RNA-Seq Analysis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: What Is the Best Sample from Clinical Practice?

RNA-based next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq) represents the gold standard for detecting gene fusion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite this, RNA instability makes the management of tissue samples extremely complex, resulting in a significant number of test failures with missing data or the need to switch to other techniques. In the present study, we analyzed pre-analytical variables in 140 tumor tissue samples from patients affected by NSCLC to detect features that increase the chances of successful RNA-seq. We found that the success rate of the analysis positively correlates with the RNA concentration and fragmentation index. Interestingly, small biopsies were more suitable samples than surgical specimens and cell blocks. Among surgical specimens, wedge resections demonstrated better results than lobectomy. Moreover, samples stored for less than 30 days (1 month) had a better chance of success than older samples. Defining the role of pre-analytical variables in RNA-seq allows the detection of more suitable samples for analysis and more effective planning of molecular-based diagnostic approaches in NSCLC.

Long-term incidence of arrhythmias in extracardiac conduit Fontan and comparison between systemic left and right ventricle.

AIMS: The extracardiac conduit-Fontan (ECC) has become the preferred technique for univentricular heart palliation, but there are currently no data on the incidence of long-term arrhythmias. This study investigated the incidence of arrhythmias and relation to single ventricle morphology in the long-term follow-up (FU) in ECC. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients with ECC performed in our Centre between 1987 and 2017 were included (minimum FU 5 years). Of 353 consecutive patients, 303 [57.8% males, aging 8-50 (median 20) years at last FU] were considered and divided into two groups depending on left (194 in Group 1) or right (109 in Group 2) ventricular morphology. Eighty-five (28%) experienced ≥1 arrhythmic complications, with early and late arrhythmias in 17 (5.6%) and 73 (24.1%) patients, respectively. Notably, late bradyarrhythmias occurred after 6 years in 21 (11%) patients in Group 1, and in 15 (13.8%) in Group 2 [P = 0.48]. Late tachyarrhythmias occurred in 55 (18.2%) patients after 12 years: 33 (17%) in Group 1 and 22 (20.2%) patients in Group 2 [P  = 0.5]. Ventricular tachycardias (VT) were documented after 12.5 years in 14 (7.2%) patients of Group 1 and 15 (13.8%) of Group 2 [P = 0.06] with a higher incidence in Group 2 during the FU [P = 0.005]. CONCLUSION: Extracardiac conduit is related to a significant arrhythmic risk in the long-term FU, higher than previously reported. Bradyarrhythmias occur earlier but are less frequent than tachyarrhythmias. Interestingly, patients with systemic right ventricle have a significantly higher incidence of VT, especially in a very long FU.

Autosomal Recessive Long QT Syndrome: Clinical Aspects and Therapy.

The autosomal recessive (AR) form of Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is described both associated with deafness known as Jervell and Lange-Nielsen (JLN) syndrome, and without deafness (WD). The aim of the study is to report the characteristics of AR LQTS patients and the efficacy of the therapy. Data of all children with AR LQTS referred to the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS from September 2012 to September 2021were included. Three (30%) patients had compound heterozygosity and 7 (70%) had homozygous variants of the KCNQ1 gene, the latter showing deafness. Four patients (40%) presented aborted sudden cardiac death (aSCD): three with previous episodes of syncope (75%), the other without previous symptoms (16.6% of asymptomatic patients). An episode of aSCD occurred in 2/3 (66.7%) of WD and heterozygous patients, while in 2/7 (28%) JLN and homozygous patients and in 2/2 patients with QTC > 600 ms. All patients were treated with Nadolol. In 5 Mexiletine was added, shortening QTc and obtaining the disappearance of the T-wave alternance (TWA) in 3/3. Episodes of aSCD seem to be more frequent in LQTS patients with compound heterozygous variants and WD than in those with JLN and homozygous variants. Episodes of aSCD also appear more frequent in children with syncope or with QTc value > 600 ms, even on beta-blocker therapy, than in patients without syncope or with Qtc < 600 ms. However, our descriptive results should be confirmed by larger studies. Moreover, Mexiletine addition reduced QTc value and eliminated TWA.

Feasibility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) in Real-Life Clinical Practice.

