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Background: Subclinical hyperthyroidism is defined by a subnormal serum thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) level with normal free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels. Its prevalence varies from 0.6% to 16% in the elderly and can increase to 20% in patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Thyroid disease and/or replacement therapy are frequently associated with cardiovascular involvement. Cases Presentation: We report three clinical cases of patients with initial subclinical hyperthyroidism and cardiological manifestations, including supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles, prolapse of the mitral valve with severe regurgitation, higher mean heart rate and deterioration of the arrhythmias on arrhythmogenic dysplasia substrate. Conclusion: We discuss the role of appropriate and early correction of thyroid dysfunction in improving cardiological manifestations.

Friedreich's ataxia is a rare degenerative neuromuscular disorder, caused by a homozygous GAA triplet repeat expansion in the frataxin (FXN) gene, with a broad clinical phenotype characterized by progressive gait and limb ataxia, dysarthria, and loss of lower limb reflexes; cardiac involvement is represented by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac deaths. Currently, no definite therapy is available, while many drugs are under investigation; for this reasons, we need markers of short‐ and long‐term treatment efficacy acting on different tissue for trial evaluation. We describe the case of a 21‐year‐old patient affected by Friedreich's ataxia on wheel‐chair, with initial cardiac involvement and electrocardiographic features characterized by thiamine treatment‐related negative T wave and QTc variations. We discuss plausible physiopathology and potential ECG role implications as an intermediate marker of treatment response in future clinical trials considering patients affected by Friedreich's ataxia.

BACKGROUND Multipoint pacing (MPP) may improve clinical outcomes in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D), but its impact on battery longevity in a real-world population has not been investigated in large trials. OBJECTIVE Compare projected battery longevity in CRT-D patients with and without MPP during long-term follow-up. METHODS The Italian registry on multipoint left ventricular pacing (IRON-MPP) is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients implanted with MPP-capable CRT-D devices. Projected battery longevity during follow-up was compared for patients with MPP (MPP ON) vs single-site (MPP OFF) left ventricular pacing at CRT-D implantation. A sub-analysis excluded crossover patients with MPP activation or deactivation occurring after implantation. A second sub-analysis excluded patients with a right or left ventricular pacing amplitude >2.5 V. RESULTS Out of 237 CRT-D patients (71 ± 9 years, 81% male) followed for 1.9 ± 0.8 years, 102 (43%) had MPP ON at implantation. Programmed atrial and ventricular outputs and percentage of pacing were similar between groups. MPP was associated with a 0.44 years reduction in projected battery longevity (P = .03) during long-term follow-up. Results were similar for the first and second sub-analyses, with a 0.57 years (P

Transcather aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a safe and indispensable treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk. Recently, outcomes after TAVI have improved significantly and TAVI has emerged as a qualified alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in the treatment of intermediate risk patients and greater adoption of this procedure is to be expected in a wider patients population, including younger patients and low surgical risk patients. However since the aortic valve has close spatial proximity to the conduction system, conduction anomalies are frequently observed in TAVI. In this article, we aim to review the key aspects of pathophysiology, current incidence, predictors and clinical association of conduction anomalies following TAVI.

Background. Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor, clinically characterized by high blood pressure, palpitations, and headache. It is often associated with abnormalities of the ventricular repolarization phase; the dispersion of ventricular repolarization is the basis for ventricular arrhythmias (torsion de point, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation). Objectives. Analysis of abnormal ventricular repolarization focused on the presence and amount of U wave in patients affected by pheochromocytoma and its modification after surgery. Materials and Methods. We reviewed pathology records of 722 patients admitted for adrenal nodule or suspected chromaffin-cell tumor and identified 39 patients affected by pheochromocytoma. Metanephrine, normetanephrine, and 3-methoxytyramine have been assessed by determining concentrations in 24-hour urine collection. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram records have been reviewed with analysis of heart rate, P wave, PR interval, QRS duration, QTc, and U wave. Then we selected and compared 22 patients of 39 affected by pheochromocytoma, with both clinical and electrocardiographic data before and after surgery. Results. In our cohort of 39 patients affected by pheochromocytoma, we found U wave in ECG, before treatment, in 82.8 percent of patients, while only 37.0 percent after treatment (p2=0.333, p=0.015), 3-methoxytyramine levels (r2=0.458, p=0.006), and tumor size (r2=0.429, p=0.003). Conclusions. In our retrospective analysis, patients affected by pheochromocytoma presented U wave in electrocardiogram. The presence and amount of U wave were associated with the metanephrine levels and the tumor size with significant reduction after surgical removal.

Background: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic disorder with an estimated prevalence between 1:2,000 and 1:5,000 and is characterized by the fibrofatty replacement of cardiomyocytes that predisposes to malignant arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. The diagnosis is based on the 2010 Task Force Criteria including family history, electrocardiographic traits and arrhythmogenic pattern, specific gene mutations, and structural and/or histological abnormalities. Most ACMs display an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance often with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. Genetic screening of patients with ACM identifies pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, prevalently in genes encoding the cardiac desmosome (PKP2, DSP, DSC2, DSG2, and JUP) or less frequently in non-desmosomal genes (CTNNA3, PLN, TMEM43, RYR2, SCN5A, CDH2, and DES).Methods: In the present study, we performed molecular autopsy in a boy who died suddenly during physical exertion. In addition to post-mortem examination, a DNA sample was analyzed with next-generation sequencing (NGS).Results: The genetic analysis revealed the presence of pathogenic heterozygous c.314del (p.Pro105Leufs*7) frameshift variant in the PKP2 gene. Cascade screening of family members allowed us to identify 12 mutation carriers and to intervene on subjects at risk, many of whom were athletes.Conclusions: Molecular autopsy can establish cardiogenetic diagnosis and allow appropriate preventative measures in high-risk relatives.

