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Background Clinical studies have suggested that there is a significant correlation between left ventricular (LV) false tendon and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). Objective This study aimed to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics and the outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for this category of PVCs. Methods From a total of 2284 patients with idiopathic PVCs who underwent catheter ablation at 6 institutions in China, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) was used during the procedure in 346 cases; 10 patients (2.9%) with PVCs associated with false tendon were retrospectively reviewed and enrolled in the present study. Activation mapping and pace mapping were performed to localize the origin of PVCs. ICE was used in all patients. If the false tendon was directly visualized and identified, we attempted to identify the distinct relationship with the PVC origin. Results The PVCs were successfully eliminated by ablation in all patients. The target sites were confirmed to be related to false tendon. The origin of PVCs was located at the attachment of the false tendon to the papillary muscle, LV septum, or LV apex. At the target site, high-frequency Purkinje potentials were observed preceding local ventricular activation in 7 patients. Conclusion LV false tendon can be associated with PVCs, which can be cured by RFCA. An ICE-guided electroanatomical approach should be considered to improve the safety and feasibility of this procedure.

Aims His–Purkinje conduction system pacing (HPCSP) utilizing His (HBP) or left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and wide QRS duration has not been well studied. We assessed the benefit of left bundle branch block (LBBB) correction during HPCSP in AF patients undergoing atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation with LBBB, compared with those with narrow QRS duration. Methods and results This is an observational study in consecutive patients with typical LBBB or narrow QRS duration in whom we attempted HPCSP after AVJ ablation for refractory AF with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 50%. Echocardiographic responses and clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and during 1 year of follow‐up. A total of 178 patients were enrolled, of which 170 achieved AVJ ablation + permanent HPCSP (age 69.3 ± 10.1 years; LVEF 34.3 ± 7.7%), 133 (78.2%) patients had a narrow QRS duration, and 37 (21.2%) had an LBBB. The QRS duration changed from a baseline of 159.7 ± 16.6 ms to a paced QRS duration of 110.4 ± 12.7 ms in the LBBB cohort and from 95.6 ± 10.4 to 100.8 ± 14.5 ms (both P

Background: High-power radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation was considered as a promising alternative strategy to conventional-power ablation in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study sought to compare the efficacy and safety of high-power energy delivery to that of conventional-power setting in AF catheter ablation.Methods: We performed a systematic review of relevant literature in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar database. Sixteen eligible studies totaling 3,307 patients (1,929 for high-power ablation; 1,378 for conventional-power ablation) met inclusion criteria.Results: During a median 12 month follow-up, high-power ablation showed a significantly higher AF/atrial tachycardia-free survival rate in comparison with conventional-power ablation (risk ratio [RR] 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15, p = 0.008). Notably, a high-power strategy convincingly decreased the procedure time (weighted mean difference [WMD] −46.11 min, 95% CI −59.15 to −33.07, p < 0.001) and RF ablation time (WMD −19.19 min, 95% CI −24.47 to −13.90, p < 0.001), along with reduced fluoroscopy time (WMD −7.82 min, 95% CI −15.13 to −0.68, p = 0.036). In addition, there was no perceptible difference in the potential risk of procedure-related complications between these two approaches (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.37, p = 0.428).Conclusions: High-power RF catheter ablation was associated with an improvement in long-term sinus rhythm maintenance for treatment of AF, without exacerbating the risk of adverse events during the procedure. Impressively, high-power pulmonary vein isolation had the potential to shorten the application duration and minimize fluoroscopic exposure.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate whether a modified implantation method facilitating a fully open umbrella can reduce the pericardial effusion/pericardial tamponade (PE/PT) rate after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the LAmbre device compared with the conventional method (CM) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods and results: Patients with NVAF who received either isolated LAAC or combined catheter ablation and LAAC using the LAmbre device at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled. CM was used for device implantation in the initial 59 patients, while a modified method (MM) was used in the remaining 165 patients. Successful implantation was achieved in 98.3% of patients in the CM group and in 98.8% in the MM group. A higher rate of a fully open umbrella (98.8% vs 69%, P

