Lifestyle Walking Intervention for Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: The WATCHFUL Trial.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is pivotal in managing heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and walking integrated into daily life is an especially suitable form of physical activity. This study aimed to determine whether a 6-month lifestyle walking intervention combining self-monitoring and regular telephone counseling improves functional capacity assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with stable heart failure with reduced ejection fraction compared with usual care. METHODS: The WATCHFUL trial (Pedometer-Based Walking Intervention in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction) was a 6-month multicenter, parallel-group randomized controlled trial recruiting patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction from 6 cardiovascular centers in the Czech Republic. Eligible participants were ≥18 years of age, had left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, and had New York Heart Association class II or III symptoms on guidelines-recommended medication. Individuals exceeding 450 meters on the baseline 6MWT were excluded. Patients in the intervention group were equipped with a Garmin vívofit activity tracker and received monthly telephone counseling from research nurses who encouraged them to use behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring, goal-setting, and action planning to increase their daily step count. The patients in the control group continued usual care. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the distance walked during the 6MWT at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included daily step count and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity as measured by the hip-worn Actigraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein biomarkers, ejection fraction, anthropometric measures, depression score, self-efficacy, quality of life, and survival risk score. The primary analysis was conducted by intention to treat. RESULTS: Of 218 screened patients, 202 were randomized (mean age, 65 years; 22.8% female; 90.6% New York Heart Association class II; median left ventricular ejection fraction, 32.5%; median 6MWT, 385 meters; average 5071 steps/day; average 10.9 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day). At 6 months, no between-group differences were detected in the 6MWT (mean 7.4 meters [95% CI, -8.0 to 22.7]; P=0.345, n=186). The intervention group increased their average daily step count by 1420 (95% CI, 749 to 2091) and daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity by 8.2 (95% CI, 3.0 to 13.3) over the control group. No between-group differences were detected for any other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the lifestyle intervention in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction improved daily steps by about 25%, it failed to demonstrate a corresponding improvement in functional capacity. Further research is needed to understand the lack of association between increased physical activity and functional outcomes. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03041610.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a randomized study.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF), typical atrial flutter (AFL), and other atrial tachycardias (ATs) are common in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Frequently, several supraventricular arrhythmias are successively observed in individual patients. We investigated the hypothesis of whether more extensive radiofrequency catheter ablation of the bi-atrial arrhythmogenic substrate instead of clinical arrhythmia ablation alone results in superior clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) and supraventricular arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with combined post- and pre-capillary or isolated pre-capillary PH and supraventricular arrhythmia indicated to catheter ablation were enrolled in three centres and randomized 1:1 into two parallel treatment arms. Patients underwent either clinical arrhythmia ablation only (Limited ablation group) or clinical arrhythmia plus substrate-based ablation (Extended ablation group). The primary endpoint was arrhythmia recurrence >30 s without antiarrhythmic drugs after the 3-month blanking period. A total of 77 patients (mean age 67 ± 10 years; 41 males) were enrolled. The presumable clinical arrhythmia was AF in 38 and AT in 36 patients, including typical AFL in 23 patients. During the median follow-up period of 13 (interquartile range: 12; 19) months, the primary endpoint occurred in 15 patients (42%) vs. 17 patients (45%) in the Extended vs. Limited ablation group (hazard ratio: 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.49-2.0). There was no excess of procedural complications and clinical follow-up events including an all-cause death in the Extended ablation group. CONCLUSION: Extensive ablation, compared with a limited approach, was not beneficial in terms of arrhythmia recurrence in patients with AF/AT and PH. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04053361.

High incidence of acute and subacute ischaemic foci on brain MRI in patients with a diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and confirmed patent foramen ovale.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially life-threatening diagnosis when a certain amount of thrombotic mass obstructs blood flow through the pulmonary circulation. The finding of acute and subacute ischaemic foci on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in a group of patients with this diagnosis in whom we demonstrate the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is surprisingly high. METHODS: A total of 129 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (confirmed by computed tomography with contrast agent, CTA) who consented to further examination were examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with contrast agent, underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain according to a specific protocol, and underwent a comprehensive baseline laboratory examination. RESULTS: In our group of 129 patients, we found the presence of PFO in 36.4% (n=47) of them. A total of 5.4% (n=7) patients had asymptomatic acute and subacute ischaemic changes on brain MRI; 6 of them had concomitant PFO. The statistically significant correlation between troponin levels and the presence of pathological findings on MRI and the trend of a similar correlation for NT-proBNP values is also very interesting finding. CONCLUSIONS: The association between the presence of PFO and the occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic findings on brain MRI is a well-known fact (the issue of paradoxical embolism) but the high frequency of acute and subacute lesions on brain MRI in the group of patients with a diagnosis of acute PE is surprising.

