Surgical versus catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a high stroke and mortality rate. The video-assisted thoracoscopic radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation is a treatment option for patients who fail catheter ablation. Randomized data comparing surgical versus catheter ablation are limited. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized control trials to explore the outcome efficacy between surgical and catheter radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation in patients with AF. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to December 2020. Included studies were published randomized control trials that compared video-assisted thoracoscopic and catheter radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation. Data from each study were combined using the fixed-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian, and Laird to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Six studies from November 2013 to 2020 were included in this meta-analysis involving 511 AF patients (79% paroxysmal) with 263 catheter ablation (mean age 56 ± 3 years) and 248 surgical ablations (mean age 52 ± 4 years). Catheter ablation was associated with increased atrial arrhythmias recurrence when compared to surgical ablation (pooled relative risk = 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.39, p < .001, I2 = 0.0%) but associated with less total major adverse events (pooled relative risk = 0.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.53, p < .001, I2 = 0.0%). In subgroup analysis, catheter ablation was associated with increased AF recurrence in refractory paroxysmal AF when compared to surgical ablation (pooled relative risk = 2.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.31-4.65, p = .005, I2 = 0.0%) but not in persistent AF (relative risk = 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.60-2.0, p = .773). CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation was associated with higher atrial arrhythmia recurrence when compared with surgical ablation. However, our study suggests that the benefit of surgical ablation in patients with persistent AF is unclear. More studies and alternative ablation strategies investigation in persistent AF are warranted.

High-power short duration and low-power long duration in atrial fibrillation ablation: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple strategies have advocation for power titration and catheter movement during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Comparative favoring evidence regarding the efficacy, logistics, and safety of a higher-power, shorter duration (HPSD) ablation strategy compared to a lower-power, longer duration (LPLD) ablation strategy is insubstantial. We performed a meta-analysis to compare arrhythmia-free survival, procedure times, and complication rates between the two strategies. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 2020. We included studies comparing patients who underwent HPSD and LPLD strategies for AF ablation and reporting either of the following outcomes: Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) including AF and atrial flutter, procedure time, or periprocedural complications. We combined data using the random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and weight mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Ten studies from 2006 to 2020 involving 2274 patients were included (1393 patients underwent HPSD strategy and 881 patients underwent LPLD strategy). HPSD strategy was not associated with increased freedom from AT at 12-month follow-up (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.99 to 2.40, p = .054). In the subgroup analysis of the randomized controlled trial, the HPSD strategy was associated with increased freedom from AT compared to the LPLD strategy (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.18 to 8.20, p = .02). There was a significant reduction in the HPSD group for the total procedure (WMD = 49.60, 95% CI: 29.76 to 69.44) and ablation (WMD = 17.92, 95% CI: 13.63 to 22.22) times, but not for fluoroscopy time (WMD = 1.15, 95% CI: -0.67 to 2.97). HPSD was not associated with a reduction in esophageal ulcer/atrioesophageal fistula (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.06) or pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade rates (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.35 to 3.81). CONCLUSIONS: When compared to the LPLD strategy, the HPSD strategy does not improve recurrent AT nor reduce periprocedural complication risks. However, subgroup analysis of the randomized controlled trial showed that HPSD significantly reduces AT recurrence. An HPSD strategy can significantly reduce total procedure and ablation times.

Zero fluoroscopy approach versus fluoroscopy approach for cardiac arrhythmia ablations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias has traditionally been guided by fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy exposes the patient, operator, and staff to ionizing radiation which has no safe dose void of stochastic and deterministic biologic risks. Zero fluoroscopy (ZF) approaches for catheter ablation have been advocated to eliminate these risks. We conducted a meta-analysis comparing acute procedure success, recurrence-free survival, complications, and procedure times between the approaches. METHODS: We conducted a literature search from inception through December 2020 in the databases of EMBASE and MEDLINE. We included randomized controlled trials and cohorts that compared the outcomes of interest in ZF and conventional/low fluoroscopy (CF/LF) approaches. The outcomes sought were acute procedure success, recurrence-free survival, complications, and procedure times. Effect estimates were combined, using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Sixteen studies from 2013 to 2020, including 6052 patients (2219 ZF, 3833 CF/LF) were included. There were no significant differences in acute procedure success rate (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-1.59), recurrence-free survival (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.78-1.49), periprocedural complication rate (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.45-1.16), or total procedure time (weighted mean difference 2.32 min, 95% CI: -2.85-7.50) between ZF and CF/LF approaches, respectively. Overall, only 1.26% of patients crossed over from ZF to CF/LF arm. CONCLUSIONS: Periprocedural and postprocedural outcomes with a ZF approach compared favorably with traditional fluoroscopic guidance without increasing procedural times. As comfort with ZF grows, coupled with evolving mapping technologies, this method has potential to become the standard approach for catheter ablation.