This study sought to assess the predictive value of the proposed electrocardiogram and intracardiac electrogram characteristics for confirmation of left bundle branch (LBB) capture.Previously proposed criteria to distinguish left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and left ventricular septum (LVS) pacing (LVSP) have not been fully validated.A His bundle pacing lead, an LBBP lead, and a multielectrode catheter at the LVS were placed. Direct LBB capture was defined as demonstration of retrograde His potential on the His bundle pacing lead and/or anterograde left conduction system potentials on the multielectrode catheter during LBBP. The routinely used parameters-His, LBB potential, time from stimulus to peak ventricular activation (Stim-LVAT), and paced QRS morphology during LVSP and LBBP at various depths and outputs were analyzed.Thirty patients (21 non-left bundle branch block [LBBB], 9 LBBB) who demonstrated direct LBB capture using the defined criteria were included. The proportion of paced right bundle branch block was 100% during LBB capture in all patients compared to 23.4% in non-LBBB and 44.4% in LBBB during LVSP. LBB potential was recorded in all patients during intrinsic rhythm (non-LBBB group) or His corrective pacing in LBBB. Paced QRS duration was longer during selective LBBP compared to nonselective LBBP or LVSP only. All patients with characteristics of selective LBBP or abrupt decrease in Stim-LVAT of ≥10 ms demonstrated LBB capture.Direct LBB capture can be confirmed by recording retrograde His potential and anterograde left conduction system potentials. Abrupt decrease in Stim-LVAT of ≥10 ms and demonstration of selective LBBP could be used as simple criteria to confirm LBB capture.

Introduction: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) fails to display optimal views to guide left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedure in some patients due to atrio-esophageal anatomical limitation. We aimed to investigate if intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) conducted from left atrium (LA) achieves comparable multi-planar views and clinical outcomes as TEE during LAAC. Methods and Results: This study prospectively enrolled 102 consecutive patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation receiving LAmbre implants under local anesthesia at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from August 2018 to July 2019. The procedures were guided by either ICE (n=40), TEE (n=50) or combined ICE-TEE (n=12). A novel multi-angled “FLAVOR” approach was used in ICE group for assessment. ICE allowed visualization of implanted device in all patients at all proposed angles with long-axis views, while TEE failed to do so in at least one of the angles in 36% of cases. In the combined ICE-TEE cohort, TEE failed peri-device leak assessment in 2 patients. Rates of procedural success, recapture, resizing and complications were similar between ICE and TEE groups. Fluoroscopy time, radiation dose and volume of contrast use in ICE group were significantly lower than the TEE cohort. At 45-day TEE follow-up, rate and degree of peri-device leaks were similar between the ICE and TEE groups. Conclusions: A systematic approach using ICE to guide LAmbre LAA occlusion was safe and feasible. This method was more reliable in comprehensive, multi-angled imaging assessment, and achieving shorter fluoroscopy time, lower radiation dose and less contrast use than TEE.

ObjectivesHis bundle pacing (HBP) can potentially correct left bundle branch block (LBBB). We aimed to assess the efficacy of HBP to correct LBBB and long-term clinical outcomes with HBP in patients with heart failure (HF).MethodsThis is an observational study of patients with HF with typical LBBB who were indicated for pacing therapy and were consecutively enrolled from one centre. Permanent HBP leads were implanted if the LBBB correction threshold was ResultsIn 74 enrolled patients (69.6±9.2 years and 43 men), LBBB correction was acutely achieved in 72 (97.3%) patients, and 56 (75.7%) patients received permanent HBP (pHBP) while 18 patients did not receive permanent HBP (non-permanent HBP), due to no LBBB correction (n=2), high LBBB correction thresholds (n=10) and fixation failure (n=6). The median follow-up period of pHBP was 37.1 (range 15.0–48.7) months. Thirty patients with pHBP had completed 3-year follow-up, with LVEF increased from baseline 32.4±8.9% to 55.9±10.7% (p0.05).ConclusionspHBP improved LVEF, LVESV and NYHA Class in patients with HF with typical LBBB.

