Long-term outcomes of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in octogenarians.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Catheter ablation is superior to pharmacological therapy in controlling atrial fibrillation (AF). There are few data on the long-term outcome of AF ablation in octogenarian patients. This analysis aims to evaluate the outcome of AF ablation in octogenarians vs. younger patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study in 13 centres in the UK, France, and Switzerland, the long-term outcomes of 473 consecutive octogenarian patients undergoing ablation for AF were compared to 473 matched younger controls (median age 81.3 [80.0, 83.0] vs. 64.4 [56.5, 70.7] years, 54.3% vs. 35.1% females; p-value for both < 0.001). The primary endpoint was the recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after a blanking period of 90 days within 365 days of follow-up. RESULTS: Acute ablation success as defined as isolation of all pulmonary veins was achieved in 97% of octogenarians. Octogenarians experienced more procedural complications (11.4% vs 7.0%, p = 0.018). The median follow-up time was 281 [106, 365] days vs. 354 [220, 365] days for octogenarians vs. non-octogenarians (p < 0.001). Among octogenarians, 27.7% (131 patients) experienced a recurrence of atrial arrhythmia, in contrast to 23.5% (111 patients) in the younger group (odds ratio 1.49; 95% confidence interval 1.16-1.92; p = 0.002). In a multivariable regression model including gender, previous AF ablation, vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, CHA2DS2-VASc score, left atrial dilatation, and indwelling cardiac implantable electronic device, age above 80 remained an independent predictor of recurrence of arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: Ablation for AF is effective in octogenarians, but is associated with slightly higher procedural complication rate and recurrence of atrial arrhythmia than in younger patients.

Comparison of Cryoballoon vs. Pulsed Field Ablation in Patients with Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (SINGLE SHOT CHAMPION): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Single-shot devices are increasingly used for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF). The Arctic Front cryoballoon is the most frequently used single-shot technology. A recently developed novel pulsed field ablation (PFA) device (FARAPULSE) has been introduced with the aim to improve procedural safety and efficacy. Objective: This study will compare the novel FARAPULSE PFA device and the Arctic Front cryoballoon for first PVI in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF. Methods: SINGLE SHOT CHAMPION is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial with blinded endpoint adjudication by an independent clinical events committee. Overall, 210 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing their PVI are randomized 1:1 between PFA and cryoballoon ablation. Continuous rhythm monitoring with an implantable cardiac monitor is performed in all patients. Results: The primary endpoint is time to first recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF and/or organized atrial tachyarrhythmia) lasting ≥120 seconds and identified by the implantable cardiac monitor within 91 and 365 days postablation. The composite procedural safety endpoint includes cardiac tamponade requiring drainage, persistent phrenic nerve palsy, vascular complications requiring intervention, stroke/transient ischemic attack, atrioesophageal fistula, and death occurring during or up to 30 days after the procedure. Key secondary endpoints include (1) increase in high-sensitivity troponin on day 1 postablation, (2) analysis of postablation 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (first 25 patients per study group), (3) AF burden, and (4) quality-of-life changes. Conclusion: SINGLE SHOT CHAMPION will evaluate the efficacy and safety of PVI using the novel FARAPULSE PFA for patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF.

Pulsed-field ablation for repeat procedures after failed prior thermal ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a novel nonthermal ablation technology. Its potential value for repeat procedures after unsuccessful thermal ablation for atrial fibrillation has not been assessed. Objective: The purpose of this study was to summarize our initial experience with patients undergoing repeat procedures using PFA. Methods: Consecutive patients with arrhythmia recurrences after a prior thermal ablation undergoing a repeat procedure using a multipolar PFA catheter from May 2021 and December 2022 were included. After 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping, reconnected pulmonary veins (PVs) were reisolated and veins with only ostial isolation wither ablated to widen antral PV isolation. Posterior wall ablation was performed if all PVs were durably isolated or in case of low-voltage areas on the posterior wall at the discretion of the operator. Patients underwent follow-up with 7-day Holter electrocardiography after 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: A total of 186 patients undergoing a repeat procedure using PFA were included. The median number of previous ablations was 1 (range 1-6). The prior ablation modality was radiofrequency in 129 patients (69.4%), cryoballoon in 51 (27.4%), and epicardial ablation in 6 (3.2%). At the beginning of the procedure, 258 of 744 PVs (35%) showed reconnections. Additional antral ablations were applied in 236 of 486 still isolated veins (49%). Posterior wall ablation was added in 125 patients (67%). Major complications occurred in 1 patient (transient ischemic attack 0.5%). Freedom from arrhythmia recurrence in Kaplan-Meier-analysis was 78% after 6 months and 54% after 12 months. Conclusion: PFA is a versatile and safe option for repeat procedures after failed prior thermal ablation.

