Outcomes and costs of left atrial appendage closure from randomized controlled trial and real-world experience relative to oral anticoagulation.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyse randomized controlled study and real-world outcomes of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the Watchman device and to compare costs with available antithrombotic therapies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Registry data of LAAC from two centres were prospectively collected from 110 patients with NVAF at risk of stroke, suitable and unsuitable for long-term anticoagulation (age 71.3 ± 9.2 years, CHADS2 2.8 ± 1.2, CHA2DS2-VASc 4.5 ± 1.6, and HAS-BLED 3.8 ± 1.1). Outcomes from PROTECT AF and registry study LAAC were compared with warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, aspirin, and no treatment using a network meta-analysis. Costs were estimated over a 10-year horizon. Uncertainty was assessed using sensitivity analyses. The procedural success rate was 92% (103/112). Follow-up was 24.1 ± 4.6 months, during which annual rates of stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality were 0.9% (2/223 patient-years), 0.9% (2/223 patient-years), and 1.8% (4/223 patient-years), respectively. Anticoagulant therapy was successfully stopped in 91.2% (93/102) of implanted patients by 12 months. Registry study LAAC stroke and major bleeding rates were significantly lower than PROTECT AF results: mean absolute difference of stroke, 0.89% (P = 0.02) and major bleeding, 5.48% (P < 0.001). Left atrial appendage closure achieved cost parity between 4.9 years vs. dabigatran 110 mg and 8.4 years vs. warfarin. At 10 years, LAAC was cost-saving against all therapies (range £1162-£7194). CONCLUSION: Left atrial appendage closure in NVAF in a real-world setting may result in lower stroke and major bleeding rates than reported in LAAC clinical trials. Left atrial appendage closure in both settings achieves cost parity in a relatively short period of time and may offer substantial savings compared with current therapies. Savings are most pronounced among higher risk patients and those unsuitable for anticoagulation.

NGAL and ST2 levels in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure. Clinical and echocardiographic correlates.

AIM: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and ST2 receptor, a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family, are novel biomarkers with a potential role in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). There is however scarce data on their relation with clinical characteristics and cardiac function in patients with CHF. METHODS: Consecutive ambulatory patients with CHF were studied. All patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic assessment, and blood samples were collected for the estimation of ST2 and NGAL serum levels during the same assessment. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients (79% male, mean age: 63 ± 14 years), with CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction of 28 ± 7% were included. Median NGAL was 0.16 (0.09-0.275) mg/L and median ST2 was 0.0125 (0.0071-0.0176) mg/L. No association between NGAL and ST2 was observed. Multivariate analysis revealed tissue Doppler-derived right ventricular systolic velocity as an independent predictor of ST2, and the duration of HF and serum creatinine levels as independent predictors of NGAL. CONCLUSIONS: NGAL levels depend on the renal function and the duration of HF, while ST2 levels are affected by the right but not the left ventricular function and show no association with clinical indices of HF.

P wave analysis with wavelets identifies hypertensive patients at risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation: A case-control study and 1year follow-up.

AIMS: Hypertension is a major risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, reliable non-invasive tools to assess AF risk in hypertensive patients are lacking. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of P wave wavelet analysis in predicting AF risk recurrence in a hypertensive cohort. METHODS: We studied 37 hypertensive patients who presented with an AF episode for the first time and 37 age- and sex-matched hypertensive controls without AF. P wave duration and energy variables were measured for each subject [i.e. mean and max P wave energy along horizontal (x), coronal (y) and sagittal (z) axes in low, intermediate and high frequency bands]. AF-free survival was assessed over a follow-up of 12.1±0.4months. RESULTS: P wave duration (Pdurz) and mean P wave energy in the intermediate frequency band across sagittal axis (mean2z) were independently associated with baseline AF status (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively). Based on optimal cut-off points, four groups were formed: Pdurz<83.2ms/mean2z<6.2µV(2) (n=23), Pdurz<83.2ms/mean2z≥6.2µV(2) (n=10), Pdurz≥83.2ms/mean2z<6.2µV(2) (n=22) and Pdurz≥83.2ms/mean2z≥6.2µV(2) (n=19). AF-free survival decreased (Log Rank p<0.0001) from low risk (Pdurz<83.2ms/mean2z<6.2µV(2)) to high-risk group (Pdurz≥83.2ms/mean2z≥6.2µV(2)). Patients presenting with longer and higher energy P waves were at 18 times higher AF risk compared to those with neither (OR: 17.6, 95% CI: 3.7-84.3) even after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension duration, left atrial size, beta-blocker, ACEi/ARBs and statin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: P wave temporal and energy characteristics extracted using wavelet analysis can potentially serve as screening tool to identify hypertensive patients at risk of AF recurrence.

