Pathogenic pathways and therapeutic targets of inflammation in heart diseases: A focus on Interleukin-1.

BACKGROUND: An exuberant and dysregulated inflammatory response contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). METHODS: This narrative review includes original articles and reviews published over the past 20 years and found through PubMed. The following search terms (or combination of terms) were considered: "acute pericarditis," "recurrent pericarditis," "myocarditis," "cardiac sarcoidosis," "atherosclerosis," "acute myocardial infarction," "inflammation," "NLRP3 inflammasome," "Interleukin-1" and "treatment." RESULTS: Recent evidence supports the role of inflammation across a wide spectrum of CVDs including myocarditis, pericarditis, inflammatory cardiomyopathies (i.e. cardiac sarcoidosis) as well as atherosclerotic CVD and heart failure. Interleukins (ILs) are the signalling mediators of the inflammatory response. The NACHT, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin-domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome play a key role in producing IL-1ß, the prototypical pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in CVDs. Other pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumour necrosis factor) have been implicated in cardiac sarcoidosis. As a proof of this, IL-1 blockade has been proven efficacious in pericarditis and chronic coronary syndrome. CONCLUSION: Tailored strategies aiming at quenching the inflammatory response have emerged as promising to treat CVDs. In this review article, we summarize recent evidence regarding the role of inflammation across a broad spectrum of CVDs. We also review novel evidence regarding targeted therapeutic strategies.

Type II single coronary artery from right aortic sinus, retro-aortic left coronary artery and dual LAD: a rare association of coronary arterial variations.

PURPOSE: The coronary arterial tree has a wide range of possible benign anatomical variations. It is important to differentiate them from coronary arterial anomalies, which can remain asymptomatic or in some cases lead to sudden death if undiagnosed. METHODS: A 42-year-old female patient with a transient ST depression in right precordial leads performed an ECG-gated computed tomography angiography with dual layer spectral CT (IQon Elite Spectral CT, Philips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) at Circolo Hospital of Varese. RESULTS: A rare variant was observed and studied: a single common trunk arising from the right sinus of Valsalva which branches into a right coronary artery, a left anterior descending artery with malignant course and a left main with a retroaortic course; the left main gives origin to a dual anterior interventricular artery ("Dual LAD") and a left circumflex artery. CONCLUSIONS: This type of variation was never described in the English literature. Identifying this variant is crucial for potential ischemic complications during sports activities or with the onset of atherosclerotic disease.

Ventricular arrhythmias and ARNI: is it time to reappraise their management in the light of new evidence?

The remarkable scientific progress in the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has more than halved the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in this setting. However, SCD remains one of the major causes of death in this patient population. Beyond the acknowledged role of beta blockers and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), a new class of drugs, the angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), proved to reduce the overall cardiovascular mortality and, more specifically, the risk of SCD in HFrEF patients. The mechanism by which ARNI may reduce the mortality connected with harmful ventricular arrhythmias is not utterly clear. A variety of direct and indirect mechanisms have been suggested, but a favorable left ventricular reverse remodeling seems to play a key role in this setting. Furthermore, the well-known protective effect of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has been debated in HFrEF patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) arguing against the role of primary prevention ICD in this setting, particularly when ARNI therapy is considered. The purpose of this review was to provide insights into the SCD mechanisms involved in HFrEF patients together with the current role of electrical therapies and new drug agents in this setting. Graphical abstract.

Surgical treatment of primary cardiac tumors in the contemporary era: A single-centre analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary cardiac tumors (PCT) are rare lesions but have the potential to cause significant morbidity if not timely treated. We reviewed our single-center experience in the surgical treatment of PCT with a focus on the long-term outcome. METHODS: From 2001 to 2020, 57 consecutive patients underwent surgical resection of PCT at our Institution. Data including the demographic characteristics, tumor histology, surgical procedure, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 63.6 ± 11.2 years, and 33 (57.9%) of the patients were female. A total of 55 (96.5%) subjects were diagnosed with benign cardiac tumor, while the remaining had malignant tumors. The most common histopathological type was myxoma. All patients survived to hospital discharge. Main postoperative complications were: acute kidney injury (n = 3), sepsis (n = 3), and stroke (n = 2). Mean follow-up time was 9 ± 5.9 years. Long-term mortality was 22.8% (13/57). No tumor recurrence was observed among survivors. There was a significant relationship between mortality and pathological characteristics of the tumor, and myxomas had higher survival rates. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of PCT is a safe and highly effective strategy associated with excellent short-term outcomes. Long-term survival remains poor for primary malignant tumors of the heart.

