Feasibility of carbon dioxide insufflation and impact on epicardial approach utilization for ventricular tachycardia ablation in a midvolume referral center.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial access is often crucial for successful ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation, but it is often burdened by significant procedural risk. Intentional coronary vein exit and intrapericardial CO2 insufflation (EpiCO2) can facilitate subxiphoid pericardial access. OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to assess procedural feasibility, safety, and impact of the introduction of intrapericardial CO2 insufflation for epicardial access in a referral center for VT ablation. METHODS: All consecutive patients treated with epicardial VT ablation between November 2022 and January 2024 with the EpiCO2 technique at Pisa University Hospital were prospectively enrolled and compared in terms of feasibility, efficiency, and safety with a local retrospective cohort of patients treated with subxiphoid dry puncture between July 2018 and October 2022. RESULTS: Twenty-two consecutive patients (90.9% male; mean age, 54.3 years) underwent VT ablation with EpiCO2 during the study period. Epicardial access was achieved in all patients; median time from coronary sinus (CS) cannulation to epicardial access was 33 minutes. Intentional vein exit was successful in all cases, whereas CO2 insufflation was not feasible in 1 patient. There were no major complications and no significant bleeding. Since EpiCO2 introduction, epicardial approach utilization increased from 17.8% to 40% of all VT procedures. Comparison with 20 standard dry approach epicardial ablations showed no significant differences in terms of total procedural duration (322.5 [interquartile range, 296.75-363.75] minutes vs 359 [interquartile range, 323-409] minutes; P = .08). CONCLUSION: In our single-center experience, EpiCO2 was feasible and safe and led to significant increase in procedural volume without affecting total procedural time compared with standard dry puncture.

Arrhythmic risk profile in mitral valve prolapse: A systematic review and metanalysis of 1715 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common clinical condition in the general population. A subgroup of patients with MVP may experience ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death ("arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse" [AMVP]) but how to stratify arrhythmic risk is still unclear. Our meta-analysis aims to identify predictive factors for arrhythmic risk in patients with MVP. METHODS: We systematically searched Medline, Cochrane, Journals@Ovid, Scopus electronic databases for studies published up to December 28, 2022 and comparing AMVP and nonarrhythmic mitral valve prolapse (NAMVP) for what concerns history, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance features. The effect size was estimated using a random-effect model as odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies enrolling 1715 patients were included. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (OR: 16.67; p = .005), T-wave inversion (TWI) (OR: 2.63; p < .0001), bileaflet MVP (OR: 1.92; p < .0001) and mitral anulus disjunction (MAD) (OR: 2.60; p < .0001) were more represented among patients with AMVP than in NAMVP. Patients with AMVP were shown to have longer anterior mitral leaflet (AML) (MD: 2.63 mm; p < .0001), posterior mitral leaflet (MD: 2.96 mm; p < .0001), thicker AML (MD: 0.49 mm; p < .0001), longer MAD length (MD: 1.24 mm; p < .0001) and higher amount of LGE (MD: 1.41%; p < .0001) than NAMVP. AMVP showed increased mechanical dispersion (MD: 8.04 ms; 95% confidence interval: 5.13-10.96; p < .0001) compared with NAMVP. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis proved that LGE, TWI, bileaflet MVP, and MAD are predictive factors for arrhythmic risk in MVP patients.

Transvenous lead extraction: Efficacy and safety of the procedure in female patients.

Background: Existing data on the impact of sex differences on transvenous lead extraction (TLE) outcomes in cardiac device patients are limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical TLE in female patients. Methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed on 3051 TLE patients (group 1: female; group 2: male) from a single tertiary referral center. All individuals received treatment using single sheath mechanical dilation and various venous approaches as required. Results: Our analysis included 3051 patients (group 1: 750; group 2: 2301), with a total of 5515 leads handled with removal. Female patients were younger, had a higher left ventricular ejection fraction, and lower prevalences of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. Infection was more common in male patients, whereas lead malfunction or abandonment were more frequent in female patients. Radiologic success was lower in female patients (95.8% vs 97.5%; P = .003), but there was no significant difference in clinical success between groups (97.2% vs 97.5%; P = .872). However, major complications (1.33% vs 0.60%; P <.001) and procedural mortality (0.4% vs 0.1%; P <.001) were higher in females compared to male patients. After multivariate analysis, female sex emerged as the only predictor of major complications, including deaths (odds ratio 3.96; 95% confidence interval 1.39-11.24). Conclusion: TLE using unpowered simple mechanical sheaths in female patients is safe and effective, but is associated with lower radiologic success and higher complication rates and mortality than in males. This finding underscores the importance of recognizing sex differences in TLE outcomes.

