Repeat cryoablation as a redo procedure for atrial fibrillation ablation: Is it a good choice?

BACKGROUND: Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), both cryoablation ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), have demonstrated to be safe and effective. About 1 in 3 patients may face a redo due to recurrence and the best technique is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of CBA as a repeat procedure in patients with prior CBA or RFCA. METHODS: A nation-wide CBA registry (RECABA) was analyzed and patients were compared who had previously undergone CBA (Prior-CB) or RFCA (Prior-RF). The primary endpoint was AF recurrence at 12 months after a 3-month blanking period. A survival analysis was performed, univariate and multivariate Cox models were also built. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included. Thirty-three (44.6%) were in the Prior-CB group and 41 (55.4%) in the Prior-RF. There were more reconnected pulmonary veins in the Prior-RF than in Prior-CB group (40.4% vs.16.5%, p = 0.0001). The 12-month Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from AF recurrence after the blanking period was 61.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 41.4-75.8%) in the Prior-CB, and 89.2% (95% CI 73.6-95.9%) in the Prior-RF group (p = 0.002). Multivariate Cox regression pointed Prior-CB as the sole independent predictor of AF recurrence, with an adjusted HR of 2.67 (95% CI 1.05-6.79). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat CBA shows higher rates of AF recurrences compared to CBA after a previous RFCA despite presenting less reconnected veins at the procedure. These data suggest that patients with AF recurrence after CBA may benefit from other ablation techniques after a recurrence. RECABA is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with the Unique Identifier NCT02785991.

Natural History and Risk Stratification in Andersen-Tawil Syndrome Type 1.

BACKGROUND: Andersen-Tawil Syndrome type 1 (ATS1) is a rare arrhythmogenic disorder, caused by loss-of-function mutations in the KCNJ2 gene. We present here the largest cohort of patients with ATS1 with outcome data reported. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to define the risk of life-threatening arrhythmic events (LAE), identify predictors of such events, and define the efficacy of antiarrhythmic therapy in patients with ATS1. METHODS: Clinical and genetic data from consecutive patients with ATS1 from 23 centers were entered in a database implemented at ICS Maugeri in Pavia, Italy, and pooled for analysis. RESULTS: We enrolled 118 patients with ATS1 from 57 families (age 23 ± 17 years at enrollment). Over a median follow-up of 6.2 years (interquartile range: 2.7 to 16.5 years), 17 patients experienced a first LAE, with a cumulative probability of 7.9% at 5 years. An increased risk of LAE was associated with a history of syncope (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.54; p = 0.02), with the documentation of sustained ventricular tachycardia (HR 9.34; p = 0.001) and with the administration of amiodarone (HR: 268; p < 0.001). The rate of LAE without therapy (1.24 per 100 person-years [py]) was not reduced by beta-blockers alone (1.37 per 100 py; p = 1.00), or in combination with Class Ic antiarrhythmic drugs (1.46 per 100 py, p = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that the clinical course of patients with ATS1 is characterized by a high rate of LAE. A history of unexplained syncope or of documented sustained ventricular tachycardia is associated with a higher risk of LAE. Amiodarone is proarrhythmic and should be avoided in patients with ATS1.

Esophageal ulcers secondary to cryoenergy after pulmonary vein ablation using the second-generation balloon.

Pulmonary vein isolation is an effective treatment for patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Cryoablation balloon therapy has been developed as an alternative. Cryoablation complications have primarily been related to phrenic nerve palsy, vascular complications, stroke, and others of lesser incidence. Esophageal lesions are rare and they are not yet completely understood.