Aims Unexplained scar-related atrial tachycardia (AT) has been frequently encountered in clinical practice. We hypothesized that idiopathic, isolated fibrotic atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) underlies this rhythm disorder. This study was aimed to characterize the underlying substrate and to explore the aetiology of this unexplained scar-related AT. Methods and results Twenty-six (11 men, aged 46 ± 13 years) of 52 non-surgical scar-related AT patients identified by three-dimensional voltage mapping were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Multimodality image examinations (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, 99Tc single-photon emission computed tomography), ventricular voltage mapping, and intracardiac pressure curve recording ruled out ventricular involvement. Catheter ablation was acutely successful for all the patients, and pacemaker implantation was performed in seven patients who presented sinus node dysfunction or atrial standstill after termination of the AT. In three patients with multiple AT recurrences, the diseased areas of the right atrium were resected and dechannelled via mini-invasive surgical interventions. Histological examinations revealed profound fibrosis without amyloidosis or adipose deposition. Viral and familial investigations yielded negative results. Fibrosis progression over a median of 45 (5-109) months of follow-up manifested as atrial arrhythmia recurrence in seven patients and atrial lead non-capture due to newly developed atrial standstill in two patients. Two patients suffered four ischaemic stroke events before receiving anticoagulation treatment. Conclusion Isolated, fibrotic ACM may underlie the idiopathic scar-related ATs. This novel cardiomyopathy has unique clinical characteristics with high morbidity including stroke and warrants specific therapeutic strategies. Further investigations are required to determine the aetiology and mechanism.

An 84-year-old man with permanent atrial fibrillation was referred for left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 and a HAS-BLED score of 4. Pre-operative transesophageal echocardiography identified a LAA ostial diameter of 30 mm. A 33-mm Watchman device (Boston Scientific

Background His bundle pacing (HBP) has been shown to correct left bundle branch block (LBBB), however it often requires high pacing output and the success rate is variable. Objective To assess the feasibility and safety of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in patients with LBBB. Methods From Apr 2014 to Aug 2018, patients with LBBB from multicenters indicated for CRT or pacing therapy were included. LBBAP was performed by advancing the MDT 3830 lead deep into the septum about 1 cm distal to the His bundle region (Figure 1F). Pacing characteristics, success rate, threshold and R-wave amplitude were assessed. Results A total of 94 patients aged 68.3±10.7 y with the native QRS duration of 167.2±17.2 ms were included. In 92 patients, LBBAP was successfully achieved and demonstrated RBBB pattern during unipolar tip pacing (UTP), with the paced QRS duration of 116.4±12.6ms (Figure 1C). Fusion of LBBAP and native conduction via the RBB eliminated RBBB and resulted in an average QRS duration of 103.2±10.1 ms (Figure 1D). LBB potential could be recorded from the LBB lead during correction of LBBB by HBP in 21 patients who used two leads method (His lead and LBB lead, Figure 1B). Output dependent selective and non-selective LBBAP were demonstrated in 48 patients (Figure 1C, D). The LBB capture threshold by UTP was 0.53±0.18V/0.5ms at acute and 0.62±0.17V/0.5ms at 6 months and 0.65±0.2V/0.5ms at 1 year. The R-wave amplitude were 11.4±5.2mV, 12.4±5.8mV and 12.0±5.8mV at acute, 6 month and 1 year. During follow-up, only one patient had an increase in LBB capture threshold to 2.5V/0.5ms at 3 months and there were no other complications such as dislodgment, infections, embolism or stroke associated with the implantation. Conclusion Permanent LBBAP is feasible and safe in patients with LBBB.