INTRODUCTION Early evidence suggests that multipoint left ventricular pacing (MPP) may improve response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). It is unknown whether this benefit is sustained and cost-effective. We used real-world data to evaluate long-term impact of MPP-ON clinical status, heart failure hospitalizations (HFH) and costs. METHODS The Italian registry on multipoint left ventricular pacing is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients implanted with MPP-enabled CRT devices. For this analysis, clinical and echocardiographic data were collected through 24 months and compared between patients with (MPP-ON) or without (MPP-OFF) early MPP activation at implant. The total cost of each HFH was estimated with national Italian reimbursement rates. RESULTS The study included 190 MPP-OFF and 128 MPP-ON patients with similar baseline characteristics. At 1 and 2 years, the MPP-ON group had lower rates of HFH vs MPP-OFF (1-year hazard ratio [HR]: 0.14, P = .0014; 2-year HR: 0.38, P = .009). The finding persisted in a subgroup of patients with consistent MPP activation through follow-up (1-year HR: 0.19; P = .0061; 2-year HR: 0.39, P = .022). Total HFH per-patient costs were lower in the MPP-ON vs the MPP-OFF group at 1 year (€101 ± 50 vs €698 ± 195, P

Introduction Sudden cardiac death is an important cause of mortality in the general population. It represents an important challenge for clinicians, often being the only symptom of a broad spectrum of cardiac pathologies and inherited heart conditions. Early repolarization syndrome and Brugada syndrome are part of the wider “J-wave” syndrome, which may also include the short QT syndrome as a third factor of an ionic channel imbalance in the arrhythmogenic landscape. Case presentation We describe the case of a woman struck down by sudden cardiac death, with short QT and early repolarization, in which we found an extremely rare and putatively pathogenic heterozygous variant in the SCN10A gene. Variants involving SCN10A , which encodes a voltage-gated sodium channel, were already associated with alterations of cardiac conduction parameters and the cardiac rhythm disorder, thereby influencing the cardiac physiology and predisposing to arrhythmia. Conclusion We underline the role of genetic predisposition to sudden cardiac death and, for the first time, suggest a possible environmental effect, such as a pharmacological therapy in the setting of sudden death, with the purpose to increase awareness in clinical practice.

Background & Aims Sofosbuvir (SOF) and weight-based ribarivin (RBV) represented until recently the standard of care in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT)2 patients. In registration studies 12–16weeks duration were associated with a 90% sustained virological response at 12weeks (SVR12). Real life cohorts showed lower SVR12 rates. Methods SVR12 rates attained in an Italian real life cohort and possible benefits of a duration extended up to 20weeks was investigated in HCV GT2 patients with cirrhosis. The role of 2k/1b chimeras as potential predictor of treatment failure was also analysed. Results Overall, 291 HCV GT2 infected patients with bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis were evaluated. Median age was 68years (18–87); 163 were treatment naive. Of 168 cirrhotic patients, 149 had Child-Pugh score A and 19 B, 50 platelets count 3 and 62 albumin p =0.0022 and OR 0.1; 95% CI 0.01–0.72; p =0.0079, respectively). Anemia was mild in 12.4%, moderate in 3.4%, and severe in 2.4% of cases. Anemia was slightly more frequent among longer duration but not associated with treatment discontinuations. No 2k/1b strains or genotypes different from those at baseline were identified at relapse. Conclusions In GT2 cirrhotic patients, SOF/RBV for 16 or 20weeks is associated with real life SVR12 rates of 95%. Lay summary A duration of treatment of 16–20weeks was recommended for treatment of HCV GT2 patients using the combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin. Real life experiences, where patients received 12weeks of treatment regardless of the severity of liver disease, suggested that response rates are lower than expected, in particular in patients with liver cirrhosis. A misleading genotyping of a 2k/1b strain as GT2 was also hypothesized as a further explanation for less effectiveness. We demonstrated that using the recommended extended duration in patients with more severe disease 95% of patients with severe liver disease including cirrhosis can be cured and that 2k/1b strain plays only a secondary role in specific countries like Germany. Although this combination has been recently replaced by sofosbuvir and velpatasvir fixed dose combination as the standard of care for treating HCV GT2 patients, our findings may inform physicians from countries where the new regimen is not yet available.

Background Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) surgery is threatened by serious complications both during the procedure and during follow-up. The factors associated to attenuated clinical benefit over long term follow-up are poorly understood. Purpose To evaluate type and extent of Adverse Events (AEs) and potential predictors of major AEs over 12 months after ICD/CRT-D replacement/upgrade in a contemporary Italian population. Methods Detect long-term complications after ICD replacement (DECODE) was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter cohort study aimed at estimating medium- to long-term complications in a large population of patients (pts) who underwent ICD/CRT-D replacement/upgrade from 2013 to 2015. The endpoint for this analysis is death from any cause, procedure-related infection, and surgical actions/hospitalizations necessary to treat the AEs. Results We included 983 consecutive pts (median age 71 years, 76% male, 55% ischemic, 47% CRT-D). During a mean follow-up duration of 353±49 days, 7% of the pts died. A total of 104 AEs occurred in 70 (7.1%) pts. 43 (4.4%) pts needed at least one surgical action to treat the AEs. A total of 23 (2.3%) pts had infective AEs (CIED related in 12 pts, due to other causes in 11). Mortality was unrelated to the occurrence of overall AEs, or of CIED-related AEs, or of surgical actions/hospitalizations needed to correct AEs. The endpoint was reached by 109 (11%) pts over 12-month follow-up (97 pts had a single event, and 12 pts had two events). The median time to the endpoint was 137 [50 - 254] days. On multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for baseline confounders, ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.91; p=0.0076), hospitalization prior to the procedure (2.34, 1.35 to 4.05; 0.0025) and anticoagulation (1.91, 1.25 to 2.92; 0.0032) were associated with the endpoint during follow-up. Conclusion Evaluation of the patient's profile may assist in predicting vulnerability and should prompt reconsideration of the procedure by deferring at a more stable clinical status, and carefully individualized in the setting of upgrades and anticoagulation management Acknowledgement/Funding None

