Pulsed field ablation in patients with complex consecutive atrial tachycardia in conjunction with ultra-high density mapping: Proof of concept.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter-ablation (CA) of consecutive left atrial tachycardias (LAT) can be challenging. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) yields a novel nonthermal CA technology for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). There is no data regarding PFA of LAT. This study sought to investigate PFA of consecutive LAT following prior CA of AF. METHODS: Consecutive patients with LAT underwent ultrahigh-density (UHDx) mapping. Subsequent to identification of the AT mechanism, PFA was performed at the assumed critical sites for LAT maintenance. Continuous ablation lines were performed if required and evaluated with pre- and post-PFA HDx-mapping. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (age 70 ± 10, male 73%) who underwent 3.6 ± 2 prior AF-CA procedures were included. The total mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were 141 ± 43 and 18 ± 10 min, respectively. All 19 of 19 (100%) LAT were successfully ablated with PFA. Two AT located at the right atria required RF-ablation. LAT were identified as localized reentry (n = 1) and macro-reentry LAT (n = 18) and targeted with PFA. All LAT terminated with PFA either to sinus rhythm (9/15) or a secondary AT (6/15 and subsequently to SR); 63% (12/19) terminated with the first PFA-application. All lines (13 roof, 11 anterior, 1 mitral) were blocked. LA-posterior-wall isolation (LAPWI) was successfully achieved when performed (10/10). AF/AT free survival was 80% (12/15) after 153 [88-207] days of follow-up. No procedure-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: PFA of consecutive LAT is feasible and safe. Successful creation of ablation lines and LAPWI can be achieved in a short time. PFA may offer the opportunity for effective ablation of atrial arrhythmias beyond AF.

Characteristics and Prognostic Relevance of Ventricular Arrhythmia in Patients with Myocarditis.

Myocarditis is characterized by various clinical manifestations, with ventricular arrhythmia (VA) as a frequent symptom at initial presentation. Here, we investigated characteristics and prognostic relevance of VA in patients with myocarditis. The study population consisted of 76 patients with myocarditis, verified by biopsy and/or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, including 38 consecutive patients with VA (45 ± 3 years, 68% male) vs. 38 patients without VA (NVA) (38 ± 2 years, 84% male) serving as a control group. VA was monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in 55% of patients, premature ventricular complexes in 50% and ventricular fibrillation in 29%. The left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline was 47 ± 2% vs. 40 ± 3% in VA vs. NVA patients (p = 0.069). CMR showed late gadolinium enhancement more often in VA patients (94% vs. 69%; p = 0.016), incorporating 17.6 ± 1.8% vs. 8.2 ± 1.3% of myocardial mass (p < 0.001). Radiofrequency catheter ablation for VA was initially performed in nine (24%) patients, of whom five remained free from any recurrence over 24 ± 3 months. Taken together, in patients with myocarditis, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction does not predict VA occurrence but CMR shows late gadolinium enhancement more frequently and to a larger extent in VA than in NVA patients, potentially guiding catheter ablation as a reasonable treatment of VA in this population.

Pulsed-field ablation combined with ultrahigh-density mapping in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Practical and electrophysiological considerations.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) yields a novel ablation technology for atrial fibrillation (AF). PFA lesions promise to be highly durable, however clinical data on lesion characteristics are still limited. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate PFA lesion creation with ultrahigh-density (UHDx) mapping. METHODS: Consecutive AF patients underwent PFA-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a multispline catheter (Farwave, Farapulse Inc.). Additional ablation, including left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) and mitral isthmus ablation (MI) were performed in a subset of persistent AF patients. The extent of PFA-lesions and decrease of LA-voltage were assessed with pre- and post PFA UHDx-mapping (Orion™ catheter and Rhythmia™ 3D-mapping system, Boston Scientific). RESULTS: In 20 patients, acute PVI was achieved in 80/80 PVs, LAPW isolation in 9/9 patients, MI ablation in 2/2 (procedure time: 123 ± 21.6 min, fluoroscopy time: 19.2 ± 5.5 min). UHDx-mapping subsequent to PVI revealed early PV-reconnection in five case (5/80, 6.25%). Gaps were located at the anterior-superior PV ostia and were successfully targeted with additional PFA. Repeat UHDx mapping after PFA revealed a significant decrease of voltage along the PV ostia (1.67 ± 1.36 mV vs. 0.053 ± 0.038 mV, p < .0001) with almost no complex electrogram-fractionation at the lesion border zones. PFA-catheter visualization within the mapping system was feasible in 17/19 (84.9%) patients and adequate in 92.9% of ablation sites. CONCLUSION: For the first time illustrated by UHDx mapping, PFA creates wide antral circumferential lesions and homogenous LAPW isolation with depression of tissue voltage to a minimum. Although with a low incidence, early PV reconnection can still occur also in the setting of PFA.

