Turkish Real Life Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice: TRAFFIC Study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, impaired quality of life, and mortality. The latest research that shows the prevalence and incidence of AF patients in Türkiye was the Turkish Adults' Heart Disease and Risk Factors study, which included 3,450 patients and collected data until 2006/07.The Turkish Real Life Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice (TRAFFIC) study is planned to present current prevalence data, reveal the reflection of new treatment and risk approaches in our country, and develop new prediction models in terms of outcomes. METHODS: The TRAFFIC study is a national, prospective, multicenter, observational registry. The study aims to collect data from at least 1900 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, with the participation of 40 centers from Türkiye. The following data will be collected from patients: baseline demographic characteristics, medical history, vital signs, symptoms of AF, ECG and echocardiographic findings, CHADS2-VASC2 and HAS-BLED (1-year risk of major bleeding) risk scores, interventional treatments, antithrombotic and antiarrhythmic medications, or other medications used by the patients. For patients who use warfarin, international normalized ratio levels will be monitored. Follow-up data will be collected at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Primary endpoints are defined as systemic embolism or major safety endpoints (major bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and minor bleeding as defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis). The main secondary endpoints include major adverse cardiovascular events (systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death), all-cause mortality, and hospitalizations due to all causes or specific reasons. RESULTS: The results of the 12-month follow-up of the study are planned to be shared by the end of 2023. CONCLUSION: The TRAFFIC study will reveal the prevalence and incidence, demographic characteristics, and risk profiles of AF patients in Türkiye. Additionally, it will provide insights into how current treatments are reflected in this population. Furthermore, risk prediction modeling and risk scoring can be conducted for patients with AF.

"Main Vessel-Oriented" Treatment Strategy Versus "Open Side Branch" Treatment Strategy in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Culprit Bifurcation Lesions.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions is associated with an increased risk of complications in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes of patients with ACS with culprit bifurcation lesions who were treated with either a "main vessel-oriented" (MVO) treatment strategy or an "open side branch" (OSB) treatment strategy. This retrospective study included 575 consecutive patients with ACS. "MVO" and "OSB" treatment strategies were defined as primary/urgent percutaneous coronary intervention procedures performed by either totally ignoring the side branch (SB) or trying to maintain both main vessel and SB open with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow. Procedural success and major cardiac/cerebrovascular events during hospitalization were noted. MVO and OSB treatment strategies were performed on 384 and 191 patients, respectively. The procedural success rate was significantly higher in the OSB treatment strategy whereas major cardiac/cerebrovascular events rates were similar except for the contrast-induced nephropathy rate being slightly higher in OSB treatment strategy. Subgroup analysis revealed a significantly higher procedural success rate in OSB treatment strategy if the SB was located within the bifurcation core, especially in those where the diameter of SB was ≥2 mm. In conclusion, our results suggest a better procedural result with SB protection attempts in patients with ACS with a culprit bifurcation lesion if the SB is originating within the bifurcation core and its diameter is ≥2 mm. MVO treatment strategy may be preferred in most cases with minor SBs located distant to the bifurcation core because of the similar procedural success.

[Evaluation of the operator learning curve for radiofrequency ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia].

Aim    The aim of this study was to determine the average minimum number of slow pathway ablation procedures required to reach a steady success rate among inexperienced operators.Material and Methods    We analyzed the consecutive AVNRT ablation procedures of three inexperienced operators for the rate of operational success and complications.Results    Operators performed a total of 156 AVNRT ablation procedures. There was no statistical significance between the three operators regarding the rate of success (p=0.69) and complications. There were significant differences between the operators in terms of procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and cumulative air kerma. The variability of procedure time and cumulative air kerma, both among three operators and within each operator, decreased significantly after the 25th case. Each operator was analyzed individually for the probability of success as related to the cumulative number of ablations. All trainee operators reached a success rate of 90 % at the 27th procedure.Conclusion    An average of 27 slow pathway ablation procedures should be performed by a beginner operator to achieve proficiency.

