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Transendocardial stem cell injection in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) improves left ventricular function and structure but has ill-defined effects on ventricular arrhythmias. We hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) implantation is not proarrhythmic. Post hoc analyses were performed on ambulatory ECGs collected from the POSEIDON and TAC-HFT trials. Eighty-eight subjects (mean age 61 ± 10 years) with ICM (mean EF 32.2% ± 9.8%) received treatment with MSC (n = 48), Placebo (n = 21), or bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMC) (n = 19). Heart rate variability (HRV) and ventricular ectopy (VE) were evaluated over 12 months. VE did not change in any group following MSC implantation. However, in patients with ≥ 1 VE run (defined as ≥ 3 consecutive premature ventricular complexes in 24 hours) at baseline, there was a decrease in VE runs at 12 months in the MSC group (p = .01), but not in the placebo group (p = .07; intergroup comparison: p = .18). In a subset of the MSC group, HRV measures of standard deviation of normal intervals was 75 ± 30 msec at baseline and increased to 87 ± 32 msec (p =.02) at 12 months, and root mean square of intervals between successive complexes was 36 ± 30 msec and increased to 58.2 ± 50 msec (p = .01) at 12 months. In patients receiving MSCs, there was no evidence for ventricular proarrhythmia, manifested by sustained or nonsustained ventricular ectopy or worsened HRV. Signals of improvement in ventricular arrhythmias and HRV in the MSC group suggest a need for further studies of the antiarrhythmic potential of MSCs. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1366-1372., (© 2017 The Authors Stem Cells Translational Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of AlphaMed Press.)

Differences in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) utilization based on insurance status have been described, but little is known about postimplant follow-up patterns associated with insurance status and outcomes. We collected demographic, clinical, and device data from 119 consecutive patients presenting with ICD shocks. Insurance status was classified as uninsured/Medicaid (uninsured) or private/Health Maintenance Organization /Medicare (insured). Shock frequencies were analyzed before and after a uniform follow-up pattern was implemented regardless of insurance profile. Uninsured patients were more likely to present with an inappropriate shock (63% vs 40%, p = 0.01), and they were more likely to present with atrial fibrillation (AF) as the shock trigger (37% vs 19%, p = 0.04). Uninsured patients had a longer interval between previous physician contact and index ICD shock (147 ± 167 vs 83 ± 124 days, p = 0.04). Patients were followed for a mean of 521 ± 458 days after being enrolled in a uniform follow-up protocol, and there were no differences in the rate of recurrent shocks based on insurance status. In conclusion, among patients presenting with an ICD shock, underinsured/uninsured patients had significantly longer intervals since previous physician contact and were more likely to present with inappropriate shocks and AF, compared to those with private/Medicare coverage. After the index shock, both groups were followed uniformly, and the differences in rates of inappropriate shocks were mitigated. This observation confirms the importance of regular postimplant follow-up as part of the overall ICD management standard., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has emerged as a popular procedure. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there exist differences or disparities in ablation utilization across gender, socioeconomic class, insurance, or race. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000 to 2012), we identified adults hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of AF by ICD 9 code 427.31 who had catheter ablation (ICD 9 code-37.34). We stratified patients by race, insurance status, age, gender, and hospital characteristics. A hierarchical multivariate mixed-effect model was created to identify the independent predictors of AF ablation. Among an estimated total of 3,508,122 patients (extrapolated from 20% Nationwide Inpatient Sample) hospitalized with a diagnosis of AF in the United States from the year 2000 to 2012, 102,469 patients (2.9%) underwent catheter ablations. The number of ablations was increased by 940%, from 1,439 in 2000 to 15,090 in 2012. There were significant differences according to gender, race, and health insurance status, which persisted even after adjustment for other risk factors. Female gender (0.83 [95% CI 0.79 to 0.87; p <0.001]), black (0.49 [95% CI 0.44 to 0.55; p <0.001]), and Hispanic race (0.64 [95% CI 0.56 to 0.72; p <0.001]) were associated with lower likelihoods of undergoing an AF ablation. Medicare (0.93, 0.88 to 0.98, <0.001) or Medicaid (0.67, 0.59 to 0.76, <0.001) coverage and uninsured patients (0.55, 0.49 to 0.62, <0.001) also had lower rates of AF ablation compared to patients with private insurance. In conclusion we found differences in utilization of catheter ablation for AF based on gender, race, and insurance status that persisted over time., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Inappropriate ICD shocks are associated with increased mortality. They also impair patients' quality of life, increase hospitalizations, and raise health-care costs. Nearly 80% of inappropriate ICD shocks are caused by supraventricular tachycardia. Here we report the case of a patient who received a single-lead dual-chamber sensing ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death and experienced inappropriate ICD shocks. V-A time, electrogram morphology, and response to antitachycardia pacing suggested atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, which was confirmed in an electrophysiology study. Inspired by this case, we performed a literature review to discuss mechanisms for discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia with 1:1 A:V relationship from ventricular tachycardia with 1:1 retrograde conduction.