Cardiomyopathies caused by double gene mutations are rare but conferred a remarkably increased risk of end‐stage progression, arrhythmias, and poor outcome. Compound genetic mutations leading to complex phenotype in the setting of cardiomyopathies represent an important challenge in clinical practice, and genetic tests allow risk stratification and personalized clinical management of patients. We report a case of a 50‐year‐old woman with congestive heart failure characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy, diffuse coronary disease, complete atrioventricular block, and missense mutations in cardiac myosin‐binding protein C (MYBPC3) and myopalladin (MYPN). We discuss the plausible role of genetic profile in phenotype determination.

Background The deletion of the distal 7q region is a rare chromosomal syndrome characterized by wide phenotypic manifestations including growth and psychomotor delay, facial dysmorphisms, and genitourinary malformations. Methods We describe a 6‐year‐old child with a 12‐Mb deletion of the region 7q35q36.3. Results Among the deleted genes, two genes have cardiac implications: PRKAG2 (OMIM #602743), associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac conduction disease, and sudden death, and KCNH2 (OMIM #152427), coding for a cardiac potassium channel involved in long QT syndrome, unmasked by the chlorpheniramine treatment. At same time, the SHH gene (OMIM #600725), encoding sonic hedgehog, a secreted protein that is involved in the embryonic development, is deleted. Conclusion Our report underlines potential cardiac complications linked to the common pharmacological treatment in this rare multiorgan and proteiform disease.

Coronary disease is a common condition in patients affected by heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This condition represents an indication for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in order to reduce the risk of sudden death related to arrhythmias. Nevertheless, inappropriate shocks are associated with worse quality of life, hospitalization, and death. We present the case of an inappropriate shock related to percutaneous coronary intervention during the insertion and advancement of the guidewire into the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in a patient with an ICD. Physicians' awareness about the clinical implication of noise arising during a coronary procedure is very important in patients with an ICD or pacemaker, to avoid inappropriate shock or pacing inhibition and to raise the possibility of lead implantation in or helix protrusion into the coronary lumen.

Aims This registry was created to describe the experience of 76 Italian centres with a large cohort of recipients of multipoint pacing (MPP) capable cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. Methods and results A total of 507 patients in whom these devices had been successfully implanted were enrolled between August 2013 and May 2015. We analysed: (i) current clinical practices for the management of such patients, and (ii) the impact of MPP on heart failure clinical composite response and on the absolute change in ejection fraction (EF) at 6 months. Multipoint pacing was programmed to ‘ON’ in 46% of patients before discharge. Methods of optimizing MPP programming were most commonly based on either the greatest narrowing of the QRS complex (38%) or the electrical delays between the electrodes (34%). Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data were evaluated in 232 patients. These patients were divided into two groups according to whether MPP was programmed to ‘ON’ ( n = 94) or ‘OFF’ ( n = 138) at the time of discharge. At 6 months, EF was significantly higher in the MPP group than in the biventricular-pacing group (39.1 ± 9.6 vs. 34.7 ± 7.6%; P < 0.001). Even after adjustments, early MPP activation remained an independent predictor of absolute increase in LVEF of ≥5% (odds ratio 2.5; P = 0.001). At 6 months, an improvement in clinical composite score was recorded in a greater proportion of patients with MPP-ON than in controls (56 vs. 38%; P = 0.009). On comparing optimal MPP and conventional vectors, QRS was also seen to have decreased significantly ( P < 0.001). Conclusion This study provides information that is essential in order to deal with the expected increase in the number of patients receiving MPP devices in the coming years. The results revealed different practices among centres, and establishing the optimal programming that can maximize the benefit of MPP remains a challenging issue. Compared with conventional CRT, MPP improved clinical status and resulted in an additional increase in EF. Clinical Trial Registration . Unique identifier: [NCT02606071][1]. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT02606071&atom=%2Feuropace%2Fearly%2F2016%2F05%2F16%2Feuropace.euw094.atom

BACKGROUND Carotid stenting stimulates intimal proliferation through platelet and stem cell activation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the administration before or after carotid stenting of clopidogrel loading dose may play a role on circulating endothelial progenitor cells, stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and neointimal hyperplasia. METHODS We recruited 13 patients (aged 74.52±7.23) with indication of carotid revascularization and in therapy with salicylic acid and statin. We blindly randomized them in two groups: pre-carotid angioplasty with stent (Pre-CAS group) receiving 300 mg of clopidogrel before stenting, and post-carotid angioplasty with stent (Post-CAS group) receiving 300 mg after stenting. At the admission, we valued endothelial progenitor cells, SDF-1α and prospectively we repeated blood samples and measured intima-media thickness to estimate neointimal hyperplasia on the stent at 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS In the days following the CAS, we found a lower, statistically not significant, trend of endothelial progenitor cells in Pre-CAS group. The SDF-1α concentration tended to be lower at baseline in the pre-CAS group than in the post-CAS group and it did not show an increase in the observed time. On the contrary, in the Post-CAS group we observed a peak at six hours with a significant reduction (p

Cardiomyopathies represent a well-known cause of heart failure and sudden death. Although cardiomyopathies are generally categorized in distinct nosographic entities, characterized by single gene-to-disease causal relationships, recently, oligogenic mutations have also been associated to relevant cardiac clinical features. We report the case of a master athlete carrying trigenic mutations in desmoglein-2 (DSG2), desmocollin-2 (DSC2) and heavy chain myosin 6 (MYH6), which determine a mild hypertrophic phenotype associated both to ventricular tachyarrhythmias and atrio-ventricular block. We discuss the differential diagnosis and prognostic approach in patient affected by complex cardiomyopathy phenotype, along with the importance of sport restriction and sudden death prevention.

