Bipolar catheter ablation with dedicated radiofrequency system for highly refractory ventricular arrhythmia-Does the rate of success depend on arrhythmia origin?

INTRODUCTION: Despite rapid technological progress, some arrhythmias are still resistant to standard unipolar ablation. These include arrhythmias arising from the base of the heart, cardiac crux, or epicardium. Bipolar radiofrequency ablation (B-RFA) may be useful in some cases, however, data on the efficacy of this approach in various arrhythmia localizations are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of B-RFA in patients with ventricular arrhythmias originating from various locations, occurring refractory to standard unipolar ablation approaches. METHODS: An observational, single center study was conducted over a 30-month period. B-RFA were performed using dedicated radio frequency (RF) generator and electroanatomic mapping system. RESULTS: Twenty-four procedures, in 23 patients with a median (range) of 1 (1-2) previously failed unipolar ablation procedures, were included in the final analysis. There were 12 ablations of ventricular arrhythmias originating from interventricular septum with an acute success rate of 75%, and 12 from left ventricular (LV) summit with an acute success rate of 58%. The midterm success rate (median interquartile range follow-up of 205 days [188-338]) was 66% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: B-RFA is a promising method of catheter ablation for refractory cardiac arrhythmias. A higher success rate was observed in ablation for difficult ventricular arrhythmias originating from interventricular septal region than LV summit.

Cardioneuroablation for reflex asystolic syncope: Mid-term safety, efficacy, and patient's acceptance.

BACKGROUND: Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is a promising therapy for reflex asystolic syncope; however, convincing data on the mid-term safety and efficacy of this procedure are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the mid-term safety, efficacy, and patient acceptance of CNA. METHODS: This prospective observational single-center study included 115 consecutive patients (mean age 39 ± 13 years; 58% female) treated between 2016 and 2022 who completed at least 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: No significant procedure-related acute complications occurred. During median follow-up of 28 months (range 12-75), 95 (83%) remained free from syncope. Of the 20 patients (17%) with syncope recurrence, syncope burden decreased from a mean 17 (median 6.5) to 3.75 (median 2.5) episodes (P = .015). In 9 of 10 patients, pacing system removal was possible. Repeated CNA was needed in 3 patients (3%), whereas pacemaker implantation was performed in 5 (4%). The most frequent mid-term complication of CNA was sinus rhythm acceleration (from 60 ± 14 bpm to 90 ± 16 bpm; P <.0001), which was symptomatic in 31 patients (27%); 8 patients (7%) required chronic beta-blocker and/or ivabradine. Sinus node modification was necessary in 1 patient. Other complaints included dyspnea, chronic chest pain, and decreased exercise capacity, which were mild and reported by 16 patients (14%). Patient acceptance of CNA was very high: 96% stated that it was worth undergoing the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-term efficacy of CNA exceeds 80%, and acute complications are absent. The most frequent mid-term chronic complication is inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which in 7% required chronic treatment. The procedure is well accepted by patients.

Variability of baroreceptor reflex assessed by tilt table test in a patient undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.

BACKGROUND: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a significant role in atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation (CA) affects the ANS balance. The assessment of baroreceptor (BR) function is an established method to measure parasympathetic activity; however, it has been rarely used in patients undergoing CA of AF. AIMS: This study is to assess changes in BR function caused by CA and to compare these changes between two different types of CA: point-by-point radiofrequency (RF) versus cryoballoon (CB). METHODS: In this observational, prospective, single center study, 78 patients (25 females, mean age 58 ± 9) with paroxysmal AF and first CA were included: 39 patients (RF group) and 39 (CB group). The BR function was assessed non-invasively using tilt testing and three parameters: event count (BREC) depicting overall BR activity, slope mean depicting BR sensitivity (BRS), and BR effectiveness index (BEI). RESULTS: The groups did not differ in clinical or demographic data. Before CA, tilting caused a marked decrease in BR function parameters in the whole study group (BREC (29 ± 14.0-50.0 vs 28 ± 9.0-44.0, p < 0.068), BRS (10.2 ± 7.1-13.2 vs 5.8 ± 4.9-8.5; p < 0.001), and BEI (52.9 ± 39.9-65.5 vs 39.6 ± 23.6-52.1; p < 0.001), supine vs tilting, respectively). These changes were similar in the both groups. After CA, BR function decreased in the whole group (BREC 12.0 ± 3.0-22.0 vs 6.0 ± 3.0-18.0, p = 0.004; BRS 4.8 ± 3.6-6.8 vs 4.0 ± 3.0-5.8, p = 0.014; BEI 18.7 ± 8.3-27.4 vs 12.0 ± 5.1-21.0, p = 0.009). BREC was significantly more decreased in the CB vs RF. Similar trend was noted for BRS and BEI. CONCLUSIONS: CA significantly affects BR function. These changes were more pronounced following CB rather than RF CA.

