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Pulmonary vein isolation is an well-established treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF), and it is especially effective for patients with paroxysmal AF. However, the success rate is limited for patients with persistent AF, because non-pul‑ monary vein triggers which increase AF recurrence are frequently found in these patients. The major non-pulmonary vein triggers are from the left atrial posterior wall, left atrial appendage, ligament of Marshall, coronary sinus, superior vena cava, and crista terminalis, but other atrial sites can also generate AF triggers. All these sites have been known to contain atrial myocytes with potential arrhythmogenic electrical activity. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of these non-pulmonary vein triggers are well studied; however, the clinical outcome of catheter ablation for persistent AF is still unclear. Here, we reviewed the current ablation strategies for persistent AF and the clinical implications of major non-pulmonary vein triggers.
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Background@#The efficacy and safety of high-power, short-duration (HPSD) radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) have been demonstrated in several studies. We aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of the conventional method and the HPSD method for AF ablation on the sinus and AV node function in patients with paroxysmal AF. @*Methods@#The medical records of patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were retrieved from a prospectively collected AF ablation registry at a large-sized tertiary center. The HPSD group (n = 41) was distinguished from the conventional ablation group (n = 198) in terms of the power (50 W vs. 20–40 W) and dura‑ tion (6–10 s vs. 20–30 s) of radiofrequency energy delivery during PVI. Peri-procedural changes in cardiac autonomy were assessed in terms of the changes in sinus cycle length (SCL), block cycle length (BCL), and effective refractory period (ERP) of the atrioventricular node (AVN). @*Results@#The SCL, BCL, and ERP of the AVN at baseline and post-ablation were not significantly different between the conventional ablation group and the HPSD group. Shortening of the SCL, BCL, and ERP of the AVN was observed immediately after AF ablation in both groups. One-year recurrence of AF/atrial flutter (35.1% vs. 20.3%; P = 0.011) and atrial flutter (13.8% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.015) were higher in the HPSD group than in the conventional ablation group. @*Conclusion@#Both the HPSD and the conventional ablation method resulted in post-ablation vagal modification as evidenced by the shortening of SCL, BCL, and ERP of the AVN. One-year recurrence of atrial flutter and AF/atrial flutter was higher in patients who underwent the HPSD method.
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Background and Objectives@#Atrial tachycardias (ATs) from noncoronary aortic cusp (NCC) uncovered after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are rarely reported. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of NCC ATs detected during AF ablation and compare their characteristics with de novo NCC ATs without AF. @*Methods@#Consecutive patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation for AF were reviewed from the multicenter AF ablation registry of 11 tertiary hospitals. The clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of NCC AT newly detected during AF ablation were compared with its comparators (de novo NCC AT ablation cases without AF). @*Results@#Among 10,178 AF cases, including 1,301 redo ablation cases, 8 (0.08%) NCC AT cases were discovered after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI; 0.07% in first ablation and 0.15% in redo ablation cases). All ATs were reproducibly inducible spontaneously or with programmed atrial stimulation without isoproterenol infusion. The P-wave morphological features of tachycardia were variable depending on the case, and most cases exhibited 1:1 atrioventricular conduction. AF recurrence rate after PVI and NCC AT successful ablation was 12.5% (1 of 8). Tachycardia cycle length was shorter than that of 17 de novo ATs from NCC (303 versus 378, p=0.012). No AV block occurred during and after successful AT ablation. @*Conclusions@#Uncommon NCC ATs (0.08% in AF ablation cases) uncovered after PVI, showing different characteristics compared to de-novo NCC ATs, should be suspected irrespective of P-wave morphologies when AT shows broad propagation from the anterior interatrial septum.
