Ablation index, a novel marker of ablation lesion quality: prediction of pulmonary vein reconnection at repeat electrophysiology study and regional differences in target values.

AIMS: Force-Time Integral (FTI) is commonly used as a marker of ablation lesion quality during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), but does not incorporate power. Ablation Index (AI) is a novel lesion quality marker that utilizes contact force, time, and power in a weighted formula. Furthermore, only a single FTI target value has been suggested despite regional variation in left atrial wall thickness. We aimed to study AI's and FTI's relationships with PV reconnection at repeat electrophysiology study, and regional threshold values that predicted no reconnection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients underwent contact force-guided PVI, and the minimum and mean AI and FTI values for each segment were identified according to a 12-segment model. All patients underwent repeat electrophysiology study at 2 months, regardless of symptoms, to identify sites of PV reconnection. Late PV reconnection was seen in 53 (11%) segments in 25 (62%) patients. Reconnected segments had significantly lower minimum AI [308 (252-336) vs. 373 (323-423), P < 0.0001] and FTI [137 (92-182) vs. 228 (157-334), P < 0.0001] compared with non-reconnected segments. Minimum AI and FTI were both independently predictive, but AI had a smaller P value. Higher minimum AI and FTI values were required to avoid reconnection in anterior/roof segments than for posterior/inferior segments (P < 0.0001). No reconnection was seen where the minimum AI value was ≥370 for posterior/inferior segments and ≥480 for anterior/roof segments. CONCLUSION: The minimum AI value in a PVI segment is independently predictive of reconnection of that segment at repeat electrophysiology study. Higher AI and FTI values are required for anterior/roof segments than for posterior/inferior segments to prevent reconnection.

Reablated Sites of Acute Reconnection After Pulmonary Vein Isolation Do Not Predict Sites of Late Reconnection at Repeat Electrophysiology Study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute reconnection of pulmonary veins (PVs) is frequently seen in the waiting period following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). There are concerns that reablation at these sites may not be durably effective due to tissue edema caused by the initial ablation. We aimed to prospectively study the relationship between acute and late reconnection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wide-area circumferential PVI was performed in 40 paroxysmal AF patients. Spontaneous reconnection was assessed after a minimum 20-minute waiting period, with adenosine administered to unmask dormant reconnection. All sites of acute reconnection were ablated to reisolate the PV. All 40 patients then underwent repeat electrophysiology study after 2 months, regardless of symptoms, to identify late reconnection. Sites of acute and late reconnection were compared according to a 12-segment PVI model. Acute reconnection was seen in 28 (6%) PVI segments in 20 (50%) patients, affecting 24/160 (15%) PVs. All were successfully reisolated. At repeat electrophysiology study, 51 (11%) PVI segments were reconnected in 25 (62%) patients, affecting 41 (25%) PVs. The proportion of PVI segments with and without acute reconnection exhibiting late reconnection at repeat study was no different (14% vs. 10%, P = 0.524). There was also no difference in late reconnection between PVI circles or patients with and without acute reconnection. CONCLUSION: Most PVI segments that undergo further ablation for acute reconnection show persistent isolation at repeat electrophysiology study, and the rate of late reconnection for these segments is no different to that for segments that did not acutely reconnect. This implies that effective reablation is delivered at these sites.

A novel marker to predict early recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation: the ablation effectiveness quotient.

