bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substrate guided ablation of idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract premature ventricular contractions in patients with low arrhythmia burden during the procedure
Authors: Parreira A.L , Marinheiro R , Carmo P , Mesquita D , Amador P , Farinha J , Chambel D , Marques L , Marques A , Fonseca M , Cavaco D , Adragao P
Published: November 2020

Background

Ablation of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) is currently based on activation mapping. This strategy is impaired by the absence or paucity of PVCs on the day of the procedure. Frequently, isolated diastolic potentials (DP) are present at the successful ablation site in sinus rhythm (SR), although their meaning is still a matter of debate.

Objective

Evaluate the feasibility and results of a substrate-based approach for ablation of idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) PVCs, in patients that present with a low PVC burden during the procedure.

Methods

We included 12 consecutive patients referred for ablation of frequent (>10000/24 hours) idiopathic PVCs from the RVOT that present with less than 2 PVCs/min in the beginning of the procedure. The ablation was based on fast mapping of the RVOT in SR looking for DPs, defined as isolated small amplitude potentials occurring after the T wave of the surface ECG in SR (Figure). The area with DPs was marked and a reduced activation mapping of the PVCs was done in that area. We evaluated the procedure time, mapping, fluoroscopy and radiofrequency (RF) application times. The number of points used for the maps, the area of DPs, local activation time and success rate. Values are presented as median (Q1-Q3). Electroanatomical mapping of the RVOT in SR was also performed in a control group of 10 subjects that underwent ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias, to evaluate the prevalence of DPs in subjects without PVCs.

Results

The number of PVCs during the procedure was 1 (0.1–1.6)/min. Both groups did not differ in relation to age or gender. Median age 45 (34–65) years, 6 males in the PVC group and 40 (33–65) years, 6 males in the control group, p=0.821 and p=0.231 respectively. The number of points sampled per RVOT map in SR was 400 (193–500) in the PVC group and 330 (277–425) in the control group, p=0.539. All patients in the study group had DPs in the RVOT. None of the control group subjects had DPs in the RVOT. Ablation data is presented in the Table. The acute success rate was 100%. After a median follow-up time of 4 (3–6) months one patient had recurrence.

Conclusion

In these group of patients with very low PVC burden during the procedure, this approach partially based on substrate mapping, made ablation of the PVCs feasible, in a fast and efficient way.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
The cholesterol paradox in atrial fibrillation: results from the LIPIDOGRAM 2015 study
Authors: Harrison S , Lip G.Y.H , Lane D.A , Mastej M , Kasperczyk S , Banach M , Jozwiak J.J
Published: November 2020

Background

High blood lipid levels are known risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, but associations between lipid levels and atrial fibrillation (AF) are unclear. Some previous studies have suggested an inverse association between lipid levels and AF referred to as the “cholesterol paradox”.

Purpose

To examine the prevalence of AF by differing lipid levels in a large population-based study of almost 14,000 adults in Poland.

Methods

The LIPIDOGRAM 2015 study is a cross-sectional study of adults aged 18 years and older recruited in Poland in 2015/2016 by 438 family physicians. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) for AF with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for participants with differing lipid profiles. Lipid measures including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and LDL/HDL ratios were grouped into quartiles with the lowest quartile as the reference group. Models were adjusted for potential confounding factors including age, sex, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, alcohol intake, regular physical activity, hypertension, antihypertensive medication use and treatment of dyslipidaemia.

Results

13,724 participants were recruited to the study, the median (interquartile range: IQR) age was 58.0 (47.7–65.8) years and 5.2% (n=708) had a diagnosis of AF, with a median (IQR) 3 (1–8) years since diagnosis. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a statistically significant lower prevalence of AF was estimated for participants in the highest quartile for LDL-C (PR (95% CI): 0.60 (0.48, 0.75) p<0.001), HDL-C (0.58 (0.46, 0.74), p<0.001), TC (0.61 (0.49, 0.75), p<0.001) and LDL/HDL ratio (0.75 (0.61, 0.94), p=0.010). No statistically significant difference in prevalence of AF was observed for participants in the highest quartile for TG levels compared to the lowest quartile for TG levels.

Conclusions

The prevalence of AF was lower for people with higher levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, TC and higher LDL/HDL ratios; some of the difference in prevalence was explained by controlling for confounding factors, but in multivariable models the association remained statistically significant. This research adds to the body of evidence which suggests an inverse relationship between cholesterol levels and AF-the “cholesterol paradox” for AF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Improved adherence to anticoagulant therapy with once-daily regimen: a real-world study in patients with atrial fibrillation in Germany
Authors: Yeh Y , Wang R , Marston X.L , Zimmermann L , Ye X , Gao X
Published: November 2020

Background

Adherence and persistence to non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are important to achieve optimal clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Dosing frequency may play a role in adherence and persistence to NOAC therapy. Among the NOACs that are currently available, edoxaban and rivaroxaban are given once daily (QD) while dabigatran and apixaban are given twice daily (BID).

Purpose

The objective of the study was to compare the adherence and persistence in AF patients receiving QD versus BID NOAC regimens in Germany.

