Significant delayed conduction and characteristic ventricular tachycardias in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and electrical storm.

INTRODUCTION: Electrical storm (ES) of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) is an important cause of sudden death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). VTAs in CS are associated with myocardial scarring and inflammation. However, little is known about the risk factors of ES in patients with CS and VTAs. The objective of this study is to clarify the characteristics and risk factors for the development of ES in patients with CS. METHODS: The study population included consecutive 52 patients with CS and sustained VTA. Twenty-five out of 52 patients experienced ES. We evaluated clinical characteristics, imaging modalities, and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters to determine the risk factors associated with ES. RESULTS: Half of the patients experienced VTAs as the initial symptom of sarcoidosis, and eight patients had ES as the initial VTA episode. There were no differences in cardiac imaging abnormalities between patients with and without ES. Among ECG markers, significant QRS fragmentation (odds ratio [OR]: 7.9, p = .01) and epsilon waves (OR: 12.24, p = .02) were associated with ES. Among the ventricular tachycardia (VT) characteristics, multiple morphologies of monomorphic VTs (OR: 10.9, p < .01), short VT cycle lengths (OR: 12.5, p < .01), and polymorphic VT (OR: 13.5, p < .01) were associated with ES. Bidirectional VTs were detected in 10 patients with ES and one patient without ES. Immunosuppressive therapy relieved ES in some patients. CONCLUSIONS: ES was common in patients with CS and VTAs. Significant depolarization abnormalities that appeared as QRS fragmentation, epsilon waves, and specific VT characteristics were associated with ES.

Acute inhibition of AMPA receptors by perampanel reduces amyloid ß-protein levels by suppressing ß-cleavage of APP in Alzheimer's disease models.

Hippocampal hyperexcitability is a promising therapeutic target to prevent Aß deposition in AD since enhanced neuronal activity promotes presynaptic Aß production and release. This article highlights the potential application of perampanel (PER), an AMPA receptor (AMPAR) antagonist approved for partial seizures, as a therapeutic agent for AD. Using transgenic AD mice combined with in vivo brain microdialysis and primary neurons under oligomeric Aß-evoked neuronal hyperexcitability, the acute effects of PER on Aß metabolism were investigated. A single oral administration of PER rapidly decreased ISF Aß40 and Aß42 levels in the hippocampus of J20, APP transgenic mice, without affecting the Aß40 /Aß42 ratio; 5 mg/kg PER resulted in declines of 20% and 31%, respectively. Moreover, PER-treated J20 manifested a marked decrease in hippocampal APP ßCTF levels with increased FL-APP levels. Consistently, acute treatment of PER reduced sAPPß levels, a direct byproduct of ß-cleavage of APP, released to the medium in primary neuronal cultures under oligomeric Aß-induced neuronal hyperexcitability. To further evaluate the effect of PER on ISF Aß clearance, a γ-secretase inhibitor was administered to J20 1 h after PER treatment. PER did not influence the elimination of ISF Aß, indicating that the acute effect of PER is predominantly on Aß production. In conclusion, acute treatment of PER reduces Aß production by suppressing ß-cleavage of amyloid-ß precursor protein effectively, indicating a potential effect of PER against Aß pathology in AD.

Detection of Microorganisms Using Artificial Siderophore-FeIII Complex-Modified Substrates.

Four FeIII complexes of typical artificial siderophore ligands containing catecholate and/or hydroxamate groups of tricatecholate, biscatecholate-monohydroxamate, monocatecholate-bishydroxamate, and trihydroxamate type artificial siderophores (K3[FeIIILC3], K2[FeIIILC2H1], K[FeIIILC1H2], and [FeIIILH3]) were modified on Au substrate surfaces. Their abilities to adsorb microorganisms were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, and AC impedance methods. The artificial siderophore-iron complexes modified on Au substrates (FeLC3/Au, FeLC2H1/Au, FeLC1H2/Au, and FeLH3/Au) showed the selective immobilization behavior for various microorganisms, depending on the structural features of the artificial siderophores (the number of catecholate and hydroxamate arms). Their specificities corresponded well with the structural characteristics of natural siderophores released by microorganisms and used for FeIII ion uptake. These findings suggest that they were generated via specific interactions between the artificial siderophore-FeIII complexes and the receptors on microorganism surfaces. Our observations revealed that the FeL/Au systems may be potentially used as effective microbe-capturing probes that can enable rapid and simple detection and identification of various microorganisms.