Incremental value of C-reactive protein to the MEESSI acute heart failure risk score.

AIMS: We hypothesized that the current gold standard for risk stratification of patients with acute heart failure (AHF), the Multiple Estimation of risk based on the Emergency department Spanish Score In patients with AHF (MEESSI-AHF) risk score, can be further improved by adding systemic inflammation as quantified by C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective multicentre diagnostic study (BASEL V), AHF was centrally adjudicated by two independent cardiologists. The MEESSI-AHF risk score was calculated using an established reduced and recalibrated model containing 12 independent risk factors. Model extension was performed by refitting and adding CRP in the logistic regression model with 30-day mortality as binary outcome. Discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness were used to assess the performance of the extended Multiple Estimation of risk based on the Emergency department Spanish Score In patients (MEESSI) model. Validation was performed in an independent, retrospective and single-centre AHF cohort. Among 1208 AHF patients with complete data allowing calculation of the recalibrated MEESSI and the extended MEESSI models, the prognostic accuracy for 30-day mortality of the extended MEESSI model (c-statistic 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.87) was significantly higher compared to the recalibrated model (c-statistic 0.79, 95% CI 0.75-0.83, p = 0.013). The extended model allowed to stratify a higher percentage of patients into the lowest risk group compared to the recalibrated model (33.1% vs. 20.3%). Demonstrating a calibration plot's slope of 1.00 (95% CI 0.81-1.19) and an intercept of 0.0 (95% CI -0.22 to 0.22), the extended MEESSI model achieved excellent and improved calibration. Results were confirmed in the independent validation cohort (n = 575). CONCLUSIONS: Quantifying inflammation using CRP concentration provided incremental value in AHF risk stratification using the established MEESSI model.

Quantifying Hemodynamic Cardiac Stress and Cardiomyocyte Injury in Normotensive and Hypertensive Acute Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The characterization of the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in normotensive versus hypertensive acute heart failure (AHF) might help to develop individualized treatments. METHODS: The extent of hemodynamic cardiac stress and cardiomyocyte injury was quantified by measuring the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) concentrations in 1152 patients presenting with centrally adjudicated AHF to the emergency department (ED) (derivation cohort). AHF was classified as normotensive with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 90-140 mmHg and hypertensive with SBP > 140 mmHg at presentation to the ED. Findings were externally validated in an independent AHF cohort (n = 324). RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, with a median age of 79 years, 43% being women, 667 (58%) patients had normotensive and 485 (42%) patients hypertensive AHF. Hemodynamic cardiac stress, as quantified by the BNP and NT-proBNP, was significantly higher in normotensive as compared to hypertensive AHF [1105 (611-1956) versus 827 (448-1419) pg/mL, and 5890 (2959-12,162) versus 4068 (1986-8118) pg/mL, both p < 0.001, respectively]. Similarly, the extent of cardiomyocyte injury, as quantified by hs-cTnT, was significantly higher in normotensive AHF as compared to hypertensive AHF [41 (24-71) versus 33 (19-59) ng/L, p < 0.001]. A total of 313 (28%) patients died during 360 days of follow-up. All-cause mortality was higher in patients with normotensive AHF vs. patients with hypertensive AHF (hazard ratio 1.66, 95%CI 1.31-2.10; p < 0.001). Normotensive patients with a high BNP, NT-proBNP, or hs-cTnT had the highest mortality. The findings were confirmed in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Biomarker profiling revealed a higher extent of hemodynamic stress and cardiomyocyte injury in patients with normotensive versus hypertensive AHF.