Catheter ablation of atrial tachycardias after mitral valve surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Data regarding catheter ablation (CA) of atrial tachycardias (ATs) occurring after mitral valve surgery (MVS) are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of CA of ATs in this surgical population through a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science was performed considering patients undergoing CA for ATs occurring after MVS. Periprocedural thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications were assessed. The acute success and maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) at a mid (<24 months) and long-term follow-up (FU) after CA were investigated along with the burden of arrhythmic recurrence at FU. RESULTS: Fourteen studies for a total of 227 patients were considered. Three-dimensional (3D) mapping systems were used in all studies. Only two major bleedings were recorded with a pooled estimate of periprocedural major complications of 0%. The acute success after CA was 95% with a clear improvement over time. Although maintenance of SR was 71% at a midterm FU, long-term efficacy was as low as 47% due to an increased burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence despite multiple procedures/patient. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, CA of postsurgical ATs after MVS proved safe and effective but with still a significant burden of AF recurrence at more than 24 months of FU due to a progressive atrial substrate deterioration. The improvement of procedural success over time might suggest a learning curve in optimizing the use of 3D mapping systems.

Impact of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation on mortality, stroke, and heart failure hospitalizations: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA) on hard clinical endpoints remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to conduct a random-effect model meta-analysis on efficacy data from high-quality large matched database/registry studies and randomized clinical trials. We compared long-term all-cause mortality, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure in patients undergoing AFCA vs patients treated with medical therapy alone (rhythm and/or rate control medications) in a general AF population. METHODS AND RESULTS: PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases were screened and a total of nine studies were selected (one randomized clinical trial-CABANA-and eight large matched population studies). A total of 241 372 patients (27 711 in the ablation group, 213 661 in the nonablation group) were included. After a median follow-up of 3.5 years, AFCA decreased the risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.72; I2 = 54%; number needed to treat [NNT] = 28), stroke (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.56-0.70; I2 = 23%; NNT = 59) and hospitalization for heart failure (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51-0.80; I2 = 28%; NNT = 33) compared with AF patients treated with medical therapy alone. CONCLUSION: Based on the currently available efficacy and effectiveness evidence, AFCA significantly reduces the risk of death, stroke, and hospitalization compared with medical therapy alone.

Atrio-ventricular junction: Can precision electrocardiology bridge cell and electrocardiogram?

The Atrio Ventricular Junction (AVJ) is a well-defined anatomical region of the heart the physiology of which, despite extensive and numerous observations, it is not fully understood. The aim of this review is to present an up to date summary of old and more recent findings on histology, cellular electrophysiology and intracellular connectivity of this region. We have also attempted to relate our increasing understanding of nodal pathophysiology to the interpretation of the electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestations of AVN behavior. Bridging cellular observations with ECG analysis in a process we call "Precision Electrocardiology" renders this tool far more sensitive and clinically useful than the pattern analysis too often employed in the ECG interpretation.

Pre-graduation medical training including virtual reality during COVID-19 pandemic: a report on students' perception.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic brought significant disruption to in-hospital medical training. Virtual reality simulating the clinical environment has the potential to overcome this issue and can be particularly useful to supplement the traditional in-hospital medical training during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospital access is banned for medical students. The aim of this study was to assess medical students' perception on fully online training including simulated clinical scenarios during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: From May to July 2020 when in-hospital training was not possible, 122 students attending the sixth year of the course of Medicine and Surgery underwent online training sessions including an online platform with simulated clinical scenarios (Body Interact™) of 21 patient-based cases. Each session focused on one case, lasted 2 h and was divided into three different parts: introduction, virtual patient-based training, and debriefing. In the same period, adjunctive online training with formal presentation and discussion of clinical cases was also given. At the completion of training, a survey was performed, and students filled in a 12-item anonymous questionnaire on a voluntary basis to rate the training quality. Results were reported as percentages or with numeric ratings from 1 to 4. Due to the study design, no sample size was calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen students (94%) completed the questionnaire: 104 (90%) gave positive evaluation to virtual reality training and 107 (93%) appreciated the format in which online training was structured. The majority of participants considered the platform of virtual reality training realistic for the initial clinical assessment (77%), diagnostic activity (94%), and treatment options (81%). Furthermore, 97 (84%) considered the future use of this virtual reality training useful in addition to the apprenticeship at patient's bedside. Finally, 32 (28%) participants found the online access difficult due to technical issues. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, online medical training including simulated clinical scenarios avoided training interruption and the majority of participant students gave a positive response on the perceived quality of this training modality. During this time frame, a non-negligible proportion of students experienced difficulties in online access to this virtual reality platform.

