ST-segment depression and left ventricular systolic function recovery post-atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure.

AIMS: Catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The impact of ST-segment depression before CA on LVEF recovery and clinical outcomes remains unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between ST-segment depression during AF rhythm before CA and improvement in the LVEF and clinical outcomes in persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF) patients with HFrEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study included 122 PerAF patients (male; 98 patients, 80%, mean age: 69 [56, 76] years) from the Osaka Rosai Atrial Fibrillation ablation (ORAF) registry who had LVEF < 50% and underwent an initial ablation. The patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting within the past 1 month were not included in the enrolled patients. We assigned the patients based on the presence of ST-segment depression before CA during AF rhythm and evaluated improvement in the LVEF (LVEF ≥ 15%) 1 year after CA and the relationship between ST-segment depression and heart failure (HF) hospitalization/major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which are defined as a composite of HF hospitalization, cardiovascular death, hospitalization due to coronary artery disease, ventricular arrhythmia requiring hospitalization and stroke. The percentage of patients with improvement in the LVEF 1 year after CA was significantly lower in the patients with ST-segment depression than those without (58.6% vs. 79.7%, P = 0.012). Multiple regression analysis showed ST-segment depression was independently and significantly associated with improvement in the LVEF 1 year after CA (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.129-0.928, P = 0.035). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients with ST-segment depression significantly had higher risk of HF hospitalization and MACE than those without (log rank P = 0.022 and log rank P = 0.002, respectively). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that ST-segment depression was independently and significantly associated with a higher risk of MACE (HR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.210-6.584, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: ST-segment depression before CA during AF rhythm was useful prognostic predictor of improvement in the LVEF and clinical outcomes including HF hospitalization and MACE in PerAF patients with HFrEF.

Extensive ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation patients with mitral regurgitation: Insights from the EARNEST-PVI prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Extensive ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has not yielded consistent results, indicating diversity in their efficacy. Mitral regurgitation (MR) associated with AF may indicate a higher prevalence of arrhythmogenic substrate, suggesting potential benefits of extensive ablation for these patients. METHODS: This post-hoc analysis of the EARNEST-PVI trial compared PVI alone versus an extensive ablation strategy (PVI-plus) in persistent AF patients, stratified by MR presence. The primary endpoint of the study was the recurrence of AF. The secondary endpoints included death, cerebral infarction, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: The trial included 495 eligible patients divided into MR and non-MR groups. The MR group consisted of 192 patients (89 in the PVI-alone arm and 103 in the PVI-plus arm), while the non-MR group had 303 patients (158 in the PVI-alone arm and 145 in the PVI-plus arm). In the non-MR group, recurrence rates were similar between PVI-alone and PVI-plus arms (Log-rank P = 0.47, Hazard ratio = 0.85 [95%CI: 0.54-1.33], P = 0.472). However, in the MR group, PVI-plus was significantly more effective in preventing AF recurrence (Log-rank P = 0.0014, Hazard ratio = 0.40 [95%CI: 0.22-0.72], P = 0.0021). No significant differences were observed in secondary endpoints between the two arms. CONCLUSIONS: For persistent AF patients with mild or greater MR, receiving PVI-plus was superior to PVI-alone in preventing AF recurrence. Conversely, for patients without MR, the effectiveness of extensive ablation was not demonstrated. These findings suggest tailoring ablation strategies based on MR presence can lead to better outcomes in AF management.

Clinical impact of stellate ganglion phototherapy on ventricular tachycardia storm requiring mechanical circulatory support devices: a case report.

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ischaemic heart disease. When pharmacologic therapies, catheter ablation (CA), and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are ineffective, stellate ganglion blockade (SGB), sympathectomy, and renal sympathetic denervation are considered. However, they are invasive for patients with high bleeding risk. We present a case of successfully recovering from haemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm with stellate ganglion phototherapy (SGP) in a non-invasive manner. Case summary: A 73-year-old male presented to the emergency department with chief complaint of general malaise, resulting from VT storm associated with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. He had a history of CA and implantation of ICD. Despite multiple electrical cardioversions, pharmacologic therapies, and deep sedation with mechanical circulatory support (MCS), VT storm was not controlled. Thereafter, we irradiated the patient's neck with SGP to inhibit sympathetic neurological activity, which suppressed VT storm and dramatically improved his haemodynamic status. Discussion: It has been reported that SGP is an alternative to SGB for refractory VT storm. Stellate ganglion phototherapy was easy and non-invasive to perform because we just irradiated the patient's neck with the near-infrared light for 5 min per day. If conventional therapies are ineffective in suppressing VT storm, SGP may be considered as a next step, especially for patients with high bleeding risk. However, since the effect of a single SGP lasts only 1-2 days, it should be performed as a bridge therapy to CA or sympathectomy. Stellate ganglion phototherapy may be effective in suppressing VT storm that requires MCS devices.

