Atrial fibrillation recurrences during the blanking period after catheter ablation with the laser balloon technique.

INTRODUCTION: Regardless of the catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) strategy, the role of early recurrences during the blanking period (BP) is still unclear. Our aim was to evaluate atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) recurrences during the BP after CA with the laser-balloon (LB) technique. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing LBCA were enrolled. Primary outcome of the study was the overall crude ATA recurrence rate during the BP. ATA recurrences after the BP and in-hospital readmissions during the BP were deemed secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-four patients underwent CA with the LB. Median age was 63.0 (55.5-69.5) years and 74.1% were males. 28.6% were persistent AF patients, and 34.8% of patients were followed up with a loop recorder. 15.6% of patients experienced at least an ATA recurrence during the BP. Male sex, chronic heart failure, persistent AF, and recurrences during the BP were found to be associated with long-term ATA recurrences. Recurrences during the BP remained associated with the outcome of interest at multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 12.393, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.699-41.865, p < .001). An association over time was found between early and late recurrences, with 73.7%, 45.5%, and 10.8% of patients presenting with recurrences at 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up being free from recurrences after the BP, respectively. 8.0% of patients were readmitted during the BP: 4.5% for AF electrical cardioversion, and 1.8% for CA of other atrial arrhythmias; no redo CA was performed. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for confounders, ATA recurrences during the BP represent the most significant predictor of ATA recurrences after the BP, regardless of AF pattern.

Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias related to COVID infection and vaccination in patients with Brugada syndrome: Insights from a large Italian multicenter registry based on continuous rhythm monitoring.

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.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy: present and future.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) via biventricular pacing (BVP) is a well-established therapy for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and left bundle branch block, who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy. Despite the long-standing clinical evidence, as well as the familiarity of cardiac electrophysiologists with the implantation technique, CRT via BVP cannot be achieved or may result ineffective in up to one-third of the patients. Therefore, new alternative techniques, such as conduction system pacing and left ventricular pacing, are emerging as potential alternatives to this technique, not only in case of BVP failure, but also as a stand-alone first choice due to several potential advantages over traditional CRT. Specifically, due to its procedural characteristics, left bundle branch area pacing appears to be the most convincing technique, showing comparable efficacy outcomes when compared with traditional CRT, not increasing short-term device-related complications, as well as improving procedural times. However, transvenous leads remain a major limitation of all these pacing modalities. To overcome this limit, a leadless left ventricular endocardial pacing has been developed as an additional tool to achieve a left endocardial activation, although being still associated with non-negligible pitfalls, limiting its current use in clinical practice. This article focuses on the current state and latest progresses in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

HeartLogic™: real-world data-efficiency, resource consumption, and workflow optimization.

Heart failure (HF) is a major and still growing medical problem and is characterized by episodes of acute decompensation that are associated with a negative prognosis and a significant burden on the patients, doctors, and healthcare resources. Early detection of incipient HF may allow outpatient treatment before patients severely decompensate, thus reducing HF hospitalizations and related costs. The HeartLogic™ algorithm is an automatic, remotely managed system combining data directly related to HF pathophysiology into a single score, the HeartLogic™ index. This index proved to be effective in predicting the risk of incipient HF decompensation, allowing to redistribute resources from low-risk to high-risk patients in a timely and cost-saving manner. The alert-based remote management system seems more efficient than the one based on scheduled remote transmission in terms of caregivers' workload and alert detection timing. The widespread application of the HeartLogic™ algorithm requires the resolution of logistical and financial issues and the adoption of a pre-defined, functional workflow. In this paper, we reviewed general aspects of remote monitoring in HF patients, the functioning and pathophysiological basis of the HeartLogic index, its efficiency in the management of HF patients, and the economic effects and the organizational revolution associated with its use.

Protection against Ischemic Heart Disease: A Joint Role for eNOS and the KATP Channel.

