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The multidisciplinary assessment of hospitalized patients via validated scales and tools has become crucial in the early identification of sarcopenia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its related factors in patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the neurological rehabilitation departments of cognitive motor disorders and functional motor rehabilitation at the IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele in Milan. Using the algorithm reported by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2), the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients was investigated from 2019–2020. Definite sarcopenia was detected in 161 of 336 recruited patients (47.9%). Age was significantly higher in sarcopenic patients than in those without sarcopenia (median 81 vs. 79 years, p < 0.001) and height, weight, and body mass index were lower (p < 0.001 for all). The malnutrition screening test (MUST) was higher but still negative in most sarcopenic patients (47.8% vs. 20.6%, p < 0.001). Patients with sarcopenia had significantly reduced life autonomy (by Barthel index, median 55 vs. 60 points, p < 0.001) and increased mental impairment (tested by MMSE and MOCA, p < 0.005 for both). In conclusion, sarcopenic patients were more cognitively impaired and less autonomous in their daily life, but the majority presented with a negative malnutrition screening test.

Background: Excess cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality has been observed in patients with COVID-19. Both interleukin-32 (IL-32) and interleukin-34 (IL-34) have been hypothesized to contribute to CV involvement in COVID-19. Methods: This prospective, observational study of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection was conducted from 6 June to 22 December 2020 in a tertiary care hospital in Vienna, Austria. IL-32 and IL-34 levels on admission were collected and tested for their association with CV disease and short-term mortality in patients with COVID-19. CV disease was defined by the presence of coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke or atrial fibrillation and patients were stratified by CV disease burden. Results: A total of 245 eligible patients with COVID-19 were included, of whom 37 (15.1%) reached the primary endpoint of 28-day mortality. Of the total sample, 161 had no CV disease (65.7%), 69 had one or two CV diseases (28.2%) and 15 patients had ≥three CV diseases (6.1%). Median levels of IL-32 and IL-34 at admission were comparable across the three groups of CV disease burden. IL-32 and IL-34 failed to predict mortality upon both univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The two CV disease groups, however, had a significantly higher risk of mortality within 28 days (one or two CV diseases: crude HR 4.085 (95% CI, 1.913–8.725), p < 0.001 and ≥three CV diseases: crude HR 13.173 (95% CI, 5.425–31.985), p < 0.001). This association persisted for those with ≥three CV diseases after adjustment for age, gender and CV risk factors (adjusted HR 3.942 (95% CI, 1.288–12.068), p = 0.016). Conclusion: In our study population of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, IL-32 and IL-34 did not show any associations with CV disease or 28-day mortality in the context of COVID-19. Patients with multiple CV diseases, however, had a significantly increased risk of short-term mortality.

Arterial hypertension is a global burden leading to over 10.8 million deaths per year worldwide. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global project initiated by the International Society of Hypertension to raise the awareness of high blood pressure (BP) in the population. Following the MMM protocol 2508 participants ≥18 years had their BP measured in Austria in MMM18 and MMM19. Of those screened, 54.6% were found to be hypertensive, defined as a BP ≥140/90 mmHg and/or being on treatment for hypertension. Among those individuals with hypertension, 56.1% were on medication but only 42.0% of those treated had controlled BP (

Summary Background Many patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, a relevant proportion have a CIED system that has not been classified as MRI-conditional because of generators and leads from different brands (mixed-brand group). The available data concerning the outcome of these mixed patients undergoing MRI is limited. Methods A retrospective single center study, including all patients with CIEDs undergoing MRI between January 2013 until May 2020, was performed. Primary endpoints were defined as death or any adverse event necessitating hospitalization or CIED revision. Secondary endpoints were the occurrence of any sign for beginning device or lead failure or patient discomfort during MRI. Results A total of 227 MRI examinations, including 10 thoracic MRIs, were carried out in 158 patients, with 1–9 MRIs per patient. Of the patients 38 underwent 54 procedures in the mixed-brand group and 89 patients underwent 134 MRIs in the MRI-conditional group. Of the patients 31 were excluded since the MRI conditionality could not be determined. No primary endpoints occurred within the mixed-brand group but in 2.2% of the MRI-conditional group (p = 1.000), with 2 patients developing new atrial fibrillation during MRI, of whom one additionally had a transient CIED dysfunction. No secondary endpoints were met in the mixed-brand group compared to 3.4% in the MRI-conditional group (p = 0.554). No complications occurred in the excluded patients. Conclusion The complication rate of CIED patients undergoing MRI was low. Patients with a mixed CIED system showed no signs of increased risk of adverse events compared to patients with MRI-conditional CIED systems.

Despite constant breakthroughs in heart failure (HF) therapy, the population of HF patients resume to grow and is linked to increased mortality and morbidity. Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are one of the leading causes of mortality in HF subjects. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are currently the gold standard in treatment, preventing arrhythmic sudden cardiac death (SCD) episodes. However, the death rates related to HF remain elevated, as not all HF subjects benefit equally. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has emerged as a novel approach for HF patients. These devices have been thoroughly investigated in major randomized controlled studies but continue to be underutilized in various countries. This review discusses the use of ICD in HF populations on top of treatments.

