Long-term outcomes of ventricular tachycardia ablation in repaired tetralogy of Fallot: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) remains a risk in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF); however, long-term benefits of VT ablation have not been established. This study compares the outcomes of rTOF patients with and without VT ablation. Methods: We searched multiple databases examining the outcomes of rTOF patients who had undergone VT ablation compared to those without ablation. Primary outcomes were VT recurrence, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and all-cause mortality. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the type of ablation (catheter and surgical). Slow-conducting anatomical isthmus (SCAI)-based catheter ablation (CA) was also analyzed separately. The secondary outcome was the risk factors for the pre-ablation history of VT. Results: Fifteen cohort studies with 1459 patients were included, 21.4% exhibited VTs. SCAI was found in 30.4% of the population, with 3.7% of non-inducible VT. Factors significantly associated with VT before ablation included a history of ventriculostomy, QRS duration ≥180 ms, fragmented QRS, moderate to severe pulmonary regurgitation, high premature ventricular contractions burden, late gadolinium enhancement, and SCAI. Ablation was only beneficial in reducing VTs recurrence in SCAI-based CA (risk ratio (RR) 0.11; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.33. p < 0.001; I2 = 0%) with no recurrence in patients with preventive ablation (mean follow-up time 91.14 ± 77.81 months). The outcomes of VT ablation indicated a favorable trend concerning SCD and all-cause mortality (RR 0.49 and 0.44, respectively); however, they were statistically insignificant. Conclusions: SCAI-based CA has significant advantages in reducing VT recurrence in rTOF patients. Risk stratification plays a key role in determining the decision to perform ablation.

Safety and feasibility of 3D-electroanatomical mapping-guided zero or near-zero fluoroscopy catheter ablation for pediatric arrhythmias: Meta-analysis.

Background: Catheter ablation in the pediatric population using fluoroscopy has been known to cause adverse events. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of zero fluoroscopy (ZF) and near-ZF-guided catheter ablation for the treatment of arrhythmias in the pediatric population. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched and reviewed for relevant studies. Outcomes of interest include safety, short-term, and long-term effectiveness. We classified patients ≤21 years old who underwent ZF or near-ZF ablation with fluoroscopy time ≤1.5 min as our study group and patients within the same age range who underwent conventional fluoroscopy and/or near-ZF ablation with a mean fluoroscopy time >1.5 min as our control group. Both ZF and near-ZF ablation utilized 3D-electroanatomical mapping (3D-EAM). Results: Ten studies composed of 2279 patients were included in this study. Total fluoroscopy time (MD -15.93 min, 95% CI (-22.57 - (-9.29), p < .001; I 2 = 84%)) and total procedural time (MD -22.06 min, 95% CI (-44.39 - (-0.28), p < .001; I 2 = 88%)) were significantly lower in the near-ZF group. Both ZF and near-ZF demonstrated a trend towards improved success rates compared to conventional fluoroscopy but did not achieve statistical significance for all subgroup analyses. Ablation in the study group also decreased incidence of complication compared to the control (RR 0.35; 95% CI (0.14-0.90); p = .03; I 2 = 0%). Conclusion: ZF and near-ZF ablation reduced the overall duration, compares in effectiveness, and shows a superior safety profile compared to control group.

Current status of diabetes mellitus care and management in the Philippines.

AIMS: In this paper, we discuss the existing data on the burden of diabetes in the Philippines and present the status of management, prevention, and control of diabetes in the country. METHODS: A review of literature was conducted to synthesize the status of diabetes mellitus in the Philippines. RESULTS: An estimated 4.3 million Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes, while 2.8 million remained undiagnosed in 2021. Diabetic retinopathy is a top cause of preventable blindness in Region 3, Philippines. Diabetic nephropathy contributes to 38% of renal disease cases in the Philippines. The 2021 Philippine Guidelines on Periodic Health Examination (PhEX) advocate for the utilization of fasting blood sugar (FBS) as a screening measure for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in healthy adults aged 40 years and older or in those with specified risk factors. The alternative option of hemoglobin A1c is (HbA1c) deemed appropriate but comes with a conditional recommendation due to its uneven accessibility across different regions of the country. Treatment guidelines align between the Philippines and the US. Initial medical nutrition therapy involves healthy habits, progressing to pharmacologic treatment if necessary. Financial constraints, seen in limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs, impede care, amplifying disease impact. The complex diabetes care, encompassing pharmacotherapy, nutrition, exercise, and monitoring, faced challenges during COVID-19 quarantines. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the paper outlines diabetes care principles-screening, diagnostics, and multidisciplinary care-alongside economic implications. Local and national initiatives are discussed to mitigate diabetes trends and reduce its burden in the Philippines.

