bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of oral flecainide in assessement of atrio-ventricular conduction in symptomatic bifascicular block
Authors: Kumar D , Dwivedi S.K , Chaudhary G , Sharma A , Chandra S , Vishwakarma P , Pradhan A , Sethi R , Bhandari M , Shukla A , Singh A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Intravenous flecainide is used to stress Atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction in patients (pts) with a history of syncope & bifascicular (Bi-Fasc) block. Role of oral flecainide is unclear.

Objective
To assess effect of oral Flecainide on infra-Hisian AV conduction in patients with symptomatic Bi-Fasc block.

Methods
Pts presenting with syncope & Bi-Fasc block without advanced AVCD on ECG, 24 hr holter or treadmill exercise test were taken. Those with history suggestive of reflex syncope & positive tilt test were excluded. Remaining underwent electro-physiological (EP) study. Pts with HV interval &gt;100ms or intra/infra-Hisian block at rest or incremental pacing were subjected to PPI. Remaining received oral Flacanide 5 mg/kg (max 300 mg) & EP study was repeated after ½ hr, 1 hr, 2 hrs and 3 hrs. Primary end-point was HV ≥100ms or infra/intra-Hisian type IIB or III block.

Results
Of 41 pts enrolled for study, 28 patients (mean age 60.0 yrs, mean LVEF 60.7%) were eligible for EP Study. Basal PR interval was 185.8±47.4 ms & mean QRS width was 130.6±18.65 ms. On EP study, 4 (14.3%) with resting HV &gt;100 ms & 6 (21.4%) with HV &gt;100 ms on incremental pacing underwent PPI.
Out of remaining 18 pts who were given flecainide, 11 (66.1%) achieved primary endpoint (HV &gt;100 ms in 6, infra-hisian IIB in 2 and 2:1 block in 3 patients). At mean follow up of 6.5 months, 13 (59.1%) out of 22 with PPI had mean 59.1% VP & none of 6 remaining patients had any symptom.

Conclusion
Oral Flecainide significantly increases the diagnostic yield of EP study in patients with symptomatic bi-fasc block.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
The relationship between anatomy and electrical parameters in His bundle pacing
Authors: Coluccia G , Senes J , Corallo S , Aste M , Oddone D , Donateo P , Puggioni E , Brignole M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The relationship between anatomy and electrical parameters of His bundle (HB) pacing has not been extensively studied.

Purpose
To characterize the anatomical location of the HB lead tip and its relationship with acute electrical parameters.

Methods
Consecutive patients who underwent HB lead implantation, guided by standard fluoroscopy and electrophysiology, were prospectively enrolled. The relationship between HB lead tip and tricuspid valve plane (TVP) was assessed with post-procedure transthoracic echocardiography.

Results
Twenty-five patients were studied. In 11 patients (44%), the HB lead tip did not cross the TVP (A group): in 7 cases it was screwed in the right atrium at a mean distance of −6.1 mm from the TVP and, in 4 cases, at the level of the tricuspid annulus. In the remaining 14 patients (56%), the lead tip crossed the TVP (V group): it was screwed in the right ventricle at a mean distance of 9.3 mm from the TVP. A and V groups had comparable HB capture thresholds (1.6±1 V vs 1.7±0.7 V, 1 ms pulse-width; p=0.66); selective HB capture was significantly more represented in the A group (91% vs 21%; p=0.001). Significantly higher R-wave amplitudes were seen in the V group (6.7±3 vs 2.5±1.7 mV; p=0.0004), and they positively correlated with the distance from the TVP (p=0.0038). Atrial oversensing was never observed.

Conclusion
In a consecutive cohort of HBP recipients, the rate of patients who had an effective HB capture in the atrium was substantial and was characterized by different electrophysiological properties than in the ventricle.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
COVID-19 patients present impaired endothelial glycocalyx, vascular dysfunction and myocardial deformation resembling those observed in hypertensives four months after infection
Authors: Ikonomidis I , Kountouri A , Mitrakou A , Thymis J , Katogiannis K , Korakas E , Varlamos C , Bamias A , Thomas K , Andeadou I , Tsoumani M , Kavatha D , Antoniadou A , Dimopoulos M.A , Lambadiari V 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background/Introduction
COVID-19 infection has been associated with increase arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and impairment in coronary and cardiac performance. Inflammation and oxidative stress have been suggested as possible pathophysiological mechanisms leading to vascular and endothelial deregulation after COVID-19 infection.

