Nonprocedural bleeding after left atrial appendage closure versus direct oral anticoagulants: A subanalysis of the randomized PRAGUE-17 trial.

INTRODUCTION: Observational studies have shown low bleeding rates in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated by left atrial appendage closure (LAAC); however, data from randomized studies are lacking. This study compared bleeding events among patients with AF treated by LAAC and nonvitamin K anticoagulants (NOAC). METHODS: The Prague-17 trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial that compared LAAC to NOAC in high-risk AF patients. The primary endpoint was a composite of a cardioembolic event, cardiovascular death, and major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) defined according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH). RESULTS: The trial enrolled 402 patients (201 per arm), and the median follow-up was 3.5 (IQR 2.6-4.2) years. Bleeding occurred in 24 patients (29 events) and 32 patients (40 events) in the LAAC and NOAC groups, respectively. Six of the LAAC bleeding events were procedure/device-related. In the primary intention-to-treat analysis, LAAC was associated with similar rates of ISTH major or CRNMB (sHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.44-1.27, p = 0.28), but with a reduction in nonprocedural major or CRNMB (sHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.97, p = 0.039). This reduction for nonprocedural bleeding with LAAC was mainly driven by a reduced rate of CRNMB (sHR for major bleeding 0.69, 95% CI 0.34-1.39, p = .30; sHR for CRNMB 0.43, 95% CI 0.18-1.03, p = 0.059). History of bleeding was a predictor of bleeding during follow-up. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common bleeding site in both groups. CONCLUSION: During the 4-year follow-up, LAAC was associated with less nonprocedural bleeding. The reduction is mainly driven by a decrease in CRNMB.

Ablation strategies for different types of atrial fibrillation in Europe: results of the ESC-EORP EHRA Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term registry.

AIMS: The ESC EORP EHRA Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Ablation Long-Term registry was designed to assess management and outcomes of AF catheter ablation procedures in Europe. To investigate the current ablation approaches and their outcomes for patients with paroxymal AF (PAF) and non-PAF in Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from index ablations were collected in 27 European countries at 104 centres in a prospective fashion. Pre-procedural, procedural, and 1-year follow-up data were captured on a web-based electronic case record form. Data on the ablation procedure were available for 3446 patients. Of these, 2513 patients and 933 patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or PVI plus (PVIplus) additional ablation, respectively. The ablation strategy was limited to PVI in 81% and 56% of patients in the PAF and non-PAF group, respectively (P < 0.001). In the non-PAF group, left atrial linear ablation and ablation of complex fragmented atrial electrograms were more commonly performed. Arrhythmias recurrence after PVI was 29% and 39% in the PAF and non-PAF group, respectively (P < 0.001) and 42% after PVIplus in both groups. Atrial fibrillation related hospital admissions were more common in the PVIplus group (20% vs. 14%). A very low procedural complication rate was observed. No relevant differences were observed with regard to repeat ablation (PVI 9% and PVIplus 11%). CONCLUSION: In patients with PAF and non-PAF, the ablation strategies of PVI and PVIplus led to similar arrhythmia-free survival rates after 1 year. A considerable hospital readmission rate was noted.

Interventional left atrial appendage closure vs novel anticoagulation agents in patients with atrial fibrillation indicated for long-term anticoagulation (PRAGUE-17 study).

Atrial fibrillation (AF), with a prevalence of 1% to 2%, is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Without antithrombotic treatment, the annual risk of a cardioembolic event is 5% to 6%. The source of a cardioembolic event is a thrombus, which is usually formed in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Prevention of cardioembolic events involves treatment with anticoagulant drugs: either vitamin K antagonists or, recently, novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC). The other (nonpharmacologic) option for the prevention of a cardioembolic event involves interventional occlusion of the LAA. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether percutaneous LAA occlusion is noninferior to treatment with NOAC in AF patients indicated for long-term systemic anticoagulation. STUDY DESIGN: The trial will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized noninferiority trial comparing 2 treatment strategies in moderate to high-risk AF patients (ie, patients with history of significant bleeding, or history of cardiovascular event(s), or a with CHA2DS2VASc ≥3 and HAS-BLED score ≥2). Patients will be randomized into a percutaneous LAA occlusion (group A) or a NOAC treatment (group B) in a 1:1 ratio; the randomization was done using Web-based randomization software. A total of 396 study participants (198 patients in each group) will be enrolled in the study. The primary end point will be the occurrence of any of the following events within 24months after randomization: stroke or transient ischemic attack (any type), systemic cardioembolic event, clinically significant bleeding, cardiovascular death, or a significant periprocedural or device-related complications. CONCLUSION: The PRAGUE-17 trial will determine if LAA occlusion is noninferior to treatment with NOAC in moderate- to high-risk AF patients.

Thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation for lone atrial fibrillation: box-lesion technique.

BACKGROUND: We report the feasibility and outcomes of box-lesion ablation technique to treat stand-alone atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: There were 41 patients with a mean age of 57.6 ± 8.0 years who underwent bilateral totally thoracoscopic ablation of symptomatic paroxysmal AF (n = 24; 58.5%), persistent AF (n = 9; 22.0%), or long-standing persistent AF (n = 8; 19.5%). The box-lesion procedure included bilateral pulmonary vein and left atrial posterior wall ablation using irrigated bipolar radiofrequency with documentation of conduction block. RESULTS: There were no intra- or perioperative ablation-related complications. There was no operative mortality, no myocardial infarction, and no stroke. Skin-to-skin procedure time was 119.5 ± 23.7 minutes and the postoperative average length of stay was 7.4 ± 2.5 days. At discharge, 38 patients (93%) were in sinus rhythm. Median follow-up time was 641 days (ranges, 185-1636 days). At six months postsurgery, 31 patients of 41 (76%) were free from AF without the need of antiarrhythmic drugs. One-year success rate was 73% (off antiarrhythmic drugs). Eight patients (19.5%) underwent catheter reablation. Thirty-six patients (90%) were in sinus rhythm at six months after the last performed ablation (surgical ablation or catheter reablation). At 12 months follow-up, 61% patients discontinued oral anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSION: The thoracoscopic box-lesion ablation procedure is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive method for the treatment of isolated (lone) AF. This procedure provided excellent short-term freedom from AF.

Left atrial appendage occlusion: Percutaneous and surgical approaches in everyday practice.

Prophylactic left atrial appendage occlusion has been suggested as a means of reducing cardioembolism risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Its clinical benefits have been discussed together with potential endocrine or hemodynamic adverse effects, with conflicting conclusions. We aimed to provide a thorough overview of the current literature and a recommendation for daily clinical decision-making. A comprehensive Medline search through PubMed was conducted to search for relevant articles, which were further filtered using the title and abstract. Sixty-five articles were selected as relevant to the topic. Concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery for other reasons is effective in terms of thromboembolism risk reduction in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation and higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Surgical occlusion is safe, and epicardial closure techniques are preferred. Thoracoscopic and transcatheter techniques are also feasible, and the individual treatment choice must be tailored to the patient. The concerns about endocrine imbalance or risk of heart failure after occlusion are not supported by evidence. Current evidence is conflicting with regard to hemodynamic consequences of appendage occlusion.

Capture threshold of bipolar and unipolar pacing of left ventricle via coronary sinus branch: longitudinal study.