Genetic susceptibility may influence ischemic heart disease (IHD) predisposition and affect coronary blood flow (CBF) regulation mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes encoding for proteins involved in CBF regulation and IHD. A total of 468 consecutive patients were enrolled and divided into three groups according to coronary angiography and intracoronary functional tests results: G1, patients with coronary artery disease (CAD); G2, patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD); and G3, patients with angiographic and functionally normal coronary arteries. A genetic analysis of the SNPs rs5215 of the potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) gene and rs1799983 of the nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) gene, respectively encoding for the Kir6.2 subunit of ATP sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), was performed on peripheral whole blood samples. A significant association of rs5215_G/G of KCNJ11 and rs1799983_T/T of NOS3 genes was detected in healthy controls compared with CAD and CMD patients. Based on univariable and multivariable analyses, the co-presence of rs5215_G/G of KCNJ11 and rs1799983_T/T of NOS3 may represent an independent protective factor against IHD, regardless of cardiovascular risk factors. This study supports the hypothesis that SNP association may influence the crosstalk between eNOS and the KATP channel that provides a potential protective effect against IHD.

Etiology and device therapy in complete atrioventricular block in pediatric and young adult population: Contemporary review and new perspectives.

Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a total dissociation between the atrial and ventricular activity, in the absence of atrioventricular conduction. Several diseases may result in CAVB in the pediatric and young-adult population. Permanent right ventricular (RV) pacing is required in permanent CAVB, when the cause is neither transient nor reversible. Continuous RV apical pacing has been associated with unfavorable outcomes in several studies due to the associated ventricular dyssynchrony. This study aims to summarize the current literature regarding CAVB in the pediatric and young adult population and to explore future treatment perspectives.

Clinical impact of defibrillation testing in a real-world S-ICD population: Data from the ELISIR registry.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend defibrillation testing (DT) performance in patients with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD), theoretically to reduce the amount of ineffective shocks. DT, however, has been proven unnecessary in transvenous ICD and real-world data show a growing trend in avoidance of DT after S-ICD implantation. METHODS: All patients undergoing S-ICD implant at nine associated Italian centers joining in the ELISIR registry (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04373876) were enrolled and classified upon DT performance. Long-term follow-up events were recorded and compared to report the long-term efficacy and safety of S-ICD implantations without DT in a real-world setting. RESULTS: A total of 420 patients (54.0 ± 15.5 years, 80.0% male) were enrolled in the study. A DT was performed in 254 (60.5%) patients (DT+ group), while in 166 (39.5%) was avoided (DT- group). Over a median follow-up of 19 (11-31) months, a very low rate (0.7%) of ineffective shocks was observed, and no significant differences in the primary combined arrhythmic outcome were observed between the two groups (p = .656). At regression analysis, the only clinical predictor associated with the primary combined outcome was S-ICD placement for primary prevention (odds ratio: 0.42; p = .013); DT performance instead was not associated with a reduction in primary outcome (p = .375). CONCLUSION: Implanting an S-ICD without DT does not appear to impact the safety of defibrillation therapy and overall patients' survival.

Micra-AV leadless pacemaker and atrioventricular (dys)synchrony: A stepwise process.

Leadless pacemakers have become a major breakthrough in the management of bradyarrhythmia as an attractive alternative to the standard transvenous pacemakers, but safety and long-term outcomes of the new Micra-AV, which is capable guarantee atrioventricular (AV) synchrony, have been poorly described. Hence, we describe how we managed a 57-year-old patient who developed pacemaker syndrome due to significant Micra-AV dyssynchrony. This case emphasizes how leadless pacemaker AV synchrony could be overestimated, thereby requiring a stepwise process leading to adequate device reprogramming. Holter-ECG monitoring and exercise test resulted to be valuable tools for an early detection of inadequate AV synchrony, integrating and completing device reports.

Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in patients with atrial fibrillation and cancer a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended as first-line anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, in patients with cancer and AF the efficacy and safety of DOACs are not well established. OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis comparing available data regarding the efficacy and safety of DOACs vs vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in cancer patients with non-valvular AF. METHODS: An online search of Pubmed and EMBASE libraries (from inception to May, 1 2020) was performed, in addition to manual screening. Nine studies were considered eligible for the meta-analysis involving 46,424 DOACs users and 182,797 VKA users. RESULTS: The use of DOACs was associated with reduced risks of systemic embolism or any stroke (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.52-0.81; p 0.001), ischemic stroke (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.95; p 0.007) and hemorrhagic stroke (RR 0.61; 95% CI 0.52-0.71; p 0.00001) as compared to VKA group. DOAC use was associated with significantly reduced risks of major bleeding (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.50-0.92; p 0.01) and intracranial or gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47-0.88; p 0.006). Compared to VKA, DOACs provided a non-statistically significant risk reduction of the outcomes major bleeding or non-major clinically relevant bleeding (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78-1.13; p 0.50) and any bleeding (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.78-1.06; p 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to VKA, DOACs were associated with a significant reduction of the rates of thromboembolic events and major bleeding complications in patients with AF and cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies and Sudden Cardiac Death.

Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are a heterogeneous group of rare congenital diseases whose features and pathophysiological mechanisms are extremely variable, ranging from silent anomalies to sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the most severe cases. Although rare, congenital CAAs confer a high risk of myocardial ischemia and SCD, especially in young, previously "healthy" athletes during or immediately after vigorous exertion. Although some high-risk features that may lead to SCD have been identified, specific pathophysiological mechanisms related to SCD still remain poorly understood. When a CAA is incidentally diagnosed, optimal SCD risk stratification remains challenging, particularly in cases of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery arising from the opposite aortic sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS). In recent times, invasive imaging with intravascular ultrasound has gained a role in further identifying high-risk anatomic features; it has been integrated with traditional, non-invasive anatomic imaging evaluations, typically high-quality echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance. Multidisciplinary programs and specific SCD risk scores should be developed in an endeavor to choose the right therapeutic approach, either clinical or interventional/surgical. Intravascular ultrasound is an extremely useful tool to evaluate vessel stenosis, even if prospective studies are still required to further validate this diagnostic strategy. In the present review, we aimed to analyze the pathophysiology and the clinical impact of ACAOS. We also summarized the predominant mechanisms for interference with normal coronary artery function, which might contribute to the onset of life-threatening arrhythmias and SCD.

Cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with COVID-19.

In December 2019, the world started to face a new pandemic situation, the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although coronavirus disease (COVID-19) clinical manifestations are mainly respiratory, major cardiac complications are being reported. Cardiac manifestations etiology seems to be multifactorial, comprising direct viral myocardial damage, hypoxia, hypotension, enhanced inflammatory status, ACE2-receptors downregulation, drug toxicity, endogenous catecholamine adrenergic status, among others. Studies evaluating patients with COVID-19 presenting cardiac injury markers show that it is associated with poorer outcomes, and arrhythmic events are not uncommon. Besides, drugs currently used to treat the COVID-19 are known to prolong the QT interval and can have a proarrhythmic propensity. This review focus on COVID-19 cardiac and arrhythmic manifestations and, in parallel, makes an appraisal of other virus epidemics as SARS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and H1N1 influenza.

Enhanced platelet inhibition treatment improves hypoxemia in patients with severe Covid-19 and hypercoagulability. A case control, proof of concept study.

Patients affected by severe coronavirus induced disease-2019 (Covid-19) often experience hypoxemia due to alveolar involvement and endothelial dysfunction, which leads to the formation of micro thrombi in the pulmonary capillary vessels. Both hypoxemia and a prothrombotic diathesis have been associated with more severe disease and increased risk of death. To date, specific indications to treat this condition are lacking. This was a single center, investigator initiated, compassionate use, proof of concept, case control, phase IIb study (NCT04368377) conducted in the Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit of L. Sacco University Hospital in Milano, Italy. Our objective was to explore the effects of the administration of anti-platelet therapy on arterial oxygenation and clinical outcomes in patients with severe Covid-19 with hypercoagulability. We enrolled five consecutive patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe respiratory failure requiring helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and a pro-thrombotic state identified as a D-dimer > 3 times the upper limit of normal. Five patients matched for age, D-dimer value and SOFA score formed the control group. Beyond standard of care, treated patients received 25 µg/Kg/body weight tirofiban as bolus infusion, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.15 µg/Kg/body weight per minute for 48 hours. Before tirofiban, patients received acetylsalicylic acid 250 mg infusion and oral clopidogrel 300 mg; both were continued at a dose of 75 mg daily for 30 days. Fondaparinux2.5 mg/day sub-cutaneous was given for the duration of the hospital stay. All controls were receiving prophylactic or therapeutic dose heparin, according to local standard operating procedures. Treated patients consistently experienced a mean (SD) reduction in A-a O2 gradient of -32.6 mmHg (61.9, P = 0.154), -52.4 mmHg (59.4, P = 0.016) and -151.1 mmHg (56.6, P = 0.011; P = 0.047 vs. controls) at 24, 48 hours and 7 days after treatment. PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased by 52 mmHg (50, P = 0.172), 64 mmHg (47, P = 0.040) and 112 mmHg (51, P = 0.036) after 24, 48 hours and 7 days, respectively. All patients but one were successfully weaned from CPAP after 3 days. This was not true for the control group. No major adverse events were observed. Antiplatelet therapy might be effective in improving the ventilation/perfusion ratio in Covid-19 patients with severe respiratory failure. The effects might be sustained by the prevention and interference on forming clots in lung capillary vessels and by modulating megakaryocytes' function and platelet adhesion. Randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to confirm these results.

