Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Symptom Preoccupation Among Patients With Premature Ventricular Contractions: Nonrandomized Pretest-Posttest Study.

BACKGROUND: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a common cardiac condition often associated with disabling symptoms and impaired quality of life (QoL). Current treatment strategies have limited effectiveness in reducing symptoms and restoring QoL for patients with PVCs. Symptom preoccupation, involving cardiac-related fear, hypervigilance, and avoidance behavior, is associated with disability in other cardiac conditions and can be effectively targeted by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a PVC-specific CBT protocol targeting symptom preoccupation in patients with symptomatic idiopathic PVCs. METHODS: Nineteen patients diagnosed with symptomatic idiopathic PVCs and symptom preoccupation underwent PVC-specific CBT over 10 weeks. The treatment was delivered by a licensed psychologist via videoconference in conjunction with online text-based information and homework assignments. The main components of the treatment were exposure to cardiac-related symptoms and reducing cardiac-related avoidance and control behavior. Self-rated measures were collected at baseline, post treatment, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The primary outcome was PVC-specific QoL at posttreatment assessment measured with a PVC-adapted version of the Atrial Fibrillation Effects on Quality of Life questionnaire. Secondary measures included symptom preoccupation measured with the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire. PVC burden was evaluated with 5-day continuous electrocardiogram recordings at baseline, post treatment, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: We observed large improvements in PVC-specific QoL (Cohen d=1.62, P<.001) and symptom preoccupation (Cohen d=1.73, P<.001) post treatment. These results were sustained at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. PVC burden, as measured with 5-day continuous electrocardiogram, remained unchanged throughout follow-up. However, self-reported PVC symptoms were significantly lower at posttreatment assessment and at both the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Reduction in symptom preoccupation had a statistically significant mediating effect of the intervention on PVC-specific QoL in an explorative mediation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This uncontrolled pilot study shows preliminary promising results for PVC-specific CBT as a potentially effective treatment approach for patients with symptomatic idiopathic PVCs and symptom preoccupation. The substantial improvements in PVC-specific QoL and symptom preoccupation, along with the decreased self-reported PVC-related symptoms warrant further investigation in a larger randomized controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05087238; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05087238.

Reduced dementia risk in patients with optimized anticoagulation therapy undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with the development of dementia, and observational studies have shown that oral anticoagulation and catheter ablation reduce dementia risk. However, such studies did not consistently report on periprocedural anticoagulation and long-term oral anticoagulation coverage, for which reason the separate effect of AF ablation on dementia risk could not be established. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the protective effect of AF ablation in a large cohort of patients who received optimized anticoagulation and compared them with patients who were managed medically. METHODS: We retrospectively included 5912 consecutive patients who underwent first-time catheter ablation for AF between 2008 and 2018 and compared them with 52,681 control individuals from the Swedish Patient Register. Propensity score matching produced 2 cohorts of equal size (n = 3940) with similar baseline characteristics. Dementia diagnosis was identified by International Classification of Diseases codes from the patient register. RESULTS: Most propensity score-matched patients were taking an oral anticoagulant at the start (94.5%) and end (75.0%) of the study. Mean follow-up was 4.9 ± 2.8 years. Catheter ablation was associated with lower risk for the dementia diagnosis compared with the control group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.86; P = .017). The result was similar when including patients with a stroke diagnosis before inclusion (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.28-0.89; P = .019) and after adjustment for the competing risk of death (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20-0.86; P = .018). CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation of AF in patients with optimized oral anticoagulation therapy was associated with a reduction in dementia diagnosis, even after adjustment for potential confounders and for competing risk of death.

Feasibility of alcohol interventions in cardiology: A qualitative study of clinician perspectives in Sweden.

