A Simple Percutaneous Retrieval Technique for an Embolized Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device in the Thoracic Aorta Using a Homemade Snare.

A 60-year old male with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent a combined procedure of left atrial appendage occlusion and pulmonary vein isolation. However, an acute intraprocedural 24-mm Watchman device dislodgement occurred, and thus a decision for urgent surgery was made. However, it was noted during the surgery that the device had migrated further to the descending aorta, just distal to the left subclavian artery. Since a right sternotomy access for retrieval was not feasible, a percutaneous approach was justified. A homemade snare was created using a combination of a long sheath, J-wire, and a regular snare, and the device was successfully retrieved without significant difficulty.

Antiplatelet for Coronary Artery Disease in Specific Condition "No Size Fits All".

Antiplatelet is the cornerstone therapy for patient with coronary artery disease. Several comorbidities can influence the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet agent. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by increased platelet reactivity and reduced response to antiplatelet. Elderly patients have both reduced response to antiplatelet and increased risk of bleeding. Patients with renal dysfunction also had decreased efficacy of antiplatelet accompanied with increased risk of bleeding. In patients with atrial fibrillation, the concomitant use of anticoagulant with antiplatelet poses an increased risk of bleeding. In patients with these comorbidities, caution should be stressed in selecting the best regimen of antiplatelet which translates the most optimal efficacy while minimizing the risk of adverse events. In this review, we will discuss the platelet changes in these comorbidities, current evidence of antiplatelet usage in these group of patients and current recommendation.

Characteristics, treatment and in-hospital outcomes of patients with STEMI in a metropolitan area of a developing country: an initial report of the extended Jakarta Acute Coronary Syndrome registry.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the characteristics of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after expansion of a STEMI registry as part of the STEMI network programme in a metropolitan city and the surrounding area covering ∼26 million inhabitants. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Emergency department of 56 health centres. PARTICIPANTS: 3015 patients with acute coronary syndrome, of which 1024 patients had STEMI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Characteristics of reperfusion therapy. RESULTS: The majority of patients with STEMI (81%; N=826) were admitted to six academic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres. PCI centres received patients predominantly (56%; N=514) from a transfer process. The proportion of patients receiving acute reperfusion therapy was higher than non-reperfused patients (54% vs 46%, p<0.001), and primary PCI was the most common method of reperfusion (86%). The mean door-to-device (DTD) time was 102±68 min. In-hospital mortality of non-reperfused patients was higher than patients receiving primary PCI or fibrinolytic therapy (9.1% vs 3.2% vs 3.8%, p<0.001). Compared with non-academic PCI centres, patients with STEMI admitted to academic PCI centres who underwent primary PCI had shorter mean DTD time (96±44 min vs 140±151 min, p<0.001), higher use of manual thrombectomy (60.2% vs13.8%, p<0.001) and drug-eluting stent implantation (87% vs 69%, p=0.001), but had similar use of radial approach and intra-aortic balloon pump (55.7% vs 67.2%, and 2.2% vs 3.4%, respectively). In patients transferred for primary PCI, TIMI risk score ≥4 on presentation was associated with a prolonged door-in to door-out (DI-DO) time (adjusted OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.09 to 3.95, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In the expanded JAC registry, a higher proportion of patients with STEMI received reperfusion therapy, but 46% still did not. In developing countries, focusing the prehospital care in the network should be a major focus of care to improve the DI-DO time along with improvement of DTD time at PCI centres. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02319473.

Sealing of a dual feeding coronary artery perforation with homemade spring guidewire.

Coronary artery perforation (CAP) after percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare, but potentially life-threatening complication. The source of the bleeding is usually from one of the coronary arteries. In the era of chronic total occlusion technique, retrograde approach strategy sometimes is performed using collateral channels. When CAP occurs distal from the collateral channel, the source of bleeding can be from dual arteries, i.e., main and contra-lateral artery. Therefore, management of this bleeding should be intended to close the channel from both the arteries. We have successfully performed an emergent microcoil embolization in a patient with uncontrolled Ellis grade III perforation resulting cardiac tamponade which need pericardiocentesis. The perforation was sealed with the use of cutting the distal part of spring guidewire deployed at the septal collateral channel and fibered microcoil embolization deployed at the distal part of the other vessel. During 1 month follow-up, the patient was found to be well. In conclusion, CAP may result from two source of bleeding and should be kept into consideration. We successfully stopped the bleeding using the combination of fibered microcoil and tip of the spring guidewire.

