[New ESC guidelines 2019 for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia]. / Neue ESC-Leitlinien 2019 zur Behandlung von supraventrikulären Tachykardien.

The new guidelines for the management of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) were published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in September 2019. The key message of the guidelines is that catheter ablation should be offered as a first line treatment to most patients during a comprehensive discussion of the risks and advantages. This recommendation recognizes that catheter ablation has nowadays become a widely established, effective and safe treatment method with a very low complication rate, which has revolutionized the treatment of SVT due to the substantial technical developments in recent years. The new guidelines also include a refinement of the recommendations for the use of antiarrhythmic drug treatment. Most of the previously used medications have been downgraded based on the currently available evidence situation. The recommendations suggest that with the exception of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, most drugs used to treat SVT are proarrhythmogenic. The occurrence of SVT is associated with a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and the new guidelines provide new and specific recommendations for this patient group. It must be emphasized that all antiarrhythmic drugs should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is important to realize that if drug treatment is ineffective, contraindicated or undesired, pregnant women with persistent or recurrent arrhythmia can now be treated with catheter ablation using new techniques that avoid exposing the patient and the fetus to hazardous levels of radiation.

[Radiofrequency current or cryoballoon for ablation of atrial fibrillation? : Hot or cold?] / Hochfrequenzstrom oder Cryoballon für die Ablation von Vorhofflimmern? : "Hot or cold?".

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia. The aim of therapy in symptomatic patients is the establishment of a stable sinus rhythm (SR). Catheter ablation with isolation of the pulmonary veins is the essential component of all forms of ablation therapy and provides the most effective treatment option. The most frequently used technologies for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are radiofrequency current (RFC)-based and cryoballoon (CB)-guided ablation. Irrespective of the simplification of PVI, CB ablation is characterized by a short learning curve and short procedural times and demonstrated non-inferiority with respect to safety and efficacy when directly compared to RFC ablation for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal AF; however, the clinical outcome in patients with persistent AF is often insufficient when performing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone for stabilization of SR. Differentiated RFC ablation is the treatment of choice when performing additional ablation strategies beyond PVI in order to improve clinical results with freedom from arrhythmia recurrence.

[Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation : Where do we go?] / Katheterablation von persistierendem Vorhofflimmern : "Where do we go?".

Despite the very promising initial results of clinical studies, catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge in modern electrophysiology. On the basis of the hypothesized pathophysiological mechanisms, a variety of ablation strategies have been developed over the course of time. The current ablation strategies range from pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone as first-line therapy, through ablation of multiple linear lesions, ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE), rotor ablation, isolation of fibrotic and scar tissue up to isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA); however, it is unclear even to the present day whether these complex and time-consuming strategies actually improve the success rate of ablation therapy. In recent years it has reproducibly been shown that with these ablation techniques more than one procedure is often necessary in order to achieve a stable sinus rhythm and even then only limited satisfactory success rates can be expected. The only currently established ablation endpoint is PVI. The stringent treatment of risk factors, such as arterial hypertension and obesity is becoming a focus of interest as an additive concept to ablation.

[New strategies and technologies for ablation of atrial fibrillation : Where do we go?] / Neue Strategien und Technologien für die Ablation von Vorhofflimmern : "Where do we go?".

Catheter-based ablation is an established treatment option for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulmonary vein isolation is the established cornerstone of all ablation strategies. However, the rate of electrical reconduction of previously isolated pulmonary veins is high and associated with recurrence of AF. Novel and innovative mapping and ablation systems are being developed or are under clinical evaluation aiming for higher durability of pulmonary vein isolation. Additional ablation strategies for patients with recurrence of AF despite persistent isolation of the pulmonary veins are under evaluation. These ablation strategies include ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms, linear lesions, rotors or drivers, fibrotic areas or ablation of extrapulmonary triggers. The true clinical benefit of these additional ablation strategies can only be assessed if the pulmonary veins are persistently isolated.

[Pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation : Findings from long-term follow-up]. / Pulmonalvenenisolation bei Vorhofflimmern : Erkenntnisse aus klinischen Langzeitdaten.