The utility of drug challenge testing in Brugada syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is associated with ventricular arrhythmia leading to sudden cardiac death. Risk stratification is challenging, as major arrhythmic events (MAEs) are rare. We assessed the utility of drug challenge testing in BrS by a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to May 2019. Included studies compared the incidence of MAE between spontaneous and drug challenge-induced Type 1. Mixed-effects Poisson regression was used to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR). Eighteen studies from 2006 to 2018 were included (4099 patients, mean follow-up: 4.5 years). Pooled annual incidences of MAE in spontaneous, drug challenge induced (regardless of symptoms), asymptomatic drug challenge induced, and symptomatic drug challenge-induced Type 1 were 23.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.8-27.8), 6.5 (95% CI: 3.9-9.1), 2.1 (95% CI: -0.3 to 4.4), and 19.6 (95% CI: 9.9-29.3) per 1000 person-years, respectively. The incidence of MAE between symptomatic drug challenge induced and asymptomatic spontaneous Type 1 was not statistically different (IRR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6-1.7). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MAE in drug challenge-induced Type 1 in asymptomatic patients is low. The incidence of MAE between symptomatic drug challenge induced and asymptomatic spontaneous Type 1 was similar.

Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased mortality and procedural complications in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality and procedural complications in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: The impact of varying stages of CKD or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on patients receiving TAVR is not clearly identified. METHODS: We searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to May 2018. Included studies were published TAVR studies that compared the risk of mortality and procedural complications in CKD patients compared to control patients. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve studies (42,703 CKD patients and 51,347 controls) were included. Compared with controls, CKD patients had a significantly higher risk of 30-day overall mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-1.80, I2 = 60.9), long-term cardiovascular mortality (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.22-1.70, I2 = 36.2%), and long-term overall mortality (RR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.45-1.91, I2 = 80.3), as well as procedural complications including pacemaker requirement (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39, I2 = 56.1%) and bleeding (RR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.26-2.02, I2 = 86.0%). Risk of mortality and procedural complications increased with severity of CKD for stages 3, 4, and 5, respectively, in terms of long-term overall mortality (RR = 1.28, 1.82, and 2.12), 30-day overall mortality (RR = 1.26, 1.89, and 1.93), 30-day cardiovascular mortality (RR = 1.18, 1.75, and 2.50), and 30-day overall bleeding (RR = 1.19, 1.63, and 2.12). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significant increased risk of mortality and procedural complications in patients with CKD who underwent TAVR compared to controls.

PROGNOSIS OF DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS WITH GRAVES DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

Objective: It is still controversial whether differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in patients with Graves disease (GD) can be more aggressive than non-Graves DTC. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between GD and prognosis in patients with DTC. Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to March 2019. We included published studies that compared the risk of mortality and prognosis between DTC patients with GD and those with non-GD. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. Results: Twenty-five studies from February 1988 to May 2018 were included (987 DTC patients with GD and 2,064 non-Graves DTC patients). The DTC patients with GD had a significantly higher risk of associated multifocality/multicentricity (odds ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 2.02; I2, 6.5%; P = .381) and distant metastasis at the time of cancer diagnosis (odds ratio, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 4.47; I2, 0.0%; P = .497), but this was not associated with DTC-related mortality and recurrence/persistence during follow-up. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis demonstrates a statistically significant increased risk of multifocality/multicentricity and distant metastasis at the time of cancer diagnosis in DTC patients with GD than those without GD. Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; DTC = differentiated thyroid carcinoma; GD = Graves disease; LN = lymph node; OR = odds ratio; PTC = papillary thyroid carcinoma; TC = thyroid carcinoma; TSAb = thyroid-stimulating antibody; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Contrast-induced nephropathy is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation in acute coronary syndrome after cardiac catheterization: Systemic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent studies suggest that CIN is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent catheterization. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature have not been done. We assessed the association between CIN in patients with ACS and new-onset AF by a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. HYPOTHESIS: CIN is associated with new-onset AF in patients with ACS. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to April 2018. Included studies were published cohort studies that compared new-onset AF after cardiac catheterization in ACS patient with CIN versus without CIN. Data from each study were combined using the random effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Five studies from December 2009 to February 2018 were included in this meta-analysis involving 5,640 subjects with ACS (1,102 with CIN and 4,538 without CIN). Contrast-induced nephropathy significantly correlates with new-onset AF after cardiac catheterization (pooled risk ratio = 2.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.66-4.87, p < 0.001, I2  = 58%) CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-induced nephropathy is associated with new-onset AF threefold among patients with ACS after cardiac catheterization. Our study warranted further study to establish the causality between CIN and new-onset AF.

