Long-term prognosis of women with Brugada syndrome and electrophysiological study.

BACKGROUND: A male predominance in Brugada syndrome (BrS) has been widely reported, but scarce information on female patients with BrS is available. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of women with BrS. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of patients diagnosed with BrS and previous electrophysiological study (EPS) was performed. RESULTS: Among 770 patients, 177 (23%) were female. At presentation, 150 (84.7%) were asymptomatic. Females presented less frequently with a type 1 electrocardiographic pattern (30.5% vs 55.0%; P <.001), had a higher rate of family history of sudden cardiac death (49.7% vs 29.8%; P <.001), and had less sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) on EPS (8.5% vs 15.1%; P = .009). Genetic testing was performed in 79 females (45% of the sample) and was positive in 34 (19%). An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was inserted in 48 females (27.1%). During mean (± SD) follow-up of 122.17 ± 57.28 months, 5 females (2.8%) experienced a cardiovascular event compared to 42 males (7.1%; P = .04). On multivariable analysis, a positive genetic test (18.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82-192.53; P = .01) and atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 21.12; 95% CI 1.27-350.85; P = .03) were predictive of arrhythmic events, whereas VAs on EPS (neither with 1 or 2 extrastimuli nor 3 extrastimuli) were not. CONCLUSION: Women with BrS represent a minor fraction among patients with BrS, and although their rate of events is low, they do not constitute a risk-free group. Neither clinical risk factors nor EPS predicts future arrhythmic events. Only atrial fibrillation and positive genetic test were identified as risk factors for future arrhythmic events.

Cardiac Damage Biomarkers and Heart Rate Variability Following a 118-Km Mountain Race: Relationship with Performance and Recovery.

This study aimed to assess the release of cardiac damage biomarkers jointly with cardiac autonomic modulation after a mountain ultramarathon. Such knowledge and the possible relationship of these markers with race time is of primary interest to establish possible recommendations upon athletes' recovery and return to training following these competitions. Forty six athletes enrolled in the Penyagolosa Trails CSP115 race (118 km and a total positive elevation of 5439 m) took part in the study. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-TNT) concentrations as well as linear and nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) were evaluated before and after the race. NT-proBNP and hs-TNT significantly increased post-race; fifty percent of the finishers surpassed the Upper Reference Limit (URL) for hs-TNT while 87% exceeded the URL for NT-proBNP. Overall and vagally-mediated HRV were diminished and cardiac autonomic modulation became less complex and more predictable following the race. More pronounced vagal modulation decreases were associated with higher levels of postexertional NT-proBNP. Moreover, rise in hs-TNT and NT-proBNP was greater among faster runners, while pre-race overall and vagally-mediated HRV were correlated with finishing time. Participation in a 118-km ultratrail induces an acute release of cardiac damage biomarkers and a large alteration of cardiac autonomic modulation. Furthermore, faster runners were those who exhibited a greater rise in those cardiac damage biomarkers. In light of these findings, an appropriate recovery period after ultraendurance races appears prudent and particularly important among better performing athletes. At the same time, HRV analysis is shown as a promising tool to assess athletes' readiness to perform at their maximum level in an ultraendurance race.

La hiponatremia como marcador de riesgo en pacientes sometidos a implante de desfibrilador en prevención primaria / Prognostic impact of hyponatremia in patients receiving implantable cardioverter in primary prevention