Subclinical Dysfunction of Left Atrial Compliance after Cryoballoon versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

It has been suggested that cryoballoon (CB) ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) may lead to more extensive left atrial (LA) injury than radiofrequency (RF) ablation; however, results are conflicting. We sought to address this issue using modern echocardiographic techniques estimating the LA function after successful CB and RF ablation for PAF. A total of 90 patients (66% males, mean age 57 ± 10 years) successfully treated (no AF recurrences confirmed in serial 4-7 day ECG Holter monitoring) with RF (51%) or CB (49%) ablation for PAF were retrospectively studied. Echocardiography with speckle tracking (STE) was performed before and 12 months after the procedure. The peak longitudinal LA strain (LAS) and strain rate (LASR) during the reservoir (r), conduit (cd), and contraction (ct) phases were measured in sinus rhythm. Analysis of covariance was applied to compare changes in the echocardiographic parameters over time with the baseline measurements as covariance and the type of ablation as the factor. The parallelism of the slopes of the covariance was tested. The LA diameter decreased (38.3 ± 4.1 mm vs. 36.8 ± 3.6 mm, p < 0.001) in the whole study group at 12 months after ablation. The LASRr and LASRcd increased (1.1 ± 0.3 s-¹ vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 s-¹, p < 0.001 and 1.1 ± 0.3 s-¹ vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 s-¹, p < 0.001, respectively) whereas other LA strain parameters remained unchanged in the whole study group at 12 months after ablation. In the analysis of LA function at 12 months after the procedure regarding the mode of ablation, the worsening of parameters reflecting LA compliance was observed in patients with better pre-served baseline values in the CB ablation subgroup. For baseline LAScd >28%, the difference ΔCB - ΔRF was -7.6 (11.7; -3.4), p < 0.001, and for baseline LAScd >16%, ΔCB - ΔRF was -1.8 (-3.2; -0.4), p = 0.014. The traditional Doppler-derived parameter e' showed the same trend-for baseline e' ≥12 cm/s, ΔCB - ΔRF was -1.7 (-2.8; -0.6), p = 0.003. We conclude that worsening of parameters reflecting LA compliance was observed 12 months after CB ablation compared to RF ablation for PAF in patients who underwent a successful procedure and had better-preserved baseline LA function. This might suggest subclinical dysfunction of LA after the CB ablation procedure. The clinical significance of these findings warrants further investigations.

Is catheter-tissue contact force value important for ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the left ventricular papillary muscles?