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Background and Objectives@#Data regarding the safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using high-power (50 W) radiofrequency (RF) energy in Asian populations are limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and pattern of esophageal injury after highpower AF ablation in an Asian cohort. @*Methods@#We searched the prospective AF ablation registry to identify patients who underwent AF ablation with 50 W RF energy using the smart touch surround flow catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). Visitag™ (Biosense Webster) was used for lesion annotation with predefined settings of catheter stability (3 mm for 5 seconds) and minimum contact force (50% of time >5 g). All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at 1 or 3 days after the ablation. @*Results@#A total of 159 patients (mean age: 63±9 years, male: 69%, paroxysmal AF: 45.3%, persistent AF: 27.7%, long-standing persistent AF: 27.0%) were analyzed. Initially, 26 patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation with 50 W for 5 seconds at each point. The remaining 133 patients underwent prolonged RF duration (anterior 10 seconds and posterior 6 seconds). The incidence rates of esophageal erythema/erosion and superficial ulceration were 1.3% for each type of the lesion. Food stasis, a suggestive finding of gastroparesis, was observed in 25 (15.7%) patients. There were no cases of cardiac tamponade, stroke, or death. @*Conclusions@#In Asian patients, AF ablations using 50 W resulted in very low rates of mild esophageal complications.
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Background and Objectives@#Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) block is easily achieved, and prophylactic ablation can be performed during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, the previous study was too small and short-term to clarify the efficacy of this block. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were enrolled, and patients who had previous or induced atrial flutter (AFL) were excluded. We randomly assigned 366 patients to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) only and prophylactic CTI ablation (PVI vs. PVI+CTI). @*Results@#There was no significant difference in procedure time between the two groups because most CTI blocks were performed during the waiting time after the PVI (176.8±72.6 minutes in PVI vs. 174.2±76.5 minutes in PVI+CTI, p=0.75). All patients were followed up for at least 18 months, and the median follow-up was 3.4 years. The recurrence rate of AF or AFL was not different in the 2 groups (25.7% in PVI vs. 25.7% in PVI+CTI, p=0.92). The recurrence rate of any AFL was not significantly different in the 2 groups (3.3% in PVI vs. 1.6% in PVI+CTI, p=0.31). The recurrence rate of typical AFL also was not different (0.5% in PVI vs. 0.5% in PVI+CTI, p=0.99). @*Conclusions@#In this large and long-term follow-up study, prophylactic CTI ablation had no benefit in patients with paroxysmal AF without typical AFL.
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Background and Objectives@#Data regarding the safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using high-power (50 W) radiofrequency (RF) energy in Asian populations are limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and pattern of esophageal injury after highpower AF ablation in an Asian cohort. @*Methods@#We searched the prospective AF ablation registry to identify patients who underwent AF ablation with 50 W RF energy using the smart touch surround flow catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). Visitag™ (Biosense Webster) was used for lesion annotation with predefined settings of catheter stability (3 mm for 5 seconds) and minimum contact force (50% of time >5 g). All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at 1 or 3 days after the ablation. @*Results@#A total of 159 patients (mean age: 63±9 years, male: 69%, paroxysmal AF: 45.3%, persistent AF: 27.7%, long-standing persistent AF: 27.0%) were analyzed. Initially, 26 patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation with 50 W for 5 seconds at each point. The remaining 133 patients underwent prolonged RF duration (anterior 10 seconds and posterior 6 seconds). The incidence rates of esophageal erythema/erosion and superficial ulceration were 1.3% for each type of the lesion. Food stasis, a suggestive finding of gastroparesis, was observed in 25 (15.7%) patients. There were no cases of cardiac tamponade, stroke, or death. @*Conclusions@#In Asian patients, AF ablations using 50 W resulted in very low rates of mild esophageal complications.
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Background and Objectives@#Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) block is easily achieved, and prophylactic ablation can be performed during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, the previous study was too small and short-term to clarify the efficacy of this block. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were enrolled, and patients who had previous or induced atrial flutter (AFL) were excluded. We randomly assigned 366 patients to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) only and prophylactic CTI ablation (PVI vs. PVI+CTI). @*Results@#There was no significant difference in procedure time between the two groups because most CTI blocks were performed during the waiting time after the PVI (176.8±72.6 minutes in PVI vs. 174.2±76.5 minutes in PVI+CTI, p=0.75). All patients were followed up for at least 18 months, and the median follow-up was 3.4 years. The recurrence rate of AF or AFL was not different in the 2 groups (25.7% in PVI vs. 25.7% in PVI+CTI, p=0.92). The recurrence rate of any AFL was not significantly different in the 2 groups (3.3% in PVI vs. 1.6% in PVI+CTI, p=0.31). The recurrence rate of typical AFL also was not different (0.5% in PVI vs. 0.5% in PVI+CTI, p=0.99). @*Conclusions@#In this large and long-term follow-up study, prophylactic CTI ablation had no benefit in patients with paroxysmal AF without typical AFL.
