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Clinical Cardiology Feb 2024Identifying the underlying cause of unexplained syncope is crucial for appropriate management of recurrent syncopal episodes. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Identifying the underlying cause of unexplained syncope is crucial for appropriate management of recurrent syncopal episodes. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) have emerged as valuable diagnostic tools for monitoring patients with unexplained syncope. However, the predictors of pacemaker requirement in patients with ILR and unexplained syncope remain unclear. In this study, we shed light on these prognostic factors. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL were systematically searched until May 04, 2023. Studies that evaluated the predictors of pacemaker requirement in patients with implantable loop recorder and unexplained syncope were included. The "Quality In Prognosis Studies" appraisal tool was used for quality assessment. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated. The publication bias was evaluated using Egger's and Begg's tests. Ten studies (n = 4200) were included. Right bundle branch block (OR: 3.264; 95% CI: 1.907-5.588, p < .0001) and bifascicular block (OR: 2.969; 95% CI: 1.859-4.742, p < .0001) were the strongest predictors for pacemaker implantation. Pacemaker requirement was more than two times in patients with atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia and first degree AV block. Valvular heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were also significantly more in patients with pacemaker implantation. Age (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.560; 95% CI: 0.410/0.710, p < .0001) and PR interval (SMD: 0.351; 95% CI: 0.150/0.553, p = .001) were significantly higher in patients with pacemaker requirement. Heart conduction disorders, atrial arrhythmias and underlying medical conditions are main predictors of pacemaker device implantation following loop recorder installation in unexplained syncopal patients.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Atrioventricular Block; Bundle-Branch Block; Heart Valve Diseases; Pacemaker, Artificial
PubMed: 38402528
DOI: 10.1002/clc.24221 -
World Journal of Cardiology Jan 2024Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a novel pacing modality of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) that achieves more physiologic native ventricular activation than...
BACKGROUND
Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a novel pacing modality of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) that achieves more physiologic native ventricular activation than biventricular pacing (BiVP).
AIM
To explore the validity of electromechanical resynchronization, clinical and echocardiographic response of LBBP-CRT.
METHODS
Systematic review and Meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the standard guidelines as mentioned in detail in the methodology section.
RESULTS
In our analysis, the success rate of LBBP-CRT was determined to be 91.1%. LBBP-CRT significantly shortened QRS duration, with significant improvement in echocardiographic parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter in comparison with BiVP-CRT.
CONCLUSION
A significant reduction in New York Heart Association class and B-type natriuretic peptide levels was also observed in the LBBP-CRT group BiVP-CRT group. Lastly, the LBBP-CRT cohort had a reduced pacing threshold at follow-up as compared to BiVP-CRT.
PubMed: 38313392
DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v16.i1.40 -
CJC Open Dec 2023Electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria to detect left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) remain under debate. We conducted a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria to detect left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) remain under debate. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different ECG criteria for diagnosing LVH in patients with LBBB.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS for articles evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of ECG criteria for LVH in patients with LBBB published between 1984 and 2023. Echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging, or autopsy were used as the reference standard for diagnosis of LVH. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. The co-primary outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, the diagnostic odds ratio, and likelihood ratios, estimated using a bivariate generalized linear mixed model for each ECG criterion. The prespecified protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).
RESULTS
We included 12 studies with a total of 1023 patients. We analyzed 10 criteria for LVH on ECG, including the Sokolow-Lyon criterion, the Cornell criterion, the RaVL (R wave in aVL) criterion, the Gubner-Ungerleider criterion, and the Dálfo criterion, among others. The Dalfó criterion was used for 487 patients and had the highest pooled sensitivity of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] 57%-97%). All the other criteria had poor sensitivities. The Gubner-Ungerleider criterion and the RV5 or RV6 > 25 mm criterion had the highest specificities, with the former being used for 805 patients, obtaining a specificity of 99% (95% CI 80%-100%) and the latter being used for 355 patients, obtaining a specificity of 99% (95% CI 94%-100%).
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with LBBB, the use of ECG criteria had poor performance for ruling out LVH, mostly due to low sensitivities. None of the criteria analyzed demonstrated a balanced tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity, suggesting that ECG should not be used routinely to screen for LVH.
