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The optimal ablation strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) remains to be defined. We sought to compare very long-term outcomes between linear ablation and electrogram (EGM)-guided ablation for PsAF. In a retrospective analysis, long-term arrhythmia-free survival compared between two propensity-score matched cohorts, one with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and linear ablation including roof/mitral isthmus line (LINE-group, n = 52) and one with PVI and EGM-guided ablation (EGM-group; n = 52). Overall, 99% of patients underwent successful PVI. Complete block following linear ablation was achieved for 94% of roof lines and 81% of mitral lines (both lines blocked in 75%). AF termination by EGM-guided ablation was accomplished in 40% of patients. Non-PV foci were targeted in 7 (13%) in the LINE-group and 5 (10%) patients in the EGM-group (p = 0.76). During 100 ± 28 months of follow-up, linear ablation was associated with superior arrhythmia-free survival after the initial and last procedure (1.8 ± 0.9 procedures) compared with EGM-group (Logrank test: p = 0.0001 and p = 0.045, respectively). In multivariable analysis, longer AF duration and EGM-guided ablation remained as independent predictors of atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Linear ablation might be a more effective complementary technique to PVI than EGM-guided ablation for PsAF ablation.

BackgroundCatheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is associated with potential major complications, including mortality. The risk of acute complications in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) has not been systematically evaluated.MethodsPubMed was searched for studies of catheter ablation of VT published between September 2009 and September 2019. Pre-specified primary outcomes were (1) rate of major acute complications, including death, and (2) mortality rate.ResultsA total of 7395 references were evaluated for relevance. From this, 50 studies with a total of 3833 patients undergoing 4319 VT ablation procedures fulfilled the inclusion criteria (mean age 59 years; male 82%; 2363 [62%] ICM; 1470 [38%] NICM). The overall major complication rate in ICM cohorts was 9.4% (95% CI, 8.1–10.7) and NICM cohorts was 7.1% (95% CI, 6.0–8.3). Reported complication rates were highly variable between studies (ICM I2 = 90%; NICM I2 = 89%). Vascular complications (ICM 2.5% [95% CI, 1.9–3.1]; NICM 1.2% [95% CI, 0.7–1.7]) and cerebrovascular events (ICM 0.5% [95% CI, 0.2–0.7]; NICM, 0.1% [95% CI, 0–0.2]) were significantly higher in ICM cohorts. Acute mortality rates in the ICM and NICM cohorts were low (ICM 0.9% [95% CI, 0.5–1.3]; NICM 0.6% [95% CI, 0.3–1.0]) with the majority of overall deaths (ICM 75%; NICM 80%) due to either recurrent VT or cardiogenic shock.ConclusionOverall acute complication rates of VT ablation are comparable between ICM and NICM patients. However, the pattern and predictors of complications vary depending on the underlying cardiomyopathy.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility and reproducibility of using image integration software at a remote setting over the MUSIC network to perform image-guided VT ablation. Furthermore, we analyzed the efficacy of a focused workflow with electroanatomical mapping (EAM) limited to imaging-defined scar.MethodsIn a prospective two-centre study, consecutive patients undergoing image integration-guided VT ablation (magnetic resonance [DE-MRI] and/or multidetector computed tomography [MDCT]) were included. Patients were divided into two groups (Group 1, complete EAM; Group 2, EAM limited to imaging-defined substrate).ResultsForty-nine patients (62 ± 15 years; 90% male; LVEF 41 ± 14%; ischemic 69%) who underwent image integration-guided VT ablation were included (MDCT 98%; DE-MRI in 35%). Total procedure time was 172 ± 48 min (ablation 31 ± 17 min; fluoroscopy 23 ± 13 min). Procedure time was shorter in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (Group 2 [n = 26] vs. Group 1 [n = 23]; procedure time: 151 ± 33 vs. 180 ± 53 min, P = 0.01). Non-inducibility of all VT was achieved in 37 (76%), with no difference between Group 1 and 2 (Group 2 vs. Group 1; VT non-inducibility 71 vs. 74%, P = 0.8). During a follow-up period of 19 ± 8 months, 13 patients (27%) had a VT recurrence. Two patients (4%) died during follow-up. There were no differences in VT-free survival between Group 1 and Group 2 (p = 0.77).ConclusionImage-integrated VT ablation is feasible through a network between highly experienced centers and remotely located centers. Focused image integration-guided VT ablation is associated with short and predictable procedure duration, achieving high-long term success rates.

