Virtual Reality for Sedation During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Clinical Practice: Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Connected devices are dramatically changing many aspects in health care. One such device, the virtual reality (VR) headset, has recently been shown to improve analgesia in a small sample of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of VR in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation under conscious sedation. METHODS: All patients who underwent an AF ablation with VR from March to May 2020 were included. Patients were compared to a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent AF ablation in the 3 months prior to the study. Primary efficacy was assessed by using a visual analog scale, summarizing the overall pain experienced during the ablation. RESULTS: The AF cryoablation procedure with VR was performed for 48 patients (mean age 63.0, SD 10.9 years; n=16, 33.3% females). No patient refused to use the device, although 14.6% (n=7) terminated the VR session prematurely. Preparation of the VR headset took on average 78 (SD 13) seconds. Compared to the control group, the mean perceived pain, assessed with the visual analog scale, was lower in the VR group (3.5 [SD 1.5] vs 4.3 [SD 1.6]; P=.004), and comfort was higher in the VR group (7.5 [SD 1.6] vs 6.8 [SD 1.7]; P=.03). On the other hand, morphine consumption was not different between the groups. Lastly, complications, as well as procedure and fluoroscopy duration, were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that VR was associated with a reduction in the perception of pain in patients undergoing AF ablation under conscious sedation. Our findings demonstrate that VR can be easily incorporated into the standard ablation workflow.

Impact of the atrial lead pacing site regarding atrial fibrillation onset in patients with sinus node dysfunction.

Symptomatic sinus node disease (SND) most frequently requires the implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker of which the right atrial lead is generally implanted in the right atrial appendage (RAA) or the lateral wall (LW).The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of the right atrial lead pacing site regarding the onset of AF in patients with SND. RESULTS: 126 patients were included (53% males; 76 yo). 64 (51%) patients were implanted in the RAA and 62 (49%) in the LW. The two groups were not different in terms of CHA2DS2-VASc score and indexed left atrial volume. Forty-eight months after implantation, AF occurred in 17 (26.6%) of the RAA group and 6 (9.7%) in the lateral group. In the multivariate models, RAA site was the only factor associated with AF onset, with an Hazard Ratio of 2.5 (95%CI 1.1; 5.7; P=0.03). CONCLUSION: In our study, RAA pacing was associated with 2.5 higher risk of AF onset in patients with SND. Further larger randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Management of Graves' disease during pregnancy in the Poitou-Charentes Region.

Graves' disease (GD) during pregnancy involves risks for the mother, foetus and neonate. OBJECTIVE: To compile an inventory of the clinical practices regarding the management of GD during pregnancy in the Poitou-Charentes region of France. This was a retrospective, multicentre study covering the period 2005 to 2012. Ninety-five pregnancies were reviewed: 14 GD diagnosed during pregnancy, 24 GD already treated with synthetic antithyroid drugs (SAT) prior to pregnancy, 25 GD in remission before pregnancy and 32 GD who had undergone thyroidectomy prior to pregnancy. In patients under SAT and/or with TSH receptor antibody levels (TRAb)>3N at the 2nd (T2) and/or 3rd trimester (T3) of pregnancy, a foetal thyroid ultrasound (FTU) was performed in 18/32 cases and neonatal thyroid screening (NTS) in 14/20 cases. One case of foetal hyperthyroidism, two of neonatal hyperthyroidism and three of foetal hypothyroidism (including one neonatal hypothyroidism) were observed. Propylthiouracil was the preferred treatment prescribed, whatever the trimester. A congenital malformation was observed in 4/19 foetuses exposed to carbimazole during the 1st trimester (T1). In operated patients, TSH levels were>2.5mIU/L during T1 in 23/32 cases, while TRAb were not assayed during pregnancy in 12/32 cases. The management of GD during pregnancy could be improved by adjusting SAT therapy during its course, titrating levothyroxine prior to conception and in early pregnancy in thyroidectomised patients, and a more targeted use of FTU during T2 and T3 and of neonatal thyroid screening.