Mechanical and substrate abnormalities of the left atrium assessed by 3-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and electroanatomic mapping system in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) remodeling progresses to electrical remodeling, contractile remodeling, and subsequently structural remodeling. Little is known about the relationship between LA electrical and anatomical remodeling and LA mechanical function. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to clarify the relationship between LA mechanical function using 3-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) and LA electrical remodeling using an electroanatomic mapping system (CARTO 3) and to estimate atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF). METHODS: A total of 52 patients with PAF (41 (79%) men; mean age 61 ± 11 years) undergoing their initial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were examined. The standard deviation of the time to peak strain in each LA segment (%SD-TPS) was analyzed as an index of LA dyssynchrony using 3D-STE before PVI. Contact LA bipolar voltage and activation maps were constructed during sinus rhythm before PVI using CARTO 3. The LA total activation time was measured and low-voltage zones (LVZs) were determined with a local bipolar electrogram amplitude of <0.5 mV. The patients were divided into those with an LVZ (LVZ group; n = 23) and those without an LVZ (non-LVZ group; n = 29). RESULTS: The %SD-TPS was significantly higher (14.1 ± 5.7 vs 8.0 ± 5.1; P=.0002) in the LVZ group than in the non-LVZ group and was an independent determinant of the LVZ (odds ratio 1.21; 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.49; P=.01). In addition, the LA total activation time was weakly correlated with the %SD-TPS. CONCLUSION: LA dyssynchrony and conduction delay exist in patients with PAF. The 3D-STE enabled noninvasive estimation of LA electrical remodeling and AF substrate.

Time-domain T-wave alternans is strongly associated with a history of ventricular fibrillation in patients with Brugada syndrome.

AIMS: T-wave alternans (TWA) is an indicator of vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias and is useful for predicting sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with various structural heart diseases. We evaluated whether high levels of time-domain TWA on ambulatory ECG (AECG) are associated with a history of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the associations among VF history, family history of SCD, spontaneous type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG), late potentials, VF induction by programmed electrical stimulation, and TWA in 45 BrS patients (44 males; mean age, 45 ± 15 years). TWA analyzed from 24-h AECG recordings using the modified moving average method was positive in 13 of 43 patients (30%). Patients with a history of VF had a significantly higher incidence of a positive TWA test (82% vs. 13%; P < 0.001) and spontaneous type 1 ECG (92% vs. 38%; P = 0.007) than those without VF history. Multivariate analysis indicated that positive TWA (OR 7.217; 95% CI 2.503-35.504; P = 0.002) and spontaneous type 1 ECG (OR 5.530; 95% CI 1.651-34.337; P = 0.020) were closely associated with VF history. Spontaneous type 1 ECG had high sensitivity (92%) but low specificity (63%). Positive TWA was a reliable marker with high sensitivity and specificity (82% and 88%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated time-domain TWA on AECG confirms arrhythmia risk in symptomatic BrS patients without the need for provocative stimuli.

Deterioration of the circadian variation of heart rate variability in Brugada syndrome may contribute to the pathogenesis of ventricular fibrillation.

AIMS: Abnormal sympathetic innervation triggers ventricular fibrillation (VF). We examined the circadian variation of autonomic nervous system and its relevance to risk stratification of VF in patients with Brugada syndrome (Brs). METHODS: We enrolled 12 male Brs patients with documented VF (Brs-S; mean age, 42±4 years), 17 without documented VF (Brs-N; mean age 48±4 years), and 16 age- and gender-matched controls. The clinical data, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), signal-averaged ECG, electrophysiological study (EPS), and heart rate variability from 24h Holter ECG were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The low frequency components (LF) in Brs-S and Brs-N and high frequency components (HF) in Brs-S patients were significantly lower than in the controls (409.8±128.6ms(2), 329.5±108ms(2) vs. 945.3±111.3ms(2); 135.1±73.8ms(2) vs. 391.8±63.9ms(2), respectively). The circadian variation of the LF and LF/HF decreased in the Brs patients, the standard deviation (SD) of LF/HF (<2.5) and SD of LF (<400ms(2)) had sufficiently high sensitivity (96.6%) and specificity (92.9%) for the diagnosis of Brs. Most of the Brs-S patients (83.3%) were located under the line formed by the SD/mean of HF=SD/mean of LF in the scatter plots. CONCLUSION: Lack of the circadian variation of autonomic function occurs in Brs, and this may contribute to the pathogenesis of VF.