AIM: To identify barriers and facilitators to implementing alcohol screening and brief interventions (SBI) in cardiology services. METHODS AND RESULTS: Qualitative study. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 clinical cardiology staff (doctors, nurses, assistant nurses) of varying experience levels, and from various clinical settings (high dependency unit, ward, outpatient clinic), in three regions of Sweden. Reflexive thematic analysis was used, with deductive coding applying the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation (COM-B) theoretical framework. A total of 41 barriers and facilitators were identified, including twelve related to capability, nine to opportunity, and 20 to motivation. Four themes were developed: 1. Uncharted territory, where clinicians expressed a need to address alcohol use but lacked knowledge and a roadmap for implementing SBI; 2. Cardiology as a cardiovascular specialty, where tasks were prioritized according to established roles; 3. Alcohol stigma, where alcohol was reported to be a sensitive topic that staff avoid discussing with patients; 4. Window of opportunity, where staff expressed potential for implementing SBI in routine cardiology care. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that opportunities exist for early identification and follow-up of hazardous alcohol use within routine cardiology care. Several barriers, including low knowledge, stigma, a lack of ownership, and a greater focus on other risk factors must be addressed prior to the implementation of SBI in cardiology. To meet current clinical guidelines, there is a need to increase awareness and to improve pathways to addiction care. In addition, there may be a need for clinicians dedicated to alcohol interventions within cardiology services. REGISTRATION: OSF (osf.io/hx3ts).

Implementation of an extracorporeal resuscitation (ECPR) program for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Stockholm, Sweden: Feasibility, safety, and outcome.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a novel extra corporeal cardiopulmonary (ECPR) program in the greater Stockholm area with focus on feasibility, safety aspects and clinical outcomes. Methods: Prospective observational study of ECPR program including patients with OHCA from January 2020 to December 2022, fulfilling ECPR criteria: age 18-65 years, initial shockable rhythm or pulseless electrical activity, witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and refractory arrest after three cycles of advance cardiac life support. The predefined time threshold from collapse to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) initiation was set at 60 min. Results: We included 95 patients. Of these, 22/95 (23%) had return of spontaneous circulation before ECMO initiation, 39/95 (41%) were excluded for ECMO and 34/95 (36%) had ECMO initiated out of which 23 patients were admitted alive to the ICU. ECMO-initiation within 60 min was met in 9%. In 6 patients vascular access was complicated, 2 patients had severe bleeding at access site requiring intervention. Survival to discharge among all cases was 25% (24/95). Among patients admitted to ICU on ECMO 39% (9/23) survived to discharge, of these 78% had cerebral performance category scale score 1-2 within 12 months. 8 out of 9 survivors had time from OHCA to ECMO-initiation >60 min. Conclusion: The implementation of an ECPR protocol was feasible without any major, unexpected safety aspects but did not meet the intended target time intervals. Despite this, survival rates were similar to previous studies although most survivors had >60 min to ECMO-initiation.

Risk assessment in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic pre-excitation.

AIMS: Controversy remains as to whether the exercise stress test (EST) is sufficient for risk evaluation in patients with pre-excitation. This study aims to clarify the usefulness of EST in risk stratification in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients presenting with pre-excitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective study includes consecutive asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with pre-excitation referred for risk assessment. All participants performed an incremental EST (bicycle) prior to an electrophysiology study (EPS). Primary data from the EST included loss of pre-excitation during exercise, and primary data from the EPS included the measurement of accessory pathway effective refractory period (APERP), shortest pre-excited RR interval (SPERRI), and inducible arrhythmia with the use of a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist if deemed necessary. One hundred and sixty-four patients (59 asymptomatic, 105 symptomatic) completed an EST and EPS. Forty-five patients (27%) demonstrated low-risk findings on EST, of which 19 were asymptomatic and 26 were symptomatic. Six patients with low-risk EST findings had SPERRI/APERP ≤ 250 ms at EPS, and two of them were asymptomatic. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of low-risk EST for excluding patients with SPERRI/APERP ≤ 250 ms were 40, 91, 87, 51, and 60%, respectively. The number of patients with inducible arrhythmia at EPS was similar in the asymptomatic (36, 69%) and symptomatic (73, 61%) groups. CONCLUSION: Sudden loss of pre-excitation during EST has a low NPV in excluding high-risk APs. The EPS with the use of isoproterenol should be considered to accurately assess the risk of patients with pre-excitation regardless of symptoms (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03301935).