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to first monitor the changes in the capture threshold of endovascularly placed leads for left ventricle pacing, second to compare the pacing configurations, and third to verify the effect of Steroid elution for endovascular leads. Sample and Method: The study included 202 consecutive single centre patients implanted with the Quartet™ lead (St. Jude Medical). The capture threshold and related lead parameters were tested during implantation, on the day of the patient's discharge, and 3, 9, and 15 months after implantation. The electrical energy corresponding to the threshold values for inducing ventricular contraction was recorded for subgroups of patients with bipolar and pseudo-unipolar pacing vectors and electrodes equipped with and without a slow-eluting steroids. The best setting for the resynchronization effect was generally chosen. Capture threshold was taken as a selection criterion only if there were multiple options with (expected) similar resynchronization effect. Results and Discussion: The measurements showed that the ratio of threshold energies of UNI vs. BI was 5× higher (p < 0.001) at implantation. At the end of the follow-up, it dropped to 2.6 (p = 0.012). The steroid effect in BI vectors was caused by a double capture threshold in the NSE group compared to the SE group (p < 0.001), increased by approximately 2.5 times (p < 0.001). The study concludes that after a larger initial increase in the capture threshold, the leads showed a gradual increase in the entire set. As a result, the bipolar threshold energies increase, and the pseudo-unipolar energies decrease. Since bipolar vectors require a significantly lower pacing energy, battery life of the implanted device would improve. When evaluating the steroid elution of bipolar vectors, we observe a significant positive effect of a gradual increase of the threshold energy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in clinical responders: right ventricular echocardiographic changes at mid-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the mid-term effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on systolic function and remodelling of the right ventricle in clinical responders and non-responders. METHODS: A biventricular system was implanted between July 2005 and May 2008 in 58 patients with heart failure NYHA class II-IV. At baseline, three and 15 months after implantation, the following parameters were determined: NYHA class, quality of life, six-minute walk test, echocardiography including assessment of right ventricular systolic function by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and by pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (myocardial peak systolic velocity was measured at the tricuspid annulus). We also assessed the presence of ventricular dyssynchrony. RESULTS: There were no significant changes after three months of cardiac resynchronization therapy on right ventricular systolic function and remodelling in responders and non-responders. Among responders, we found a statistically significant improvement of right ventricular systolic function and also a significant decrease in the size of the right ventricle after 15 months of therapy (systolic excursion before therapy 17.8 +/- 4.0 mm vs. 19.4 +/- 3.7 mm, P < 0.05, after therapy; peak systolic velocity initially 11.9 +/- 2.9 cm/s vs 12.7 +/- 3.2 cm/s; right ventricle size before therapy 29.3 +/- 5.0 mm vs. 27.8 +/- 4.2 mm, P < 0.05, after therapy. These changes were not observed in non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: Fifteen months after cardiac resynchronization therapy, we found a statistically significant improvement of right ventricular systolic function and a significant reduction of right ventricular size in responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

4-Year Outcomes After Left Atrial Appendage Closure Versus Nonwarfarin Oral Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The PRAGUE-17 (Left Atrial Appendage Closure vs Novel Anticoagulation Agents in Atrial Fibrillation) trial demonstrated that left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was noninferior to nonwarfarin direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for preventing major neurological, cardiovascular, or bleeding events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were at high risk. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the prespecified long-term (4-year) outcomes in PRAGUE-17. METHODS: PRAGUE-17 was a randomized noninferiority trial comparing percutaneous LAAC (Watchman or Amulet) with DOACs (95% apixaban) in patients with nonvalvular AF and with a history of cardioembolism, clinically-relevant bleeding, or both CHA2DS2-VASc ≥3 and HASBLED ≥2. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardioembolic events (stroke, transient ischemic attack, or systemic embolism), cardiovascular death, clinically relevant bleeding, or procedure-/device-related complications (LAAC group only). The primary analysis was modified intention-to-treat. RESULTS: This study randomized 402 patients with AF (201 per group, age 73.3 ± 7.0 years, 65.7% male, CHA2DS2-VASc 4.7 ±1.5, HASBLED 3.1 ± 0.9). After 3.5 years median follow-up (1,354 patient-years), LAAC was noninferior to DOACs for the primary endpoint by modified intention-to-treat (subdistribution HR [sHR]: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.56-1.18; P = 0.27; P for noninferiority = 0.006). For the components of the composite endpoint, the corresponding sHRs were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.39-1.20; P = 0.19) for cardiovascular death, 1.14 (95% CI: 0.56-2.30; P = 0.72) for all-stroke/transient ischemic attack, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.44-1.27; P = 0.28) for clinically relevant bleeding, and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.31-0.97; P = 0.039) for nonprocedural clinically relevant bleeding. The primary endpoint outcomes were similar in the per-protocol (sHR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.54-1.18; P = 0.25) and on-treatment (sHR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.56-1.20; P = 0.30) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In long-term follow-up of PRAGUE-17, LAAC remains noninferior to DOACs for preventing major cardiovascular, neurological, or bleeding events. Furthermore, nonprocedural bleeding was significantly reduced with LAAC. (PRAGUE-17 [Left Atrial Appendage Closure vs Novel Anticoagulation Agents in Atrial Fibrillation]; NCT02426944).

