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Die Therapie der Herzinsuffizienz bei Patienten mit erhaltener systolischer Pumpfunktion (HfpEF) bleibt in Ermangelung effektiver Therapieoptionen eine Herausforderung. Viele dieser Patienten zeigen zusatzlich AV-Knoten-Uberleitungsstorungen. Bei diesem Patientenkollektiv konnte ein HIS-Bundle-Pacing durch die Moglichkeit einer AV-Resynchronisation eine hoffnungsvolle Option darstellen, wie der vorliegende Fall illustriert.

Aims Remote monitoring by implantable devices substantially improves management of heart failure (HF) patients by providing diagnostic day-to-day data. The use of thoracic impedance (TI) as a surrogate measure of fluid accumulation is still strongly debated. The multicenter HomeCARE-II study evaluated clinically apparent HF events in the context of remote device diagnostics, focusing on the controversial role of TI. Methods and results We followed 497 patients (66.6 ± 10.1 years, 77% male, QRS 139.8 ± 36.0 ms, ejection fraction 26.8 ± 7.0%) implanted with a CRT-D (67%) or an ICD (33%) for 21.4 ± 8.1 months. An independent event committee confirmed 171 HF events of which 82 were used to develop a TI-based algorithm for the prediction of imminent cardiac decompensation. Highly inter-individual variations in patterns of TI trends were observed. The algorithm resulted in a sensitivity of 41.5% (50.0%) with 0.95 (1.34) false alerts per patient year, and a positive predictive value of 7.9% overall and 27.9% in the HF event group of patients. Averaged ratio statistics showed a significant pre-hospital decrease and a highly significant in-hospital increase in TI after intensified diuresis. Recurrent decompensations turned out to be preceded by a significantly stronger decrease of TI compared to first events with a higher chance for detection (63.6% sensitivity, p Conclusions Overall performance in predicting imminent decompensation by monitoring TI alone is limited due to its high inter-patient variability. TI stand-alone applications should be redirected towards a target population with more advanced symptoms where post-hospital observation aimed to maintain the patient's discharge status might be the most valuable approach. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00711360 (HomeCARE-II) and NCT01221649 (J-HomeCARE-II).

With the rapid development of new mapping and imaging technologies as well as catheter ablation technologies, it is increasingly important to understand the basic concepts of conventional mapping and ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Prerequisite for successful ablation is the exact identification of the tachycardia mechanism and subsequent localization of the origin or tachycardic substrate. Only intracardiac electrograms provide decisive information regarding activation time and signal morphology. In some arrhythmias, it is necessary to supplement conventional mapping with so-called pace and/or entrainment mapping. This article aims to discuss and demonstrate the fundamentals of intracardiac mapping as it relates to the mapping and ablation of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias based on representative clinical cases. Modern three-dimensional mapping methods make it possible to individually optimize established ablation strategies with significantly better spatial resolution. The authors aimed to demonstrate that intracardiac uni- and bipolar electrograms provide essential information about timing and morphology guiding successful catheter ablation. Furthermore, our article provides useful information about conventional cardiac mapping techniques including activation mapping, pace mapping, and individual substrate mapping.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the impact, safety, and success of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) transferring ablation strategies established in normal hearts. Background AF is an emerging arrhythmia in ACHD. Methods Fifty-seven consecutive ACHD (median age 51.1 ± 14.8 years) with drug-refractory AF were analyzed who underwent catheter ablation between 2004 and 2017. CHD was classified according to its complexity into mild (61.4%), moderate (17.5%), and severe (21.1%) lesions. AF ablation was performed in 104 procedures following a sequential ablation approach. Results Of the 57 patients, 30 underwent corrective surgery, 6 underwent palliative surgery, 5 had catheter interventions, and 16 were natural survivors. Follow-up was available for all patients (median 41 ± 36 months). The median duration of cyanosis was 9.2 ± 19.7 years, and the time of volume or pressure overload prior to corrective surgery or intervention was 26.1 ± 21.2 years and 18.1 ± 15.8 years, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for arrhythmia-free survival following the index ablation procedure was 63% for 1 year and 22% for 5 years. Performing subsequent ablation procedures (2.0 ± 0.5), the Kaplan-Meier estimate significantly improved, with 99% for 1 year and 83% for 5 years (p Conclusions AF ablation strategies established in normal hearts can be transferred to ACHD. The treatment is safe and effective with acceptable long-term results. Varying anatomical pre-conditions and the heterogeneous population itself are challenging and contribute toward a higher reablation rate. Therefore, AF ablation in ACHD should be reserved for dedicated and highly specialized teams.

