Endomyocardial biopsy: safety and prognostic utility in paediatric and adult myocarditis in the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis Long-Term Registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Contemporary multicentre data on clinical and diagnostic spectrum and outcome in myocarditis are limited. Study aims were to describe baseline features, 1-year follow-up, and baseline predictors of outcome in clinically suspected or biopsy-proven myocarditis (2013 European Society of Cardiology criteria) in adult and paediatric patients from the EURObservational Research Programme Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis Long-Term Registry. METHODS: Five hundred eighty-one (68.0% male) patients, 493 adults, median age 38 (27-52) years, and 88 children, aged 8 (3-13) years, were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 233), clinically suspected myocarditis with abnormal cardiac magnetic resonance; Group 2 (n = 222), biopsy-proven myocarditis; and Group 3 (n = 126) clinically suspected myocarditis with normal or inconclusive or no cardiac magnetic resonance. Baseline features were analysed overall, in adults vs. children, and among groups. One-year outcome events included death/heart transplantation, ventricular assist device (VAD) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation, and hospitalization for cardiac causes. RESULTS: Endomyocardial biopsy, mainly right ventricular, had a similarly low complication rate in children and adults (4.7% vs. 4.9%, P = NS), with no procedure-related death. A classical myocarditis pattern on cardiac magnetic resonance was found in 31.3% of children and in 57.9% of adults with biopsy-proven myocarditis (P < .001). At 1-year follow-up, 11/410 patients (2.7%) died, 7 (1.7%) received a heart transplant, 3 underwent VAD (0.7%), and 16 (3.9%) underwent ICD implantation. Independent predictors at diagnosis of death or heart transplantation or hospitalization or VAD implantation or ICD implantation at 1-year follow-up were lower left ventricular ejection fraction and the need for immunosuppressants for new myocarditis diagnosis refractory to non-aetiology-driven therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Endomyocardial biopsy was safe, and cardiac magnetic resonance using Lake Louise criteria was less sensitive, particularly in children. Virus-negative lymphocytic myocarditis was predominant both in children and adults, and use of immunosuppressive treatments was low. Lower left ventricular ejection fraction and the need for immunosuppressants at diagnosis were independent predictors of unfavourable outcome events at 1 year.

Use, misuse, and pitfalls of the drug challenge test in the diagnosis of the Brugada syndrome.

The diagnosis of Brugada syndrome (BrS) requires the presence of a coved (Type 1) ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads of the electrocardiogram (ECG). The dynamic nature of the ECG is well known, and in patients with suspected BrS but non-diagnostic ECG at baseline, a sodium channel blocker test (SCBT) is routinely used to unmask BrS. There is little doubt, however, that in asymptomatic patients, a drug-induced Brugada pattern is associated with a much better prognosis compared to a spontaneous Type 1 ECG. The SCBT is also increasingly used to delineate the arrhythmogenic substrate during ablation studies. In the absence of a "gold standard" for the diagnosis of BrS, sensitivity and specificity of the SCBT remain elusive. By studying patient groups with different underlying diseases, it has become clear that the specificity of the test may not be optimal. This review aims to discuss the pitfalls of the SCBT and provides some directions in whom and when to perform the test. It is concluded that because of the debated specificity and the overall very low risk for future events in asymptomatic individuals, patients should be properly selected and counseled before SCBT is performed and that SCBT should not be performed in asymptomatic patients with a Type 2 Brugada pattern and no family history of BrS or sudden death.

Dielectrophoresis microbial characterization and isolation of Staphylococcus aureus based on optimum crossover frequency.

Characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a significant concern that persists for the rapid classification and analysis of the bacteria. A technology that utilizes the manipulation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is key to solving the significant threat of these pathogenic bacteria by rapid characterization profile. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) can differentiate between antibiotic-resistant and susceptible bacteria based on their physical structure and polarization properties. In this work, the DEP response of two Gram-positive bacteria, namely, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), was investigated and simulated. The DEP characterization was experimentally observed on the bacteria influenced by oxacillin and vancomycin antibiotics. MSSA control without antibiotics has crossover frequencies ( f x 0 ${f_{x0}}$ ) from 6 to 8 MHz, whereas MRSA control is from 2 to 3 MHz. The f x 0 ${f_{x0}}$ changed when bacteria were exposed to the antibiotic. As for MSSA, the f x 0 ${f_{x0}}$ decreased to 3.35 MHz compared to f x 0 ${f_{x0}}$ MSSA control without antibiotics, MRSA, f x 0 ${f_{x0}}$ increased to 7 MHz when compared to MRSA control. The changes in the DEP response of MSSA and MRSA with and without antibiotics were theoretically proven using MyDEP and COMSOL simulation and experimentally based on the modification to the bacteria cell walls. Thus, the DEP response can be employed as a label-free detectable method to sense and differentiate between resistant and susceptible strains with different antibiotic profiles. The developed method can be implemented on a single platform to analyze and identify bacteria for rapid, scalable, and accurate characterization.

