Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of endocardial and nonendocardial conduction gaps during local impedance-guided extensive pulmonary vein isolation of atrial fibrillation with high-resolution mapping.

INTRODUCTION: Local impedance (LI) drops during radiofrequency ablation can predict lesion formation. Some conduction gaps during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can be associated with nonendocardial connections. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and predictors of endocardial and nonendocardial conduction gaps during an LI-guided PVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 157 consecutive patients undergoing an initial LI-guided extensive PVI of atrial fibrillation (AF). After the first-pass encirclement, the residual conduction gaps and reconnected gaps were mapped using Rhythmia (Boston Scientific) and a mini-basket catheter. Right and left PV (RPV/LPV) gaps were observed in 22.3% and 18.5% of the patients, respectively: 27 endocardial and 49 nonendocardial gaps. The carina regions were common sites for the gaps (51 carina-related vs. 25 noncarina-related). The carina-related gaps consisted of more nonendocardial gaps than endocardial gaps (RPVs: 90.0% vs. 10.0%, p = .001; LPVs: 76.2% vs. 23.8%, p < .001). A univariate analysis revealed that paroxysmal AF and the left atrial (LA) volume index for RPV endocardial gaps (odds ratio [OR]: 8.640 and 0.946; p = .043 and 0.009), minor right inferior PV diameter for RPV nonendocardial gaps (OR: 1.165; p = .028), and major left inferior PV diameter for LPV endocardial gaps (OR: 1.233; p = .028) were significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: During the LI-guided PVI, approximately two-thirds of the conduction gaps were nonendocardial. The carina regions had more conduction gaps than noncarina regions, which was due to the presence of nonendocardial connections. Paroxysmal AF, a lower LA volume index, and larger inferior PV diameters may increase the risk of conduction gaps.

Incidence and characteristics of silent cerebral embolisms after radiofrequency-based atrial fibrillation ablation: A propensity score-matched analysis between different mapping catheters and indices for guiding ablation.

INTRODUCTION: The difference in the incidence and characteristics of silent cerebral events (SCEs) after radiofrequency-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation between the different mapping catheters and indices used for guiding radiofrequency ablation remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the incidence and characteristics of postablation SCEs between the following two groups: Group C, Ablation Index-guided ablation using two circular mapping catheters with CARTO (Biosense Webster); Group R, local impedance-guided ablation using one mini-basket catheter and one circular mapping with Rhythmia (Boston Scientific). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 211 consecutive patients who underwent an AF ablation and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after the ablation, 120 patients (each group, n = 60) were selected by propensity score matching. SCEs were detected in 37 patients (30.8%). Group R had a higher incidence of SCEs (51.7% vs. 10.0%; p < .001) and more SCEs per patient (median, 3 vs. 1, p = .028) than Group C. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that nonparoxysmal AF and being Group R were independent positive predictors of SCEs (odds ratios, 6.930 and 15.464; both p < .001). On the follow-up MR imaging, all SCEs in Group C and 87.9% of the SCEs in Group R disappeared (p = .537). CONCLUSIONS: Group R had a significantly higher incidence of SCEs than Group C. Most probably the use of a complexly designed basket mapping catheter is the reason for the difference in the incidence of SCEs but further validation is needed. A nonparoxysmal form of AF may also increase the risk of SCEs during these ablation procedures.

Effect of preventing air intrusion on silent strokes during atrial fibrillation ablation using a mini-basket catheter.

BACKGROUND: Air bubble intrusion through transseptal sheaths during left atrial (LA) catheter ablation can cause cerebral embolisms, especially when using complex-shape catheters. This study aimed to compare the incidence of silent cerebral events (SCEs) after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation using a mini-basket catheter (IntellaMap Orion; Boston Scientific) between the following groups: group SP, strict prevention of LA air intrusion and group CP, conventional air intrusion prevention. METHODS: We enrolled 123 consecutive AF patients (group SP, n = 61 and group CP, n = 62) who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging after a local-impedance-guided ablation using one mini-basket catheter and one circular mapping catheter. The preventive strategy in group SP included (a) the insertion of the mini-basket catheter into the transseptal sheaths in a container filled with heparinized saline and (b) no exchange of all catheters over the sheaths. RESULTS: SCEs were detected in 67 patients (54.5%), and the incidence of SCEs did not significantly differ between groups SP and CP (55.7% vs 53.2%; P = .780). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that an older age, non-paroxysmal AF, and radiofrequency (RF) power output were independent positive predictors of SCEs (odds ratios: 1.079, 5.613, and 1.405; P = .005, <.001, and .012). On the follow-up MR imaging, 83.5% of the SCEs in group SP and 87.7% in group CP disappeared (P = .398). CONCLUSIONS: Strict prevention of LA air intrusion may have no additional effect for reducing the incidence of SCEs after local impedance-guided AF ablation using a mini-basket catheter. An older age, non-paroxysmal AF, and high-power RF applications may increase the risk of SCEs.

