Virtual Reality for the Management of Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Implantation of Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: The Virtual Reality Headset (VRH) is a device aiming at improving patient's comfort by reducing pain and anxiety during medical interventions. Its interest during cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) implant procedures has not been studied. METHODS: We randomized consecutive patients admitted for pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) at our center to either standard analgesia care (STD-Group), or to VRH (VRH-Group). Patients in the STD-Group received intra-venous paracetamol (1 g) 60 min before the procedure, and local anesthesia was performed with lidocaine. For patients of the VRH-Group, VRH was used on top of standard care. We monitored patients' pain and anxiety using numeric rating scales (from 0 to 10) at the time of sub-cutaneous pocket creation, and during deep axillary vein puncture. Patient comfort during the procedure was assessed using a detailed questionnaire. Morphine consumption was also assessed. RESULTS: We randomized 61 patients to STD-Group (n = 31) or VRH-Group (n = 30). Pain and anxiety were lower in the VRH-Group during deep venous puncture (3.0 ± 2.0 vs. 4.8 ± 2.2, p = 0.002 and 2.4 ± 2.2 vs. 4.1 ± 2.4, p = 0.006) but not during pocket creation (p = 0.58 and p = 0.5). Morphine consumption was lower in the VRH-Group (1.6 ± 0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 1.1 mg; p = 0.041). Patients' overall comfort during procedure was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: VRH use improved pain and anxiety control during deep venous puncture compared to standard analgesia care, and allowed morphine consumption reduction. However, pain and anxiety were similar at the time of sub-cutaneous pocket creation.

High-density mapping of the average complex interval helps localizing atrial fibrillation drivers and predicts catheter ablation outcomes.

Background: Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (PersAF) electrogram-based ablation is complex, and appropriate identification of atrial substrate is critical. Little is known regarding the value of the Average Complex Interval (ACI) feature for PersAF ablation. Objective: Using the evolution of AF complexity by sequentially computing AF dominant frequency (DF) along the ablation procedure, we sought to evaluate the value of ACI for discriminating active drivers (AD) from bystander zones (BZ), for predicting AF termination during ablation, and for predicting AF recurrence during follow-up. Methods: We included PersAF patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation by pulmonary vein isolation and ablation of atrial substrate identified by Spatiotemporal Dispersion or Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms (>70% of recording). Operators were blinded to ACI measurement which was sought for each documented atrial substrate area. AF DF was measured by Independent Component Analysis on 1-minute 12-lead ECGs at baseline and after ablation of each atrial zone. AD were differentiated from BZ either by a significant decrease in DF (>10%), or by AF termination. Arrhythmia recurrence was monitored during follow-up. Results: We analyzed 159 atrial areas (129 treated by radiofrequency during AF) in 29 patients. ACI was shorter in AD than BZ (76.4 ± 13.6 vs. 86.6 ± 20.3 ms; p = 0.0055), and mean ACI of all substrate zones was shorter in patients for whom radiofrequency failed to terminate AF [71.3 (67.5-77.8) vs. 82.4 (74.4-98.5) ms; p = 0.0126]. ACI predicted AD [AUC 0.728 (0.629-0.826)]. An ACI < 70 ms was specific for predicting AD (Sp 0.831, Se 0.526), whereas areas with an ACI > 100 ms had almost no chances of being active in AF maintenance. AF recurrence was associated with more ACI zones with identical shortest value [3.5 (3-4) vs. 1 (0-1) zones; p = 0.021]. In multivariate analysis, ACI < 70 ms predicted AD [OR = 4.02 (1.49-10.84), p = 0.006] and mean ACI > 75 ms predicted AF termination [OR = 9.94 (1.14-86.7), p = 0.038]. Conclusion: ACI helps in identifying AF drivers, and is correlated with AF termination and AF recurrence during follow-up. It can help in establishing an ablation plan, by prioritizing ablation from the shortest to the longest ACI zone.

Ethanol infusion in left atrial appendage vein for treating refractory left atrial appendage tachycardia.

