Real-time contact force sensing for pulmonary vein isolation in the setting of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: procedural and 1-year results.

INTRODUCTION: The additional benefit of contact force (CF) technology during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) to improve mid-term clinical outcome is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eligible patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF were enrolled in this prospective trial, comparing circular antral catheter ablation (guided by Carto 3 System, Biosense Webster) using either a new open-irrigated CF catheter (SmartTouch Thermocool, Biosense Webster) (CF group) or a non-CF open-irrigated catheter (EZ Steer Thermocool, Biosense Webster) (control group). Overall, 30 patients were enrolled in each group, with a standardized 12-month follow-up, free of antiarrhythmic therapy. Demographic, cardiovascular and anatomic characteristics were similar in both groups. Though complete PVI was eventually achieved in all cases in both groups, success using an exclusive anatomic approach was 80.0% in CF group versus 36.7% in control group (P < 0.0001). CF use was associated with significant reductions in fluoroscopy exposure (P < 0.01) and radiofrequency time (P = 0.01). The incidence rates of AF recurrence were 10.5% (95% CI, 1.38-22.4) in the CF group, and 35.9% (95% CI, 12.4-59.4) in the control group (log rank test, P = 0.04). After adjustment on potential confounders, the use of CF catheter was found to be associated with a lower AF recurrence (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.94, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a potential benefit of real-time CF sensing technology, in reducing AF recurrence during the first year after PVI.

National Tunisian Study of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Design and Protocol for a Nationwide Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, the number of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasing, owing to the increase in patient life expectancy and expanding indications. Despite their life-saving potential and a significant reduction in population morbidity and mortality, their increased numbers have been associated with the development of multiple early and late complications related to vascular access, pockets, leads, or patient characteristics. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to identify the rate, type, and predictors of complications occurring within the first year after CIED implantation. It also aims to describe the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of a nationwide sample of patients with CIED in Tunisia. Additionally, the study will evaluate the extent to which Tunisian electrophysiologists follow international guidelines for cardiac pacing and sudden cardiac death prevention. METHODS: The Tunisian National Study of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (NATURE-CIED) is a national, multicenter, prospectively monitored study that includes consecutive patients who underwent primary CIED implantation, generator replacement, and upgrade procedure. Patients were enrolled between January 18, 2021, and February 18, 2022, at all Tunisian public and private CIED implantation centers that agreed to participate in the study. All enrolled patients entered a 1-year follow-up period, with 4 consecutive visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after CIED implantation. The collected data are recorded electronically on the clinical suite platform (DACIMA Clinical Suite). RESULTS: The study started on January 18, 2021, and concluded on February 18, 2023. In total, 27 cardiologists actively participated in data collection. Over this period, 1500 patients were enrolled in the study consecutively. The mean age of the patients was 70.1 (SD 15.2) years, with a sex ratio of 1:15. Nine hundred (60%) patients were from the public sector, while 600 (40%) patients were from the private sector. A total of 1298 (86.3%) patients received a conventional pacemaker and 75 (5%) patients received a biventricular pacemaker (CRT-P). Implantable cardioverter defibrillators were implanted in 127 (8.5%) patients. Of these patients, 45 (3%) underwent CRT-D implantation. CONCLUSIONS: This study will establish the most extensive contemporary longitudinal cohort of patients undergoing CIED implantation in Tunisia, presenting a significant opportunity for real-world clinical epidemiology. It will address a crucial gap in the management of patients during the perioperative phase and follow-up, enabling the identification of individuals at particularly high risk of complications for optimal care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05361759; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05361759. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/47525.

[Atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting: predictors and mid- term outcome]. / La fibrillation atriale aprés chirurgie de pontage aortocoronaire: facteurs prédictifs et pronostic àà moyen terme.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) which increase morbidity and hospitalization length. AIM: To identify the predictors of atrial fibrillation and its repercussion on hospital and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing (CABG). METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of the data of 224 patients undergoing CABG. The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years. Atrial fibrillation was diagnosed from serial postoperative electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Twenty two patients developed postoperative atrial fibrillation. Multivariate analysis showed that only: age, left circumflex stenosis, sternal wound infection and low cardiac output were predictors of AF following CABG. Hospital mortality was similar in the two groups (5% Vs 9.6 % P=0.7). CONCLUSION: In our study, the incidence of post-CABG atrial fibrillation was 9.8%. Multivariate predictors were age, left circumflex lesion, sternal wound infection and low cardiac output. Hospital mortality and mid-term outcome were similar in the two groups.

Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease: age matters.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is emerging as a screening tool for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in endemic regions. The vast majority of surveys have been limited to children. We ought to appreciate the interest of including adolescents in their late teens in such school screening programmes. METHODS: School-based echocardiography cross-sectional survey conducted in Dakar, Senegal (March 2010). A total of 2004 school attendees were randomly selected and enrolled in the study, among which 1116 were aged 5-15 years old (group 1), and 888 were 16-18 years old (group 2). Case detection rates and phenotype of RHD were compared according to age groups. RESULTS: A total of 22 youngsters were suspected by on-site echocardiography, 12 in group 1 and 10 in group 2. Among the 12 RHD cases suspected on-site in group 1, 6 (50%) were eventually considered as confirmed RHD, compared to 9 out of 10 (90%) in group 2, giving prevalence rates of 5.4 (CI 95% 2.0-11.7) and 10.1 (CI 95% 4.6-19.2) per 1000 in group 1 and group 2, respectively. The proportion of marked/advanced lesions was 33% in group 1, and 89% in group 2 (p=0.08). Mean concordance rates between the 3 reviewers were 40% for group 1, compared to 93% in group 2 (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extension of screening to adolescents in their late teens should be considered with interest in the light of the higher prevalence of the disease and relative clarity of subclinical cardiac lesions that could be more easily detected in the field.