Atrial arrhythmia related outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with many clinical manifestations including respiratory failure and cardiovascular compromise. OBJECTIVES: We examine outcomes in critically ill individuals with COVID-19 who develop atrial tachyarrhythmias. METHODS: We collected data from electrocardiograms and the electronic medical record of COVID-19 positive (COVID+ ) and negative (COVID- ) individuals admitted to our medical intensive care unit between February 29 and June 28, 2020. We compared clinical and demographic characteristics, new onset atrial tachyarrhythmia, hemodynamic compromise following atrial tachyarrhythmia, and in-hospital mortality in COVID+ versus COVID- . Hemodynamic compromise was defined as having a new or increased vasopressor requirement or the need for direct current cardioversion for hemodynamic instability within 1 hour of atrial tachyarrhythmia onset. RESULTS: Of 300 individuals included, 200 were COVID+ and 100 were COVID- . Mean age was 60 ± 16 years, 180 (60%) were males, and 170 (57%) were African American. New onset atrial tachyarrhythmia occurred in 16% of COVID+ and 19% of COVID- individuals (P = .51). When compared to COVID- participants without atrial tachyarrhythmia, COVID+ individuals with new onset atrial tachyarrhythmia had higher mortality after multivariable adjustment (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.9-13.5). New onset atrial tachyarrhythmia was followed by hemodynamic compromise in 18 COVID+ but no COVID- participants (P = .0001). COVID+ individuals with hemodynamic compromise after atrial tachyarrhythmia required increased ventilatory support at the time of atrial tachyarrhythmia onset. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial tachyarrhythmia is associated with increased mortality in critically ill individuals with COVID-19, especially those mechanically ventilated. Recognition of this could assist with clinical care for individuals with COVID-19.

Acute safety, effectiveness, and real-world clinical usage of ultra-high density mapping for ablation of cardiac arrhythmias: results of the TRUE HD study.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to verify acute safety, performance, and usage of a novel ultra-high density mapping system in patients undergoing ablation procedure in a real-world clinical setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The TRUE HD study enrolled patients undergoing catheter ablation with mapping for all arrhythmias (excluding de novo atrial fibrillation) who were followed for 1 month. Safety was determined by collecting all serious adverse events and adverse events associated with the study devices. Performance was determined as the composite of: ability to map the arrhythmia/substrate, complete the ablation applications, arrhythmia termination (where applicable), and ablation validation. Use of mapping system in the ablation validation workflow was also evaluated. Among the 519 patients who underwent a complete (504) or attempted (15) procedure, 21 (4%) serious ablation-related complications were collected, with 3 (0.57%) potentially related to the mapping catheter. Four hundred and twenty treated patients resulted in a successful procedure confirmed by arrhythmia-specific validation techniques (83.3%; 95% confidence interval: 79.8-86.5%). A total of 1419 electroanatomical maps were created with a median acquisition time of 9:23 min per map. Of these, 372 maps in 222 (44%) patients were collected for ablation validation purposes. Following validation mapping, 162/222 (73%) patients required additional ablation. CONCLUSION: In the TRUE HD study mapping was associated with rates of acute success and complications consistent with previously published reports. Importantly, a low percentage of events (0.57%) was attributed to the mapping catheter. When performed, validation mapping was useful for identifying additional targets for ablation in the majority of patients.

Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Biventricular Pacing After Left Ventricular Assist Device.

BACKGROUND: Despite cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), some patients with heart failure progress and undergo left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Management of CRT after LVAD implantation has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RV pacing or biventricular pacing measurably affects acute hemodynamics in patients with an LVAD and a CRT device. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven patients with CRT and LVAD underwent right heart catheterization. Pressures and oximetry were measured and LVAD parameters were recorded during 3 different conditions: RV pacing alone, biventricular pacing, and intrinsic atrioventricular conduction. Paired t tests were used to evaluate changes within subjects. There were no significant changes in right atrial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressures, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, or any LVAD parameter (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CRT probably has no acute hemodynamic effect in patients with LVADs, but further study is needed.

