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Catheter-directed intra-arterial thrombolysis (CDT) is useful for not only patients with acute limb ischemia but also those with chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the lower extremity arteries. However, it is difficult to determine whether CTO lesions have significant thrombi, which can be treated by CDT, or not in a clinical setting. Angioscopy can accurately detect thrombi. We investigated the clinical impact of angioscopy guided endovascular therapy following thrombolysis (AGET) for in-stent occlusions (ISOs) in iliac or femoropopliteal arteries.We performed AGET in 7 patients with ISOs whose occlusion duration was less than 1 year. We performed angioscopy to evaluate the area of the thrombi after a successful wire crossing of an ISO lesion. In addition, we performed biopsies of ISO lesions to confirm whether the angioscopic findings coincided with the histopathological findings at 20 sites. We selectively performed a continuous infusion of urokinase using a fountain infusion catheter for ISO lesions. The next day, we evaluated the lesion flow and performed intervention only at the plaque stenosis site if necessary.AGET could achieve TIMI 3 flow in all patients, and preserved a 1-year patency in 5 patients (71.4%). The angioscopic findings of thrombi and plaque perfectly coincided with the histopathological findings.In conclusion, this new endovascular therapy technique, AGET, was observed to be feasible and safe for iliac or femoropopliteal artery ISO lesions.

Although much has been discussed about the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after cryoballoon ablation (CBA), the clinical impact of very early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (VERAF) after CBA remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of VERAF after CBA.We enrolled 236 consecutive patients who underwent an initial CBA for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation between February 2017 and December 2020 in our hospital. These patients were categorized into three groups: VERAF group who experienced an initial recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia within 48 h after CBA, late-ERAF (LERAF) group who experienced an initial recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia between 48 h and 3 months after CBA, and non-ERAF (NERAF) group who did not experience a recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia within 3 months after CBA. We investigated the late recurrence of AF (LRAF, defined as recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia more than 3 months after CBA), and the incidence of non-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers in the patients who experienced a repeat ablation procedure due to LRAF.VERAF group had a higher incidence of freedom from LRAF than LERAF group (p = 0.032) and a lower incidence of freedom from LRAF than NERAF group (p = 0.002). Moreover, VERAF group had the highest incidence of non-PV triggers at repeat ablation procedure among the three groups (p = 0.003).While ERAF was a predictor of LRAF, VERAF was less related to LRAF among the patients with ERAF after CBA. Furthermore, VERAF might be associated with non-PV triggers.

Little has been reported on the impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with left atrial enlargement (LAE). A total of 706 patients underwent an initial RFCA for AF between September 2014 and September 2019 in our hospital. These patients were categorized into two groups according to the pre-procedural left atrial diameter (LAD) measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE): LAE group with LAD ≥ 50 mm and non-LAE group with LAD 50 mm. We compared the patient characteristics, ablation procedures, and late recurrence of AF (LRAF, defined as a recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia between 3 and 12 months after the RFCA) between the two groups. In addition, we performed follow-up TTE at 12 months after RFCA and investigated the factors associated with left atrium (LA) reverse remodeling in each group. LAE group and non-LAE group consisted of 155 and 551 patients, respectively. There were no significant differences in ablation procedures, procedure-related complications, and the incidence of LRAF between the two groups. Furthermore, non-PAF was identified as an independent predictor of LA reverse remodeling in LAE group by multiple regression analysis (P = 0.020). RFCA might be an effective and safe procedure even in patients with LAD ≥ 50 mm, using the contemporary 3D-guided mapping and ablation technologies. Moreover, RFCA can lead to LA reverse remodeling in 1 year if they have non-PAF before ablation.

At present, it remains unclear whether the effect on cryoinjury can be strongly exerted by contact of the balloon with the pulmonary vein (PV) ostium. The present study included 204 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients who underwent an initial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using a cryoballoon from the Osaka Rosai Atrial Fibrillation ablation (ORAF) registry. The total balloon contact angle was measured from the equator line (sum of the angles of the upper side and bottom side in all PVs) under fluoroscopic imaging. The patients were stratified into three tertile groups according to the total balloon contact angle. We evaluated the relationship between the total balloon contact angle and clinical outcomes, including the value of acute myocardial injury marker (high-sensitive cardiac troponin I [hs-TnI]), arrhythmia recurrence, and PV reconnections in the repeated ablation. The total balloon contact angle was significantly associated with the hs-TnI value among the tertile groups (p 0.001) and a multiple regression analysis showed that the total balloon contact angle significantly correlated with the hs-TnI value (standardized beta-coefficient = 0.572, p 0.001). The balloon contact angle in PVs with PV reconnections was significantly lower than in those without (p = 0.044), while no significant differences in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation among the tertile groups were observed in the enrolled patients. The total balloon contact angle was significantly associated with the acute myocardial injury marker, hs-TnI. The total balloon contact angle was significantly associated with PV reconnections after cryoballoon ablation in patients who underwent a repeat ablation.

