2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a contemporary framework for selection and management of patients considered for or undergoing catheter or surgical AF ablation. This consensus is a joint effort from collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, namely the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society .

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a contemporary framework for selection and management of patients considered for or undergoing catheter or surgical AF ablation. This consensus is a joint effort from collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, namely the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific HRS, and the Latin American HRS.

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a contemporary framework for selection and management of patients considered for or undergoing catheter or surgical AF ablation. This consensus is a joint effort from collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, namely the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society.

Direct Oral Anticoagulant Dosing in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Asian Perspective.

Optimal dosing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in "gray area" patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge for clinicians. In Asia, this is concerning in patients who are very elderly, have low body weight, and are at a high risk of bleeding. This review aims to summarize the dose reduction criteria for DOACs, discuss the evidence on dosing of DOACs across Asian regions, and collate opinions from authors across Asia. Nonrecommended dosing of DOACs is common in Asia, primarily due to the fear of bleeding, with the total clinical benefit of higher dosing being overlooked. The ELDERCARE-AF (Edoxaban Low-Dose for Elder Care-Atrial Fibrillation Patients) trial and real-world case studies provide some evidence on the use of low-dose DOACs in gray area patients. Opinions on dose adjustment guidance, concomitant medication adjustments, and therapeutic drug monitoring were collated. Research is needed to fill the evidence gaps on optimal DOAC doses for gray area patients.

Use of high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 outside intensive care setting.

Background: In early 2022, there was a sudden surge of patients infected by the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Hong Kong (HK), resulting in 9,163 deaths as of 29 May 2022. Many of the local population had not been vaccinated before this wave. The number of patients who developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related respiratory failure outnumbered the capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Some of these patients had to be supported with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy outside ICU setting. HK was in crisis situation. The primary objective of this study is to assess the 28-day mortality of this group of patients. The secondary objective is to explore any predictors of non-survivors to help clinical decision-making in future crisis. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of patients suffering from COVID-19 related respiratory failure who received HFNC therapy in general medical wards of two hospitals during the period of 17 Mar to 30 Apr 2022. Survival and risk factors were reviewed. Results: Forty-nine patients were recruited. Twenty-six patients (53%) survived at 28-day after initiation of HFNC support. Three clinical parameters were found to be significantly associated with mortality at 28-day: (I) SpO2/FiO2 (SF) ratio <160 at 48 hours; (II) SF ratio <191 at 72 hours; (III) serial SF ratio at 48 or 72 hours showing no improvement over that at the time of initiation of HFNC therapy. Conclusions: Use of HFNC outside ICU setting showed benefit to patients suffering from COVID-19 related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). Serial SF ratio monitoring at 48 and 72 hours after therapy initiation might serve as predictors of outcome and thus guide clinical decision-making for medical resource allocation in outbreak situation.

2021 Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) practice guidance on atrial fibrillation screening.

In this paper, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) sought to provide practice guidance on AF screening based on recent evidence, with specific considerations relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. A key recommendation is opportunistic screening for people aged ≥65 years (all countries), with systematic screening to be considered for people aged ≥75 years or who have additional risk factors (all countries).

Long-term outcomes of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to study the long-term outcomes of cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in treating Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A total of 122 patients (48 women, mean age 57.4 ± 11.3) underwent CB PVI (first generation CB 44.3%, second generation CB 55.7%) for AF (paroxysmal 65.6%, persistent 10.7% and long-standing persistent 23.8%). RESULTS: PVI was achieved in 113 (92.6%) patients with CB alone, and it was achieved in all patients with additional touch-up by 8-mm-tip cryocatheter. The mean procedural and fluoroscopic duration were 171.9 ± 41 and 46.6 ± 14.6 min respectively. The recurrence-free survival for paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF was 77% and 59% respectively at 1 year and progressively declined over time to reach a plateau of 52% and 30% for paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF respectively at 5 years. In patients undergoing PVI with second-generation CB, the recurrence-free survival was 75% for paroxysmal AF and 45% for non-paroxysmal AF at 5 years. With multivariate Cox regression analysis, the types of CB (use of second-generation CB: HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.28-0.85; p = 0.011) and size of left atrium (LA) (larger LA size: HR 1.52; 95% CI 1-2.14; p = 0.017) independently predicted recurrence. Transient phrenic nerve injury (PNI) occurred in four (3.3%) patients and persistent PNI occurred in four (3.3%) patients. Other complications occurred in 10 (8.2%) patients with no procedure-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term success of CB PVI for AF declined over time and reached a plateau at 5 years. CB types and LA size are independent predictors for long-term recurrence.