Clinical Impact of Perfusion Balloon for ST-Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction: RYUSEI Study.

Drug-eluting stents have significantly contributed to reducing mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs), but slow-flow/no-reflow phenomenon (SFNR) and in-stent restenosis are still clinical problems. In contrast, perfusion balloons (PBs) can compress thrombi and ruptured plaque for long inflation without ischemia and can be used as a delivery device for infusion of nitroprusside to distal risk area during ballooning. We conducted a Reduction of risk bY perfUsion balloon for ST-segment Elevated myocardial Infarction (RYUSEI) study to evaluate whether PBs before stenting are more effective than conventional stenting for STEMIs. We divided consecutive patients with STEMIs who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention into PB group who were treated with PBs (Ryusei; Kaneka Medix Corporation, Osaka, Japan) before stenting and the conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (CP) group. We compared clinical results including SFNR, OCT findings, and clinical events between the 2 groups. We finally analyzed 34 patients in PB group and 90 in CP group. After propensity score-matching, PB and CP groups consisted of 23 patients, respectively. In the propensity score-matched cohort, SFNR and maximum protrusion area detected by OCT were significantly lower (p = 0.047 and p = 0.019), and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade 3 was higher (p = 0.022) in the PB group than CP group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly better clinical outcome in PB group than CP group (p = 0.038). In conclusion, the RYUSEI study revealed a pre-stent lesion modification in addition to nitroprusside infusion using PB is useful to achieve better clinical courses in STEMI patients.

Appropriate Selection of Substrate Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using Intraprocedural Assessment.

BACKGROUND: It has not been fully elucidated which patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF) should undergo substrate ablation plus pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). This study aimed to identify PerAF patients who required substrate ablation using intraprocedural assessment of the baseline rhythm and the origin of atrial fibrillation (AF) triggers.Methods and Results: This was a post hoc subanalysis using extended data of the EARNEST-PVI trial, a prospective multicenter randomized trial comparing PVI-alone and PVI-plus (i.e., PVI with added catheter ablation) arms. We divided 492 patients into 4 groups according to baseline rhythm and the location of AF triggers before PVI: Group A (n=22), sinus rhythm with pulmonary vein (PV)-specific AF triggers (defined as reproducible AF initiation from PVs only); Group B (n=211), AF with PV-specific AF triggers; Group C (n=94), sinus rhythm with no PV-specific AF trigger; Group D (n=165), AF with no PV-specific AF trigger. Among the 4 groups, only in Group D (AF at baseline and no PV-specific AF triggers) was arrhythmia-free survival significantly lower in the PVI-alone than PVI-plus arm (P=0.032; hazard ratio 1.68; 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.70). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with sinus rhythm or PV-specific AF triggers did not receive any benefit from substrate ablation, whereas patients with AF and no PV-specific AF trigger benefited from substrate ablation.

Changes in QRS morphology during antidromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia.

We report a case of a 44-year-old male who underwent an electrophysiological study for symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with wide QRS complex. The SVT was diagnosed as an antidromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) via antegrade conduction of left-sided accessory pathway (AP). However, the QRS morphology changed during the SVT, and then the SVT was terminated spontaneously. The mapping of AP was performed during sinus rhythm, and the radiofrequency application successfully eliminated the AP, which rendered tachycardias non-inducible. This was a rare case of antidromic AVRT during which the QRS morphology changed.

