Safety concern with electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response.

Rhythm control strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can bring many clinical benefits. However, there is still uncertainty regarding selection of the optimal rhythm control strategy for persistent AF. Chronicity, substrate alteration, and underlying bradyarrhythmias could influence the clinical outcomes. Current guidelines do not provide a distinct recommendation for electrical cardioversion (ECV) in patients with AF with a slow ventricular response (SVR). We present two cases of sudden cardiac arrest due to sustained ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation after ECV of persistent AF with SVR.

Extension of catheter ablation and outcome for ventricular tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions from the right ventricular outflow tract.

Objective We aimed to determine whether the extension of ablation could influence the ablation outcome for ventricular tachycardia (VT)/premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Methods and results The radiofrequency catheter ablation results of 33 VT/6 frequent PVCs from the RVOT were analysed. The ablation extension was divided into 3 categories from the final successful ablation point with the earliest activation: (I) focal ablation (15 cases); ablation at 1 or 2 points; (II) focal with extended ablation (12 cases); focal and surrounding area ablation (maximum ≤1 cm) after elimination of clinical VT/PVCs; and (III) broad ablation (12 cases); continued broad ablation (maximum >1 cm) after elimination of clinical VT/PVCs. Acute termination was defined as the complete elimination and non-inducibility of clinical VT/PVCs during the procedure. For the mean follow-up of 12.8 months, the recurrence rate was not significantly different among the groups (P = 0.49). The mean procedure time was longer in group II, but ablation times and complication rates were not different among the groups. When acute termination was achieved, the overall recurrence rate was 7.6%. However, when confirming absence of the clinical VT/PVCs using 24-hour Holter monitoring immediately after the procedure, the recurrence rate was 2.7%. Conclusions Ablation extension did not affect ablation outcome of VT/PVCs from the RVOT. Confirmation of absence of clinical VT/PVCs using 24-hour Holter monitoring immediately after the procedure could guarantee long-term success.

Initial Total Bilirubin and Clinical Outcome in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stents.

BACKGROUND: Total bilirubin (TB) concentration is inversely associated with stable coronary artery disease, but there have been few studies on initial TB in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1,111 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) were divided into a high TB group (n=295) and a low TB group (n=816) according to the optimal cut-off 0.79 mg/dl. The high TB group had a higher rate of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal MI, and definite/probable stent thrombosis (14.2% vs. 4.2%, P<0.001) and cardiac death (13.9% vs. 3.9%, P<0.001) compared with the low TB group. The 30-day MACE-free survival rate was also significantly different between the groups (P<0.001, log-rank test). On multivariate Cox regression, initial high TB was a significant predictor of in-hospital MACE (HR, 2.69; 95% CI: 1.67-4.34, P=0.010) and of cardiac death (HR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.67-4.44, P=0.012). Adding initial TB to TIMI risk score significantly improved prediction for in-hospital MACE according to net reclassification improvement (NRI=5.2%, P=0.040) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI=0.027, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Initial TB is a powerful prognostic marker, and inclusion of this can improve prediction of in-hospital MACE in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI with DES. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1437-1444).

Acquired Large Calcified Unruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm.

Acquired aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare. They are caused by infections such as tuberculosis, syphilis and endocarditis, as well as atherosclerosis and traumatic injury. They may be asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. We present a rare case of a large acquired calcified unruptured aneurysm of the right coronary sinus of Valsalva that was compressing the right ventricular outflow tract.

