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Lesion gaps assessed by late-gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) are associated with the atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Animal studies have demonstrated that the catheter-contact force (CF), stability, and orientation are strongly associated with lesion formation. However, the impact of those procedural factors on the lesion characteristics associated with AF recurrence has not been well discussed.A total of 30 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent catheter ablation were retrospectively enrolled. Radiofrequency (RF) applications were performed with 35W for 30s in a point-by-point fashion under esophageal temperature monitoring. The inter-lesion distance was 4mm. The lesions were visualized by LGE-MRI three months post-procedure and assessed by the LGE volume (ml), gap number (GN), and average gap length (AGL [mm]). The gaps were defined as non-enhancement sites of4 mm. The procedural factors including the catheter-CF, stability, and orientation were calculated on the NavX system.Six (20%) of 30 patients had AF recurrences 12 months post-ablation. A univariate analysis demonstrated that the AGL was associated with AF recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.20, confidence interval [CI]:1.03 - 1.42, p = 0.02). All AF recurrence were found in patients with an AGL of7 mm. The catheter-CF and stability were associated with an AGL of7mm, but not the orientation (CF: HR: 0.62, CI: 0.39-0.97, p=0.038; stability: HR: 0.8, CI: 0.66-0.98, p=0.027).RF ablation with a low CF and poor catheter stability has a potential risk of creating large lesion gaps associated with AF recurrence. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background: The mechanism underlying the sex differences in atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is not fully understood. We hypothesized that non-PV foci and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) play a key role. Methods and Results: Data from 304 consecutive patients (75% males) who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography and catheter ablation of AF were reviewed. The EAT around the atrium was measured separately in 4 parts of the atrium. All patients underwent high-dose isoproterenol infusions to assess the non-PV foci. Significantly more non-PV foci and less EAT around the atrium were observed in female patients than in male patients. In males, those with non-PV foci on the left atrial (LA) anterior wall had significantly greater EAT for the same lesions than those without non-PV foci. During a median follow-up of 27 months, the predictors of AF recurrence after first catheter ablation were female sex, presence of non-PV foci, LA diameter, and septal EAT index. A sex-specific analysis revealed that LA diameter was a predictor only in males and that the presence of non-PV foci in the septal region was a strong predictor in males (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.24) and females (HR: 3.65). Conclusions: Sex-specific differences were observed in non-PV foci sites and local EAT and in regard to the predictors of AF recurrence.

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) non-inducibility at the end of ablation is associated with a less likely VT recurrence. However, it is not clear whether we should use VT non-inducibility as a routine end point of VT ablation. The aim of this study was to evaluate VT recurrence in patients in whom VT non-inducibility was not achieved at the end of the RF ablation and the factors attributing to the VT recurrence.Methods: We analyzed 62 patients in whom VT non-inducibility was not achieved at the end of the RF ablation were studied.Results: Over 2 years, 22 (35%) of the cases had VT recurrences. A multivariate analysis showed that an LVEF≥35% (HR:0.19; 95% CI:0.06- 0.49; PConclusion: Even if VT non-inducibility was not achieved, patients with an LVEF≥35% or in whom partial success could be achieved might be prevented from having VT recurrences. The validity of the VT non-inducibility of any VT should be evaluated considering each patient’s background and the results of the procedure.

The skin overlying cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) sometimes becomes very thin after implantations, which could cause a device erosion. The factors related to the skin thickness of device pockets have not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the skin thickness of CIED pockets and search for the factors associated with the thickness.Seventeen skin thickness points around the CIED pocket were measured through ultrasonography in each patient.A total of 101 patients (76 ± 11 years, 26 female) were enrolled. The median duration from the implantation to the examination was 95 months (quartile: 52.5-147.5). The median skin thickness overlying the device was 4.1 mm (3.3-5.9). Patients with heart failure and malignancy had thinner skin overlying the CIED than those without. A significant correlation existed between skin thickness and body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and left ventricular ejection fraction. In contrast, age, gender, and device size did not exhibit a significant correlation with skin thickness. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that chronic heart failure and a decrease in the eGFR and BMI were independent predictive factors of "very thin (≦3.3 mm)" skin of the CIED pocket late after an implantation.Aside from a low BMI, the comorbidities (low hemoglobin, heart failure, and renal dysfunction) had a stronger impact on the skin thickness overlying the device than the device size. A careful observation of the device pocket should be performed in patients with those risk factors.

