Pre- and post-procedural cardiac imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) in electrophysiology: a clinical consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the European Society of Cardiology.

Imaging using cardiac computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become an important option for anatomic and substrate delineation in complex atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation procedures. Computed tomography more common than MR has been used to detect procedure-associated complications such as oesophageal, cerebral, and vascular injury. This clinical consensus statement summarizes the current knowledge of CT and MR to facilitate electrophysiological procedures, the current value of real-time integration of imaging-derived anatomy, and substrate information during the procedure and the current role of CT and MR in diagnosing relevant procedure-related complications. Practical advice on potential advantages of one imaging modality over the other is discussed for patients with implanted cardiac rhythm devices as well as for planning, intraprocedural integration, and post-interventional management in AF and VT ablation patients. Establishing a team of electrophysiologists and cardiac imaging specialists working on specific details of imaging for complex ablation procedures is key. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can safely be performed in most patients with implanted active cardiac devices. Standard procedures for pre- and post-scanning management of the device and potential CMR-associated device malfunctions need to be in place. In VT patients, imaging-specifically MR-may help to determine scar location and mural distribution in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy beyond evaluating the underlying structural heart disease. Future directions in imaging may include the ability to register multiple imaging modalities and novel high-resolution modalities, but also refinements of imaging-guided ablation strategies are expected.

Recommendations for participation in leisure-time physical activity and competitive sports in patients with arrhythmias and potentially arrhythmogenic conditions: Part 1: Supraventricular arrhythmias. A position statement of the Section of Sports Cardiology and Exercise from the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), both associations of the European Society of Cardiology.

Symptoms attributable to arrhythmias are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Cardiologists and sport physicians are required to identify high-risk individuals harbouring such conditions and provide appropriate advice regarding participation in regular exercise programmes and competitive sport. The three aspects that need to be considered are: (a) the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias by participating in sports; (b) control of symptoms due to arrhythmias that are not life-threatening but may hamper performance and/or reduce the quality of life; and (c) the impact of sports on the natural progression of the underlying arrhythmogenic condition. In many cases, there is no unequivocal answer to each aspect and therefore an open discussion with the athlete is necessary, in order to reach a balanced decision. In 2006 the Sports Cardiology and Exercise Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology published recommendations for participation in leisure-time physical activity and competitive sport in individuals with arrhythmias and potentially arrhythmogenic conditions. More than a decade on, these recommendations are partly obsolete given the evolving knowledge of the diagnosis, management and treatment of these conditions. The present document presents a combined effort by the Sports Cardiology and Exercise Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology and the European Heart Rhythm Association to offer a comprehensive overview of the most updated recommendations for practising cardiologists and sport physicians managing athletes with supraventricular arrhythmias, and provides pragmatic advice for safe participation in recreational physical activities, as well as competitive sport at amateur and professional level. A companion text on recommendations in athletes with ventricular arrhythmias, inherited arrhythmogenic conditions, pacemakers and implantable defibrillators is published as Part 2 in Europace.

Myocardial involvement in coronavirus disease 19.

BACKGROUND: In late 2019, a cohort of patients presenting with pneumonia of unclear etiology in Wuhan, China, heralded the outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Previous severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) beta-coronavirus infections have been associated with tachyarrhythmias and signs and symptoms of heart failure. The emergence of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, has rapidly developed into a pandemic, and a large number of infected patients have been reported to have underlying cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: Since there are only scant published data regarding cardiovascular burden in the wake of viral epidemics, this study aimed to evaluate cardiac involvement in COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 40 adult inpatients at two centers in Germany. Adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) interim guidance were included in the study, which focused on the potential cardiac involvement of SARS-CoV­2. It was based on laboratory parameters as well as electro- and echocardiographic values to determine the impact of SARS-CoV­2 virus on heart tissues. RESULTS: The conducted investigations confirmed the relationship between the presence of acute cardiac injury and COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Myocardial injury and impaired myocardial function due to COVID-19 are common; however, no correlation was established between cardiac laboratory or echocardiographic values and mortality. Cardiovascular monitoring upon COVID-19 infection is crucial to determine the burden of cardiac involvement.