Spironolactone lowers the rate of repeat revascularization in acute myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: We sought to assess the effect of the aldosterone receptor blocker, spironolactone, on 1-year clinical outcomes in all-comers with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: A total of 10,309 AMI patients were recruited between November 2005 and April 2008 from a nationwide AMI registry in Korea. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those treated with spironolactone (n = 720; 7.0%) and those who had not been treated at discharge. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as the composite of death from any cause, recurrent AMI, or repeat revascularization at 1 year after admission. RESULTS: The spironolactone group had a greater number of comorbidities than the nonspironolactone group. There was no significant association between the spironolactone treatment and MACE at 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.72-1.24, P = .69) in the overall population. The risks of death from any cause, cardiac death, and recurrent AMI were also similar between the groups. However, patients who received spironolactone had a lower risk of repeat revascularization than did those who did not receive spironolactone (adjusted HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.86, P = .007). Of guideline-eligible patients (n = 821/10,309; 8.0%), 170 (20.7%) of 821 patients received a spironolactone at hospital discharge. When limited to the guideline-eligible patients' population, a statistical trend toward lower MACE was observed in patients treated with spironolactone (14.3% vs 13.7%, adjusted HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.37-1.10, P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: All-comer AMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention who received spironolactone had a lower risk of repeat revascularization. Randomized trials are needed.

Comparison of the axillary venous approach and subclavian venous approach for efficacy of permanent pacemaker implantation. 8-Year follow-up results.

BACKGROUND: Long-term data on lead complication rates are limited for both the axillary and subclavian venous approaches for permanent pacemaker implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, nonrandomized comparison. We reviewed the patients who had consented to receiving a permanent pacemaker implant. A superficial landmark or radiographic contrast guiding was used for the axillary venous approach, whereas conventional landmarks were used for the subclavian venous approach. From January 1992 to December 2005, we analyzed 1,161 permanent pacemaker leads in 655 patients [subclavian venous approach (group I: 338 patients, 542 leads) and axillary venous approach (group II: 317 patients, 619 leads)]. Baseline characteristics of the patients did not differ. However, DDD-pacemakers and atrial leads were used more often in group II than in group I (94% vs. 62% and 49% vs. 40%, P<0.01). During the 8-year follow-up, lead complication rates were lower in group II (17 leads, 3%) than in group I (31 leads, 6%) (P=0.03), and group II had a better complication-free survival curve than group I with a 49% relative risk reduction in lead complication rates (hazard ratio =0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.94; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The axillary venous approach for permanent pacemaker implantation has better long-term efficacy and lower lead complication rates than the subclavian venous approach.

Congenital partial defect of the left pericardium presenting as chest pain.

Congenital pericardial defect is a rare cardiac defect with variable clinical presentations. It is usually an unexpected finding during cardiac surgery or autopsy. The clinical detection of congenital absence of pericardium is important because of its life-threatening complications such as fatal myocardial strangulation, myocardial ischaemia and sudden death. We present a patient with the incidental finding of left-sided partial defect of the pericardium during evaluation of chest pain.

A large pericardial cyst compressing the left atrium presenting as a pericardiopleural efussion.

Pericardial cysts are rare congenital abnormalities with a reported incidence rate of 1:100,000, accounting for about 7.6% of all mediastinal masses. These cysts frequently occur in the right cardiophrenic angle and their diagnosis is usually suspected after an abnormal chest X-ray is obtained. Herein, we present a case of pericardial cyst compressing the left atrium complicated by a pericardial effusion and pleural effusion in a 62 year-old man with chest discomfort and dyspnoea. After the pericardial cyst was surgically removed, the histopathological examination revealed an inflamed pericardial cyst lined with mesothelial cells.