INTRODUCTION: Inability to predict clinical outcome despite acutely successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains the Achilles' heel of atrial fibrillation ablation (AFA). Arrhythmia recurrence is frequently due to recovery of radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions believed to be complete at the original procedure. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that a high ratio between post-AFA levels of serum high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (HScTnT), a highly specific marker of acute myocardial injury, and duration of RF application (the ablation effectiveness quotient, AEQ) would indicate effective ablation and correlate with early clinical success. METHODS: We prospectively measured HScTnT levels in 60 patients (42 [70%] male, 22 [37%] with paroxysmal AF [PAF], mean age 62.5 ± 10.6 years) 12-18 hours after AFA and calculated the AEQ for each. Patients were followed-up with ECGs and Holter monitors for recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT). RESULTS: Early recurrence of AT within 6 months occurred in 22 (37%). AT recurrence was not significantly related to left atrial size or comorbidities, nor to RF time or HScTnT level. Mean AEQ was significantly lower in those with recurrence than those without (0.35 ± 0.14 ng/L/s vs. 0.45 ± 0.18 ng/L/s), P = 0.02. Subgroup analysis showed this finding was due to patients with PAF in whom early significance was maintained to one year, with an AEQ >0.4 ng/L/s having 75% sensitivity and 90% specificity in predicting freedom from AT. CONCLUSION: A high AEQ correlates well with freedom from AT in patients with PAF in both the short and medium term. If confirmed in further studies, AEQ may become a useful marker of risk of AT post-AFA.

Relationship between contact force sensing technology and medium-term outcome of atrial fibrillation ablation: a multicenter study of 600 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Contact force sensing (CFS) technology improves acute pulmonary vein isolation durability; however, its impact on the clinical outcome of ablating atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: First time AF ablation procedures employing CFS from 4 centers were matched retrospectively to those without CFS in a 1:2 manner by type of AF. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was defined as the primary outcome measure, and fluoroscopy time the secondary outcome measure. Nineteen possible explanatory variables were tested in addition to CFS. A total of 600 AF ablation procedures (200 using CFS and 400 using non-CFS catheters) performed between 2010 and 2012 (46% paroxysmal, 36% persistent, 18% long-lasting persistent) were analyzed. The mean follow-up duration was 11.4 ± 4.7 months-paroxysmal AF 11.2 ± 4.1 CFS versus 11.3 ± 3.9 non-CFS (P = 0.745)-nonparoxysmal AF 10.4 ± 4.5 CFS versus 11.9 ± 5.4 non-CFS (P = 0.015). The use of a CFS catheter independently predicted clinical success in ablating paroxysmal AF (HR 2.24 [95% CIs 1.29-3.90]; P = 0.004), but not nonparoxysmal AF (HR 0.73 [0.41-1.30]; P = 0.289) in a multivariate analysis that included follow-up duration. Among all cases, the use of CFS catheters was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time in multivariate analysis (reduction by 7.7 [5.0-10.5] minutes; P < 0.001). Complication rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: At medium-term follow-up, CFS catheter technology is associated with significantly improved outcome of first time catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF, but not nonparoxysmal AF. Fluoroscopy time was lower when CFS technology was employed in all types of AF ablation procedures.

Quality-of-life benefits of catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: a reanalysis of data from the SARA study.

AIMS: The recently published SARA study was a prospective, multi-centre randomized controlled trial that compared CA to antiarrhythmic drug therapy (ADT) in 146 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The study found that recurrence of AF or atrial flutter occurred significantly less often in the CA arm compared to the ADT arm (29.6% vs. 56.3%, p = 0.002). Despite this clear superiority in terms of efficacy, the authors were not able to demonstrate a corresponding Quality of Life (QoL) improvement. We sought to investigate this apparent disparity using alternative analytical methods. METHODS AND RESULTS: We were able to show that a high coefficient of variation existed for all QoL measures at each time point which may explain the lack of statistical difference originally reported. We reanalyzed the raw QoL data from the SARA study using paired sample t-tests for the change in QOL for individual patients between baseline and 12 month (final) follow up. For patients randomized to ADT the difference in QoL after 12 months was not significant for any of the four QoL domains (global, physical, psychological and sexual) whereas for patients randomized to CA all comparisons were significant (global, p < 0.001; physical, p = 0.001; psychological, p < 0.001; sexual, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In the SARA study, after 12 months' follow up, CA significantly improved QoL for patients with persistent AF whereas medical therapy had no appreciable effect.

Improving safety in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a prospective study of the use of ultrasound to guide vascular access.

