Electroanatomical mapping-guided left bundle branch area pacing in patients with structural heart disease and advanced conduction abnormalities.

AIMS: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) can be technically challenging and fluoroscopy-intense. Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping (EAM) facilitates non-fluoroscopic lead navigation and electrogram mapping. We sought to prospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of routine EAM-guided LBBAP in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) and advanced conduction abnormalities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients with SHD and conduction abnormalities who underwent an attempt at EAM-guided LBBAP were included. The feasibility, safety, procedural, and mid-term outcomes were evaluated. Electrical, echocardiographic, and clinical parameters were assessed at implantation and last follow-up. Thirty-two patients (68 ± 18 years; 19% female) were included, of which 75% had intrinsic QRS > 150 ms, 53% left bundle branch block, and 25% right bundle branch block. Primary EAM-guided LBBAP was successful in 29 patients (91%). The procedural duration was 95 (70-110) min, total fluoroscopy time 0.93 (0.40-1.73) min, and total fluoroscopy dose 35.4 (20.5-77.2) cGy cm2. Paced QRS duration (QRSd) was significantly shorter than intrinsic QRSd (121.9 ± 10.7 vs. 159.2 ± 34.4 ms; P < 0.001) and remained stable during the mean follow-up of 7.0 ± 5.9 months. The LBBAP capture threshold was 0.57 ± 0.23 V/0.4 ms at implantation and remained low during follow-up (0.58 ± 0.18 V/0.5 ± 0.2 ms; P = 0.877). Overall left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly from 44.2 ± 14.3% at baseline to 49.4 ± 13.1% at follow-up (P = 0.009), New York Heart Association class from 2.4 ± 0.6 to 1.8 ± 0.6 (P = 0.002), respectively. No complications occurred that required intervention. CONCLUSION: Routine near-zero fluoroscopy EAM-guided LBBAP can safely be performed in patients with SHD and advanced conduction abnormalities with high success rates and favourable mid-term outcomes. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the use of EAM improves the overall outcome of conduction system pacing and to identify specific patient populations who benefit the most from EAM-guided lead implantation.

Impact of electroanatomical mapping-guided lead implantation on procedural outcome of His bundle pacing.

AIMS: Conventional His bundle pacing (HBP) can be technically challenging and fluoroscopy-intense, particularly in patients with His-Purkinje conduction disease (HPCD). Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping (EAM) facilitates non-fluoroscopic lead navigation and HB electrogram mapping. We sought to assess the procedural outcome of routine EAM-guided HBP compared with conventional HBP in a real-world population and evaluate the feasibility and safety of EAM-guided HBP in patients with HPCD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 58 consecutive patients (72 ± 13 years; 71% male) who underwent an attempt to conventional (EAM- group; n = 29) or EAM-guided (EAM+ group; n = 29) HBP between June 2019 and April 2020. The centre's learning curve was initially determined (n = 40 cases) to define the conventional control group and minimize outcome bias favouring EAM-guided HBP. His bundle pacing was successful in 26 patients (90%) in the EAM+ and 27 patients (93%) in the EAM- group (P = 0.64). The procedure time was 90 (73-135) and 110 (70-130) min, respectively (P = 0.89). The total fluoroscopy time [0.7 (0.5-1.4) vs. 3.3 (1.4-6.5) min; P < 0.001] and fluoroscopy dose [21.9 (9.1-47.7) vs. 78.6 (27.2-144.9) cGycm2; P = 0.001] were significantly lower in the EAM+ than EAM- group. There were no significant differences between groups in His capture threshold (1.2 ± 0.6 vs. 1.4 ± 1.0 V/1.0 ms; P = 0.33) and paced QRS duration (113 ± 15 vs. 113 ± 17 ms; P = 0.89). In patients with HPCD, paced QRS duration was similar in both groups (121 ± 15 vs. 123 ± 12 ms; P = 0.77). The bundle branch-block recruitment threshold tended to be lower in the EAM+ than EAM- group (1.3 ± 0.7 vs. 1.8 ± 1.2 V/1.0 ms; P = 0.31). No immediate procedure-related complications occurred. One patient (2%) experienced lead dislodgement during 4-week follow-up. CONCLUSION: Implementation of routine EAM-guided HBP lead implantation is feasible and safe in a real-world cohort of patients with and without HPCD and results in a tremendous reduction in radiation exposure without prolonging procedure time or increasing procedure-related complications.