Background/objectives: Chagas' disease (CD) has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and electrocardiographic (ECG) conduction defects. However, prior studies have shown conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis comparing the prevalence of AF and conduction abnormalities between CD and non-CD patients., Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Latin American databases were searched for studies that directly compared the prevalence of AF and conduction defects in CD and non-CD patients. Odds ratios (OR) were computed using random-effects model due to anticipated heterogeneity. We further performed subanalyses limited to studies that included only patients with cardiomyopathy., Results: A total of 17,238 patients from 30 studies were included, of whom 6,840 (40%) had a positive serology for CD. In the pooled data, AF was significantly more prevalent in the CD group (OR 1.62; 95%CI 1.21-2.15; P = 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between groups when the analysis included only patients with cardiomyopathy (OR 1.21; 95%CI 0.97-1.50; P = 0.08) or heart failure (OR 1.09; 95%CI 0.81-1.47; P = 0.55). The combination of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) had the highest OR for increased prevalence in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy compared to non-CD etiologies (OR 5.31; 95%CI 1.23-22.86; P = 0.03)., Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of AF in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy is not significantly different from non-CD cardiomyopathies. The pattern of RBBB and LAFB in patients with cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology and epidemiologic risk factors should raise the possibility of CD and prompt specific diagnostic testing., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Complete atrioventricular (AV) block is known to be reversible in some cases of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI). The reversibility of high-grade AV block in non-MI coronary artery disease (CAD), however, is rarely described in the literature. Herein we perform a literature review to assess what is known about the reversibility of high-grade AV block after right coronary artery revascularization in CAD patients who present without an acute MI. To illustrate this phenomenon we describe a case of 2 : 1 AV block associated with unstable angina, in which revascularization resulted in immediate and durable restoration of 1 : 1 AV conduction, thereby obviating the need for permanent pacemaker implantation. The literature review suggests two possible explanations: a vagally mediated response or a mechanism dependent on conduction system ischemia. Due to the limited understanding of AV block reversibility following revascularization in non-acute MI presentations, it remains difficult to reliably predict which patients presenting with high-grade AV block in the absence of MI may have the potential to avoid permanent pacemaker implantation via coronary revascularization. We thus offer this review as a potential starting point for the approach to such patients.

