Procedural and Intermediate-term Results of the Electroanatomical-guided Cardioneuroablation for the Treatment of Supra-Hisian Second- or Advanced-degree Atrioventricular Block: the PIRECNA multicentre registry.

AIMS: Prior case series showed promising results for cardioneuroablation in patients with vagally induced atrioventricular blocks (VAVBs). We aimed to examine the acute procedural characteristics and intermediate-term outcomes of electroanatomical-guided cardioneuroablation (EACNA) in patients with VAVB. METHODS AND RESULTS: This international multicentre retrospective registry included data collected from 20 centres. Patients presenting with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent VAVB were included in the study. All patients underwent EACNA. Procedural success was defined by the acute reversal of atrioventricular blocks (AVBs) and complete abolition of atropine response. The primary outcome was occurrence of syncope and daytime second- or advanced-degree AVB on serial prolonged electrocardiogram monitoring during follow-up. A total of 130 patients underwent EACNA. Acute procedural success was achieved in 96.2% of the cases. During a median follow-up of 300 days (150, 496), the primary outcome occurred in 17/125 (14%) cases with acute procedural success (recurrence of AVB in 9 and new syncope in 8 cases). Operator experience and use of extracardiac vagal stimulation were similar for patients with and without primary outcomes. A history of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and coronary artery disease was associated with a higher primary outcome occurrence. Only four patients with primary outcome required pacemaker placement during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is the largest multicentre study demonstrating the feasibility of EACNA with encouraging intermediate-term outcomes in selected patients with VAVB. Studies investigating the effect on burden of daytime symptoms caused by the AVB are required to confirm these findings.

Procedural and short-term results of electroanatomic-mapping-guided ganglionated plexus ablation by first-time operators: A multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Single-center observational studies have shown promising results with fragmented electrogram (FE)-guided ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation in patients with vagally mediated bradyarrhythmia (VMB). We aimed to compare the acute procedural characteristics during FE-guided GP ablation in patients with VMB performed by first-time operators and those of a single high-volume operator. METHODS AND RESULTS: This international multicenter cohort study included data collected over 2 years from 16 cardiac hospitals. The primary operators were classified according to their prior GP ablation experience: a single high-volume operator who had performed > 50 GP ablation procedures (Group 1), and operators performing their first GP ablation cases (Group 2). Acute procedural characteristics and syncope recurrence were compared between groups. Forty-seven consecutive patients with VMB who underwent FE-guided GP ablation were enrolled, n = 31 in Group 1 and n = 16 in Group 2. The mean number of ablation points in each GP was comparable between groups. The ratio of positive vagal response during ablation on the left superior GP was higher in Group 1 (90.3% vs. 62.5%, p = .022). Ablation of the right superior GP increased heart rate acutely without any vagal response in 45 (95.7%) cases. The procedure time was longer in group 2 (83.4 ± 21 vs. 118.0 ± 21 min, respectively, p < .001). Over a mean follow-up duration of 8.0 ± 3 months (range 2-24 months), none of the patients suffered from syncope. CONCLUSION: This multi-center pilot study shows for the first time the feasibility of FE-guided GP ablation across a large group of procedure-naïve operators.

Hybrid ablation for persistent/long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The efficacy and safety of hybrid ablation (HA) for patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HA (endo-epicardial ablation) versus endocardial ablation (EA) for patients with persistent/long-standing persistent AF. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled. Our meta-analysis included 3 RCTs comprising 358 patients, of whom 233 (65.1%) were randomized to HA. Compared with EA, HA reduced the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (RR 0.53; 95% CI 0.41-0.69; p < 0.01) but had no subgroup interaction according to AF type (p = 0.90). There was no significant difference in major adverse events (RR 1.22; 95% CI 0.46-3.25; p = 0.68). Trial sequential analysis indicates that the observed effects can be deemed conclusive. In conclusion, in patients with persistent/long-standing persistent AF, HA substantially reduced the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Notably, patients with long-standing persistent AF may benefit more from this ablation strategy.

2023 HRS/APHRS/LAHRS guideline on cardiac physiologic pacing for the avoidance and mitigation of heart failure.

Cardiac physiologic pacing (CPP), encompassing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and conduction system pacing (CSP), has emerged as a pacing therapy strategy that may mitigate or prevent the development of heart failure (HF) in patients with ventricular dyssynchrony or pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This clinical practice guideline is intended to provide guidance on indications for CRT for HF therapy and CPP in patients with pacemaker indications or HF, patient selection, pre-procedure evaluation and preparation, implant procedure management, follow-up evaluation and optimization of CPP response, and use in pediatric populations. Gaps in knowledge, pointing to new directions for future research, are also identified.

2023 HRS/APHRS/LAHRS guideline on cardiac physiologic pacing for the avoidance and mitigation of heart failure.

Cardiac physiologic pacing (CPP), encompassing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and conduction system pacing (CSP), has emerged as a pacing therapy strategy that may mitigate or prevent the development of heart failure (HF) in patients with ventricular dyssynchrony or pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This clinical practice guideline is intended to provide guidance on indications for CRT for HF therapy and CPP in patients with pacemaker indications or HF, patient selection, pre-procedure evaluation and preparation, implant procedure management, follow-up evaluation and optimization of CPP response, and use in pediatric populations. Gaps in knowledge, pointing to new directions for future research, are also identified.