Postablation cerebral embolisms in balloon-based atrial fibrillation ablation with periprocedural direct oral anticoagulants: A comparison between cryoballoon and HotBalloon ablation.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the incidence of symptomatic and silent cerebral embolisms after balloon-based ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients receiving periprocedural anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and compare that between cryoballoon and HotBalloon ablation (CBA and HBA). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 123 consecutive AF patients who underwent a balloon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after the ablation procedure (CBA, n = 65; HBA, n = 58). The DOACs were continued in 62 patients throughout the periprocedural period and discontinued in 61 on the procedural day. Intravenous heparin was infused to maintain an activated clotting time of 300 to 400 seconds during the procedure. No symptomatic embolisms occurred in this series. Silent cerebral ischemic lesions (SCILs) were observed on MR imaging in 22 patients (17.9%), and the incidence of SCILs did not significantly differ between the CBA and HBA groups (21.5 vs 13.8%; P = 0.263). According to a multivariate logistic regression analysis, an older age was an independent positive predictor of SCILs (odds ratio, 1.062; 95% CI, 1.001-1.126; P = 0.046), but neither the balloon catheter type nor periprocedural continuation or discontinuation of the DOACs were significant predictors. The incidence of major and minor bleeding complications was comparable between the CBA and HBA groups (1.5 vs 0%, P = 0.528; 7.7 vs 5.2%, P = 0.424). CONCLUSIONS: Both CBA and HBA of AF revealed a similar incidence of postablation cerebral embolisms. Elderly patients may be at a risk of SCILs after a balloon-based PVI with periprocedural DOAC treatment.

Uninterrupted vs. interrupted periprocedural direct oral anticoagulants for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a prospective randomized single-centre study on post-ablation thrombo-embolic and haemorrhagic events.

AIMS: This prospective, randomized, single-centre study aimed to directly compare the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted and interrupted periprocedural anticoagulation protocols with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients undergoing catheter ablation of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomly assigned 846 NVAF patients receiving DOACs prior to ablation to uninterruption (n = 422) or interruption (n = 424) of the DOACs on the day of the procedure. The primary endpoint was a composite of symptomatic thromboembolisms and major bleeding events within 30 days after the ablation. Secondary endpoints included symptomatic and silent thromboembolisms and major and minor bleeding events. The primary endpoint occurred in 0.7% of the uninterrupted DOAC group [1 transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and 2 major bleeding events] and 1.2% of the interrupted DOAC group (1 TIA and 4 major bleeding events) (P = 0.480). The incidence of major and minor bleeding was comparable between the two groups (0.5% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.345; 5.9% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.753). Silent cerebral ischaemic lesions (SCILs) were observed in 138 (20.9%) of the 661 patients undergoing post-ablation magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The uninterrupted and interrupted DOAC groups revealed a similar incidence of SCILs (19.8% vs. 22.0%, P = 0.484) and percentage of SCILs with disappearance on follow-up MR imaging (77.8% vs. 82.1%, P = 0.428). CONCLUSION: Both the uninterrupted and interrupted DOAC protocols revealed a low risk of symptomatic thromboembolisms and major bleeding events and similar incidence of SCILs and minor bleeding events and may be feasible for periprocedural anticoagulation in NVAF patients undergoing catheter ablation.

Regional layer-specific longitudinal peak systolic strain using exercise stress two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography for the detection of functionally significant coronary artery disease.

