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Clinical Cardiology Jan 2024Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common contemporary, treatable, genetic disorder that can be compatible with normal longevity. While current medical therapies are... (Review)
Review
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common contemporary, treatable, genetic disorder that can be compatible with normal longevity. While current medical therapies are ubiquitous, they are limited by a lack of solid evidence, are often inadequate, poorly tolerated, and do not alter the natural disease course. As such, there has long been a need for effective, evidence-based, and targeted disease-modifying therapies for HCM. In this review, we redefine HCM as a treatable condition, evaluate current strategies for therapeutic intervention, and discuss novel myosin inhibitors. The majority of patients with HCM have elevated left ventricular outflow tract gradients, which predicts worse symptoms and adverse outcomes. Conventional pharmacological therapies for symptomatic HCM can help improve symptoms but are often inadequate and poorly tolerated. Septal reduction therapies (surgical myectomy and alcohol septal ablation) can safely and effectively reduce refractory symptoms and improve outcomes in patients with obstructive HCM. However, they require expertise that is not universally available and are not without risks. Currently, available therapies do not alter the disease course or the progressive cardiac remodeling that ensues, nor subsequent heart failure and arrhythmias. This has been regarded as an unmet need in the care of HCM patients. Novel targeted pharmacotherapies, namely cardiac myosin inhibitors, have emerged to reverse key pathophysiological changes and alter disease course. Their favorable outcomes led to the early Food and Drug Administration approval of mavacamten, a first-in-class myosin modulator, changing the paradigm for the pharmacological treatment of HCM.
Topics: United States; Humans; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Heart; Disease Progression; Heart Failure; Myosins
PubMed: 38269637
DOI: 10.1002/clc.24207 -
Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology... 2024While atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has proven beneficial for heart failure (HF) patients, most reports were performed with radiofrequency ablation. We aimed to...
INTRODUCTION
While atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has proven beneficial for heart failure (HF) patients, most reports were performed with radiofrequency ablation. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cryoballoon AF ablation in patients with HFrEF.
METHOD
We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database from inception to December 2022. Studies that reported the outcomes of freedom from atrial arrhythmia, complications, NYHA functional class (NYHA FC), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after Cryoballoon AF ablation in HF patients were included. Data from each study were combined with a random-effects model.
RESULT
A total of 9 studies observational studies with 1414 HF patients were included. Five studies had only HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 1 study with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and others with mixed HF types. Freedom from AA in HFrEF at 12 months was 64% (95% CI 56-71%, I 58%). There was a significant improvement of LVEF in these patients with a standard mean difference of 13% (95% CI 8.6-17.5%, I 99% P < 0.001. The complication rate in HFrEF group was 6% (95% CI 4-10%, I 0%). The risk of recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was not significantly different between HF and no HF patients (RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.8-2.23, I2 76%).
CONCLUSION
Cryoballoon AF ablation is effective in HFrEF patients comparable to radiofrequency ablation. The complication rate was low.
PubMed: 38218450
DOI: 10.1016/j.ipej.2024.01.001 -
Journal of Arrhythmia Dec 2023Inherited Primary Arrhythmias Syndromes (IPAS), especially Brugada syndrome (BrS), have been associated with arrhythmogenic substrates that can be targeted through...
BACKGROUND
Inherited Primary Arrhythmias Syndromes (IPAS), especially Brugada syndrome (BrS), have been associated with arrhythmogenic substrates that can be targeted through ablation. This meta-analysis evaluated the outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) in different types of IPAS based on procedural guidance and location.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases to identify studies reporting on ventricular arrhythmia (VA) events before and after CA in IPAS, including BrS, Long-QT syndrome (LQTS), Early repolarization syndrome (ERS), and Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF). The primary outcomes were VA recurrence and VA burden, evaluated through conditional subgroup analysis. Procedural data were collected as secondary outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 21 studies involving 584 IPAS patients who underwent CA were included. Following a mean follow-up duration of 33.5 months, substrate-based ablation demonstrated efficacy in reducing VA recurrence across all types of IPAS [RR 0.23; 95% CI (0.13-0.39); < .001; = 74%]. However, activation guidance ablation was found to be effective only in IVF cases. Although recurrences still occurred, CA was successful in reducing VA burden [MD -4.70; 95% CI (-6.11-(-3.29); < .001; = 74%]. The mean size of arrhythmogenic substrate was 15.70 cm [95% CI (12.34-19.99 cm)], predominantly distributed in the epicardial right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in BrS cases and LQTS [Proportion 0.99; 95% CI (0.96-1.00) and Proportion 0.82; 95% CI ( 0.59-1.00), respectively].