An ablation index (AI)-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) or 2nd generation cryoballoon (CB)-PVI has been shown to reduce the atrial fibrillation (AF) burden by 99% despite the absence of ablation of non-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers in patients with paroxysmal AF. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PVI alone strategy using 2nd generation CB compared with AI-guided PVI with an additional induction test and subsequent AF trigger ablation.We investigated 223 patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF who underwent an initial PVI between August 2018 and August 2020. The study patients were divided into 2 groups: CB-PVI without an induction test (CB-PVI alone group, n = 82) and AI-guided PVI with an induction test and subsequent additional ablation of non-PV triggers (AI-PVI plus group, n = 141). In the AI-PVI plus group, a total of 62 non-PV triggers were induced in 38 patients, and non-PV triggers in 22 patients were completely ablated. The procedure time and left atrium dwell time were significantly shorter in the CB-PVI alone group than AI-PVI plus group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of procedural complications between the 2 groups (P = 0.650). The AF free survival rate in the CB-PVI alone group and AI-PVI plus group was 80% vs. 80% at 24 months (P = 0.969).An PVI alone strategy using advanced generation CB did not differ in the clinical outcomes compared with an AI-guided PVI strategy with an induction test and subsequent ablation of non-PV triggers in the patients with paroxysmal AF.

The role of sigmoid septum (SS) observed using preprocedural transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains unknown. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of TAVI using the current-generation transcatheter heart valves in patients with and without SS. We divided 140 consecutive patients, excluding four patients who underwent pacemaker implantation before TAVI, into two groups (those with and without SS) and compared the periprocedural outcomes, including new pacemaker implantation, within 30 days post-TAVI. Thirty-five patients (25%; 32 female patients) had SS before TAVI. The body surface area and aortic annulus area measured using computed tomography were significantly smaller in patients with SS than in those without SS (1.40 m2 vs. 1.48 m2, P = 0.03; and 372 mm2 vs. 409 mm2, P

PURPOSE Early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ERAT) cause various symptoms and predict worse outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). This study aimed to clarify whether ablation index (AI)-guided PVI, which is a novel technology of radiofrequency ablation, could reduce ERAT as compared to conventional contact force (CF)-guided PVI. METHODS Consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who underwent initial PVI from September 2014 to August 2019 were enrolled. We divided the patients into two groups: patients who underwent AI-guided PVI (AI group) and those who underwent CF-guided PVI (CF group). Using propensity score matching (PSM), we adjusted for the patient backgrounds. We compared the incidence of ERAT and late reconnection rate of isolated pulmonary veins (PVs) during second session between the two groups. ERAT was defined as any atrial tachyarrhythmias ≥ 30 s during a 90-day blanking period. RESULTS A total of 697 AF patients (paroxysmal 51%) were enrolled. After the PSM, both groups included 229 patients. The incidence of ERAT was significantly lower in the AI group than that in the CF group (21.5% vs. 36.1%, P

Background Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and laser balloon ablation (LBA) were developed as alternatives to conventional radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Pathological findings after ablation such as myocardial injury and inflammation are thought to be different between CBA and LBA. However, the different impact of myocardial injury and inflammation after ablation on short- and mid-term outcomes remains unclear. Methods Consecutive PAF patients who underwent CBA and LBA were enrolled from the Osaka Rosai Atrial Fibrillation ablation (ORAF) registry. The difference of the acute myocardial injury marker (hs-TnI), and changes of inflammation markers (C reactive protein; ΔCRP, and white blood cell; ΔWBC) after catheter ablation and the difference of the short-term (within 3 months after ablation) and mid-term (from 3 months to 6 months after ablation) outcomes were evaluated between the two groups. Results The CBA and LBA groups consisted of 55 and 56 patients, respectively. After propensity score matching, CBA and LBA groups consisted of 37 patients, respectively. Hs-TnI value was significantly higher in CBA than LBA group, while ΔCRP and ΔWBC were significantly higher in LBA than CBA group. In the propensity score-matched pairs, the LBA group had a significantly greater risk of short-term arrhythmia recurrence than the CBA group, whereas no significant difference of mid-term arrhythmia recurrence were found between the two groups. Conclusion Myocardial injury and inflammation status differ between CBA and LBA groups. LBA group had stronger inflammation after ablation and had a significantly greater risk of short-term arrhythmia recurrence after PVI than CBA group.

