Catheter ablation of the left and right atrial appendages without isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) improves outcomes of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) but may increase the risk of thromboembolism. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe a method to map and ablate appendage drivers without complete electrical isolation. METHODS: One hundred thirteen patients underwent an ablation procedure for persistent AF. The procedure was performed during AF and consisted of pulmonary vein and posterior LA isolation as well as ablation of the LAA. The right atrium (RA) was targeted in patients with a right-to-left gradient in cycle length (CL). The end point of appendage ablation was CL slowing or AF termination but not complete isolation. RESULTS: Among the 113 patients (mean age 64.6 ± 8.6 years; ejection fraction 54% ± 13%; LA diameter 46 ± 6.5 mm), radiofrequency ablation terminated AF in 51 patients (45%). RA ablation was performed in 41 patients (36%) at the index or repeat procedure. The mean AF CL in the RA appendage (RAA) was shorter than that in the LAA (160 ± 32 ms vs 186 ± 29 ms; P < .01) in these patients. The most frequent target in the RA was the RAA (CLs approaching 50-60 ms). Discontinuing radiofrequency ablation upon AF termination or conduction slowing prevented LAA isolation. After a mean follow-up of 24 ± 15 months, 89 patients (78%) remained arrhythmia-free without antiarrhythmic medications. CONCLUSION: An ablation strategy guided by the AF CL addresses LAA drivers without complete electrical isolation and also helps identify the RAA as a source of persistent AF.

Ultrasound imaging versus palpation method for diagnostic lumbar puncture in neonates and infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Lumbar puncture (LP) failure rates vary and can be as high as 65%. Ultrasound guidance could increase the success of performing LP. OBJECTIVE: To summarise the evidence on the use of ultrasound guidance versus palpation method for LP. DATA SOURCES: We searched computerised databases and published indexes, registries and references identified from bibliographies of pertinent articles without any language restrictions to find studies that compared ultrasound guidance to palpation method for performing an LP. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they were randomised or quasirandomised trials in neonates and infants that compared ultrasound guidance with palpation method for performing an LP. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Standardised data collection tool was used for data extraction, and two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the studies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the risk of LP failure, while the risk of traumatic tap, needle redirections/reinsertions and procedure durations were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Data from four studies and 308 participants is included in the analysis. Ultrasound imaging reduced the risk of LP failure, risk ratio of 0.58 (95% CI 0.15 to 2.28), but it was not statistically significant (p=0.44). Ultrasound imaging significantly reduced the risk of a traumatic tap risk ratio of 0.33 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.82) and p=0.02. The included studies had low to moderate quality; the studies differed based on mean age and with variability on outcome definition. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This meta-analysis suggests that ultrasound imaging has no effect in increasing lumbar success but is beneficial in reducing the risk of traumatic taps in neonates and infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42017055800.

A Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Clostridium difficile Infection in Immunocompromised Patients.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been shown to be effective in recurrent Clostridium difficile (CD) infection, with resolution in 80% to 90% of patients. However, immunosuppressed patients were often excluded from FMT trials, so safety and efficacy in this population are unknown. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for English language articles published on FMT for treatment of CD infection in immunocompromised patients (including patients on immunosuppressant medications, patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inherited or primary immunodeficiency syndromes, cancer undergoing chemotherapy, or organ transplant, including-bone marrow transplant) of all ages. We excluded inflammatory bowel disease patients that were not on immunosuppressant medications. Resolution and adverse event rates (including secondary infection, rehospitalization, and death) were calculated. Results: Forty-four studies were included, none of which were randomized designs. A total of 303 immunocompromised patients were studied. Mean patient age was 57.3 years. Immunosuppressant medication use was the reason for the immunocompromised state in the majority (77.2%), and 19.2% had greater than one immunocompromising condition. Seventy-six percent were given FMT via colonoscopy. Of the 234 patients with reported follow-up outcomes, 207/234 (87%) reported resolution after first treatment, with 93% noting success after multiple treatments. There were 2 reported deaths, 2 colectomies, 5 treatment-related infections, and 10 subsequent hospitalizations. Conclusion: We found evidence that supports the use of FMT for treatment of CD infection in immunocompromised patients, with similar rates of serious adverse events to immunocompetent patients.

Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Analysis From the U.S. Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology TVT Registry.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: Conduction abnormalities leading to PPM implantation are common complications following TAVR. Whether PPM placement can be predicted or is associated with adverse outcomes is unclear. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing TAVR in the United States at 229 sites between November 2011 and September 2014 was performed using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology TVT Registry and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database. RESULTS: PPM placement was required within 30 days of TAVR in 651 of 9,785 patients (6.7%) and varied among those receiving self-expanding valves (25.1%) versus balloon-expanding valves (4.3%). Positive predictors of PPM implantation were age (per 5-year increment, odds ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 to 1.15), prior conduction defect (odds ratio: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.63 to 2.29), and use of self-expanding valve (odds ratio: 7.56; 95% CI: 5.98 to 9.56). PPM implantation was associated with longer median hospital stay (7 days vs. 6 days; p < 0.001) and intensive care unit stay (56.7 h vs. 45.0 h; p < 0.001). PPM implantation was also associated with increased mortality (24.1% vs. 19.6%; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.58) and a composite of mortality or heart failure admission (37.3% vs. 28.5%; hazard ratio HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.56) at 1 year but not with heart failure admission alone (16.5% vs. 12.9%; HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.63). CONCLUSIONS: Early PPM implantation is a common complication following TAVR, and it is associated with higher mortality and a composite of mortality or heart failure admission at 1 year.