Background: Good catheter-tissue contact is mandatory to create effective ablation lesions. The minimal contact force value for ablation of arrhythmias originating from the left ventricle is 8.0-10.0 grams but is not known for arrhythmias arising from papillary muscles. Purpose: To analyze contact force values during successful ablation procedures of arrhythmias originating from the left ventricular papillary muscles. Methods: 24 consecutive patients (mean age 57.9 ± 11.9 years, 16 males) underwent ablation of premature ventricular complexes originating from left ventricular papillary muscles with the use of CARTO electro-anatomical system and intracardiac echocardiography. Results: Acute complete abolition of ventricular ectopy was obtained in 23 (96%) patients. The fluoroscopy time was 3.9 ± 3.5 min and procedure duration - 114.8 ± 37.9 min. The mean contact force during successful ablations was 3.0 ± 1.1 grams and 3.18 ± 1.8 grams for antero-lateral and postero-medial papillary muscle, respectively (NS). The mean contact force during a single unsuccessful ablation was 3.0 grams. At control Holter ECG, the mean Ectopy Burden was Reduced in the Antero-Lateral Papillary Muscle Group from 18.0% ± 7.9% to 2.6% ± 2.9% (p = 0.005415) and in the Postero-Medial Papillary Muscle Group - from 34.8% ± 13.7%-1.7% ± 1.3% (p = 0.012694). During Median 27 (IQR: 17-34) Months of Follow-up There one Recurrence of Arrhythmia. Conclusion: The values of contact force for successful ablation of ventricular ectopy originating from the left ventricular papillary muscles may be much lower than those for ablation of other foci which questions the role of contact force measurement when ablating these arrhythmias.

Cardioneuroablation for Reflex Syncope: Efficacy and Effects on Autonomic Cardiac Regulation-A Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (VVS) is difficult. Recently, cardioneuroablation (CNA) has emerged as a new therapeutic option. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the effects of CNA on syncope recurrences in patients with VVS. METHODS: This study was a prospective, open, randomized, controlled, investigator-initiated trial comparing CNA versus optimal nonpharmacologic therapy in patients with cardioinhibitory VVS. Patients were included if they had documented symptomatic cardioinhibitory or mixed VVS and positive atropine test. CNA was performed using radiofrequency ablation of the ganglionated plexi from the left and right atria. Follow-up lasted 2 years. Primary endpoint was time to first syncope recurrence. Secondary endpoints included changes in sinus rhythm and heart rate variability measured in Holter electrocardiography at baseline and 3, 12, and 24 months after CNA, as well as changes in quality of life at baseline and after completion of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients (17 male, mean age 38 ± 10 years, 24 in CNA group, 24 in control group) entered the study. The primary endpoint occurred in 2 patients (8%) from the CNA group versus 13 control patients (54%) (P = 0.0004). After CNA the mean sinus rhythm at 24-hour Holter electrocardiography was significantly faster and heart rate variability parameters significantly changed toward parasympathetic withdrawal compared with baseline values. Quality of life significantly improved in the CNA group (30 ± 10 points vs 10 ± 7 points; P = 0.0001), whereas it remained stable in control patients (31 ± 10 points vs 30 ± 10 points; P = 0.5501). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized study documenting efficacy of CNA in patients with cardioinhibitory VVS. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. (Cardioneuroablation for Reflex Syncope [ROMAN]; NCT03903744).

Ultrasound-guided extracardiac vagal stimulation-New approach for visualization of the vagus nerve during cardioneuroablation.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopy-guided extracardiac vagal stimulation (ECVS) from the internal right and left jugular veins (RIJV and LIJV) is routinely used to document vagal response (sinus arrest and/or atrioventricular block) during cardioneuroablation. Ultrasound-guided ECVS allows direct visualization and selective stimulation of the vagus nerve (VN). OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of ultrasound-guided ECVS and to compare it with fluoroscopy-guided ECVS. METHODS: The study group consisted of 48 patients (25 men [52%]; mean age 38 ± 15 years) in whom fluoroscopy-guided ECVS and ultrasound-guided ECVS were performed. For fluoroscopy-guided ECVS, a pacing electrode was introduced into the RIJV and into the LIJV up to the level of the jugular foramen under fluoroscopic guidance. For ultrasound-guided ECVS, the VN and electrode were visualized using ultrasonography. Partial vagal response was defined as induction of sinus arrest or atrioventricular block, whereas full vagal response was defined as induction of both. RESULTS: ECVS was performed in all patients from the RIJV and in 45 from the LIJV. Visualization of the VN using ultrasound was possible in 44 patients (92%). During ECVS from the RIJV, partial vagal response was obtained in 39 (81%) using fluoroscopy-guided ECVS vs 45 (94%) using ultrasound-guided ECVS (not significant) whereas full vagal response was obtained in 27 patients (56%) using fluoroscopy-guided ECVS vs 40 (83%) using ultrasound-guided ECVS (P = .0071). For ECVS from the LIJV, partial vagal response was achieved in 40 (89%) vs 44 (98%) patients (not significant) whereas full vagal response was achieved in 30 (67%) vs 40 (89%) patients (P = .021) (fluoroscopy-guided ECVS vs ultrasound-guided ECVS, respectively). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided ECVS is feasible and full vagal response is achieved significantly more frequently than using fluoroscopy-guided ECVS.

