Management of macro-reentrant right atrial tachycardia around multiple leads aided by high-density mapping.

BACKGROUND: A 61-year-old male with Steinert Dystrophy and prior history of cardiac implantable device complained of highly symptomatic right atrial tachycardia. Unresponsive to pharmacological therapy. METHODS: The patient underwent catheter ablation procedure aided by high-density mapping. RESULTS: Ablation procedure was succesful. CONCLUSIONS: This unique case report highlights the role of high-density mapping in the identification of critical isthmus and management of macro-reentrant tachycardia in complex situations such as the presence of multiple leads in the chamber.

Leadless pacemaker implantation in superobese patient.

Background: A 70 years-old superobese man (weighted 230 kg) was referred to our hospital for recurrent syncope due to asystole alternating to atrial fibrillation. Convectional pacing was highly challenging; therefore, it was decided to implant a leadless pacemaker in a multidisciplinary intervention with surgical management of the femoral venous access. Methods: In a fully equipped operating room with bariatric table and appropriately dimensioned fluoroscope, a vascular surgeon performed surgical isolation of the right common femoral vein. After that, we proceeded to insert sheaths via the femoral vein, and through that a steerable transcatheter delivery system for the device. Results: The implant was successful without complication. Conclusions: Leadless pacemaker implantation can be effectively and safely performed even in superobese patients. Vascular access, fluoroscopic guidance and electronic interrogation could be easily managed and do not constitute a limit.

Antibiotic prophylaxis based on individual infective risk stratification in cardiac implantable electronic device: the PRACTICE study.

AIMS: In patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) intervention, routine pre-procedure antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended. A more powerful antibiotic protocol has been suggested in patients at high risk of infection. Stratification of individual infective risk could guide the prophylaxis before CIED procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing CIED surgery were stratified according to the Shariff score in low and high infective risk. Patients in the 'low-risk' group were treated with only two antibiotic administrations while patients in the 'high-risk' group were treated with a prolonged 9-day protocol, according to renal function and allergies. We followed-up patients for 250 days with clinical outpatient visit and electronic control of the CIED. As primary endpoint, we evaluated CIED-related infections. A total of 937 consecutive patients were enrolled, of whom 735 were stratified in the 'low-risk' group and 202 in the 'high-risk' group. Despite different risk profiles, CIED-related infection rate at 250 days was similar in the two groups (8/735 in 'low risk' vs. 4/202 in 'high risk', P = 0.32). At multivariate analysis, active neoplasia, haematoma, and reintervention were independently associated with CIED-related infection (HR 5.54, 10.77, and 12.15, respectively). CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of patients undergoing CIED procedure, an antibiotic prophylaxis based on individual stratification of infective risk resulted in similar rate of infection between groups at high and low risk of CIED-related infection.

Electrocardiographic features of 431 consecutive, critically ill COVID-19 patients: an insight into the mechanisms of cardiac involvement.

AIMS: Our aim was to describe the electrocardiographic features of critical COVID-19 patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We carried out a multicentric, cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 431 consecutive COVID-19 patients hospitalized between 10 March and 14 April 2020 who died or were treated with invasive mechanical ventilation. This project is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04367129). Standard ECG was recorded at hospital admission. ECG was abnormal in 93% of the patients. Atrial fibrillation/flutter was detected in 22% of the patients. ECG signs suggesting acute right ventricular pressure overload (RVPO) were detected in 30% of the patients. In particular, 43 (10%) patients had the S1Q3T3 pattern, 38 (9%) had incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB), and 49 (11%) had complete RBBB. ECG signs of acute RVPO were not statistically different between patients with (n = 104) or without (n=327) invasive mechanical ventilation during ECG recording (36% vs. 28%, P = 0.10). Non-specific repolarization abnormalities and low QRS voltage in peripheral leads were present in 176 (41%) and 23 (5%), respectively. In four patients showing ST-segment elevation, acute myocardial infarction was confirmed with coronary angiography. No ST-T abnormalities suggestive of acute myocarditis were detected. In the subgroup of 110 patients where high-sensitivity troponin I was available, ECG features were not statistically different when stratified for above or below the 5 times upper reference limit value. CONCLUSIONS: The ECG is abnormal in almost all critically ill COVID-19 patients and shows a large spectrum of abnormalities, with signs of acute RVPO in 30% of the patients. Rapid and simple identification of these cases with ECG at hospital admission can facilitate classification of the patients and provide pathophysiological insights.