Effect of altitude on ticagrelor-induced dyspnea in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to define the association between altitude and ticagrelor-associated dyspnea in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: We studied consecutive patients with de novo ACS who were admitted to two centers at a low altitude (18 and 25 m, n = 65) and two centers at a high altitude (1313 and 1041 m, n = 136). We managed them with ticagrelor between May 2017 and September 2017. Patients with ACS underwent an interventional procedure within <90 minutes in those with ST elevation and within <3 hours in those without ST elevation. We recorded the incidence of dyspnea in patients with ACS receiving ticagrelor therapy. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.5 ± 10 years, and the mean ejection fraction was 43% ± 18%. A total of 110 (56.7%) patients had ST elevation and 84 (43.3%) did not. There were no significant differences in cardiac risk factors, concurrent medications, or procedural variables between the two groups. Dyspnea developed during hospitalization in 53 (38%) patients from high-altitude centers and in 13 (20%) patients from low-altitude centers (66 patients represented 32% of the total ACS cohort). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspnea is a common multifactorial symptom in patients following development of ACS. Ticagrelor-induced dyspnea appears to be associated with altitude.

Effects of balloon pulmonary angioplasty procedure on electrocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of electrocardiography (ECG) in predicting postoperative hemodynamic improvement in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) undergoing balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 32 patients were included in the study. During ECG analysis, parameters that have been suggested to be related to right ventricular hypertrophy and/or dilatation were evaluated. The significance of the change in each parameter obtained at the pre-BPA visit and at the scheduled control visit 6 months after BPA was tested. In addition to ECG analysis, data related to right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and World Health Organization (WHO) functional classifications of all patients were also recorded. The relationship between the amount of possible change in ECG parameters and the amount of possible change in hemodynamic parameters was investigated. RESULTS: The Daniel score, which has been suggested to have prognostic value in acute pulmonary embolism, decreased from 8.22 ± 5.68 to 6.56 ± 5.55 after the BPA procedure (p: 0.035). Among all parameters studied, only T wave height (V2 t) in V2 derivation changed significantly from -0.77 ± 2.39 to 1.27 ± 2.58 mm (p: 0.036). The amount of change in V2 T was found to significantly correlate with the amount of change in systolic right ventricular pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and systemic vascular resistance. CONCLUSION: Postprocedural T wave changes in lead V2 might serve as a marker of hemodynamic improvement in patients with CTEPH who undergo BPA.

The Effects of Iron Replacement on Functional Capacity in Patients with Group 1 and Group 4 Pulmonary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormal iron handling complicates pulmonary hypertension (PH), causes functional limitation and poor outcomes. Although preliminary results in group 1 PH patients support the use of iron replacement, whether this applies to other PH subgroups is not known. METHODS: A total of 58 patients with an established diagnosis of group 1 or 4 PH, who had a serum ferritin of <100 ng/mL or 100 to 300 ng/mL in combination with a transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20% and received 500 to 1000 mg of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) were included in the study. The change in ferritin levels and TSAT were calculated at 12- and 24-weeks follow-up. A six-minute walk test (6MWT) is undertaken at the first, 12-week and 24-week follow-up visits. RESULTS: In group 1 PH patients, ferritin levels increased from 14 ng/mL-1 to 133 and 90 ng/mL-1 at 12- and 24-weeks, respectively ( P < .001 for both). In group 4 PH patients, ferritin levels increased from 22.1 ng/mL-1 to 145 and 88.9 ng/mL-1 at 12- and 24-weeks, respectively ( P < .001 for both). 6MWT distances were 356, 412, and 350 m in group 1 PH patients and 260, 315 and 290 m in group 4 PH patients. Although the difference between baseline and 12-week 6MWT was significant in both groups ( P < .001 for both), this difference was lost at 24-week. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that there is no difference in response to iron replacement in patients with group 1 and group 4 PH patients, in terms of treatment success and functional status.

The effect of paclitaxel plus carboplatin chemotherapy on subclinical cardiotoxicity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A speckle tracking echocardiography-based study.