Daily ECG transmission versus serial 6-day Holter ECG for the assessment of efficacy of ablation for atrial fibrillation - the AGNES-ECG study.

PURPOSE: To compare daily ECG transmissions using trans-telephonic monitoring (TTM) with repeated 6-day Holter ECG in detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes following ablation. METHODS: Each patient underwent two types of recordings: daily ECG TTM lasting 30 s and standard 6-day ambulatory ECG monitoring performed 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. Number of patients with detected AF recurrences, time to first detected recurrence of AF, and AF burden were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty patients (9 females, mean age 57 ± 11 years) were included. The mean duration of the follow-up was 382 ± 38 days. A total of 17,573 (mean 351 ± 111 per patient) TTM recordings were performed and 99.95% of recordings were of quality sufficient to assess cardiac rhythm. Altogether, 14 (28%) patients had AF recurrence. Holter ECG detected AF recurrence in 7 (14%) patients whereas TTM - in 12 (24%) patients, p = 0.0416 (TTM only - 7 (14%), Holter ECG only - 2 (4%), and both methods - 5 (10%)). Time to the first AF recurrence tended to be shorter using TTM than Holter ECG (156 ± 91 vs 204 ± 121 days, p = 0.0819). There was no significant difference in AF burden assessed by TTM versus Holter ECG recordings 3.1 ± 0.14% vs 4.8 ± 0.2%, p = 0.21. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with Holter ECG, daily 30-s ECG recordings detected more patients with AF recurrences. Time to first detected AF episode tended to be shorter using TTM. Daily ECG recordings transmitted using smartphone may replace standard Holter ECG in detecting AF after ablation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT03877913.

Association of Left Atrial Sphericity with Risk of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Sub-Analysis of the ASSAM Study.

PURPOSE: The study was designed to evaluate the value of left atrial (LA) sphericity (LASP) in the identification of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had prior ischemic stroke. The secondary aim was to investigate the possibility of improving stroke risk assessment based on six geometrical variables of LA. METHODS: This prospective observational study involved 157 patients: 74 in the stroke group and 83 in the control. All patients had cardiac computed tomography (CT) performed to analyze LA volume and dimensions. LASP and the discriminant function of six geometrical measurements were calculated. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of stroke with and gender, diabetes, CHA2DS2-VASc score, LA anteroposterior diameter, and LA sphericity. Patients with prior stroke had lower LASP than those without (66.6 ± 10.3% vs. 70.5 ± 7%; p = 0.0062). The most accurate identification of patients with a history of ischemic stroke was achieved by using a function of six geometrical measurements, the sphericity and volume coefficient. The C-statistic was higher for the above discriminant function (0.7273) than for LASP (0.3974). The addition of the discriminant function to the CHA2DS2-VASc score increased the performance of the risk score alone. CONCLUSION: LASP is associated with prior stroke in AF patients. The proposed new formula for identification of AF patients who are at risk of stroke, based on geometrical measurements of LA, is superior to the basic LASP in identification of AF patients with a history of stroke.

Cardioneuroablation changes the type of vasovagal response in patients with asystolic reflex syncope.