Left ventricular lead positioning in cardiac resynchronization therapy: an innovative retrograde approach without using snare.

AIMS: Ideal positioning of left ventricular (LV) pacing lead in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is technically demanding. This case aims to place LV lead in anterolateral branch of coronary sinus (CS) using collateral route blindly. METHODS AND RESULTS: Externalization via the CS ostium using collaterals retrogrogradely, which was not visible in initial balloon occlusion venography, through one delivery sheath with the support of commonly used micro-guide catheter and subsequent successful LV lead placement in anterolateral branch of CS. CONCLUSION: This innovative retrograde approach for LV pacing lead implantation in anterolateral branch of CS obviated the need for snare technique to capture the distal end of the wire when antegrade route was not successful.

Device sizing for transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva as per echocardiography color Doppler turbulent flow jet diameter.

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva (SV) is a rare occurrence with a wide spectrum of presentation, ranging from an asymptomatic murmur to cardiogenic shock or even sudden cardiac death. We hereby report a case which was successfully closed by transcatheter technique. In this case, ruptured SV was entered from the aorta, an arteriovenous loop was created and device was implanted using a venous approach. The procedure was safe, effective and uncomplicated, obviating the need for surgery. In this case, the authors report for the first time the use of echo color Doppler turbulent flow jet diameter as a reference value for sizing the device.

Simple mechanical thrombectomy with intrapulmonary arterial thrombolysis in pulmonary thromboembolism: a small case series.

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening condition with a high early mortality rate caused by acute right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. We report a series of three patients who presented with acute and subacute submassive PTE. They were successfully treated by simple catheter-based mechanical thrombectomy and intrapulmonary arterial thrombolysis. Mechanical fragmentation and aspiration of thrombus was performed by commonly used J-wire, multi-purpose and Judkin Right guiding catheters and this obviated the need of specific thrombectomy devices.

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion of right coronary artery in patient with dextrocardia.

Situs inversus with dextrocardia is rare congenital anomaly. Coronary artery disease in such patients is quite rare. We reported a 52-year-old man with dextrocardia and chronic total occlusion at the proximal right coronary artery just after conus branch and severe stenosis at the proximal left anterior descending artery. He underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting of total occluded right coronary artery and simultaneously stenting of the proximal left anterior descending artery.

LDL Cholesterol Goal Attainment in Hypercholesterolemia: CEPHEUS Indonesian Survey.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that lipid-lowering therapy to address hypercholesterolemia is generally inadequate because the target cholesterol goal is not achieved. Our study reviews the cholesterol goal attainment among patients receiving lipid lowering therapy in Indonesian hypercholesterolemic patients. METHODS: This surveywas part of the Pan-Asian CEPHEUS (CEntralized Pan-Asian survey on tHE Under-treatment of hypercholeSterolemia) study, involving hypercholesterolemic patients ≥ 18 years of age, who were on lipid- lowering treatment for ≥ 3 months. Lipid concentrations were measured, demographic and other clinically relevant information were collected. Definitions and criteria set by the updated 2004 National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Program III was applied. RESULTS: In this survey, 149 physicians enrolled 979 patients, of whom only 834 were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 56.5 years, 53.5% male, and 82.3% were on statin monotherapy. The LDL-C goal attainment rate amongst Indonesians (31.3%)was belowthat of the overall Asian rate (49.1%). The lowest attainment (12.1%)was found in patients with a therapeutic target < 70 mg/dL. Additionally, the goal attainment rate in patients with metabolic syndrome (28%) was significantly lower than in patients without metabolic syndrome (37.5%, p = 0.006). Goal attainment was inversely related to cardiovascular risk and baseline LDL-C (p < 0.001). It was also noted that approximately 65.1% of patients believed he/she could miss a dosage without affecting his/her blood cholesterol concentration. CONCLUSIONS: High proportions of Indonesian hypercholesterolemic patients on lipid-lowering drug are not at the recommended LDL-C levels, and remain at risk for cardiovascular disease. KEY WORDS: Cardiovascular disease; Dyslipidemia; Hypercholesterolemia; Indonesian; LDL cholesterol.