Impact of atrial fibrillation phenotype and left atrial volume on outcome after pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is increasingly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Both AF phenotype and left atrial (LA) volume have been shown to influence ablation outcome. The inter-relationship of the two is incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate the impact of AF phenotype vs. LA volume on outcome after PVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry of patients undergoing a first PVI, the association of AF phenotype and LA volume index (LAVI) was assessed as well as their impact on AF recurrence during follow-up. Overall, 476 patients were enrolled (median age 63 years, 29% females, 65.8% paroxysmal AF). Obesity, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure were all significantly more frequent in persistent AF. After 1 year, single-procedure, freedom from arrhythmia recurrence was 61.5%. Patients with paroxysmal AF had better outcomes compared with patients with persistent AF (65.6 vs. 52.7%, P = 0.003), as had patients with no/mild vs. moderate/severe LA dilation (LAVI <42 mL/m2 67.1% vs. LAVI ≥42 mL/m2 53%, P < 0.001). The combination of both parameters refined prediction of 1-year recurrence (P < 0.001). After adjustment for additional clinical risk factors in multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, both AF phenotype and LAVI ≥42 mL/m2 contributed significantly towards the prediction of 1-year recurrence. CONCLUSION: Atrial fibrillation phenotype and LA volume are independent predictors of outcome after PVI. Persistent AF with no/mild LA dilation has a similar risk of recurrence as paroxysmal AF with a moderate/severe LA dilation and should be given similar priority for ablation.

Pulsed-field vs cryoballoon vs radiofrequency ablation: Outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) has shown promising data in terms of safety and procedural efficiency for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), with similar long-term outcomes compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the procedural and long-term outcomes in patients with persistent AF undergoing PVI using PFA, CBA, or RFA. METHODS: Consecutive patients with persistent AF undergoing first PVI with PFA, CBA, or RFA were included. Patients underwent 7-day Holter electrocardiography at 3, 6, and 12 months postablation. The primary outcome was recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia after a 90-day blanking period. Safety outcomes included the composite of in-hospital major adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 533 patients with persistent AF underwent PVI using PFA (n = 214, 39%), CBA (n = 190, 36%), or RFA (n = 129, 24%). Procedures with PFA guided by fluoroscopy were shorter than those with CBA (median 60 minutes; interquartile range [IQR] 53-80 minutes vs 84 minutes; IQR 68-101 minutes; P ≤ .001), and procedures with PFA in combination with 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping were shorter than those with RFA (median 101 minutes; IQR 85-126 minutes vs 171 minutes; IQR 141-204 minutes; P < .001). Acute safety events occurred in 2.3%, 2.6%, and 0.8% in the PFA, CBA, and RFA groups, respectively (P = .545). The 1-year confounder-adjusted estimate for freedom from atrial arrhythmias was 62.1% for CBA, 55.3% for PFA, and 48.3% for RFA (CBA vs PFA: P = .79; CBA vs RFA: P = .009; PFA vs RFA: P = .010). CONCLUSION: In patients with persistent AF undergoing first PVI, 1-year confounder-adjusted outcomes are better with PFA and CBA than with RFA.

Durability of CLOSE-Guided Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Remapping Study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is presumably caused by pulmonary vein (PV) reconnections. However, there is little data available on the durability of PVI and incidence of arrhythmia recurrence in patients with persistent AF. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lesion durability by means of an a priori planned remapping procedure in patients with persistent AF undergoing CLOSE-guided PVI. METHODS: In a prospective study, we included patients with symptomatic, persistent AF undergoing CLOSE-guided radiofrequency ablation. Irrespective of AF recurrence, a redo procedure was mandated 6 months following the index procedure to evaluate PV reconnections. The outcome of AF ablation was based on clinical recurrence and 7-day Holter electrocardiogram 3 and 6 months after the index procedure and 3, 6, and 12 months after the redo procedure. RESULTS: Of 30 patients included, 26 (81% men; median age 68 years) underwent the planned remapping study a median of 6 months after the index procedure, whereas 4 patients without recurrence refused a repeat procedure. In total, 78 of 102 (76%) PVs showed durable isolation and 15 patients (58%) presented complete isolation of all PVs. Beyond the blanking period, 6 of 26 patients (23%) had arrhythmia recurrence before the redo procedure. Recurrence had occurred in 33% of patients with complete isolation of all veins and in 9% of patients with PV reconnections (P = 0.197). After re-PVI in patients with PV reconnections and additional ablation in patients with recurrence but durable PVI, 17 of 26 patients (65%) were free of arrhythmia after 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with persistent AF, CLOSE-guided PVI resulted in durable rate of PVI on a per-vein and per-patient level of 76% and 58%, respectively. Arrhythmia recurrence was numerically higher in patients with durable PVI compared with patients without.

