Imaging evaluation of a persistent left superior vena cava and its importance in electrophysiologic procedures.

Accurate characterization of thoracic vascular structures is essential to safe, efficient, and successful cardiac electrophysiologic procedures. Here we describe a case of persistent left superior vena cava incidentally discovered during an elective cryoablation of atrial fibrillation procedure to illustrate possible diagnostic modalities to identify vascular abnormalities.

The Advanced Application of Intracardiac Echocardiography for Cardiac Electrophysiology Ablation Procedures.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The advanced use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is both a significant leap forward and an underutilized and unrealized innovation for electrophysiological (EP) procedures [1]. ICE can inform operators of complex anatomic heterogeneity as well as close anatomic relationships beyond fluoroscopy and even electroanatomic mapping. We will review the myriad advantages of advanced ICE application to EP ablation procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: While 3D mapping has significantly advanced diagnosis and treatment efficiency for ablation procedures quite rapidly, widespread adoption of advanced ICE techniques beyond a supplemental technology has not been as swift. The advanced application of ICE has the ability to vastly improve the safety of EP procedures while reducing or eliminating required fluoroscopic guidance in many aspects [2]. The advanced application of ICE offers many opportunities to improve procedural efficacy and safety. Further research should focus on quantifying these benefits and understanding how best to disseminate these techniques for broader electrophysiological practice.

Fluoroless left atrial access for radiofrequency and cryoballoon ablations using a novel radiofrequency transseptal wire.

PURPOSE: Conventional catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation requires fluoroscopy, which has inherent risks of radiation exposure to patients and medical staff. Optimization of fluoroscopy parameters and use of three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (EAM) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) have helped to reduce radiation exposure; however, despite growing evidence, there are still concerns about safety and added procedure time associated with fluoroless procedures, particularly in left-sided ablations, due to the potential risk of complications. Herein, we report our initial experience using a radiofrequency (RF) wire for completely fluoroless radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on ablation procedures for various cardiac arrhythmias performed non-fluoroscopically at two centers using the VersaCross RF wire transseptal system under EAM and ICE guidance. RESULTS: A total of 72 and 54 patients underwent RFA and CBA, respectively, successfully without any procedural complications. Transseptal access time for RFA was 14.5 ± 6.6 min from procedure start (including sheath and catheter placements ± right-sided ablation) or 2.8 ± 1.0 min from RF wire insertion into the femoral introducer. Transseptal access time for CBA was 19.2 ± 11.7 min from procedure start (including sheath and catheter placements ± right-sided ablation) or 3.5 ± 1.6 min from RF wire insertion into the femoral introducer. Average procedure time was 104.4 ± 38.0 min for RFA and 91.1 ± 22.1 min for CBA. CONCLUSIONS: A RF wire can be used to achieve completely fluoroless transseptal puncture safely and effectively while improving procedural efficiency in both RFA and CBA.

Fluoroless Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias.

Fluoroless catheter ablation of all endocardial cardiac arrhythmias is feasible using current, and often standard, electrophysiology laboratory equipment. This article lays out a road map for performing fluoroless ablations, safely and efficaciously. We outline optimizing intracardiac echocardiography, performing complex ablations with radiofrequency and cryoballoon technology.

Fluoroless Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A 5-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablations have been traditionally performed with the use of fluoroscopic guidance, which exposes the patient and staff to the inherent risks of radiation. We have developed techniques to eliminate the use of fluoroscopy during cardiac ablations and have been performing completely fluoroless catheter ablations on our patients for over 5 years. METHODS: We present a retrospective analysis of the safety, efficacy, and feasibility data from 500 consecutive patients who underwent nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation, targeting a total of 639 arrhythmias, including atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT), atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), atrial tachycardia (AT), atrial fibrillation (AF), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and ventricular tachycardia (VT). We perform fluoroless ablations using intracardiac electrograms, electroanatomic mapping, and for most cases intracardiac echocardiography. Our experience includes exclusively endocardial cardiac ablations. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 20.5 months. Recurrence rate for AVRT was 6.5%, for AVNRT 2.5%, for macro-reentrant AT 6.4%, for focal AT 5.4%, for AF 22.6%, for PVC 6.7%, and for VT 21.4%. Major complications occurred in five patients (1.0%); minor complications occurred in three patients (0.6%). No deaths occurred. Fluoroscopy was used in one instance, for 0.3 minutes, to confirm venous access. CONCLUSIONS: Completely fluoroless catheter ablations may be routinely performed for all endocardial ablations without compromising safety, efficacy, or procedural duration.

Late perforation of a passively fixated pacemaker lead through the right ventricle. A report and review of literature.

Lead perforation is one of the serious complications associated with cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators. Late perforations - occurring more than one month after placement - are exceedingly rare and are usually more associated with actively fixed leads rather than passively fixed tined leads. We present a case of blunt ended tined lead perforation after 4 months of implantation managed by a two-step hybrid minimally invasive approach consisting of mini-thoracotomy and lead tip transection, followed by trans-venous lead extraction. .

Dissemination of a simulation-based mastery learning intervention reduces central line-associated bloodstream infections.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 41,000 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) occur annually in US hospitals. We previously developed a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum in central venous catheter (CVC) insertion that significantly reduced CLABSI rates. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dissemination of the SBML curriculum on trainee skills and CLABSI rates at a community hospital. METHODS: The authors performed a cohort study of residents who rotated in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center from September 2010 to May 2012. Residents underwent an SBML CVC insertion curriculum and were required to meet or exceed a minimum passing score on a simulated internal jugular (IJ) and subclavian (SC) CVC insertion before ICU patient care. Infection control personnel measured CLABSI rates in the ICU before and after the educational intervention. RESULTS: Residents scored a mean IJ pretest of 35.5% (10.29/29, SD=8.30) compared with a post-test mean of 93.0% (26.96/29, SD=1.50; p<0.001). Their mean SC pretest score was 23.0% (6.68/29; SD=9.58) and increased to 96.1% (27.88/29, SD=1.41) at post-test (p<0.001). Patients experienced 3.82 infections per 1000 catheter-days (20 infections in 5235 catheter-days) in the ICU in the 23 months before the educational intervention. During the 21 months after the intervention, there were 1.29 infections per 1000 catheter-days (six infections in 4670 catheter-days (p=0.019)). The incidence rate ratio derived from the Poisson regression was 0.26 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.74) after controlling for Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score indicating that there was a 74% reduction in the incidence of CLABSI in the medical ICU after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates successful dissemination and implementation of a CVC SBML curriculum and shows that rigorous medical education is a powerful quality improvement tool.

Nonfluoroscopic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Using Cryoballoon.

BACKGROUND: The conventional method of cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation involves the use of fluoroscopy for visual guidance. The use of fluoroscopy is accompanied by significant radiation risks to the patient and the medical staff. Herein, we report our experience in performing successful nonfluoroscopic pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon ablation in 5 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation using a nonfluoroscopic approach. Pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was not performed in any patient. A total of twenty pulmonary veins were identified and successfully isolated (100%) with the guidance of intracardiac echocardiography and 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping. No fluoroscopy was used for the procedures. There were no major procedural adverse events. CONCLUSION: In an unselected group of patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation, a nonfluoroscopic approach is feasible and can be performed safely and effectively while eliminating the risks associated with radiation to both the patient and the medical staff.