Surgical outcome of pulmonary artery reconstruction using the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch in patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary artery reconstruction is sometimes utilized as an alternative to pneumonectomy in lung cancer surgery. We herein report our experience of pulmonary artery reconstruction using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) patch based on the surgical results and long-term outcome. METHODS: Clinical records of lung cancer patients who underwent patch plasty were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2017, pulmonary artery patch plasty were performed in 21 patients [18 males, 3 females; mean age 65 (range 47-79) years]. Induction chemoradiotherapy was performed in three patients. Bronchoplasty was performed in five patients. The pathologic stages were stage I in 3 patients, stage II in 6 and stage III in 12. Pneumonectomy, lobectomy and segmentectomy were performed in 2, 18 and 1 patient, respectively. The left upper lobe was the most frequent origin of lung cancer (15 patients). There was no reconstruction-related morbidity or mortality. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 64.1% with a mean follow-up of 39.5 months, and the survival rates for N0-1 and N2-3 were 80.8% and 28.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patch angioplasty using the ePTFE sheet is a reliable procedure in radical surgery for lung cancer.

Evaluating vertebral artery dominancy before T4 lung cancer surgery requiring subclavian artery reconstruction.

PURPOSES: To evaluate vertebral artery (VA) dominancy and the risk of brain infarction in T4 lung cancer patients with tumor invasion into the subclavian artery. METHODS: We reconstructed the subclavian artery in 10 patients with T4 non-small cell lung cancer. The histological stages were IIIA in eight patients and IIIB in two patients. We evaluated the VA dominancy by performing a four-vessel study preoperatively and investigated the relationship between the methods of VA treatment and postoperative brain complications, retrospectively. RESULTS: Seven patients had a superior sulcus tumor (SST) and three had direct invasion into the mediastinum. Based on the tumor location, a transmanublial approach was used in five patients and a posterolateral hook incision was used in the other five. All subclavian artery (SA) reconstructions were done using an artificial woven graft. Preoperative angiography of the VA revealed poor development of the contralateral side in two patients. One of these patients suffered a severe brain infarction on postoperative day 2, which proved fatal. In the other patient, the VA was connected to the left SA graft by a side-to-end anastomosis and there was no postoperative brain complication. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative SA and VA angiography is mandatory for identifying the need for VA reconstruction in lung cancer patients with major arterial invasion.

A score model to predict risk of events in patients with Brugada Syndrome.

AIMS: Risk stratification in Brugada Syndrome (BS) remains challenging. Arrhythmic events can occur life-long and studies with long follow-ups are sparse. The aim of our study was to investigate long-term prognosis and risk stratification of BS patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A single centre consecutive cohort of 400 BS patients was included and analysed. Mean age was 41.1 years, 78 patients (19.5%) had a spontaneous type I electrocardiogram (ECG). Clinical presentation was aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 20 patients (5.0%), syncope in 111 (27.8%) and asymptomatic in 269 (67.3%). Familial antecedents of SCD were found in 184 individuals (46.0%), in 31 (7.8%) occurred in first-degree relatives younger than 35 years. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was placed in 176 (44.0%). During a mean follow-up of 80.7 months, 34 arrhythmic events occurred (event rate: 1.4% year). Variables significantly associated to events were: presentation as aborted SCD (Hazard risk [HR] 20.0), syncope (HR 3.7), spontaneous type I (HR 2.7), male gender (HR 2.7), early SCD in first-degree relatives (HR 2.9), SND (HR 5.0), inducible VA (HR 4.7) and proband status (HR 2.1). A score including ECG pattern, early familial SCD antecedents, inducible electrophysiological study, presentation as syncope or as aborted SCD and SND had a predictive performance of 0.82. A score greater than 2 conferred a 5-year event probability of 9.2%. CONCLUSIONS: BS patients remain at risk many years after diagnosis. Early SCD in first-degree relatives and SND are risk factors for arrhythmic events. A simple risk score might help in the stratification and management of BS patients.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in young individuals: comparison of conventional and subcostal approaches-a single-centre experience.

