Interaction of left ventricular size with the outcome of cardiac resynchronization therapy in Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the influence of the QRS duration (QRSd) to LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) ratio on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) outcomes in heart failure patients classified as III/IV per the New York Heart Association (NYHA) and with small body size. HYPOTHESIS: We proposed the hypothesis that the QRSd/LV size ratio is a better index of the CRT substrate. METHODS: We enrolled 114 patients with advanced heart failure (NYHA class III/IV, and LV ejection fraction >35%) who received a CRT device, including those with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and QRSd ≥120 milliseconds (n = 60), non-LBBB and QRSd ≥150 milliseconds (n = 30) and non-LBBB and QRSd of 120-149 milliseconds (n = 24). RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 65 ± 58 months, the incidence of the primary endpoint, a composite of all-cause death and hospitalization for heart failure, showed no significant intergroup difference (43.3% vs. 50.0% vs. 37.5%, respectively, p = .72). Similarly, among 104 patients with QRSd/LVEDV ≥ 0.67 (n = 54) and QRSd/LVEDV < 0.67 (n = 52), no significant differences were observed in the incidence of the primary endpoint (35.1% vs. 51.9%, p = .49). Nevertheless, patients with QRSd/LVEDV ≥ 0.67 showed better survival than those with QRSd/LVEDV < 0.67 (14.8% vs. 34.6%, p = .0024). CONCLUSION: Advanced HF patients with a higher QRSd/LVEDV ratio showed better survival in this small-body-size population. Thus, the risk is concentrated among those with a larger QRSd, and patients with a relatively smaller left ventricular size appeared to benefit from CRT.

Long-term prognosis and prognostic factors after primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding which patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) should be considered for prophylactic therapies, such as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), in the primary percutaneous intervention era. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients of ICM and non-ICM who underwent ICD implantation at our institute from October 2006 to August 2020. MACE were defined as composite outcome of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and appropriate ICD therapies. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients were enrolled [male, 138 (83 %); age, 62.1 ±â€¯11.7 years; left ventricular ejection fraction, 23.5 ±â€¯6.1 %; left ventricular diastolic diameter, 67.4 ±â€¯9.0 mm; atrial fibrillation, 47 (28 %); NSVT, 124 (74 %); use of class III antiarrhythmic drugs, 55 (33 %); ischemic cardiomyopathy, 56 (34 %); cardiac resynchronization therapy, 73 (44 %)]. The median follow-up duration was 61 months. MACE occurred with 71 patients (43 %). When comparing baseline characteristics of the patients, left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.02) and atrial fibrillation (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with MACE. The multivariable Cox analysis for the target variable MACE identified atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 2.00; 95 % confidence index 1.18-3.37; p = 0.01) as an independent predictor for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Prior NSVT before ICD implantation was not an independent predictor of future MACE in patients with HFrEF with primary prophylactic ICD. In contrast, atrial fibrillation was associated with worse prognosis. To predict the prognosis of patients with primary prophylactic ICD, these factors should be assessed as comprehensive risk stratification factors for MACE.

Right ventricular systolic function as a predictor of appropriate ICD therapy.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that right ventricular dysfunction is associated with a significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of the right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy to determine the cutoff value of the RVFAC. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent initial ICD implantations except those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, and long QT syndrome were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was defined as any appropriate ICD therapy. The right ventricular dimensions and function on transthoracic echocardiography were measured for analysis. RESULTS: In total, 172 patients (60.3 ± 13.6 years, 131 males) were enrolled. Ninety patients received an ICD as a secondary prophylaxis. The mean LV ejection fraction and RVFAC were 38.3 ± 14.3% and 35.8 ± 8.8%, respectively. Regarding appropriate ICD therapy events, the best cutoff value of the RVFAC was 34.8%, while 74 patients had an RVFAC < 34.8%. Regarding the primary endpoint, the hazard ratio of a low RVFAC was 2.73 (95% CI 1.46-5.12, P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, a low RVFAC was an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapy (HR: 3.40, 95% CI 1.74-6.64, P < 0.01). The secondary prophylactic cohort with a low RVFAC had the highest incidence of appropriate ICD therapy. Among the patients with RV dysfunction, the RVFAC normalized in 39% of patients during follow-up. This recovered RVFAC group had a significantly lower incidence of appropriate ICD therapy than the unrecovered RVFAC group (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: A low RVFAC might be associated with increased appropriate ICD therapy.