Prediction of atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using preoperative total atrial conduction time determined on tissue Doppler imaging.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery and results in increased health-care utilization. This study identified new transthoracic echocardiographic predictors of POAF using an index of the total atrial conduction time derived on tissue Doppler imaging (PA-TDI duration) in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 88 patients undergoing isolated OPCAB were enrolled. They were examined preoperatively on transthoracic echocardiography with tissue Doppler evaluations and monitored postoperatively with continuous electrocardiographic telemetry for 7 days. POAF occurred in 35 patients (39.8%). Patients with POAF had a significantly longer duration of hospital stay than those without (44.9±6.2 vs. 37.3±3.3 days, P=0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that PA-TDI duration (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.16; P=0.0001) and left atrial volume index (LAVI; OR, 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02-1.20; P=0.01) were independent predictors of POAF. Moreover, PA-TDI duration was more reliable, given an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 (sensitivity, 74.3%; specificity, 86.8%). CONCLUSIONS: PA-TDI duration was an independent predictor of POAF following OPCAB. Awareness of risk of POAF may lead to the prevention of POAF, a rapid response to POAF, shortened hospital stay, and improved prognosis.

Variable procedural strategies adapted to anatomical characteristics in catheter ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus using a preoperative multidetector computed tomography analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the anatomical characteristics complicating cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation and the effectiveness of various procedural strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 446 consecutive patients (362 males; mean age 60.5 ± 10.4 years) in whom CTI ablation was performed. A total of 80 consecutive patients were evaluated in a preliminary study. The anatomy of the CTI was evaluated by multidetector row-computed tomography (MDCT) prior to the procedure. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the angle and mean wall thickness of the CTI, a concave CTI morphology, and a prominent Eustachian ridge, were associated with a difficult CTI ablation (P < 0.01). In the main study, 366 consecutive patients were divided into 2 groups: a modulation group (catheter inversion technique for a concave aspect, prominent Eustachian ridge, and steep angle of the CTI or increased output for a thicker CTI) and nonmodulation group (conventional strategy). The duration and total amount of radiofrequency energy delivered were significantly shorter and smaller in the modulation group than those in the nonmodulation group (162.2 ± 153.5 vs 222.7 ± 191.9 seconds, P < 0.01, and 16,962.4 ± 11,545.6 vs 24,908.5 ± 22,804.2 J, P < 0.01, respectively). The recurrence rate of type 1 atrial flutter after the CTI ablation in the nonmodulation group was significantly higher than that in the modulation group (6.3 vs 1.7%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Changing the procedural strategies by adaptating them to the anatomical characteristics improved the outcomes of the CTI ablation.

A nonsynonymous polymorphism in semaphorin 3A as a risk factor for human unexplained cardiac arrest with documented ventricular fibrillation.

Unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA) with documented ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death. Abnormal sympathetic innervations have been shown to be a trigger of ventricular fibrillation. Further, adequate expression of SEMA3A was reported to be critical for normal patterning of cardiac sympathetic innervation. We investigated the relevance of the semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) gene located at chromosome 5 in the etiology of UCA. Eighty-three Japanese patients diagnosed with UCA and 2,958 healthy controls from two different geographic regions in Japan were enrolled. A nonsynonymous polymorphism (I334V, rs138694505A>G) in exon 10 of the SEMA3A gene identified through resequencing was significantly associated with UCA (combined P = 0.0004, OR 3.08, 95%CI 1.67-5.7). Overall, 15.7% of UCA patients carried the risk genotype G, whereas only 5.6% did in controls. In patients with SEMA3A(I334V), VF predominantly occurred at rest during the night. They showed sinus bradycardia, and their RR intervals on the 12-lead electrocardiography tended to be longer than those in patients without SEMA3A(I334V) (1031±111 ms versus 932±182 ms, P = 0.039). Immunofluorescence staining of cardiac biopsy specimens revealed that sympathetic nerves, which are absent in the subendocardial layer in normal hearts, extended to the subendocardial layer only in patients with SEMA3A(I334V). Functional analyses revealed that the axon-repelling and axon-collapsing activities of mutant SEMA3A(I334V) genes were significantly weaker than those of wild-type SEMA3A genes. A high incidence of SEMA3A(I334V) in UCA patients and inappropriate innervation patterning in their hearts implicate involvement of the SEMA3A gene in the pathogenesis of UCA.

Left atrial thickness under the catheter ablation lines in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: insights from 64-slice multidetector computed tomography.