BACKGROUND: Cardioneuroablation (CNA) has been recently proposed as a new therapy in patients with asystolic vasovagal syncope (VVS) caused by parasympathetic overactivity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of CNA on the type of VV response during tilt testing (TT). METHODS: The study group consisted of 20 patients (7 males, mean age 38 ± 9). All patients had a history of syncope due to asystole and confirmed asystolic VVS at baseline TT (TT1). CNA was performed in the right and left atrium. The second TT (TT2) and Holter ECG were performed three months later. All patients completed one-year follow up. RESULTS: At TT1, twenty patients had cardioinhibitory syncope and 1 had mixed VVS with asystole > 3 s. During one-year follow-up no spontaneous syncopal episodes were noted. At TT2, 6 patients had no syncope whereas the remaining 13 had syncope - twelve due to vasodepressor mechanism and only one due to asystole. Mean heart rate after CNA was significantly faster and heart rate variability parameter (SDNN) lower than before the procedure (82 ± 9 vs 69 ± 11 beats/min, p = 0.0003 and 74 ± 22 vs 143 ± 40 ms, p = 000001, respectively). These changes were similar in those who fainted during TT2 and those who did not (84 ± 10 vs 81 ± 5 beats/min, p = NS and 72 ± 24 vs 72 ± 19 ms, p = NS, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CNA profoundly affects type of VV reaction causing normalization of the response to tilting or changing cardiodepression to vasodepression. Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability are consistent with attenuation of parasympathetic activity.

Assessment of the left atrial appendage morphology in patients after ischemic stroke - The ASSAM study.

BACKGROUND: The ASSAM study was designed to evaluate the association between left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology and stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: The study included 85 randomly chosen AF patients with acute ischemic stroke matched with 84 AF without stroke. All patients had left atrial (LA) computed tomography performed to analyze LAA anatomy. RESULTS: Patients in the stroke group had a larger LAA volume (10.22 [7.83-13.62] vs. 9.33 cm3 [7.33-11.47], p = 0.046], greater distance from LAA ostium to the first LAA bend (9.25 ± 3.85 vs. 7.23 ± 2.95 mm, p = 0.0002), and more frequently had round LAA ostium shape (11.8 vs. 1.2%, p = 0.005). According to a multivariable model, significant predictors of ischemic stroke were distance from LAA ostium to the first LAA bend (OR 1.202 [1.065-1.356], p = 0.003), LAA ostium round shape of (OR 16.813 [1.857-152.231], p = 0.012), LAA ostium surface area (OR 0.612 [0.457-0.819], p = 0.009), and cactus LAA morphology (OR 2.739 [1.176-6.380], p = 0.016). After adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc score, only the distance from LAA ostium to the first LAA bend remained a significant risk factor for stroke (OR 1.154 [1.014-1.314], p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The distance from LAA ostium to the first bend of the LAA was independently associated with stroke risk in patients with AF. Whether this parameter may help improve identification of patients at risk of ischemic stroke, needs to be confirmed in larger studies.

Ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation-real-life results from a middle-volume electrophysiology laboratory.

INTRODUCTION: A significant improvement in safety and efficacy of ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been reported by experienced centers over recent years; however, data from real-life surveys and smaller electrophysiology (EP) laboratories have been less optimistic. AIM: To asses efficacy of ablation for PAF in a middle-volume EP center over last years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1 year efficacy and safety of ablation for PAF in three cohorts of patients treated between 2011 and 2014 (period I), 2015-2017 (period II), and 2018-2019 (period III). RESULTS: Of 234 patients (mean age 57 ± 9 years, 165 males), 81 (35%) were treated in period I, 84 (36%) in period II, and 69 (29%) in period III. The overall efficacy of ablation during all analyzed periods was 67%. The overall efficacy of ablation increased over time-from 56% in period I to 68% in period II and 81% in period III. Significant improvement was achieved using radiofrequency ablation (RF) (53% in period I vs 82% in period III, and 55% in period II vs 82% in period III, p = 0.003 and 0.0012, respectively) whereas positive trend in the improvement of cryoballoon efficacy was NS. The rate of peri-procedural complications was 9% and it did not change significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS: This real-life observational study from a medium volume EP center shows that progress in PAF ablation, especially RF, reported by highly-skilled centers, can be reproduced in real life by less experienced operators.