Complete revascularization of multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with ST elevation acute coronary syndrome - for whom and when? A comprehensive review.

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of coronary steno-occlusive disease and acute myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. In patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), there is unquestionable evidence that primary percutaneous coronary intervention providing recanalization of the infarct related artery (IRA) is the preferred reperfusion strategy. Nevertheless, up to 50% of patients with STEMI have multivessel coronary artery disease defined as at least 50% stenosis exclusive of IRA. There is conflicting data regarding the optimal treatment strategy and timing in such patients. Currently, it is assumed that stable patients might benefit from complete revascularization particularly in reducing the need for future unplanned procedures but only culprit lesion should be treated during index procedure in unstable patients. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of this important and currently highly debated topic.

Risk stratification using growth differentiation factor 15 in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

AIMS: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) shows potential predictive value in various cardiac conditions. We investigated relationships between GDF15 and clinical or procedural outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in order to propose clinically useful predictive risk stratification model. METHODS: This prospective single-center registry enrolled 88 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis treated with TAVI. Clinical parameters were collected and biomarkers including GDF-15 were measured within 24 h before TAVI. All relevant clinical outcomes according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 were collected over the follow-up period. RESULTS: The cohort included 52.3% of females. The mean age of study participants was 81 years; the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score and logistic EuroSCORE were 3.6% and 15.4%, respectively. The mortality over the entire follow-up period was 10.2%; no death was observed within the first 30 days following TAVI. Univariate analysis showed significant associations between GDF15 and mortality (P=0.0006), bleeding (P=0.0416) and acute kidney injury (P=0.0399). A standard multivariate logistic regression model showed GDF-15 as the only significant predictor of mortality (P=0.003); the odds ratio corresponding to an increase in GDF15 of 1000 pg/mL was 1.22. However, incremental predictive value was not observed when the STS score was combined with GDF15 in this predictive model. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our observations, preprocedural elevated GDF15 levels are associated with increased mortality and demonstrate their additional value in predicting adverse clinical outcomes in a TAVI population.

Determination of the prevalence and predictors of ventricular thrombus with assessment of the risk of systemic embolization to the CNS in patients after acute myocardial infarction using magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography and cardiac markers - a prospective, unicentric, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) formation is one of the well-known and serious complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to the risk of systemic arterial embolization (SE). To diagnose LVT, echocardiography (TTE) is used. Late gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) is the gold standard for diagnosing LVT. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this observational study was to determine the role of transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac markers in predicting the occurrence of LVT compared with a reference cardiac imaging (DE-CMR) and to determine the risk of systemic embolization to the CNS using brain MRA. METHODS: Seventy patients after MI managed by percutaneous coronary intervention (localization: 92.9% anterior wall, 7% other; median age 58.7 years) were initially examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE, n=69) with a focus on LVT detection. Patients were then referred for DE-CMR (n=55). Laboratory determination of cardiac markers (Troponin T and NTproBNP) was carried out in all. Brain MRA was performed 1 year apart (n=51). RESULTS: The prevalence of LVT detected by echocardiography: (n=11/69, i.e. 15.9%); by DE-CMR: (n=9/55, i.e. 16.7%). Statistically significant parameters to predict the occurrence of LVT after AMI (cut off value): (a) detected by echocardiography: anamnestic data - delay (≥ 5 hours), echocardiographic parameters - left atrial volume index (LAVI≥ 32 mL/m2), LV EF Simpson biplane and estimated (≤ 42%), tissue Doppler determination of septal A wave velocity (≤ 7.5cm/s); (b) detected by DE-CMR: anamnestic data - delay (≥ 13 hours), DE-CMR parameters - left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (≥ 54mm). The value of cardiac markers (Troponin T and NTproBNP in ng/L) in LVT detected by echocardiography did not reach statistical significance. In LVT detected by DE-CMR, NTproBNP was statistically significantly increased at 1 month after AMI onset (no optimal cut-off value could be determined). There was no statistically significant association between the LVT detection (both modalities) and the occurrence of clinically manifest and silent cardioembolic events. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed a relatively high prevalence of LVT in the high-risk group of patients with anterior wall STEMI. Due to the low prevalence of thromboembolic complications, no significant association between the LVT detection and the occurrence of a cardioembolic event was demonstrated.