A detailed understanding of the left atrial (LA) anatomy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) would improve the safety and efficacy of the radiofrequency catheter ablation. The objective of this study was to examine the myocardial thickness under the lines of the circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Fifty-four consecutive symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal AF patients (45 men, age 61 ± 12 years) who underwent a primary CPVI guided by a three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system (Carto XP; Biosense-Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) with CT integration (Cartomerge; Biosense-Webster) were enrolled. Using MDCT, we examined the myocardial thickness of the LA and pulmonary vein (PV) regions in all patients. An analysis of the measurements by the MDCT revealed that the LA wall was thickest in the left lateral ridge (LLR; 4.42 ± 1.28 mm) and thinnest in the left inferior pulmonary vein wall (1.68 ± 0.27 mm). On the other hand, the thickness of the posterior wall in the cases with contact between the esophagus and left PV antrum was 1.79 ± 0.22 mm (n = 30). After the primary CPVI, the freedom from AF without any drugs during a 1-year follow-up period was 78 % (n = 42). According to the multivariate analysis, the thickness of the LLR was an independent positive predictor of an AF recurrence (P = 0.041). The structure of the left atrium and PVs exhibited a variety of myocardial thicknesses in the different regions. Of those, only the measurement of the LLR thickness was associated with an AF recurrence.

Pulmonary artery mapping for differential diagnosis of left-sided atrial tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing left-and right-sided atrial tachycardia (AT) is often challenging. The coronary sinus (CS) provides information only concerning the anterior left atrium (LA). Potentials recorded in the pulmonary artery (PA) have been substituted for those of the upper posterior LA because of their anatomical relationship. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three patterns were designed, using potentials in the PA, right atrium (RA) and CS, to predict the side of AT. Two patterns were for left-sided AT and 1 pattern was for right-sided AT. Ten left-sided and 11 right-sided ATs were investigated regardless of mechanism. Electrode catheters were inserted in the RA, His bundle region, and CS, and an ablation catheter was inserted into the left and/or right PA. The sequences from these catheters were analyzed before detailed electroanatomical mapping. Patterns were obtained for 20 of 21 ATs. The mechanism was focal in 16 ATs and macroreentry in 5. The method predicted left-sided AT with a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 84%, and an accuracy of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of potentials in PA combined with conventional RA and CS electrograms is useful for distinguishing left-sided AT from right-sided AT, regardless of mechanism.

Sleep-disordered breathing predicts sinus node dysfunction in persistent atrial fibrillation patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.

BACKGROUND: The indications for catheter ablation have been expanded to include persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) to enable a high degree of sinus rhythm maintenance. We occasionally encounter patients undergoing pacemaker implantation in whom sick sinus syndrome became clinically evident after ablation. This study investigated whether underlying sinus node dysfunction (SND) during persistent AF can be predicted before deciding the indications for ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 87 consecutive patients with persistent AF who underwent catheter ablation between January 2010 and July 2011 were enrolled in the study. Nocturnal polysomnography as well as transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were performed in all patients before ablation. We used the double Lasso catheter and electroanatomical mapping-guided extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) method. We performed electrophysiological studies after EEPVI, and SND was defined as a corrected SN recovery time of ≥550ms. SND was detected in 42 (48%) patients (SND group); the other patients showed normal sinus node function (NSN group). The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly greater in the SND group than in the NSN group (25.7±13 vs. 17.5±11, p=0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing (defined as AHI≥15) was an independent predictor of SND after catheter ablation for persistent AF. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that underlying SND in patients with persistent AF can be predicted by evaluating sleep-disordered breathing before catheter ablation.

Use of preprocedural multidetector computed tomography to decrease atrial fibrillation recurrence following extensive encircling circumferential pulmonary vein isolation.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial thickness is particularly thick at the ridge between the left pulmonary vein (PV) and the left atrial appendage (LAA) by dissection. We investigated whether atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcome was influenced by altering ablation strategies according to the thickness of the PV-LAA ridge using preprocedural multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with AF scheduled for extensive encircling circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) (110 patients) were divided into 2 groups. In the nonmodulation group (32 patients), EEPVI lines were created using a 3.5-mm tip irrigated catheter at a maximum power of 30 W for 20-30 s at each site. In the modulation group (78 patients), ablation was extended (40-60 s) at the PV-LAA ridge if its thickness was >4.0 mm on MDCT examination. Extended ablation at the PV-LAA ridge was noted in 37 patients in the modulation group. During 25±9 months of follow-up, recurrence was significantly less in the modulation group than in the nonmodulation group (10% vs. 28%; p=0.018). Logistic regression analysis showed that modifications in the ablation time and left atrium volume index were independent predictors of arrhythmia-free recovery after ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence following EEPVI could be reduced by modifications in the ablation time at the PV-LAA ridge.