PubMed: 38204852
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2023.08.010 -
Cureus Nov 2023Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is a critical aspect of surgical management for patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). Determining an optimal timeframe for... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is a critical aspect of surgical management for patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). Determining an optimal timeframe for intervention is imperative, as it directly impacts long-term outcomes and the risk of complications in ToF patients. Ventriculotomy with the transannular patch is currently indicated for right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, but the patch itself can lead to pulmonary regurgitation (PR), dyspnea, and cyanosis, among other complications. This investigation seeks to establish an evidence-based timeline to enhance the overall quality of care for individuals with this congenital heart condition. From 2002 to 2022, 21,935 articles regarding the PVR timing for ToF were examined and filtered. The publications were screened using PRISMA guidelines, and 32 studies were included for analysis and review. Among the studies, PVR was strongly indicated for patients who had developed severe PR, especially in asymptomatic patients and those experiencing fatigue and exercise intolerance. Severe PR was associated with arrhythmias such as right bundle branch block, atrioventricular block, and prolonged QRS intervals, in which male sex and high right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) were significant predictors of long preoperative QRS duration. Most physicians found RVEDV necessary for making surgical referrals despite a lack of correlation between PR severity and RVEDV or indexed right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESVi). However, asymptomatic ToF patients with preoperative RVESVi benefited from PVR. Except for some variations in QRS intervals among studies, arrhythmias tended to persist post-op, yet NYHA functional class and RV size improved significantly following PVR. Older age at PVR was found to be associated with adverse cardiac events, whereas early PVR presented with appropriately short QRS intervals. Cardiac function tended to be significantly worse in patients undergoing late PVR versus early PVR, with timelines ranging from one to three decades following initial ToF repair. Choosing the best timeline for PVR largely depends on the patient's baseline cardiopulmonary presentation, and additional quantitative deformation analysis can help predict an appropriate timeline for ToF patients.
PubMed: 38156158
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49577 -
Heart Rhythm O2 Nov 2023Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) may offer greater physiological benefits than traditional biventricular pacing (BiVP). However, there are limited data comparing...
BACKGROUND
Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) may offer greater physiological benefits than traditional biventricular pacing (BiVP). However, there are limited data comparing the efficacy of LBBAP vs BiVP in patients with systolic heart failure (HF).
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the feasibility and electromechanical and clinical outcomes of both LBBAP and BiVP.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of studies retrieved from various databases including PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials (CENTRAL) published up to May 22, 2023. The risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively.
RESULTS
We included 12 studies with a total of 3004 patients (LBBAP = 1242, BiVP = 1762). Pooled results showed that LBBAP resulted in a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (SMD 0.40, 95% CI 0.25, 0.54, .00001), echocardiographic response (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.29, .0001), improvement in New York Heart Association functional class (SMD -0.44, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.23, .0001), QRS duration reduction (SMD -0.90, 95% CI -1.14 to -0.66, .00001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter reduction (SMD -0.31, 95% CI -0.57 to -0.05, .02), fewer HF hospitalizations (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.62, 0.85, .0001), and improved survival (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58, 0.92, .007). In addition, LBBAP was associated with shorter fluoroscopy time (SMD -0.94, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.47, .0001) and lower pacing threshold at implantation (SMD -1.03, 95% CI -1.32 to -0.74, .00001) and at 6 months (SMD -1.44, 95% CI -2.11 to -0.77, .0001) as compared with BiVP.
CONCLUSION
Compared with BiVP, LBBAP was associated with better electromechanical and clinical outcomes, including left ventricular ejection fraction, QRS duration, echocardiographic response, New York Heart Association functional class, HF hospitalization, and all-cause mortality in patients with systolic HF.
PubMed: 38034886
DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2023.06.011 -
Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology... Jan 2024This systematic review of literature aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dual-chamber ICDs for LBBAP in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review of literature aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dual-chamber ICDs for LBBAP in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB).
METHODS
Digital databases were searched systematically to identify studies reporting the left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement in patients with LBBB. Detailed study and patient-level baseline characteristics including the type of study, sample size, follow-up, number of cases, age, gender, and baseline characteristics were abstracted.
RESULTS
In a total of three studies, 34 patients were included in this review. There was a significant improvement reported in QRS duration in all studies. The mean QRS duration at baseline was 170 ± 17.4 ms, whereas the follow-up QRS duration at follow-up was 121 ± 17.3 ms. Two studies reported a significant improvement of 50% in LVEF from baseline. No lead-related complications or arrhythmic events were recorded in any study. The findings of the systematic review suggest that dual-chamber ICD for LBBAP is a promising intervention for patients with heart conditions.
CONCLUSION
The procedure offers significant improvements in QRS duration and LVEF, and there were no lead-related complications or arrhythmic events recorded in any of the studies.
Topics: Humans; Defibrillators, Implantable; Electrocardiography; Heart Conduction System; Pacemaker, Artificial; Bundle-Branch Block; Treatment Outcome; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Bundle of His; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
PubMed: 37997513
DOI: 10.1111/anec.13098 -
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 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2022Although right ventricular pacing (RVP) is recommended by most of the guidelines for atrioventricular block, it can cause electrical and mechanical desynchrony, impair...
A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing left bundle branch pacing, his bundle branch pacing, and right ventricular pacing for atrioventricular block.
BACKGROUND
Although right ventricular pacing (RVP) is recommended by most of the guidelines for atrioventricular block, it can cause electrical and mechanical desynchrony, impair left ventricular function, and increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Recently, the His-Purkinje system pacing, including His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch pacing (LBBP), has emerged as a physiological pacing modality. However, few studies have compared their efficacy and safety in atrioventricular block (AVB).
