Mortality trends, disparities, and social vulnerability in cardiac arrest mortality in the young: A cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest (CA) is a leading cause of death in the United States (US). Social determinants of health may impact CA outcomes. We aimed to assess mortality trends, disparities, and the influence of the social vulnerability index (SVI) on CA outcomes in the young. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) related to CA in the United States from the Years 1999 to 2020 in individuals aged 35 years and younger. Data were obtained from death certificates and analyzed using log-linear regression models. We examined disparities in mortality rates based on demographic variables. We also explored the impact of the SVI on CA mortality. RESULTS: A total of 4792 CA deaths in the young were identified. Overall AAMR decreased from 0.20 in 1999 to 0.14 in 2020 with an average annual percentage change of -1.3% (p = .001). Black (AAMR: 0.30) and male populations (AAMR: 0.14) had higher AAMR compared with White (AAMR: 0.11) and female (AAMR: 0.11) populations, respectively. Nonmetropolitan (AAMR: 0.29) and Southern (AAMR: 0.26) regions were also impacted by higher AAMR compared with metropolitan (AAMR: 0.11) and other US census regions, respectively. A higher SVI was associated with greater mortality risks related to CA (risk ratio: 1.82 [95% CI, 1.77-1.87]). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of CA in the young revealed disparities based on demographics, with a decline in AAMR from 1999 to 2020. There is a correlation between a higher SVI and increased CA mortality risk, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to address these disparities effectively.

Electrical storm after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Ventricular tachycardia storm or electrical storm (ES) is a common complication following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The factors contributing to ES and outcomes are less studied. The study aimed to determine the factors associated with ES and the probability of survival in patients undergoing LVAD in three tertiary centers over a span of 15 years. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on all patients who underwent LVAD implantation at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville) from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2020. ES was defined as ≥3 episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia over a period of 24 h with no identifiable reversible cause. Detailed chart reviews of the electronic health records within the Mayo Clinic and outside medical records were performed. RESULTS: A total of 883 patients who underwent LVAD implantation were included in our study. ES occurred in 7% (n = 61) of patients with a median of 13 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-297 days) following surgery. We found 57% of patients (n = 35) developed ES within 30 days, while 43% (n = 26) patients developed ES at a median of 545  (IQR 152-1032) days after surgery. Following ES, 26% of patients died within 1 year. Patients with ES had a significant association with a history of ventricular arrhythmias and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks before the procedure. ES was significantly associated with reduced survival compared to patients without ES (hazards ratio [HR]: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.39-2.64, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Following LVAD implantation, the rate of ES was 7% with majority of ES occurring within 30 days of LVAD. Risk factors for ES included pre-implant history of ventricular arrhythmias and ICD shock. ES was significantly associated with reduced survival compared to patients without ES.

Long-term outcomes with abandoning versus extracting sterile leads: A 10-year population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of sterile lead management strategies of lead abandonment (LA) or transvenous lead extraction (TLE) remain unclear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of a population residing in southeastern Minnesota with follow-up at the Mayo Clinic and its health systems. Patients who underwent LA or TLE of sterile leads from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2011, and had follow-up for at least 10 years or until their death were included. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients were included in the study with 153 patients who underwent LA and 19 who underwent TLE for sterile leads. Indications for subsequent lead extraction arose in 9.1% (n = 14) of patients with initial LA and 5.3% (n = 1) in patients with initial TLE, after an average of 7 years. Moreover, 28.6% of patients in the LA cohort who required subsequent extraction did not proceed with the extraction, and among those who proceeded, 60% had clinical success and 40% had a clinical failure. Subsequent device upgrades or revisions were performed in 18.3% of patients in the LA group and 31.6% in the TLE group, with no significant differences in procedural challenges (5.2% vs. 5.3%). There was no difference in 10-year survival probability among the LA group and the TLE group (p = .64). CONCLUSION: An initial lead abandonment strategy was associated with more complicated subsequent extraction procedures compared to patients with an initial transvenous lead extraction strategy. However, there was no difference in 10-year survival probability between both lead management approaches.

