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Background— In patients treated for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection rate is substantial and may be related to the lack of transmurality achievement while performing PV isolation (PVI). It has been experimentally demonstrated that positive unipolar atrial electrogram completion, when applying radiofrequency energy, was associated with transmural lesions. In this regard, we seek to determine whether the unipolar signal modification may be an appropriate end point for point-by-point radiofrequency application and find out whether it could improve the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation results in humans. Methods and Results— Fifty consecutive patients (61±8 years old, 41 men) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent PVI using Carto and Lasso. Each radiofrequency application lasted until development of a completely positive unipolar electrogram. Fifty patients (63±9 years old, 40 men), who previously underwent PVI following the standard approach of our institution, corresponded to the control group. All PVs were isolated in all patients of both groups. However, the procedural and ablation times were significantly lower in the unipolar group compared with those of the control group, whereas the PV reconnection rate, after 30 minutes of waiting time, was not significantly different. Overall, 21±4 months after 1 PVI session, the sinus rhythm maintenance rate without antiarrhythmic drugs was significantly higher ( P =0.027) in the unipolar group (88%) compared with that of the control group (70%). Conclusions— Unipolar signal modification is a useful end point for radiofrequency energy delivery in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who undergo PVI and leads to a substantial midterm sinus rhythm maintenance rate.

Aims In congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), direct current cardioversion (DCC) may reveal participation of tachycardiamediated process to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction by restoring sinus rhythm (SR). However, if DCC fails to restore SR, patients' management remains challenging. The aim of the study was to assess the AF catheter ablation benefit in a selected group of CHF patients with LV ejection fraction (LVEF)

Paravalvular regurgitation (PAR) remains a serious complication after trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)-based measurements of the aortic basal virtual ring (BVR) are considered the gold standard for trans-catheter heart valve (THV) sizing. However, the real anatomic aortic annulus is a 3-dimensional structure. To compare measurement of 3D-anatomic annulus with BVR and secondly to assess independent predictive parameters that may impact on PARmild post-TAVR (PAR+).MDCT was performed in 92 patients before and after balloon or self-expandable TAVR. 3D-AA shape was obtained point by point following the semilunar attachment of aortic cusps (Osirix-MD 2.8.2). 3D-oversizing index (nominal THV area/3D-AA area - 1) × 100 was calculated as well as 2D-oversizing index using BVR area instead of 3D-AA area. PAR was quantified by planimetry of vena-contracta in transthoracic echocardiography short-axis view. Valvular calcium volume and annulus calcium area were measured using Hounsfield-intensity detection. ROC curves and logistic regression for PAR(+) were performed. BVR area overall underestimated 3D-AA area by 19 ± 9% (P0.001), significantly more in PAR(+) (26 ± 7%) vs. PAR(-) (17 ± 9%, P0.001). 3D-oversizing index had greater predictive value for PARmild (area under the curve, AUC = 0.88) with 88% sensibility (Se) and 82% specificity (Sp) than 2D-oversizing index (AUC = 0.68) with 84% Se, but only 41% Sp (P0.0001). Also, valvular calcium volume and annulus calcium area were less predictors for PARmild (AUC = 0.68, respectively, AUC = 0.75, P = 0.002). In a multivariate analysis, only 3D-oversizing index showed an independent value for PARmild (OR = 18.6, P0.001).Basal ring CT measurement significantly underestimated the real 3D-anatomic aortic annulus area. This may impact on THV sizing and PAR incidence. 3D-oversizing index is the most predictive factor for PARmild.

When administered in conjunction with primary coronary stenting for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor may provide additional clinical benefit, but data on this combination therapy are limited.We randomly assigned 300 patients with acute myocardial infarction in a double-blind fashion either to abciximab plus stenting (149 patients) or placebo plus stenting (151 patients) before they underwent coronary angiography. Clinical outcomes were evaluated 30 days and 6 months after the procedure. The angiographic patency of the infarct-related vessel and the left ventricular ejection fraction were evaluated at 24 hours and 6 months.At 30 days, the primary end point--a composite of death, reinfarction, or urgent revascularization of the target vessel--had occurred in 6.0 percent of the patients in the abciximab group, as compared with 14.6 percent of those in the placebo group (P=0.01); at 6 months, the corresponding figures were 7.4 percent and 15.9 percent (P=0.02). The better clinical outcomes in the abciximab group were related to the greater frequency of grade 3 coronary flow (according to the classification of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial) in this group than in the placebo group before the procedure (16.8 percent vs. 5.4 percent, P=0.01), immediately afterward (95.1 percent vs. 86.7 percent, P=0.04), and six months afterward (94.3 percent vs. 82.8 percent, P=0.04). One major bleeding event occurred in the abciximab group (0.7 percent); none occurred in the placebo group.As compared with placebo, early administration of abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction improves coronary patency before stenting, the success rate of the stenting procedure, the rate of coronary patency at six months, left ventricular function, and clinical outcomes.