Efficacy and Safety of Early Intravenous Landiolol on Myocardial Salvage in Patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction before Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Study.

Early treatment with an oral ß-blocker is recommended in patients with a ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this multicenter study, we evaluated the effects of a continuous administration of landiolol, an ultrashort-acting ß-blocker, before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on myocardial salvage and its safety in STEMI patients. A total of 47 Japanese patients with anterior or lateral STEMI undergoing a primary PCI within 12 h of symptom onset were randomized to receive intravenous landiolol (started at 3 µg/min/kg dose and continued to a total of 50 mg; n=23) or not (control; n=24). Patients with Killip class III or more were excluded. The primary outcome was the myocardial salvage index on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 5-7 days after the PCI. Cardiac MRI was performed in 35 patients (74%). The myocardial salvage index in the landiolol group was significantly greater than that in the control group (44.4±14.6% vs. 31.7±18.9%, respectively; p=0.04). There were no significant differences in adverse events at 24 h between the landiolol and control groups. A continuous administration of landiolol before a primary PCI may increase the degree of myocardial salvage without additional hemodynamic adverse effects within the first 24 h after STEMI.

Indication and prognostic significance of programmed ventricular stimulation in asymptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome.

AIMS: To establish the indication for programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) for asymptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS), we evaluated the prognostic significance of PVS based on abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five asymptomatic patients with BrS were included. We performed PVS at two sites of the right ventricle with up to three extrastimuli [two pacing cycle lengths and minimum coupling interval (MCI) of 180 ms]. We followed the patients for 133 months and evaluated ventricular fibrillation (VF) events. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) and Tpeak-Tend (Tpe) interval were evaluated as ECG markers for identifying high-risk patients. Fragmented QRS and long Tpe interval (≥100 ms) were observed in 66 and 37 patients, respectively. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by PVS in 60 patients. During follow-up, 10 patients experienced VF events. Fragmented QRS, long Tpe interval, and PVS-induced VF with an MCI of 180 ms or up to two extrastimuli were associated with future VF events (fQRS: P = 0.015, Tpe ≥ 100 ms: P = 0.038, VF induction: P < 0.001). However, PVS-induced VF with an MCI of 200 ms was less specific (P = 0.049). The frequencies of ventricular tachyarrhythmia events during follow-up were 0%/year with no ECG markers and 0.1%/year with no VF induction. The existence of two ECG factors with induced VF was strongly associated with future VF events (event rate: 4.4%/year, P < 0.001), and the existence of one ECG factor with induced VF was also associated (event rate: 1.3%/year, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: We propose PVS with a strict protocol for asymptomatic patients with fQRS and/or long Tpe interval to identify high-risk patients.

Identification of electrocardiographic risk markers for the initial and recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation in patients with Brugada syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: New onset of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in asymptomatic patients with Brugada-type ECG is not frequent, but it cannot be negligible. Risk markers for predicting VF are usually based on results of analysis in symptomatic patients, and they have not been determined for asymptomatic patients. We analyzed ECG markers in patients with Brugada syndrome to differentiate the risk factors for VF in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. METHODS: The subjects were 471 patients with Brugada syndrome and we divided the subjects into two groups: Asymptomatic group (n = 326) and Symptomatic group (syncope: n = 122, VF: n = 23). We analyzed the following ECG markers: RR, PQ, QRS, QT and Tpeak-Tend (Tpe) intervals, ST level, atrial fibrillation (AF), atrioventricular block, spontaneous type 1 ECG, early repolarization (ER) and fragmented QRS (fQRS). RESULTS: During follow-up (91 ± 64 months), 41 patients experienced VF (Asymptomatic: n = 10, Symptomatic: n = 31). Univariable analysis showed that spontaneous type 1 ECG, Tpe interval (≥95 milliseconds), high ST level (≥0.52 mV) and fQRS were common predictors for VF in both the Asymptomatic and Symptomatic groups. In addition to the common risk factors, wide QRS (≥107 milliseconds), long QT interval (≥420 milliseconds), ER and AF were predictors for VF in Symptomatic group. Multivariable analysis of the Symptomatic group showed fQRS, Tpe and ER were independent predictors of prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: fQRS and Tpe interval are common risk factors for VF in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, whereas ER is a predictor for recurrent VF.