Impact of residual induction number of non-pulmonary vein foci on the 2-year outcomes in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Residual non-pulmonary vein (PV) foci are significantly associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, we previously reported among patients with non-PV foci induced only once, none experienced AF recurrence. Thus, we aimed to investigate the correlation between the residual induction number of non-PV foci and ablation outcome in paroxysmal AF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated 55 paroxysmal AF patients with residual non-PV foci after PVI and ablation of non-PV-foci. Study patients were classified into the residual one-time induction of non-PV foci (residual OTI-nPVF) group (n = 23) and residual repeatedly induced non-PV foci (residual RI-nPVF) group (n = 32). Furthermore, the residual RI-nPVF group was divided into the low inducibility group (n = 10) and high inducibility group (n = 22) according to the presence or absence of non-PV foci provoked by two sets of drug induction tests (non-PV foci inducibility). In addition, the latter was divided into the ablation group (n = 14) or observation group (n = 8). The 2-year AF recurrence-free rate in the residual RI-nPVF group was significantly lower compared to the residual OTI-nPVF group (53% vs. 90%, p = 0.018). There was no significant difference of the 2-year AF recurrence-free rates in the inducibility of non-PV foci (p = 0.913) and the presence or absence of ablation (p = 0.812) in the residual RI-nPVF group. CONCLUSIONS: Among paroxysmal AF patients, the presence of residual RI-nPVF was associated with higher AF recurrence compared to residual OTI-nPVF. Furthermore, within residual RI-nPVF subgroup, non-PV foci inducibility or ablation of some residual RI-nPVF did not affect ablation outcome.

Successful catheter ablation of atrial tachycardia initiated with orthodromic capture of superior vena cava potentials.

A case of successful catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia is reported. After pulmonary vein isolation, atrial tachycardia was induced by the use of isoproterenol and burst pacing from the catheter in the right atrium. An attempt was made to create a three-dimensional (3D) map of the atrial tachycardia, but the atrial tachycardia was terminated in the middle of the mapping. The 3D map was insufficient but indicated that the superior vena cava was involved in the circuit. When the intracardiac electrograms were reviewed, it was found that the atrial tachycardia was initiated with orthodromic capture of superior vena cava potentials and it was considered that the atrial tachycardia involved the superior vena cava-right atrium junction. Accordingly, superior vena cava isolation was performed. After that, atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardias were not induced by the use of isoproterenol and burst pacing. In this case, an intracardiac electrogram at the time of induction of the tachycardia was helpful for understanding the circuit of the tachycardia.

Impact of left atrial appendage flow velocity on thrombus resolution and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and silent left atrial thrombi: insights from the LAT study.

AIMS: Blood stasis is crucial in developing left atrial (LA) thrombi. LA appendage peak flow velocity (LAAFV) is a quantitative parameter for estimating thromboembolic risk. However, its impact on LA thrombus resolution and clinical outcomes remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The LAT study was a multicentre observational study investigating patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and silent LA thrombi detected by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Among 17 436 TEE procedures for patients with AF, 297 patients (1.7%) had silent LA thrombi. Excluding patients without follow-up examinations, we enrolled 169 whose baseline LAAFV was available. Oral anticoagulation use increased from 85.7% at baseline to 97.0% at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). During 1 year, LA thrombus resolution was confirmed in 130 (76.9%) patients within 76 (34-138) days. Conversely, 26 had residual LA thrombi, 8 had thromboembolisms, and 5 required surgical removal. These patients with failed thrombus resolution had lower baseline LAAFV than those with successful resolution (18.0 [15.8-22.0] vs. 22.2 [17.0-35.0], P = 0.003). Despite limited predictive power (area under the curve, 0.659; P = 0.001), LAAFV ≤ 20.0 cm/s (best cut-off) significantly predicted failed LA thrombus resolution, even after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-6.09; P = 0.015). The incidence of adverse outcomes including ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism, major bleeding, or all-cause death was significantly higher in patients with reduced LAAFV than in those with preserved LAAFV (28.4% vs. 11.6%, log-rank P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Failed LA thrombus resolution was not rare in patients with AF and silent LA thrombi. Reduced LAAFV was associated with failed LA thrombus resolution and adverse clinical outcomes.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, erythrocyte, and platelet in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), anaemia and low platelets have been associated with worse clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. We investigated the relationship between the combination of these three components and clinical outcome in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the data of 1021 patients with HFpEF hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) from the PURSUIT-HFpEF registry, a prospective, multicenter observational study. The enrolled patients were classified into four groups by an LEP (LDL-C, Erythrocyte, and Platelet) score of 0 to 3 points, with 1 point each for LDL-C, erythrocyte and platelet values less than the cut-off values as calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The endpoint, a composite of all-cause death and HF readmission, was evaluated among the four groups. Median follow-up duration was 579 [300, 978] days. Risk of the composite endpoint significantly differed among the four groups (P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the groups with an LEP score of 2 had higher risk of the composite endpoint than those with an LEP score of 0 or 1 (P < 0.001, and P = 0.013, respectively), while those with an LEP score of 3 had higher risk than those with an LEP score of 0, 1 or 2 (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.020, respectively). Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that an LEP score of 3 was significantly associated with the composite endpoint (P = 0.030). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that risk of the composite of all-cause death and HF readmission was significantly higher in low LDL values (less than the cut-off values as calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) patients with statin use than in those without statin use (log rank P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: LEP score, which comprehensively reflects extra-cardiac co-morbidities, is significantly associated with clinical outcomes in HFpEF patients.

