Search

Background Many patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia (VT) or premature ventricular complex (PVC) ablation receive antithrombotic medications. Their uninterrupted use has the potential to affect complication rates. We assessed the incidence of complications in a large cohort of patients undergoing these procedures, according to antithrombotic medication use. Methods From June 2014 to June 2016, 201 VT and PVC ablations were performed at a single center. We allocated patients to three groups: (A) anticoagulation group (international normalized ratio ≥ 1.5 or non-vitamin K anticoagulant or full-dose low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparin on day of procedure); (B) antithrombotic group (antiplatelet therapy and/or prophylactic LMW heparin on day of procedure); and (C) no antithrombotics group. We assessed periprocedural complication rates in each group. Multivariable analysis was performed. Results Group A (47 patients) had 8.5% procedural complication rate: one stroke, one pseudoaneurysm, one femoral artery occlusion, and one access site hematoma. In this group, 37 patients had femoral arterial and 18 had epicardial access. In Group B (46 patients), the complication rate was 6.5%: two cardiac tamponades and one pericardial effusion without compromise. Group C (108 patients) had a 5.6% complication rate: three cardiac tamponades (with one periprocedural death and one concomitant gastric vessel injury), one pericardial effusion without compromise, one stomach perforation, and two access site hematomas. Multivariable analysis did not show any significant predictors of complications, though age approached significance. Conclusions Complication rates were not significantly different between groups. These findings suggest that VT and PVC ablation can be performed safely in patients with uninterrupted antithrombotic medications.

In situ deposited copper nanodendrites are herein proven to be a highly selective electrocatalyst which is capable of reducing CO2 to ethylene by reaching a Faradaic efficiency of 57% at a current density of 170 mA cm−2. It is found that the desired structures are formed in situ under acidic pH conditions at high electrode potentials more negative than −2 V versus Ag/AgCl. Detailed investigations on the preparation, characterization, and advancement of electrode materials and of the electrolyte have been performed. Catalyst degradation effects are intensively followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) characterization methods and found to be a major root course for selectivity losses.