Gender Difference in Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract-Ventricular Tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have discussed gender differences in idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract-ventricular tachycardia (RVOT-VT). This study explored possible gender differences in electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation for idiopathic RVOT-VT in Taiwan. METHODS: Ninety-three patients (mean age 38.7 ± 15.5years, 30 males) were diagnosed as having idiopathic RVOT-VT between 1998 and 2010, and were enrolled and analyzed as part of our investigation. RESULTS: The age of onset, syncope episodes, underlying hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia or family history of ventricular arrhythmias did not differ between males and females. Male patients had longer QRS width (99.9 ± 19.4 ms vs. 88.4 ± 20.7 ms, p = 0.02). Female patients had lower right ventricular mean voltage (3.0 ± 0.7 mV vs. 3.7 ± 0.9 mV, p = 0.03), and more low voltage zone over the right ventricular outflow tract free wall (27.0% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.02). Eighty-one patients received catheter ablation (23 males). The acute success rate, repeated catheter ablation rate and VT recurrence rate were similar between the genders. CONCLUSIONS: Our study did reveal differences in electroanatomical characteristics by gender for patients who had idiopathic RVOT-VT, but overall outcomes after catheter ablation were similar. KEY WORDS: Gender; Right ventricular outflow tract-ventricular tachycardia.

Novel assessment of temporal variation in fractionated electrograms using histogram analysis of local fractionation interval in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The characteristics of atrial electrograms associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) termination are controversial. We investigated the electrogram characteristics that indicate procedural AF termination during continuous complex fractionated electrogram ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-two consecutive patients with persistent AF (47 men; aged 54 ± 9 years), who underwent electrogram-based catheter ablation in the left atrium and coronary sinus after pulmonary vein isolation, were enrolled. The intracardiac bipolar atrial electrogram recordings were characterized by (1) fractionation interval (FI) analysis (>6 seconds), (2) kurtosis (shape of the FI histogram), and (3) skewness (asymmetry of the FI histogram). Sites showing complex, fractionated electrograms (mean FI ≤ 60 ms) were targeted, and AF was terminated in 20 patients (38%) after the pulmonary vein isolation. The conventional complex fractionated electrogram sites (mean ≤ 120 ms) in patients with AF termination exhibited higher median kurtosis (2.69 [interquartile range, 2.03-3.46] versus 2.35 [interquartile range, 1.79-2.48]; P=0.024) and higher complex fractionated electrogram-mean interval (102.7 ± 19.8 versus 87.7 ± 15.0; P=0.008) than patients without AF termination. Furthermore, AF termination sites had higher median kurtosis than targeted sites without AF termination (5.13 [interquartile range, 3.51-6.47] versus 4.18 [interquartile range, 2.91-5.34]; P<0.01) in patients with procedural termination. In addition, patients with AF termination had a higher sinus rhythm maintenance rate after a single procedure than patients without AF termination (log-rank test, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: A kurtosis analysis using the FI histogram may be a useful tool in identifying the critical substrate for persistent AF and potential responders to catheter ablation.