In advanced or metastatic settings, Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) allows the evaluation of thousands of gene alterations with the goal of offering new opportunities for personalized treatment in solid tumors. This study evaluated the CGP Success Rate in a real-life cohort of 184 patients enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. CGP data were compared with the routine molecular testing strategy adopted in-house. Sample age, tumor area, and the percentage of tumor nuclei were recorded for CGP analysis. We found that 150/184 (81.5%) samples resulted in satisfying CGP reports. The CGP Success Rate was higher in samples from surgical specimens (96.7%) and in specimens that had been stored (sample age) for less than six months (89.4%). Among the inconclusive CGP reports, 7/34 (20.6%) were optimal samples, according to CGP sample requirements. Moreover, with the in-house molecular testing approach, we could obtain clinically relevant molecular data in 25/34 (73.5%) samples that had inconclusive CGP reports. In conclusion, despite the fact that CGP offers specific therapeutical options in selected patients, our data suggest that the standard molecular testing strategy should not be replaced in routine molecular profiling.

DOG-1 positive primary acinic cell carcinoma of the lung and investigation of molecular status.

Primary acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) of the lung is an extremely rare neoplasm that more often arises near to a right bronchus. It is characterized by two populations of clear and dark eosinophilic cells, arranged in a glandular acinar pattern. Mitosis are rare and tumor cells show small and eccentric nuclei. Positive stain for PAS, PAS-D, cytokeratin, A1AT and A1ACT is reported, while TTF1, p40, synaptophysin, SMA, and S100 are substantially negative. DOG-1 positive stain was observed in ACC of the salivary glands and its negativity was proposed to distinguish between primary and metastatic ACC of the lung. Here, we report the 30th case of primary ACC of the lung, describing the immunohistochemical positivity for DOG-1 and the molecular status of the neoplasm for the first time.

A decade of insertable cardiac monitors with remote monitoring in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring-enabled insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are useful tools for arrhythmias and symptom management. This study sought to evaluate the outcome of ICM implantation in a large, heterogeneous cohort of pediatric and young adult patients. METHODS: Single centre, retrospective analysis of patients who underwent ICM implantation in 2010-2019. Patients were analysed according to age, symptoms, arrhythmias and underlying heart disease. RESULTS: A total of 200 consecutive patients (58% male), aged 11.5 ± 5.8 years at ICM implantation, were included. Follow-up was 31 ± 18 months. Electrophysiologic study (EPS) was initially performed in 123 patients and was negative in 85%. Patients had no heart disease (57.5%), congenital heart defects (21%), channelopathies (14.5%), cardiomyopathies/heart tumors (8%). The commonest symptoms were syncope/presyncope (45.5%) and palpitations (12.5%). A definite diagnosis was made in 63% of patients (positive diagnosis in 25%, negative in 38%) after 8 (2-19) months of monitoring. EPS results and the presence/absence of an arrhythmia before ICM implantation had no impact on the diagnostic yield. Symptomatic patients as well as patients without structural heart disease showed higher diagnostic yield. Patients with a positive diagnosis underwent pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation (13%), pharmacological treatment (10.5%), or catheter ablation (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of 200 children and young adults, ICMs with remote monitoring showed a high diagnostic yield (63%), especially in symptomatic patients and in patients without structural heart disease.

Next generation diagnostic algorithm in non-small cell lung cancer predictive molecular pathology: The KWAY Italian multicenter cost evaluation study.

AIMS: The KWAY project aims to investigate the economic sustainability of the up-front NGS technologies adoption in the analysis of clinically relevant molecular alterations in NSCLC patients. METHODS: The diagnostic workflow and the related sustained costs of five Italian referral centers were assessed in four different evolving scenarios were analyzed. For each scenario, two alternative testing strategies were evaluated: the Maximized Standard strategy and the Maximized NGS strategy. RESULTS: For each center, the robustness of obtained results was verified through a deterministic sensitivity analysis, observing the variation of total costs based on a variation of ±20 % of the input parameters and ensuring that results would present a consistent behavior compared to the original ones. CONCLUSIONS: our project, highlighted that the adoption of NGS allows to save personnel time dedicated to testing activities and to reduce the overall cost of testing per patient.

