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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Available data on continuous rhythm monitoring by implantable loop recorders (ILRs) in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) are scarce. The aim of this multi-centre study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and clinical implication of a continuous rhythm monitoring strategy by ILRs in a large cohort of BrS patients and to assess the precise arrhythmic cause of syncopal episodes. METHODS: A total of 370 patients with BrS and ILRs (mean age 43.5 ± 15.9, 33.8% female, 74.1% symptomatic) from 18 international centers were included. Patients were followed with continuous rhythm monitoring for a median follow-up of 3 years. RESULTS: During follow-up, an arrhythmic event was recorded in 30.7% of symptomatic patients [18.6% atrial arrhythmias (AAs), 10.2% bradyarrhythmias (BAs), and 7.3% ventricular arrhythmias (VAs)]. In patients with recurrent syncope, the aetiology was arrhythmic in 22.4% (59.3% BAs, 25.0% VAs, and 15.6% AAs). The ILR led to drug therapy initiation in 11.4%, ablation procedure in 10.9%, implantation of a pacemaker in 2.5%, and a cardioverter-defibrillator in 8%. At multivariate analysis, the presence of symptoms [hazard ratio (HR) 2.5, P = .001] and age >50 years (HR 1.7, P = .016) were independent predictors of arrhythmic events, while inducibility of ventricular fibrillation at the electrophysiological study (HR 9.0, P < .001) was a predictor of VAs. CONCLUSIONS: ILR detects arrhythmic events in nearly 30% of symptomatic BrS patients, leading to appropriate therapy in 70% of them. The most commonly detected arrhythmias are AAs and BAs, while VAs are detected only in 7% of cases. Symptom status can be used to guide ILR implantation.
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Síndrome de Brugada , Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Marca-Passo Artificial , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Arritmias Cardíacas/complicações , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Brugada/complicações , Síndrome de Brugada/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Brugada/terapia , Eletrocardiografia/métodos , Eletrocardiografia Ambulatorial/métodos , AdultoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Brugada syndrome (BrS) has a dynamic ECG pattern that might be revealed by certain conditions such as fever. We evaluated the incidence and management of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) related to COVID-19 infection and vaccination among BrS patients carriers of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and followed by remote monitoring. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study. Patients were carriers of devices with remote monitoring follow-up. We recorded VAs 6 months before COVID-19 infection or vaccination, during infection, at each vaccination, and up to 6-month post-COVID-19 or 1 month after the last vaccination. In ICD carriers, we documented any device intervention. RESULTS: We included 326 patients, 202 with an ICD and 124 with an ILR. One hundred and nine patients (33.4%) had COVID-19, 55% of whom developed fever. Hospitalization rate due to COVID-19 infection was 2.76%. After infection, we recorded only two ventricular tachycardias (VTs). After the first, second, and third vaccines, the incidence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) was 1.5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. The incidence of VT was 1% after the second dose. Six-month post-COVID-19 healing or 1 month after the last vaccine, we documented NSVT in 3.4%, VT in 0.5%, and ventricular fibrillation in 0.5% of patients. Overall, one patient received anti-tachycardia pacing and one a shock. ILR carriers had no VAs. No differences were found in VT before and after infection and before and after each vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: From this large multicenter study conducted in BrS patients, followed by remote monitoring, the overall incidence of sustained VAs after COVID-19 infection and vaccination is relatively low.
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Síndrome de Brugada , COVID-19 , Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Taquicardia Ventricular , Humanos , Síndrome de Brugada/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Brugada/epidemiologia , Síndrome de Brugada/terapia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Incidência , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiologia , Arritmias Cardíacas/terapia , Taquicardia Ventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia Ventricular/epidemiologia , Taquicardia Ventricular/terapia , Sistema de Registros , Vacinação , SeguimentosRESUMO
Pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial posterior wall ablation using the Farapulse system, followed by left atrial appendage occlusion, have been achieved as single combined procedure to treat long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient at high hemorrhagic risk.