A recent randomized trial demonstrated that catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF) is associated with a reduction in death or heart failure. However, the effect of catheter ablation for AF in patients with heart failure with mid-range or preserved EF is unclear.Methods and Results: We screened 899 AF patients (72.4% male, mean age 68.4 years) with heart failure and left ventricular EF ≥40% from 2 Japanese multicenter AF registries: the Atrial Fibrillation registry to Follow the long-teRm Outcomes and use of aNTIcoagulants aftER Ablation (AF Frontier Ablation Registry) as the ablation group (525 patients who underwent ablation) and the Hokuriku-Plus AF Registry as the medical therapy group (374 patients who did not undergo ablation). Propensity score matching was performed in these 2 registries to yield 106 matched patient pairs. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure. At 24.6 months, the ablation group had a significantly lower incidence of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio 0.32; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.70; P=0.004) than the medical therapy group.Compared with medical therapy, catheter ablation for AF in patients with heart failure and mid-range or preserved EF was associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure.

The impact of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) on cardiovascular events and mortality is controversial. We investigated the impact of sinus rhythm maintenance on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after AF ablation from a Japanese multicenter cohort of AF ablation. We investigated 3326 consecutive patients (25.8% female, mean age 63.3 ± 10.3 years) who underwent catheter ablation for AF from the atrial fibrillation registry to follow the long-term outcomes and use of anti coagulants after ablation (AF frontier ablation registry). The primary endpoint was a composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack, cardiovascular events, and all-cause death. During a mean follow-up of 24.0 months, 2339 (70.3%) patients were free from AF after catheter ablation, and the primary composite endpoint occurred in 144 (4.3%) patients. The AF nonrecurrence group had a significantly lower incidence of the primary endpoint (1.8 per 100 person-years) compared with the AF recurrence group (3.0 per 100 person-years, p = 0.003). The multivariate analysis revealed that freedom from AF (hazard ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.86, p = 0.005) was independently associated with the incidence of the composite event. In the multicenter cohort of AF ablation, sinus rhythm maintenance after catheter ablation was independently associated with lower rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Background: Demand is growing for remote electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring systems in the COVID-19 era in Japan. This study describes initial experiences with a small wireless ECG monitoring device and the utility of delivery via the postal service for outpatient care in Japan. Methods and Results: Long-term ECG monitoring following postal delivery of the small ECG device was evaluated in 25 patients. The patients had no difficulties with either the postal delivery or self-fitting and wearing the devices. A median of 57 h monitoring per patient was performed. Arrhythmic events were detected in 8 patients. Most patients were satisfied with both the ECG devices and postal delivery. Conclusions: Postal delivery of ECG devices could be used in clinical practice to achieve less or no in-person contact during the COVID-19 era.