INTRODUCTION: We describe an unusual case of atrial tachycardia (AT) emanating from the left atrial appendage body (LAA), successfully treated by chemical ablation. METHODS: A 66-year-old patient with cardiac amyloidosis and history of persistent atrial fibrillation ablation presented poorly tolerated AT with 1:1 atrioventricular nodal conduction at 135/min, despite amiodarone therapy. Three-dimensional mapping suggested a reentrant AT from the anterior aspect of the left LAA. RESULTS: The tachycardia could not be terminated with radiofrequency ablation. The LAA vein was then selectively catheterized and infused with Ethanol, resulting in immediate termination of tachycardia, without LAA isolation. No recurrence occurred at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Atrial tachycardias emanating from the LAA that are resistant to radiofrequency ablation may respond to chemical ablation of the LAA vein.

Atrial fibrillation ablation in a single atrium with inferior vena cava interruption.

Common atrium (CA), also called three-chambered heart, is one of the rare congenital anomalies, defined by a complete absence of the atrial septum, eventually associated with malformation of the atrioventricular (AV) valves. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with CA complicated with Eisenmenger syndrome and inferior vena cava interruption, who suffered from symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). She underwent an initial successful pulmonary vein isolation procedure. A repeat procedure for perivalvular atrial flutter was complicated with inadvertent complete AV block, due to unusual AV node location in this challenging anatomy.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Torsades de Pointes Complicating Acquired Atrioventricular Block.

BACKGROUND: Female gender, degree of QT prolongation, and genetic susceptibility are known risk factors for developing torsades de pointes (TdP) during high-grade atrioventricular block (HG-AVB). Our objective was to analyze the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients presenting with TdP and AVB (TdP [+]) in comparison with non-TdP patients with AVB (TdP [-]). METHODS: All the ECGs from patients prospectively admitted for AVB (2 to 1, HG, and complete) at the University Hospital of Nice were analyzed. Automated corrected QT (QTc), manual measurements of QT and JT intervals, and Tpeak-to-end were performed at the time of the most severe bradycardia. RESULTS: From September 2020 to November 2021, 100 patients were admitted for HG-AVB. Among them, 17 patients with TdP were identified (8 men; 81 ± 10 years). No differences could be identified concerning automated QTc, manual QTc (Bazett correction), baseline QRS width, or mean left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups. Potassium serum level on admission and mean number of QT-prolonging drugs per patient were not significantly different between the two groups, respectively: 4.34 ± 0.5 mmol/L in TdP [+] versus 4.52 ± 0.6 mmol/L (p = 0.33); and 0.6 ± 0.7 in TdP [+] versus 0.3 ± 0.5 (p = 0.15). In contrast, manual QTcFR (Fridericia correction), JT (Fridericia correction), Tpeak-to-end, and Tpe/QT ratio were significantly increased in the TdP [+] group, respectively: 486 ± 70 ms versus 456 ± 53 ms (p = 0.04); 433 ± 98 ms versus 381 ± 80 ms (p = 0.02); 153 ± 57 ms versus 110 ± 40 ms (p < 0.001); and 0.27 ± 0.08 versus 0.22 ± 0.06 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of TdP complicating acquired AVB was 17%. Longer QTcFR, JT, and Tpeak-to-end were significantly increased in the case of TdP but also in the presence of permanent AVB during the hospitalization.

Fibrillatory Wave Amplitude Evolution during Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Implications for Atrial Substrate and Fibrillation Complexity Assessment.

