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Journal of Cardiovascular... Mar 2022Ethanol ablation (EA) is an alternative option for subjects with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) refractory to conventional medical and ablative treatment. However, data... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Ethanol ablation (EA) is an alternative option for subjects with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) refractory to conventional medical and ablative treatment. However, data on the efficacy and safety of EA remain sparse.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted. The primary outcomes were 1) freedom from the targeted VA and 2) freedom from any VAs post-EA. Additional safety outcomes were also analyzed.
RESULTS
Ten studies were selected accounting for a population of 174 patients (62.3 ± 12.5 years, 94% male) undergoing 185 procedures. The overall acute success rate of EA was 72.4% (confidence interval [CI ]: 65.6-78.4). After a mean follow-up of 11.3 ± 5.5 months, the incidence of relapse of the targeted VA was 24.4% (CI : 17.1-32.8), while any VAs post-EA occurred in 41.3% (CI : 33.7-49.1). The overall incidence of procedural complications was 14.1% (CI : 9.8-19.8), with pericardial complications and complete atrioventricular block being the most frequent. An anterograde transarterial approach was associated with a higher rate of VA recurrences and complications compared to a retrograde transvenous route; however, differences in the baseline population characteristics and in the targeted ventricular areas should be accounted.
CONCLUSION
EA is a valuable therapeutic option for VAs refractory to conventional treatment and can result in 1-year freedom from VA recurrence in 60%-75% of the patients. However, anatomical or technical challenges preclude acute success in almost 30% of the candidates and the rate of complication is not insignificant, highlighting the importance of well-informed patient selection. The certainty of the evidence is low, and further research is necessary.
Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Catheter Ablation; Ethanol; Female; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34921464
DOI: 10.1111/jce.15336 -
Medicine Dec 2021Atrial fibrillation is the main complication of patients who suffer from valvular heart disease (VHD), which may lead to an increased susceptibility to ventricular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation is the main complication of patients who suffer from valvular heart disease (VHD), which may lead to an increased susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia, atrial dysfunction, heart failure, and stroke. Therefore, seeking a safe and effective therapy is crucial in prolonging the lives of patients with VHD and improving their quality of life.
METHODS
Our target database included PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library, from which published articles were retrieved from inception to June 2020. We retrieved all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared patients undergoing valve surgery with (VSA) or without ablation (VS) procedure. Studies to be included were screened and data extraction was performed independently by 2 investigators. The Cochrane risk-of-bias table was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs. The mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and relative risk (RR) ratio was calculated to analyze the data. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 and chi-square tests. Egger test and the trim and fill analysis were used to further determine publication bias.
RESULTS
Fourteen RCTs that included 1376 patients were eventually selected for this meta-analysis. Surgical ablation was found to be effective in restoring sinus rhythm in valvular surgery patients at discharge (RR 2.91, 95% CI [1.17, 7.20], I2 97%, P = .02), 3 to 6 months (RR 2.85, 95% CI [2.27, 3.58], I2 49%, P < .00001), 12 months, and more than 1 year after surgery (RR 3.54, 95% CI [2.78, 4.51], I2 27%, P < .00001). All-cause mortality (RR 0.98, 95% CI [0.64, 1.51], I2 0%, P = .94) and stroke (RR 1.29, 95% CI [0.70, 2.39], I2 0%, P = .57) were similar in the VSA and VS groups. Compared with VS, VSA prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (MD 30.44, 95% CI [17.55, 43.33], I2 88%, P < .00001) and aortic cross-clamping time (MD 19.57, 95% CI [11.10, 28.03], I2 89%, P < .00001). No significant differences were found between groups with respect to the risk of bleeding (RR 0.64, 95% CI [0.37, 1.12], I2 0%, P = .12), heart failure (RR 1.11, 95% CI [0.63, 1.93], I2 0%, P = .72), and low cardiac output syndrome (RR 1.41, 95% CI [0.57, 3.46], I2 18%, P = .46). However, the demand for implantation of a permanent pacemaker was significantly higher in the VSA group (RR 1.84, 95% CI [1.15, 2.95], I2 0%, P = .01).
CONCLUSION
Although we found high heterogeneity in the restoration of sinus rhythm at discharge, we assume that the comparison is valid at this time, given the current state in the operating room. This study provides evidence of the efficacy and security of concomitant ablation intervention for patients with VHD and atrial fibrillation. Surgical ablation would increase the safety of implantation of a permanent pacemaker in the population that underwent valve surgery.