Atrioventricular conduction properties in patients with prolonged pauses undergoing ablation of longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation: do pauses during atrial fibrillation matter?

BACKGROUND: Atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances have often been considered as an etiology of prolonged pauses during atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to test whether there was a significant difference in the AV conduction properties between patients with and without clinically significant pauses who underwent ablation of longstanding persistent AF. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients undergoing ablation of longstanding persistent AF were divided into three groups according to the extent of pauses documented on the ambulatory electrocardiogram during AF; patients without pauses (n = 25), with pauses of <3 s (n = 52), and with pauses of ≥3 s (n = 22). The AV conduction properties, heart rate variability, and bradycardia-related symptoms after conversion to sinus rhythm were compared across the three groups plus a control group (n = 35). RESULTS: Sinus conversion was achieved in all patients after ablation. No differences were found across the groups in the AV conduction properties including the AH and HV intervals, AV nodal effective refractory period, or Wenckebach point. A male gender (ß = 0.32; p = 0.0016), structural heart disease (ß = 0.24; p = 0.02), and the AA interval right after ablation (ß = 0.35; p = 0.0014), rather than the AV conduction properties, were independent determinants of the longest normal RR interval during AF. No patients experienced any bradycardia-related symptoms after ablation. CONCLUSIONS: No AV conduction abnormalities were necessarily identified after the ablation even among the patients suspected of having an AV conduction disturbance during AF.

Prediction of sinus node dysfunction in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation using the atrial fibrillatory cycle length.

BACKGROUND: Sinus node dysfunction (SND) occasionally coexists with long-standing atrial fibrillation (AF) but is unidentifiable during AF. We aimed to identify the predictors of underlying SND when deciding the indications for long-standing persistent AF ablation. METHODS: We included 105 patients undergoing ablation of long-standing persistent AF to assess the frequency of a permanent pacemaker implantation (PMI) for SND that manifested after sinus conversion and to determine the relationship between the corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) and other clinical parameters obtained before the ablation including the atrial fibrillatory cycle length (AFCL). RESULTS: We identified 7 patients (7%) requiring a PMI for SND after AF termination. The patients with a PMI were nearly all females (6/7) and had a significantly longer CSNRT (1197 ± 647 vs 612 ± 349 milliseconds; P = .0046) and more prolonged AFCL (179 ± 19 vs 153 ± 22 milliseconds; P = .0028) than those without. The age (r = 0.26; P = .011), female sex (r = 0.25; P = .012), hypertension (r = 0.22; P = .038), and AFCL (r = 0.4; P < .0001) were significantly correlated with the CSNRT. A stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis including these parameters revealed that the AFCL was the only independent determinant of the CSNRT (ß = 0.38; P = .0012). A receiver operating characteristic curve identified an AFCL of more than 162 milliseconds as the optimal cutoff value for predicting SND requiring a PMI (area under the curve, 0.84; sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 74%; P = .0066). CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged AFCL was significantly associated with SND. Thus, assessing the AFCL in the patients with long-standing persistent AF may be helpful for the risk stratification of underlying SND.

Prediction of sinus node dysfunction in patients with persistent atrial flutter using the flutter cycle length.

AIMS: Sinus node dysfunction (SND) occasionally coexists with atrial flutter (AFL). However, the identification of SND during AFL is difficult. We investigated whether we could predict underlying SND in patients with persistent AFL using the flutter cycle length (FCL). METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 211 successfully ablated patients with persistent cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent AFL and measured the FCL before the ablation and corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) after the ablation. Twenty-four patients (11%) required a permanent pacemaker implantation (PMI) for significant SND after AFL termination and had a longer FCL (295 ± 37 vs. 236 ± 34 ms; P< 0.0001) and greater CSNRT (1727 ± 1014 vs. 603 ± 733 ms; P< 0.0001) than those not requiring a PMI. A receiver-operating characteristic curve identified an FCL of >273 ms as the optimal cut-off value for predicting SND requiring a PMI (area under the curve 0.91; sensitivity, 83% and specificity, 89%; P< 0.0001). Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses revealed that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (ß = -0.2; P= 0.0016) and FCL (ß = 0.46; P< 0.0001) were independently associated with the CSNRT, and that females [odds ratio (OR), 2.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-4.62; P= 0.0046], an LVEF < 50% (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.20-3.87; P= 0.012), and an FCL of >273 ms (OR, 5.34; 95% CI, 3.08-10.08; P< 0.0001) were independent predictors of SND requiring a PMI. CONCLUSION: Although this study was based on a review of a database, the results suggest that assessing the FCL in patients with persistent CTI-dependent AFL could be helpful in the risk stratification of underlying SND.

