Prominent crista terminalis mimicking a right atrial mass: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

The crista terminalis is an anatomical structure localized on the posterolateral wall of the right atrium (RA). We performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis concerning cases of unusual prominent crista terminalis mimicking RA mass. Moreover, we described the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses with the use of echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). We also emphasize the potential importance of this structure in electrophysiological procedures, including its role in exaggerated arrhythmias. Prominent crista terminalis may be a potential obstacle during invasive cardiac procedures or catheter ablation target. In analyzed cases, the crista terminalis was often erroneously interpreted as pathologic and at first confused with a thrombus or tumor during transthoracic echocardiography examination. The correct final diagnoses were mostly made with used transesophageal echocardiography or CMR. The most important imaging findings suggestive of prominent crista terminalis rather than tumor were a similar echogenicity/intensity with adjacent myocardium, the location on posterolateral wall of the RA, the phasic change in size, and no enhancement after contrast injection. We describe up to date and detailed imaging features for the differential diagnostics of selected intracardiac masses using various imaging techniques, including multimodality cardiac imaging. Familiarity with the anatomy and the imaging findings of the prominent crista terminalis will reduce misdiagnosis and avoid additional tests and unwarranted clinical interventions, while in patients considered for invasive cardiac procedures it might increase their efficacy and safety.

Altered fibrin clot properties are associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease in atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Formation of denser and resistant to lysis fibrin clot networks has been shown in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated whether such prothrombotic fibrin clot properties are associated with faster progression of CKD in AF patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 265 AF patients (men 49.1 %, median age of 64.0 years, median estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 77.0 ml/min/1.73 m2), including 137 patients on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) (51.7 %) and 109 patients (41.1 %) on vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). At baseline while off anticoagulation, we determined fibrin clot permeability (Ks), and clot lysis time (CLT), along with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The kidney function was assessed at baseline and after a median follow-up of 50.0 months. RESULTS: During follow-up, a median eGFR decreased by 8.0 (5.0-11.0) ml/min/1.73 m2, 1.8 ml/min/1.73 m2/year and this change correlated with age (R = 0.19, P = 0.002), Ks (R = 0.46, P < 0.0001), and CLT (R = -0.17, P = 0.005), but not ETP, fibrinogen, PAI-1 or vWF. A decrease in eGFR was lower in patients who used NOACs at baseline but not in those who started NOACs during follow-up (n = 101) as compared to the remaining patients. On multiple linear regression analysis, adjusted for age and fibrinogen, baseline Ks, eGFR, hypertension, and NOACs use independently predicted a decrease in eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show that more compact fibrin clot networks may contribute to faster progression of CKD in AF, indicating novel kidney-related harmful effects of prothrombotic clot properties in humans.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Management.

Over the last decades, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or replacement (TAVR) has become a potential, widely accepted, and effective method of treating aortic stenosis in patients at moderate and high surgical risk and those disqualified from surgery. The method evolved what translates into a noticeable decrease in the incidence of complications and more beneficial clinical outcomes. However, the incidence of conduction abnormalities related to TAVI, including left bundle branch block and complete or second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB), remains high. The occurrence of AVB requiring permanent pacemaker implantation is associated with a worse prognosis in this group of patients. The identification of risk factors for conduction disturbances requiring pacemaker placement and the assessment of their relation to pacing dependence may help to develop methods of optimal care, including preventive measures, for patients undergoing TAVI. This approach is crucial given the emerging evidence of no worse outcomes for intermediate and low-risk patients undergoing TAVI in comparison to surgical aortic valve replacement. This paper comprehensively discusses the mechanisms, risk factors, and consequences of conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias, including AVB, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmias associated with aortic stenosis and TAVI, as well as provides insights into optimized patient care, along with the potential of conduction system pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy, to minimize the risk of unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Kidney Disease: Practical Issues.

Up to 20% of patients with chronic kidney disease have atrial fibrillation, and 40%-50% of atrial fibrillation patients suffer from chronic kidney disease. The 2 diseases share several risk factors and frequently coincide with each other. Both entities are associ ated with a prothrombotic state, which contributes to increased thromboembolic risk. Atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease have elevated risk of stroke, major bleeding, and mortality. Clinical risk scores, including CHA2DS2-VASc score, HAS-BLED score, or ORBIT score have a limited value in adverse clinical outcome risk stratification in patients with severe chronic kidney disease. However, the inclusion of renal function in the R(2)-CHA2DS2-VASc score does not improve significantly thromboembolic risk predic tion in atrial fibrillation. There is growing evidence suggesting that biomarkers, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin, cystatin C, or growth differentiation factor-15, might be helpful in the assessment of thromboembolic, bleeding, and/or mortality risk in atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease. The first-choice anticoagulant therapy is based on direct oral anticoagulants in this subgroup. The highest risk of adverse events is observed in end-stage renal disease, and in Europe, in contrast to the USA, solely warfarin is recommended in such atrial fibrillation patients. Treatment of atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease should be closely moni tored with the selection of right anticoagulant agents at the appropriate dose. The current review paper summarizes available evidence and the challenges of the management of atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease with practical implications.