Comparison of angiographic estimation and invasive hemodynamic measurement of the significance of non-infarct-related residual stenoses in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Introduction: Up to 50% of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have ≥ 50% stenosis in a major non-infarct-related artery. Several studies have evaluated the prognostic value of the completion of revascularization with overall inconclusive results. Selection of the stenoses was based on the angiographic evaluation, invasive hemodynamic measurement or the combined approach. It is unknown whether such a selection provides correlation of comparable patient groups. Material and methods: We enrolled 51 patients (62.7 ±10.2 years) with acute STEMI and at least one residual (50-90%) stenosis in a non-infarct-related major coronary artery (excluding left main coronary artery). Overall 65 stenoses (67.9 ±10.7%) were evaluated angiographically following primary percutaneous coronary intervention and the hemodynamic significance was estimated with respect to the stenosis severity, caliber of the arterial segment, localization of the stenosis (proximity) as well as the estimated size of the supplied vascular territory. During subsequent hospitalization, invasive measurement of the hemodynamic significance using fractional flow reserve (FFR) was performed to guide the final revascularization strategy (FFR value of ≤ 0.80 considered significant). Results: Based on angiographic evaluation, a total of 44 stenoses would be recommended for treatment, whereas only 31 stenoses were revascularized based on FFR measurement. Moreover, visual evaluation and hemodynamic measurement were discrepant in 27 of 65 (41.5%) stenoses. Conclusions: We observed a weak correlation between visual angiographic evaluation and invasive hemodynamic measurement. More stents would be implanted based on angiographic evaluation compared to FFR measurement.

Cardiac device-related infective endocarditis in the Czech Republic: Prospective data from the ESC EORP EURO-ENDO registry.

AIM: Understanding cardiac electronic device infective endocarditis epidemiology is essential for the management of this serious complication. Only monocentric and limited data have been published regarding patients in the Czech republic so far. The aim of this study was to describe the current profile, microbiology and clinical characteristics of this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: National data from the prospective ESC-EORP EURO-ENDO registry were collected. 57 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE) from 11 Czech centres were included. RESULTS: Staphylococcus spp. was responsible for 43.9% of isolates, whereas Culture negative endocarditis was documented in 26.3% episodes. The most frequent complications under therapy were acute renal failure (17.5%), septic shock and heart failure (both 10.5%). Extraction of device was performed in 75.4% of all patients, and the 1-year mortality was 22.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The high proportion of culture-negative endocarditis is alarming and warrants further investigation. Cardiac device related infective endocarditis is a serious complication with a high 1-year mortality in a highly polymorbid spectrum of patients.

General anesthesia or conscious sedation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) can be performed under general anesthesia or conscious sedation. The influence of type of anesthesiology care on procedural characteristics and ablation outcome in patients in whom intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and elimination of adenosine-mediated dormant conduction (DC) is used is not entirely known. METHODS: 150 patients with paroxysmal AF were randomized to point-by-point radiofrequency catheter isolation of pulmonary veins (PVI) under general anesthesia (n=77) or conscious sedation (n=73). Adenosine-mediated dormant conduction was eliminated in all patients. Antiarrhythmic medication was discontinued after PVI. During twelve months of follow-up, all patients underwent four times 7-day ECG monitorings. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in AF recurrence (28.6% vs. 31.5%, P=0.695). Patients in conscious sedation had longer procedure times (160 ± 32.1 vs. 132 ± 31.5 min, P<0.001), longer RF energy application times (40 ± 15 vs. 29 ± 11 min, P<0.001) and longer fluoroscopy times (6.2 min ± 5.3 vs. 4.3 min ± 2.2, P<0.001) with similar complication rates. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation is not inferior to general anesthesia in regard to arrhythmia recurrence or complication rates of catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. However, it is associated with longer procedure times, longer time of radiofrequency energy application and longer fluoroscopy times.