Comparison of Postprocedural P-Wave Vector Magnitude on 12-Lead Electrocardiogram Between Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Ablation.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) causes changes in P-wave parameters. However, the difference in changes in P-wave parameters including P-wave vector magnitude (Pvm) between radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) remains unknown. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients who underwent only PVI were enrolled. Pvm was calculated by the square root of the sum of the squared P-wave amplitude in leads II and V6 and one-half of the P-wave amplitude in V2. The patients were divided into 2 groups: RFCA and CBA. ΔPvm was calculated as ΔPvm (mV) = (Pvm at pre-PVI)-(Pvm at post-PVI). The following factors were evaluated: (1) differences in the ΔPvm between the 2 groups, (2) relation between late arrhythmia recurrence and ΔPvm in RFCA and CBA groups, and (3) the impact of relevant factors on ΔPvm. The study population included a total of 426 patients with PAF (RFCA, 167 patients; CBA, 259 patients). ΔPvm was significantly larger in CBA than in RFCA (p <0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed late arrhythmia recurrence was significantly higher in patients with low ΔPvm (<0.019 mV) than high ΔPvm (≥0.019 mV) in RFCA (Log-rank p <0.001), and low ΔPvm (<0.033 mV) than high ΔPvm (≥0.033 mV) in CBA (Log-rank p <0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that CBA and heart rate change were independently and significantly associated with ΔPvm (p <0.001 and p <0.001, respectively). In conclusion, ΔPvm was significantly larger in CBA than RFCA during procedure. Low ΔPvm had a higher risk of late arrhythmia recurrence in RFCA and CBA.

Systematic observation-based diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with a bystander concealed nodoventricular pathway.

Background: This study aimed to establish a systematic method for diagnosing atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with a bystander concealed nodoventricular pathway (cNVP). Methods: We analyzed 13 cases of AVNRT with a bystander cNVP, 11 connected to the slow pathway (cNVP-SP) and two to the fast pathway (cNVP-FP), along with two cases of cNVP-related orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT). Results: The diagnostic process was summarized in three steps. Step 1 was identification of the presence of an accessory pathway by resetting the tachycardia with delay (n = 9) and termination without atrial capture (n = 4) immediately after delivery of a His-refractory premature ventricular contraction (PVC). Step 2 was exclusion of ORT by atrio-His block during the tachycardia (n = 4), disappearance of the reset phenomenon after the early PVC (n = 7), or dissociation of His from the tachycardia during ventricular overdrive pacing (n = 1). Moreover, tachycardia reset/termination without the atrial capture (n = 2/2) 1 cycle after the His-refractory PVC was specifically diagnostic. Exceptionally, the disappearance of the reset phenomenon was also observed in the two cNVP-ORTs. Step 3 was verification of the AVN as the cNVP insertion site, evidenced by an atrial reset/block preceding the His reset/block in fast-slow AVNRT with a cNVP-SP and slow-fast AVNRT with a cNVP-FP or His reset preceding the atrial reset in slow-fast AVNRT with a cNVP-SP. Conclusion: AVNRT with a bystander cNVP can be diagnosed in the three steps with few exceptions. Notably, tachycardia reset/termination without atrial capture one cycle after delivery of a His-refractory PVC is specifically diagnostic.