Background: Limited data is available about the outcome of TLE in patients with vs. without high energy leads in the last decade. Methods: This is an analysis of consecutive patients undergoing TLE at a high-volume TLE centre from 2001 to 2021 using the stepwise approach. Baseline characteristics, procedural details and outcome of patients with high energy lead (ICD group) vs. without high energy lead (non-ICD group) were compared. Results: Out of 667 extractions, 991 leads were extracted in 405 procedures (60.7%) in the ICD group and 439 leads in 262 procedures (39.3%) in the non-ICD group. ICD patients were significantly younger (median 67 vs. 74 years) and were significantly less often female (18.1% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.005 for both). Advanced extraction tools were used significantly more often in the ICD group (73.2% vs. 37.5%, p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the successful removal (98.8% vs. 99.2%) or complications (4.7% vs. 3.1%) between the groups (p > 0.2 for both). Discussion: Using the stepwise approach, overall procedural success was high and complication rate was low in a high-volume centre. In patients with a high energy lead, the TLE procedure was more complex, but outcome was similar to comparator patients.

Abnormal ventricular signals (AVS) are the cornerstone of substrate-based ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in sinus rhythm. Signal characterization of AVS in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies has never been performed.The purpose of this study was to describe ventricular signal abnormalities in 3 different pathologies and examine their association with the diastolic component of VT circuits.A total of 45 patients (15 ischemic cardiomyopathy [ICM], 15 arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy [ACM], 15 dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM]) who had undergone VT ablation with50% of the diastolic pathway of the VT circuit recorded were studied. AVS were classified into late potentials (LPs) and continuous fractionated ventricular signals (CFVS), and their characteristics and correlation with the diastolic pathway of VT circuits were analyzed.Seventy-five VT circuits were analyzed. Bipolar scars were greatest in ICM endocardially (53 cmThe nature of abnormal signals in different cardiomyopathies reflects underlying pathology. LPs rather than CFVS seem to be more linked to diastolic components of VT circuits, especially in ICM. LPs have greater sensitivity and specificity for VT; however, CFVS may be of more relevance in ACM.

BACKGROUND: Multiple wearable devices for rhythm analysis have been developed using either photoplethysmography (PPG) or handheld ECG.HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this survey was to assess impact of these technologies on physicians' clinical decision-making regarding initiation of diagnostic steps, drug therapy, and invasive strategies.METHODS: The online survey included 10 questions on types of devices, advantages, and disadvantages of wearable devices as well as case scenarios for patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation (AF).RESULTS: A total of 417 physicians (median age 37 [IQR 32-43] years) from 42 countries world-wide completed the survey. When presented a tracing of a regular tachycardia by a symptomatic patient, most participants would trigger further diagnostic steps (90% for single-lead ECG vs 83% for PPG, P CONCLUSIONS: Tracings from wearable rhythm devices suggestive of arrhythmias are most likely to trigger further diagnostic steps, and in the case of PPG recordings rarely therapeutic interventions. A majority of participants expect these devices to facilitate diagnostics and arrhythmia screening but fear data overload and expect scientific society recommendations on the use of wearables.

Development and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) is driven by comorbidities such as arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In animal models of chronic hyperglycaemia, progression of AF has been proposed to be triggered by oxidative stress, apoptosis and fibrosis. Acute glycosylation of CaMKII has been associated with increased susceptibility to arrhythmias in acute hyperglycaemia. However, the proarrhythmogenic effect of acute hyperglycaemia has not been investigated. Nine healthy, anesthetized pigs (54 ± 6 kg) were instrumented with electrophysiologic catheters and a multielectrode array on the epicardium of the left atrial anterior wall. Left and right atrial effective refractory periods (AERP), inducibility of AF and left atrial epicardial conduction velocities (CV) were measured at baseline (BL), increasing steps of blood glucose (200–500 mg/dL in steps of 100 mg/dL by glucose infusion) and repeated after normalisation of blood glucose levels (recovery). Serum electrolytes were kept constant during measurements by means of sodium and potassium infusion. There were no significant differences in AERP, CV or AF inducibility between BL and recovery. Heart rate remained constant regardless of blood glucose levels (BL: 103 ± 18 bpm, 500 mg/dL: 103 ± 18 bpm, r = 0.02, p = 0.346). Mean left as well as right AERP increased with higher glucose levels. CV increased with glucose levels (1.25 (1.04, 1.67) m/s at BL vs. 1.53 (1.22, 2.15) m/s at 500 mg/dL, r = 0.85, p = 0.034). Rate of AF inducibility in the left atrium remained constant throughout the whole protocol (AF episodes > 10 s: mean inducibility of 80% at BL vs. 69% at 500 mg/dL, p = 0.32, episodes > 30 s: 0% at BL vs. 0% at 500 mg/dL, p = 0.17). Our data imply that acute hyperglycaemia is associated with lower arrhythmogenic substrate and does not promote AF inducibility.

