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Introduction: Hemodynamic decompensation during catheter ablation occurs due to prolonged procedure time and irrigant delivery directly into the cardiac chambers. Real-time hemodynamic monitoring of patients undergoing catheter ablation procedures may identify patients at risk of decompensation; we set out to assess the feasibility of a novel, real-time, intracardiac pressure monitoring system using a standard irrigated ablation catheter., Methods: We studied 13 consecutive who underwent pressure measurement of the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV) via transeptal access with a Swan Ganz (SG) catheter followed by two commercially available irrigated ablation catheters. Pressure waveform data was extracted to compare LA peak pressure, LV peak systolic pressure, LV end-diastolic pressure, and waveform analysis., Results: Comparison between the SG and ablation catheters (AblA; AblB) demonstrated that LV systolic pressure (0.61-16.8 mmHg; 1.32-18.2 mmHg), and LV end-diastolic pressure (-3.4 to 2.8 mmHg; -3.0 to 3.35 mmHg) were well correlated and had accepted repeatability. Ablation waveforms demonstrated an 89.9 ± 6.4% correlation compared to SG waveforms., Conclusion: Pressure measurements derived from an irrigated ablation catheter are accurate and reliable when compared to an SG catheter. Further studies are needed to determine how real-time pressure monitoring can improve outcomes during ablation procedures., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Women undergoing atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA) have higher rates of vascular complications and major bleeding. However, most studies have been underpowered to detect differences in rarer complications such as stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and procedural mortality., Methods: We performed a systematic review of databases (PubMed, World of Science, and Embase) to identify studies published since 2010 reporting AFCA complications by sex. Six complications of interest were (1) vascular/groin complications; (2) pericardial effusion/tamponade; (3) stroke/TIA; (4) permanent phrenic nerve injury; (5) major bleeding; and (6) procedural mortality. For meta-analysis, random effects models were used when heterogeneity between studies was ≥50% (vascular complications and major bleeding) and fixed effects models for other endpoints., Results: Of 5716 citations, 19 studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 244,353 patients undergoing AFCA, of whom 33% were women. Women were older (65.3 ± 11.2 vs. 60.4 ± 13.2 years), more likely hypertensive (60.6% vs. 55.5%) and diabetic (18.3% vs. 16.5%), and had higher CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores (3.0 ± 1.8 vs. 1.4 ± 1.4) (p < .0001 for all comparisons). The rates of all six complications were significantly higher in women. However, despite statistically significant differences, the overall incidences of major complications were very low in both sexes: stroke/TIA (women 0.51% vs. men 0.39%) and procedural mortality (women 0.25% vs. men 0.19%)., Conclusion: Women experience significantly higher rates of AFCA complications. However, the incidence of major procedural complications is very low in both sexes. The higher rate of complications in women may be partially attributable to older age and a higher prevalence of comorbidities at the time of ablation. More detailed studies are needed to better define the mechanisms of increased risk in women and to identify strategies for closing the sex gap., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Atrioventricular junctional (AVJ) ablation and pacemaker implantation are indicated when pharmacotherapy fails to achieve adequate rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of our study is to assess the feasibility and safety of concurrent Micra leadless transcatheter pacemaker implantation and AVJ ablation., Methods: We retrospectively assessed patients who underwent Micra implantation and concurrent AVJ ablation at three institutions between August 2014 and March 2016. All patients and devices were followed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postimplantion., Results: Twenty-one patients with permanent AF (median age 77 [range: 62-88], female 15 [71.4%]) underwent successful Micra implantation followed by concurrent AVJ ablation. There was no device dislodgement or malfunction during the 12-month follow-up. Complete 12-month electrical performance data were available in 14 patients (67%). Among patients with the complete data set, median pacing thresholds at implant and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 0.5 V (range: 0.25-0.88), 0.44 V (range: 0.25-2.0), 0.5 V (range: 0.25-1.63), 0.5 V (range: 0.25-1.13), and 0.5 V (range: 0.25-1.13) at a pulse width of 0.24 msec, respectively. Two patients died due to noncardiac causes during follow-up. There were no patients with major device-related complications., Conclusions: Concurrent Micra implantation and AVJ ablation is feasible and appears safe. There was no device dislodgement, malfunction, or significant pacing threshold rise requiring device reimplantation during the 12-month follow-up. This combined approach can be considered for patients with AF with suboptimal rate control who have failed AF catheter ablation and/or pharmacotherapy., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Novel atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation tools have been designed to facilitate "single-shot" pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using multi-electrode or balloon-based catheters. However, in contrast to point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, these tools may be more dependent on suitable PV anatomy to achieve circumferential PV isolation., Methods: Three hundred and twenty-two patients underwent gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance angiography to delineate PV anatomy prior to initial AF ablation. Long (a) and short (b) axis measurements of the PV orifice were used to calculate the eccentricity index of the PV ostium., Results: Long axis dimensions of the left superior PV were 18.2 ± 3.3 mm, left inferior PV 17.7 ± 3.9 mm, right superior PV (RSPV) 20.4 ± 4.3, and right inferior PV 18.7 ± 4.7 mm. The long axis dimension of the RSPV was significantly larger than other PVs (p < 0.001). Forty-two patients (13 %) had at least one PV with a long axis dimension >25 mm and 16 patients (5 %) had at least one PV with a long axis dimension >28 mm. Left-sided PV ostia were significantly more ellipse-shaped than the right-sided PVs, which tended to be more spherical. A significant positive correlation was noted between increasing PV size and increased orifice eccentricity., Conclusions: In this large cohort undergoing initial AF ablation, over 10 % of patients had at least one standard PV with a dimension >25 mm. Additionally, significant differences were noted between left- and right-sided veins with regard to orifice eccentricity. These findings have implications for the design of AF ablation tools and may account for differential isolation rates between PVs noted in some recent studies of novel ablation technologies.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate whether performing surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in conjunction with cardiac surgery (CS) increases the risk for postoperative permanent pacemaker (PPM) requirement. The 30-day risk for PPM requirement was analyzed in consecutive patients who underwent CS from January 2007 to August 27, 2013. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) those who underwent AF ablation concomitant with CS (AF ABL), (2) patients with any history of AF who underwent surgery who did not undergo ablation (AF NO ABL), and (3) those with no histories of AF who underwent surgery (NO AF). Logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting for age, gender, and surgery type. Of 13,453 CS patients, 353 (3%) were in the AF ABL group, 1,701 (12%) in the AF NO ABL group, and 11,399 (85%) in the NO AF group. A total of 7,651 patients (57%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 4,384 (33%) underwent valve surgery, and 1,418 (10%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery. The overall PPM risk was 1.6% (212 of 13,453); risk was 5.7% (20 of 353) in the AF ABL group, 3.1% (53 of 1,701) in the AF NO ABL group, and 1.2% (139 of 11,399) in the NO AF group. The unadjusted and adjusted odds of PPM were higher in the AF ABL and AF NO ABL groups than in the NO AF group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 to 4.4, and adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.4, respectively). The unadjusted OR comparing the AF ABL group and the AF NO ABL group was significant (unadjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.2); however, the OR adjusted for surgery type, age, and gender showed a trend toward significance (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.7). In conclusion, in this large cohort of patients who underwent CS, surgical AF ablation appeared to carry an increased risk for postoperative PPM implantation., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common supraventricular tachycardia. Ablation of the slow pathway is the treatment of choice for recurrent episodes despite adequate medical therapy. We present an uncommon case of AVNRT ablation using a superior vena cava approach in a patient with bilateral common femoral vein occlusion. This approach appears to be a safe alternative in patients with an absence of an inferior venous access., (©2011, The Authors. Journal compilation ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: Transvenous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (TV‐ICD) infection is a serious complication that frequently requires complete device removal for attempted cure, which can be associated with patient morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to assess mortality risk associated with TV‐ICD infection in a large Medicare population with de novo TV‐ICD implants. Methods: A survival analysis was conducted using 100% fee‐for‐service Medicare facility‐level claims data to identify patients who underwent de novo TV‐ICD implantation between 7/2016 and 1/2018. TV‐ICD infection within 2 years of implantation was identified using International Classification of Disease, 10th Edition and current procedural terminology codes. Baseline patient risk factors associated with mortality were identified using the Charlson Comorbidity Index categories. Infection was treated as a time‐dependent variable in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to account for immortal time bias. Results: Among 26,742 Medicare patients with de novo TV‐ICD, 518 (1.9%) had a device‐related