Background It remains unclear whether the curative result of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a result of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, PV antrum modification (PVAM), or both. We hypothesized that sufficient antrum modification (PVAM) is as important as PV isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) control and that PVAM can be evaluated by quantified lesion deployment using a force-sensing catheter. Methods and results Patients of symptomatic PAF were randomly assigned 2:1 into a PVAM group or a circumferential PV isolation (CPVI) group. In the PVAM group, circumferential quantitative ablation evaluated by automatical VisiTag module was performed. In the CPVI group, conventional circumferential ablation was performed to achieve the end point of all-PV isolation. In total, 180 patients with PAF were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the PVAM group (n = 120) or the CPVI group (n = 60). A total of 179 patients successfully underwent ablation. In the PVAM group, 68 patients achieved all PVI (PVAM-PVI), while 51 did not (PVAM-non-PVI). At 18 months, there was no significant difference in the maintenance of sinus rhythm between the PVAM and CPVI groups (84.9 vs 79.7%, P = .382). The PVAM-PVI subgroup demonstrated a higher arrhythmia-free survival compared with the PVAM-non-PVI subgroup (92.6 vs 74.5%, P = .006) and the CPVI group (92.6 vs 79.7%, P = .036). Conclusions The trial shows that sufficient force-sensing guided PVAM can result in satisfying outcomes in PAF patients. Notably, sufficient PVAM with all-PV isolated will further increase the success rate.

AIMS High and unstable capture thresholds affect the success rate of permanent His-bundle pacing (HBP). We aimed to introduce the modified techniques during different periods and the corresponding success rate of HBP implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients from a single centre who had intrinsic QRS

Heart failure is common in patients with permanent pacemakers. Right ventricular (RV) pacing may worsen cardiac function, while the nonresponder rate of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for heart failure treatment remains 25%-30%.The purpose of this study was to assess clinical outcomes of upgrading to permanent His bundle pacing (pHBP) in patients with heart failure who underwent device upgrade from right ventricular pacing or CRT nonresponse.Eighteen patients with pacing-dependent heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)50% underwent pHBP attempts at device replacement. Of those 18 patients, 16 (88.9%) received pHBP successfully and followed for a mean of 36.2 months. All these patients underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide assay, and chest radiography immediately before replacement and during follow-up visits.Of the 16 patients (mean age 70.6 ± 12.9 years; 9 [56.3%] men), 11 (68.8%) patients had pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) while the remaining 5 (31.2%) patients were CRT nonresponders. After upgrading to pHBP, QRS duration was significantly shortened (from 156.9 ± 21.7 to 107.1 ± 16.5 ms; P.01). At 1-year follow-up after HBP, left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions decreased from baseline 62.3 ± 6.9 to 55.5 ± 7.7 mm (P.01) and LVEF increased from baseline 35.7% ± 7.9% to 52.8% ± 9.6% (P.01). Other improvements after HBP upgrade included mitral valve regurgitation, serum brain natriuretic peptide concentrations, cardiothoracic ratios, and New York Heart Association functional class (P.01 for all).In paced patients with clinically symptomatic heart failure and LVEF50%, pHBP upgrade was feasible in 88.9%, with improved left ventricular function and remodeling. Hence, pHBP can be an alternative for patients with pacing-induced cardiomyopathy and CRT nonresponders.

Late cure after a previously failed ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is a relatively common phenomenon. The present study sought to delineate the incidence and electrophysiological characteristics of late cure in idiopathic VA patients.Totally, 45 idiopathic VA cases (mean age 44 ± 18 years, 27 males) either failed acutely or recurred within 12 h were enrolled in this study. Based on intensive clinical observations in the acute period, 19 (42%) patients demonstrated late cure in the first week after the procedure.The late cure patients had significantly better acute and cumulative ablation effects during the procedure than did those without a late cure. Additionally, they had a prediction that originated from the right ventricular outflow tract, aortic-mitral continuum, and left summit area relative to other sites (13/18 vs 6/27, p 0.01). In a median follow-up of 24 [14, 46] months, 7/19 (37%) patients had their VAs recurred. The late cure group had significantly more patients cured at long-term follow-up than those without (12/19 vs 0/26, p 0.01). A cutoff value of the "time to eliminate VAs" 7.0 s was able to predict a long-term recurrence of the VAs with 62.5% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity.The late cure of VAs occurs in more than one third of patients who have a seemingly unsuccessful ablation session, which is clustered in the first week after the procedure. However, long-term recurrence of VAs occurred in 37% of the late cure patients, emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up.