Atrial fibrillation and risk of major arrhythmic events in Brugada syndrome: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). There is recent evidence that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of SCD in general population. However, whether AF increases a risk of major arrhythmic events (MAE) in patients with BrS is still unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of AF on MAE in BrS population. METHODS: We searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to March 2019. Included studies were published cohort studies reporting rates of MAE (ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia, SCD, or sudden cardiac arrest) in BrS patients, with and without previous documented AF. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Six studies from 1,703 patients were included. There was a significant association between AF and an increased risk of MAE in patients with BrS (pooled OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.36-4.13, p-value = .002, I2  = 40.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that AF is associated with an increased risk of MAE in patients with BrS.

Baseline fragmented QRS is associated with increased all-cause mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggested that fragmented (fQRS) is associated with poor clinical outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. However, no systematic review or meta-analysis has been done. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between baseline fQRS and all-cause mortality in HFrEF. METHODS: We comprehensively reviewed the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to February 2018. Published studies of HFrEF that reported fQRS and outcome of all-cause mortality and major arrhythmic event (sudden cardiac death, sudden cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation, or sustained ventricular tachycardia) were included. Data were integrated using the random-effects, generic inverse-variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Ten studies from 2010 to 2017 were included. Baseline fQRS was associated with increased all-cause mortality (risk ratio [RR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.19, p < 0.0001, I2  = 73%) as well as major arrhythmic events (RR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.09-2.80, I2  = 89%). Baseline fQRS increased all-cause mortality in both Asian and Caucasian cohorts (RR = 2.17 with 95% CI 1.33-3.55 and RR = 1.45 with 95% CI 1.05-1.99, respectively) as well as increased major arrhythmic events in Asian cohort (RR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.05-2.13). Baseline fQRS also increased all-cause mortality in patients who had not received implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, significantly more than in patients who had received implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (RR = 2.46 with 95% CI 1.56-3.89 and 1.36 with 95% CI 1.08-1.71, respectively). CONCLUSION: Baseline fQRS is associated with increased all-cause mortality up to 1.63-fold in HFrEF patients. Fragmented QRS could be a predictor of clinical outcome in patients with HFrEF.

Terminal QRS Distortion in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction as a Prediction of Mortality: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Terminal QRS distortion reflects advanced stage and large myocardial infarction predisposing the heart to adverse outcomes. Recent studies suggest that terminal QRS distortion is associated with morbidity and mortality in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature have not been done. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association between terminal QRS distortion in patients with STEMI and mortality by a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to September 2017. Included studies were published prospective or retrospective cohort studies that compared all-cause mortality in subjects with STEMI with QRS distortion versus those without QRS distortion. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Fifteen studies from January 1993 to May 2015 were included in this meta-analysis involving 7,479 subjects with STEMI (2,906 QRS distortion and 4,573 non-QRS distortion). QRS distortion was associated with increased mortality (pooled risk ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.37-2.40, p < 0.000, I2 = 41.6%). Considering the introduction of clopidogrel in 2004, we performed subgroup analyses before and after 2004, and the associated with higher mortality was still present (before 2004, RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.08-2.82, p = 0.022, I2 = 66.1%; after 2004, RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.44-2.65, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Terminal QRS distortion increased all-cause mortality by 81%. Our study suggests that terminal QRS distortion is an important tool to assess the risk in patients with STEMI.