Methods

Using an administrative database from our institution (Deutsche Analysedatenbank für Evaluation und Versorgungsforschung) between January 2013 and December 2017, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the 6-month adherence in NOAC-naïve AF patients who initiated anticoagulant therapy. Continuous enrolment for 12 months before anticoagulant initiation was required to assess baseline characteristics. Adherence was measured using proportion of days covered (PDC) and medication possession ratio (MPR). Proportions of patients with PDC ≥80% and MPR ≥80% were also measured. Treatment discontinuation was defined as a prescription supply gap of ≥90 days. Inverse probability treatment weighting using propensity score was applied to control for differences in baseline characteristics.

Results

A total of 8249 (1236 edoxaban, 7013 rivaroxaban) and 7359 (6053 apixaban, 1306 dabigatran) patients who received QD and BID regimens were included. The two regimen groups were well balanced after weighting. Patients who received QD regimens had a significantly higher mean PDC at 6 months compared to those who received BID regimens (0.78 vs. 0.72, p<0.05). The proportion of patients with PDC ≥80% was significantly higher for QD versus BID regimens (65.3% vs. 49.6%, p<0.05). Similarly, the mean MPR was higher for QD versus BID regimens (0.81 vs. 0.74, p<0.05), with more QD patients having MPR ≥80% than BID patients (69.5% vs. 53.3%, p<0.05). Six-month persistence rates were comparable between the two regimen groups (73.4% vs. 74.2%, p=0.13).

Conclusions

Adherence to once-daily regimens of NOAC was significantly higher compared to adherence to twice-daily NOAC regimens. Future research is needed to examine the relationship between adherence to NOAC treatment and clinical outcomes in AF patients, and factors affecting persistence.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): This study was sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo Inc
Long-term clinical outcome of chronic structural remodeling in atrial fibrillation patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Baek Y.S , Choi S.H , Park S.D , Kwon S.W , Shin S.H , Woo S.I , Kim D.H , Kwan J
Published: November 2020

Background

Patients who have progressed to chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) usually presented both atrial remodeling coexisting elevated pulmonary arterial pressure without other secondary causes.

Purpose

The aim of our study was to assessed the impact of progression to chronic structural remodeling in AF patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on long-term clinical outcome including all-cause mortality or hospital admission.

Methods

We enrolled 5,585 consecutive AF patients (≥19 years, mean age 66±13 years, 41.1% female) in a tertiary hospital from 2007 to January 2017. Chronic AF structural remodeling (CAFR) was defined as both atrial enlargements including left atrial antero-posterior diameter ≥50mm, pulmonary arterial pressure ≥35mmHg and LVEF ≥50% on transthoracic echocardiography. AF patients with preserved LVEF were divided into two groups: group 1 (1,102 patients with CAFR) and group 2 (1,661 patients without CAFR).

Results

There were no significant differences in age (p=0.330), female (p=0.609), LVEF (p=0.607) and the proportions of comorbidities including hypertension (p=0.226), diabetes mellitus (p=0.751) and heart failure (HF) (p=0.054) between two groups. Mean follow-up durations were 77.6±42.2 (group 1) and 65.6±35.7 (group 2) months, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed a significant difference in hospitalization for HF (Log-rank p<0.001), but there was a significant difference in any cause death (Log-rank p=0.182) between two groups. In Cox proportional-hazards models, after adjusting relevant risk factors, chronic kidney disease (hazards ratio [HR] 1.89, 95% CI 1.48–2.41, p<0.001) and CAFR (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11–1.59, p=0.001) with admission for HF.

Conclusion

This study suggests that progressive structural atrial remodeling in AF patients with preserved LVEF is independently associated long-term clinical worse outcome of hospitalization for HF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Activation of inflammatory/coagulation system following electrical cardioversion of patient with recent onset atrial fibrillation: an explorative study of the relation to white matter hyperintensities
Authors: Arvanitis P , Johansson A.K , Frick M , Malmborg H , Larsson E.M , Blomstrom Lundqvist C
Published: November 2020

Background

White matter hyperintensities (WMH), assessed using Fazekas scale, are more prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), although its pathophysiologic mechanism(s) is unclear.

Purpose

The study objective was to explore the association between cardiac, inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers and white matter hyperintensities in anticoagulant-naïve patients following electrical cardioversion (CV) of recent onset AF.

Methods

Patients with AF duration <48 hours were prospectively included. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TNT), NT-proBNP, Interleukin 6, P-selectin, D-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1+2, von Willebrand factor Ag, coagulation factor VIII C and fibrinogen, were obtained sequentially prior, after (2–4 hours) and 7–10 days following CV. Repeated measure analysis of variance was performed.

Results

Forty-three patients (84% males), aged 55±9.6 years, (mean±SD) with median CHA2DS2-VASc score 1 (interquartile range 0–1) were included. Sequential MRI showed no new brain lesions after CV, while WMH were present at baseline in 21/43 (49%) patients. Repeated measure analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant overall change for hs-TNT: F(2,84)=6.056, p=0.03, NT-proBNP: F(2,84)=106.02, p<0.001, P-selectin: F(2,84)=8.69, p<0.001 and vWF:Ag: F(2,84)=4.078, p=0.02. CRP, IL-6, coagulation factor VIII-C and fibrinogen showed the same pattern, however none reached statistical significance. Patients with WMH had persistent higher values for CRP, hs-TNT, D-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1+2 and fibrinogen prior and after CV, as values at 7–10 days coincided; however, statistical interaction was not significant.