Incidental Arrhythmias During Atrial Fibrillation Screening With Repeat 7-Day Holter ECGs in a Hospital-Based Patient Population.

BACKGROUND: Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) may reveal incidental arrhythmias of relevance. The aim of this study was to describe incidental arrhythmias detected during screening for AF in the STAR-FIB (Predicting SilenT AtRial FIBrillation in Patients at High Thrombembolic Risk) cohort study. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the STAR-FIB cohort study, we screened hospitalized patients for AF with 3 repeat 7-day Holter ECGs. We analyzed all Holter ECGs for the presence of the following incidental arrhythmias: (1) sinus node dysfunction, defined as sinus pause of ≥3 seconds' duration; (2) second-degree (including Wenckebach) or higher-degree atrioventricular block (AVB); (3) sustained supraventricular tachycardia of ≥30 seconds' duration; and (4) sustained ventricular tachycardia of ≥30 seconds' duration. We furthermore report treatment decisions because of incidental arrhythmias. A total of 2077 Holter ECGs were performed in 794 patients (mean age, 74.7 years; 49% women), resulting in a mean cumulative duration of analyzable ECG signal of 414±136 hours/patient. We found incidental arrhythmias in 94 patients (11.8%). Among these were sinus node dysfunction in 14 patients (1.8%), AVB in 41 (5.2%), supraventricular tachycardia in 42 (5.3%), and ventricular tachycardia in 2 (0.3%). Second-degree AVB was found in 23 patients (2.9%), 2:1 AVB in 10 (1.3%), and complete AVB in 8 (1%). Subsequently, 8 patients underwent pacemaker implantation, 1 for sinus node dysfunction (post-AF conversion pause of 9 seconds) and 7 for advanced AVB. One patient had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implanted for syncopal ventricular tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental arrhythmias were frequently detected during screening for AF in the STAR-FIB study and resulted in device therapy in 1.1% of our cohort patients.

Pulmonary vein isolation durability and lesion regression in patients with recurrent arrhythmia after pulsed-field ablation.

BACKGROUND: A novel multipolar pulsed-field ablation (PFA) catheter has recently been introduced for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Pre-market data showed high rates for PVI-durability during mandatory remapping studies. OBJECTIVE: To present post-market data in patients with recurrent arrhythmias. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing a redo procedure after an index PFA PVI using a bipolar-biphasic PFA system were included. 3-D electro-anatomical maps (3D-EAM) on redo procedure were compared to the 3D-EAM acquired after ablation during the index procedure. PVI durability was assessed on a per-vein and per-patient level and the sites of reconnections were identified. Furthermore, lesion extent around veins with durable isolation was compared to study lesion regression. RESULTS: Of 341 patients treated with a PFA PVI, 29 (8.5%) underwent a left atrial redo ablation due to arrhythmia recurrence. At the end of the index procedure, 110/112 veins (98%, four common ostia) were isolated. On redo procedures performed a median of 6 months after the first ablation, 3D-EAM identified 69/110 (63%) PVs with durable isolation. In 6 (21%) patients, all PVs were durably isolated. Reconnections were more often found on the right-sided veins and on the anterior aspects of the upper veins. Only minor lesion regression was observed between the index and redo procedure (a median of 3 mm (0 - 9.5) on the posterior wall). CONCLUSION: In patients with arrhythmia recurrence after PFA PVI using a first-generation PFA device, durable isolation was observed in 63% of the veins and 21% of the patients showed durable isolation of all previously isolated veins.