Significant Discrepancy Between Estimated and Actual Longevity in St. Jude Medical Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: Real-time estimated longevity has been reported in pacemakers for several years, and was recently introduced in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the accuracy of this longevity estimate in St. Jude Medical (SJM) ICDs, especially as the device battery approaches depletion. METHODS: Among patients with SJM ICDs who underwent generator replacements due to reaching elective replacement indicator (ERI) at our institution, we identified those with devices that provided longevity estimates and reviewed their device interrogations in the 18 months prior to ERI. Significant discrepancy was defined as a difference of more than 12 months between estimated and actual longevity at any point during this period. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with Current/Promote devices formed the study group (40 cardiac resynchronization therapy [CRT] and 6 single/dual chamber). Of these, 34 (74%) had significant discrepancy between estimated and actual longevity (28 CRT and all single/dual). Longevity was significantly overestimated by the device algorithm (mean maximum discrepancy of 18.8 months), more in single/dual than CRT devices (30.5 vs. 17.1 months). Marked discrepancy was seen at voltages ≥2.57 volts, with maximum discrepancy at 2.57 volts (23 months). The overall longevity was higher in the discrepant group of CRT devices than in the nondiscrepant group (67 vs. 61 months, log-rank P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There was significant overestimation of longevity in nearly three-fourths of Current/Promote SJM ICDs in the last 18 months prior to ERI. Longevity estimates of SJM ICDs may not be reliable for making clinical decisions on frequency of follow-up, as the battery approaches depletion.

Education of Physicians and Implementation of a Formal Referral System Can Improve Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral and Participation Rates after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective preventive measure that remains underutilised in the United States. The study aimed to determine the CR referral rate (RR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at an academic tertiary care centre, identify barriers to referral, and evaluate awareness of CR benefits and indications (CRBI) among cardiologists. Subsequently, it aimed to evaluate if an intervention consisting of physicians' education about CRBI and implementation of a formal CR referral system could improve RR and consequently participation rate (PR). METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for all consecutive patients who underwent PCI over 12 months. Referral rate was determined and variables were compared for differences between referred and non-referred patients. A questionnaire was distributed among the physicians in the Division of Cardiology to assess awareness of CRBI and referral practice patterns. After implementation of the intervention, data were collected retrospectively for consecutive patients who underwent PCI in the following six months. Referral rate and changes in PRs were determined. RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, RR was 17.6%. Different barriers were identified, but the questionnaire revealed lack of physicians' awareness of CRBI and inconsistent referral patterns. After the intervention, RR increased to 88.96% (Odds Ratio 37.73, 95% CI 21.34-66.70, p<0.0001) and PR increased by 32.8% to reach 26%. Personal endorsement of CRBI by cardiologists known to patients increased CR program graduation rate by 35%. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiologists' awareness of CRBI increases CR RR and their personal endorsement improves PR and compliance. Education of providers and implementation of a formal referral system can improve RR and PR.

Dabigatran versus warfarin therapy for uninterrupted oral anticoagulation during atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: Uninterrupted oral anticoagulant (OA) therapy with warfarin has become the standard of care at many centers performing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Compared with warfarin, dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of stroke in nonvalvular AF with similar bleeding risk. Few data exist on the safety profile of uninterrupted dabigatran therapy during AF ablation. METHODS: We compared the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted OA therapy with either warfarin or dabigatran in all patients undergoing AF catheter ablation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham between November 1, 2010 and January 31, 2012. All patients underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) on the day of their ablation procedure to assess for the presence of intracardiac thrombi. All complications were identified and classified as bleeding, thromboembolic events, or other. RESULTS: There were 212 patients in the dabigatran group and 251 patients in the warfarin group. The groups were well matched. There were 3 complications in the dabigatran group and 6 in the warfarin group (P = 0.45). There were 2 bleeding complications in the dabigatran group and 6 in the warfarin group (P = 0.23). There was one thromboembolic complication (a possible TIA) in the dabigatran group and none in the warfarin group (P = 0.28). CONCLUSION: The administration of dabigatran is as safe and effective as warfarin for uninterrupted OA therapy during catheter ablation of AF.

