Impact of New Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19. Results of the "ACO-VID" Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) on patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Multicenter and retrospective study that included subjects >55 years hospitalized with COVID-19 from March to October 2020 in Spanish hospitals. Patients were divided into 3 groups (no AF, new-onset AF, and preexisting AF) and followed-up to 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 668 patients were included, of whom 162 (24.3%) had no AF, 107 (16.0%) new-onset AF and 399 (59.7%) preexisting AF. Compared to patients without AF, those patients with new-onset AF were older and had more comorbidities, but without differences with preexisting AF. During hospitalization, in the univariate analysis, compared to patients without AF, major bleeding and cardiovascular mortality were more frequent in patients with new-onset AF (10.3% vs 0.6%; P < .001; 2.8% vs 0.6%; P = .025, respectively), with a trend toward more stroke (1.9% vs 0%; P = .085). Outcomes were similar between AF groups, but the length of stay was greater in preexisting AF patients. Among patients with new-onset AF taking reduced doses of anticoagulant treatment was associated with higher risks of stroke and major bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 hospitalized patients, new-onset AF may be associated with worse outcomes, but influenced by the dose of anticoagulants.

Impact of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation on the risk of death, thromboembolic disease and bleeding in patients with COVID-19: the ACO-VID Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical profile, risk of complications and impact of anticoagulation in COVID-19 hospitalized patients, according to the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective, and observational study that consecutively included patients >55 years admitted with COVID-19 from March to October 2020. In AF patients, anticoagulation was chosen based on clinicians' judgment. Patients were followed-up for 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 646 patients were included, of whom 75.2% had AF. Overall, mean age was 75 ± 9.1 years and 62.4% were male. Patients with AF were older and had more comorbidities. The most common anticoagulants used during hospitalization in patients with AF were edoxaban (47.9%), low molecular weight heparin (27.0%), and dabigatran (11.7%) and among patients without AF, these numbers were 0%, 93.8% and 0%. Overall, during the study period (68 ± 3 days), 15.2% of patients died, 8.2% of patients presented a major bleeding and 0.9% had a stroke/systemic embolism. During hospitalization, patients with AF had a higher risk of major bleeding (11.3% vs 0.7%; p < .01), COVID-19-related deaths (18.0% vs 4.5%; p = .02), and all-cause deaths (20.6% vs 5.6%; p = .02). Age (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.3) and elevated transaminases (HR 3.5; 95% CI 2.0-6.1) were independently associated with all-cause mortality. AF was independently associated with major bleeding (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, patients with AF were older, had more comorbidities and had a higher risk of major bleeding. Age and elevated transaminases during hospitalization, but not AF nor anticoagulant treatment increased the risk of all-cause death.

Dabigatran in patients with atrial fibrillation after COVID-19 hospitalization: an update of the ANIBAL protocol.

COVID-19 increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and thrombotic complications, particularly in severe cases, leading to higher mortality rates. Anticoagulation is the cornerstone to reduce thromboembolic risk in patients with AF. Considering the risk of hepatotoxicity in patients with severe COVID-19 as well as the risk of drug-drug interactions, drug-induced hepatotoxicity and bleeding, the ANIBAL protocol was developed to facilitate the anticoagulation approach at discharge after COVID-19 hospitalization. However, since the publication of the original algorithm, relevant changes have occurred. First, treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia has been modified with the use of dexamethasone or remdesivir during the first week in patients that require oxygen therapy, and of dexamethasone and/or tocilizumab or baricitinib during the second week in patients that necessitate supplementary oxygen or with a high inflammation state, respectively. On the other hand, metabolic syndrome is common in patients with AF as well as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and this could negatively impact the prognosis of patients with COVID-19, including high transaminase levels in patients treated with immunomodulators. The EHRA guidelines update also introduce some interesting changes in drug-drug interaction patterns with the reduction of the level of the interaction with dexamethasone, which is of paramount importance in this clinical context. Considering the new information, the protocol, named ANIBAL II, has been updated. In this new protocol, the anticoagulant of choice in patients with AF after COVID-19 hospitalization is provided according to three scenarios: with/without dexamethasone treatment at discharge and normal hepatic function, transaminases ≤2 times the upper limit of normal, or transaminases >2 times the upper limit of normal.