Conclusion

Transient activation of inflammatory and coagulation systems during atrial fibrillation subsides within 7–10 days after electric cardioversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation. A tendency of higher degree of activation during atrial fibrillation was observed in patients with white matter hyperintensities.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, Swedish Research Council, Correvio International Sárl (Geneva Switzerland), Selanders Stiftelse
Compliance of atrial fibrillation treatment with the ABC pathway in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus in the Middle East based on the Gulf SAFE registry
Authors: Domek M.G , Gumprecht J.J , Li Y.G , Rashed W , Al Qudaimi A , Amin H , Gumprecht J.M , Lip G.Y.H
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) constitute a heavy burden on healthcare expenditure due to their negative impact on clinical outcomes in patients. DM is highly prevalent in the Middle East. The Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway provides a simple step-by-step strategy with an integrated, holistic approach to AF management: A, Avoid stroke (Anticoagulation); B, Better symptom management; C, Cardiovascular and comorbidity risk management.

Aim

Evaluation of the AF treatment compliance to ABC pathway regimen in patients with DM based on a large real-world registry from the Middle East region. We assessed the impact of ABC-pathway compliance on all-cause mortality and the composite outcome of stroke or systemic embolism, all-cause death and cardiovascular hospitalizations.

Methods

From 2043 patients in the Gulf SAFE registry, 603 patients with DM were included in an analysis of compliance with components of the ABC pathway: A, oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥1 (≥2 in females); B, AF symptoms according to the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score; C, Optimized management of cardiovascular comorbidities e.g. blood pressure control, statins for vascular disease, etc.

Results

From 606 patients, 86 (14.3%) patients were treated in compliance with the ABC pathway. During 1-year follow-up, 207 composite outcome events and 87 deaths occurred. Mortality was significantly lower in the ABC-adherent group vs non-ABC compliant (5.8% vs 15.9%, p=0.0014, respectively) (Figure). On multivariate analysis, ABC-adherent management was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death and the composite outcome after 6 months (OR 0.18; 95% CI, 0.42–0.75 and OR 0.54; 95% Cl, 0.30–1.00, respectively) and at 1 year (OR 0.30; 95% Cl,0.11–0.76 and OR 0.57; 95% Cl, 0.33–0.97, respectively) vs the non-ABC group (Table).

Conclusions

Integrated AF care, according to ABC pathway, was independently associated with a lower risk of all-cause death and the composite outcome, in DM patients with AF. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive and holistic approach to AF management.

Events rates and outcomes odds ratio

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Severe sleep apnea is associated with atrial fibrillation burden in pacemaker recipients
Authors: Bidegain N , Degand B , Bouleti C , Christiaens L , Tavernier M , Kerforne T , Ingrand P , Garcia R
Published: November 2020

Background

New generation pacemaker allow the assessment day by day of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) based on impedance measurement. A recent study demonstrated that incidence of AF is higher in case of severe SA monitored by pacemaker

Purpose

The aim was to compare the atrial fibrillation (AF) burden between patients with severe and non-severe sleep apnea (SA) detected with pacemakers monitoring (SDB).

Methods

This retrospective study was carried out at our University Hospital. We included all patients with Microport CRM pacemaker implanted from 2013 to 2016 at our university hospital. Exclusion criteria were inactivation of sleep apnea monitoring (SAM), history of sleep apnea, missing data or invalid data. AF burden was assessed according to Fallback mode switch (FMS) duration. Respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was calculated as the average number of events (ventilation pause and reductions) per number of hours of monitoring. Patients with RDI<20/h were compared with patients with RDI≥20/h (considered as severe SA group).

Results

404 patients (mean age = 79.7±10 years; 52.0% men) were included. The most prevalent indication for cardiac pacing was atrioventricular block in 57%. Mean RDI was 18.9 events per hour. 234 (58%) of them had a mean RDI <20 and 170 (42%) had a mean RDI ≥20. Compared to patients with mean RDI<20, those with mean RDI ≥20 were youngers (78.6±10 years Vs 81.8±8 years; p=0.02), were more likely to be male (58.2% Vs 47.5%: p=0.035) and had more heart failure history (28.8% Vs 19.2%: p=0.03). BMI was not different between groups (26.3±5. vs 26.3±4; P=0.33). Mean follow-up was 27 months. Patients with RDI ≥20 had a mean Atrial fibrillation duration longer than patients with RDI <20 (631 min Vs 291 min respectively; p=0.014). RDI was correlated with FMS (r=0.26; p=0.0004). The stroke rate tended to be higher in the RDI ≥20 group (2.1% vs 5.4%) (p=0.12).