Arrhythmic safety of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients from different clinical settings.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to describe ECG modifications and arrhythmic events in COVID-19 patients undergoing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy in different clinical settings. METHODS AND RESULTS: COVID-19 patients at seven institutions receiving HCQ therapy from whom a baseline and at least one ECG at 48+ h were available were enrolled in the study. QT/QTc prolongation, QT-associated and QT-independent arrhythmic events, arrhythmic mortality, and overall mortality during HCQ therapy were assessed. A total of 649 COVID-19 patients (61.9 ± 18.7 years, 46.1% males) were enrolled. HCQ therapy was administrated as a home therapy regimen in 126 (19.4%) patients, and as an in-hospital-treatment to 495 (76.3%) hospitalized and 28 (4.3%) intensive care unit (ICU) patients. At 36-72 and at 96+ h after the first HCQ dose, 358 and 404 ECGs were obtained, respectively. A significant QT/QTc interval prolongation was observed (P < 0.001), but the magnitude of the increase was modest [+13 (9-16) ms]. Baseline QT/QTc length and presence of fever (P = 0.001) at admission represented the most important determinants of QT/QTc prolongation. No arrhythmic-related deaths were reported. The overall major ventricular arrhythmia rate was low (1.1%), with all events found not to be related to QT or HCQ therapy at a centralized event evaluation. No differences in QT/QTc prolongation and QT-related arrhythmias were observed across different clinical settings, with non-QT-related arrhythmias being more common in the intensive care setting. CONCLUSION: HCQ administration is safe for a short-term treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection regardless of the clinical setting of delivery, causing only modest QTc prolongation and no directly attributable arrhythmic deaths.

Safety and Efficacy of Uninterrupted Oral Anticoagulation in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation with Different Techniques.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of an uninterrupted direct anticoagulation (DOAC) strategy during catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been fully investigated with different ablation techniques. METHODS: We evaluated consecutive AF patients undergoing catheter ablation with three different techniques. All patients were managed with an uninterrupted DOAC strategy. The primary endpoint was the rate of periprocedural thromboembolic and bleeding events. The secondary endpoints of the study were the rate of MACE and bleeding events at one-year follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 162 patients were enrolled. Overall, 53 were female and the median age was 60 [55.5-69.5] years. The median CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 2 [1-4] and 2 [1-2], respectively. In total, 16 patients had a past stroke or TIA while 11 had a predisposition or a history of bleeding. The CA procedure was performed with different techniques: RF 43%, cryoballoon 37%, or laser-balloon 20%. Overall, 35.8% were on rivaroxaban, 20.4% were on edoxaban, 6.8% were on apixaban, and 3.7% were on dabigatran. All other patients were all naïve to DOACs; the first anticoagulant dose was given before the ablation procedure. As for periprocedural complications, we found three groin hematomas not requiring interventions, one ischemic stroke, and one systemic air embolism (the last two likely due to several catheter changes through the transeptal sheath). Five patients reached the secondary endpoints: one patient for a myocardial infarction while four patients experienced minor bleeding during 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our results corroborate the safety and the efficacy of uninterrupted DOAC strategy in patients undergoing CA for AF, regardless of the ablation technique.