Safety and efficacy of biatrial vs left atrial surgical ablation during concomitant cardiac surgery: A meta-analysis of clinical studies with a focus on the causes of pacemaker implantation.

INTRODUCTION: The latest STS guidelines recommend concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation not only during mitral surgery (Class IA) but also during other-than-mitral cardiac surgery procedures (Class IB) in patients with preoperative AF. Conventional Cox-Maze III/IV procedures are performed on both atria (BA), but several studies reported excellent results with left atrial only (LA) ablations: the scope of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of BA vs LA approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pubmed, Scopus, and WOS were searched from inception to November 2018: 28 studies including 7065 patients and comparing the performance of BA vs LA approaches were identified: of these, 16 (57.1%) enrolled exclusively patients with non-paroxysmal AF forms, 10 (35.7%) focused on mitral surgery as main procedure, and 16 (57.1%) regarded patients undergone Cox-Maze with radiofrequency. The 6- and 12-months prevalence of sinus rhythm were higher in the BA group (OR, 1.37, CI, 1.09-1.73, P = .008 and OR, 1.37, CI, 0.99-1.88, P = .05 respectively). Permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation (OR, 1.85, CI, 1.38-2.49, P < .0001) and reopening for bleeding (OR, 1.70, CI, 1.05-2.75, P = .03) were higher in the BA group. Among patients undergone PPM implantation, BA group had a significantly higher risk of sinoatrial node dysfunction (OR, 3.01, CI, 1.49-6.07, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant BA ablation appears superior to LA ablation in terms of efficacy but is associated with a higher risk of bleeding and of PPM implantation, more frequently due to sinoatrial node dysfunction. LA approach should be preferable in patients with a higher risk of bleeding or with perioperative risk factors for PPM implantation.

Optimization of catheter/tissue contact during pulmonary vein isolation: the impact of atrial rhythm.

Aims: During pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), even if operators are aware of the contact force (CF), its values may greatly vary and the impact of cardiac rhythm has not been thoroughly investigated yet. This study aims at assessing the actual values of CF, the applications with suboptimal CF, and the impact of cardiac rhythm on CF during PVI. Methods and results: Twenty patients undergoing point-by-point PVI with a CF-sensing catheter were considered. CF target was between 6 and 40 g. The mean CF per application (mCF) was evaluated and considered suboptimal if ≤5 g. The real-time graphic of CF was also evaluated and classified as pulsatile if regular variations synchronous with the atrial rate were seen; otherwise it was irregular. To achieve PVI, 1458 applications were delivered; 287 (19.68%) had suboptimal mCF. A great variability of mCF was seen according to anatomy, operators and patients. Compared to applications in atrial fibrillation (AF), those in sinus rhythm (SR) showed a higher median value of mCF (11 vs. 9 g; P = 0.0099) and a lower percentage of suboptimal mCF (17.95% vs. 25.15%; P = 0.0051). Compared to the irregular, the pulsatile pattern, almost exclusively observed in SR, was associated with higher mCF (14.69 ± 8.77 vs. 10.79 ± 7.89 g; P < 0.0001) and fewer suboptimal applications (8.02% vs. 27.73%; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: During PVI, several factors influence CF, which, despite optimization attempts, can be suboptimal in ∼20% of the applications. However, CF is higher in SR than in AF and this is strictly associated with a pulsatile pattern of instant CF values.

Development of simulation combining a physical heart model and three-dimensional system for electrophysiology training.

BACKGROUND: A new three-dimensional heart anatomical simulator (3D HAS) has been created combining a physical heart model with an electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system. The aim of this study is to describe the development and the validation process of this device. METHODS: We developed the 3D HAS combining a physical heart model with an EAM system. This simulator was then validated by 10 electrophysiologists, subdivided in two groups based on their experience in electrophysiology procedures. The performance of the experts was compared to the one of the novices in achieving three different tasks: fluoroless reconstruction of the right atrium, coronary sinus cannulation, and deployment of a linear ablation lesion in the cavotricuspid isthmus. For each operator, a score was calculated based on objective parameter for each task and for the overall performance. RESULTS: The 3D HAS was located in an environment that allowed use of the main features of the EAM system including contact force sensing. No technical issue was encountered during the validation process. The experts' performance was significantly better than the one of the novices both overall (P = 0.009) and in each task (right atrium reconstruction, P = 0.016; coronary sinus cannulation, P = 0.008; ablation lesion, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D HAS is reliable and allows use of the main features of an EAM system in the right atrium. The ability to discriminate different levels of experience suggests that this simulator is enough realistic and could be useful for electrophysiology training.