Concurrent spontaneous coronary dissection and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome during postnatal care.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) are rare conditions that may occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The coexistence of both diseases may pose a risk to patients, potentially resulting in a variety of complications and clinical manifestations. This is considered the first case of a patient who successfully recovered from a critical condition in the postpartum period, with contemporaneous SCAD and RCVS. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old female with no known medical history was referred to the emergency department after experiencing cardiac arrest, which occurred 1 week after giving birth to her third child. She complained of sudden anterior squeezing chest pain, accompanied by a headache, and eventually collapsed due to ventricular fibrillation with seizure. She was successfully resuscitated after receiving basic life support. She showed an alert mentality and did not experience any further seizure events or additional neurological symptoms. Although vital sign remained stable, the level of highly sensitive troponin I was significantly elevated. Electrocardiography revealed sinus rhythm with T-wave inversion at V1-4, while chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated severe aspiration pneumonia. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to a high requirement of O2 supply. A consultation with the neurologic department and a brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were conducted for the thunderclap headache. The brain MRA demonstrated stenosis in the basilar artery, the right M2 segment, and bilateral A1 segments, along with sulcal hyperintensity on post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) suggesting blood-brain barrier breakdown due to vasoconstriction. Formal echocardiography showed regional wall motion abnormality in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) territory. After the improvement of pneumonia, a coronary angiography was performed, revealing diffuse luminal narrowing from the mid to distal LAD due to a long segmental, extensive dissection. We decided to maintain the medical therapy. A follow-up coronary CT angiography performed 6 months later revealed complete remission of the dissected coronary vessel, and a brain MRA checked 3 months later showed resolved vasoconstriction of the relevant cerebral vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The physicians must be aware of pregnancy-associated complications in certain patients. Clear diagnoses and proper treatments are required in pregnant patients who may be exposed to multiple acute conditions, in order to reduce complications and achieve favorable outcomes.

Distal Radial Access for Coronary Procedures in a Large Prospective Multicenter Registry: The KODRA Trial.

BACKGROUND: Distal radial access (DRA) as an alternative access route lacks evidence, despite its recent reputation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of DRA on the basis of daily practice. METHODS: The KODRA (Korean Prospective Registry for Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Distal Radial Approach) trial was a prospective multicenter registry conducted at 14 hospitals between September 2019 and September 2021. The primary endpoints were the success rates of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The secondary endpoints included successful distal radial artery puncture, access-site crossover, access site-related complications, bleeding events, and predictors of puncture failure. RESULTS: A total of 4,977 among 5,712 screened patients were recruited after the exclusion of 735 patients. The primary endpoints, the success rates of CAG and PCI via DRA, were 100% and 98.8%, respectively, among successful punctures of the distal radial artery (94.4%). Access-site crossover occurred in 333 patients (6.7%). The rates of distal radial artery occlusion and radial artery occlusion by palpation were 0.8% (36 of 4,340) and 0.8% (33 of 4,340) at 1-month follow-up. DRA-related bleeding events were observed in 3.3% of patients, without serious hematoma. Multilevel logistic regression analysis identified weak pulse (OR: 9.994; 95% CI: 7.252-13.774) and DRA experience <100 cases (OR: 2.187; 95% CI: 1.383-3.456) as predictors of puncture failure. CONCLUSIONS: In this large-scale prospective multicenter registry, DRA demonstrated high success rates of CAG and PCI, with a high rate of puncture success but low rates of distal radial artery occlusion, radial artery occlusion, bleeding events, and procedure-related complications. Weak pulse and DRA experience <100 cases were predictors of puncture failure. (Korean Prospective Registry for Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Distal Radial Approach [KODRA]; NCT04080700).

Coronary sinus activation pattern in the differential diagnosis of regular atrial tachyarrhythmias during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis and management of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still challenging. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 88 patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF, 128 regular ATAs were induced or converted from AF. The coronary sinus activation time (CSAT) around the mitral annulus (MA) was measured as the difference in activation time between the most proximal and distal poles of the coronary sinus (CS) electrodes. Entrainment pacing was performed around the MA, roof area, or cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) depending on the CSAT result. Mechanisms of tachycardias included macro-reentry around the MA (perimitral atrial flutter [PM-AFL], n=63), roof-dependent AFL (Roof-AFL, n=14), CTI-dependent AFL (CTI-AFL, n=25), and atrial tachycardia (AT, n=26). When the CSAT was ≥ 45 ms, the MA activation sequence was sequential, either proximal to distal or distal to proximal. When the CSAT was <45 ms, the MA activation sequence was mainly non-sequential with converging or diverging patterns. CSAT <45 ms was highly sensitive in ruling out PM-AFL from other left ATAs. When combined with PPI data from the MA, roof area or CTI, PM-, Roof-, CTI-AFL and AT was successfully differentiated with a high predictive accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnostic algorithm combining CSAT and entrainment pacing is helpful to assess the mechanism of ATAs during catheter ablation of AF.