AIM: The aim of our study is to compare two approaches of implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation, conventional (supra/subpectoral) and subcostal in young adults in terms of procedural complications and adverse events encountered during follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 2007 to December 2013, all patients under the age of 50 years who received an ICD in our centre were included in this study. Patient's hospital records were analysed for procedural complications and adverse events during follow-up until December 2014. Data from device on first interrogation after implantation and on follow-up were also noted. A total of 106 patients of which 40.6% had Brugada's syndrome (65.1% male, age 33.6 ± 10.97 years) were included in analysis; 71 (61%) had ICD placed in (sub/supra) pectoral and 35 (33%) in subcostal position. Only seven patients received an epicardial lead system. During the follow-up period of 2.1 ± 1.8 years, 84.90% of the patients had no adverse events. Most of the complications, procedural and during follow-up, occur in conventionally placed, pectoral ICD. Lead follow-up data in both groups, conventional and subcostal, showed no difference in right ventricular (RV) shock impedance and R wave sensing, P-value = 0.56 and 0.77, respectively. Lead survival was 95 and 97%, respectively, in conventional and subcostal groups over a mean follow-up of 2.1 ± 1.8 years. Log-rank test for lead survival was not significant in terms of site of implantation. CONCLUSION: To the best our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating subcostal ICD placement in young adults and resulting in equivalent to better outcomes when compared with conventionally placed pectoral ICD. Subcostal ICD placement might be considered an alternative option in young adults as it results in better procedural outcomes and also comparable rate of adverse events during follow-up, but bigger studies with a larger number of patients are needed for a definitive conclusion.

Single 3-Minute versus Double 4-Minute Freeze Strategy for Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation: A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv) ablation is highly effective in achieving pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with promising mid-term clinical outcome. However, the ideal freezing strategy is still under debate. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single 3-minute approach compared to the conventional 4-minute plus bonus application using CB-Adv. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and sixty patients (67% male; mean age 58.0 ± 13.3 years) underwent PVI using CB-Adv for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Among 160 patients, 80 received a single 3-minute approach (3-mns group), while the remaining 80 conventional 4-minute plus bonus-freeze (4-mns group). Mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were 90.6 ± 15.8 and 18.3 ± 6.9 in the 4-mns group, 75.2 ± 17.1 and 13.5 ± 8.7 in the 3-mns group (P < 0.001, respectively). First-freeze isolation rate was 91.6% in the 4- versus 90.6% in the 3-mns group (P = 0.78). Persistent phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) occurred in 6/80 (3.5%) in the 4-mns group and 4/80 in the 3-mns group (P = 0.75). The overall freedom from ATas 2 years after the procedure was 78.1% (125/160): 77.5% (62/80 patients) in the 3-mns and 78.8% (63/80 patients) in the 4-mns group (P = 0.82). In multivariate analysis, time to PVI and nadir temperature independently predicted ATa recurrences (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CB-Adv ablation for PAF is highly effective, resulting in 78% 2-year freedom from arrhythmic recurrences. A "single 3-minute strategy" showed equal efficacy as compared to the conventional 4-minute plus bonus freeze approach at 2-year follow-up, providing shorter procedure and fluoroscopy time. Nadir temperature and time to PVI were predictors of arrhythmic recurrences. "Bonus-freeze" strategy might be unnecessary.

Fluoroscopic position of the second-generation cryoballoon during ablation in the right superior pulmonary vein as a predictor of phrenic nerve injury.