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Background@#The incidence of inappropriate shocks remains high at 30% in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This retrospective study sought to examine the efficacy of strategic programming (ICD programming with a long detection interval and high-rate cutoff) in reducing electrical storm, inappropriate shocks, and unexpected hospital visits in patients with ICDs with/without cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-Ds). @*Methods@#This was a single tertiary center retrospective study, evaluating the clinical outcomes, especially regarding inappropriate therapies in patients with ICDs or CRT-Ds. Enrolled patients underwent ICD or CRT-D implantations from January 2008 to May 2016. Clinical information was attained by a thorough chart review. @*Results@#We analyzed 155 defibrillator patients from January 2008 to May 2016 (124 patients had ICDs and 31 had CRT-Ds). Since we adopted this strategic programming as a default programming from 2015 implanted ICDs and CRT-Ds, we divided the patients into two groups: devices implanted before 2015 (group A, n = 94) versus implanted after 2015 (group B, n = 61). During a median of 1289 days of follow-up, electrical storms occurred in three patients (eight events) in group B versus 11 (28 events) in group A (P = 0.18); appropriate therapies were delivered in 27 patients (56 events) in group A versus 7 (15 events) in group B (P = 0.72); inappropriate therapies were delivered in 15 patients (21 events) in group A versus 1 with 1 episode in group B (P = 0.03); and 5 unexpected hospitalizations occurred in four patients in group B versus 36 in 24 patients in group A (P = 0.02). @*Conclusion@#The clinical application of strategic programming reduced inappropriate shocks and unexpected hospitalizations in ICD and CRT-D patients.
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Background@#An automated tagging module (VISITAG™; Biosense Webster, Irvine, CA) allows objective demonstration of energy delivery. However, the effect of VISITAG™ on clinical outcomes remains unclear. This study evaluated (1) clinical outcome after AF ablation using VISITAG™ and (2) the prevalence of gaps in the ablation line. @*Methods@#This retrospective analysis included 157 consecutive patients (mean age, 56.7 years; 73.2% men) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent successful PVI between 2013 and 2016. Outcomes after the index procedure were compared between those using the VISITAG™ module (VISITAG group, n = 62) and those not using it (control group, n = 95). The primary outcome was recurrence of AF or atrial tachycardia after a blanking period of 3 months. @*Results@#The VISITAG group showed significantly shorter overall procedure time (172.2 ± 37.6 min vs. 286.9 ± 66.7 min, P 15 s, 60% force over time, > 6 g contact force) showed higher recurrence-free survival rate compared with those with gaps (borderline statistical significance, 91.7% vs. 66.0%, P = 0.094). @*Conclusion@#Use of the VISITAG™ module significantly reduced procedure, ablation, and fluoroscopic times with a similar AF/AT recurrence rate compared with the conventional ablation. Clinical implications of minimizing gaps along the ablation line should be evaluated further in the future prospective studies.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a higher long-term risk of major cardiovascular events. However, its clinical implications with respect to peri-operative cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery is unclear. We tried to examine the association between pre-operative AF and peri-operative cardiovascular outcomes.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 26,501 consecutive patients who underwent comprehensive preoperative cardiac evaluations for risk stratification prior to receiving non-cardiac surgery at our center. Preoperative AF was diagnosed in 1,098 patients (4.1%), and their cardiovascular outcomes were compared with those of patients without AF. The primary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during immediate post-surgery period (<30 days).RESULTS: Patients with AF were older and had higher proportion of male sex, higher rate of extra-cardiac comorbidities, higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, and higher revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) compared with those without AF. The rate of MACCE was significantly higher in AF patients compared to non-AF patients (4.6% vs. 1.2%, p<0.001). Preoperative AF was associated with higher risk of MACCE, even after multivariable adjustment (odds ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 2.13–4.07, p<0.001). The relative contribution of AF to MACCE was larger in patients with lower RCRI (p for interaction=0.010). The discriminating performance of RCRI was significantly enhanced by addition of AF.CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, preoperative AF was associated with a higher risk of peri-operative cardiovascular outcomes.