Purpose: To analyse safety and efficacy of treatment based on ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir plus ribavirin in the sub-group of GT1 patients older than 65years. Methods: We collected data extracted from the ABACUS compassionate-use nationwide Italian programme, in patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) Genotype-1 (GT1) or 4 and at high risk of decompensation. GT1-HCV-infected patients received once-daily ombitasvir/paritaprevir, with the pharmacokinetic enhancer ritonavir (25/150/100mg) and twice-daily dasabuvir (250mg) plus Ribavirin (RBV) (OBV/PTV/r + DSV + RBV) for 12 (GT1b) or 24 (GT1a) weeks. Endpoints were to evaluate safety and efficacy, the latter defined as HCV RNA negative 12weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). Results: Patients who suffered any adverse event (AE) were 74/240 (30.8%); 13/240 (5.4%) discontinued the treatment. A multivariate analysis found albumin < 3.5g/dL (OR 2.04: 95% CI 1.0–4.2, p < 0.05) and hypertension (OR 4.6: 95% CI 2.3–9.2, p < 0.001) as variables independently associated with AE occurrence. The SVR12 was 95% (228/240). Multivariate analysis identified baseline bilirubin < 2mg/dL (OR 4.9: 95% CI 1.17–20.71, p = 0.029) as the only variable independently associated with SVR12. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that OBV/PTV/r + DSV + RBV is safe and effective in real-life use in patients with compensated cirrhosis, HCV-GT1 infection, and age over 65.

Aim Ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurrence after cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) replacement is unknown; hence, there is no practical guideline to recommend either CRT-D or CRT-pacemaker at the time of device replacement. We observed the 1-year VT/VF occurrence after CRT-D replacement in a subanalysis of the Detect Long-term Complications after ICD Replacement (DECODE) registry. Methods and results A total of 332 consecutive patients who had undergone CRT-D replacement from 2013 to 2015 were enrolled in 36 Italian centres. The primary endpoint was the number of patients with any appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interventions during 12-month follow-up. The secondary endpoint comprised death from any cause and appropriate ICD interventions. At replacement, 214 (64.5%) patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35% and 138 (41.6%) patients had a secondary prevention indication for ICD. Seventy (21.1%) patients had no longer indication to ICD therapy. During a median follow-up period of 406.5 (362-533) days, VT/VF requiring therapy delivery occurred in 57 (17%) patients, specifically in 7% of those who no longer had an ICD indication. On multivariate analysis, number of criteria for ICD replacement independently predicted appropriate ICD intervention during follow-up [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.46; log-rank P = 0.02]. The combined endpoint of death from any cause or appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 76 (23%) patients. Only NYHA class remained associated with this combined endpoint (HR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.23-3.14; P = 0.005). Conclusions The DECODE registry showed the 'real-world' experience of CRT-D recipients approaching device replacement, in which 7% of patients who no longer had an indication for ICD therapy experienced appropriate ICD interventions.

Background Treatment of GT3 remains challenging compared to other genotypes. Aims To explore real life SVR rates and to identify predictors of virological failure across the most recently used Direct acting antiviral (DAA) regimens in a large cohort of Italian patients with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis (F3 or F4). Methods Between May 2015 and June 2017, the combinations of sofosbuvir (SOF) plus daclatasvir (DCV) ± RBV and SOF plus velpatasvir (VEL) ± RBV become available in our Country. Patients were treated following Italian guidelines within a protocol implemented by 11 centers working together on genetics. Results Of 336 patients, 38.1% were Peg/IFN-experienced. SOF/DCV was used in 65.1%, SOF/VEL in the remaining. Overall SVR12 was 90.2% ranging from 87.2% after SOF/DCV to 95.7% after SOF/VEL (p = 0.012). No additional benefits of RBV use were observed for both regimens. 155 patients (46.1%) had cirrhosis. SVR12 was 87.1% (135/155) for cirrhotic patients and 92.8% (169/182) for non-cirrhotic (p = 0.09). NS5A-RASs were present at baseline in 6.4% of patients, PNPLA3GG and IL28BCC genotypes in 7.3% and 33.0%, respectively. No association between favorable genetics and SVR12 was observed. Predictors of relapse were: history of Peg/IFN/RBV failure (OR = 6.34, 95% CI 2.04-19.66, P = .001), baseline NS5A-RASs (OR = 8.7, 95% CI 1.58-47.92, P = 0.013) and treatment regimen (OR = 5.57 95% CI 1.64-18.95.96, P = 0.006). Conclusions Our real-world results validate the efficacy of current GT3 IFN-free regimens suggesting that, among patients with severe disease, Peg/IFN/RBV experience and NS5A associated RASs are predictors of relapse. Their relevance can be expected to decline with the use of SOF/VEL. (250).