Challenges of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter ablation in patients with pectus excavatum.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be associated with chest wall abnormalities such as pectus excavatum (PE). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has proven to be a useful strategy for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of AF. However, the presence of chest wall abnormalities, such as pectus excavatum, imposes certain challenges during ablation due to the anatomic distortion that it causes. We highlight these challenges during ablation in this three-patient case series.

Atypical atrial flutter: review of mechanisms, advances in mapping and ablation outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atrial flutter (AFL) is the second most prevalent arrhythmia after atrial fibrillation (AF). It is a macro-reentrant tachycardia that is either cavotricuspid isthmus dependent (typical) or independent (atypical). This review aims at highlighting mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of atypical AFL and the recent developments in electroanatomic mapping. RECENT FINDINGS: Incidence of left AFL is at an exponential rise presently with increase in AF ablation rates. The mechanism of left AFL is most often peri-mitral, roof-dependent or within pulmonary veins in preablated, in contrast to posterior or anterior wall low voltage areas in ablation naïve patients. Linear lesions, compared to pulmonary vein isolation alone, have higher incidence of atypical right or left AFL. Catheter ablation for atypical AFL is associated with lower rates of thromboembolic events, transfusions, and length of stay compared to typical AFL. SUMMARY: Advances in mapping have allowed rapid simultaneous acquisition of automatically annotated points in the atria and identification of details of macro-reentrant circuits, including zones of conduction block, scar, and slow conduction.

Electromagnetic interference from left ventricular assist device in patients with transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Many advanced heart failure patients have both a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). This study examines incidence, clinical impact, and management of LVAD-related EMI. METHODS: We performed a three-center retrospective analysis of transvenous ICD implanted patients with LVAD implanted between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2020. The primary outcome was EMI after LVAD implantation, categorized as LVAD-related noise or telemetry interference. RESULTS: The rate of LVAD-related EMI among the 737 patients (mean age 58.6 ± 12.8 years) studied was 5.0%. Telemetry interference (1.5%) compromised ICD interrogation in all patients. This was resolved successfully with use of a metal shield, encased wand, radiofrequency tower, different ICD programmer or by increasing distance between ICD programmer and LVAD (n = 6). ICD replacement was required to reestablish successful communication in three patients. LVAD-related noise (3.5%) led to oversensing (n = 4), inappropriate mode switches (n = 4), noise reversion (n = 3), inhibition of pacing (n = 2), inappropriate detection as atrial fibrillation (AF) (n = 2) and inappropriate detection as ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF) (n = 2). This noise interference persisted (n = 3), resolved spontaneously (n = 16), resolved with programming change (n = 6) or required lead revision (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: EMI from LVAD impacts ICD function, although, the incidence rate is low. Physicians implanting both, LVAD in patients with ICD (more common) or ICD in patients with LVAD, should be aware of possible interferences. Telemetry failure not resolved by metal shielding was overcome by ICD generator replacement to a different manufacturer. In most cases, LVAD-related noise resolves spontaneously.

His bundle pacing: conduction system capture and clinical impact.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: It has been nearly 2 decades since His bundle pacing (HBP) was described and with very first randomized pilot study published, reviewing its impact on clinical practice is inevitable. RECENT FINDINGS: Inclusion of HBP in the guidelines, along with long-term outcomes, outcomes comparing selective and non selective HBP and investigator initiated randomized pilot comparing with cardiac resynchronization therapy, HBP has established itself as a feasible pacing alternative. SUMMARY: HBP is an addition to the current armada of resynchronization techniques. HBP is an emerging area of interest, and is particularly relevant in patients, who require chronic ventricular pacing, but the long-term outcomes of this approach in large patient populations with low ejection fraction are still lacking. With several ongoing studies, in the near future we will have good-quality evidence to support native conduction system pacing as a viable alternative to improve meaningful outcomes.