Short and Long-Term Outcomes of Lesion Index-Guided High-Power Short-Duration Approach for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

High-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation is an increasingly used ablation strategy for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures, but Lesion Index (LSI)-guided HPSD radiofrequency (RF) applications have not been described in this clinical setting. We evaluated the procedural efficiency and safety of an LSI-guided HPSD strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Paroxysmal and persistent AF patients scheduled for AF ablation were prospectively enrolled and divided into two groups, according to the ablation power used (≥45 W for the LSI-HP Group and ≤40 W for the LSI-LP group). All patients underwent only PVI LSI-guided ablation (5.5 to 6 anteriorly; 5 to 5.5 superiorly, 4.5 to 5 posteriorly) with a point-by-point strategy and an inter-lesion distance <6 mm. Forty-six patients with AF (25 in the LSI-HP Group vs 21 in the LSI-LP Group)-59% paroxysmal, 78% male, with low-intermediate CHA2DS2-Vasc scores (2 [1-3]), a preserved ejection fraction (65 ± 6%) and a mean left atrial index volume of 39 ± 13 mL/m2 were prospectively enrolled. Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. PVI was successful in all patients. The RF time (29 (23-37) vs. 49 (41-53) min, p < 0.001), total procedure time (131 (126-145) vs. 155 (139-203) min, p = 0.007) and fluoroscopy time (12 (10-18) vs. 21 (16-26) min, p = 0.001) were significantly lower in the LSI-HP Group. No complications or steam pops were seen in either group. LSI-HP AF ablation significantly improved procedural efficiency-reducing ablation time, total procedural duration, and fluoroscopy use, while maintaining a comparable safety profile to lower-power procedures.

Baseline left atrial low-voltage area predicts recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation: WAVE-MAP AF results.

AIMS: Electro-anatomical mapping may be critical to identify atrial fibrillation (AF) subjects who require substrate modification beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The objective was to determine correlations between pre-ablation mapping characteristics and 12-month outcomes after a single PVI-only catheter ablation of AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study enrolled paroxysmal AF (PAF), early persistent AF (PsAF; 7 days-3 months), and non-early PsAF (>3-12 months) subjects undergoing de novo PVI-only radiofrequency catheter ablation. Sinus rhythm (SR) and AF voltage maps were created with the Advisor HD Grid™ Mapping Catheter, Sensor Enabled™ for each subject, and the presence of low-voltage area (LVA) (low-voltage cutoffs: 0.1-1.5 mV) was investigated. Follow-up visits were at 3, 6, and 12 months, with a 24-h Holter monitor at 12 months. A Cox proportional hazards model identified associations between mapping data and 12-month recurrence after a single PVI procedure. The study enrolled 300 subjects (113 PAF, 86 early PsAF, and 101 non-early PsAF) at 18 centres. At 12 months, 75.5% of subjects were free from AF/atrial flutter (AFL)/atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence. Univariate analysis found that arrhythmia recurrence did not correlate with AF diagnosis, but LVA was significantly correlated. Low-voltage area (<0.5 mV) >28% of the left atrium in SR [hazard ratio (HR): 4.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.08-11.18; P = 0.0003] and >72% in AF (HR: 5.66, 95% CI: 2.34-13.69; P = 0.0001) was associated with a higher risk of AF/AFL/AT recurrence at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Larger extension of LVA was associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia recurrence. These subjects may benefit from substrate modification beyond PVI.

Safety and Efficacy of a Single Procedure of Extraction and Reimplantation of Infected Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) in Comparison with Deferral Timing: An Observational Retrospective Multicentric Study.