Management of modifiable risk factors and comorbidities in atrial fibrillation: suggestions for improvement from a patient perspective.

AIMS: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), improved management of modifiable risk factors and concomitant diseases is recommended by guidelines, yet many AF patients have sub-optimal risk factor management. Digital health solutions may offer support in this matter. This study aims to identify how patients with AF perceive they could be supported by a digital tool aimed to optimize management of comorbidities and modifiable risk factors associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a qualitative, descriptive study based on four semi-structured focus-group interviews analysed by manifest content analysis. Sixteen AF patients with recent in- or outpatient encounters were included [age 68 (52-78) years; 43% female; BMI 29.5 (20.4-35.8) kg/m2; paroxysmal/persistent AF (50%/50%); AF duration 7 (0-22) years]. Relevant comorbidities were hypertension (88%), heart failure (25%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (19%), and ischaemic heart disease (13%). The patients' suggestions were summarized into three main categories. First, person-centred information is essential, meaning that information should be customized and conveyed in an appropriate manner and include practical tips. Second, patients desire help with managing lifestyle habits in a way that is applicable in everyday life, and patients desire help with creating habits. Third, regular communication is necessary including inspirational reminders and motivational feedback. CONCLUSION: Patients with AF request person-centred information, support in managing healthy lifestyle habits, and more regular communication with caregivers. This study provides a first foundation on how to better support AF patients, and using a digital tool in standard care may improve outcomes and reduce cost of care.

Association between catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and mortality or stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation effectively reduces symptomatic burden. However, its long-term effect on mortality and stroke is unclear. We investigated if patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo catheter ablation have lower risk for all-cause mortality or stroke than patients who are managed medically. METHODS: We retrospectively included 5628 consecutive patients who underwent first-time catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between 2008 and 2018 at three major Swedish electrophysiology units. Control individuals with an atrial fibrillation diagnosis but without previous stroke were selected from the Swedish National Patient Register, resulting in a control group of 48 676 patients. Propensity score matching was performed to produce two cohorts of equal size (n=3955) with similar baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or stroke. RESULTS: Patients who underwent catheter ablation were healthier (mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 1.4±1.4 vs 1.6±1.5, p<0.001), had a higher median income (288 vs 212 1000 Swedish krona [KSEK]/year, p<0.001) and had more frequently received university education (45.1% vs 28.9%, p<0.001). Mean follow-up was 4.5±2.8 years. After propensity score matching, catheter ablation was associated with lower risk for the combined primary endpoint (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.69). The result was mainly driven by a decrease in all-cause mortality (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.63), with stroke reduction showing a trend in favour of catheter ablation (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation was associated with a reduction in the primary endpoint of all-cause mortality or stroke. This result was driven by a marked reduction in all-cause mortality.

The role of multimorbidity in patients with heart failure across the left ventricular ejection fraction spectrum: Data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry.

AIMS: The aim of this analysis was to provide data on the overall comorbidity burden, both cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV, in a large real-world heart failure (HF) population across the ejection fraction (EF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HF from the Swedish HF Registry between 2000 and 2021 were included. Of 91 463 patients (median age 76 years [interquartile range 67-82]), 98% had at least one among the 17 explored comorbidities (94% at least one CV and 85% at least one non-CV comorbidity). All comorbidities, except for coronary artery disease (CAD), were more frequent in HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Patients with multiple comorbidities were older, more likely female, inpatients, with HFpEF, worse New York Heart Association class and higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels. In a multivariable Cox model, 12 comorbidities were independently associated with a higher risk of death from any cause. The highest risk was associated with dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-1.65), chronic kidney disease (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.34-1.41), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.28-1.35). Obesity was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.79-0.84). CAD and valvular heart disease were associated with a higher risk of all-cause and CV mortality, but not non-CV mortality, whereas cancer and musculo-skeletal disease increased the risk of non-CV mortality. A significant interaction with EF was observed for several comorbidities. Occurrence of CV and non-CV outcomes was related to the number of CV and non-CV comorbidities, respectively. CONCLUSION: The burden of both CV and non-CV comorbidities was high in HF regardless of EF, but overall higher in HFpEF. Multimorbidity was associated with a high risk of death with a different burden on CV or non-CV outcomes.