Cardioneuroablation - Induced shift in sinus node activation: A new parameter of vagal denervation?

Experimental studies demonstrated a shift in the leading pacemaker site based on parasympathetic or sympathetic dominance. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of ganglionated plexi (GP) might be used to overcome deleterious effects of enhanced parasympathetic tone. Herein, we present two patients who underwent GP ablation due to cardioinhibitory type reflex syncope and symptomatic bradycardia, respectively. In both cases complete vagal denervation was achieved and was associated with a cranial shift of sinus node activation area with corresponding changes in surface P wave morphology. This unique phenomenon needs to be confirmed in the larger prospective study.

Acceleration of sinus rhythm following ablation for atrial fibrillation: a simple parameter predicting ablation efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a well­established treatment method in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the predictors of a successful outcome are less well known. It has been suggested that PVI­induced changes in autonomic control of sinus rate (SR) may correspond to ablation efficacy. AIMS: We aimed to assess whether PVI­induced changes in SR may help identify responders to PVI. METHODS: The study group consisted of 111 consecutive patients (mean [SD] age, 55 [10] years; 81 men) who underwent the first ablation of paroxysmal AF (radiofrequency [RF] ablation, 56 patients; cryoballoon [CB] ablation, 55 patients). The SR was calculated from a standard 12­lead electrocardiogram recorded a day before and 2 days after ablation. Patients were followed for 1 year on an outpatient basis and underwent serial 4- to 7­day Holter electrocardiogram recordings at 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. RESULTS: Ablation was effective in 74 patients (67%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that younger age, faster SR, and a greater increase in SR (ΔSR) after ablation were significantly associated with successful outcome. The results were similar between patients who underwent RF and CB ablation. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of ΔSR higher than 15 bpm for the identification of responders were 53%, 73%, 80%, and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleration of SR following ablation for paroxysmal AF may serve as an additional simple clinical parameter that may improve the prediction of outcome after PVI.

Noninvasive assessment of left atrial fibrosis. Correlation between echocardiography, biomarkers, and electroanatomical mapping.

AIM: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis promotes atrial fibrillation (AF), may predict poor radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) outcome, and may be assessed invasively using electroanatomical mapping (EAM). Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) enables quantitative assessment of LA function. The aim was to assess the relationship between LA fibrosis derived from EAM and LA echocardiographic parameters as well as biomarkers of fibrosis in patients with AF. METHODS: Sixty-six patients (64% males, mean age 56 ± 10) with nonvalvular AF treated with first RFCA were prospectively studied. Seventy-three percent of patients were in sinus rhythm at the time of examination. LA geometry, systolic, and diastolic function were assessed. In STE global, peak atrial longitudinal (PALS) and contractile (PACS) strain were calculated. LA stiffness index (LAs) - the ratio of E/e' to PALS - was assessed. The EAM of LA was build using Carto System before RFCA. Low amplitude potentials area (LAPA) was quantitatively analyzed and expressed as a percentage of LA surface using the cut-off <0.5 mV to detect potential sites of fibrosis. The serum concentrations of MMP-9, PIIINP, and TGFß1were estimated before RFCA. RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between LA diastolic function parameters: PALS (-0.54, P < .001), LAs (0.65, P < .001), and LAPA in patients who were in sinus rhythm. Also LA volume significantly correlated with LAPA (0.44, P < .002). None of biomarkers correlated with LAPA. CONCLUSION: Left atrial diastolic parameters derived from STE correlate well with the extent of LA fibrosis. Thus, STE may be useful in the noninvasive assessment of LA fibrosis and selection of candidates for RFCA.