Economic Evaluation of Anesthesiology-Led Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Service.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of an anesthesiology-led cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) service can be viewed to have economic and efficiency challenges. This study evaluates the cost savings of an anesthesiology-led CIED service. METHODS: A total of 830 patients presented in the pre-implementation period from 1 March 2016 to 31 December 2017, and 1981 patients presented in the post-implementation period from 1 January 2018 to 31 October 2021. Interrupted time-series analysis for single-group comparisons was used to evaluate the cost savings resulting from reduction in operating room (OR) start delays for patients with CIEDs. RESULTS: OR start-time delay was reduced by 10.6 min (95%CI: -20.5 to -0.83), comparing pre- to post-implementation. For an OR cost of USD 45/min, we estimated the direct cost to the department to be USD 1.68/min. The intervention translated into a total cost reduction during the intervention period of USD 250,000 (USD 18,000 to USD 470,000) per year for the institution and USD 9800 (USD 730 to USD 17,000) per year for the department. The yearly cost of employing a full-time team of CIED specialists would have been USD 135,456. The service triggered electrophysiology consultation on 13 device malfunctions. CONCLUSIONS: An anesthesiology-led CIED service resulted in substantial cost savings, increased OR efficiency and patient safety.

A Novel Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation System Used to Treat Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: DIAMOND-AF (DiamondTemp™ Ablation System for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) was a prospective, multicenter, noninferiority, randomized trial that compared the safety and effectiveness of the DTA system versus those of a force-sensing RF ablation system (control) for the treatment of patients with drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND: Irrigated radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheters lose tissue temperature acuity, which is vital in assessing lesion formation. DiamondTemp Ablation (DTA) was designed to re-establish accurate tissue temperature measurements during ablation. METHODS: A total of 482 patients with paroxysmal AF were randomized (239 DTA, 243 control) to undergo pulmonary vein isolation and were followed up at 23 sites. Patients were screened for disease progression, cardiac characteristics, and prior interventions. Primary endpoints were effectiveness (freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence) and safety (composite of procedure- and device-related serious adverse events). RESULTS: The primary safety event rate was 3.3% in the DTA group versus 6.6% in the control group (p < 0.001 vs. 6.5% noninferiority margin). Primary effectiveness was met in 79.1% of DTA subjects and 75.7% of control subjects (p < 0.001 vs. -12.5% noninferiority margin). Secondary endpoint analysis found that off-drug effectiveness favored DTA compared with the control (142 [59.4%] vs. 120 [49.4%], respectively; p = 0.03). Total RF time and individual RF ablation duration were significantly shorter with less saline infused through the DTA catheter (p < 0.001). Both arms saw clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Safety and efficacy of the DTA system proved noninferior to force-sensing RF ablation in a paroxysmal AF population. Efficiencies were observed using DTA with shorter total RF times, individual RF ablation durations, and less saline infusion. (DiamondTemp™ Ablation System for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation; NCT03334630).

Implementation of a statewide system for coronary reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