Little is known regarding the characterization of electrical substrate in both atria in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Eight consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation (five paroxysmal, three persistent) underwent electrical substrate characterization during sinus rhythm. Mapping of the left (LA) and right atrium (RA) was performed with the use of the HD Grid catheter (Abbott). Bipolar voltage maps were analyzed to search for low voltage areas (LVA), the following electrophysiological phenomena were assessed: (1) slow conduction corridors, and (2) lines of block. EGMs were characterized to search for fractionation. Electrical characteristics were compared between atria and between paroxysmal versus persistent AF patients.In the RA, LVAs were present in 60% of patients with paroxysmal AF and 100% of patients with persistent AF. In the LA, LVAs were present in 40% of patients with paroxysmal AF and 66% of patients with persistent AF. The areas of LVA in the RA and LA were 4.8±7.3 cmBi-atrial involvement is present in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. This is expressed by low voltage areas and slow conduction corridors whose extension progresses as the arrhythmia becomes persistent. This electrophysiological substrate demonstrates the important interplay with the pulmonary vein triggers to constitute the substrate for persistent arrhythmia.

Natriuretic peptide plasma levels help to manage patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). The role of troponin plasma levels in this patient cohort remains speculative. A consortium of 4 university hospital centers in Austria analyzed retrospectively 3,595 patients admitted for valve replacement because of severe AS since 2007. The aim was to compare the additive preprocedural value of high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) to N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels in predicting postoperative long-term survival in a large cohort undergoing either surgical (57.8%) or transcatheter (42.2%) aortic valve replacement. During a median follow-up of 2.93 (1.91 to 4.92) years, 919 patients (25.6%) died, in them 556 (15.5%) due to cardiovascular causes. Both normal hsTnT (

Background: As a preventive procedure, minimizing periprocedural risk is crucially important during left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Methods: We included consecutive patients receiving LAAC at nine centres and assessed the relationship between baseline characteristics and the acute procedural outcome. Major procedural complications were defined as all complications requiring immediate invasive intervention or causing irreversible damage. Logistic regression was performed and included age and left-ventricular function. Furthermore, the association between acute complications and long-term outcomes was evaluated. Results: A total of 405 consecutive patients with a median age of 75 years (37% female) were included. 47% had a history of stroke. Median CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4 (interquartile range, 3–5) and the median HAS-BLED score was 3 (2–4). Major procedural complications occurred in 7% of cases. Low haemoglobin (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.65–0.99 per g/dL, p = 0.040) and end-stage kidney disease (OR 13.0, CI 2.5–68.5, p = 0.002) remained significant in multivariate analysis. Anaemia (haemoglobin < 12 and < 13 g/dL in female and male patients) increased the risk of complications 2.2-fold. Conclusions: The major complication rate was low in this high-risk patient population undergoing LAAC. End-stage kidney disease and low baseline haemoglobin were independently associated with a higher major complication rate.

Three recently published sham-controlled studies proved the efficacy of renal denervation (RDN) in hypertensive patients. The study presented here analyzed a nationwide multicentre registry database to clarify which patient subgroups benefit most from radiofrequency RDN.This is a post hoc analysis from the multicentre Austrian Transcatheter Renal Denervation Registry hosted by the Austrian Society of Hypertension. We correlated change of SBP after RDN to sex and presence/absence of comorbidities. Univariable correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.Two hundred and ninety-one patients (43% women, median age 64 years) undergoing RDN between April 2011 and September 2014 were included in this analysis. Mean baseline ambulatory 24 h BP (systolic/diastolic) was 150 ± 18/89 ± 14 mmHg and mean baseline office BP was 170 ± 16/94 ± 14 mmHg.After RDN, mean ambulatory 24 h BP reduction was 9 ± 19/6 ± 16 mmHg. The following features were associated with a good response to RDN: high baseline systolic ambulatory BP, high baseline diastolic office BP, female sex, absence of diabetes mellitus, and absence of peripheral artery disease. Multivariable analysis identified female sex and absence of diabetes mellitus as strongest predictors for ambulatory BP reduction, although those groups had the lowest baseline ambulatory BP.Ambulatory BP reductions after RDN were substantially more pronounced in female and in nondiabetic patients despite lower baseline BP. It is concluded that in terms of efficacy female patients and nondiabetic patients might benefit more from RDN.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programs worldwide. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May 2017. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension (HTN), and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. In total, 2711 individuals (58.6% female) were screened during MMM17 in 56 centres. After multiple imputation, 1704 (62.9%) had HTN (≥140/90 mmHg). Of individuals not receiving antihypertensive medication, 764 (43.2%) were hypertensive. Of individuals receiving antihypertensive medication, 597 (63.5%) had uncontrolled BP. MMM17 was one of the largest BP screening campaigns undertaken in Austria. A large number of undiagnosed hypertensives was found and connected to a therapeutic strategy. An alarming number of uncontrolled but treated hypertensives should attract the attention of doctors and health care system in Austria.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the Acurate neo (NEO) and Evolut PRO (PRO) devices. Background The NEO and PRO bioprostheses are 2 next-generation self-expanding devices developed for TAVR. Methods The NEOPRO (A Multicenter Comparison of Acurate NEO Versus Evolut PRO Transcatheter Heart Valves) registry retrospectively included patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR with either NEO or PRO valves at 24 centers between January 2012 and March 2018. One-to-one propensity score matching resulted in 251 pairs. Pre-discharge and 30-day Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)–2 defined outcomes were evaluated. Binary logistic regression was performed to adjust the treatment effect for propensity score quintiles. Results A total of 1,551 patients (n = 1,263 NEO; n = 288 PRO) were included. The mean age was 82 years, and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 5.1%. After propensity score matching (n = 502), VARC-2 device success (90.6% vs. 91.6%; p = 0.751) and pre-discharge moderate to severe (II+) paravalvular aortic regurgitation (7.3% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.584) were comparable between the NEO and PRO groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in any 30-day clinical outcome between matched NEO and PRO pairs, including all-cause mortality (3.2% vs. 1.2%; p = 0.221), stroke (2.4% vs. 2.8%; p = 1.000), new permanent pacemaker implantation (11.0% vs. 12.8%; p = 0.565), and VARC-2 early safety endpoint (10.6% vs. 10.4%; p = 1.000). Logistic regression on the unmatched cohort confirmed a similar risk of VARC-2 device success, paravalvular aortic regurgitation II+, and 30-day clinical outcomes after NEO and PRO implantation. Conclusions In this multicenter registry, transfemoral TAVR with the NEO and PRO bioprostheses was associated with high device success, acceptable rates of paravalvular aortic regurgitation II+, and good 30-day clinical outcomes. After adjusting for potential confounders, short-term outcomes were similar between the devices.