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac dyssynchrony: Does it still matter?

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. For many years, cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony assessed by echocardiography has been considered as a key evaluation to characterize CRT candidates and predict CRT response. In current guidelines, however, CRT implant indications rely only on electrical dyssynchrony. The aim of this article was to clarify whether and how the evaluation of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony should be performed today by echocardiography.

Current role of echocardiography in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment for patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Patients are usually assessed by echocardiography, which provides a number of anatomical and functional information used for cardiac dyssynchrony assessment, prognostic stratification, identification of the optimal site of pacing in the left ventricle, optimization of the CRT device, and patient follow-up. Compared to other cardiac imaging techniques, echocardiography has the advantage to be non-invasive, repeatable, and safe, without exposure to ionizing radiation or nefrotoxic contrast. In this article, we review current evidence about the role of echocardiography before, during, and after the implantation of a CRT device.

Reperfusion Damage　- A Story of Success, Failure, and Hope.

Tissue salvage of severely ischemic myocardium requires timely reperfusion by thrombolysis, angioplasty, or bypass. However, recovery of left ventricular function is rare. It may be absent or, even worse, reperfusion can induce further damage. Laboratory studies have shown convincingly that reperfusion can increase injury over and above that attributable to the pre-existing ischemia, precipitating arrhythmias, suppressing the recovery of contractile function ("stunning") and possibly even causing cell death in potentially salvable ischemic tissue. The mechanisms of reperfusion injury have been widely studied and, in the laboratory, it can be attenuated or prevented. Disappointingly, this is not the case in the clinic, particularly after thrombolysis or primary angioplasty. In contrast, excellent results have been achieved by surgeons by means of cardioplegia and hypothermia. For the interventionist, the issue is more complex as, contrary to cardiac surgery where the cardioplegia can be applied before ischemia and the heart can be stopped, during an angioplasty the heart still has to beat to support the circulation. We analyze in detail all these issues.

A Clinical Case of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: The Clinical Suspicious and the Need of Genetics.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a very rare genetic cardiac channelopathy, which has not been sufficiently studied yet. The first clinical manifestation has been described during the first decade of life, linked to strenuous exercise or acute emotion. The absence of structural heart disease and a family history of possible arrhythmogenic disorder generally guide the diagnosis towards a potential channelopathy. The opportunity to perform an extensive genetic analysis allows physicians to make the correct diagnosis and to optimize clinical management. The identification of more CPVT cases could affirm what we already know and primarily implement the current knowledge.

Mutation Load of Multiple Ion Channel Gene Mutations in Brugada Syndrome.

Brugada syndrome is a primary arrhythmic syndrome that accounts for 20% of all sudden cardiac death cases in individuals with a structurally normal heart. Pathogenic variants associated with Brugada syndrome have been identified in over 19 genes, with SCN5A as a pivotal gene accounting for nearly 30% of cases. In contrast to other arrhythmogenic channelopathies (such as long QT syndrome), digenic inheritance has never been reported in Brugada syndrome. Exploring 66 cardiac genes using a new custom next-generation sequencing panel, we identified a double heterozygosity for pathogenic mutations in SCN5A and TRPM4 in a Brugada syndrome patient. The parents were heterozygous for each variation. This novel finding highlights the role of mutation load in Brugada syndrome and strongly suggests the adoption of a gene panel to obtain an accurate genetic diagnosis, which is mandatory for risk stratification, prevention, and therapy.

Current views on anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Anthracyclines are well established and effective anticancer agents used to treat a variety of adult and pediatric cancers. Unfortunately, these drugs are also among the commonest chemotherapeutic agents that have been recognized to cause cardiotoxicity. In the last years, several experimental and clinical investigations provided new information and perspectives on anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity. In particular, molecular mechanisms of cardiotoxicity have been better elucidated, early diagnosis has improved through the use of advanced noninvasive cardiac imaging techniques, and emerging data indicate a genetic predisposition to develop anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity. In this article, we review established and new knowledge about anthracycline cardiotoxicity, with special focus on recent advances in cardiotoxicity diagnosis and genetic profiling.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischemic heart disease comorbidity: overview of mechanisms and clinical management.