Background. Fibrillatory Wave Amplitude (FWA) has been described as a non-invasive marker of atrial fibrillation (AF) complexity, and it predicts catheter ablation outcome. However, the actual determinants of FWA remain incompletely understood. Objective. To assess the respective implications of anatomical atrial substrate and AF spectral characteristics for FWA. Methods. Persistent AF patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation were included. FWA was measured on 1-min ECG by TQ concatenation in Lead I, V1, V2, and V5 at baseline and immediately before AF termination. FWA evolution during ablation was compared to that of AF dominant frequency (DF) measured by Independent Component Analysis on 12-lead ECG. FWA was compared to the extent of endocardial low-voltage areas (LVA I < 10%; II 10-20%; III 20-30%; IV > 30%), to the surface of healthy left atrial tissue, and to P-wave amplitude in sinus rhythm. The predictive value of FWA for AF recurrence during follow-up was assessed. Results. We included 29 patients. FWA remained stable along ablation procedure with comparable values at baseline and before AF termination (Lead I p = 0.54; V1 p = 0.858; V2 p = 0.215; V5 p = 0.14), whereas DF significantly decreased (5.67 ± 0.68 vs. 4.95 ± 0.58 Hz, p < 0.001). FWA was higher in LVA-I than in LVA-II, -III, and -IV in Lead I and V5 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01). FWA in V5 was strongly correlated with the surface of healthy left atrial tissue (R = 0.786; p < 0.001). FWA showed moderate to strong correlation to P-wave amplitude in all leads. Finally, FWA did not predict AF recurrence after a follow-up of 23.3 ± 9.8 months. Conclusions. These findings suggest that FWA is unrelated to AF complexity but is mainly determined by the amount of viable atrial myocytes. Therefore, FWA should only be referred as a marker of atrial tissue pathology.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Pause-Dependent Atrioventricular Block.

BACKGROUND: In patients with complete atrioventricular block (AVB), the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with pause-dependent AVB (PD-AVB) is not known. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of PD-AVB in a population of patients with complete (or high-grade) AVB. METHODS: Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and/or telemonitoring from patients admitted (from September 2020 to November 2021) for complete (or high-degree) AVB were prospectively collected at the University Hospital of Nice. The ECG tracings were analyzed by an electrophysiologist to determine the underlying mechanism of PD-AVB. RESULTS: 100 patients were admitted for complete (or high-grade) AVB (men 55%; 82 ± 12 years). Arterial hypertension was present in 68% of the patients. Baseline QRS width was 117 ± 32 ms, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 56 ± 7%. Fourteen patients (14%) with PD-AVB were identified, and presented similar clinical characteristics in comparison with patients without PD-AVB, except for syncope (which was present in 86% versus 51% in the non-PD-AVB patients, p = 0.01). PD-AVB sequence was induced by: Premature atrial contraction (8/14), premature ventricular contraction (5/14), His extrasystole (1/14), conduction block in a branch (1/14), and atrial tachycardia termination (1/14). All patients with PD-AVB received a dual-chamber pacemaker during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PD-AVB was 14%, and may be underestimated. PD-AVB episodes were more likely associated with syncope in comparison with patients without PD-AVB.

Does Unidirectional Block Exist after a Radiofrequency Line Creation? Insights from Ultra-High-Density Mapping (The UNIBLOCK Study).

BACKGROUND: Whether unidirectional conduction block (UB) can be observed after creation of a radiofrequency (RF) line is still debated. Previous studies reported a prevalence of 9 to 33% of UB, but the assessment was performed using a point-by-point recording across the line. Ultra-high-density (UHD) system may bring some new insights on the exact prevalence of UB. PURPOSE: A prospective study was conducted to assess the prevalence of UB and bidirectional block (BB) using UHD system after RF line creation. METHODS: Patients referred for atrial RF ablation procedure were included in this multicenter prospective study. UHD maps were performed by pacing both sides of the created line. RESULTS: A total of 80 maps were created in 40 patients (67 ± 12 years, 70% male) by pacing (mean cycle length 600 ± 57 ms) from both sides of the cavotricuspid isthmus line. After a 47 ± 17 min waiting time after the last RF application, UHD maps (mean number of 4842 ± 5010 electrograms, acquired during 6 ± 5 min) showed that BB was unambiguously confirmed on all of them. UB was not observed in any map. After a mean follow-up of 12 ± 4 months, 6 (14%) patients experienced an arrhythmia recurrence. CONCLUSION: After creation of an RF line, no case of UB was observed using UHD mapping, suggesting that the presence of a conduction block along a RF line is always associated with a block in the opposite direction.

Cardiac anatomical axes by CT scan and confirmation of the accuracy of fluoroscopic individualized left anterior oblique projection for right ventricular lead implantation.