INTRODUCTION: The most frequent complications of AF ablation (AFA) are related to vascular access, but there is little evidence as to how these can be minimized. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing AFA at a high-volume center received either standard care (Group S) or routine ultrasound-guided vascular access (Group U). Vascular complications were assessed before hospital discharge and by means of postal questionnaire 1 month later. Outcome measures were BARC 2+ bleeding complications, postprocedural pain, and prolonged bruising. RESULTS: Patients in Group S (n = 146) and U (n = 163) were well matched at baseline. Follow-up questionnaires were received from 92.6%. Patients in Group U were significantly less likely to have a BARC 2+ bleed, 10.4% versus 19.9% P = 0.02, were less likely to suffer groin pain after discharge (27.1% vs. 42.8%; P = 0.006) and were less likely to experience prolonged local bruising (21.5% vs. 40.4%; P = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of vascular complications with nonultrasound guided access (OR 3.12 95%CI 1.54-5.34; P = 0.003) and increasing age (OR 1.05 95%CI 1.01-1.09; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Routine use of ultrasound-guided vascular access for AFA is associated with a significant reduction in bleeding complications, postprocedural pain, and prolonged bruising when compared to standard care.

The European Heart Rhythm Association symptom classification for atrial fibrillation: validation and improvement through a simple modification.

AIMS: To validate the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom classification in atrial fibrillation (AF) and test whether its discriminative ability could be improved by a simple modification. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the EHRA classification with three quality of life (QoL) measures: the AF-specific Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire; two components of the EQ-5D instrument, a health-related utility which can be used to calculate cost-effectiveness, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) which demonstrates patients' own assessment of health status. We then proposed a simple modification [modified EHRA (mEHRA)] to improve discrimination at the point where major treatment decisions are made. quality of life data and clinician-allocated EHRA class were prospectively collected on 362 patients with AF. A step-wise, negative association was seen between the EHRA class and both the AFEQT and the VAS scores. Health-related utility was only significantly different between Classes 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). We developed and validated the mEHRA score separating Class 2 (symptomatic AF not limiting daily activities), based on whether the patients were 'troubled by their AF' (Class 2b) or not (Class 2a). This produced two distinct groups with lower AFEQT and VAS scores and, importantly, both clinically and statistically significant lower health utility (Δutility 0.9, P = 0.01) in Class 2b than Class 2a. CONCLUSION: Based on patients' own assessment of their health status and the disease-specific AFEQT, the EHRA score can be considered a useful semi-quantitative classification. The mEHRA score has a clearer separation in health utility to assess the cost efficacy of interventions such as ablation, where Class 2b symptoms appear to be the appropriate treatment threshold.

Patient radiation dose during fluoroscopically guided biventricular device implantation.

OBJECTIVE: Implantation of biventricular devices (BiV) with a transvenous left ventricular lead is complex requiring a significant fluoroscopy time and radiation dose. In the United Kingdom, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) collects data regarding radiographic procedures and sets national diagnostic reference levels (DRL) at the 75th percentile of the distribution of doses for a wide range of procedures. Insufficient data were returned to the HPA to allow them to set DRL for BiV devices at the last publication in 2010. Due to the large variation in data available and small datasets for BiV procedures we aimed to collect a large dataset to guide standards for implantation. METHODS: We collected retrospective data (fluoroscopy time and radiation dose [DAP]) for new BiV devices for the three years 2009-2011 from three high volume tertiary centres in the North West of England. Databases were scrutinised to ensure the quality of the data. RESULTS: From a total of 1374 implants we identified data for 1319 patients for fluoroscopy time and 1316 for DAP. The mean fluoroscopy time for all three centres combined was 18.7±0.3 min. The 75th percentile fluoroscopy time for the combined data was 24.2 min. The mean DAP for the three centres combined was 25.1±1.3 Gy cm2. The 75th percentile DAP for the combined data was 27.7 Gy cm2. CONCLUSIONS: We present a large dataset of new biventricular device implants, based on the 75th percentile data we suggest a DRL of 24.2 min and 27.7 Gy cm2.

Anthracofibrosis, bronchial stenosis with overlying anthracotic mucosa: possibly a new occupational lung disorder: a series of seven cases From one UK hospital.