Analysis of arrhythmic events is useful to detect lead failure earlier in patients followed by remote monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring (RM) has been advocated as the new standard of care for patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). RM has allowed the early detection of adverse clinical events, such as arrhythmia, lead failure, and battery depletion. However, lead failure was often identified only by arrhythmic events, but not impedance abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: To compare the usefulness of arrhythmic events with conventional impedance abnormalities for identifying lead failure in CIED patients followed by RM. METHODS: CIED patients in 12 hospitals have been followed by the RM center in Okayama University Hospital. All transmitted data have been analyzed and summarized. RESULTS: From April 2009 to March 2016, 1,873 patients have been followed by the RM center. During the mean follow-up period of 775 days, 42 lead failure events (atrial lead 22, right ventricular pacemaker lead 5, implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD] lead 15) were detected. The proportion of lead failures detected only by arrhythmic events, which were not detected by conventional impedance abnormalities, was significantly higher than that detected by impedance abnormalities (arrhythmic event 76.2%, 95% CI: 60.5-87.9%; impedance abnormalities 23.8%, 95% CI: 12.1-39.5%). Twenty-seven events (64.7%) were detected without any alert. Of 15 patients with ICD lead failure, none has experienced inappropriate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: RM can detect lead failure earlier, before clinical adverse events. However, CIEDs often diagnose lead failure as just arrhythmic events without any warning. Thus, to detect lead failure earlier, careful human analysis of arrhythmic events is useful.

Risk stratification for the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with early repolarization syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Several signs of malignant early repolarizations have been proposed in patients with early repolarization syndrome (ERS). However, reports have challenged the efficacy of these signs in predicting future ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with ERS. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the predictive value of various electrocardiogram (ECG) markers for future VF events in patients with ERS. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of 44 patients with ERS to identify risk factors for VF during follow-up. RESULTS: After the initial event, 16 patients experienced VF (VF group), whereas 28 did not (non-VF group). The VF group had a longer QRS interval, more fragmented QRS (fQRS), and a higher T/R voltage ratio than the non-VF group. Wide J waves were more prevalent in the VF group; however, other J-wave markers did not differ between the groups. Positive late potentials recorded on signal-averaged ECGs were more frequent in the VF group. Whereas none of the patients showed spontaneous Brugada syndrome on ECG, the VF group frequently exhibited pilsicainide-induced ST-segment elevation. These ECG markers were significantly associated with the occurrence of VF during follow-up. Patients with multiple ECG factors, including QRS abnormalities (wide QRS or fQRS), wide J waves, and a high T/R ratio, had a worse prognosis than patients without multiple factors, effectively stratifying patient risk. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of VF in patients with ERS may be associated with conduction abnormalities such as QRS widening, fQRS, high T/R ratio, positive late potentials, and pilsicainide test results. Therefore, ECG factors could be useful in identifying high-risk patients.