infection. The overall number of decedents was 4721 (17.7%) over 2 years, with 4555 (17%) in the noninfection group and 166 (32%) in the infection group. After adjusting for baseline patient demographic characteristics and various comorbidities, the presence of TV‐ICD infection was associated with an increase of 2.4 (95% CI: 2.08–2.85) times in the mortality hazard ratio. Conclusion: The rate of TV‐ICD infection and associated mortality in a large, real‐world Medicare population is noteworthy. The positive association between device‐related infection and risk of mortality further highlights the need to reduce infections [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims  Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the Micra leadless VVI pacemaker; however, longer-term outcomes in a large, real-world population with a contemporaneous comparison to transvenous VVI pacemakers have not been examined. We compared reinterventions, chronic complications, and all-cause mortality at 2 years between leadless VVI and transvenous VVI implanted patients. Methods and results  The Micra Coverage with Evidence Development study is a continuously enrolling, observational, cohort study of leadless VVI pacemakers in the US Medicare fee-for-service population. Patients implanted with a leadless VVI pacemaker between March 9, 2017, and December 31, 2018, were identified using Medicare claims data linked to manufacturer device registration data (n = 6219). All transvenous VVI patients from facilities with leadless VVI implants during the study period were obtained directly from Medicare claims (n = 10 212). Cox models were used to compare 2-year outcomes between groups. Compared to transvenous VVI, patients with leadless VVI had more end-stage renal disease (12.0% vs. 2.3%) and a higher Charlson comorbidity index (5.1 vs. 4.6). Leadless VVI patients had significantly fewer reinterventions [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45–0.85, P = 0.003] and chronic complications (adjusted HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60–0.81, P < 0.0001) compared with transvenous VVI patients. Adjusted all-cause mortality at 2 years was not different between the two groups (adjusted HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91–1.04, P = 0.37). Conclusion  In a real-world study of US Medicare patients, the Micra leadless VVI pacemaker was associated with a 38% lower adjusted rate of reinterventions and a 31% lower adjusted rate of chronic complications compared with transvenous VVI pacing. There was no difference in adjusted all-cause mortality at 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The feasibility and outcomes of concomitant atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) and leadless pacemaker implant are not well studied. We report outcomes in patients undergoing Micra implant with concomitant AVNA. Methods: Patients undergoing AVNA at the time of Micra implant from the Micra Transcatheter Pacing (IDE) Study, Continued Access (CA) study, and Post‐Approval Registry (PAR) were included in the analysis and compared to Micra patients without AVNA. Baseline characteristics, acute and follow‐up outcomes, and electrical performance were compared between patients with and without AVNA during the follow‐up period. Results: A total of 192 patients (mean age 77.4 ± 8.9 years, 72% female) underwent AVNA at the time of Micra implant and were followed for 20.4 ± 15.6 months. AVNA patients were older, more frequently female, and tended to have more co‐morbid conditions compared with non‐AVNA patients (N = 2616). Implant was successful in 191 of 192 patients (99.5%). The mean pacing threshold at implant was 0.58 ± 0.35 V and remained stable during follow‐up. Major complications within 30 days occurred more frequently in AVNA patients than non‐AVNA patients (7.3% vs. 2.0%, p <.001). The risk of major complications through 36‐months was higher in AVNA patients (hazard ratio: 3.81, 95% confidence interval: 2.33–6.23, p <.001). Intermittent loss of capture occurred in three AVNA patients (1.6%), all were within 30 days of implant and required system revision. There were no device macrodislodgements or unexpected device malfunctions. Conclusion: Concomitant AVN ablation and leadless pacemaker implant is feasible. Pacing thresholds are stable over time. However, patient comorbidities and the risk of major complications are higher in patients undergoing AVNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Outcomes of catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) are suboptimal. The convergent procedure (CP) may offer improved efficacy by combining endocardial and epicardial ablation. Methods: We reviewed 113 consecutive patients undergoing the CP at our institution. The cohort was divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 92) or absence (n = 21) of continuous rhythm monitoring (CM) following the CP. Outcomes were reported in two ways. First, using a conventional definition of any atrial fibrillation/atrial tachycardia (AF/AT) recurrence lasting >30 seconds, after a 90 day blanking period. Second, by determining AF/AT burden at relevant time points in the group with CM. Results: Across the entire cohort, 88% had either persistent or long‐standing persistent AF, mean duration of AF diagnosis before the CP was 5.1 ± 4.6 years, 45% had undergone at least one prior AF ablation, 31% had impaired left