A Very Long-term Longitudinal Study on the Evolution and Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Cryoballoon Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is a common but poorly characterized complication after cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. We therefore investigate its prevalence, evolution, risk factors, and clinical outcomes in a prospective longitudinal study. METHODS: A total of 108 patients (41 women, mean age 57 ± 11.3) underwent CB PVI for AF. Serial transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed 9 months and then annually until 6 years after the procedure to study the characteristics of persistent iASD. RESULTS: Persistent iASD occurred in 33 (30.6%) patients 9 months after CB PVI. Spontaneous closure of iASD was found in 6 (22.2%) and 3 (15.8%) patients 2 and 3 years after the procedures, respectively. No spontaneous closure was observed on 4, 5, and 6-year TEE follow-up. The projected long-term persistence rate of iASD after CB PVI was therefore 20% (30.6% × 0.778 × 0.842). Using multivariate logistic regression, a higher number of cryoapplications (≥ 2 minutes) was the only independent predictor of persistent iASD 9 months after CB PVI (odds ratio [OR] 1.207; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.033-1.411, P = 0.018). Two (1.9%) patients with significantly larger iASD size than the others (long diameter 12.6 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.5 mm, P < 0.001; short diameter 10.9 ± 0.2 vs 3 ± 1.1 mm, P < 0.001) required percutaneous closure because of exertional dyspnea and right ventricular enlargement. Over 129.7 patient-years follow-up, during which iASD persisted, there was no occurrence of neurologic events. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one fifth of patients undergoing CB PVI will have permanently persistent iASD. Patients with defect sizes of greater than 10 mm may need percutaneous closure due to significant left-to-right shunting.

Cryoablation with an 8-mm tip catheter in the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia: results from a randomized controlled trial (CRYOABLATE).

AIMS: This was a randomized controlled study performed to compare 8 mm-tip catheter cryoablation (CRYO) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 158 patients (103 women, mean age 48.9 ± 14.1) with symptomatic AVNRT (140 typical; 18 atypical) were randomized to undergo CRYO with an 8 mm-tip catheter (n = 80) or RFA (n = 78). The primary endpoint was a composite of acute procedural failure, inadvertent permanent atrioventricular block (AVB) and recurrence at 12 months. No significant difference was observed between CRYO and RFA groups in primary endpoint (7.5 vs. 11.5%; P = 0.764), 12-month recurrence rate (3.8 vs. 1.3%; P = 0.358), inadvertent permanent AVB (0 vs. 1.3%; P = 0.307), and acute procedural failure (3.7 vs. 9%; P = 0.128). In patients with acute procedure failure, success was achieved in 5 of 7 patients (71.4%) in RFA group and 2 of 3 patients (66.7%) in CRYO group on cross-over. There was no significant difference in procedural duration between CRYO and RFA groups (72.4 ± 41.6 vs. 63.7 ± 29.8 min; P = 0.13), but fluoroscopic duration in CRYO group was significantly shorter (3.4 ± 6.3 vs. 6.7 ± 7.4 min; P = 0.005). Patient pain score (2.7 ± 2.7 vs. 4.6 ± 2.7; P < 0.001) and operator stress score (2.3 ± 1.3 vs. 4.9 ± 2; P < 0.001) were significantly lower in CRYO group. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation with an 8 mm-tip catheter is shown to be comparable to RFA in treating AVNRT in terms of efficacy and safety. Additional advantages in CRYO include shorter fluoroscopic time, lower patient pain perception, and operator stress level.

Effectiveness of a nongovernmental organization-led large-scale community atrial fibrillation screening program using the smartphone electrocardiogram: An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients older than 65 years is currently recommended. OBJECTIVE: We aim to examine the effectiveness of a nongovernmental organization-led community-based AF screening program carried out by trained layperson volunteers. METHODS: AF screening was performed using a smartphone electrocardiogram in 11,574 participants. RESULTS: Among all participants, smartphone electrocardiograms were interpretable in 10,735 citizens (92.8%; 8564 female citizens [79.8%]; mean age 78.6 ± 8.1 years). Two hundred forty-four participants (2.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2-2.6%; 172 female participants [70.5%]; mean age 79.5 ± 7.9 years) had AF and were advised over phone by a nurse to seek medical attention. Newly diagnosed AF was found in 74 participants (0.69%; 95% CI 0.54-0.84%) with a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.9 ± 1.5. Thirty-six of them (48%; 95% CI 36.6-59.4%) were asymptomatic. The number needed to screen for 1 newly diagnosed AF was 145. Telephone follow-up of participants with AF was conducted 9 months after screening. Of 72 participants with newly diagnosed AF and indicated for oral anticoagulation, 47 (65.3%; 95% CI 54.3-76.3%) sought medical attention, 17 (23.6%; 95% CI 13.8-33.4%) received oral anticoagulants, and 16 (22.2%; 95% CI 12.6-31.8%) had 100% compliance. The number needed to screen for 1 appropriately treated newly diagnosed AF was 671. CONCLUSION: This nongovernmental organization-led community-based AF screening program is effective in identifying citizens with newly diagnosed AF. However, the effectiveness of the program in subsequently leading them to receive appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy is weakened by the lack of a more structured downstream management pathway.

Systematic Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in the Community: Evidence and Obstacles.