Aims Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Knowledge regarding risk stratification, arrhythmogenesis, therapy, and prognosis is limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of patients suffering from NCCM and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) focusing on a treatment with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and catheter ablation. Methods and results We conducted a multicentre observational study on 18 patients with NCCM, who underwent ICD implantation for secondary (n = 12) and primary (n = 6) prevention. In patients with multiple symptomatic episodes of VAs catheter ablation was performed. During a follow-up of 62 ± 42 months, 12 patients (67%) presented with appropriate ICD therapies [ventricular tachycardia (VT): n = 8; ventricular fibrillation (VF): n = 4; VT/VF: n = 3]. Ten patients underwent catheter ablation for VT/VF. Solely endocardial ablation was conducted in eight patients, and in two patients endo- and epicardial ablation was performed within the same procedure. Acute procedural success was achieved in 9/10 patients. Ventricular tachycardia recurrence was observed in two patients and the median arrhythmia free interval was 9.5 months (interquartile range 5.3-21 months). One patient underwent reablation, four patients died due to the underlying NCCM, and one patient received a left ventricular assist device. Conclusion Ventricular arrhythmias are common in patients suffering from NCCM and ICD therapy may be effective for primary and secondary prevention. In our cohort, consisting of patients with multiple VA episodes and recurrent ICD therapy, catheter ablation offered a safe and effective therapeutically option.

With the rapid development of new mapping and imaging technologies as well as catheter ablation technologies, it is increasingly important to understand the basic concepts of conventional mapping and ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Prerequisite for successful ablation is the exact identification of the tachycardia mechanism and subsequent localization of the origin or tachycardic substrate. Only intracardiac electrograms provide decisive information regarding activation time and signal morphology. In some arrhythmias, it is necessary to supplement conventional mapping with so-called pace and/or entrainment mapping. This article aims to discuss and demonstrate the fundamentals of intracardiac mapping as it relates to the mapping and ablation of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias based on representative clinical cases. Modern three-dimensional mapping methods make it possible to individually optimize established ablation strategies with significantly better spatial resolution. The authors aimed to demonstrate that intracardiac uni- and bipolar electrograms provide essential information about timing and morphology guiding successful catheter ablation. Furthermore, our article provides useful information about conventional cardiac mapping techniques including activation mapping, pace mapping, and individual substrate mapping.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact, safety, and success of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) transferring ablation strategies established in normal hearts.AF is an emerging arrhythmia in ACHD.Fifty-seven consecutive ACHD (median age 51.1 ± 14.8 years) with drug-refractory AF were analyzed who underwent catheter ablation between 2004 and 2017. CHD was classified according to its complexity into mild (61.4%), moderate (17.5%), and severe (21.1%) lesions. AF ablation was performed in 104 procedures following a sequential ablation approach.Of the 57 patients, 30 underwent corrective surgery, 6 underwent palliative surgery, 5 had catheter interventions, and 16 were natural survivors. Follow-up was available for all patients (median 41 ± 36 months). The median duration of cyanosis was 9.2 ± 19.7 years, and the time of volume or pressure overload prior to corrective surgery or intervention was 26.1 ± 21.2 years and 18.1 ± 15.8 years, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for arrhythmia-free survival following the index ablation procedure was 63% for 1 year and 22% for 5 years. Performing subsequent ablation procedures (2.0 ± 0.5), the Kaplan-Meier estimate significantly improved, with 99% for 1 year and 83% for 5 years (p 0.01). Five patients died during follow-up due to their underlying CHD condition or underwent transplantation.AF ablation strategies established in normal hearts can be transferred to ACHD. The treatment is safe and effective with acceptable long-term results. Varying anatomical pre-conditions and the heterogeneous population itself are challenging and contribute toward a higher reablation rate. Therefore, AF ablation in ACHD should be reserved for dedicated and highly specialized teams.

Background— The implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) is the standard therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease and unstable ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The prospective multinational SMS (Substrate Modification Study) was designed to assess whether prophylactic ablation of the arrhythmogenic substrate reduces or prevents the recurrence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in such patients. Methods and Results— Of 111 patients included in an intention-to-treat analysis, 54 were randomly assigned catheter ablation plus ICD implantation (ablation group: 68±8 years; 47 men), whereas 57 were assigned ICD implantation without catheter ablation (ICD-only group: 66±8 years; 46 men). Primary study end point was the time to first recurrence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. ICD episodes were assessed and verified by an independent board. Patients were followed up for 2.3±1.1 years. The primary end point was reached by 25 ablation patients and 26 ICD-only patients. Two-year event-free survival was estimated at 49.0% (95% confidence interval, 33.3%–62.9%) in the former and 52.4% (36.7%–65.9%) in the latter groups. Comparison of episode incidence revealed no significant difference in the primary end point ( P =0.84). In an Andersen–Gill regression model with multiple end point recurrences, the difference between the study arms significantly favored catheter ablation for both the primary end point and all but one of the predefined subgroups of detected arrhythmia events. Conclusions— SMS failed to meet the primary end point of time to first ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation recurrence. However, catheter ablation did reduce the total number of ICD interventions during the duration of follow-up. Clinical Trial Registration— https://clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00170287.