Conclusion

Severe SA detected by pacemaker was associated with longer AF duration. We did not find higher occurrence of stroke in the severe SA group.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Advanced interatrial block precedes atrial fibrillation and stroke. The prospective interatrial Block And Yearly EventS (BAYES) registry
Authors: Martinez-Selles M , Elosua R , Ibarrola M , De Andres M , Diez-Villanueva P , Bayes-Genis A , Baranchuck A , Bayes De Luna A
Published: November 2020

Background

Advanced interatrial block (IAB), prolonged and bimodal P waves in surface ECG inferior leads, is an unrecognized surrogate of atrial dysfunction and a trigger of atrial dysrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation (AF). Our aim was to prospectively assess whether advanced IAB in sinus rhythm precedes AF and stroke in elderly outpatients with structural heart disease, a group not previously studied.

Methods

Prospective observational registry that included outpatients aged ≥70 years with structural heart disease and no previous diagnosis of AF. Patients were divided into three groups according to P-wave characteristics.

Results

Among 556 individuals, 223 had normal P-wave (40.1%), 196 partial IAB (35.3%), and 137 advanced IAB (24.6%). After a median follow-up of 694 days; 93 patients (16.7%) developed AF, 30 stroke (5.4%), and 34 died (6.1%). Advanced IAB was independently associated with AF (hazard ratio [HR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–5.1, p<0.001), stroke (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.4–10.7, p=0.010), and AF/stroke (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5–4.4, p=0.001). P-wave duration (ms) was independently associated with AF (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.07, p<0.001), AF/stroke (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.06, p<0.001), and mortality (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, p=0.021).

Conclusions

The presence of advanced IAB in sinus rhythm is a risk factor for AF and stroke in an elderly population with structural heart disease and no previous diagnosis of AF. P-wave duration was also associated with all-cause mortality. Figure. Age- and sex-adjusted linear and non-linear association between P-wave duration (msec) and atrial fibrillation (A), stroke (B), and atrial fibrillation or stroke (C) risk. Results of a generalized additive model with spline smoothing functions and 4 degrees of freedom.

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meyer curves of survival free of atrial fibrillation (A), stroke (B) and atrial fibrillation or stroke (C) in patients with normal P-wave, partial interatrial block (IAB) and advanced IAB.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Micro-embolic risks during radiofrequency and cryoballoon-ablation of atrial fibrillation -analysis from real-time carotid artery doppler monitoring-
Authors: Tonegawa R , Miyamoto K , Ueda N , Nakajima K , Kamakura T , Yamagata K , Wada M , Ishibashi K , Inoue Y , Noda T , Nagase S , Aiba T , Kusano K.F
Published: November 2020

Background

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with risks of silent cerebral events. However, the timing of intraprocedural micro-embolic events or differences between open-irrigated radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (Cryo) ablation are unclear. Newly developed real-time carotid artery Doppler is a simple non-invasive method to detect micro-embolic signals (MESs) during ablation.

Objective

We investigated the timing of detecting MESs during RF and Cryo ablation of AF.

Methods

During the first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) session of AF, MESs were monitored by real-time carotid artery Doppler monitoring throughout the procedure. The MES counts were collected and evaluated separately during the different steps of the procedure (Figure).

Results

Thirty-three AF patients (RF/Cryo: 22/11 cases, 9 females, 69.5±11.6 y.o) were included. PVI was successfully accomplished in all patients with no major complications. The MES count was significantly greater in the RF group than Cryo group (table). In both groups, left atrial (LA) access (interatrial puncture) and sheaths insertion to the LA generated a significant number of MESs (RF: 1690 of 9116 MESs [18.5% of the total MESs], Cryo: 793 of 2285 MESs [34.7%]). In the RF group, MESs were observed incessantly during PVI (Figure). The LA dwell time was significantly longer in the RF group than Cryo group (table). In the RF group, the MES count was significantly greater in the longer LA dwell time group (LA dwell time >130min) than the shorter group (464.2±179.7 vs 302.6±138.2: P=0.049). During the cryo-applications in the Cryo group, the MESs were greatest during the first cryoballoon application (625 of 2285 MESs [27.4%]).

Conclusions

There were more MESs during RF ablation than cryoablation. MESs were recorded during a variety of steps throughout the procedure. In the RF group, most of MESs were recorded incessantly during radiofrequency ablation and greater number of MESs were recorded in patients with longer LA dwell time. In the Cryo group, most of MESs occurred during phases with a high probability of gaseous emboli.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
The effect of body mass index on clinical outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in the GARFIELD-AF registry
Authors: Camm C.J.F , Camm A.J , Virdone S , Bassand J.-P , Fitzmaurice D.A , Fox K.A.A , Goldhaber S.Z , Goto S , Haas S , Turpie A.G.G , Verheugt F.W.A , Misselwitz F , Kayani G , Pieper K.S , Kakkar A.K
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, previous evidence has suggested an inverse association between BMI and risk of AF outcomes.

Purpose

To explore the association between BMI and outcomes in those with newly diagnosed AF in the GARFIELD-AF registry.

