8F Compared With Standard Dual Perclose During Percutaneous Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

PURPOSE: This single-center study aimed to assess patients who underwent intentional percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (pEVAR) with Hybrid Technique combining a single Perclose (Abbott, Abbott Park, Illinois) Suture-Mediated Closure Device + single Angio-Seal VIP 8F (Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) and compare outcomes with the standard Dual Perclose technique. Materials and Methods: Consecutive elective pEVAR patients treated from November 2022 to November 2023, with healthy femoral accesses and introducer sheaths ≤20 French (F) outer diameter, were included. Coin-toss randomization determined whether a combination of single Perclose Device + single Angio-Seal VIP 8F (Hybrid Technique) or the standard double Perclose Devices (Dual Perclose) was used. In Hybrid Technique, a single Perclose device was positioned at 12 o'clock; a single Angio-Seal VIP 8F was placed after sheaths removal. Dual Perclose followed standard procedure. Primary endpoints included immediate hemostasis, sheath diameter differences, access conversion rate, technical success, and cost analysis. RESULTS: The study involved 60 pEVAR patients (median age=78, interquartile range [IQR]=72-85 years) within the inclusion criteria. In 14 (24%) cases, only 1 femoral access was studied. There were 106 pEVAR accesses, with 58 (54.7%) in the Hybrid Technique group and 48 (45.3%) in the Dual Perclose group. Both groups exhibited homogeneity in pre-operative characteristics and sheath diameter (Hybrid Technique-16F vs Dual Perclose-18F; p=0.202). Immediate hemostasis was achieved in 100% of the Hybrid Technique group vs 87.5% for the Dual Perclose group (p=0.006). Surgical access conversion was unnecessary. Technical success was 100%, with all 6 femoral bleeding cases after Dual Perclose resolved endovascularly, using additional devices. Cost analysis showed a median cost of 330 euros (IQR=0) for the Hybrid Technique group vs 384 euros (IQR=360-456) for the Dual Perclose group (p<0.001). Thirty-day mortality was 3%, in 2 fragile patients, without access-related complications. Multivariate analysis identified Dual Perclose access (odds ratio [OR]=35.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]=18.3-36.8; p<0.001) and obesity (OR=19.7; 95% CI=1.4-23.9.5; p<0.001) as independent risk factors for immediate hemostasis failure. Median follow-up was 134 days (IQR=41-227), with 1 Hybrid Technique case (2%) successfully treated with thrombin injection for a small femoral pseudoaneurysm after 62 days. CONCLUSIONS: The elective Hybrid Technique with combination of single Perclose Device + single Angio-Seal VIP 8F during pEVAR in selected patients appears to be non-inferior to the standard Dual Perclose procedure. It demonstrates a positive trend in reducing immediate hemostasis failure and costs. Both procedures achieved technical success and avoiding surgical access conversions. CLINICAL IMPACT: This study introduces a novel elective hybrid technique combining a single Perclose device with a single Angio-Seal VIP 8Fr for percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic interventions. Results for hybrid technique showed 100% technical success and efficient immediate hemostasis, while costing less than standard dual Perclose procedure. Both procedures did not require surgical conversions. Despite being a single-center study, it demonstrates potential benefits of the intentional application of this hybrid technique towards minimally invasiveness. Obesity and dual Perclose technique were identified as independent risk factors for hemostasis failure, reaffirming the hybrid technique procedure's efficacy as well as and non-inferiority to standard procedure.