Purpose Increased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) indicates poor clinical outcomes. Limited information exists on the predictors of increased BNP. This study aimed to evaluate whether the left ventricular inflow to outflow (LVIO) angle, assessd using computed tomography, is associated with BNP increase post-TAVI. Methods We assessed 144 consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI for native aortic stenosis without new-onset atrial fibrillation and pacemaker implantation post-TAVI. Based on the BNP ratio (BNP at 30 days post-TAVI / BNP pre-TAVI), we divided the patients into the BNP-rise (BNP ratio > 1) and non BNP-rise groups (BNP ratio ≤ 1), and compared the LVIO angle, as well as baseline, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics between them. Results Forty-five (31%) patients were classified as BNP-rise. The systolic LVIO angle was significantly smaller in the BNP-rise than the non BNP-rise group (119.2° ± 7.2° vs. 124.3° ± 7.2°, P

Heart failure (HF) is reported to be one of the major risks of bleeding events. On the other hand, HF patients frequently receive anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy to manage various co-morbidities. However, predictors of bleeding events in patients with HF have rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of bleeding events and relationship between bleeding events and HF re-hospitalizations.We included 1660 acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients from the AURORA registry between January 2015 and December 2020. A total of 1429 patients were excluded because of history of HF admission, missing echocardiographic data at discharge, lost to follow-up, haemodialysis and no antithrombotic drugs. Finally, we evaluated 231 patients from AURORA registry. The bleeding events were defined as Type 2 to 5 bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definition. We divided our patients into the bleeding group and non-bleeding group. We compared the baseline characteristics, medications, laboratory data, and echocardiographic data between the two groups. Median age was 78 (IQR 71-82) years old and male accounted for 59%. Approximately half of the patients had an antiplatelet therapy and 70% had an anticoagulant therapy. During a median follow-up of 651 (IQR 357-1139) days, 32 patients (13.8%) suffered from bleeding events. The major driver of the registered events was gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 21, 65.6%), and the other events were cerebral bleeding (n = 4, 12.5%), intraarticular bleeding (n = 2, 6.3%), urogenital bleeding (n = 2, 6.3%), haemorrhagic pericardial effusions (n = 1, 3.1%), subcutaneous hematomas (n = 1, 3.1%), and haemothorax (n = 1, 3.1%). There was a significantly lower haemoglobin level (P 0.01), higher proportion of inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter ≥21 mm (P 0.01), and higher furosemide equivalent doses per kilogram (P 0.01) in the bleeding group than non-bleeding group. A multivariate analysis revealed an equivalent dose of furosemide per kilogram ≥0.66 mg/kg (hazard ratios (HR) of 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-5.68, P = 0.01), haemoglobin ≤10.3 g/dL (HR of 2.43, 95% CI 1.14-5.03, P = 0.02), and IVC diameter ≥21 mm (HR of 2.79, 95% CI 1.16-6.29, P = 0.02) were independently associated with bleeding events. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that HF re-hospitalization rates were higher in the bleeding group than non-bleeding group (P = 0.04).High doses of oral loop diuretics, IVC dilatation, and anaemia were predictors of bleeding events in patients hospitalized with ADHF patients. In addition, bleeding events were associated with HF re-hospitalizations.