Clinical characteristics of electrical storm in patients with early repolarization syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Early repolarization syndrome (ERS) is an idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF) associated with inferolateral J waves. While electrical storm (ES) in ERS is not rare, their characteristics and risk factors are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the significance of ES in ERS. METHODS: We evaluated 44 patients with ERS who experienced VF/sudden cardiac death or arrhythmic syncope. We assessed clinical characteristics to identify the risk factors for ES. RESULTS: In total, 13 patients (30%) experienced ES (ES group). Of these, 11 patients (85%) experienced ES during the acute phase of initial VF episodes and 2 patients (2%) experienced ES during follow-up. VF associated with ES occurred during therapeutic hypothermia in 6 of 13 patients (46%). The J-wave voltage during therapeutic hypothermia was higher in the ES group than that in the patients without ES. Isoproterenol was used in 5 patients (38%), which decreased J-wave voltage and relieved ES. Among the clinical markers, shorter QT and QTp intervals (the interval from QRS onset to the peak of T wave), pilsicainide-induced ST elevation, and high scores on the Shanghai Score System were associated with ES. Although pilsicainide induced ST elevation in 6 of 34 patients (18%), spontaneous Brugada electrocardiographic patterns did not appear to be associated with VF. Therapeutic hypothermia was also a risk factor for acute phase ES. CONCLUSION: Patients with ERS in the ES group frequently had short QT and QTp intervals, pilsicainide-induced ST elevations, and high Shanghai Score System scores. Therapeutic hypothermia was also associated with acute phase ES.

Clinical significance of gastrointestinal bleeding history in patients who undergo left atrial appendage closure.

Background and Aim: Anticoagulant users with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) sometimes suffer from gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and have difficulty continuing the medication. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been developed for such situations. We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of a history of GIB in comparison to other factors in patients who had undergone LAAC. Methods: From October 2019 to September 2023, patients with NVAF who underwent LAAC at our hospital were enrolled. We investigated the percentage of patients with a history of GIB who underwent LAAC and compared the incidence of post-LAAC bleeding in these patients compared to those with other factors. Results: A total of 45 patients were included. There were 19 patients (42%) with a history of GIB who underwent LAAC. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative incidence of bleeding complications after LAAC was significantly higher in patients with a history of GIB in comparison to patients with other factors. There were eight cases of post-LAAC bleeding in total, and seven cases had GIB. Conclusions: We need to recognize that GIB is a significant complication in patients who undergo LAAC. The management of GIB by gastroenterologists is essential to the success of LAAC.

Artificial intelligence to detect noise events in remote monitoring data.

Background: Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs) can detect various events early. However, the diagnostic ability of CIEDs has not been sufficient, especially for lead failure. The first notification of lead failure was almost noise events, which were detected as arrhythmia by the CIED. A human must analyze the intracardiac electrogram to accurately detect lead failure. However, the number of arrhythmic events is too large for human analysis. Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be helpful in the early and accurate detection of lead failure before human analysis. Objective: To test whether a neural network can be trained to precisely identify noise events in the intracardiac electrogram of RM data. Methods: We analyzed 21 918 RM data consisting of 12 925 and 1884 Medtronic and Boston Scientific data, respectively. Among these, 153 and 52 Medtronic and Boston Scientific data, respectively, were diagnosed as noise events by human analysis. In Medtronic, 306 events, including 153 noise events and randomly selected 153 out of 12 692 nonnoise events, were analyzed in a five-fold cross-validation with a convolutional neural network. The Boston Scientific data were analyzed similarly. Results: The precision rate, recall rate, F1 score, accuracy rate, and the area under the curve were 85.8 ± 4.0%, 91.6 ± 6.7%, 88.4 ± 2.0%, 88.0 ± 2.0%, and 0.958 ± 0.021 in Medtronic and 88.4 ± 12.8%, 81.0 ± 9.3%, 84.1 ± 8.3%, 84.2 ± 8.3% and 0.928 ± 0.041 in Boston Scientific. Five-fold cross-validation with a weighted loss function could increase the recall rate. Conclusions: AI can accurately detect noise events. AI analysis may be helpful for detecting lead failure events early and accurately.

Significance of left posterior extension of early repolarization in patients with J-wave syndrome.