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The rate of post-vaccine myocarditis is being studied from the beginning of the massive vaccination campaign against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although a direct cause-effect relationship has been described, in most cases, the vaccine pathophysiological role is doubtful. Moreover, it is not quite as clear as having had a previous myocarditis could be a risk factor for a post-vaccine disease relapse. A 27-year-old man presented to the emergency department for palpitations and pericardial chest pain radiated to the upper left limb, on the 4th day after the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine. He experienced a previous myocarditis 3 years before, with full recovery and no other comorbidities. Electrocardiogram showed normal atrioventricular conduction, incomplete right bundle branch block, and diffuse ST-segment elevation. A cardiac echo showed lateral wall hypokinesis with preserved ejection fraction. Troponin-T was elevated (160 ng/L), chest X-ray was normal, and the SARS-CoV-2 molecular buffer was negative. High-dose anti-inflammatory therapy with ibuprofen and colchicine was started; in the 3rd day high-sensitivity Troponin I reached a peak of 23000 ng/L. No heart failure or arrhythmias were observed. A cardiac magnetic resonance was performed showing normal biventricular systolic function and abnormal tissue characterization suggestive for acute non-ischaemic myocardial injury (increased native T1 and T2 values, increased signal intensity at T2-weighted images and late gadolinium enhancement, all findings with matched subepicardial distribution) at the level of mid to apical septal, anterior, and anterolateral walls. A left ventricular electroanatomic voltage mapping was negative (both unipolar and bipolar), while the endomyocardial biopsy showed a picture consistent with active myocarditis. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition, on bisoprolol 1.25 mg, ramipril 2.5 mg, ibuprofen 600 mg three times a day, colchicine 0.5 mg twice a day. We presented the case of a young man with history of previous myocarditis, admitted with a non-complicated acute myopericarditis relapse occurred 4 days after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (3rd dose). Despite the observed very low incidence of cardiac complications following BNT162b2 administration, and the lack of a clear proof of a direct cause-effect relationship, we think that in our patient this link can be more than likely. In the probable need for additional SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses in the next future, studies addressing the risk-benefit balance of this subset of patient are warranted. We described a multidisciplinary management of a case of myocarditis recurrence after the third dose of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine.
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INTRODUCTION: Early evidence suggests that multipoint left ventricular pacing (MPP) may improve response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). It is unknown whether this benefit is sustained and cost-effective. We used real-world data to evaluate long-term impact of MPP-ON clinical status, heart failure hospitalizations (HFH) and costs. METHODS: The Italian registry on multipoint left ventricular pacing is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients implanted with MPP-enabled CRT devices. For this analysis, clinical and echocardiographic data were collected through 24 months and compared between patients with (MPP-ON) or without (MPP-OFF) early MPP activation at implant. The total cost of each HFH was estimated with national Italian reimbursement rates. RESULTS: The study included 190 MPP-OFF and 128 MPP-ON patients with similar baseline characteristics. At 1 and 2 years, the MPP-ON group had lower rates of HFH vs MPP-OFF (1-year hazard ratio [HR]: 0.14, P = .0014; 2-year HR: 0.38, P = .009). The finding persisted in a subgroup of patients with consistent MPP activation through follow-up (1-year HR: 0.19; P = .0061; 2-year HR: 0.39, P = .022). Total HFH per-patient costs were lower in the MPP-ON vs the MPP-OFF group at 1 year (101 ± 50 vs 698 ± 195, P < .001) and 2 years (366 ± 149 vs 801 ± 203, P = .038). More MPP-ON patients had ≥5% improvement in ejection fraction (76.8% vs 65.4%, P = .025) and clinical composite score (66.7% vs 47.5%, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter clinical study, early MPP activation was associated with a significant reduction in cumulative HFH and related costs after 1 and 2 years of follow-up.