ventricle ejection fraction and 62% met criteria for moderate or severe left atrial enlargement. Mean duration of follow‐up after the CP was 501 ± 355 days. In the entire cohort, survival free from any AF/AT episode >30 seconds at 12 months after the blanking period was 53%. However, among those in the CM group who experienced recurrences, mean burden of AF/AT was generally very low (<5%) and remained stable over the duration of follow‐up. Ten patients (9%) required elective cardioversion outside the 90 day blanking period, 11 patients (9.7%) underwent repeat ablation at a mean of 229 ± 178 days post‐CP and 64% were off AADs at the last follow‐up. Procedural complications decreased significantly following the transition from transdiaphragmatic to sub‐xiphoid surgical access: 23% versus 3.8% (P =.005) Conclusions: In a large, consecutive series of patients with predominantly PeAF, the CP was capable of reducing AF burden to very low levels (generally <5%), which appeared durable over time. Complication rates associated with the CP decreased significantly with the transition from transdiaphragmatic to sub‐xiphoid surgical access. Future trials will be necessary to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from the convergent approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing is recommended with the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (SICD).Objective: To describe first shock efficacy for appropriate SICD therapies stratified by the presence of implant DFT testing.Methods: We reviewed all patients receiving SICDs at our institution and stratified them based on whether implant DFT testing was performed. Appropriate shocks were reviewed to see if ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) terminated with a single shock. First shock efficacy was stratified by implant DFT status.Results: 178 patients implanted with SICDs and followed in our center were included in this study. Of these, 135 (76%) underwent DFT testing (DFT(+) group). In the DFT(+), 80 appropriate shocks were needed to treat 69 episodes of VT/VF. The first shock was effective in 61 out of 69 episodes (88.4%), whereas multiple shocks were required to terminate VT/VF in the remaining eight episodes. Among 43 patients without implant DFT testing (DFT(-) group), 20 appropriate shocks to treat 17 episodes of VT/VF occurred in seven patients. VT/VF was successfullyterminated with the first shock in 16 out of 17 episodes (first shock efficacy 94.1%). There was no significant difference in first shock effectiveness between those with and without implant DFT testing (P=0.97).Conclusion: A strategy that omits DFT testing at implant did not appear to compromise the effectiveness of the SICD. These data suggest that routine DFT testing at SICD implant might not be necessary. Randomized trials are needed to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven in large part by the aging of the population and the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities associated with atrial fibrillation ( AF), there is a burgeoning epidemic of AF in elderly adults. Although there is a large body of literature to guide management of people with AF, elderly adults with AF are frequently underrepresented in clinical trials. This review provides a contemporary update on management of elderly adults with AF with a particular focus on the two main clinical challenges that AF poses: stroke risk reduction and control of symptoms. The evidence to support novel AF treatment strategies in elderly adults is reviewed, including novel oral anticoagulants and left atrial appendage closure for stroke risk reduction and catheter ablation for control of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radio frequency ablation (RFA)is an important treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). During RFA, a significant amount of energy is delivered into the left atrium (LA), resulting in considerable LA-injury. The impact of this damage on mechanical and endocrine LA-function, however, is often disregarded. We therefore aimed to evaluate the endocrine- and mechanical function of the heart 4-months after RFA of AF. Methods: In total, 189 patients eligible for RFA of AF were studied. The levels of the N-terminal pro-B-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the mid-regional fragment of the N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) were measured. The maximum LAvolume (LAVmax), the LAejection fraction (LAEF) and the LA peak longitudinal strain (PALS), were measured using transthoracic echocardiography. The measurements were performed before and 4-months after the intervention. Results:87 patients had a recurrence during a mean follow-up of 143±36 days. NT-proBNP and MR-proANP decreased significantly at follow-up. This reduction was greater in patients who did not suffer any recurrence after RFA. The LAVmax decreased significantly, where as the PALS only improved in patients who did not suffer from any recurrence. On the other hand, LAEF did not change significantly after RFA of AF. Conclusions: Despite extensive ablation during RFA of AF, the endocrine function of the heart improved 4-months after the index procedure. Patients with no arrhythmia recurrence showed a more pronounced improvement in their endocrinal function. Mechanically, the LAV max was reduced, and the LA strain improved significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]