Esophageal Perforation Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Conservative Approach.

Esophageal perforation following radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a rare and potentially deadly complication. Here, we report a case with successful conservative management of esophageal perforation following AF ablation demonstrating how surgery is not always required in properly selected patients.

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Results From the International LBBAP Collaborative Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in patients eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in an international, multicenter, collaborative study. BACKGROUND: CRT using biventricular pacing is effective in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB). LBBAP has been reported as an alternative option for CRT. METHODS: LBBAP was attempted in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% and indications for CRT or pacing. Procedural outcomes, left bundle branch capture, New York Heart Association functional class, heart failure hospitalization, echocardiographic data, and lead complications were recorded. Clinical (no heart failure hospitalization and improvement in New York Heart Association functional class) and echocardiographic responses (≥5% improvement in LVEF) were assessed. RESULTS: LBBAP was attempted in 325 patients, and CRT was successfully achieved in 277 (85%) (mean age 71 ± 12 years, 35% women, ischemic cardiomyopathy in 44%). QRS configuration at baseline was LBBB in 39% and non-LBBB in 46%. Procedure and fluoroscopy duration were 105 ± 54 and 19 ± 15 min, respectively. LBBAP threshold and R-wave amplitudes were 0.6 ± 0.3 V at 0.5 ms and 10.6 ± 6 mV at implantation and remained stable during mean follow-up of 6 ± 5 months. LBBAP resulted in significant QRS narrowing from 152 ± 32 to 137 ± 22 ms (p < 0.01). LVEF improved from 33 ± 10% to 44 ± 11% (p < 0.01). Clinical and echocardiographic responses were observed in 72% and 73% of patients, respectively. Baseline LBBB (odds ratio: 3.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.64 to 9.26; p < 0.01) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (odds ratio: 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.49 to 0.79; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of echocardiographic response. CONCLUSIONS: LBBAP is feasible and safe and provides an alternative option for CRT. LBBAP provides remarkably low and stable pacing thresholds and was associated with improved clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Registro brasileiro de estimulação fisiológica da sociedade brasileira de arritmias cardíacas - SOBRAC / Brazilian registry of physiological stimulation of the brazilian society of cardiac arrhythmias - SOBRAC

INTRODUÇÃO: Resultados favoráveis foram relatados com estimulação direta do sistema de excito-condutor cardíaco, o que tem motivado a inclusão desta técnica em recomendações e diretrizes atuais. Entretanto, não há dados disponíveis dessa prática no Brasil. OBJETIVOS: Descrever as características demográficas, eletrocardiográficas e ecocardiográficas assim como os achados intra e peri-operatórios dos pacientes submetidos a estimulação fisiológica no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um registro multicêntrico realizado em 15 centros no Brasil. A técnica cirúrgica utilizada seguiu a rotina dos centros participantes. RESULTADOS: 180 pacientes (64,9% homens, 74,8±12,5 anos) foram incluídos na análise entre maio e setembro de 2021. Características clínicas: 82,7% eram hipertensos, 33,5% diabéticos, 51,9% tinham antecedente de sincope, 23,2% DAC e 0,7% doença de Chagas; 76,7% apresentavam-se em CF-NYHA I ou II. A cardiopatia subjacente e o motivo do implante estão ilustrados na figura 1. Em 13,5% dos pacientes, o CDI foi concomitantemente indicado. Quanto aos achados eletrocardiográficos, 89,2% dos pacientes apresentavam-se em ritmo sinusal e 10,8% em FA/flutter atrial. O QRS basal médio era de 131±32ms; 28,1% dos pacientes apresentavam BRE e 31,4% BRD. A FEVE média foi de 54,14±16,66%. Todos os centros reportaram sucesso do implante. O tempo médio de fluoroscopia foi de 17,6±14,5min e a duração média do procedimento 81,8±43,8. Dispositivo bicameral foi predominante na maior parte dos casos (figura 2). Em 75,1% dos casos, o eletrodo ventricular foi posicionado no RE/septo profundo (LVAT médio 77,7±10,7ms, potencial de RE reportado em 25,7%) enquanto o feixe de His foi a posição escolhida em 24,9% dos casos. Em 6,6% dos pacientes procedeu-se HOT/LOT-CRT. A onda R média foi 9,8mV e o limiar de captura 1,17V x 1,0ms. A duração média do QRS final foi 107,46 ± 18,6ms. As taxas de complicações foram baixas (figura 3). CONCLUSÕES: O implante de marcapasso fisiológico é factível e seguro. As características dos pacientes incluídos nesse registro brasileiro, a preferência quanto ao tipo de estimulação (RE) e os resultados intra e pós operatórios precoces estão alinhados com as publicações internacionais mais recentes.