Non fluoroscopic ablation of different arrhythmic structures in an electrophysiology unit. Assessment of efficiency and security.

BACKGROUND: Electroanatomical mapping systems (EMS) reduce fluoroscopy dose for the ablation. Higher costs and longer procedure times are the drawbacks associated with EMS. Our objective was to validate the efficiency of the EMS. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that using EMS is more efficient and as secure as the traditional system of ablation. METHODS: From April 2013 to June 2018, all patients were included into two groups, according to the intention of ablation with or without fluoroscopy. Right, left, supraventricular and ventricular ablation were included. We compared procedure variables (fluoroscopy, radiofrequency and procedure times, ablation results, complication rates and costs of the procedure) that included material and detrimental effect of fluoroscopy. RESULTS: A total of 105 were included in the fluoroscopy group and 287 in the without fluoroscopy group. We found an important reduction in time and radiation dose in all the ablation procedures studied, without increasing the procedure time. No differences in ablation results nor complications rate were found. We found lower costs in the flutter ablation without fluoroscopy, similar costs in the right focal tachycardia ablation group and higher costs in the without fluoroscopy group for the AVNRT and left accessory pathway. When detrimental effect of fluoroscopy was added, all procedures without fluoroscopy were significantly more efficient than the ones performed with it. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation without fluoroscopy is a technique as safe and effective as the conventional technique. Our study suggests that the radiation dose delivered to the patient and staff might be reduced, without increasing the total procedure time, being even more efficient.

Dabigatran, the oral anticoagulant of choice at discharge in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and COVID-19 infection: the ANIBAL protocol.

Atrial fibrillation is a frequent complication among patients with severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Both direct and indirect mechanisms through COVID-19 have been described to explain this relationship. COVID-19 infection increases the risk of developing both arterial and venous thrombotic complications through systemic coagulation activation, leading to increased mortality. Chronic oral anticoagulation is essential to reduce the thromboembolic risk among AF patients. Switching to low-molecular-weight heparin has been recommended during hospitalization for COVID-19 infection. Of note, at discharge, the prescription of direct oral anticoagulants may offer some advantages over vitamin K antagonists. However, oral anticoagulants should only be prescribed after the consideration of drug-drug interactions with antiviral therapies as well as of the risk of hepatotoxicity, which is common among individuals with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Not all anticoagulants have the same risk of hepatotoxicity; dabigatran has shown a good efficacy and safety profile and could have a lower risk of hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, its metabolism by cytochrome P450 is absent and it has a specific reversal agent. Therefore, dabigatran may be considered as a first-line choice for oral anticoagulation at discharge after COVID-19 infection. In this review, the available information on the antithrombotic management of AF patients at discharge after COVID-19 infection is updated. In addition, a practical algorithm, considering renal and liver function, which facilitates the anticoagulation choice at discharge is presented.

Respuesta al ECG de mayo de 2018 / Response to ECG, May 2018

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ECG de mayo de 2018 / ECG, May 2018

No disponible

Registro Español de Ablación con Catéter. XIV Informe Oficial de la Sección de Electrofisiología y Arritmias de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2014) / Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. 14th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias (2014)

Introducción y objetivos: Se detallan los resultados del Registro Español de Ablación con Catéter año 2014. Métodos: La recogida de datos se llevó a cabo mediante dos sistemas: retrospectivo, mediante cumplimentación de un formulario, y prospectivo, a través de una base de datos común. La elección de uno u otro fue voluntaria de cada uno de los centros. Resultados: Se recogieron datos de 85 centros. El número total de procedimientos de ablación fue 12.871, con una media de 149,5 ± 103 procedimientos. Los tres sustratos abordados con más frecuencia fueron la taquicardia intranodular (n = 3.026; 23,5%), la ablación del istmo cavotricuspídeo (n = 2.833; 22,0%) y la fibrilación auricular (n = 2.498; 19,4%). La ablación de arritmias ventriculares ha permanecido estable, con un ligero incremento de todos los sustratos ventriculares, en especial las taquicardias ventriculares idiopáticas y las asociadas a cicatriz tras infarto. La tasa total de éxito fue del 95%; la de complicaciones mayores, del 1,3% y la de mortalidad, del 0,02%. Conclusiones: En el registro del año 2014 se mantiene una línea de continuidad ascendente en el número de ablaciones realizadas y muestra, en líneas generales, una elevada tasa de éxito y bajo número de complicaciones. Continúa el aumento del abordaje de sustratos más complejos (AU)