Long-term safety and efficacy of risankizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: Interim analysis of the LIMMitless open-label extension trial up to 5 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease often requiring long-term therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of risankizumab in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: LIMMitless is an ongoing phase 3, open-label extension study evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of continuous risankizumab 150 mg every 12 weeks for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis following multiple phase 2/3 base studies. This interim analysis assessed safety (ie, monitored treatment-emergent adverse events [TEAEs]) through 304 weeks. Efficacy assessments included determining the proportion of patients who achieved ≥90% or 100% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90/100), static Physician's Global Assessment of clear/almost clear (sPGA 0/1), and Dermatology Life Quality Index of no effect on patient's life (DLQI 0/1) through 256 weeks. RESULTS: Among 897 patients randomized to risankizumab in the base studies, 706 were still ongoing at data cutoff. Rates of TEAEs, TEAEs leading to discontinuation, and TEAEs of safety interest were low. At week 256, 85.1%/52.3% of patients achieved PASI 90/100, respectively, 85.8% achieved sPGA 0/1, and 76.4% achieved DLQI 0/1. LIMITATIONS: Open-label study with no placebo or active-comparator group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term continuous risankizumab treatment for up to 5 years was well tolerated and demonstrated high and durable efficacy.

Evaluation of gene validity for CPVT and short QT syndrome in sudden arrhythmic death.

AIMS: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and short QT syndrome (SQTS) are inherited arrhythmogenic disorders that can cause sudden death. Numerous genes have been reported to cause these conditions, but evidence supporting these gene-disease relationships varies considerably. To ensure appropriate utilization of genetic information for CPVT and SQTS patients, we applied an evidence-based reappraisal of previously reported genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three teams independently curated all published evidence for 11 CPVT and 9 SQTS implicated genes using the ClinGen gene curation framework. The results were reviewed by a Channelopathy Expert Panel who provided the final classifications. Seven genes had definitive to moderate evidence for disease causation in CPVT, with either autosomal dominant (RYR2, CALM1, CALM2, CALM3) or autosomal recessive (CASQ2, TRDN, TECRL) inheritance. Three of the four disputed genes for CPVT (KCNJ2, PKP2, SCN5A) were deemed by the Expert Panel to be reported for phenotypes that were not representative of CPVT, while reported variants in a fourth gene (ANK2) were too common in the population to be disease-causing. For SQTS, only one gene (KCNH2) was classified as definitive, with three others (KCNQ1, KCNJ2, SLC4A3) having strong to moderate evidence. The majority of genetic evidence for SQTS genes was derived from very few variants (five in KCNJ2, two in KCNH2, one in KCNQ1/SLC4A3). CONCLUSIONS: Seven CPVT and four SQTS genes have valid evidence for disease causation and should be included in genetic testing panels. Additional genes associated with conditions that may mimic clinical features of CPVT/SQTS have potential utility for differential diagnosis.

Importance of exercise stress testing in evaluation of unexplained cardiac arrest survivor.

BACKGROUND: In sudden cardiac arrest survivors without an immediately identifiable cause, additional extensive yet individualised testing is required. METHODS: We describe 3 survivors of sudden cardiac arrest in whom exercise stress testing was not performed during the initial hospital admission. RESULTS: All 3 patients were incorrectly diagnosed with long QT syndrome based on temporary sudden cardiac arrest-related heart rate-corrected QT interval prolongation, and exercise stress testing was not performed during the initial work-up. When they were subjected to exercise stress testing during follow-up, a delayed diagnosis of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) was made. As a result, these patients were initially managed inappropriately, and their family members were initially not screened for CPVT. CONCLUSION: In sudden cardiac arrest survivors without an immediately identifiable cause, omission of exercise stress testing or erroneous interpretation of the results can lead to a delayed or missed diagnosis of CPVT, which may have considerable implications for survivors and their family.