Pulsed-field vs. cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency ablation: a propensity score matched comparison of one-year outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) has shown favourable data in terms of safety and procedural efficiency for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We sought to compare procedural and 1-year follow-up data of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing PVI using PFA, cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: Consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing a first PVI with PFA at our institution were included. For comparison, patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing a first PVI with CBA and RFA were selected using a 1:2:2 propensity score matching. The PFA group followed the standard 32-applications lesion-set protocol, the CBA group a time-to-effect plus 2-min strategy, and the RFA group the CLOSE protocol. Patients were followed with 7d-Holter ECGs 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. The primary endpoint was recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) following a blanking period of 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included (PFA n = 40; CBA n = 80; RFA n = 80). Median procedure times were shortest with CBA (75 min) followed by PFA (94 min) and RFA (182 min; p < 0.001). Fluoroscopy dose was lowest with RFA (1.6Gycm2) followed by PFA (5.0Gycm2) and CBA (5.7Gycm2; p < 0.001). After a 1-year follow-up, freedom from ATa recurrence was 85.0% with PFA, 66.2% with CBA and 73.8% with RFA (p = 0.12 PFA vs. CBA; p = 0.27 PFA vs. RFA). CONCLUSION: In a propensity score matched analysis of patients with paroxysmal AF, freedom from any ATa 1 year after PVI using PFA was favourable and at least as good as for PVI with CBA or RFA.

Comprehensive vasodilatation in women with acute heart failure: Novel insights from the GALACTIC randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: Sex-specific differences in acute heart failure (AHF) are both relevant and underappreciated. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the risk/benefit ratio and the implementation of novel AHF therapies in women and men separately. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a pre-defined sex-specific analysis in AHF patients randomized to a strategy of early intensive and sustained vasodilatation versus usual care in an international, multicentre, open-label, blinded endpoint trial. Inclusion criteria were AHF with increased plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides, systolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg, and plan for treatment in a general ward. Among 781 eligible patients, 288 (37%) were women. Women were older (median 83 vs. 76 years), had a lower body weight (median 64.5 vs. 77.6 kg) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (median 48 vs. 54 ml/min/1.73 m2 ). The primary endpoint, a composite of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for AHF at 180 days, showed a significant interaction of treatment strategy and sex (p for interaction = 0.03; hazard ratio adjusted for female sex 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.50; p = 0.03). The combined endpoint occurred in 53 women (38%) in the intervention group and in 35 (24%) in the usual care group. The implementation of rapid up-titration of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors was less successful in women versus men in the overall cohort and in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (median discharge % target dose in patients randomized to intervention: 50% in women vs. 75% in men). CONCLUSION: Rapid up-titration of RAAS inhibitors was less successfully implemented in women possibly explaining their higher rate of all-cause mortality and rehospitalization for AHF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, unique identifier NCT00512759.

Procedural outcome and follow-up of stylet-driven leads compared with lumenless leads for left bundle branch area pacing.

AIMS: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is most often delivered using lumenless leads (LLLs), but may also be performed using stylet-driven leads (SDLs). There are limited reports on the comparison of these tools, mainly limited to reports describing initial operator experience or without detailed procedural data. Our aim was to perform an in-depth comparison of SDLs and LLLs for LBBAP at implantation and follow-up in a larger cohort of patients with experience that extends beyond that of the initial learning curve. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 306 consecutive patients (age 77 ± 11 years, 183 males) undergoing LBBAP implantation at a single centre were prospectively included. The population was split into two groups of 153 patients based on the initial use of an SDL (from 4 manufacturers) or an LLL. After having discounted the initial learning curve of 50 patients, there was no difference in the success rate between the initial use of lead type (96.0% with SDL vs. 94.3% with LLL, P = 0.56). There were no significant differences in success between lead models. Electrocardiogram and electrical parameters were comparable between the groups. Post-operative macro-dislodgement occurred in 4.3% of patients (essentially within the first day following implantation) and presumed micro-dislodgement with loss of conduction system capture or rise in threshold (occurring mostly during the first month) was observed in 4.7% of patients, without differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Left bundle branch area pacing may be safely and effectively performed using either LLLs or SDLs, which provides implanters with alternatives for delivering this therapy.

