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Background: Fluoroscopic guidance is the standard tool used in device implantation. This means that both the patient and the operator are exposed to radiation, which may sometimes be high. The possibility of single-lead permanent pacemaker implantation without fluoroscopy has already been demonstrated.Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of biventricular device implantation guided only by an electroanatomic navigation system.Methods: Sixty-one patients with heart failure underwent implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device with or without defibrillator (CRT-D; CRT-P). The procedure was performed with or without fluoroscopy guidance (Rx+; Rx0). In the latter case, the EnSite Velocity system was used; this system is able to reconstruct the anatomy and activation of the cardiac chambers by simultaneously collecting a "cloud" of anatomical points from multiple electrodes.Results: Lead positioning was achieved in 24 of 26 patients undergoing CRT implantation without fluoroscopy (92% success). No complications were observed during the procedure and no catheter dislodgment occurred the day after the implantation or during 1-month follow-up. Procedure time progressively decreased from 136 minutes in the first case to 59 minutes in the last one, suggesting that operators gradually gained confidence while using the new technique.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of lead positioning guided only by the nonfluoroscopic EnSite Velocity mapping system without the use of fluoroscopy in CRT-P or CRT-D implantation. The benefits in terms of significantly reduced fluoroscopy exposure are associated with technical and clinical advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiation exposure related to conventional tachyarrhythmia radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) carries small but not negligible stochastic and deterministic effects on health. These effects are cumulative and potentially more harmful in younger individuals. Nonfluoroscopic mapping systems can significantly reduce the radiological exposure and in some cases it can completely eliminate it.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a complete nonfluoroscopic approach for RFCA compared with ablation procedures performed under fluoroscopic guidance.Methods: RFCA was performed in 442 consecutive patients (mean age 58 ± 19 years). The first 145 patients (group 1) were treated only under fluoroscopic guidance, and the following 297 patients (group 2) were treated using a nonfluoroscopic electroanatomic mapping system (EnSite Velocity). RFCA was completely performed without fluoroscopy in 255 of 297 patients in group 2 (86%).Results: The acute success rate did not differ between group 1 and group 2 (97% vs 96%; P = .46), and there were no differences in either procedure time (87 ± 57 minutes vs 91 ± 52 minutes; P = .41) or complication rate. Fluoroscopic exposure in group 2 was significantly reduced in comparison with group 1 (14 ± 6 seconds vs 1159 ± 833 seconds; P < .0001).Conclusion: Compared with the conventional fluoroscopic technique, the near-zero radiation (RX) approach provides similar outcomes and may significantly reduce or eliminate ionizing radiation exposure in RFCA. These reductions are achieved without altering the duration or compromising the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous stimulation of 2 left ventricular (LV) sites could enhance the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute hemodynamic response to dual-site LV CRT. Two LV pacing leads were successfully implanted in 12 CRT candidates (New York Heart Association classes III to IV, QRS ≥120 ms). Target positions were the lateral or posterolateral vein (site A) and anterior or anterolateral vein (site B). A conductance catheter was placed in the left ventricle for pressure–volume measurements. Tested CRT configurations were alternated by atrial overdrive pacing at a fixed rate and included site A and B single-site CRT and dual-site LV CRT (2 LV sites plus right ventricular apex) at 4 atrioventricular intervals. Overall, single-site LV CRT significantly enhanced stroke volume, stroke work, maximum pressure derivative, and conductance-derived indexes of LV synchrony when delivered in site A, whereas no significant changes were noticed with pacing in site B. Specifically, site-A pacing resulted in a higher stroke volume increase (LV pacing site associated with the best hemodynamic response [best-LV]) in 8 patients, and site-B pacing, in 4 patients. At intermediate atrioventricular intervals, dual-site LV CRT resulted in improved stroke