Educational needs among physicians treating patients with atrial fibrillation: lessons for Poland from the European Society of Cardiology international educational needs assessment study.

INTRODUCTION: A study by the European Society of Cardiology assessing international educational needs has identified educational and organizational barriers preventing the implementation of optimal therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) across European countries. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate educational and organizational barriers in the implementation of guideline­recommended AF care that are specific to physicians and health-care system in Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An internet­based survey was conducted to assess education, skills, and confidence in managing patients with AF among European cardiologists, neurologists, and family physicians (FPs) from 6 countries. RESULTS: Out of 571 respondents, the Polish sample included 90 physicians (16%): 44 cardiologists (15%), 21 neurologists (16%), and 25 FPs (18%). Polish physicians generally reported skills and confidence similar to those presented by their foreign colleagues, but there was high uncertainty concerning skills and confidence in the identification and pathophysiological classification of AF. Also, FPs reported low confidence in applying CHA2DS2­VASc and HAS­BLED scores to clinical practice. The need for access to long­term heart rhythm monitoring including implantable loop recorders was highlighted. There was a general dissatisfaction with the cooperation among Polish physicians, which was significantly higher than in other countries. CONCLUSIONS: The number of substantial educational gaps among physicians from Poland and other European countries is low. Nonetheless, educational programs tailored for different specialist groups separately to improve competence are warranted. There is a clear need for improvement of communication among different specialists treating patients with AF in Poland.

[The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: executive summary]. / The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: executive summary.

Ponizszy tekst jest streszczeniem drugiej aktualizacji oryginalnego praktycznego przewodnika opublikowanego w 2013 roku. Leki przeciwkrzepliwe niebedace antagonistami witaminy K (NOAC) stanowia cenna alternatywe dla antagonistów witaminy K (VKA) w zapobieganiu udarom u pacjentów z migotaniem przedsionków (AF) i uznano je za leki preferowane, szczególnie dla osób rozpoczynajacych leczenie przeciwkrzepliwe. Zarówno lekarze, jak i pacjenci przyzwyczajaja sie do ich stosowania w praktyce klinicznej, istnieje jednak wiele nierozwiazanych kwestii dotyczacych optymalnego stosowania tych leków w okreslonych sytuacjach klinicznych. Europejskie Stowarzyszenie Zaburzen Rytmu Serca (EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association) podjelo sie koordynacji opracowania jednolitego sposobu komunikowania sie z lekarzami na temat stosowania róznych preparatów NOAC. Grupa okreslila 20 tematów zawierajacych konkretne scenariusze kliniczne, w odniesieniu do których sformulowano praktyczne wskazówki na podstawie dostepnych dowodów. Do problemów klinicznych naleza: 1) odpowiednia kwalifikacja pacjentów do leczenia; 2) praktyczne schematy rozpoczynania oraz monitorowania terapii za pomoca NOAC; 3) zagwarantowanie przestrzegania zalecen przyjmowania doustnych leków przeciwkrzepliwych; 4) zmiana schematów leczenia przeciwkrzepliwego; 5) farmakokinetyka oraz interakcje lekowe; 6) stosowanie NOAC u osób z przewlekla choroba nerek i zaawansowana choroba watroby; 7) sposoby pomiaru efektu przeciwkrzepliwego NOAC; 8) pomiar stezenia NOAC w surowicy: rzadkie wskazania, srodki ostroznosci, potencjalne "pulapki"; 9) postepowanie w przypadku pomylki w dawkowaniu; 10) postepowanie w przypadku (podejrzenia) przedawkowania bez krwawienia lub badania krzepniecia wskazujace na potencjalne ryzyko krwawienia; 11) postepowanie w przypadku krwawienia w trakcie terapii za pomoca NOAC; 12) postepowanie u pacjentów poddanych planowym zabiegom chirurgicznym, procedurom inwazyjnym czy ablacji; 13) postepowanie u pacjentów wymagajacych pilnej interwencji chirurgicznej; 14) pacjenci z AF oraz choroba wiencowa; 15) unikanie pomylek w dawkowaniu NOAC w róznych wskazaniach; 16) kardiowersja u pacjenta leczonego NOAC; 17) AF u pacjentów z ostrym udarem mózgu leczonych NOAC; 18) NOAC w sytuacjach szczególnych; 19) leczenie przeciwkrzepliwe w przypadku AF u pacjentów z nowotworami zlosliwymi; 20) optymalizacja leczenia za pomoca VKA. Dodatkowe informacje oraz materialy do pobrania, jak równiez karty leczenia przeciwkrzepliwego w kilku jezykach mozna znalezc na stronie internetowej EHRA (www.NOACforAF.eu).