Clinical characteristics and risk of arrhythmic events in patients younger than 12 years diagnosed with Brugada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inheritable disease with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Although several score systems have been proposed, the management of children with BrS has been inconsistently described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics, outcome, and risk factors associated with cardiovascular and arrhythmic events (AEs) in children younger than 12 years with BrS. METHODS: In this single-center case series, all children with spontaneous or drug/fever-induced type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern and younger than 12 years at the time of diagnosis were enrolled. RESULTS: Forty-three patients younger than 12 years at the time of diagnosis were included. The median follow-up was 3.97 years (interquartile range 2-12 years). In terms of first-degree atrioventricular block, premature beats, nonmalignant AEs, malignant AEs, and episodes of syncope, no significant differences were observed either between patients with spontaneous and drug/fever-induced type 1 Brugada ECG pattern or between female and male patients (except a significant difference between female and male patients for first-degree atrioventricular block). A higher incidence of malignant AEs was observed in patients with syncope (3 of 8 [37.5%] vs 0 of 35 [0%]; P = .005) than in patients without syncope. SCN5A mutations were associated with a higher occurrence of malignant AEs (3 of 14 [21.4%] vs 0 of 25 [0%]; P = .04) compared with no SCN5A mutations. CONCLUSION: A spontaneous type 1 Brugada ECG pattern is not associated with a higher incidence of syncope, first-degree atrioventricular block, premature beats, nonmalignant AEs, and malignant AEs than the drug/fever-induced type 1 Brugada ECG pattern. Syncope events are correlated with an increased incidence of malignant AEs. Moreover, SCN5A mutations are associated with a higher occurrence of malignant AEs.

Fragile X mental retardation protein in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: regulating the cancer cell behavior plasticity at the leading edge.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare malignancy of the intrahepatic biliary tract with a very poor prognosis. Although some clinicopathological parameters can be prognostic factors for iCCA, the molecular prognostic markers and potential mechanisms of iCCA have not been well investigated. Here, we report that the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a RNA binding protein functionally absent in patients with the Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and also involved in several types of cancers, is overexpressed in human iCCA and its expression is significantly increased in iCCA metastatic tissues. The silencing of FMRP in metastatic iCCA cell lines affects cell migration and invasion, suggesting a role of FMRP in iCCA progression. Moreover, we show evidence that FMRP is localized at the invasive front of human iCCA neoplastic nests and in pseudopodia and invadopodia protrusions of migrating and invading iCCA cancer cells. Here FMRP binds several mRNAs encoding key proteins involved in the formation and/or function of these protrusions. In particular, we find that FMRP binds to and regulates the expression of Cortactin, a critical regulator of invadopodia formation. Altogether, our findings suggest that FMRP could promote cell invasiveness modulating membrane plasticity and invadopodia formation at the leading edges of invading iCCA cells.

Progressive involvement of cardiac conduction system in paediatric patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome: how to predict occurrence of complete heart block and sudden cardiac death?

AIMS: The aims of this study are to evaluate the progressive involvement of the cardiac conduction system in the Kearn-Sayre syndrome (KSS) and to establish criteria for the prevention of episodes of syncope or sudden cardiac death. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a prospective monocentric study including KSS patients, with diagnosis based on clinical manifestations, muscle biopsy, and genetic tests, before the age of 18. All patients underwent cardiac screening examination with 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), 24-h Holter monitoring, and pacemaker (PM) interrogation twice a year. Fifteen patients (nine males, mean age 16.6 ± 3.9 years) with a sporadic KSS were recruited. All subjects manifested at least one of the intraventricular conduction defects (IVDs): 1 right bundle branch block (RBBB), 2 left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), 11 a bi-fascicular block (RBBB + LAFB), and 1 left posterior fascicular block. Most children with bi-fascicular block developed LAFB before the RBBB (P = 0.0049). In six patients, IVD degenerated into atrioventricular block (AVB). Endocavitary PM was implanted in 11 patients (6 with AVB and 5 with a bi-fascicular block), while an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator only in one patient with a non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Four died at mean age of 14.7 ± 2.6 years, but none of them suddenly. CONCLUSION: Even a 'simple' ECG can predict the arrhythmic risk and the occurrence of catastrophic events in young patients with KSS. Left anterior fascicular block precedes RBBB in determining the bi-fascicular block and this can predict an inexorable progression of the conduction defects even in a short time. Pacemaker implantation may be indicated in these patients since the first bi-fascicular block manifestation.