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Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca/economia , Custos de Cuidados de Saúde , Insuficiência Cardíaca/economia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca/efeitos adversos , Redução de Custos , Análise Custo-Benefício , Feminino , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Custos Hospitalares , Hospitalização/economia , Humanos , Itália , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Sistema de Registros , Volume Sistólico , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Função Ventricular EsquerdaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Multipoint pacing (MPP) may improve clinical outcomes in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D), but its impact on battery longevity in a real-world population has not been investigated in large trials. OBJECTIVE: Compare projected battery longevity in CRT-D patients with and without MPP during long-term follow-up. METHODS: The Italian registry on multipoint left ventricular pacing (IRON-MPP) is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients implanted with MPP-capable CRT-D devices. Projected battery longevity during follow-up was compared for patients with MPP (MPP ON) vs single-site (MPP OFF) left ventricular pacing at CRT-D implantation. A sub-analysis excluded crossover patients with MPP activation or deactivation occurring after implantation. A second sub-analysis excluded patients with a right or left ventricular pacing amplitude >2.5 V. RESULTS: Out of 237 CRT-D patients (71 ± 9 years, 81% male) followed for 1.9 ± 0.8 years, 102 (43%) had MPP ON at implantation. Programmed atrial and ventricular outputs and percentage of pacing were similar between groups. MPP was associated with a 0.44 years reduction in projected battery longevity (P = .03) during long-term follow-up. Results were similar for the first and second sub-analyses, with a 0.57 years (P < .001) and 0.71 years (P < .001) reduction in projected longevity, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this long-term real-world registry, early MPP activation is associated with less than a 1-year reduction in projected battery life compared to single-site biventricular pacing.
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Dispositivos de Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca , Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca , Cardioversão Elétrica/instrumentação , Fontes de Energia Elétrica , Falha de Equipamento , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Feminino , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Itália , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Sistema de Registros , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Função Ventricular EsquerdaAssuntos
Síndrome de Brugada , COVID-19 , Humanos , Síndrome de Brugada/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Brugada/epidemiologia , Incidência , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiologia , Eletrocardiografia , Sistema de Registros , VacinaçãoRESUMO
AIMS: This registry was created to describe the experience of 76 Italian centres with a large cohort of recipients of multipoint pacing (MPP) capable cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 507 patients in whom these devices had been successfully implanted were enrolled between August 2013 and May 2015. We analysed: (i) current clinical practices for the management of such patients, and (ii) the impact of MPP on heart failure clinical composite response and on the absolute change in ejection fraction (EF) at 6 months. Multipoint pacing was programmed to 'ON' in 46% of patients before discharge. Methods of optimizing MPP programming were most commonly based on either the greatest narrowing of the QRS complex (38%) or the electrical delays between the electrodes (34%). Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data were evaluated in 232 patients. These patients were divided into two groups according to whether MPP was programmed to 'ON' (n = 94) or 'OFF' (n = 138) at the time of discharge. At 6 months, EF was significantly higher in the MPP group than in the biventricular-pacing group (39.1 ± 9.6 vs. 34.7 ± 7.6%; P < 0.001). Even after adjustments, early MPP activation remained an independent predictor of absolute increase in LVEF of ≥5% (odds ratio 2.5; P = 0.001). At 6 months, an improvement in clinical composite score was recorded in a greater proportion of patients with MPP-ON than in controls (56 vs. 38%; P = 0.009). On comparing optimal MPP and conventional vectors, QRS was also seen to have decreased significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides information that is essential in order to deal with the expected increase in the number of patients receiving MPP devices in the coming years. The results revealed different practices among centres, and establishing the optimal programming that can maximize the benefit of MPP remains a challenging issue. Compared with conventional CRT, MPP improved clinical status and resulted in an additional increase in EF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrial.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT02606071.