Background A computational model demonstrated that atrial fibrillation (AF) rotors could be distributed in patchy late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) areas and play an important role in AF drivers. However, this was not validated in humans. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the LGE area properties of AF rotors in patients with persistent AF. Methods A total of 287 segments in 15 patients with persistent AF (longstanding persistent AF in 9 patients) that underwent AF ablation were assessed. Non-passively activated areas (NPAs), where rotational activation (AF rotor) was frequently observed, were detected by the novel real-time phase mapping (ExTRa Mapping). The properties of the LGE areas were assessed using the LGE heterogeneity, and the density was assessed by the entropy (LGE-entropy) and volume ratio of the enhancement voxel (LGE-volume ratio), respectively. Results NPAs were found in 61 (21%) of 287 segments and were mostly found around the pulmonary vein antrum. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded an optimal cutoff value of 5.7 and 10% for the LGE-entropy and LGE-volume ratio, respectively. The incidence of NPAs was significantly higher at segments with an LGE-entropy of >5.7 and LGE-volume ratio of >10% than at the other segments (38 [30%] of 126 vs. 23 [14%] of 161 segments, p = 0.001). No NPAs were found at segments with an LGE-volume ratio of >50% regardless of the LGE-entropy. Of 5 patients with AF recurrence, NPAs outside the PV antrum were not ablated in 3 patients and the remaining NPAs were ablated, but their LGE-entropy and LGE-volume ratio were low. Conclusion AF rotors are mostly distributed in relatively weak and much more heterogenous LGE areas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background Inflammation, such as that associated with intermediate CD14++ CD16+ monocytes and atrial structural remodeling (SRM), may be important in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation. However, the relationship between the intermediate CD14++ CD16+ monocytes, SRM, and AF recurrence is unclear. Methods Twenty-four patients with AF were enrolled. The proportion of intermediate monocytes (PIM) was assessed before ablation by flow cytometry. As a surrogate marker of SRM, the volume ratio (VR) of signal intensity greater than 1 standard deviation on late-gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) was calculated. We investigated whether PIM correlated with SRM on LGE-MRI and determined the optimal cutoff value for predicting AF recurrence. Results Univariate analysis revealed positive correlations between PIM and BNP with SRM (PIM: r = .593, p = .002; BNP: r = .567, p = .004). Multivariable analysis revealed that PIM was independently associated with VR on LGE-MRI (β = .522; p = .033). The finding of an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.750 revealed that a VR ≥ 13.3% on LGE-MRI as the optimal cutoff value to predict AF recurrence with 80% sensitivity and 71% specificity, which was associated with PIM ≥ 10.0%. Conclusion Intermediate monocytes were significantly positively correlated with SRM. PIM ≥ 10% was associated with a VR ≥ 13.3% on LGE-MRI, which predicted AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: A computer simulation model has demonstrated that an atrial fibrillation (AF) driver can be attached to heterogeneous fibrosis assessed by late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI). However, it has not been well elucidated in patients with persistent AF. The aim of this study was to investigate whether radiofrequency (RF) applications in the fragmented LGE area (FLA) could terminate AF or convert it to atrial tachycardia (AT) and improve the rhythm outcome. METHODS: A total of 31 consecutive persistent AF patients with FLAs were enrolled (FLA ablation group, mean age: 69 ± 8 years, mean left atrial diameter: 42 ± 6 mm). A favorable response was defined as direct AF termination or AT conversion during RF applications at the FLA. The rhythm outcome was compared between the FLA ablation group and FLA burden-matched pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) group. RESULTS: Favorable responses were found in 15 (48%) of 31 patients in the FLA group (AF termination in 7, AT conversion in 8 patients), but not in the PVI group. AF recurrence at 12 months follow-up was significantly less in the FLA ablation group than in the PVI group (4 [13%] vs. 12 [39%] of 31 patients, log-rank p=0.023). In patients with a favorable response, AT recurred in 1 (7%) of 15 patients but AF did not. CONCLUSIONS: FLA ablation could terminate AF or convert it to AT in half of the patients. No AF recurrence was documented in patients with a favorable response. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This study sought to assess the left atrial (LA) functional recovery after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate the determining factor of procedural success of RFCA, using a novel preload stress echocardiography. A total of 111 patients with AF were prospectively recruited. The echocardiographic parameters were obtained during the leg-positive pressure (LPP) maneuver, both at baseline and midterm after RFCA. As an index of LA distensibility, the LA expansion index was calculated as (LAVsubmax/sub- LAVsubmin/sub) × 100 / LAVsubmin/sub. During a median follow-up period of 14.2 months, AF recurrence was observed in 23 patients (20.7%). In LA functional parameters at baseline, only the Δ LA expansion index was significantly larger in the success group (16 ± 11% vs 4 ± 9%, plt;0.05). At midterm follow-up, the Δ LA expansion index significantly increased to 32 ± 19% (plt;0.05), together with structural LA reverse remodeling only in the success group. Moreover, the Δ stroke volume index during the LPP stress test significantly increased only in the success group (from 2.3 ± 1.3 ml/msup2/supto 3.1 ± 4.8 ml/msup2/sup, plt;0.05). In a multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio 0.911, plt;0.05) and baseline Δ LA expansion index (hazard ratio 0.827, plt;0.001) were independent predictors of AF recurrence. In conclusion, the baseline Δ LA expansion index during LPP stress is a reliable marker for predicting procedural success after RFCA. Moreover, maintenance of sinus rhythm resulted in an improvement of the preload reserve after RFCA.