BACKGROUND: J waves in the inferior or lateral leads are characteristic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in patients with early repolarization syndrome (ERS). However, the presence of J waves in the left posterior region has not yet been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the significance of J waves in the posterior left ventricle using leads V7-V9 and a body surface mapping (BSM) system. METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed with ERS were included. All patients exhibited J waves in either the contiguous inferior, lateral, or posterior leads. We evaluated the incidence of J waves in the inferolateral and posterior leads using a 15-lead ECG with synthesized V7-V9 and an 87-lead BSM. Additionally, we assessed the arrhythmogenicity of the posterior regions based on the morphology of the premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) associated with ventricular fibrillation (VF). RESULTS: J waves were observed in the lateral, inferior, and posterior leads of 26 (65%), 31 (78%), and 39 (97%) patients, respectively. J waves were found only in the posterior leads of 5 patients. BSM was evaluated in 9 patients, all of whom exhibited a positive area on the posterior region. PVCs associated with VF were recorded in 5 patients. Among patients with inferolateral and posterior J waves, all except 1 patient who displayed left bundle branch block morphology showed PVCs originating from the posterior left ventricular region. CONCLUSION: Posterior J waves are common in ERS patients. This abnormality can be detected using leads V7-V9 and the BSM system and may be associated with arrhythmogenesis.

Prevalence and Treatment of Arrhythmias in Patients With Transthyretin and Light-Chain Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Background: Various types of arrhythmia are observed in patients with cardiac amyloidosis, but the prevalence of arrhythmia has not been fully investigated. This study investigated the prevalence and treatment of arrhythmias in patients with cardiac amyloidosis before the introduction of new agents for amyloidosis, such as tafamidis. Methods and Results: Of 53 patients who were histologically diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis at 10 centers in western Japan between 2009 and 2021, 43 who were diagnosed on the basis of immunohistochemical staining were evaluated in this study. Of these 43 patients, 13 had immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and 30 had transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis; further, 27 had atrial tachyarrhythmia, 13 had ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and 17 had bradyarrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common arrhythmia in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (n=24; 55.8%), especially among those with ATTR amyloidosis (70.0% of ATTR vs. 23.1% of AL). Eleven (25.6%) patients were treated with a cardiac implantable device. All 3 patients with pacemakers were alive at the last follow-up (median 76.7 months; interquartile range [IQR] 4.8-146.4 months). Of the 8 patients who underwent AF ablation, there was no recurrence in 6 (75%) after a median of 39.3 months (IQR 19.8-59.3 months). Conclusions: The prevalence of various arrhythmias was high in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. AF occurred most frequently in patients with cardiac amyloidosis, especially among patients with ATTR.

Diagnostic Performance of Cardiac Computed Tomography for Detecting Patent Foramen Ovale: Evaluation Using Transesophageal Echocardiography and Catheterization as Reference Standards.

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with various diseases such as cryptogenic stroke, migraine, and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of cardiac computed tomography (CT) for PFO detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and who underwent catheter ablation with pre-procedural cardiac CT and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were enrolled in this study. The presence of PFO was defined as (1) the confirmation of PFO using TEE and/or (2) the catheter crossing the interatrial septum (IAS) into the left atrium during ablation. CT findings indicative of PFO included (1) the presence of a channel-like appearance (CLA) on the IAS and (2) a CLA with a contrast jet flow from the left atrium to the right atrium. The diagnostic performance of both a CLA alone and a CLA with a jet flow was evaluated for PFO detection. RESULTS: Altogether, 151 patients were analyzed in the study (mean age, 68 years; men, 62%). Twenty-nine patients (19%) had PFO confirmed by TEE and/or catheterization. The diagnostic performance of a CLA alone was as follows: sensitivity, 72.4%; specificity, 79.5%; positive predictive value (PPV), 45.7%; negative predictive value (NPV), 92.4%. The diagnostic performance of a CLA with a jet flow was as follows: sensitivity, 65.5%; specificity, 98.4%; PPV, 90.5%; NPV, 92.3%. The diagnostic performance of a CLA with a jet flow was statistically superior to that of a CLA alone (p = 0.045), and the C-statistics were 0.76 and 0.82, respectively. CONCLUSION: A CLA with a contrast jet flow in cardiac CT has a high PPV for PFO detection, and its diagnostic performance is superior to that of a CLA alone.

Syncope and loss of consciousness after implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with Brugada syndrome: Prevalence and characteristics in long-term follow-up.