Thoracoscopic left ventricular lead implantation.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a therapeutic option in patients with chronic heart failure. Epicardial lead implantation for biventricular pacing is usually the method of second choice after failed coronary sinus cannulation. The present study describes an initial experience with minimally invasive surgical lead implantation using thoracoscopy. METHODS: Since August 2008, a total of 17 patients (mean age 69.6 + 11.1 years) with congestive heart failure, NYHA functional class 3.1 +/- 0.4, and depressed ejection function (24.8% +/- 5.7%) were referred for surgery because of failed left ventricular lead implantation through the coronary sinus. Under single-lung ventilation and video-assisted thoracoscopy, epimyocardial steroid-eluting screw-in leads were implanted on the left ventricular free wall. RESULTS: There were no in-hospital deaths or major co-morbidities. The mean skin-to-skin operating time was 115.9 +/- 32.1 min, and the post-operative average length of stay was 8.4 +/- 2.5 days. Intraoperative acute threshold capture of the left ventricular lead was 0.88 +/- 0.54 V/0.5 ms, and the value of lead impedance was 434.7 +/- 110.8 Omega. Extension to a small thoracotomy was necessary in 1 patient to stop epicardial vein bleeding. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive left ventricular lead implantation is a safe procedure with excellent acute threshold capture.

Bland-White-Garland syndrome in adults: sudden cardiac death as a first symptom and long-term follow-up after successful resuscitation and surgery.

Two cases (a 23-year-old man and a 33 year-old-woman) with Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome (an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) are presented. Their first symptom was survived sudden cardiac death. Both patients underwent surgical repair. One patient received an implantable defibrillator because of serious structural changes in the left ventricle and symptomatic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia; the second patient is free of therapy. During long-term follow-up (10.5 and 4.5 years, respectively), ventricular tachyarrhythmias did not recur. Both cases show good long-term prognosis in resuscitated adult patients after surgical repair for BWG syndrome regardless of the presence of structural changes.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure Versus Direct Oral Anticoagulants in High-Risk Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is noninferior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for preventing atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke. However, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have an improved safety profile over VKAs, and their effect on cardiovascular and neurological outcomes relative to LAAC is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare DOACs with LAAC in high-risk patients with AF. METHODS: Left Atrial Appendage Closure vs. Novel Anticoagulation Agents in Atrial Fibrillation (PRAGUE-17) was a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial comparing LAAC with DOACs. Patients were eligible to be enrolled if they had nonvalvular AF; were indicated for oral anticoagulation (OAC); and had a history of bleeding requiring intervention or hospitalization, a history of a cardioembolic event while taking an OAC, and/or a CHA2DS2-VASc of ≥3 and HAS-BLED of >2. Patients were randomized to receive LAAC or DOAC. The primary composite outcome was stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism, cardiovascular death, major or nonmajor clinically relevant bleeding, or procedure-/device-related complications. The primary analysis was by modified intention to treat. RESULTS: A high-risk patient cohort (CHA2DS2-VASc: 4.7 ± 1.5) was randomized to receive LAAC (n = 201) or DOAC (n = 201). LAAC was successful in 181 of 201 (90.0%) patients. In the DOAC group, apixaban was most frequently used (192 of 201; 95.5%). At a median 19.9 months of follow-up, the annual rates of the primary outcome were 10.99% with LAAC and 13.42% with DOAC (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53 to 1.31; p = 0.44; p = 0.004 for noninferiority). There were no differences between groups for the components of the composite endpoint: all-stroke/TIA (sHR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.40 to 2.51), clinically significant bleeding (sHR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.52), and cardiovascular death (sHR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.62). Major LAAC-related complications occurred in 9 (4.5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients at high risk for stroke and increased risk of bleeding, LAAC was noninferior to DOAC in preventing major AF-related cardiovascular, neurological, and bleeding events. (Left Atrial Appendage Closure vs. Novel Anticoagulation Agents in Atrial Fibrillation [PRAGUE-17]; NCT02426944).