Background: Optimal antithrombotic therapy after left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is still not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of different antithrombotic regimens after the procedure. Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed data of 260 patients who underwent LAA occlusion and divided them into four groups according to therapy at discharge: dual antiplatelet therapy (group A, 71.5%), oral anticoagulants (group B, 19%), “minimal” antithrombotic therapy (single antiplatelet agent or without any antithrombotic therapy, group C, 4.5%) and other therapeutic regimens (such as a combination of antiplatelets and anticoagulants, group D, 4.5%). We analyzed baseline characteristics, procedural data, and clinical and transesophageal follow-up for each group. The incidence of adverse events was low in the whole population and had a similar distribution among groups. The majority of bleeding events was registered during the first 3 months after the procedure (34 out of 46, 70%). Ischemic events (2%), as well as silent left atrial thrombosis, were rare and not significantly higher in the population discharged with “minimal” antithrombotic therapy. Conclusion: Our experience seems to suggest that LAA occlusion was associated with a low incidence of adverse events, regardless of antithrombotic therapy. A “minimal” drug regimen may be feasible without losing efficacy on embolic prevention for patients with high bleeding risk.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Many patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) need to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, a significant proportion has a CIED system in place that has not been classified "MRI-conditional" because of generators and leads from different brands ("mixed-brand" group), although the individual components per se are MRI-conditional. There is only limited data available concerning the outcome of these patients with "mixed-brand" CIED systems undergoing MRI. Purpose To analyse complications or adverse effects in "mixed-brand" CIED patients undergoing MRI, compared to patients with a fully "MRI-conditional" CIED system. Methods A retrospective single-centre study was performed, including patients undergoing MRI between January 2013 until May 2020. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between both groups. We defined the primary endpoint as death or any adverse event necessitating hospitalization or CIED revision in association with the MRI examination. Secondary endpoints were the occurrence of any surrogate for beginning device or lead failure or patient discomfort during MRI. Results A total of 227 MRI examinations, including 10 thoracic MRIs, were carried out in 158 patients, with a range of 1-9 MRIs per patient. Mean age was 73 years and 52 (32.9%) patients were female. We identified 38 patients undergoing 54 procedures in the "mixed-brand" group and 89 patients undergoing 134 MRI procedures in the "MRI-conditional" group. In 31 patients undergoing 39 MRI examinations the MRI-conditionality could not be determined. "Mixed-brand" patients were older than MRI-conditional patients (mean 77 vs. 72 years, p = 0.003). The primary endpoint occurred in 0% in the "mixed-brand" group and in 2.2% in the "MRI conditional" group (p = 1.000). Complications were as follows: Two patients had first diagnosed atrial fibrillation directly associated with the procedure, of whom one additionally had a transient CIED dysfunction. No patient in the "mixed-brand" group and three patients (3.4%) in the "MRI conditional" group met the secondary endpoints (p = 0.554). In patients with undeterminable MRI conditionality the complication rate was similar (0% for both the primary and secondary endpoints). Conclusion The complication rate of CIED patients undergoing MRI was low. There was no signal for increased risk of adverse events in patients with a CIED without MRI certification due to mixed brands systems compared to patients with "MRI-conditional" CIED systems.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction The first wave of the COVID-19 crisis was associated with a reduction of patients presenting with acute cardiovascular disease. However, there is only limited data showing the trend of pacemaker implantations and their indications. Purpose To evaluate pacemaker implantations before, during and after the first COVID-19 wave, stratified by indication. Methods We analysed the weekly rates of pacemaker implantation at our centre during the first national lockdown for COVID-19 at the between 16 March 2020 and 29 April 2020 (weeks 12-17 / 2020), compared to the implantation rates 6 weeks before (weeks 6-11 / 2020), 6 weeks afterwards (weeks 18-23 / 2020), and the same time frame in 2017-2019. To reduce bias due to postponed planned procedures, we stratified pacemaker implantations into the following groups: total implantations (including box changes), new pacemaker implantations, implantation due to AV block, implantation due to supraventricular conduction disturbances, and other implantations. Results The total number of total weekly implantations was reduced from 10.7 (weeks 6-11 / 2020) to 4.2 (weeks 12-17 / 2020; -60.1%, p = 0.02). We found no significant reduction in the same time frame in 2017-2019 (6.5 vs. 6.1 per week, p = 0.29). We found a similar effect in "new" pacemaker implantations (8.5 vs. 3.2 per week, -62.7%, p = 0.02) and AV block (5.0 vs. 1.5 per week, -70%, p = 0.03). There was no reduction in pacemaker implantation due to sick sinus syndrome (2.5 vs. 0.8 per week, -66.7%, p = 0.12) and other indications (1.0 vs. 0.8 per week, -16.7%, p = 0.86). In the six following weeks (18-23 / 2020), the total numbers (6.0 per week) and indications other than AV block rose to baseline (p > 0.05), but patients with AV block were still less prevalent (1.7 per week, p = 0.04). Conclusion The reduction of total and new pacemaker implantations during the COVID-19 lockdown was mainly based on a reduced pacemaker implantation rate for AV block. This effect persisted even after the national lockdown. This analysis implies that a significant number of patients with AV block may have avoided medical contact during and after the lockdown and therefore have experienced increased mortality.