volume, stroke work, maximum pressure derivative, and LV synchrony with respect to single-site CRT when delivered at the best-LV (all p <0.05). However, single-site CRT at best-LV produced results similar to dual-site LV CRT when the atrioventricular interval was optimized in each patient. In conclusion, adding a second LV lead does not result in further improvement in acute hemodynamic response with respect to standard CRT when the single LV pacing site and atrioventricular interval are optimal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Data on the procedural safety of pulmonary vein radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are as yet scant.Objective: The aims of the present study were to prospectively evaluate the incidence of early complications of pulmonary vein ablation for AF in an unselected population of consecutive patients, and to identify possible predictors.Methods: From April 2005 to October 2006, data from 1,011 consecutive patients who were undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for every type of AF in 10 Italian centers were collected. All complications occurring from the admission of the patient up to the 30th day were considered.Results: No procedure-related death was observed. Complications occurred in 40 patients (3.9%): 12 (1.2%) had peripheral vascular complications, 8 (0.8%) had conservatively treated pericardial effusion, 6 (0.6%) had cardiac tamponade (successfully drained), 5 (0.5%) had cerebral embolisms, 4 (0.4%) presented pulmonary vein stenosis >50%, and 5 (0.5%) presented other isolated adverse events. History of coronary artery disease (odds ratio 5,603, 95% confidence interval 1,559 to 20,139, P < .008) characterized patients who presented with hemorrhagic complications.Conclusion: Early complications of pulmonary vein catheter ablation seem to be fewer than in the early years of AF ablation, but still occur in 3.9% of procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Inflammatory markers are involved in heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. However, the link between these markers and reverse remodeling as well as major adverse cardiac events (HF death, sudden death, and unplanned cardiac rehospitalizations) in patients who undergo cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has not been evaluated. Methods and Results: We recorded major adverse cardiac events of 140 patients (on optimized medical therapy, left ventricular ejection fraction 29.9 ± 9.6%, New York Heart Association Class III-IV, with intraventricular dyssynchrony) who underwent CRT (enrolled since April 2004). Moreover, we evaluated before and after 6 months of CRT: interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, New York Heart Association class, quality of life (score on Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire), 6-minute walking test, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (nonindexed and indexed by body surface area), and left ventricular ejection fraction. Adverse cardiac events were observed in 40 patients (28.6%): 22 deaths and 18 cardiac unplanned rehospitalizations. Only patients without adverse events during follow-up showed a significant reduction of inflammatory markers and left ventricular volumes (reverse remodeling), despite a significant improvement of clinical status observed in both groups of patients. Conclusions: The reduction of inflammatory status seems to be linked to reverse remodeling as well as to a better clinical prognosis in patients with HF who underwent CRT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: We compared short-term results of a hybrid versus a standard surgical bilateral thoracoscopic approach employing radiofrequency (RF) sources in the surgical treatment of lone atrial fibrillation (LAF). Methods: Between January 2008 and July 2010 sixty-three consecutive patients with LAF underwent minimally invasive surgery. Thirty-five (55.5%) underwent surgery with the hybrid approach whereas 28 (45.5%) underwent bilateral thoracoscopic standard procedure (no-hybrid group). All patients underwent continuous 7-day Holter Monitoring (HM) at 3months, 6months and 1year. Results: At 1year, 91.4% and 82.1% (time-related prevalence 5.2% vs.6.0% [p =0.56]) of the patients were free of AF and AAD. The hybrid group yielded better results in long standing persistent AF (8.2% [time related prevalence 81.8% vs. 44.4%, p =0.001] vs.14.9%, p =0.04). One-year success rates were 87.5% vs. 100% (p =0.04) in persistent [time related prevalence 3.8% vs. 0%, p <0.001] and 87.5% vs. 100% (p =0.04) in paroxysmal AF [time related prevalence 3.2% vs. 0%, p <0.001] in the two groups. One-year