Precordial thump efficacy in termination of induced ventricular arrhythmias.

INTRODUCTION: Reports about the efficacy of precordial thump (PT) in the termination of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) vary widely. Very little recent data about the mechanical termination of VA induced during programmed ventricular stimulation are available. METHODS: We prospectively studied 485 consecutive patients (May 2001 to December 2007) who underwent electrophysiology study with programmed ventricular stimulation as part of their assessment for primary or secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. In cases of induction of sustained non-tolerated VA, one of two experienced cardiologists applied a precordial thump for termination of these arrhythmias immediately after the onset of unconsciousness. When PT was ineffective, the arrhythmia was terminated by electrical cardioversion. Tolerated VA was terminated by antitachycardic pacing. RESULTS: Sustained VA was induced in 237 patients. In 82 patients with tolerated VA, overdriving was used successfully. Sustained induced VA was not tolerated in 155 patients (mean age 64 years (32-82), 133 males and 22 females, 126 patients with coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction 30+/-11%). Mean RR interval of induced VA was 226+/-47ms. Mean time to termination of arrhythmia (by PT or DC shock) was 26s (12-280s). PT terminated VA (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) in only two patients; in 153 patients (98.7%), PT was ineffective. We did not observe any complication of PT application. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of PT in termination of induced non-tolerated VA is very low even with early application after VA onset.

Non-re-entrant atrioventricular nodal tachycardia.

Supraventricular tachycardia caused by AV nodal dual conduction is usually re-entry tachycardia. We report a case of a 40-year-old man with incessant supraventricular tachycardia caused by simultaneous conduction via slow and fast AV nodal pathway. The patient was successfully treated with catheter ablation of slow AV nodal pathway, the treatment of choice of this form of tachycardia (when proper diagnosis is made). Analysis of previously published cases is discussed.

Midterm outcomes of mini-invasive surgical and hybrid ablation of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of thoracoscopic and a staged surgical and transcatheter ablation technique to treat stand-alone atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: . Between 2009 and 2016, a cohort of 65 patients underwent bilateral totally thoracoscopic ablation of symptomatic paroxysmal AF (n=30; 46%), persistent AF (n=18; 28%) or long-standing persistent AF (n=17; 26%) followed by catheter ablation in case of AF recurrence. Surgical box lesion procedure included bilateral pulmonary vein and left atrial posterior wall ablation using irrigated bipolar radiofrequency with documentation of conduction block. RESULTS: There were no intra- or peri-operative ablation-related complications. There was no operative mortality, no myocardial infarction, and no stroke. Skin-to-skin procedure time was 120.5 ± 22.0 min and the postoperative average length of stay was 8.1 ± 3.0 days. At discharge, 60 patients (92%) were in sinus rhythm. Median follow-up time was 866 days (IQR, 612-1185 days). One-year success rate after surgical procedure was 78% (off antiarrhythmic drugs). Eleven patients (17%) underwent catheter re-ablation. Sixty (92%) patients were free of atrial fibrillation after hybrid ablation (on demand) at 1 year follow up after the last ablation. The success at 24-months was achieved in 96% (paroxysmal) and 78% (persistent) patients. At the last follow-up control, 69% patients discontinued oral anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: . Combination of mini-invasive surgical and endocardial treatment (two-stage hybrid procedure) is a safe and effective method for the treatment of isolated (lone) AF. This procedure provided good midterm outcomes.

Analysis of thrombotic complications after catheter ablation.