In the last few years, many studies focused their attention on the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD), showing that these diseases are mutually influenced. Many different biological processes such as hypoxia, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, heightened platelet reactivity, arterial stiffness and right ventricle modification interact in the development of the COPD-IHD comorbidity, which therefore deserves special attention in early diagnosis and treatment. Patients with COPD-IHD comorbidity have a worst outcome, when compared to patients with only COPD or only IHD. These patients showed a significant increase on risk of adverse events and of hospital readmissions for recurrent myocardial infarction, heart failure, coronary revascularization, and acute exacerbation of COPD. Taken together, these complications determine a significant increase in mortality. In most cases death occurs for cardiovascular cause, soon after an acute exacerbation of COPD or a cardiovascular adverse event. Recent data regarding incidence, mechanisms and prognosis of this comorbidity, along with the development of new drugs and interventional approaches may improve the management and long-term outcome of COPD-IHD patients. The aim of this review is to describe the current knowledge on COPD-IHD comorbidity. Particularly, we focused our attention on underlying pathological mechanisms and on all treatment and strategies that may improve and optimize the clinical management of COPD-IHD patients.

Relationship between Troponin Elevation, Cardiovascular History and Adverse Events in Patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Evidence suggests that troponin (Tn) elevation during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) may predict an increase in mortality risk. We performed an observational study of 935 patients admitted to hospital for AECOPD from January 2010 to December 2012. Principal clinical and laboratory data were recorded, especially ischemic heart disease (IHD) history, Tn T values and cardiovascular drug prescription. The occurrence of all-cause death, cardiac death (CD), nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was assessed on December 2013. Overall, 694 patients respected inclusion and exclusion criteria. We identified 210 (30%) patients without Tn elevation (negative Tn T group) and 484 (70%) patients with Tn elevation (positive Tn T group). With the exception of CVA, all adverse events were significantly higher in positive Tn T group as compared to negative Tn T group. At multivariable analysis, positive Tn T failed to predict all-cause death. Contrarily, positive Tn T emerged as independent predictors of CD (HR 1.61, 95%CI 1.2-2.2, p = 0.04), nonfatal MI (HR 3.12, 95%CI 1.4-8.1, p = 0.03) and composite endpoint including CD and nonfatal MI (HR 1.73, 95%CI 1.2-2.7, p = 0.03). Of note, positive Tn T stratified prognosis in patients without IHD history, but not in those with IHD history. In conclusion, after hospital admission for AECOPD, we observed a significant increase in the risk of cardiac adverse events in patients with Tn T elevation, especially in those without IHD history.

A modified approach to percutaneous ultrasound-guided left stellate ganglion block for drug-refractory electrical storm: a case report.

Background: The use of percutaneous stellate ganglion block (SGB) in the management of drug-refractory electrical storm (ES) has been increasingly reported in the last years. Few data are available on the safety, duration, and dosage of local anaesthetic used. Case summary: A 66-year-old male patient with a history of ischaemic cardiomyopathy and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) presented to the emergency room complaining several ventricular arrhythmias and ICD shocks received in the last 24 h. He was treated with many lines of anti-arrhythmic drugs but his condition deteriorated with cardiovascular instability and respiratory distress, so he was intubated. The ES still worsened (82 episodes of ventricular arrhythmias), so we performed an ultrasound-guided left SGB, using a modified technique, with success in suppressing the ventricular arrhythmias. The patient was then treated with electrophysiological study and catheter ablation. Discussion: The ultrasound approach to SGB is feasible in emergency setting, and it is safe and effective also using a modified and easier technique in patient with difficult sonographic visualization of the neck structures. Moreover, it is possible and safe to use a combination of short-acting rapid-onset local anaesthetic with a long-lasting one with a good outcome.

Trends in atrial fibrillation-related mortality in Europe, 2008-2019.

AIMS: Update data regarding the atrial fibrillation (AF)-related mortality trend in Europe remains scant. We assess the age- and sex- specific trends in AF-related mortality in the European states between the years 2008 and 2019. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data on cause-specific deaths and population numbers by sex for European countries were retrieved through the publicly available World Health Organization (WHO) mortality dataset for the years 2008 to 2019. AF-related deaths were ascertained when the ICD-10 code I48 was listed as the underlying cause of death in the medical death certificate. To calculate annual trends, we assessed the average (AAPC) annual % change with relative 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Joinpoint regression. During the study period, 773 750 AF-related deaths (202 552 males and 571 198 females) occurred in Europe. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) linearly increased from 12.3 (95% CI: 11.2 to 12.9) per 100 000 population in 2008 to 15.3 (95% CI: 14.7 to 15.7) per 100 000 population in 2019 [AAPC: +2.0% (95% CI: 1.6 to 3.5), p < 0.001] with a more pronounced increased among men [AAPC: +2.7% (95% CI: 1.9 to 3.5), p < 0.001] compared to women [AAPC: +1.7% (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.3), p < 0.001] (p for parallelism 0.01). The higher AAMR increased was observed in some eastern European countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and Poland while the lower were mainly clustered in the central Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, the age-adjusted AF-related mortality has increased in Europe especially among males. Disparities still exist between western and eastern European countries.

