Risk of Appropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapies and Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Heart Failure With Improved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy is controversial in patients who have heart failure with improved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) to >35% after implantation (HFimpEF). METHODS: Databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were queried for studies in patients with ICD that reported the association between HFimpEF and arrhythmic events (AEs), defined as the combined incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, appropriate ICD intervention, and sudden cardiac death (primary composite end point). RESULTS: A total of 41 studies and 38,572 patients (11,135 with HFimpEF, 27,437 with persistent EF ≤35%) were included; mean follow-up was 43 months. HFimpEF was associated with decreased AEs (odds ratio [OR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32 to 0.47; annual rate [AR] 4.1% vs 8%, p <0.01). Super-responders (EF ≥50%) had less risk of AEs than did patients with more modest reverse remodeling (EF >35% and <50%, OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.46, AR 2.7% vs 6.2%, p <0.01). Patients with HFimpEF who had an initial primary-prevention indication had less risk of AEs (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.61, AR 5.1% vs 10.3%, p <0.01). Among patients with primary prevention who had never received appropriate ICD therapy at the time of generator change, HFimpEF was associated with decreased subsequent AEs (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.59, AR 1.6% vs 4.8%, p <0.01). In conclusion, HFimpEF is associated with reduced, but not eliminated, risk for AEs in patients with ICDs. The decision to replace an ICD in subgroups at less risk should incorporate shared decision making based on risks for subsequent AEs and procedural complications.

Prognostic value of late-gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a predictor of adverse events in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), but available studies had small sample sizes and did not consider all relevant endpoints. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between LGE on CMR in patients with CS and mortality, ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD), and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for studies reporting the association between LGE in CS and the study endpoints. The endpoints were mortality, VA and SCD, and HF hospitalization. The search included the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search was not restricted to time or publication status. The minimum follow-up duration was 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies and 1915 CS patients (595 with LGE vs. 1320 without LGE) were included; mean follow-up was 3.3 years (ranging between 17 and 84 months). LGE was associated with increased all-cause mortality (OR 6.05, 95% CI 3.16-11.58; p < .01), cardiovascular mortality (OR 5.83, 95% CI 2.89-11.77; p < .01), and VA and SCD (OR 16.48, 95% CI 8.29-32.73; p < .01). Biventricular LGE was associated with increased VA and SCD (OR 6.11, 95% CI 1.14-32.68; p = .035). LGE was associated with an increased HF hospitalization (OR 17.47, 95% CI 5.54-55.03; p < .01). Heterogeneity was low: df = 7 (p = .43), I2 = 0%. CONCLUSIONS: LGE in CS patients is associated with increased mortality, VA and SCD, and HF hospitalization. Biventricular LGE is associated with an increased risk of VA and SCD.

Effects of GLP-1 Agonists on mortality and arrhythmias in patients with Type II diabetes.

Background: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RA) are frequently used for the management of diabetes. The impact of GLP-1 RA on cardiovascular outcomes is unclear. We aim to assess the effect of GLP-1 RA on mortality, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death in patients with type II diabetes. Methods: We searched databases including Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and CINAHL, from inception to May 2022, for randomized controlled trials reporting the relationship between GLP-1 RA (including albiglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, and semaglutide) and mortality, atrial arrhythmias, and the combined incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The search was not restricted to time or publication status. Results: A total of 464 studies resulted from literature search, of which 44 studies, including 78,702 patients (41,800 GLP-1 agonists vs 36,902 control), were included. Follow up ranged from 52 to 208 weeks. GLP-1 RA were associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (odds ratio 0.891, 95% confidence interval 0.837-0.949; P < 0.01) and reduced cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.881-0.954; P < 0.01). GLP-1 RA were not associated with increased risk of atrial (odds ratio 0.963, 95% confidence interval 0.869-1.066; P 0.46) or ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (odds ratio 0.895, 95% confidence interval 0.706-1.135; P 0.36). Conclusion: GLP-1 RA are associated with decreased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and no increased risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Association of late gadolinium enhancement in cardiac magnetic resonance with mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance is a predictor of adverse events in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated the correlation between LGE and mortality, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden cardiac death (SCD), and heart failure (HF) outcomes. Methods: A literature search was conducted for studies reporting the association between LGE in NICM and the study endpoints. The primary endpoint was mortality. Secondary endpoints included VA and SCD, HF hospitalization, improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to >35%, and heart transplantation referral. The search was not restricted to time or publication status. The minimum follow-up duration was 1 year. Results: A total of 46 studies and 10,548 NICM patients (4610 with LGE, 5938 without LGE) were included; mean follow-up was 3 years (range 13-71 months). LGE was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-3.8; P < .01) and VA and SCD (OR 4.6; 95% CI 3.5-6.0; P < .01). LGE was associated with an increased risk of HF hospitalization (OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.3-5.0; P < .01), referral for transplantation (OR 5.1; 95% CI 2.5-10.4; P < .01), and decreased incidence of LVEF improvement to >35% (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.03-0.85; P = .03). Conclusion: LGE in NICM patients is associated with increased mortality, VA and SCD, and HF hospitalization and heart transplantation referral during long-term follow up. Given these competing risks of mortality and HF progression, prospective randomized controlled trials are required to determine if LGE is useful for guiding prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in NICM patients.