The replacement of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may give rise to considerable clinical consequences, the importance of which is underrated by the medical community. Replacement-related adverse events are difficult to identify and require monitoring of both short-term complications and long-term patient outcome. The aim of this study is to perform a structured evaluation of both short- and long-term adverse events and a cost analysis of consecutive ICD replacement procedures. Detect Long-term Complications After ICD Replacement (DECODE) is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter cohort study designed to estimate long-term complication rates (at 12 months and 5 years) in patients undergoing ICD generator replacement. The study will also evaluate predictors of complications, patient management before and during the replacement procedure in clinical practice, and the costs related to use of health care resources. About 800 consecutive patients with standard indications for ICD generator replacement will be enrolled in this study. The decision to undertake generator replacement/upgrade will be made according to the investigators' own judgment (which will be recorded). Patients will be followed for 60 months through periodic in-hospital examinations or remote monitoring. Detailed data on complications related to ICD replacement in current clinical practice are still lacking. The analysis of adverse events will reveal the value of new preventive strategies, thereby yielding both clinical and economic benefits. Moreover, assessment of complication rates after ICD replacement in a real-life setting will help estimate the actual long-term cost of ICD therapy and assess the real impact of increasing ICD longevity on cost-effectiveness.

Background and objectivesThe pangenotypic single tablet regimen of NS5B inhibitor sofobuvir (SOF) and NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir (VEL) is advised for 12 weeks in HCV-infected patients including those with compensated cirrhosis. Addition of ribavirin (RBV) may be considered in genotype 3 (GT3) with compensated and is recommended in decompensated cirrhosis. Real-life results with SOF/VEL are limited. To evaluate efficacy and safety in a large real-world-cohort including patients with different GTs and various fibrosis stages.DesignIn total, 1429 patients were treated with SOF/VEL 400/100 mg for 12 weeks in the Puglia registry between June 2017 and May 2018. 1319 (92.3%) reached week 12 post-treatment (SVR12) at the moment. Only 41 received RBV. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on transient elastography and/or APRI or FIB-4 scores. Sensitivity analysis in the population including all patients except non virological failure was conducted. Primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients with SVR12.ResultsPatients' mean age was 63.8 years, 42.3% had GT1. The majority were naïve and 735 (55.5%) F0/F2. Of the remaining 587, 282 had cirrhosis. SVR12 was 98.5%, 98.0% in GT1, 99.4% in GT2, 97.1% in GT3, 100% in GT4. Overall, SVR12 by sensitivity analysis was 99.4%; 99.7% among F0-F1. Among 218 PWID, SVR12 was 94.5%. Discontinuation rates were 3.7% among PWID and 0.7% among non-PWID (p = 0.004).ConclusionsSOF/VEL treatment of chronic HCV infection reaches very high cure rates in a variety of patients; including those with F0/F1 and PWID.

Longevity of Replaced ICD/CRT-D Introduction The longevity of defibrillators (ICD) is extremely important from both a clinical and economic perspective. We studied the reasons for device replacement, the longevity of removed ICD, and the existence of possible factors associated with shorter service life. Methods and Results Consecutive patients who underwent ICD replacement from March 2013 to May 2015 in 36 Italian centers were included in this analysis. Data on replaced devices were collected. A total of 953 patients were included in this analysis. In 813 (85%) patients the reason for replacement was battery depletion, while 88 (9%) devices were removed for clinical reasons and the remaining 52 because of system failure (i.e., lead or ICD generator failure or a safety advisory indication). The median service life was 5.9 years (25th–75th percentile, 4.9–6.9) for single- and dual-chamber ICD and 4.9 years (25th–75th percentile, 4.0–5.7) for CRT-D. On multivariate analysis, the factors CRT-D device, SC/DC ICD generator from Biotronik, percentage of ventricular pacing, and the occurrence of a system failure were positively associated with a replacement procedure. By contrast, the device from Boston Scientific was an independent protective factor against replacement. Considerable differences were seen in battery duration in both ICD and CRT-D. Specifically, Biotronik devices showed the shortest longevity among ICD and Boston Scientific showed the longest longevity among CRT-D (log-rank test, P < 0.001 for pairwise comparisons). Conclusion Several factors were associated with shorter service life of ICD devices: CRT-D, occurrence of system failure and percentage of ventricular pacing. Our results confirmed significant differences among manufacturers.

Objectives We sought to test how catheter ablation using an open irrigation catheter (OIC) compares with standard catheters for pulmonary vein antrum isolation. Background Open irrigation catheters have the advantage of delivering greater power without increasing the temperature of the catheter tip, which enables deeper and wider lesions without the formation of coagulum on catheters. Methods Catheter ablation was performed using an 8-mm catheter (8MC) or an OIC. Patients were randomized to 3 groups: 8MC; OIC-1, OIC with a higher peak power (50 W); and OIC-2, OIC with lower peak power (35 W). Results A total of 180 patients were randomized to the 3 treatment strategies. Isolation of pulmonary vein antra was achieved in all patients. The freedom from atrial fibrillation was significantly greater in the 8MC and OIC-1 groups compared with the OIC-2 group (78%, 82%, and 68%, respectively, p = 0.043). Fluoroscopy time was lower in OIC-1 compared with OIC-2 and 8MC (28 ± 1 min, 53 ± 2 min, and 46 ± 2 min, respectively, p = 0.001). The mean left atrium instrumentation time was lower in the OIC-1 compared with the OIC-2 and 8MC groups (59 ± 3 min, 90 ± 5 min, and 88 ± 4 min, respectively, p = 0.001). However, there was a greater incidence of “pops” in the OIC-1 (100%, 0%, 0%, p Conclusions Although there was a decrease in fluoroscopy and left atrium instrumentation time with the use of OIC at higher power, this setting was associated with increased cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications.