CONCLUSION
Substrate-based CA has demonstrated effective prevention of VA and reduction in VA burden in IPAS cases.
PubMed: 38045449
DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12947 -
Clinical Cardiology Jan 2024The coexistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) with heart failure (HF) is prevalent, leading to severe complications. This review aimed to investigate the success rate and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The coexistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) with heart failure (HF) is prevalent, leading to severe complications. This review aimed to investigate the success rate and efficacy of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) by measuring the improvement in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and the effect on the left ventricular systolic function in patients with AF accompanied by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Electronic databases search included PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus in January 2023. Outcomes addressed the following: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement, AF recurrence, NYHA classification improvement, and mortality. STATA 17.0 software was used for data analysis. The effect size for the studies was a standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for outcomes. Proportion analysis with 95% CI was used for freedom from early AF and AF after 2 years and all-cause death. We included six studies, including 1699 HF patients with 365 HFrEF patients. The SMD of postoperative LVEF compared to preoperative LVEF in HFrEF was 0.99 ([95% CI: 0.60, 1.39], p = .00), and for NYHA was -1.12 ([95% CI: -1.36, -0.87], p = .00). The analysis results in HFrEF patients for freedom from AF after 1 year was 65% ([95% CI: 0.55, 0.75], and after 2 years was 39% ([95% CI: 0.10, 0.67]). Proportional analysis was conducted for all-cause death, resulting in 3% mortality ([95% CI: -0.01, 0.07]). Cryoablation of AF accompanied by HFrEF appeared safe as it reduced AF recurrence and enhanced clinical outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left; Heart Failure; Treatment Outcome; Catheter Ablation
PubMed: 37877802
DOI: 10.1002/clc.24177 -
JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology Jun 2023There is variability in treatment modalities for premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), including use of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy or catheter ablation (CA).... (Review)
Review
There is variability in treatment modalities for premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), including use of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy or catheter ablation (CA). This study reviewed evidence comparing CA vs AADs for the treatment of PVCs. A systematic review was performed from the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, as well as the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials database, and the European Union Clinical Trials Register. Five studies (1 randomized controlled trial) enrolling 1,113 patients (57.9% female) were analyzed. Four of five studies recruited mainly patients with outflow tract PVCs. There was significant heterogeneity in AAD choice. Electroanatomic mapping was used in 3 of 5 studies. No studies documented intracardiac echocardiography or contact force-sensing catheter use. Acute procedural endpoints varied (2 of 5 targeted elimination of all PVCs). All studies had significant potential for bias. CA seemed superior to AADs for PVC recurrence, frequency, and burden. One study reported long-term symptoms (CA superior). Quality of life or cost-effectiveness was not reported. Complication and adverse event rates were 0% to 5.6% for CA and 9.5% to 21% for AADs. Future randomized controlled trials will assess CA vs AADs for patients with PVCs without structural heart disease (ECTOPIA [Elimination of Ventricular Premature Beats with Catheter Ablation versus Optimal Antiarrhythmic Drug Treatment]), with impaired LVEF (PAPS [Prospective Assessment of Premature Ventricular Contractions Suppression in Cardiomyopathy] Pilot), and with structural heart disease (CAT-PVC [Catheter Ablation Versus Amiodarone for Therapy of Premature Ventricular Contractions in Patients With Structural Heart Disease]). In conclusion, CA seems to reduce recurrence, burden, and frequency of PVCs compared with AADs. There is a lack of data on patient- and health care-specific outcomes such as symptoms, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Several upcoming trials will offer important insights for management of PVCs.
Topics: Female; United States; Male; Humans; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Ventricular Premature Complexes; Australia; Heart Diseases; Catheter Ablation
PubMed: 37380322
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.01.035 -
Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi Arsivi : Turk... Jan 2023Surgical septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation are recommended treatment modalities for alleviating Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient in obstructive...
OBJECTIVE
Surgical septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation are recommended treatment modalities for alleviating Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient in obstructive HCM. Alcohol septal ablation offers advantages over surgery in many ways. However, it is associated with some life-threatening complications. For this purpose, our center used alternative agents for septal artery embolization. This study compared and evaluated conduction system defects and arrhythmia risk after EVOH-DMSO septal ablation with other alternative agents and alcohol septal ablation.
