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JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology May 2024Comparative efficacy and safety data on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus pulsed field ablation (PFA) for common idiopathic left ventricular arrhythmia (LV-VAs)...
BACKGROUND
Comparative efficacy and safety data on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus pulsed field ablation (PFA) for common idiopathic left ventricular arrhythmia (LV-VAs) locations are lacking.
OBJECTIVES
This study sough to compare RFA with PFA of common idiopathic LV-VAs locations.
METHODS
Ten swine were randomized to PFA or RFA of LV interventricular septum, papillary muscle, LV summit via distal coronary sinus, and LV epicardium via subxiphoid approach. Ablations were delivered using an investigational dual-energy (RFA/PFA) contact force (CF) and local impedance-sensing catheter. After 1-week survival, animals were euthanized for lesion assessment.
RESULTS
A total of 55 PFA (4 applications/site of 2.0 KV, target CF ≥10 g) and 36 RFA (CF ≥10 g, 25-50 W targeting ≥50 Ω local impedance drop, 60-second duration) were performed. LV interventricular septum: average PFA depth 7.8 mm vs RFA 7.9 mm (P = 0.78) and no adverse events. Papillary muscle: average PFA depth 8.1 mm vs RFA 4.5 mm (P < 0.01). Left ventricular summit: average PFA depth 5.6 mm vs RFA 2.7 mm (P < 0.01). Steam-pop and/or ventricular fibrillation in 4 of 12 RFA vs 0 of 12 PFA (P < 0.01), no ST-segment changes observed. Epicardium: average PFA depth 6.4 mm vs RFA 3.3 mm (P < 0.01). Transient ST-segment elevations/depressions occurred in 4 of 5 swine in the PFA arm vs 0 of 5 in the RFA arm (P < 0.01). Angiography acutely and at 7 days showed normal coronaries in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
In this swine study, compared with RFA, PFA of common idiopathic LV-VAs locations produced deeper lesions with fewer steam pops. However, PFA was associated with higher rates of transient ST-segment elevations and depressions with direct epicardium ablation.
PubMed: 38878017
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.04.025 -
European Heart Journal Supplements :... Apr 2024Arrhythmic storm is a clinical emergency associated with high mortality, which requires multi-disciplinary management. Reprogramming of the implantable cardiac...
Arrhythmic storm is a clinical emergency associated with high mortality, which requires multi-disciplinary management. Reprogramming of the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) aimed at reducing shocks, adrenergic blockade using beta-blockers, sedation/anxiolysis, and blockade of the stellate ganglion represent the first simple and effective manoeuvres, but further suppression of arrhythmias with antiarrhythmics is often required. A low-risk patient (e.g. monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, functioning ICD, and haemodynamically stable) should be managed with a beta-blocker (possibly non-selective) plus amiodarone, in addition to sedation with a benzodiazepine or dexmedetomidine; in patients at greater risk (high burden and haemodynamic instability), autonomic modulation with blockade of the stellate ganglion and the addition of a second antiarrhythmic (lidocaine) should be considered. In patients refractory to these measures, with advanced heart failure, general anaesthesia with intubation and the establishment of a haemodynamic circulatory support should be considered. Ablation, performed early, appears to be superior in terms of mortality and reduction of future shocks compared with titration of antiarrhythmics.
PubMed: 38867867
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae016 -
European Heart Journal Supplements :... Apr 2024Brugada syndrome mainly affects young subjects with structurally normal heart and can cause x syncope or sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias, even as the first...
Brugada syndrome mainly affects young subjects with structurally normal heart and can cause x syncope or sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias, even as the first manifestation, in approximately 5-10% of cases. To date, two questions remain open: how to recognize subjects who will experience arrhythmic events and how to treat them. The guidelines suggest treating subjects with a previous history of cardiac arrest or arrhythmogenic syncope, while they are unconclusive about the management of asymptomatic patients, who represent ∼90% of Brugada patients. We recently demonstrated that in asymptomatic patients, the presence of spontaneous Brugada type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias at electrophysiological study allows us to identify a group of patients at greater risk who deserve treatment. Regarding treatment, there are three options: implantable cardioverter defibrillator, drugs, and epicardial transcatheter ablation. Recent studies have shown that the latter is effective and free from serious side effects, thus opening a new scenario in the treatment of Brugada patients at risk. Subjects who present drug-induced-only type 1 Brugada ECG pattern, in whom a spontaneous type 1 pattern has been ruled out with repeated ECGs and 12-lead 24-h Holter monitoring, represent a very low-risk group, provided they adhere to behavioural recommendations and undergo regular follow-up.