Topics: Ablation Techniques; Atrial Fibrillation; Heart Valve Diseases; Humans; Pacemaker, Artificial
PubMed: 34918672
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028180 -
International Journal of Cardiology Feb 2022The utility of an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in the risk stratification of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) patients is not clear. We conducted a systemic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The utility of an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in the risk stratification of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) patients is not clear. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the utility of EPS in the risk stratification of CS patients.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases from their inception to 12/4/2020 with search terms "Cardiac sarcoidosis" And "Electrophysiological studies OR ablation". The first and second authors reviewed all the studies. We extracted the data of positive and negative EPS, and outcomes defined as ventricular arrhythmias, implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy, death, left ventricular assist device placement, or heart transplantation. Risk of bias assessment was done by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Subgroup analysis of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >35%, and probable CS, no prior ventricular tachycardia (VT) and LVEF >35% were performed.
RESULTS
We found 544 articles after removing duplicates. A total of 52 full articles were reviewed, and eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) of EPS in predicting clinical outcomes were 0.70 (0.51-0.85) and 0.93 (0.85-0.97), respectively. Subgroup analysis of patients with LVEF >35% resulted in pooled sensitivity of 0.63 (0.29-0.88) and pooled specificity of 0.97 (0.92-0.99), and subgroup analysis of patients with probable CS, no prior VT, and LVEF >35% resulted in pooled sensitivity of 0.71 (0.33-0.93) and pooled specificity of 0.96 (0.88-0.99) in predicting adverse clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
EPS is an effective risk stratification tool in patients with CS across all subgroups with high sensitivity and specificity.
Topics: Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Defibrillators, Implantable; Electrophysiology; Humans; Risk Assessment; Sarcoidosis; Stroke Volume; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 34864075
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.11.061 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2021Resistant hypertension is highly prevalent among the general hypertensive population and the clinical management of this condition remains problematic. Different... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Resistant hypertension is highly prevalent among the general hypertensive population and the clinical management of this condition remains problematic. Different approaches, including a more intensified antihypertensive therapy, lifestyle modifications or both, have largely failed to improve patients' outcomes and to reduce cardiovascular and renal risk. As renal sympathetic hyperactivity is a major driver of resistant hypertension, in the last decade renal sympathetic ablation (renal denervation) has been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative to treat this condition.
OBJECTIVES
We sought to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of renal denervation in individuals with resistant hypertension on clinical end points, including fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, hospital admissions, quality of life, blood pressure control, left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiovascular and metabolic profile and kidney function, as well as the potential adverse events related to the procedure.
SEARCH METHODS
For this updated review, the Cochrane Hypertension Information Specialist searched the following databases for randomised controlled trials up to 3 November 2020: Cochrane Hypertension's Specialised Register, CENTRAL (2020, Issue 11), Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid Embase. The World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (via CENTRAL) and the US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for ongoing trials. We also contacted authors of relevant papers regarding further published and unpublished work. The searches had no language restrictions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We considered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared renal denervation to standard therapy or sham procedure to treat resistant hypertension, without language restriction.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study risk of bias. We summarised treatment effects on available clinical outcomes and adverse events using random-effects meta-analyses. We assessed heterogeneity in estimated treatment effects using Chi² and I² statistics. We calculated summary treatment estimates as a mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes, and a risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Certainty of evidence has been assessed using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
We found 15 eligible studies (1416 participants). In four studies, renal denervation was compared to sham procedure; in the remaining studies, renal denervation was tested against standard or intensified antihypertensive therapy. Most studies had unclear or high risk of bias for allocation concealment and blinding. When compared to control, there was low-certainty evidence that renal denervation had little or no effect on the risk of myocardial infarction (4 studies, 742 participants; RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.45 to 3.84), ischaemic stroke (5 studies, 892 participants; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.95), unstable angina (3 studies, 270 participants; RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.89) or hospitalisation (3 studies, 743 participants; RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.50 to 3.11). Based on moderate-certainty evidence, renal denervation may reduce 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) systolic BP (9 studies, 1045 participants; MD -5.29 mmHg, 95% CI -10.46 to -0.13), ABPM diastolic BP (8 studies, 1004 participants; MD -3.75 mmHg, 95% CI -7.10 to -0.39) and office diastolic BP (8 studies, 1049 participants; MD -4.61 mmHg, 95% CI -8.23 to -0.99). Conversely, this procedure had little or no effect on office systolic BP (10 studies, 1090 participants; MD -5.92 mmHg, 95% CI -12.94 to 1.10). Moderate-certainty evidence suggested that renal denervation may not reduce serum creatinine (5 studies, 721 participants, MD 0.03 mg/dL, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.13) and may not increase the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or creatinine clearance (6 studies, 822 participants; MD -2.56 mL/min, 95% CI -7.53 to 2.42). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In patients with resistant hypertension, there is low-certainty evidence that renal denervation does not improve major cardiovascular outomes and renal function. Conversely, moderate-certainty evidence exists that it may improve 24h ABPM and diastolic office-measured BP. Future trials measuring patient-centred instead of surrogate outcomes, with longer follow-up periods, larger sample size and more standardised procedural methods are necessary to clarify the utility of this procedure in this population.
Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Blood Pressure; Denervation; Humans; Hypertension; Kidney
PubMed: 34806762
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011499.pub3 -
Clinical Research in Cardiology :... Sep 2022In the wake of the controversy surrounding the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial and data from subsequent trials, this review aims to perform an updated and more comprehensive...
BACKGROUND
In the wake of the controversy surrounding the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial and data from subsequent trials, this review aims to perform an updated and more comprehensive review of the impact of renal sympathetic denervation on cardiac arrhythmias.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A systematic search was performed using the Medline, Scopus and Embase databases using the terms "Renal Denervation" AND "Arrhythmias or Atrial or Ventricular", limited to Human and English language studies within the last 10 years. This search yielded 19 relevant studies (n = 6 randomised controlled trials, n = 13 non-randomised cohort studies) which comprised 783 patients. The studies show RSD is a safe procedure, not associated with increases in complications or mortality post-procedure. Importantly, there is no evidence RSD is associated with a deterioration in renal function, even in patients with chronic kidney disease. RSD with or without adjunctive pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is associated with improvements in freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF), premature atrial complexes (PACs), ventricular arrhythmias and other echocardiographic parameters. Significant reductions in ambulatory and office blood pressure were also observed in the majority of studies.
CONCLUSION
This review provides evidence based on original research that 'second generation' RSD is safe and is associated with reductions in short-term blood pressure and AF burden. However, the authors cannot draw firm conclusions with regards to less prominent arrhythmia subtypes due to the paucity of evidence available. Large multi-centre RCTs investigating the role of RSD are necessary to comprehensively assess the efficacy of the procedure treating various arrhythmias.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Humans; Kidney; Pulmonary Veins; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Sympathectomy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34748053
DOI: 10.1007/s00392-021-01950-8 -
Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology... 2022This review aims to determine if patients who undergo atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) do better, or worse...
A comparison of clinical outcomes following atrial fibrillation ablation for heart failure patients with preserved or reduced left ventricular function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
This review aims to determine if patients who undergo atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) do better, or worse or the same compared to patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
METHODS
A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed using the search terms: "atrial fibrillation", "ablation" and terms related to HFpEF and HFrEF in order to identify studies that evaluated one or more of i) AF recurrence, ii) periprocedural complications and iii) adverse outcomes at follow up for patients with HFpEF and HFrEF who underwent AF ablation. Data was extracted from included studies and statistically pooled to evaluate adverse events and AF recurrence.
RESULTS
5 studies were included in this review and the sample size of the studies ranged from 91 to 521 patients with heart failure. There was no significant difference in the pooled rate for no AF or symptom recurrence after AF ablation comparing patients with HFpEF vs HFrEF (RR 1.07 95%CI 0.86-1.33, p = 0.15). The most common complications were access site complications/haematoma/bleeding which occurred in similar proportion in each group; HFpEF (3.1%) and HFrEF (3.1%). In terms of repeat ablations, two studies were pooled to yield a rate of 78/455 (17.1%) for HFpEF vs 24/279 (8.6%) for HFrEF (p = 0.001.
CONCLUSIONS
Heart failure patients with preserved or reduced ejection fraction have similar risk of AF or symptom recurrence after AF ablation but two studies suggest that patients with HFpEF are more likely to have repeat ablations.
PubMed: 34624479
DOI: 10.1016/j.ipej.2021.09.002 -
ESC Heart Failure Dec 2021While the interplay between heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been extensively studied, little is known regarding HF and atrial flutter (AFL), which... (Review)
Review
While the interplay between heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been extensively studied, little is known regarding HF and atrial flutter (AFL), which may be managed differently. We reviewed the incidence, prevalence, and predictors of HF in AFL and vice versa, and the outcomes of treatment of AFL in HF. A systematic literature review of PubMed/Medline and EMBASE yielded 65 studies for inclusion and qualitative synthesis. No study described the incidence or prevalence of AFL in unselected patients with HF. Most cohorts enrolled patients with AF/AFL as interchangeable diagnoses, or highly selected patients with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of HF in AFL ranged from 6% to 56%. However, the phenotype of HF was never defined by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). No studies reported the predictors, phenotype, and prognostic implications of AFL in HF. There was significant variation in treatments studied, including the proportion that underwent ablation. When systolic dysfunction was tachycardia-mediated, catheter ablation demonstrated LVEF normalization in up to 88%, as well as reduced cardiovascular mortality. In summary, AFL and HF often coexist but are understudied, with no randomized trial data to inform care. Further research is warranted to define the epidemiology and establish optimal management.