Mortality and Cerebrovascular Events After Heart Rhythm Disorder Management Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of rates and causes of hard, patient-centered outcomes of death and cerebrovascular events (CVEs) after heart rhythm disorder management (HRDM) procedures is an essential step for the development of quality improvement programs in electrophysiology laboratories. Our primary aim was to assess and characterize death and CVEs (stroke or transient ischemic attack) after HRDM procedures over a 17-year period. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing HRDM procedures between January 2000 and November 2016 at the Mayo Clinic. Patients from all 3 tertiary academic centers (Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville) were included in the study. All in-hospital deaths and CVEs after HRDM procedures were identified and were further characterized as directly or indirectly related to the HRDM procedure. Subgroup analysis of death and CVE rates was performed for ablation, device implantation, electrophysiology study, lead extraction, and defibrillation threshold testing procedures. RESULTS: A total of 48 913 patients (age, 65.7±6.6 years; 64% male) who underwent a total of 62 065 HRDM procedures were included in the study. The overall mortality and CVE rates in the cohort were 0.36% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.42) and 0.12% (95% CI, 0.09-0.16), respectively. Patients undergoing lead extraction had the highest overall mortality rate at 1.9% (95% CI, 1.34-2.61) and CVE rate at 0.62% (95% CI, 0.32-1.07). Among patients undergoing HRDM procedures, 48% of deaths directly related to the HDRM procedure were among patients undergoing device implantation procedures. Overall, cardiac tamponade was the most frequent direct cause of death (40%), and infection was the most common indirect cause of death (29%). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 0.76%, with the highest being in lead extraction procedures (3.08%), followed by device implantation procedures (0.94%). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the deaths directly related to an HRDM procedure were among the patients undergoing device implantation procedures, with cardiac tamponade being the most common cause of death. This highlights the importance of the development of protocols for the quick identification and management of cardiac tamponade even in procedures typically believed to be lower risk such as device implantation.

Achieving durable mitral isthmus block: Challenges, pitfalls, and methods of assessment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Macroreentrant atrial tachycardias often occur following atrial fibrillation ablation, most commonly due to nontransmural lesions in prior ablation lines. Perimitral atrial flutter is one such arrhythmia which requires ablation of the mitral isthmus. Our objectives were to review the literature regarding ablation of the mitral isthmus and to provide our approach for assessment of mitral isthmus block. METHODS: We review anatomical considerations, ablation strategies, and assessment of conduction block across the mitral isthmus, which is subject to several pitfalls. Activation sequence and spatial differential pacing techniques are discussed for assessment of both endocardial and epicardial bidirectional mitral isthmus block. RESULTS: Traditional methods for verifying mitral isthmus block include spatial differential pacing, activation mapping, and identification of double potentials. Up to 70% of cases require additional ablation in the coronary sinus (CS) to achieve transmural block. Interpretation of transmural block is subject to six pitfalls involving pacing output, differentiation of endocardial left atrial recordings from epicardial CS recordings, identification of a slowly conducting gap in the line, and catheter positioning during spatial differential pacing. Interpretation of unipolar electrograms can identify nontransmural lesions. We employ a combined epicardial and endocardial assessment of mitral isthmus block, which involves using a CS catheter for epicardial recording and a duodecapolar Halo catheter positioned around the mitral annulus for endocardial recording. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of transmural mitral isthmus block can be challenging. Placement of an endocardial mapping catheter around the mitral annulus can provide a precise assessment of conduction across the mitral isthmus.

Real-world experience with leadless cardiac pacing.

BACKGROUND: Leadless cardiac pacing (LCP) has emerged as a new modality for permanent pacing. We sought to describe comparative outcomes between LCP and transvenous pacemakers. METHODS: Patients receiving LCP (Micra [Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA] and Nanostim [St. Jude Medical/Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA]) between 2014 and 2017 at the Mayo Clinic Heart Rhythm Enterprise practice (Rochester, MN, USA; Jacksonville, FL, USA; and Scottsdale, AZ, USA) were identified. We identified 1:1 age- and sex-matched controls receiving single-chamber transvenous ventricular pacemakers (TVP). Statistical analyses were performed with JMP 13.0.0 (SAS, Institute Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: Ninety patients underwent LCP implantation (73 Micra and 17 Nanostim) with a median follow-up duration of 62 (interquartile range 28-169) days. Both groups had 100% successful device implant rates. There were no differences in procedure-related major (0% vs 1%) or minor complications (8% vs 3%) in the LCP versus TVP groups (P > 0.05). Excluding Nanostim patients, there was a lower rate of device-related revision or extraction in the Micra versus TVP groups (0% vs 5%, P = 0.028). Device endocarditis was more common in the TVP group (0% vs 3%, P = 0.04). Estimated longevity was greater for the LCP group (median 12.0 vs 10.0 years, P < 0.0001). An increase in severity of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) by ≥2 grades occurred in none of the LCP patients, and in 19% of the TVP patients (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences in procedural complications among patients receiving LCP versus TVP. The Micra group had lower rates of device-related revision/extraction compared to the TVP group. Patients with leadless pacemaker were less likely to develop endocarditis or worsening TR.