INTRODUCTION: Thromboembolic complications are described in about 1% of the patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA). The aim of this study was to analyze thrombotic complications after RFA and to determine prothrombotic states in patients with thrombotic complications. METHODS: We analyzed data from 400 patients (212 females) who underwent 453 RFA procedures for supraventricular tachycardias. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed one day before and after RFA in all patients. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory (in patients with thrombotic complications after RFA) risk factors of thromboembolism. RESULTS: We observed thrombotic complication in 7 (1.75%) patients (6 females), thrice flail thrombus in the right atrium, flail thrombus in the inferior vena cava, femoral vein thrombosis with massive pulmonary embolism, femoral vein mural thrombus and upper extremity digital arteries embolization; four of them were asymptomatic. As a prothrombotic state we identified factor V Leiden mutation in one case and the use of oral contraceptives in two cases. Two other patients had a positive history of thromboembolic events. In a subgroup of females the use of oral contraceptives (p = 0.13) or a positive history of thromboembolism (p = 0.21) were not identified as important risk factors. CONCLUSION: Echocardiographic detection of asymptomatic thrombotic complications contributed to the higher percentage of these complications in our study. Although we can identify the risk factor (laboratory or clinical) in a majority of patients with a thromboembolic complication, occurrence of these complications is unpredictable.

Increase of serum interleukin 6 and interferon γ is associated with the number of impulses in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Activation of the immune system plays a pathogenic role in the process of myocardial remodeling in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias. The intensity of this process is associated with the effectiveness of electrical cardioversion and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA). The aim of this study was to test the ability of the biochip microarray to detect immune parameters in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias undergoing RFA treatment. METHODS: We used a biochip-based microarray system to determine multiple immune parameters in a group of 35 patients who had undergone RFA for atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT), atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF). RESULTS: Before the procedure, serum IL-6 and VEGF levels were significantly increased in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to patients with AVNRT (IL-6: 6.4±6.3 ng/L vs. 1.5±0.7 ng/L, P < 0.01; VEGF: 132.4±74 ng/L vs. 88.5±56.4 ng/L, P < 0.01). After the procedure, serum IL-6, VEGF, IFN-γ and MCP-1 levels significantly increased compared to baseline (IL-6: 5.2±4.8 ng/L vs. 2.9±2.1 ng/L, P < 0.01; VEGF: 195.8±160 ng/L vs. 119.8± 110 ng/L, P < 0.05; IFN-γ: 3.1±1.2 ng/L vs. 2.3±0.6 ng/L, P < 0.05; MCP-1: 104.1±84.5 ng/L vs. 54.5±50 ng/L, P < 0.05). Serum IL-6 and IFN-γ were associated with the number of RFA applications (IL-6: r = 0.56, n 33; IFN-γ: r = 0.47, n 33). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that biochip-based microarray can be useful in the detection of immune activation in patients with arrhythmias and can detect myocardial injury after RF procedures.