The present study aimed to investigate whether layer-specific regional peak-systolic longitudinal strain (LS) measurement on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) with exercise stress can be useful for the detection of functionally significant coronary artery disease as confirmed by invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) in stable patients. This is a prospective analysis of 88 coronary arteries in 30 stable patients undergoing invasive FFR measurement and ergometer exercise stress TTE. Regional LS in the mid, endocardial and epicardial layers was calculated at rest, peak stress and early and late recovery phases after the exercise stress test. The endocardial-to-epicardial LS ratio was calculated as an indicator of endocardial-layer dependency of the left ventricular myocardium. Ischemic FFR defined as FFR ≤ 0.80 was observed in 33 of 88 coronary arteries. The mid-, endocardial- and epicardial-layer LS at early recovery (- 15.4 ± 5.2 vs. - 13.0 ± 4.4%, P = 0.040; - 15.7 ± 5.1 vs. - 13.2 ± 4.5%, P = 0.029; - 14.6 ± 5.1 vs. - 12.4 ± 4.0%, P = 0.038, respectively) and the percent change in the endocardial-to-epicardial LS ratio from baseline to peak stress, early recovery, and late recovery phases (1.5 ± 11.2% vs. 6.6 ± 10.5%, P = 0.009; 2.8 ± 8.9% vs. 7.1 ± 12.6%, P = 0.002; 5.2 ± 8.8% vs. 8.5 ± 13.7%, P = 0.026; respectively) were significantly more impaired in the ischemic territories (FFR ≤ 0.80) compared with the non-ischemic territories (FFR > 0.80). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a combination of endocardial LS and percent change in the endocardial-to-epicardial LS ratio at early recovery phase plus visual evaluation of LV wall motion had incremental diagnostic value for the detection of the ischemic territory compared with visual evaluation alone (area under the curve = 0.752 and 0.618, P = 0.006). The results of this study suggested that assessing layer-specific LS and the endocardial-to-epicardial LS ratio after exercise stress on speckle-tracking TTE may have potential for objective and quantitative evaluation in the assessment of myocardial ischemia. Further studies in a larger population are needed to confirm these findings.

2D speckle-tracking TTE-based quantitative classification of left ventricular myocardium in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by the presence or the absence of fibrosis and/or hypertrophy.

We used peak longitudinal strain (PLS) on TTE in HCM patients to differentiate LV myocardium (LVM) into the following 4 groups: group 1-no fibrosis or hypertrophy (≥ 13 mm), group 2-no fibrosis but hypertrophy evident, group 3-fibrosis present but without hypertrophy, and group 4-both fibrosis and hypertrophy. Seventeen HCM patients (13 males, 56 ± 16 years) underwent both 1.5 T CMR and TTE. On TTE, PLS (absolute values) for each LVM segment from 17 AHA-defined lesions was calculated. Of 289 LVM lesions, the numbers in each group, 1-4, were 156, 53, 39, and 41, respectively. PLS for LVM segments in group 1 (13.6 ± 6.4%) were significantly greater than those in group 2 (8.5 ± 4.9%, P < 0.001), group 3 (10.4 ± 5.0%, P = 0.006), and group 4 (7.1 ± 4.4%, P < 0.001). PLS for LVM segments in group 3 was significantly greater than those in group 4 (P = 0.016). However, significant differences in PLS in LVM between groups 2 and 3, and between 2 and 4 were not observed. Using regional PLS, we demonstrate successful differentiation of LVM in HCM patients for group 1 (LVM with zero fibrosis or hypertrophy) from LVM belonging to groups 2-4 and we also demonstrate successful differentiation of LVM with fibrosis present but without hypertrophy from LVM with both fibrosis and hypertrophy. However, it is not possible to differentiate between LVM with no fibrosis but hypertrophy evident and those with fibrosis present but without hypertrophy and also between LVM with no fibrosis but hypertrophy evident and those with both fibrosis and hypertrophy. Our findings have significant implications for the management of HCM patients.

Endocardial Fibrotic Lesions Have a Greater Effect on Peak Longitudinal Strain than Epicardial Fibrotic Lesions in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients.