Specific electrogram characteristics impact substrate ablation target area in patients with scar-related ventricular tachycardia-insights from automated ultrahigh-density mapping.

INTRODUCTION: Substrate-based catheter ablation approaches to ventricular tachycardia (VT) focus on low-voltage areas and abnormal electrograms. However, specific electrogram characteristics in sinus rhythm are not clearly defined and can be subject to variable interpretation. We analyzed the potential ablation target size using automatic abnormal electrogram detection and studied findings during substrate mapping in the VT isthmus area. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electrogram characteristics in 61 patients undergoing scar-related VT ablation using ultrahigh-density 3D-mapping with a 64-electrode mini-basket catheter were analyzed retrospectively. Forty-four complete substrate maps with a mean number of 10319 ± 889 points were acquired. Fractionated potentials detected by automated annotation and manual review were present in 43 ± 21% of the entire low-voltage area (<1.0 mV), highly fractionated potentials in 7 ± 8%, late potentials in 13 ± 15%, fractionated late potentials in 7 ± 9% and isolated late potentials in 2 ± 4%, respectively. Highly fractionated potentials (>10 ± 1 fractionations) were found in all isthmus areas of identified VT during substrate mapping, while isolated late potentials were distant from the critical isthmus area in 29%. CONCLUSION: The ablation target area varies enormously in size, depending on the definition of abnormal electrograms. Clear linking of abnormal electrograms with critical VT isthmus areas during substrate mapping remains difficult due to a lack of specificity rather than sensitivity. However, highly fractionated, low-voltage electrograms were found to be present in all critical VT isthmus sites.

Ultra-high-density mapping of conduction gaps and atrial tachycardias: Distinctive patterns following pulmonary vein isolation with cryoballoon or contact-force-guided radiofrequency current.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate electrophysiological findings in patients with arrhythmia recurrence undergoing a repeat ablation procedure using ultra-high-density (UHDx) mapping following an index procedure using either contact-force (CF)-guided radiofrequency current (RFC) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or second-generation cryoballoon (CB) PVI for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients with recurrence of AF and/or atrial tachycardia (AT) following index CF-RFC PVI (n = 21) or CB PVI (n = 29) were included. A 64-pole mini-basket mapping catheter in combination with an UHDx-mapping system-guided ablation was used. RFC was applied using a catheter tip with three incorporated mini-electrodes. PV reconnection rates were higher after CF-RFC PVI (CF-RFC: 2.5 ± 1.3 PVs vs CB: 1.4 ± 0.9 PVs; P = .0025) and left PVs were more frequently reconnected (CF-RFC: 64% PVs vs CB: 35% PVs; P = .0077). Fractionated signals along the antral index ablation line (FS) were found in 30% of CB-PVI patients (CF-RFC: 9.5% vs CB:30%; P = .098) targeted for ablation. In five cases, FS were a critical part of maintaining consecutive AT. The main AT mechanism found during reablation (n = 45 ATs) was macroreentry (80% [36/45], CF-RFC: 78.9% vs CB: 80.8%; P = 1.0) with a variety of circuits throughout both atria. CONCLUSION: UHDx mapping is sensitive in detecting conduction gaps along the index ablation line. Left PVs are more frequently reconnected after initial CF-RFC PVI. FS are a common finding after CB PVI and can maintain certain forms of ATs. ATs after index PVI are mostly macroreentries with a broad spectrum of entities.

Local impedance guides catheter ablation in patients with ventricular tachycardia.