Background: Several algorithms have been proposed for differentiating the right and left outflow tracts (RVOT/LVOT) arrhythmia origins from 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs); however, the procedure is complicated. A deep learning (DL) model, a form of artificial intelligence, can directly use ECGs and depict the importance of the leads and waveforms. This study aimed to create a visualized DL model that could classify arrhythmia origins more accurately.Methods and Results: This study enrolled 80 patients who underwent catheter ablation. A convolutional neural network-based model that could classify arrhythmia origins with 12-lead ECGs and visualize the leads that contributed to the diagnosis using a gradient-weighted class activation mapping method was developed. The average prediction results of the origins by the DL model were 89.4% (88.2–90.6) for accuracy and 95.2% (94.3–96.2) for recall, which were significantly better than when a conventional algorithm is used. The ratio of the contribution to the prediction differed between RVOT and LVOT origins. Although leads V1 to V3 and the limb leads had a focused balance in the LVOT group, the contribution ratio of leads aVR, aVL, and aVF was higher in the RVOT group.Conclusions: This study diagnosed the arrhythmia origins more accurately than the conventional algorithm, and clarified which part of the 12-lead waveforms contributed to the diagnosis. The visualized DL model was convincing and may play a role in understanding the pathogenesis of arrhythmias.

This study sought to assess the performance of current diagnostic criteria and identify additional electrophysiological features differentiating orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT) with a concealed nodoventricular/nodofascicular (NV/NF) pathway from atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT).Diagnosing sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) despite the occurrence of ventriculoatrial block (VAB) is challenging.We analyzed electrograms of 25 sustained SVTs (9 NV/NF-ORTs [n = 7/2] and 16 AVNRTs) with VAB and 91 AVNRTs without VAB (for reference).More than 1 SVT, each with a different ventriculoatrial interval, was commonly induced in AVNRT cases (75%) but not in NV/NF-ORT cases (0%; p = 0.0005). Wenckebach VAB was common in NV/NF-ORTs (78%), but VAB patterns varied in AVNRTs. The His-His interval transiently prolonged in the following beat after the VAB in most AVNRTs but rarely did in NV/NF-ORTs (79% vs. 22%; p = 0.01). NV/NF-ORT was diagnosed by His-refractory premature ventricular contractions (n = 5) and the findings during right ventricular overdrive pacing showing an uncorrected/corrected post-pacing interval (PPI)-tachycardia cycle length (TCL) ≤115/110 ms (n = 5/5), orthodromic His capture (n = 6), and V-V-A (ventricle-ventricle-atrial response) response (n = 3). A single form of induced SVT (positive predictive value [PPV]: 69%; negative predictive value [NPV]: 100%), Wenckebach VAB (PPV: 70%; NPV: 87%), stable His-His interval despite VAB (PPV: 70%; NPV: 85%), orthodromic His capture (PPV: 100%; NPV: 97%), and V-V-A response (PPV: 100%; NPV: 95%) characterized NV/NF-ORT, and a PPI-TCL of ≤125 ms (PPV: 100%; NPV: 100%) characterized NV-ORT.Induction of a single SVT form, Wenckebach VAB, stable His-His interval despite VAB, orthodromic His capture, and V-V-A response appeared to discriminate NV/NF-ORT from AVNRT, with a PPI-TCL of ≤125 ms discriminating NV-ORT from NF-ORT and AVNRT.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are sometimes prescribed at off-label under-doses for patients who have undergone ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). This practice may be an attempt to balance the risk of bleeding against that of stroke or AF recurrence.We examined outcomes of 1163 patients who continued use of a DOAC after ablation. The patients were enrolled in a large (3530 patients) multicenter registry in Japan. The study patients were classified as 749 (64.4%) appropriate standard-dose DOAC users, 216 (18.6%) off-label under-dose DOAC users, and 198 (17.0%) appropriate low-dose DOAC users.Age and CHA2DS2-VASc scores differed significantly between DOAC dosing regimens, with patients given an appropriate standard-dose being significantly younger (63.3 ± 9.4 versus 64.8 ± 9.5 versus 73.2 ± 6.8 years, P < 0.0001) and lower (2.1 ± 1.5 versus 2.4 ± 1.6 versus 3.4 ± 1.4, P < 0.0001) than those given an off-label under-dose or an appropriate low-dose. During the median 19.0-month follow-up period, the AF recurrence rate was similar between the appropriate standard-dose and off-label under-dose groups but relatively low in the appropriate low-dose group (42.5% versus 41.2% versus 35.4%, P = 0.08). Annualized rates of thromboembolic events, major bleeding, and death from any cause were 0.47%, 0.70%, and 0.23% in the off-label under-dose group, while those rates were 0.74%, 0.73%, and 0.65% in the appropriate standard-dose, and 1.58%, 2.12%, and 1.57% in the appropriate low-dose groups.In conclusion, the clinical adverse event rates for patients on an off-label under-dose DOAC regimen after ablation, predicated on careful patient evaluations, was not high as seen with that of patients on a standard DOAC dosing regimen.