Background: after transvenous lead extraction (TLE) of cardiac implantable electric devices (CIEDs), some patients may not benefit from device reimplantation. This study sought to analyse predictors and long-term outcome of patients after TLE with vs. without reimplantation in a high-volume centre. Methods: all patients undergoing TLE at our centre between January 2010 and November 2015 were included into this analysis. Results: a total of 223 patients (median age 70 years, 22.0% female) were included into the study. Cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) was the most common device (40.4%) followed by pacemaker (PM) (31.4%), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) (26.9%), and cardiac resynchronization therapy-PM (CRT-P) (1.4%). TLE was performed due to infection (55.6%), malfunction (35.9%), system upgrade (6.7%) or other causes (1.8%). In 14.8%, no reimplantation was performed after TLE. At a median follow-up of 41 months, no preventable arrhythmia-related events were documented in the no-reimplantation group, but 11.8% received a new CIED after 17–84 months. While there was no difference in short-term survival, five-year survival was significantly lower in the no-reimplantation group (78.3% vs. 94.7%, p = 0.014). Conclusions: in patients undergoing TLE, a re-evaluation of the indication for reimplantation is safe and effective. Reimplantation was not related to preventable arrhythmia events, but all-cause survival was lower.

Introduction Recent studies have demonstrated the predictive value of preprocedural cardiac biomarkers, such as N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing valve replacement. Nonetheless, it remains still unclear whether hsTnT may be influenced by gender-specific differences. Purpose The aim of this subanalysis was to evaluate sex-related differences of preprocedural hsTnT in predicting postoperative long-term survival in a large cohort undergoing either surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Methods The TASS-2 group, a consortium of four university hospital centers, analysed 3595 consecutively enrolled patients admitted for valve implantation because of severe aortic stenosis between 2007 and 2017. Results The study cohort consisted of 1728 (48.1%) female and 1867 (51.9%) male patients. During a median follow-up of 2.9 years, cardiovascular mortality was found in 556 (15.5%) patients, amongst whom were 292 (16.9%) women and 264 (14.1%) men. All-cause mortality was detected in 919 (25.6%) patients dividing into 462 (26.7%) women and 457 (24.5%) men. Preprocedural hsTnT was significantly higher (p50 ng/l). Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality were significantly increased with higher hsTnT plasma levels in women (p In two separate multivariate cox regression models, one for either gender - adjusting for STS risk score, NT-proBNP plasma levels, degree of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, age, renal function, chronic obstructive pneumonic disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, concomitant significant coronary artery disease and type of procedure – pre-procedural hsTnT was a strong independent predictor for postoperative cardiovascular mortality with an hazard ratio [HR] of 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–10.80, P=0.044 for mildly to moderately elevated hsTnT (14–50 ng/l) and an HR of 3.98, CI 1.19–13.30, P=0.025 for severely elevated hsTnT (>50 ng/l) in women, whereas an hazard ratio [HR] 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–29.99, P=0.166 for mildly to moderately elevated hsTnT (14–50 ng/l) and an HR 7.48, CI 0.99–56.12, P=0.050 for severely elevated hsTnT (>50 ng/l) in men was yielded. Conclusion Long-term postoperative survival in patients with severe AS admitted for valve implantation was independently predicted by hsTnT, irrespective of gender. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Tiroler Wissenschaftsförderung (Innsbruck, Austria)

INTRODUCTION: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are superior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with elevated stroke risk. Possible antiarrhythmic effects of DOACs have been discussed. We analyzed impact of DOAC treatment on recurrence-free survival after AF catheter ablation.METHODS: Two-hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients (median age 57 [IQR 48-64] years, 26.4% female) undergoing ablation for paroxysmal AF were included into this study. 68.6% of them received DOACs (DOAC group), 31.4% VKA (VKA group). The primary outcome was arrhythmia-free one-year survival.RESULTS: DOAC patients had lower BMI, shorter history of AF, less arterial hypertension, less vascular disease, less use of antiarrhythmics and consequently lower CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED Scores. There was no difference in arrhythmia-free survival between DOAC and VKA groups (DOAC: 86.6%, VKA: 76.7%, p = 0.286).CONCLUSIONS: Despite baseline characteristics favouring a better outcome of DOAC patients, arrhythmia-free survival was similar in both groups. Consequently, DOAC treatment did not have clinically relevant antiarrhythmic properties in these patients.