Use of Varenicline in Smokeless Tobacco Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness and safety of varenicline in smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Registry were searched up to February 1, 2014, for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing varenicline to placebo. Random effects Mantel-Haenszel summary relative risks (RRs), risk difference (RD), and 95% CIs were used for analysis and reporting of outcomes. Primary and secondary outcomes were the 7-day point prevalence of SLT abstinence at the end of 12 and 26 weeks, respectively. Adverse events reported include nausea, sleep disturbance, and mood disorders. RESULTS: Three published RCTs involving 744 SLT users with a mean age of 39.7 years, of which greater than 88% were males, were randomized to varenicline (n = 370) and placebo (n = 374). Subjects in the varenicline arm had a significantly higher 7-day point prevalence of SLT abstinence at 12 weeks (48% vs. 33%; RR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.22-1.72, p < .0001, I2 = 0%; RD = 13%, 95% CI = 4%-23%, p = .008) but not at 26 weeks (49% vs. 39%; RR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.93-2.03, p = .11, I2 = 51%). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of adverse events between the 2 arms but interpretation is limited by high heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: This pooled analysis suggests that varenicline is effective in achieving a 7-day point prevalence of SLT abstinence at 12 weeks but showed that this effect was not sustained at 26 weeks.

Ablation of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms for Atrial Fibrillation Rhythm Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become an increasingly important therapy in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF), however, the best procedural techniques to ensure success have not been determined. We assessed the incremental benefit of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) ablation for AF rhythm control. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched up until May 7, 2015. Included were randomized controlled trials that compared PVI with PVI and CFAEs ablation (PVI+) with a minimum of 3 months' follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager version 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, United Kingdom). Categorical and continuous outcomes were reported as summary risk differences and mean differences (MDs), respectively. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials randomized patients to PVI+ (n = 635) and PVI (n = 427) with follow-up ranging from 3 to 23 months. There was no significant difference in freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias without antiarrhythmic agents after a single ablation between PVI+ and PVI (313 of 635 vs 230 of 427; risk difference, 0.01 [95% confidence interval (CI)-0.08 to 0.10]; P = 0.78; I(2) = 52%). Findings were not different for any prespecified subgroup analyses, including paroxysmal vs nonparoxysmal AF, automated vs manual detection of CFAEs, and left atrial vs biatrial ablation. PVI+ led to significantly increased procedure time (MD, 49.81 minutes [95% CI 42.86-56.76]; P < 0.001), fluoroscopy time (MD, 11.55 minutes [95% CI 8.02-15.07]; P < 0.001), and radiofrequency energy application time (MD, 19.16 minutes [95% CI 6.61-31.70]; P = 0.003) compared with PVI. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation of CFAEs in addition to PVI did not increase freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias but procedural times were increased.

Post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain.

While generally safe, the most feared complication of colonoscopy is perforation of the colon, occurring in nearly 1 in 1,000 procedures, and is more common when polypectomy is performed and electrocautery is used. Less commonly known is the post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome, a transmural burn of the colon which mimics the signs and symptoms of perforation as well as the time course, but follows a benign course and can be treated conservatively.

Cardiac tamponade - presentation of type A aortic dissection.

Acute aortic dissection usually presents with severe chest and/or back pain but may have a varied presentation ranging from syncope, stroke, and heart failure to shock or tamponade. We present classic chest computed tomography images of a case of type A aortic dissection presenting with cardiac tamponade.

Acute amiodarone pulmonary toxicity following lung resection.

Amiodarone is one of the most frequently prescribed antiarrhythmic agents. Despite its widespread use, it is associated with systemic side effects. Pulmonary toxicity, the most severe adverse effect of amiodarone, has usually been described in the context of chronic amiodarone use. We report a case of an 80-year-old male presenting acutely following right upper lung lobe resection for stage 1b adenocarcinoma. He developed atrial fibrillation on postoperative day four and received 12.5 g of amiodarone within a 12 day period. On presentation, he had new bilateral lung opacities and a 35% absolute decline in the predicted diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. Pulmonary embolism was ruled out on chest computed tomography. Amiodarone was discontinued and prednisone was initiated. Despite initial improvement, he suffered from multiple hypoxemic episodes until his death in the fourth month. In a subset of patients undergoing thoracic surgery who are intubated and require high levels of oxygen, the risk of amiodarone lung toxicity increases and patients may present acutely.

Predictive performance of comorbidity measures in administrative databases for diabetes cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The performance of comorbidity measures for predicting mortality in chronic disease populations and using ICD-9 diagnosis codes in administrative health data has been investigated in several studies, but less is known about predictive performance with ICD-10 data and for other health outcomes. This study investigated predictive performance of five comorbidity measures for population-based diabetes cohorts in administrative data. The objectives were to evaluate performance for: (a) disease-specific and general health outcomes, (b) data based on the ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnoses, and (c) different age groups. METHODS: Performance was investigated for heart attack, stroke, amputation, renal disease, hospitalization, and death in all-age and age-specific cohorts. Hospital records, physician billing claims, and prescription drug records from one Canadian province were used to identify diabetes cohorts and measure comorbidity. The data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models and summarized using measures of discrimination, accuracy, and fit. RESULTS: In Cohort 1 (n = 29,058), for which only ICD-9 diagnoses were recorded in administrative data, the Elixhauser index showed good or excellent prediction for amputation, renal disease, and death and performed better than the Charlson index. Number of diagnoses was a good predictor of hospitalization. Similar results were obtained for Cohort 2 (n = 41,925), in which both ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnoses were recorded in administrative data, although predictive performance was sometimes higher. For age-specific models of mortality, the Elixhauser index resulted in the largest improvement in predictive performance in all but the youngest age group. CONCLUSIONS: Cohort age and the health outcome under investigation, but not the diagnosis coding system, may influence the predictive performance of comorbidity measure for studies about diabetes populations using administrative health data.