The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The current manuscript is the second update of the original Practical Guide, published in 2013 [Heidbuchel et al. European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2013;15:625-651; Heidbuchel et al. Updated European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2015;17:1467-1507]. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are an alternative for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and have emerged as the preferred choice, particularly in patients newly started on anticoagulation. Both physicians and patients are becoming more accustomed to the use of these drugs in clinical practice. However, many unresolved questions on how to optimally use these agents in specific clinical situations remain. The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) set out to coordinate a unified way of informing physicians on the use of the different NOACs. A writing group identified 20 topics of concrete clinical scenarios for which practical answers were formulated, based on available evidence. The 20 topics are as follows i.e., (1) Eligibility for NOACs; (2) Practical start-up and follow-up scheme for patients on NOACs; (3) Ensuring adherence to prescribed oral anticoagulant intake; (4) Switching between anticoagulant regimens; (5) Pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions of NOACs; (6) NOACs in patients with chronic kidney or advanced liver disease; (7) How to measure the anticoagulant effect of NOACs; (8) NOAC plasma level measurement: rare indications, precautions, and potential pitfalls; (9) How to deal with dosing errors; (10) What to do if there is a (suspected) overdose without bleeding, or a clotting test is indicating a potential risk of bleeding; (11) Management of bleeding under NOAC therapy; (12) Patients undergoing a planned invasive procedure, surgery or ablation; (13) Patients requiring an urgent surgical intervention; (14) Patients with AF and coronary artery disease; (15) Avoiding confusion with NOAC dosing across indications; (16) Cardioversion in a NOAC-treated patient; (17) AF patients presenting with acute stroke while on NOACs; (18) NOACs in special situations; (19) Anticoagulation in AF patients with a malignancy; and (20) Optimizing dose adjustments of VKA. Additional information and downloads of the text and anticoagulation cards in different languages can be found on an EHRA website (www.NOACforAF.eu).

The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: executive summary.

The current manuscript is the Executive Summary of the second update to the original Practical Guide, published in 2013. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are an alternative for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and have emerged as the preferred choice, particularly in patients newly started on anticoagulation. Both physicians and patients are becoming more accustomed to the use of these drugs in clinical practice. However, many unresolved questions on how to optimally use these agents in specific clinical situations remain. The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) set out to co-ordinate a unified way of informing physicians on the use of the different NOACs. A writing group identified 20 topics of concrete clinical scenarios for which practical answers were formulated, based on available evidence. The 20 topics are (i) eligibility for NOACs; (ii) practical start-up and follow-up scheme for patients on NOACs; (iii) ensuring adherence to prescribed oral anticoagulant intake; (iv) switching between anticoagulant regimens; (v) pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions of NOACs; (vi) NOACs in patients with chronic kidney or advanced liver disease; (vii) how to measure the anticoagulant effect of NOACs; (viii) NOAC plasma level measurement: rare indications, precautions, and potential pitfalls; (ix) how to deal with dosing errors; (x) what to do if there is a (suspected) overdose without bleeding, or a clotting test is indicating a potential risk of bleeding; (xi) management of bleeding under NOAC therapy; (xii) patients undergoing a planned invasive procedure, surgery or ablation; (xiii) patients requiring an urgent surgical intervention; (xiv) patients with AF and coronary artery disease; (xv) avoiding confusion with NOAC dosing across indications; (xvi) cardioversion in a NOAC-treated patient; (xvii) AF patients presenting with acute stroke while on NOACs; (xviii) NOACs in special situations; (xix) anticoagulation in AF patients with a malignancy; and (xx) optimizing dose adjustments of VKA. Additional information and downloads of the text and anticoagulation cards in different languages can be found on an EHRA web site (www.NOACforAF.eu).

