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HeartRhythm Case Reports May 2024
Catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions from the anterior papillary muscle of the tricuspid valve: A case report of a combined ECG imaging and remote magnetic navigation approach.
PubMed: 38799601
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2023.12.020 -
HeartRhythm Case Reports May 2024
PubMed: 38799590
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2024.02.013 -
Journal of Cardiovascular Development... May 2024Heart failure (HF) presents a significant global health challenge recognised by frequent hospitalisation and high mortality rates. The assessment of left ventricular... (Review)
Review
Heart failure (HF) presents a significant global health challenge recognised by frequent hospitalisation and high mortality rates. The assessment of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) plays a crucial role in diagnosing and predicting outcomes in HF, leading to its classification into preserved (HFpEF), reduced (HFrEF), and mildly reduced (HFmrEF) EF. HFmrEF shares features of both HFrEF and HFpEF but also exhibits distinct characteristics. Despite advancements, managing HFmrEF remains challenging due to its diverse presentation. Large-scale studies are needed to identify the predictors of clinical outcomes and treatment responses. Utilising biomarkers for phenotyping holds the potential for discovering new treatment targets. Given the uncertainty surrounding optimal management, individualised approaches are imperative for HFmrEF patients. This chapter examines HFmrEF, discusses the rationale for its re-classification, and elucidates HFmrEF's key attributes. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive review of current treatment strategies for HFmrEF patients.
PubMed: 38786970
DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11050148 -
Cureus Apr 2024Impella 5.5 (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA, USA) is a surgically implanted mechanical circulatory support device that helps support hemodynamically compromised patients. The...
Impella 5.5 (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA, USA) is a surgically implanted mechanical circulatory support device that helps support hemodynamically compromised patients. The device's risks and benefits must be entirely known, especially in the electrophysiology lab. Due to unexpected hemodynamic changes during pace mapping and ablation, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) and asystole, it is sometimes necessary to implement chemical support with inotropic agents such as epinephrine or mechanical support with devices such as an Impella. We present the case of a 72-year-old male with a biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) placed for refractory VT presenting for VT ablation. He had ischemic cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 33% and medical history of cardiac sarcoidosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, pulmonary embolism, left bundle branch block, and coronary artery disease. Due to the nature of the procedure and his history of arrhythmia, the patient was deemed a candidate for Impella 5.5. After evaluating patient risk factors, the cardiothoracic anesthesia team developed a strategic approach with imaging (including radiographic and echocardiographic imaging), Impella monitoring, and pharmacologic management with inotropes and vasopressors, allowing for uncomplicated perioperative management during the ablation. Given the procedure's intricacies and the patient's arrhythmia history, the medical team identified the patient as suitable for Impella 5.5 due to better performance and greater cardiac output than Impella 2.5 (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA, USA). Following a thorough assessment of the patient's risk factors, the cardiothoracic anesthesia team devised a comprehensive strategy to facilitate smooth perioperative management during the ablation, minimizing complications. The VT ablation procedure was performed successfully and effectively terminated the arrhythmia. However, the patient developed multifaceted postoperative complications, including cardiogenic shock, hemorrhagic shock, dyspnea, anemia, gastrointestinal abnormalities, and sepsis. This case represents a highly complex patient scenario under the care of the cardiovascular anesthesiologist due to the nature of the procedure and numerous cardiovascular comorbidities, low ejection fraction, ICD placement, and malignant ventricular arrhythmia. We discuss the various perioperative management strategies and how they are tailored to such patients, including pharmacologic intervention, anesthesia administration, imaging modalities, and postoperative care. The purpose of this case report is to delineate the role of Impella 5.5 in perioperative care for high-risk VT ablation patients. We discuss the progression, pathophysiology, and management of this patient's multisystem complications following the procedure. We also highlight the use of Impella 5.5 in the electrophysiology lab and the anesthesia considerations, safeguards, and management strategies to optimize perioperative outcomes and avoid complications.
PubMed: 38770455
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58642 -
Kardiologia Polska May 2024
Peak frequency analysis and differentiation of near-field from far-field electrograms of the ventricular tachycardia circuit leads to successful ablation of the arrhythmia.
PubMed: 38767165
DOI: 10.33963/v.phj.100569 -
HeartRhythm Case Reports Apr 2024
PubMed: 38766616
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2024.01.003 -
JACC. Case Reports Jun 2024Catheter ablation of septal ventricular tachycardia (VT) is challenging. Pulsed field ablation is a promising technology, potentially reaching deep substrates. We report...
Catheter ablation of septal ventricular tachycardia (VT) is challenging. Pulsed field ablation is a promising technology, potentially reaching deep substrates. We report the first sequential unipolar biventricular pulsed field ablation targeting refractory septal VT. Besides, we illustrate the importance of searching underlying cardiomyopathy in patients with recurrent multiple morphology VTs and normal magnetic resonance imaging.
PubMed: 38764571
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2024.102356 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports May 2024Left ventricular (LV) summit arrhythmias account for up to 14% of LV arrhythmias. The ablation of LV summit arrhythmias is challenging, as testified by the fact that...