Whether ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is, in terms of clinical outcomes, beneficial for Japanese patients has not been clarified. Drawing data from 2 Japanese AF registries (AF Frontier Ablation Registry and SAKURA AF Registry), we compared the incidence of clinically relevant events (CREs), including stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, cardiovascular events, and death, between patients who underwent ablation (n = 3451) and those who did not (n = 2930). We also compared propensity-score matched patients (n = 1414 in each group). In propensity-scored patients who underwent ablation and those who did not, mean follow-up times were 27.2 and 35.8 months, respectively. Annualized rates for stroke/TIA (1.04 vs. 1.06%), major bleeding (1.44 vs. 1.20%), cardiovascular events (2.15 vs. 2.49%) were similar (P = 0.96, 0.39, and 0.35, respectively), but annualized death rates were lower in the ablation group than in the non-ablation group (0.75 vs.1.28%, P = 0.028). After multivariate adjustment, the risk of CREs was statistically equivalent between the ablation and non-ablation groups (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71–1.11), but it was significantly low among patients who underwent ablation for paroxysmal AF (HR 0.68 [vs. persistent AF], 95% CI 0.49–0.94) and had a CHA2DS2-VASc score

Background Atrial inflammation plays an important role in initiating atrial fibrosis, which could perpetuate atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the method of visualization of atrial inflammation has not been established. We sought to investigate whether the intensive atrial inflammation caused by cryoballoon ablation (CBA) could be detected by positron emission tomography/ magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and whether the atrial inflammation could be associated with consequent fibrosis. Methods A total of 10 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients after CBA were enrolled. To detect and quantify intensive atrial inflammation, PET/MRI was performed to assess regional 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) uptake one day after the CBA, and the standardized uptake values (SUV) max were compared between the pulmonary vein (PV) antrum where CBA could be applied and the healthy left atrial (LA) wall where CBA could not be applied. Furthermore, the atrial inflammation one day after the procedure and atrial fibrosis areas one month after the procedure were three‐dimensionally quantified by PET/MRI and late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI), respectively. Results The mean SUV max at the PV antrum was significantly higher than that on the healthy LA wall (2.12 ± 0.35 vs 1.73 ± 0.30, P = .00021). The volume of the atrial inflammation strongly correlated with that of the atrial fibrosis (r = .94 [.76‐.99], P = .00006). Conclusions The atrial inflammation after CBA could be detected by PET/MRI. CBA‐induced atrial inflammation was strongly associated with consequent lesion maturation., Atrial inflammation plays an important role in initiating atrial fibrosis, which could perpetuate atrial fibrillation (AF).This study demonstrated the feasibility of the PET/MRI visualizing inflammation in the left atrium.