Emerging therapeutic uses of direct-acting oral anticoagulants: An evidence-based perspective.

Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were claimed to cause a potential paradigm shift in the therapeutic scenario of patients requiring short- and long-term anticoagulation, by virtue of their pharmacological properties, perceived as innovative. The evidence gathered so far (from pre-approval pivotal trials to real-world post-marketing observational data) consistently confirmed that DOACs are overall comparable to vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs) in terms of safety, efficacy and effectiveness and unequivocally documented a consistent and clinically relevant reduced risk of intracranial bleeding in the settings of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Interestingly, two parallel paths can be identified in the current research scenario: A) in the aforementioned consolidated therapeutic indications, an innovative approach is directed towards tailored treatment strategies, to identify patients most likely to benefit from one of the different anticoagulant drugs, in particular subpopulations at increased risk of adverse events (e.g., bleeding); B) in unconventional settings, DOACs are gaining interest for potential use in emerging diseases characterized by arterial and venous thromboembolic risk. In these scenarios, the risk-benefit profile of DOACs, as compared to VKAs or heparins, is less defined. The aim of this review is to critically assess the body of evidence underlying emerging therapeutic uses of DOACs (e.g., heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome), including evolving issues in special populations (e.g., patients with VTE and cancer or cirrhosis). This will be achieved by analyzing the strength (i.e., systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, observational studies, case report/series) and consistency (i.e., concordance) of both published and unpublished evidence registered in major public repositories.

Invasive electrophysiological evaluation and ablation in patients with asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation persistent at exercise stress test.

AIMS: In patients with asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation (VPE) persistent at exercise stress test, this study evaluates the proportion of cases with adverse conduction properties of the atrioventricular accessory pathway (AP) at invasive electrophysiological study and the long-term follow-up after they received treatment according to pre-determined criteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Over 10 years, asymptomatic patients with VPE persistent at exercise stress test referred for invasive electrophysiological evaluation including isoproterenol (IPN) infusion were included. Ablation was planned if they had at least one of the following criteria: (i) shortest pre-excited R-R interval (SPERRI) ≤250 ms and/or (ii) inducible atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT). Cryoablation was electively used in para-hisian and mid-septal APs. Patients non-eligible for ablation received no therapy. Sixty-three patients (45 males; mean age 26 ± 14 years) underwent electrophysiological evaluation: 7 had fasciculo-ventricular fibres and were excluded, whereas 56 had 58 APs. Thirty-one patients (55%) were eligible and underwent successful ablation: 87% had at least the SPERRI ≤ 250 ms and 61% had at least inducible AVRT. In 15 cases (48%) the ablation criteria were met only during IPN infusion. During follow-up (73 ± 33 months), one patient was successfully retreated for resumption of VPE in the ablation group, whereas no event was observed in the group of patients who received no treatment. CONCLUSION: In this subset of patients with asymptomatic VPE, invasive electrophysiological evaluation shows fast antegrade conduction over the AP and/or inducible AVRT in about half of the cases. Patients who received no therapy because of a benign electrophysiological profile had an event-free follow-up.

Prospective European survey on atrial fibrillation ablation: clinical characteristics of patients and ablation strategies used in different countries.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is widely adopted. Our aim was to conduct a prospective multicenter survey to verify patients' characteristics, approaches, and technologies adopted across Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 35 centers in 12 countries actively participated in the study and 940 patients (median age 60 years) were enrolled. AF was paroxysmal, persistent, and long-lasting persistent in 52.4%, 36%, and 11.6% of patients, respectively; 95.5% of patients were symptomatic and 91.4% were refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy. Redo procedures were performed in 20.9%. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) emerged as the cornerstone of ablative therapy and has been performed in 98.7% of procedures, with confirmation of PVI in 92.9% of cases. The ablation of nonparoxysmal AF was not generally limited to isolating the PVs and several adjunctive approaches are adopted, particularly in the case of long-lasting persistent AF. Linear lesions or elimination of complex fractionated atrial electrograms were more frequently added. Circular mapping catheters and imaging techniques were seen to be used in about two-thirds of cases. Radiofrequency energy was delivered through open irrigated catheters in 68% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: European centers are largely following the recommendations of the guidelines and the expert consensus documents for AF ablation. AF ablation is mainly performed in relatively young patients with symptomatic drug refractory AF and no or minimal heart disease. Patients with paroxysmal AF are the most frequently treated with a quite uniform ablative approach across Europe. A less standardized approach was observed in nonparoxysmal AF patients.