Myocardial calcification is associated with endocardial ablation failure of post-myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia.

AIMS: In patients with post-myocardial infarction (post-MI) ventricular tachycardia (VT), the presence of myocardial calcification (MC) may prevent heating of a subepicardial VT substrate contributing to endocardial ablation failure. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of MC in patients with post-MI VT and evaluate the impact of MC on outcome after endocardial ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 158 patients, the presence of MC was retrospectively assessed on fluoroscopy recordings in seven standard projections obtained during pre-procedural coronary angiograms. Myocardial calcification, defined as a distinct radiopaque area that moved synchronously with the cardiac contraction, was detected in 30 patients (19%). After endocardial ablation, only 6 patients (20%) with MC were rendered non-inducible compared with 56 (44%) without MC (P = 0.033) and of importance, 8 (27%) remained inducible for the clinical VT [compared with 9 (6%) patients without MC; P = 0.003] requiring therapy escalation. After a median follow-up of 31 months, 61 patients (39%) had VT recurrence and 47 (30%) died. Patients with MC had a lower survival free from the composite endpoint of VT recurrence or therapy escalation at 24-month follow-up (26% vs. 59%; P = 0.003). Presence of MC (HR 1.69; P = 0.046), a lower LV ejection fraction (HR 1.03 per 1% decrease; P = 0.017), and non-complete procedural success (HR 2.42; P = 0.002) were independently associated with a higher incidence of VT recurrence or therapy escalation. CONCLUSION: Myocardial calcification was present in 19% of post-MI patients referred for VT ablation and was associated with a high incidence of endocardial ablation failure.

Transvenous revision of leads with cardiac perforation following device implantation-Safety, outcome, and complications.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac perforation is a rare complication of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. Transvenous revision of perforated leads is associated with the risk of cardiac tamponade and death. Little is known about periprocedural complications and outcome of these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients referred to our department with evidence or suspicion of cardiac perforation following CIED implantation underwent chest X-ray, transthoracic echocardiography, device interrogation, and, if necessary, a cardiac computed tomography (CT)-scan to diagnose lead perforation and associated complications. Transvenous lead revision (TLR) was performed in all patients with evidence of lead perforation. Patient characteristics, procedural complications, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. Fifty-six patients (75 ± 10 years, 43% male) were diagnosed with cardiac perforation, 34 patients (61%) early within 30 days post-implantation, and 22 patients (39%) thereafter. The most frequent perforation site was the right ventricular (RV) apex (75%), followed by the RV free wall (16%) and the right atrial appendage (9%). A total of 16 patients (29%) presented with severe complications; 12 patients (21%) with pericardial effusion treated by pericardiocentesis before lead revision and four patients (7%) with hematothorax requiring drainage. Late perforations showed significantly more frequent cardiac tamponades (P = .041). TLR was performed without further complications in 54 patients (96%). None of the patients required surgical treatment or experienced in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac perforation following CIED implantation is associated with severe complications in nearly one-third of the cases. Transvenous revision of the perforated lead can safely be performed with a very low complication rate.

Whole human heart histology to validate electroanatomical voltage mapping in patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia.

Aims: Electroanatomical voltage mapping (EAVM) is an important diagnostic tool for fibrosis identification and risk stratification in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM); currently, distinct cut-offs are applied. We aimed to evaluate the performance of EAVM to detect fibrosis by integration with whole heart histology and to identify the fibrosis pattern in NICM patients with ventricular tachycardias (VTs). Methods and results: Eight patients with NICM and VT underwent EAVM prior to death or heart transplantation. EAVM data was projected onto slices of the entire heart. Pattern, architecture, and amount of fibrosis were assessed in transmural biopsies corresponding to EAVM sites. Fibrosis pattern in NICM biopsies (n = 507) was highly variable and not limited to mid-wall/sub-epicardium. Fibrosis architecture was rarely compact, but typically patchy and/or diffuse. In NICM, biopsies without abnormal fibrosis unipolar voltage (UV) and bipolar voltage (BV) showed a linear association with wall thickness (WT). The amount of viable myocardium showed a linear association with both UV and BV. Accordingly, any cut-off to delineate fibrosis performed poorly. An equation was generated calculating the amount of fibrosis at any location, given WT and UV or BV. Conclusion: Considering the linear relationships between WT, amount of fibrosis and both UV and BV, the search for any distinct voltage cut-off to identify fibrosis in NICM is futile. The amount of fibrosis can be calculated, if WT and voltages are known. Fibrosis pattern and architecture are different from ischaemic cardiomyopathy and findings on ischaemic substrates may not be applicable to NICM.