General anesthesia versus sedation for implantation of a biventricular pacing device for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Heart failure carries significant risk for major noncardiac surgery. Whether this risk is transferable to minor surgery is less well-documented. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the outcome of a contemporary cohort of heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device insertion under general anesthesia or sedation. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary cardiac specialist hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Heart failure patients. INTERVENTIONS: CRT insertion under general anesthesia or sedation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Anesthesia, heart failure, and outcome data were collected on a consecutive series of patients having CRT device insertion between 2002 and 2010. A total of 242 patients were managed by the anesthesia department during the study period. After exclusion criteria were applied, data for 183 patients were analyzed. Immediate perioperative (<24 hours) mortality was zero; 30-day mortality of 138 patients was 2.2%. One patient (0.5%) required unplanned intensive care admission. A comparison was made between the sedation (n = 76) group and the general anesthesia (GA) group (n = 107). When compared with the sedation group, the GA group had more intraoperative hypotension (26.2% versus 4.0%, p<0.00001). There was no difference between the GA and sedation groups with regard to 30-day mortality (1.4% versus 3.1%, p = 0.57), unplanned intensive care admission (0% versus 1.3%, p = 0.42), and length of stay in days (3 versus 3, p = 0.82). CONCLUSION: The authors found that patients with heart failure undergoing CRT insertion with concurrent general anesthesia or sedation had minimal immediate perioperative risk and that there was no difference in postoperative outcome between general anesthesia and sedation.

QRS analysis using wavelet transformation for the prediction of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: a prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Wider QRS and left bundle branch block morphology are related to response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A novel time-frequency analysis of the QRS complex may provide additional information in predicting response to CRT. METHODS: Signal-averaged electrocardiograms were prospectively recorded, before CRT, in orthogonal leads and QRS decomposition in three frequency bands was performed using the Morlet wavelet transformation. RESULTS: Thirty eight patients (age 65±10years, 31 males) were studied. CRT responders (n=28) had wider baseline QRS compared to non-responders and lower QRS energies in all frequency bands. The combination of QRS duration and mean energy in the high frequency band had the best predicting ability (AUC 0.833, 95%CI 0.705-0.962, p=0.002) followed by the maximum energy in the high frequency band (AUC 0.811, 95%CI 0.663-0.960, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Wavelet transformation of the QRS complex is useful in predicting response to CRT.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Congenital Heart Disease: Therapeutic Challenges and Future Perspectives.

The increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in adults with congenital heart disease raises significant questions regarding its management. The unique underlying anatomic and physiological background further adds to the difficulty in eliminating the AF burden in these patients. Herein, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the pathophysiology and risk factors for AF in adult congenital heart disease, with a special focus on the existing challenges in AF ablation. Emerging imaging modalities and ablation techniques might have a role to play. Evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of AF ablation in adult congenital heart disease is summarized, especially for patients with an atrial septal defect, Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve, tetralogy of Fallot, and Fontan circulation. Finally, any remaining gaps in knowledge and potential areas of future research are highlighted.

Magnetic navigation in adults with atrial isomerism (heterotaxy syndrome) and supraventricular arrhythmias.