Renal dysfunction and the risk of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation--the potential role beyond the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is recognized as an important risk factor for thromboembolic (TE) events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) under medical treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether renal dysfunction is a useful predictor of TE events among patients receiving AF ablation. We also aimed to determine whether the diagnostic accuracy of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score in predicting TE events could be improved by adding renal dysfunction into the scoring system. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 547 patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation. Renal dysfunction was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The clinical end point was the occurrence of TE events (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or other systemic embolisms) during follow-up after catheter ablation. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 38.9 ± 22.5 months, 16 patients (2.9%) experienced TE events. Both the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score and renal dysfunction were independent predictors of TE events in the multivariate analysis. Among patients with a CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score of 0 or 1, renal dysfunction can further stratify them into 2 groups with different event rates (4.3% vs 0.3%; P = .046). A new scoring system derived by assigning 1 more point representing renal dysfunction to the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score could improve its predictive accuracy; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.84 to 0.88 (P = .043). CONCLUSIONS: Renal dysfunction was a significant risk factor for TE events after catheter ablation of AF and may improve the diagnostic accuracy of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score.

A prospective, randomized comparison of modified pulmonary vein isolation versus conventional pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the primary ablation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that high dominant frequency (DF) sites (AF nests during sinus rhythm [SR]) adjacent to the PV ostia are associated with the atrial substrate that maintains AF, and PVI incorporating the high-frequency AF nests may have a higher efficacy. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective and randomized comparison, 126 symptomatic paroxysmal AF patients that underwent PVI were enrolled. We compared the efficacy of a modified PVI (ablation line: 1.0-1.5 cm from the PV ostium with encircling the AF nests [spectral analysis with DF >70 Hz during SR, Group II]) versus the anatomy-guided conventional PVI (Group I). In Group II, the DF value along the PV ostium was lower than 70 Hz after the PVI. The primary endpoint was the freedom from symptomatic atrial arrhythmias after a single procedure. We also followed the autonomic function by a time-domain analysis of the heart rate variability. In both groups, AF nests were observed and electric isolation was successfully obtained in all patients. With a mean duration of 16 ± 6.1 months of follow-up, Group II had a higher single procedure efficacy without drugs (78.7% vs 66.1%, log-rank test: P = 0.02), and fewer repeat procedures (6.6% vs 23%; P = 0.04), as compared to Group I. CONCLUSION: PVI incorporating the high frequency AF nests adjacent to the PV ostia had a better single procedure efficacy.

Long-term outcome of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation originating from the superior vena cava.

UNLABELLED: Long-Term Outcome of SVC AF Ablation. INTRODUCTION: Data of the long-term clinical outcome after superior vena cava (SVC) isolation are limited. We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had triggers originating from the SVC and received catheter ablation of AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study consisted of 68 patients (age 56 ± 12 years old, 32 males) who underwent the ablation procedure for drug-refractory, symptomatic paroxysmal AF originating from the SVC since 1999. Group 1 consisted of 37 patients with AF initiated from the SVC only, and group 2 consisted of 31 patients with both SVC and pulmonary vein (PV) triggers. During a follow-up period of 88 ± 50 months, the AF recurrence rate was 35.3% after a single procedure. The freedom-from-AF rates were 85.3% at 1 year and 73.3% at 5 years. In the baseline study, group 2 had larger left atrium (38 ± 4 mm vs 36 ± 5 mm, P = 0.04), left ventricle (50 ± 5 mm vs 46 ± 5 mm, P = 0.003), and PV diameters. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a higher AF recurrence rate in group 2 compared to that in group 1 (P = 0.012). The independent predictor of an AF recurrence was a larger SVC diameter (P = 0.02, HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8). CONCLUSION: Among the patients with paroxysmal AF originating from the SVC, 73% remained free of AF for 5 years after a single catheter ablation procedure. Superior vena cava isolation without PV isolation is an acceptable therapeutic strategy in those patients with AF originating from the SVC only. The SVC diameter was an independent predictor of AF recurrence. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 955-961, September 2012).

