Myocardial injury after major non-cardiac surgery evaluated with advanced cardiac imaging: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is a frequent complication caused by cardiac and non-cardiac pathophysiological mechanisms, but often it is subclinical. MINS is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, justifying the need to its diagnose and the investigation of their causes for its potential prevention. METHODS: Prospective, observational, pilot study, aiming to detect MINS, its relationship with silent coronary artery disease and its effect on future adverse outcomes in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery and without postoperative signs or symptoms of myocardial ischemia. MINS was defined by a high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) concentration > 14 ng/L at 48-72 h after surgery and exceeding by 50% the preoperative value; controls were the operated patients without MINS. Within 1-month after discharge, cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed in MINS and control subjects. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined by a CAD-RADS category ≥ 3. The primary outcomes were prevalence of CAD among MINS and controls and incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACE) at 1-year after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of individual MACE components and mortality. RESULTS: We included 52 MINS and 12 controls. The small number of included patients could be attributed to the study design complexity and the dates of later follow-ups (amid COVID-19 waves). Significant CAD by CCTA was equally found in 20 MINS and controls (30% vs 33%, respectively). Ischemic patterns (n = 5) and ischemic segments (n = 2) depicted by cardiac MRI were only observed in patients with MINS. One-year MACE were also only observed in MINS patients (15.4%). CONCLUSION: This study with advanced imaging methods found a similar CAD frequency in MINS and control patients, but that cardiac ischemic findings by MRI and worse prognosis were only observed in MINS patients. Our results, obtained in a pilot study, suggest the need of further, extended studies that screened systematically MINS and evaluated its relationship with cardiac ischemia and poor outcomes. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03438448 (19/02/2018).

Neurotoxicity-associated sinus bradycardia after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.

The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has changed the therapeutic landscape of relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) are the typical adverse events associated with this therapy. Cardiovascular toxicities have also been reported in this setting. However, there is scarce data regarding the development of sinus bradycardia after CAR T-cell therapy. Here, we detail the clinical course of 4 patients with aggressive B-cell malignancies who received CAR T-cells and developed transient and reversible sinus bradycardia in the context of ICANS. We also discuss several hypotheses behind the pathophysiology of this potential new adverse event.

Selective Angiography Using the Radiofrequency Catheter: An Alternative Technique for Mapping and Ablation in the Aortic Cusps.

BACKGROUND: Ablation in aortic cusps could be necessary in up to 15% of the patients, especially in para-Hisian atrial tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmias arising from outflow tracts. Risk of coronary damage has led to recommendation of systematic coronary angiography (CA) during the procedure. Other image tests as intravascular (ICE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have been proposed. Both methods have limitations: additional vascular access for ICE and need for additional CA in some patients in case of TEE. We describe an alternative method to assess relation of catheter tip and coronary ostia during ablation in aortic cusps without additional vascular accesses by performing selective angiography with the ablation catheter. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively evaluated 12 consecutive patients (69.3 ± 8.5, 6 female) who underwent ablation in right (1), left (5), and noncoronary cusps (6). We performed angiography through the ablation cooled tip radiofrequency catheter at the ablation site. Ablation was effective in 91.6% of the patients (3 patients needed additional ablation out of coronary cusps: pulmonary cusp, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), and coronary sinus and 1 patient underwent a second procedure because recurrence). No complications occurred neither during procedure nor follow-up (6.2 ± 3.8 months). No technical problems occurred with the ablation catheter after contrast injection. CONCLUSION: Selective angiography through a cooled-tip radiofrequency ablation catheter is feasible to assess relation of coronary ostia and ablation site when ablation in aortic cusps. It allows continuous real-time assessment of this relation, avoids the need for additional vascular accesses and no complications occurred in our series.