Background Patients who have recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) following redo catheter ablation may eventually be managed with a pace‐and‐ablate approach, involving pacemaker implant followed by atrioventricular nodal ablation (AVNA). We sought to determine which factors would predict subsequent AVNA in patients undergoing redo AF ablation. Methods We analyzed patients undergoing redo AF ablations between 2013 and 2019 at our institution. Follow‐up was censored on December 31, 2021. Patients with no available follow‐up data were excluded. Time‐to‐event analysis with Cox proportional hazard regression was used to compare those who underwent AVNA to those who did not. Results A total of 467 patients were included, of whom 39 (8.4%) underwent AVNA. After multivariable adjustment, female sex (aHR 4.68 [95% CI 2.30–9.50]; p < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (aHR 2.99 [95% CI 1.25–7.16]; p = 0.014), presence of a preexisting pacemaker (aHR 3.25 [95% CI 1.10–9.60]; p = 0.033), and persistent AF (aHR 2.22 [95% CI 1.07–4.59]; p = 0.032) were associated with increased risk of subsequent AVNA requirement. Conclusion Female sex, ischemic heart disease, and persistent AF may be useful clinical predictors of the requirement for subsequent AVNA and may be considered as part of shared clinical decision making. Atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation may be required for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) when rhythm control measures fail. Our study found that female sex, ischemic heart disease, preexisting pacemaker, and persistent AF were independent predictors of the need for subsequent AV node ablation.

PurposeTreatment of typical atrial flutter (AFL) with cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is associated with a high occurrence rate of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) during follow-up. There are data to support the addition of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to CTI ablation in patients with both AF and AFL, but the role of cryoballoon PVI only, with no CTI ablation, in AFL patients with no prior documentation of AF has not been studied.MethodsCRAFT is an international, prospective, randomised, open with blinded assessment, multicentre superiority study comparing radiofrequency CTI ablation and cryoballoon PVI in patients with typical AFL. Participants with typical AFL are randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either treatment arm, with patients randomised to PVI not receiving CTI ablation. Post-procedural cardiac monitoring is performed using an implantable loop recorder. The primary endpoint is time to first recurrence of sustained symptomatic atrial arrhythmia. Key secondary endpoints include (1) total arrhythmia burden at 12 months, (2) time to first episode of AF lasting ≥ 2 min, (3) time to recurrence of AFL or AT and (4) procedural and fluoroscopy times. The primary safety endpoint is the composite of death, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, cardiac tamponade requiring drainage, atrio-oesophageal fistula, requirement for a permanent pacemaker, serious vascular complications requiring intervention or delaying discharge and persistent phrenic nerve palsy lasting > 24 h.ConclusionThis study compares the outcomes of 2 different approaches to typical AFL—the conventional ‘substrate’-based strategy of radiofrequency CTI ablation versus a novel ‘trigger’-based strategy of cryoballoon PVI.Trial registration(ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03401099)

PurposeThere is a relative paucity of data on ante-mortem clinical characteristics of young (age 1 to 35 years) sudden death (SD) victims. The aim of the study was to characterize ante-mortem characteristics of SD victims, in a selected national cohort identified by a web search.MethodsA dataset of all SD (January 2010 and December 2015) was built from national forensic data and medical records, integrated with Google search model. Families were contacted to obtain consent for interviews. Data were obtained on ante-mortem symptoms. ECG characteristics and autopsy data were available.ResultsOut of 301 SD cases collected, medical and family history was available in 132 (43.9%). Twenty-eight (21.1%) had a positive family history for SD. SD occurred during sport/effort in 76 (57.6%). One hundred twelve (85%) SD cases had no prior reported symptoms. Autopsy data were available in 100/132 (75.8%) cases: an extra cardiac cause was identified in 20 (20%). Among the 61 cases with a cardiac diagnosis, 21 (34%) had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Among the 19 (19%) victims without structural abnormalities, molecular autopsy identified pathogenic variants for channelopathies in 9 cases. Ten (10%) victims had no identifiable cause.ConclusionsMost SD were due to cardiac causes and occurred in previously asymptomatic patients. SD events mainly occurred during strenuous activity. In a minority of cases, no cause was identified. The web-based selection criteria, and incomplete data retrieval, need to be carefully taken into account for data interpretation and reproducibility.