Background Clinical benefits from His bundle pacing ( HBP ) in heart failure patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction are still inconclusive. This study evaluated clinical outcomes of permanent HBP in atrial fibrillation patients with narrow QRS who underwent atrioventricular node ablation for heart failure symptoms despite rate control by medication. Methods and Results The study enrolled 52 consecutive heart failure patients who underwent attempted atrioventricular node ablation and HBP for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension, New York Heart Association classification and use of diuretics for heart failure were assessed during follow‐up visits after permanent HBP . Of 52 patients, 42 patients (80.8%) received permanent HBP and atrioventricular node ablation with a median 20‐month follow‐up. There was no significant change between native and paced QRS duration (107.1±25.8 versus 105.3±23.9 milliseconds, P =0.07). Left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension decreased from the baseline ( P P HBP in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients and from a baseline 2.7±0.6 to 1.4±0.5 after HBP in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients. After 1 year of HBP , the numbers of patients who used diuretics for heart failure decreased significantly ( P Conclusions Permanent HBP post–atrioventricular node ablation significantly improved echocardiographic measurements and New York Heart Association classification and reduced diuretics use for heart failure management in atrial fibrillation patients with narrow QRS who suffered from heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction.

To assess the feasibility and resynchronization of left bundle branch (LBB) pacing in patients with infra-His AV block. Case-reporting. A 58-year-old male patient with 2:1 AV block, syncope and LVEF of 57.1% had RV pacing for 5 years. Recently, he presented with heart failure symptoms with an LVEF

His bundle pacing (HBP) utilizes the His-bundle to achieve synchronous ventricular activation. The study objective was to assess the feasibility of correction of LBBB by HBP and evaluated clinical outcomes of HBP in patients (pts) with heart failure (HF) and LBBB. 57 pts who had LBBB were enrolled

To evaluate the incidence of inappropriate shocks in patients with ICD/CRT-D, and the efficacy of atrial-ventricular node (AVN) ablation for preventing inappropriate shocks and improving heart function. We enrolled consecutive patients who implanted ICD or CRT-D from Nov, 2005 to Jan, 2017.

Catheter ablation is an effective therapy for symptomatic, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was an attractive alternative for stroke prevention. The concomitant catheter ablation and LAAC might be a feasible way to relieve symptom, reduce stroke

Catheter ablation is an effective therapy for symptomatic, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was an attractive alternative for stroke prevention. The concomitant catheter ablation and LAAC might be a feasible way to relieve symptom, reduce stroke

His bundle pacing (HBP) can potentially correct left bundle branch block (LBBB). We aimed to assess the efficacy of HBP to correct LBBB and long term clinical outcomes with HBP in heart failure (HF) patients. This is an observational study of HF patients with typical LBBB who were indicated for

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative for stroke prevention. The feasibility and efficacy of LAAO remain unclear. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of LAAO. Patients with AF at high risk of thromboembolic events and bleeding who underwent LAAO for drug

Permanent His bundle pacing (HBP) is promising as the most physiologic ventricular pacing. However, there remains high and unstable captured threshold affecting the success rate. We aimed to introduce the modified skills during different periods and the corresponding success rate of HBP implantation

This report demonstrates the feasibility of pacing the left bundle branch (LBB) immediately beyond the conduction block to functionally restore the impaired His-Purkinje conduction system in a patient with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB). The pacing required only a low pacing output (0.5 volts/0.5 ms) to correct the LBBB with accompanying right BBB on the electrocardiogram. Over 1-year of follow-up, the patient had a significant improvement in clinical outcome and echocardiographic measurements. The case shows a novel pacing strategy for patients with BBB that affects many patients with heart failure.