Predictors, management, and outcome of cardioversion failure early after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Aims: Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is frequently required for early atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. However, in some cases, ECV is unsuccessful, and factors associated with long-term rhythm outcomes after failed ECV are unknown. This study aimed to identify possible predictors of ECV failure early after AF ablation and to analyse management and long-term rhythm outcome of these patients. Methods and results: Between 2010 and 2012, 180 consecutive patients (mean age 63.7 ± 9.4 years, male 53.3%, persistent AF 60%) underwent successful radiofrequency AF ablation but required post-procedural ECV due to early AF recurrence (≤ 7 days). Of these, 120 patients were successful (Group A, n = 120, 66.7%) and 60 failed (Group B, n = 60, 33.3%). ECV failure was associated with diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.154-4.763; P = 0.01] and lack of beta-blocker medication (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.005-5.635; P = 0.04). In contrast, there were no significant differences in echocardiographic or procedure-related parameters. Atrial fibrillation recurrence was monitored with sequential 7 days of Holter electrocardiogram for 24 months (on average 10.8 ± 8.8 months) and was documented in 56%, n = 102 in total (Group A: 57%, n = 69 vs. Group B: 55%, n = 33; P = 0.75). Compared with successful ECV, ECV failure shortly after AF ablation had no predictive value on rhythm outcome in the long term (P = 0.98). The necessity of additional linear lesions during catheter ablation [hazard ratio (HR) 2.72, 95% CI 1.47-5.05; P = 0.001], AF duration (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.12; P < 0.001), and a prolonged ablation time (HR 3.27, 95% CI 1.53-6.97; P = 0.002) were associated with long-term AF recurrence. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes and absence of beta-blocker medication are at higher risk for ECV failure. Early post-ablation ECV failure is not associated with long-term rhythm outcome.

Mapping and Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Inherited Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathies.

Advances in the field of human genetics have led to an accumulating understanding of the genetic basis of distinct nonischemic cardiomyopathies associated with ventricular tachycardias (VTs) and sudden cardiac death. To date, there is an increasing proportion of patients with inherited cardiomyopathies requiring catheter ablation for VTs. This review provides an overview of disease-causing gene mutations frequently encountered and relevant for clinical electrophysiologists. Available data on VT ablation in patients with an inherited etiology and a phenotype of a nondilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are summarized. VTs amenable to catheter ablation are related to nonischemic fibrosis. Recent insights into genotype-phenotype relations of subtype and location of fibrosis have important implications for treatment planning. Current strategies to delineate nonischemic fibrosis and related arrhythmogenic substrates using multimodal imaging, image integration, and electroanatomical mapping are provided. The ablation approach depends on substrate location and extension. Related procedural aspects including patient-tailored (enhanced) ablation strategies and outcomes are outlined. Challenging substrates for VT and the underlying inherited etiologies with a high risk for rapid progressive heart failure contribute to poor outcomes after catheter ablation. Electroanatomical data obtained during ablation may allow the identification of patients at particular risk who need to be considered for early work-up for left ventricular assist device implantation or heart transplantation.

Ventricular arrhythmias in the context of chronic kidney disease and electrolyte imbalance.

Patients with chronic kidney disease face a high risk of sudden cardiac death, particularly in more advanced stages of renal dysfunction. Ventricular arrhythmias are prevalent and contribute to the heightened cardiovascular mortality. This review aims to explore the intricate interplay of disease-specific risk factors, arrhythmic triggers, and electrolyte disorders that amplify susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in this population and influence the efficacy of available treatments.