Background: Transvenous lead removal (TLR) has made significant progress with respect to innovation, efficacy, and safety. However, limited data exist regarding trends in use and adverse outcomes outside the centers of considerable experience for TLR. The aim of our study was to examine use patterns, frequency of adverse events, and influence of hospital volume on complications., Methods and Results: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified 91 890 TLR procedures. We investigated common complications including pericardial complications (hemopericardium, cardiac tamponade, or pericardiocentesis), pneumothorax, stroke, vascular complications (consisting of hemorrhage/hematoma, incidents requiring surgical repair, and accidental arterial puncture), and in-hospital deaths described with TLR, defining them by the validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code. We specifically assessed in-hospital death (2.2%), hemorrhage requiring transfusion (2.6%), vascular complications (2.0%), pericardial complications (1.4%), open heart surgery (0.2%), and postoperative respiratory failure (2.4%). Independent predictors of complications were female sex and device infections. Hospital volume was not independently associated with higher complications. There was a significant rise in overall complication rates over the study period., Conclusions: The overall complication rate in patients undergoing TLR was higher than previously reported. Female sex and device infections are associated with higher complications. Hospital volume was not associated with higher complication rates. The number of adverse events in the literature likely underestimates the actual number of complications associated with TLR., (© 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.)

The use of mechanical ventricular support devices in the management of patients with advanced heart failure continues to increase. These devices have been shown to prolong life as a destination therapy and to increase survival when used as a bridge to transplantation. However, they are associated with a high rate of complications, including bleeding, infection, device malfunction, and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). The mechanical support provided by the device typically allows for VAs to be well tolerated in the acute setting, though there are numerous long-term complications related to VAs such as ventricular remodeling, right ventricular failure in patients with left ventricular assist devices, and possibly increased mortality. Controversy exists as to the appropriate role of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in these patients. This review will focus on the management options available for patients with mechanical ventricular support devices and VAs.

Background: There are limited data on prognosis and outcomes of patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with those with a prior history of AF., Methods and Results: We conducted a comparison of these 2 groups in the AFFIRM trial. New-onset AF was the qualifying arrhythmia in 1,391 patients (34%). Compared with patients with prior history of AF, patients with new-onset AF were more likely to have a history of heart failure. There was no mortality difference between rate control (RaC) and rhythm control (RhC) among patients with new-onset AF (17% vs 20%, P = .152). In the univariate model, new-onset AF was associated with increased risk of mortality compared with history of prior AF (RaC unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.36 [P = .010], RhC unadjusted HR 1.39 [P = .003]). However, after multivariate adjustments, new-onset AF did not carry an increased risk of mortality (RaC adjusted HR 1.14 [P = .370], RhC adjusted HR 1.16 [P = .248]). Subjects with new-onset AF randomized to the RhC arm were more likely to remain in normal sinus rhythm at follow-up (adjusted HR 0.79, P = .012) compared with patients with prior history of AF., Conclusions: In a multivariable analysis adjusting for confounders, new-onset AF was not associated with increased mortality compared with prior history of AF regardless of the treatment strategy. Patients with new-onset AF treated with the rhythm control strategy were more likely to remain in normal sinus rhythm on follow-up., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation or as destination therapy. Patients with LVADs are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias. This study describes ventricular arrhythmia characteristics and ablation in patients implanted with a Heart Mate II device., Methods and Results: All patients with a Heart Mate II device who underwent ventricular arrhythmia catheter ablation at 9 tertiary centers were included. Thirty-four patients (30 male, age 58±10 years) underwent 39 ablation procedures. The underlying cardiomyopathy pathogenesis was ischemic in 21 and nonischemic in 13 patients with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 17%±5% before LVAD implantation. One hundred and ten ventricular tachycardias (VTs; cycle lengths, 230-740 ms, arrhythmic storm n=28) and 2 ventricular fibrillation triggers were targeted (25 transseptal, 14 retrograde aortic approaches). Nine patients required VT ablation <1 month after LVAD implantation because of intractable VT. Only 10/110 (9%) of the targeted VTs were related to the Heart Mate II cannula. During follow-up, 7 patients were transplanted and 10 died. Of the remaining 17 patients, 13 were arrhythmia-free at 25±15 months. In 1 patient with VT recurrence, change of turbine speed from 9400 to 9000 rpm extinguished VT., Conclusions: Catheter ablation of VT among LVAD recipients is feasible and reasonably safe even soon after LVAD implantation. Intrinsic myocardial scar, rather than the apical cannula, seems to be the dominant substrate., (© 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: Safety data on percutaneous left atrial appendage closure arises from centers with considerable expertise in the procedure or from clinical trial, which might not be reproducible in clinical practice. We sought to estimate the frequency and predictors of adverse outcomes and costs of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure procedure in the US., Methods and Results: The data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the years 2006 to 2010. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample is the largest all-payer inpatient data set in the US. Complications were calculated using patient safety indicators and International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Annual hospital volume was calculated using unique hospital identifiers. Weights provided by the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were used to generate national estimates. A total of 268 (weighted=1288) procedures were analyzed. The overall composite rate of mortality or any adverse event was 24.3% (65), with 3.4% patients required open cardiac surgery after procedure. Average length of stay was 4.61±1.05 days and cost of care was 26,024±34,651. Annual hospital procedural volume was significantly associated with reduced complications and mortality (every unit increase: odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.94; P<0.001), decrease in length of stay (every unit increase: hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.98; P<0.001) and cost of care (every unit increase: hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.98; P<0.001)., Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the frequency of inhospital adverse outcomes associated with percutaneous left atrial appendage closure is higher in the real-world population than in clinical trials. We also demonstrate that higher annual hospital volume is associated with safer procedures, with lower length of stay and cost., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: We previously reported on the incidence and clinical implications of supraventricular arrhythmia in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). The role of catheter ablation for the management of atrial arrhythmia (AA) in this patient population is unknown., Methods and Results: One hundred consecutive patients with CS were monitored for the incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias. Those with persistent symptoms despite optimal medical therapy proceeded to catheter ablation. Following ablation, all patients were followed serially with Holter monitoring or device interrogation. Thirty-two (32%) patients had symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmias. Nine (28%) patients had symptomatic AA requiring catheter ablation for clinical indications. Mean age was 55 ± 11.6 years. Five (56%) patients had atrial fibrillation (AF), of whom 2 also had cavotricuspid isthmus ablation. Four patients had isolated atrial flutter: 2 patients with left atrial flutter, and 2 patients with cavotricuspid flutter. All other arrhythmias were ablated in the left atrium. Mean duration of follow-up was 1.8 ± 1.9 years. One patient with atypical atrial flutter, and one patient with AF have had recurrence; the remaining patients remain in sinus rhythm., Conclusions: Our study suggests that AA in CS is frequently left atrial in origin. Catheter ablation appears to be effective and safe for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with CS., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: In November 2011, the Food and Drug Administration issued a class I recall of Riata and Riata ST implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads. Management recommendations regarding the recall have remained controversial., Objective: Data regarding the safety and feasibility of extraction of Riata implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads are limited., Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients undergoing extraction of Riata/Riata ST leads at 11 centers., Results: Between July 2003 and April 2013, 577 Riata/Riata ST leads were extracted from 577 patients (Riata 467, [84%]; Riata ST 89, [16%]). Complete procedural success achieved in 99.1%. The cohort was 78% men, with a mean age of 60 years and a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 34% ± 14%. The mean implant duration was 44.7 months (range 0-124.6 months). The majority of leads extracted were for infection (305 [53.0%]) and 220 (35.7%) for lead malfunction. Evaluation for lead integrity was performed in 295 cases. Of these, 34.9% were found to have externalized cables. Implant duration was significantly longer in leads with externalized cables (P < .0001). No difference in lead integrity was noted between Riata and Riata ST leads (11.7% vs. 17.7% failure; P = .23). Among leads in which cable externalization was noted, laser sheaths were used more frequently (P = .01). Major complications included 3 superior vena cava/right ventricular perforations requiring surgical intervention with 1 death 12 days after the procedure and 1 pericardial effusion requiring percutaneous drainage (0.87%)., Conclusion: Extraction of the Riata/Riata ST leads can be challenging, and leads with externalized cables may require specific extraction techniques. Extraction of the Riata/Riata ST leads can be performed safely by experienced operators at high-volume centers with a complication rate comparable to published data., (Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tricuspid valve (TV) perforation is a rare complication after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and permanent pacemaker implantation. In reported cases of lead-related TV