AIMS: Phrenic nerve injury (PNI) is the most frequently observed complication during pulmonary vein isolation procedure using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB). Our objective was to analyse the correlation between the fluoroscopic position of the 28 mm CB during ablation in the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) and the occurrence of PNI. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 165 patients having undergone the large 28 mm CB ablation were retrospectively reviewed. Positioning of the CB relative to the cardiac silhouette was classified under fluoroscopic guidance in antero-posterior projection during RSPV ablation. Regarding the lower half of the balloon, CB positioning was defined as follows: (A) completely inside the cardiac shadow; (B1) <1/3 outside the cardiac shadow; and (B2) ≥1/3 outside the cardiac shadow. Phrenic nerve injury occurred in 9.7% (16/165) during ablation in the RSPV. The occurrence of PNI was 0.9, 10.6, and 90.1% in positions A, B1, and B2, respectively (A vs. B1, P = 0.01; B1 vs. B2, P < 0.0001). Among other pre-procedural and procedural variables, the B2 position was the strongest independent determinant for predicting PNI at RSPV (P = 0.001, odds ratio: 119.9; 95% confidence interval: 11.6-1234.7) after multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PNI at the RSPV significantly increased in case of more distal positioning of the CB relative to the cardiac shadow. This simple and straightforward intra-procedural indicator might prone the operators to attempt occluding the RPSV more proximally in order to avoid PNI.

Electrophysiological findings following pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency catheter guided by contact-force and second-generation cryoballoon: lessons from repeat ablation procedures.

AIMS: To assess the incidence of late pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection following index PV isolation (PVI) procedure initially achieved with radiofrequency contact-force catheter ablation (CFCA) and second-generation cryoballoon ablation (CB-AdvA). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 56 consecutive patients (41 male, 73.2%; mean age 60.8 ± 11.8 years) underwent a repeat ablation because of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATas) after index PVI achieved with CFCA (30 patients) or CB-AdvA (26 patients). All repeat procedures were performed by the means of CFCA. In the CFCA group, among 119 PVs, 43 (36.1%) showed conduction gaps in 24 patients (1.8 per patient), whereas in the CB-AdvA group among 103 veins, 21 (20.4%) showed a PV reconnection in 18 patients (1.2 per patient) (P = 0.01). The left superior pulmonary vein was less frequently reconnected following CB-AdvA when compared with CFCA (2/25, 8% vs. 11/29, 37.9%; P = 0.01). In the CFCA group, the mean CF per-vein was lower in reconnecting veins when compared with those persistently isolated (10.9 ± 2.7 vs. 18.6 ± 3.1 g; P < 0.001). In the CB-AdvA group, late PV reconnection was associated with warmer nadir temperature (-48.9 ± 5.1 vs. -51.2 ± 4.7°C; P = 0.05) and longer time-to-isolation (71.1 ± 20.2 vs. 50.2 ± 32.9 s; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The rate of late PV reconnection is significantly lower following CB-AdvA when compared with CFCA as index procedure. Lower CF values and warmer nadir temperature with longer time to effect were more frequently associated with PV reconnections in the setting of CFCA and CB-AdvA.

Impact on Clinical Outcome of Premature Interruption of Cryoenergy Delivery Due to Phrenic Nerve Palsy During Second Generation Cryoballoon Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Right phrenic nerve paralysis (PNP) is the most frequently observed complication occurring during cryoballoon ablation (CB). Our aim was to analyze the impact of the premature interruption (PI) of cryoenergy delivery in a large series of consecutive patients during ablation in the right-sided veins on clinical outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: All consecutive patients having undergone second-generation CB ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) from July 2012 to September 2014 were included in our analysis. Exclusion criteria were persistent AF, presence of an intracavitary thrombus, uncontrolled heart failure, moderate or severe valvular disease, left atrium (LA) diameter ≥55 mm, and contraindications to general anesthesia. A total 287 consecutive patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal AF having undergone pulmonary vein isolation by means of CB technology (male 65%, age 57.6 ± 13.1 years) were included. The incidence of PNP in the study population was 8.0% (23/287). At a mean follow-up of 11.5 ± 3.9 months, the success rate without antiarrhythmic therapy was 81.6%. Patients with PNP had similar rates of AF recurrence compared with those without PNP (17.4% vs. 17.8%; P = 0.9); the former had a mean follow-up of 10.9 ± 3.7 months, the latter 11.8 ± 4.5 months (P = 0.3). CONCLUSION: Conclusion: Our findings show that patients in whom freezing was interrupted due to PNP had a similar outcome on 1-year follow-up compared with those in whom freezing cycles were completed in the septal veins. No baseline clinical or procedural characteristics were found to predict AF recurrence in patients having experienced PNP.

Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation as index procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation: a comparison between radiofrequency catheter ablation and second-generation cryoballoon ablation.

AIMS: To assess the 1 year efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as index procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) comparing conventional radiofrequency irrigated-tip catheter ablation (RFCA) using contact-force technology and ablation using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB-AdvA). METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients (74 male, 74%; mean age 62.4 ± 9.6 years) with drug-refractory PersAF undergoing PVI using RFCA and CB-AdvA were enrolled. Follow-up was based on outpatient clinic visits including Holter-electrocardiograms. Recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATas) was defined as a symptomatic or documented episode >30 s. Among 100 patients, 50 underwent RFCA whereas 50 CB-AdvA. Mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were 90.5 ± 41.7 vs. 140.2 ± 46.9 min and 14.5 ± 6.6 vs. 19.8 ± 6.8 min in the CB-Adv and in the RFCA group, respectively (P < 0.01). At 1 year follow-up, after a 3 months blanking period (BP), freedom from ATas off-drugs after a single procedure was 60% (28/50 patients) in the CB-Adv and 56% (27/50 patients) in the RFCA group (P = 0.71). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PersAF duration (P = 0.01) and relapses during BP (P = 0.02) were independent predictors of ATa recurrences following the index procedure. CONCLUSION: Freedom from ATas following PersAF ablation with RFCA and CB-Adv is comparable at 1 year follow-up after a single procedure. Ablation with the CB-Adv is associated with shorter procedure time and radiation exposure as compared with RFCA. Atrial tachyarrhythmias occurrence during BP and longer time of PersAF seem to be significant predictors of arrhythmia recurrences after the index procedure.

One Year Incidence of Atrial Septal Defect after PV Isolation: A Comparison Between Conventional Radiofrequency and Cryoballoon Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Transseptal (TS) catheterization is needed to access the left heart during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. In the radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedure, left atrial access is commonly achieved with a double TS puncture; cryoballoon (CB) ablation usually requires only a single TS puncture. Our aim was to compare the incidence of iatrogenic septal defect (IASD) between double transseptal conventional RF and CB ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Individuals having undergone PVI as index procedure by RF or CB ablation and a subsequent transesophageal echocardiography examination during postablation follow-up in our center were consecutively included. A total of 127 patients formed the study group (92 males; mean age 60 ± 11 years). IASD was present in 17 patients (13.4%) after a mean follow-up time of 11.6 months. The incidence of IASD at 1-year follow-up following PVI was significantly higher in the CB ablation group compared with the RF ablation group (22.2% vs 8.5%; P = 0.03). Mean IASD diameter was larger in the CB group (0.60 cm × 0.50 cm vs 0.44 cm × 0.35 cm) without statistical significance. Only left to right atrial shunt was observed. No adverse events were recorded in these patients during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: the incidence of IASD at 1-year follow-up following CB ablation procedure for PVI is significantly higher with respect to RF procedures. Although no adverse clinical events were recorded in patients with persistence of IASD, more detailed echocardiographic examinations might be advised in all individuals exhibiting this finding.

Persistence of Phrenic Nerve Palsy Following 28-mm Cryoballoon Ablation: A Four-Year Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is the most frequently observed complication in the setting of cryoballoon (CB) ablation (Arctic Front, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). Although, usually transient, resolving before the end of the procedure, persistent PNP (not resolving before the end of procedure) can occur. Literature on persistent PNP after second generation CB ablation is relatively sparse. METHODS: A total of 316 consecutive patients having undergone large 28-mm CB ablation as index procedure in the Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussels, Belgium, from January 2009 to December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed for the study. Of these 117 patients were treated with the first generation CB (CB1) and 199 patients with the second generation CB (CB2). RESULTS: PNP occurred in 10% of the total population. Persistent PNP was only observed following CB2 ablation which occurred in 4.5% of the group. At a mean follow-up of 11 months, diaphragmatic contraction in persistent PNP patients resumed in 78% (7/9) of the patients. In a final follow-up at 5 and 20 months, PNP persisted in two patients, respectively. PNP during ablation in the right inferior pulmonary vein was only observed in the CB2 group. No predictors of persistency of PNP were observed. CONCLUSION: Persistence of PNP only occurred in the CB2 group in 4.5% of patients. The majority of patients with persistent PNP were asymptomatic. In most of the patients having persistent PNP after ablation, complete phrenic nerve function resumed during follow-up (78%).

Clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of elderly patients with Brugada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The clinical course and prognosis of Brugada syndrome (BS) in the elderly is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of BS in an elderly population. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 437 patients with BS were included in this study. Patients were categorized in 2 groups according to the age at the time of diagnosis: <60 years (N = 363) and ≥60 years (N = 74). Moreover, an elderly patients' subgroup analysis was performed between patients with an age between 60 and 70 years (N = 49) and subjects older than 70 years (N = 25). Among elderly patients (50% male, mean age: 67 ± 6 years), family history of sudden death (SD) and induction of sustained ventricular arrhythmias during programmed ventricular stimulation were less frequent as compared to younger patients. Two patients (3%) had a previous episode of aborted SD. Elderly patients with BS presented more frequently with ECG conduction disturbances or previous transient advanced atrioventricular block as compared to younger patients. Of the elderly patients, 42% underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and 7% received a pacemaker. After a mean follow-up time of 54 ± 18 months, none of the elderly patients with BS older than 70 years experienced documented life-threating ventricular arrhythmias. Family screening was performed in 58 family members and a BS diagnosis was confirmed in 49%. CONCLUSION: The clinical features and the benign prognosis of BS patients older than 70 years likely identify a lower risk category of patients as compared to younger individuals. The device-guided management in this setting remains individualized and sometimes controversial. Moreover, BS diagnosis in the elderly should not be missed, mainly due to the clinical impact on the family of elderly patients.

Spontaneous and adenosine-induced pulmonary vein reconnection after cryoballoon ablation with the second-generation device.

INTRODUCTION: Longer observational time and adenosine challenge have proven to be able to detect pulmonary vein (PV) reconnections. The aim of this study was to assess incidence of spontaneous and adenosine-induced PV reconnection after ablation with second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients (76% male, mean age 60.5 ± 11.9 years) having undergone PV isolation (PVI) using the CB-Adv were enrolled. After isolation, reconnections were evaluated using the Achieve catheter over 30 minutes observation and adenosine administration during isoproterenol infusion (adenosine challenge). Among 200 PVs, isolation was achieved in 190 (95%) during the first application. Lower nadir temperature and longer rewarming time were associated with successful PVI (P = 0.02 and 0.04). Spontaneous (4 veins) and adenosine-induced (4 veins) PV reconnections occurred in the 4% of initially isolated veins (8 veins) in 6 patients (12%). At receiver-operator curve analysis, nadir temperature <-51 °C and rewarming time >28 seconds identified absence of reconnections (sensitivity 100% and 87%, area under the curve 0.75 and 0.72). Patients with right-sided early branching frequently experienced reconnections (P < 0.01). After a mean follow-up of 7.0 ± 1.7 months, 86% of patients were free from atrial fibrillation. None of those with PV reconnections experienced recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of spontaneous and adenosine-induced PV reconnection following ablation with the novel CB-Adv is very low occurring in 4% of initially isolated veins. Nadir temperature <-51 °C and rewarming time >28 seconds identified absence of acute reconnections, thus avoiding prolonged waiting time and adenosine challenge in such cases.

One-year follow-up after single procedure Cryoballoon ablation: a comparison between the first and second generation balloon.