Case report of hidden (yet visible) systolic fascicular potentials in a patient with left bundle branch block during conduction system pacing implantation.

Background: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is being increasingly adopted as a more physiological alternative to conventional pacing. At implantation, appropriate lead depth can be guided by monitoring a number of parameters, including the presence of a fascicular potential during conducted rhythm. However, in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), a presystolic fascicular potential is most often absent, due to upstream conduction block. We present for the first time a case where delayed fascicular potentials were visible within the ventricular electrogram (EGM) of the pacing lead. Case summary: An 88-year-old patient with decompensated heart failure of ischaemic origin with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.30 and LBBB with a QRS of 180 ms was scheduled for LBBP pacemaker implantation. A pacing lead was screwed deep into the interventricular septum in the left bundle branch area. Upon close inspection, fascicular potentials within the ventricular EGM were visible during cycles with LBBB. A presystolic fascicular potential was visible during cycles with a narrow QRS following blocked atrial premature beats with a pause. Threshold testing revealed transition from non-selective to selective LBBP, confirming conduction system capture. Discussion: The present case illustrates that fascicular potentials, which are most probably retrograde (or alternatively anterograde with very slow conduction), may be visualized within the ventricular EGM during LBBP implantation in patients with LBBB. Implanting physicians should scrutinize the EGM for these potentials, as they provide valuable information that adequate lead depth has been reached. The prevalence of these findings needs to be further evaluated.

Quantifying inflammation using interleukin-6 for improved phenotyping and risk stratification in acute heart failure.

AIMS: Systemic inflammation may be central in the pathophysiology of acute heart failure (AHF). We aimed to assess the possible role of systemic inflammation in the pathophysiology, phenotyping, and risk stratification of patients with AHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a novel Interleukin-6 immunoassay with unprecedented sensitivity (limit of detection 0.01 ng/L), we quantified systemic inflammation in unselected patients presenting with acute dyspnoea to the emergency department in a multicentre study. One-year mortality was the primary prognostic endpoint. Among 2042 patients, 1026 (50.2%) had an adjudicated diagnosis of AHF, 83.7% of whom had elevated interleukin-6 concentrations (>4.45 ng/L). Interleukin-6 was significantly higher in AHF patients compared to patients with other causes of dyspnoea (11.2 [6.1-26.5] ng/L vs. 9.0 [3.2-32.3] ng/L, p < 0.0005). Elevated interleukin-6 concentrations were independently predicted by increasing N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, as well as the clinical diagnosis of infection. Among the different AHF phenotypes, interleukin-6 concentrations were highest in patients with cardiogenic shock (25.7 [14.0-164.2] ng/L) and lowest in patients with hypertensive AHF (9.3 [4.8-21.6] ng/L, p = 0.001). Inflammation as quantified by interleukin-6 was a strong and independent predictor of 1-year mortality both in all AHF patients, as well as those without clinically overt infection at presentation (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.45 [1.15-1.83] vs. 1.48 [1.09-2.00]). The addition of interleukin-6 significantly improved the discrimination of the BIOSTAT-CHF risk score. CONCLUSION: An unexpectedly high percentage of patients with AHF have subclinical systemic inflammation as quantified by interleukin-6, which seems to contribute to AHF phenotype and to the risk of death.

Patient motivation and adherence to an on-demand app-based heart rate and rhythm monitoring for atrial fibrillation management: data from the TeleCheck-AF project.

AIMS: The aim of this TeleCheck-AF sub-analysis was to evaluate motivation and adherence to on-demand heart rate/rhythm monitoring app in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were instructed to perform 60 s app-based heart rate/rhythm recordings 3 times daily and in case of symptoms for 7 consecutive days prior to teleconsultation. Motivation was defined as number of days in which the expected number of measurements (≥3/day) were performed per number of days over the entire prescription period. Adherence was defined as number of performed measurements per number of expected measurements over the entire prescription period.Data from 990 consecutive patients with diagnosed AF [median age 64 (57-71) years, 39% female] from 10 centres were analyzed. Patients with both optimal motivation (100%) and adherence (≥100%) constituted 28% of the study population and had a lower percentage of recordings in sinus rhythm [90 (53-100%) vs. 100 (64-100%), P < 0.001] compared with others. Older age and absence of diabetes were predictors of both optimal motivation and adherence [odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% coincidence interval (95% CI): 1.01-1.04, P < 0.001 and OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.86, P = 0.013, respectively]. Patients with 100% motivation also had ≥100% adherence. Independent predictors for optimal adherence alone were older age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04, P = 0.014), female sex (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.29-2.23, P < 0.001), previous AF ablation (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: In the TeleCheck-AF project, more than one-fourth of patients had optimal motivation and adherence to app-based heart rate/rhythm monitoring. Older age and absence of diabetes were predictors of optimal motivation/adherence.