Loeffler's endocarditis presenting with acute abdominal aortic obstruction.

Loeffler's endocarditis is a complication of diseases associated with the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, which is characterised by persistently elevated blood eosinophil counts with symptoms and signs of organ involvement especially in the heart, vascular system, nervous system and bone marrow. We report the involvements of the endocardium and aorta, without endomyocardial fibrosis and the complete resolution of the endocardial eosinophilic infiltration with steroids and anticoagulation therapy.

Dexmedetomidine sedation for transesophageal echocardiography during percutaneous atrial septal defect closure in adult.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is second common congenital heart disease that often leads to adult period. Intracardiac or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is essential for percutaneous closure of ASD using Amplatzer septal occluder. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), which is a highly selective α2-agonist, has sedative and analgesic properties without respiratory depression in the clinical dose range. We report percutaneous closure of ASD with TEE under DEX sedation.

Endovascular treatment of Takayasu arteritis in a middle-aged woman with syncope and limb claudication: a case report.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a disease that causes inflammation and stenosis of medium to large blood vessels. We report a case of a 50-year-old female patient with newly developed hypertension, syncope, and claudication of the extremities. Total occlusion of the left subclavian artery at the origin was found and significant stenosis of the right common iliac artery was revealed by hemodynamic analysis. She was successfully treated with percutaneous angioplasty for multiple peripheral arterial diseases and was finally diagnosed with TA. In consultation with a rheumatologist, medical treatment for TA was initiated, the patient's hypertension disappeared, and her claudication symptoms improved.

Sodium bicarbonate therapy for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury ­ a systematic review and meta-analysis ­.

BACKGROUND: Sodium bicarbonate has been postulated to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) by various mechanisms, although the reports are conflicting. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials that compared a sodium chloride with a sodium bicarbonate hydration regimen with regard to CI-AKI. Data across 19 clinical trials consisting of 3,609 patients were combined. Preprocedural hydration with sodium bicarbonate was associated with a significant decrease in the rate of CI-AKI (odds ratio [OR] 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.86; P=0.008). Stratified analyses by the type of contrast medium suggested lower odds of CI-AKI with sodium bicarbonate in studies using low-osmolar contrast media (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.23-0.71, P=0.002) compared with those using the iso-osmolar agents (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.41-1.43; P=0.40). No significant difference in the rates of postprocedural death (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.23-1.04; P=0.06) and the requirement for renal replacement therapy (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.46-1.91; P=0.86) was observed. However, we found significant changes in serum bicarbonate and potassium levels after sodium bicarbonate infusion. CONCLUSIONS: This updated meta-analysis demonstrates that sodium bicarbonate-based hydration is superior to sodium chloride in preventing CI-AKI of patients undergoing exposure to iodinated contrast media.

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials appraising the efficacy and safety of cilostazol after coronary artery stent implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of cilostazol on the angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stents and treated with aspirin and thienopyridine. METHODS: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials including 8,525 patients comparing triple antiplatelet therapy (aspirin, thienopyridine and cilostazol) with standard dual antiplatelet therapy were included in the analysis. The primary end points were in-segment late loss and angiographic restenosis at angiographic follow-up. Secondary end points included mortality, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: Triple antiplatelet therapy was associated with a significant reduction in late loss [weighted mean difference 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-0.20; p < 0.001] and angiographic restenosis [odds ratio (OR) 0.58, 95% CI 0.48-0.71; p < 0.001]. Addition of cilostazol to dual antiplatelet therapy was associated with a significant reduction in TLR (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.41-0.77; p < 0.001) and MACE (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.86; p < 0.001) with no differences in mortality (p = 0.29), stent thrombosis (p = 0.60) or bleeding episodes (p = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Cilostazol in addition to dual antiplatelet therapy appears to be effective in reducing the risk of restenosis and repeat revascularization after PCI without any significant benefits for mortality or stent thrombosis.