With an ageing population globally, the burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its consequent complication of stroke and risk of mortality will continue to increase. Although opportunistic screening for AF by pulse check or ECG rhythm strip for people >65 years of age is currently recommended, data are now emerging that demonstrate the possible benefits of systematic community screening. Such screening is capable of identifying previously undiagnosed AF in 0.5-3.0 % of all those screened. The effectiveness of screening programmes will be markedly weakened by the lack of a structured downstream management pathway, making it a mandatory component in any AF screening programme for the general population. Different tools, especially smartphone-based devices, have made AF screening in the community more feasible. However, the sensitivities and positive predictive values of the current versions of automated diagnostic algorithms for AF have to be improved further to increase the cost-efficiency of screening programmes.

Successful percutaneous retrieval of a leadless pacemaker due to an acute rise in pacing threshold.

Leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCP) have become available recently. Both its acute and long-term performance in a large population of patients remain to be tested. Subacute rise in pacing threshold has been reported as an uncommon complication. On the other hand, the retrieval technique for LCP with passive fixation mechanism has not been previously described in details. Herein we report a newly recognized complication of an acute rise in pacing threshold very soon after implantation of an LCP without radiographic dislodgement. Percutaneous retrieval of this LCP with passive fixation mechanism was successful using a novel technique with the cryoballoon steerable sheath and a snare.

Venous access and long-term pacemaker lead failure: comparing contrast-guided axillary vein puncture with subclavian puncture and cephalic cutdown.

AIMS: Existing data on the relationship between venous access and long-term pacemaker lead failure (PLF) are scarce and inconsistent. We aim to study the hypothesis that contrast-guided axillary vein puncture (AP) is better than subclavian puncture (SP) and similar to cephalic vein cutdown (CV) in the incidence of PLF and the success rate of AP is higher than CV. METHODS AND RESULTS: The case records of 409 patients with 681 implantable pacemaker leads were reviewed. Two hundred and fifty-two, 217, and 212 leads were implanted via AP, CV, and SP, respectively. With a mean follow-up of 73.6 ± 33.1 months, 20 (2.9%) PLF occurred. Three (1.2%), 5 (2.3%), and 12 (5.6%) PLF occurred in the AP, CV, and SP groups, respectively. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, the only independent predictor for PLF was the use of SP instead of AP (AP vs. SP; hazard ratio: 0.261; 95% confidence interval: 0.071-0.954, P = 0.042). The success rate of CV (78.2%) was significantly lower than those of AP (97.6%) and SP (96.8%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with SP, the use of AP but not CV independently predicted a lower risk of PLF. The success rates in achieving venous accesses were similar between AP and SP, but significantly lower for CV. Axillary vein puncture may thus be considered the venous access of choice for pacemaker lead implantation.

Screening for atrial fibrillation in 13†122 Hong Kong citizens with smartphone electrocardiogram.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of community screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a smartphone-based wireless single-lead ECG (SL-ECG) and to generate epidemiological data on the prevalence and risk factors of AF in Hong Kong. METHODS: In the period between 1 May 2014 to 30 April 2015, 13 122 Hong Kong citizens consented and voluntarily participated in a territory-wide community-based AF screening programme. RESULTS: 56 (0.4%) out of 13 122 SL-ECG were uninterpretable. 101 (0.8%) participants had newly diagnosed AF, with 66 (65.3%) being asymptomatic. The congestive heart failure, hypertension, age>75(doubled), diabetes, stroke(doubled), vascular disease, age 65-74, sex(female) score (CHA2DS2VASc score) of participants with newly diagnosed AF was 3.1±1.3. The prevalence rates for AF detected by SL-ECG was 1.8% and for AF detected by SL-ECG or self-reported by participants was 8.5%. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of AF include age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, history of heart failure, valvular heart disease, stroke, hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and cardiothoracic surgery. CONCLUSION: Community screening for AF with SL-ECG was feasible and it identified a significant proportion of citizens with newly diagnosed AF. The prevalence of AF in a Chinese population in Hong Kong was comparable with that of contemporary Western counterparts. Apart from age and sex, different anthropometric parameters and cardiovascular comorbid conditions were identified as independent predictors of AF.

Catheter ablation of peri-nodal and pulmonary veno-atrial substrates: should it be cool?

Catheter cryoablation (CRYO) is an alternative approach to radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The favourable lesion characteristics of CRYO and its unique properties of cryomapping and cryoadhesion make this newer approach especially suitable for the treatment of peri-nodal substrates, such as atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia and septal accessory pathway, and pulmonary veno-atrial substrate in atrial fibrillation. This review aims to present and discuss the data on the use of catheter CRYO for these substrates with special emphasis on its efficacy and safety compared with RF ablation.

Successful percutaneous retrieval of a dislodged left atrial appendage occlusion device with double transseptal sheaths and biopsy bioptome.

A 64-year-old woman underwent left atrial appendage occlusion with an Amplatzer Cardiac Plug device. Displacement of the device was detected on day 1 with transesophageal echocardiographic checking. The device became dislodged and flitted in the left atrium after unsuccessful retrieval with a snare and 12 Fr steerable transseptal sheath. A double transseptal sheath technique was then attempted. The flitting device was stabilized by one 12 Fr steerable transseptal sheath and successfully retrieved with a biopsy bioptome through another similar transseptal sheath. The patient suffered from no long-term sequelae.