Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly affects patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Amyloid deposition within the left atrium may be responsible for the subtype of AF in either permanent or ...non-permanent form. The prognostic implications of AF and its clinical subtype according to the type of CA are still controversial in this population. This study sought to investigate the prevalence, incidence and prognostic implications of AF and the clinical subtype of AF (permanent or non-permanent) in patients with CA.
Methods: Two hundred and thirty-eight patients with CA and full medical records were retrospectively enrolled in the study: About 115 (48%) with light chain (AL) amyloidosis and 123 (52%) with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Patient's medical records were reviewed to establish baseline prevalence, incidence and impact on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality during follow-up of AF.
Results: One hundred and four (44%) patients had history of AF at the time of diagnosis: 62 (60%) permanent and 42 (40%) non-permanent. There were 30 (26%) and 74 (60%) patients with history of AF among patients with AL and ATTR (including 5 hereditary and 69 wild-type), respectively (p<.0001). During the follow-up, 48 new patients developed AF (29, 12 and 7 among patients with AL, wild-type ATTR and hereditary ATTR). After adjustment for age, survival was similar in patients with or without history of AF (HR 0.87 (95% CI, 0.60 to 1.27; p = .467). AF had no impact on cardiovascular mortality. Among the 152 patients with history of AF included in the whole study, there were 75 (49%) patients with permanent AF. After adjustment for age, survival was similar in patients with permanent and non-permanent AF: HR 1.29 (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.99; p = .251). The results were the same among patients with AL or wild-type amyloidosis. Subtype of AF had no impact on cardiovascular mortality.
Conclusions: AF is common in patients with CA. However, AF and clinical subtype of AF have no impact on all-cause mortality, whatever the type of amyloidosis.
Factors associated with premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy (PVCi-CMP) remain debated.
The purpose of this study was to test the correlation of various factors to the presence ...PVCi-CMP in a large multicenter population.
One hundred sixty-eight consecutive patients referred for ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 with suspected PVCi-CMP (96 patients, ejection fraction 38% ± 10%, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter 62 ± 8 mm, with or without additional structural heart disease); and group 2 (control group, 72 patients with normal ejection fraction and left ventricular dimensions). Various clinical and electrophysiologic parameters were compared between groups.
In univariate analysis, left ventricular origin of PVC, lack of palpitations, long PVC coupling interval, epicardial origin of the focus, long sinus beat QRS duration, male gender, high PVC burden, presence of polymorphic PVCs, high PVC QRS duration, and older age were significantly related to the presence of PVCi-CMP. In multivariate analysis, only lack of palpitations, PVC burden, and epicardial origin remained significantly and independently correlated with the presence of cardiomyopathy. Even if sinus QRS duration or PVC left ventricular origin were also found independently linked to PVCi-CMP in the whole population, they were no longer correlated when patients with additional heart disease were excluded.
Lack of palpitations, PVC burden, and epicardial origin are independent factors that identify patients prone to developing PVCi-CMP.
Background
Combination of elementary parameters (force, time, power, impedance drop) has been proposed to optimize radiofrequency (RF) delivery. They have been partially validated in clinical ...studies.
Aims
The aim of this study was to assess contact‐force (CF) implementation into clinical practice.
Methods
A 36‐question electronic form was sent to 105 electrophysiologists (EP) including some general questions concerning the practice of catheter atrial fibrillation ablation and items concerning the parameters used for CF‐guided ablation.
Results
Answers from 98 EP were collected (93% response rate). The CF‐catheters used were Smart Touch, Biosense (52%), Tacticath, Saint‐Jude Medical (12%), or both (27%) and no CF (9%). The power applied on the left atrial (LA) anterior (LAAW) and posterior (LAPW) wall was, respectively, 26‐34 W (for 73% of the EP) and below 25 W (88% of the EP). Forty percent of the Visitag® users mostly used the nominal parameters. Seventy‐five percent of the users did not use automatic display of the impedance drop. For the Tacticath users, 57% used a target value of 400 gs on the LAAW and 300 to 400 gs on the LAPW. Lesion Size Index was exceptionally used.
Conclusions
The parameters used for CF‐guided ablation are widely variable among the different operators. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the targets for automatic annotation of the RF applications.
In Brugada syndrome (BrS), spontaneous type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) is an established risk marker for fatal arrhythmias whereas drug-induced type 1 ECG shows a relatively benign prognosis. No study ...has analyzed the prognosis of fever-induced type 1 ECG (F-type1) in a large BrS cohort.
The objectives of this study were to assess the prognosis of F-type1 in asymptomatic BrS and to compare the effects of fever and drugs on ECG parameters.
One hundred twelve patients with BrS who developed F-type1 were retrospectively enrolled. Prognosis was evaluated in 88 asymptomatic patients. In a subgroup (n = 52), ECG parameters of multiple ECGs (at baseline, during fever, and after drug challenge) were analyzed.