Single-site ventricular pacing via the coronary sinus in patients with tricuspid valve disease.

Aims: To evaluate coronary sinus single-site (CSSS) left ventricular pacing in adult patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) when traditional right ventricular lead implantation is not feasible or is contraindicated. Methods and results: We performed a retrospective analysis of 23 patients with tricuspid valve surgery/disease who received a CSSS ventricular pacing lead to avoid crossing the tricuspid valve. Two matched control populations were obtained from patients receiving (i) conventional right ventricular single-site (RVSS) leads and (ii) coronary sinus leads for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CSCRT). Main outcomes of interest were lead stability, electrical lead parameters and change in LVEF during long-term follow-up. Successful CSSS pacing was accomplished in all 23 patients without any procedural complications. During the 5.3 ± 2.8-year follow-up 22/23 (95.7%) leads were functional with stable pacing and sensing parameters, and 1/23 (4.3%) was extracted for unrelated reasons. Compared to CSSS leads, the lead revision/abandonment was similar with RVSS leads (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03, 22.0), but was higher with CSCRT leads (HR 7.41, 95% CI 1.30, 139.0). There was no difference in change in LVEF between CSSS and RVSS groups (-2.4 ± 11.0 vs. 1.5 ± 12.8, P = 0.76), but LVEF improved in CSCRT group (11.2 ± 16.5%, P = 0.002). Fluoroscopy times were longer during implantation of CSSS compared to RVSS leads (25.6 ± 24.6 min vs. 12.3 ± 18.6 min, P = 0.049). Conclusion: In patients with normal LVEF, single-site ventricular pacing via the coronary sinus is a feasible, safe and reliable alternative to right ventricular pacing.

AV nodal ablation in tricuspid atresia; anatomical challenges.

Patients with congenital heart disease often present unique challenges, especially in the electrophysiology laboratory. Here we present a case of a patient with medically refractory symptomatic atrial tachycardia, tricuspid atresia and a history of a modified Fontan procedure. The approach of an AV node ablation for palliation in our patient was met with challenges in identification of a His-bundle recording and successful ablation after identification of the His-bundle recording from a left sided approach. Although a left sided approach is feasible, an anatomically guided right sided approach to ablate the compact AV node may be preferred.

Sinus node injury during adjunctive superior vena cava isolation in a patient with triggered atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart arrhythmia. Premature beats arising from foci other than pulmonary veins have been related to its pathogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 64-year-old female underwent superior vena cava (SVC) isolation after triggers were identified originating from the SVC following pulmonary vein isolation; immediately after SVC isolation, she developed junctional rhythm with symptomatic hypotension requiring emergent management. Apical motion abnormalities were noticed in the echocardiography suggesting stress-induced cardiomyopathy which resolved 48 hours later. Although received a dual chamber pacemaker, intact sinus node function returned 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION: Superior vena cava isolation in those with trigger mediated atrial fibrillation following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is performed to enhance long-term outcomes. Sinus node injury has been related previously to this procedure. We present the first case of time course of recovery of sinus node function, injured during SVC isolation.