Peak longitudinal strain (PLS) of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is useful to detect LV myocardial damage. We hypothesized that myocardial fibrosis (MF) in the LV myocardium may influence PLS. Eighteen hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients (14 males; 58 ± 17 years old) underwent 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and TTE. Patients with previous myocardial infarction were excluded. We used TTE to assess whole-layer PLS in an American Heart Association-defined 17-segment LV model. Whole-layer PLS was calculated using Echo PAC, version 113 (GE Healthcare). MF was assessed by T1-weighted CMR of the LV endocardial layer, the LV epicardial layer, or both the LV endocardial and epicardial layers for each lesion. Of the 306 segments, MF was detected in the LV endocardial layer only (13 segments), in the LV epicardial layer only (9 segments), or in both LV endocardial and epicardial layers (59 segments). PLS values were significantly lower in segments with MF affecting only the LV endocardial layer (7% ± 4%) (P < 0.05) and where MF was observed in both the LV endocardial and epicardial layers (9% ± 5%) (P = 0.001) compared with segments without MF (13% ± 7%). No significant difference in PLS values was detected between the MF segments for the LV epicardial layer only (10% ± 6%) and those without MF (13% ± 7%) (P > 0.05). In HCM patients, fibrotic lesions in the LV endocardium have a greater adverse effect on PLS than those in the LV epicardium. Our results are significant for HCM patients with fibrotic lesions within the LV endocardium.

Improved Diagnosis of Detection of Late Enhancement in Left Ventricular Myocardium Using 2nd Generation 320-Slice CT Reconstructed with FIRST in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Forward Projected Model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion (FIRST) is a new reconstruction technique using CT, which provides successful reconstruction of high-quality CT images, especially in low contrast imaging. To evaluate improvements in the diagnostic accuracy of the detection of abnormal late enhancement (LE) in left-ventricular myocardium (LVM) using 320-slice CT with FIRST, we compared this modality with previous CT methods in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy or a cardiac tumor.This was a retrospective study of 88 patients (56 males; 57 ± 15 years) suspected of having non-ischemic myocardial disease or a cardiac tumor. The first 52 consecutive patients (Group 1) underwent 16-slice CT at 140 kV tube voltage and an average tube current of 337 ± 20 mA, and 1.5 T MRI. The next 18 patients (Group 2) underwent 1st generation 320-slice CT at 120 kV tube voltage and an average tube current of 255 ± 106 mA, and 1.5T MRI; the remaining 18 patients (Group 3) underwent 2nd generation 320-slice CT with FIRST, at 80 kV tube voltage and a tube current of 800 mA, and 1.5T or 3T MRI.On patient-based analysis, no significant differences were observed between the 3 groups. For segment-based analysis, the specificity and overall accuracy were significantly higher (both P < 0.05) in Group 3 than in Group 1. Positive predictive value (PPV) was significantly higher in Group 3 than in Groups 1 and 2.The diagnostic accuracy of LE on CT for detecting myocardial fibrosis determined by late gadolinium-enhanced MRI was improved with the use of 2nd generation 320-slice CT with FIRST, in particular regarding specificity, PPV, and overall accuracy.

Quantitative Differentiation of LV Myocardium with and without Layer-Specific Fibrosis Using MRI in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Layer-Specific Strain TTE Analysis.

To achieve further risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, we localized and quantified layer-specific LVM fibrosis on MRI in HCM patients using regional layer-specific peak longitudinal strain (PLS) and peak circumferential strain (PCS) in LV myocardium (LVM) on speckle tracking transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). A total of 18 HCM patients (14 males; 58 ± 17 years) underwent 1.5T-MRI and TTE. PLS and PCS in each layer of the LVM (endocardium, epicardium, and whole-layer myocardium) were calculated for 17 AHA-defined lesions. MRI assessment showed that fibrosis was classified as endocardial, epicardial, or whole-layer (= either or both of these). Regional PLS was smaller in fibrotic endocardial lesions than in non-fibrotic endocardial lesions (P = 0.004). To detect LV endocardial lesions with fibrosis, ROC curves of regional PLS revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.609 and a best cut-off point of 13.5%, with sensitivity of 65.3% and specificity of 54.3%. Regional PLS was also smaller in fibrotic epicardial lesions than in non-fibrotic epicardial lesions (P < 0.001). To detect LV epicardial lesions with fibrosis, ROC curves of PLS revealed an AUC of 0.684 and a best cut-off point of 9.5%, with sensitivity of 73.5% and specificity of 55.5%. Using whole-layer myocardium analysis, PLS was smaller in fibrotic lesions than in non-fibrotic lesions (P < 0.001). To detect whole-layer LV lesions with fibrosis, ROC curves of regional PLS revealed an AUC of 0.674 and a best cut-off point of 12.5%, with sensitivity of 79.0% and specificity of 50.7%. There were no significant differences in PCS of LV myocardium (endocardium, epicardium, and whole-layer) between fibrotic and non-fibrotic lesions. Quantitative regional PLS but not PCS in LV endocardium, epicardium, and whole-layer myocardium provides useful non-invasive information for layer-specific localization of fibrosis in HCM patients.