KBTBD13 is a novel cardiomyopathy gene.

KBTBD13 variants cause nemaline myopathy type 6 (NEM6). The majority of NEM6 patients harbors the Dutch founder variant, c.1222C>T, p.Arg408Cys (KBTBD13 p.R408C). Although KBTBD13 is expressed in cardiac muscle, cardiac involvement in NEM6 is unknown. Here, we constructed pedigrees of three families with the KBTBD13 p.R408C variant. In 65 evaluated patients, 12% presented with left ventricle dilatation, 29% with left ventricular ejection fraction< 50%, 8% with atrial fibrillation, 9% with ventricular tachycardia, and 20% with repolarization abnormalities. Five patients received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, three cases of sudden cardiac death were reported. Linkage analysis confirmed cosegregation of the KBTBD13 p.R408C variant with the cardiac phenotype. Mouse studies revealed that (1) mice harboring the Kbtbd13 p.R408C variant display mild diastolic dysfunction; (2) Kbtbd13-deficient mice have systolic dysfunction. Hence, (1) KBTBD13 is associated with cardiac dysfunction and cardiomyopathy; (2) KBTBD13 should be added to the cardiomyopathy gene panel; (3) NEM6 patients should be referred to the cardiologist.

Deep phenotyping of two preclinical mouse models and a cohort of RBM20 mutation carriers reveals no sex-dependent disease severity in RBM20 cardiomyopathy.

RBM20 cardiomyopathy is an arrhythmogenic form of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by mutations in the splicing factor RBM20. A recent study found a more severe phenotype in male patients with RBM20 cardiomyopathy patients than in female patients. Here, we aim to determine sex differences in an animal model of RBM20 cardiomyopathy and investigate potential underlying mechanisms. In addition, we aim to determine sex and gender differences in clinical parameters in a novel RBM20 cardiomyopathy patient cohort. We characterized an Rbm20 knockout (KO) mouse model, and show that splicing of key RBM20 targets, cardiac function, and arrhythmia susceptibility do not differ between sexes. Next, we performed deep phenotyping of these mice, and show that male and female Rbm20-KO mice possess transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic differences. Hypothesizing that these differences may influence the heart's ability to compensate for stress, we exposed Rbm20-KO mice to acute catecholaminergic stimulation and again found no functional differences. We also replicate the lack of functional differences in a mouse model with the Rbm20-R636Q mutation. Lastly, we present a patient cohort of 33 RBM20 cardiomyopathy patients and show that these patients do not possess sex and gender differences in disease severity. Current mouse models of RBM20 cardiomyopathy show more pronounced changes in gene expression and phosphorylation of cardiac proteins in male mice, but no sex differences in cardiac morphology and function. Moreover, other than reported before, male RBM20 cardiomyopathy patients do not present with worse cardiac function in a patient cohort from Germany and the Netherlands.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Optimal management of the cardiac disease is increasingly personalized, partly because of differences in outcomes between sexes. RBM20 cardiomyopathy has been described to be more severe in male patients, and this carries the risk that male patients are more scrutinized in the clinic than female patients. Our findings do not support this observation and suggest that treatment should not differ between male and female RBM20 cardiomyopathy patients, but instead should focus on the underlying disease mechanism.

Right ventricular peak systolic free wall longitudinal strain as a practical tool to detect right ventricular dysfunction in acute myocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute myocarditis is one of the etiologies of acute heart failure, chronic dilated cardiomyopathy, and cardiac mortality. The extent of right ventricular (RV) involvement and its impact on the course of the disease have been scarcely studied. This study aimed to evaluate both the prevalence of RV dysfunction in acute myocarditis and echocardiographic measures as a diagnostic tool for RV dysfunction compared with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) findings. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients with a definite or probable acute myocarditis diagnosis based on the Lake Louise criteria in CMR and evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiographic measures in predicting RV dysfunction in CMR. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 71 patients, including 54 men (76%), at a median (Q1-Q3) age of 33 (26-46) years. CMR detected RV dysfunction in 53.5% of the patients. The RV free wall peak systolic longitudinal strain showed the highest correlation (r = -.786, p < .001) and area under the curve (.919) with the RV ejection fraction in CMR, followed by the RV global peak systolic longitudinal strain and the RV fractional area change. The RV-free wall peak systolic longitudinal strain had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 73% for the diagnosis of RV dysfunction in myocarditis. A cutoff value of -17.9% was 100% specific for RV systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography, as a readily available tool, was predictive of and had acceptable accuracy for RV dysfunction in acute myocarditis compared with CMR.