BACKGROUND: Although chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is an emerging problem, limited information is available on the effects of chemotherapy on left ventricular (LV) mechanical functions in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore chemotherapy-induced alterations in cardiac mechanical functions in patients with NSCLC using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). METHODS: Seventy-one patients with NSCLC and 34 age and sex matched control subjects were consecutively included. Based on their good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status), 39 patients were treated with paclitaxel plus carboplatin (PC) regimen and 32 patients were treated with vinorelbine plus cisplatin (VC) regimen. All patients and controls underwent conventional two-dimensional echocardiography and STE at baseline to assess their LV functions. The echocardiographic examinations of NSCLC patients were repeated after the chemotherapy regimens. RESULTS: None of the NSCLC patients developed any signs or symptoms of clinical heart failure during or after the chemotherapy. There were not any significant differences in LV ejection fraction between NSCLC patients and controls before and after chemotherapy. There were not any significant differences in baseline LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), radial strain (RS), and circumferential strain (CS) between NSCLC patients and controls. However, all LV GLS, RS and CS significantly decreased in patients treated with the PC regimen resulting in a significant difference compared to both VC group and controls while no significant decreases were observed in strain measures in VC group. CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel plus carboplatin, but not VC, may induce subclinical cardiotoxicity in patients with NSCLC, which may be detected by STE.

Change in pulmonary arterial compliance and pulmonary pulsatile stress after balloon pulmonary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Although the underlying pathology of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is mechanical obliteration of the major pulmonary vessels, high pulsatile stress penetrating into the normal distal pulmonary microvasculature resulting from reduced pulmonary arterial compliance (CPA) may cause progressive deterioration in pulmonary hemodynamics. Hypothetically, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) may be beneficial in reducing CPA and pulsatile stress in patients with CTEPH. METHODS: In total, 26 patients with available pre- and post-BPA right heart catheterization results were included in the study. BPA was performed in a series of staged procedures by 2 experienced interventional cardiologists. RESULTS: The median CPA showed a 59.2% increase (1.03 to 1.64 mL/mm Hg, p=0.005). The median pre-BPA pulsatile stress product decreased by 20.7% (4,266 to 3,380 mm Hg/min, p=0.003). A linear regression model established that the percent change in CPA after BPA accounted for 21.8% of the explained variability in the change in 6-minute walk test (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that BPA decreases CPA and pulmonary pulsatile stress. These changes may be partly responsible for the improvement in functional capacity after BPA.

Predictors of positive response to beta-blockers for treatment of premature ventricular complexes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible factors that might be predictive of effective antiarrhythmic effect of beta-blockers on premature ventricular complexes (PVC). METHODS: Data of 190 eligible consecutive patients to whom beta-blocker therapy had been initiated for treatment of PVC's were retrospectively evaluated. The Holter recording acquired before beta-blocker initiation and the first Holter acquired after beta blocker initiation during follow up was comprehensively evaluated for each patient. Parameters obtained from pre- and post-beta-blocker 24 h Holter recordings were compared with each other and possible predictors were evaluated for positive response to beta-blocker therapy. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (32.1%) were observed to respond beta-blocker therapy with at least 50% reduction of daily PVC burden. Patients who responded to beta-blockers had significantly higher ratio of patients who had positive correlation between hourly heart rate and corresponding hourly PVC number (fast HR-PVC status) compared with non-responders (73.8% vs 48.1%, p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed PVC QRS width (Odds ratio: 0.971; p: 0.037) and fast HR-PVC status (Odds ratio: 2.935; p: 0.007) as the independent predictors of positive response to beta-blockers for treatment of PVC. CONCLUSION: Positive correlation between hourly heart rate and PVC incidence was found to be independent positive predictor and PVC QRS width was found to be independent negative predictor of beta-blocker success in our study. This observation might have important clinical implications to guide medical treatment of PVCs in clinical practice.