Topics: Atrial Flutter; Catheter Ablation; Heart Failure; Humans; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 34505352
DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.13526 -
Journal of Interventional Cardiac... Jan 2023Data regarding the age-specific outcomes of VT ablation in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) are scarce. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Data regarding the age-specific outcomes of VT ablation in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) are scarce. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the outcomes of VT ablation in elderly vs. younger patients with SHD.
METHODS
MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar and references comparing VT ablation in elderly vs. younger patients were screened and studies included if matching inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Five retrospective studies enrolling 2778 SHD patients (868 elderly vs. 1910 younger) were included. Compared to younger subjects, the elderly showed similar results in terms of acute ablation success (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.54-1.13, p = 0.189) and minor complications (OR 1.74, 95% CI 0.74-4.09, p = 0.205), a trend toward a higher risk of major complications (OR 2.30, 95% CI 0.83-6.40, p = 0.110) and significantly higher rates of all complications (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.51-4.71, p = 0.001) and periprocedural mortality (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.24-3.01, p = 0.004). At a mean follow-up of 18 months, elderly patients showed similar long-term VT recurrence rate (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.85-1.22, p = 0.861) and higher all-cause mortality (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.40-2.86, p < 0.001). In elderly patients, urgent VT ablation is associated with higher risk of major complications (beta = 0.06, p < 0.001) and periprocedural mortality (beta = 0.03, p = 0.029), while advanced age is associated with higher risk of major complications (beta = 0.29 with p = 0.009) and all complications + periprocedural mortality (beta = 0.17 with p = 0.037).
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to younger patients, VT ablation in elderly showed similar results in terms of acute ablation success and long-term VT recurrence rate with a significantly higher risk of all complications, periprocedural mortality, and long-term mortality, especially when the procedure is performed urgently and in the most aged patients. Large prospective multicenter randomized trials are required to confirm these findings.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Heart Diseases; Catheter Ablation; Treatment Outcome; Recurrence; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 34436722
DOI: 10.1007/s10840-021-01007-w -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2021The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies of the association of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and atrial fibrillation (AF), especially the...
The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies of the association of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and atrial fibrillation (AF), especially the predictive and prognostic role of LVH. We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception through 10 April 2020. A total of 16 cohorts (133,091 individuals) were included. Compared with the normal subjects, patients with LVH were more susceptible to AF (RR = 1.46, 95% CI, 1.32-1.60). In patients with AF and LVH, there was a higher risk of all-cause mortality during 3.95 years (RR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.42-1.79), and these patients were more likely to progress to persistent or paroxysmal AF (RR = 1.45, 95% CI, 1.20-1.76) than were patients without LVH. After catheter ablation of AF, patients with LVH were more likely to recur (RR = 1.58, 95% CI, 1.27-1.95). LVH is strongly associated with AF and has a negative impact on outcome in patients with AF.
PubMed: 34395549
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.639993 -
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Sep 2021Several studies have suggested stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR) as a treatment option for patients suffering from therapy-refractory ventricular tachycardia...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Several studies have suggested stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR) as a treatment option for patients suffering from therapy-refractory ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We performed a systematic review of human reports of STAR for structural VT/VF to assess its effectivity and safety. All identified publications were assessed for inclusion. This study adheres to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020183044).
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included resulting in a population of 57 patients. Median age was 64 (range 34-83), 31 patients (54%) had ischemic cardiomyopathy and 50 patients (88%) had prior catheter ablation (CA) for VT/VF. A mean planned target volume of 64.4 cc (range 3.5-238) with a mean safety margin of 3.3 mm (0-5) was treated with 25 Gy. Immediately following STAR, four patients (7%) experienced an electrical storm. During a mean follow-up duration of 410 days, all patients suffering from sustained VT/VF prior to STAR (n = 55) had a reduction of their sustained VT/VF-burden after STAR, but recurrence occurred in 41 patients (75%) during follow-up. Forty-six patients (81%) had an adverse effect from therapy, but no treatment-related death occurred. Evidence of scar-formation after STAR either by imaging, invasive mapping or histopathology was found in six of nine examined patients (67%).
CONCLUSION
From the still very limited experience, STAR appears effective and safe in patients with structural heart disease and therapy-refractory sustained VT/VF. It is associated with a significant short-term reduction of sustained VT/VF-burden, but recurrences are common.
Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Catheter Ablation; Humans; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia; Recurrence; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34233215
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.06.036