An International, Multicentered, Evidence-Based Reappraisal of Genes Reported to Cause Congenital Long QT Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is the first described and most common inherited arrhythmia. Over the last 25 years, multiple genes have been reported to cause this condition and are routinely tested in patients. Because of dramatic changes in our understanding of human genetic variation, reappraisal of reported genetic causes for LQTS is required. METHODS: Utilizing an evidence-based framework, 3 gene curation teams blinded to each other's work scored the level of evidence for 17 genes reported to cause LQTS. A Clinical Domain Channelopathy Working Group provided a final classification of these genes for causation of LQTS after assessment of the evidence scored by the independent curation teams. RESULTS: Of 17 genes reported as being causative for LQTS, 9 (AKAP9, ANK2, CAV3, KCNE1, KCNE2, KCNJ2, KCNJ5, SCN4B, SNTA1) were classified as having limited or disputed evidence as LQTS-causative genes. Only 3 genes (KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A) were curated as definitive genes for typical LQTS. Another 4 genes (CALM1, CALM2, CALM3, TRDN) were found to have strong or definitive evidence for causality in LQTS with atypical features, including neonatal atrioventricular block. The remaining gene (CACNA1C) had moderate level evidence for causing LQTS. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the genes reported as causing LQTS have limited or disputed evidence to support their disease causation. Genetic variants in these genes should not be used for clinical decision-making, unless accompanied by new and sufficient genetic evidence. The findings of insufficient evidence to support gene-disease associations may extend to other disciplines of medicine and warrants a contemporary evidence-based evaluation for previously reported disease-causing genes to ensure their appropriate use in precision medicine.

Enhancing rare variant interpretation in inherited arrhythmias through quantitative analysis of consortium disease cohorts and population controls.

PURPOSE: Stringent variant interpretation guidelines can lead to high rates of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) for genetically heterogeneous disease like long QT syndrome (LQTS) and Brugada syndrome (BrS). Quantitative and disease-specific customization of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines can address this false negative rate. METHODS: We compared rare variant frequencies from 1847 LQTS (KCNQ1/KCNH2/SCN5A) and 3335 BrS (SCN5A) cases from the International LQTS/BrS Genetics Consortia to population-specific gnomAD data and developed disease-specific criteria for ACMG/AMP evidence classes-rarity (PM2/BS1 rules) and case enrichment of individual (PS4) and domain-specific (PM1) variants. RESULTS: Rare SCN5A variant prevalence differed between European (20.8%) and Japanese (8.9%) BrS patients (p = 5.7 × 10-18) and diagnosis with spontaneous (28.7%) versus induced (15.8%) Brugada type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) (p = 1.3 × 10-13). Ion channel transmembrane regions and specific N-terminus (KCNH2) and C-terminus (KCNQ1/KCNH2) domains were characterized by high enrichment of case variants and >95% probability of pathogenicity. Applying the customized rules, 17.4% of European BrS and 74.8% of European LQTS cases had (likely) pathogenic variants, compared with estimated diagnostic yields (case excess over gnomAD) of 19.2%/82.1%, reducing VUS prevalence to close to background rare variant frequency. CONCLUSION: Large case-control data sets enable quantitative implementation of ACMG/AMP guidelines and increased sensitivity for inherited arrhythmia genetic testing.

The ß-angle can help guide clinical decisions in the diagnostic work-up of patients suspected of Brugada syndrome: a validation study of the ß-angle in determining the outcome of a sodium channel provocation test.