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Patients With Inoperable or Recurrent/Residual Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Single-Centre Initial Experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are often treated with pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific drugs. However, most of these patients remain symptomatic, despite medical treatment. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging therapeutic intervention for patients with inoperable CTEPH. This study aimed to report the initial experience of BPA in a tertiary referral centre for CTEPH. METHODS: A total of 26 consecutive patients, who underwent 91 BPA sessions, were included in the study. All patients underwent a detailed examination, including 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and right heart catheterisation at baseline and 3 months after the last BPA session. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51±17 years. Fifteen (15) patients had inoperable CTEPH and 11 patients had residual or recurrent CTEPH post pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Functional class improved in 17 of 26 (65%) patients. The 6MWD increased from a mean 315±129 to 411±140 m (p<0.001), and NT pro-BNP reduced from a median 456 to 189 pg/mL (p=0.001). The number of patients who required supplemental oxygen decreased from 11 (42.3%) to five (19%) (p=0.031) after BPA treatment. The mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from a mean 47.5±13.4 to 38±10.9 mmHg (p<0.001), the pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from a mean 9.3±4.7 to 5.8±2.8 Wood units (p<0.001), and the cardiac index increased from a mean 2.4±0.7 to 2.9±0.6 L/min/m2 (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improved haemodynamics, 6MWD, and functional class, and reduced the requirement for supplemental oxygen, with an acceptable risk-benefit ratio in patients with inoperable CTEPH and with residual/recurrent CTEPH.

Subfoveal choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer alterations in chronic heart failure patients / Espessura coroidal subfoveal e alterações da camada de fibras nervosas da retina em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica

ABSTRACT Purpose: To comparatively evaluate the subfoveal choroidal thickness and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with chronic heart failure relative to control subjects. Methods: A total of 72 chronic heart failure patients and 40 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized into 2 groups: group 1: patients with 30-50% left ventricle ejection fraction and group 2: patients with the corresponding fraction value of <30%. The subfoveal choroidal thickness and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. Results: The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 250.24 ± 68.34 µm in group 1 and 216.72 ± 71.24 µm in group 2, while it was 273.64 ± 77.68 µm in the control group. The differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant. The average peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses were 100.34 ± 8.24, 95.44 ± 6.67, and 102.34 ± 8.24 µm, respectively. No significant differences were noted in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses between group 1 and control group, but it was significantly lower in group 2. Conclusion: Our study thus revealed that the subfoveal choroidal thickness was lower in patients belonging to both the chronic heart failure groups in comparison to those in the control group. However, the alteration in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was noted in only patients with <30% left ventricle ejection fraction. In the clinical practice, reductions in these values are correlated with decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, which may be important for the follow-up of chorioretinal diseases and the evaluation of glaucoma risks in patients with chronic heart failures.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo do nosso estudo foi avaliar a espessura coroidal subfoveal e a camada peripapilar de fibras nervosas da retina em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica, em comparação com um grupo de controle. Métodos: Setenta e dois pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica e 40 controles saudáveis foram inscritos. Os pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo. Pacientes com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo de 30-50% foram incluídos no grupo 1, enquanto valores de fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo inferiores a 30% foram incluídos no grupo 2. A espessura coroidal subfoveal e a espessura da camada peripapilar de fibras nervosas da retina foram medidas por tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral. Resultados: A espessura média da coroide subfoveal foi de 250,24 ± 68,34 µm no grupo 1, 216,72 ± 71,24 µm no grupo 2 e 273,64 ± 77,68 µm no grupo controle. As diferenças entre os três grupos foram estatisticamente significativas. A espessura média da camada peripapilar de fibras nervosas da retina foi de 100,34 ± 8,24 µm, 95,44 ± 6,67 µm e 102,34 ± 8,24 µm, respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa na espessura da camada peripapilar de fibras nervosas da retina entre o grupo 1 e o grupo controle, mas os valores foram significativamente menores no grupo 2. Conclusão: Nosso estudo mostrou que a espessura coroidal subfoveal foi menor em ambos os grupos de insuficiência cardíaca crônica, em comparação com controles saudáveis. Porém, a camada peripapilar de fibras nervosas da retina mostrou-se alterada apenas em pacientes com menos de 30% da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo. Na prática clínica, reduções nesses valores, correlacionadas com a diminuição da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, podem ser importantes para o acompanhamento de doenças coriorretinianas e a avaliação dos riscos de glaucoma em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica.

