Optimizing radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation by direct catheter force measurement-a case-matched comparison in 198 patients.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient electrode-tissue contact is crucial for adequate lesion formation in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of direct catheter force measurement on acute procedural parameters and outcome of RFCA for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients (70% men) with paroxysmal (63.6%) or persistent AF underwent left atrial RFCA using a 3.5-mm open-irrigated-tip (OIT) catheter with contact force measurement capabilities (group 1). For comparison a case-matched cohort with standard OIT catheters was used (99 patients; group 2). Case matching included gender, type of AF, number or RFCA procedures, and type of procedure. RESULTS: Procedural data showed a significant decline in radiofrequency ablation time from 52 ± 20 to 44 ± 16 minutes (P = 0.003) with a remarkable mean reduction in overall procedure time of 34 minutes (P = 0.0001; 225.8 ± 53.1 vs 191.9 ± 53.3 minutes). In parallel, the total fluoroscopy time could be significantly reduced from 28.5 ± 11.0 to 19.9 ± 9.3 minutes (P = 0.0001) as well as fluoroscopy dose from 74.1 ± 58.0 to 56.7 ± 38.9 Gy/cm(2) (P = 0.016). Periprocedural complications were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of contact force sensing technology is able to significantly reduce ablation, procedure, and fluoroscopy times as well as dose in RFCA of AF in a mixed case-matched group of paroxysmal and persistent AF. Energy delivery is substantially reduced by avoiding radiofrequency ablation in positions with insufficient surface contact. Additionally 12-month outcome data showed increased efficacy. Such time saving and equally safe technology may have a relevant impact on laboratory management and increased cost effectiveness.

Asymptomatic cerebral lesions during pulmonary vein isolation under uninterrupted oral anticoagulation.

AIMS: Left atrial radiofrequency ablation has been shown to carry a risk of asymptomatic cerebral lesions. No data exist in patients under continued oral anticoagulation during the ablation procedure. The aim of this study was to quantify the amount of silent cerebral lesions assessed by pre-procedural and post-procedural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients under therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) and to identify clinical or procedural parameters that correlate with cerebral embolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 131 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for paroxysmal (n = 80, 61.1%) or persistent (n = 51, 38.9%) atrial fibrillation were included in the study. Pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVI), roofline, mitral isthmus line, and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation using 3.5 mm open-irrigated tip catheters were performed, as needed. All patients underwent pre-procedural and post-procedural cerebral MRI. Post-procedural MRI revealed new embolic lesions in 16 patients (12.2%), all of them asymptomatic. Clinical parameters showing a significant correlation with cerebral embolism in univariate analysis were age (P = 0.027), persistent atrial fibrillation (vs. paroxysmal; P = 0.039), and spontaneous echo contrast in transesophageal echocardiography (P = 0.029). Significant procedural parameters were electric cardioversion (P = 0.041), PVI only (P = 0.008), and ablation of complex atrial electrograms (P = 0.005). Independent risk factors in multivariate analysis were age (P = 0.009), spontaneous echo contrast (P = 0.029) and CFAE ablation (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation in patients under continued oral therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with a substantial risk of silent embolism detected by cerebral MRI. Therefore, continuation of oral anticoagulation is not able to prevent cerebral embolism. A variety of different clinical and procedural factors seem to contribute to the risk of cerebral lesions.

Clinical impact of an open-irrigated radiofrequency catheter with direct force measurement on atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: Electrode-tissue contact is crucial for adequate lesion formation in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of direct catheter force measurement on acute procedural parameters during RFCA of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients (28 male) with paroxysmal AF who underwent their first procedure of circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) were assigned to either RFCA using (1) a standard 3.5-mm open-irrigated-tip catheter or (2) a catheter with contact force measurement capabilities. Using the endpoint of PVI with entry and exit block, acute procedural parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Procedural data showed a remarkable decline in ablation time (radiofrequency time needed for PVI) from 50.5 ± 15.9 to 39.0 ± 11.0 minutes (P = 0.007) with a reduction in overall procedure duration from 185 ± 46 to 154 ± 39 minutes (P = 0.022). In parallel, the total energy delivered could be significantly reduced from 70,926 ± 19,470 to 58,511 ± 14,655 Ws (P = 0.019). The number of acute PV reconnections declined from 36% to 12% (P = 0.095). CONCLUSIONS: The use of contact force sensing technology is able to significantly reduce ablation and procedure times in PVI. In addition, energy delivery is substantially reduced by avoiding radiofrequency ablation in positions with insufficient surface contact. Procedural efficacy and safety of this new feature have to be evaluated in larger cohorts.