Methods

GARFIELD-AF is an international registry of consecutively recruited patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed AF and ≥1 stroke risk factor. Data were collected prospectively on 52,080 patients. Participants with missing or extreme BMI values and those without two-year follow-up were excluded. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the effect of BMI on the risk of outcomes. Models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol, and ≥moderate chronic kidney disease. Where appropriate participants were divided into groups based on BMI. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess non-linear relationships.

Results

BMI and outcome data were available for 40,495 patients. Those with higher BMI were generally younger, and more likely to have pre-existing hypertension, diabetes, or vascular disease (Table). Underweight patients received anticoagulation less often than those in other groups (60.3% vs 67.9%, respectively). During follow-up, 2,801 participants (6.9%) died and 603 (1.5%) had new/worsening heart failure. Following adjustment for potential confounders, a U-shaped relationship was seen between BMI and all-cause mortality and new/worsening heart failure (Figure). For all-cause mortality, the lowest risk was at 30kg/m2. Below this level, there was an 8% higher risk of mortality (95% confidence interval (CI) 6 to 9%) per 1kg/m2 lower BMI. Above 30kg/m2, there was a 5% higher risk of mortality per 1kg/m2 higher BMI (95% CI 4 to 7%). For new/worsening heart failure, the lowest risk was at 25kg/m2. Above this level, 1kg/m2 higher BMI was associated with an 5% higher risk (95% CI 13 to 6%).

Conclusions

BMI was an important risk factor for both all-cause mortality and new/worsening heart failure in AF. Those at both extremes of BMI are at higher risk.

BMI and selected outcomes

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): The GARFIELD-AF registry is funded by an unrestricted research grant from Bayer AG.
Incidence, type and prediction of death in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation: a post-hoc analysis from the SPORTIF trials
Authors: Proietti M , River-Caravaca J.M , Pastori D , Lip G.Y.H
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at substantially increased risk of death. Uncertainty still remains about the best risk tool to to stratify and predict mortality risk.

Aim

To report the incidence of death according to cause in anticoagulated AF patients. Second, to evaluate the predictive ability of several risk scores.

Methods

Patients from the warfarin arms of the SPORTIF trials were considered for analysis. All-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death and non-CV death were study outcomes. The 2MACE score, crude number of diseases (CND), charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and GARFIELD-AF Death score were predictive tools.

Results

3665 patients (mean [SD] age 70.9 [8.9] years. 69.5% males; median [IQR] CHA2DS2-VASc 3 [2–4]) were analysed. Median [IQR] scores were: 2MACE 2 [1–3]; CND 5 [3–7]; CCI 2 [1–3]. Throughout a median [IQR] of 567 [491–652] days there were 204 (5.6%) all-cause deaths, 134 (3.7%) CV deaths and 70 (1.9%) non-CV deaths. The incidence of all-cause death was 3.59 per 100 patient-years, and for CV death and non-CV death, 2.39 per 100 patient-years and 1.23 per 100 patient-years, respectively. Cumulative incidence of all cause, CV and non-CV deaths is are shown in the Figure. After multivariable adjustment, all the tools were found associated with an increased risk of all-cause death (2MACE HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.17–1.40; CND HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04–1.11; CCI HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22–1.44; GARFIELD-AF Death HR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.52–2.26 per each 0.100 increase). Similar results were found for CV death and non-CV death. All risk tools were only modestly predictive of the three outcomes (c-indexes <0.7; Table). In predicting all-cause death, CCI and GARFIELD-AF Death were similarly predictive with small differences compared to other tools; conversely 2MACE and GARFIELD-AF Death showed similar predictive capacity for CV death, while CND and CCI had a slightly better predictivity for non-CV death.

Conclusions

AF patients have a high mortality, particularly for CV death. All risk scores are associated with occurrence of all-cause mortality, having a similar (but modest) predictive capacity. GARFIELD-AF Death and the simpler 2MACE had the highest predictive value for CV death, while multimorbidity tools (CND and CCI) were more predictive for Non-CV death.

Cumulative Incidence of Death Events

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Ablation index guide pulmonary vein isolation can reduce early recurrence of atrial fibrillation: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Yasumoto K , Egami Y , Ukita K , Yanagawa K , Nakamura H , Matsuhiro Y , Tsuda M , Okamoto N , Tanaka A , Matsunaga-Lee Y , Yano M , Yamato M , Shutta R , Nishino M , Tanouchi J
Published: November 2020

Background

Ablation index (AI) is a novel marker of ablation lesion quality for radiofrequency ablation (RFA). It has been reported that AI guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) reduced pulmonary vein reconnection and late recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about the impact of AI guided PVI on early recurrence of AF (ERAF).

Purpose

The aim of this study is to clarify whether AI guided PVI can reduce ERAF.

Methods

From September 2014 to August 2019, consecutive AF patients who underwent 1st session PVI were enrolled. We compared prevalence of ERAF between AI guided PVI group (AI group) and conventional contact force guided PVI group (CF group) using propensity score-matched analysis, which adjusted patient backgrounds (age, sex, and body mass index (BMI)), type of AF, the history of heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and stroke, laboratory findings including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial diameter.

Results

Total 711 patients were enrolled. AI group comprised 233 patients and CF group comprised 233 patients. Prevalence of ERAF were significantly lower in AI group than in CF group significantly (21.5% vs 36.1%, p=0.001, Table).