Legal aspects of genetic testing in the evaluation of ventricular tachycardias.

There is increasing knowledge of the genetic basis of distinct cardiac pathologies that are related to ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The identification of genes responsible for inherited cardiac diseases has led to the organization of cardiogenetic consultations in many countries worldwide. The 2022 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of SCD and the international 2022 Expert Consensus Statement on the state of genetic testing for cardiac diseases emphasize the importance of genetic testing in cardiology practice along with appropriate information provision to affected individuals and their relatives. However, the context of genetic examination raises particular ethical, practical (including economic or financial), and legal challenges. This review aims to elucidate practical considerations related to legal aspects relevant for the evaluation of patients presenting with VT in Germany.

Pleomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Predicts Ventricular Tachycardia Recurrence After Ablation Independent From Cardiac Function: Comparison With Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), outcome after catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is modest, compared with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Pleomorphic VT (PL-VT) has been associated with fibrotic remodeling and end-stage heart failure in IHD. The prognostic role of PL-VT in DCM is unknown. METHODS: Consecutive IHD (2009-2016) or DCM (2008-2018) patients undergoing ablation for monomorphic VT were included. PL-VT was defined as ≥1 spontaneous change of the 12-lead VT-morphology during the same induced VT episode. Patients were followed for VT recurrence and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients (86% men; 63±13 years; IHD n=152; DCM n=95) underwent ablation for monomorphic VT. PL-VT was observed in 22 and 29 patients with IHD and DCM, respectively (14% versus 31%, P=0.003). In IHD, PL-VT was associated with lower LVEF (28±9% versus 34±12%, P=0.02) and only observed in those with LVEF<40%. In contrast, in DCM, PL-VT was not related to LVEF and induced in 27% of patients with LVEF>40%. During a median follow-up of 30 months, 79 (32%) patients died (IHD 48; DCM 31; P=0.88) and 120 (49%) had VT recurrence (IHD 59; DCM 61; P<0.001). PL-VT was associated with mortality in IHD but not in DCM. In IHD, VT recurrence was independently associated with LVEF, number of induced VTs, and procedural noncomplete success. Of note, in DCM, PL-VT (HR, 2.62 [95% CI, 1.47-4.69]), pathogenic mutation (HR, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.16-3.91]), and anteroseptal VT substrate (HR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.00-3.07]) independently predicted VT recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In IHD, PL-VT was associated with low LVEF and mortality. In DCM, PL-VT was not associated with mortality but a predictor of VT recurrence independent from LVEF. PL-VT in DCM may indicate a specific arrhythmic substrate difficult to control by current ablation techniques.

The Impact of Right Atrial Size to Predict Success of Direct Current Cardioversion in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic implication of right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) size for an immediate success of direct current cardioversion (DCCV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare RA and LA size for the prediction of DCCV success. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2018, 734 consecutive outpatients were screened for our prospective registry. Each eligible patient received a medical history, blood analysis, and transthoracic echocardiography with a focus on indexed RA (iRA) area and LA volume (iLAV) prior to DCCV with up to three biphasic shocks (200-300-360 J) or additional administration of amiodarone or flecainide to restore sinus rhythm. RESULTS: We enrolled 589 patients, and DCCV was in 89% (n=523) successful. Mean age was 68 ± 10 years, and 40% (n=234) had New York heart association class >II. A prevalence of the male sex (64%, n=376) and of persistent AF (86%, n=505) was observed. Although DCCV success was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-3.65), with absence of coronary heart disease and normal left ventricular function (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.26-4.25), with short AF duration (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.05-4.04) in univariable regression, only iRA area remained a stable and independent predictor of DCCV success (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.69; area under the curve 0.71), but not iLAV size (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.56) in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: iRA area is superior to iLAV for the prediction of immediate DCCV success in AF.