prevalence of Warfarin use was significantly higher in the hybrid group (29.0% [26.2–33.1] and 13.4% [9.9–16.3]) with no difference by AF type. LA reverse remodeling occurred in 81.7% (n =30) of hybrid patients and 67.8% (n =19) of no-hybrid patients at latest control (p =0.02). Left atrial emptying fraction increased in both groups (50±14%, p <0.001and 52±12%, p =0.004 in hybrid and no-hybrid, respectively) without differences between groups (p =0.6). Conclusions: The hybrid procedure yielded excellent results in long-standing persistent AF. Our findings need to be confirmed by further larger studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: We compared left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function during right ventricular (RV), LV, and biventricular (BiV) pacing in patients with narrow QRS duration with and without LV dysfunction. Background: The optimal RV pacing lead location for patients with a standard indication for ventricular pacing remains controversial. Methods: Left ventricular pressure and volume data were determined via conductance catheter during electrophysiology study in 31 patients divided into groups with ejection fraction (EF) ≥40% (n = 17) or EF <40% (n = 14). QRS duration was 91 ± 18 versus 106 ± 25 ms, respectively (p = NS). Hemodynamic data were recorded during atrial and dual chamber pacing from the RV apex, RV free wall, RV septum, LV free wall, and BiV. Results: In patients with EF ≥40%, RV pacing at 1 or more sites, but not LV free wall or BiV pacing, significantly (p < 0.05) impaired cardiac output (CO), stroke work (SW), EF, and LV relaxation compared with atrial overdrive pacing. Right ventricular pacing also impaired hemodynamics and LV function in patients with EF <40%. However, LV and BiV pacing increased CO, SW, EF, and LV +dP/dtMAX in patients with LV dysfunction. Left ventricular and BiV pacing enhanced an index of global LV cycle efficiency in patients with depressed EF. The detrimental hemodynamic effects of RV pacing were attenuated by selecting the optimal RV pacing site. Conclusions: Right ventricular pacing worsens LV function in patients with and without LV dysfunction unless the RV pacing site is optimized. Left ventricular and BiV pacing preserve LV function in patients with EF >40% and improve function in patients with EF <40% despite no clinical indication for BiV pacing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an emerging treatment for heart failure patients with left bundle branch block; in these patients left ventricle filling pattern (LVFP) abnormalities are recognized as cause of symptoms and predictors of outcome. We investigated the effects of CRT on diastolic function and the prognostic value of LVFP in patients on CRT. Methods: 65 patients treated with CRT were studied over a 12 months period. At baseline, according to defined echocardiographic criteria, restrictive LVFP (RFP) was present in 25 patients, whereas 40 patients showed no-RFP. Results: After CRT, opposite changes occurred in the two groups. In no-RFP patients, early-to-atrial filling velocity ratio (E / A) increased from 0.8±0.3 to 1.0±0.6 (p =0.006) and E wave deceleration time (DT) decreased from 234±83 ms to 196±51 ms (p =0.028). In 13 RFP patients, E / A decreased from 2.2±0.9 to 0.8±0.5 and DT increased from 128±43 ms to 205±52 ms (both p <0.001), leading to reversal of RFP. In both groups, clinical, functional and echographic benefits were evident, with mortality rates of 5% (2/40) and 15% (2/13) respectively. The remaining patients showed persistence of RFP (E / A and DT unchanged), no improvement and a mortality rate of 42% (5/12) (p =0.005, versus no-RFP). Conclusions: CRT improves diastolic function, inducing also reversal of LVFP in a consistent number of RFP patients. The persistence of RFP after CRT is associated to an extremely poor prognosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In 21 patients implanted with a biventricular pacing device with programmable interventricular delay (VVd), the myocardial performance index (MPI) was evaluated during spontaneous sinus rhythm, simultaneous biventricular pacing, and sequential biventricular pacing at different VVds and atrioventricular delays (AVds). The AVd-VVd combination associated with the minimum MPI defined patient-tailored biventricular pacing. Simultaneous biventricular pacing significantly improved MPI compared with spontaneous sinus rhythm. An additional improvement was obtained by tailored biventricular pacing. The optimal AVds were significantly shorter during right ventricular preactivation than during left ventricular preactivation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]