AIMS: We analysed the type and mechanism of supraventricular arrhythmias encountered in a series of symptomatic adults with atrial isomerism undergoing catheter ablation procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population included consecutive adults with atrial isomerism who had previously undergone surgical repair or palliation of the associated anomalies. Patients underwent electrophysiological study for symptomatic arrhythmia in our institution between 2010 and 2012 using magnetic navigation in conjunction with CARTO RMT and three-dimensional (3D) image integration. Eight patients (five females) with a median age of 33 years [interquartile range (IQR) 24-39] were studied. Access to the cardiac chambers of interest was obtained retrogradely via the aorta using remotely navigated magnetic catheters in six patients. Radiofrequency ablation successfully targeted twin atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia in two patients, atrial fibrillation (AF) in three, focal atrial tachycardia (AT) mainly originating in the left-sided atrium in four patients, and macro-reentrant AT dependent on a right-sided inferior isthmus in three patients. The median fluoroscopy time was 3.0 min (IQR 2-11). After a median follow-up of 10 months (IQR 6-21), five of the ablated patients are free from arrhythmia; two patients experienced episodes of self-terminated AF and AT, respectively, within one month post-ablation; the remaining patient had only non-sustained AT during the electrophysiological study and was managed medically. CONCLUSION: Various supraventricular tachycardia mechanisms are possible in adults with heterotaxy syndrome, all potentially amenable to radiofrequency ablation. The use of remote magnetic navigation along with 3D mapping facilitated the procedures and resulted in a short radiation time.

Use of asymmetric bidirectional catheters with different curvature radius for catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: The impact of recently introduced asymmetric bidirectional ablation catheters on procedural parameters and acute success rates of ablation procedures is unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data regarding ablations using a novel bidirectional catheter in a tertiary cardiac center and compared these in 1:5 ratio with a control group of procedures matched for age, gender, operator, and ablation type. RESULTS: A total of 50 cases and 250 controls of median age 60 (50-68) years were studied. Structural heart disease was equally prevalent in both groups (39%) while history of previous ablations was more common in the study arm (54% vs 30%, P = 0.001). Most of the ablation cases were for atrial fibrillation (46%), followed by atrial tachycardia (28%), supraventricular tachycardia (12%), and ventricular tachycardia (14%). Median procedure duration was 128 (52-147) minutes with the bidirectional, versus 143 (105-200) minutes with the conventional catheter (P = 0.232), and median fluoroscopy time was 17 (10-34) minutes versus 23 (12-39) minutes, respectively (P = 0.988). There was a trend toward a lower procedure duration for the atrial tachycardia ablations, 89 (52-147) minutes versus 130 (100-210) minutes, P = 0.064. The procedure was successfully completed in 96% of the bidirectional versus 84% of the control cases (P = 0.151). A negative correlation was observed between the relative fluoroscopy duration and the case number (r = -0.312, P = 0.028), reflecting the learning curve for the bidirectional catheter. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the bidirectional catheter resulted in no prolongation of procedure parameters and similar success rates, while there was a trend toward a lower procedure duration for atrial tachycardia ablations.

A de novo novel cardiac ryanodine mutation (Ser4155Tyr) associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

We describe the case of a 14-year-old girl with a history of syncopal episodes triggered by stress or exercise. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed with the aid of an implantable loop recorder. The genetic testing of the patient and her family revealed a de novo novel missense mutation (Ser4155Tyr) in the exon 90 of the ryanodine receptor gene. This mutation affects a highly conserved residue (S4155) and results to replacement of serine (S) with tyrosine (Y) leading to change in physical and chemical properties. The girl was treated with an implantable defibrillator, metoprolol and flecainide. Over 1 year of follow-up she had no recurrence of ventricular tachycardia.

Accessory pathway ablation in a 6-year-old girl using remote magnetic navigation as an alternative to cryoablation.

A 6-year-old girl with evidence of a parahisian accessory pathway on a baseline electrocardiogram underwent successful catheter ablation using magnetic navigation. Magnetic remote controlled ablation eliminated the parahisian pathway with the first radiofrequency application. A second anterolaterally located concealed pathway was successfully ablated in the same session, resulting in exclusively atrioventricular nodal conduction bidirectionally (total fluoroscopy, 4 min; 25 µGy).