Effect of Implanted Defibrillator on Mortality in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

The beneficial role of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of ICD on mortality in patients with CKD. A literature search was conducted for studies reporting the effect of ICD on all-cause mortality in patients with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The search was not restricted to time or publication status. The search included the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCO CINAHL. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. The minimum duration of follow-up required for inclusion was 1 year. The literature search identified 834 studies, of which 14 studies with 70,661 patients were included. Mean follow-up was 39 months (12 to 81 months). For all patients with CKD, ICD was associated with lower all-cause mortality (log hazard ratio [HR] -0.247, standard error [SE] 0.101, p = 0.015). Heterogeneity: degree of freedom = 13 (p <0.01), I2 = 97.057; test for overall effect: Z = -2.431 (p = 0.015). When further stratified based on dialysis, patients with CKD without the need for dialysis had significantly lower mortality (log HR -0.211, SE 0.095, p = 0.026), with a similar trend in patients who underwent dialysis (log HR -0.262, SE 0.134, p = 0.051). ICD implantation is associated with a significant mortality benefit in patients with CKD.

Rhythm versus rate control for atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: There are few prospective studies assessing the benefits of rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which accounts for 50% of all heart failure patients. Objective: Conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effects of rhythm control (ablation and/or antiarrhythmic medications) vs rate control on all-cause mortality in AF patients with HFpEF. Methods: Databases were searched for studies reporting the effect of rhythm control vs rate control on mortality in patients with HFpEF (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCO CINAHL). The search was not restricted to time or publication status. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The minimum duration of follow-up required for inclusion was 1 year. Results: The literature search identified 1210 candidate studies; 5 studies and 16,825 patients were included. The study population had 57% men with a mean age of 71± 2.5 years. Rhythm control for AF was associated with lower all-cause mortality (odds ratio 0.735, 95% confidence interval 0.665-0.813; P < .001) as compared to rate control. Conclusion: Rhythm control for AF in patients with HFpEF was associated with decreased all-cause mortality.

Merged two-way mapping technique: an alternative 3D electroanatomical mapping approach to guide challenging ablation procedures of accessory pathways with bidirectional conduction properties.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of accessory pathways (AP) with bidirectional conduction may be challenging due to issues related to anatomical course or location. OBJECTIVE: We describe an alternative electro-anatomical mapping technique which aims at depicting the entire anatomic course of the AP from the atrial toward the ventricular insertion in order to guide catheter ablation. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with confirmed bidirectional AP conduction and at least one previous ablation procedure or para-Hisian location were included. 3-D electro-anatomical mapping was used to depict the merged 10-ms isochrone area of maximum early activation of both the ventricular and atrial signals during sinus rhythm and ventricular pacing/orthodromic tachycardia, respectively. Catheter ablation was performed within the depicted earliest isochrone area. RESULTS: Acute bidirectional AP conduction block was achieved in all patients 4.2 ± 1.7 s after the first radiofrequency energy pulse was delivered, without reconnection during a 30 ± 10 min post-ablation observation time. No procedural complications were seen. After a mean follow-up period of 9 ± 7 months (range 3 to 16), no recurrences were documented. CONCLUSION: This merged two-way mapping technique is a safe, efficient, and effective technique for ablation of APs with bidirectional conduction.

Influence of PACE score and conduction disturbances in the incidence of early new onset atrial fibrillation after typical atrial flutter ablation.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for typical flutter (AFL) have a high incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to analyze the influence of PACE score to predict new onset AF in this subset of patients to stratify thromboembolic risk. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2019, patients undergoing CTI ablation for AFL and without history of AF were prospectively included. All patients were monitored continuously by implantable loop recorder and followed by remote monitoring. RESULTS: Overall 48 patients were included. New onset AF rate at 12 months was 56.3%. We observed two very strong independent predictors for new onset AF: a PACE score ≥ 30 (HR:6.9; 95% CI:1.71-27.91; p = 0.007) and an HV interval ≥ 55 (HR:11.86; 95% CI:2.57-54.8; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of newly diagnosed AF is high in patients with AFL after CTI ablation, and can occur early. A high PACE score and/or long HV interval predict even higher risk, and may be useful in the decision for empiric long-term anticoagulation.