Improving the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valves and Intracardiac Devices With 18F-Fluordeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Angiography: Initial Results at an Infective Endocarditis Referral Center.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in prosthetic valves and intracardiac devices is challenging because both the modified Duke criteria (DC) and echocardiography have limitations in this population. The added value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and (18)F-FDG PET/CT angiography (PET/CTA) was evaluated in this complex scenario at a referral center with a multidisciplinary IE unit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-two patients admitted to our hospital with suspected prosthetic valve or cardiac device IE between November 2012 and November 2014 were prospectively included. All patients underwent echocardiography and PET/CT, and 76 had cardiac CTA. PET/CT and echocardiography findings were evaluated and compared, with concordant results in 54% of cases (κ=0.23). Initial diagnoses with DC at admission, PET/CT, and DC+PET/CT were compared with the final diagnostic consensus reached by the IE Unit. DC+PET/CT enabled reclassification of 90% of cases initially classified as possible IE with DC and provided a conclusive diagnosis (definite/rejected) in 95% of cases. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 52%, 94.7%, 92.9%, and 59.7% for DC; 87%, 92.1%, 93.6%, and 84.3% for PET/CT; and 90.7%, 89.5%, 92%, and 87.9% for DC+PET/CT. Use of PET/CTA yielded even better diagnostic performance values than PET/nonenhanced CT (91%, 90.6%, 92.8%, and 88.3% versus 86.4%, 87.5%, 90.2%, and 82.9%) and substantially reduced the rate of doubtful cases from 20% to 8% (P<0.001). DC+PET/CTA reclassified an additional 20% of cases classified as possible IE with DC+PET/nonenhanced CT. In addition, PET/CTA enabled detection of a significantly larger number of anatomic lesions associated with active endocarditis than PET/nonenhanced CT (P=0.006) or echocardiography (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG PET/CT improves the diagnostic accuracy of the modified DC in patients with suspected IE and prosthetic valves or cardiac devices. PET/CTA yielded the highest diagnostic performance and provided additional diagnostic benefits.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for acute aortic regurgitation due to Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis complicated with a perivalvular abscess: a case report.

Background: Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening disease associated with high mortality. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment and cardiac surgery, when indicated, are closely related to prognosis. When cardiac surgery is contraindicated, prognosis worsens dramatically. There is few data concerning the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement after healed aortic valve endocarditis or during active IE. We present the first case report of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement implanted during antimicrobial therapy for a severely symptomatic acute aortic regurgitation due to an infective endocarditis complicated with a perivalvular abscess. Case summary: A 68-year-old man was admitted due to left hemiparesis and fever. An acute ischaemic stroke with haemorrhagic transformation was diagnosed. Blood cultures were positive for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and a transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed an aortic endocarditis with an acute severe aortic regurgitation and a perivalvular abscess. Urgent cardiac surgery was contraindicated due to intracranial haemorrhage. However, the patient developed refractory pulmonary oedema and haemodynamic instability. Despite the perivalvular abscess, a transcatheter aortic valve replacement was successfully performed 15 days after the diagnosis. Nine months after completing antimicrobial therapy, there were no signs of relapse. Discussion: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement could be considered in selected patients with symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation due to aortic infective endocarditis during antimicrobial therapy when cardiac surgery is contraindicated.

Atypical presentation and percutaneous repair of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm: a case report.

Background: Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms (AAPs) are an unusual complication of cardiac or aortic surgery and are associated with a high risk of complications and mortality. Guidelines recommend surgical repair. There is few data concerning percutaneous occlusion of AAP. We present a case of syncope due to vascular and heart chamber compression by a large post-surgical AAP that was filled through a focal leak. Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm was successfully occluded percutaneously. Case summary: A 66-year-old man with a mechanical aortic prosthesis and a Dacron tube in the ascending aorta presented with syncope due to compression of the right atrium and superior vena cava by a large peritube collection. A computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a large AAP that was filled through a small focal dehiscence of the tube proximal suture. Patient was dismissed for surgery due to high surgical risk. Then, AAP was successfully occluded percutaneously via a 6-French radial access and local anaesthesia. Discussion: In patients with syncope and previous cardiac surgery, aortic complications should be ruled out. Although transthoracic echocardiography may be useful, CTA is the recommended diagnostic test for ruling out post-surgical AAP and allows the characterization of the number, localization, and size of the leaks. In selected patients with high surgical risk and favourable anatomic characteristics, a percutaneous closure could be indicated.