Atrial fibrillation is by far the most common cardiac arrhythmia in humans. The incidence of atrial fibrillation increases with age and will increase even more in the future due to the demographic changes in the population. Therefore, this arrhythmia will have a growing clinical and socioeconomic impact. Although there are established pharmaceutical treatment options, atrial fibrillation is one of the major causes of stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The latest guidelines recommend the invasive procedure of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as an effective treatment of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. This article summarizes the current long-term follow-up data after PVI.

[Interventional catheter treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation]. / Katheterinterventionelle Therapie der Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz.

BACKGROUND: The tricuspid valve can be considered the "forgotten" valve because in the past hardly any research has been conducted in this field and as a result only few therapeutic options existed. The prognosis of untreated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is poor and mortality is high for patients with severe TR. Patients frequently return to medical practices and hospitals because of cardiac decompensation, with shortness of breath and leg edema. OBJECTIVE: Recent years have seen more development in catheter-based treatment options. Currently, several devices are in clinical evaluation, which are presented in this article. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A web-based literature search was carried out and information was gathered at international cardiology meetings (TCT 2016 in Washington, DGK 2017 in Mannheim, EuroPCR 2017 in Paris). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are various options for interventional catheter procedures for TR, which are being investigated within the scope of clinical studies. Most aim at reducing the tricuspid annular diameter and optimizing leaflet coaptation. Because of these new therapy options patients can now be treated who were considered untreatable in the past because of the high perioperative mortality.

[Choosing wisely recommendations in cardiology]. / Klug-entscheiden-Empfehlungen in der Kardiologie.

This article describes controversially discussed Choosing wisely recommendations presented by the German Cardiac Society: anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and "only" moderate stroke risk, on the one hand, and goal-directed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering, on the other. Presuming an adequate regime, patients with atrial fibrillation and only moderate risk of stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc Score of 1 in men and of 2 in women) also benefit from anticoagulation therapy, even in elderly patients. In patients with coronary heart disease, the German Cardiac Society recommends reducing LDL-cholesterol serum levels with a statin to values lower than 70 mg/dl (1.8 mmol/l) or at least reducing the basal level by 50%. With this recommendation, the German Cardiac Society unequivocally prioritizes the "goal-oriented statin therapy" above the "statin strategy of fixed dose". The reasons for this preference are discussed.

What have we learned of ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is a widespread disease of growing clinical, economic and social importance. Interventional therapy for atrial fibrillation offers encouraging results, with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as the established cornerstone. Yet, the challenge to create durable transmural lesions remains, leading to recurrence of atrial fibrillation in long-term follow-up even after multiple ablation procedures in 20% of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and approximately 50% with persistent atrial fibrillation. To overcome these limitations, innovative tools such as the cryoballoon and contact force catheters have been introduced and have demonstrated their potential for safe and effective PVI. Furthermore, advanced pharmacological and pacing manoeuvres enhance evaluation of conduction block in PVI.

[Future interventional procedures for valve diseases]. / Zukünftige interventionelle Verfahren bei Herzklappenerkrankungen.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous valve therapies represent one of the most innovative areas within interventional cardiology in the past 10 years. AIM: The aim of this work is to give an overview of current and upcoming therapeutic options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this manuscript, the results of a retro- and prospective literature research are summarized. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: With the introduction of percutaneous therapies for valvular heart disease, patients who were previously considered too ill for surgery can now be treated. The percutaneous treatment of aortic or mitral valve disease has become standard therapy. Likewise, promising results have been obtained for percutaneous treatment options for pathologies of the tricuspid valve, which are still under intense investigation.

[ESC guidelines 2015 for ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death. What is new?]. / ESC-Leitlinien 2015 zu ventrikulären Arrhythmien und zur Prävention des plötzlichen Herztodes. Was ist neu?

The new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmia and the prevention of sudden cardiac death, recently published at the annual ESC meeting in London, contain an extensive update of the recommendations for the diagnostics, drug therapy, interventional and device therapy of ventricular arrhythmia. The new recommendations for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) treatment for primary and secondary prophylaxis of sudden cardiac death can be seen as a focused update of the previously published guidelines. Pre-existing recommendations for catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias have been partly extensively expanded with respect to the results of recent clinical trials. The guideline committee also adapted their recommendations regarding the hereditary arrhythmia syndromes to the 2013 consensus report of the American Heart Association (AHA), the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS).

[Sudden cardiac death in athletes and its prevention]. / Plötzlicher Herztod bei Sportlern und dessen Prävention.