perforations, patients' present with symptoms months to years postimplantation. We describe a case where a patient presented with signs of severe TV regurgitation secondary to traumatic perforation of the septal leaflet two weeks after ICD implantation and review of the literature associated with this complication., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction may derive benefit from being in sinus rhythm but no data are available to support this strategy in them. We sought to investigate effect of left ventricular remodeling on cardiovascular outcomes in AF patients undergoing rhythm control strategy., Methods: We identified 1088 patients with echocardiographic data on left ventricular mass (LVM) enrolled in the AFFIRM trial. Using the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) criteria, patients were divided into 4 categories: 1) normal geometry, 2) concentric remodeling, 3) eccentric hypertrophy, and 4) concentric hypertrophy. The primary endpoint was AF recurrence and the secondary endpoint was cardiovascular hospitalization (CVH)., Results: In rhythm control arm, median time to recurrence in patients with concentric LVH was 13.3 months (95% CI 8.2-24.5) vs. 28.3 months (95% CI 20.2-48.6) in patients without LVH. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was independently predictive of AF recurrence (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.01, p=0.01) in rhythm control arm, but not in overall population or rate control arm. Both concentric and eccentric LVH were independently predictive of cardiovascular hospitalization (CVH) in the overall population, with respective HRs of 1.36 (1.04-1.78, p=0.03) and 1.38 (1.02-1.85, p=0.04)., Conclusion: Concentric LVH is predictive of AF recurrences when a predominantly pharmacologic rhythm-control strategy is employed. Different patterns of LVH seem to be important determinants of outcomes (AF recurrence and CVH). These findings may have important clinical implications for the management of patients with AF and LVH. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Although left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy has been proposed as a factor predisposing to atrial fibrillation (AF), its relevance to prognosis and selection of therapeutic strategies is unclear. We identified 2,105 patients with echocardiographic data on LV mass enrolled in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial. LV hypertrophy was defined as increased LV mass, stratified by American Society of Echocardiography criteria. The primary end point was all-cause mortality, secondary end point was as per AFFIRM trial definition, and tertiary end point was cardiovascular hospitalizations. We compared "strict" versus "lenient" rate control in patients with increased LV mass, and studied association of heart failure (HF) with preserved and decreased systolic function in patients with increased LV mass. Over 6 years, 332 deaths (15.7%) were reported. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of severely increased LV mass for all-cause mortality was 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.79, p=0.045) for the overall population and 1.61 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.37, p=0.016) for the rhythm-control arm. Increased LV mass was a predictor of cardiovascular hospitalizations in the lenient rate-control group (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.82, p=0.03) but not in the strict rate-control group. Severely increased LV mass was predictive of cardiovascular hospitalizations in patients with HF with preserved (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.2, p=0.03) and decreased LV systolic function (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.2, p=0.02). Thus, LV hypertrophy is a significant independent predictor of mortality in patients with AF, especially those managed with rhythm control. In patients with LV hypertrophy, strict rate control may be associated with better outcomes than lenient rate control. LV hypertrophy portends higher cardiovascular morbidity in patients with AF and HF., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Conduction disorders (CD) and atrial arrhythmias (AA) in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery impede prompt clinical recovery and prolong hospitalization. Mitral valve repair (MVR) has become the treatment of choice for patients with significant valvular regurgitation, but information on CD and AA in this population is scarce., Methods: Records of consecutive patients undergoing MVR at a single center were reviewed. Patients with a preoperative pacemaker, CD, prior cardiac surgery or concomitant MVR were excluded. A total of 290 patients were included in the final analysis. Electrocardiograms pre andpost-operatively were analyzed for CD and AA., Results: CD occurred in 69 (23.7%) patients: 47 (16.2%) had first degree atrio-ventricular block (AVB), 10 (3.4%) had Mobitz I, 3 (1.03%) had Mobitz II, and 9 (3.1%) complete AVB. Only 6 (2.0%) patients required pacemakers. Univariate predictors of AVB were age, preexisting right bundle branch block (RBBB), mitral valve ring size, and bypass time. The only multivariate predictors of AVB were bypass time and preexisting RBBB (OR 3.23 and 1.98, respectively). The most common AA was atrial fibrillation 13.1% (38 patients) followed by atrial flutter 2.7% (8 patients). Multivariate predictors of AA were age and left atrial size (OR 1.85 and 4.2, respectively). Length of stay in patients with CD or AA was prolonged 2.2 ± 2 days compared to controls (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: In this large sample of patients undergoing MVR, we found that bypass time and preexisting RBBB were independent predictors of CD; age and left atrial size were independent predictors of AA.