Major knowledge gaps and system barriers to guideline implementation among European physicians treating patients with atrial fibrillation: a European Society of Cardiology international educational needs assessment.

Aims: Guideline-adherent treatment is associated with improved prognosis in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients but is insufficiently implemented in clinical practice. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) performed a multinational educational needs assessment study among cardiologists, general practitioners/family physicians (GPs/FPs), and neurologists in order to evaluate knowledge and skills of physicians and system factors related to AF care delivery. Methods and results: A total of 561 physicians (294 cardiologists, 131 neurologists, and 136 GPs/FPs) from six European countries participated. This mixed-methods study included exploratory semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 30) and a quantitative survey that included two clinical cases (n = 531). We identified eight key knowledge gaps and system barriers across all domains of AF care. A majority across all specialties reported skills needing improvement to classify AF pathophysiologically, rather than based on duration of episodes, and reported lack of availability of long-term electrocardiogram recording. Skills interpreting the CHA2DS2-VASc and the HAS-BLED scores were reported as needing improvement by the majority of neurologists (52% and 60%, respectively) and GPs/FPs (65% and 74%). Cardiologists calculated the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores in 94%/70% in a presented case patient, but only 60%/49% of neurologists and 58%/42% of GPs/FPs did. There was much uncertainty on how to deal with anticoagulant therapy in complex patients. There was also a high disparity in using rate or rhythm control strategies, and indications for ablation. Information delivery to patients and communication between different specialties was often considered suboptimal, while national regulations and restrictions often hamper international guideline implementation. Conclusion: We identified major gaps in physicians' knowledge and skills across all domains of AF care, as well as system factors hampering guideline-compliant care implementation and communication. These gaps should be addressed by targeted educational and advocacy efforts.

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Apixaban and Vitamin K Antagonist Therapy in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Treated in Routine German Practice.

BACKGROUND: Scarce data comparing real-world outcomes between apixaban and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) users with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are available. We sought to assess the effectiveness and safety of newly-initiated apixaban vs. VKA in German NVAF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis in German outpatients using IMS Disease Analyzer data. Adults newly-initiated on apixaban or a VKA from January 2013 to March 2015 with a diagnosis of NVAF on the day of the first qualifying oral anticoagulant (OAC) prescription (index date) or any time during 1 year prior, and at least 1 year of follow-up were included. Patients experiencing a prior event in the composite endpoint, receiving an OAC before the index date, >1 OAC on the index date or switched to another OAC during follow-up were excluded. Apixaban and VKA users were 1:1 propensity-score matched. We evaluated the composite of ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction (MI) or intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in the year after OAC initiation. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 835 apixaban and 835 VKA users were matched. Forty-one composite events were identified. Hazard of the composite endpoint did not differ between apixaban and VKA users (HR=0.87, 95%CI=0.47-1.60). Ischaemic stroke and MI occurred at dissimilar (albeit not statistically significant) rates between apixaban and VKA therapy (HR=1.51, 95%CI=0.54-4.24) and (HR=0.33, 95%CI=0.11-1.03). Only two patients (both in the apixaban cohort) experienced an ICH. CONCLUSIONS: Apixaban and VKA therapy were associated with a similar impact on the composite endpoint in real-world German practice. Additional investigation is needed to evaluate the numeric trends of ischaemic stroke and decreased number of MIs observed with apixaban, as well as the high rate of reduced dose apixaban use found in this analysis.