Purpose
The objective of our study is to evaluate premature alterations in arterial stiffness, endothelial, coronary, and myocardial function markers four months after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods
We conducted a case-control prospective study, including 70 patients four months after COVID-19 infection, 70 age- and sex-matched untreated hypertensive patients (positive control) and 70 healthy individuals. We measured a) perfused boundary region (PBR) of the sublingual arterial microvessels (increased PBR indicates reduced endothelial glycocalyx thickness b) flow-mediated dilation (FMD), c) coronary Flow Reserve (CFR) by Doppler echocardiography d) pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central systolic (SBP) e) global LV longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle tracking imaging and f) malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress marker.

Results
COVID-19 patients had similar CFR and FMD with hypertensives (2.48±0.41 vs 2.58±0.88, p=0.562, 5.86±2.82% vs 5.80±2.07%, p=0.872 respectively), but lower CFR and FMD than controls (3.42±0.65, p=0.0135 9.06±2.11%, p=0.002 respectively) Both COVID-19 and hypertensive group had greater PBR than controls (PBR5–25: 2.07±0.15 μm and 2.07±0.26 μm p=0.8 vs 1.89±0.17 μm, p=0.001). COVID-19 patients and hypertensives had higher PWV and central SBP than controls (PWVcf 12.09±2.50 and 11.92±2.94, p=0.7 vs 10.04±1.80 m/sec, p=0.036). COVID-19 patients and hypertensives had impaired values of GLS compared to controls (−19.50±2.56% and −19.23±2.67%, p=0.864 vs −21.98±1.51%, p=0.020). Increased PBR5–25 was associated with increased SBP central which in turn was related with impaired GLS (p&lt;0.05). MDA was found increased in COVID-19 patients compared to both hypertensives and controls (10.67±2.75 vs 1.76±0.30, p=0.003 vs 1.01±0.50 nmole/L, p=0.001).

Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2 may cause impaired coronary microcirculatory, endothelial and vascular deregulation which remain four months after initial infection and are associated with reduced cardiac performance. The 10-fold increase of MDA compared to healthy individuals four months after COVID-19 infection indicate oxidative stress as possible pathophysiological mechanism.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Family screening in brugada syndrome patients
Authors: Cardoso A , Faria B , Von Hafe P , Dias G , Pereira T , Ribeiro S , Calvo L , Oliveira M , Fernandes M , Sanfins V , Lourenco A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Brugada syndrome (BS) is a rare inherited channelopathy associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and family screening (FS) of index patients (pts) is recommended. However, data about pts identified through FS is lacking.

Aim
To compare index pts to non-index pts identified through systematic FS.

Methods
Single-center retrospective study of BS pts followed by the Arrhythmology Department. FS was offered to 1st degree relatives of all index pts through primary care services and a once-weekly voluntary open appointment. Genetic counselling was performed when indicated. Index and non-index pts were compared regarding baseline characteristics and events during the follow-up (syncope of probable arrhythmic origin, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) and SCD).

Results
We included 165 pts (61% males, mean age 47±15 years) and 72 (44%) were identified through FS. Non-index pts were diagnosed at a younger age (42±14 vs 51±14 years, p &lt;.001), were more often female (57% vs 25%, p&lt;.001), were diagnosed predominantly through provocative test with ajmaline/flecainide (88% vs 47%, p&lt;.001) and had less documented spontaneous type 1 ECG pattern (17% vs 59%, p&lt;.001). A type 2 pattern was identified in 18 (25%) non-index pts.
Genetic testing was performed in 38 (53%) non-index pts: 6 had a pathogenic SCN5A mutation, 18 a likely pathogenic SCN5A mutation and 12 a mutation of uncertain significance.
At diagnosis, 24 (33%) non-index pts had history of syncope, 3 (4%) had nocturnal agonal respiration and 11 (15%) had palpitations with no differences between both groups (p=.119). Non-index pts were less likely to implant a cardioverterdefibrillator (14% vs 38%, p=.001).
During a median follow-up of 28 (IQR 16–41) months, 10 (6%) pts had an event - 2 (3%) in the non-index group (2 syncope) and 8 (9%) in the index group (1 syncope; 7 VT/VF) - with no significative differences between groups (p=.432). There were nocardiovascular deaths.