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Dispositivos de Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Função Ventricular Esquerda , Potenciais de Ação , Idoso , Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca/efeitos adversos , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Desenho de Equipamento , Feminino , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Frequência Cardíaca , Humanos , Itália , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Razão de Chances , Estudos Prospectivos , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Sistema de Registros , Fatores de Risco , Volume Sistólico , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Young (<18 years of age) patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) are often under-represented in BrS studies and their management, especially related to syncopal episodes, remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe the arrhythmia prevalence among young patients with BrS undergoing continuous rhythm monitoring by implantable loop recorder (ILR) and to assess the etiology behind syncope of undetermined origin. METHODS: A total of 147 patients with BrS with ILR were enrolled in 12 international centers and divided into pediatric (age <12 years; n = 77, 52%) and adolescents (age 13-18 years; n = 70, 48%). RESULTS: Mean age was 11.3 years, 53 patients (36.1%) were female, and 31 (21.1%) had spontaneous type 1 electrocardiograms. Over a median follow-up of 3.6 years (Q1-Q3: 1.6-4.8 years), an arrhythmic event was recorded in 33 patients (22.4%), mainly of nonventricular origin: 15 atrial (10.2%) and 16 bradyarrhythmic events (10.9%). Ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 4 patients, all with spontaneous BrS, and were fever-related in one-half. Among all patients with recurrence of syncope during follow-up, true arrhythmic syncope was documented in 5 (17.8%), and it was due to bradyarrhythmias or atrial arrhythmias in 3 cases (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous rhythm monitoring with ILRs in young patients with BrS detects a broad range of arrhythmias. Ventricular arrhythmias occur predominantly in patients with spontaneous type 1 electrocardiograms and during fever. Despite the young age, bradyarrhythmias and atrial arrhythmias are frequent and represent the cause of arrhythmic syncope in 60% of patients. Young patients with BrS with syncope of undetermined origin may benefit from ILR implant.
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Síndrome de Brugada , Eletrocardiografia Ambulatorial , Humanos , Adolescente , Feminino , Masculino , Síndrome de Brugada/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Brugada/fisiopatologia , Síndrome de Brugada/complicações , Criança , Eletrocardiografia Ambulatorial/instrumentação , Eletrocardiografia Ambulatorial/métodos , Seguimentos , Síncope/diagnóstico , Síncope/etiologia , Síncope/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multisystem disorder; cardiac involvement may include eosinophilic myocarditis. A 67-year-old woman presented with 1-week history of dyspnoea and orthopnoea. She had a history of adult-onset asthma and peripheral eosinophilia. The investigations showed T-wave inversion on lateral leads, peripheral eosinophilia, elevated troponin and BNP values, and severe biventricular systolic dysfunction with diffuse hypokinesia and apical akinesia. Computed tomography excluded coronary disease and showed bilateral basal ground-glass opacities, air-space consolidation, and bilateral reticular-nodular pattern. Cardiac magnetic resonance findings were compatible with active myocardial inflammation. An endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis, and a therapy with oral corticosteroids and heart failure medications was started.
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Síndrome de Churg-Strauss , Eosinofilia , Granulomatose com Poliangiite , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Miocardite , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Síndrome de Churg-Strauss/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Churg-Strauss/tratamento farmacológico , Eosinofilia/diagnóstico , Granulomatose com Poliangiite/diagnóstico , Granulomatose com Poliangiite/tratamento farmacológico , Miocardite/diagnósticoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of minimally fluoroscopic approach (MFA) compared with conventional fluoroscopic ablation (ConvA) in terms of recurrences of arrhythmia and long-term complications. BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with an MFA, under the guidance of electroanatomic mapping (EAM) systems, results in a significant reduction in exposure to ionizing radiations without impairing acute procedural success and complication rate. However, data regarding long-term outcomes of MFA compared with ConvA are lacking. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. All patients undergoing MFA CA of SVT (atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia) between 2010 and 2015 were enrolled and were compared with matched subjects (1 MFA: 2 ConvA) undergoing ConvA during the same period. The 2 co-primary outcomes were recurrence of arrhythmias and long-term complications. RESULTS: A total of 618 patients (mean age 38 ± 15 years, 60% female) were enrolled. MFA included 206 patients, whereas 412 were treated with ConvA. Acute success (99% vs. 97%; p = 0.10) and acute complications (2.4% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.14) were similar in the 2 groups. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 5.9% of patients experienced recurrence of arrhythmias. At multivariate analysis, ConvA (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.03) and procedural success (HR: 0.10) were independently associated with recurrence of arrhythmias. Late complications (i.e., advance atrioventricular block and need for pacemaker implantation) occurred more frequently in ConvA (3.4% vs. 0.5%; p = 0.03) compared with MFA. CONCLUSIONS: CA guided by EAM systems with MFA provided better long-term results and reduced risk of complications compared with ConvA.