Antithrombotic Regimen After Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure　- A Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic therapy after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients at high risk of bleeding remains controversial. We present real-world clinical outcomes of LAAC.Methods and Results: Data from 74 consecutive patients who received LAAC therapy between January 2020 and June 2022 were analyzed. Patients received 1 of 3 antithrombotic therapies according to the bleeding risk category or clinical event. Regimen 1 was based on a prior study, regimen 2 comprised a lower antiplatelet drug dose without dual antiplatelet therapy, and regimen 3 was antiplatelet drug administration for as long as possible to patients with uncontrollable bleeding who were required to stop anticoagulant drugs. Overall, 73 (98.6%) procedures were successful. Of them, 16 (21.9%) patients were selected for regimen 1, 46 (63.0%) for regimen 2, and 11 (15.1%) for regimen 3. Device-related thrombosis (13% vs. 0% vs. 0%, P=0.0257) only occurred with regimen 1. There was no difference in major bleeding event rates (6% vs. 2% vs. 9%, P=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The post-LAAC antithrombotic regimen was modified without major concerns.

Junctional rhythm during cryoablation for typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

INTRODUCTION: Cryoablation is being used as an alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) owing to the lower risk of atrioventricular block (AVB) compared to RF ablation. Junctional rhythm often occurs during successful application of RF ablation for AVNRT. In contrast, junctional rhythm has rarely been reported to occur during cryoablation. This retrospective study evaluated the characteristics of junctional rhythm during cryoablation for typical AVNRT. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective study included 127 patients in whom successful cryoablation of typical AVNRT was performed. Patients diagnosed with atypical AVNRT were excluded. Junctional rhythm appeared during cryofreezing in 22 patients (17.3%). These junctional rhythms appeared due to cryofreezing at the successful site in the early phase within 15 s of commencement of cooling. Transient complete AVB was observed in 10 of 127 patients (7.9%), and it was noted that atrioventricular conduction improved immediately after cooling was stopped in these 10 patients. No junctional rhythm was observed before the appearance of AVB. No recurrence of tachycardia was confirmed in patients in whom junctional rhythm occurred by cryofreezing at the successful site. CONCLUSION: Occurrence of junctional rhythms during cryoablation is not so rare and can be considered a criterion for successful cryofreezing. Furthermore, junctional rhythm may be associated with low risk of recurrent tachycardia.

Concomitant use and interaction of a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator and epicardial pacemaker.

A concomitant use of S-ICD and epicardial pacemaker was established to avoid tricuspid valve dysfunction. DFT test confirmed that any bipolar pacing did no interference on the S-ICD function.

Renal Hyperperfusion Injury After Percutaneous Angioplasty for Renovascular Hypertension as a Sequela of Neuroblastoma.