Assessment of right ventricular function using echocardiographic speckle tracking of the tricuspid annular motion: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is difficult due to the complex shape of this chamber. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) measured with M-mode echocardiography is frequently used as an index of RV function. However, its accuracy may be limited by ultrasound beam misalignment. We hypothesized that two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) could provide more accurate estimates of RV function. Accordingly, STE was used to quantify tricuspid annular displacement (TAD), from which RV longitudinal shortening fraction (LSF) was calculated. These STE derived indices were compared side-by-side with M-mode TAPSE measurements against cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) derived RV ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: Echocardiography (Philips iE33, four-chamber view) and CMR (Siemens, 1.5 T) were performed on the same day in 63 patients with a wide range of RV EF (23-70% by CMR). TAPSE was measured using M-mode echocardiography. TAD and RV LSF were obtained using STE analysis (QLAB CMQ, Philips). TAPSE, TAD and RV LSF values were compared with RV EF obtained from CMR short axis stacks. RESULTS: STE analysis required <15 seconds and was able to track tricuspid annular motion in all patients as verified visually. Correlation between RV EF and TAD (0.61 free-wall, 0.65 septal) was similar to that with M-mode TAPSE (0.63). However, STE-derived RV LSF showed a higher correlation with CMR EF (r = 0.78). CONCLUSION: RV LSF measurement by STE is fast and easy to obtain and provides more accurate evaluation of RV EF than the traditional M-mode TAPSE technique, when compared to CMR reference. (Echocardiography 2012;29:19-24).

Cardiac resynchronization therapy by ablation of right-anterolateral accessory pathway.

Ventricular preexcitation caused by right-sided accessory pathways can lead to abnormal septal motion patterns and may be associated with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure, despite the lack of a clinical arrhythmia. Hence successful ablation of the accessory pathway abolishes not only preexcitation but also ventricular dyssynchrony in these patients. We describe a case of an asymptomatic 20-year-old male presenting with ventricular Type-B preexcitation combined with LV dysfunction. The individual risk of arrhythmic events was enhanced due to competitive sport activities of the patient and a short antegrade refractory period of the accessory pathway. Hence standard radiofrequency ablation of the right anterolateral accessory pathway was performed, despite no history of tachycardia. After successful accessory pathway ablation, normalization of LV size and function was demonstrated by echocardiography with a long-term follow-up of 4 years.

Dyssynchrony by speckle-tracking echocardiography and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: results of the Speckle Tracking and Resynchronization (STAR) study.

AIMS: The Speckle Tracking and Resynchronization (STAR) study used a prospective multi-centre design to test the hypothesis that speckle-tracking echocardiography can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 132 consecutive CRT patients with class III and IV heart failure, ejection fraction (EF) < or =35%, and QRS > or =120 ms from three international centres. Baseline dyssynchrony was evaluated by four speckle tracking strain methods; radial, circumferential, transverse, and longitudinal (> or =130 ms opposing wall delay for each). Pre-specified outcome variables were EF response and three serious long-term events: death, transplant, or left ventricular assist device. Of 120 patients (91%) with baseline dyssynchrony data, both short-axis radial strain and transverse strain from apical views were associated with favourable EF response 7 +/- 4 months and long-term outcome over 3.5 years (P < 0.01). Radial strain had the highest sensitivity at 86% for predicting EF response with a specificity of 67%. Serious long-term unfavourable events occurred in 20 patients after CRT, and happened three times more frequently in those who lacked baseline radial or transverse dyssynchrony than in patients with dyssynchrony (P < 0.01). Patients who lacked both radial and transverse dyssynchrony had unfavourable clinical events occur in 53%, in contrast to events occurring in 12% if baseline dyssynchrony was present (P < 0.01). Circumferential and longitudinal strains predicted response when dyssynchrony was detected, but failed to identify dyssynchrony in one-third of patients who responded to CRT. CONCLUSION: Dyssynchrony by speckle-tracking echocardiography using radial and transverse strains is associated with EF response and long-term outcome following CRT.