Dynamics of Emergency Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions and In-Hospital Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Time Series Analysis and Impact of Socioeconomic Factors.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the decline in urgent cardiovascular hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality during the COVID pandemic in two successive waves, and to evaluate differences by sex, age, and deprivation index subgroups. Methods and Results: We obtained acute cardiovascular hospital episodes during the years 2019-2020 from region-wide data on public healthcare usage for the population of Catalonia (North-East Spain). We fitted time models to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute heart failure (HF) admissions during the first pandemic wave, the between-waves period, and the second wave compared with the corresponding pre-COVID-19 periods and to test for the interaction with sex, age, and area-based socioeconomic level. We evaluated the effect of COVID-19 period on in-hospital mortality. ACS (n = 8,636) and HF (n = 27,566) episodes were defined using primary diagnostic ICD-10 codes. ACS and HF admissions decreased during the first wave (IRR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.58-0.76 and IRR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.55-0.68, respectively) and during the second wave (IRR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.72-0.88 and IRR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.69-0.84, respectively); acute HF admissions also decreased in the period between waves (IRR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.74-0.89). The impact was similar in all sex and socioeconomic subgroups and was higher in older patients with ACS. In-hospital mortality was higher than expected only during the first wave. Conclusion: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked decline in urgent cardiovascular hospital admissions that were attenuated during the second wave. Both the decline and the attenuation of the effect have been similar in all subgroups regardless of age, sex, or socioeconomic status. In-hospital mortality for ACS and HF episodes increased during the first wave, but not during the second wave.

Optimal opportunistic screening of atrial fibrillation using pulse palpation in cardiology outpatient clinics: Who and how.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remain a prevalent undiagnosed condition frequently encountered in primary care. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to find the parameters that optimize the diagnostic accuracy of pulse palpation to detect AF. We also aimed to create a simple algorithm for selecting which individuals would benefit from pulse palpation and, if positive, receive an ECG to detect AF. METHODS: Nurses from four Cardiology outpatient clinics palpated 7,844 pulses according to a randomized list of arterial territories and durations of measure and immediately followed by a 12-lead ECG, which we used as the reference standard. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the palpation parameters. We also assessed whether diagnostic accuracy depended on the nurse's experience or on a list of clinical factors of the patients. With this information, we estimated the positive predictive values and false omission rates according to very few clinical factors readily available in primary care (age, sex, and diagnosis of heart failure) and used them to create the algorithm. RESULTS: The parameters associated with the highest diagnostic accuracy were palpation of the radial artery and classifying as irregular those palpations in which the nurse was uncertain about pulse regularity or unable to palpate pulse (sensitivity = 79%; specificity = 86%). Specificity decreased with age. Neither the nurse's experience nor any investigated clinical factor influenced diagnostic accuracy. We provide the algorithm to select the ≥40 years old individuals that would benefit from a pulse palpation screening: a) do nothing in <60 years old individuals without heart failure; b) do ECG in ≥70 years old individuals with heart failure; c) do radial pulse palpation in the remaining individuals and do ECG if the pulse is irregular or you are uncertain about its regularity or unable to palpate it. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunistic screening for AF using optimal pulse palpation in candidate individuals according to a simple algorithm may have high effectiveness in detecting AF in primary care.

Corrigendum: Dynamics of Emergency Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions and In-Hospital Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Time Series Analysis and Impact of Socioeconomic Factors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.827212.].

Association of renin-angiotensin system blockers with COVID-19 diagnosis and prognosis in patients with hypertension: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade either by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility, mortality and severity is inadequately described. We examined the association between RAS blockade and COVID-19 diagnosis and prognosis in a large population-based cohort of patients with hypertension (HTN). METHODS: This is a cohort study using regional health records. We identified all individuals aged 18-95 years from 87 healthcare reference areas of the main health provider in Catalonia (Spain), with a history of HTN from primary care records. Data were linked to COVID-19 test results, hospital, pharmacy and mortality records from 1 March 2020 to 14 August 2020. We defined exposure to RAS blockers as the dispensation of ACEi/ARBs during the 3 months before COVID-19 diagnosis or 1 March 2020. Primary outcomes were: COVID-19 infection and severe progression in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (the composite of need for invasive respiratory support or death). For both outcomes and for each exposure of interest (RAS blockade, ACEi or ARB) we estimated associations in age-, sex-, healthcare area- and propensity score-matched samples. RESULTS: From a cohort of 1 365 215 inhabitants we identified 305 972 patients with HTN history. Recent use of ACEi/ARBs in patients with HTN was associated with a lower 6-month cumulative incidence of COVID-19 diagnosis {3.78% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.69-3.86%] versus 4.53% (95% CI 4.40-4.65%); P < 0.001}. In the 12 344 patients with COVID-19 infection, the use of ACEi/ARBs was not associated with a higher risk of hospitalization with need for invasive respiratory support or death [OR = 0.91 (0.71-1.15); P = 0.426]. CONCLUSIONS: RAS blockade in patients with HTN is not associated with higher risk of COVID-19 infection or with a worse progression of the disease.

Cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are a cost-effective alternative for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death, but their efficiency in primary prevention, especially among patients with nonischemic heart disease, is still uncertain. METHODS: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of ICD plus conventional medical treatment (CMT) vs CMT for primary prevention of cardiac arrhythmias from the perspective of the national health service. We simulated the course of the disease by using Markov models in patients with ischemic and nonischemic heart disease. The parameters of the model were based on the results obtained from a meta-analysis of clinical trials published between 1996 and 2018 comparing ICD plus CMT vs CMT, the safety results of the DANISH trial, and analysis of real-world clinical practice in a tertiary hospital. RESULTS: We estimated that ICD reduced the likelihood of all-cause death in patients with ischemic heart disease (HR, 0.70; 95%CI, 0.58-0.85) and in those with nonischemic heart disease (HR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.66-0.96). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) estimated with probabilistic analysis was €19 171/quality adjusted life year (QALY) in patients with ischemic heart disease and €31 084/QALY in those with nonischemic dilated myocardiopathy overall and €23 230/QALY in patients younger than 68 years. CONCLUSIONS: The efficiency of single-lead ICD systems has improved in the last decade, and these devices are cost-effective in patients with ischemic and nonischemic left ventricular dysfunction younger than 68 years, assuming willingness to pay as €25 000/QALY. For older nonischemic patients, the ICER was around €30 000/QALY.

Sample size requirement in trials that use the composite endpoint major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): new insights.

BACKGROUND: The real impact of the degree of association (DoA) between endpoint components of a composite endpoint (CE) on sample size requirement (SSR) has not been explored. We estimate the impact of the DoA between death and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on SSR of trials using use the CE of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). METHODS: A systematic review and quantitative synthesis of trials that include MACE as the primary outcome through search strategies in MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases. We limited to articles published in journals indexed in the first quartile of the Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems category (Journal Citation Reports, 2015-2020). The authors were contacted to estimate the DoA between death and AMI using joint probability and correlation. We analyzed the SSR variation using the DoA estimated from RCTs. RESULTS: Sixty-three of 134 publications that reported event rates and the therapy effect in all component endpoints were included in the quantitative synthesis. The most frequent combination was death, AMI, and revascularization (n = 20; 31.8%). The correlation between death and AMI, estimated from 5 trials¸ oscillated between - 0.02 and 0.31. SSR varied from 14,602 in the scenario with the strongest correlation to 12,259 in the scenario with the weakest correlation; the relative impact was 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The DoA between death and AMI is highly variable and may lead to a considerable SSR variation in a trial including MACE.

Clinical Risk Prediction in Patients With Left Ventricular Myocardial Noncompaction.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous entity with uncertain prognosis. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to develop and validate a prediction model of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and to identify LVNC cases without events during long-term follow-up. METHODS: This is a retrospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients fulfilling LVNC criteria by echocardiography or cardiovascular magnetic resonance. MACE were defined as heart failure (HF), ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), systemic embolisms, or all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 585 patients were included (45 ± 20 years of age, 57% male). LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 48% ± 17%, and 18% presented late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). After a median follow-up of 5.1 years, MACE occurred in 223 (38%) patients: HF in 110 (19%), VAs in 87 (15%), systemic embolisms in 18 (3%), and 34 (6%) died. LVEF was the main variable independently associated with MACE (P < 0.05). LGE was associated with HF and VAs in patients with LVEF >35% (P < 0.05). A prediction model of MACE was developed using Cox regression, composed by age, sex, electrocardiography, cardiovascular risk factors, LVEF, and family aggregation. C-index was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.67-0.75) in the derivation cohort and 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.71-0.73) in an external validation cohort. Patients with no electrocardiogram abnormalities, LVEF ≥50%, no LGE, and negative family screening presented no MACE at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LVNC is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. LVEF is the variable most strongly associated with MACE; however, LGE confers additional risk in patients without severe systolic dysfunction. A risk prediction model is developed and validated to guide management.

Stratification and management of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients. A consensus document of the SEC, FEC, SEOM, SEOR, SEHH, SEMG, AEEMT, AEEC, and AECC.

Both cancer treatment and survival have significantly improved, but these advances have highlighted the deleterious effects of vascular complications associated with anticancer therapy. This consensus document aims to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary and practical approach to the stratification, monitoring and treatment of cardiovascular risk in cancer patients. The document is promoted by the Working Group on Cardio Oncology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) and was drafted in collaboration with experts from distinct areas of expertise of the SEC and the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR), the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG), the Spanish Association of Specialists in Occupational Medicine (AEEMT), the Spanish Association of Cardiovascular Nursing (AEEC), the Spanish Heart Foundation (FEC), and the Spanish Cancer Association (AECC).