Grouped beating in eisenmenger: successful localization and ablation of an accelerated idioventricular rhythm from within the purkinje system.

A 33-year old female with a background of Eisenmenger syndrome secondary to multiple congenital muscular ventricular septal defects (VSD) was admitted with a recent history of frequent intermittent palpitations. It was noted that she had an independent accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR), with rates varying between 85-110bpm, which exhibited a repetitive grouped beating pattern. Although generally perceived as benign, in this case this rhythm was drug refractory, was associated with significant compromise to cardiac filling and output and progressed to haemodynamically intolerable sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Successful ablation was performed at the inferior aspect of the residual VSD, from within the Purkinje network.

Successful Right Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in a Patient with Left Ventricular Non-compaction Cardiomyopathy.

We report a case of a 67-year old male with a recent diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC), initially presenting with symptomatic ventricular ectopy and runs of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). This ventricular arrhythmia originated in a structurally normal right ventricle (RV) and was successfully localized and ablated with the aid of the three-dimensional mapping and remote magnetic navigation.

Somatostatin analogue scintigraphy in a patient with viral myocarditis.

Myocarditis may present clinically with a wide range of manifestations and often remains unrecognized. The diagnosis of myocarditis traditionally has been based on histological findings, but endomyocardial biopsy has a low sensitivity and clinicians are reluctant to proceed with an invasive diagnostic technique. Among newer diagnostic approaches, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has gained acceptance as an efficient noninvasive tool to determine myocardial inflammation. In this context, imaging with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues could also be relevant because of their ability to delineate inflammatory sites. In conclusion, a case is presented in which somatostatin receptor imaging of the myocardium with (99m)Tc-depreotide tomography was used in the assessment of viral myocarditis.

The use of transtelephonic loop recorders for the assessment of symptoms and arrhythmia recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment of arrhythmias. However, patients often remain symptomatic after the procedure. We aimed to assess the arrhythmia recurrence after successful RFA in relation to patients' symptoms using transtelephonic loop recorders. Thirty-six consecutive patients (age 50 +/- 14 years, 17 males/19 females) were enrolled after successful RFA for atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia (n = 21), AV reentrant tachycardia (n = 8), atrial tachycardia (n = 2), atrial fibrillation/flutter (n = 4), and ventricular tachycardia (n = 1). During 23 +/- 6 days of follow-up, 679 events were recorded, 246 of which were true arrhythmic events, mostly (56%) asymptomatic. The vast majority of these true arrhythmic events were due to trivial arrhythmias (extrasystoles or sinus tachycardia), equally distributed among symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes. Arrhythmia relapse was shown in four patients, who had a total of nine episodes, eight of which were symptomatic. No high degree AV block was detected. Overall, symptom recurrence had low sensitivity (44%) and high specificity (95%) for the detection of any arrhythmia, and high sensitivity (89%) but low specificity (58%) for the detection of relapse. In conclusion, transtelephonic monitoring was a useful tool for the assessment of symptoms after RFA and its use may be reserved for the most symptomatic patients to detect a relapse or to reassure them for the benign nature of their symptoms.

Characterization of the Mechanism and Substrate of Atrial Tachycardia Using Ultra-High-Density Mapping in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