PubMed: 38867864
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae021 -
European Heart Journal Supplements :... Apr 2024Sudden cardiac death remains a critical public health concern globally, affecting millions annually. Recent advances in cardiac arrhythmia mapping have demonstrated that...
Sudden cardiac death remains a critical public health concern globally, affecting millions annually. Recent advances in cardiac arrhythmia mapping have demonstrated that the ventricular epicardial region has a critical arrhythmogenic role in some inherited cardiogenetic diseases. Among these, long-QT syndrome (LQTS) exposes patients to the risk of life-threatening arrhythmic events. Despite advancements, there is a need for more effective therapeutic strategies. A recent study has uncovered a noteworthy connection between LQTS and epicardial structural abnormalities, challenging the traditional view of LQTS as purely an electrical disorder. High-density mapping revealed electroanatomic abnormalities in the right ventricular epicardium, presenting a potential target for catheter ablation, to finally suppress ventricular fibrillation recurrences in high-risk LQTS patients.
PubMed: 38867856
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae009 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Jun 2024Patients with structural heart disease (SHD) undergoing catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at considerable risk of periprocedural complications,...
AIMS
Patients with structural heart disease (SHD) undergoing catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at considerable risk of periprocedural complications, including acute haemodynamic decompensation (AHD). The PAINESD score was proposed to predict the risk of AHD. The goal of this study was to validate the PAINESD score using the retrospective analysis of data from a large-volume heart centre.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Patients who had their first radiofrequency CA for SHD-related VT between August 2006 and December 2020 were included in the study. Procedures were mainly performed under conscious sedation. Substrate mapping/ablation was performed primarily during spontaneous rhythm or right ventricular pacing. A purposely established institutional registry for complications of invasive procedures was used to collect all periprocedural complications that were subsequently adjudicated using the source medical records. Acute haemodynamic decompensation triggered by CA procedure was defined as intraprocedural or early post-procedural (<12 h) development of acute pulmonary oedema or refractory hypotension requiring urgent intervention. The study cohort consisted of 1124 patients (age, 63 ± 13 years; males, 87%; ischaemic cardiomyopathy, 67%; electrical storm, 25%; New York Heart Association Class, 2.0 ± 1.0; left ventricular ejection fraction, 34 ± 12%; diabetes mellitus, 31%; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 12%). Their PAINESD score was 11.4 ± 6.6 (median, 12; interquartile range, 6-17). Acute haemodynamic decompensation complicated the CA procedure in 13/1124 = 1.2% patients and was not predicted by PAINESD score with AHD rates of 0.3, 1.8, and 1.1% in subgroups by previously published PAINESD terciles (<9, 9-14, and >14). However, the PAINESD score strongly predicted mortality during the follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Primarily substrate-based CA of SHD-related VT performed under conscious sedation is associated with a substantially lower rate of AHD than previously reported. The PAINESD score did not predict these events. The application of the PAINESD score to the selection of patients for pre-emptive mechanical circulatory support should be reconsidered.
Topics: Humans; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Catheter Ablation; Retrospective Studies; Hemodynamics; Cicatrix; Aged; Hypotension; Pulmonary Edema; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38864730
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae145 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports Jun 2024Double-wave macrore-entry is a rare mechanism of atrial tachycardia with limited documentation in the literature. We present a three-dimensional documentation of a...
BACKGROUND
Double-wave macrore-entry is a rare mechanism of atrial tachycardia with limited documentation in the literature. We present a three-dimensional documentation of a double-wave 'typical' atrial flutter in a patient with extensive atrial cardiomyopathy.