AIMS: In patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) but without spontaneous Type-1 electrocardiogram, several electrocardiographic characteristics have been studied, including the ß-angle. Previous studies suggested that the ß-angle might be useful in distinguishing BrS-patients from patients with only suggestive repolarization patterns without performing sodium channel blocker provocation testing. In this study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic value of the ß-angle in patients suspected of BrS. METHODS AND RESULTS: A large cohort (n = 1430) of consecutive patients who underwent provocation testing was evaluated. ß-angles were measured in leads V1, V2, and their corresponding positions over the second and third intercostal space. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed and the diagnostic accuracy of previously reported ß-angle cut-offs were calculated and evaluated. The importance of the ß-angle for predicting the provocation test outcome was determined using a prediction model constructed with logistic regression. The optimum ß-angle cut-off in our cohort for ruling out a positive provocation test was 15°; sensitivities were 80-98% and negative predictive values were 79-96% among the right precordial leads. Previously reported ß-angle cut-offs performed less well, indicated by lower Youden indices. In the optimism-corrected prediction model [C-statistic: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.81)], the ß-angle had large value (Z-score: 2.1-10.3) and aided construction of a nomogram to predict test outcome. CONCLUSION: To predict the outcome of provocation testing for BrS, the ß-angle alone does not demonstrate strong diagnostic characteristics. However, the ß-angle is an important variable to predict provocation test outcome and thus has added value.

Nanoscale Technologies for Prevention and Treatment of Heart Failure: Challenges and Opportunities.

The adult myocardium has a limited regenerative capacity following heart injury, and the lost cells are primarily replaced by fibrotic scar tissue. Suboptimal efficiency of current clinical therapies to resurrect the infarcted heart results in injured heart enlargement and remodeling to maintain its physiological functions. These remodeling processes ultimately leads to ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF). Recent therapeutic approaches (e.g., regenerative and nanomedicine) have shown promise to prevent HF postmyocardial infarction in animal models. However, these preclinical, clinical, and technological advancements have yet to yield substantial enhancements in the survival rate and quality of life of patients with severe ischemic injuries. This could be attributed largely to the considerable gap in knowledge between clinicians and nanobioengineers. Development of highly effective cardiac regenerative therapies requires connecting and coordinating multiple fields, including cardiology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and chemistry, and mechanical and materials sciences, among others. This review is particularly intended to bridge the knowledge gap between cardiologists and regenerative nanomedicine experts. Establishing this multidisciplinary knowledge base may help pave the way for developing novel, safer, and more effective approaches that will enable the medical community to reduce morbidity and mortality in HF patients.

Central Nervous System and Cardiac Involvement in the Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: A Case Report.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare entity and heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by hypereosinophilia and organ involvement. In this study, we presented a 49-year-old woman with cardiac tamponade in the context of Hypereosinophilic syndrome. Identifying hypereosinophilia as the underlying cause can have tremendous clinical implications for rapid initiation of appropriate treatment to minimize further end organ damage.

Effect of Intermediate-Dose vs Standard-Dose Prophylactic Anticoagulation on Thrombotic Events, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment, or Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: The INSPIRATION Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Thrombotic events are commonly reported in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Limited data exist to guide the intensity of antithrombotic prophylaxis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of intermediate-dose vs standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter randomized trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design performed in 10 academic centers in Iran comparing intermediate-dose vs standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation (first hypothesis) and statin therapy vs matching placebo (second hypothesis; not reported in this article) among adult patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Patients were recruited between July 29, 2020, and November 19, 2020. The final follow-up date for the 30-day primary outcome was December 19, 2020. Interventions: Intermediate-dose (enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg daily) (n = 276) vs standard prophylactic anticoagulation (enoxaparin, 40 mg daily) (n = 286), with modification according to body weight and creatinine clearance. The assigned treatments were planned to be continued until completion of 30-day follow-up. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mortality within 30 days, assessed in randomized patients who met the eligibility criteria and received at least 1 dose of the assigned treatment. Prespecified safety outcomes included major bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (type 3 or 5 definition), powered for noninferiority (a noninferiority margin of 1.8 based on odds ratio), and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20 ×103/µL). All outcomes were blindly adjudicated. Results: Among 600 randomized patients, 562 (93.7%) were included in the primary analysis (median [interquartile range] age, 62 [50-71] years; 237 [42.2%] women). The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 126 patients (45.7%) in the intermediate-dose group and 126 patients (44.1%) in the standard-dose prophylaxis group (absolute risk difference, 1.5% [95% CI, -6.6% to 9.8%]; odds ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.76-1.48]; P = .70). Major bleeding occurred in 7 patients (2.5%) in the intermediate-dose group and 4 patients (1.4%) in the standard-dose prophylaxis group (risk difference, 1.1% [1-sided 97.5% CI, -∞ to 3.4%]; odds ratio, 1.83 [1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.00-5.93]), not meeting the noninferiority criteria (P for noninferiority >.99). Severe thrombocytopenia occurred only in patients assigned to the intermediate-dose group (6 vs 0 patients; risk difference, 2.2% [95% CI, 0.4%-3.8%]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19, intermediate-dose prophylactic anticoagulation, compared with standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation, did not result in a significant difference in the primary outcome of a composite of adjudicated venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mortality within 30 days. These results do not support the routine empirical use of intermediate-dose prophylactic anticoagulation in unselected patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04486508.