We describe a case of a 42-year-old man, with a previous episode of angina and a normal ECG and serum cardiac markers, and a two months later finding of biphasic T wave in leads V2-V3 and deeply inverted T wave in V4-V5 at a asymptomatic occupational evaluation. This is a typical ECG pattern of Wellens’ syndrome. A subsequent coronary angiography showed a critical stenosis of proximal left anterior descendent. We underline the careful value of prolonged observation in chest pain unit and repetitive ECG evaluation also during pain-free period after an angina episode, to exclude an earlier T wave pseudonormalization.

Introduction: Purpose of this manuscript is a careful reconsideration concerning advantage and risk of selfmedication by Over the Counter (OTC) drugs, in relationship to QTc prolongation, unrevealing concealed QT syndrome and Sudden Arrhythmia Deaths Syndrome (SADS). Case presentation: A 64-year old lady was carried to the Emergency Department after traumatic syncope. The patient was found at home with a bruised occipital wound and retrograde amnesia; in the previous two day she had a common cold and bought an OTC (Over the Counter) formulation composed by paracetamol, ascorbic acid and phenylephrine cloridrate. ECG showed ventricular repolarization abnormality compatible with induced long QT syndrome. In the subsequent days, as phenylephrine was withdrawn, we observed a constant reduction of QT, yet still a long QTc. On the basis of clear syncope and Long QT syndrome unrevealed by phenylephrine treatment, ICD was implanted. Conclusion: Widespread self-medication for cold relief is usually perceived as safe treatment by general population; nevertheless, in some OTC, patient could encounter medicament belonging to specific “drug to avoid list” for SADS, leading to harmful impact on prognosis.

Background— The role of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in ablative treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been debated in conflicting reports. We sought to compare PV conduction in patients who had no AF recurrence (group I), patients who could maintain sinus rhythm on antiarrhythmic medication (group II), and patients who had recurrent AF despite antiarrhythmic medication (group III) after PV antrum isolation (PVAI). Methods and Results— PV conduction was examined in consecutive patients undergoing second PVAI for AF recurrence. We also recruited some patients cured of AF to undergo a repeat, limited electrophysiological study at >3 months after PVAI. All patients underwent PVAI with an intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)–guided approach with complete isolation of all 4 PV antra (PVA). The number of PVs with recurrent conduction and the shortest atrial to PV (A-PV) conduction delay was measured with the use of consistent Lasso positions defined by ICE. Late AF recurrence was defined as AF >2 months after PVAI with the patient off medications. Patients in groups I (n=26), II (n=37), and III (n=44) did not differ at baseline (38% permanent AF; ejection fraction 53±6%). Recurrence of PV–left atrial (LA) conduction was seen in 1.7±0.8 and 2.2±0.8 PVAs for groups II and III but only in 0.2±0.4 for group I ( P =0.02). In patients with recurrent PV-LA conduction, the A-PV delay increased from the first to second procedure by 69±47% for group III, 267±110% for group II, and 473±71% for group I ( P Conclusions— The majority of patients with drug-free cure show no PV-LA conduction recurrence. Substantial A-PV delay is seen in patients able to maintain sinus rhythm on antiarrhythmic medication or cured of AF compared with patients who fail PVAI.

Background— Atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist in the same patient. Recently it has been demonstrated that the triggers for both AF and AFL may originate in the pulmonary veins (PVs). We hypothesized that in patients with both AF and typical AFL, pulmonary vein–left atrial junction (PV-LAJ) disconnection may eliminate both arrhythmias. Methods and Results— Consecutive patients with documented symptomatic AF and typical AFL were randomly assigned to have PV-LAJ disconnection combined with cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation (group 1, n=49) or PV-LAJ disconnection alone (group 2, n=59). Within the first 8 weeks after ablation, 32 of the group 2 patients had typical AFL documented, whereas none was seen in group 1. Twenty of these 32 converted to sinus rhythm after initiating antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). Twelve were cardioverted, and AADs were started. After 8 weeks, all AADS were stopped, and only 3 patients continued to have recurrent sustained typical AFL that was eliminated by CTI ablation. Beyond 8 weeks of follow-up, 7 patients in group 1 and 6 patients in group 2 (14% and 11%, respectively) continued to have AF. Ten of these 13 patients underwent a repeat PV-LAJ disconnection procedure and were cured. The remaining 3 remained in normal sinus rhythm while taking AADs. Conclusions— In patients with both AFL and AF, PV-LAJ disconnection alone may be sufficient to control both arrhythmias. CTI block reduced early postablation recurrence of arrhythmias, which in the majority of patients reflects a short-term clinical problem.

Circumferential Ultrasound Ablation for PV Isolation.Introduction: In patients undergoing circumferential isolation of the pulmonary veins with an ultrasound ablation system, we analyzed the temperatures achieved while delivering circumferential ostial lesions in the pulmonary veins. We also reviewed the angiograms obtained during the procedure and identified anatomic variants that could be responsible for ineffective lesion formation. Methods and Results: During the early clinical use in 33 patients, a total of 85 veins were ablated. A mean of 16.9 ± 12.3 ablations were delivered per patient, and a mean of 6.7 ablations per vein were applied. Entry block was assessed by placing a deflectable octapolar or a circular catheter in the vein. The following anatomic characteristics and technical limitations were identified as possible reasons for ineffective energy delivery: (1) funnel-shaped ostium; (2) ostial diameter larger than the balloon diameter; (3) inability to deliver the catheter to the right inferior or other vein ostia; (4) ostial instability; (5) early branching of the vein; and (6) eccentric position of the ultrasound transducer in the vein. In patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation, 40% of the ostial lesions reached a temperature > 60°C. However, in patients cured by the ablation, 64% of the ostial lesions reached a temperature > 60°C (P < 0.06). At least 12 of the 20 chronic recurrences could have been related to technical limitations of the first system. Duration of atrial fibrillation and eccentric deployment of the ultrasound transducer were more frequent in patients with recurrence of arrhythmias at follow-up. Conclusion: Ostial anatomy of the veins may affect delivery of ultrasound energy to achieve circumferential lesions. Energy delivery at the ostium with a temperature > 60°C may be important to maximize success. Reconfiguration of the system to overcome the shortcomings identified in the initial experience could increase its performance.