Conclusions
FS identified a considerable proportion of BS pts. Non-index pts were younger at the time of the diagnosis and had less spontaneous type 1 pattern. No differences were found in events between index and non-index pts, however, the event rate was low. Systematic FS can identify individuals at risk of SCD earlier, allowing close monitoring and, when indicated, appropriate treatment.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Different response to vitamin D supplementation of PVCs from RVOT and non-outflow tract RV regions
Authors: Cismaru G , Tomoaia R , Minciuna I , Lazea C , Cainap S.S , Fringu F , Gurzau D , Rosu R , Gusetu G , Puiu M , Caloian B , Comsa D.H , Pop D , Zdrenghea D 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Recent publications have shown that premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)_ from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) have a good response to vitamin D supplementation in patients that have a vitamin D deficiency.

Purpose
The present study aimed to compare the response to vitamin D supplementation of of 2 types of PVCs: from RVOT and from other RV areas outside RVOT

Methods
Our study included 16 patients from the Outpatient Clinic of the Rehabilitation Hospital, of whom all had vitamin D deficiency. Four patients had high PVC burden with an RV morphology other than RVOT and were matched 1:3 for age and sex with 12 patients with high PVC burden and RVOT morphology.

Results
Mean age was 26 years in both group and 33% were females. The mean 25-OH vitamin D value was 17.7±2.9 ng/ml in the non RVOT group and 21.6±5.3 ng/ml in the RVOT group. After 3±1.7 month of treatment with 2000–5000 U/day, 25 OH vitamin D increased to. 31.1±3.2. in the non-RVOT group and to 35.9±5.1 in the RVOT group. After treatment PVC burden decreased from 19956±2618 to 19399±3015 (NS) in the non-RVOT group and from 21057±9594 to 4249±2835 (p=0.0001) in the RVOT group.

Conclusions
After 3 months of vitamin D supplementation in patients with high burden PVC and vitamin D deficiency, the burden decreased significantly by more than 75% in the RVOT morphology group but not in the non- RVOT morphology group.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. PVC burden in the non RVOT groupPVC burden in the RVOT group
Non-invasive mapping reduces procedure duration for catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions using 12 lead ECG information: results from a prospective case-control study
Authors: Griffiths J , Cazzoli I , Ailoaei S , Guarguaglia S , Kempny A , Ernst S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) result from early depolarisation of myocardial tissue in the ventricles and can ultimately lead to PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Catheter ablation aims to completely eliminate the PVCs and is usually carried out using sequential activation mapping techniques. We report the results of a prospective case-control trial using the non-invasive, simultaneous 3D mapping system View into Ventricular Onset (VIVO) in combination with a 12 lead Holter ECG recording for catheter ablation of PVC.

Methods and results
A total of 16 patients (mean age 52.1±20.8 years, all structurally normal hearts, were enrolled and underwent VIVO mapping as a preparation of their invasive PVC ablation. Pre-ablation PVC burden had a median of 18.7% (IQR; 9.94 – 24.35). All but one patient (with very low PVC burden and epicardial origin) underwent a catheter ablation attempt guided by the 3D non-invasive maps integrated as VTK files in to the EAM. In 13/15 patients, acute elimination of the PVC was achieved which resulted in a PVC burden of &lt;0.1% at 3 months' time. Procedure time amounted to in median 106 minutes (IQR 92.5 – 135.5), whereas in an age- and gender-matched control cohort (2:1) procedure time was significantly longer (145 (123.0 – 190.5).