How many electrical cardioversions should be applied for repetitive recurrences of atrial arrhythmias following ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation?

AIMS: We aimed to determine how many electrical cardioversions (ECs) should be applied to treat repetitive persistent recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF) following ablation of persistent AF within the early post-procedural period. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with >1 episode of recurrent AF in the form of persistent atrial arrhythmias within 3 months following the ablation were recruited from 108 patients who underwent ablation for persistent or long-standing persistent AF. Electrical cardioversions were applied up to six times, if necessary, to restore sinus rhythm at clinical visits at 2-week intervals until 3 months after the ablation. Fourteen (35%) ablation failures defined as recurrences of AF identified from the 3rd month after the ablation procedure were finally diagnosed during the follow-up period (14 ± 4 month). The patients with an ablation failure more frequently required ECs than those without (3.7 ± 0.3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 times; P < 0.0001). A receiver-operating characteristic curve identified a number of ECs of ≥3 as the optimal cut-off value for predicting an ablation failure (area under the curve 0.91; sensitivity, 86%, and specificity, 96%; P = 0.0007). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a number of ECs of ≥3 was the only independent predictor of an ablation failure (odds ratio, 11.32; 95% confidence interval, 3.83-58.22; P = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: It was difficult to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with persistent AF who required several ECs for recurrences of AF within the early post-ablation period.

The origin and clinical significance of the signal opposite to the mitral E-wave: a simple and novel indicator of left ventricular filling pressure.

OBJECTIVES: We noted a low-velocity signal opposite to the early diastolic transmitral flow (E) by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The purpose of this study was to examine the origin and significance of this signal. BACKGROUND: The background of the signal remains uncertain. METHODS: We studied 59 adult patients (34 men and 25 women; mean age, 58.9 [20.2] years) without mitral valve heart disease. Mitral E-wave velocity and the signal (EW) opposite the E-wave were measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Early diastolic mitral valve ring motion velocity (Ea) was measured by pulsed tissue Doppler echocardiography. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was measured by a Swan-Ganz catheter in 34 of the 59 patients. RESULTS: A blue signal was observed during early diastole from the mitral valve ring to the mitral orifice areas by color tissue Doppler echocardiography. The velocity profile method revealed the same direction and time between peak Ea and EW. Peak EW positively correlated with Ea (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). There were significant positive correlations between mean PCWP and E/Ea (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and E/EW (r = 0.59, P < 0.01). E/EW was significantly greater in patients with PCWP > 12 mmHg than in patients with PCWP ≤ 12 mmHg (5.6 [1.3] cm/s vs. 4.3 [0.9] cm/s, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EW may be related to mitral valve ring motion, and the E/EW ratio may be a noninvasive simple parameter for assessing left ventricular filling pressure.

Learning curve for ablation of atrial fibrillation in medium-volume centers.

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether time-dependent procedural improvement was independently associated with reduction in atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences or periprocedural complications in patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF at a single medium-volume center. METHODS: A total of 208 consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation from June 2006 to June 2009 were enrolled. All procedures were performed by an experienced operator, and the ablation protocol, devices, and equipment remained unchanged throughout the study period. The study period was divided into quarters (1-4 Q) to include the same number of patients within each quarter. The incidence of AF recurrences or periprocedural complications requiring a prolonged hospital stay or surgical intervention was retrospectively compared across the quarters. RESULTS: During follow-up (15 ± 3 months), we observed 26 (13%) AF recurrences (27% in 1Q, 15% in 2Q, 6% in 3Q, 2% in 4Q; 1Q vs. 3Q, p=0.0035; 1Q vs. 4Q, p=0.0003; 2Q vs. 4Q, p=0.013) and 15 (7%) periprocedural complications (12% in 1Q, 8% in 2Q, 6% in 3Q, 4% in 4Q), both of which declined progressively over time. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that 1Q, but not any other patient background parameters, was an independent predictor of the incidence of AF recurrence or periprocedural complications (odds ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-5.20; p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The time period when the procedure was performed significantly influenced the AF ablation outcome, indicating that operators in medium-volume centers should be committed to providing gratifying outcomes particularly early in the institutional experience with AF ablation.