QT interval measurement in ventricular pacing: Implications for assessment of drug effects and pro-arrhythmia risk.

QT interval prolongation is a known risk factor for development of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Measurement of the QT interval is difficult in the setting of ventricular pacing (VP), which can prolong depolarization and increase the QT interval, overestimating repolarization time. VP and cardiac resynchronization therapies have become commonplace in modern cardiac care and may contribute to repolarization heterogeneity and subsequent increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias including Torsades de Pointes. It is imperative for the clinician caring for acutely ill cardiac patients to understand the relationship between QT interval prolongation, both drug-induced and pacing-induced, and repolarization changes with subsequent ventricular arrhythmia risk. In this review, we discuss the components of QT interval assessment for arrhythmogenic risk including arrhythmogenic QT prolongation, methods for adjusting the QT interval to identify repolarization changes, methods to adjust for heart rate, and propose a framework for medication management to assess for drug-induced long QT syndrome in patients with VP.

Identification and Endocardial Ablation of the Ligament of Marshall for Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to establish criteria for identifying ligament of Marshall (LOM) connections that are responsible for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) failure, assess their incidence, and determine if they can be targeted by focal endocardial ablation at the anterior carina of the left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV). BACKGROUND: Wide antral ablation of the left pulmonary veins (PVs) may not achieve PVI, sometimes requiring empirical ablation of the PV carina. The mechanism could be due to epicardial conduction along the LOM, which courses adjacent to the anterior carina. METHODS: In patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, if wide ablation of the left PV did not achieve isolation, bidirectional mapping was performed. A presumptive LOM connection was diagnosed if the earliest entrance was mapped to the anterior LSPV, while the earliest exit was mapped inferior to the left inferior PV. Focal ablation at the LSPV anterior carina was performed, even if not at the site of earliest entrance activation. The primary endpoint was successful PVI immediately after ablation. RESULTS: The study included 455 consecutive patients who underwent 570 procedures, of which 364 were first-time ablations. Presumptive LOM connections were identified in 48 procedures (8.4%) and in 41 patients (11.2%) undergoing first-time ablation and were successfully ablated at the anterior carina of the LSPV in 47 of 48 procedures (98%). CONCLUSIONS: LOM connections may be a common cause of PVI failure and can be easily identified and reliably ablated with focal endocardial ablation at the anterior LSPV carina.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve Replacement Via Right Internal Jugular Vein Access in a 39-Year-Old Woman.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement via right internal jugular is safe and feasible for failed bioprosthetic valve implantation. Challenging aspects include stiff wire advancement into the pulmonary artery for rail establishment and multiple push-pull manipulations for balloon and valve advancement.

Double factor single shot to diminish complications in cryoballoon ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) has become a standard treatment for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). There is need for improved CBA protocols. We aimed to demonstrate that a new protocol including minimum temperature (minT) reached could reduce procedure times and complications. METHODS: A new double factor protocol (DFP), based on the performance of one single shot per vein with variable duration, and conditional bonus shot, determined by time-to-effect (TTE) and minT, was compared with the conventional protocol (CP), with at least two shots per vein. Procedure parameters, complications, and efficacy were compared. RESULTS: We prospectively included 88 consecutive patients treated with the DFP. These were compared to the previous consecutive 69 patients treated with CP. All procedures were performed with 28-mm second-generation balloon. Acute pulmonary vein (PV) isolation was similar (98.6% vs. 98.9% in CP vs. DFP, p = 0.687). Procedure and ablation times favored DFP over CP (120 vs. 134 min, p = 0.003; and 1051 vs. 1475 s, p < 0.001; respectively). A composite of major and minor complications was significantly reduced in the DFP compared to the CP (18.8% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.02; respectively). Within a follow-up of 18 months, freedom from AF was 79.7% in CP and 78.4% in DFP (Log-rank 0.501). Paroxysmal AF and absence of PV potentials predicted better arrhythmia outcomes (HR 2.14 for paroxysmal vs. persistent, p = 0.031; and HR 1.61 for absence vs. presence of PV potentials, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The novel DFP results in reduced complication rates and procedure times, with similar success rates compared with a conventional strategy.