Atrial fibrillation ablation long-term ESC-EHRA EORP AFA LT registry: in-hospital and 1-year follow-up findings in Italy.

AIM: To report the Italian data deriving from the European Society of Cardiology-EURObservational Research Program atrial fibrillation ablation long-term registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten Italian centers enrolled up to 50 consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation. Of the 318 patients included, 5 (1.6%) did not undergo catheter ablation, 1 had ablation partially done and 62 were lost at 1-year follow-up. Women were less represented (23.6%) and the median age was 60.0 years. A total of 195 patients (62.3%) suffered paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, whereas only 9 (2.9%) had long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Most Italian patients (92.3%) were symptomatic but suffering fewer symptomatic events than patients enrolled in other countries (median of two events in the month preceding the ablation vs. three, respectively; P < 0.0001). The main finding of the study is that the success rate at 1 year, with and without antiarrhythmic drugs, was 76.4%, consistently with other participating countries (73.4%). This result was obtained however, with a significantly lower prevalence of 1-year adverse events (7.3 vs. 16.6%, P < 0.0001). Procedure duration and fluoroscopy total time resulted as being shorter in Italy (145 vs. 160, P = 0.0005 and 16.9 vs. 20.0 min, P = 0.0018, respectively); however, the radiation dose per BSA was greater (37.5 vs. 26.0 mGy/cm, P = 0.0022). CONCLUSION: The demographic characteristics of patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation are similar to those reported in other countries. The success rate in Italy is consistent with those in other countries, whereas the complications rate is lower.

Center experience does not influence long-term outcome and peri-procedural complications after cryoballoon ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Data on 860 patients from the real-world multicenter observational project.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to evaluate whether the procedural data, the incidence of complications, and the long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences are influenced by center experience in a paroxysmal AF (PAF) population performing a first-time pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon ablation (CBA). METHODS: A total of 860 patients underwent PVI by CBA. Center experience groups were predefined according to the quartiles of the distribution regarding the amount of performed procedures: 3.1%, 10.6%, 22.7% and 63.6% of patients were respectively followed in each group from 1st (less experienced) to 4th (more experienced) quartile of experience. RESULTS: In the entire population, median procedure and fluoroscopy time were 105 and 25 min, respectively. The median procedure time significantly decreased from 130 to 90 min (P < 0.001) as the center's experience increased. In 47 (5.5%) patients, a peri-procedural complication occurred. As the experience of centers increased, the acute intraprocedural PVI success rate increased (from 94.3% to 98.9%, P = 0.007), whereas there was a tendency towards a decreased incidence of peri-procedure complications (from 7.4% to 4.6%, P = 0.998). The mean 1-year freedom from AF recurrence probability was 78.3%, and the 18-month mean was 68.9% with no difference among the groups with different levels of experience. CONCLUSION: CBA is a safe and effective treatment for patients with PAF. Peri-procedural complications and procedural times were low in all the analyzed sub-groups, showing a decreasing trend in function of center expertise. The long-term freedom from AF recurrence was not influenced by the level of experience. (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01007474).

Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has not been widely undertaken in elderly patients. The aim of our study was to compare the success rate of radiofrequency ablation and the incidence of severe procedural complications in young-adult and elderly patients. METHODS: We enrolled all patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias at our Cardiology Department from January 2000 to December 2005. The patients were divided into two groups according to age: patients aged <70 years (group A) and those aged >or=70 years (group B). Group B was then divided into two subgroups: B1 (age 70-79 years) and B2 (age >or=80 years). We recorded the incidence of procedural complications and the long-term efficacy (mean follow-up 46 +/- 20 months). RESULTS: We studied 605 patients, 69% in group A and 31% in group B (24% in subgroup B1 and 7% in B2). The prevalence of structural heart disease was higher in elderly patients than in young adults (83 vs 37%, p < 0.01). The rate of procedural complications was 1.3%; no differences emerged between groups A and B (1.2 vs 1.5%, p = NS) or among groups A, B1 and B2 (1.2 vs 1.4 vs 2%, p = NS). The success rate of catheter ablation was 91%, with no differences between the age-groups (92 vs 88%, p = NS) or among groups A, B1 and B2 (92 vs 88 vs 88%, p = NS). CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation in elderly and very elderly patients is as effective and safe as in young-adult subjects, at least in cases which do not require left heart catheterization.