Arterial Hypertension and Risk of Recurrent Event in Young Ischemic Stroke Patients.

INTRODUCTION: In young patients, the cause of ischemic stroke (IS) remains often cryptogenic despite presence of traditional vascular risk factors (VRFs). Since arterial hypertension (AH) is considered the most important one, we aimed to evaluate the impact of AH and blood pressure (BP) levels after discharge on risk of recurrent IS (RIS) in young patients. METHODS: The study set consisted of acute IS patients < 50 years of age enrolled in the prospective Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01541163). Cause of IS was assessed according to the ASCOD classification. RESULTS: Out of 319 enrolled patients <50 years of age (179 males, mean age 41.1 ± 7.8 years), AH was present in 120 (37.6%) of them. No difference was found in the rates of etiological subtypes of IS between patients with and without AH. Patients with AH were older, had more VRF, used more frequently antiplatelets prior IS, and had more RIS (10 vs. 1%, p = 0.002) during a follow-up (FUP) with median of 25 months. Multivariate logistic regression stepwise model showed the prior use of antiplatelets as only predictor of RIS (p = 0.011, OR: 6.125; 95% CI: 1.510-24.837). Patients with elevated BP levels on BP Holter 1 month after discharge did not have increased rate of RIS during FUP (3.8 vs. 1.7%, p = 1.000). CONCLUSION: AH occurred in 37.6% of young IS patients. Patients with AH had more frequently RIS. Prior use of antiplatelets was found only predictor of RIS in young IS patients with AH.

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Impact on Clinical and Hemodynamic Parameters, Quality of Life and Risk Profile.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a novel treatment option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are not eligible for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) or suffer from persistent pulmonary hypertension after PEA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the real-life efficacy and safety of BPA in a consecutive group of patients who were diagnosed and treated in the national referral center for CTEPH in the Czech Republic. Here we report data from 160 BPA procedures performed in 64 patients. Efficacy analysis was performed in the subgroup of 25 patients who completed BPA series. Significant improvements were observed in New York Heart Association functional class (4% to 79% in I/II, p < 0.001), 6 min walking test distance (+54.3 m, p < 0.001), risk profile (15.8% to 68.5% with presence of 2/3 low risk criteria, p < 0.001), pulmonary artery mean pressure (-18%, p < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (-32%, p < 0.001), stroke volume (+17%, p = 0.011) and quality of life (+37% in assessment of overall health status by a patient, p < 0.001). We observed 1 fatal periprocedural complication (1.6% of all 64 patients) and 19 BPA-related non-fatal complications (11.9% of all 160 interventions) that predominantly included hemoptysis (10.0% of all sessions). Overall survival at 12 months was 94.6%.

Young cryptogenic ischemic stroke: A descriptive analysis of clinical and laboratory characteristics, outcomes and stroke recurrence.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ischemic strokes (IS) occur also in young adults and despite an extensive work-up the cause of IS remains very often cryptogenic. Thus, effectiveness of secondary prevention may be unclear. We aimed to analyze a relationship among vascular risk factors (VRF), clinical and laboratory parameters, outcomes and recurrent IS (RIS) in young cryptogenic IS (CIS) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study set consisted of young acute IS patients < 50 years enrolled in the prospective HISTORY (Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY) study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01541163). All analyzed patients underwent transesophageal echocardiography, 24-h and 3-week ECG-Holter to assess cause of IS according to the ASCOD classification. Recurrent IS (RIS) was recorded during a follow-up (FUP). RESULTS: Out of 294 young enrolled patients, 208 (70.7%, 113 males, mean age 41.6 ± 7.2 years) were identified as cryptogenic. Hyperlipidemia (43.3%), smoking (40.6%) and arterial hypertension (37.0%) were the most frequent VRF. RIS occurred in 7 (3.4%) patients during a mean time of FUP 19 ± 23 months. One-year risk of RIS was 3.4% (95%CI: 1.4-6.8%). Patients with RIS were older (47.4 vs. 41.1 years, p = 0.007) and more often obese (71.4 vs. 19.7%, p = 0.006), and did not differ in any of other analyzed parameters and VRF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed obesity (OR: 9.527; 95%CI: 1.777-51.1) and the previous use of antiplatelets (OR: 15.68; 95%CI: 2.430-101.2) as predictors of recurrent IS. CONCLUSION: Despite a higher presence of VRF in young CIS patients, the risk of RIS was very low. Obesity and previous use of antiplatelet therapy were found the only predictors of RIS.

Risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in young cryptogenic patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source.

INTRODUCTION: Elderly cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) have a high risk of recurrent IS (RIS) compared to other stroke subtypes. In young ESUS patients, different sources of embolism may be a cause and the risk of RIS remains not enough established. The aim was to assess and compare risk of RIS between ESUS and non ESUS patients <50 years. METHODS: The study set consisted of young acute IS patients <50 years enrolled in the prospective HISTORY (Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY) study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01541163). In all analyzed patients, the brain ischemia was confirmed on CT or MRI. All patients underwent identical diagnostic protocol including TEE and long-term ECG-Holter. Cause of IS was assessed according to the ASCOD classification. RESULTS: Of 320 enrolled patients <50 years, 219 (68.4%) were identified as cryptogenic (119 males, mean age 41.4 ±â€¯7.2 years) and 122 (38.1%) patients fulfilled the ESUS criteria. During the follow-up with a median of 34 months, three (2.5%) ESUS and 5 (5.2%) non-ESUS patients suffered from RIS (p = .471). One-year risk of RIS was 0.008 (95% CI: 0-0.025) for ESUS and 0.036 (95% CI: 0-0.076) for non-ESUS patients (p = .262). CONCLUSION: The risk of RIS was very low in ESUS patients and did not differ from those with non-ESUS. Our finding may indicate that antiplatelet therapy can be effective in the secondary prevention in young ESUS patients if high-risk sources of embolization are excluded extensively.

Acute myocardial infarction, intraventricular thrombus and risk of systemic embolism.

The development of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a well-known and serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to the risk of systemic arterial embolism (SE), which is variable in its clinical picture and has potentially serious consequences depending on the extent of target organ damage. SE results in an increase in mortality and morbidity in these patients. LVT is one of the main causes of the development of ischaemic cardio-embolic cardiovascular events (CVE) after MI and the determination of the source of cardiac embolus is crucial for the initiation of adequate anticoagulant therapy in secondary prevention. Echocardiography holds an irreplaceable place in the diagnosis of LVT, contrast enhancement provides higher sensitivity. The gold standard for LVT diagnosis is cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, but it is not suitable as a basic screening test. In patients with already diagnosed LVT, it is necessary to adjust antithrombotic therapy by starting warfarin anticoagulation for at least 6 months with the need for echocardiographic follow-up to detect thrombotic residues. The effect of prophylactic administration of warfarin in high-risk patients after anterior AMI does not outweigh the risk of severe bleeding complications and does not result in a decrease in mortality and morbidity. At the present time, there is not enough evidence to use direct oral anticoagulants in this indication.

Long-term outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation catheter ablation with and without pulmonary vein dormant conduction after adenosine challenge.

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic significance of adenosine-mediated pulmonary vein (PV) dormant conduction is unclear. We prospectively followed patients with adenosine-mediated PV reconduction with a subsequent repeated ablation until there was no reconduction inducible with patients without reconduction after PV isolation. METHOD AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients (n=179) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) without prior catheter ablation (CA) were enlisted in the study. We used a point-by-point CA and general anesthesia in all patients. Twenty minutes after PV isolation we administered adenosine in a dose sufficient to produce an atrioventricular block. If a dormant conduction was present (n=54) we performed additional ablation until there was no adenosine mediated reconduction inducible. During 36 months of follow-up, all patients were examined for eight 7-day ECG recordings. There was no difference in arrhythmia recurrence rate between patients with and without dormant conduction (29.6 vs. 24.8% at 12 months, P=0.500; 31.5 vs. 30.4% at 36 months, P=1.000), for any echocardiographic parameter or any parameter of the ablation procedure. CONCLUSION: The patients with dormant conduction after adenosine during catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with complete elimination of the dormant conduction by additional extensive ablation have the same outcome in the long term as patients without a dormant conduction.