Incidence of vascular complications for electrophysiology procedures in the ultrasound era: a single-centre experience over 10,000 procedures in the long term.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is being increasingly used to guide vascular access for electrophysiology (EP) procedures in many centres. Nonetheless, the incidence and predictors of vascular complications in the US era are limited. In this study, we describe our experience of vascular access-related complications associated with EP procedures which were performed with the routine use of US-guided vascular access. METHODS: A total of 10,158 consecutive EP procedures in 8361 patients performed from April 2014 (when our centre moved to a policy of routine US-guided vascular access for EP procedures) to March 2022 were included. The outcome of interest was any vascular access-related complication that occurred within 7 days of the procedure; these were classified as severe if surgical intervention and/or blood transfusion was required, major if non-surgical intervention or delayed hospital discharge was required, or minor if it did not fulfil the criteria for severe or major. RESULTS: During the study period, 2 (0.02%) severe vascular complications occurred, including 1 pseudo-aneurysm requiring surgery and 1 retroperitoneal haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion. Nine (0.09%) major complications occurred, including 6 hematomas managed by compression devices, 1 type B aortic dissection, 1 AV fistula managed conservatively and 1 haematoma managed conservatively but delayed hospital discharge. Eighteen (0.18%) minor haematomas were seen that did not require any intervention or delayed hospital discharge. On multivariable analysis, female sex [OR (95% CI): 2.5 (1.2, 5.4)] and use of an arterial access [OR (95% CI): 19.3 (7.1, 52.3)] were seen to be independent predictors of the 29 vascular complications. CONCLUSION: With the use of US-guided vascular access in EP procedures, major vascular complications are exceedingly rare, particularly those needing surgical intervention. Our results provide additional evidence for scientific guidelines to support US use.

Patient experience of very high power short duration radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation under mild conscious sedation.

BACKGROUND: Very high power short duration (vHPSD) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may reduce ablation times and improve patient tolerability, permitting pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) under mild conscious sedation (mCS) and promoting same day discharge (SDD). METHODS: First, a retrospective feasibility study was performed at 2 tertiary cardiac centres in the UK. Consecutive cases of first-time PVI using vHPSD ablation with 90 W lesions for up to 4 s were compared against cases performed using standard RF (sRF) and cryoballoon (Cryo) therapy. Subsequently, a prospective study of patients who had vHPSD or Cryo exclusively under mCS was undertaken. Questionnaires based on Likert and visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to measure anxiety, discomfort and pain. RESULTS: In total, 182 patients (59 vHPSD, 62 sRF and 61 Cryo) were included in the retrospective study, with 53 (90%) of vHPSD cases successfully performed under mCS. PVI ablation time in the vHPSD group (5.8 ± 1.7 min) was shorter than for sRF (16.5 ± 6.3 min, p < 0.001) and Cryo (17.5 ± 5.9 min, p < 0.001). Fifty-one vHPSD and 52 Cryo patients were included in the prospective study. PVI ablation time in the vHPSD group was shorter than for the Cryo group (6.4 ± 2.9 min vs 17.9 ± 5.7 min, p < 0.001), but overall procedure duration was longer (121 ± 39 min vs 95 ± 20 min, p < 0.001). There were no differences in the patient experience of anxiety, discomfort or pain. SDD rates were the same in both groups (61% vs 67%, p = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: vHPSD RFA for PVI can be performed under mCS to achieve SDD rates comparable to cryoablation, without compromising patient experience.