Catheter-tissue contact force for pulmonary veins isolation: a pilot multicentre study on effect on procedure and fluoroscopy time.

AIMS: Catheter-tissue contact is critical for effective lesion creation in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). In a multicentre prospective study, we assessed the effect of direct contact force (CF) measurement on acute procedural parameters during RFCA of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: A new open-irrigated tip catheter with CF sensing (SmartTouch™, Biosense Webster Inc.) was used. All the patients underwent the first ablation procedure for paroxysmal AF with antral pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, aiming at entry and exit conduction block in all PVs. Ninety-five patients were enroled in nine centres and successfully underwent ablation. Overall procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and ablation time were 138.0 ± 67.0, 14.3 ± 11.2, and 33.8 ± 19.4 min, respectively. The mean CF value during ablation was 12.2 ± 3.9 g. Force time integral (FTI) analysis showed that patients achieving a value below the median of 543.0gs required longer procedural (158.0 ± 74.0 vs. 117.0 ± 52.0 min, P = 0.004) and fluoroscopy (17.5 ± 13.0 vs. 11.0 ± 7.7 min, P = 0.007) times as compared with those in whom FTI was above this value. Patients in whom the mean CF during ablation was >20 g required shorter procedural time (92.0 ± 23.0 vs. 160.0 ± 67.0 min, P = 0.01) as compared with patients in whom this value was <10 g. Four groin haematomas were the only complications observed. CONCLUSION: Contact force during RFCA for PV isolation affects procedural parameters, in particular procedural and fluoroscopy times, without increasing complications.

Sex-related differences in non-ischemic myocardial injury in the emergency department: A real-world perspective.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury is associated with adverse outcomes. No data are reported about sex differences in incidence and factors associated with myocardial injury in an emergency department (ED) setting from a real-world perspective. We aimed to assess whether sex plays a major role in the diagnosis of myocardial injury in the ED. METHODS: In this subanalysis of a retrospective study, patients presenting at the ED with at least one high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) value and without acute coronary syndromes diagnosis were compared. RESULTS: 31,383 patients were admitted to the ED, 4660 had one hs-cTnT value, and 3937 were enrolled: 1943 females (49.4%) and 1994 males (50.6%). The diagnosis of myocardial injury was higher among men (36.8% vs. 32.9%, p < 0.01). Male sex was independently associated with myocardial injury. An older age, an elevated NT-proB-type Natriuretic Peptide and a lower estimated glomerular filtrate rate were independently associated with myocardial injury in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: In the ED, from a real-world perspective, myocardial injury occurred more frequently in males, and it was associated with older age and the presence of cardiac, lung, and kidney disease but not higher hs-cTnT values.

Conduction system disease management in patients candidate and/or treated for the aortic valve disease: an Italian Survey promoted by Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC).

BACKGROUND: Conduction system disorders represent a frequent complication in patients undergoing surgical (surgical aortic valve replacement, SAVR) or percutaneous (transcatheter aortic valve implantation, TAVI) aortic valve replacement. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate experienced operators approach in this clinical condition. METHODS: This survey was independently conducted by the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC) and it consisted of 24 questions regarding the respondents' profile, the characteristics of participating centres, and conduction disease management in different scenarios. RESULTS: Fifty-five physicians from 55 Italian arrhythmia centres took part in the survey. Prophylactic pacemaker implantation is rare. In case of persistent complete atrioventricular block (AVB), 49% and 73% respondents wait less than one week before implanting a definitive pacemaker after SAVR and TAVI, respectively. In case of second degree AVB, the respondents wait some days more for definitive implantation. Respondents consider bundle branch blocks, in particular pre-existing left bundle branch block (LBBB), the worst prognostic factors for pacemaker implantation after TAVI. The implanted valve type is considered a relevant element to evaluate. In patients with new-onset LBBB and severe/moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction, respondents would implant a biventricular pacemaker in 100/55% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Waiting time before a definitive pacemaker implantation after aortic valve replacement has reduced compared to the past, and it is anticipated in TAVI vs. SAVR. Bundle branch blocks are considered the worse prognostic factor for pacemaker implantation after TAVI. The type of pacemaker implanted in new-onset LBBB patients without severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction is heterogeneous.