Conclusion
Ward-based non-invasive 3D mapping (VIVO) of the origin of PVCs in patients with structurally normal hearts successfully guided the invasive ablation procedure and significantly reduced the invasive procedure time, as compared to a contemporary age- and gender-matched control cohort.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Catheter Precision 3D non-invasive mapping concept
The resuscitation status of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients according to electronic health records: are we ignoring the device?
Authors: Aldous R , Dayer M , Furniss G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction/Background
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recently raised concerns around resuscitation decisions in the UK. In our hospital an early resuscitation decision is made on admission, often by junior doctors, and documented in electronic notes. Concerns have been raised about the veracity of these discussions in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD's). We investigated resuscitation status as documented on the electronic record for our ICD population.

Methods
The ICD database was interrogated in 2020 for patients under current follow-up. Baseline demographics, hospital admissions over the past 5 years and ICD indications were documented from the electronic hospital records. All patients with an electronic do-not-resuscitate (DNR) flag on the electronic system were recorded, as were any documented resuscitation discussions and ICD deactivations between 2015 and 2020. Any patient deaths were recorded and correlated with resuscitation status and ICD status at the time of death.

Results
Six-hundred and thirty-six patients with ICD's (transvenous, subcutaneous and CRT defibrillators) were identified under follow-up for the study period. The mean age of the population was 68 years old. 251 had an ischaemic cardiomyopathy, 209 had dilated cardiomyopathy, 50 prior ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, 40 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 26 ARVC and the rest a channelopathy, congenital heart disease, sarcoidosis or valvular heart disease.
Thirty-seven of the 636 patients were flagged on the electronic record as being not for resuscitation (5.9%). They had a mean age of 79 and 54% had an ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Of these, only 15 (39%) had their ICD deactivated and only 12 of those at the time of the resuscitation decision (32%). 15 of the 37 (39%) patients made DNR have subsequently died. Six of these (40%) had an active ICD at the time of death.
In the 257 patients who had had a hospital admission in the study period, 34 were made not for resuscitation during the admission (13%) of whom 11 had their ICD deactivated at the time of discussion (32%). Patients with a DNR flag and an “active” ICD were contacted about deactivation of their ICD and offered discussion with a cardiologist or specialist nurse about ICD deactivation. Of these 9/27 (33%) stated that they wanted resuscitation and the alert was removed and the ICD kept on, although 3 subsequently had the device deactivated.

Conclusions
In this study the majority of patients with ICD's who were made not for resuscitation on admission to hospital did not have their ICD therapies switched off, therefore putting them at risk of unnecessary ICD shocks. In addition, one third these patients subsequently chose to be for resuscitation after discussion. These complex decisions would be improved with the early involvement of cardiologists and specialist nurses.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Validation of leadless atrioventricular synchronous pacing with Holter-ECG: a pilot study
Authors: Briongos Figuero S , Estevez A , Sanchez A , Jimenez S , Gomez E , Jimenez-Candil B , Ortega T , Naranjo M.A , Guimera M.A , Garcia R.T , Munoz-Aguilera R.T 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The novel MICRA AV leadless pacemaker can provide atrioventricular (AV) synchronous pacing using an accelerometer-based atrial sensing algorithm.

Purpose
To describe the performance of MICRA AV pacemaker in a real-life setting and to determine the agreement between AV synchrony determined by the device counters and AV synchrony obtained by a 24 h ECG Holter test.

Methods
This pilot study included the first ten patients implanted with a MICRA AV leadless pacemaker at our institution. All implants were performed according to standard protocols and under deep sedation. A close follow-up was performed, and atrial sensing parameters were adjusted following AV synchrony given by the device counters. Patients underwent a 24 h ECG Holter test once AV synchrony remained stable for at least two months. The ECG Holter signal was analyzed in a blinded manner by an automatic delineation system based on the wavelet transform (Figure). This algorithm has a sensivity of 98.9% and a positive predictive value of 91.9% to detect p waves. Cardiac cycles were defined as synchronous if a QRS complex followed the P-wave by ≤300 ms, according to MARVEL 2 study criterion. AV synchrony obtained from the 24 h Holter test was compared with AV synchrony extracted from the device counters (AM-VP + AM-VS) during the same 24 h.