Background: Complete real-world data on the indications and outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) outside of clinical trials are rare. In this study, we stratified patients undergoing LAAC by indication groups. Methods: This analysis of the national multicentre Austrian LAAC Registry comprised all patients that underwent LAAC up until 2018 at the currently active centres in Austria. The baseline characteristics, procedural details and outcomes between the following indication groups were compared: bleeding as an indication for LAAC (&ldquo, bleeding&rdquo, group) vs. thromboembolism despite oral anticoagulation (OAC, &ldquo, thromboembolism&rdquo, group) vs. an intolerance to OAC for reasons other than the above (&ldquo, other&rdquo, group). Results: The analysis included 186 patients, with 59.7% in the &ldquo, group, 8.1% in the &ldquo, group and 32.2% in the &ldquo, group. The CHADS2 score was the highest in the &ldquo, group and the HAS-BLED score was the highest in the &ldquo, group. The procedural outcomes were similar between groups (implantation success, 97.3%), with major complications occurring in 7.0% of patients. One-year survival free from stroke, bleeding or LAAC-associated hospitalisation was 83.9%, 90.0% and 81.4% in the &ldquo, and &ldquo, groups, respectively (p = 0.891). Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, LAAC was used in a heterogeneous patient population with atrial fibrillation (AF) and contraindication, inefficacy or intolerance to OAC. The long-term outcome was favourable in all groups.

Introduction In specific situations implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy is recommended for patients under the age of 40 years. Due to the active lifestyle of this patient population, complication rates in devices with conventional transvenous electrodes may be higher than for the remaining population. Methods The ICD-YOUNG study is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients ≤ 40 years undergoing transvenous or subcutaneous ICD (s-ICD) implantation, device change or lead revision at our centre between July 2006 and December 2017. Rehospitalization for lead failure or device battery depletion was documented. Results Out of 586 patients undergoing ICD implantation, 35 patients (6.0%) were ≤ 40 years. Mean age was 30.0 ± 7.2 years, 48.6% were female, 37.1% received ICD therapy for primary prevention and 11.4% primarily received s-ICD. Median follow up was 7.3 (interquartile range, 1.8-12.0) years, with a lower follow up duration in s-ICD patients than conventional ICD patients (median, 2.9 vs. 9.0 years). Over the course of follow-up, 37.1% received successful anti-tachycardia therapy. 19.4% of patients in the conventional ICD group had right ventricular lead problems requiring intervention, while none of the s-ICD patients had to be revised. Time to first device change due to battery depletion and/or device upgrade was similar in young and remaining patients (median 5.4 vs 6.0 years, p = 0.23). Discussion Young patients requiring ICD have a high rate of lead problems. In most young patients, s-ICD therapy is an encouraging alternative to conventional ICD therapy with a lower lead failure rate.

Background The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is a temporary treatment option for patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and/or for patients in whom implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is temporarily not possible. Purpose To investigate incidence and predictors of appropriate WCD shocks. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with appropriate shocks delivered by a WCD in the cohort of the Austrian WCD registry between 2010 and 2018. Within this dataset, we identified predictors within the baseline characteristics, the indication for the WCD and preceding alarms automatically recorded by the WCD. Results: Baseline Within 879 registered in the Austrian WCD registry, 31 patients (3,5%) received appropriate WCD shocks due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Compared to the total cohort, shocked patients were elder (mean age 67 ± 14 vs. 60 ± 14 years, p = 0,001) and the percentage of female patients was lower (11% vs. 21%, p = 0,262). The mean baseline LVEF at prescription was 33 ± 15% in the population with appropriate shocks compared to 32 ± 14% in the all-over cohort (p = ns). In the Austrian WCD population, 378/879 patients had a WCD due to secondary prevention. Within this cohort 5,6% (21/378) had shocks for VT/VF again, compared to 10/501 (2%) shocked patients in the primary prevention cohort. 31/879 (3.5%) patients received 57 appropriate shocks, the per patient shock rate was 2 [1;5]. These shocks were induced by 25 ventricular tachycardia and 26 times ventricular fibrillation. The octagenarians with 11% (7/34) shocked patients, showed a significant higher likelihood to receive shocks (p = 0,008) as well as the cohort of secondary preventive prescribed WCD-patients (p = 0,007). There were more shocks in patients, when prescribed with a WCD due to ICD associated infections (p = 0,001), when used as a bridge to ICD (p = 0,042) and in patients with ongoing risk stratification (p = 0,009). Looking through the automatically recorded alarms preceding a WCD shock, shocked patients experienced significantly more often non sustained VTs (p Conclusion The WCD is effective in preventing SCD and an important risk stratification tool. We identified advanced age, patients with either already confirmed indication for ICD implantation (either temporary contraindication for implantation or temporary explantation) or risk stratification of an unclear cardiomyopathy, the cohort of secondary prevention and preceding nsVTs and stable VTs as predictors for appropriate WCD therapies.