Background Atrial tachycardia ( AT ) is common in patients with adult congenital heart disease and is challenging to map and ablate. We used ultra-high-density mapping to characterize the AT mechanism and investigate whether substrate characteristics are related to ablation outcomes. Methods and Results A total of 50 AT s were mapped with ultra-high-density mapping in 23 procedures. Patients were followed up for up to 12 months. Procedures were classified to group A if there was 1 single AT induced (n=12) and group B if there were ≥2 AT s induced (n=11 procedures). AT mechanism per procedure was macro re-entry (n=10) and localized re-entry (n=2) in group A and multiple focal (n=6) or multiple macro re-entry (n=5) in group B. Procedure duration, low voltage area (0.05-0.5 mV), and low voltage area indexed for volume were higher in group B (159 [147-180] versus 412 [352-420] minutes, P<0.001, 22.6 [12.2-29.8] versus 54.2 [51.1-61.6] cm2, P=0.014 and 0.17 [0.12-0.21] versus 0.26 [0.23-0.27] cm2/mL, P=0.024 accordingly). Dense scar (<0.05 mV) and atrial volume were similar between groups. Acute success and freedom from arrhythmia recurrence were worse in group B (100% versus 77% P=0.009 and 11.3, CI 9.8-12.7 versus 4.9, CI 2.2-7.6 months, log rank P=0.004). Indexed low voltage area ≥0.24 cm2/mL could predict recurrence with 100% sensitivity and 77% specificity (area under the curve 0.923, P=0.007). Conclusions Larger low voltage area but not dense scar is associated with the induction of multiple focal or re-entry AT s, which are subsequently associated with longer procedure duration and worse acute and midterm clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of a novel high-resolution mapping system for catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: The mapping of ventricular arrhythmias in humans using a minibasket 64-electrode catheter paired with a novel automatic mapping system (Rhythmia) has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mapping ventricular arrhythmias and clinical outcomes after ablation using this system. METHODS: Electroanatomic maps for ventricular arrhythmias were obtained during 20 consecutive procedures in 19 patients (12 with ventricular tachycardia [VT] and 2 with ventricular ectopy [VE]). High-density maps were acquired using automatic beat acceptance and automatic system annotation of electrograms. RESULTS: Forty-seven electroanatomic maps (including 3 right ventricular and 9 epicardial maps) were obtained. Left ventricular endocardial mapping by transseptal (n = 13) and/or transaortic (n = 11) access was safe with no complications related to the minibasket catheter. VT substrate maps (n = 14; median 10,184 points) consistently demonstrated late potentials with high resolution. VT activation maps (n = 25; median 6401 points) obtained by automatic annotation included 7 complete maps (covering ≥90% of the tachycardia cycle length) in 5 patients in whom the entire VT circuit was accurately visualized. VE timing maps (n = 8) successfully localized the origin of VEs in all, with all accepted beats consistent with clinical VEs. Over a median follow-up of 10 months, no arrhythmia recurrence was noted in 75% after VT ablation and 86% after VE ablation. CONCLUSION: In this first human experience for ventricular arrhythmias using this system, ultra-high-density maps were created rapidly and safely, with a reliable automatic annotation of VT and consistent recording of abnormal electrograms. Medium-term outcomes after ablation were encouraging. Further larger studies are needed to validate these findings.

Catheter ablation vs electrophysiologically guided thoracoscopic surgical ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: The CASA-AF Study.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) outcomes for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) remain suboptimal. Thoracoscopic surgical ablation (SA) provides an alternative approach in this difficult to treat cohort. OBJECTIVE: To compare electrophysiological (EP) guided thoracoscopic SA with percutaneous CA as the first-line strategy in the treatment of LSPAF. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with de novo symptomatic LSPAF were recruited. Twenty-six patients underwent electrophysiologically guided thoracoscopic SA. Conduction block was tested for all lesions intraoperatively by an independent electrophysiologist. In the CA group, 25 consecutive patients underwent stepwise left atrial (LA) ablation. The primary end point was single-procedure freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial tachycardia (AT) lasting >30 seconds without antiarrhythmic drugs at 12 months. RESULTS: Single- and multiprocedure freedom from AF/AT was higher in the SA group than in the CA group: 19 of 26 patients (73%) vs 8 of 25 patients (32%) (P = .003) and 20 of 26 patients (77%) vs 15 of 25 patients (60%) (P = .19), respectively. Testing of the SA lesion set by an electrophysiologist increased the success rate in achieving acute conduction block by 19%. In the SA group, complications were experienced by 7 of 26 patients (27%) vs 2 of 25 patients (8%) in the CA group (P = .07). CONCLUSION: In LSPAF, meticulous electrophysiologically guided thoracoscopic SA as a first-line strategy may provide excellent single-procedure success rates as compared with those of CA, but there is an increased up-front risk of nonfatal complications.