Background: Syncope is a significant prognostic factor in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS). However, the risk of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with nonarrhythmic loss of consciousness (LOC) is similar to that in asymptomatic patients. LOC events after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation may provide insights into underlying causes of the initial LOC episode. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine LOC characteristics following ICD implantation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 112 patients with BrS (mean age 47 years; 111 men) who were treated with an ICD. The patients were classified into 3 groups based on symptoms at implantation: asymptomatic (35 patients); LOC (46 patients); and ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) (31 patients). We evaluated the incidence and cause of LOC during long-term follow-up after ICD implantation. Results: During mean follow-up of 12.2 years, 41 patients (37%) experienced LOC after ICD implantation. Arrhythmic LOC occurred in 5 asymptomatic patients, 14 LOC patients, and 16 patients with VTA. Nonarrhythmic LOC, similar to the initial episode, occurred after ICD implantation in 6 patients with prior LOC (2 with neurally mediated syncope and 4 with epilepsy). Most epileptic patients experienced LOC during rest or sleeping, and did not show an abnormal encephalogram during initial evaluation of the LOC episodes. Conclusion: After ICD implantation, 13% of patients had nonarrhythmic LOC similar to the initial episode. Accurate classification of LOC based on a detailed medical history is important for risk stratification, although distinguishing arrhythmic LOC from epilepsy-related LOC episodes can be challenging depending on the circumstances and characteristics of the LOC event.

Significant Delayed Activation on the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Represents Complete Right Bundle-Branch Block Pattern in Brugada Syndrome.

Background The appearance of complete right bundle-branch block (CRBBB) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) is associated with an increased risk of ventricular fibrillation. The pathophysiological mechanism of CRBBB in patients with BrS has not been well established. We aimed to clarify the significance of a conduction delay zone associated with arrhythmias on CRBBB using body surface mapping in patients with BrS. Methods and Results Body surface mapping was recorded in 11 patients with BrS and 8 control patients both with CRBBB. CRBBB in control patients was transiently exhibited by unintentional catheter manipulation (proximal RBBB). Ventricular activation time maps were constructed for both of the groups. We divided the anterior chest into 4 areas (inferolateral right ventricle [RV], RV outflow tract [RVOT], intraventricular septum, and left ventricle) and compared activation patterns between the 2 groups. Excitation propagated to the RV from the left ventricle through the intraventricular septum with activation delay in the entire RV in the control group (proximal RBBB pattern). In 7 patients with BrS, excitation propagated from the inferolateral RV to the RVOT with significant regional activation delay. The remaining 4 patients with BrS showed a proximal RBBB pattern with the RVOT activation delay. The ventricular activation time in the inferolateral RV was significantly shorter in patients with BrS without a proximal RBBB pattern than in control patients. Conclusions The CRBBB morphology in patients with BrS consisted of 2 mechanisms: (1) significantly delayed conduction in the RVOT and (2) proximal RBBB with RVOT conduction delay. Significant RVOT conduction delay without proximal RBBB resulted in CRBBB morphology in patients with BrS.

Left atrial appendage morphology with the progression of atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) size is crucial for determining the indication of transcatheter LAA closure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in LAA morphology according to the types of atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 299 patients (mean age: 67 ± 13 years) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were included. Patients were classified into non-AF (n = 64), paroxysmal AF (n = 86), persistent AF (n = 87), or long-standing persistent AF (n = 62). LAA morphology, including LAA ostial diameter and depth, was assessed using TEE. Patients with long-standing persistent AF had larger LAA ostial diameter and depth and lower LAA flow velocity. The maximum LAA ostial diameter was 19 ± 4 mm in patients with non-AF, 21 ± 4 mm in patients with paroxysmal AF, 23 ± 5 mm in patients with persistent AF, and 26 ± 5 mm in patients with long-standing persistent AF. LAA ostial diameter was increased by 2 or 3 mm with the progression of AF. LAA ostial diameter was correlated with LA volume index (R = 0.37, P < 0.01) and the duration of continuous AF (R = 0.30, P < 0.01), but not with age or the period from the onset of AF. In conclusion, LAA size was increased with the progression of AF.

Usefulness of right ventriculography compared with computed tomography for ruling out the possibility of lead perforation before lead extraction.