Hereby, the supplemental data of the research article “Long-Term Prognostic Value of High-Sensitivity Troponin T added to N-Terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide Plasma Levels before Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis” are presented [1]. It offers enhanced input on the predictive value of these biomarkers considering the influence of the presence of concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) in various severities as well as an additional cox proportional hazard model on cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are shown as figures. The material described increases therefore the understanding of the predictive value of these already routinely available biomarkers and reduces the risk of potential bias due to possible confounding factors. It also underlines the urge for a multi-factorial approach in diagnostics to detect the optimal point for referral to valve replacement other than just symptomatic status, an observed reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction or the presence of CAD with the necessity for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [2]. The data of the 3595 patients were gathered retrospectively at a consortium of four university hospital centers in Austria and combined with prospectively collected data on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Keywords: High sensitivity troponin T, N-terminal pro brain natiuretic peptide, Severe aortic stenosis, Valve replacement, Survival, Risk stratification

OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the outcome of high-risk and inoperable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in hospitals with (iOSCS) versus without institutional on-site cardiac surgery (no-iOSCS).BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend the use of TAVR only in institutions with a department for cardiac surgery on site.METHODS In this analysis of the prospective multicenter Austrian TAVI registry, 1,822 consecutive high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral TAVR were evaluated. A total of 290 (15.9%) underwent TAVR at no-iOSCS centers (no-iOSCS group), whereas the remaining 1,532 patients (84.1%) were treated in iOSCS centers (iOSCS group).RESULTS Patients of the no-iOSCS group had a higher perioperative risk defined by the logistic EuroSCORE (20.9% vs. 14.2%; pCONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR in hospitals without iOSCS had a significantly higher baseline risk profile. After propensity score matching short-and long-term mortality was similar between centers with and without iOSCS. (c) 2018 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Experimental data indicate that stimulation of the nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC)-cGMP-PKG pathway can increase left ventricular (LV) capacitance via phosphorylation of the myofilamental protein titin. We aimed to test whether acute pharmacological sGC stimulation with BAY 41-8543 would increase LV capacitance via titin phosphorylation in healthy and deoxycorticosteroneacetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive pigs. Nine healthy Landrace pigs and 7 pigs with DOCA-induced hypertension and LV concentric hypertrophy were acutely instrumented to measure LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships (EDPVRs) at baseline and during intravenous infusion of BAY 41-8543 (1 and 3 μg·kg−1·min−1 for 30 min, respectively). Separately, in seven healthy and six DOCA pigs, transmural LV biopsies were harvested from the beating heart to measure titin phosphorylation during BAY 41-8543 infusion. LV EDPVRs before and during BAY 41-8543 infusion were superimposable in both healthy and DOCA-treated pigs, whereas mean aortic pressure decreased by 20–30 mmHg in both groups. Myocardial titin phosphorylation was unchanged in healthy pigs, but total and site-specific (Pro-Glu-Val-Lys and N2-Bus domains) titin phosphorylation was increased in DOCA-treated pigs. Bicoronary nitroglycerin infusion in healthy pigs ( n = 5) induced a rightward shift of the LV EDPVR, demonstrating the responsiveness of the pathway in this model. Acute systemic sGC stimulation with the sGC stimulator BAY 41-8543 did not recruit an LV preload reserve in both healthy and hypertrophied LV porcine myocardium, although it increased titin phosphorylation in the latter group. Thus, increased titin phosphorylation is not indicative of increased in vivo LV capacitance. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that acute pharmacological stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase does not increase left ventricular compliance in normal and hypertrophied porcine hearts. Effects of long-term soluble guanylate cyclase stimulation with oral compounds in disease conditions associated with lowered myocardial cGMP levels, i.e., heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, remain to be investigated.

Elevated blood pressure remains a major cause of cardiovascular disease, disability, and premature death in Austria, with suboptimal rates of detection, treatment and control also in recent years. Management of hypertension is a common challenge for physicians with different spezializations. In an attempt to standardize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and, ultimately, to increase the rate of patients with controlled blood pressure and to decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease, 13 Austrian medical societies reviewed the evidence regarding prevention, detection, workup, treatment and consequences of high blood pressure in general and in various clinical scenarios. The result is presented as the first national consensus on blood pressure. The authors and societies involved are convinced that a joint national effort is needed to decrease hypertension-related morbidity and mortality in our country.