Anthracofibrosis, which was recently defined as bronchial stenosis with overlying anthracotic mucosa, has been infrequently reported in Asia as a complication of tuberculosis (TB). It has not been reported in the United Kingdom or the United States, or, to our knowledge, in non-Asian patients. We have identified seven cases of patients presenting to a single teaching hospital in the northwest of England over a 13-year period. Only one patient had a history of TB, but six of the seven patients had a history of occupational dust exposure, including one patient with pneumoconiosis. It is possible that anthracofibrosis is an exaggerated endobronchial form of the much more common condition of anthracosis in coal miners and other workers who have been exposed to mineral dusts. Our study suggests that this is essentially a benign condition, although it may progress very slowly, leading to gradually progressive bronchial stenosis. The diagnosis is important because most patients have clinical, radiologic, and bronchoscopic changes that are highly suspicious of malignancy.

Pulmonary Vein Re-Isolation as a Routine Strategy Regardless of Symptoms: The PRESSURE Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine whether a strategy of early re-isolation of pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection in all patients, regardless of symptoms, would reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and improve quality of life. BACKGROUND: Lasting pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains elusive. PV reconnection is strongly linked to the recurrence of arrhythmia. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with paroxysmal AF were randomized 1:1 after contact force-guided PVI to receive either standard care or undergo a repeat electrophysiology study after 2 months regardless of symptoms (repeat study). At the initial procedure, PVI was demonstrated by entrance/exit block and adenosine administration after a minimum 20-min wait. At the repeat study, all sites of PV reconnection were re-ablated. Patients recorded electrocardiograms daily and whenever symptomatic for 12 months using a handheld monitor. Recurrence was defined as ≥30 s of atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) after a 3-month blanking period. The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life Questionnaire was completed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: All 40 patients randomized to repeat study attended for this after 62 ± 6 days, of whom 25 (62.5%) had reconnection of 41 (26%) PVs. There were no complications related to these procedures. Subjects recorded a total of 32,203 electrocardiograms (380 [335 to 447] per patient) during 12.6 (12.2 to 13.2) months of follow-up. AT recurrence was significantly lower for the repeat study group (17.5% vs. 42.5%; p = 0.03), as was AT burden (p = 0.03). Scores on the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life Questionnaire were higher in the repeat study group at 6 months (p < 0.001) and 12 months (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of routine repeat assessment with re-isolation of PV reconnection improved freedom from AT recurrence, AT burden, and quality of life compared with current standard care. (The Effect of Early Repeat Atrial Fibrillation [AF] on AF Recurrence [PRESSURE]; NCT01942408).

Long-term outcomes after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: an observational study over 6†years.

OBJECTIVES: To address the limited long-term outcome data for catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), we analysed consecutive ablations performed at our centre from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 and followed patients prospectively until January 2014. METHODS: Both arrhythmia recurrence and symptom relief were assessed. Follow-up data were collected from hospital records, supplemented by data from general practitioners and referring hospitals. At the end of the follow-up period, all patients were contacted by phone to determine their up-to-date clinical condition. RESULTS: 188 consecutive patients with PeAF (157 male, mean age 57.3±9.7 years, 20% with long-standing PeAF) underwent a mean of 1.75 procedures (range 1-4). Telephone follow-up was achieved for 77% of surviving patients. Over a mean follow-up of 46±16 months (range 4-72), 139 (75%) patients experienced arrhythmia recurrence after a single procedure and 90 (48%) after their final procedure. Median time to first recurrence was 210 days (range 91-1850). 71% of recurrences were within the first year following ablation and 91% within 2 years. At final follow-up, 82% of patients reported symptomatic improvement. 7 (2.3%) major complications occurred, and there was no procedure-related death or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: CA for PeAF is safe with a low rate of complications. Over a follow-up period of up to 6 years, a large majority of patients experience significant symptomatic improvement but recurrence after the initial procedure is the norm rather than the exception. 2 years' follow-up is sufficient to observe 90% of AF recurrences, but recurrence can occur even after 5 years' remission.

Biatrial linear ablation in sustained nonpermanent AF: Results of the substrate modification with ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs in nonpermanent atrial fibrillation (SMAN-PAF) trial.