[Impact of rotational coronary angiography in the amount of iodinated contrast and the exposure to ionising radiations in patients undergoing invasive coronary procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Impacto de la angiografía coronaria rotacional en la cantidad total de contraste administrado y la exposición a las radiaciones ionizantes en pacientes en los que se realizan procedimientos coronarios invasivos: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

BACKGROUND: Invasive coronary procedures involve the administration of iodinated contrast and the exposure to ionising radiations, increasing morbidity and mortality. The rotational coronary angiography (RCA) allows acquiring multiple projections with a unique injection of iodinated contrast. To date, there are no meta-analyses specifically comparing RCA and conventional coronary angiography (CCA) in patients undergoing invasive coronary procedures, whether diagnostic or diagnostic and therapeutic. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the impact of RCA on the amount of iodinated contrast and the exposure to ionising radiations during invasive coronary procedures. METHODS: A search in PubMed and Ovid databases was conducted to identify studies, including diagnostic and diagnostic and therapeutic studies, comparing RCA and CCA. The manuscripts were evaluated on quality and biases, and were included if they analysed any of the following endpoints: volume of contrast and exposure to ionising radiations measured as dose-area product, and Kerma-air or fluoroscopy time. RESULTS: Sixteen studies, with a total of 2,327 patients, were included in the final analysis (1,146 patients underwent RCA and 1,181 patients underwent CCA), with significant differences being detected in volume of contrast (standard difference in means [95% confidence interval] -1.887 [-2.472 to -1.302]; P<.001), dose-area product (-0.726 [-1.034 to -0.418]; P<.001), Kerma-air (-0.842 [-1.104 to -0.581]; P<.001), and fluoroscopy time (0.263 [-0.496 to -0.030]; P=.027). CONCLUSIONS: RCA reduces the volume of contrast and the exposure to radiation, evaluated as dose-area product, Kerma-air, and fluoroscopy time, in patients undergoing invasive coronary procedures.

Prospective evaluation of the development of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing rotational coronary angiography vs. conventional coronary angiography: CINERAMA study. / Evaluación prospectiva del desarrollo de nefropatía inducida por contraste en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo tratados con angiografía coronaria rotacional vs. angiografía coronaria convencional: Estudio CINERAMA.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Rotational coronary angiography (RCA) requires less contrast to be administered and can prevent the onset of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) during invasive coronary procedures. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of RCA on CIN (increase in serum creatinine ≥0.5mg/dl or ≥25%) after an acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: From April to September 2016, patients suffering acute coronary syndromes who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography, with the possibility of ad hoc coronary angioplasty, were prospectively enrolled. At the operator's discretion, patients underwent RCA or conventional coronary angiography (CCA). CIN (primary endpoint), as well as analytical, angiographic and clinical endpoints, were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 235 patients enrolled, 116 patients received RCA and 119 patients received CCA. The RCA group was composed of older patients (64.0±11.8 years vs. 59.7±12.1 years; p=0.006), a higher proportion of women (44.8 vs. 17.6%; p<0.001), patients with a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (76±25 vs. 86±27ml/min/1.73 m2; p=0.001), and patients who underwent fewer coronary angioplasties (p<0.001) compared with the CCA group. Furthermore, the RCA group, received less contrast (113±92 vs. 169±103ml; p<0.001), including in diagnostic procedures (54±24 vs. 85±56ml; p<0.001) and diagnostic-therapeutic procedures (174±64 vs. 205±98ml; p=0.049) compared with the CCA group. The RCA group presented less CIN (4.3 vs. 22.7%; p<0.001) compared to the CCA group, and this finding was maintained in the regression analysis (Adjusted relative risk: 0.868; 95% CI: 0.794-0.949; p=0.002). There were no differences in clinical endpoints between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: RCA was associated with lower administration of contrast during invasive coronary procedures in acute coronary syndrome patients, resulting in lower incidence of CIN, in comparison with CCA.