CONTEXT: Despite 2 decades of evidence demonstrating benefits from prompt coronary reperfusion, registries continue to show that many patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are treated too slowly or not at all. OBJECTIVE: To establish a statewide system for reperfusion, as exists for trauma care, to overcome systematic barriers. DESIGN AND SETTING: A quality improvement study that examined the change in speed and rate of coronary reperfusion after system implementation in 5 regions in North Carolina involving 65 hospitals and associated emergency medical systems (10 percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] hospitals and 55 non-PCI hospitals). PATIENTS: A total of 1164 patients with STEMI (579 preintervention and 585 postintervention) eligible for reperfusion were treated at PCI hospitals (median age 61 years, 31% women, 4% Killip class III or IV). A total of 925 patients with STEMI (518 preintervention and 407 postintervention) were treated at non-PCI hospitals (median age 62 years, 32% women, 4% Killip class III or IV). INTERVENTIONS: Early diagnosis and the most expedient coronary reperfusion method at each point of care: emergency medical systems, emergency department, catheterization laboratory, and transfer. Within 5 regions, PCI hospitals agreed to provide single-call catheterization laboratory activation by emergency medical personnel, accept patients regardless of bed availability, and improve STEMI care for the entire region regardless of hospital affiliation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reperfusion times and rates 3 months before (July to September 2005) and 3 months after (January to March 2007) a year-long implementation. RESULTS: Median reperfusion times significantly improved according to first door-to-device (presenting to PCI hospital 85 to 74 minutes, P < .001; transferred to PCI hospital 165 to 128 minutes, P < .001), door-to-needle in non-PCI hospitals (35 to 29 minutes, P = .002), and door-in to door-out for patients transferred from non-PCI hospitals (120 to 71 minutes, P < .001). Nonreperfusion rates were unchanged (15%) in non-PCI hospitals and decreased from 23% to 11% in the PCI hospitals. For patients presenting to or transferred to PCI hospitals, clinical outcomes including death, cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock did not significantly change following the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A statewide program focused on regional systems for reperfusion for STEMI can significantly improve quality of care. Further research is needed to ensure that programs that result in improved application of reperfusion treatments will lead to reductions in mortality and morbidity from STEMI.

Safety and Efficacy of Uninterrupted Apixaban Therapy Versus Warfarin During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Thromboembolic cerebrovascular accident remains a rare but potentially devastating complication of catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Uninterrupted oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin has become the standard of care when performing catheter-based AF ablation. Compared with warfarin, apixaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and major bleeding in nonvalvular AF. With an increase in apixaban use for stroke prophylaxis in patients with AF, there is an increased interest in the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted apixaban therapy during AF ablation. We compared the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted OA therapy with either warfarin or apixaban in all patients who underwent catheter-based AF ablation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and at Augusta University Medical Center from January 7, 2013, to February 25, 2016. All patients underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram on the day of their ablation to assess for the presence of intracardiac thrombi. All complications were identified and classified as bleeding, thromboembolic events, or other. A total of 627 patients were analyzed as described earlier. There were 310 patients in the warfarin group and 317 patients in the apixaban group. There were 8 complications in the warfarin group and 5 complications in the apixaban group (p = 0.38). There were no thromboembolic complications in either group. In conclusion, the use of apixaban is as safe and effective as warfarin for uninterrupted OA therapy during catheter-based ablation of AF.

Prevalence and Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From Intramural Foci in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract.

BACKGROUNDS: Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) sometimes require catheter ablation from both the endocardial and epicardial sides for their elimination, suggesting the presence of intramural VA foci. This study investigated the prevalence and electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of these idiopathic intramural LVOT VAs when compared with the idiopathic endocardial and epicardial LVOT VAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 82 consecutive VAs with origins in the aortomitral continuity (n=30), LV summit (n=34), and intramural site (n=18). The maximum deflection index (the time to the maximum deflection in the precordial leads/QRS duration) was the largest in LV summit VAs (0.52±0.07), smallest in aortomitral continuity VAs (0.45±0.06), and midrange in intramural VAs (0.49±0.05). The electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of the intramural LVOT VAs were similar to those of the aortomitral continuity VAs. The intramural LVOT VAs exhibited a significantly smaller R-wave amplitude ratio in leads III to II, and ratio of the Q-wave amplitude in leads aVL to aVR, and a significantly earlier and later local ventricular activation time relative to the QRS onset at the His bundle and successful ablation sites than the LV summit VAs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intramural sites account for a significant proportion of LVOT VAs. The electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of the idiopathic intramural LVOT VAs were midrange between those of the idiopathic endocardial and epicardial LVOT VAs, and more similar to those of the idiopathic endocardial LVOT VAs than those of the idiopathic epicardial LVOT VAs.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originating from intramural foci in the left ventricular outflow tract: efficacy of sequential versus simultaneous unipolar catheter ablation.