Heart Rate Variability and Its Associations with Organ Complications in Adults after Fontan Operation.

Reduction of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters may be a risk factor and precede the occurrence of arrhythmias or the development of heart failure and complications in people with postinfarct left ventricular dysfunction and after coronary artery bypass grafting. Data on this issue in adults after a Fontan operation (FO) are scarce. This study assessed the association between HRV, exercise capacity, and multiorgan complications in adults after FO. Data were obtained from 30 FO patients (mean age 24 ± 5.4 years) and 30 healthy controls matched for age and sex. HRV was investigated in all patients by clinical examination, laboratory tests, echocardiography, a cardiopulmonary exercise test, and 24-h electrocardiogram. The HRV parameters were reduced in the FO group. Reduced HRV parameters were associated with patients' age at the time of FO, time since surgery, impaired exercise capacity, chronotropic incompetence parameters, and multiorgan complications. Univariate analysis showed that saturated O2 at rest, percentage difference between adjacent NN intervals of >50 ms duration, and peak heart rate were associated with chronotropic index. Multivariable analysis revealed that all three variables were independent predictors of the chronotropic index. The results of this study suggest novel pathophysiological mechanisms that link HRV, physical performance, and organ damage in patients after FO.

Thromboembolism and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation and stage 4 chronic kidney disease: impact of biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered a risk factor for thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AIMS: We sought to assess predictors of clinical outcomes among AF patients with advanced CKD. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we enrolled 180 AF patients with stage 4 CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2, on vitamin K antagonists (n = 90), and non-vitamin K antagonists oral anticoagulants (n = 90). We assessed biomarkers, including growth differentiation factor-15, cystatin C, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, and prothrombotic state parameters, including plasma fibrin clot permeability (Ks). RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 71.0 (64.0-75.0) years (men 65.0%). The median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 24.0 (21.0-25.0) ml/min/1.73 m2 while the median CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.0 (2.0-4.0). Age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.20) and decreased Ks (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34-0.90) were associated with thromboembolic events (n = 18; 4.7% per year). Previous bleeding (HR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.22-8.45), growth differentiation factor-15 (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.29-1.69), cystatin C (HR, 9.24; 95% CI, 2.15-39.67), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14-1.48) were independent predictors of major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (n = 27; 7.1% per year). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, only cystatin C (HR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.08-14.37) predicted mortality (n = 25; 6.5% per year). CONCLUSIONS: Novel biomarkers might be useful in risk stratification of thromboembolic and bleeding events in AF patients with stage 4 CKD receiving oral anticoagulants.

Clinical classification of rare cardiac arrhythmogenic and conduction disorders, and rare arrhythmias.

INTRODUCTION Rare cardiovascular diseases and disorders (RCDDs) constitute an important clinical problem, and their proper classification is crucial for expanding knowledge in the field of RCDDs. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to provide an updated classification of rare arrhythmogenic and conduction disorders, and rare arrhythmias (RACDRAs). METHODS We performed a search for RACDRAs using the Orphanet inventory of rare diseases, which includes diseases with a prevalence of no more than 5 per 10 000 in the general population. We supplemented this with a search of PubMed and Scopus databases according to a wider definition proposed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. RESULTS RACDRAs are categorized into 2 groups, primary electrical disorders of the heart and arrhythmias in specific clinical settings. The first group is further divided into subgroups of major clinical presentation: disorders predisposing to supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, and others. The second group includes iatrogenic arrhythmias or heart rhythm disturbances related to medical treatment, arrhythmias associated with metabolic disorders, and others. We provide a classification of RACDRAs and supplement them with respective RCDDs codes. CONCLUSION The clinical classification of RACDRAs may form a basis to facilitate research and progress in clinical practice, both in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal communication: impact on P-wave dispersion, duration, and arrhythmia in mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Atrial septal communications (ASCs) include atrial septal defects (ASDs) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess P-wave dispersion (PWD) and the prevalence of arrhythmia in patients before and after ASC closure. METHODS: We analysed the clinical history and performed 12-lead electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and 24-h Holter electrocardiograms in patients with ASC, before and six months after ASC closure. RESULTS: We included patients with ASD (n = 56) and PFO (n = 73). PWD before percutaneous ASC closure was predicted by right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) proximal diameter, left atrial area, ASD, smoking, and paroxysmal dyspnoea, R2 = 0.67; p < 0.001. RVOT proximal diameter was an independent predictor of PWD, both in patients with ASD and PFO. Six months after successful closure of ASC, a reduction in PWD was observed in the whole group of patients as well as in patients with ASD and PFO considered separately. A decrease in PWD was associated with reduction of maximum P-wave duration. At the same time, in the whole group, we noticed a reduction in the number of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystolic beats and fewer atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, p < 0.04 for all variables. Postprocedural AF episodes in patients with ASD were predicted by PWD of 80 ms. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous closure of ASC is associated with a reduction of PWD and fewer arrhythmia episodes six months after the procedure. PWD predicts AF episodes after ASD closure.