(1) Background: Infections are among the most frequent and life-threatening complications of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome and safety of a single-procedure device extraction and contralateral implantation versus the standard-of-care (SoC) two-stage replacement for infected CIEDs. (2) Methods: We retrospectively included 66 patients with CIED infections who were treated at two Italian hospitals. Of the 66 patients enrolled in the study, 27 underwent a single procedure, whereas 39 received SoC treatment. All patients were followed up for 12 months after the procedure. (3) Results: Considering those lost to follow-up, there were no differences in the mortality rates between the two cohorts, with survival rates of 81.5% in the single-procedure group and 84.6% in the SoC group (p = 0.075). (4) Conclusions: Single-procedure reimplantation associated with an active antibiofilm therapy may be a feasible and effective therapeutic option in CIED-dependent and frail patients. Further studies are warranted to define the best treatment regimen and strategies to select patients suitable for the single-procedure reimplantation.

Feasibility and Accuracy of Noninvasive Continuous Arterial Pressure Monitoring during Transcatheter Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is still carried out with continuous invasive radial arterial blood pressure (IBP) monitoring in many centers. Continuous noninvasive blood pressure (CNBP) measurement using the volume-clamp method is a noninvasive alternative method used in ICU. No data on CNBP reliability are available in the electrophysiology lab during AF ablation, where rhythm variations are common. BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to compare continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measured with the ClearSight device (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) with invasive radial artery pressure used as the reference method during AF ablation. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 55 consecutive patients (age 62 ± 11 years, 80% male) undergoing transcatheter AF ablation (62% paroxysmal, 38% persistent) at our center. Standard of care IBP monitoring via a radial cannula and a contralateral noninvasive finger volume-clamp CNBP measurement device were positioned simultaneously in all patients for the entire procedure. Bland-Altman analysis was used to analyze the agreement between the two techniques. RESULTS: A total of 1219 paired measurements for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were obtained in 55 subjects, with a mean (SD) of 22 (9) measurements per patient. The mean bias (SD) was -12.97 (13.89) mmHg for systolic pressure (level of agreement -14.24-40.20; correlation coefficient 0.84), -1.85 (8.52) mmHg for diastolic pressure (level of agreement -18.54-14.84; correlation coefficient 0.77) and 2.31 (8.75) mmHg for mean pressure (level of agreement -14.84-19.46; correlation coefficient 0.85). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing AF ablation, CNBP monitoring with the ClearSight device showed acceptable agreement with IBP monitoring. Larger studies are needed to confirm the potential clinical implications of continuous noninvasive BP monitoring during AF ablation.

Targeted ablation of residual pulmonary vein potentials in atrial fibrillation ablation through ultra-high-density mapping: Insights from the CHARISMA registry.

INTRODUCTION: Low-voltage activity beyond pulmonary veins (PVs) may contribute to the failure of ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the long term. We aimed to assess the presence of gaps (PVG) and residual potential (residual antral potential [RAP]) within the antral scar by means of an ultra-high-density mapping (UHDM) system. METHODS: We studied consecutive patients from the CHARISMA registry who were undergoing AF ablation and had complete characterization of residual PV antral activity. The Lumipoint™ (Boston Scientific) map-analysis tool was used sequentially on each PV component. The ablation endpoint was PV isolation (PVI) and electrical quiescence in the antral region. RESULTS: Fifty-eight cases of AF ablation were analyzed. A total of 86 PVGs in 34 (58.6%) patients and 44 RAPs in 34 patients (58.6%) were found. In 16 (27.6%) cases, we found at least one RAP in patients with complete absence of PV conduction. RAPs showed a lower mean voltage than PVG (0.3 ± 0.2 mV vs. 0.7 ± 0.5 mV, p < .0001), whereas the mean number of electrogram peaks was higher (8.4 ± 1.4 vs. 3.2 ± 1.5, p < .0001). The percentage of patients in whom RAPs were detected through Lumipoint™ was higher than through propagation map analysis (58.6% vs. 36.2%, p = .025). Acute procedural success was 100%, with all PVs successfully isolated and RAPs completely abolished in all study patients. During a mean follow-up of 453 ± 133 days, 6 patients (10.3%) suffered an AF/AT recurrence. CONCLUSION: Local vulnerabilities in antral lesion sets were easily discernible by means of the UHDM system in both de novo and redo patients when no PV conduction was present.