PURPOSE: High-risk patients can be identified by preprocedural computed tomography (CT) before lead extraction. However, CT evaluation may be difficult especially for lead tip identification due to artifacts in the leads. Selective right ventriculography (RVG) may enable preprocedural evaluation of lead perforation. We investigated the efficacy of RVG for identifying right ventricular (RV) lead perforation compared with CT in patients who underwent lead extraction. METHODS: Ninety-five consecutive patients who were examined by thin-section non-ECG-gated multidetector CT and RVG before lead extraction were investigated retrospectively. Newly recognized pericardial effusion after lead extraction was used as a reference standard for lead perforation. We analyzed the prevalence of RV lead perforation diagnosed by each method. The difference in the detection rates of lead perforation by RVG and CT was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 115 RV leads in the 95 patients, lead perforation was diagnosed for 35 leads using CT, but the leads for 29 (83%) of those 35 leads diagnosed as lead perforation by CT were shown to be within the right ventricle by RVG. Three patients with 5 leads could not be evaluated by CT due to motion artifacts. The diagnostic accuracies of RVG and CT were significantly different (p < 0.001). There was no complication of pericardial effusion caused by RV lead extraction. CONCLUSION: RVG for identification of RV lead perforation leads to fewer false-positives compared to non-ECG-gated CT. However, even in cases in which lead perforation is diagnosed, most leads may be safely extracted by transvenous lead extraction.

Prognosis of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction after transvenous lead extraction and the need for additional hemodynamic support in the perioperative period.

BACKGROUND: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is necessary because of system infection, lead malfunction, or system upgrade. Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (SLVD) undergoing TLE may be at a higher risk because hemodynamic parameters may change unfavorably during or after TLE; however, this has not yet been clarified. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether patients with SLVD undergoing TLE have higher mortality. METHODS: All patients who underwent TLE were stratified as follows: patients with ejection fraction ≤ 35% (SLVD group) and those with ejection fraction > 35% (non-SLVD group). RESULTS: We assessed the data of 200 patients [SLVD group, 36 (18%); non-SLVD group, 164 (82%)]). Brain natriuretic peptide level and cardiac resynchronization therapy rate were higher in the SLVD group than in the non-SLVD group. There were no significant between-group differences in major complications and clinical success rates. Patients with SLVD were more likely to require additional hemodynamic support, such as catecholamine infusion, temporary atrium-ventricle sequential pacing, and temporary cardiac resynchronization therapy pacing (27.8% vs 1.2%; P < .001). The survival rate was not significantly different between the groups at 30 days and 1 year after TLE (SLVD vs non-SLVD: 30 days: 97.2% vs 99.4%; P = .215; 1 year: 80.6% vs 91.5%; P = .053). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed log brain natriuretic peptide and serum hemoglobin levels as predictors for 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: The prognosis after TLE was comparable between patients with and without SLVD. However, additional hemodynamic support was often necessary for patients with SLVD.

Ablation for idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia in a patient with double outlet right ventricle who underwent Fontan operation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients following Fontan operation is reported as 3.5%. Furthermore, in patients with repaired double outlet right ventricle (DORV), scar-related VT and outflow tract VT have been reported; however, Purkinje-related VT has not previously been reported. In this report, we present the case of idiopathic left VT (ILVT) in a patient with DORV who underwent Fontan operation. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old man was diagnosed as having DORV with complete atrioventricular defect at birth. When he was 17 years old, he underwent surgical repair, including extracardiac Fontan operation and common atrioventricular valve replacement. Five years later, VT was detected. Since some medications were ineffective in suppressing VT, he was referred to our hospital for definitive treatment. Ventricular tachycardia was induced by atrial and ventricular programmed electrical stimulations. The mechanism of the VT was determined to be re-entry. The earliest activation site was located at the mid-inferior septum of the hypoplastic left ventricle, in which Purkinje potentials were observed before the local ventricular electrogram. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) was performed at this site to eliminate VT. DISCUSSION: Most VTs originate from surgical scars in patients with congenital heart disease. Catheter ablation was feasible in scar-related VT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ILVT treated successfully with RFCA in a DORV patient who had undergone Fontan operation.