Quantification of left ventricular volumes using three-dimensional echocardiographic speckle tracking: comparison with MRI.

AIMS: Although the utility of two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to quantify left ventricular (LV) volume has been demonstrated, this methodology is limited by foreshortened views, geometric modelling, and the assumption that speckles can be tracked from frame to frame, despite their out of plane motion. To circumvent these limitations, a three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking algorithm was recently developed. Our goal was to evaluate the accuracy of the new 3D-STE side by side with 2D-STE using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a reference. METHODS AND RESULTS: Apical two- and four-chamber views (A2C and A4C) and real-time 3D datasets (Toshiba Artida 4D System) obtained in 43 patients with a wide range of LV size and function were analysed to measure LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESV and EDV) using 2D and 3D-STE techniques. Short-axis CMR images (Siemens 1.5T scanner) acquired on the same day were analysed to obtain ESV and EDV reference values using the method of disks approximation. Reproducibility of both STE techniques was assessed using repeated measurements. While 2D-STE correlated well with CMR (r: 0.72-0.88), it underestimated LV volumes with relatively large biases (10-30 mL) and wide limits of agreement (SD: 36-51 mL), with A2C-derived measurements being worse than A4C values. The 3D-STE measurements showed higher correlation with CMR (0.87-0.92), and importantly smaller biases (1-16 mL) and narrower limits of agreement (SD: 28-37 mL). In addition, 3D-STE showed lower inter- and intra-observer variability (11-14% and 12-13%), than 2D-STE (16-17% and 12-16%, respectively). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to validate the new 3D-STE technique for LV volume measurements and demonstrate its superior accuracy and reproducibility over previously used 2D-STE technique.

[Endo- and epicardial catheter ablation preventing ventricular tachycardia: impact of substrate modification]. / Endo- und epikardiale katheterablation in der behandlung ventrikulärer tachykardien: bedeutung der substratmodifikation.

Challenges encountered during catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) include hemodynamic instability and lack of inducibility. Recent approaches guided by electroanatomic mapping demonstrated the feasibility of VT ablation during sinus rhythm. We analyzed the data from 40 consecutive patients who were referred to the Elisabethinen Hospital Linz for VT ablation. Ablation target sites were identified by using pace-, electroanatomic, and specific VT-related potential mapping. All clinical VTs were eliminated by catheter ablation in 38 of 40 patients within 43 procedures. Epicardial mapping and ablation via a subxiphoid percutaneous access was necessary in 3 patients. In total, 4 out of 14 patients with a history of frequent ICD shocks received additional ICD discharges during follow-up (n = 2:ICD-shock; n = 2:antitachycardia-pacing). Combining pace-, activation-, entrainment-, and substrate-mapping is useful for VT prevention by catheter ablation. A subxiphoid percutaneous approach is useful in some patients for extensive mapping and ablation at the epicardial surface of the heart.

Acute effects of complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation on dominant frequency and regulatory index for the fibrillatory process.

AIMS: The purpose of our study was to determine the acute effects of complex fractionated electrograms (CFAE) ablation guided by automated detection on dominant frequency (DF) and regulatory index (RI) for the fibrillatory process. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 41 patients (21 paroxysmal and 20 persistent) referred for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Our ablation strategy included pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as first step, CFAE ablation as second step, roof line ablation as next, and mitral isthmus ablation as last step. On the CFAE map, we were targeting only points outside the previous PVI lines. Simultaneously, we evaluated DF and RI changes in the coronary sinus after each step of ablation. The termination rate by CFAE ablation was low (12.5% in paroxysmal and 10% in persistent AF). Changes in DF and RI after CFAE ablation were not significant (<0.25 Hz and max. 0.02 increase for RI) compared with other ablation steps. Pulmonary vein isolation, roof line, and mitral isthmus ablation resulted in significant changes in DF and RI. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, CFAE ablation guided by a dedicated software algorithm and performed after standard PVI without CFAE remapping does not influence the fibrillatory process significantly. Application of a modified algorithm with different settings warrants further investigations.