The long-term prognostic value of E/e' in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of E/e' ratio in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 314 patients who underwent primary coronary interventions between January 2010 and December 2015. The included patients were classified into two groups according to the E/e' ratios: E/e'<15 (n = 245) and E/e'≥15 (n = 69). We investigated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) from the event to the final follow-up period of at least three years. RESULTS: A total of 55 cases of MACEs occurred during the follow-up. The E/e'≥15 group showed a significantly higher rate of MACEs than the E/e'<15 group (34.8% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.001). Among the MACE, the percentage of cardiac deaths (17.4% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001) was higher in the E/e'≥15 group than in the E/e'<15 group. In the multivariable model, E/e'≥15 was demonstrated as the strongest prognostic factor for MACEs (hazard ratio [HR], 2.597; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.294-5.211; p = 0.007) and cardiac death (HR, 27.537; 95% CI, 3.287-230.689; p = 0.002), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not. Neither the discrepancy of systolic nor diastolic function between initial and follow-up echocardiography affected the overall prevalence of MACEs. A disparity was observed between the two groups, with a significant increase in the rate of MACEs in the E/e'≥15 group (log-rank test, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The baseline E/e'≥15 in patients with STEMI after successful reperfusion is the strongest predictor of poor long-term clinical outcomes among those analyzed.

Clinical outcomes and the risk factors of coronary artery aneurysms that developed after drug-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: There is only limited data on coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred-fifty one patients who had 2 angiographic follow-ups at 8 months and 28-36 months, respectively, after the index procedure with DES from 2003 to 2007 were enrolled. A CAA was defined as a localized dilatation exceeding 1.5 times the diameter of the adjacent artery. The independent risk factors and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were determined, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target-vessel revascularization (TVR), between the patients with CAA (n=35) and without them (n=216). On multivariate analysis, a lesion in an infarct-related artery (IRA) (odds ratio (OR): 6.1, P=0.001), a lesion in the left anterior descending artery (OR: 4.9, P=0.005), a lesion length >33 mm (OR: 3.9, P=0.022), and a lesion with chronic total occlusion (CTO) (OR: 3.4, P=0.044) were the independent risk factors for CAA. Follow-up duration was 1,046±516 days. Although most patients (71.4%) were asymptomatic, MACE was found in 10 patients (28.6%). No deaths occurred. MI with stent thrombosis occurred in 5 patients (14.3%) and TVR occurred in 10 patients (28.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for the development of CAA after DES are a long lesion over 33 mm, a lesion in the left anterior descending artery, a lesion in an IRA, and CTO. Long-term follow-up and large clinical trials are warranted for patients with CAA.

Two-year clinical outcomes of patients with long segments drug-eluting stents: comparison of sirolimus-eluting stent with paclitaxel-eluting stent.

Limited data are available on the long-term clinical efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) in diffuse long lesions. From May 2006 to May 2007, a total of 335 consecutive patients (374 lesions) were underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with implantation of long DES (≥ 30 mm) in real world practice. Eight-month angiographic outcomes and 2-yr clinical outcomes were compared between SES (n = 218) and PES (n = 117). Study endpoints were major adverse cardiac events including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target-lesion revascularization, target-vessel revascularization and stent thrombosis. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups as were mean stent length (44.9 ± 15.2 mm in SES and 47.4 ± 15.9 in PES, P = 0.121). Late loss at 8 months follow-up was significantly lower in SES than in PES group (0.4 ± 0.6 mm in SES vs 0.7 ± 0.8 mm in PES, P = 0.007). Mean follow-up duration was 849 ± 256 days, and 2-yr cumulative major adverse cardiac events were significantly lower in the SES than in the PES group (5.5% in SES vs 15.4% in PES, P = 0.003). In conclusion, long-term DES use in diffuse long coronary lesions is associated with favorable results, with SES being more effective and safer than PES in this real-world clinical experience.