Conclusions

AI guided PVI can reduce ERAF as compared to conventional method.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
The impact of an empiric superior vena cava isolation added to pulmonary vein isolation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with left atrial low voltage areas
Authors: Omuro T , Yoshiga Y , Fukuda M , Kato T , Fujii S , Ueyama T , Shimizu A , Yano M
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Left atrial low-voltage areas (LVAs) are associated with recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of LVAs on recurrence after an empiric pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus superior vena cava isolation (SVCI) strategy for non-Paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients remains unclear.

Purpose

We evaluated the impact of LVAs on the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs)/AF in patients who underwent an empiric SVCI added to the PVI for non-PAF.

Methods

We enrolled 153 consecutive patients with non-PAF who underwent a PVI alone (PVI group; n=51) or empiric PVI plus SVCI (PVI+SVCI group; n=102). Left atrial voltage maps were constructed during sinus rhythm to identify the LVAs (<0.5 mV). No patients underwent a substrate modification of the LVAs. We divided the patients into two groups based on the LVAs (with or without an LVA >5% of the left atrial surface area) and investigated the ATs/AF free survival rate after the initial and multiple procedures.

Results

LVAs were identified in 65% and 73% of the PVI and PVI + SVCI groups, respectively (P=0.319). In the PVI group, the 18-month ATs/AF-free survival was 61% of the patients without LVAs and 27% of patients with LVAs after the initial session (P=0.018) (Figure 1-A). Seventy-two percent of the patients without LVAs and 46% of those with LVAs were free from ATs/AF after multiple sessions (P=0.083) (Figure 1-B). In the PVI+SVCI group, 50% of the patients with LVAs and 61% of those without LVAs had no recurrence after the initial session (P=0.374) (Figure 2-A). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the 18-month ATs/AF-free survival between the patients with and without LVAs after multiple sessions (73% vs. 79%; P=0.520) (Figure 2-B).

Conclusion

A PVI alone strategy for non-PAF patients with LVAs had limited efficacy for the outcomes, even with multiple procedures. However, an SVCI may have the potential to compensate for an impaired outcome in patients with LVAs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Clinical characteristics and outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation patients with complete right bundle branch block
Authors: Yano M , Nishino M , Yanagawa K , Nakamura H , Matsuhiro Y , Yasumoto K , Tsuda M , Okamoto N , Tanaka A , Matsunaga-Lee Y , Yamato M , Egami Y , Shutta R , Tanouchi J
Published: November 2020

Background

Complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) is one of the most frequent alterations of the electrocardiogram (ECG). Several studies have shown that CRBBB was a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and the appearance of CRBBB in patients hospitalized for exacerbated heart failure (HF) was associated with a worse prognosis. Various alternations of ECG such as early repolarization pattern and intraventricular conduction disturbance were associated with high recurrence ratio of atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However clinical outcome after PVI in patients with CRBBB remains unclear.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive AF patients who underwent PVI from September 2014 to November 2018 rom Osaka Rosai Atrial Fibrillation (ORAF) registry. We excluded patients with other wide QRS (left bundle branch block, ventricular pacing and unclassified intraventricular conduction disturbance) and divided into 2 groups; CRBBB (QRS duration ≥120msec) group and no-CRBBB (QRS duration <120) group. We compared the clinical characteristics including age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of heart failure, history of stroke, CHADS2Vasc score, paroxysmal AF (PAF), renal function, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVDs), left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between the 2 groups. We also compared the incidence of late recurrence of AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) between the 2 groups. We investigated whether CRBBB was an independent predictor of late recurrence of AF/AT after PVI by multivariate Cox analysis.

Results

We enrolled 736 consecutive AF patients who underwent PVI. CRBBB patients comprised 55 patients (7.5%). There were no significant differences of age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of heart failure, history of stroke, CHADS2Vasc score, PAF, renal function, plasma BNP level and echocardiographic parameters (LVDd, LVDs, LVEF and LAD) between the 2 groups. Incidence of AF/AT recurrence after PVI was significantly higher in CRBBB group than no-CRBBB group (Figure). CRBBB was an independently and significantly associated with late recurrence of AF/AT after PVI by multivariate Cox analysis (hazard ratio: 1.923, 95% CI: 1.190–2.961, p=0.009) in addition to female (p<0.001), no-PAF (p=0.005) and left atrial diameter (p=0.042).

Conclusion

CRBBB may be a strong predictor of AF/AT late recurrence after PVI.

AF/Ar recurrence after PVI

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Epicardial fat volume outperforms classic clinical scores for predicting atrial fibrillation relapse after pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Nascimento Matos D , Ferreira A.M , Cavaco D , Sousa A , Freitas P , Rodrigues G , Carmo J , Abecasis J , Costa F , Santos A.C , Carmo P , Saraiva C , Morgado F , Mendes M , Adragao P
Published: November 2020

Background

Epicardial adipose tissue has been implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF), but its relevance to clinical practice remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the amount of epicardial fat with previously published clinical scores of AF-relapse risk after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods

We assessed 575 patients (354 men, age 61±11 years, 449 paroxysmal AF) with symptomatic AF undergoing cardiac CT prior to a PVI procedure. Epicardial fat was quantified on contrast-enhanced images using a new simplified semi-automated method. The study endpoint was symptomatic and/or documented AF recurrence at 12 months. Epicardial fat was compared against the following scores: MB-LATER, APPLE, DR-FLASH, and ATLAS.