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Ablação por Cateter , Taquicardia Supraventricular , Taquicardia Ventricular , Adulto , Feminino , Fluoroscopia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Taquicardia Supraventricular/cirurgia , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
PURPOSE: Catheter ablation (CA) procedures are characterized by exposure to ionizing radiations (IR). IR can cause DNA damage and may lead to carcinogenesis if not efficiently repaired. The primary endpoint of this study is to investigate whether intravenous administration of N-acetylcysteine prior to CA procedure may prevent systemic oxidative stress and genomic DNA damage induced by exposure to IR. METHODS: The "Cardiac Arrhythmia catheter ablation procedures guided by x-Ray imaging: N-Acetylcysteine Protection Against radiation induced Cellular damagE" (CARAPACE) study is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, parallel-arm monocenter study enrolling 550 consecutive patients undergoing CA at the Arrhythmology Unit of Centro Cardiologico Monzino (CCM). Inclusion criteria are age ≥ 18, indication for CA procedure guided by IR imaging, and written informed consent. IR levels will be measured via fluoroscopy time, effective dose, and dose area product. Glutathione and glutathione disulfide concentrations will be measured, and urinary levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine will be quantified. The enrolled patients will be randomized 1:1 to the N-acetylcysteine group or to the control group. RESULTS: We expect that pre-operative administration of N-acetylcysteine will prevent IR-induced systemic oxidative stress. The study will provide data on oxidative DNA damage assessed by urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels and direct evidence of genomic DNA damage in blood cells by comet assay. CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation procedures can lead to IR exposure and subsequent DNA damage. N-acetylcysteine administration prior to the procedure may prevent them and therefore lead to less possible complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04154982).
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Acetilcisteína , Ablação por Cateter , Adolescente , Adulto , Arritmias Cardíacas , Fluoroscopia , Humanos , Estudos Prospectivos , Raios XRESUMO
PURPOSE: Since the introduction of catheter ablation as a mainstream treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), several technical improvements have been put forward. In this contest, Ablation Index (AI) is an accurate ablation quality marker by incorporating power, delivery time, contact force (CF), and catheter stability in a weighted formula. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of AI-guided AF ablation over 24 month follow-up. METHODS: We evaluated 72 consecutive patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal (66.7%) and early-persistent AF (33.3%) undergoing AI-guided ablation, compared to 72 propensity-matched control patients who underwent CF-guided procedure. All procedures were performed by three skilled operators. Data concerning procedural characteristics and long-term freedom from AF recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: At 24-month follow-up, Kaplan-Meier curves of AF recurrence were significantly lower in AI group than in CF group (15.5% vs. 30.6%; p 0.042). These findings were confirmed in a sub analysis regardless of the continued use of antiarrhythmic drugs in the follow-up (42.2% in AI-guided group and 66.7% in CF-guided group, p 0.004). At 24-month follow-up, a positive trend in the decrease of arrhythmia recurrences was observed in AI-guided ablation for all operators. CONCLUSIONS: AI-guided ablation results more effective than CF-guided ablation as demonstrated by a lower incidence of AF recurrences regardless of the use of antiarrhythmic drugs in the follow-up. Each operator seems to improve the long-term success using an AI-guided ablation, thus showing both the efficacy and the reproducibility of this approach.