Hyperperfusion injury is a rare but critical complication associated with revascularization for long-standing severe artery stenosis. Here we report a rare case of a patient with renal hyperperfusion injury after undergoing percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty for renovascular hypertension as a sequela of neuroblastoma after radiation therapy. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Pathophysiological background and prognosis of common atrial flutter in non-elderly patients: Comparison to Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether there is any difference in the background and prognosis between non-elderly patients who undergo catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and common atrial flutter (CAFL). PURPOSE: To investigate the difference between the patient background of both CAFL and AF in the non-elderly. METHODS: In 526 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation of clinical paroxysmal/persistent CAFL or AF in our hospital, we enrolled only patients under 60 years old. Cases harboring both AFL and AF were excluded. We analyzed the patient characteristics, echocardiographic findings, electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities during sinus rhythm, and clinical course after ablation. RESULTS: In total, 196 patients (Cohort 1: 142 males, 156 AF cases) were analyzed. AFL patients were younger than AF patients (47.4 ± 10.6 vs. 50.2 ± 6.4years, p = 0.031) and organic heart disease (OHD) was significantly more common in AFL patients than AF patients (42.5% vs. 11.5%, p<0.001). In 161 patients excluding OHD (Cohort 2), ECG abnormalities were more frequent in AFL than in AF patients (78.3% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in all-cause death, onset of heart failure, and cerebral strokes. On the other hand, the number of cases that required a pacemaker was significantly higher in the CAFL group than AF group (0.0% vs. 26.1%, p-value <0.001). These results suggested that CAFL may reflect occurrence of any atrial myocardial damage, even if it does not lead to heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Our present study suggested that CAFL may be associated with a broader atrial myocardial disorder in non-elderly patients.

Peak deflection index as a predictor of a free-wall implantation of contemporary leadless pacemakers.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemakers are an effective treatment for bradycardia. However, some cases exhibit pericardial effusions, presumably associated with device implantations on the right ventricular free-wall. The present study was carried out to find the ECG features during ventricular pacing with a Micra, which enabled distinguishing free-wall implantations from septal implantations without using imaging modalities. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients who received Micra implantations in our facility were enrolled. The location of the device in the right ventricle was evaluated using echocardiography or computed tomography in order to determine whether the device was implanted on the septum (Sep group), apex (Apex group), or free-wall (FW group). The differences in the 12-lead ECG during ventricular pacing by the Micra were analyzed between the Sep and FW groups. RESULTS: The body of the Micra was clearly identifiable in 22 patients. The location of the device was classified into Sep in 12 patients, Apex in 4, and FW in 6. The mean age was highest in the FW and lowest in the Sep group (82.7 ± 6.6 vs. 72.8 ± 8.7 years, p = 0.027). The peak deflection index (PDI) was significantly larger in the FW group than Sep/Apex group in lead V1 (Sep: 0.505 ± 0.010, Apex: 0.402 ± 0.052, FW: 0.617 ± 0.043, p = 0.004) and lead V2 (Sep: 0.450 ± 0.066, Apex: 0.409 ± 0.037, FW: 0.521 ± 0.030, p = 0.011), whereas there was no difference in the QRS duration, transitional zone, and QRS notching. CONCLUSION: The PDI in V1 could be useful for predicting implantations of Micra devices on the free-wall and may potentially stratify the risk of postprocedural pericardial effusions.

Predicting therapies in Japanese hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator using the 2014 European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Previous studies have shown that the sudden cardiac death (SCD) prediction model proposed by the 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline (5-Year Risk-SCD) was validated in European patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, there are limited data on Asian patients with HCM. We assessed the validity of the estimated 5-Year Risk-SCD in Japanese HCM patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) using the2014 ESC guidelines. We retrospectively examined data of 492 consecutive Japanese patients with an ICD. Sixty-two Japanese HCM patients with an ICD were enrolled in this study, and 50 patients (81%) were followed up for ≥ 5 years. We analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of these 50 patients. We investigated the incidence of appropriate ICD therapy as categorized by the ESC guideline and compared the 5-Year Risk-SCD with the 5-year rate of appropriate shock therapies. Based on the 2012 Japanese Circulation Society guideline and the 2011guidelines of the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation, 10 and 40 patients met classes I and IIa of the ICD recommendation, respectively. However, only 18 (36%) patients were classified into class I or IIa of the ESC guideline. Among 50 patients followed up for ≥ 5 years after ICD implantation, the incidences of appropriate ICD therapies for classes I, IIa, IIb, and III indications based on the 2014 ESC guideline were 50%, 38%, 17%, and 0%, respectively. Risk stratification for SCD using 5-Year Risk-SCD is valid in Japanese HCM patients with an ICD, and the 2014 ESC guideline might be useful for the indication of ICD implantation in Japan.