Inflammation has been suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Our hypothesis was that this inflammation, mediated by intermediate monocytes and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), causes the formation and expansion of low-voltage zones (LVZs). Prior to ablation, the monocyte subsets of 78 AF patients and TLR4 expression of 66 AF patients were analyzed via a flow cytometric analysis. Based on the CD14/CD16 expression, the monocytes were divided into three subsets: classical, intermediate, and non-classical. At the beginning of the ablation session, voltage mapping was performed. LVZs were defined as all bipolar electrogram amplitudes of

IntroductionData are lacking on the extent to which patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who are aged ≥80 years benefit from ablation treatment. The question pertains especially to patients’ postablation quality of life (QoL) and long-term clinical outcomes.Methods and analysisWe are initiating a prospective, registry-based, multicentre observational study that will include patients aged ≥80 years with non-valvular AF who choose to undergo treatment by catheter ablation and, for comparison, such patients who do not choose to undergo ablation (either according to their physician’s advice or their own preference). Study subjects are to be enrolled from 52 participant hospitals and three clinics located throughout Japan from 1 June 2022 to 31 December 2023, and each will be followed up for 1 year. The planned sample size is 660, comprising 220 ablation group patients and 440 non-ablation group patients. The primary endpoint will be the composite incidence of stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or systemic embolism (SE), another cardiovascular event, major bleeding and/or death from any cause. Other clinical events such as postablation AF recurrence, a fall or bone fracture will be recorded. We will collect standard clinical background information plus each patient’s Clinical Frailty Scale score, AF-related symptoms, QoL (Five-Level Version of EQ-5D) scores, Mini-Mental State Examination (optional) score and laboratory test results, including measures of nutritional status, on entry into the study and 1 year later, and serial changes in symptoms and QoL will also be secondary endpoints. Propensity score matching will be performed to account for covariates that could affect study results.Ethics and disseminationThe study conforms to the Declaration of Helsinki and the Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Studies issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. Results of the study will be published in one or more peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberUMIN000047023.

Introduction: It has been reported that ventricular tachycardia (VT) non-inducibility at the end of ablation is associated with less likely VT recurrence. However, it is not clear whether we should use VT non-inducibility as routine end point in VT ablation. The aim of this study was to evaluate VT recurrence in patients in whom VT non-inducibility could not be achieved at the end of the RF ablation and the factors attributing to the VT recurrence. METHODS and RESULTS: We analyzed 84 consecutive patients that underwent RF ablation, and 64 patients in whom VT non-inducibility could not be achieved were studied. The primary endpoint was recurrence of any sustained VT during the follow-up. During a median follow-up period of 1.4 years (IQR:0.3-2.0), 22 (34%) of the cases had VT recurrences. In the multivariate analysis showed that an LVEF≥35% (HR:0.21; 95% CI:0.07- 0.54; P

Background: Some of atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers are found in normal/mild late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) areas, as well as moderate ones. The atrial wall thickness (AWT) has been reported to be important as a possible AF substrate. However, the AWT and degree of LGEs as an AF substrate has not been fully validated in humans. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the AWT in normal/mild LGE areas on AF drivers. Methods: A total of 287 segments in 15 persistent AF patients were assessed. AF drivers were defined as non-passively activated areas (NPAs), where rotational activation was frequently observed, and were detected by the novel real-time phase mapping (ExTRa Mapping), mild LGE areas were defined as areas with a volume ratio of the enhancement voxel of 0% to