Eighty-eight asymptomatic patients had a mean age of 45.8 ± 18.7 years, and 71.6% (67 of 88) were men. Twenty-one percent (18 of 88) had a family history of sudden cardiac death, and 26.4% (14 of 53) carried a pathogenic SCN5A mutation. Drug challenge was positive in 29 of 36 patients tested (80.6%). The risk of ventricular fibrillation in asymptomatic patients was 0.9%/y (3 of 88; 43.6 ± 37.4 months). ST-segment elevation in lead V2 during fever and after drug challenge was not significantly different (0.41 ± 0.21 ms during fever and 0.40 ± 0.30 ms after drug challenge; P > .05). Fever shortened the PR interval compared to baseline, whereas drug challenge resulted in prolonged PR interval and QRS duration (PR interval: 169 ± 29 ms at baseline, 148 ± 45 ms during fever, and 202 ± 35 ms after drug challenge; QRS duration: 97 ± 18 ms at baseline, 92 ± 28 ms during fever, and 117 ± 21 ms after drug challenge).
Patients with BrS who develop F-type1 are at risk of arrhythmic events. F-type1 appears to develop through a more complex mechanism as compared with drug-induced type 1 ECG.
Biatrial tachycardia (BiAT) is a rare form of atrial macroreentrant tachycardia, in which both atria form a critical part of the circuit. We aimed to identify the characteristics and precise circuits ...of single-loop macroreentrant BiATs.
We identified 8 patients (median age, 59.5 years old) with 9 BiATs in a cohort of 336 consecutive patients from 2 institutions who had undergone AT catheter ablation using an automatic ultrahigh-resolution mapping system. Seven of the 8 patients had a history of persistent AF ablation, including septal or anterior left atrium ablation before developing BiAT. One of the 8 patients had a history of an atrial septal patch closure with a massively enlarged right atrium. Nine ATs (median cycle length, 334 ms; median 12 561 points in the left atrium; 8814 points in the right atrium) were diagnosed as single-loop macroreentrant BiATs. We observed 3 types of BiAT (1) BiAT with a perimitral and peritricuspid reentrant circuit (n=3), (2) BiAT using the right atrium septum and a perimitral circuit (n=3), and (3) BiAT using only the left atrium and right atrium septum (n=3). Catheter ablation successfully terminated 8 of the 9 BiATs.
All patients who developed BiAT had an electric obstacle on the anteroseptal left atrium, primarily from prior ablation lesions. In this situation, mapping of both atria should be considered during AT. Because 3 types of single-loop BiAT were observed, ablation strategies should be adjusted to the type of BiAT circuit.
Summary Background The role of implantable loop recorders (ILRs) in the evaluation strategy for recurrent syncope in France is limited by lack of knowledge of the cost. Aim To compare a conventional ...evaluation strategy for syncope with the early use of an ILR in low-risk patients, in terms of diagnostic yield, cost and impact on quality of life (QoL). Methods National prospective randomized open-label multicenter study of patients with a single syncope (if severe and recent) or at least two syncopes in the past year. Results Seventy-eight patients (32 men) were randomized to the ILR strategy (ILR group, n = 39) or the conventional evaluation strategy (CONV group, n = 39): mean age 66.2 ± 14.8 years; 4.3 ± 6.4 previous syncopes. After 14 months of follow-up, a certain cause of syncope was established in 18 (46.2%) patients in the ILR group and two (5%) patients in the CONV group ( P < 0.001). Advanced cardiological tests were performed less frequently in the ILR group than in the CONV group (0.03 ± 0.2 vs. 0.2 ± 0.5 tests per patient; P = 0.05). Patients in the ILR group were hospitalized for a non-significantly shorter period than patients in the CONV group (5.7 ± 3.2 vs. 8.0 ± 1.4 days). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of QoL main composite score. Conclusion In patients with unexplained syncope, the early use of an ILR has a superior diagnostic yield compared with the conventional evaluation strategy, with lower healthcare-related costs.
Ultra-high-density (UHD) mapping can improve scar area detection and fast activation mapping in patients undergoing catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT). The aim of the present study was ...to compare the outcome after VT ablation guided by UHD and conventional point-by-point 3D-mapping. The acute and long-term ablation outcome of 61 consecutive patients with UHD mapping (64-electrode mini-basket catheter) was compared to 61 consecutive patients with conventional point-by-point 3D-mapping using a 3.5 mm tip catheter. Patients, whose ablation was guided by UHD mapping had an improved 24-months outcome in comparison to patients with conventional mapping (cumulative incidence estimate of the combination of recurrence or disease-related death of 52.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 36.9-65.7; recurrence: n = 25; disease-related death: n = 4) versus 69.6% (95% CI 55.9-79.8); recurrence: n = 31; disease-related death n = 11). In a cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model, UHD mapping (hazard ratio (HR) 0.623; 95% CI 0.390-0.995; P = 0.048) and left ventricular ejection fraction > 30% (HR 0.485; 95% CI 0.290-0.813; P = 0.006) were independently associated with lower rates of recurrence or disease-related death. Other procedural parameters were similar in both groups. In conclusion, UHD mapping during VT ablation was associated with fewer VT recurrences or disease-related deaths during long-term follow-up in comparison to conventional point-by-point mapping. Complication rates and other procedural parameters were similar in both groups.