Left Axis Deviation in Brugada Syndrome: Vectorcardiographic Evaluation during Ajmaline Provocation Testing Reveals Additional Depolarization Abnormalities.

Patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) can show a leftward deviation of the frontal QRS-axis upon provocation with sodium channel blockers. The cause of this axis change is unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine (1) the prevalence of this left axis deviation and (2) to evaluate its cause, using the insights that could be derived from vectorcardiograms. Hence, from a large cohort of patients who underwent ajmaline provocation testing (n = 1430), we selected patients in whom a type-1 BrS-ECG was evoked (n = 345). Depolarization and repolarization parameters were analyzed for reconstructed vectorcardiograms and were compared between patients with and without a >30° leftward axis shift. We found (1) that the prevalence of a left axis deviation during provocation testing was 18% and (2) that this left axis deviation was not explained by terminal conduction slowing in the right ventricular outflow tract (4th QRS-loop quartile: +17 ± 14 ms versus +13 ± 15 ms, nonsignificant) but was associated with a more proximal conduction slowing (1st QRS-loop quartile: +12[8;18] ms versus +8[4;12] ms, p < 0.001 and 3rd QRS-loop quartile: +12 ± 10 ms versus +5 ± 7 ms, p < 0.001). There was no important heterogeneity of the action potential morphology (no difference in the ventricular gradient), but a left axis deviation did result in a discordant repolarization (spatial QRS-T angle: 122[59;147]° versus 44[25;91]°, p < 0.001). Thus, although the development of the type-1 BrS-ECG is characterized by a terminal conduction delay in the right ventricle, BrS-patients with a left axis deviation upon sodium channel blocker provocation have an additional proximal conduction slowing, which is associated with a subsequent discordant repolarization. Whether this has implications for risk stratification is still undetermined.

Rivaroxaban in patients undergoing surgical mitral valve repair.

In patients undergoing mitral valve repair (MVre), a 3-month course of anticoagulation is currently recommended. The role of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants has here been scarcely studied. In the present mixed cohort study, the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban (prospective analysis) were compared with those of warfarin (retrospective analysis) in patients undergoing MVre. Anticoagulation therapy was continued for at least 3 months, and the patients were followed for 1 year following surgery. The present study recruited 736 patients undergoing MVre with or without concomitant coronary artery bypass or surgical repair on the other valves. Concomitant valvular replacement and severe chronic kidney diseases were the most important exclusion criteria. The final analysis was conducted on 153 patients treated with rivaroxaban and 144 patients treated with warfarin. Dissimilarities in baseline characteristics necessitated propensity score matching, in which 104 patients in each group were compared. No major bleeding or cerebrovascular accident occurred during the 1-year follow-up. Clinically relevant non-major bleeding was reported in 2 patients in the rivaroxaban group and 4 patients in the warfarin group, a difference non-statistically significant before and after propensity score matching (P = 0.371 and P = 0.407, respectively). The type of anticoagulation did not predict the 1-year outcome (HR 2.165, 95% CI 0.376 to 12.460; P = 0.387). In this mixed cohort study, rivaroxaban was both safe and efficient in patients with MVre. Such preliminary results should prompt larger randomized controlled trials.

Predicting cardiac electrical response to sodium-channel blockade and Brugada syndrome using polygenic risk scores.