Activation of the contact system and inflammation after thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Thrombolytic therapy activates the contact system, and factor XII activation may activate the coagulation cascade and inflammation. It is not known whether an early inflammatory response is induced by thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We prospectively measured the plasma levels of activated factor XII, cleaved kininogen, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (as indexes of the contact phase and coagulation activation), and interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) (as indexes of inflammation) in 39 patients hospitalized for AMI within 12 hours of symptom onset: 26 receiving thrombolytic therapy and 13 heparin alone. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 90 minutes and 24 hours. Patients undergoing thrombolysis had a significant early increase in activated factor XII (from 2.2 ng/ml at baseline to 4.7 ng/ml after 90 minutes; p = 0.0001), cleaved kininogen (from 26% to 37%; p = 0.001), and fragment 1 + 2 (from 1.4 to 2.1 nmol/L; p = 0.0001), whereas the 24-hour levels were similar to baseline levels. The levels of interleukin-6 significantly increased during the first 90 minutes (from 3.9 to 6.3 microg/ml; p = 0.001), and were even higher after 24 hours (11.9 ng/ml, p = 0.0001). CRP levels increased only after 24 hours (p = 0.0001). There were no changes in these parameters in patients receiving heparin alone, except for a 24-hour increase in interleukin-6 and CRP levels. Thus, in patients with AMI receiving thrombolytic therapy, early activation of inflammation parallels the activation of the contact system and the coagulation cascade, which might contribute to microvascular obstruction and reperfusion injury.

[Cryoablation: patient selection and current results]. / La crioablazione: selezione dei pazienti ed attuali risultati.

During the last years, cyoablation of atrial fibrillation has become a widely used method for pulmonary vein isolation. This evolution in the use of cryoenergy has been largely justified by the reduction in complications that occurs with radiofrequency energy (pulmonary vein stenosis and atrial-esophageal fistula), in the use of three-dimensional navigation technology, and hence procedural costs. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results of this new technology and its safety in terms of its risk-to-benefit profile.

[Management of acute coronary syndromes in elderly patients: a single-center experience]. / La gestione della sindrome coronarica acuta nell'anziano: l'esperienza di un singolo centro.

Demographic studies show an ever increasing number of subjects >65 years among the Italian population. In particular, subjects aged >75 years represent nowadays 9% of the Italian population and are expected to exceed 14% by 2030. In the district of Crema (Italy), subjects aged >75 years are 16 000, and are expected to reach 25 000 by 2030. This phenomenon will result in an increasing number of elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) admitted to our hospital. It is therefore necessary to define appropriate guidelines for clinical management of this subset of patients, in order to pursue a reduction in mortality rates and rehospitalizations, while maintaining an acceptable quality of life. These strategies are not adequately supported by international guidelines or randomized studies, where advanced age often represents an exclusion criterion. In our Cardiology Unit, hemodynamic evaluation is performed in all patients >75 years presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), ACS, positive troponin I, recurrent episodes of heart failure associated with clinical and instrumental suspicion of ischemia, or in survivors of cardiac arrest without neurological deficit. In all patients, presence of comorbidities is also evaluated, in particular renal insufficiency, disabling cerebrovascular disease, and residual quality of life. From February 2011 to February 2012, 974 coronary angiographies and 692 coronary angioplasties (PTCA) were performed. Of these, 194 procedures were performed in patients ≥75 years, the remaining in younger patients. The reason for hospitalization was ACS in 71% of elderly patients versus 53% in younger patients. In elderly patients, drug-eluting stents were used in 30% of the procedures. PTCA was successful in 98% of cases. Main complications included major bleeding (0.8%), access site-related bleeding (all femoral) (2%), and arterial rupture (n = 1). From a technical viewpoint, the radial access was predominantly used (78%), single plain old balloon angioplasty was performed in 12% of the procedures, with tirofiban administration in 42% of cases. Periprocedural and in-hospital mortality was 5%, mainly occurring in patients with STEMI and/or diffuse coronary artery disease. During follow-up, 80% of patients achieved a fairly good quality of life; 15% of patients required rehospitalization for cardiovascular reasons. In conclusion, patient's age should not be regarded as the main key factor for decision-making when evaluating different clinical approaches to patients with ACS.

[Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia: clinical characteristics and management]. / La tachicardia ventricolare idiopatica: significato clinico e terapia.

Outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (VT) is the most common form of idiopathic VT in clinical practice. The correct differential diagnosis with VTs caused by structural heart diseases (particularly arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) is extremely challenging for the cardiologist. When correctly diagnosed, outflow tract VTs have a favorable prognosis in the majority of patients. At present, technical advancements and improved clinical experience in transcatheter ablation procedures may offer a definite therapy to an increasing number of patients with an acceptable complication rate.