BACKGROUND: The fluoroscopic individualized LAO (i-LAO) projection has demonstrated high accuracy for identifying right ventricular (RV) lead positioning, likely by approximating a view along the septal or RV long axes. However, RV and septal anatomical axes have not been studied, and their relation with i-LAO is unknown. We sought to determine RV, septal, and left ventricular (LV) long-axis orientations by CT scan and to compare them to the i-LAO angle, to confirm the anatomical relevance of i-LAO. METHODS: We prospectively included patients (pts) for whom i-LAO angle was determined during pacemaker or defibrillator implant. Then, RV, septal, and LV long-axis orientations were determined by CT scan by a physician blinded to i-LAO data. The horizontal components of the cardiac axes were compared with those of the i-LAO angle. RESULTS: We included 26 pts. Median values were 57.5° for i-LAO angle (range 47.5-70), 64.5° for RV axis (range 48-90), 51.5° for septal axis (range 39-74), and 37° for LV axis (range 25-67). i-LAO angle best correlated with septal axis (r = 0.91 and ρc = 0.71). Up to an angle of 70° (maximal measurable i-LAO value; 23/26 pts), the i-LAO angle was comprised between the septal and the RV axes (21/23 pts, 91.3%), or within 2° of this interval (2/23 pts, 8.7%). CONCLUSIONS: RV and septal anatomical axes present major interindividual variations, prompting the use of individualized fluoroscopy criteria for lead implantation. i-LAO angle demonstrated to be almost constantly between the septal and RV long axes, thus confirming its anatomical relevance for RV lead implantation.

Active compression versus standard anterior-posterior defibrillation for external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Electrical cardioversion is the first-line rhythm control therapy for symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Contemporary use of biphasic shock waveforms and anterior-posterior positioning of defibrillation electrodes have improved cardioversion efficacy; however, it remains unsuccessful in >10% of patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of applying active compression on defibrillation electrodes during AF cardioversion. METHODS: We performed a bicenter randomized study including patients referred for persistent AF cardioversion. Elective external cardioversion was performed by a standardized step-up protocol with increasing biphasic shock energy (50-100-150-200 J). Patients were randomly assigned to standard anterior-posterior defibrillation or to defibrillation with active compression applied over the anterior electrode. If sinus rhythm was not achieved at 200 J, a single crossover shock (200 J) was applied. Defibrillation threshold, total delivered energy, number of shocks, and success rate were compared between groups. RESULTS: We included 100 patients, 50 in each group. In the active compression group, defibrillation threshold was lower (103.1 ± 49.9 J vs 130.4 ± 47.7 J; P = .008), as well as total delivered energy (203 ± 173.3 J vs 309 ± 213.5 J; P = .0076) and number of shocks (2.2 ± 1.1 vs 2.9 ± 1.2; P = .0033), and cardioversion was more often successful (48 of 50 patients [96%] vs 42 of 50 patients [84%]; P = .0455) than that in the standard anterior-posterior group. Crossover from the compression group to the standard group was not successful (0 of 2 patients), whereas crossover from the standard group to the compression group was successful in 50% of patients (4 of 8). CONCLUSION: Active compression applied to the anterior defibrillation electrode is more effective for persistent AF cardioversion than standard anterior-posterior cardioversion, with lower defibrillation threshold and higher success rate.

QT Interval Prolongation Under Hydroxychloroquine/Azithromycin Association for Inpatients With SARS-CoV-2 Lower Respiratory Tract Infection.

Association between Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Azithromycin (AZT) is under evaluation for patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Both drugs have a known torsadogenic potential, but sparse data are available concerning QT prolongation induced by this association. Our objective was to assess for COVID-19 LRTI variations of QT interval under HCQ/AZT in patients hospitalized, and to compare manual versus automated QT measurements. Before therapy initiation, a baseline 12 lead-ECG was electronically sent to our cardiology department for automated and manual QT analysis (Bazett and Fridericia's correction), repeated 2 days after initiation. According to our institutional protocol (Pasteur University Hospital), HCQ/AZT was initiated only if baseline QTc ≤ 480ms and potassium level> 4.0 mmol/L. From March 24th to April 20th 2020, 73 patients were included (mean age 62 ± 14 years, male 67%). Two patients out of 73 (2.7%) were not eligible for drug initiation (QTc ≥ 500 ms). Baseline average automated QTc was 415 ± 29 ms and lengthened to 438 ± 40 ms after 48 hours of combined therapy. The treatment had to be stopped because of significant QTc prolongation in two out of 71 patients (2.8%). No drug-induced life-threatening arrhythmia, nor death was observed. Automated QTc measurements revealed accurate in comparison with manual QTc measurements. In this specific population of inpatients with COVID-19 LRTI, HCQ/AZT could not be initiated or had to be interrupted in less than 6% of the cases.