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Atrial Fibrillation , Comorbidity , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , StrokeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a higher long-term risk of major cardiovascular events. However, its clinical implications with respect to peri-operative cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery is unclear. We tried to examine the association between pre-operative AF and peri-operative cardiovascular outcomes.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed data from 26,501 consecutive patients who underwent comprehensive preoperative cardiac evaluations for risk stratification prior to receiving non-cardiac surgery at our center. Preoperative AF was diagnosed in 1,098 patients (4.1%), and their cardiovascular outcomes were compared with those of patients without AF. The primary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during immediate post-surgery period (<30 days).@*RESULTS@#Patients with AF were older and had higher proportion of male sex, higher rate of extra-cardiac comorbidities, higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, and higher revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) compared with those without AF. The rate of MACCE was significantly higher in AF patients compared to non-AF patients (4.6% vs. 1.2%, p<0.001). Preoperative AF was associated with higher risk of MACCE, even after multivariable adjustment (odds ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 2.13–4.07, p<0.001). The relative contribution of AF to MACCE was larger in patients with lower RCRI (p for interaction=0.010). The discriminating performance of RCRI was significantly enhanced by addition of AF.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, preoperative AF was associated with a higher risk of peri-operative cardiovascular outcomes.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Wrist-worn wearable devices provide heart rate (HR) monitoring function via photoplethysmography technology. Recently, these devices have been used by patients to measure the HR when palpitation occurs, but few validation studies of these instruments have been conducted. We assessed the accuracy of these devices for measuring a HR. METHODS: This study enrolled 51 consecutive patients with a history of paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) or paroxysmal palpitations who were scheduled to undergo an electrophysiological study (EPS). Three devices were assessed: Apple Watch Series 2 (Apple), Samsung Galaxy Gear S3 (Galaxy), and Fitbit Charge 2 (Fitbit). Patients were randomly assigned to wear 2 different devices. The HR at baseline and induced SVT were measured during the EPS. After successful ablation of SVT, HR measurements was also done during atrial and ventricular pacing study. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 44.4±16.6 years and 27 patients were male (53%). The accuracy (within ±5 beats per minute [bpm] of an electrocardiogram [ECG] measurement) of the baseline HR measurements was 100%, 100%, and 94%, for Apple, Galaxy, and Fitbit, respectively. The HR during induced SVT ranged from 108 bpm to 228 bpm and the accuracy (within ±10 bpm of an ECG) was 100%, 90%, and 87% for the Apple, Galaxy, and Fitbit, respectively. During pacing study, accuracy of these devices was also acceptable but tended to decrease as the HR increased, and showed differences between the devices. CONCLUSIONS: Wrist-worn wearable devices accurately measure baseline and induced SVT HR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0002282
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Electrocardiography , Galaxies , Heart Rate , Heart , Information Services , Photoplethysmography , Tachycardia , Tachycardia, SupraventricularABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Wrist-worn wearable devices provide heart rate (HR) monitoring function via photoplethysmography technology. Recently, these devices have been used by patients to measure the HR when palpitation occurs, but few validation studies of these instruments have been conducted. We assessed the accuracy of these devices for measuring a HR.@*METHODS@#This study enrolled 51 consecutive patients with a history of paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) or paroxysmal palpitations who were scheduled to undergo an electrophysiological study (EPS). Three devices were assessed: Apple Watch Series 2 (Apple), Samsung Galaxy Gear S3 (Galaxy), and Fitbit Charge 2 (Fitbit). Patients were randomly assigned to wear 2 different devices. The HR at baseline and induced SVT were measured during the EPS. After successful ablation of SVT, HR measurements was also done during atrial and ventricular pacing study.@*RESULTS@#The mean patient age was 44.4±16.6 years and 27 patients were male (53%). The accuracy (within ±5 beats per minute [bpm] of an electrocardiogram [ECG] measurement) of the baseline HR measurements was 100%, 100%, and 94%, for Apple, Galaxy, and Fitbit, respectively. The HR during induced SVT ranged from 108 bpm to 228 bpm and the accuracy (within ±10 bpm of an ECG) was 100%, 90%, and 87% for the Apple, Galaxy, and Fitbit, respectively. During pacing study, accuracy of these devices was also acceptable but tended to decrease as the HR increased, and showed differences between the devices.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Wrist-worn wearable devices accurately measure baseline and induced SVT HR.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0002282