Acute Hemodynamic and Tissue Effects of Cryoballoon Ablation on Pulmonary Vessels: The IVUS-Cryo Study.

BACKGROUND: Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (CB-PVI) has been widely used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Although generally safe and effective, the procedure may be associated with pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis and bronchial or esophageal injury. The mechanisms leading to these complications have not been studied in detail. Our aim was to examine acute effects of cryoballoon on the pulmonary vessel and right heart pressures as well as PV wall morphology. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 8 patients (5 men, mean age 55±14 years) undergoing CB-PVI, pressure in each PV was measured by catheter located inside the PV directly before and after CB-PVI. The right atrial, right ventricular, and pulmonary artery pressures as well as pulmonary arterial wedge capillary pressure in the pulmonary artery branch corresponding to target PV were also measured. Morphological changes in PVs were assessed using intravascular ultrasonography.There were no significant differences in PV pressures before and after ablation. The pulmonary arterial wedge capillary pressure significantly increased during cryoapplication (left superior: 20±10 versus 29±8.5 mm Hg, P=0.004; left inferior: 24±10 versus 32±6 mm Hg, P=0.012; right superior: 25±9 versus 35±10 mm Hg, P=0.002; right inferior: 24±10 versus 37±12 mm Hg, P=0.0036). The right atrial and pulmonary artery pressures increased significantly after CB-PVI (9±6 versus 13±8 mm Hg, P=0.004, and 20±9 versus 24±10 mm Hg, P=0.048, respectively). Intravascular ultrasonography showed acute edema and dissection-like changes causing relative lumen narrowing in 90% of PVs. CONCLUSIONS: CB-PVI causes significant rise in pulmonary artery and right atrial pressures as well as PV wall damage. The clinical significance of these findings warrants further investigations.

Antazoline-insights into drug-induced electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects: Results of the ELEPHANT II substudy.

BACKGROUND: Antazoline is an old antihistaminic and new antiarrhythmic agent with unknown mechanisms of action which recently has been shown to effectively terminate atrial fibrillation. The aim of study was to examine the effects of antazoline on hemodynamic and ECG parameters. METHODS: Antazoline was given intravenously in three 100 mg boluses to 10 healthy volunteers (four males, mean age 40 + 11 years). Hemodynamic and ECG parameters were measured using impedance cardiography [systolic (sBP), diastolic (dBP), mean (mBP) blood pressure, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR) and heart rate (HR), P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, QT and corrected QT (QTcF) interval]. Plasma concentration of antazoline was also measured. RESULTS: Antazoline caused significant prolongation of P wave, QRS as well as QT and QTcF (101 ± 10 vs 110 ± 16 ms, p < .05, and 101 ± 12 vs 107 ± 12 ms, p < .05, 399 ± 27 vs 444 ± 23 ms, p < .05, and 403 ± 21 vs 448 ± 27 ms, p < .05, respectively). Also, a significant decrease in SV was noted (94.9 ± 21.8 vs 82.4 ± 19.6 ml, p < .05). A significant correlation between changes in plasma drug concentration and changes in CO, HR, and dBP was found. CONCLUSIONS: Antazoline impairs slightly hemodynamics, significantly reducing SV. Significant prolongation of P wave and QRS duration corresponds to drug-induced prolongation of conduction, whereas QT prolongation represents drug-induced prolongation of repolarization.

Impact of incorrect oral habits on mastication anomalies in children and adolescents - literature review and own observations.

Incorrect oral habits, such as dysfunctions and parafunctions, may lead to the development of mastication anomalies. The present analysis covered 15 publications from the years 2005-2015, examining the impact of harmful oral habits and dysfunctions on the development of mastication anomalies. Based on the literature review, it can be stated that malocclusion is common in populations worldwide, irrespective of the racial background. The malocclusion severity is related to harmful habits and dysfunctions co-occurring during individual development. The prevalence of malocclusion and dental anomalies related to parafunctions and dysfunctions has been observed to have a tendency to grow.