BACKGROUND: With respect to the first generation Cryoballoon (CB), the second generation (Cryoballoon Advance [CB-A], Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was designed with technical modifications resulting in a larger and more uniform zone of freezing on the balloon's surface aiming at procedural outcome improvement in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, a comparison between both technologies on a midterm follow-up is missing in today's literature. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (the last 50 patients with the first generation CB and the first 50 patients with the second generation CB-A upon its inception in our center) having undergone a single CB ablation for paroxysmal AF (PAF) and having completed a 12-month follow-up, were consecutively included in our study. Freedom from AF off-antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) after a single procedure was 78% (39/50) in CB-A and 58% (29/50) in the CB group (P = 0.03) during the whole follow-up duration. Considering a blanking period of 3 months, freedom from AF off-AAD was achieved in 84% (42/50) in CB-A, while 66% (33/50) were free from recurrence in the CB group (P = 0.038). Right phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) occurred in 8 patients (16%) in CB-A group and in 4 patients (8%) in the CB group. CONCLUSION: Freedom from AF on 12 months follow-up was significantly higher in the CB-A group with respect to the first generation device. The most frequent complication observed was PNP.

One year incidence of iatrogenic atrial septal defect after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by means of cryoballoon (CB) technology is an effective treatment for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The CB requires a 15F transseptal sheath that may lead to the creation of a iatrogenic atrial septal defect (IASD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Individuals having undergone PV isolation by the means of CB ablation and a subsequent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination during postablation follow-up were consecutively included. Thirty-nine patients formed the study group (31 male, 76.9%; mean age 57.4 ± 13.7 years). IASD was present in 8 (20%) of them after a mean follow-up time of 11.7 months. Mean diameter of the defect was 0.57 cm × 0.48 cm; only left to right shunt was observed. No adverse events were recorded in these patients during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: IASD after CB ablation of AF is present in up to 20% of patients after 1 year. Although no adverse clinical events were recorded in patients with persistence of IASD, this complication should not be underestimated and systematic echocardiographic examinations might be advised at regular intervals in the follow-up period after CB. Further studies with larger population and follow-up might be required to confirm our findings.

Comparison of the patient-activated event recording system vs. traditional 24 h Holter electrocardiography in individuals with paroxysmal palpitations or dizziness.

AIMS: Electrocardiographic documentation of symptomatic episodes of palpitations by means of traditional methods such as 24 h Holter monitoring (HM) or loop recorders is challenging. Patient-activated electrocardiography (ECG) recorders have been proved to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of arrhythmias in these patients. However, no comparison studies between the two techniques have been conducted. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of Holter ECG and a patient-activated event recorder (OMRON portable HeartScan ECG Monitor(®)) (HeartScan) in the detection of arrhythmias in patients with paroxysmal palpitations or dizziness suggestive of cardiac arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with paroxysmal palpitations or dizziness were eligible for this study. All patients underwent an HM for 24 h and a 15-day HeartScan after the HM. Six hundred and twenty-five patients (48% male, mean age: 37 ± 11 years) were included in the study. All patients present with normal heart structure, normal baseline 12-lead ECG, and normal echocardiogram. Indications for ECG monitoring were palpitations in 577 patients (92.3%) and dizziness in 48 (7.7%). Holter monitoring offered a clinical diagnosis in 11 patients (1.8%). Conversely, HeartScan diagnosed the clinical arrhythmia in 558 individuals (89%). Detection of symptoms-related arrhythmias by means of HeartScan was significantly higher when compared with HM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The studied system proved to be an efficient event recorder providing the diagnosis of the clinical arrhythmia in 89% of patients with paroxysmal palpitations or dizziness. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Second-generation cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The novel cryoballoon Advance (CB-A) has proven to achieve significantly lower temperatures and faster pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) times in comparison with the first-generation device. Although acutely very effective, to the best of our knowledge, data on mid-term clinical follow-up is lacking. AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyse the freedom from recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) on a 1-year follow-up period, in a series of consecutive patients having undergone PVI with the CB-A for paroxysmal AF (PAF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two patients [30 male (71%); mean age: 57.9 ± 21.1 years] were included. All patients underwent a procedure with the large 28 mm CB-A. A total 168 PVs were depicted on the pre-procedural computed tomography scan. All PVs (100%) could be isolated with the CB only. The freedom from AF off-antiarrhythmic drug treatment after a single procedure was 78% of patients at a mean 11.6 ± 2.0 months follow-up. If considering a blanking period (BP) of 3 months, success rate was 83%. Phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) was the most frequent complication occurring in 19% of individuals. CONCLUSION: The CB-A is very effective in producing PVI and affords freedom from AF at 12 months follow-up in 83% of patients affected by drug-resistant PAF following a 3-month BP. The most frequent complication observed was PNP which occurred in 19% of patients. All PNP reverted during follow-up.