Age-related change in contribution of stroke volume to central pulse pressure.

We investigated age-related change in the contribution of stroke volume (SV) to central PP (cPP). Eighty seven adult subjects who were free of vasoactive agents were included. Subjects were divided into three age groups: young (20-39 years, n = 26), middle (40-49 years, n = 29), and old (≥50 years, n = 32). SV was calculated by Doppler echocardiography. Hemodynamic indices were measured using a brachial cuff-based oscillometric method. The brachial and cPP showed a small decline from the young group to the middle group and a greater rise after 50 years old. SV significantly and positively correlated with brachial (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) and cPP (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) in the young group. In the middle group, the association of SV with brachial pulse pressure was significant (r = 0.38, p = 0.04) and that with cPP was bordering significant (r = 0.34, p = 0.07). No significant association was found between SV and PP in the old group. In conclusion, the contribution of SV to cPP decreases with age. Age-related changes in the determinants of cPP should be considered when investigating the clinical value of cPP.

Silent Cerebral Ischemic Lesions After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients on 5 Types of Periprocedural Oral Anticoagulation　- Predictors of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging-Positive Lesions and Follow-up Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of silent cerebral ischemic lesions (SCIL) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and to determine whether SCIL develop into cerebral infarcts in patients with 5 types of oral anticoagulants (OAC). METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 286 consecutive patients (median, 67 years; 208 male; paroxysmal/persistent/long-standing persistent AF [LSP-AF], 147/90/49) who received periprocedural OAC and underwent MRI after the procedure. Warfarin (n=46) was continued, while dabigatran (n=47), rivaroxaban (n=89), apixaban (n=87), and edoxaban (n=17) were discontinued on the day of the procedure. I.v. heparin was infused to maintain an activated clotting time of 300-350 s during the procedure. Fifty-eight SCIL in 40 patients (14.0%) were identified on diffusion-weighted MRI. On multivariate logistic analysis, LSP-AF and dabigatran use were significant positive predictors of SCIL (OR, 2.912 and 2.287; P=0.006 and 0.042, respectively). Among 34 patients with 49 SCIL undergoing follow-up MRI, 45 (91.8%) of the lesions disappeared and 4 lesions developed into chronic cerebral infarcts. The SCIL with development into infarcts had a larger lesion diameter than those without (median, 6.55 mm vs. 4.2 mm; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: LSP-AF and dabigatran use were independent risk factors for post-ablation SCIL in patients with uninterrupted warfarin and interrupted non-vitamin K antagonist OAC, but the majority of SCIL disappeared.

Change of luminal diameter of skeletonized and non-skeletonized radial artery graft at early and late postoperative period.

The radial artery is increasingly used as a second arterial conduit for myocardial revascularization. However, the radial artery is susceptible to vasospasm, which is thought to be the principal cause of graft failure. The radial artery is harvested as a skeletonized or a non-skeletonized graft, but the effect of different harvesting technique remains unknown. In this study, we compared the early- and mid-term angiographic findings to elucidate its influence on the graft luminal diameter. We harvested 39 radial arteries either as a skeletonized (n = 18) or a non-skeletonized graft (n = 21) using an ultrasonic scalpel. We constructed a composite straight graft by combining a right internal thoracic artery and a radial artery. All the radial artery grafts were sequentially anastomosed to coronary arteries. We measured the diameters of the radial arteries before the operation, within 1 month and 1 year after the operation. At early postoperative period, graft diameter was significantly larger in skeletonized grafts. Graft diameter at the point before the first and the second anastomosis was similar in skeletonized grafts, although that was significantly smaller before the second anastomosis in non-skeletonized grafts. However, 1 year after the operation, the graft diameter was comparable and equally reduced after the first anastomosis in both groups. Skeletonization with an ultrasonic scalpel increases the luminal diameter of the radial artery graft at early postoperative period, which, however, reduces possibly as adaptation to graft flow 1 year after the operation.