Evaluation of acute alterations in electrocardiographic parameters after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation and possible association with recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of cryoballoon ablation (CB-A) on electrocardiographic parameters that have been suggested to reflect heterogeneity in atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization. METHODS: A total of 67 patients (52.6±13.2 years, 43 men) without any exclusion criteria who had undergone CB-A for atrial fibrillation (AF) between January 01, 2015, and December 31, 2018, constituted our study population. Electrographic recordings obtained before and after the ablation procedure on the same day were retrospectively evaluated for the P-wave dispersion, QTc dispersion, Tp-Te interval, and Tp-Te/QT ratio. The pre- and post-ablation values were tested for significant differences. The association of the possible CB-A-related changes in these parameters with AF recurrence during follow-up was evaluated. RESULTS: P dispersion (30.1±6.8 vs. 35.9±9.4 ms, p<0.001), QT dispersion (20.7±7.5 vs. 24.0±8.8 ms, p<0.001), Tp-Te duration (on V5 83.6±8.1 vs. 110.2±9.5 ms, p<0.001), and Tp-Te/QT ratio (on V5 0.22±0.03 vs. 0.28±0.02, p<0.001) were observed to increase significantly after CB-A. There was no association between the magnitudes of change in any parameter and AF recurrence. CONCLUSION: CB-A had significant effects on electrocardiographic parameters related to atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization in the acute phase after CB-A. Further prospective studies are required to examine the time-related course of these alterations and their impact on clinical outcomes.

Subfoveal choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer alterations in chronic heart failure patients.

PURPOSE: To comparatively evaluate the subfoveal choroidal thickness and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with chronic heart failure relative to control subjects. METHODS: A total of 72 chronic heart failure patients and 40 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized into 2 groups: group 1: patients with 30-50% left ventricle ejection fraction and group 2: patients with the corresponding fraction value of <30%. The subfoveal choroidal thickness and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 250.24 ± 68.34 µm in group 1 and 216.72 ± 71.24 µm in group 2, while it was 273.64 ± 77.68 µm in the control group. The differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant. The average peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses were 100.34 ± 8.24, 95.44 ± 6.67, and 102.34 ± 8.24 µm, respectively. No significant differences were noted in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses between group 1 and control group, but it was significantly lower in group 2. CONCLUSION: Our study thus revealed that the subfoveal choroidal thickness was lower in patients belonging to both the chronic heart failure groups in comparison to those in the control group. However, the alteration in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was noted in only patients with <30% left ventricle ejection fraction. In the clinical practice, reductions in these values are correlated with decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, which may be important for the follow-up of chorioretinal diseases and the evaluation of glaucoma risks in patients with chronic heart failures.

Comparison of subfoveal choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon and microvascular angina: Optical coherence tomography based study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFLT) in patients with microvascular angina (MA), coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) and healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with MA, 35 consecutive patients with CSFP and 40 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled. SFCT, average pRNFLT and four quadrants of pRNFLT were measured by spectral domain- optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). RESULTS: The mean SCFT in patients with CSFP (267.57 ± 30.61 µm) was significantly thinner than those of patients with MA (288.84 ± 28.25 µm) and control (291.21 ± 31.75 µm) (p = 0.002) while SFCT of patients with MA were similar with those of controls. Patients with CSFP had thinner superior and inferior pRNFLT compared to patients with MA and controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively) while there were no significant differences in average pRNFLT, nasal and temporal quadrant of pRNFLTs among three groups. In the multivariate linear regression analyses, the presence of CSFP was found negatively correlated with SFCT and superior pRNFLT. CONCLUSION: Patients with CSFP had thinner SFCT, superior and inferior quadrants of pRNFLT proposing the presence of a generalized endothelial dysfunction and increased microvascular resistance in these patients.