Left atrial thrombus and smoke resolution in patients with atrial fibrillation under chronic oral anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to explore the resolution of left atrial and left atrial appendage (LAA) spontaneous echo-contrast or thrombus in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) under chronic oral anticoagulation (OAC). METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) for an electrical cardioversion was conducted. RESULTS: Among 277 TOE performed, 73 cases (26%) of LAA echo-contrast or thrombus were detected, 53 patients with LAA/LA echo-contrast (19%) and 20 (7%) with a thrombus. All patients were under chronic anticoagulation with a VKA (65%) or with a NOAC (35%). The Echo-contrast Group maintained the same OAC strategy in 49 patients (93%). The Thrombus Group kept the same OAC strategy with a NOAC in 6 cases (30%) and changed the strategy in 14 patients (70%), titrating NOAC dose in 1 (5%) and the VKA dose in 4 (20%) and switching from NOAC to VKA in 5 (25%), from VKA to NOAC in 3 (15%), and from NOAC to NOAC in 1 (5%). Smoke resolution was observed in 4/40 cases (10%) of the smoke group and thrombus resolution in 8/15 (53%) of the thrombus group. Patients with thrombus resolution had a lower CHA2DS2-Vasc score (3.5 ± 2 vs 4 ± 1, p = 0.05), were more often under NOAC (37.5 vs 28%, p = 0.07), and had a longer anticoagulation time (7.5 vs 4 months, p = 0.08). CONCLUSION (S): Changing OAC strategy is associated with thrombus resolution in more than 50% of chronically anticoagulated patients.

Clinical impact of high-density mapping on the acute and long term outcome of atypical atrial flutter ablations.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical impact of the high-density (HD) mapping compared with the standard low-density (LD) ablation catheter mapping technique in the treatment of AFLs. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated short and long outcomes of patients approached with an HD and a LD electro-anatomical strategy for atypical AFLs. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were included. Patients were almost male (60%), relatively old (65 ± 8 years), with a moderate CHA2DS2Vasc score (2.3 ± 1.3), a preserved ejection fraction (58 ± 6), and moderate atrial dilatation (44 ± 7 mm). Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between groups (p = NS). Among AFLs, 10 (11%) were located in the right and 78 (89%) in the left atrium, including 22 (28%) roof dependent and 37 (47%) mitral dependent (p = NS). Sinus rhythm restoration during ablation was more frequently observed in the HD group (79% vs 56%, p = 0.037), without differences in mapping time, procedural time, and radiological dose (p = NS). Overall AFL/AT/AF recurrence rate at 1, 2, and 3 years was lower in the HD group (14% vs 37% p = 0.02, 14% vs 48% p = 0.002 and 14% vs 50% p < 0.001, respectively) with a time-dependent trend only in the LD group (37% vs 48% vs 50% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively, p = 0.059). HD mapping (OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.04-0.66) and younger age (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.01-1.19) resulted independent predictors of overall arrhythmias at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Short- and long-term outcomes of atypical AFL ablation were better in the case of HD mapping, which resulted independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrences.

Standard versus strict stability criteria in radiofrequency paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation using ablation index.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation via pulmonary vein isolation using Ablation Index (AI) with strict or standard stability criteria. METHODS: We enrolled 130 consecutive naive patients affected by paroxysmal AF who underwent PVI at two high-volume centers. AI target was ≥380 at the posterior wall and ≥500 at the anterior wall. Strict versus standard stability criteria were set for Group 1 (65 patients) and Group 2 (65 patients), respectively. We compared those strategies with a historical cohort of 72 consecutive patients treated at same centers in the VISITALY study, using average force ≥10 g and strict stability criteria as target parameters. Interlesion distance target was <6 mm. Recurrence was defined as any AF, atrial tachycardia (AT) or atrial flutter (AFL) during the 12 months after ablation, excluding a 90-days blanking period. RESULTS: Procedure duration (224.05 ± 47.21 vs. 175.61 ± 51.29 min; p < .001), fluoroscopy time (11.85 ± 4.38 vs. 10.46 ± 6.49 min; p = .019) and pericardial effusion rate (9.23% vs. 0%; p = .01) were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. Freedom from AF/AT/AFL at 12 months was not significantly different (Group 1: 86.15%; Group 2: 90.77%; p = .42). Compared to VISITALY study, there were not significant differences in terms of recurrences. CONCLUSION: A strategy of PVI using AI with standard stability criteria performed the best in terms of procedure efficiency and safety. Twelve-months arrhythmia-free survival rate was comparable with other strategies pursuing an interlesion distance target <6 mm, regardless of the use of AI.