Results
From June to November 2020, 10 patients (7 males, mean age 83.5±5.4) were implanted with a MICRA AV leadless pacemaker (5 patients due to complete AV block and 5 patients due to second degree AV block). All devices were implanted after 1 deployment and no major complications appeared. Data related to implant parameters are displayed in Table 1. Device reprogramming was needed in all patients during follow-up. The 24 h ECG Holter monitoring was performed 141.4±45 days after the implant (mean time). Device settings and programming at Holter date is displayed in Table 1. Total ECG recorded time was 210.6 h and 915,488 cardiac cycles were analyzed. The mean percentage of synchronous cardiac cycles was 88.6±8.5% of total cycles while the mean AV synchrony determined by the device counters (AM-VP + AM-VS) during those 24 h was 89.8±5.5%. A good patient to patient correlation between these two measures was found (coefficient of intraclass correlation = 0.72).

Conclusions
We obtained high rates of AV synchrony with MICRA AV leadless pacemaker, in our short-term follow-up pilot study. Manual adjustment of the atrial sensing parameters, guided by the device counters, seems to be useful to obtain an optimal performance.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantations on temporal trends of pacemaker implantations among French octogenarians: a nation-wide cohort study over the period 2008–2018
Authors: Jacob S , Van Rothen J , Combes S , Errahmani M.Y , Cardin C , Combes N , Albenque J.P , Boveda S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The indications for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) are strongly associated with age, with the highest rates for octogenarians (&gt;80 years old). Over the last decade, impact of aging on temporal trends in PPMI rates among octogenarians is questionable. In the 2010's, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged for inoperable or high-risk patients, mainly octogenarians, with an exponential increase over years. PPMI is a common short-term complication after TAVI procedure. Many studies have explored these post-TAVI PPMI in terms of incidence, timing and outcomes of PPMI following TAVI, but there are no data on the impact of TAVI on PPMI temporal trend at a nationwide scale.

Purpose
To evaluate whether PPMI in octogenarians have increased during the last decade, independently from age and sex, on a nationwide scale. Eventually, to estimate the potential contribution of TAVI in PPMI increase in this setting.

Methods
Our study was based on octogenarians from the Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires, the 1/97 random sample of the French nationwide health insurance claims database. Between 2008 and 2018, we identified de novo PPMI and TAVI with medical procedures codes in the French Common Classification of Medical Procedures (CCAM). Annual incidence rates of PPMI were evaluated between 2008 and 2012 (preTAVI-period). The number of observed PPMI cases, O, in the period 2013–2018 (TAVI-period) was compared with the expected number of PPMI cases, E, calculated by using 2008–2012 incidence rates with age and sex standardization. We then computed the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of the observed number of PPMI to the expected number of PPMI (O/E), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Thereafter, we evaluated the contribution of post-TAVI PPMI in the number of excess cases of PPMI (O-E) for the period 2013–2018.

Results
The population of octogenarians increased from 23,822 in 2008 to 33,752 in 2018. In 2008, 130 PPMI were observed (546/100,000 inhabitants) reaching 228 PPMI (676/100,000) in 2018 with a marked increase in rates from the year 2012. During the period 2013–2018, for all octogenarians, 1242 cases of PPMI were observed, compared with 1171.3 expected cases of PPMI, corresponding to a significant SIR=1.06 (95% CI: 1.01–1.12). For the subpopulation of octogenarians without TAVI, no excess risk was observed with a SIR=1.01 (95% CI: 0.95–1.06). Among the excess cases of PPMI observed in 2013–2018 in all octogenarians, 72% were post-TAVI PPMI.

Conclusion
Based on our study, the number of observed PPMI in octogenarians in period 2013–2018 is 6% higher than the number we would expect. Nearly three-quarter of these excess cases are attributable to TAVI complication.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.