AIMS: Sodium-channel blockers (SCBs) are associated with arrhythmia, but variability of cardiac electrical response remains unexplained. We sought to identify predictors of ajmaline-induced PR and QRS changes and Type I Brugada syndrome (BrS) electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 1368 patients that underwent ajmaline infusion for suspected BrS, we performed measurements of 26 721 ECGs, dose-response mixed modelling and genotyping. We calculated polygenic risk scores (PRS) for PR interval (PRSPR), QRS duration (PRSQRS), and Brugada syndrome (PRSBrS) derived from published genome-wide association studies and used regression analysis to identify predictors of ajmaline dose related PR change (slope) and QRS slope. We derived and validated using bootstrapping a predictive model for ajmaline-induced Type I BrS ECG. Higher PRSPR, baseline PR, and female sex are associated with more pronounced PR slope, while PRSQRS and age are positively associated with QRS slope (P < 0.01 for all). PRSBrS, baseline QRS duration, presence of Type II or III BrS ECG at baseline, and family history of BrS are independently associated with the occurrence of a Type I BrS ECG, with good predictive accuracy (optimism-corrected C-statistic 0.74). CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that genetic factors underlie the variability of cardiac electrical response to SCB. PRSBrS, family history, and a baseline ECG can predict the development of a diagnostic drug-induced Type I BrS ECG with clinically relevant accuracy. These findings could lead to the use of PRS in the diagnosis of BrS and, if confirmed in population studies, to identify patients at risk for toxicity when given SCB.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Health and Quality of Life of Heart Transplant Candidates.

The heart transplantation is a stressful event, and its waiting time is often associated with worsening of clinical conditions and deterioration of the patient's quality of life. Spirituality plays an important role in mental health, so the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between spiritual health and quality of life of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation. The present descriptive study was performed on 48 patients undergoing cardiac transplantation at the Shahid Rajaee Cardiovascular Center in Tehran during the first half of 2016. The data were collected by Ellisan-Palutzian Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and Iranian Heart Failure Quality of Life Questionnaire (IHF-QOL). We used the SPSS v.20 software to analyze the data via descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric correlation and regression tests. The majority of patients (60.4%) had high spiritual health with a median score of 105, and its religious dimension was reported better (P < 0.001 and r = 0.591). With a mean of 63.23 ± 23.25, the quality of life of the majority of patients (75%) was at a poor level based on the Minnesota questionnaire. According to the IHF-QOL, the median total score was 39.50. There was a significant relationship between spiritual health score and quality of life in both questionnaires (MLHFQ: P = 0.006 and r = - 394; IHF-QOL: P = 0.022 and r = 0.329). Considering the positive relationship between spiritual health and quality of life of patients in this study, it is recommended to implement spiritual care and provide fulfillment for various needs of patients along with other medical care services.

RBM20 Mutations Induce an Arrhythmogenic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Related to Disturbed Calcium Handling.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in RBM20 (RNA-binding motif protein 20) cause a clinically aggressive form of dilated cardiomyopathy, with an increased risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. RBM20 is a splicing factor that targets multiple pivotal cardiac genes, such as Titin (TTN) and CAMK2D (calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II delta). Aberrant TTN splicing is thought to be the main determinant of RBM20-induced dilated cardiomyopathy, but is not likely to explain the increased risk of arrhythmias. Here, we investigated the extent to which RBM20 mutation carriers have an increased risk of arrhythmias and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: We compared clinical characteristics of RBM20 and TTN mutation carriers and used our previously generated Rbm20 knockout (KO) mice to investigate downstream effects of Rbm20-dependent splicing. Cellular electrophysiology and Ca2+ measurements were performed on isolated cardiomyocytes from Rbm20 KO mice to determine the intracellular consequences of reduced Rbm20 levels. RESULTS: Sustained ventricular arrhythmias were more frequent in human RBM20 mutation carriers than in TTN mutation carriers (44% versus 5%, respectively, P=0.006). Splicing events that affected Ca2+- and ion-handling genes were enriched in Rbm20 KO mice, most notably in the genes CamkIIδ and RyR2. Aberrant splicing of CamkIIδ in Rbm20 KO mice resulted in a remarkable shift of CamkIIδ toward the δ-A isoform that is known to activate the L-type Ca2+ current ( ICa,L). In line with this, we found an increased ICa,L, intracellular Ca2+ overload and increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content in Rbm20 KO myocytes. In addition, not only complete loss of Rbm20, but also heterozygous loss of Rbm20 increased spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ releases, which could be attenuated by treatment with the ICa,L antagonist verapamil. CONCLUSIONS: We show that loss of Rbm20 disturbs Ca2+ handling and leads to more proarrhythmic Ca2+ releases from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Patients that carry a pathogenic RBM20 mutation have more ventricular arrhythmias despite a similar left ventricular function, in comparison with patients with a TTN mutation. Our experimental data suggest that RBM20 mutation carriers may benefit from treatment with an ICa,L blocker to reduce their arrhythmia burden.