Minimal fluoroscopy approach for right-sided supraventricular tachycardia ablation with a novel ablation technology: Insights from the multicenter CHARISMA clinical registry.

BACKGROUND: No data exist on the ability of the novel Rhythmia 3-D mapping system to minimize fluoroscopy exposure during transcatheter ablation of arrhythmias. We report data on the feasibility and safety of a minimal fluoroscopic approach using this system in supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) procedures. METHODS: Consecutive patients were enrolled in the CHARISMA registry at 12 centers. All right-sided procedures performed with the Rhythmia mapping system were analyzed. The acquired electroanatomic information was used to reconstruct 3-D cardiac geometry; fluoroscopic confirmation was used whenever deemed necessary. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-five patients (mean age = 56 ± 17 years, 57% male) were included: 152 atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, 116 atrial flutter, 41 and 16 right-sided accessory pathway and atrial tachycardia, respectively. Overall, 27 481 s of fluoroscopy were used (84.6 ± 224 s per procedure, equivalent effective dose = 1.1 ± 3.7 mSv per patient). One hundred ninety-two procedures (59.1%) were completed without the use of fluoroscopy (zero fluoroscopy, ZF). In multivariate analysis, the presence of a fellow in training (OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05-0.46; p = .0008), radiofrequency application (0.99, 0.99-1.00; p = .0002), and mapping times (0.99, 0.99-1.00; p = .042) were all inversely associated with ZF approach. Acute procedural success was achieved in 97.8% of the cases (98.4 vs. 97% in the ZF vs. non-ZF group; p = .4503). During a mean of 290.7 ± 169.6 days follow-up, no major adverse events were reported, and recurrence of the primary arrhythmia was 2.5% (2.1 vs. 3% in the ZF vs. non-ZF group; p = .7206). CONCLUSIONS: The Rhythmia mapping system permits transcatheter ablation of right-sided SVT with minimal fluoroscopy exposure. Even more, in most cases, the system enables a ZF approach, without affecting safety and efficacy.

Role of pre-procedural CT imaging on catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation: procedural outcomes and radiological exposure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to study left atrial (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) anatomy before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of pre-procedural cardiac CT with 3D reconstruction on procedural outcomes and radiological exposure in patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) of AF. METHODS: In this registry, 493 consecutive patients (age 62 ± 8 years, 70% male) with paroxysmal (316) or persistent (177) AF who underwent first procedure of RFA were included. A pre-procedural CT scan was obtained in 324 patients (CT group). Antral pulmonary vein isolation was performed in all patients using an open-irrigation-tip catheter with a 3D electroanatomical navigation system. Procedural outcome, including radiological exposure, and clinical outcomes were compared among patients who underwent RFA with (CT group) and without (no CT group) pre-procedural cardiac CT. RESULTS: Acute PV isolation was obtained in all patients, with a comparable overall complication rate between CT and no CT group (4.3% vs 3%, p = 0.7). No differences were observed about mean duration of the procedure (231 ± 60 vs 233 ± 58 min, p = 0.7) and fluoroscopy time (13 ± 10 vs 13 ± 8 min, p = 0.6) among groups. Cumulative radiation dose resulted significantly higher in the CT group compared with no CT group (8.9 ± 24 vs 4.8 ± 15 mSv, P = 0.02). At 1 year, freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia were comparable among groups (CT group, 227/324 (70%), vs no CT group,119/169 (70%), p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-procedural CT does not improve safety and efficacy of AF ablation, increasing significantly the cumulative radiological exposure.