AIMS: Catheter contact and local tissue characteristics are relevant information for successful radiofrequency current (RFC)-ablation. Local impedance (LI) has been shown to reflect tissue characteristics and lesion formation during RFC-ablation. Using a novel ablation catheter incorporating three mini-electrodes, we investigated LI in relation to generator impedance (GI) in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and its applicability as an indicator of effective RFC-ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Baseline impedance, Δimpedance during ablation and drop rate (Δimpedance/time) were analyzed for 625 RFC-applications in 28 patients with recurrent VT undergoing RFC-ablation. LI was lower in scarred (87.0 Ω [79.0-95.0]) compared to healthy myocardium (97.5 Ω ([82.75-111.50]; P = .03) while GI did not differ between scarred and healthy myocardium. ΔLI was higher (18 Ω [9.4-26.0]) for VT-terminating as compared to non-terminating RFC-ablation (ΔLI 13 Ω [8.85-18.0]; P = .03), but did not differ for ΔGI between terminating vs nonterminating RFC-ablation. Correspondingly, LI drop rate was higher for RFC-ablation terminating the VT compared with RFC-ablation not terminating the VT (0.63 Ω/s [0.52-0.76] vs 0.32 Ω [0.20-0.58]; P = .008) while there was no difference for GI drop rate. ΔLI was higher in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy vs patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (16 Ω [11.0-20.0] vs 11.0 Ω [7.85-17.00]; P = .003). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that LI is a sensitive parameter to guide RFC-ablation in patients with VT. LI indicates differences in tissue characteristics and generally is higher in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Hence, the etiology of the underlying cardiomyopathy needs to be considered when adopting LI for monitoring catheter ablation of VT.

High-Density Mapping and Ablation of Primary Nonfocal Left Atrial Tachycardia: Characterizing a Distinct Arrhythmogenic Substrate.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize primary left atrial tachycardia (LAT) mechanisms, electrical properties and substrate using high-density mapping. BACKGROUND: Nonfocal LAT can be found in patients without prior substrate modifying interventions. METHODS: Of 223 catheter ablation procedures for LAT 15 patients (60% male, age 74 ± 6 years) had nonfocal AT and no history of LA ablation or cardiac surgery. RESULTS: AT (mean cycle length 244 ± 32 ms) were identified as macro-re-entry (12 of 15) or localized re-entry (3 of 15). High-density electroanatomical mapping (EAM, performed in 13 patients) revealed a high proportion of low voltage areas (LVA, <0.45 mV, 41 ± 22%). Anterior LVA regions were predominantly related to the macro-re-entry and directly perpetuating the re-entrant circuit in 8 patients by formation of a conductive channel (width: 14 ± 7 mm, length: 11 ± 3 mm) between the inferior pole of the scar and the mitral valve (MV) annulus with electrophysiological features of diseased tissue. A tailored anterior ablation line successfully terminated AT in 9 patients (6 dominant circuit MV dependent, 3 dominant circuit scar dependent AT), while a lateral isthmus line was performed in 2 patients. Localized re-entries were successfully targeted by local ablation. Acute successful ablation could be achieved in 14 of 15 patients leading to a freedom from any arrhythmias in 9 of 15 patients (60%) after follow-up of 343 ± 203 days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with nonfocal left atrial tachycardia without previous iatrogenic interventions show evidence for advanced atrial myopathy. High-density mapping revealed involvement of the anterior LA and allows for an individualized ablation approach beyond strategies usually applied in consecutive AT.

A novel assessment of local impedance during catheter ablation: initial experience in humans comparing local and generator measurements.