Baseline fragmented QRS increases the risk of major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fragmented QRS reflects disturbances in the myocardium predisposing the heart to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Recent studies suggest that fragmented QRS (fQRS) is associated with worse major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature has not been done. We assessed the association between fQRS and major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to May 2017. Included studies were published prospective or retrospective cohort studies that compared major arrhythmic events (sustained ventricular tachycardia, sudden cardiac arrest, or sudden cardiac death) in HCM with fQRS versus non-fQRS. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Five studies from January 2013 to May 2017 were included in this meta-analysis involving 673 subjects with HCM (205 fQRS and 468 non-fQRS). Fragmented QRS was associated with major arrhythmic events (pooled risk ratio = 7.29, 95% confidence interval: 4.00-13.29, p < .01, I2  = 0%). CONCLUSION: Baseline fQRS increased major arrhythmic events up to sevenfold. Our study suggests that fQRS could be an important tool for risk assessment in patients with HCM.

Frequent premature atrial complexes as a predictor of atrial fibrillation: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Frequent premature atrial complexes (PACs) are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that frequent PACs are associated with new onset atrial fibrillation (AF). However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature has not been done. We assessed the association between frequent PACs and new onset AF by a systematic review and a meta-analysis. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to September 2017. Included studies were published cohort (prospective or retrospective) that compared new onset AF among patients with and without frequent PACs documented by Holter monitoring or 12-lead electrocardiogram. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Twelve studies from 2009 to 2017 were included in this meta-analysis involving 109,689 subjects (9217frequent and 100,472 non-frequent PACs). Frequent PACs were associated with increased risk of new onset AF (pooled risk ratio = 2.76, 95% confidence interval: 2.05-3.73, p < 0.000, I2 = 90.6%). CONCLUSION: Frequent PACs are associated with up to three-fold increased risk of new onset AF. Our study suggests that frequent PACs in general population is an independent predictor of new onset AF.

Trends and Inhospital Outcomes of Intravascular Imaging on Single-Vessel Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Intravascular imaging (IVI), including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), improves outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs). We sought to quantify temporal trends in the uptake of IVI for CTO-PCI in the United States. We identified adults who underwent single-vessel PCI for CTO between 2008 and 2020. We quantified yearly trends in the number of IVUS-guided and OCT-guided single-vessel CTO-PCIs by Cochran-Armitage and linear regression tests. We also examined the rates of inhospital mortality and other prespecified inhospital outcomes in patients who underwent CTO-PCIs with and without IVI, using logistic regression. Our study included a total of 151,998 PCIs on single-vessel CTOs, with the absolute number of CTO-PCIs decreasing from 12,345 in 2008 to 8,525 in 2020 (p trend <0.001). IVUS use has increased dramatically from 6% in 2008 to 18% in 2020 for single-vessel CTO-PCIs (p trend <0.001). Rates of OCT use have increased as well, from 0% in 2008 to 7% in 2020 (p trend <0.001). There was no difference in inhospital mortality between patients who underwent CTO-PCI with and without IVI (p logistic = 0.60). In the largest national analysis of single-vessel CTO-PCI trends to date, we found that the use of IVUS has increased substantially accompanied by a similar but lesser increase in the use of OCT. There were no differences in rates of inhospital mortality between patients who underwent single-vessel CTO-PCIs with and without IVI.

Type of syncope and outcome in Brugada syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Brugada syndrome is an inherited arrhythmic disease associated with major arrhythmic events (MAE). The importance of primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Brugada syndrome is well recognized; however, ventricular arrhythmia risk stratification remains challenging and controversial. We aimed to assess the association of type of syncope with MAE via systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to December 2021. Included studies were cohort (prospective or retrospective) studies that reported the types of syncope (cardiac, unexplained, vasovagal, and undifferentiated) and MAE. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Seventeen studies from 2005 to 2019 were included in this meta-analysis involving 4355 Brugada syndrome patients. Overall, syncope was significantly associated with an increased risk of MAE in Brugada syndrome (OR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.22-6.85, p < .001, I 2 = 76.0%). By syncope type, cardiac (OR = 4.48, 95% CI: 2.87-7.01, p < .001, I 2 = 0.0%) and unexplained (OR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.34-16.57, p = .016, I 2 = 37.3%) syncope was significantly associated with increased risk of MAE in Brugada syndrome. Vasovagal (OR = 2.90, 95% CI: 0.09-98.45, p = .554, I 2 = 70.9%) and undifferentiated syncope (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.00-4.03, p = .050, I 2 = 64.6%, respectively) were not. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that cardiac and unexplained syncope was associated with MAE risk in Brugada syndrome populations but not in vasovagal syncope and undifferentiated syncope. Unexplained syncope is associated with a similar increased risk of MAE compared to cardiac syncope.

Predicting arrhythmic event score in Brugada syndrome: Worldwide pooled analysis with internal and external validation.

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome is an inherited arrhythmic disease associated with major arrhythmic events (MAE). Risk predictive scores were previously developed with various performances. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to create a novel score-Predicting Arrhythmic evenT (PAT)-with internal and external validation. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify risk factors for MAE. The odds ratios (ORs) of each factor were pooled across studies. The PAT scoring scheme was developed based on pooled ORs. The PAT score was internally validated with published 105 Asian patients (follow-up 8.0 ± 4.1 [SD] years) and externally validated with unpublished 164 multiracial patients (82.3% White, 14.6% Asian, 3.2% Black; mean follow-up 8.0 ± 6.9 years) with Brugada syndrome. Performances were assessed and compared with previous scores using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies published between 2002 and 2022 from 26 countries (7358 patients) were included. Pooled ORs were estimated, indicating that 15 of 23 risk factors were significant. The PAT score was then developed accordingly. The PAT score had significantly better discrimination (ROC 0.9671) than the BRUGADA-RISK score (ROC 0.7210; P = .006), Shanghai Score System (ROC 0.7079; P = .003), and Sieira et al score (ROC 0.8174; P = .026) in an external validation cohort. PAT score ≥ 10 predicted the first MAE with 95.5% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity (ROC 0.9460) and the recurrent MAE (ROC 0.7061) with 15.4% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. CONCLUSION: The PAT score was shown to be useful in predicting MAE for primary prevention in patients with Brugada syndrome.

Outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and new onset heart blocks: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample database.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a worldwide health crisis since it first appeared. Numerous studies demonstrated the virus's predilection to cardiomyocytes; however, the effects that COVID-19 has on the cardiac conduction system still need to be fully understood. AIM: To analyze the impact that COVID-19 has on the odds of major cardiovascular complications in patients with new onset heart blocks or bundle branch blocks (BBB). METHODS: The 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia with and without high-degree atrioventricular blocks (HDAVB) and right or left BBB utilizing ICD-10 codes. The patients with pre-existing pacemakers, suggestive of a prior diagnosis of HDAVB or BBB, were excluded from the study. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes included total hospital charges (THC), the length of hospital stay (LOS), and other major cardiac outcomes detailed in the Results section. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to adjust for confounders with Stata version 17. RESULTS: A total of 1058815 COVID-19 hospitalizations were identified within the 2020 NIS database, of which 3210 (0.4%) and 17365 (1.6%) patients were newly diagnosed with HDAVB and BBB, respectively. We observed a significantly higher odds of in-hospital mortality, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, sepsis, arrythmias, and acute kidney injury in the COVID-19 and HDAVB group. There was no statistically significant difference in the odds of cerebral infarction or pulmonary embolism. Encounters with COVID-19 pneumonia and newly diagnosed BBB had a higher odds of arrythmias, acute kidney injury, sepsis, need for mechanical ventilation, and cardiogenic shock than those without BBB. However, unlike HDAVB, COVID-19 pneumonia and BBB had no significant impact on mortality compared to patients without BBB. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there is a significantly higher odds of inpatient mortality, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, sepsis, acute kidney injury, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, THC, and LOS in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and HDAVB as compared to patients without HDAVB. Likewise, patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in the BBB group similarly have a higher odds of supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, acute kidney injury, sepsis, need for mechanical ventilation, and cardiogenic shock as compared to those without BBB. Therefore, it is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the possible worse predicted outcomes that patients with new-onset HDAVB or BBB may experience following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Female Gender Is Associated with an Increased Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Recovery in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association whether the female gender was associated with an increased chance of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to 18 January 2022. Included studies were published studies evaluating or reporting characteristics of patients with HF with recovered LVEF. Data from each study were combined using a random-effects model, the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird, to calculate odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Eighteen studies were included in the analysis with a total of 12,270 patients (28.2% female). Female gender was associated with an increased chance of LVEF recovery (pooled OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.21−1.86, p-value < 0.001, I2 = 74.5%). In our subgroup analysis, female gender was associated with an increased chance of LVEF recovery when defined as LVEF > 50% (pooled OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.45−2.18, p-value < 0.001, I2 = 0.0%), and LVEF > 40−45% (pooled OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.09−1.91, p-value = 0.009, I2 = 79.2%), but not in LVEF > 35 (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 0.94−5.05, p-value = 0.06). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the female gender is associated with an increased chance of LVEF recovery. This association was not statistically significant in the subgroup that defined LVEF recovery as LVEF > 35%.