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular (LV) summit arrhythmias account for up to 14% of LV arrhythmias. The ablation of LV summit arrhythmias is challenging, as testified by the fact that radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation failure is frequent. Retrograde coronary venous ethanol infusion has been proposed as an alternative approach for the ablation of LV summit arrhythmias.
CASE SUMMARY
A 47-year-old man with Lamin A/C cardiomyopathy was referred for the ablation of a pleiomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm, with dominant morphology compatible with LV summit origin. He first received a combined endo- and epicardial RF ablation with the elimination of three clinically relevant VTs. However, the dominant VT could not be ablated due to the proximity of the coronary vasculature and phrenic nerve and remained inducible. Accordingly, an urgent rescue redo procedure consisting of retrograde coronary venous ethanol ablation was performed. Based on the best pace-match and precocity, the first septal, retro-pulmonary branch and the first diagonal branch were infused with ethanol with immediate cessation of the tachycardia and non-inducibility. Anti-arrhythmic drugs were withdrawn, while guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure was continued. No complications occurred. After 3 months, the patient remained free from any arrythmias.
DISCUSSION
Ablation of LV summit arrythmias is challenging, especially in the context of an electrical storm or in patients with structural heart disease. In such a situation, rescue ablation with retrograde coronary venous ethanol infusion represents an attractive alternative ablation modality.
PubMed: 38756545
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae235 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders May 2024Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is the primary cause of sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the strategy for VT treatment in... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is the primary cause of sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the strategy for VT treatment in HCM patients remains unclear. This study is aimed to compare the effectiveness of catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy for sustained VT in patients with HCM.
METHODS
A total of 28 HCM patients with sustained VT at 4 different centers between December 2012 and December 2021 were enrolled. Twelve underwent catheter ablation (ablation group) and sixteen received AAD therapy (AAD group). The primary outcome was VT recurrence during follow-up.
RESULTS
Baseline characteristics were comparable between two groups. After a mean follow-up of 31.4 ± 17.5 months, the primary outcome occurred in 35.7% of the ablation group and 90.6% of the AAD group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29 [95%CI, 0.10-0.89]; P = 0.021). No differences in hospital admission due to cardiovascular cause (25.0% vs. 71.0%; P = 0.138) and cardiovascular cause-related mortality/heart transplantation (9.1% vs. 50.6%; P = 0.551) were observed. However, there was a significant reduction in the composite endpoint of VT recurrence, hospital admission due to cardiovascular cause, cardiovascular cause-related mortality, or heart transplantation in ablation group as compared to that of AAD group (42.9% vs. 93.7%; HR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.12-0.95]; P = 0.029).
CONCLUSIONS
In HCM patients with sustained VT, catheter ablation reduced the VT recurrence, and the composite endpoint of VT recurrence, hospital admission due to cardiovascular cause, cardiovascular cause-related mortality, or heart transplantation as compared to AAD.
Topics: Humans; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Catheter Ablation; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Treatment Outcome; Recurrence; Time Factors; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Aged; Heart Rate; China
PubMed: 38755595
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03924-w -
Circulation. Arrhythmia and... May 2024- Endocardial catheter-based pulsed field ablation (PFA) of the ventricular myocardium is promising. However, little is known about PFA's ability to target...
- Endocardial catheter-based pulsed field ablation (PFA) of the ventricular myocardium is promising. However, little is known about PFA's ability to target intracavitary structures, epicardium, and ways to achieve transmural lesions across thick ventricular tissue. - A lattice-tip catheter was used to deliver biphasic monopolar PFA to swine ventricles under general anesthesia, with electroanatomical mapping, fluoroscopy and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) guidance. We conducted experiments to assess the feasibility and safety of repetitive monopolar PFA applications to ablate: i) intracavitary papillary muscles and moderator bands, ii) epicardial targets, and iii) bipolar PFA for midmyocardial targets in the interventricular septum and left ventricular (LV) free wall. - i) Papillary muscles (n=13) were successfully ablated and then evaluated at 2, 7 and 21 days. Nine lesions with stable contact measured 18.3≥2.4 mm long, 15.3≥1.5 mm wide, and 5.8≥1.0 mm deep at 2 days. Chronic lesions demonstrated preserved chordae without mitral regurgitation. Two targeted moderator bands were transmurally ablated without structural disruption. ii) Transatrial saline/carbon dioxide assisted epicardial access was obtained successfully and epicardial monopolar lesions had a mean length, width, and depth of 30.4≥4.2 mm, 23.5≥4.1 mm, and 9.1≥1.9 mm, respectively. iii) Bipolar PFA lesions were delivered across the septum (n=11) and the LV free wall (n=7). Twelve completed bipolar lesions had a mean length, width, and depth of 29.6≥5.5 mm, 21.0≥7.3 mm, and 14.3≥4.7 mm, respectively. Chronically, these lesions demonstrated uniform fibrotic changes without tissue disruption. Bipolar lesions were significantly deeper than the monopolar epicardial lesions. - This in vivo evaluation demonstrates that PFA can successfully ablate intracavitary structures, create deep epicardial lesions and transmural LV lesions.
PubMed: 38753535
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCEP.124.012734