Restoration of sinus rhythm by pulmonary vein isolation improves heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in atrial fibrillation patients.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with increased symptoms and higher morbidity and mortality. Effective treatment strategies for this patient population have not yet been established. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed clinical outcomes and echocardiographic parameters of patients with AF and HFpEF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Out of 374 PVI patients, we identified 35 patients suffering from concomitant HFpEF. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) after 1 year was 80%. Heart failure symptoms assessed by New York Heart Association class significantly improved from 2.7 ± 0.7 to 1.7 ± 0.9 (P < 0.001). We observed regression of diastolic dysfunction by echocardiography 12 months after the index procedure. Moreover, 15 patients (42.9%) experienced complete resolution of HFpEF after a single ablation procedure. Multivariate logistic regression revealed absence of AT recurrence as an independent predictor of recovery from HFpEF (hazard ratio 11.37, 95% confidence interval 1.70-75.84, P = 0.009). Furthermore, resolution of HFpEF by achieving freedom from AT recurrence by PVI, including multiple procedures, led to a significant reduction of hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that restoration of sinus rhythm by PVI in HFpEF patients with concomitant AF induces reverse remodelling, improvement of symptoms, resolution of HFpEF and subsequently decrease of hospitalizations. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm our results.

Clinical outcome of 2nd generation cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in patients over 75 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation is an established therapy for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Despite the fact that incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, patients over 75 years of age have been excluded in all major atrial fibrillation ablation trials. Pulmonary vein isolation with the cryoballoon has been shown to be equally effective compared to irrigated radiofrequency catheter ablation, but patients over 75 years have also been excluded. The 2nd generation cryoballoon has shown superior efficacy compared to the 1st generation cryoballoon. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation with the 2nd generation cryoballoon for symptomatic atrial fibrillation in elderly patients over 75 years. METHODS: Patients over 75 years of age presenting with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation refractory or intolerant to at least one class I or class III antiarrhythmic drug who underwent pulmonary vein isolation with the 2nd generation cryoballoon were included in this single-center observational study. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with a mean age of 78.3±2.7 years with paroxysmal (n=31; 77.5%) or persistent (n=9; 22.5%) atrial fibrillation were identified. All patients had a successful pulmonary vein isolation procedure with 100% of veins isolated. After a 3-month blanking period during a mean follow-up of 15.1±8.2 months there were 9 (22.5%) arrhythmia recurrences, while 31 patients (77.5%) maintained stable sinus rhythm. Freedom from arrhythmia recurrence was 86.4% at 12 months and 80.2% at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary vein isolation with the 2nd generation cryoballoon appears to be an effective treatment for symptomatic atrial fibrillation also in patients over 75 years of age.

[Alteplase in acute coronary syndromes]. / Registro de Alteplasa en Síndromes Coronarios Agudos con elevación del ST (REALSICA).

OBJECTIVE: The registry intends to establish the safety and security of one-hour 100 mg alteplase infusion and 50 mg in 30 minutes to facilitate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a cardiology hospital with primary angioplasty program (24 hours 365 days a year) with current doses of unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin. METHODS AND RESULTS: REALSICA II is a prospective registry that included 103 patients with final diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction in which Alpert's quality criteria were used. Seventy two patients were under one-hour 100 mg alteplase infusion and thirty one under 30 minutes 50 mg alteplase infusion to facilitate PCI. Patients were young and predominantly males. In both groups > 50% had extensive ST elevation myocardial infarction and 68% were Killip & Kimball I. The majority received reperfusion > 3 hours after the onset of symptoms. In-hospital and follow-up treatment were compliant with Mexican Cardiology Society guidelines. ECG reperfusion was observed in 59% and TIMI III flow in 19% of PCI group. Any intracranial hemorrhage was observed. Global cardiovascular mortality was 11%. Patients under PCI had low incidence of recurrent ischemia and reinfarction. CONCLUSION: REALSICA registry showed in non-complicate acute myocardial infarction ST elevation safety and security of one-hour 100 mg alteplase infusion with current recommended unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin doses in ST elevation myocardial infarction. In complicated patients the regimen to facilitate PCI was associated with increased hemorrhagic complications and requires further research.

Registro de Alteplasa en Síndromes Coronarios Agudos con elevación del ST (REALSICA) / Alteplase in acute coronary syndromes

OBJECTIVE: The registry intends to establish the safety and security of one-hour 100 mg alteplase infusion and 50 mg in 30 minutes to facilitate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a cardiology hospital with primary angioplasty program (24 hours 365 days a year) with current doses of unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin. METHODS AND RESULTS: REALSICA II is a prospective registry that included 103 patients with final diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction in which Alpert's quality criteria were used. Seventy two patients were under one-hour 100 mg alteplase infusion and thirty one under 30 minutes 50 mg alteplase infusion to facilitate PCI. Patients were young and predominantly males. In both groups > 50% had extensive ST elevation myocardial infarction and 68% were Killip & Kimball I. The majority received reperfusion > 3 hours after the onset of symptoms. In-hospital and follow-up treatment were compliant with Mexican Cardiology Society guidelines. ECG reperfusion was observed in 59% and TIMI III flow in 19% of PCI group. Any intracranial hemorrhage was observed. Global cardiovascular mortality was 11%. Patients under PCI had low incidence of recurrent ischemia and reinfarction. CONCLUSION: REALSICA registry showed in non-complicate acute myocardial infarction ST elevation safety and security of one-hour 100 mg alteplase infusion with current recommended unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin doses in ST elevation myocardial infarction. In complicated patients the regimen to facilitate PCI was associated with increased hemorrhagic complications and requires further research.