Introduction and objectives: This report presents the findings of the 2014 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. Methods: For data collection, each center was allowed to choose freely between 2 systems: retrospective, requiring the completion of a standardized questionnaire, and prospective, involving reporting to a central database. Results: Data were collected from 85 centers. A total of 12 871 ablation procedures were performed, for a mean of 149.5 ± 103 procedures per center. The ablation targets most frequently treated were atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n = 3026; 23.5%), cavotricuspid isthmus (n = 2833; 22.0%), and atrial fibrillation (n = 2498; 19.4%). The number of ablation procedures for ventricular arrhythmias was similar to that of 2013, but there was a slight increase in the treatment of all the ventricular substrates, especially those associated with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and scarring following myocardial infarction. The overall success rate was 95%, the rate of major complications was 1.3%, and the mortality rate was 0.02%. Conclusions: The 2014 registry shows that the number of ablation procedures performed continued its upward trend and that, overall, the success rate was high and the number of complications low. Ablation of complex conditions continued to increase (AU)

Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. 14th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias (2014).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This report presents the findings of the 2014 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. METHODS: For data collection, each center was allowed to choose freely between 2 systems: retrospective, requiring the completion of a standardized questionnaire, and prospective, involving reporting to a central database. RESULTS: Data were collected from 85 centers. A total of 12 871 ablation procedures were performed, for a mean of 149.5±103 procedures per center. The ablation targets most frequently treated were atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n=3026; 23.5%), cavotricuspid isthmus (n=2833; 22.0%), and atrial fibrillation (n=2498; 19.4%). The number of ablation procedures for ventricular arrhythmias was similar to that of 2013, but there was a slight increase in the treatment of all the ventricular substrates, especially those associated with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and scarring following myocardial infarction. The overall success rate was 95%, the rate of major complications was 1.3%, and the mortality rate was 0.02%. CONCLUSIONS: The 2014 registry shows that the number of ablation procedures performed continued its upward trend and that, overall, the success rate was high and the number of complications low. Ablation of complex conditions continued to increase.

Registro Español de Ablación con Catéter. XIII Informe Oficial de la Sección de Electrofisiología y Arritmias de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2013) / Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. 13th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias (2013)

Introducción y objetivos: Se detallan los resultados del Registro Español de Ablación con Catéter del año 2013. Métodos: La recogida de datos se llevó a cabo mediante dos sistemas. De forma retrospectiva con la cumplimentación de un formulario y de forma prospectiva a través de una base de datos común. La elección de una u otra fue voluntaria para cada uno de los centros. Resultados: Se recogieron datos de 80 centros. El número total de procedimientos de ablación fue 11.987, con una media de 149±105 procedimientos. Los tres sustratos abordados con más frecuencia fueron la taquicardia intranodular (n=2.959; 24,6%), la ablación del istmo cavotricuspídeo (n=2.700; 22,5%) y la fibrilación auricular (n=2.201; 18,4%). La ablación de arritmias ventriculares ha permanecido estable, pero han aumentado discretamente los procedimientos sobre las asociadas a cicatriz tras infarto. La tasa total de éxito fue del 94,4%; la de complicaciones mayores, del 1,8% y la de mortalidad, del 0,03%. Conclusiones: En el registro del año 2013 se mantiene una línea de continuidad ascendente en el número de ablaciones realizadas y muestran, en líneas generales, una elevada tasa de éxito y bajo número de complicaciones. Continúa el aumento del abordaje de sustratos más complejos