Speckle tracking in the evaluation of left ventricular dyssynchrony.

A number of echocardiographic techniques have been introduced to determine left ventricular dyssynchrony (LVD) and to improve selection of patients for CRT. During the last years tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has been used as the most preferred technique to quantify LVD, but results with nonresponder rates below 30% have been shown only in small studies based on high experience. Angle of incidence dependency, noise, artifacts, and tethering motion of adjacent segments are the main limitations of TDI influencing selection of patients for CRT. Although strain TDI is not affected by translation or tethering, accurate measurement of regional strain is also limited. Two-dimensional (2D) strain imaging based on novel speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a relatively new tool to define regional myocardial strain and to quantify dyssynchrony based on a more robust technique and avoiding angle of incidence. Current studies are promising to use strain or vector velocity imaging derived from STE for qualitative and quantitative assessment of LVD and follow-up studies as well. If one compare different types of strain components at present, radial strain imaging seems to be the most promising technique to determine LVD and to predict positive response to CRT. Furthermore, STE offers an insight into rotational mechanics of the dyssynchronous ventricle. Although clinical studies using 2D strain have analyzed LVD related to various conditions, measures are based on a 2D data set. Three-dimensional strain imaging, based on speckle tracking will probably open a new door to assess patients with heart failure and LVD.

Echocardiographic aspects of multisite pacing in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography has emerged as an accepted approach to define dyssynchrony in patients with advanced stage of heart failure (HF). Unfortunately no single echocardiographic parameter has been established to predict positive response after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and the nonresponder rate of 20-30% is still a matter of discussion and research. One of the most promising techniques in this regard is two-dimensional strain echocardiography based on speckle tracking with the potential to disclose residual dyssynchrony after primary CRT. An important reason for weak response to CRT is suboptimal position of the coronary sinus (CS) lead. Initial clinical benefit after CRT may mask partial residual dyssynchrony, which may cause worsening and recurrence of HF symptoms over time. Echocardiography helps to define the location of residual dyssynchrony and may identify patients who would benefit from implantation of a second CS-lead and triple-site pacing. If primary CRT fails due to imperfect placement of the CS-lead or due to coronary vein abnormalities and an epicardial approach is not appropriate, dual site pacing of the right ventricle may be an alternative procedure.

Quantitative assessment of left ventricular size and function: side-by-side comparison of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and computed tomography with magnetic resonance reference.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac CT (CCT) and real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) are being used increasingly in clinical cardiology. CCT offers superb spatial and contrast resolution, resulting in excellent endocardial definition. RT3DE has the advantages of low cost, portability, and live 3D imaging without offline reconstruction. We sought to compare both CCT and RT3DE measurements of left ventricular size and function with the standard reference technique, cardiac MR (CMR). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 31 patients, RT3DE data sets (Philips 7500) and long-axis CMR (Siemens, 1.5 T) and CCT (Toshiba, 16-slice MDCT) images were obtained on the same day without beta-blockers. All images were analyzed to obtain end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes and ejection fractions using the same rotational analysis to eliminate possible analysis-related differences. Intertechnique agreement was tested through linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses. Repeated measurements were performed to determine intraobserver and interobserver variability. Both CCT and RT3DE measurements resulted in high correlation (r2 > 0.85) compared with CMR. However, CCT significantly overestimated end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (26 and 19 mL; P < 0.05), resulting in a small but significant bias in ejection fraction (-2.8%). RT3DE underestimated end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes only slightly (5 and 6 mL), with no significant bias in EF (0.3%; P = 0.68). The limits of agreement with CMR were comparable for the 2 techniques. The variability in the CCT measurements was roughly half of that in either RT3DE or CMR values. CONCLUSIONS: CCT provides highly reproducible measurements of left ventricular volumes, which are significantly larger than CMR values. RT3DE measurements compared more favorably with the CMR reference, albeit with higher variability.

