Efficacy and safety of antazoline vs propafenone for conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm: a randomized, double-blind study (AnProAF).

INTRODUCTION: Antazoline is a frequently used antiarrhythmic drug (AAD); however, to date, no randomized controlled trial has evaluated its efficacy and safety for cardioversion of recent­onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with other approved AADs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare clinical efficacy and safety of antazoline and propafenone for a rapid conversion of nonvalvular paroxysmal AF to sinus rhythm in patients without heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single­center, randomized, double­blind study. It included patients with AF (lasting <48 hours) who were in a stable cardiopulmonary condition and eligible for cardioversion. The individuals who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to receive either antazoline (up to 300 mg) or propafenone (up to 140 mg) intravenously. The primary end point was conversion of AF to sinus rhythm confirmed on electrocardiography. RESULTS: Overall, 94 participants (46 [48.9%] in the antazoline group and 48 [51.1%] in the propafenone group) were included. The mean (SD) age was 67.5 (14) years, and 40 participants (42.5%) were men. Successful AF conversion was observed in 29 patients (63%) from the antazoline group and 25 individuals (52.1%) from the propafenone group (P = 0.39). The median time to conversion was 10 minutes in the antazoline group and 30 minutes in the propafenone group (P = 0.03). Severe adverse events were observed in 5 patients (10.8%) treated with antazoline and 5 individuals (10.4%) who received propafenone. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous antazoline demonstrated efficacy and safety comparable to those of intravenous propafenone for acute conversion of nonvalvular paroxysmal AF to sinus rhythm in patients without heart failure.

Electric cardioversion in patients treated with oral anticoagulants: embolic material in the left atrial appendage.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common arrhythmia. The sinus rhythm restoration procedure without adequate anticoagulant preparation may lead to a thromboembolic event in approximately 5-7% of patients. The initiation of oral anticoagulation significantly reduces this risk by inhibiting formation of embolic material in the heart cavities, especially in the left atrial appendage (LAA). However, there is a group of patients who develop embolic material in the LAA despite oral anticoagulation treatment. The best treatment method to dissolve thrombus in the LAA is not clear, due to the lack of studies with adequate power and endpoints that can determine the best management strategy. We present clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing AF cardioversion. We evaluate the frequency of LAA thrombus formation in patients with AF on treatment with oral anticoagulants. Furthermore, we discuss the effectiveness of various treatment strategies on LAA thrombus resolution.

Electric cardioversion in patients treated with oral anticoagulants: embolic material in the left atrial appendage.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common arrhythmia. The sinus rhythm restoration procedure without adequate anticoagulant preparation may lead to a thromboembolic event in approximately 5-7% of patients. The initiation of oral anticoagulation significantly reduces this risk by inhibiting formation of embolic material in the heart cavities, especially in the left atrial appendage (LAA). However, there is a group of patients who develop embolic material in the LAA despite oral anticoagulation treatment. The best treatment method to dissolve thrombus in the LAA is not clear, due to the lack of studies with adequate power and endpoints that can determine the best management strategy. We present clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing AF cardioversion. We evaluate the frequency of LAA thrombus formation in patients with AF on treatment with oral anticoagulants. Furthermore, we discuss the effectiveness of various treatment strategies on LAA thrombus resolution.

Left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent oral anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Electric cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of embolism, with embolic material existing in the heart cavities. The initiation of oral anticoagulation therapy reduces the risk of thromboembolic events. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi in non-valvular AF, to compare vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with respect to thrombus prevalence, and to evaluate the rate of LAA thrombus persistence on repeat transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after treatment change. METHODS: We enrolled 160 consecutive AF patients who presented with an AF duration > 48 h and had undergone TEE before cardioversion. RESULTS: Left atrial appendage thrombus was observed in 12 (7.5%) patients, and spontaneous echo contrast 4 was observed in 19 (11.8%) patients; the incidence was similar between the NOAC and VKA groups (8.9% vs. 3.6% and 12.4% vs. 18.5 %, respectively). Among patients on NOAC, thrombus prevalence was detected in 8.4% of users of rivaroxaban, 8% of users of dabigatran, and 12.5% of users of apixaban. CONCLUSIONS: The LAA thrombus developed in 7.5% of patients despite anticoagulation therapy, demonstrating similar prevalence rates among patients either on NOAC or VKA. Lower mean LAA flow velocity and a history of vascular disease were independent predictors of embolic material in the LAA. It seems that in the case of embolic materials in LAA under NOAC treatment, switching to VKA provides additional clinical benefit to the patients.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: efficacy and complications of the therapy in long-term follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are used in sudden cardiac death (SCD) prevention in high-risk patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), long-term results as well as precise risk stratification are discussed in a limited number of reports. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of ICD intervention in HCM patients with relation to clinical risk profile. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 104 consecutive patients with HCM implanted in a single center. The mean age of study population was 35.6 (SD, 16.2) years with the average follow-up of 4.6 (SD, 2.6) years. ICD was implanted for secondary (n = 26) and primary (n = 78) prevention of SCD. In the secondary prevention group, 14 patients (53.8%) experienced at least 1 appropriate device intervention (7.9%/year). In the primary prevention (PP) group appropriate ICD discharges occurred in 13 patients (16.7%) and intervention rate was 4.0%/year. Nonsustained VT was the only predictive risk factor (RF) for an appropriate ICD intervention in the PP (positive predictive value 22%, negative predictive value 96%). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of appropriate ICD discharges between PP patients with 1, 2, or more RF. Complications of the treatment included: inappropriate shocks (33.7%), lead dysfunction (12.5%), and infections: 4.8% of patients. Four patients died during follow-up. CONCLUSION: ICD therapy is effective in SCD prevention in patients with HCM, although the complication rate is significant. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia seems to be the most predictive RF for appropriate device discharges. Number of RF did not impact the incidence of appropriate ICD interventions.

Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram tele-transmission: Support in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases in operations undertaken by Warsaw-area basic medical rescue teams between 2009 and 2013.

BACKGROUND: Basic medical rescue teams (BMRTs) administer aid in the pre-hospital phase to people in a life-threatening condition. A tele-transmission and teleconsultation system (TTaTC) supports the team without a physician. The aim of the presented study was to evaluate the application and spectrum of use of a 12-lead ECG TTaTC in BMRT operations. METHODS: Medical records of BMRTs in Warsaw from September 2009 to August 2013 regarding TTaTC were checked. Successful TTaTC, electrocardiography (ECG) results, sex, age, consultant advice, and decisions of BMRT leaders were analyzed. RESULTS: BMRTs performed 28,557 12-lead ECG transmissions within the analyzed period. The teams recorded 26,208 (91.8%) successful tele-transmissions, while 2,349 tests (8.2%) failed to reach the TC. The average TTaTC time was 6 min 12 s. The most common reason for using the ECG TTaTC was chest pain. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 2.1% of the cases, and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction - NSTEMI - in 3.8%. Cardiac arrhythmia was recorded in 20.5% of the events. TTaTC proved to be useful when making decisions on transporting patients to appropriate hospitals. One hundred percent of STEMI cases - all confirmed by TC - were transported directly to cardiac centers. CONCLUSIONS: 1. TTaTC constitutes an increasing support in BMRT everyday operations and is widely used. 2. Standard ECG TTaTC with a physician improved BMRT diagnostic capaci-ties and exerted a beneficial impact on cardiovascular patient segregation and target hospital selection. 3. It seems possible to expand the scope of operations performed by BMRT members based on TTaTC.