ObjectiveAtrial fibrillation (AF) ablation services were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate a symptom-based clinician prioritisation scheme for waiting list management compared with patient-completed quality of life (QoL) scores. We also sought to understand factors influencing QoL, particularly the impact of COVID-19, on patients awaiting AF ablation, via a bespoke questionnaire.MethodsPatients awaiting AF ablation were sent two QoL questionnaires (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy of Life (AFEQT) and EuroQol 5D (EQ5D-5L)) and the bespoke questionnaire. At a separate time point, patients were categorised as C1—urgent, C2—priority or C3—routine by their cardiologist based on review of clinic letters.ResultsThere were 118 patients included with priority categorisation available for 86 patients. Median AFEQT scores were lower in C2 (30.4; 17.2–51.9) vs C3 patients (56.5; 32.1–74.1; p<0.01). Unplanned admission occurred in 3 patients in C3 with AFEQT scores of <40. Although 65 patients had AF symptoms during the pandemic, 43.1% did not seek help where they ordinarily would have. An exercise frequency of ≥3–4 times a week was associated with higher AFEQT (56.5; 41.2–74.1; p<0.001) and EQ5D (0.84; 0.74–0.88; p<0.0001) scores.ConclusionThe QoL of patients awaiting AF ablation is impaired and AFEQT helps to identify patients at risk of admission, over and above physician assessment. COVID-19 influenced patients seeking medical attention with symptomatic AF when they normally would. Regular exercise is associated with better QoL in patients awaiting AF ablation.

IntroductionFlecainide has an established role in the treatment of common arrhythmias. The primary mechanism of action is blockade of the cardiac sodium channel, which manifests on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) as prolongation of the PR interval and an increase in the QRS duration. The European Society of Cardiology recommends an ECG is performed within 14 days of starting therapy to screen patients for markers of proarrhythmic side effects. Our aim was to investigate the frequency of flecainide-induced arrhythmias and the role of ECG screening in contemporary practice.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of all patients either initiated on flecainide or who underwent a dose uptitration our outpatient electrophysiology service over a three-year period in. Alongside basic demographic data, we collected information on risk assessment prior to prescription including baseline ECG, imaging and ischaemia testing. We also studied the effectiveness of post-initiation ECG screening, in particular whether this was performed and whether flecainide was discontinued if: QRS duration increased by >25%, there was a new high grade atrioventricular block or bundle branch block, or a type 1 Brugada pattern. Finally, we looked at the frequency of all side effects attributed to flecainide after its prescription.ResultsA total of 318 prescriptions were issued to 306 patients over the study period, of which 239 (75%) were new, 61 (19%) were an uptitration and 18 (6%) were a reinitiation of flecainide. The commonest indication was atrial fibrillation (241/318; 76%). The majority of patients underwent some form of risk assessment prior to prescribing flecainide, including echocardiography (316/318; 99%) and an ECG within the past six months (307/318; 97%). 47 patients (15%) had an assessment for ischaemic heart disease prior to prescription. Specific instructions on acquiring ECG screening of patients were documented in 80/318 (9%). The results of ECG screening are shown in figure 1. Side effects were reported in 32/318 (10%), however apart from syncope (6/318) and tachycardia (1/318), the majority were not cardiac in nature.Abstract 96 Figure 1ConclusionSignificant QRS widening or a new bundle branch block was observed in 7% however discontinuation of flecainide occurred in a minority of cases. New high grade AV block and a Brugada pattern were rare (<1%). Whilst side effects were common, only 2% were potentially cardiac in nature and no serious harm was detected. Greater awareness of a performing a post-initiation ECG is needed and the markers for pro-arrhythmia, however most discontinuations of flecainide occurred outside this window emphasising the role for ongoing follow up and ECG monitoring.Conflict of InterestNone

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia with a genetic basis. Over the past decade, rapid advances in genotyping technology have revolutionised research regarding the genetic basis of AF. While AF genetics research was previously largely restricted to familial forms of AF, recent studies have begun to characterise the genetic architecture underlying the form of AF encountered in everyday clinical practice. These discoveries could have a significant impact on the management of AF. However, much work remains before genetic findings can be translated to clinical practice. This review summarises results of studies in AF genetics to date and discusses the potential implications of these findings in clinical practice.