Volume-Weighted Unipolar Voltage Predicts Heart Failure Mortality in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who are undergoing catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are at risk of rapidly progressive heart failure (HF). Endocardial voltages decrease with loss of viable myocardium. Global left ventricular (LV) voltage as a surrogate for the amount of remaining viable myocardium may predict prognosis. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether the newly proposed parameter volume-weighted (vw) unipolar voltage (UV) can predict HF-related adverse outcomes (HFOs), including death, heart transplantation, or ventricular assist device implantation, in DCM. METHODS: In consecutive patients with DCM referred for VA ablation, vwUV was calculated by mathematically integrating UV over the left ventricle, divided by the endocardial LV surface area and wall thickness. Patients were followed for HFOs. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients (57 ± 14 years of age; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], 39% ± 13%) were included. Median vwUV was 9.75 (IQR: 7.27-12.29). During a median follow-up of 24 months (IQR: 8-47 months), 25 patients (24%) died, and 16 had HFOs 7 months (IQR: 1-18 months) after ablation. Patients with HFOs had significantly lower LVEF (29% ± 10% vs 41% ± 12%), vw bipolar voltage (BV) (3.00 [IQR: 2.47-3.53] vs 5.00 [IQR: 4.12-5.73]), and vwUV (5.94 [IQR: 5.28-6.55] vs 10.37 [IQR: 8.82-12.81]; all P < 0.001), than patients without HFOs. In Cox regression analysis and goodness-of-fit tests, vwUV was the strongest and independent predictor for HFOs (HR: 3.68; CI: 2.09-6.45; likelihood ratio chi-square, 33.05; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The novel parameter vwUV, as a surrogate for the amount of viable myocardium, identifies patients with DCM with VA who are at high risk for HF progression and mortality.

Major incidental findings on routine cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging prior to first-time catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Preprocedural cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) or computed tomography (CT) imaging of the left atrium/pulmonary veins is usually employed to guide catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AFCA). Incidental findings (IFs) are common on cardiac imaging prior to AFCA. However, previous studies have mainly focused on extracardiac IFs detected on CT scan. We aimed to assess the prevalence of relevant cardiac and extracardiac IFs on routine preprocedural CMR in a large patient cohort scheduled for first-time AFCA and report its impact on clinical decision-making and management. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 2000 consecutive patients (62 ± 10 years; 59% male) who underwent CMR prior to first-time AFCA between April 2015 and March 2019. Among these patients 172 (8.6%) had a total of 184 major IFs. Detection of major IFs resulted in cancellation of the scheduled AFCA procedure in 88 patients (4.4%). Forty-two patients (2.1%) have never been ablated, 46 (2.3%) underwent postponed AFCA after a median time of 83 (32-213) days. The remaining 84 patients (4.2%) underwent an individualized approach to AFCA. The most common major IFs were accessory or anomalous PVs in 76 (3.8%), extracardiac abnormalities suspicious of malignancy in 29 (1.5%), and positive stress perfusion imaging in 19 (7.2% of 261 tested) patients. In 19 patients (1.0%) preprocedural CMR provided the diagnosis of a previously unknown structural cardiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpected relevant findings on routine preprocedural CMR affected clinical decision-making and management in 8.6% of patients scheduled for first-time AFCA. However, whether preprocedural CMR imaging may improve overall clinical outcome needs to be addressed in future research.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is difficult to treat, and long-term outcome data are limited. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of mortality or heart transplantation (HTx) and VT recurrence. METHODS: Consecutive patients with DCM accepted for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of VT at 9 centers were prospectively enrolled and followed. RESULTS: Of 281 consecutive patients (mean age 60 ± 13 years, 85% men, mean left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 36% ± 12%), 35% had VT storm, 20% had incessant VT, and amiodarone was unsuccessful in 68%. During follow-up of 21 months (IQR: 6-30 months), 67 patients (24%) died or underwent HTx, and 138 (49%) had VT recurrence (45 within 30 days, defined as early); the 4-year rate of VT recurrence or mortality or HTx was 70%. Independent predictors of mortality or HTx were early VT recurrence (HR: 2.92; 95% CI: 1.37-6.21; P < 0.01), amiodarone at discharge (HR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.43-7.33; P < 0.01), renal dysfunction (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.01-3.64; P = 0.046), and LVEF (HR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.0-1.84; P = 0.052). LVEF ≤32% identified patients at risk for mortality or HTx (area under the curve: 0.75). Mortality or HTx per 100 person-years was 40.4 events after early, compared with 14.2 events after later VT recurrence and 8.5 events with no VT recurrence after RFCA (P < 0.01 for both). Patients with early recurrence and LVEFs ≤32% had a 1-year rate of mortality or HTx of 55%. VT recurrence was predicted by prior implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks, basal anteroseptal VT origin, and procedural failure but not LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DCM needing RFCA for VT are a high-risk group. Following RFCA, approximately one-half remain free of VT recurrence. Early VT recurrence with LVEF ≤32% identifies those at very high risk for mortality or HTx, and screening for mechanical support or HTx should be considered. Late VT recurrence after RFCA does not predict worse outcome.