Background A successful Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) can prevent VT recurrence. It has been reported that VT non-inducibility at the end of RF ablation is associated with less likely VT recurrence in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and non-ICM (NCIM). However, it is not clear whether we should use VT non-inducibility as routine end point in RF ablation of VT. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate VT recurrence in patients who couldn't be achieved VT non-inducibility at the end of RF ablation and the factors attributed to VT recurrence in ICM and NICM patients. Methods Between January 2009 and April 2020, 84 consecutive patients (ICM: 34, NICM: 50) underwent RF ablation for drug-resistant VT in our hospital. VT non-inducibility was defined as any ventricular tachy-arrhythmia, including clinical VT, non-clinical VT, and VF, was not induced by programed stimuli at the end of session. Non-inducibility was achieved in 37 patients but it was not achieved in 47 patients (ICM: 18, NICM: 29). To evaluate the validity of “non-inducibility” as an end point of VT ablation, 47 patients (male: 40, mean age: 66±15 years) in whom non-inducibility of any ventricular tachyarrhythmia was not achieved were studied. The primary endpoint was recurrence of any sustained VT and VF during follow up period (mean follow-up period was 1.4 (range, 0.0, 2.0) years.) Results Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 36±13%. Epicardial ablation was required in 8 patients. 32 patients had electrical storm at the time of ablation. Among them, 21 patients had VT recurrence and 26 patients had non-VT recurrence during follow-up period. VT recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients with LVEF≥35% than those with LVEF Conclusions Even if non-inducibility of any ventricular tachyarrhythmia wasn't achieved at the end of ablation, the patients with LVEF≥35% or who had ablated of VT isthmus might prevent VT recurrence. The validity of non-inducibility of any ventricular tachyarrhythmia should be evaluated in each patient's background. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Abbott, Medtronic

The management of heart rhythm disorders in patients with adult congenital heart disease and limited vascular access is challenging. We present the case of a 38-year-old woman with Ebstein’s anomaly who underwent implantation of a combination of a leadless pacemaker and a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to manage fatal arrhythmias. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)

BACKGROUND A substantial number of patients with shock devices (implantable cardioverter defibrillators [ICDs] or ICDs with resynchronization [CRTDs]) experience psychological distress. OBJECTIVE We investigated the device nurse telephone intervention's effect on improving the patient's adaptation to shock devices, quality of life (QOL), and anxiety in the remote monitoring era. METHODS The patient's adaptation to the device, health-related QOL, and anxiety were investigated by the modified Implanted Devices Adjustment-Japan score (IDAS), Short Form-36, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and 1-year after the device nurse telephone intervention, performed every 3 months. A total of 95 patients (median age 69 years and 25 females) participated. Sixty patients had ICDs and 35 CRTDs. Structural heart disease was observed in 72 patients, and idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias in the others. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 46% ± 15%. The median duration since the device implantation was 5.2 years. RESULTS The total IDAS score significantly improved from 28.42 ± 7.11 at baseline to 26.77 ± 7.68 (p = 0.0076) at 1 year. Both the state and trait anxiety significantly improved (from 38.9 ± 9.6 to 35.3 ± 9.0 [

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether there are differences in the clinical factors between atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and adverse clinical events (AEs), including stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, and death, after AF ablation.Methods and Results:We examined the data from a retrospective multicenter Japanese registry conducted at 24 cardiovascular centers between 2011 and 2017. Of the 3,451 patients (74.1% men; 63.3±10.3 years) who underwent AF ablation, 1,046 (30.3%) had AF recurrence and 224 (6.5%) suffered AEs (51 strokes/TIAs, 71 major bleeding events, and 36 deaths) over a median follow-up of 20.7 months. After multivariate adjustment, female sex, persistent and long-lasting persistent AF (vs. paroxysmal AF), and stepwise increased left atrial diameter (LAd) quartiles were significantly associated with post-ablation recurrences. A multivariate analysis revealed that an age ≥75 years (vs.