Temporal association between drops in thoracic impedance and malignant ventricular arrhythmia: A longitudinal analysis of remote monitoring trends.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic impedance (TI) drops measured by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been reported to correlate with ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF). The aim of our study was to assess the temporal association of decreasing TI trends with VT/VF episodes through a longitudinal analysis of daily remote monitoring data from ICDs and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds). METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective data from 2384 patients were randomized 1:1 into a derivation or validation cohort. The TI decrease rate was defined as the percentage of rolling weeks with a continuously decreasing TI trend. The derivation cohort was used to determine a TI decrease rate threshold for a ≥99% specificity of arrhythmia prediction. The associated risk of VT/VF episodes was estimated in the validation cohort by dividing the available follow-up into 60-day assessment intervals. Analyses were performed separately for 1354 ICD and 1030 CRT-D patients. During a median follow-up of 2.0 years, 727 patients (30.4%) experienced 3298 confirmed VT/VF episodes. In the ICD group, a TI decrease rate of >60% was associated with a higher risk of VT/VF episode in a 60-day assessment interval (stratified hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.92; p = .023). The TI decrease preceded (40.8%) or followed (59.2%) the VT/VF episodes. In the CRT-D group, no association between TI decrease and VT/VF episodes was observed (p = .84). CONCLUSION: In our longitudinal analysis, TI decrease was associated with VT/VF episodes only in ICD patients. Preventive interventions may be difficult since episodes can occur before or after TI decrease.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic epicardial pacing: A contemporary overview.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has revolutionized the approach and management of pulmonary and cardiac diseases, and its applications have significantly expanded in the last two decades. Beyond its established role in thoracic procedures, VATS has also emerged as a valuable technique for various electrophysiological procedures, including pacemaker implantations, ablation procedures, and left atrial appendage exclusion. This paper presents a thorough review of the existing literature on pacing procedures performed using a VATS approach. By analyzing and synthesizing the available studies, we aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the current knowledge and advancements in VATS-based pacing procedures. A key focus of this review is the detailed description of implantation techniques via a VATS approach.

Emergency Management of Electrical Storm: A Practical Overview.

Electrical storm is a medical emergency characterized by ventricular arrythmia recurrence that can lead to hemodynamic instability. The incidence of this clinical condition is rising, mainly in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients, and its prognosis is often poor. Early acknowledgment, management and treatment have a key role in reducing mortality in the acute phase and improving the quality of life of these patients. In an emergency setting, several measures can be employed. Anti-arrhythmic drugs, based on the underlying disease, are often the first step to control the arrhythmic burden; besides that, new therapeutic strategies have been developed with high efficacy, such as deep sedation, early catheter ablation, neuraxial modulation and mechanical hemodynamic support. The aim of this review is to provide practical indications for the management of electrical storm in acute settings.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure: A Current Overview Focused on Technical Aspects and Different Approaches.

Several studies in literature have shown that 90% of emboli related to non-valvular atrial fibrillation originate from left atrial appendage. Percutaneous closure or surgical exclusion of left atrial appendage in patients with high bleeding and high cardioembolic risk is currently a well established procedure in literature, clinical practice and guidelines. Knowledge of different techniques of left atrial appendage closure is necessary to individualize the procedure according to the patient anatomy and pre-procedural imaging evaluations. In this review the authors will evaluate different left atrial appendage closure systems and the different pre and intra procedural imaging methods.

Second versus fourth generation of cryoballoon catheters: The 1STOP real-world multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: It has been observed that the fourth-generation cryoballoon (CB4) ablation catheter increased the rate of acute real-time recordings of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) during the ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this analysis was to compare the long-term outcome results between patients treated with the CB4 and second-generation cryoballoon (CB2). METHODS: In total, 492 patients suffering from AF, underwent PVI ablation with either the CB2 or CB4 catheter within this examination of the 1STOP real-world Italian project and were included in the analysis. Specifically, 246 consecutive patients treated by CB4 were compared to 246 propensity-matched control patients who underwent PVI using CB2. RESULTS: When comparing the patient cohorts treated with CB2 versus CB4, acute success rate (99.6 ± 4.7% vs. 99.7 ± 3.6%, p = .949) and peri-procedural complications (3.7% vs.1.2%, p = .080) were similar in both groups, respectively. However, procedure time (100 vs.75 min, p < .001) and fluoroscopy duration (21 vs.17 min, p < .001) were all significantly lower in the CB4 treated patient cohort. At the 12-month follow-up, the freedom from AF recurrence after a 90-day blanking period was significant higher in the CB4 as compared with the CB2 group (93.3% vs.81.3%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, usage of the CB4 ablation catheter increased the rate of acute PVI recording capability and resulted in a higher rate of long-term PVI success, as demonstrated by the reduced rate of AF recurrence in comparison to the CB2 cohort at the 12-month follow-up period.