Clinical, procedural and lead outcomes associated with different pacing techniques: a network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: His- Purkinje system pacing (HPSP) techniques have been proposed as alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) and right ventricular pacing (RVP). OBJECTIVE: To compare data regarding clinical, procedural and lead outcomes associated with different pacing techniques. METHODS: An accurate search of online scientific libraries (from inception to May, 12,022) was performed. Thirty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis involving 4386 patients, of whom 1324 receiving RVP, 1032 patients receiving BVP, 1069 patients receiving his-bundle pacing (HBP) and 968 patients receiving left bundle branch pacing (LBBP). RESULTS: LBBP provided a statistically significant increase in LVEF relative to HBP (0.4473 [0.0584; 0.8361] p = 0.0242) and BVP (0.6733 [0.4734; 0.8732] p < 0.0001) in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy indication. LBBP and HBP significantly decreased QRS duration as compared to BVP, with largest QRS narrowing obtained by LBBP (-0.4951 [-0.9077; -0.0824] p = 0.0187). As compared to LBBP, HBP was associated with a significant increase of pacing threshold (p = 0.0369) and significant reduction of R-wave amplitude over time (p = 0.027). LBBP was associated with significant reduction in RR of hospitalization for HF (HFH) as compared to both BVP (p = 0.0343) and HBP (p = 0.0476), whereas, as compared to RVP, the risk of lead issues was significantly higher with BVP (p = 0.0424) and HBP (p = 0.0298), but not for LBBP (p = 0.425). CONCLUSIONS: As compared to other pacing techniques, LBBP significantly improved LVEF, narrowed QRS duration and reduced HFHs, with steadily lower capture thresholds and higher R-wave amplitude, and without increasing lead issues.

Treatment with gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges in reducing infection of implantable cardiac devices: 10-year analysis with propensity score matching.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of device infection has increased over time and is associated with increased mortality in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges (GICSs) are useful in preventing surgical site infection (SSI) in cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, to date, there is no evidence concerning their use in CIED procedures. Our study aims to determine the effectiveness of treatment with GICSs in preventing CIED infection. METHODS: A total of 2986 adult patients who received CIEDs between 2010 and 2020 were included. Before device implantation, all patients received routine periprocedural systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. The study endpoints were the CIED infection rate at one year and the effectiveness of the use of GICSs in reducing CIED infection. RESULTS: Among 1524 pacemaker, 942 ICD and 520 CRT implantations, CIED infection occurred in 36 patients (1.2%). Early reintervention (OR 9 [95% CI 3.180-25.837], p<0.001), pocket hematoma (OR 11 [95% CI 4.195-28.961], p<0.001), diabetes (OR 2.9 [95% CI 1.465-5.799], p=0.002) and prolonged procedural time (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.008-1.034], p=0.001) were independent risk factors for CIED infection. Treatment with GICSs reduced CIED infections significantly ([95% CI -0.031 to -0.001], p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of GICSs may help in reducing infections associated with CIED implantation.

[2020 Catheter Ablation Registry of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing]. / Registro Italiano Ablazioni 2020. Associazione Italiana di Aritmologia e Cardiostimolazione.

BACKGROUND: This report describes the findings of the 2020 Italian Catheter Ablation Registry of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC). METHODS: Data collection was retrospective. A standardized questionnaire was completed by each of the participating centers. RESULTS: A total of 10 378 ablation procedures were performed by 66 institutions. Most centers (70%) have an electrophysiology laboratory, and 23% a hybrid cardiac surgery laboratory. All centers have a 3D mapping system. The median number of electrophysiologists and nurses involved in the electrophysiology laboratory was 3.5 and 3, respectively. An electrophysiology technician was involved in 35% of all centers. In 88.2% of cases, catheter ablation was performed for supraventricular arrhythmias; the most frequently treated arrhythmia was atrial fibrillation (39.4%), followed by atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (18.6%), and common atrial flutter (10.6%). In 72.9% of patients, catheter ablation was performed using a 3D mapping system, with a "near-zero" fluoroscopic approach in 37.7% of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The 2020 Italian Catheter Ablation Registry confirmed that the electrophysiology activity was markedly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; atrial fibrillation is the most frequently treated arrhythmia with an increasing number of procedures performed with a 3D mapping system and a "near-zero" approach.