Rapid hemostasis at the femoral venous access site using a novel hemostatic pad containing kaolin after atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: Hemostasis at the femoral venous access site after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is often prolonged because of aggressive anticoagulation and the use of several large-sized sheaths. A newly developed hemostatic pad containing a natural mineral called kaolin causes blood to clot quickly. We evaluated the efficacy of this pad for hemostasis at the venous access site after AF ablation. METHODS: Patients who were scheduled to undergo AF ablation were randomized to be treated with manual compression with (n = 59) or without kaolin-impregnated pads (n = 59) as hemostatic approaches at the femoral venous access site following sheath removal. Hemostasis time, rebleeding frequency, massive hematoma, device-related complications, and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Hemostasis time in the patients treated with kaolin-impregnated pads was significantly shorter than in those treated without (6.1 ± 2.3 vs. 14.5 ± 4.0 min; p < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the use of kaolin-impregnated pads was the only independent variable reducing hemostasis time (ß = -0.78; p < 0.0001). However, rebleeding rates of the two groups were similar (37% with vs. 46% without kaolin-impregnated pads; p = 0.35). Only one patient had a massive groin hematoma, and no patient had device-related complications or DVT. CONCLUSIONS: Kaolin-impregnated hemostatic pads safely and effectively decreased hemostasis time for the femoral venous access site in patients undergoing AF ablation. However, whether its use allows earlier postprocedural ambulation is difficult to predict.

Is structural remodeling of fibrillated atria the consequence of tissue hypoxia?

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in degradation of the extracellular matrix of injured tissue. MMP-9 expression increases in fibrillating atrial tissue; however, the mechanism for this increase has not been clarified. METHODS AND RESULTS: Changes in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors, and hypoxia-induced transcription factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in fibrillating atrial tissue were investigated. Atrial tissue samples were obtained from 13 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and 25 patients without a history of AF (regular sinus rhythm, RSR) undergoing cardiac operations. Western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence analyses of the expression of VEGF, VEGF receptors, and HIF-1alpha were performed. The VEGF mRNA and protein levels increased significantly in the AF group compared with the RSR group (P<0.05), and the expression of HIF-1alpha protein was also significantly higher in the AF group. VEGF receptor-1 mRNA, a high-affinity receptor for VEGF, but not VEGF receptor-2 mRNA, was upregulated in the atria of the AF group (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining revealed excess production and co-localization of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and MMP-9 in the endothelium of the atrial arteries in the AF group. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that upregulation of HIF-1/VEGF is involved in the enhancement of MMP-9 expression under hypoxic conditions.

A spontaneous Type 1 electrocardiogram pattern in lead V2 is an independent predictor of ventricular fibrillation in Brugada syndrome.

AIM: Risk stratification for Brugada syndrome remains controversial. We investigated the relationships between episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and various clinical, electrocardiographic, electrophysiologic, and genetic parameters both retrospectively and prospectively. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-two patients with Brugada syndrome (49 men, average age 42 +/- 3 years) were studied. In the Brugada patients with a VF history, the frequency of a spontaneous Type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern in lead V2 was significantly higher and the STJ amplitude in the V1 and V2 leads was also higher than in those without a VF history. Multivariate analyses revealed that the spontaneous Type 1 ECG pattern in lead V2 (but not lead V1) was the only independent predictor of a VF history. During a mean follow-up period of 39 +/- 4 months, 38.8% of the patients with a VF history and 2.9% of those without experienced an appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillation owing to VF. A multivariate analysis using a Cox's proportional hazard model showed that a VF history and spontaneous Type 1 ECG pattern in lead V2 were independent predictors of subsequent VF events. CONCLUSION: A spontaneous Type 1 Brugada ECG pattern in lead V2 (but not lead V1) was both a prospective and retrospective independent predictor of VF episodes in Brugada syndrome.

Successful coil embolization with assistance of coronary stenting in an adult patient with a huge coronary arterial-right atrial fistula.

A 55 year-old man with huge coronary artery fistula to the right atrium is presented. The Qp/Qs ratio was 1.6. We failed to place simultaneously three interlocking detachable coils for closing the fistula, because the coils were washed out into the right atrium. We deployed the coronary stent at the distal portion of the coronary artery. This procedure enabled us to anchor 7 electrically or interlocking detachable coils and to interrupt the shunt flow. A Doppler flow wire was useful to reveal instantaneously the extent of flow reduction even when contrast angiography was not performed in each procedure.