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Background In patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) the effect of revascularization on all-cause death (the most verifiable clinical event) is unknown. Objectives We explored the potential of the ischemic burden as derived from vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to guide decision-making in this scenario. Methods In a large prospective multicenter registry, we recruited 6389 patients (mean age 65±11 years, 38% female) submitted to undergo vasodilator stress CMR for known or suspected SIHD. Baseline and CMR characteristics were prospectively recorded. The ischemic burden (at vasodilator stress first-pass perfusion imaging) and necrosis extent (at late enhancement imaging) were computed (17-segment model). The effect of CMR-related revascularization (within the following three months) on all-cause death (revised using the unified regional electronic health system registry) was explored. Results During a 5.75-year median follow-up, 717 (11.2%) all-cause deaths were documented. In multivariable analyses, more extensive ischemic burden (per 1-segment increase) independently related to all-cause death (1.05 [1.03–1.07], p5 segments (9.3% vs. 16.3%, HR 0.56 [0.32–0.98], p=0.02) but it independently increased risk in 604 patients with ischemic burden ≤5 segments (16.2% vs. 11.3%, HR 1.59 [1.03–2.45], p=0.037). Figure 1. CMR-related revascularization Conclusions In patients with known or suspected stable ischemic heart disease the ischemic burden as derived from vasodilator stress CMR can be helpful to predict the effect of revascularization on long-term all-cause death. Acknowledgement/Funding Funded by “Instituto de Salud Carlos III”/FEDER (PIE15/00013, PI17/01836, and CIBERCV16/11/00486 grants) and Generalitat Valenciana (GV/2018/116).

Aims Although patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB) are at high risk of developing atrio-ventricular block, syncope may be due to other aetiologies. We performed a prospective, observational study of the clinical outcomes of patients with syncope and BBB following a systematic diagnostic approach. Methods and results Patients with ≥1 syncope in the last 6 months, with QRS duration ≥120 ms, were prospectively studied following a three-phase diagnostic strategy: Phase I, initial evaluation; Phase II, electrophysiological study (EPS); and Phase III, insertion of an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Overall, 323 patients (left ventricular ejection fraction 56 ± 12%) were studied. The aetiological diagnosis was established in 267 (82.7%) patients (102 at initial evaluation, 113 upon EPS, and 52 upon ILR) with the following aetiologies: bradyarrhythmia (202), carotid sinus syndrome (20), ventricular tachycardia (18), neurally mediated (9), orthostatic hypotension (4), drug-induced (3), secondary to cardiopulmonary disease (2), supraventricular tachycardia (1), bradycardia–tachycardia (1), and non-arrhythmic (7). A pacemaker was implanted in 220 (68.1%), an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in 19 (5.8%), and radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed in 3 patients. Twenty patients (6%) had died at an average follow-up of 19.2 ± 8.2 months. Conclusion In patients with syncope, BBB, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 56 ± 12%, a systematic diagnostic approach achieves a high rate of aetiological diagnosis and allows to select specific treatment.