BACKGROUND: More advanced atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with lower success rates after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), and the optimal ablation strategy is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of additional linear ablation (lines) compared to PVI alone. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, 122 patients (mean age 61.9 ± 10.5 years; left atrial diameter 43 ± 6 mm) with persistent AF (PeAF) or sustained (>12 hours) paroxysmal AF (SusPAF) with risk factors for atrial substrate were included and followed up for 12 months. Patients were randomized to PVI-only or PVI + lines (left atrial roof line, mitral isthmus line, and tricuspid isthmus line) group. Holter monitoring was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months and according to symptoms. The primary outcome was atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence lasting ≥30 seconds. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups; 61% had PeAF and 39% SusPAF. Successful PVI was achieved for 98% of pulmonary veins, and bidirectional block was obtained in 90% of lines. The primary end point occurred in 38% of the PVI + lines group and 32% of the PVI-only group (P = .50), which was consistent in both PeAF (36% vs 28%; P = .45) and SusPAF (42% vs 39%; P = .86). Compared with the PVI-only group, the PVI + lines group had higher procedure duration (209 ± 52 minutes vs 172 ± 44 minutes; P < .001), ablation time (4352 ± 1084 seconds vs 2503 ± 1061 seconds; P < .001), and radiation exposure (Dose-area product 3992 ± 6496 Gy·cm(2) vs 2106 ± 1679 Gy·cm(2); P = .03). Quality of life (disease-specific Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life questionnaire and mental component scale of the Short Form 36 Health Survey) improved significantly during the study but did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Adding lines to wide antral PVI in substrate-based AF requires significantly more ablation, increases procedure duration and radiation dose, but provides no additional clinical benefit.

Primary Care Atrial Fibrillation Service: outcomes from consultant-led anticoagulation assessment clinics in the primary care setting in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: Stroke-risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) can be significantly reduced by appropriate thromboembolic prophylaxis. However, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates suggest that up to half of eligible patients with AF are not anticoagulated, with severe consequences for stroke prevention. We aimed to determine the outcome of an innovative Primary Care AF (PCAF) service on anticoagulation uptake in a cohort of high-risk patients with AF in the UK. METHODS: The PCAF service is a novel cooperative pathway providing specialist resources within general practitioner (GP) practices. It utilises a four-phase protocol to identify high-risk patients with AF (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 1) who are suboptimally anticoagulated, and delivers Consultant-led anticoagulation assessment within the local GP practice. We assessed rates of anticoagulation in high-risk patients before and after PCAF service intervention, and determined compliance with newly-initiated anticoagulation at follow-up. RESULTS: The PCAF service was delivered in 56 GP practices (population 386,624; AF prevalence 2.1%) between June 2012 and June 2014. 1579 high-risk patients with AF with suboptimal anticoagulation (either not taking any anticoagulation or taking warfarin but with a low time-in-therapeutic-range) were invited for review, with 86% attending. Of 1063 eligible patients on no anticoagulation, 1020 (96%) agreed to start warfarin (459 (43%)) or a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC, 561 (53%)). The overall proportion of eligible patients receiving anticoagulation improved from 77% to 95% (p<0.0001). Additionally, 111/121 (92%) patients suboptimally treated with warfarin agreed to switch to a NOAC. Audit of eight practices after 195 (185-606) days showed that 90% of patients started on a new anticoagulant therapy had continued treatment. Based on data extrapolated from previous studies, around 30-35 strokes per year may have been prevented in these previously under-treated high-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic identification of patients with AF with high stroke-risk and consultation in PCAF consultant-led clinics effectively delivers oral anticoagulation to high-risk patients with AF in the community.

Recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia during the second month of the blanking period is associated with more extensive pulmonary vein reconnection at repeat electrophysiology study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend a 3-month blanking period after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ERAT) may be due to transient proarrhythmic factors. However, studies have suggested that these factors resolve by 1 month. PV reconnection (PVrc) is strongly associated with postblanking AT recurrence in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized that ERAT occurring beyond 4 weeks after PVI is associated with PVrc at repeat electrophysiology study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent mandatory repeat electrophysiology study 2 months after PVI, regardless of symptoms, to document the number of reconnected PVs. Antiarrhythmic drugs, including ß-blockers, were discontinued 4 weeks after PVI. Patients were instructed to record a 30-second ECG everyday between the 2 procedures using a portable monitor, with additional recordings for symptoms. ERAT was defined as ≥30 seconds of AT. Patients recorded a total of 3293 ECGs. Four (10%) patients had ERAT in the first 4 weeks (M1) only, 2 (5%) in month 2 (M2) only, and 11 (28%) in both. PVrc of 1 PV was identified in 12 (30%) patients and of >1 PV in 13 (32%) patients. ERAT in M2 was associated with PVrc, whereas M1 was not (11/13 [85%] versus 0/4 [0%]; P=0.006). M2 ERAT was strongly associated with PVrc of >1 PV (10/13 [77%] versus 3/27 [11%] without M2 ERAT; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ERAT occurring beyond 4 weeks after PVI is associated with PVrc and particularly of PVrc of >1 PV. ERAT confined to M1 is unrelated to underlying PVrc. The relationship between ERAT beyond 4 weeks after PVI and postblanking AT recurrence merits further investigation.

Efficacy of catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence from randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) is commonly performed for persistent atrial fibrillation, but few high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exist, leading to funding restrictions being proposed in several countries. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of RCTs and non-RCTs to assess the efficacy of CA for persistent atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, OpenGrey, and clinicaltrials.gov for RCTs and non-RCTs reporting clinical outcomes after CA for persistent atrial fibrillation. Forty-six eligible studies were identified containing 3819 patients. After a single procedure, CA significantly reduced the risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.53; P<0.001). Outcomes were better if the pulmonary veins were encircled (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09-0.74; P=0.01), and electrical isolation reduced AF recurrence compared with purely anatomic encirclement (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.13-0.86; P=0.02). Linear ablation within the left atrium (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.49; P<0.001), but not complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.35-1.18; P=0.15), significantly reduced AF recurrence. Results were not improved by performing more extensive linear lesion sets (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.41-1.43; P=0.40) or from biatrial ablation (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.31-1.24; P=0.17). Where data were available, the relative benefits seen held true both after a single or multiple procedure(s). Sensitivity analyses showed that inclusion of non-RCTs increased statistical power without biasing the calculated effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, CA achieves significantly greater freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy. The most efficacious strategy is likely to combine isolation of the pulmonary veins with limited linear ablation within the left atrium.

Inadvertent left ventricular pacing through a patent foramen ovale: identification, management and implications for postpacemaker implantation checks.

A dual chamber permanent pacemaker was implanted into an asymptomatic man with complete (third degree) heart block because of the risk of asystole. The ventricular lead was thought to have been attached to the right ventricular septum; however, it inadvertently passed through a patent foramen ovale into the left ventricle. Although the postprocedure ECG showed right bundle branch block this was thought to be due to the presumed septal positioning of the pacing lead. Lead misplacement was not detected on posterioanterior chest X-ray but was clearly demonstrated by transthoracic echocardiography, and subsequently on lateral chest X-ray. The lead was successfully removed and repositioned correctly at the next available opportunity without complication or sequelae.

Functional significance of the conus artery as a collateral to an occluded left anterior descending artery demonstrated by stress echocardiography.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography is a sensitive tool used for the detection of ischaemia. However, on occasion, there is a discrepancy between angiographic lesion severity and what would be expected from the abnormalities seen at stress echo. When stress echo underestimates severity it may be the case that collateral vessels play a significant role in preserving myocardial function. We present a case study where collateral flow in an occluded left anterior descending artery (LAD) is demonstrated as coming from the conus branch; and where stress echocardiography shows the relative preservation of function in the affected segments. Although rarely observed in clinical practice, the conus artery has occasionally been noted as a source of collateral blood flow. For the first time in the literature, this case demonstrates that the conus can provide functionally significant collateral blood supply to an occluded LAD.