Results

Median follow-up was of 22 months (IQR 12–35), 232 patients relapsed, 130 patients (27%) within the first 12 months. After adjustment for BMI and other univariate predictors of relapse, three variables emerged independently associated with time to AF recurrence: non-paroxysmal AF (HR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.53–2.69, p<0.001), indexed left atrial (LA) volume (HR 1.02 per mL/m2, 95% CI: 1.01–1.02, p<0.001), and indexed pericardial fat volume (HR 1.55 per mL/m2, 95% CI: 1.43–1.67, p<0.001). Based on the ROC curve analysis, the epicardial fat showed greater discriminative power, with a C-statistic of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71–0.81) against 0.67 (p=0.007 for pairwise comparison of ROC curves), 0.67 (p=0.01), 0.63 (p<0.001) and 0.57 (p<0.001) for the MBLATER, APPLE, DR-FLASH and ATLAS scores, respectively. The C-statistic for indexed LA volume and non-paroxysmal AF AUC were of 0.63 (p<0.001) and 0.61 (p<0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Pericardial fat volume is a strong independent predictor of AF relapse after PVI, outperforming clinical scores of post-PVI AF. The underlying mechanisms of this association deserve further study.

ROC Curve Analysys

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Gender-specific risk of complications in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Plasek J , Plasek J , Peichl P , Wichterle D , Cihak R , Jarkovsky P , Roubicek T , Stojadinovic P , Haskova J , Kautzner J
Published: November 2020

Background

Catheter ablation is an established treatment modality for atrial fibrillation (AF). The risk of procedural complications is not negligible. Some studies suggested that female patients have a higher risk of complications.

Purpose

To identify gender-specific predictors of major complications (MCs) in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF in a tertiary ablation centre.

Methods

A total of 4733 catheter ablations for AF (65% paroxysmal, 26% repeated procedures) were performed at our centre between January 2006 and August 2018. Patients (71% males) aged 60±10 years and had body mass index of 29±4 kg/m2 at the time of the procedure. Radiofrequency point-by-point ablation was employed in 96.3% procedures with the use of 3D navigation systems and facilitated by intracardiac echocardiography. Pulmonary vein isolation was mandatory; cavotricuspid isthmus and left atrial substrate ablation were performed in 22% and 38% procedures, respectively. MCs were defined as those that resulted in permanent injury, required intervention or prolonged hospitalization. Variables were assessed by uni- and multivariate analysis, two-sided α<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

A total of 160 (3.4%) MCs were detected - 60 (4.4%) in females and 100 (2.9%) in males (P=0.012). Both lower body height and the presence of bundle branch block (BBB) were associated with MCs only in females; for left bundle branch block (LBBB), the effect size was higher. On the contrary, higher left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and persistent AF were associated with MCs in males (Table).

Conclusion

Females have a higher risk of MCs during catheter ablation for AF. Body height, AF type, BBB, and LVEDd may belong among gender-specific risk factors for MCs in AF ablation procedures. Whether BBB and LVEDd represent true risk factors warrants a validation in further studies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Presence of low voltage area predicts atrial tachyarrhythmia inducibility with atrial burst pacing after pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Kawai S , Nagaoka K , Takase S , Sakamoto K , Ikuta H , Toyohara T , Okahara A , Tokutome M , Kuribayashi Y , Matsura H , Matsukawa R , Masuda S , Chishaki A , Tsutsui H , Mukai Y
Published: November 2020

Background

Induction of atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial tachycardia (AT) by atrial burst pacing following ablation procedure may reflect the presence of residual substrates in the atria that maintain AF. However, the relation between the inducibility and left atrial low voltage area (LVA) has not been established.

Methods

Fifty-nine patients (65 years old, 43 males) with persistent AF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)-based ablation were studied. All patients underwent left atrial voltage mapping during sinus rhythm and atrial burst pacing after PVI. Atrial burst pacing was performed with 30-beat at an amplitude of 10V from the ostium of the coronary sinus; increasing from 240 to 320 ppm in steps of 20 ppm or failure to 1:1 atrial capture. Inducibility was defined as AF/AT lasting more than 5 minutes following burst pacing. Left atrial LVA and other co-variates were analyzed with regard to burst pacing positivity.

Results

AF/AT was induced by burst pacing in 23 patients (39%). Univariate analysis revealed that past history of stroke, CHADS2 score and presence of left atrial LVA were significantly associated with the inducibility of AF/AT. Multivariate analysis revealed that only the presence of LVA was associated with the inducibility (OR 1.5: per 10% increase; p=0.04). We focused on the relationship between the extent of LVA and burst positivity. AF/AT inducibility increased as low voltage area increased, and it was as high as 72.7% when low voltage area was more than 20% (P<0.05). Interestingly, induced arrhythmia type was AT rather than AF when low voltage area was more than 20%.