METHODS
Twenty-five patients who received septal reduction therapy with EVOH-DMSO were analyzed retrospectively, and all non-alcoholic agent's septal ablation studies were systematically reviewed and compared.
RESULTS
Twenty-five patients (52% female; mean age: 55.8 ± 17.1) with symptomatic obstructive HCM were enrolled. The Peak LVOT gradient was significantly reduced after the procedure (68 vs. 20 mmHg; P <0.001). During the 12-month follow-up, no mortality occurred. The complete atrioventricular block was noted in 2 (8%) patients. The incidence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) increased after the procedure (pre-procedural 2 patients (8%), post-procedural 9 patients (36%) P = 0.002). On ECG and Holter monitorization, no sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia occurred during follow-up, and no change was found in the frequency of atrial fibrillation. We systematically compared EVOH-DMSO to other non-alcohol agents, and we found that EVOH-DMSO can cause conduction system problems more commonly than other non-alcohol agents.
CONCLUSION
EVOH-DMSO could cause conduction system problems more common than other non-alcohol agents but less than alcohol septal ablation.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Bundle-Branch Block; Cardiac Conduction System Disease; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Heart Septum; Pilot Projects; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36689282
DOI: 10.5543/tkda.2022.69570 -
Heart Rhythm O2 Dec 2022Sex differences have diversely affected cardiac diseases. Little is known whether these differences impact outcomes of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT).
BACKGROUND
Sex differences have diversely affected cardiac diseases. Little is known whether these differences impact outcomes of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT).
OBJECTIVES
To assess the impact of sex differences on outcomes of catheter ablation of VT.
METHODS
Databases were searched from inception through December 2021. Effect estimates from individual studies were extracted and combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. The outcomes of interest included VT recurrence rates, all-cause mortality, and composite outcomes of mortality, left ventricular assistant device use, and heart transplantation following VT ablation.
RESULTS
Our analysis included 22 observational studies. There were 10,206 patients, of which 12.8% were women. We found no statistical difference between sexes for VT recurrence rate (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 1.04, .57, = 14.9%). Similarly, there was statistical difference in neither all-cause mortality nor composite outcomes (pooled HR 0.93, .75, = 59.1% and pooled HR 0.9, .33, = 0%, respectively). There was a trend toward an increase in women undergoing VT ablation in the recent registries ( .071).
CONCLUSION
Our contemporary analysis suggests that sex may have no impact on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation of VT in patients with structural heart disease, though women are the underrepresented. However, recent VT ablation registries have involved more women in their studies. Future studies with a higher proportion of women are encouraged to verify the current perception.
PubMed: 36588991
DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2022.09.009 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022With increasing evidence suggesting potential benefits, acupuncture is often applied to the treatment of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), particularly in...
Acupuncture for premature ventricular complexes without ischemic or structural heart diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and pre-clinical evidence.
BACKGROUND
With increasing evidence suggesting potential benefits, acupuncture is often applied to the treatment of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), particularly in symptomatic patients who fail or are unsuitable for medications or refuse catheter ablation. However, the existing clinical evidence is inconsistent.
OBJECTIVES
This review aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapies for PVCs without ischemic or structural heart diseases, when it is compared with sham/placebo acupuncture or usual care, or used as an add-on therapy to routine care; and to summarize existing pre-clinical research evidence supporting the effects of acupuncture therapies for this clinical condition.
METHODS
Four English-language databases, four Chinese-language databases and seven clinical registries were searched from their inceptions to May 21, 2021 and updated to November 01, 2022. Trials comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture or evaluating the add-on effects of acupuncture were included. Primary outcomes are the number of premature ventricular beats (PVBs) and effective rate defined as "the proportion of participants with over 50% decrease in the number of PVBs from baseline to the end of treatment measured by 24-h Holter".