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Rhythm control therapy is the main strategy for restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Sinus rhythm is better restored and maintained with antiarrhythmic drugs than with placebo treatment. In addition, catheter ablation or combination therapy is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs for treating NVAF. However, in most clinical trials to date, rhythm control therapy has resulted in neutral clinical outcomes compared with rate control therapy. The decision to undergo rhythm control therapy should be based on age, atrial fibrillation (AF)-related symptoms, type of AF, structural heart disease, and underlying comorbidities. For now, rhythm control therapy is indicated to improve symptoms in patients with NVAF who have refractory symptoms after adequate rate control therapy. The Korean Heart Rhythm Society organized the Korean AF Management Guideline Committee and analyzed all available data, including South Korean patients with NVAF. This review article provides general principles and detailed methodology for rhythm control therapy in South Korean patients with NVAF.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anti-Arrhythmia Agents , Atrial Fibrillation , Catheter Ablation , Comorbidity , Drug Therapy , Heart Diseases , HeartABSTRACT
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by irregular and relatively rapid heart rate, which occasionally causes symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnea, or reduced exercise capacity. Controlling the ventricular rate is a mainstay for the symptom management of patients with AF. Rate control can be achieved with beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin, or combination therapy. Rhythm control is an option for patients in whom appropriate rate control cannot be achieved or who have persistent symptoms despite rate control. The choices of drug and target heart rate are usually specified by international guidelines for AF management. However, pivotal trials included in those guidelines enrolled only a small number of Asian subjects, which limit application of those guidelines to a Korean population. The Korean Heart Rhythm Society organized the Korean AF Management Guideline Committee and analyzed all available studies regarding management of AF including studies with Korean patients. Then, expert consensus or guidelines for optimal management in Korean patients with AF were achieved after systematic review with intensive discussion. This article provides general principles for rate control therapy in Korean patients with AF.
Subject(s)
Humans , Asian People , Atrial Fibrillation , Calcium Channel Blockers , Consensus , Digoxin , Dyspnea , Heart Rate , HeartABSTRACT
Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are necessary to prevent thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). OACs used in Korea are composed of warfarin and non-vitamin K antagonist OAC. Risk stratification and selection of OACs in patients with AF is usually performed by international guidelines for AF management. However, these guidelines do not always reflect the unique characteristics of AF patients in Korea as they were established based on a small portion of the Asian population and, therefore, have limited application to Korean patients. In addition, under certain conditions, the choice of OACs and doses according to the international guidelines are unsuitable for Korean AF patients. Recently, robust clinical data of Korean AF patients have become available. The Korean AF Management Guideline Committee, as part of the Korean Heart Rhythm Society, analyzed all available studies regarding management of AF including those focusing on Korean patients. Expert consensus and guidelines for optimal management of AF patients in Korea were established following systematic reviews and intensive discussions. This article provides the appropriate choice of OACs and dose for management of Korean AF patients with various clinical conditions.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anticoagulants , Asian People , Atrial Fibrillation , Consensus , Heart , Korea , Stroke , Thromboembolism , WarfarinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) to prevent thromboembolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients has limitations such as drug interaction. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of Korean patients treated with VKA for stroke prevention and assessed quality of VKA therapy and treatment satisfaction. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional study. Patients with CHADS2 ≥ 1 and treated with VKA (started within the last 3 months) were enrolled from April 2013 to March 2014. Demographic and clinical features including risk factors of stroke and VKA treatment information was collected at baseline. Treatment patterns and international normalized ratio (INR) level were evaluated during follow-up. Time in therapeutic range (TTR) > 60% indicated well-controlled INR. Treatment satisfaction on the VKA use was measured by Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) after 3 months of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 877 patients (age, 67; male, 60%) were enrolled and followed up for one year. More than half of patients (56%) had CHADS2 ≥ 2 and 83.6% had CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2. A total of 852 patients had one or more INR measurement during their follow-up period. Among those patients, 25.5% discontinued VKA treatment during follow-up. Of all patients, 626 patients (73%) had poor-controlled INR (TTR < 60%) measure. Patients' treatment satisfaction measured with TSQM was 55.6 in global satisfaction domain. CONCLUSION: INR was poorly controlled in Korean NVAF patients treated with VKA. VKA users also showed low treatment satisfaction.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Atrial Fibrillation , Drug Interactions , Follow-Up Studies , International Normalized Ratio , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Stroke , Thromboembolism , Vitamin K , VitaminsABSTRACT
The electrical impulses of atrium arise from the sinus node, subsequently pass through the right and left atrium, and finally arrive at the atrioventricular node. The P wave is the summation of the electrical current generated by depolarization due to its passage through the atrial conduction pathway. It provides many clinical clues that may be useful for diagnosis of atrial, ventricular, or valvular heart diseases. This review article briefly describes the clinical implications, mechanism of genesis, and normal and pathologic features of the P wave.
Subject(s)
Atrioventricular Node , Diagnosis , Heart Atria , Heart Valve Diseases , Sinoatrial NodeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have become recently available, non-MRI conditional devices and the presence of epicardial and abandoned leads remain a contraindication for MRIs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a single center retrospective study, evaluating the clinical outcomes and device parameter changes in patients with CIEDs who underwent an MRI from June 1992 to March 2015. Clinical and device related information was acquired by a thorough chart review. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients, 38 with a pacemaker (including epicardially located pacemaker leads) and 2 with implantable cardioverter defibrillators, underwent 50 MRI examinations. Among the patients, 11 had MRI conditional CIEDs, while the remaining had non-MRI conditional devices. Among these patients, 23 patients had traditional contraindications for an MRI: (1) nonfunctional leads (n=1, 2.5%), (2) epicardially located leads (n=9, 22.5%), (3) scanning area in proximity to a device (n=9, 22.5%), (4) devices implanted within 6 weeks (n=2, 5%), and (5) MRI field strength at 3.0 Tesla (n=6, 15%). All patients underwent a satisfactory MRI examination with no adverse events during or after the procedure. There were no significant changes in parameters or malfunctioning devices in any patients with CIEDs. CONCLUSION: Under careful monitoring, MRI is safe to perform on patients with non-MRI conditional CIEDs, remnant leads, and epicardially located leads, as well as MRI-conditional devices.
Subject(s)
Humans , Defibrillators, Implantable , Equipment Safety , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Pacemaker, Artificial , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices needing lead extraction is increasing for various reasons, including infections, vascular obstruction, and lead failure. We report our experience with transvenous extraction of pacemaker and defibrillator leads via the inferior approach of using a gooseneck snare as a first-line therapy and compare extraction using a gooseneck snare with extraction using simple manual traction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 23 consecutive patients (43 leads) who underwent transvenous lead extraction using a gooseneck snare (group A) and 10 consecutive patients (17 leads) who underwent lead extraction using simple manual traction (group B). Patient characteristics, indications, and outcomes were analyzed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The dwelling time of the leads was longer in group A (median, 121) than in group B (median, 56; p=0.000). No differences were noted in the overall procedural success rate (69.6% vs. 70%), clinical procedural success rate (82.6% vs. 90%), and lead clinical success rate (86% vs. 94.1%) between the groups. The procedural success rates according to lead type were 89.2% and 100% for pacing leads and 66.7% and 83.3% for defibrillator leads in groups A and B, respectively. Major complications were noted in 3 (mortality in 1) patients in group A and 2 patients in group B. CONCLUSION: Transvenous extraction of pacemaker leads via an inferior approach using a gooseneck snare was both safe and effective. However, stand-alone transvenous extraction of defibrillator leads using the inferior approach was suboptimal.