Determinants of severe bradycardia in adolescents hospitalized for anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Severe bradycardia is an indication supporting hospitalization in adolescents with eating disorders. Some adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and significant weight loss present with a normal pulse rate at admission, whereas others have severe bradycardia, suggesting that total weight loss is not the most important determinant of bradycardia. The aims of this study were to define the prevalence of severe bradycardia as the cause for hospital admission in adolescents with AN, to evaluate correlations between known determinants of severe bradycardia and pulse rate at admission, and to evaluate the average time required to recover from severe bradycardia after re-feeding. METHODS: Ninety-nine hospitalized patients with AN were enrolled. Weight loss history, anthropometric, laboratory, and electrocardiogram data were collected at admission to and at discharge from hospital. Multivariate analysis was performed to detect the most important determinants of severe bradycardia. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of the AN patient admissions were due to severe bradycardia (AN-B+ group). Patients in this group had a higher maximum lifetime weight (P = 0.0045), greater premorbid weight loss (P = 0.0011), and more rapid weight loss (P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that recent weight loss is an independent predictor of bradycardia at hospital admission (R2 : 0.35, P = 0.0001). Severe bradycardia normalized after minimal weight gain of 0.25 ± 0.18 kg/day for 3-10 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that recent weight loss is probably the most important determinant of severe bradycardia in adolescents with AN.

Circadian periodicity affects the type of ventricular arrhythmias and efficacy of implantable defibrillator therapies.

INTRODUCTION: Factors influencing malignant arrhythmia onset are not fully understood. We explored the circadian periodicity of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in patients with implantable cardioverter and cardiac resynchronization defibrillators (ICD/CRT-D). METHODS: Time, morphology (monomorphic/polymorphic), and mode of termination (anti-tachycardia pacing [ATP] or shock) of VAs stored in a database of remote monitoring data were adjudicated. Episodes were grouped in six 4-h timeslots from 00:00 to 24:00. Circadian distributions and adjusted marginal odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence interval (CI), were analyzed using mixed-effect models and logit generalized estimating equations, respectively, to account for within-subject correlation of multiple episodes. RESULTS: Among 1303 VA episodes from 446 patients (63% ICD and 37% CRT-D), 120 (9%) self-extinguished, and 842 (65%) were terminated by ATP, 343 (26%) by shock. VAs clustered from 08:00 to 16:00 with 44% of episodes, as compared with 22% from 00:00 to 08:00 (p < .001) and 34% from 16:00 to 24:00 (p = .005). Episodes were more likely to be polymorphic at night with an adjusted marginal OR of 1.66 (CI, 1.15-2.40; p = .007) at 00:00-04:00 versus other timeslots. Episodes were less likely to be terminated by ATP in the 00:00-04:00 (success-to-failure ratio, 0.67; CI, 0.46-0.98; p = .039) and 08:00-12:00 (0.70; CI, 0.51-0.96; p = .02) timeslots, and most likely to be terminated by ATP between 12:00 and 16:00 (success-to-failure ratio 1.42; CI, 1.06-1.91; p = .02). CONCLUSION: VAs did not distribute uniformly over the 24 h, with a majority of episodes occurring from 08:00 to 16:00. Nocturnal episodes were more likely to be polymorphic. The efficacy of ATP depended on the time of delivery.