Various predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence have been shown based on the baseline characteristics before catheter ablation (CA). This study aimed to develop a novel scoring system for predicting very late recurrences of AF (VLRAFs) after an initial CA, taking the postprocedural clinical data into account and reassessing VLRAFs in 12-month patients' condition using previously known preprocedural predictors of AF recurrences. We retrospectively studied 327 patients who underwent an initial CA with freedom from AF for over 12 months. We elucidated the predictors of VLRAFs and created a new score to predict VLRAFs in the discovery AF cohort (n = 181). Thereafter, we investigated whether the new scoring system could accurately predict VLRAFs in the validation AF cohort (n = 146). In the discovery AF cohort, VLRAFs were observed in 53 patients (29%) during the follow-up period (mean follow-up duration: 55 months). The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model demonstrated that non-pulmonary vein foci, early recurrences of AF (ERAFs), atrial premature contraction (APC) burden ≥ 142/24 hours, and minimum prematurity index of the APCs ≤ 48% were associated with VLRAFs after CA. We created a new scoring system to predict VLRAFs, the n-PReDCt score (non-pulmonary vein: 1 point, early recurrences of AFs (Recurrences of AF in early phase after CA): 1 point, APC burden ≥ 142/24 hours: 1 point, and minimum prematurity index (= Coupling interval) of the APCs of ≤ 48%: 1 point). The n-PReDCt score was significantly associated with VLRAFs by a Kaplan-Meier analysis in the discovery AF and validation AF cohorts (p0.0001 and p0.0001, respectively).

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) reflects decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The effect of BUN on clinical outcomes, excluding the impact of GFR, in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients remains unknown.We enrolled HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%) patients hospitalized due to acute decompensated heart failure (HF) from PURSUIT-HFpEF registry which was prospective, multicenter and observational study. For excluding the effect of renal function on BUN value, propensity score-matching was performed using the variables which were associated with GFR. The incidence of composite of all-cause death and HF readmission among the patients stratified by BUN and the association between BUN and echocardiographic parameters in HFpEF patients were evaluated.We finally analyzed 1029 patients. In the present study, BUN cut-off value was defined as 24.4 mg/dL, which was the median value in overall population. The high and low BUN groups consisted of 193 patients after 1:1 propensity score-matching, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 401 days and the composite endpoint occurred in 129 patients (33.4%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the high BUN group had a significantly greater risk of the composite endpoint than the low group in the propensity score-matched pairs (p = 0.032). BUN value significantly correlated with left atrial volume index by multiple regression analysis using echocardiographic parameters (standardized beta-coefficient = 0.139, p = 0.043).BUN was a useful marker for the composite of all-cause death and HF readmission, regardless of the baseline renal function and correlated with left atrial function in HFpEF patients.UMIN000021831https://uplaod.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000024414; PURSUIT-HFpEF.

INTRODUCTION It has not been clarified how to identify the electrophysiological junction between right atrium (RA) and superior vena cava (SVC). The aim of this study was to identify the electrophysiological RA-SVC junction according to slow conduction or conduction bock and to examine the electrophysiological SVC isolation procedure. METHODS Seventy-three consecutive atrial fibrillation patients who underwent SVC mapping using a CARTO 3 system were enrolled in this study. Slow conduction or conduction block between the RA and SVC was identified by adjusting the lower threshold criteria of the early meets late function and was described as a white line. The SVC isolation was performed along the white line and with pacing maneuvers to confirm direct SVC capture. RESULTS Activation mapping (1296 ± 631 points) was obtained in 66 patients (90%) in 4.6 ± 1.8 min. Slow conduction or conduction block was observed in all patients. The threshold for detecting slow conduction or conduction block was 24 ± 8 ms. The location of the electrophysiological RA-SVC junction was higher in the anterior portion (anterior-septal, anterior, and anterior-lateral) than in the posterior portion (posterior-septal, posterior, and posterior-lateral) (-2.3 ± 6.2 mm vs. 7.1 ± 6.3 mm, p

The comparison of bioabsorbable-polymer and durable-polymer stents has continued to be debated, and there is ongoing concern regarding vascular healing and late stent thrombosis. This study compared the vascular healing at 8-month follow-up by optical coherence tomography (OCT) between 4 different kinds of new generation drug-eluting stents (DESs). We enrolled 112 patients (112 de novo lesions) who underwent OCT guided percutaneous coronary intervention with 4 kinds of new generation DESs including bioabsorbable-polymer everolimus-eluting stents (BP-EESs), bioabsorbable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (BP-SESs), durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EESs), and durable-polymer zotarolimus-eluting stents (DP-ZESs) and an 8-month follow-up angiogram and OCT were performed between July 2016 and April 2018. We divided them into two groups, namely BP and DP groups. We compared the OCT parameters including the percentage of uncovered struts, malapposed struts and the mean neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) thickness between the two groups. BP group consisted of 51 lesions (BP-EESs were used in 27, BP-SESs in 24 lesions) and DP group consisted of 61 lesions (DP-EESs were used in 35 and DP-ZESs in 26 lesions). The percentage of uncovered struts and malapposed struts were significantly lower (7.2 ± 8.9 vs. 15.0 ± 17.1%, p = 0.01, 0.9 ± 1.7 vs. 2.7 ± 5.2%, p = 0.03) and the mean NIH thickness was significantly thicker in BP group than DP group (112 ± 54 vs. 83 ± 31 µm, p