Clinical outcomes after AF cardioversion in patients presenting left atrial sludge in trans-esophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Direct-current cardioversion (DCC) for atrial fibrillation carries a risk of stroke, probably associated with the temporary atrial stunning following cardioversion. The presence of a cardiac thrombus, usually localized in the left atrial appendage (LAA), is recognized as a clear contra-indication to the cardioversion. However, the presence of atrial sludge without LAA thrombus in trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) remains, for many cardiologists, a relative contra-indication to the cardioversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of DCC in patients presenting atrial sludge without LAA thrombus. METHODS: We prospectively included all consecutive patients demonstrating atrial sludge without LAA thrombus in TEE and undergoing DCC for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Safety of DCC was evaluated by the occurrence of clinical events at 1 month following cardioversion, i.e., up to the end of the atrial stunning period, as assessed by clinical examination and the standardized and validated Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status (QVSFS). RESULTS: Over a period of 2 years, 21 patients presenting atrial sludge without LAA thrombus underwent DCC for AF. During the follow-up period of 1 month after DCC, no clinical embolic event, cardiac event, or unscheduled consultations/hospitalizations occurred. At 1 month, 67% of the patients remained in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: No clinical event occurred in patients demonstrating atrial sludge without thrombus and undergoing DCC for AF. These findings support current guidelines that only keep atrial thrombus as a contraindication to cardioversion, but warrant further investigation in large studies.

Cavotricuspid isthmus is constantly a zone of slow conduction: Data from ultra-high-resolution mapping.

BACKGROUND: Whether cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) is a region of conduction slowing during typical flutter has been discussed with conflicting results in the literature. We aimed to evaluate conduction velocity (CV) along the different portions of the typical flutter circuit with a recently proposed method by means of ultra-high-resolution (UHR) mapping. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred for typical atrial flutter (AFL) ablation underwent UHR mapping (Rhythmia, Boston Scientific). CVs were measured in the CTI as well as laterally and septally, respectively, from its lateral and septal borders. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (mean age: 65 ± 13 years; right atrial volume: 134 ± 57 mL) were mapped either during ongoing counterclockwise (n = 25), or clockwise (n = 3) AFL (mean cycle length: 264 ± 38 ms), or during coronary sinus pacing at 400 ms (n = 1), 500 ms (n = 1), or 600 ms (n = 3). A total of 13 671 ± 7264 electrograms were acquired in 14 ± 9 min. CTI CV was significantly lower (0.56  ± 0.18 m/s) in comparison with the lateral CV (1.31 ± 0.29 m/s; P < .0001) and the septal border CV of the CTI (1.29 ± 0.31 m/s; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: UHR mapping confirmed that CTI CV was systematically twice lower than atrial conduction velocities outside the CTI.

Individualized Left Anterior Oblique Projection: A Highly Reliable Patient-Tailored Fluoroscopy Criterion for Right Ventricular Lead Positioning.

BACKGROUND: Classical fluoroscopic criteria for the documentation of septal right ventricular (RV) lead positioning have poor accuracy. We sought to evaluate the individualized left anterior oblique (LAO) projection as a novel fluoroscopy criterion. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker or defibrillator implantation were prospectively included. RV lead positioning was assessed by fluoroscopy using posteroanterior, right anterior oblique 30° to rule out coronary sinus positioning, and LAO 40° in the classical group or individualized LAO in the individualized group. Individualized LAO was defined by the degree of LAO that allowed the perfect superposition of the RV apex (using the tip of the RV lead temporarily placed at the apex) and of the superior vena cava-inferior vena cava axis (materialized by a guidewire), hence providing a true profile view of the interventricular septum. Accuracy of fluoroscopy for RV lead positioning was then assessed by comparison with true RV lead positioning using transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: We included 100 patients, 50 in each study group. Agreement between RV lead septal/free wall positioning in transthoracic echocardiography and fluoroscopy was excellent in the individualized group (k=0.91), whereas it was poor in the classical group (k=0.35). Septal/free wall RV lead positioning was correctly identified in 48/50 (96%) patients in the individualized group versus 38/50 (76%) in the classical group (P=0.004). For septal lead positioning, fluoroscopy had 100% Se and 89.5% Sp in the individualized group versus 91.4% Se and 40% Sp in the classical group. Complications and procedural data were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: Individualized LAO is a quick and highly reliable patient-tailored fluoroscopy projection for RV lead positioning.