Predictors of adequate intraprocedural premature ventricular complex (PVC) frequency during idiopathic PVC ablation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the predictors of adequate intraprocedural premature ventricular complex (PVC) frequency for successful mapping and ablation of idiopathic PVCs. METHODS: A total of 101 consecutive patients (45 men; age: 47.9 ± 14.2 years) who had undergone idiopathic PVC ablation between 01 November 2018 and 24 June 2020 constituted our study population. Clinical and demographic data, procedural details and 24 h rhythm recordings that had been recorded before the procedure were retrospectively evaluated. Total PVC burden and diurnal variability assessed by the ratio of night time (22:00-06:00) over day time (06:00-22:00) PVC burden was calculated. The relationship between hourly PVC number and heart rate was also evaluated for each patient. Clinical characteristics and Holter parameters were compared between groups with and without adequate intraprocedural frequency of PVCs that permitted activation mapping. RESULTS: In all, 27 patients (26.7%) had infrequent intraprocedural PVCs which necessitated isoproterenol infusion or cancellation of ablation procedure due to inability of activation mapping. PVC burden was significantly higher in the group with frequent intraprocedural PVCs (26.1 ± 9.4% vs 21.2 ± 10.3%; p: 0.026). There were no significant differences between groups regarding the relationship between hourly PVC number and heart rate or the ratio of night/day PVC burden. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed the 24 h Holter PVC burden as the sole parameter that is significant predictor of frequent intraprocedural PVCs permitting activation mapping. CONCLUSION: The 24 h PVC burden was the only predictor of adequate intraprocedural PVC frequency permitting activation mapping during idiopathic PVC ablation.

Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio may be predictive of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia in patients with frequent outflow tract premature ventricular complexes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of present study is to evaluate the predictive value of QTc dispersion, Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio for idiopathic monomorphic outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurrence in patients with frequent idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). METHODS: A total of 180 patients (49.2 ± 13.6 years, 74 male) who had undergone outflow tract PVC ablation between 01 January 2015 and 01 November 2018 constituted our study population. Patients with isolated outflow tract PVC without any VT recording on Holter recordings and without any inducible VT at EPS were classified as isolated PVC group. Patients with any episode of VT that has the same morphology with outflow tract PVC were classified as nonsustained or sustained VT groups based on the duration of VT episode. QTc dispersion, Tp-Te and Tp-Te/QT ratio values were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: There were 116 patients with isolated PVC, 35 patients with nonsustained VT and 29 patients with sustained VT. QTc dispersion, Tp-Te and Tp-Te/QT ratio values were significantly lower in patients with isolated PVC compared to patients with nonsustained or sustained VT episodes. Tpeak to Tend interval greater than 110.5 msec on derivation V6 predicted VT occurrence with 93.8% sensitivity and 82.8% specificity. Tpeak to Tend/QT interval greater than 0.27 on derivation V6 predicted VT occurrence with 93.8% sensitivity and 0.81% specificity. CONCLUSION: Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio on derivation V6 may aid in prediction of presence of outflow tract VT in clinical practice.

Acute effect of outflow tract premature ventricular complex ablation on QT dispersion, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data regarding the effect of idiopathic premature ventricular complexes (PVC) on myocardial repolarisation. Most of PVC's originate from right and left ventricular outflow tracts (RVOT and LVOT). AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effect of outflow tract PVC ablation on electrocardiographic repolarisation markers. METHODS: A total of 180 patients (49.2 ± 13.6 years, 74 male) without any exclusion criteria who had undergone outflow tract PVC ablation between 1 January 2015 and 1 November 2018 constituted our study population. Electrocardiographic recordings that had been obtained before and after ablation procedure on the same day were retrospectively evaluated for the QTc dispersion, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio and Tp-e/QTc ratio. Significance of difference between pre- and postablation values was tested. RESULTS: There was no significant difference regarding QTc dispersion between pre- and post-ablation state (36.5 ± 20.9 vs. 35.3 ± 16.4 ms, p: NS). However, Tp-e and Tp-e/QT values in all lateral precordial derivations were observed to decrease significantly after PVC ablation (in the respective order on derivation V5: 104.0 ± 21.6 ms vs. 91.1 ± 14.8 ms, p<.001 and 0.26 ± 0.05 vs. 0.23 ± 0.04, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these observations, it may be suggested that frequent outflow tract PVC's increase transmural dispersion of repolarisation and this effect is attenuated by catheter ablation in the acute phase. Results of further prospective studies are required for evaluation of the long term effects of PVC ablation on myocardial repolarisation.

Transvenous extraction of pacemaker leads via femoral approach using a gooseneck snare.