Introduction and objectives: This report presents the results of the 2013 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. Methods: Data were collected using 2 systems: retrospectively by completing a dedicated form and prospectively by reporting to a central database. Each participating center chose 1 of the 2 data collection methods. Results: Eighty centers voluntarily contributed data to the registry. A total of 11 987 ablation procedures were performed, with a mean (standard deviation) of 149 (105) procedures per center. The 3 main arrhythmic substrates treated were atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n=2959; 24.6%), cavotricuspid isthmus ablation (n=2700; 22.5%), and atrial fibrillation (n=2201; 18.4%). The number of ventricular ablation procedures was similar to the 2012 activity, but there was a slight increase in procedures for scar-related postmyocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia. The success rate was 94.4%, major complications occurred in 1.8%, and the mortality rate was 0.03%. Conclusions: In line with previous reports, the data from the 2013 registry show a continuing increase in the number of ablations performed. Overall, there was a high success rate and few complications. Ablation of complex substrates has continued to increase

Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. 13th Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias (2013).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This report presents the results of the 2013 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry. METHODS: Data were collected using 2 systems: retrospectively by completing a dedicated form and prospectively by reporting to a central database. Each participating center chose 1 of the 2 data collection methods. RESULTS: Eighty centers voluntarily contributed data to the registry. A total of 11 987 ablation procedures were performed, with a mean (standard deviation) of 149 (105) procedures per center. The 3 main arrhythmic substrates treated were atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n=2959; 24.6%), cavotricuspid isthmus ablation (n=2700; 22.5%), and atrial fibrillation (n=2201; 18.4%). The number of ventricular ablation procedures was similar to the 2012 activity, but there was a slight increase in procedures for scar-related postmyocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia. The success rate was 94.4%, major complications occurred in 1.8%, and the mortality rate was 0.03%. CONCLUSIONS: In line with previous reports, the data from the 2013 registry show a continuing increase in the number of ablations performed. Overall, there was a high success rate and few complications. Ablation of complex substrates has continued to increase.

An unique case suffering from repetitive syncope episodes due to ictal asystole.

We present the case of a patient with syncope with repetition over 12 years, with a clinical profile not clearly related with a cardiogenic origin, who was studied by several medical specialties without any accurate diagnosis. After subcutaneous loop recorder implantation, we were able to demonstrate how seizures acted as a trigger in the genesis of an exaggerated cardio inhibitory reflex. A new entity has been described, known as "ictal asystole", in patients with focal epilepsy mostly from the temporal lobes and has been implicated as a cardiac cause of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. We think this case could add new information about some patients who are at high risk of death but they are misdiagnosed.

Ablación con radiofrecuencia de una taquicardia auricular focal desde el seno aórtico no coronario / No disponible

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[Diabetic miocardiopathy]. / Miocardiopatía diabética.

The world-wide estimated prevalence of diabetes mellitus for 2025 is of about 300 million, resulting from a higher prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles in the developed world. The group of cardiovascular diseases is responsible for 80% of deaths among diabetic patients. Several authors have suggested that patients with diabetes mellitus have a predisposition to develop a form of cardiomyopathy, known as <>, which is not related to ischemic heart disease or hypertension, and may progress to cardiac failure. Such condition is known to be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence appears to be high. Thus, tissue Doppler techniques added to conventional echocardiography assessment have estimated it to be as high as 75%. However, the use of echocardiography as a screening tool in the asymptomatic diabetic population is problematic. Biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction have been proposed for diagnosis. In this article, we have assessed the role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of this condition and proposed a diagnostic algorithm that may be useful for the assessment of asymptomatic patients with diabetes.