Right coronary artery aneurysm: percutaneous treatment with graft-coated stent during the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

We report a case of acute myocardial infarction due to acute thrombosis of the right coronary artery just before a large atherosclerotic aneurysm. The patient was treated with primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCA) and deployment of graft-coated stent with optimal final result. Patients with atherosclerotic coronary aneurysms usually show the same cardiovascular risk factors and the same clinical presentation of patients with atherosclerotic obstructive coronary artery disease, but with an increased risk of endovascular thrombosis and consequently more frequent episodes of distal coronary embolism. Furthermore, they may develop other specific complications, such as rapid aneurysm enlargement and rupture leading to cardiac tamponade. In conclusion, our report shows that percutaneous approach to coronary aneurysms with exclusion of aneurismal lumen by placement of graft-coated stent is a feasible and safety procedure even during the acute phase of myocardial infarction, and it may probably reduce the risk of subsequent distal embolization, improving myocardial perfusion.

[24-hour primary angioplasty service for acute myocardial infarction at the Crema Hospital: considerations after one year of experience]. / L'angioplastica primaria 24/24 ore nell'infarto miocardico acuto a Crema: considerazioni dopo un anno di esperienza.

The aim of this contribution is to draw considerations on the first year of activity of a cath lab on call 24/24 h for primary coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (April 2007-April 2008) of a small hospital without surgical backup. We performed 152 primary PTCA in 156 patients presenting to the emergency room with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The mean time from arrival to the emergency room to the insertion of the arterial introducer was 48 min. Patient management included a 12-lead ECG and family history, the telephone call to the hospital cardiologist and then to the cath lab operator and nurse. Procedural success was obtained in 97% of cases. Mortality was 6%. Other complications occurred in 4% of patients. The no-reflow phenomenon occurred in 4% of patients. We used 1.9 stents/patient. Direct stenting was performed in 43% of cases. In 14% of lesions, the procedure was concluded with only balloon angioplasty. The radial access was used in 15% of patients, whereas the femoral access was used in the remainder. Drug-eluting stents were implanted in 1% only of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and clopidogrel were extensively used prior to the procedure. Our data, although obtained in a smaller population sample and referring to a relatively short period of time, are similar to those of the American registry on PTCA. In conclusion, the results obtained in our center with the invasive management of acute myocardial infarction appear consistent with those of other centers and encourage us to continue along our chosen path.

[Outsourced service management of the catheterization laboratory in the cardiology department: lights and shadows]. / La gestione in service del laboratorio di elettrofisiologia ed emodinamica: luci ed ombre.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the economic impact and results achieved by recourse to outsourced management of the procedures carried out in the electrophysiology and catheterization laboratory of the Department of Cardiology of the Crema Hospital with the in-house setting up and operation of the same activities. METHODS: The comparison between the two possible options, "make" or "buy in", was made using the methodology of advanced direct costing, which provides for the allocation of only direct fixed and variable costs to clinical procedures, the subject of calculation. In addition to the financial evaluation, the quality variables showing the advantages and limitations of outsourcing in terms of organizational improvements, streamlining of the organizational structure, operational efficiency and improvement of the quality of service, were examined. RESULTS: The financial evaluation from 2002 to 2006 came out in favor of "make" as opposed to "buy in". Income derived from diagnosis-related-group payments for the more than 4000 procedures carried out was Euro26.239.034,96. On the basis of the economical evaluation the second contribution margin was slightly inferior with the "buy in" than with the "make" hypothesis. Specifically, it is Euro16.397.669,96 in the "buy in" and Euro16.753.579,16 in the "make" hypothesis, with a difference of Euro355.909,20 (-2%). CONCLUSIONS: The economic advantage lies with the "make" alternative compared with "buy in", nevertheless, outsourcing offers greater operational efficiency, better cost control, setting up of the laboratory within a very short time, simplified administration (single point of contact) and an opportunity to concentrate on core business. However, there are limitations due to greater dependence on the supplier, not all the equipment provided for under the contract was used, and loss of management know-how in non-core business areas.

Usefulness and limitations of the surface electrocardiogram in the classification of right and left atrial flutter.

Atrial flutter is a common arrhythmia that may cause significant symptoms, including palpitations, dyspnoea, chest pain and even syncope. Frequently, it is possible to diagnose atrial flutter with a 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG), looking for distinctive waves in leads II, III, aVF, aVL, V1 and V2. Puech and Waldo developed the first classification of atrial flutter in the 1970s. These authors divided the dysrhythmia into types I and II. Therefore, in 2001, the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology developed a new classification of atrial flutter based not only on the ECG, but also on the electrophysiological mechanism. More recently, Scheinman and colleagues have provided an updated classification and nomenclature. Terms such as common, uncommon, typical, reverse typical or atypical flutter are abandoned, because they may generate confusion. The authors worked out a new terminology, which differentiates atrial flutter only on the basis of electrophysiological mechanism.