A global analysis of implants and replacements of pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, non-urgent surgical procedures had to be deferred, but also emergencies were reduced. To assess the global trend of pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardiac-defibrillator (ICD) procedures performed in Italy before, during, and after the first COVID-19 emergency, all the Italian hospital discharge records related to PM/ICD procedures performed between 2012 and 2021, sent to the National Institute of Health, were reviewed. Compared to 2019, in 2020, there was a reduction of first PM implants (52,216 to 43,962, -16%; p < 0.01), but not replacements (16,591 to 17,331, + 4%; p = 0.16). In particular, in April 2020, there was a drop of first implants (- 53,4% vs the average value of April 2018 and April 2019; p < 0.01), while the reduction of replacements was less evident (-32.6%; p = NS). In 2021, PM procedures increased to values similar to the pre-pandemic period. A reduction of ICD procedures was observed in 2020 (22,355, -7% toward 2019), mainly in April 2020 (- 46% vs April 2018/April 2019; p = 0.03). In 2021, the rate of ICD procedures increased (+ 14% toward 2020). A non-significant reduction of "urgent" procedures (complete atrioventricular block for PM and ventricular fibrillation for ICD), even in April 2020, was observed. In 2020, there was a reduction of first PM implants and ICDs, offset by increased activity in 2021. No decrease in PM replacements was observed, and the drop in "urgent" PM and ICD procedures was not statistically significant.

Selection of candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantation management: an Italian survey promoted by the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) represents an effective heart failure treatment, associated with reduction in mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. This Italian survey aimed to address relevant CRT issues. METHODS: An online survey was administered to AIAC members. RESULTS: One hundred and five electrophysiologists participated, with a median of 40 (23-70) CRT implantations/year (33% in high-volume centres). Forty-five percent of respondents (especially working in high-volume centres) reported an increase in CRT implantations in the last 2 years, in 16% a decrease, and in 38% CRT remained stable. Seventy-five percent of respondents implanted CRT only in patients with European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) class I indications. All operators collected ECG and echocardiography before implantation. Eighty-five percent of respondents selected coronary sinus target vein empirically, whereas 10% used mechanical and/or electrical delay techniques. Physicians working in high-volume centres reported a lower failure rate compared with others (16 vs. 34%; P = 0.03). If the coronary sinus lead could not be positioned in the target branch, 80% placed it in another vein, whereas 16% opted for a surgical approach or for conduction system pacing (CSP). Eighty percent accomplished CRT optimization in all patients, 17% only in nonresponders. Regarding anticoagulation, high agreement with EHRA guidelines emerged. CONCLUSION: CRT represents a valid therapeutic option in heart failure treatment. Nowadays, CRT implantations remain stable and are mainly performed in patients with class I indications. ECG remains the preferred tool for patient selection, whereas imaging is increasingly used to determine the left pacing target area. In most patients, the left ventricular lead can be successfully positioned in the target vein, but in some cases, the result can be unsatisfactory; however, the decision to explore alternative resynchronization approaches is rarely pursued.

Regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease and its classic risk factors: an analysis of 49 cohorts from 11 European countries.

AIMS: The regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its classic risk factors are unknown. The current study examined these associations in different European regions over a 30-year period. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study sample comprised 553 818 individuals from 49 cohorts in 11 European countries (baseline: 1982-2012) who were followed up for a maximum of 10 years. Risk factors [sex, smoking, diabetes, non-HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI)] and CVD events (coronary heart disease or stroke) were harmonized across cohorts. Risk factor-outcome associations were analysed using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, and differences in associations were assessed using meta-regression. The differences in the risk factor-CVD associations between central Europe, northern Europe, southern Europe, and the UK were generally small. Men had a slightly higher hazard ratio (HR) in southern Europe (P = 0.043 for overall difference), and those with diabetes had a slightly lower HR in central Europe (P = 0.022 for overall difference) compared with the other regions. Of the six CVD risk factors, minor HR decreases per decade were observed for non-HDL cholesterol [7% per mmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3-10%] and systolic BP (4% per 20 mmHg; 95% CI, 1-8%), while a minor HR increase per decade was observed for BMI (7% per 10 kg/m2; 95% CI, 1-13%). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that all classic CVD risk factors are still relevant in Europe, irrespective of regional area. Preventive strategies should focus on risk factors with the greatest population attributable risk.

All classic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are still relevant in Europe, irrespective of regional area. The differences in the associations of CVD risk factors with overt CVD between regions of Europe are generally small. Minor temporal hazard decreases were observed for non-HDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, while a minor hazard increase was observed for body mass index.