A Pathology-Based Combined Model to Identify PAM50 Non-luminal Intrinsic Disease in Hormone Receptor-Positive HER2-Negative Breast Cancer.

Background: In hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative breast cancer, the HER2-enriched and Basal-like intrinsic subtypes are associated with poor outcome, low response to anti-estrogen therapy and high response to chemotherapy. To date, no validated biomarker exists to identify both molecular entities other than gene expression. Methods: PAM50 subtyping and immunohistochemical data were obtained from 8 independent studies of 1,416 HR+/HER2-negative early breast tumors. A non-luminal disease score (NOLUS) from 0 to 100, based on percentage of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki67 tumor cells, was derived in a combined cohort of 5 studies (training dataset) and tested in a combined cohort of 3 studies. The performance of NOLUS was estimated using Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC). Results: In the training dataset (n = 903) and compared to luminal disease, non-luminal disease had lower percentage of ER-positive cells (median 65.2 vs. 86.2%, p < 0.01) and PR-positive cells (33.2 vs. 56.4%, p < 0.01) and higher percentage of Ki67-positive cells (18.2 vs. 13.1%, p = 0.01). A NOLUS formula was derived: -0.45*ER -0.28*PR +0.27*Ki67 + 73.02. The proportion of non-luminal tumors in NOLUS-positive (≥51.38) and NOLUS-negative (<51.38) groups was 52.6 and 8.7%, respectively. In the testing dataset (n = 514), NOLUS was found significantly associated with non-luminal disease (p < 0.01) with an AUC 0.902. The proportion of non-luminal tumors in NOLUS-positive and NOLUS-negative groups was 76.9% (56.4-91.0%) and 2.6% (1.4-4.5%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the pre-specified cutoff was 59.3 and 98.7%, respectively. Conclusions: In the absence of gene expression data, NOLUS can help identify non-luminal disease within HR+/HER2-negative breast cancer.

Histologic transformation to small-cell lung cancer following gefitinib and radiotherapy in a patient with pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Targeted therapies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have revolutionized the treatment of a subset of lung adenocarcinomas that have EGFR-activating mutations; however, all patients treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) ultimately develop resistance. Histologic transformation of EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a resistance mechanism rarely reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a woman with metastatic lung cancer adenocarcinoma with mutated EGFR with an initial response to gefitinib and radiation therapy, who progressed after 18 months due to the development of a resistance mechanism. The new biopsy performed after progression highlighted histologic transformation to SCLC, while maintaining the original EGFR mutation. CONCLUSIONS: To better identify patients who progress after TKIs and radiation therapy, it is important to perform tumor rebiopsy and collect data to study mechanisms of acquired EGFR TKI resistance.

Use of a Pediatric Syncope Unit Improves Diagnosis and Lowers Costs: A Hospital-Based Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of a dedicated pediatric syncope unit on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of children with suspected syncope. We also evaluated the effectiveness of the pediatric syncope unit model in decreasing unnecessary tests and hospitalizations, minimizing social costs, and improving diagnostic yield. STUDY DESIGN: This single-center cohort observational, prospective study enrolled 2278 consecutive children referred to Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital from 2012 to 2017. Characteristics of the study population, number and type of admission examinations, and diagnostic findings before the pediatric syncope unit was implemented (2012-2013) and after the pediatric syncope unit was implemented (2014-2015 and 2016-2017) were compared. RESULTS: The proportion of undefined syncope, number of unnecessary diagnostic tests performed, and number of hospital stay days decreased significantly (P < .0001), with an overall decrease in costs. A multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for confounding variables (age, sex, number of diagnostic tests), the period after pediatric syncope unit (2016-2017) resulted as the best independent predictor of effectiveness for a defined diagnosis of syncope (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric syncope unit organization with fast-tracking access more appropriate diagnostic tests is effective in terms of accuracy of diagnostic yield and reduction of costs.