Uplift modeling to identify patients who require extensive catheter ablation procedures among patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Identifying patients who would benefit from extensive catheter ablation along with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) among those with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has been a subject of controversy. The objective of this study was to apply uplift modeling, a machine learning method for analyzing individual causal effect, to identify such patients in the EARNEST-PVI trial, a randomized trial in patients with persistent AF. We developed 16 uplift models using different machine learning algorithms, and determined that the best performing model was adaptive boosting using Qini coefficients. The optimal uplift score threshold was 0.0124. Among patients with an uplift score ≥ 0.0124, those who underwent extensive catheter ablation (PVI-plus) showed a significantly lower recurrence rate of AF compared to those who received only PVI (PVI-alone) (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.19-0.84; P-value = 0.015). In contrast, among patients with an uplift score < 0.0124, recurrence of AF did not significantly differ between PVI-plus and PVI-alone (HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.57-2.39; P-value = 0.661). By employing uplift modeling, we could effectively identify a subset of patients with persistent AF who would benefit from PVI-plus. This model could be valuable in stratifying patients with persistent AF who need extensive catheter ablation before the procedure.

Duration of atrial fibrillation persistence: Implications for recurrence risk after catheter ablation and efficacy of additional substrate ablation.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of atrial fibrillation (AF) persistence for predicting poor outcomes after catheter ablation of long-standing AF (LsAF) and the best ablation strategy for these patients remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the impact of the duration of AF persistence on outcomes after catheter ablation of AF. METHODS: We analyzed the Efficacy of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Alone in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (EARNEST-PVI) trial data comparing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone (PVI-alone) with additional linear ablation or defragmentation (PVI-plus) in persistent AF (PerAF). Patients who received catheter ablation by contact force-sensing catheter were enrolled in the study. In patients with LsAF, the optimal cutoff duration of AF persistence was evaluated. With use of the threshold, patients with LsAF were divided into 2 groups and compared with PerAF <1 year for arrhythmia-free survival after a 3-month blanking period. RESULTS: The optimal cutoff duration was 2.4 years. Of 458 patients, arrhythmia-free survival rates for LsAF 1-2.4 years were comparable to those of PerAF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.67-1.52). However, LsAF >2.4 years had a higher recurrence risk than PerAF (HR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.42-3.47). In LsAF >2.4 years, the PVI-plus strategy showed advantages over the PVI-alone strategy (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14-0.89). However, the interaction effect between LsAF 1-2.4 years and LsAF >2.4 years did not reach statistical significance (P = .116). CONCLUSION: Whereas LsAF 1-2.4 years has similar outcomes to those of PerAF, LsAF >2.4 years was linked to higher arrhythmia recurrence risks. For LsAF >2.4 years, the PVI-plus strategy showed a potential to be superior to the PVI-alone strategy.

Impact of left ventricular inflow-outflow angle on heart failure readmission post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Heart failure (HF) readmission post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is common; however, its anatomical predictors remain unclear. This study identified a small systolic left ventricular inflow-outflow (LVIO) angle, evaluated using computed tomography, as a potential anatomical predictor associated with HF readmission post-TAVI. Patients with a small systolic LVIO angle may require close follow-up post-TAVI.

Predictors of 30-day survival after emergent percutaneous coronary intervention following ventricular tachyarrhythmias complicating acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported on the predictors of 30-day survival after emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: We analyzed 55 consecutive patients who underwent an emergent PCI after ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) complicating AMI between September 2014 and March 2023 in our hospital. These patients were categorized into two groups: survival group (S group) who survived >30 days after the emergent PCI and death group (D group) who died by 30 days after the emergent PCI. We compared the patient characteristics, coronary angiographic findings, and PCI procedures between the two groups. RESULTS: S group consisted of 40 patients. In the univariate analysis, absence of diabetes mellitus, presence of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), low arterial lactate, and single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) were associated with 30-day survival after the emergent PCI (P = 0.048, P < 0.001, P = 0.009, and P = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, presence of immediate CPR and single-vessel CAD were independently associated with 30-day survival after the emergent PCI (P = 0.023 and P = 0.032, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate CPR and single-vessel CAD were significant predictors of 30-day survival after the emergent PCI following VF or pulseless VT complicating AMI. Absence of diabetes mellitus and low arterial lactate were associated with 30-day survival in the univariate analysis.