Background Left ventricular overload is frequent under veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which is associated with a worsening of the prognosis of these patients. Several left heart ...decompression (LHD) techniques exist. However, there is no consensus on their timing and type. We aimed to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing LHD and to compare percutaneous atrioseptostomy (PA) to other LHD techniques. Methods and Results Retrospective analysis was conducted of consecutive and prospectively collected patients supported by veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock between January 2015 and April 2018, with a 90‐day follow‐up in our tertiary center. Patients were divided according to the presence of LHD, and then according to its type (PA versus others). Thirty‐nine percent (n=63) of our patients (n=163) required an LHD. Patients with LHD had lower left ventricular ejection fraction, more ischemic cardiomyopathy, and no drug intoxication‐associated cardiogenic shock. PA was frequently used for LHD (41% of first‐line and 57% of second‐line LHD). PA appears safe and fast to realize (6.3 interquartile range, 5.8–10 minutes) under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance, with no acute complications. PA was associated with fewer neurological complications (12% versus 38%, P =0.02), no need to insert a second LHD (0% versus 19%, P =0.04), and higher 90‐day survival compared with other techniques (42% versus 19%, log‐rank test P =0.02), despite more sepsis (96% versus 73%, P =0.02) and blood transfusions (13.5% versus 7%, P =0.01). Multivariate analysis confirms the association between PA and 90‐day survival (hazard ratio, 2.53 1.18–5.45, P =0.019). Conclusions LHD was frequently used for patients supported with veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, especially in cases of ischemic cardiomyopathy and low left ventricular ejection fraction. PA seems to be a safe and efficient LHD technique associated with greater mid‐term survival justifying the pursuit of research on this topic.
Prevalence and prognostic value of conduction disturbances in patients with the Brugada syndrome (BrS) remains poorly known. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) from 325 patients with BrS (47 ± 13 years, 258 ...men) with spontaneous (n = 143) or drug-induced (n = 182) type 1 ECG were retrospectively reviewed. Two hundred twenty-six patients (70%) were asymptomatic, 73 patients (22%) presented with unexplained syncope, and 26 patients (8%) presented with sudden death or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator appropriated therapies at diagnosis or during a mean follow-up of 48 ± 34 months. P-wave duration of ≥120 ms was present in 129 patients (40%), first degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in 113 (35%), right bundle branch block (BBB) in 90 (28%), and fascicular block in 52 (16%). Increased P-wave duration, first degree AVB, and right BBB were more often present in patients after drug challenge than in patients with spontaneous type 1 ST elevation. Left BBB was present in 3 patients. SCN5A mutation carriers had longer P-wave duration and longer PR and HV intervals. In multivariate analysis, first degree AVB was independently associated with sudden death or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator appropriated therapies (odds ratio 2.41, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 5.73, p = 0.046) together with the presence of syncope and spontaneous type 1 ST elevation. In conclusion, conduction disturbances are frequent and sometimes diffuse in patients with BrS. First degree AVB is independently linked to outcome and may be proposed to be used for individual risk stratification.
Isolated cases of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MVT) in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) have been reported.
We aimed to describe the incidence and characteristics of MVT in a cohort of ...patients with BrS who had received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Data from 834 patients with BrS implanted with an ICD in 15 tertiary hospitals between 1993 and 2014 were included.
The mean age of enrolled patients was 45.3 ± 13.9 years; 200 patients (24%) were women. During a mean follow-up of 69.4 ± 54.3 months, 114 patients (13.7%) experienced at least 1 appropriate ICD intervention, with MVT recorded in 35 patients (4.2%) (sensitive to antitachycardia pacing in 15 42.8%). Only QRS width was an independent predictor of MVT in the overall population. Specifically, 6 (17.1%) patients presented with right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (successfully ablated from the endocardium in 4 and epicardial and endocardial ablation in 1), 2 patients with MVT arising from the left ventricle (1 successfully ablated in the supra lateral mitral annulus), and 2 (5.7%) patients with bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia. Significant structural heart disease was ruled out by echocardiography and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
In this retrospective study, 4.2% of patients with BrS implanted with an ICD presented with MVT confirmed as arising from the right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia in 6, patients with MVT arising from the left ventricle in 2, and patients with bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia in 2. Endocardial and/or epicardial ablation was successful in 80% of these cases. These data imply that the occurrence of MVT should not rule out the possibility of BrS. This finding may also be relevant for ICD model selection and programming.
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