Dysregulations in hemostasis, metabolism, immune response, and angiogenesis in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome with and without postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a multi-omic profiling study.

Post-acute COVID-19 (PACS) are associated with cardiovascular dysfunction, especially postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Patients with PACS, both in the absence or presence of POTS, exhibit a wide range of persisting symptoms long after the acute infection. Some of these symptoms may stem from alterations in cardiovascular homeostasis, but the exact mechanisms are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to provide a broad molecular characterization of patients with PACS with (PACS + POTS) and without (PACS-POTS) POTS compared to healthy subjects, including a broad proteomic characterization with a focus on plasma cardiometabolic proteins, quantification of cytokines/chemokines and determination of plasma sphingolipid levels. Twenty-one healthy subjects without a prior COVID-19 infection (mean age 43 years, 95% females), 20 non-hospitalized patients with PACS + POTS (mean age 39 years, 95% females) and 22 non-hospitalized patients with PACS-POTS (mean age 44 years, 100% females) were studied. PACS patients were non-hospitalized and recruited ≈18 months after the acute infection. Cardiometabolic proteomic analyses revealed a dysregulation of ≈200 out of 700 analyzed proteins in both PACS groups vs. healthy subjects with the majority (> 90%) being upregulated. There was a large overlap (> 90%) with no major differences between the PACS groups. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed alterations in hemostasis/coagulation, metabolism, immune responses, and angiogenesis in PACS vs. healthy controls. Furthermore, 11 out of 33 cytokines/chemokines were significantly upregulated both in PACS + POTS and PACS-POTS vs. healthy controls and none of the cytokines were downregulated. There were no differences in between the PACS groups in the cytokine levels. Lastly, 16 and 19 out of 88 sphingolipids were significantly dysregulated in PACS + POTS and PACS-POTS, respectively, compared to controls with no differences between the groups. Collectively, these observations suggest a clear and distinct dysregulation in the proteome, cytokines/chemokines, and sphingolipid levels in PACS patients compared to healthy subjects without any clear signature associated with POTS. This enhances our understanding and might pave the way for future experimental and clinical investigations to elucidate and/or target resolution of inflammation and micro-clots and restore the hemostasis and immunity in PACS.

Length of hospital stay for elective electrophysiological procedures: a survey from the European Heart Rhythm Association.

AIMS: Electrophysiological (EP) operations that have traditionally involved long hospital lengths of stay (LOS) are now being undertaken as day case procedures. The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic served as an impetus for many centres to shorten LOS for EP procedures. This survey explores LOS for elective EP procedures in the modern era. METHODS AND RESULTS: An online survey consisting of 27 multiple-choice questions was completed by 245 respondents from 35 countries. With respect to de novo cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantations, day case procedures were reported for 79.5% of implantable loop recorders, 13.3% of pacemakers (PMs), 10.4% of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and 10.2% of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. With respect to CIED generator replacements, day case procedures were reported for 61.7% of PMs, 49.2% of ICDs, and 48.2% of CRT devices. With regard to ablations, day case procedures were reported for 5.7% of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations, 10.7% of left-sided ablations, and 17.5% of right-sided ablations. A LOS ≥ 2 days for CIED implantation was reported for 47.7% of PM, 54.5% of ICDs, and 56.9% of CRT devices and for 54.5% of AF ablations, 42.2% of right-sided ablations, and 46.1% of left-sided ablations. Reimbursement (43-56%) and bed availability (20-47%) were reported to have no consistent impact on the organization of elective procedures. CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in the LOS for elective EP procedures. The LOS for some procedures appears disproportionate to their complexity. Neither reimbursement nor bed availability consistently influenced LOS.