[Perioperative anticoagulation with NOAC using the example of rivaroxaban]. / Perioperative Antikoagulation mit NOAK am Beispiel Rivaroxaban.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings require an update of earlier recommendations on the perioperative management of non Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). METHOD: The present position paper summarises the outcomes of an expert panel discussion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on the pharmacokinetic profile of rivaroxaban, a preoperative interruption of 24-72 hours is recommended depending on the patient's renal function, as well as individual and surgery-related bleeding risks. Similar NOAC-free intervals are recommended for patients with epidural catheters. Elective surgery should be delayed accordingly. A low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) "bridging" (in fact "switching") should be avoided because of an increased bleeding risk. Six to 8 hours after the intervention rivaroxaban can be re-initiated or, in case of more extensive interventions or an increased bleeding risk, after 24-72 hours; if necessary this interval could by bridged with LMWH, e. g. if the thromboembolic risk is considered high. In case of emergency surgery with a rivaroxaban pause of less than 9 hours, one should be prepared for a bleeding management including the use of prothrombin concentrate (PCC). Coagulation tests have no value for predicting perioperative bleeding, in contrast to a standardised bleeding history. As an overall estimate, the PT (Quick) can be determined with a suitable reagent. Currently, rivaroxaban-specific measurements of anti Xa levels are available at few specialised centres only. Moderate to severe haemorrhages can usually be managed by temporary interruption of rivaroxaban in conjunction with local and general haemostatic measures. Life-threatening bleeding events require a specific haemostasis management including the administration of PCC; these events are rare and usually have a favourable prognosis, except for intracranial haemorrhages.

Updated European Heart Rhythm Association practical guide on the use of non-vitamin-K antagonist anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Executive summary.

In 2013, the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) published a Practical Guide on the use of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) (Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Hacke W, Oldgren J, Sinnaeve P, Camm AJ, Kirchhof P, European Heart Rhythm A. European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2013;15:625-651; Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Hacke W, Oldgren J, Sinnaeve P, Camm AJ, Kirchhof P. EHRA practical guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: executive summary. Eur Heart J 2013;34:2094-2106). The document received widespread interest, not only from cardiologists but also from neurologists, geriatricians, and general practitioners, as became evident from the distribution of >350 000 copies of its pocket version (the EHRA Key Message Booklet) world-wide. Since 2013, numerous new studies have appeared on different aspects of NOAC therapy in AF patients. Therefore, EHRA updated the Practical Guide, including new information but also providing balanced guiding in the many areas where prospective data are still lacking. The outline of the original guide that addressed 15 clinical scenarios has been preserved, but all chapters have been rewritten. Main changes in the Update comprise a discussion on the definition of 'non-valvular AF' and eligibility for NOAC therapy, inclusion of finalized information on the recently approved edoxaban, tailored dosing information dependent on concomitant drugs, and/or clinical characteristics, an expanded chapter on neurologic scenarios (ischaemic stroke or intracranial haemorrhage under NOAC), an updated anticoagulation card and more specifics on start-up and follow-up issues. There are also many new flow charts, like on appropriate switching between anticoagulants (VKA to NOAC or vice versa), default scenarios for acute management of coronary interventions, step-down schemes for long-term combined antiplatelet-anticoagulant management in coronary heart disease, management of bleeding, and cardioversion under NOAC therapy. The Updated Guide is available in full in EP Europace (Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Diener HC, Hacke W, Oldgren J, Sinnaeve P, Camm AJ, Kirchhof P, Advisors. Updated European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2015;17:1467-1507), while additional resources can be found at the related ESC/EHRA website (www.NOACforAF.eu).

Real-world evidence of stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the United States: the REVISIT-US study.