Pulmonary vein isolation in patients with Brugada syndrome and atrial fibrillation: a 2-year follow-up.

AIMS: Pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the setting of Brugada syndrome (BS) might be challenging as many antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) with sodium channel blocking properties might expose the patients to the development of ventricular arrhythmias. Moreover, patients with BS and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) might experience inappropriate shocks because of AF with rapid ventricular response. The role of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with BS and recurrent episodes of AF has not been established yet. In this study, we analysed the outcome of PVI using radiofrequency energy or cryoballoon (CB) ablation at 2 years follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients with BS having undergone PVI for drug-resistant paroxysmal AF were eligible for this study. Nine patients (three males; mean age: 52 ± 26 years) were included. Six patients (67%) had an ICD implanted of whom three had inappropriate shocks because of rapid AF. At a mean 22.1 ± 6.4 months follow-up, six patients (67%) were free of AF without AADs. None of the three patients who had experienced inappropriate ICD interventions for AF had further ICD shocks after ablation. CONCLUSION: In our study PVI can be an effective and safe procedure to treat patients with BS and recurrent episodes of paroxysmal AF.

Intermittent hypoxia by obstructive sleep apnea is significantly associated with electro-anatomical remodeling of the left atrium preceding structural remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanism underlying the atrial structural and electro-anatomical remodeling by OSA has not yet been clearly elucidated. Methods: This study was conducted in 83 patients who had undergone catheter ablation for AF (49 with OSA and 34 Controls without OSA). The left atrial (LA) maps were created in all the patients using a three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping system. The LA with a bipolar voltage of <0.5 mV was defined as the low voltage area (LVA); %LVA was defined as the ratio of the LVA to the total surface area of the LA. Results: The LVA and %LVA were significantly greater in the OSA group as compared with the Control group, however, there was no difference in the LA area. The 3 % oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was significantly correlated with the %LVA (r = 0.268, P = 0.014), but not with the LA area. Multiple regression analysis with adjustments identified 3 %ODI ≥30 (3.088, 1.078-8.851, P = 0.036) as being significantly associated with the %LVA. Conclusions: In patients with AF complicated by OSA, significant increase of the LVA, but not of the LA area, was observed. The intermittent hypoxia severity was significantly associated with the LVA. These results suggest that intermittent hypoxia by OSA might be one of the mechanisms of electro-anatomical remodeling of the LA, possibly preceding structural remodeling represented by LA enlargement, in patients with AF.

Pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma with pleural dissemination: report of a case.

Pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma is relatively rare and is usually considered a benign tumor. There have been no reports of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma with pleural dissemination. This report presents an extremely rare case of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma with pulmonary dissemination. A 57-year-old woman was found to have an abnormal shadow in the right lower lung field on chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography (CT) indicated a 2.5-cm mass in the right lower lobe. A bronchoscopic biopsy failed to identify malignant cells, which led to the patient undergoing an excisional lung biopsy. Intraoperative findings showed a tumor in the right lower lobe with multiple small nodules in the pleura. The pathological findings revealed that the tumor was sclerosing hemangioma with pleural dissemination. Annual follow-up CT showed irregular pleural thickness, which suggested progressive dissemination 3 years after the operation. Although pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma is regarded as a benign tumor, the potential for malignancy may be a consideration in this setting.