Interventricular Septal Hematoma Complicating Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: A Case Report-The Devil Is Not So Black as He Is Painted.

BACKGROUND: This case report outlines the presentation of an emerging complication arising from left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old male with no history of cardiac problems experienced recurrent episodes of syncope with no prodromal symptoms. During monitoring in the emergency department, the patient underwent an episode of asystole, leading to LBBAP implantation. The procedure encountered technical challenges, resulting in an interventricular septal hematoma and subsequent ventricular arrhythmias. Despite initial concerns, conservative management led to resolution, demonstrated through echocardiographic follow-ups. DISCUSSION: This report underscores the significance of ventricular arrhythmias as indicators of interventricular septal hematoma, providing insights into its diagnosis, management, and implications for LBBAP procedures.

Comparative Study of Lesions Obtained through Radiofrequency between the Irrigated Ablation Catheter with a Flexible Tip and the Non-Irrigated Catheter in Ex Vivo Porcine Hearts.

BACKGROUND: At the same conditions of delivered power and contact force, open-irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheters are believed to create deeper lesions, while non-irrigated ones produce shallower lesions. This ex vivo study aims to directly compare the lesion dimensions and characteristics of an irrigated ablation catheter with a flexible tip and a non-irrigated solid-tip catheter. METHODS: Radiofrequency lesions were induced on porcine myocardial slabs using both open-tip irrigated and non-irrigated standard 4 mm catheters at three power settings (20 W, 30 W, and 40 W), maintaining a fixed contact force of 10 gr. A lesion assessment was conducted including the lesion depth, depth at the maximum diameter, and lesion surface diameters, with the subsequent calculation of the lesion volume and area being undertaken. RESULTS: Irrigated catheters produced lesions with significantly higher superficial widths at all power levels (3.8 vs. 4.4 mm at 20 W; 3.9 mm vs. 4.4 mm at 30 W; 3.8 mm vs. 4.5 mm at 40 W; p = 0.001, p = 0.019, p = 0.003, respectively). Non-irrigated catheters resulted in significantly higher superficial areas at all power levels (23 mm2 vs. 18 mm2 at 20 W; 25 mm2 vs. 19 mm2 at 30 W; 26 mm2 vs. 19 mm2 at 40 W; p = 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.001, respectively). Irrigated catheters showed significantly higher values of lesion maximum depth at 40 W (4.6 mm vs. 5.5 mm; p = 0.007), while non-irrigated catheters had a significantly higher calculated volume at 20 W (202 µL vs. 134 µL; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation using an irrigated catheter with a flexible tip has the potential to generate smaller superficial lesion areas compared with those obtained using a non-irrigated catheter.