Standard versus strict stability criteria in radiofrequency paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation using ablation index.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation via pulmonary vein isolation using Ablation Index (AI) with strict or standard stability criteria. METHODS: We enrolled 130 consecutive naive patients affected by paroxysmal AF who underwent PVI at two high-volume centers. AI target was ≥380 at the posterior wall and ≥500 at the anterior wall. Strict versus standard stability criteria were set for Group 1 (65 patients) and Group 2 (65 patients), respectively. We compared those strategies with a historical cohort of 72 consecutive patients treated at same centers in the VISITALY study, using average force ≥10 g and strict stability criteria as target parameters. Interlesion distance target was <6 mm. Recurrence was defined as any AF, atrial tachycardia (AT) or atrial flutter (AFL) during the 12 months after ablation, excluding a 90-days blanking period. RESULTS: Procedure duration (224.05 ± 47.21 vs. 175.61 ± 51.29 min; p < .001), fluoroscopy time (11.85 ± 4.38 vs. 10.46 ± 6.49 min; p = .019) and pericardial effusion rate (9.23% vs. 0%; p = .01) were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. Freedom from AF/AT/AFL at 12 months was not significantly different (Group 1: 86.15%; Group 2: 90.77%; p = .42). Compared to VISITALY study, there were not significant differences in terms of recurrences. CONCLUSION: A strategy of PVI using AI with standard stability criteria performed the best in terms of procedure efficiency and safety. Twelve-months arrhythmia-free survival rate was comparable with other strategies pursuing an interlesion distance target <6 mm, regardless of the use of AI.

Home delivery of the communicator for remote monitoring of cardiac implantable devices: A multicenter experience during the covid-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic in-person visits for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices should be replaced by remote monitoring (RM), in order to prevent viral transmission. A direct home-delivery service of the RM communicator has been implemented at 49 Italian arrhythmia centers. METHODS: According to individual patient preference or the organizational decision of the center, patients were assigned to the home-delivery group or the standard in-clinic delivery group. In the former case, patients received telephone training on the activation process and use of the communicator. In June 2020, the centers were asked to reply to an ad hoc questionnaire to describe and evaluate their experience in the previous 3 months. RESULTS: RM was activated in 1324 patients: 821 (62%) received the communicator at home and the communicator was activated remotely. Activation required one additional call in 49% of cases, and the median time needed to complete the activation process was 15 min [25th-75th percentile: 10-20]. 753 (92%) patients were able to complete the correct activation of the system. At the time when the questionnaire was completed, 743 (90%) communicators were regularly transmitting data. The service was generally deemed useful (96% of respondents) in facilitating the activation of RM during the COVID-19 pandemic and possibly beyond. CONCLUSIONS: Home delivery of the communicator proved to be a successful approach to system activation, and received positive feedback from clinicians. The increased use of a RM protocol will reduce risks for both providers and patients, while maintaining high-quality care.

Totally thoracoscopic concomitant left atrial appendage closure and left ventricular epicardial lead implantation.

Atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure due to ventricular dyssynchrony needs decision-making on the rate and rhythm control strategies together with cardiac resynchronization therapy and antithrombotic prophylaxis. Transvenous biventricular pacing and percutaneous appendage closure in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation with high bleeding risk are valid therapeutic options but anatomical exclusion criteria could be present. Here, we report two patients who underwent successful totally thoracoscopic concomitant left appendage occlusion and epicardial left ventricular lead implantation.

Epicardial standalone left atrial appendage clipping for prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation contraindicated for oral anticaogulation.

INTRODUCTION: The most appropriate treatment for stroke prevention in standalone atrial fibrillation patients with a high CHADS2VASC score contraindicated for oral anticoagulation (OAC) or novel OAC (NOAC) still needs to be defined. Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure devices are available, but because of their endocardial positioning need a period of antiplatelet therapy (APT). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of epicardial left atrial appendage clipping in patients contraindicated for (N)OAC and APT. METHODS AND RESULTS: We describe a standalone totally thoracoscopic LAA clipping of forty-five consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF; 32 males; age, 73.1 ± 7.4 years; CHADVASC, 6.5 ± 1.1; HAS-BLED 4.9 ± 0.9) with absolute contraindications to (N)OAC. The patients were selected by a multidisciplinary Heart Team. Sixty percent had a previous ischemic stroke and 51% a history of the hemorrhagic event and 22% both. All patients were implanted with an LAA epicardial clip, guided by preoperative computed tomography and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. The mean procedural duration was 52.3 ± 12.6 minutes with postprocedural extubation interval of 22.8 ± 14.6 minutes. No procedure-related complications occurred. Intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed complete LAA occlusion in all patients. At a mean follow-up of 16.4 ± 9.1 months (range, 2-34), with all patients off (N)OAC or APT, no ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic complications occurred. computed tomography or TEE at follow-up demonstrated a correct LAA occlusion in all with mean stumps of 3.3 ± 2.8 mm. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic epicardial closure of the LAA with the AtriClip PRO2 device is a potentially safe and efficient treatment for stroke prevention in patients with NVAF contraindicated for anticoagulant therapy or APT.

Contiguity Between Ablation Lesions and Strict Catheter Stability Settings Assessed by VISITAGTM Module Improve Clinical Outcomes of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Ablation　- Results From the VISITALY Study.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the clinical outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with contact force technology, using an automated lesion tagging system (VISITAGTM module) with strict criteria of catheter stability.Methods and Results:We enrolled 200 consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in 11 centers and were followed up for 12 months. The stability setting was within 3 mm for ≥10 s and for ≥15 s in 47% and 53% of patients, respectively. A mean of 67.2±21.9 VISITAGs was acquired. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias at follow-up was 77.5% (155/200), and the contiguity between lesions was associated with a higher chronic success rate (96% vs. 77.1%; log-rank P=0.036). Radiofrequency (RF), fluoroscopy times, and recurrence rates at the 12-month follow-up were significantly lower than in a comparison group of 80 patients without VISITAGTM module (42.7±14.5 vs. 50.9±23.6 min; P=0.032; 11.6±7.8 vs. 18.4±12.8 min; P=0.003 and 22.5% vs. 41.2%; P=0.02). Two major complications (1 cardiac tamponade and 1 minor stroke) were observed only in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Paroxysmal AF ablation with contact force technology and strict criteria of stability using the VISITAG module was a safe procedure, associated with an improvement in efficiency and a reduction of atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence at the 12-month follow-up compared with manual annotation. Contiguity between lesions seemed to enhance effectiveness outcomes.

Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block combined with the two-incision technique for subcutaneous ICD implantation.

BACKGROUND: The standard technique for implanting a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) requires three incisions and the pocket of the device is created in the subcutaneous tissue of the left lateral thoracic wall. However, a two-incision technique may be adopted, in which the cranial parasternal region is avoided and the device is positioned more deeply, completely under the latissimus dorsi muscle. This can also be combined with ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (US-SAPB) for intraoperative anesthesia and perioperative analgesia. We describe our preliminary experience of US-SAPB combined with the two-incision intermuscular technique. METHODS: We performed US-SAPB 40 minutes before starting the procedure, while the patient was in the supine position. The devices were implanted under the latissimus dorsi muscle. All patients were followed-up after hospital discharge. RESULTS: Twelve patients (male 50%, 53 ± 16 years, body mass index 23 ± 4) underwent the S-ICD implantation with the combined technique. The mean procedure duration was 47 ± 11 minutes. The procedure was successful and a shock energy of 65 J was successful in converting the induced ventricular fibrillation in all patients. The US-SAPB was successful in 92% of cases and only one patient required convertion into general anesthesia due to pain during the procedure. In the postoperative period, patients did not report major discomfort and analgesics were not required. During a median follow-up of 12 months, no complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Serratus anterior plane block combined with the intermuscular and two-incision technique proved to be safe and effective during the S-ICD implantation procedure.

A Cost-Effective Analysis of Systematically Using Mapping Systems During Catheter Ablation Procedures in Children and Teenagers.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an extended use of 3D non-fluoroscopic mapping systems (NMSs) during paediatric catheter ablation (CA) in an adult EP Lab. This study includes 58 consecutive patients (aged between 8 and 18) who underwent CA from March 2005 to February 2015. We compare the fluoroscopy data of two groups: group I, patients who underwent CA from 2005 to 2008 using only fluoroscopy, and group II, patients who underwent CA from 2008 to 2015 performed also using NMSs. Two cost-effectiveness analyses were carried out: the first method was based on the alpha value (AV), and the second one was based on the value of a statistical life (VSL). For both methods, a children's correction factor was also considered. The reduction cost estimated from all these methods was compared to the real additional cost of using NMSs. The use of an NMS during a CA procedure has led to an effective dose reduction (ΔE) of 2.8 milli-Sievert. All presented methods are based on parameters with a wide range of values. The use of an NMS, applying directly AV values or VSL values, is not cost-effective for most countries. Only considering the children's correction factor, the CA procedure using an NMS seems to be cost-effective. The cost-effectiveness of a systematic use of NMSs during CA procedures in children and teenagers remains a challenging task. A positive result depends on which value of AV or VSL is considered and if the children's correction factor is applied or not.

Three-Dimensional Electroanatomic Mapping System-Enhanced Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Device Implantation: Results From a Multicenter Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation guided by an electroanatomic mapping system (EAMS) is an emerging technique that may reduce fluoroscopy and angiography use and provide information on coronary sinus (CS) electrical activation. We evaluated the outcome of the EAMS-guided CRT implantation technique in a multicenter registry. METHODS: During the period 2011-2014 we enrolled 125 patients (80% males, age 74 [71-77] years) who underwent CRT implantation by using the EnSite system to create geometric models of the patient's cardiac chambers, build activation mapping of the CS, and guide leads positioning. Two hundred and fifty patients undergoing traditional CRT implantation served as controls. Success and complication rates, fluoroscopy and total procedure times in the overall study population and according to center experience were collected. Centers that performed ≥10 were defined as highly experienced. RESULTS: Left ventricular lead implantation was successful in 122 (98%) cases and 242 (97%) controls (P = 0.76). Median fluoroscopy time was 4.1 (0.3-10.4) minutes in cases versus 16 (11-26) minutes in controls (P < 0.001). Coronary sinus angiography was performed in 33 (26%) cases and 208 (83%) controls (P < 0.001). Complications occurred in 5 (4%) cases and 17 (7%) controls (P = 0.28). Median fluoroscopy time (median 11 minutes vs. 3 minutes, P < 0.001) and CS angiography rate (55% vs. 21%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in low experienced centers, while success rate and complications rate were similar. CONCLUSIONS: EAMS-guided CRT implantation proved safe and effective in both high- and low-experienced centers and allowed to reduce fluoroscopy use by ≈75% and angiography rate by ≈70%.

Near zerO fluoroscopic exPosure during catheter ablAtion of supRavenTricular arrhYthmias: the NO-PARTY multicentre randomized trial.

AIMS: Aim of this study was to compare a minimally fluoroscopic radiofrequency catheter ablation with conventional fluoroscopy-guided ablation for supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) in terms of ionizing radiation exposure for patient and operator and to estimate patients' lifetime attributable risks associated with such exposure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a prospective, multicentre, randomized controlled trial in six electrophysiology (EP) laboratories in Italy. A total of 262 patients undergoing EP studies for SVT were randomized to perform a minimally fluoroscopic approach (MFA) procedure with the EnSiteTMNavXTM navigation system or a conventional approach (ConvA) procedure. The MFA was associated with a significant reduction in patients' radiation dose (0 mSv, iqr 0-0.08 vs. 8.87 mSv, iqr 3.67-22.01; P < 0.00001), total fluoroscopy time (0 s, iqr 0-12 vs. 859 s, iqr 545-1346; P < 0.00001), and operator radiation dose (1.55 vs. 25.33 µS per procedure; P < 0.001). In the MFA group, X-ray was not used at all in 72% (96/134) of cases. The acute success and complication rates were not different between the two groups (P = ns). The reduction in patients' exposure shows a 96% reduction in the estimated risks of cancer incidence and mortality and an important reduction in estimated years of life lost and years of life affected. Based on economic considerations, the benefits of MFA for patients and professionals are likely to justify its additional costs. CONCLUSION: This is the first multicentre randomized trial showing that a MFA in the ablation of SVTs dramatically reduces patients' exposure, risks of cancer incidence and mortality, and years of life affected and lost, keeping safety and efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01132274.