Athletes and especially elite athletes are predominantly young people and are not associated with high health risks, apart from traumatic injuries. Nevertheless, there is a significantly high incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), which ranges from 0.6 to 3.0/100,000 athletes per year. Often the SCD is the first manifestation of an underlying cardiac disease. Distinct structural cardiac disorders, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies (17 %), inflammatory disorders (6 %) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy as well as conditions without structural cardiac abnormalities, such as primary electrical diseases (channelopathies) are important causes of sudden death. A simple screening can help to identify athletes with these diseases and allow specific therapies or precautionary measures to be initiated.

[Mitral valve interventions: Where do we stand?]. / Mitralklappeninterventionen : Wo stehen wir?

Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) with resulting heart failure is one of the most prevalent types of valvular heart disease. Currently, various approaches to catheter-based therapy of MR are already available for patients deemed to be at high-risk for surgery. Most experience has been gained with the MitraClip® system. Technological developments in the field of catheter-based treatment of MR is advancing at a rapid pace, with treatment modalities suited for patients with both primary and secondary MR. Annuloplasty is the surgical gold standard, particularly for patients with secondary MR. For catheter-based therapy of secondary MR a distinction is made between indirect and direct annuloplasty, with the latter most closely corresponding to surgical ring implantation. Catheter-based mitral valve replacement is technically feasible at present; however, experience is still limited and only few reports have been published. Technological development is markedly slower than in the field of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, predominantly owing to the far more complex structure of the mitral valve. Positive experience has already been gained with catheter-based implantation of prostheses designed for the aortic valve into degenerated mitral valve bioprostheses and failed surgical mitral annuloplasty rings (valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation). Further approaches to catheter-based treatment of MR in high-risk surgical patients are expected in the future.

[Innovative techniques in atrial fibrillation therapy]. / Innovative Verfahren der Vorhofflimmertherapie.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the established cornerstone in most catheter-based ablation treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, it is still a challenge to create contiguous, transmural and permanent ablation lesions using radiofrequency current in combination with three-dimensional mapping systems. To overcome these limitations, innovative spiral mapping and ablation catheters as well as balloon-based ablation catheters incorporating alternative energy sources, such as cryoenergy and laser were developed and evaluated and have proved their potential for safe and clinically effective PVI. In addition, novel ablation strategies, such as identification and ablation of AF-inducing foci and/or AF-perpetuating rotors using either endocardial or epicardial mapping systems were introduced and are currently under clinical evaluation. The identification and modulation of atrial ganglionic plexi (GP) and, therefore, of the autonomous nervous system is another additive ablation approach which requires further clinical evaluation.

[Interventional stroke prophylaxis : endocardial and epicardial left atrial appendage closure]. / Interventionelle Schlaganfallprophylaxe : Endokardialer und epikardialer Vorhofohrverschluss.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently one of the major causes of ischemic stroke with an estimated stroke risk of 5% per year. Oral anticoagulation is an effective treatment for the reduction of stroke risk in patients with AF but is also associated with an increased risk of bleeding. In patients with AF it has been shown that left atrial thrombi can be identified within the left atrial appendage (LAA) in more than 90% of cases. On the basis of these findings LAA closure devices have been developed as an alternative to oral anticoagulation. Besides endocardial LAA occluders, such as the WATCHMAN™ and AMPLATZER™ devices, an epicardial LAA occluder (LARIAT™) has recently been introduced. The following review introduces the various endocardial and epicardial LAA closure devices and assesses the indications, management, advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches according to the current literature.

[New ESC guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy : what has changed?]. / Neue europäische Leitlinien für die Herzschrittmacher- und die kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie : Was hat sich geändert?

The latest guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy were presented and published in June 2013. Compared to the last guidelines from 2007 several substantial changes have been made. The new guidelines are much more clinically oriented with a special focus on practicability. The intention is a better usefulness not only for electrophysiologists but also for cardiologists, internists and general practitioners.

[Syncope : epidemiology, definition, classification, pathophysiology and prognosis]. / Synkope : Epidemiologie, Definition, Klassifikation, Pathophysiologie und Prognose.