Atrial fibrillation inducibility after pulmonary vein isolation under general anaesthesia.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility with rapid atrial pacing following AF ablation is associated with higher risk of AF recurrence. The predictive value of AF inducibility in paroxysmal AF patients after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), done under general anaesthesia (GA), remains questionable since GA might alter AF inducibility and/or sustainability. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 120) with paroxysmal AF without prior catheter ablation (CA) were enlisted in the study. All patients were ablated under GA. We have used a point-by-point CA and elimination of dormant conduction after adenosine in all patients. A predefined stimulation protocol was used to induce arrhythmias after PVI. Regular supraventricular tachycardias were mapped and ablated. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups - noninducible, inducible AF with spontaneous termination in five minutes, inducible AF without spontaneous termination. During 12 months of follow-up, all patients were examined four-times with 7-day ECG recordings. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the three subgroups in a rate of arrhythmia recurrence (11.1 vs. 27.5 vs. 27.3%, P=0.387), despite a clear trend to a better success rate in the non-inducible group. The subgroups did not differ in left atrial (LA) diameter (41.0±6, 43.0±7, 42.0±5 mm, P=0.962) or in any other baseline parameter. CONCLUSION: AF inducibility as well as presence or absence of its early spontaneous termination after PVI done under general anaesthesia in paroxysmal AF patients were not useful as predictors of procedural failure.

Apparent foreign-body-like structure detected in the left atrium after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: A foreign body left in left atrium after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is a very rare complication. Nevertheless, there are no reports so far about a large newly emerged structure only giving the impression of being a foreign body left in the heart after catheter ablation. CASE REPORT: This report presents a case of a patient after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation. Because of atrial tachycardia during follow-up, patient was indicated for reablation. Imaging methods including intracardiac echocardiography showed a straw-like foreign body with the character of a transseptal sheath in left atrium. A cardiac surgery was performed with extraction of the foreign body. We found a fibrous chord-like material in the left atrium, microscopy showed myocardial tissue with continuous transition to fibrinous elastic vessel. No signs of foreign material were found. CONCLUSION: We have found a newly emerged body giving the impression of being of foreign origin in left atrium after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Microscopy of the extracted material showed myocardial tissue with continuous transition to fibrinous elastic vessel and a fibrinous tissue with focal dystrophic calcification. Its origin remains unknown.

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque - a review of current concepts and advanced imaging.

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of both carotid and coronary steno-occlusive disease. Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque may lead to the formation of an overlying thrombosis resulting in complete arterial occlusion or downstream embolism. Clinically, this may manifest as a stroke or acute myocardial infarction, the overall leading causes of mortality and disability in developed countries. In this article, we summarize current concepts of the development of vulnerable plaque and provide an overview of commonly used imaging methods that may suggest/indicate atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.

Macitentan in pulmonary hypertension due to left ventricular dysfunction.

The MELODY-1 study evaluated macitentan for pulmonary hypertension because of left heart disease (PH-LHD) in patients with combined post- and pre-capillary PH.63 patients with PH-LHD and diastolic pressure gradient ≥7 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >3WU were randomised to macitentan 10 mg (n=31) or placebo (n=32) for 12 weeks. The main end-point assessed a composite of significant fluid retention (weight gain ≥5% or ≥5 kg because of fluid overload or parenteral diuretic administration) or worsening in New York Heart Association functional class from baseline to end of treatment. Exploratory end-points included changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and haemodynamics at week 12.Seven macitentan-treated and four placebo-treated patients experienced significant fluid retention/worsening functional class; treatment difference, 10.08% (95% CI -15.07-33.26; p=0.34). The difference, driven by the fluid retention component, was apparent within the first month. At week 12, versus placebo, the macitentan group showed no change in PVR, mean right atrial pressure or pulmonary arterial wedge pressure; a non-significant increase in cardiac index (treatment effect 0.4 (95% CI 0.1-0.7) L·min-1·m-2) and decrease in NT-proBNP (0.77 (0.55-1.08)) was observed. Adverse events and serious adverse events were numerically more frequent with macitentan versus placebo.Macitentan-treated patients were quantitatively more likely to experience significant fluid retention versus placebo. Macitentan resulted in no significant changes in any exploratory end-points.