Reelin expression in human liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Reelin is a secreted extracellular glycoprotein that plays a critical role during brain development. Several studies have described Reelin expression in hepatic stellate cells of the human liver. In order to investigate the possible role of Reelin in the process of hepatic fibrogenesis, in this study we investigated Reelin expression in the liver tissue of patients infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). On this basis, Reelin expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry during liver biopsies of 81 patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis. A Knodell score was used to stage liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblast immunohistochemical markers (CRBP-1, alpha-SMA) were also evaluated. As further confirmed by co-localization experiments (Reelin +CRBP-1), Reelin protein was expressed by hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts, and a significant positive correlation was found between Reelin expression and the stage of liver fibrosis (P=0.002). Moreover, Reelin correlated with CRBP-1 positive cells (P=0.002), but not with alpha-SMA, suggesting that Reelin should not be regarded as a marker of hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts differentiation but rather as a functional protein expressed during some phases of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, Disabled-1 (Dab1), a Reelin adaptor protein, was expressed in cells of ductular reaction suggesting a paracrine role for Reelin with regards these elements. In conclusion, Reelin was expressed by human hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts and the number of these cells increased significantly in the lobule as the liver fibrosis progressed, suggesting a role for Reelin in the activation of hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts during liver injury. Reelin may potentially be incorporated into liver injury evaluations in combination with other histological data.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of left-sided accessory pathways in children using a new fluoroscopy integrated 3D-mapping system.

Introduction: Advances in 3D electroanatomic-mapping technologies have resulted in a safe and effective profile of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation. The aim of this study was to evaluate a different catheter ablation approach in patients with left-sided accessory pathways (APs). Methods and results: From January 2015 to December 2015, 30 patients (median age 11 years, median weight 45 kg) with manifest or concealed left-sided APs underwent RF catheter ablation with a new protocol. All procedures were performed with the CARTO UNIVU™ system, integrating electroanatomic maps with fluoroscopic views. A 7 Fr ablation catheter was inserted into the right femoral vein and advanced into the right atrium. Geometrical reconstruction and activation map of the right atrium, tricuspid annulus, and coronary sinus were acquired. The ablation catheter was then inserted into the left femoral artery and advanced through the aorta and aortic valve, creating an activation map of the mitral annulus. Catheter ablation was targeted to the site of the earliest activation. No complications occurred. The median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 130 min and 6 s, with a median fluoroscopy dose 0.5 mGy. An average of two catheters was used. Long-term success rate was 97% (29/30) at a median follow-up of 9.6 months. This approach reduced fluoroscopy time, dose and number of catheters used compared with manifest or concealed left-sided AP ablation using CARTO 3™ (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This new ablation protocol seems to be promising in reducing fluoroscopy exposure and number of catheters used during left-sided AP ablation in children.

HER2 Status in Gastric Cancer: Comparison between Primary and Distant Metastatic Disease.

HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) assessment in histological samples of gastric cancer is essential to determine which patients might benefit from trastuzumab therapy. HER2 is often evaluated in primary tumor even if trastuzumab therapy is used to treat metastatic disease. However, the exact relationship in terms of HER2 status between primary and metastatic tumors has not been fully clarified. We aimed to evaluate the HER2 status concordance between primary gastric cancer and corresponding distant metastasis. HER2 status was evaluated by IHC (immunohistochemistry) and/or FISH ( fluorescence in situ hybridization) in 41 patients in primary gastric cancer and in paired metastasis. HER2 was assessed according scoring criteria applied in clinical approach. HER2 positivity was found in 14,6 % primary tumors and in 24,4%corresponding metastasis. HER2 concordance rate between primary and metastasis was 80,5 % (K-value = 0,388). Eight/41 (19,5 %)cases resulted discordant: 6 patients with metastatic HER2 positive lesions were found HER2 negative in primary cancers while 2 patient HER2 positive in primary lesion showed a negative conversion in metastasis. Our results showed a good concordance in terms of HER2 status between primary and metastatic lesions, as well as in biopsy and surgical removed specimens. However, the higher rate of HER2 positive status found in metastatic lesions underlined the importance of HER2 assessment in all samples obtained from different sites of gastric cancer disease.

Miniaturized Implantable Loop Recorder in Small Patients: An Effective Approach to the Evaluation of Subjects at Risk of Sudden Death.