METHODS AND RESULTS
The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases were searched for observational studies and randomized trials of patients with atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacing, from database inception until 10 January 2022. The primary outcomes were complications and heart failure hospitalization. The secondary outcomes included changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), pacing parameters, procedure duration, and success rate. After extracting the data at baseline and the longest follow-up duration available, a pairwise meta-analysis and a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis were performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) or 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were calculated for dichotomous outcomes, whereas mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs or 95% CrIs were calculated for continuous outcomes. Seven studies and 1,069 patients were included. Overall, 43.4% underwent LBBP, 33.5% HBP, and 23.1% RVP. Compared with RVP, LBBP and HBP were associated with a shorter paced QRS duration and a more preserved LVEF. HBP significantly increased the pacing threshold and reduced the R-wave amplitude. There was no difference in the risk of complications or the implant success rate. The pacing threshold remained stable during follow-up for the three pacing modalities. The pacing impedance was significantly reduced in HBP, while a numerical but non-significant pacing impedance decrease was observed in both LBBP and RVP. LBBP was associated with an increased R-wave amplitude during follow-up.
CONCLUSION
In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, HBP and LBBP were superior to RVP in paced QRS duration and preservation of LVEF for patients with atrioventricular block. LBBP was associated with a lower pacing threshold and a greater R-wave amplitude than HBP. However, the stability of the pacing output of LBBP may be a concern. Further investigation of the long-term efficacy in left ventricular function and the risk of heart failure hospitalization is needed.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=315046], identifier [CRD42022315046].
PubMed: 36386361
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.939850 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by skin and internal organ fibrosis and microvascular impairment, which can affect major organs,... (Review)
Review
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by skin and internal organ fibrosis and microvascular impairment, which can affect major organs, including the heart. Arrhythmias are responsible for approximately 6% of deaths in patients with SSc, and mainly occur due to myocardial fibrosis, which causes electrical inhomogeneity. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in SSc cohorts, and to identify the characteristics and risk factors associated with the occurrence of dysrhythmias in patients with SSc. A systematic literature review using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus databases was performed. Full-text articles in English with arrhythmias as the main topic published until 21 April 2022 were included. Most prevalent arrhythmias were premature supraventricular and ventricular contractions, while the most frequent conduction disturbance was represented by right bundle branch block (RBBB). Elevated concentrations of N-terminal prohormones of brain natriuretic peptides (NT-pro BNP) were associated with numerous types of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and with the occurrence of RBBB. A lower value of the turbulence slope (TS) emerged as an independent predictor for ventricular arrhythmias. In conclusion, dysrhythmias are frequent in SSc cohorts. Paraclinical and laboratory parameters are useful instruments that could lead to early diagnosis in the course of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Electrocardiography; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Heart; Scleroderma, Systemic; Autoimmune Diseases
PubMed: 36361752
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112963 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Mar 2023Guidelines recommend patients undergoing a first pacemaker implant who have even mild left ventricular (LV) impairment should receive biventricular or conduction system... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Guidelines recommend patients undergoing a first pacemaker implant who have even mild left ventricular (LV) impairment should receive biventricular or conduction system pacing (CSP). There is no corresponding recommendation for patients who already have a pacemaker. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies assessing device upgrades. The primary outcome was the echocardiographic change in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Six RCTs (randomizing 161 patients) and 47 observational studies (2644 patients) assessing the efficacy of upgrade to biventricular pacing were eligible for analysis. Eight observational studies recruiting 217 patients of CSP upgrade were also eligible. Fourteen additional studies contributed data on complications (25 412 patients). Randomized controlled trials of biventricular pacing upgrade showed LVEF improvement of +8.4% from 35.5% and observational studies: +8.4% from 25.7%. Observational studies of left bundle branch area pacing upgrade showed +11.1% improvement from 39.0% and observational studies of His bundle pacing upgrade showed +12.7% improvement from 36.0%. New York Heart Association class decreased by -0.4, -0.8, -1.0, and -1.2, respectively. Randomized controlled trials of biventricular upgrade found improvement in Minnesota Heart Failure Score (-6.9 points) and peak oxygen uptake (+1.1 mL/kg/min). This was also seen in observational studies of biventricular upgrades (-19.67 points and +2.63 mL/kg/min, respectively). In studies of the biventricular upgrade, complication rates averaged 2% for pneumothorax, 1.4% for tamponade, and 3.7% for infection over 24 months of mean follow-up. Lead-related complications occurred in 3.3% of biventricular upgrades and 1.8% of CSP upgrades. Randomized controlled trials show significant physiological and symptomatic benefits of upgrading pacemakers to biventricular pacing. Observational studies show similar effects between biventricular pacing upgrade and CSP upgrade.
Topics: Humans; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Cardiac Conduction System Disease; Heart Conduction System; Pacemaker, Artificial; Ventricular Function, Left; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Treatment Outcome; Heart Failure
PubMed: 36352513
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac188