Morphology and location of thrombus and sludge in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Stroke and thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) primarily arise from thrombi or sludge in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Comprehensive insight into the characteristics of these formations is essential for effective risk assessment and management. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective observational of 176 consecutive NVAF patients with confirmed atrial/appendage thrombus or sludge determined by a pre-ablation transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) from December 2017 to April 2019. We obtained clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, including left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAeV) and filling velocity (LAAfV). Data analysis focused on identifying the morphology and location of thrombus or sludge. Patients were divided into the solid thrombus and sludge groups, and the correlation between clinical and echocardiographic variables and thrombotic status was analyzed. RESULTS: Morphological classification: In total, thrombi were identified in 78 patients, including 71 (40.3%) mass and 7 (4.0%) lamellar, while sludge was noted in 98 (55.7%). Location classification: 92.3% (72/78) of patients had thrombus confined to the LAA; 3.8% (3/78) had both LA and LAA involvement; 2.7% (2/78) had LA, LAA and RAA extended into the RA, the remained 1.2%(1/78) was isolated to RAA. 98.0% (96/98) of patients had sludge confined to the LAA; the remaining 2.0% (2/98) were present in the atrial septal aneurysm, which protrusion of interatrial septum into the RA. The thrombus and sludge groups showed low LAAeV (19.43 ± 9.59 cm/s) or LAAfV (17.40 ± 10.09 cm/s). Only LA dimension ≥ 40 mm was independently associated with the thrombus state in the multivariable model. CONCLUSION: This cohort study identified rare thrombus morphology and systematically summarized the classification of thrombus morphology. The distribution of thrombus and sludge outside limited to LAA was updated, including bilateral atrial and appendage involvement and rare atrial septal aneurysm sludge. LAAeV and LAAfV were of limited value in distinguishing solid thrombus from sludge. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: ChiCTR-OCH-13,003,729.

Transseptal approach versus retrograde aortic approach in mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias from anterolateral papillary muscles.

INTRODUCTION: The anterior and lateral position of the anterolateral papillary muscle (ALPM) has found to be reached with better catheter stability and less mechanical bumping via the transseptal (TS) compared to the retrograde aortic (RA) approach. The aim of this study is to compare the TS and RA approaches on mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from ALPMs. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with ALPM-VAs undergoing mapping and ablation via the TS approach were included and compared with 31 patients via the RA approach within the same period. Acute success was compared, as well as other outcomes including misinterpreted mapping results due to bumping, radiofrequency (RF) attempts, procedural time and success rate at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Acute success was achieved in more cases in the TS group (96.4% vs. 72.0%, p = .020). During activation mapping, bump-provoked premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) misinterpreted as clinical PVCs were more common in the RA group (30.0% vs. 58.3%, p = .036), leading to more RF attempts (3.5 ± 2.7 vs. 7.2 ± 6.8, p = .006). Suppression of VAs were finally achieved in the unsuccessful cases by changing to the alternative approach, but the procedural time was significantly less in the TS group (90.0 ± 33.0 vs. 113.7 ± 41.1 min, p = .027) with less need to change the approach, although follow-up success rates were similar (75.0% vs. 71.0%, p = .718). CONCLUSION: A TS rather than RA approach as the initial approach appears to facilitate mapping and ablation of ALPM-VAs, specifically by decreasing the possibility of misleading mapping results caused by bump-provoked PVC, and increase the acute success rate thereby.

Digital computerised cognitive training for preventing cognitive decline among hypertensive patients: a study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (DELIGHT trial).

INTRODUCTION: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an important intervenable stage for the prevention of dementia. Hypertension is associated with impaired cognition, and when combined with MCI, it may lead to a poor prognosis. Digital computerised cognitive training (CCT) has recently become a potential instrument for improving cognition, but evidence for its efficacy remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a digital adaptive CCT intervention in older patients with hypertension and MCI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The multicentre, double-blinded, randomised, actively -controlled clinical trial will recruit 200 older (≥60 years) patients with hypertension and MCI from 11 hospitals across China. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (multidomain adaptative CCT) and active control group (non-adaptive cognitive training) for 12-week cognitive training for 30 min/day and 5 days/week. Those who have completed their 12-week training in the intervention group will be rerandomised into the continuation and discontinuation training groups. All participants will be followed up to 24 weeks. Neuropsychological assessments and structural and functional 7.0 T MRI will be obtained at baseline and at 12-week and 24-week follow-up. The primary outcome is the possible improvement of global cognitive function at 12 weeks, as measured by the Basic Cognitive Aptitude Tests. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include the major cognitive domain function improvement, self-efficacy, mental health, quality of life and MRI measurements of the brain. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial has been approved by the institutional review board of Beijing Anzhen Hospital and thereafter by all other participating centres. Trial findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05704270.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are commonly coexisting conditions. The impact of LBBB on catheter ablation of AF has not been well determined. This study aims to explore the long-term outcomes of patients with AF and LBBB after catheter ablation. METHODS: Forty-two patients with LBBB of 11,752 patients who underwent catheter ablation of AF from 2011 to 2020 were enrolled as LBBB group. After propensity score matching in a 1:4 ratio, 168 AF patients without LBBB were enrolled as non-LBBB group. Late recurrence and a composite endpoint of stroke, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular hospitalization were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Late recurrence rate was significantly higher in the LBBB group than that in the non-LBBB group (54.8% vs. 31.5%, p = .034). Multivariate analysis showed that LBBB was an independent risk factor for late recurrence after catheter ablation of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-4.40, p = .031). LBBB group was also associated with a significantly higher incidence of the composite endpoint (21.4% vs. 6.5%, HR 3.98, 95% CI 1.64-9.64, p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: LBBB was associated with a higher risk for late recurrence and a higher incidence of composite endpoint in the patients underwent catheter ablation.

The ABC-Death Score for Mortality Prediction in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Catheter Ablation.

Background: Data on the performance of risk scores in predicting mortality risk after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations are limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of mortality with preablation biomarkers and evaluate the performance of age, biomarker, and clinical history (ABC)-death score in patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation. Methods: Patients with AF undergoing catheter ablations between 2013 and 2019 in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry were enrolled. Biomarkers associated with ABC-death score were quantified from baseline blood samples collected before AF ablation. Clinical outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Discrimination, reclassification, clinical use, and calibration were further evaluated. Results: We identified 4,218 patients with AF undergoing catheter ablations. During a median follow-up period of 4.0 years, 119 patients died due to all causes, with 49 dying due to cardiac causes. Biomarker levels were all independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and cardiac death. The ABC-death score was superior to the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting all-cause death (C index 0.73 vs 0.63; P = 0.001) and cardiac death (C index 0.83 vs 0.71; P = 0.007). Reclassification analysis revealed significant reclassification improvements of the ABC-death score compared with the CHA2DS2-VASc (cardiac failure or dysfunction, hypertension, age ≥75 [doubled], diabetes mellitus, stroke [doubled]-vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years and sex category [female]) score. Decision curve analysis showed the greater net benefit of use of the ABC-death score. Calibration plots presented an overestimation of the observed mortality event rate by ABC-death score. Conclusions: Preablation biomarkers associated with ABC-death score were independently related to increased all-cause and cardiac mortality risk. Despite the overestimation of the event rate, the ABC-death score outperformed the CHA2DS2-VASc score in discriminating and reclassifying mortality risk, especially for cardiac mortality.

Catheter ablation versus medical therapy for atrial fibrillation with prior stroke history: a prospective propensity score-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.

Drug-coated balloons for the treatment of ostial left anterior descending or ostial left circumflex artery lesions: a patient-level propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists as to the optimal treatment approach for ostial left anterior descending (LAD) or ostial left circumflex artery (LCx) lesions. Drug-coated balloons (DCB) may overcome some of the limitations of drug-eluting stents (DES). Therefore, we investigated the security and feasibility of the DCB policy in patients with ostial LAD or ostial LCx lesions, and compared it with the conventional DES-only strategy. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients with de novo ostial lesions in the LAD or LCx who underwent interventional treatment. They were categorized into two groups based on their treatment approach: the DCB group and the DES group. The treatment strategies in the DCB group involved the use of either DCB-only or hybrid strategies, whereas the DES group utilized crossover or precise stenting techniques. Two-year target lesion revascularization was the primary endpoint, while the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and vessel thrombosis were the secondary endpoints. Using propensity score matching, we assembled a cohort with comparable baseline characteristics. To ensure result analysis reliability, we conducted sensitivity analyses, including interaction, and stratified analyses. RESULTS: Among the 397 eligible patients, 6.25% of patients who were planned to undergo DCB underwent DES. A total of 108 patients in each group had comparable propensity scores and were included in the analysis. Two-year target lesion revascularization occurred in 5 patients (4.90%) and 16 patients (16.33%) in the DCB group and the DES group, respectively (odds ratio = 0.264, 95% CI: 0.093-0.752, P = 0.008). Compared with the DES group, the DCB group demonstrated a lower major adverse cardiovascular events rate (7.84% vs. 19.39%, P = 0.017). However, differences with regard to cardiac death, non-periprocedural target vessel myocardial infarction, and definite or probable vessel thrombosis between the groups were non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of the DCB approach signifies an innovative and discretionary strategy for managing isolated ostial lesions in the LAD or LCx. Nevertheless, a future randomized trial investigating the feasibility and safety of DCB compared to the DES-only strategy specifically for de novo ostial lesions in the LAD or LCx is highly warranted.

Re-evaluating serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which mainly affects the lungs and lymph nodes, as well as extrapulmonary organs. Its incidence, and prevalence rate, and disease course largely vary with regions and populations globally. The clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis depend on the affected organs and the degree of severity, and the diagnosis is mainly based on serum biomarkers, radiographic, magnetic resonance, or positron emission tomography imaging, and pathological biopsy. Noncaseating granulomas composing T cells, macrophages, epithelioid cells, and giant cells, were observed in a pathological biopsy, which was the characteristic pathological manifestation of sarcoidosis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was first found in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Its main function is to convert angiotensin I (Ang I) into Ang II, which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. Also, an ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism exists in the human genome, which is involved in the occurrence and development of many diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, and sarcoidosis. The serum ACE level, most commonly used as a biomarker in diagnosing sarcoidosis, in patients with sarcoidosis increases. because of epithelioid cells and giant cells of sarcoid granuloma expressing ACE. Thus, it serves as the most commonly used biomarker in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and also aids in analyzing its therapeutic effect and prognosis in patients with sarcoidosis.

Impact of pre-ablation left appendage flow velocities on long term recurrence of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Despite undergoing a single ablation, many patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) experience a gradually increasing recurrence rate. This study aims to examine the relationship between left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAeV) and filling velocity (LAAfV) profiles and 3-year recurrence of AF after ablation. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 658 consecutive PAF patients who underwent their first ablation between January 2018 and December 2019. We collected the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of the patients. LAAeV and LAAfV were obtained from a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) before catheter ablation. Patients were followed at regular intervals to monitor for the primary outcome of AF recurrence. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 35.3 months (range, 10.7-36.3), 288 patients (43.8%) experienced AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Patients who experienced AF recurrence had decreased LAAeV and LAAfV (LAAeV: 56.5 ± 21.2 vs. 59.6 ± 20.7 cm/s, p = .052; LAAfV: 47.5 ± 17.9 vs. 51.7 ± 18.2, p = .003). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the low LAAeV (<55 cm/s) group had a poorer event-free survival rate than those in the high LAAeV (≥55 cm/s) group (log-rank p = .012). Patients with LAAfV <48 cm/s had a significantly higher risk of AF recurrence than those with LAAfV ≥48 cm/s (log-rank p = .003). In the multivariable model, low LAAfV pre-ablation in TEE-guided was significantly independently associated with 3-year recurrence after single radiofrequency ablation in patients with PAF, along with LA dimension and duration of AF. CONCLUSION: This study found an independent association between low LAAfV pre-ablation in TEE-guided and 3-year recurrence after single radiofrequency ablation in patients with PAF.

Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation among hospitalized patients: clinical correlates and in-hospital outcomes in Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation.

AIMS: The clinical correlates and outcomes of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in hospitalized patients are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the clinical correlates and in-hospital outcomes of asymptomatic AF in hospitalized Chinese patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a cross-sectional registry study of inpatients with AF enrolled in the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation Project between February 2015 and December 2019. We investigated the clinical characteristics of asymptomatic AF and the association between the clinical correlates and the in-hospital outcomes of asymptomatic AF. Asymptomatic and symptomatic AF were defined according to the European Heart Rhythm Association score. Asymptomatic patients were more commonly males (56.3%) and had more comorbidities such as hypertension (57.4%), diabetes mellitus (18.6%), peripheral artery disease (PAD; 2.3%), coronary artery disease (55.5%), previous history of stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA; 17.9%), and myocardial infarction (MI; 5.4%); however, they had less prevalent heart failure (9.6%) or left ventricular ejection fractions ≤40% (7.3%). Asymptomatic patients were more often hospitalized with a non-AF diagnosis as the main diagnosis and were more commonly first diagnosed with AF (23.9%) and long-standing persistent/permanent AF (17.0%). The independent determinants of asymptomatic presentation were male sex, long-standing persistent AF/permanent AF, previous history of stroke/TIA, MI, PAD, and previous treatment with anti-platelet drugs. The incidence of in-hospital clinical events such as all-cause death, ischaemic stroke/TIA, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was higher in asymptomatic patients than in symptomatic patients, and asymptomatic clinical status was an independent risk factor for in-hospital all-cause death, ischaemic stroke/TIA, and ACS. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic AF is common among hospitalized patients with AF. Asymptomatic clinical status is associated with male sex, comorbidities, and a higher risk of in-hospital outcomes. The adoption of effective management strategies for patients with AF should not be solely based on clinical symptoms.

A Case Study and Literature Review of the Diagnosis of Danon Disease in Patients Presenting Only with Severe Cardiac Symptoms.

The clinical manifestations of Danon disease, which result from the primary deficiency of the lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 gene, include cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, and different degrees of intellectual disability that vary greatly among patients. The present study reports on two cases of Danon disease in two patients who only presented cardiac symptoms. Cardiac symptoms usually occur in adolescence and during a patient's twenties, and most patients die from heart failure. However, the lab results from these cases suggested that other systems were involved, despite no other clinical symptoms. Significantly, the two patients had elevated serum cardiac troponin I, which often manifests in the acute cardiac phase, especially in severely affected patients with rapidly fatal outcomes. Danon disease is a multi-system involvement disease. Therefore, clinicians must be aware of its complexity when evaluating newly diagnosed patients due to its vastly different clinical course and prognosis and the importance of multidisciplinary management.

Impact of age on characteristics, performance measures and outcomes of inpatients for heart failure in Beijing, China.

AIMS: This study aims to provide representative information on heart failure (HF) patients in China, especially older adults aged ≥75 years. We aim to clarify the age-related discrepancies in performance measures and the modifying effect of age on the impact of HF patients' characteristics on clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: All HF patients admitted into five tertiary and four secondary hospitals of the Capital Medical University were divided into two groups according to age: 1419 (53.3%) were <75 years, and 1244 (46.7%) were ≥75 years. Older HF patients were more likely to be women, with higher left ventricular ejection fraction, with co-morbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, anaemia, chronic kidney disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, while obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia and valvular heart disease were more prevalent among younger HF patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction assessment was performed in a similar proportion of patients in the younger and older groups (81.7% vs. 80.5%, P = 0.426), while B-type natriuretic peptide/N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide was tested in a lower proportion in the younger group (84.8% vs. 89%, P = 0.001). At discharge, HF with reduced ejection fraction patients were less likely to receive beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, or combined beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers therapy in the older group (49.74% vs. 63.2%, P = 0.002; 52.9% vs. 64.7%, P = 0.006; and 28.57% vs. 45.5%, P < 0.001, respectively) but were equally likely to receive mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in the two age groups (80.8% vs. 84.1%, P = 0.322). Older patients with HF had higher risk of in-hospital and 1 year mortality (2.7% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.011; 21.7% vs. 12.5%; P < 0.001, respectively). Higher body mass index was associated with better outcomes in both age groups. New York Heart Association functional class IV and estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were independent predictors of 1 year mortality. The associations between patients' characteristics and risk of mortality were not modified by age. CONCLUSIONS: HF patients aged ≥75 years had distinct clinical profiles, received worse in-hospital therapies and experienced higher in-hospital and 1 year mortality.

Impact of pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation on recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a vital role in the occurrence and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). The association between pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (PCATA) and AF recurrence following ablation has not been fully clarified. HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to evaluate the association between PCATA and AF recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHODS: Patients who underwent the first RFCA for AF and performed coronary computed tomography angiography before ablation between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled. The predictive values of PCATA for AF recurrence after ablation were investigated. The area under curve (AUC), relative integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and categorical free net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to assess the discrimination ability of different models for AF recurrence. RESULTS: During 1-year follow-up, 34.1% patients experienced AF recurrence. The multivariable analysis model revealed that PCATA of the right coronary artery (RCA) was an independent risk factor for AF recurrence. Patients with a high level of RCA-PCATA had a high risk of recurrence, after adjusting for other risk factors by restricted cubic splines. The performance in predicting AF recurrence was significantly improved by adding the marker of RCA-PCATA to the clinical model (AUC: 0.724 vs. 0.686, p = .024), with a relative IDI of 0.043 (p = .006) and continuous NRI of 0.521 (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PCATA of RCA was independently associated with AF recurrence after ablation. PCATA may be helpful for risk classification for AF ablation patients.

A novel esophageal retractor with eccentric balloon during atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: Due to the anatomically adjacent relationship between the left atrium (LA) and esophagus, energy delivery on the posterior wall of LA is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel esophageal retractor (SAFER) with an inflatable C-curve balloon during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. METHOD: Nine patients underwent AF ablation assisted with the SAFER. After inflation, the esophagus was deviated laterally away from the intended ablation site of the posterior wall under local anesthesia. The extent of mechanical esophageal deviation (MED) was evaluated under fluoroscopy, defined as the shortest distance from the trailing esophageal edge to the closest point of the ablation line. Gastroscopy was performed before and after ablation. The target ablation index used in all LA sites including the posterior wall was 400-450 after effective MED. All adverse events during the periprocedural period were recorded. RESULTS: The mean deviation distance achieved 16.2 ± 9.6 mm away from the closest ablation point of the pulmonary vein lesion set. With respect to the individual left and right pulmonary vein lesion sets, the deviation distance was 19.7 ± 11.5 and 12.7 ± 6.8 mm, respectively. The extent of deviation was 0 to 5 mm, 5.1 to 10 mm, or >10 mm in 0(0%), 7(38.9%), and 11(61.1%), respectively. Procedural success was achieved in all patients without acute reconnection. There was only one esophageal complication which manifested as esophageal erosion and this patient experienced throat pain possibly related to the SAFER retractor with no clinical sequelae. CONCLUSION: Esophageal deviation with the novel eccentric balloon is a novel feasible choice during AF ablation, enabling adequate energy delivery to the posterior wall of LA. Additional prospective randomized controlled studies are required for further validation.

Initial studies on the implanting sites of high and low ventricular septa using leadless cardiac pacemakers.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and electrical characteristics of various implanting sites of the Micra pacemaker. METHOD: A total of 15 patients from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, were included, who were implanted with Micra leadless pacemakers and allocated to either the high ventricular septum group (eight patients) or the low ventricular septum group (seven patients) based on their individual patient factors and clinical conditions. The baseline of the patients, the implanting area, the electrocardiogram change after implantation, the implantation data, the threshold, R wave, impedance, and the date of the 1-month follow-up were then analyzed. With all of the data, the characteristics of different implantation sites of the Micra pacemaker were determined. RESULTS: Overall, the thresholds were low at implantation and remained stable over the 1-, 3-, 6-month, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year follow-ups. On comparing the two groups, there was no difference in QRS duration at pacing (140.00 [40.00] ms vs. 179.00 [50.00] ms), threshold at implantation (0.38 [0.22] mV vs. 0.63 [1.00] mV), R wave at implantation ([10.85 ± 4.71] V vs. [7.26 ± 2.98] V), or impedance at implantation ([906.25 ± 162.39] Ω vs. [750.00 ± 173.40] Ω). While the difference in QRS duration between the two groups was not significant, the QRS duration of the high ventricular septum group exhibited a reduced tendency compared with that of the low ventricular group. The corrected QT interval during pacing exhibited a significant difference (440.00 [80.00] ms vs. 520.00 [100.00] ms; p < .05). For the 1-, 3-, 6-month, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year follow-ups, there was no difference between the threshold of the high ventricular septum group and that of the low ventricular septum group (p > .05). CONCLUSION: High ventricular septum pacing appears to be a safe site for implantation of the Micra pacemaker. It could entail a shorter QRS duration at pacing and could be more physiological than low ventricular septum pacing.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with autoimmune disease: A propensity score matching study based on the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with autoimmune disease (AD) is limited. HYPOTHESIS: Patients with AD had worse outcomes after CA procedures for AF. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in patients undergoing AF ablation between 2012 and 2021. The risk of recurrence after ablation was investigated in patients with AD and a 1:4 propensity score matched non-AD group. RESULTS: We identified 107 patients with AD (64 ± 10 years, female 48.6%) who were matched with 428 non-AD patients (65 ± 10 years, female 43.9%). Patients with AD exhibited more severe AF-related symptoms. During the index procedure, a higher proportion of AD patients received nonpulmonary vein trigger ablation (18.7% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.002). Over a median follow-up of 36.3 months, patients with AD experienced a similar risk of recurrence with the non-AD group (41.1% vs. 36.2%, p = 0.21, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-1.76) despite a higher incidence of early recurrences (36.4% vs. 13.5%, p = 0.001). Compared with non-AD patients, patients with connective tissue disease were at an increased risk of recurrence (46.3% vs. 36.2%, p = 0.049, HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.00-2.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the duration of AF history and corticosteroid therapy were independent predictors of postablation recurrence in patients with AD. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AD, the risk of recurrence after ablation for AF during the follow-up was comparable with non-AD patients, but a higher risk of early recurrence was observed. Further research into the impact of AD on AF treatment is warranted.

Prospective randomized comparison between upgraded '2C3L' vs. PVI approach for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: PROMPT-AF trial design.

BACKGROUND: In randomized studies, the strategy of pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVI) plus linear ablation has failed to increase success rates for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) ablation when compared with PVI alone. Peri-mitral reentry related atrial tachycardia due to incomplete linear block is an important cause of clinical failures of a first ablation procedure. Ethanol infusion (EI) into the vein of Marshall (EI-VOM) has been demonstrated to facilitate a durable mitral isthmus linear lesion. OBJECTIVE: This trial is designed to compare arrhythmia-free survival between PVI and an ablation strategy termed upgraded '2C3L' for the ablation of PeAF. STUDY DESIGN: The PROMPT-AF study (clinicaltrials.gov 04497376) is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial using a 1:1 parallel-control approach. Patients (n = 498) undergoing their first catheter ablation of PeAF will be randomized to either the upgraded '2C3L' arm or PVI arm in a 1:1 fashion. The upgraded '2C3L' technique is a fixed ablation approach consisting of EI-VOM, bilateral circumferential PVI, and 3 linear ablation lesion sets across the mitral isthmus, left atrial roof, and cavotricuspid isthmus. The follow-up duration is 12 months. The primary end point is freedom from atrial arrhythmias of >30 seconds, without antiarrhythmic drugs, in 12 months after the index ablation procedure (excluding a blanking period of 3 months). CONCLUSIONS: The PROMPT-AF study will evaluate the efficacy of the fixed '2C3L' approach in conjunction with EI-VOM, compared with PVI alone, in patients with PeAF undergoing de novo ablation.

Vein of Marshall ethanol infusion: First-step or adjunctive choice for perimitral atrial tachycardia?

BACKGROUND: Perimitral atrial tachycardia (PMAT) is the most frequent type of iatrogenic atrial tachycardia (AT) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Vein of Marshall ethanol infusion (EIVOM) is a promising technique in mitral isthmus (MI) ablation. METHODS: A total of 165 patients with PMAT were divided into three groups according to ablation strategies, including RF only group (n = 89), RF-EIVOM group (initial RF ablation with adjunctive EIVOM, n = 28), and EIVOM-RF group (first-step EIVOM with touch-up RF ablation, n = 48). Acute and follow-up procedure outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: PMAT terminated in 89.9%, 89.3%, and 93.7% of patients in RF only, RF-EIVOM and EIVOM-RF groups, respectively (p = .715), with complete MI block achieved in 80.9%, 89.3%, and 95.8% of patients (EIVOM-RF vs. RF only, p = .012). First-step utilization of EIVOM was associated with a significant shortening of RF ablation time at MI (EIVOM-RF 2.1 ± 1.3 min, RF only 7.9 ± 5.9 min, RF-EIVOM 6.8 ± 5.8 min; p < .001) and a decrease in the proportion of patients need ablation within coronary sinus (CS, EIVOM-RF 14.6%, RF only 61.8%, RF-EIVOM 64.3%; p < .001). After a mean follow-up of 12.1 ± 6.2 months, AF/AT recurred in 39 (43.8%), 6 (21.4%), and 12 (25.0%) patients in RF only, RF-EIVOM, and EIVOM-RF group (RF-EIVOM vs. RF only, p = .026; EIVOM-RF vs. RF only, p = .022). CONCLUSIONS: EIVOM was associated with an enhanced acute MI block rate as well as reduced AF/AT recurrence. First-step utilization of EIVOM promises to significantly simplify the RF ablation process. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: PMAT is the most common type of iatrogenic AT after AF ablation procedures. EIVOM contributed to a higher acute MI block rate and lower arrhythmia recurrence risk during follow-up. First-step utilization of EIVOM significantly reduced the need for radiofrequency ablation at MI and inside CS with the advantage of creating a homogenous, transmural lesion and eliminating epicardial connections.

Fascicular ventricular tachycardia arising from the left side His and its adjacent region: a subset of upper septal idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia.

AIMS: Fascicular ventricle tachycardia (FVT) arising from the proximal aspect of left His-Purkinje system (HPS) has not been specially addressed. Current study was to investigate its clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological characteristics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen patients who were identified as this rare FVT were consecutively enrolled, and their scalar electrocardiogram and electrophysiological data were collected and analysed. The ventricular tachycardia (VT) morphology was similar to sinus rhythm (SR) in eight patients, left bundle branch block type in one patient, right bundle branch block type in seven patients, and both narrow and wide QRS type in two patients. During VT, right-sided His potential preceded the QRS with His-ventricle (H-V) interval of 36.3 ± 12.4 ms, which was shorter than that during SR (-51.4 ± 8.6 ms) (P = 0.002). The earliest Purkinje potentials (PPs) were recorded within 7 ± 3 mm of left-side His and preceded the QRS by 49.1 ± 14.0 ms. Mapping along the left anterior fascicle and left posterior fascicle revealed an antegrade activation sequence in all with no P1 potentials recorded. In the two patients with two VT morphologies, the earliest PP was documented at the same site, and the activation sequence of HPS remained antegrade. Ablation at the earliest PP successfully eliminated the tachycardia, except one patient who developed complete atrial-ventricular block and two patients who abandoned ablations. After at least 12 months follow-up, 15 patients were free from any recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Fascicular ventricle tachycardia arising from the proximal aspect of left HPS was featured by recording slightly shorter H-V interval and absence of P1 potentials. Termination of VT requires ablation at the left-sided His or its adjacent region.

Risk Factors for Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a common complication of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), causing morbidity and mortality. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed patients with DCM from January 2002 to August 2020 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Clinical characteristics were compared between the LVT group and the age and sex 1:4 matched with the LVT absent group. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of D-dimer predicting LVT occurrence in DCM. RESULTS: A total of 3,134 patients were screened, and LVT was detected in 72 (2.3%) patients on echocardiography. The patients with LVT had higher D-dimer, fibrinogen, and lower systolic blood pressure than those without LVT. The ejection fraction (EF) was lower and left ventricular end-systolic diameter was larger in the LVT group. Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) was more common in the LVT absent groups. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was lower in the LVT group. The ROC curve analysis yielded an optimal cut-off value of 444 ng/mL DDU (D-dimer units) for D-dimer to predict the presence of LVT. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis revealed that EF (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.86-0.95), severe MR (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.08-0.48), and D-dimer level (OR = 15.4, 95% CI = 7.58-31.4) were independently associated with LVT formation. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that elevated D-dimer levels (>444 ng/mL DDU) and reduced EF were independently associated with increased risk of LVT formation. Severe MR could decrease the incidence of LVT.