We evaluated Viabahn stent-graft (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) implanted in the superficial femoral artery at 6 months and one year after implantation because the patient felt claudication due to repeated restenosis of bare nitinol stent which was implanted just proximal to the site of Viabahn stent-graft. At 6 months, angioscopy showed severe thrombosis in the stent-graft while the stent-graft was entirely patent. However, at one year, angioscopic evaluation revealed no thrombosis in the stent-graft. She received the same dual antiplatelet therapy.

Introduction There are limited data on the efficacy and safety of a figure-of-eight (FoE) suture technique after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with uninterrupted oral anticoagulants (OACs). This study evaluated the predictors of bleeding complications at the femoral puncture site after placing a FoE suture to achieve hemostasis after AF ablation with OACs. Methods We enrolled 287 consecutive patients who underwent a 1st session of AF ablation using radiofrequency or cryoballoon ablation. Hemostasis of the femoral puncture site was achieved using the FoE suture technique followed by a 4-h bed rest. We compared the various factors that might be correlated with bleeding complications between the patients with bleeding and those with non-bleeding complications. Results The bleeding complications were observed in 31 patients (11%). In the univariate analysis, cryoballoon ablation (52% vs. 29%, p = 0.009), HAS-BLED score (2.1 ± 1.0 vs. 1.7 ± 1.1, p = 0.030), and the CHA2DS2-VASc score (3.2 ± 1.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.6, p = 0.049) were significantly associated with bleeding complications at the femoral puncture site. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis after an adjustment for antiplatelet therapy, cryoballoon ablation was an independent predictor of an increased incidence of the bleeding complications at the femoral puncture site (odds ratio 2.77, 95% CI 1.29–6.02, p = 0.009). Conclusion Cryoballoon AF ablation was correlated with bleeding complications after a FoE suture technique with uninterrupted OACs.

A 79-year-old woman with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation was referred to our hospital for ventricular fibrillation, which was terminated by an automated external defibrillator. The heart rate corrected QT interval was 489 ms. The electrocardiogram monitoring recorded a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) reproducibly induced by a single morphology premature ventricular contraction (PVC). Therefore, we performed a trigger PVC ablation and implanted an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. No VT events were observed for at least one year after the ablation. A prolonged QT interval after the AF ablation should be carefully noted because it could introduce fatal complications.

It is unclear whether uninterrupted oral anticoagulants (OACs) are acceptable in elderly patients as compared to non-elderly patients. This study aimed to assess the clinical impact of an uninterrupted OAC strategy during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in elderly patients. We enrolled 439 consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation with an uninterrupted OAC strategy at our institute. The incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic complications during the AF ablation or within 4 weeks after and the anticoagulation status during the AF ablation were compared between the elderly (age ≧ 75, n = 144) and non-elderly groups (n = 295). There were 22 bleeding complications in the elderly group and 31 in the non-elderly group (15% vs. 11%, p = 0.162) and 3 major bleeding complications in the elderly group and 2 in the non-elderly group (2% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.336). Thromboembolic events were observed in 1 patient in the elderly group and 2 in the non-elderly group (0.7% vs. 0.7%, p = 1.000). The ACT at the end of the procedure was longer in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group (350 s vs. 341 s, p = 0.007) and the proportion of a prolonged ACT of > 400 s (27% vs. 18%, p = 0.046) was more frequent in the elderly group than non-elderly group. A propensity score matched population excluding the age and body weight, revealed that the anticoagulation status during AF ablation was comparable between the two groups. Thus, in the patients undergoing AF ablation with uninterrupted OAC strategy, bleeding complications in elderly patients were similar to those in non-elderly patients. The anticoagulation status during the procedure in elderly patients was more prolonged than that in non-elderly patients.