A 41‐year‐old man with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation using an online real‐time phase mapping system: ExTRa Mapping. Box isolation could not terminate AF. Subsequently, RF applications on nonpassively activated areas (NPAs), where rotational activations were frequently observed, at the posterior bottom of left atrium outside of box lesion could convert AF to common atrial flutter. Of interest, the NPA near the posterior bottom were located on the patchy fibrotic tissue area assessed by the late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. This indicated the possibility of the critical AF rotor meandering through the fibrotic tissue area.

Objectives This study aimed to confirm the precise course of a pericardiocentesis with the anterior approach using post-procedural computed tomography (CT). Background Percutaneous epicardial ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation has been increasingly performed. Although the inferior approach has been the common method, the feasibility of the anterior approach has subsequently been reported. However, the precise course of the anterior approach has not been presented. Methods An epicardial ablation with the anterior approach was performed in 15 patients. At the end of the procedure, the epicardial sheath was exchanged for a drainage tube to monitor bleeding. Of those patients, in 9 procedures in 8 patients a CT scan was performed just after the procedure to confirm the course of the drainage tube and to rule out any complications. Epicardial ablation was indicated for a failed endocardial VT ablation in 7 patients and epicardial substrate modification in 1 patient with Brugada syndrome. Results Volume-rendered images reconstructed from CT demonstrated each course of the drainage tubes and their relation to the surrounding organs. These images revealed that the tube had a curved trace, and did not penetrate the diaphragm or pass through the abdominal cavity. No injury to the surrounding organs was detected in any of the cases. Conclusions The precise course of the drainage tube placed along the trajectory of the anterior approach was able to be confirmed using post-procedural CT images. These images support the safety and feasibility of the anterior approach from the anatomic standpoint with a low incidence of abdominal viscera injury.

Background: Atrial fibrosis and inflammation play important roles in perpetuating and initiating atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the fibrotic area can be visualized as a delayed enhancement area on late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI), atrial inflammation has not yet been visualized on any imaging modality. We describe the protocol for a feasibility study to visualize atrial inflammation on positron emission tomography/MRI (PET/MRI). Methods and Results: This is a single-arm, prospective, open-label proof-of concept trial, involving AF patients after cryoballoon ablation (CBA). A total of 30 paroxysmal AF patients will be enrolled and undergo simultaneous PET/MRI for the assessment of regional 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake 1 day after the CBA. Furthermore, LGE-MRI will be performed before CBA, and at 1 and 4 weeks after assessing the regional LGE area. The main outcome measures will be (1) the feasibility of imaging inflammation in the left atrium on PET/MRI; and (2) the safety of the intervention. Conclusions: There are few data on the visualization of atrial inflammation using PET/MRI. Establishing the visualization methodology will contribute to elucidating the fundamental histopathologic findings of the progress to fibrosis, and to the planning and execution of a larger definitive trial to test the usefulness of PET/MRI.

Background: Some of atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers are found in lesser late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) areas, as well as heterogenous ones. The atrial wall thickness (AWT) has been reported to be important as a possible AF substrate. However, the AWT and degree of LGEs as an AF substrate has not been fully validated in humans. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the AWT in lesser LGE areas on AF drivers. Methods: A total of 287 segments in 15 persistent AF patients were assessed. AF drivers were defined as non-passively activated areas (NPAs), where rotational activation was frequently observed, and were detected by the novel real-time phase mapping (ExTRa Mapping). Lesser LGE areas were defined as areas with a volume ratio of the enhancement voxel of

Atrial tachycardia (AT) in the right atrium often occurs following open‐heart surgery. Catheter ablation for these AT is challenging and can lead to unintended conduction block. We performed late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI) prior to catheter ablation and predicted wavefront propagation during SR as well as the slow conduction zone during tachycardia. LGE‐MRI may assist predicting the conduction disturbance and reducing the risk of unexpected sinus exit block., Late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI) prior to catheter ablation of postoperative AT in RA can predict wavefront propagation during sinus rhythm as well as the slow conduction zone during tachycardia. It could reduce the risk of unexpected sinus exit block and PM implantation.