Background: Few data exist regarding the effect of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) on tricuspid valve function. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of TLE on the development of postprocedure tricuspid regurgitation (TR)., Objective: To assess the impact of TLE on tricuspid valve function., Methods: A single center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients referred for TLE between June 2006 and November 2011. Patients were included only if they underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before and after lead extraction (N = 124). Patients were assigned a preprocedure and postprocedure TR score on a continuous scale from 0 to 6 (0 = none, 1 = trace, 2 = mild, 3 = mild/moderate, 4 = moderate, 5 = moderate/severe, and 6 = severe). A clinically significant increase in TR was defined as both (1) an increase in TR score of at least two points, and (2) a postprocedure TR score ≥4 (moderate)., Results: A total of 124 patients referred for TLE underwent a TTE both before (9 ±16 months) and after lead extraction (4 ± 8 months). A total of 200 leads (1.6 ± 0.8 per patient) were extracted. The mean change in TR score after lead extraction was +0.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.03 to 0.39, P = 0.11). A clinically significant increase in TR occurred in 7/124 (5.6% [CI 2.3-11.3%]) patients. Age ≥75 (+0.45, [CI 0.07-0.84, P = 0.02]), removal of ≥2 leads (+0.40 [CI 0-0.81, P = 0.05]), and powered sheath-assisted extraction (+0.34 [CI 0.05-0.62, P = 0.02]) were significantly associated with an increase in TR score., Conclusion: TLE is rarely associated with the development of clinically significant TR. In our cohort, patient age ≥75 years, pacemaker as opposed to ICD, and removal of ≥2 leads predicted worsening TR., (©2013, The Authors. Journal compilation ©2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of isthmus location of atypical atrial flutters/atrial tachycardias (ATs) on outcomes of catheter ablation. Atrial tachycardias are clinically challenging arrhythmias that can occur in the presence of atrial scar--often due to either cardiac surgery or prior ablation for atrial fibrillation. We previously demonstrated a catheter ablation approach employing rapid multielectrode activation mapping with targeted entrainment manoeuvrs. However, the role that AT isthmus location plays in acute and long-term success of ablation remains uncertain., Methods and Results: Retrospective multicenter analysis of 91 consecutive AT patients undergoing ablation using a systematic four-step approach: (i) high-density activation mapping; (ii) analysis of atrial activation to identify wavefronts of electrical propagation; (iii) targeted entrainment of putative channels; and (iv) irrigated radiofrequency ablation of constrained regions of the circuit. Clinical outcomes, procedural details, and clinical profiles were determined. A total of 171 ATs (1.9 ± 1.0 per patient, 26% septal ATs) were targeted for ablation. The acute success rates were 97 and 77% for patients with either non-septal ATs or septal ATs, respectively (P = 0.0023). Similarly, the long-term success rates were 82 and 67% for patients with either no septal ATs or at least one septal AT, respectively (P = 0.1057). The long-term success rates were 75, 88, and 57% for patients with ATs associated with prior catheter ablation, cardiac surgery or MAZE, and idiopathic atrial scar, respectively., Conclusion: Catheter ablation of AT can be successfully performed employing a strategy of combined high-density activation and entrainment mapping. Septal ATs are associated with higher rates of acute and long-term recurrences.