Coronary ostium occlusion by coronary cusp displacement in Williams syndrome.

Williams syndrome is a contiguous gene deletion syndrome resulting from a heterozygous deletion on chromosome 7q11.23, and is characterized by distinctive facial features and supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS). This syndrome rarely presents unpredictable cardiac death, and yet, as illustrated in the present case, it is still not possible to predict it, even on close monitoring. We herein describe the case of a 6-year-old Japanese girl with Williams syndrome, who had sudden cardiac collapse due to cardiac infarction after pharyngitis. Cardiac failure followed a critical course that did not respond to catecholamine support or heart rest with extracardiac mechanical support. Although marked coronary stenosis was not present, the left coronary cusp abnormally adhered to the aortic wall, which may synergistically cause coronary ostium occlusion with SVAS. Altered hemodynamic state, even that caused by the common cold, may lead to critical myocardial events in Williams syndrome with SVAS.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages detected by magnetic resonance imaging after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) are a rare complication after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation, while the incidence of asymptomatic ICHs detected by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and predictors of new-onset ICHs on MR imaging after AF ablation. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 1257 consecutive AF ablation procedures in 1201 patients who underwent MR imaging on the day after the procedure. Repeat MR imaging within 3 months post-ablation was available in 352 procedures. RESULTS: Old ICHs on the initial MR imaging were observed in 28 procedures (2.2%). Post-ablation new ICHs were observed in 14 procedures (4.0%), including one symptomatic (0.3%) and 13 (3.7%) asymptomatic ICHs. One patient had a new ICH on the initial MR imaging, while the remaining 13 had such on the repeat MR imaging. A univariate analysis revealed that a previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and the CHA2DS2-VASc score were positive predictors of new ICHs (odds ratios, 5.502 and 1.435; P = 0.004 and 0.044). The lesion diameter did not significantly differ between the old and new ICHs (median, 6.1 mm vs. 8.0 mm, P = 0.281), while the predominant location differed (lobar areas, 22.6% vs. 53.3%; cerebellum, 22.6% vs. 20.0%; others, 54.8% vs. 26.7%; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: A few asymptomatic ICHs may occur after AF ablation. Most of the post-ablation new ICHs occurred a few days or later after the procedure. A previous ischemic stroke/TIA and the CHA2DS2-VASc score may be risk factors for post-ablation ICHs.

Presence of structural heart disease and left ventricular dysfunction predict hospitalizations for new-onset heart failure after right ventricular apical pacing.

AIMS: Long-standing right ventricular apical pacing (RVAP) may result in impaired left ventricular (LV) function and systolic heart failure (HF) in selected patients. However, which patients are susceptible to those harmful effects is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 367 consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker implantations (PMIs) and RVAP, the clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic data before the PMIs, electrocardiographic parameters [baseline and paced QRS duration (QRSd)], and echocardiography were analysed. The cumulative per cent of those ventricularly paced (Cum%VP) was >90% in all subjects. During a mean follow-up period of 113±69 months, the occurrence of HF requiring hospitalization for the intravenous administration of HF medications was found in 60 patients (16%; HF group), but not in the remaining 307 (84%; no-HF group). The prevalence of structural heart disease (SHD; P<0.0001), cardiothoracic ratio (P<0.0001), baseline left atrial size (P=0.0001), LV end-diastolic volume (P<0.005) and end-systolic volume (P<0.0005), LV mass index (P<0.001), and baseline and paced QRSd (both for P<0.001) were greater in the HF group than in the no-HF group. Inversely, the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in the HF group was smaller than that in the no-HF group (P<0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of SHD [hazard ratio (HR)=3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-5.7; P<0.001] and the LVEF (<40%; HR=2.57; 95% CI, 1.09-6.07; P<0.05) were associated with hospitalizations due to HF after RVAP. CONCLUSION: The presence of SHD and an impaired LV systolic function before the PMI may predict hospitalizations due to HF after RVAP.