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Fibrilação Atrial/cirurgia , Ablação por Cateter/normas , Melhoria de Qualidade , Indicadores de Qualidade em Assistência à Saúde , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pontuação de Propensão , Estudos Prospectivos , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
PURPOSE: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) have been associated with adverse cardiovascular events and prognosis. Some modern pacemakers (PMK) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are equipped with thoracic impedance monitoring systems which allow detecting fluctuations in tidal volume occurring in SRBD. This study aimed at assessing the accuracy of a novel transthoracic impedance-based PMK/ICD sensor for automatic detection of SRBD. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 31 consecutive patients scheduled for implantation of a PMK or an ICD with sleep respiratory disturbances monitoring capability. The results of unattended home nocturnal recordings expressed as apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) were compared with the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) stored in the cardiac device memory at the time polygraphy was performed. RESULTS: Among the 31 enrolled patients (20 men, mean age 70 ± 8 years), a comparison between the data from polygraphy and cardiac device was feasible in 29 patients. According to the results of home nocturnal recording, a severe SRBD was observed in 7/29 (24.1%) patients. On the basis of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis of RDI values, the optimal RDI cutoff value to identify severe SRBD was 47 episodes/h (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%). Bland-Altman agreement analysis of AHI-RDI revealed a bias between measurements of - 11 episodes/h, with limits of agreement - 38 to 15 episodes/h. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the novel transthoracic impedance-based monitoring system ApneaScanTM appeared effective in screening PMK and ICD patients for SRBD.
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Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Marca-Passo Artificial , Polissonografia , Síndromes da Apneia do Sono/diagnóstico , Idoso , Cardiografia de Impedância , Estudos de Viabilidade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
PURPOSE: Previous studies indicate force time integral (FTI) as a radiofrequency (RF) lesion quality marker, while not considering power supply. Tacticath™ Quartz catheter provides Lesion index (LSI), a lesion quality marker derived by contact force (CF), power supply, and RF time combined. Our aim is to assess LSI and FTI correlation and a LSI-related cutoff of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences 12 months after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 37 patients who underwent RF ablation using Tacticath™ Quartz catheter. AF recurrence rate was evaluated 3, 6, and 12 months after PVI procedure. RESULTS: AF recurrence was detected in 32% of patients. FTI mean value was significantly lower in left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV: 256 ± 86 gs vs 329 ± 117 gs, p = 0.05) and right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV: 253 ± 128 gs vs 394 ± 123 gs p = 0.006) in patients with AF recurrences; no significant differences were found in right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) and left inferior pulmonary vein (LIPV). LSI instead was significantly higher for all veins in patients without AF recurrences: LSPV (5.2 ± 0.7 vs 4.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.03), LIPV (5.0 ± 0.8 vs 4.5 ± 0.6, p = 0.04), RSPV (5.5 ± 0.6 vs 5.1 ± 0.6, p = 0.05), and RIPV (5.5 ± 0.7 vs 4.7 ± 0.8, p = 0.006). Receiver operator characteristic curve suggests 5.3 as LSI overall cutoff value predicting freedom from disease at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggest that a LSI mean value higher than 5.3 can be considered a good predictor of AF freedom at 1-year follow-up.
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Fibrilação Atrial/cirurgia , Veias Pulmonares/cirurgia , Ablação por Radiofrequência/instrumentação , Ecocardiografia , Eletrocardiografia , Mapeamento Epicárdico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Recidiva , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Electrophysiology procedures are traditionally performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Nowadays a growing interest in the radiation risk associated to these procedures has been cultivated, since radiation exposure has non-negligible stochastic and deterministic effects on health. A correlation between radiation exposure and lifetime malignancy effect is difficult to establish and the threshold of a completely safe exposure dose is unknown. Thus, electrophisiologists have become aware of the use of fluoroscopy and they have tried to use all the complementary imaging technologies available in order to reduce the radiological exposure. This review is aimed at evaluating the radiation exposure risk, both for the patients and the operators. We describe electroanatomical mapping systems and technologies, which allow the reduction of radiation exposure. We review the main literature based on different catheter ablation procedures with the use of the abovementioned technologies, specifically focusing on feasibility, safety, and radiation exposure. Finally, we highlight the necessity of increasing the radiological risk awareness among operators and cardiological scientific societies.
