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Aims: To investigate the association between catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and mortality as well as hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in patients with HF across the ejection fraction (EF) spectrum.Methods and Results: Patients with first-time catheter ablation for AF (ablation group) compared to only medical treated AF patients (no ablation group) were identified from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry between 2005 and 2019. The primary outcome (all-cause mortality/first HF hospitalization) was assessed by Cox regression models in a 1:2 propensity score (PS) matched cohort and pre-specified EF subgroups (preserved EF [≥50%], mildly reduced EF [40-49%], reduced EF [<40%]) of this cohort. A total of 452 patients in the ablation group and 43 766 patients in the no ablation group were identified. After PS matching, 434 patients in the ablation group were compared to 868 patients in the no ablation group. Over a median follow-up of 2.6 years (0.0-14.1 years), catheter ablation was associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome (all-cause mortality/first HF hospitalization) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.94). Results were consistent across all EF subgroups. In HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), catheter ablation was also associated with a lower risk of recurrent HF hospitalization (incidence rate ratio 0.17, 95% CI 0.07-0.42).Conclusion: In HF patients across the EF spectrum, catheter ablation for AF was associated with lower risk of the primary outcome (all-cause mortality/first HF hospitalization). This study supports catheter ablation as a treatment option for AF in HF patients, including those with HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Data on ablation for atypical recurrent atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) and long‐term follow‐up are generally sparse. Furthermore, the rate of recurrence and safety of cryoablation for atypical AVNRT has not been established. We compared patients cryoablated for atypical AVNRT and typical AVNRT during long‐term follow‐up. Methods: All patients (n = 2612) who underwent catheter ablation for AVNRT at the Karolinska University Hospital between January 2009 and August 2019 were analyzed. A total of 91 patients undergoing first‐time cryoablation for atypical AVNRT were included. A control group with first‐time cryoablation for typical AVNRT was matched in a 1:1 ratio. Patients were followed‐up for recurrences for a median of 5.0 years (interquartile range: 3.1–7.5 years). Results: After 5 years, AVNRT recurrence occurred in 10 patients (11.0%) in the atypical AVNRT group and in 8 patients (8.8%) in the typical AVNRT group (hazard ratio: 1.31 [95% confidence interval: 0.52–3.32]; p = 0.568). The duration of the index procedure was significantly longer for atypical compared to typical AVNRT ablation (132.1 ± 49.2 min vs. 110.1 ± 38.8 min; p = 0.001). Transient AV blocks occurred in a similar fashion in the atypical compared to typical group (11 [12.1%] vs. 4 [4.9%]; p = 0.103). However, no ablation induced persistent AV block developed in either group. Conclusion: Cryoablation for atypical AVNRT showed similar rate of recurrences and safety compared to typical AVNRT during long‐term follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The incidence of pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) as complication after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has decreased in the last decade. However, as PVI for AF is becoming more prevalent, the incidence remains considerable in absolute terms. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the optimal approach for management of PVS after PVI for AF. Methods and results We searched electronic scientific databases for studies comparing plain balloon angioplasty (BA) versus stenting for PVS after PVI for AF. Aggregate data were pooled to perform a meta-analysis. The primary and secondary outcomes were restenosis requiring repeated intervention and procedure-related complications, respectively. A total of 4 studies, treating 315 PVS in 188 patients (BA, n = 171 versus stent, n = 144 PVS) were considered. After a median follow-up of 32 months, the overall incidence of restenosis was 46%. A percutaneous therapy with BA was associated with a higher risk for restenosis requiring repeat intervention compared to stent (risk ratio — RR, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.18 [1.64–2.89], p < 0.001). Procedure-related complications were comparable between BA and stent (RR [95% CI] = 0.96 [0.19–4.96], p = 0.96). The time to diagnosis of PVS after PVI for AF did not modify the treatment effect for the primary outcome with BA versus stent ( p for interaction = 0.16). Conclusions In patients presenting PVS after PVI for AF, a percutaneous therapy with BA is associated with higher risk for restenosis requiring repeat intervention as compared to stent. These percutaneous therapies display comparable safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the case of a 21-year-old male patient with chest pain who was diagnosed with acute inflammatory myocarditis caused by Epstein Barr virus infection. The details of the medical conditions of the patient are presented. It discusses the advantages of the F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging systems in detecting myocarditis.

Aims: This study evaluates the incidence of procedural complications related to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) to assess the potential feasibility and safety of same‐day discharge in a large cohort. Methods: We performed an analysis of prospectively collected data of complications of all patients staying overnight after undergoing AF ablation between 2001 and 2020 at a tertiary center. Using medical records, we analyzed complications occurring intraprocedurally until 6 h postablation and between 6 h postablation and discharge the day after the ablation procedure. Results: In 5414 AF ablations, we identified a total of 108 (2.0%) major complications occurring intraprocedural or before discharge. Most major complications occurred intraprocedurally or within 6 h after the procedure (n = 96, 1.8%). Twelve (0.2%) major complications occurred between 6 h Postablation and discharge. The most common of these major complications were congestive heart failure (n = 6) and transient ischemic attack (TIA, n = 4). During this time span, 61 (1.1%) minor complications occurred. Factors independently associated with major complications intraprocedurally and until discharge were body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 (p =.009), significant valvular disease (p =.001), cardiomyopathy (p <.001), prior stroke or TIA (p =.014), first‐time procedure versus repeat procedure (p =.013), cryoablation versus radiofrequency (p <.001), and procedure duration (p <.001). Conclusion: After AF ablation, very few complications occurred between 6 h postprocedure and discharge the next day. Therefore, same‐day discharge is a safe option for a majority of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods. 17 physicians, experienced in transvenous lead removal, performed a lead extraction manoeuvre of an ICD lead on a torso phantom. They were advised to stop traction only when further traction would be considered as harmful to the patient or when- based on their experience-a change in the extraction strategy was indicated. Traction forces were recorded with a digital precision gauge. Results. Median traction forces on the endocardium were 10.9N (range from 3.0N to 24.7N and interquartile range from 7.9 to 15.3). Forces applied to the proximal end were estimated to be 10% higher than those measured at the tip of the lead due to a friction loss. Conclusion. A traction force of around 11N is typically exerted during standard transvenous extraction of ICD leads. A traction threshold for a safe procedure derived from a pool of experienced extractionists may be helpful for the development of required adequate simulator trainings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]