Mode and Characteristics of Arrhythmia Initiation in Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation: A THESIS Substudy.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information on the mode of arrhythmia initiation in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF). A non-pause-dependent mechanism has been suggested to be the rule. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the mode and characteristics of initiation of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) in patients with short or long-coupled PVT/IVF included in THESIS (THerapy Efficacy in Short or long-coupled idiopathic ventricular fibrillation: an International Survey), a multicenter study involving 287 IVF patients treated with drugs or radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: We reviewed the initiation of 410 episodes of ≥1 PVT triplet in 180 patients (58.3% females; age 39.6 ± 13.6 years) with IVF. The incidence of pause-dependency arrhythmia initiation (prolongation by >20 ms of the preceding cycle length) was assessed. RESULTS: Most arrhythmias (n = 295; 72%) occurred during baseline supraventricular rhythm without ambient premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), whereas 106 (25.9%) occurred during baseline rhythm including PVCs. Nine (2.2%) arrhythmias occurred during atrial/ventricular pacing and were excluded from further analysis. Mode of PVT initiation was pause-dependent in 45 (15.6%) and 64 (60.4%) of instances in the first and second settings, respectively, for a total of 109 of 401 (27.2%). More than one type of pause-dependent and/or non-pause-dependent initiation (mean: 2.6) occurred in 94.4% of patients with ≥4 events. Coupling intervals of initiating PVCs were <350 ms, 350-500 ms, and >500 ms in 76.6%, 20.72%, and 2.7% of arrhythmia initiations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pause-dependent initiation occurred in more than a quarter of arrhythmic episodes in IVF patients. PVCs having long (between 350 and 500 ms) and very long (>500 ms) coupling intervals were observed at the initiation of nearly a quarter of PVT episodes.

The promise of pulsed field ablation and the challenges ahead.

For many years, guidelines have suggested thermal ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Thermal ablation involves the destruction of tissue, leading to multiple complications. This ablation technique has been tried and tested, however, newer techniques are being investigated in order to avoid these complications. Pulsed field ablation, a nonthermal method of tissue ablation, is being explored as a more safe and efficient way to treat atrial fibrillation. This mini review aims to highlight the mechanisms of pulsed field ablation, its history and evolution, previous studies showing its efficacy, its major challenges and pitfalls, and future advancements to overcome these challenges. This method of ablation could potentially revolutionize the treatment of atrial fibrillation and prevent recurrences, thereby making it easier for the physicians and patients involved.

Adverse events in cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation: Insight from the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience.

Background: Real-world clinical data on the adverse events related to the use of cryoballoon catheter for pulmonary vein isolation remains limited. Objective: To report and describe the adverse events related to the use of Artic Front cryoballoon catheters (Arctic Front, Arctic Front Advance, and Arctic Front Advance Pro) reported in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Manufacturers and User Defined Experience (MAUDE) database. Methods: We reviewed all the adverse events reported to the FDA MAUDE database over a 10.7-year study period from January 01, 2011 to September 31, 2021. All events were independently reviewed by two physicians. Results: During the study period, a total of 320 procedural-related adverse events reported in the MAUDE database were identified. The most common adverse event was transient or persistent phrenic nerve palsy (PNP), accounting for 48% of all events. This was followed by cardiac perforation (15%), pulmonary vein stenosis (8%), transient ischemic attack or stroke (6%), vascular injury (4%), transient or persistent ST-elevation myocardial infarction (3%), hemoptysis (2%), pericarditis (2%), and esophageal ulcer or fistula (1%). There were six reported intra-procedural death events as a result of cardiac perforation. Conclusion: The two most common procedural adverse events associated with cryoballoon ablation were PNP and cardiac perforation. All cases of procedural mortality were due to cardiac perforation.

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator noise following left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: The incidence and impact of noise in a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is not well established. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients implanted with LVAD and with a pre-existing S-ICD between January 2005 and December 2020 at the three Mayo Clinic centers (Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida). Results: Of the 908 LVAD patients, a pre-existing S-ICD was present in 9 patients (mean age 49.1 ± 13.7 years, 66.7% males), 100% with Boston Scientific third-generation EMBLEM MRI S-ICD, 11% with HeartMate II (HM II), 44% with HeartMate 3 (HM 3), and 44% with HeartWare (HW) LVAD. The incidence of noise from LVAD-related electromagnetic interference (EMI) was 33% and was only seen with HM 3 LVAD. Multiple measures attempted to resolve noise, including using alternative S-ICD sensing vector, adjusting S-ICD time zone, and increasing LVAD pump speed, were unsuccessful, necessitating S-ICD device therapies to be turned off permanently. Conclusions: The incidence of LVAD-related S-ICD noise is high in patients with concomitant LVAD and S-ICD with significant impact on device function. As conservative management failed to resolve the EMI, the S-ICDs had to be programmed off to avoid inappropriate shocks. This study highlights the importance of awareness of LVAD-SICD device interference and the need to improve S-ICD detection algorithms to eliminate noise.