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Arritmias Cardíacas/cirurgia , Ablação por Cateter/métodos , Fluoroscopia/métodos , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico por imagem , Fluoroscopia/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Doses de Radiação , Exposição à Radiação , Radiografia/efeitos adversos , Radiografia/métodosRESUMO
In the last decades we are observing a continuous increase in the number of patients wearing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). At the same time, we face daily with a domestic and public environment featured more and more by the presence and the utilization of new emitters and finally, more medical procedures are based on electromagnetic fields as well. Therefore, the topic of the interaction of devices with electromagnetic interference (EMI) is increasingly a real and actual problem.In the medical environment most attention is paid to magnetic resonance, nevertheless the risk of interaction is present also with ionizing radiation, electrical nerve stimulation and electrosurgery. In the non-medical environment, most studies reported in the literature focused on mobile phones, metal detectors, as well as on headphones or digital players as potential EMI sources, but many other instruments and tools may be intentional or non-intentional sources of electromagnetic fields.CIED manufacturers are more and more focusing on new technological features in order to make implantable devices less susceptible to EMI. However, patients and emitter manufacturers should be aware that limitations exist and that there is not complete immunity to EMI.
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Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Marca-Passo Artificial , Campos Eletromagnéticos , Desenho de Equipamento , HumanosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: During the past years, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) has gradually spread into clinical practice. However, the role of EMB in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases remains a controversial issue, especially in the setting of unexplained ventricular arrhythmias. Areas covered: This review describes the methodology of EMB guided by combined use of three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems and intracardiac echo and summarizes the classical, fluoroscopy-guided EMB technique. Finally, the personal experience acquired with the 'electrophysiologist-made' integration methodology has been reported. Expert commentary: Since EMB has been considered in the setting of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, drug toxicity, and/or other diseases causing malignant ventricular arrhythmias, the electrophysiologists have started to perform firsthand biopsy. The electrophysiologists introduced the use of electroanatomical mapping systems and intracardiac echo. This new methodology improved significantly biopsy diagnostic yield and allowed to reduce complications.
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Cardiomiopatias/patologia , Biópsia Guiada por Imagem/instrumentação , Miocárdio/patologia , Sarcoidose/patologia , Arritmias Cardíacas/etiologia , Cardiomiopatias/complicações , Humanos , Biópsia Guiada por Imagem/métodos , Miocardite/patologiaRESUMO
Congenital heart disease patients are considered a unique group of patients regarding their high risk of conduction abnormalities , whether de novo or surgically induced , and the challenges in both implantation and management of device related complications. We present a case of a pacemaker-dependent patient with congenital heart disease who experienced complications of both previous epicardial and transvenous pacing which rendered her a non-suitable candidate of both routes.
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Silent brain lesions due to thrombogenicity of the procedure represent recognized side effects of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Embolic risk is higher if anticoagulation is inadequate and recent studies suggest that uninterrupted anticoagulation, ACT levels above 300 seconds and administration of a pre-transeptal bolus of heparin might significantly reduce the incidence of silent cerebral ischemia (SCI) to 2%. Asymptomatic new lesions during AF ablation should suggest worse neuropsychological outcome as a result of the association between silent cerebral infarcts and increased long-term risk of dementia in non-ablated AF patients. However, the available data are discordant. To date, no study has definitely linked post-operative asymptomatic cerebral events to a decline in neuropsychological performance. Larger volumes of cerebral lesions have been associated with cognitive decline but are uncommon findings acutely in post-ablation AF patients. Of note, the majority of acute lesions have a small or medium size and often regress at a medium-term follow-up. Successful AF ablation has the potential to reduce the risk of larger SCI that may be considered as part of the natural course of AF. Although the long-term implications of SCI remain unclear, it is conceivable that strategies to reduce the risk of SCI may be beneficial.