Conclusions

Presence of left atrial LVA is an independent predictor of atrial tachyarrhythmia inducibility after PVI in patients with persistent AF. A large amount of low voltage area is related to AT inducibility rather than AF.

Extent of LVA and burst positivity

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Temporary spinal cord stimulation to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary surgery. First results of the feasibility study
Authors: Romanov A , Chernyavskiy A , Lomivorotov V , Ponomarev D , Murtazin V , Orlov K , Kliver E , Shabanov V , Losik D , Mikheenko I , Ponomarenko A , Steinberg J.S
Published: November 2020

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery with typical appearance at early days after operation and leads to increase morbidity and mortality in the short and long term follow up. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was proven to be effective in chronic pain and intractable angina pectoris treatment. Recently, animal studies demonstrated that spinal cord stimulation could suppress AF and reduce AF burden.

Aim

To test safety and efficacy of the temporary SCS in early postoperative period in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Methods

Fifteen patients (10 men, mean age 61±7.5 years) with indications for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and history of paroxysmal AF underwent percutaneous lead placement for temporary SCS. Under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance, the leads were placed at C7-Th4 level according to patient's sense of paresthesia and connected with spinal cord stimulator externally fixed on patient's chest. Temporary SCS was performed 3 days before CABG and turned off during surgery. At the end of CABG, the SCS was turned on in the intensive care unit and continued for 7 days. After that the temporary leads were removed. The primary safety objective was to test safety of the temporary SCS in early postoperative period, including 30 days occurrence of MACE (Death, stroke or TIA, myocardial infarction), acute spinal cord and kidney injury. The efficacy endpoint included occurrence of AF or any atrial tachyarrhythmias lasting ≥30 seconds during 30 days after surgery. All patients had continuous external ECG monitoring for 30 days after surgery.

Results

In all (100%) patients temporary leads for SCS were implanted successfully and standard on-pump elective CABG was performed thereafter. There were no any adverse events related to temporary SCS in either patient till the end of follow up. There were no significant differences in CK-MB and creatinine levels as compared with baseline data (p=0.2 and 0.3, respectively). No patients developed AF or atrial tachyarrhythmias during follow up according 30-days ECG monitoring.

Conclusions

The first results of the temporary spinal cord stimulation to prevent AF after coronary surgery demonstrated safety and efficacy of this therapy. The parallel group randomizes study is under way (NCT 03539354)

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Concomitant surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: long-term outcomes
Authors: Muneretto C , Baudo M , Petruccelli R , Stara A , Moscatiello M , Rosati F , Benussi S
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac related arrhythmia, independently associated with an increased risk of death and high level of morbidity, such as stroke, heart failure, as well as frequent hospitalization and reduced quality of life. Surgical ablation is an effective therapy for patients with AF undergoing concomitant cardiac surgery.

Purpose

In this study we report the results of concomitant surgical AF ablation, in terms of efficacy and safety, with a long-term follow-up at 10 years.

Methods

Two-hundred fourteen (214) consecutive patients (female, 45.17%) underwent from 1999 to 2016 surgical ablation of AF concomitantly with other major cardiac procedures. Mean age was 67.4±9.82. Patients had persistent and long-standing persistent AF in 64.65% of cases. Primary endpoints were overall survival, freedom from stroke and freedom from AF.

Results

Perioperative mortality was 2.3% (5/214). Mean EuroSCORE II was 5.2±4.4. Concomitant mitral valve surgery was performed in 56.74% of patients, 31% of patients had a concomitant aortic valve surgery, while myocardial revascularization either isolated or associated with aortic valve was performed in 11.63% and 3.72% of cases respectively. Ablation was carried out by means radio-frequency box lesions set in 35.51% (76/214) of patients while pulmonary veins isolation with bipolar clamp and Cox-MAZE IV was performed in 51.86% (111/214) and 12.61% (27/214) of patients respectively. Left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion was performed in 57 patients (26.51%) after careful echocardiographic investigation of diastolic and atrial function. Incidence of early postoperative (30 days) permanent pacemaker implantation was as low as 2.3%. The mean follow-up was 6.71±4.47 years. The New York Heart Association functional class (2.84 vs. 1.91, p<0.001) and ejection fraction (54.4% vs. 56.6%, p<0.001) were improved compared with the preoperative status. At 10 years Kaplan-Meier overall survival was 62.3%. Freedom from cardiac related death was 98%, while freedom from stroke was 98% at 10 years. Efficacy endpoint showed a freedom from AF at 10 years, according to HRS criteria of 66.7%. Fisher exact test comparing mitral surgery patients or ischemic CABG-patients showed no differences in terms of stroke rate (p=0.999), while postoperatively, there was a higher rate of stroke at thirty days in patients with postoperative AF (p=0.019).

Conclusions

Concomitant surgical ablation of AF was associated with a very low incidence of postoperative PM implantation and provides excellent results in terms of stable rhythm outcome at long-term. Postoperative AF significantly increased the risk of stroke in the early postoperative period.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None