Extraction of infected cardiac implantable electronic devices and the need for subsequent re-implantation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about rates of re-implantation and outcomes of patients not implanted with a device after transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in cardiac device related infections (CDRI). METHODS: All patients with CDRI were included in a prospective registry. After TLE, the indication for re-implantation was evaluated according to the patients' history and most recent cardiac examinations. All patients were followed for complications and mortality. In addition, in patients discharged without device the frequency of device implantations was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 302 patients, only 123 (40.7%) met the indication for implantation of the same cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED), 68 (22.5%) received a different device and 111 (36.8%) patients were discharged without CIED. Reimplanted patients were younger (70 ±â€¯11 vs. 73 ±â€¯13 years; p = 0.004), more often male (83 vs. 69%, p = 0.006), had less systemic infection (38 vs. 60%; p < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of complete heart block (28 vs. 7%, p < 0.001). Reasons against re-implantation were: loss of indication (45%), never met indication (27%), patients' preference (17%), persistent infection (8%) and advanced age (3%). During 26 ±â€¯18 months of follow-up, mortality in both groups was similar after adjusting for cofactors (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.49-1.29; p = 0.352). CONCLUSION: More than one third of patients undergoing TLE for CDRI in our study are not implanted with a new device. Careful evaluation of the initial CIED indication allows for detection of over treated patients and may avoid unnecessary device-related complications.

Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Pathogenic Variants in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy Referred for Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the frequency of (likely) pathogenic variants (LP/Pv) among dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients referred for CA and their impact on procedural outcome and long-term prognosis. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of genetic variants associated with monomorphic VT among DCM is unknown. METHODS: Ninety-eight consecutive patients (age 56 ± 15 years; 84% men, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 39 ± 12%) referred for DCM-VT ablation were included. Patients underwent electroanatomical mapping and testing of ≥55 cardiomyopathy-related genes. Mapping data were analyzed for low-voltage areas and abnormal potentials. LP/Pv-positive (LP/Pv+) patients were compared with LP/Pv-negative (LP/Pv-) patients and followed for VT recurrence and mortality. RESULTS: In 37 (38%) patients, LP/Pv were identified, most frequently LMNA (n = 11 of 37, [30%]), TTN (n = 6 of 37, [16%]), PLN (n = 6 of 37, [16%]), SCN5A (n = 3 of 37, [8%]), RBM20 (n = 2 of 37, [5%]) and DSP (n = 2 of 37, [5%]). LP/Pv+ carriers had lower LVEF (35 ± 13% vs. LP/Pv-: 42 ± 11%; p = 0.005) and were less often men (n = 27 [73%] vs. n = 55 [90%]; p = 0.03). After a median follow-up of 2.4 years (interquartile range: 0.9 to 4.4 years), 63 (64%) patients had VT recurrence (LP/Pv+: 30 of 37 [81%] vs. LP/Pv-: 33 of 61 [54%]; p = 0.007). Twenty-eight patients (29%) died (LP/Pv+: 19 of 37 [51%] vs. LP/Pv-: 9 of 61 [15%]; p < 0.001). The cumulative 2-year VT-free survival was 41% in the total cohort (LP/Pv+: 16% vs. LP/Pv-: 54%; p = 0.001). The presence of LP/Pv (hazard ratio: 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 3.4; p = 0.02) and unipolar low-voltage area size/cm2 increase (hazard ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.6 to 4.0; p < 0.001) were associated with a decreased 2-year VT-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DCM-VT, a genetic cause is frequently identified. LP/Pv+ patients have a lower LVEF and more extensive VT substrates, which, in combination with disease progression, may contribute to the poor prognosis. Genetic testing in patients with DCM-VT should therefore be recommended.