BACKGROUND: Little data exists regarding the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban or apixaban versus warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients treated outside of clinical trials. METHODS: This was a retrospective study using MarketScan claims from January 2012 to October 2014. We included adults, newly initiated on rivaroxaban, apixaban or warfarin, with a baseline CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2, ≥2 diagnosis codes for NVAF and ≥180 days of continuous medical and prescription benefits. Patients with a prior stroke, systemic embolism or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were excluded. Eligible rivaroxaban or apixaban users were 1:1 propensity-score matched individually to warfarin users. Cox regression was performed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for rivaroxaban and apixaban versus warfarin for the combined endpoint of ischemic stroke or ICH and each endpoint individually. RESULTS: Upon matching 11,411 rivaroxaban to 11,411 warfarin users, rivaroxaban was associated with a significant reduction of the combined endpoint of ischemic stroke or ICH versus warfarin (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.45-0.82). ICH was significantly (HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.35-0.79) and ischemic stroke nonsignificantly reduced (HR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.47-1.07) by rivaroxaban versus warfarin. After matching 4083 apixaban and 4083 warfarin users, apixaban was found to nonsignificantly reduce the combined endpoint of ischemic stroke or ICH versus warfarin (HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.35-1.12) and to reduce ICH risk (HR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.17-0.88). Ischemic stroke risk was nonsignificantly increased with apixaban (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.49-2.63) versus warfarin. LIMITATIONS: Sample size and number of combined events observed were relatively small. Residual confounding could not be ruled out. CONCLUSIONS: Rivaroxaban and apixaban were associated with less ICH than warfarin and both are likely associated with reductions in the combined endpoint. Further investigation to validate the numerically higher rate of ischemic stroke with apixaban versus warfarin is required.

Updated European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

The current manuscript is an update of the original Practical Guide, published in June 2013[Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Hacke W, Oldgren J, et al. European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2013;15:625-51; Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, Antz M, Hacke W, Oldgren J, et al. EHRA practical guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: executive summary. Eur Heart J 2013;34:2094-106]. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are an alternative for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Both physicians and patients have to learn how to use these drugs effectively and safely in clinical practice. Many unresolved questions on how to optimally use these drugs in specific clinical situations remain. The European Heart Rhythm Association set out to coordinate a unified way of informing physicians on the use of the different NOACs. A writing group defined what needs to be considered as 'non-valvular AF' and listed 15 topics of concrete clinical scenarios for which practical answers were formulated, based on available evidence. The 15 topics are (i) practical start-up and follow-up scheme for patients on NOACs; (ii) how to measure the anticoagulant effect of NOACs; (iii) drug-drug interactions and pharmacokinetics of NOACs; (iv) switching between anticoagulant regimens; (v) ensuring adherence of NOAC intake; (vi) how to deal with dosing errors; (vii) patients with chronic kidney disease; (viii) what to do if there is a (suspected) overdose without bleeding, or a clotting test is indicating a risk of bleeding?; (xi) management of bleeding complications; (x) patients undergoing a planned surgical intervention or ablation; (xi) patients undergoing an urgent surgical intervention; (xii) patients with AF and coronary artery disease; (xiii) cardioversion in a NOAC-treated patient; (xiv) patients presenting with acute stroke while on NOACs; and (xv) NOACs vs. VKAs in AF patients with a malignancy. Additional information and downloads of the text and anticoagulation cards in >16 languages can be found on an European Heart Rhythm Association web site (www.NOACforAF.eu).

[Localization of the origin of idiopathic ventricular extrasystoles and tachycardia from the outflow tract]. / Ursprungslokalisation bei idiopathischen ventrikulären Extrasystolen und Tachykardien aus dem Ausflusstrakt.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVC) are a common cause for complaints. As a rule PVCs are not life-threatening if no structural heart disease is present; however, due to the symptoms treatment is often required using either antiarrhythmic drugs or more commonly catheter ablation. The surface electrocardiogram (ECG) is very helpful in localizing the origin of the arrhythmia, in particular for differentiating right from left ventricular sources.

[Oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation]. / Orale Antikoagulation bei Vorhofflimmern.

The correct oral anticoagulation for prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation and a corresponding risk profile is essential. However, anticoagulation is not carried out according to the guidelines in all patients. The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a new treatment alternative to vitamin K antagonists. The new guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), recent study results and the practice guidelines of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) can help to use DOACs appropriately, to optimize the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation and to reduce complications.