Predictors of ventricular ablation's success: Viability, innervation, or mismatch?

AIMS: Sympathetic dys-innervation may play an important role in the development of post-ischemic ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Aim of this study was to prove that perfusion/innervation mismatch (PIM) evaluated by SPECT can identify areas of local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVA) on electroanatomic mapping (EAM). METHODS: Sixteen patients referred to post-ischemic VA catheter ablation underwent pre-procedural and 1-month post-ablation 123I-MIBG/99mTc-tetrofosmin rest SPECT myocardial imaging. PIM was defined according to the segmental distributions of 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 123I-MIBG. A 17-segment LV analysis was used for either SPECT or LV EAM voltage map. All patients were followed up clinically for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Before ablation, the mean voltage in the PIM segments was higher than in the scarred ones but lower than in the normal regions. The presence of PIM in a specific LV zone was an independent predictor of LAVA. After ablation, PIM value was significantly reduced, mainly due to an increase in perfusion summed rest score, in particular in patients that were responders to ablation. CONCLUSIONS: PIM may associate with VA substrate expressed by LAVA and might provide a novel guide for substrate ablation. A significant reduction of PIM could predict a positive clinical response to ablation.

Comparison between leadless and transvenous single-chamber pacemaker therapy in a referral centre for lead extraction.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the long-term clinical and electrical performance of Micra leadless pacemaker with transvenous single-chamber pacemaker (TV-VVI PM) in a high-volume centre for transvenous lead extraction (TLE). METHODS: One-hundred patients (group 1) undergoing Micra implant were matched with 100 patients undergoing TV-VVI PM implant (group 2) by age, sex, left ventricular systolic ejection fraction and previous TLE. RESULTS: The implant procedure was successful in all patients. In group 1, the procedure duration was lower than in group 2 (43.86 ± 22.38 vs 58.38 ± 17.85 min, p < 0.001), while the fluoroscopy time was longer (12.25 ± 6.84 vs 5.32 ± 4.42 min, p < 0.001). There was no difference about the rate of septal implant at the right ventricle (76% vs 86%, p = 0.10). Patients were followed-up for a median of 12 months. No acute and chronic procedure-related complication was observed in group 1, while we reported acute complications in seven patients (7%, p = 0.02) and long-term complications in three patients (3%, p = 0.24), needing for a system revision in 6 cases (6%, p = 0.038), in group 2. One systemic infection occurred in TV-VVI PM group. Electrical measurements were stable during follow-up in both groups, with a longer estimated battery life in group 1 (mean delivered energy at threshold at discharge: 0.14 ± 0.21 vs 0.26 ± 0.22 µJ, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Micra pacemaker implant is a safe and effective procedure, with a lower rate of acute complications and system revisions compared with TV-VVI PM, even in a real-life setting including patients who underwent TLE.

Leadless pacing in the elderly: never too old for something new.

Rates of cardiac pacemaker implantation rise with age, and, meanwhile, elderly patient may be at great risk of complications, as pneumothorax, lead perforation, or pocket dehiscence. The use of leadless pacemaker could overcome peri- and post-procedural complications related to the presence of transvenous leads and pocket. The study aims to investigate feasibility and outcomes of Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (M-TPS) implantation in elderly, which represents a challenge for conventional cardiac pacing. Between May 2014 and July 2019, 109 patients (88 males, mean age 77.71±9.68 years) underwent M-TPS implantation at our Center, targeting a non-apical site of delivery when feasible. Study population was divided into two groups according to age (group 1 <79 years vs group 2 group 2 ≥80 years). The outcome evaluation included electrical performance at hospital discharge, and during follow-up. In 46/109 cases (34 males, 73.91%) M-TPS was implanted in patients older than 80 years. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for demographics characteristics, except for age. The procedure was performed via the right femoral access in 102/109 cases and was successful in all cases, with no device-related events. No differences were observed between groups in procedure duration, single device delivery, electrical performance at implant and at 12 month F-U. MTP-S implant is an effective and safe procedure in elderly patients, with similar electrical performance and outcome compared with younger patients at mid-term follow-up.