Introducción y objetivos: La hiponatremia es un factor de mal pronóstico en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Nuestro objetivo fue valorar el impacto de la hiponatremia en la evolución de los pacientes sometidos a implante de desfibrilador en prevención primaria. Método: Se trata de un estudio observacional retrospectivo multicéntrico en el que se valoró la natremia periimplante y los eventos adversos (la mortalidad de cualquier causa y la cardiovascular, el primer ingreso por insuficiencia cardiaca, la primera terapia apropiada e inapropiada del desfibrilador), en una cohorte española sometida a implante de desfibrilador en la prevención primaria. Se comparó la hiponatremia ligera (Na ≤ 135 mEq/l) y la moderada-severa (Na ≤ 131 mEq/l) respecto a la ausencia de la hiponatremia. Resultados: Un total de 725 pacientes, con un valor medio de sodio en la sangre periimplante de 139 ± 3,6 mEq/l y un tiempo medio de seguimiento de 34,1 ± 18,5 meses. En los pacientes con Na ≤ 135 mEq/l (n = 105) se observó una mayor incidencia de primer ingreso por insuficiencia cardiaca (odds ratio: 1,701; p = 0,031). En los pacientes con hiponatremia moderada-severa (n = 18) se observó mayor mortalidad total (hazard ratio; 3,552; p = 0,002) y mayor mortalidad cardiovascular (hazard ratio: 4,24; p = 0,003). Ninguno de los grados de la hiponatremia estudiados se asoció con mayor incidencia de terapias apropiadas o inapropiadas. Conclusiones: La hiponatremia ligera en el momento del implante de un desfibrilador se asocia a una mayor incidencia de ingreso por insuficiencia cardiaca en el seguimiento, mientras que en el caso de una hiponatremia moderada-severa, se asocia a un riesgo de muerte 4 veces mayor.

Introduction and objectives: Hyponatremia is a prognostic factor in patients with heart failure. Our objective was to assess the impact of hyponatremia in the evolution of patients undergoing cardioverter implantation in primary prevention. Method: This is a multicenter retrospective observational study in which serum sodium periimplant and adverse events (all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, first admission for heart failure, first appropriate and inappropriate therapy) were assessed in a Spanish cohort receiving cardioverter in primary prevention. Patients with mild hyponatremia (Na ≤ 135 mEq/L) and those with moderate to severe hyponatremia (Na ≤ 131 mEq/L) were compared to those without hyponatremia. Results: 725 patients, with a mean value of sodium in blood peri-implant of 139 ± 3.6 mEq/L and a mean follow-up was 34.1 ± 18.5 months. In patients with Na ≤ 135 mEq/L (n = 105), an increased incidence of first admission for heart failure was observed (Odds Ratio: 1.701; P = .031). In patients with moderate to severe hyponatremia (n = 18), higher total mortality (Hazard Ratio: 3.552; P = .002) and increased cardiovascular mortality (Hazard Ratio: 4.24; P = .003) were observed. None of those values of hyponatremia were associated with increased incidence of appropriate or inappropriate therapies Conclusions: Mild hyponatremia at the time of cardioverter implantation is related with a higher incidence of hospitalization for heart failure during follow-up, while moderate to severe hyponatremia increases the risk of death during follow-up.

Calcification detection of abdominal aorta in CT images and 3D visualization in VR devices.

Automatic calcification detection in abdominal aorta consists of a set of computer vision techniques to quantify the amount of calcium that is found around this artery. Knowing that information, it is possible to perform statistical studies that relate vascular diseases with the presence of calcium in these structures. To facilitate the detection in CT images, a contrast is usually injected into the circulatory system of the patients to distinguish the aorta from other body tissues and organs. This contrast increases the absorption of X-rays by human blood, making it easier the measurement of calcifications. Based on this idea, a new system capable of detecting and tracking the aorta artery has been developed with an estimation of the calcium found surrounding the aorta. Besides, the system is complemented with a 3D visualization mode of the image set which is designed for the new generation of immersive VR devices.

Scar Extension Measured by Magnetic Resonance-Based Signal Intensity Mapping Predicts Ventricular Tachycardia Recurrence After Substrate Ablation in Patients With Previous Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine if noninvasive measurement of scar by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based signal intensity (SI) mapping predicts ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence after endocardial ablation. BACKGROUND: Scar extension on voltage mapping predicts VT recurrence after ablation procedures. METHODS: A total of 46 consecutive patients with previous myocardial infarction (87% men, mean age 68 ± 9 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 36 ± 10%) who underwent VT substrate ablation before the implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator were included. Before ablation, contrast-enhanced MRI was performed, and areas of endocardial and epicardial scarring and heterogeneous tissue were measured; averaged subendocardial and subepicardial signal intensities were projected onto 3-dimensional endocardial and epicardial shells in which dense scar, heterogeneous tissue, and normal tissue were differentiated. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 32 ± 24 months 17 patients (37%) had VT recurrence. Patients with recurrence had larger scar and heterogeneous tissue areas on SI maps in both endocardium (81 ± 27 cm2 vs. 48 ± 21 cm2 [p = 0.001] and 53 ± 21 cm2 vs. 30 ± 15 cm2 [p = 0.001], respectively) and epicardium (76 ± 28 cm2 vs. 51 ± 29 cm2 [p = 0.032] and 59 ± 25 cm2 vs. 37 ± 19 cm2 [p = 0.008]). In the multivariate analysis, MRI endocardial scar extension was the only independent predictor of VT recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.310 [per 10 cm2]; 95% confidence interval: 1.051 to 1.632; p = 0.034). Freedom from VT recurrence was higher in patients with small endocardial scars by MRI (<65 cm2) than in those with larger scars (≥65 cm2) (85% vs. 20%, log-rank p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-procedure endocardial scar extension assessment by contrast-enhanced MRI predicts VT recurrence after endocardial substrate ablation. This information may be useful to select patients for ablation procedures.