New insights into long-term follow-up of atrial fibrillation ablation: full disclosure by an implantable pacemaker device.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is difficult to assess. This study sought to evaluate various aspects of very long-term follow-up (FU) by the properties of an implantable device. METHODS: Fourteen patients with an implanted pacemaker device (Medtronic AT500) were selected for RFA, due to drug-refractory and highly symptomatic AF despite antibradycardic pacing. RESULTS: With a mean FU of 41.4 +/- 15.1 months, we could achieve continuous monitoring for more than 400,000 hours after RFA. Based on symptomatic episodes, simulated 24-hour, 48-hour, or 7-day Holter, 57% to 71% of the patients were classified as RFA responders. With permanent FU provided by the implanted device, 43% of the patients exhibited a positive treatment effect and only 21% had no tachyarrhythmic episode at all in long-term FU. With a mean of 1.7 +/- 0.7 RFA per subject, atrial tachyarrhythmia burden (ATB) was significantly reduced from a median of 3.6 to 0.3 hours per day (P < 0.001). Two out of 14 patients developed AF recurrences after a tachyarrhythmia-free period of more than 12 months. CONCLUSION: Continuous monitoring provided by an implantable device is able to detect significantly more AF episodes than routine FU. ATB is decreased significantly by (repeated) RFA over a very long-term FU. AF may reoccur very late after long-lasting (>1 year) episode-free intervals. A subgroup of patients with drug-aggravated bradycardia in brady-tachy syndrome might be considered for PV isolation rather than pacemaker implantation.

Accuracy of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping for real-time guided radiofrequency ablation of left atrial fibrillation-influence of heart rhythm and radiofrequency lesions.

Circumferential radiofrequency ablation around the orifices of the pulmonary veins is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Three-dimensional cardiac image integration is a promising new technology to visualize the complex left atrial anatomy and neighbouring structures. This study aimed to validate the accuracy of integrating multislice computed tomography (MSCT) into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (EAM) to guide radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) of AF. Forty consecutive patients (34 male, mean age 56 +/- 10 years) with multidrug-resistant AF underwent 16-slice MSCT 1 day before radiofrequency CA. MSCT data were processed and imported to the Cartotrade mark EAM system. Using the CartoMergetrade mark Image Integration Module, the generated EAM was aligned with the MSCT images. An integrated statistical algorithm provided information about the accuracy of the fusion process. In every single patient, MSCT images could be aligned with the EAM. Mean distance between the EAM points (n = 63 +/- 14) and the MSCT surface was 1.6 +/- 1.2 mm with no difference between sinus rhythm versus AF (p = 0.145) and no distinction between patients in paroxysmal versus persistent/permanent AF despite a significant difference in left atrial diameters. An average of 388 +/- 81 radiofrequency ablation points were taken within the procedures resulting in a mean distance of 2.3 +/- 1.8 mm between the EAM points and the MSCT image after the ablation procedure. There was a significant difference of alignment accuracy before and after radiofrequency CA (p < 0.001). MSCT images can be accurately integrated into three-dimensional EAM. Pre-interventional cardiac rhythm does not influence the precision of fusion. Accuracy of fusion deteriorates after radiofrequency CA.