Ultrasound-Guided Venous Axillary Access Versus Standard Fluoroscopic Technique for Cardiac Lead Implantation: ZEROFLUOROAXI Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Axillary vein puncture (AVP) and cephalic vein surgical cutdown are recommended in international guidelines because of their low risk of pneumothorax and chronic lead complications. Directly visualizing and puncturing the axillary vein under ultrasound guidance reduces radiation exposure, provides direct needle visualization, and lowers periprocedural complications. Our hypothesis is that ultrasound-guided axillary access is safer and more feasible than the standard fluoroscopic technique. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided axillary venous access during cardiac lead implantation for pacemakers (PMs) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantations. METHODS: Patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either axillary venous access under fluoroscopic guidance or ultrasound-guided axillary venous access. The composite outcome, including pneumothorax, hemothorax, inadvertent arterial puncture, pocket hematoma, pocket infection, lead dislodgement, and death, was evaluated 30 days after implantation. RESULTS: We randomized 270 patients into 2 groups: the standard group for fluoroguided AVP (n = 134) and the experimental group for ultrasound-guided AVP (n = 136). No disparities in baseline characteristics were observed between the groups. The median age of the patients was 81 years, with women comprising 41% of the population. The majority of patients received single- and dual-chamber PMs (87% vs 88%; P = 1.00), and slightly over 10% in both groups received ICDs (13% vs 12%; P = 0.85). In total, we placed 357 leads in PMs and 48 leads in ICDs. Among these, 295 leads were inserted via axillary vein access and 110 via cephalic vein access. Notably, the subclavian vein was never used as a vascular access. The composite outcome was lower in the ultrasound group according to intention-to-treat analysis (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31-0.99; P = 0.034). The main difference within the composite outcome was the lower incidence of inadvertent axillary arterial puncture in the experimental group (17% vs 6%; P = 0.004). The ultrasound group also exhibited lower total procedural x-ray exposure (10,344 µGy × cm2 vs 7,119 µGy × cm2; P = 0.002) while achieving the same rate of success at the first attempt (61% vs 69%; P = 0.375). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided AVP is safer than the fluoroscopy-guided approach because it achieves the same rate of acute success while maintaining low total procedural radiation exposure. Ultrasound AVP should be considered the optimal venous access method for cardiac lead implantation. (Ultrasound Guided Axillary Access vs Standard Fluoroscopic Technique for Cardiac Lead Implantation [ZEROFLUOROAXI]; NCT05101720).

Zero fluoroscopy catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions: a multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation has become an established treatment option for premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). The use of fluoroscopy exposes patients and medical staff to potentially harmful stochastic and deterministic effects of ionizing radiations. We sought to analyze procedural outcomes in terms of safety and efficacy using a "zero fluoroscopy" approach for catheter ablation of PVCs. METHODS: The present retrospective, multicenter, observational study included 131 patients having undergone catheter ablation of PVCs using "zero fluoroscopy" between 2019 and 2020 in four centers compared with another group who underwent the procedure with fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Median age was 51.0 ± 15.9 years old; males were 77 (58.8%). Among the study population, 26 (19.8%) had a cardiomyopathy. The most frequent PVC origin was right ventricular outflow tract (55%) followed by the left ventricle (16%), LVOT and cusps (13.7%), and aortomitral continuity (5.3%). Acute suppression of PVC was achieved in 127 patients (96.9%). At 12 months, a complete success was documented in 109 patients (83.2%), a reduction in PVC burden in 18 patients (13.7%), and a failure was recorded in four patients (3.1%). Only two minor complications occurred (femoral hematoma and arteriovenous fistula conservatively treated). CONCLUSIONS: The PVC ablation with a "zero" fluoroscopy approach appears to be a safe procedure with no major complications and good rates of success and recurrence in our multicenter experience.

Association between Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent ß-Thalassemia.

Background: Modern treatments for transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia (TDßT) have allowed patients to reach high life expectancy with no iron overload. Despite survival improvement, atrial fibrillation (AF) has emerged as a relevant issue. AF pathophysiology and characteristics in TDßT are different than in the general population. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may play a role but its relationship with AF in patients with TDßT has not been explored. Methods: A monocentric, cross-sectional study, enrolling consecutive patients with TDßT. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) was evaluated at magnetic resonance. Characteristics of patients with and without history of AF were investigated. Factors independently associated with AF prevalence were analyzed. Results: A total of 116 patients were enrolled. All patients were treated with regular chelation therapy. The prevalence of AF was 29.3% (34/116). Cardiac T2* and liver iron concentration were no different between patients with and without AF. EAT thickness was significantly higher in patients with AF at left atrium, right atrium and right ventricle (5.0 vs. 4.0 mm, p < 0.01, 4.4 vs. 4.0, p = 0.02 and 5.0 vs. 4.3, p = 0.04). Patients with AF presented with older age, (53 vs. 49 years, p < 0.01), more hypothyroidism (44.1 vs. 20.7%, p = 0.01), pulmonary hypertension (23.5 vs. 2.4% p < 0.01), splenectomy (88.2 vs. 64.6%, p = 0.01), higher right and left atrial volume (61 vs. 40 and 74 vs. 43 mL, both p < 0.01). At multivariable analysis, hypothyroidism, left atrial volume and left atrial EAT were independently associated with AF (odds ratio 9.95, 1.09 and 1.91, respectively). Conclusions: In a contemporary cohort of patients with TDßT, treated with regular chelation therapy, prevalence of AF was unrelated to iron overload. EAT was independently associated with AF.