Clinical outcome of catheter ablation in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation: results of 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) became an effective therapy for patients with drug-refractory AF, and the indications have broadened to include nonparoxysmal AF patients. However, data about the long-term effectiveness of ablation in patients with nonparoxysmal AF are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with nonparoxysmal AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 88 nonparoxysmal AF patients who received a stepwise catheter ablation (isolation of the pulmonary veins plus substrate modification) from 2006 to 2008 were enrolled. Freedom of recurrence was defined as the absence of atrial arrhythmias without using any antiarrhythmic agents after the catheter ablation. There were 63 patients (71.6%) with recurrences (47 patients with AF and 16 patients with atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia) after the initial procedure during a median follow-up period of 36.8 months. A CHADS2 score of ≥3 and the left atrial (LA) diameter were significant predictors of recurrences in the multivariable analysis. Of the patients with CHADS2 scores of ≥3 and an LA dimension≥44 mm, all had recurrences within 1 year after the initial procedure. The overall recurrence-free rate could increase to 47.7% after the second procedure and 51.1% after the third procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term recurrence-free rate of ablation in nonparoxysmal AF was only 28.4% after a single procedure, and multiple procedures were necessary to raise the recurrence-free rate. The CHADS2 score and LA dimension may help us to identify patients who will have recurrences after catheter ablations of nonparoxysmal AF.

Relationship between the CHADS(2) score and risk of very late recurrences after catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has been performed for more than 10 years. However, data about the long-term results were limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-tem efficacy following paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation and to investigate whether there were different patterns of recurrences in patients with different CHADS(2) scores. METHODS: A total of 238 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who received a catheter ablation from 2004 to 2007 were enrolled. Free of recurrence was defined as the absence of atrial arrhythmias without using any antiarrhythmic agents after ablation. RESULTS: There were 121 patients (50.8%) suffering from recurrences after the first ablation procedure during a median follow-up period of 5 years. The CHADS(2) score and left atrial diameter were significant predictors of recurrences in the multivariate analysis. Different patterns of recurrence were observed in different groups of patients categorized on the base of CHADS(2) score. Among patients with a CHADS(2) score of ≥3 without recurrences at 2 years postablation, 63.6% experienced episodes of arrhythmias during the subsequent follow-up period. In contrast, in patients with a CHADS(2) score of 0 without recurrences at 2 years postablation, the future recurrence rate was only 2.7%. CONCLUSIONS: After a successful ablation, recurrences may continue to occur without reaching a plateau during the long-term follow-up, especially in patients with a high CHADS(2) score. The optimal follow-up strategy may differ and should be individualized for patients with different scores.

A novel finding of the atrial substrate properties and long-term results of catheter ablation in chronic atrial fibrillation patients with left atrial spontaneous echo contrast.

BACKGROUND: The atrial substrate in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with a left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) has not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the atrial substrate properties and long-term follow-up results in the patients who received catheter ablation of chronic AF. METHODS: Of 36 consecutive patients with chronic AF who received a stepwise ablation approach, 18 patients with an LASEC (group I) were compared with 18 age-gender-left atrial volume matched patients without an LASEC (group II). The atrial substrate properties including the weighted peak-to-peak voltage, total activation time during sinus rhythm (SR), dominant frequency (DF), and complex fractionated electrograms (CFEs) during AF in the bi-atria were evaluated. RESULT: The left atrial weighted bipolar peak-to-peak voltage (1.0 ± 0.6 vs 1.6 ± 0.7 mV, P = 0.04), total activation time (119 ± 20 vs 103 ± 13 ms, P < 0.001) and DF (7.3 ± 1.3 vs 6.6 ± 0.7 Hz, P < 0.001) differed between group I and group II, respectively. Those parameters did not differ in the right atrium. The bi-atrial CFEs (left atrium: 89 ± 24 vs 92 ± 25, P = 0.8; right atrium: 92 ± 25 vs 102 ± 3, P = 0.9) did not differ between group I and group II, respectively. After a mean follow-up of 30 ± 13 month, there were significant differences in the antiarrhythmic drugs (1.1 ± 0.3 vs 0.7 ± 0.5, P = 0.02) needed after ablation, and recurrence as persistent AF (92% vs 50%, P = 0.03) between group I and group II, respectively. After multiple procedures, there were more group II patients that remained in SR, when compared with group I (78% vs 44%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There was a poorer atrial substrate, lesser SR maintenance after catheter ablation and need for more antiarrhythmic drugs in the chronic AF patients with an LASEC when compared with those without an LASEC.