Prognostic Value of Baseline Echocardiographic Parameters in Heart Failure With Improved vs Nonrecovered Ejection Fraction.

Background: Ejection fraction (EF) is often used as a prognostic indicator and for classifying heart failure (HF) patients. This study evaluates the association of echocardiographic parameters with HF with improved EF (HFimpEF). Methods: This single-centre study retrospectively included patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) from a cohort of admitted patients over 2018-2020, who were then followed up prospectively until 2023. The control group was categorized as patients with non-recovered HFrEF, and the population group was categorized as patients with HFimpEF. Results: A total of 176 patients with HFrEF were included in the study. Non-ischemic etiology was found to be the most prevalent cause of HFimpEF. The baseline echocardiography examination revealed that the HFimpEF group exhibited significantly higher values for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE; P < 0.001) and inferior vena cava diameter (P < 0.001). The non-recovered HFrEF group demonstrated higher baseline left atrial volume index (LAVi) values (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a higher value of TAPSE (odds ratio 3.071; P = 0.008) and a lower value of LAVi (odds ratio 2.034; P = 0.008) were independent echocardiography variables associated with HFimpEF. After a mean follow-up duration of 32.5 ± 9.1 months, the HFimpEF group had higher survival from rehospitalization due to worsening HF and lower all-cause mortality (log rank P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Higher TAPSE and lower LAVi in baseline were associated with the transition from HFrEF to HFimpEF. The HFimpEF group had better survival compared to those with non-recovered HFrEF.

Contexte: La fraction d'éjection est souvent utilisée comme indicateur pronostique et comme élément de classification des patients atteints d'insuffisance cardiaque. La présente étude visait à évaluer l'association entre les paramètres échocardiographiques et l'insuffisance cardiaque avec fraction d'éjection améliorée (ICFEA). Méthodologie: Cette étude monocentrique a été menée de façon rétrospective auprès d'une cohorte de patients atteints d'insuffisance cardiaque avec fraction d'éjection réduite (ICFER) traités entre 2018 et 2020, et cette cohorte a été suivie de façon prospective jusqu'en 2023. Les patients du groupe témoin ont été classés comme ayant une ICFER ne s'étant pas résorbée, et les patients de la population étudiée ont été classés comme ayant une ICFEA. Résultats: Au total, 176 patients présentant une ICFER ont été inclus dans l'étude. La cause la plus fréquente d'ICFER était une étiologie non ischémique. Lors de l'évaluation échocardiographique initiale, les patients du groupe ayant progressé vers l'ICFEA présentaient des valeurs significativement plus élevées en ce qui concerne l'excursion systolique du plan de l'anneau tricuspide (TAPSE pour tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) (p < 0,001) et le diamètre de la veine cave inférieure (VCI) (p < 0,001). D'autre part, les patients du groupe dont l'ICFER ne s'est pas résorbée présentaient des valeurs initiales plus élevées à l'indice de volume auriculaire gauche (IVAG) (p < 0,001). Lors d'une analyse multivariée, des valeurs de TAPSE plus élevées (rapport de cotes [RC] de 3,071; p = 0,008) et des valeurs plus faibles d'IVAG (RC de 2,034; p = 0,008) étaient deux variables échocardiographiques indépendantes associées avec la progression vers l'ICFEA. Après un suivi d'une durée moyenne de 32,5 ± 9,1 mois, le groupe présentant une ICFEA présentait un taux plus élevé de survie sans réhospitalisation due à une aggravation de l'IC et un taux plus faible de mortalités toutes causes confondues que le groupe dont l'ICFER ne s'était pas résorbée (p selon le test logarithmique par rangs < 0,001 et p = 0,005, respectivement). Conclusions: Une valeur de TAPSE élevée et un IVAG faible à l'évaluation initiale étaient associés à un passage de l'ICFER à l'ICFEA. La survie de patients présentant une ICFEA était supérieure à celle des patients présentant une ICFER non résorbée.