Miocardiopatía diabética / Diabetic miocardiopathy

La prevalencia mundial estimada de la población diabética para el año 2025 es de cerca de 300 millones, resultante, entre otras causas, de una mayor prevalencia de la obesidad y del sedentarismo en el mundo desarrollado. El conjunto de las enfermedades cardiovasculares causa cerca del 80% de las muertes de los pacientes diabéticos. Numerosos autores han propuesto la existencia de una predisposición no relacionada con enfermedad coronaria, hipertensión, alcoholismo, enfermedad valvular o congénita, conocida como «miocardiopatía diabética», que haría que los pacientes diabéticos fueran más susceptibles al desarrollo de insuficiencia cardíaca, la cual presenta un peor pronóstico en pacientes diabéticos. Se ha estimado una prevalencia de miocardiopatía diabética en población asintomática de hasta el 75%, según algunos autores, con técnicas de Doppler tisular añadidas a la valoración ecocardiográfica convencional. Sin embargo, el uso de la ecocardiografía como técnica de cribado en población diabética asintomática es bastante problemático. Este artículo analiza el papel de los marcadores biológicos en el diagnóstico de esta entidad y propone un algoritmo diagnóstico que podría ser útil en la valoración de la población diabética asintomática

The world-wide estimated prevalence of diabetes mellitus for 2025 is of about 300 million, resulting from a higher prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles in the developed world. The group of cardiovascular diseases is responsible for 80% of deaths among diabetic patients. Several authors have suggested that patients with diabetes mellitus have a predisposition to develop a form of cardiomyopathy, known as «diabetic cardiomyopathy», which is not related to ischemic heart disease or hypertension, and may progress to cardiac failure. Such condition is known to be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence appears to be high. Thus, tissue Doppler techniques added to conventional echocardiography assessment have estimated it to be as high as 75%. However, the use of echocardiography as a screening tool in the asymptomatic diabetic population is problematic. Biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction have been proposed for diagnosis. In this article, we have assessed the role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of this condition and proposed a diagnostic algorithm that may be useful for the assessment of asymptomatic patients with diabetes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists for management and prevention of vascular disease in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Inflammation is known to have a pathogenic role in atherosclerosis and the genesis of acute coronary syndromes. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, which is expressed in many constituent cells of atheromatous plaques, inhibits the activation of several proinflammatory genes responsible for atheromatous plaque development and maturation. Agonists of this receptor, such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, are currently available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and several lines of evidence have shown that these drugs have antiatherogenic effects. Insulin resistance is associated with inflammation and has a key role in atherogenesis. The antiatherogenic and insulin sensitizing effects of the thiazolidinediones in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may be associated with this action. However, in recent years there has been growing evidence that the antiatherogenic effects of PPAR-gamma agonists are not confined to patients with diabetes mellitus. PPAR-gamma agonists have been shown to downregulate the expression of endothelial activation markers, reduce circulating platelet activity, improve flow-mediated dilatation and attenuate atheromatous plaque progression in patients without diabetes mellitus. These effects of PPAR-gamma agonists appear to result from both insulin sensitization and a direct modulation of transcriptional activity in the vessel wall. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of PPAR-gamma agonists in atherogenesis and discusses their potential role in the treatment of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and in nondiabetic patients.

Role of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of cardiac syndrome X.

Chest pain with normal coronary arteriograms represents a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to contemporary cardiology. Cardiac syndrome X (CSX), defined as typical angina-like chest pain, a positive response to exercise stress testing and normal coronary arteriograms, encompasses patients with a variety of pathogenic mechanisms. Cardiac ischemia has been documented in approximately 25% of CSX patients and is associated with endothelial dysfunction and microvascular vasodilator abnormalities. Increased endothelin-1, a powerful vasoconstrictor, has been suggested to play a pathogenic role. There is a high prevalence of postmenopausal women with CSX and thus estrogen deficiency has also been proposed to represent a possible pathogenic mechanism. Inflammatory mechanisms and endothelial dysfunction at the coronary microvascular level appear to be important in the pathogenesis of CSX. Treatment with agents that have protective effects on the vasculature and also anti-inflammatory properties, such as statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been effective in improving both symptoms and electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia in patients with CSX. This review discusses the roles for endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in the pathogenesis of CSX, as well as the potential therapeutic implications of these mechanisms.