Electrocardiogram changes and wall motion abnormalities in the acute phase of Tako-Tsubo syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Tako-Tsubo syndrome is still rarely diagnosed in patients presenting with symptoms of acute myocardial ischaemia. It is accompanied by wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle but significant narrowings or occlusions of epicardial coronary arteries are absent. We investigated a potential relationship between electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, wall motion abnormalities and gender influence of Tako-Tsubo syndrome in an Austrian cohort of Tako-Tsubo syndrome patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We were recently able to describe four different anatomical types of Tako-Tsubo syndrome in 153 patients of the Austrian Tako-Tsubo syndrome registry. In the present retrospective analysis we investigated ischaemia-related changes in the first diagnostic ECG for the different types of Tako-Tsubo syndrome: the apical and the combined apical-midventricular type showed most frequently a ST elevation (41.1% and 35.3%), whereas the midventricular type of Tako-Tsubo syndrome was more often accompanied by T wave inversion (60%). ECG changes in relation to the Tako-Tsubo syndrome type were similar in women and men. There was no difference in the prevalence of clinical complications among patients presenting with ST elevation or left bundle branch block (14.5%) compared with patients without ST elevation (10.4%) (p=0.476). CONCLUSION: Patients with Tako-Tsubo syndrome show characteristic ECG changes in the first diagnostic ECG which are associated to some extent with the anatomical type of Tako-Tsubo syndrome, but these ECG changes were not related to clinical outcome.

Normal reference values of left ventricular strain using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: results from a multicentre study.

AIMS: Three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) has been shown to be an accurate and reliable clinical tool for the evaluation of global and regional left ventricular (LV) function through strain analysis, but the absence of normal values has precluded its widespread use in clinical practice. The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to establish normal reference values of LV strain parameters using 3DSTE in a large healthy population. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 303 healthy subjects (156 males [51%], between 18 and 82 years of age, ejection fraction [EF] 61 ± 3%), stratified to provide approximately equal proportions of healthy subjects of 18-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and >60 years of age, underwent 3DSTE. Data were analysed for LV volumes, EF, mass, and global and regional circumferential, longitudinal, radial, and area strain. Significant but small differences between men and women were found for longitudinal and area strains, as well as between different age groups for all LV strain parameters. However, large differences in normal values were observed between different segments, walls, and levels of the LV for radial and longitudinal strains, whereas circumferential and area strains demonstrated generally consistent normal ranges across the LV. CONCLUSIONS: Normal ranges of global and regional LV strain using 3DSTE have been established for clinical use. Differences in the magnitude of LV strain are present between men and women as well as different age groups. Moreover, there are differences between different segments, walls, and levels as part of the functional non-uniformity of the normal LV that necessitates the use of segment-specific normal ranges for radial and longitudinal strains. Circumferential and area strains demonstrate the most consistent normal ranges overall.

Quality of life restored to normal in patients with atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein ostial isolation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is effective in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. However, its impact on quality of life (QOL) is not completely understood. METHODS: Eighty-nine otherwise healthy patients (74 men; age, 53 +/- 11 years) were selected for PVI. The Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Symptom Checklist (SCL) QOL questionnaires were obtained before PVI and for as long as 6 months after PVI. RESULTS: A total of 294 PVs (3.3 PVs/patient) were targeted in 125 procedures (1.4/patient). After a mean follow-up period of 191 +/- 109 days, scores for SCL frequency (19.09 +/- 8.07 vs 10.67 +/- 6.61), SCL severity (15.97 +/- 7.68 vs 9.72 +/- 5.98), SF-36 physical composite (45.43 +/- 9.70 vs 51.70 +/- 6.52), and SF-36 mental composite (44.50 +/- 11.33 vs 51.67 +/- 8.73) improved significantly (P <.0001 each). Seventy-five patients provided data at both the baseline and a late (3- or 6-month) follow-up. This cohort had significantly worse QOL scores in 7 of the 8 SF-36 subscales at baseline compared with age-matched healthy control subjects, but their QOL scores were similar to a comparison group of 152 previously reported patients with atrial fibrillation receiving drug treatment who had similar demographic and clinical variables. After PVI, patients improved significantly, resulting in equivalence with the healthy control population. Logistic regression analysis of demographic variables and baseline QOL scores revealed no significant predictors of PVI responders. CONCLUSIONS: QOL measures in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are severely depressed before PVI. Within a 6-month follow-up period after ablation, SF-36 subscale scores were restored to equivalence with an age-matched, healthy control population. Neither demographic or clinical variables nor baseline QOL scores were predictive of response to PVI.