Classical fluoroscopy criteria poorly predict right ventricular lead septal positioning by comparison with echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopic criteria have been described for the documentation of septal right ventricular (RV) lead positioning, but their accuracy remains questioned. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker or defibrillator implantation were prospectively included. RV lead was positioned using postero-anterior and left anterior oblique 40° incidences, and right anterior oblique 30° to rule out coronary sinus positioning when suspected. RV lead positioning using fluoroscopy was compared to true RV lead positioning as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Precise anatomical localizations were determined with both modalities; then, RV lead positioning was ultimately dichotomized into two simple clinically relevant categories: RV septal or RV free wall. Accuracy of fluoroscopy for RV lead positioning was then assessed by comparison with TTE. We included 100 patients. On TTE, 66/100 had a septal RV lead and 34/100 had a free wall RV lead. Fluoroscopy had moderate agreement with TTE for precise anatomical localization of RV lead (k = 0.53), and poor agreement for septal/free wall localization (k = 0.36). For predicting septal RV lead positioning, classical fluoroscopy criteria had a high sensitivity (95.5%; 63/66 patients having a septal RV lead on TTE were correctly identified by fluoroscopy) but a very low specificity (35.3%; only 12/34 patients having a free wall RV lead on TTE were correctly identified by fluoroscopy). CONCLUSION: Classical fluoroscopy criteria have a poor accuracy for identifying RV free wall leads, which are most of the time misclassified as septal. This raises important concerns about the efficacy and safety of RV lead positioning using classical fluoroscopy criteria.

Self-taught axillary vein access without venography for pacemaker implantation: prospective randomized comparison with the cephalic vein access.

AIM: Axillary vein access for pacemaker implantation is uncommon in many centres because of the lack of training in this technique. We assessed whether the introduction of the axillary vein technique was safe and efficient as compared with cephalic vein access, in a centre where no operators had any previous experience in axillary vein puncture. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing pacemaker implantation were randomized to axillary or cephalic vein access. All three operators had no experience nor training in axillary vein puncture, and self-learned the technique by reading a published review. Axillary vein puncture was fluoroscopy-guided without contrast venography. Cephalic access was performed by dissection of delto-pectoral groove. Venous access success, venous access duration (from skin incision to guidewire or lead in superior vena cava), procedure duration, X-ray exposure, and peri-procedural (1 month) complications were recorded. results We randomized 74 consecutive patients to axillary (n = 37) or cephalic vein access (n = 37). Axillary vein was successfully accessed in 30/37 (81.1%) patients vs. 28/37 (75.7%) of cephalic veins (P = 0.57). Venous access time was shorter in axillary group than in cephalic group [5.7 (4.4-8.3) vs. 12.2 (10.5-14.8) min, P < 0.001], as well as procedure duration [34.8 (30.6-38.4) vs. 42.0 (39.1-46.6) min, P = 0.043]. X-ray exposure and peri-procedural overall complications were comparable in both groups. Axillary puncture was safe and faster than cephalic access even for the five first procedures performed by each operator. CONCLUSION: Self-taught axillary vein puncture for pacemaker implantation seems immediately safe and faster than cephalic vein access, when performed by electrophysiologists trained to pacemaker implantation but not to axillary vein puncture.

[Treatment and management after acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation]. / Syndrome coronaire aigu sans sus-décalage de ST : traitement et prise en charge au décours.

Coronary syndromes without ST elevation, previously known as unstable angina, are now more frequent than ST elevation myocardial infarction. Evidence-based studies should guide their management after hospital discharge. This management seeks to fulfill precise objectives and has been demonstrated to be effective in terms of survival.