OBJECTIVE Application of therapeutic mild hypothermia in patients after resuscitation, often accompanied by myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and systemic inflammation may impact on cardiac rhythm. We therefore tested susceptibility to atrial arrhythmias during hyperthermia (HT, 40.5°C), normothermia (NT, 38.0°C), and mild hypothermia (MH, 33.0°C). METHODS Nine healthy, anesthetized closed-chest landrace pigs were instrumented with a quadripolar stimulation catheter in the high right atrium and a decapolar catheter in the coronary sinus. Twelve-lead surface electrograms were recorded and core body temperature was altered to HT, NT, and MH using external warming or intravascular cooling. Repetitive measurements of effective atrial refractory period (AERP), atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility, and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters at different heart rates were performed. RESULTS During MH, AERP was significantly longer while the inducibility of AF was significantly higher compared to NT and HT (median [range]: HT 18 (0, 80)%; NT 25 (0, 80)%; MH 68 (0, 100)%; P

Aims Optimal timing of valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) is under debate, considering the subjective nature of symptom onset. We aimed to investigate the pre-procedural value of routinely available cardiac biomarkers in predicting postoperative long-term outcome in a large cohort undergoing either surgical or transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods The Tyrolean Aortic Stenosis Study-2 (TASS-2) group, a consortium of four university hospital centers in Austria, analysed pre-procedural high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels in 3595 patients admitted for valve implantation because of severe aortic stenosis since 2007. Results Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed in 1517 (42.2%) of patients. During a median follow-up of 2.93 (1.91–4.92) years, 919 patients (25.6%) died, among them 556 (15.5%) due to cardiovascular causes. In multivariate cox regression analysis - adjusting for STS risk score (intermediate risk 4–8%, high risk >8%), degree of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 30–50% and 50 ng/l); HR 1.38, CI 1.06–1.81, P=0.018 for mildly to moderately elevated NT-proBNP (defined by an increase of up to threefold of age- and sex-corrected normal range); HR 1.68, CI 1.29–2.18, P50 ng/l); HR 1.47, CI 1.13–1.91, P=0.004 for mildly to moderately elevated NT-proBNP; HR 1.96, CI 1.54–2.51, P Conclusion hsTNT and NT-proBNP strongly predict long-term postoperative survival in patients with severe AS admitted for valve implantation. Acknowledgement/Funding This work was supported by the Tiroler Wissenschaftsförderung: grant number TWF-2017-1-5, GZ: UNI-0404-2104

Background/Introduction Three recently published sham-controlled studies proved the efficacy of renal denervation (RDN) in hypertensive patients. However, there it is still unclear which patients should be selected for RDN. Purpose This study seeks to clarify which patient subgroups benefit most from radiofrequency RDN by analysing a nationwide multicentre registry database. Methods This is a post-hoc analysis from the multicentre Austrian Transcatheter Renal Denervation Registry hosted by the Austrian Society of Hypertension. We correlated change of systolic blood pressure (BP) after RDN to gender and presence/absence of comorbidities. Bivariate correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results 291 patients (43% female, median age 64 years) undergoing RDN between April 2011 and September 2014 were included in this analysis. Mean baseline ambulatory 24-hour BP (systolic/diastolic) was 150±18/89±14 mmHg and mean baseline office BP was 170±16/94±14 mmHg. After RDN, mean ambulatory 24-hour BP reduction was 9±19/6±16 mmHg. The following features were associated with a good response to RDN: high baseline systolic ambulatory BP (ρ=0.53, p Figure 1 Discussion Ambulatory BP reductions after RDN were substantially more pronounced in female and in non-diabetic patients despite lower baseline BP. It is concluded that in terms of efficacy female patients and non-diabetics might be more suitable for RDN. Acknowledgement/Funding The Austrian Renal Denervation Registry was funded by the Austrian Society of Hypertension.

Background Previous studies indicate that frailty is associated with poor outcome following TAVI. Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether a questionnaire routinely administered by nurses might serve as a surrogate for frailty and predict outcome in TAVI patients in addition to conventional risk scores. Methods This is a retrospective single-centre study performed at a university clinic with a high volume of TAVI. We included 461 consecutive patients (age 82±6 years, 60.5% female) scheduled for TAVI between 2012 and 2016. Based on seven questions addressing levels of patients' self-dependence assessed by nurses on admission, TAVI patients were divided into a “frail” group (at least one answer indicating limited self-dependence) and a self-dependent group (all other patients). We sought to assess (1) prevalence of frail TAVI patients, and (2) impact of frailty on two-year mortality assessed by Cox regression in addition to established risk scores. Results The prevalence of frail TAVI patients was 40.3%. Frail patients had significantly higher two-year mortality than self-dependent (non-frail) patients (25.3% vs 14.9%, p=0.014, Figure). In multivariate analysis stratified for age and left-ventricular function, body mass index (BMI), atrial fibrillation (AF) and frailty were significant predictors of increased two-year mortality (BMI, per kg/m2: HR 0.95 [95% CI 0.90–0.99], p=0.028; AF: HR 2.07 [1.35–3.18], p=0.001; frailty: HR 1.81 [1.18–2.76], p=0.006). In addition to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk of mortality score, both AF and frailty significantly predicted increased two-year mortality (AF: HR 2.02 [1.32–3.09], p=0.001; frailty: HR 1.55 [1.01–2.38], p=0.045). Conclusion This study shows that a routine nurses' questionnaire covering levels of self-dependence serves as risk indicator for long-term mortality after TAVI. This unconventional geriatric assessment adds predictive power for two-year-mortality to a conventional risk score (such as STS) and might be used to stratify patients for greatest benefit from TAVI.