BACKGROUNDS: Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) sometimes require catheter ablation from the endocardial and epicardial sides for their elimination, suggesting the presence of intramural VA foci. This study investigated the efficacy of sequential and simultaneous unipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation from the endocardial and epicardial sides in treating intramural LVOT VAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen consecutive LVOT VAs, which required sequential or simultaneous irrigated unipolar radiofrequency ablation from the endocardial and epicardial sides for their elimination, were studied. The first ablation was performed at the site with the earliest local ventricular activation and best pace map on the endocardial or epicardial side. When the first ablation was unsuccessful, the second ablation was delivered on the other surface. If this sequential unipolar ablation failed, simultaneous unipolar ablation from both sides was performed. The first ablation was performed on the epicardial side in 9 VAs and endocardial side in 5 VAs. The intramural LVOT VAs were successfully eliminated by the sequential (n=9) or simultaneous (n=5) unipolar catheter ablation. Simultaneous ablation was most likely to be required for the elimination of the VAs when the distance between the endocardial and epicardial ablation sites was >8 mm and the earliest local ventricular activation time relative to the QRS onset during the VAs of <-30 ms was recorded at those ablation sites. CONCLUSIONS: LVOT VAs originating from intramural foci could usually be eliminated by sequential unipolar radiofrequency ablation and sometimes required simultaneous ablation from both the endocardial and epicardial sides.

Cardiac implantable electronic device infection in patients with end-stage renal disease.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are increasingly being used in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. These patients have a high risk of device infection. OBJECTIVES: To study the optimal management of device infections in patients with ESRD. METHOD: We used the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) to assess the presence of a CIED and associated comorbidities, risk factors for infection, and mortality following device extraction or medical management in ESRD patients with CIED infection. Univariable, multivariable, and survival analyses were performed using USRDS data from 2005 to 2009. RESULTS: Of 546,769 patients, 6.4% had CIED and 8.0% of those developed CIED infection. The major risk factors for device infection were black race, temporary dialysis catheter, and body mass index >25. Patients with artificial valves were excluded from the analysis. Only 28.4% of infected CIED were removed. CIED removal was more common in those with congestive heart failure. The median time to death following diagnosis of a CIED infection was 15.7 months versus 9.2 months for those treated via device extraction versus medical-only therapy (hazard ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.82). CONCLUSION: Patients with ESRD and infected CIEDs have a poor prognosis. Rates of device extraction are low, but this strategy appears to be associated with modest improvement in survival.

Iatrogenic Aortocoronary Arteriovenous Fistula following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Case Report and Complete Review of the Literature.

The case of a patient who presented with angina following a coronary artery bypass (CABG) operation during which the left internal mammary artery was inadvertently anastomosed to a cardiac vein is presented. The literature concerning previously reported cases of aortocoronary arteriovenous fistulas (ACAVF) due to inadvertent grafting of a coronary vein is reviewed and the significance of this complication is discussed. ACAVF due to inadvertent grafting of a coronary vein is a rare complication of CABG and may be a more common cause of graft failure than has previously been recognized. Distortion of cardiac anatomy, the presence of epicardial fat, and an intramyocardial course of the artery intended for grafting are predisposing factors. Some patients present with angina pectoris and heart failure whereas others have no symptoms. The diagnostic test of choice is coronary angiography. Cardiac MRI and CT have a limited role due to the smaller size and the more clearly defined course of these fistulas. Asymptomatic patients are simply observed since spontaneous closure of these fistulas is reported. Symptomatic patients can be treated with combined medical management and percutaneous methods.