Syncope is a common clinical issue. Around 40 % of the total population experience syncope during their lifetime. Serious injuries and reduced quality of life are often observed after syncope. Furthermore, in some cases syncope can be associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Due to the complex etiology and pathophysiology, syncope provides challenges for doctors both in private and in clinical practices. This review is based on the latest European guidelines for syncope which were formulated by internists, neurologists, emergency physicians and cardiologists and gives an overview of the current epidemiology, definition, classification, pathophysiology and prognosis of syncope.

[Interventional left atrial appendage occlusion : alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation]. / Interventioneller Vorhofohrverschluss : Alternative zur Antikoagulation in der Schlaganfallprophylaxe bei Vorhofflimmern.

Stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation is one of the greatest challenges in modern cardiology. Interventional left atrial appendage occlusion is an alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. This procedure is currently used mainly for patients with elevated risk for bleeding complications (HAS-BLED score ≥3) or other contraindications for oral anticoagulation. The novel anticoagulants dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban carry a risk for major bleeding for 2-3% of patients per year. The indications for an interventional left atrial appendage closure are therefore not affected by these substances. Several devices have been developed for this purpose; however, currently only the WATCHMAN® and AMPLATZER® cardiac plug are used in the clinical routine in Germany. The WATCHMAN® device proved to be non-inferior to oral anticoagulation with warfarin in the PROTECT-AF trial in terms of safety and efficacy. These findings are supported by data from registries with up to 5 years follow-up. For the second device currently used in clinical practice, the AMPLATZER® cardiac plug, there is increasing data from registries suggesting comparable safety and efficacy. Both devices necessitate anticoagulation during the first 3-6 months after implantation until endothelialization is completed. Due to the anatomical complexity the implantation should be performed in experienced centers with reduction of the periprocedural risk to <1%. Thus, interventional left atrial appendage occlusion is a valid option to prevent stroke or other thromboembolic events in non-valvular atrial fibrillation especially for elderly patients or those with a history of bleeding complications.

[Imaging in mitral valve interventions]. / Bildgebung bei interventionellen Mitralklappeneingriffen.

Percutaneous cardiac valve interventions have significantly extended the therapeutic options for patients with diseased cardiac valves. Technical miniaturization and major advancements in cardiac imaging techniques are the cornerstones of this successful development. Regarding mitral valve interventions periprocedural echocardiography in particular is of uttermost importance. This review describes the state of the art echocardiographic imaging techniques focusing on the clinically established mitral valve interventions: MitraClip® implantation, percutaneous closure of periprosthetic leaks and mitral balloon valvuloplasty.

The German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY): a nationwide registry for patients undergoing invasive therapy for severe aortic valve stenosis.

Background The increasing prevalence of severe aortic valve defects correlates with the increase of life expectancy. For decades, surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), under the use of extracorporeal circulation, has been the gold standard for treatment of severe aortic valve diseases. In Germany ~12,000 patients receive isolated aortic valve surgery per year. For some time, percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty has been used as a palliative therapeutic option for very few patients. Currently, alternatives for the established surgical procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have become available, but there are only limited data from randomized studies or low-volume registries concerning long-time outcome. In Germany, the implementation of this new technology into hospital care increased rapidly in the past few years. Therefore, the German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY) was founded in July 2010 including all available therapeutic options and providing data from a large quantity of patients.Methods The GARY is assembled as a complete survey for all invasive therapies in patients with relevant aortic valve diseases. It evaluates the new therapeutic options and compares them to surgical AVR. The model for data acquisition is based on three data sources: source I, the mandatory German database for external performance measurement; source II, a specific registry dataset; and source III, a follow-up data sheet (generated by phone interview). Various procedures will be compared concerning observed complications, mortality, and quality of life up to 5 years after the initial procedure. Furthermore, the registry will enable a compilation of evidence-based indication criteria and, in addition, also a comparison of all approved operative procedures, such as Ross or David procedures, and the use of different mechanical or biological aortic valve prostheses.Results Since the launch of data acquisition in July 2010, almost all institutions performing aortic valve procedures in Germany joined the registry. By now, 91 sites which perform TAVI in Germany participate and more than 15,000 datasets are already in the registry.Conclusion The implementation of new or innovative medical therapies needs supervision under the conditions of a well-structured scientific project. Up to now relevant data for implementation of TAVI and long-term results are missing. In contrast to randomized controlled trials, GARY is a prospective, controlled, 5-year observational multicenter registry, and a real world investigation with only one exclusion criterion, the absence of patients' written consent.