BACKGROUND:Atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism has been associated to vascular complications of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES:To investigate the relationship between the APOE genotypes and advanced peripheral vascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS:258 consecutive patients (201 males and 57 females, mean age 70.83 ± 7.89 years) with severe PVD were enrolled in a 42-months longitudinal study (mean 31.65 ± 21.11 months) for major adverse cardiovascular events. At follow-up genotypes of the APOE polymorphism were investigated in blinded fashion. RESULTS:As compared with ε3/ε3, in ε4-carriers a significant higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (35.58% vs. 20.79%; p = 0.025) and total peripheral revascularization (22.64% vs. 5.06%; p < 0.001) was observed. Prospective analysis, showed that ε4-carriers have an increased hazard ratio for major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted HR 1.829, 95% CI 1.017-3.287; p = 0.044) and total peripheral revascularization (adjusted HR = 5.916, 95% CI 2.405-14.554, p

We describe a case of out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest (CA) in a patient with Barlow's Syndrome (BS) and features of Stress Cardiomyopathy (SC) (or Apical Ballooning Syndrome or Tako-Tsubo). The patient experienced CA during physical stress and was resuscitated thanks to DC-Shock. The Electrocardiogram (ECG) after resuscitation was unremarkable. In the reported case the documented severe hypokalemia, with the physical stress, could have triggered the CA, probably of tachyarrhythmic origin. However, in the reported case, the echocardiographic, coronarographic and ventriculographic features, were surprisingly indistinguishable from those of the SC. In conclusion it is impossible to say if, in our patient, the CA has been caused by BS or by SC. However, even if CA has been probably caused by the BS, we hypothesize that the CA, in its turn determined, might have caused the SC via stress mechanisms. In few words, the CA is a complication of SC, but should probably be regarded also as a cause of SC.

Background —Standard mapping and ablation of focal sources of atrial fibrillation are associated with very long procedure times and low efficacy. An anatomic approach to complete pulmonary vein isolation could overcome these limitations. Methods and Results —Fifteen patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to medication underwent circumferential isolation of the pulmonary veins by using a novel catheter, with an ultrasound transducer (8-MHz) mounted near the tip, in a saline-filled balloon. Twelve atrial foci and/or atrial fibrillation triggers were identified in 9 patients (pulmonary vein locations: left upper, 3; right upper, 6; right middle, 1; right lower, 1; and left inferior, 1). In 5 patients, lesions were placed in the absence of any mapped triggers. Irrespective of trigger mapping, circumferential isolation of both upper pulmonary veins was attempted in all patients. The lower pulmonary veins were ablated when sinus rhythm activation mapping revealed evidence of a sleeve of atrial muscle in the vein. The median number of lesions per patient required to isolate 1 pulmonary vein was 4 (range, 1 to 29). After ablation, no evidence of narrowing was seen with repeat venography or follow-up computed tomography scan. After a mean follow-up of 35±6 weeks, 5 patients had recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Three responded to drugs that were previously ineffective, and 2 remained in atrial fibrillation. Conclusions —This novel ultrasound ablation system can successfully isolate multiple pulmonary veins. At early follow-up, this approach seems to be effective in preventing recurrent atrial fibrillation in a significant number of patients.

We report the long-term follow-up of a right side only catheter ablation approach for paroxysmal AF. Eighteen patients with AF refractory to drugs entered the study. Ablation was attempted in the right atrium only by creating linear lesions based on a specific design including from two to four linear lesions. Induction of AF was attempted before ablation and after placement of the lesions. A septal lesion was performed in nine patients. In ten patients atrial defibrillation thresholds (ADFTs) before ablation and following creation of the linear lesions were compared. After a mean follow-up of 22 +/- 11 months, seven patients had recurrence of AF, and another nine patients experienced atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia. Five patients remained in sinus rhythm without medications and four required the use of drugs. Three patients had sporadic AF and six were in chronic AF. The recurrence rate was similar in patients with and without the septal lesion. However, a cure with right side ablation appeared to be predicted by the presence of disorganized and earlier activity in the high right atrium and crista terminalis. Linear lesions in the right atrium were associated with a lower ADFT (pre 2.6 +/- 04 J vs post 1.7 +/- 0.6 J). In conclusion, in a small number of patients, control of AF can be obtained with a right side only approach. Certain activation patterns may identify patients suitable to this approach. No specific lesion pattern appeared more effective. Right atrial linear lesions resulted in lower ADFT.

To assess the prevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections in different groups at risk for HIV-I infection, a study on 867 subjects was carried out by means of serological and PCR analyses. Serum specimens were collected from 268 intravenous drug users (IVDU), 66 homosexual men, 248 subjects with sexually transmitted diseases (STD), 105 thalassemics and 180 hemophiliacs. Sera from 3 IVDU and a sample from an STD patient were confirmed as HTLV-II seropositive; a thalassemic patient was seropositive for HTLV-I; a homosexual man, though confirmed as HTLV-I/II-seroreactive, could not be typed by serological methods. No hemophiliac was found to be HTLV-I/II-reactive. All 3 HTLV-II-seroreactive IVDU and the HTLV-I-infected thalassemic were confirmed by PCR; an additional sample from an IVDU, indeterminate by Western blot, was confirmed to be positive for HTLV-II by PCR. Subtyping of HTLV-II samples indicated the presence of II/b subtype in all 4 cases. Up to now, the reservoir for HTLV-II infection in southeastern Italy is mainly represented by IVDU, while HTLV-I infection seems to be sporadic.