CASE SUMMARY
A 78-year-old female with a history of atrial cardiomyopathy and dual-chamber pacemaker for sinus node disease presented with palpitations and incessant atrial flutter. Electrophysiological study revealed a regular tachycardia with a cycle length (TCL) of 230 ms, with proximal to distal coronary sinus (CS) activation. Three-dimensional mapping identified two independent wavefronts circulating the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI), each with a TCL of 460 ms. Cavotricuspid isthmus ablation resulted in conversion into a distinct tachycardia with left atrial roof origin. Linear ablation in this location slowed the TCL to 435 ms with concentric CS activation and another CTI dependent atrial flutter was mapped, this time with only one wavefront of activation. Further ablation with a second, more lateral, line in the CTI led to tachycardia interruption. Given the extensive atrial scarring and high arrhythmic recurrence risk, atrioventricular node ablation was performed.
DISCUSSION
Double-wave re-entrant tachycardias were primarily observed in experimental models, precipitating acceleration of ventricular and supraventricular tachycardias via extrastimulation. In our case, there is documentation of a spontaneous double-wave of activation around the CTI, representing the first documented double-wave 'typical' atrial flutter. Unlike other cases in the literature, the two wavefronts were equidistant, which resulted in a regular tachycardia with TCL that was half of the single-wave cycle length. Three-dimensional propagation mapping was essential to visualize the two distinct wavefronts.
PubMed: 38863991
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae272 -
Heart Rhythm Jun 2024Areas of abnormal and/or heterogenous conduction velocity (CV) are important ablation targets for ventricular tachycardias. Yet, precise assessment of CV in clinical...
BACKGROUND
Areas of abnormal and/or heterogenous conduction velocity (CV) are important ablation targets for ventricular tachycardias. Yet, precise assessment of CV in clinical contact mapping remains challenging. Numerous different CV estimation methods have been proposed.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the automated LAT-independent omnipolar-based CV estimation method termed "Wave Speed" (WS) with four established LAT-based methods and formally establish the quantitative differences between them.
METHODS
High-density contact maps in patients with structurally normal hearts during sinus rhythm and ventricular ectopy (VE) were retrospectively analysed. CV was assessed and compared using five methods: 1.Omnipolar WS, 2.Gradient method, 3.Planar wavefront fitting (PWF) 4.Circular wavefront fitting (CWF), 5.Radial basis function (RBF). CV variations based on EGM type (uni-/bi-/omnipolar), catheter movement and surrogate markers for catheter contact were analysed.
RESULTS
23 patients (47.8% male, 45.7±17.3 years) with 22 sinus (11 LV/11 RV) and 16 VE maps (9 LV/7 RV) were included. WS algorithm yielded statistically significant higher CV estimates in SR (mean 1.41 ±0.18m/s) and VE maps (mean 1.23±0.18m/s) compared to all LAT-based estimation methods with absolute differences ranging from 0.1m/s to 0.81m/s. Median pointwise differences in SR and VE between WS and LAT-based methods were high, ranging from 0.55±0.15m/s (WS vs. PWF) to 0.67±0.16m/s (WS vs. RBF). For LAT-based methods, use of unipolar EGMs yielded significantly higher CV estimates than bi-/omnipolar EGMs in sinus.
CONCLUSION
The CV estimation method has an important, statistically significant impact on ventricular CV measurements. Future work will focus on how these differences impact identification of pathological conduction slowing in scar-related substrate.
PubMed: 38851622
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.05.061 -
Medicine Jun 2024In recent years, significant advancements in radiofrequency ablation technology have notably enhanced arrhythmia treatment in cardiology. Technological advancements and...
In recent years, significant advancements in radiofrequency ablation technology have notably enhanced arrhythmia treatment in cardiology. Technological advancements and increasing clinical adoption have made radiofrequency ablation a key therapy in improving life quality for patients with conditions like atrial fibrillation (AF). Consequently, there has been a marked increase in research output, underscoring the technology's significance and its potential in cardiology. Aims to comprehensively analyze cardiology's radiofrequency ablation research trends, identifying leading countries and institutions in international collaborations, key researchers' contributions, and evolving research hotspots. The study, based on the Web of Science Core Collection database, reviewed the literatures from 2004 to 2023. CiteSpace 6.2.R7 Basic was used for bibliometric analysis, which examined annual publication trends, international collaboration networks, key authors, leading research institutions, major journals, keyword co-occurrence and clustering trends. Analyzing 3423 relevant articles, this study reveals a consistent growth in cardiology radiofrequency ablation research since 2004. The analysis shows that the United States, Germany, and France hold central roles in the international collaboration network, with leading authors from premier US and European institutions. Keyword cluster analysis identifies "atrial flutter" and "ventricular tachycardia" as current research focal points. Cardiology radiofrequency ablation research shows a growth trend, led by the United States and European countries. Research hotspots are concentrated on the diverse applications of radiofrequency ablation technology and the treatment of AF. Future studies may increasingly focus on technological innovation and the deepening of clinical applications.