Sex-stratified patterns of emergency cardiovascular admissions prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global public health, with long-term consequences that are still largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the data regarding acute cardiovascular hospital admissions in five European centers before and during the pandemic. A multicenter, multinational observational registry was created, comparing admissions to the emergency departments during a 3-months period in 2020 (during the pandemic) with the corresponding period in 2019 (pre-pandemic). Data on patient demographics, COVID-19 test results, primary diagnosis, comorbidities, heart failure profile, medication use, and laboratory results were collected. A total of 8778 patients were included in the analysis, with 4447 patients in 2019 and 4331 patients in 2020. The results showed significant differences in the distribution of cardiovascular diseases between the two years. The frequency of pulmonary embolism (PE) increased in 2020 compared to 2019, while acute heart failure (AHF) and other cardiovascular diseases decreased. The odds of PE incidence among hospitalized patients in 2020 were 1.316-fold greater than in 2019. The incidence of AHF was 50.83% less likely to be observed in 2020, and the odds for other cardiovascular diseases increased by 17.42% between the 2 years. Regarding acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the distribution of its types differed between 2019 and 2020, with an increase in the odds of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 2020. Stratification based on sex revealed further insights. Among men, the incidence of AHF decreased in 2020, while other cardiovascular diseases increased. In women, only the incidence of STEMI showed a significant increase. When analyzing the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-positive patients had a higher incidence of PE compared to COVID-negative patients. COVID-positive patients with ACS also exhibited symptoms of heart failure more frequently than COVID-negative patients. These findings provide valuable information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute cardiovascular hospital admissions. The increased incidence of PE and changes in the distribution of other cardiovascular diseases highlight the importance of monitoring and managing cardiovascular health during and post pandemic period. The differences observed between sexes emphasize the need for further research to understand potential sex-specific effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes.

Remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices and disease management.

This reviews the transition of remote monitoring of patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices from curiosity to standard of care. This has been delivered by technology evolution from patient-activated remote interrogations at appointed intervals to continuous monitoring that automatically flags clinically actionable information to the clinic for review. This model has facilitated follow-up and received professional society recommendations. Additionally, continuous monitoring has provided a new level of granularity of diagnostic data enabling extension of patient management from device to disease management. This ushers in an era of digital medicine with wider applications in cardiovascular medicine.

Changes in cardiac output, rhythm regularity, and symptom severity after electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: Symptoms in atrial fibrillation (AF) range from none to disabling. The physiological correlates of AF symptoms are not well characterized. This study investigated the association between physiological parameters and symptom severity before and after electrical cardioversion (EC) of AF. DESIGN: We studied 44 patients with persistent AF (age 66.2 ± 7.9 years, 16% females) 4 ± 2 days before and 5 ± 2 days after EC. Physiological parameters included cardiac output (CO; non-invasive inert gas rebreathing), heart rate (HR), RR variability and resting and ambulatory blood pressure (BP). Symptoms and quality of life (QoL) were assessed by the modified European Heart Rhythm Association score (mEHRA), the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT) and the Symptom Checklist for frequency and severity of symptoms (SCL). RESULTS: 28 of 44 patients were still in sinus rhythm (SR) at post EC evaluation. Those in SR had a decreased HR (-15.4 ± 13.1 bpm, p < 0.001), and an increased CO (+0.8 ± 0.7 L/min, p < 0.001) as compared to those with recurrent AF. Changes in CO after EC correlated with symptom improvement as scored by AFEQT (r = 0.36; p < 0.05), AFEQT symptoms subscore (r = 0.46; p < 0.01), SCL for frequency (r = 0.62; p < 0.01) and severity (r = 0.33; p < 0.05) of symptoms, and the mEHRA score (r = 0.50; p < 0.01). A decrease in RR variability showed similar correlations with these measures of symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in symptoms and quality of life experienced by patients after electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation are correlated with an increase in CO and a decreased RR variability.

Association between a hospitalization for heart failure and the initiation/discontinuation of guideline-recommended treatments: An analysis from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry.