BACKGROUND: The etiological diagnosis of syncope and/or palpitations in children is often challenging. However, when noninvasive conventional examinations are inconclusive, the subcutaneous miniaturized implantable loop recorder (ILR) is recommended. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of miniaturized cardiac implantable devices in the early diagnosis of arrhythmias in children ≤6 years. METHODS: From March 2014 to May 2015, 21 patients (median age 5 years) underwent implantation of miniaturized ILR at our Institution after a complete cardiac work up. Median follow-up was 10 months. RESULTS: One patient underwent device removal for pocket infection and one needed a pocket revision. Eleven (52%) patients did not show any symptom and/or arrhythmia. Eight patients experienced symptoms during ILR monitoring: six had no electrocardiographic abnormalities, two had significant sinus pauses. Two patients had significant arrhythmias without symptoms and in one of these a pacemaker was implanted. The overall diagnostic yield was 47%. CONCLUSIONS: Miniaturized ILR could be very useful to make a diagnosis and to decide future management strategies in small patients with undefined symptoms or severe cardiac diseases. Considering its characteristics, miniaturized ILR could start a new era in the diagnosis and follow-up of young patients with symptomatic and/or malignant arrhythmias.

Sinus bradycardia, junctional rhythm, and low-rate atrial fibrillation in Short QT syndrome during 20 years of follow-up: three faces of the same genetic problem.

We describe the case of an asymptomatic girl with sinus bradycardia and short QT interval at birth, junctional bradycardia in infancy requiring single-chamber pacemaker, atrial fibrillation in adolescence, and V141M mutation in the KCNQ1 gene. Atrial fibrillation recurred and became unresponsive to electrical or anti-arrhythmic therapy. During 20 years of follow-up, a progressive evolution from sinus node dysfunction to low-rate atrial fibrillation was observed.

Comparison of cryoablation with 3D mapping versus conventional mapping for the treatment of atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia and right-sided paraseptal accessory pathways.

UNLABELLED: Aim Transcatheter cryoablation is a well-established technique for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia and atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia in children. Fluoroscopy or three-dimensional mapping systems can be used to perform the ablation procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of cryoablation procedures for the treatment of right septal accessory pathways and atrioventricular nodal re-entry circuits in children using conventional or three-dimensional mapping and to evaluate whether three-dimensional mapping was associated with reduced patient radiation dose compared with traditional mapping. METHODS: In 2013, 81 children underwent transcatheter cryoablation at our institution, using conventional mapping in 41 children - 32 atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia and nine atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia - and three-dimensional mapping in 40 children - 24 atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia and 16 atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia. RESULTS: Using conventional mapping, the overall success rate was 78.1 and 66.7% in patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia or atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia, respectively. Using three-dimensional mapping, the overall success rate was 91.6 and 75%, respectively (p=ns). The use of three-dimensional mapping was associated with a reduction in cumulative air kerma and cumulative air kerma-area product of 76.4 and 67.3%, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of three-dimensional mapping compared with the conventional fluoroscopy-guided method for cryoablation of right septal accessory pathways and atrioventricular nodal re-entry circuits in children was associated with a significant reduction in patient radiation dose without an increase in success rate.

Results of remote follow-up and monitoring in young patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring is increasingly used in the follow-up of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. Data on paediatric populations are still lacking. The aim of our study was to follow-up young patients both in-hospital and remotely to enhance device surveillance. METHODS: This is an observational registry collecting data on consecutive patients followed-up with the CareLink system. Inclusion criteria were a Medtronic device implanted and patient's willingness to receive CareLink. Patients were stratified according to age and presence of congenital/structural heart defects (CHD). RESULTS: A total of 221 patients with a device - 200 pacemakers, 19 implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and two loop recorders--were enrolled (median age of 17 years, range 1-40); 58% of patients were younger than 18 years of age and 73% had CHD. During a follow-up of 12 months (range 4-18), 1361 transmissions (8.9% unscheduled) were reviewed by technicians. Time for review was 6 ± 2 minutes (mean ± standard deviation). Missed transmissions were 10.1%. Events were documented in 45% of transmissions, with 2.7% yellow alerts and 0.6% red alerts sent by wireless devices. No significant differences were found in transmission results according to age or presence of CHD. Physicians reviewed 6.3% of transmissions, 29 patients were contacted by phone, and 12 patients underwent unscheduled in-hospital visits. The event recognition with remote monitoring occurred 76 days (range 16-150) earlier than the next scheduled in-office follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Remote follow-up/monitoring with the CareLink system is useful to enhance device surveillance in young patients. The majority of events were not clinically relevant, and the remaining led to timely management of problems.