Revascularisation in older adult patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: effect and impact on 6-month mortality.

Although revascularisation in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) is associated with better outcomes, its impact in older adult patients is unclear. This is a retrospective analyses of three national NSTEACS registries conducted during the past decade in Spain. Patients aged 75 years and older were included: DESCARTES (DES; year 2002; n=534), MASCARA (MAS; 2005; n=1736) and DIOCLES (DIO; 2012; n=593). The adjusted association between revascularisation and total (inhospital and 6-month) mortality was estimated by two-stage meta-analysis (pooled effect across the three registries with inverse-variability weights) and one-stage meta-analysis (multilevel model with random effects across studies). The impact of revascularisation was assessed comparing the observed and the expected mortality based on a logistic regression model in the pooled database. Although revascularisation was associated with a lower risk of mortality in meta-analyses (two-stage: odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.67; one-stage: odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.36-0.81) and the revascularisation rate increased steadily from 2002 (DES 14.2%) to 2012 (DIO 43.7%), its impact was not patent across registries, probably because this increase was concentrated in low and medium-risk GRACE strata (tertile 1, 2 and 3: MAS 59%, 20% and 6%; DIO 64%, 39% and 19%, respectively). In conclusion, a consistent increase of revascularisation in NSTEACS in older adults was not followed by a decrease in mortality at 6 months, probably because the impact of this strategy is limited to the higher risk population, the stratum with the lowest revascularisation rate in real life.

Prior adherence to recommended lipid control targets in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Optimal lipid control is difficult to attain. We assessed preadmission achievement of the European Society of Cardiology targets for low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) control in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: Fasting LDL-C levels were measured in 3164 patients admitted between 2010 and 2017. We assessed the frequency of adequate LDL-C control, with targets defined according to individual cardiovascular risk, and the predictors of inadequate control. RESULTS: The median LDL-C value was 104 (80-130) mg/dL. Most patients had high or very high cardiovascular risk and only 34.2% had LDL-C levels below the recommended target for their estimated risk. Achievement of LDL-C goals increased moderately throughout the study period. Adequate LDL-C control was inversely associated with patient risk. Dyslipidemia, active smoking, diabetes mellitus, and body mass index ≥ 25 were independent predictors of inadequate lipid control, while ongoing statin therapy was associated with adequate control. CONCLUSIONS: Only slightly more than one third of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome meet recommended LDL-C targets on admission. There is broad scope for improvement in primary and secondary prevention, especially among patients who are overweight or have other cardiovascular risk factors.

Flecainide Versus Procainamide in Electrophysiological Study in Patients With Syncope and Wide QRS Duration.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the differences between procainamide and flecainide to stress the His-Purkinje system during electrophysiological study (EPS) in patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB). BACKGROUND: Patients with syncope and BBB are at risk of developing atrioventricular block. EPS is recommended including class I drug challenge to unmask His-Purkinje disease in cases with baseline normal His-ventricular interval. There is little data on differences between different class I drugs. METHODS: This was a prospective study of all consecutive patients undergoing EPS for syncope and BBB at a single center (January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017). Of those patients with negative baseline EPS, 2 cohorts were compared: group A (historical cohort: procainamide) and group B (flecainide). RESULTS: During the study, 271 patients (age 73.9 ± 12.1 years, 64.9% male, QRS duration: 139.4 ± 13.9 ms) underwent EPS. In 166, baseline EPS was negative and class I drug challenge was performed (90 procainamide, 76 flecainide). The final value and percentage increase in the His-ventricular interval (76 ± 16 ms vs. 64 ± 10 ms and 22.5 ± 6.2% vs. 11.8 ± 5.3%; p < 0.001) and diagnostic yield (14.5% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.04) were higher with flecainide. No differences were found in baseline characteristics. During follow-up (25.8 ± 6.3 months), 39 patients (24.8%) with negative EPS (19.2% with flecainide vs. 30.1% with procainamide: relative risk: 5.1; 95% confidence interval: 2.6 to 10.2; p < 0. 001) received a pacemaker. CONCLUSIONS: Flecainide has a higher diagnostic yield than does procainamide in patients with BBB, syncope, and negative baseline EPS due to a greater increase of the His-ventricular interval. Additionally, there is a lesser need for pacemaker implantation in patients in whom the class I drug test using flecainide was negative.