Evaluation and management of ventricular tachycardia in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important cause of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Current recommendations for the treatment of VT in patients with structural heart disease mainly rely on data derived from patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Unlike postinfarction ischemic cardiomyopathy, DCM comprises multiple different etiologies with variable disease progression and prognosis, which often requires an individualized approach to risk stratification and treatment. Prevention of VT recurrence in DCM is challenging, especially when antiarrhythmic drugs are ineffective or contraindicated. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is in fact able to terminate but not prevent recurrent VT. Catheter ablation is the criterion standard for substrate-based treatment in DCM. However, the available data from recent studies on VT ablation in DCM are inconsistent and morphological and functional features of the arrhythmogenic substrates are poorly defined. Advanced substrate-based research is required to increase the understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms and improve ablation outcome in this heterogeneous patient population.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in the ageing population - With or without an implantable defibrillator?

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment option for systolic heart failure, but the benefit of an additional implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in elderly patients is not well established. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of an additional ICD on survival in elderly CRT recipients. METHODS: Patients aged ≥75 years with an indication for CRT and primary preventive ICD therapy, which underwent implantation of either a CRT-pacemaker (CRT-P) or CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) were included in the study. Patient characteristics, procedural and follow-up data, and subsequent all-cause mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 775 consecutive patients underwent CRT implantation, whereof 177 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 80 patients with CRT-P and 97 with CRT-D formed the two study groups. Patients in the CRT-P group were significantly older (82.6 ±â€¯4.5 vs. 77.8 ±â€¯1.9 years, p < 0.001) and more often female (44 vs. 25%; p < 0.001), had a better left ventricular ejection fraction (29.5 ±â€¯5.7 vs. 27.4 ±â€¯6.0%; p = 0.019) and narrower QRS-complex (150 ±â€¯19 vs. 158 ±â€¯18 ms; p = 0.025). During a mean follow-up of 26 ±â€¯19 months, 62 (35%) study patients died, 28 (35%) in the CRT-P and 34 (35%) in the CRT-D group (p = 0.994). The Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival probability showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.562). CONCLUSION: In our study, an additional ICD had no impact on survival in elderly patients undergoing implantation of a CRT device. Randomized controlled trials have to confirm this finding.

Targeting the Hidden Substrate Unmasked by Right Ventricular Extrastimulation Improves Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Outcome After Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether ablation of hidden substrate unmasked by right ventricular extrastimulation (RVE) improves ablation outcome of post-myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular tachycardia (VT). BACKGROUND: In patients with small or nontransmural scars after MI, part of the VT substrate may be functional and, in addition, masked by high-voltage far-field signals arising from adjacent normal myocardium. METHODS: In 60 consecutive patients, systematic analysis of electrograms recorded from the presumed infarct area was performed during sinus rhythm, RV pacing at 500 ms, and during a short-coupled RV extrastimulus. Sites showing low-voltage, near-field potentials with evoked conduction delay in response to RVE were targeted. RESULTS: In 37 (62%) patients, ablation target sites located in areas with normal voltage during sinus rhythm were unmasked by RVE (hidden substrate group). These patients had better left ventricular function (36 ± 11% vs. 26 ± 12%; p = 0.003), smaller electroanatomical scars (<1.5 mV), and smaller dense scars (<0.5 mV) (median 59 and 14 cm2 vs. 82 and 44 cm2; p = 0.044 and p = 0.003) than did those in whom no hidden substrate was identified (overt substrate group). During a median follow-up of 16 months, 13 (22%) patients had VT recurrence. Patients with hidden substrate had a lower incidence of VT recurrence (12-month VT-free survival 89% vs. 50% in patients with overt substrate; p = 0.005). Compared with a historical cohort of 90 post-MI patients matched for left ventricular function and electroanatomical scar area, in whom no RVE was performed, patients in the hidden substrate group had a higher 1-year VT-free survival (89% vs. 73%; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Hidden substrate ablation unmasked by RVE improves ablation outcome in post-MI patients with small or nontransmural scars.