Echocardiographic changes after cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate echocardiographic changes in clinical responders and nonresponders after 3 and 15 months of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). METHODS: Fifty eight patients in whom a biventricular system was implanted between 2005 and 2008 were followed up at 3 and at 15 months. Clinical and echocardiography parameters including intra- and interventricular dyssynchrony were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 15 months of CRT. Every patient in whom quality of life, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and/or 6-minute walk test (6MWT) improved (improvement of ≥ 1 NYHA class, 6MWT by more than 10%), and who was neither in hospital for heart failure nor died for cardiac reasons, was categorised as a clinical responder. RESULTS: In the responders' group, we found a significant improvement of right ventricular systolic function and a decrease in the size of the right ventricle (RV) only after 15 months (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE] 17.8 ± 4.0 mm to 19.4 ± 3.7 mm, p 〈 0.05, RV diameter 29.3 ± 5.0 mm to 27.8 ± 4.2 mm, p 〈 0.05). Significant improvement of other monitored parameters occurred 3 months after CRT implantation: left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic diameter 70.5 ± 7.8 mm to 66.1 ± 8.3 mm, p 〈 0.001, LV ejection fraction 22.0 ± 5.4% to 27.1 ± 9.8%, p 〈 0.05, pulmonary artery pressure (peak gradient of tricuspid regurgitation) 37.1 ± 14.8 mm Hg to 27.6 ± 8.9 mm Hg, p 〈 0.001, tricuspid regurgitation (grade) 1.9 ± 0.9 to 1.5 ± 0.6, p 〈 0.05, mitral regurgitation (grade) 2.6 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 0.9, p 〈 0.001, LV dP/dt max (peak positive rate of pressure rise [slope of mitral regurgitant jet]) 482.4 ± 155.4 mm Hg/s to 981.2 ± 654.5 mm Hg/s, p 〈 0.001, velocity time integral (VTI) in LV outflow tract (LVOT) 14.1 ± 4.3 cm to 16.7 ± 4.1 cm, p 〈 0.001. In the group of nonresponders, only 2 parameters improved significantly: LV dP/dt max 561.2 ± 347.9 mm Hg/s to 1024.5 ± 745.3 mm Hg/s, p 〈 0.001, and LVOT VTI 14.5 ± 3.0 cm to 16.3 ± 2.9 cm, p 〈 0.001. Other echocardiographic parameters did not show any important changes, and no changes occurred between 3 and 15 months. On the contrary, after 15 months we saw significant progression of tricuspid regurgitation in nonresponders. In multivariate analysis, combination of baseline delay between time to peak systolic velocity in ejection phase at basal septal and basal lateral segments (Ts-lateral-septal delay) and serum creatinine was a strong predictor of clinical CRT response (area under curve was 0.80, percentage of correct decision was 82%). CONCLUSIONS: In the group of responders, significant changes of most monitored echocardiographic parameters were observed 3 months after CRT implantation. The only parameters which changed significantly after 15 months, but not previously, were the systolic function of the RV and the decrease in the RV size. In the group of nonresponders, these changes were not observed.

Longterm remission of left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia due to mechanical trauma.

We present a case of a 28 year old woman with paroxysmal left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia (LPFVT). Ventricular tachycardia was not inducible after completing of left ventricle 3D reconstruction. Even though catheter ablation was not performed, no LPFVT recurrence has been documented during 60 months follow-up. We surmise that we caused mechanical trauma during the mapping of the posterior fascicle that damaged arrhythmogenic structures and subsequently led to long term remission of the left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia.

Use of the biochip microarray system in detection of myocardial injury caused by radiofrequency catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: In a prospective study, we measured plasma markers of myocardial damage induced by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) with the protein biochip microarray system. METHODS: A total of 32 consecutive patients undergoing RFA for atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT), right atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) were included in the study. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), heart-type fatty acid binding protein (hFABP) and glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB) were measured using biochip array technology at baseline and 24 h after the procedure. RESULTS: Values for all markers increased 24 h after RFA (cTnI: 0.92+/-0.49 microg/L vs. 0.33+/-0.06 microg/L, p<0.001; CK-MB: 3.79+/-2.04 microg/L vs. 1.85+/-0.55 microg/L, p<0.001; hFABP: 2.82+/-0.95 microg/L vs. 2.00+/-0.95 microg/L, p<0.001; GPBB: 9.07+/-5.83 microg/L vs. 4.70+/-2.50 microg/L, p<0.001). The correlations between plasma marker levels and RFA time were cTnI: r=0.63, p<0.01; CK-MB: r=0.75, p<0.01; hFABP: r=0.55, p<0.05, GPBB: r=0.51, p<0.05; the correlation between RFA time and number of RF applications was significant (r=0.81, p<0.001). Patients with RFA due to AF or flutter had elevated cTnI, CK-MB and hFABP levels compared to patients with AVNRT (cTnI: 1.14+/- 0.49 microg/L vs. 0.59+/-0.25 microg/L, p<0.05; CK-MB: 4.46+/- 2.07 microg/L vs. 2.81+/-1.54 mug/L, p<0.05; hFABP: 3.21+/- 0.98 microg/L vs. 2.25+/-0.54 microg/L, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial injury induced by RFA can be detected by cTnI, CK-MB, hFABP and GPBB. Plasma cTnI, CK-MB and hFABP levels significantly increased in patients with AFL and AF compared to patients with AVNRT. The increase of cTnI, CK-MB and GPBB levels correlates with the total duration of RFA.