AIMS: To investigate whether a heart failure (HF) hospitalization is associated with initiation/discontinuation of guideline-directed medical HF therapy (GDMT) and consequent outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among patients in the Swedish HF registry with an ejection fraction <50% enrolled in 2009-2018, initiation/discontinuation of GDMT was investigated by assessing dispensations of GDMT in those with versus without a HF hospitalization. Of 14 737 patients, 6893 (47%) were enrolled when hospitalized for HF. Initiation of GDMT was more likely than discontinuation following a HF hospitalization compared to a control group of patients without a HF hospitalization (odds ratio range 2.1-4.0 vs. 1.4-1.6 for the individual medications), although the proportion of patients not on GDMT was still high (8.1-44.0%). Key patient characteristics triggering less use of GDMT (i.e. less initiation or more discontinuation) were older age and worse renal function. Following a HF hospitalization, initiation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors or beta-blockers was associated with lower and their discontinuation with higher mortality risk, but no association with mortality was observed for initiation/discontinuation of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. CONCLUSIONS: Following a HF hospitalization, initiation of GDMT was more likely than discontinuation, although still limited. Perceived or actual low tolerance were barriers to GDMT implementation. Early re-/initiation of GDMT was associated with better survival. Our findings represent a call for further implementing the current guideline recommendation for an early re-/initiation of GDMT following a HF hospitalization.

Cardiac tamponades related to interventional electrophysiology procedures are associated with higher risk of short-term hospitalization for pericarditis but favourable long-term outcome.

AIMS: To investigate the association of iatrogenic cardiac tamponades as a complication of invasive electrophysiology procedures (EPs) and mortality as well as serious cardiovascular events in a nationwide patient cohort during long-term follow-up. METHODS: From the Swedish Catheter Ablation Registry between 2005 and 2019, a total of 58 770 invasive EPs in 44 497 patients were analysed. From this, all patients with periprocedural cardiac tamponades related to invasive EPs were identified (n = 200; tamponade group) and matched (1:2 ratio) to a control group (n = 400). Over a follow-up of 5 years, the composite primary endpoint-death from any cause, acute myocardial infarction, transitory ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure-revealed no statistically significant association with cardiac tamponade [hazard ratio (HR) 1.22 (95% CI, 0.79-1.88)]. All single components of the primary endpoint as well as cardiovascular death revealed no statistically significant association with cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade was associated with a significantly higher risk with hospitalization for pericarditis [HR 20.67 (95% CI, 6.32-67.60)]. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide cohort of patients undergoing invasive EPs, iatrogenic cardiac tamponade was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for pericarditis during the first months after the index procedure. In the long-term, however, cardiac tamponade revealed no significant association with mortality or other serious cardiovascular events.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improves Quality of Life in Patients With Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated with troubling symptoms leading to impaired quality of life (QoL) and high health care use. Symptom preoccupation, that is, fear of cardiac-related symptoms and avoidance behavior, potentially contributes to disability in AF but is not targeted by current interventions. OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the effect of online cognitive behavior therapy (AF-CBT) on QoL in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF (n = 127) were randomly assigned to receive AF-CBT (n = 65) or standardized AF education (n = 62). Online AF-CBT lasted 10 weeks and was therapist guided. The main components were exposure to cardiac-related symptoms and reduction of AF-related avoidance behavior. Patients were evaluated at baseline, posttreatment, and at the 3-month follow-up. Primary outcome was AF-specific QoL as assessed by the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life summary score (range: 0-100) at the 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included AF-specific health care consumption and AF burden assessed by 5-day continuous electrocardiogram recording. The AF-CBT group was followed for 12 months. RESULTS: AF-CBT led to large improvements in AF-specific QoL (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life summary score) by 15.0 points (95% CI: 10.1-19.8; P < 0.001). Furthermore, AF-CBT reduced health care consumption by 56% (95% CI: 22-90; P = 0.025). The AF burden remained unchanged. Results on self-assessed outcomes were sustained 12 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, online CBT led to large improvements in AF-specific QoL and reduced health care use. If these results are replicated, online CBT may constitute an important addition to AF management. (Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation; NCT03378349).