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and safety of esophageal displacement during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, to prevent thermal injury., Background: Patients undergoing AF ablation are at risk of esophageal thermal injury, which ranges from superficial ulceration, to gastroparesis, to the rare but catastrophic atrioesophageal fistula. A common approach to avoid damage is luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring; however, (1) temperature rises mandate interruptions in energy delivery that interrupt workflow and potentially decrease procedural efficacy, and (2) esophageal fistulas have been reported even with LET monitoring., Methods: A cohort of 20 consecutive patients undergoing radiofrequency (RF) (16 patients) or laser balloon (4 patients) ablation of AF under general anesthesia. After barium instillation, the esophagus was deviated using an endotracheal stylet placed within a thoracic chest tube. LET monitoring was used during catheter ablation. Upper GI endoscopy was performed prior to discharge., Results: At the pulmonary vein level, leftward deviation measured 2.8 ± 1.6 cm (range: 0.4-5.7) and rightward deviation 2.8 ± 1.8 cm (range: 0.5-4.9). The temperature rose to >38.5 °C in 3/20 (15%) patients. In these 3 patients, there was an average of 2 applications/patient that recorded temperatures >38.5 °C. No patient had a temperature rise > 40 °C. Endoscopy revealed no esophageal ulceration from thermal injury in 18/19 (95%) patients; the sole patient with a thermally mediated ulceration had an unusual esophageal diverticulum fully across the posterior left atrium. Twelve patients (63%) exhibited trauma related to instrumentation with no clinical sequelae., Conclusions: Mechanical esophageal deviation is feasible and allows for uninterrupted energy delivery along the posterior wall during catheter ablation of AF., (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Uncontrolled severe hypertension is associated with alarming rates of cardiovascular events but the mechanisms of vascular injury are not well understood. Recent investigative interest has focused on platelet activation and platelet P-selectin (CD62P) as direct mediators of vascular inflammation and injury. We investigated the association of extreme blood pressure (BP) elevation with platelet P-selectin and fibrinolytic markers in high risk patients with severe hypertension., Methods: Cross-sectional comparison of platelet CD62, tissue plasminogen activator antigen (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1) among 3 BP groups: untreated severely hypertensive patients (SHT; n=18), untreated mildly hypertensive patients (MHT; n=19), and normotensive controls (NT; n=16)., Results: Platelet CD62 was greatest in SHT (p=0.00008) and showed a strong correlation with both systolic (p=0.0002, r=0.52) and diastolic (p=0.0003, r=0.52) BP. tPA was greater in SHT than MHT or NT (ANOVA; p=0.02) and correlated with diastolic BP but not SBP. PAI-1 did not correlate with either SBP or DBP but was related to body mass index, diabetes, and dyslipidemia., Conclusions: Platelet CD62 demonstrated a strong and graded association with both systolic and diastolic BP that persisted in the presence of multiple concomitant risk factors. The association of BP with CD62P was stronger than with either PAI-1 or tPA-Ag. Platelet activation and platelet CD62 increase in a BP-dependent manner and this relationship persists at extreme levels of BP. Platelet activation and platelet CD62 may participate in the accelerated target organ injury observed in high risk patients with severe hypertension.

A 48-year-old woman underwent uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) for menorrhagia. One-month after the procedure she developed massive vaginal bleeding and required an emergency hysterectomy. Pathologic evaluation of the uterus revealed ulceration of the endometrium overlying the necrotic fibroid. Physicians performing UFE should be aware of this rare but potentially life-threatening complication.