AIMS: A novel measure of local impedance (LI) has been found to predict lesion formation during radiofrequency current (RFC) catheter ablation. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of this novel approach, while comparing LI to the well-established generator impedance (GI). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 25 consecutive patients with a history of atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation was guided by a 3D-mapping system measuring LI in addition to GI via an ablation catheter tip with three incorporated mini-electrodes. Local impedance and GI before and during RFC applications were studied. In total, 381 RFC applications were analysed. The baseline LI was higher in high-voltage areas (>0.5 mV; LI: 110.5 ± 13.7 Ω) when compared with intermediate-voltage sites (0.1-0.5 mV; 90.9 ± 10.1 Ω, P < 0.001), low-voltage areas (<0.1 mV; 91.9 ± 16.4 Ω, P < 0.001), and blood pool LI (91.9 ± 9.9 Ω, P < 0.001). During ablation, mean LI drop (△LI; 13.1 ± 9.1 Ω) was 2.15 times higher as mean GI drop (△GI) (6.1 ± 4.2 Ω, P < 0.001). Baseline LI correlated with △LI: a mean LI of 99.9 Ω predicted a △LI of 12.9 Ω [95% confidence interval (12.1-13.6), R2 0.41; P < 0.001]. This relationship was weak for baseline GI predicting △GI (R2 0.06, P < 0.001). Catheter movements were represented by rapid LI changes. The duration of an RFC application was not predictive for catheter-tissue coupling with no further change of △LI (P = 0.247) nor △GI (P = 0.376) during prolonged ablation. CONCLUSION: Local impedance can be monitored during ablation. Compared with the sole use of GI, baseline LI is a better predictor of impedance drops during ablation and may provide useful insights regarding lesion formation. However, further studies are needed to investigate if this novel approach is useful to guide catheter ablation.

Contact force facilitates the achievement of an unexcitable ablation line during pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS: Contact force (CF) catheters provide catheter-tissue contact information to improve outcome of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We evaluated different target-CF values for achievement of the additional endpoint of an unexcitable ablation line. METHODS: A total of 106 patients undergoing PVI were randomized into three groups (G) (G1: target-CF 15 g, G2: target-CF 10 g, G3: CF concealed from operator). The PVI encircling line was divided into predefined sections. Excitable tissue along the PVI-line identified by high output pacing (10 V, 2 ms) was targeted for further ablation. RESULTS: Mean average CF was 17.4 ± 4.7 g (G1) vs. 12.3 ± 6.0 g (G2) vs. 11.1 ± 6.5 g (G 3) (p < 0.001). Primary unexcitable ablation lines were found in 38.6, 19.4 and 5.7% (G1, G2, G3 respectively; G1 vs. G2 p < 0.05, G1 vs. G3 p < 0.001, G2 vs. G3 ns). Additional radiofrequency (RF)-energy to achieve unexcitability was lowest in G1 (3.6 ± 3.1 kJ vs. 8.6 ± 7.2 kJ (G2) and 10.4 ± 6.7 (G3), p ≤ 0.001, G2 vs. G3 ns) with accordingly lowest additional RF applications in G1 (3.0 ± 2.6 vs. 7.0 ± 5.4 in G2 and 8.4 ± 4.0 in G3; G1 vs. G2 and G3, p < 0.001, G 2 vs. G 3 ns). Sections along ablation lines with low initial CF were most likely to reveal excitability. Single procedure success was 81.9 vs. 73.5 vs. 71.4% (G 1, 2 and 3, p = 0.6) during 437 ± 254 day follow-up. CONCLUSION: Higher tip-to-tissue CF during PVI facilitates the achievement of an unexcitable ablation line, requiring less additional RF-energy.

Risk stratification of patients with left atrial appendage thrombus prior to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: An approach towards an individualized use of transesophageal echocardiography.

INTRODUCTION: The need for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (CA-AF) is still being questioned. The aim of this study is to analyze patients' (patients) risk factors of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) prior to CA-AF in daily clinical practice, according to oral anticoagulation (OAC) strategies recommended by current guidelines. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients scheduled for CA-AF from 01/2015 to 12/2016 in our center were included and either treated with NOACs (novel-OAC; paused 24-hours preablation) or continuous vitamin K antagonists (INR 2.0-3.0). All patients received a preprocedural TEE at the day of ablation. Two groups were defined: (1) patients without LAAT, (2) patients with LAAT. The incidence of LAAT was 0.78% (13 of 1,658 patients). No LAAT was detected in patients with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of ≤1 (n = 640 patients) irrespective of the underlying AF type. Independent predictors for LAAT are: higher CHA2 DS2 -VASc scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95%-confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.23, P = 0.0019), a history of nonparoxysmal AF (OR 7.96, 95%-CI: 1.52-146.64, P = 0.049), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; OR 9.63, 95% CI: 1.36-43.05, P = 0.007), and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 30% (OR 8.32, 95% CI: 1.18-36.29, P = 0.011). The type of OAC was not predictive (P = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of LAAT in patients scheduled for CA-AF is low. Therefore, periprocedural OAC strategies recommended by current guidelines seem feasible. Preprocedural TEE may be dispensed in patients with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≤1. However, a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≥2, reduced LVEF, HCM, or history of nonparoxysmal AF are independently associated with an increased risk for LAAT.