Causes of Early Mortality After Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of the causes of early mortality after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is an essential step toward improving postprocedural outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the causes of early mortality (≤30 days) after VT ablation in patients with reduced LVEF and to understand further the circumstances surrounding death after the procedure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing VT ablation in patients with reduced LVEF from January 1, 2013, to November 10, 2021, at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville). Causes of death were identified through a detailed chart review of the electronic health record within the Mayo Clinic system and outside records. RESULTS: A total of 503 patients (mean age 63 ± 13 years, 11.2% women) with ejection fraction <50% were included in the study. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 5.0% (n = 25), and the mortality rate due to a procedural complication was 0.4%. Among all 30-day deaths, recurrent VT was the most common primary cause of death (44.0%). This was followed by decompensated heart failure (28.0%), procedure-related death (8.0%), cerebrovascular accident (4.0%), and infection (4.0%). Most patients (91.0%) who died from VT had VT recurrence within 3 days of the ablation. The average PAINESD score among early mortality was 20 ± 4, and 92.0% of these patients (n = 23) had a score >15. Significant predictors of early mortality included nonischemic cardiomyopathy, lower LVEF, electrical storm, and ventricular fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: The overall early mortality (≤30 days) rate after catheter ablation of VT in patients with reduced LVEF was 5.0%, but the death rate directly due to a procedural complication was only 0.4%. The most common cause of death was recurrent VT, followed by heart failure. Further research into ablation strategies is vital to improving the safety, efficacy, and durability of VT ablation.

Interaction of positive airway pressure mask magnets with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate for potential interactions between magnetic positive airway pressure (mPAP) masks and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) for patients with sleep apnea. METHODS: Adult patients with a CIED who used an mPAP mask were recruited from our sleep clinic to undergo a safety visit at our pacemaker clinic. We tested whether the mPAP interacted with the implanted device at home during normal use and in the clinic during simulated normal use and with direct contact. The magnetic field strength of 6 mPAP masks was tested with a gaussmeter. RESULTS: Of 13 patients tested, 1 (8%), wearing a full face mask (ResMed AirFit F30 [ResMed, San Diego, California]), had a magnet response event (interaction) with direct contact, but no interactions were identified during normal or simulated normal use in any patient. The magnetic field strength of the mPAP masks increased the closer the mask got to the CIED, from 0.4 mT (4 G) at the mask manufacturer's recommended 5.1-cm (2-inch) distance from an implanted medical device up to 291 mT (2,910 G) at 0 cm (0 inches; direct contact). CONCLUSIONS: An mPAP mask may interact with a CIED if placed directly on the skin overlying the CIED. The use of Philips Respironics (Philips, Cambridge, Massachusetts) mPAP masks is now contraindicated in patients with a CIED. Until additional studies are conducted to better document the risks and benefits of mPAP masks, we recommend discouraging patients with CIEDs from using any mPAP mask. CITATION: Ruoff CM, Tashman YS, Cheema KPK, et al. Interaction of positive airway pressure mask magnets with cardiac implantable electronic devices. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(5):941-946.

Causes of Early Mortality After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Recognition of the causes of early mortality after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation is essential for the improvement of patient safety. This study sought to determine the causes of early mortality (≤90 days) after AF ablation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of AF ablation from January 1, 2013, to December 1, 2021 at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville). Causes of death were identified through a comprehensive chart review of the electronic health record from within the Mayo Clinic system and outside records when available. RESULTS: A total of 6723 patients were included in the study. The 90-day all-cause mortality rate was 0.22% (n=15). Among all 90-day deaths, majority of the deaths (73.3%) did not have a direct relationship with the procedure. Sudden death was the most common cause of early death (20%), followed by peri-procedural stroke (13%), respiratory failure (13%), atrioesophageal fistula (13%), infection (7%), heart failure (7%), and traumatic brain injury (7%). The 90-day mortality rate directly due to AF ablation procedural complications was 0.06% (n=4). CONCLUSIONS: AF ablation procedure has a 90-day mortality of 0.22%, and the most common cause of early mortality was sudden death. The majority (73.3%) of early mortality was not directly associated with a procedural complication, and the mortality rate due to complications associated with the AF ablation procedure was low at 0.06%. Further studies are required to investigate causes and risk factors associated with sudden death in this patient population.