Characteristics of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in patients with COVID-19: Systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has recently been associated with the development of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). This scoping review aims to summarize the existing evidence regarding TCM in COVID-19 and offer future direction for study. METHODS: Following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for all peer-reviewed articles with relevant keywords including "Takotsubo", "Stress-induced cardiomyopathy" and "COVID-19" from their inception to September 25, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 40 articles with 52 cases were included. Patients with TCM and COVID-19 showed only slight female predominance (59.6%), median age of 68.5 years, and were mostly of the apical subtype (88.6%). All-cause mortality was 36.5%. The median LVEF was 30%. Compared to those without TCM, those with TCM in COVID-19 had more critical illness, higher mortality, lower LVEF, and higher cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers. Notably, the diagnostic criteria of TCM were considerably different between case reports and observational studies. CONCLUSION: This scoping review identifies that TCM in COVID-19 may have distinct features that distinguish this condition from TCM without COVID-19. Future studies are warranted to help describe risk factors, determine the utility of inflammatory biomarkers and serum catecholamine levels, and establish disease-specific diagnostic criteria.

Gender difference in outcomes of patients undergoing MitraClip therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve with MitraClip therapy is an emerging treatment in selected patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Identifying the patient with increased risk of poorer outcomes, including mortality, is crucial in these patients. Recent studies suggested conflicting data regarding the effects of gender on outcome in this patient population. We evaluate the impact of gender on the outcome of patients undergoing MitraClip therapy by systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The authors comprehensively searched the databases of EMBASE and MEDLINE from inception to April 2021. Included studies were published cohorts reporting univariate or multivariate analysis of the effects of gender on in-hospital and overall mortality among patients undergoing MitraClip therapy. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonioan and Laird. RESULTS: A total of nine studies were included in this meta-analysis, including 9062 patients. Male gender is associated with higher in-hospital mortality with pooled OR 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.01-3.22, p-value 0.045) and overall mortality with pooled OR 1.19 (95% CI 1.06-1.33, p-value 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: According to our meta-analysis, the male gender increases the risk of in-hospital mortality up to 1.81 folds and overall mortality up to 1.19 folds.

The efficacy of posterior wall isolation in atrial fibrillation ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Posterior wall isolation (PWI) is an emerging approach in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, yet its efficacy remains controversial. This is the first meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of PWI in AF ablation. Objective: To assess the efficacy of PWI in reducing atrial arrhythmia recurrence following initial AF ablation at long-term follow-ups when compared to conventional methods. Methods: We conducted a literature search from inception through September 2021 in EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. We included RCTs that compared outcomes in PWI and conventional approaches of AF ablation. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Eight RCT from 2009 to 2020, including 1024 AF patients, were included. PWI did not decrease overall atrial arrhythmias recurrence (RR 0.96, 95% CI:0.88-1.05, I 2 = 31.6%, p-value 0.393). However, the pooled analysis showed a significant decrease in AF recurrence in PWI compared to controlled approaches (RR 0.88, 95% CI:0.81-0.96, I 2 = 48.2%, p-value .004). In the subgroup analysis, PWI significantly decreased AF recurrence in the studies that included only persistent AF (RR = 0.89, 95% CI:0.80-0.98, I 2 = 65.2%, p-value .014). PWI significantly decreased AF recurrence when compared to PVI with roof line (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95, I 2 0.00%, p-value .008). Conclusion: Our study suggests that adding PWI significantly decreased AF recurrence in patients with persistent AF compared to controlled approaches. It highlights the importance of considering PWI during the initial procedure in this patient population.