5-Year Outcome of Pulmonary Vein Isolation by Loss of Pace Capture on the Ablation Line Versus Electrical Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare long-term arrhythmia-free survival between electrical circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and PVI with the endpoint of unexcitability along the ablation line. BACKGROUND: PVI is the standard ablation strategy of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, although arrhythmia recurrence in long-term follow-up (FU) is high. The endpoint of unexcitability along the ablation line results in decreased arrhythmia recurrence compared to electrical PVI in 1-year FU. METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive patients (age 62.5 ± 10.6 years; 70.3% male) with de novo paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who were initially included in our randomized trial and underwent catheter ablation at our institution were analyzed. Patients who were randomized to either a conventional group (PVI, guided by circumferential catheter signals) or a pace-guided group (PG, anatomical ablation line encircling, ablation until loss of pace capture at 10 V, 2-ms pulse width on the ablation line) underwent long-term FU. The primary endpoint was recurrence of any atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia after a blanking period of 3 months. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients completed a mean FU period of 5.14 ± 0.98 years. Arrhythmia-free survival without antiarrhythmic drug therapy was significantly higher in the PG group (71.05% vs. 25.81%, p = 0.002). Furthermore, multiple procedure success (1.29 ± 0.61 procedures in PG vs. 1.97 ± 1.06 procedures in conventional group, p < 0.001) was higher in the PG group compared to the conventional group (89.47% vs. 58.06%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The endpoint of unexcitability along the PVI line improves success rates, resulting in a significant reduction of exposure to invasive procedures in 5-year FU.

Local Electrical Dyssynchrony during Atrial Fibrillation: Theoretical Considerations and Initial Catheter Ablation Results.

BACKGROUND: Electrogram-based identification of the regions maintaining persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a subject of ongoing debate. Here, we explore the concept of local electrical dyssynchrony to identify AF drivers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Local electrical dyssynchrony was calculated using mean phase coherence. High-density epicardial mapping along with mathematical model were used to explore the link between local dyssynchrony and properties of wave conduction. High-density mapping showed a positive correlation between the dyssynchrony and number of fibrillatory waves (R2 = 0.68, p<0.001). In the mathematical model, virtual ablation at high dyssynchrony regions resulted in conduction regularization. The clinical study consisted of eighteen patients undergoing catheter ablation of persistent AF. High-density maps of left atrial (LA) were constructed using a circular mapping catheter. After pulmonary vein isolation, regions with the top 10% of the highest dyssynchrony in LA were targeted during ablation and followed with ablation of complex atrial electrograms. Catheter ablation resulted in termination during ablation at high dyssynchrony regions in 7 (41%) patients. In another 4 (24%) patients, transient organization was observed. In 6 (35%) there was no clear effect. Long-term follow-up showed 65% AF freedom at 1 year and 22% at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Local electrical dyssynchrony provides a reasonable estimator of regional AF complexity defined as the number of fibrillatory waves. Additionally, it points to regions of dynamical instability related with action potential alternans. However, despite those characteristics, its utility in guiding catheter ablation of AF is limited suggesting other factors are responsible for AF persistence.