Topics: Bibliometrics; Humans; Cardiology; Radiofrequency Ablation; Biomedical Research; Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation
PubMed: 38847657
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038498 -
Circulation. Heart Failure Jun 2024The immune systems and chronic inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and heart failure. However, the significance of neutrophil...
BACKGROUND
The immune systems and chronic inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and heart failure. However, the significance of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in heart failure remains to be elucidated.
METHODS
We enrolled consecutive 62 patients with heart failure with idiopathic DCM who underwent endomyocardial biopsy. Biopsy specimens were subjected to fluorescent immunostaining to detect NETs, and clinical and outcome data were collected. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments were conducted.
RESULTS
The numbers of NETs per myocardial tissue area and the proportion of NETs per neutrophil were significantly higher in patients with DCM compared with non-DCM control subjects without heart failure, and the numbers of NETs were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients with DCM with NETs (n=32) showed lower left ventricular ejection fraction and higher BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) than those without NETs (n=30). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, the presence of NETs was independently associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiac events in patients with DCM. To understand specific underlying mechanisms, extracellular flux analysis in ex vivo revealed that NETs-containing conditioned medium from wild-type neutrophils or purified NET components led to impaired mitochondrial oxygen consumption of cardiomyocytes, while these effects were abolished when PAD4 (peptidyl arginine deiminase 4) in neutrophils was genetically ablated. In a murine model of pressure overload, NETs in myocardial tissue were predominantly detected in the acute phase and persisted throughout the ongoing stress. Four weeks after transverse aortic constriction, left ventricular ejection fraction was reduced in wild-type mice, whereas PAD4-deficient mice displayed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction without inducing NET formation.
CONCLUSIONS
NETs in myocardial tissue contribute to cardiac dysfunction and adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure with DCM, potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction of cardiomyocytes.
Topics: Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Humans; Extracellular Traps; Heart Failure; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Animals; Myocardium; Neutrophils; Stroke Volume; Myocytes, Cardiac; Ventricular Function, Left; Mice; Aged; Mitochondria, Heart; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Biopsy
PubMed: 38847093
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.123.011057 -
European Journal of Case Reports in... 2024Cardiac sarcoidosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, oedema, and fatal arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia (VT)....
BACKGROUND
Cardiac sarcoidosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, oedema, and fatal arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia (VT). Because the symptoms can be nonspecific, diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis can be challenging. Treatment options may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, immunosuppressive drugs to prevent further damage, medications to control symptoms, ablation procedures, and defibrillators to prevent cardiac arrest.
CASE
A 60-year-old woman who has sarcoidosis affecting multiple organs including cardiac sarcoidosis, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction, and hypertension, was admitted with tachycardia, shortness of breath, and a recently fired automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD). Three months prior, the patient was admitted for a syncopal episode and diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis through cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), which demonstrated active inflammation, and an AICD was implanted. During this admission, the patient had an episode of ventricular tachycardia and was treated with amiodarone and lidocaine. The patient received steroids, sacubitril/valsartan, and methotrexate. After 48 hours of observation, the patient was discharged without further events.
CONCLUSION
Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare but serious disease that can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications such as ventricular tachycardia. Early diagnosis and aggressive management are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing sudden cardiac death. AICD implantation as a secondary prevention in cardiac sarcoidosis might prevent cardiac arrest."
LEARNING POINTS
Cardiac sarcoidosis can present with non-specific symptoms and lead to life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive management to prevent sudden cardiac death.A multidisciplinary approach involving imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, along with histological findings, is crucial for accurately diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis, as endomyocardial biopsy alone has low sensitivity.Implantation of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) as a secondary prevention measure should be considered in cardiac sarcoidosis patients, even in elderly individuals with mildly to moderately reduced ejection fraction, to prevent fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
PubMed: 38846646
DOI: 10.12890/2024_004469