Medium-term results of cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. First experience of a Spanish center.

PURPOSE: Cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins (CAPV) is a new technique that could have similar results to radiofrequency procedures, but with fewer complications. We analyzed the outcomes and safety of this technique in a consecutive cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A total of 63 patients with paroxysmal (n = 40) or persistent (n = 23) AF were studied. Patient follow-up was performed at 3 months and then every 6 months with 72-h continuous electrocardiographic recordings. RESULTS: A total of 262 pulmonary veins were treated; 60.3 % of the cases presented normal pulmonary vein drainage with 4 pulmonary veins, and 23.8 % of the cases presented a common left-sided antrum. Complete isolation of all veins was achieved in 95.2 % of cases with 10.3 ± 2.8 (mean ± standard deviation) applications per patient. Transient right phrenic nerve injury was the most common complication (4.7 %). Median follow-up was 5.5 months. The probability of being free of recurrence at 1 and 2 years was, respectively, 86.2 and 72.2 % for paroxysmal AF and 49 and 36.4 % for persistent AF (P = 0.012). Patients with structural heart disease experienced recurrence more often than patients with a normal heart (62.5 versus 24.5 %; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: CAPV appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of patients with AF, particularly those with paroxysmal AF and no structural heart disease.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac pacing devices.

Currently, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is contraindicated in patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. This study was carried out because the potential risks in this situation need to be clearly defined. This prospective study evaluated clinical and electrical parameters before and after magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 33 patients (five with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and 28 with pacemakers). In these patients, magnetic resonance imaging was considered clinically essential. There were no clinical complications. There was a temporary communication failure in two cases, sensing errors during imaging in two cases, and a safety signal was generated in one pacemaker at the maximum magnetic resonance frequency and output level. There were no technical restrictions on imaging nor were there any permanent changes in the performance of the cardiac pacing device.

Resonancia magnética nuclear en pacientes portadores de dispositivos de estimulación cardiaca / Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac pacing devices

La resonancia magnética está actualmente contraindicada a los pacientes portadores de dispositivos de estimulación cardiaca. Ante la necesidad de concretar los riesgos potenciales derivados de esta situación, surgió este estudio. De forma prospectiva, se evaluaron parámetros clínicos, eléctricos y técnicos antes y después de la realización de la prueba en 33 pacientes (5 desfibriladores automáticos implantables, 28 marcapasos), en los que se consideró clínicamente indispensable realizarla. No se apreciaron complicaciones clínicas. Se detectaron dos casos de fallo temporal de telemetría, dos errores de detección durante la exploración y una respuesta de seguridad en un marcapasos a frecuencia magnética y salida máxima. No hubo limitaciones técnicas en la adquisición de imágenes ni alteraciones permanentes del funcionamiento de los dispositivos de estimulación cardiaca (AU)

Currently, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is contraindicated in patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. This study was carried out because the potential risks in this situation need to be clearly defined. This prospective study evaluated clinical and electrical parameters before and after magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 33 patients (five with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and 28 with pacemakers). In these patients, magnetic resonance imaging was considered clinically essential. There were no clinical complications. There was a temporary communication failure in two cases, sensing errors during imaging in two cases, and a safety signal was generated in one pacemaker at the maximum magnetic resonance frequency and output level. There were no technical restrictions on imaging nor were there any permanent changes in the performance of the cardiac pacing device (AU)