RESULTS
A total of 479 records were identified with nine trials involving 847 participants included in this review. Meta-analysis on two sham-control trials with low risk of bias for all domains suggested that acupuncture could significantly reduce the number of PVBs (RR 3.83, 95% CI [2.19, 6.7], = 0%). Moreover, the combination of acupuncture and standard treatment was superior to standard treatment alone in reducing the burden of PVBs (RR 1.21, 95% CI [1.08, 1.36], = 0%). Though no treatment protocol consensus was announced, body acupuncture on point PC6, HT7, DU10, DU11, and ST36 with duration of needle retention ranging from 15 to 30 min for a 4-week treatment period is broadly used by the included trials. For experimental evidence, five studies explored the mechanisms of acupuncture for PVCs were eventually included into analysis and PC6 was the most frequently studied acupuncture point. Moreover, a reduction of electrical activity of sympathetic nerves in experimental animals undergoing electro-acupuncture was observed by four of these studies.
CONCLUSION
Sham-controlled RCT evidence with moderate-level certainty suggested that acupuncture could be a therapeutic option to reduce the burden of PVBs in patients without ischemic or structural heart diseases. Further clinical studies using validated and reliable outcome measurement instruments and bench research to unveil the mechanisms of acupuncture stimulation and point-specific effects for PVCs are needed.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=262132], identifier [CRD42021262132].
PubMed: 36569126
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1019051 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2022Catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) can improve outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Data on patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy...
Outcomes of early catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia in adult patients with structural heart disease and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
AIMS
Catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) can improve outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Data on patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy are scarce. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare early CA for VT to deferred or no ablation in patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Studies were selected according to the following PICOS criteria: patients with structural heart disease and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for VT, regardless of the antiarrhythmic drug treatment; intervention-early CA; comparison-no or deferred CA; outcomes-any appropriate ICD therapy, appropriate ICD shocks, all-cause mortality, VT storm, cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospitalizations, complications, quality of life; published randomized trials with follow-up ≥12 months. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed. Outcomes were assessed using aggregate study-level data and reported as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Stratification by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was also done. Eight trials ( = 1,076) met the criteria. Early ablation was associated with reduced incidence of ICD therapy (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33-0.83, = 0.005), shocks (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35-0.77, = 0.001), VT storm (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.85, = 0.006), and cardiovascular hospitalizations (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.92, = 0.01). All-cause and cardiovascular mortality, complications, and quality of life were not different. Stratification by LVEF showed a reduction of ICD therapy only with higher EF (high EF OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20-0.80, = 0.01 vs. low EF OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34-1.12, = 0.11), while ICD shocks (high EF OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.25-1.15, = 0.11 vs. low EF OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30-0.83, = 0.008) and hospitalizations (high EF OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.58-1.58, = 0.85 vs. low EF OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40-0.82, = 0.002) were reduced only in patients with lower EF.
CONCLUSION
Early CA for VT in patients with structural heart disease is associated with reduced incidence of ICD therapy and shocks, VT storm, and hospitalizations. There is no impact on mortality, complications, and quality of life. (The review protocol was registered with INPLASY on June 19, 2022, #202260080).
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://inplasy.com/], identifier [202260080].
PubMed: 36531738
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1063147 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2022To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of available trials regarding the outcomes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with non-ischemic...
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of available trials regarding the outcomes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM).
METHODS
A comprehensive database search of large four electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Institute for Scientific Information network meta-analysis, identified five studies enrolling 666 patients for patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) underwent catheter ablation (CA) for VT. The short-term outcomes assessed included procedural success, VT non-inducibility and procedural complications, whereas the long-term outcomes assessed included VT recurrence, heart transplantation, antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) use after ablation and death.
RESULTS
A total of 5 observational studies reported outcomes in 666 patients with NIDCM undergoing VT CA. The complete procedural success was moderately high; 65.5% of the patients (95% CI 0.402- 0.857, < 0.001) and the procedural complications occurred in 5.8% of the patients (95% CI 0.040-0.076, = 0.685). Epicardial mapping and ablation were performed among 61.5% and 37% of patients with NIDCM respectively. During a follow up period of 12 to 45 months, there were VT recurrence in 34.2% of the patients (95% CI 0.301-0.465, < 0.080), death in 20.2% of the patients (95% CI 0.059-0.283, < 0.017) and heart transplantation in 12.9% of the patients (95% CI -0.026-0.245, < 0.012).
CONCLUSION
Ventricular tachycardia CA is effective and safe approach for management of patients with NIDCM with the epicardial approach to be considered as initial strategy especially in presence of ECG and CMR findings suggestive of epicardial substrate. A multicenter randomized trial is crucial to look at the short- and long-term outcomes of VT ablation in NIDCM especially with the advances in mapping and ablation techniques and predictors of success.
PubMed: 36440030
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1007392