Flecainide Reduces Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Genotype RyR2-positive Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited disease characterized by polymorphic or bidirectional ventricular arrhythmias (VA) triggered by physical or emotional stress in young people with a structurally normal heart. Beta-blockers are the cornerstone of treatment, while flecainide has recently been incorporated into the therapeutic arsenal. The aim of this study was to report our experience with this drug. METHODS: The cohort included 174 genotype-positive CPVT-patients from 7 families. We collected data from patients who were receiving flecainide and analyzed the indications, adverse effects and dosage, clinical events, VA and arrhythmic window during exercise testing, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks during follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (10.4%) received flecainide; 17 patients in combination with beta-blockers, and 1 patient as monotherapy due to beta-blocker intolerance. None of the patients presented side effects. In 13 patients (72.2%) the indication was the persistence of exercise-induced VA and in 5 patients (27.7%) persistent ICD-shocks, despite on beta-blockers. After flecainide initiation, the exercise-induced VA quantitative score was reduced by more than 50% in 66.7% of the members of family 1 (32.76 ± 84.06 vs 74.38 ± 153.86; P = .018). The arrhythmic window was reduced (5.8 ± 11.9 bpm vs 19.69 ± 21.27 bpm; P = .007), and 4 of 5 patients with appropriate ICD shocks experienced no further shocks in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In CPVT-patients flecainide reduces clinical events, exercise-induced VA, the arrhythmic window, and ICD shocks, with good tolerance.

QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes: Synergistic effect of flecainide and H1 receptor antagonists.

A high percentage of patients having atrial fibrillation (AF) presents with paroxysmal AF. Flecainide, the prototypic class Ic anti-arrhythmic drug is the most effective drug to maintain sinus rhythm in this subgroup of patients, though the drug has potential pro-arrhythmic effects. Furthermore, the H1 receptor antagonists are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the symptomatic treatment of pruritus. Despite having low number of adverse effects, the H1 receptor antagonists have cardiotoxic effects. Flecainide and H1 receptor antagonists present arrhythmic complications including QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes (TdP). The case presented here is a 65-year-old female who was diagnosed of atrial fibrillation and presented with rashes in lower extremities. The patient was treated using flecainide and H1 receptor antagonists (loratadine and hydroxyzine) that prolonged QT interval and induced TdP. The concomitant administration of flecainide and H1 receptor antagonists seems to have a synergistic effect in QT interval prolongation and subsequent TdP. The concurrent administration of H1 receptor antagonists to patients receiving class Ic anti-arrhythmic drugs should be avoided in order to reduce arrhythmic risk in this population.

Incidence, Mortality and Positive Predictive Value of Type 1 Cardiorenal Syndrome in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the risk of cardiovascular mortality associated with cardiorenal syndrome subtype 1 (CRS1) in patients who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was greater than the expected risk based on the sum of its components, to estimate the predictive value of CRS1, and to determine whether the severity of CRS1 worsens the prognosis. METHODS: Follow-up study of 1912 incident cases of ACS for 1 year after discharge. Cox regression models were estimated with time to event (in-hospital death, and readmission or death during the first year after discharge) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The incidence of CRS1 was 9.2/1000 person-days of hospitalization (95% CI = 8.1-10.5), but these patients accounted for 56.6% (95% CI = 47.4-65.) of all mortality. The positive predictive value of CRS1 was 29.6% (95% CI = 23.9-36.0) for in-hospital death, and 51.4% (95% CI = 44.8-58.0) for readmission or death after discharge. The risk of in-hospital death from CRS1 (RR = 18.3; 95% CI = 6.3-53.2) was greater than the sum of risks associated with either acute heart failure (RR = 7.6; 95% CI = 1.8-31.8) or acute kidney injury (RR = 2.8; 95% CI = 0.9-8.8). The risk of events associated with CRS1 also increased with syndrome severity, reaching a RR of 10.6 (95% CI = 6.2-18.1) for in-hospital death at the highest severity level. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of CRS1 on in-hospital mortality is greater than the sum of the effects associated with each of its components, and it increases with the severity of the syndrome. CRS1 accounted for more than half of all mortality, and its positive predictive value approached 30% in-hospital and 50% after discharge.