Incidence, management, and outcome in significant pulmonary vein stenosis complicating ablation for atrial fibrillation.

This study summarizes our results in diagnosing and treating pulmonary vein stenosis complicating ablation for atrial fibrillation in 6 of 92 patients. Patients with significant pulmonary vein narrowing underwent either dilatation or dilatation plus stenting. Pulmonary vein intervention produced a favorable clinical course over the following 7 +/- 2 months despite significant restenosis in 2 patients.

Left atrial diameter and survival among renal allograft recipients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sequential echocardiography is routinely performed in patients with ESRD listed for transplantation. The benefit of this labor- and time-intensive measure, however, remains unclear. Thus, this study elucidated the various obtained routine echocardiography parameters that best predicted mortality and graft survival after renal transplantation. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: This study investigated 553 first renal transplant recipients listed in the Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry between 1992 and 2011 who had echocardiographic analysis at transplantation and survived at least 1 year. Cox proportional hazards models with the purposeful selection algorithms for covariables were used to identify predictors of mortality and graft loss. A Fine and Gray model was used to evaluate cause-specific death. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 7.14 years, 81 patients died, and 59 patients experienced graft loss after the first year. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that 85% of patients with a left atrial diameter below the median of 53 mm were alive 10 years after transplantation, whereas only 70% of those patients with a left atrial diameter equal to or above the median had survived (P<0.001). In the multivariable model, left atrial diameter (per millimeter) independently predicted overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.08; P<0.001) and cause-specific cardiac death (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.08; P=0.04). Functional graft loss was predicted by the right atrial diameter (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.07; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The left atrial diameter determined at transplantation predicted overall and cardiac mortality. Patients with widely enlarged left atria exhibit a considerably reduced life expectancy. It remains to be determined, however, whether renal transplantation is futile in these patients.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Tako-Tsubo syndrome) in Austria.

BACKGROUND: Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TS) is a still rarely diagnosed clinical syndrome, which is characterized by acute onset of chest pain, transient cardiac dysfunction with (frequently) reversible wall motion abnormalities (WMAs), but with no relevant obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 179 consecutive patients with proven diagnosis of TS that were retrospectively analysed in this multicentre registry, women represented the majority of patients (94%) while only 11 men (6%) developed TS. Mean age was 69.1±11.5 years (range 35-88 years). Cardinal symptoms of TS, which led to admission, were acute chest pain (82%) and dyspnoea (32%), respectively. All patients demonstrated typical WMAs, whereby four different types of WMAs could be defined: (1) a more common apical type of TS (n=89; 50%); (2) a combined apical and midventricular form of TS (n=23; 13%); (3) the midventricular TS (n=6; 3%); and (4) an unusual type of basal WMAs of the left ventricle (n=3). Only in 101 patients (57%), a clear causative trigger for onset of symptoms could be identified. In-hospital cardiovascular complications occurred in 25 patients (14%) and consisted of cardiac arrhythmias in 10 patients (40%), cardiogenic shock in six patients (24%), cardiac decompensation in eight patients (32%) and cardiovascular death in one patient, respectively. Echocardiographic control of left ventricular function after the initial measurement was available in almost 70% of the patients: complete recovery of WMAs was found in 73 patients (58.87%); 49 patients (39.52%) showed persistent WMAs. Recurrences of TS were only seen in four patients. During the follow-up period, 13 patients died: three of cardiovascular causes and 10 of non-cardiac causes. In-hospital mortality was 0.6%, 30-day mortality was 1.3% and 2-year mortality was 6.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents to date the largest series of patients suffering from TS in Austria and worldwide. Similar to others, in our series the prevalence of TS was significantly higher in women than in men, while in contrast to other studies, the apical type of TS was detected most frequently. The similar clinical presentation of TS patients to the clinical picture of acute myocardial infarction demonstrates the importance of immediate coronary angiography for adequate differential diagnosis of TS. TS is not necessarily a benign disease due to cardiovascular complications as well as persistent WMAs with delayed recovery.