BACKGROUND: The growing problem of endocardial lead infections and lead malfunctions has increased interest in percutaneous lead-removal technology. Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) via simple manual traction (SMT) is the first-line therapy. When SMT is not successful, TLE from the femoral vein using a gooseneck snare (GS) with a radiofrequency ablation catheter (RFAC) may be an alternative option. The aim of our study was to evaluate the success rate of transvenous extraction of chronically implanted leads via the femoral approach using a GS with RFCA in cases of failure with SMT. METHODS: The study included 94 consecutive patients who were referred for lead extraction due to pocket erosion and infection (71 patients) and to lead malfunction (23 patients). Initially, SMT was attempted for all patients. If SMT was not successful, patients underwent TLE using a GS with RFAC. RESULTS: Leads were extracted successfully with SMT in 34 patients (54 leads), while 60 patients (83 leads) underwent TLE using a GS with RFAC. The mean indwelling time of the leads was longer in the femoral approach with GS (87.5 ± 37.9 vs. 31.3 ± 25.8 months; p < 0.001). The procedural success rate was 96.7% in the femoral approach with GS. A preceding implantation lead duration of >51 months predicted an unsuccessful SMT necessitating alternative TLE using a GS with RFAC with 86% sensitivity and 78% specificity (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Transvenous lead extraction via the femoral approach using GS with RFAC may be an alternative approach to SMT with a high success rate, especially when the indwelling time of the leads is long.

Fluoroscopy time and scattered radiation during electrophysiology procedures: analysis of one-year data of a laboratory providing electrophysiology training.

OBJECTIVES: Patients and medical staff expose to significant radiation during electro-physiological (EP) procedures. There are few data regarding the leading factors of longer fluoroscopy time and higher scattered radiation in a laboratory giving EP training during those interventions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients' recordings that underwent EP procedure in a single centre arrhythmia unit from February 2019 to January 2020 were examined. Prospectively collected data regarding procedure duration, fluoroscopy time and total air kerma, demographic characteristics of the patients, type of procedure, success of ablation and the use of electro anatomic mapping were retrospectively evaluated. Predictors of total air kerma were analysed with linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Study population consisted of 437 patients with a median age of 47 (39-56); 184 (42.1%) were male. Median fluoroscopy time was 768 (420-1320) seconds and median cumulative air kerma was 369 (191-750) mGy. Fluoroscopy time and cumulative air kerma were significantly lower in diagnostic EP studies compared to other procedures. There was no difference in terms of total air kerma between the procedures other than the diagnostic EP study. In multivariable linear regression analysis; body surface area, fluoroscopy time, not using the electro-anatomical mapping, unsuccessful ablation and atrial flutter ablation were predictors of total air kerma in EP studies performed by trainees. CONCLUSION: Scattered radiation during EP procedures performed by in-training operators is related with some factors. Awareness about those may help to effort reducing the harmful effect of ionising radiation.

Evaluation of right ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction and its relation with mortality.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricle (RV) dyssynchrony and its relation with mortality using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction (IMI). METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight consecutive patients with acute IMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and 44 healthy subjects were included. RV myocardial involvement (RVMI) was defined as an elevation >1 mm in V1 or V4R and/or the presence of a culprit lesion at the proximal portion of the first RV marginal branch after reviewing coronary angiography. Patients were followed for 3 years to determine the cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 70 patients with IMI had RVMI. IMI patients had significantly higher RV peak systolic longitudinal strain dyssynchrony (PLSSD) index, lower peak longitudinal systolic strain (PLSS), longer time to PLSS, and time to PLSS differences compared to healthy controls while the patients with RVMI had significantly worse values compared to patients without RVMI and healthy controls. Twenty-seven patients (17.1%) died within 2 years. RVMI was more prevalent in mortality group, and they had significantly higher RV PSSD index, whereas they had lower RV free wall PLSS and longer time to PLSS differences. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis revealed that a RV PLSSD index > 65 ms predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 71.8% in IMI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intra- and inter-ventricular dyssynhcrony may develop in patients with acute IMI, especially in those with RV involvement, which might have a negative effect on the prognosis of these patients.