High levels of serum β2-microglobulin have been associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection and β2-microglobulin has been used with other serological and immunological markers for monitoring disease progression. The usefulness of β2-microglobulin as a prognostic marker during human immunodeficiency virus infection has been demonstrated in homosexual men and hemophiliacs; few and contradictory data have been reported in intravenous drug users. We have evaluated a cohort of 160 intravenous drug users (81 seronegative and 79 seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus infection) with normal renal function to assess whether serum β2-microglobulin could be used as a serological marker for monitoring infection; 78 healthy subjects were used as controls. Of 79 seropositive drug users, 54 were asymptomatic or had persistent generalized lymphoadenopathy the remaining 25 had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Seropositive patients were tested for CD4+ lymphocyte number, p24 antigen and anti-p24 antibodies. A significant statistical difference was found in mean serum β2-microglobulin levels between seronegative and seropositive drug users. Moreover, higher levels of β2-microglobulin were observed in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients compared with asymptomatic or patients with persistent lymphadenopathy. A significant relationship was also observed between increased concentration of β2-microglobulin and the serological and immunological markers which indicate human immunodeficiency virus disease progression.

Background— Whether different ablation strategies affect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) long-term freedom from AF/atrial tachyarrhythmia is unclear. We sought to compare the effect of 3 different ablation approaches on the long-term success in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods and Results— One hundred three consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF scheduled for ablation and presenting in the electrophysiology laboratory in AF were selected for this study. Patients were randomized to pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI; n=35) versus biatrial ablation of the complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs; n=34) versus PVAI followed by CFAEs (n=34). Patients were given event recorders and followed up at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months postablation. There was no statistical significant difference between the groups in term of sex, age, AF duration, left atrial size, and ejection fraction. At 1 year follow-up, freedom from AF/atrial tachyarrhythmia was documented in 89% of patients in the PVAI group, 91% in the PVAI plus CFAEs group, and 23% in the CFAEs group ( P Conclusion— No difference in terms of success rate was seen between PVAI alone and PVAI associated with defragmentation. CFAEs ablation alone had the smallest impact on AF recurrences at 1-year follow-up. These results suggest that antral isolation is sufficient to treat most patients with paroxysmal AF.

Pulmonary-vein isolation is increasingly being used to treat atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure.In this prospective, multicenter clinical trial, we randomly assigned patients with symptomatic, drug-resistant atrial fibrillation, an ejection fraction of 40% or less, and New York Heart Association class II or III heart failure to undergo either pulmonary-vein isolation or atrioventricular-node ablation with biventricular pacing. All patients completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (scores range from 0 to 105, with a higher score indicating a worse quality of life) and underwent echocardiography and a 6-minute walk test (the composite primary end point). Over a 6-month period, patients were monitored for both symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes of atrial fibrillation.In all, 41 patients underwent pulmonary-vein isolation, and 40 underwent atrioventricular-node ablation with biventricular pacing; none were lost to follow-up at 6 months. The composite primary end point favored the group that underwent pulmonary-vein isolation, with an improved questionnaire score at 6 months (60, vs. 82 in the group that underwent atrioventricular-node ablation with biventricular pacing; P0.001), a longer 6-minute-walk distance (340 m vs. 297 m, P0.001), and a higher ejection fraction (35% vs. 28%, P0.001). In the group that underwent pulmonary-vein isolation, 88% of patients receiving antiarrhythmic drugs and 71% of those not receiving such drugs were free of atrial fibrillation at 6 months. In the group that underwent pulmonary-vein isolation, pulmonary-vein stenosis developed in two patients, pericardial effusion in one, and pulmonary edema in another; in the group that underwent atrioventricular-node ablation with biventricular pacing, lead dislodgment was found in one patient and pneumothorax in another.Pulmonary-vein isolation was superior to atrioventricular-node ablation with biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure who had drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00599976.)

We describe the case of a patient with heterotopic transplantation, sinus rhythm originating from the donor heart, ventricular fibrillation of the native heart and right severe decompensation. The double rhythm was easily detected with a surface ECG and the transthoracic echocardiogram, both performed in the left conventional and in the right modified mode. The patient was successfully treated with direct current shock with quick restoration of native heart synchronization and clinical relief of symptoms.

BACKGROUND : Whether different ablation strategies affect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) termination mode and long term cure is unclear. We compared the effect of different ablation strategies on the AF termination and long term success in patients with parox-AF presenting to the electrophysiology laboratory in AF. METHODS : One hundred and three (103) consecutive patients with parox-AF scheduled for AF ablation presenting in the lab in AF were selected for this study. The patients were randomized to PVAI only (35 pts) versus bi-atrial ablation of the complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE defragmentation) including the coronary sinus (34 pts) versus CFAE followed by PVAI (34 pts) Modes of AF termination were: conversion to SR, organization into AT or persistence of AF requiring cardioversion following ablation. RESULTS are summarized below: There was no significant difference between the groups in term of sex, age, AF duration, LA size and EF. Follow up after a single procedure with AAD is summarized below CONCLUSION : Defragmentation alone had the smallest impact on both acute AF termination and one year follow-up cure rate. No difference in terms of acute and chronic success was seen between PVAI alone and PVAI asoociated with defragmentation. This suggests that PV isolation is critical to cure AF in paroxysmal AF and that adjunctive strategies have minimal impact on cure rate and should not be considered in all patients.