The Benefit of a General, Systematic Use of Mapping Systems During Electrophysiological Procedures in Children and Teenagers: The Experience of an Adult EP Laboratory.

Standard imaging during electrophysiological procedures (EPs) uses fluoroscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, safety and effect of an extended use of non-fluoroscopic mapping systems (NMSs) for imaging during paediatric EPs in an adult EP laboratory focusing on the amount of X-ray exposure. This study is a retrospective analysis that includes consecutive young patients (83 pts, aged between 8 and 18) who underwent EPs from March 2005 to February 2015. We compare the fluoroscopy data of two groups of pts: Group I, pts who underwent EPs from 2005 to 2008 using only fluoroscopy and Group II, pts who underwent EPs from 2008 to 2015 performed also using NMSs. The use of an NMS resulted in reduced fluoroscopy time in Group II {median value 0.1 min (95 % CI [0.00-1.07])} compared to Group I {median value 3.55 min (95 % CI [1.93-7.83]) (MW test, P < 0.05)}. There was a complementary reduction in the total X-ray exposure from 2.53 Gy cm(2) (95 % CI [1.51-4.66]) in Group I to 0.05 Gy cm(2) in Group II (95 % CI [0.00-1.22]) (MW test, P < 0.05). Regarding ablation procedures, the median effective dose decreased from 3.04 mSv (95 % CI [1.22-6.89]) to 0.25 mSv (95 % CI [0.00-0.60]) (MW test, P < 0.05). The use of an NMS dramatically reduces fluoroscopy time and total X-ray exposure during EPs in children and teenagers in an adult EP laboratory. In our experience, this reduction is mainly related to the systematic day-to-day use of NMSs.

Electroanatomic mapping and late gadolinium enhancement MRI in a genetic model of arrhythmogenic atrial cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Although atrial arrhythmias may have genetic causes, very few data are available on evaluation of the arrhythmic substrate in genetic atrial diseases in humans. In this study, we evaluate the nature and evolution of the atrial arrhythmic substrate in a genetic atrial cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Repeated electroanatomic mapping and tomographic evaluations were used to investigate the evolving arrhythmic substrate in 5 patients with isolated arrhythmogenic atrial cardiomyopathy, caused by Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A (NPPA) gene mutation. Atrial fibrosis was assessed using late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI). The substrate of atrial tachycardia (AT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) was biatrial dilatation with patchy areas of low voltage and atrial wall scarring (in the right atrium: 68.5% ± 6.0% and 22.2% ± 10.2%, respectively). The evolution of the arrhythmic patterns to sinus node disease with atrial standstill (AS) was associated with giant atria with extensive low voltage and atrial scarring areas (in the right atrium: 99.5% ± 0.7% and 57.5% ± 33.2%, respectively). LGE-MRI-proven biatrial fibrosis (Utah stage IV) was associated with AS. Atrial conduction was slow and heterogeneous, with lines of conduction blocks. The progressive extension and spatial distribution of the scarring/fibrosis were strictly associated with the different types of arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: The evolution of the amount and distribution of atrial scarring/fibrosis constitutes the structural substrate for the different types of atrial arrhythmias in a pure genetic model of arrhythmogenic atrial cardiomyopathy.