Syncope, conduction disturbance, and negative electrophysiological test: Predictive factors and risk score to predict pacemaker implantation during follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB) are at risk for atrioventricular block (AVB). Electrophysiological study (EPS) can help in identifying patients at higher risk for AVB, but the false-negative rate is remarkable. Few data on the predictors of the need for pacemaker implantation during follow-up have been reported. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the rate of patients who need pacemaker implantation after negative EPS and predictive factors. METHODS: A single-center prospective study of 159 consecutive patients (73.9 ± 12.1 years; male 64.9%) with syncope and BBB (January 2012-December 2016) and negative EPS was conducted. An implantable loop recorder was implanted. RESULTS: After 27.9 ± 10.8 months of follow-up, 39 patients (24.8%) underwent pacemaker implantation because of bradyarrhythmia. In the univariate analysis, bifascicular (right BBB + left fascicular block) block, bifascicular block + long PR interval, conduction disturbance different from isolated right BBB, HV ≥60 ms, and HV ≥70 ms after class I drug challenge were predictors of pacemaker implantation. In the multivariate analysis, only bifascicular block (hazard ratio 2.5; 95% confidence interval 1.4-4.8; P = .04) and HV interval ≥60 ms (hazard ratio 3.5; 95% confidence interval 1.8-6.2; P <.001) were statistically significant. A risk score according to the multivariate model identified 3 levels of pacemaker implantation rate (13.5%, 32.7%, and 66.7%; P <.001). No death or severe trauma related to bradyarrhythmia occurred. CONCLUSION: The strategy of an implantable loop recorder in patients with syncope and BBB is safe after negative EPS, but some patients might need pacemaker implantation during follow-up. A risk score based on HV ≥60 ms and bifascicular block can be useful in identifying patients at risk for advanced AVB after negative EPS.

Persistence with dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: a population-based cohort study in Catalonia (Spain).

OBJECTIVES: Guidelines recommending 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (STEACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were published in year 2012. We aimed to describe the influence of guideline implementation on the trend in 12-month persistence with DAPT between 2010 and 2015 and to evaluate its relationship with DAPT duration regimens recommended at discharge from PCI hospitals. DESIGN: Observational study based on region-wide registry data linked to pharmacy billing data for DAPT follow-up. SETTING: All PCI hospitals (10) belonging to the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) code network in Catalonia (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: 10 711 STEACS patients undergoing PCI between 2010 and 2015 were followed up. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was 12-month persistence with DAPT. Calendar year quarter, publication of guidelines, DAPT duration regimen recommended in the hospital discharge report, baseline patient characteristics and significant interactions were included in mixed-effects logistic regression based interrupted time-series models. RESULTS: The proportion of patients on-DAPT at 12 months increased from 58% (56-60) in 2010 to 73% (71-75) in 2015. The rate of 12-month persistence with DAPT significantly increased after the publication of clinical guidelines with a time lag of 1 year (OR=1.20; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.30). A higher risk profile, more extensive and complex coronary disease, use of drug-eluting stents (OR=1.90; 95% CI 1.50 to 2.40) and a 12-month DAPT regimen recommendation at discharge from the PCI hospital (OR=5.76; 95% CI 3.26 to 10.2) were associated with 12-month persistence. CONCLUSION: Persistence with 12-month DAPT has increased since publication of clinical guidelines. Even though most patients were discharged on DAPT, only 73% with potential indication were on-DAPT 12 months after PCI. A guideline-based recommendation at PCI hospital discharge was highly associated with full persistence with DAPT. Establishing evidence-based, common prescribing criteria across hospitals in the AMI-network would favour adherence and reduce variability.

Atrial Fibrillation in Active Cancer Patients: Expert Position Paper and Recommendations.

Improvements in survival among cancer patients have revealed the clinical impact of cardiotoxicity on both cardiovascular and hematological and oncological outcomes, especially when it leads to the interruption of highly effective antitumor therapies. Atrial fibrillation is a common complication in patients with active cancer and its treatment poses a major challenge. These patients have an increased thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk but standard stroke prediction scores have not been validated in this population. The aim of this expert consensus-based document is to provide a multidisciplinary and practical approach to the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with active cancer. This is a position paper of the Spanish Cardio-Oncology working group and the Spanish Thrombosis working group, drafted in collaboration with experts from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology, and the Spanish Society of Hematology.