Characterization, Mapping, and Ablation of Complex Atrial Tachycardia: Initial Experience With a Novel Method of Ultra High-Density 3D Mapping.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional mapping of complex atrial tachycardias (ATs) can be challenging. Thus, we evaluated feasibility and utility of a novel, ultra high-density 3D mapping approach to characterize and map AT in these cases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 21 patients (67.4 ± 7.6 years; male: 52.4%, 1.9 ± 1.4 previous ablation procedures) with documented AT referred to our center underwent catheter ablation including ultra high-density mapping using a novel 64-electrode mini-basket catheter and an adjunctive 3D mapping system. A total of 24 AT (20 left atrial, 4 right atrial AT) were analyzed in 19 cases. In 2 patients, map acquisition failed due to scarce local electrograms and unstable AT cycle length, respectively. Underlying mechanisms were focal (n = 3), as well as local (n = 8) and macro (n = 13) reentry tachycardias with a mean cycle length of 311.8 ± 67.7 milliseconds. The analysis of propagation waves, activation and voltage revealed complex activation patterns and allowed for the identification of critical sites of AT initiation or maintenance without the need for further mapping techniques. In all cases critical sites could be verified by successful consecutive ablation. Mean mapping time was 19.4 ± 7.6 minutes, mean number of mapping points was 19,217 ± 10,270. Radiofrequency application until first effect was 165.1 ± 374.2 seconds; total procedure time was 157.6 ± 51.4 minutes, fluoroscopy time 21.7 ± 13.8 minutes, and total radiofrequency duration 1,016 ± 951.9 seconds, respectively. No severe complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Ultra high-density mapping of complex AT is safe and feasible. Further, it enables detailed insight into AT mechanisms. Critical AT sites can be identified precisely in order to guide successful catheter ablation.

Heart rate turbulence and deceleration capacity for risk prediction of serious arrhythmic events in Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with a substantial risk for ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). We used heart rate turbulence (HRT) and deceleration capacity (DC), to evaluate the risk stratification for these patients. METHODS: We enrolled 102 patients [45 male (44.1 %), age 40.5 ± 14.6 years] with MFS. Blood samples were obtained to determine N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Transthoracic echocardiography studies were conducted to evaluate heart function parameters and a 24-h holter ECG was performed. An analysis of two HRT parameters, turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS), and DC was performed. Therefore, optimal cut-off values were calculated. Primary endpoint was the combination of SCD, ventricular arrhythmia and arrhythmogenic syncope. Secondary endpoint was total mortality. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 1145 ± 491 days, 12 (11.7 %) patients reached the primary and 8 (7.8 %) patients the secondary endpoint. Patients reaching the primary were significantly older, had a higher burden of premature ventricular complexes and NT-proBNP levels and lower values of LVEF, DC and HRT TS. Multivariate analysis identified NT-proBNP (HR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.01-1.56, p = .04) and the abnormal HRT (abnormal TS and/or TO (HR 7.04, 95 % CI 1.07-46.27, p = .04) as independent risk predictor of arrhythmogenic events. CONCLUSION: Patients with Marfan syndrome are at risk for severe ventricular arrhythmias and SCD. Abnormal HRT parameters and NT-proBNP values are independent risk factors for arrhythmogenic events and SCD. The assessment of these tools may help predicting SCD patients with MFS.

Safety and efficacy of external electrical cardioversion in patients with left ventricular leads.

BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmias lower the biventricular pacing percentage in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) treated patients (pts) and have a high prevalence in this population. External electrical cardioversion (ECV) is commonly performed to restore sinus rhythm. There is a paucity of data on the safety and efficacy of ECV in pts with CRT devices. METHODS: Forty-three pts with CRT devices undergoing ECV at two centers were included prospectively. Devices were interrogated immediately prior to and after ECV, as well as after 4 weeks. RESULTS: Devices (CRT-D in 38 and CRT-P in 5) were all implanted in left pectoral position, with predominantly bipolar left ventricular (LV) leads. Sixty-one shocks were delivered, all biphasic. Arrhythmia had recurred in 36 % of pts at follow-up (FU). There was a significant increase in LV lead threshold voltage and drop in bipolar LV lead impedance after ECV, which returned to normal at FU. An at least twofold increase in pacing threshold voltage at FU was seen in 2 LV leads and a 0.5 V increase in threshold in 3 LV leads. Overall, biventricular pacing significantly increased during FU. CONCLUSION: ECV in CRT pts was safe and effective in this two-center study. A transient increase in LV lead pacing threshold was observed. Relevant changes in pacing threshold at FU occurred in five LV leads-identification and regular FU of these pts are necessary. Restoring SR through ECV significantly increased the biventricular pacing percentage but arrhythmia recurrence was frequent. CRT pts with atrial arrhythmias require close FU after ECV.