Intermittent complete atrioventricular block in a 20-year-old woman with cardiac sarcoidosis: a case report.

Background: Atrioventricular conduction disturbance may rarely be caused by cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis. Case summary: A 20-year-old Caucasian female with exertional dyspnoea was admitted to the hospital. Electrocardiogram revealed intermittent complete atrioventricular block with ventricular escape rhythm. Laboratory findings indicated no obvious cause for the complete heart block, and echocardiography showed no abnormalities with normal systolic left ventricular function. However, in gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, a mass at the basal septum with high intensity of T2-weighted signal was found, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed severe enhancement in this area and in the mediastinal lymph nodes. The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis was established by the detection of non-caseating epithelioid granulomas in the endobronchial lymph node biopsy. Corticosteroid therapy with oral administration of 30 mg prednisolone was initiated, and complete recovery of atrioventricular block was observed within several weeks, obviating the need for permanent pacemaker implantation. Discussion: Cardiac sarcoidosis can cause complete atrioventricular block and should always be considered, especially in younger patients. Early diagnosis and initiation of corticosteroid therapy may lead to complete recovery of conduction system without the need for permanent pacemaker implantation.

Genetic and Clinical Predictors of Left Atrial Thrombus: A Single Center Case-Control Study.

Left atrial (LA) thrombus formation is the presumed origin of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Beyond clinical risk factors, the factors causing formation of LA thrombi are not well known. In this case-control study, we analyzed clinical characteristics and genetic thrombophilia markers (factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin G20210A (FIIV), Tyr2561 variant of von Willebrand factor (VWF-V)) in 42 patients with AF and LA thrombus (LAT) and in 68 control patients with AF without LAT (CTR). Patients with LAT had more clinical conditions predisposing to stroke (mean CHA2DS2-VASc-score 3.4 ± 1.5 vs. 1.9 ± 1.4; P < 0.001), a higher LA volume (96 ± 32 vs. 76 ± 21 ml, P = 0.002) and lower LA appendage emptying velocity (0.21 ± 0.11vs. 0.43 ± 0.19 m/s, P < 0.001). Prevalence of FVL, FIIV and VWF-V mutations was not different, but in the subgroup of patients <65 years (y) there was a tendency for a higher incidence of VWF-V with a prevalence of 27% (LAT <65 y) vs. 7% (CTR <65 y, P = 0.066). These findings warrant further investigation of the VWF-V as a risk factor for LA thrombogenesis in younger patients.

Supervised Obesity Reduction Trial for AF ablation patients: results from the SORT-AF trial.

AIMS: Weight management seems to be beneficial for obese atrial fibrillation (AF) patients; however, randomized data are sparse. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the influence of weight reduction on AF ablation outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: SORT-AF is an investigator-sponsored, prospective, randomized, multicentre, and clinical trial. Patients with symptomatic AF (paroxysmal or persistent) and body mass index (BMI) 30-40 kg/m2 underwent AF ablation and were randomized to either weight-reduction (group 1) or usual care (group 2), after sleep-apnoea-screening and loop recorder (ILR) implantation. The primary endpoint was defined as AF burden between 3 and 12 months after AF ablation. Overall, 133 patients (60 ± 10 years, 57% persistent AF) were randomized to group 1 (n = 67) and group 2 (n = 66), respectively. Complications after AF-ablation were rare (one stroke and no tamponade). The intervention led to a significant reduction of BMI (34.9 ± 2.6-33.4 ± 3.6) in group 1 compared to a stable BMI in group 2 (P < 0.001). Atrial fibrillation burden after ablation decreased significantly (P < 0.001), with no significant difference regarding the primary endpoint between the groups (P = 0.815, odds ratio: 1.143, confidence interval: 0.369-3.613). Further analyses showed a significant correlation between BMI and AF recurrence for patients with persistent AF compared with paroxysmal AF patients (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The SORT-AF study shows that AF ablation is safe and successful in obese patients using continuous monitoring via ILR. Although the primary endpoint of AF burden after ablation did not differ between the two groups, the effects of weight loss and improvement of exercise activity were beneficial for obese patients with persistent AF demonstrating the relevance of life-style management as an important adjunct to AF ablation in this setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02064114.

Outcome of catheter ablation of non-reentrant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with and without structural heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of non-reentrant, commonly termed "idiopathic" ventricular arrhythmias (VA) is highly effective in patients without structural heart disease (SHD). Meanwhile, the outcome of catheter ablation of these arrhythmias in patients with SHD remains unclear. This study sought to characterize the outcome of patients with and without SHD undergoing catheter ablation of non-reentrant VA. METHODS: In this single-centre study the acute and long-term outcome of 266 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of non-reentrant VA was investigated. In 41.0% of patients a SHD was present (n = 109, 80.7% male, age 59.1 ± 14.7 years), 59.0% had no SHD (n = 157; 44.0% male, age 49.9 ± 16.5 years). RESULTS: Acute procedural success (absence of spontaneous or provoked VA at the end of procedure and within 48 h after the procedure) was achieved in 89.9% of patients with SHD vs. 94.3% without SHD (p = 0.238). During a mean follow-up of 34.7 ± 15.1 months a repeat catheter ablation was performed in 19.6% of patients with SHD vs. 13.0% without SHD (p = 0.179). Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were the most likely to require a repeat ablation procedure (32.0% of patients with DCM vs. 13.0% without SHD; p = 0.022). Periprocedural complications occurred in 5.5% of patients with SHD vs. 5.7% without SHD (p > 0.999). All complications were managed without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of catheter ablation of non-reentrant VA in patients with SHD appears good and is comparable to patients without SHD. A slightly higher rate of repeat ablations was observed in patients with DCM.

Predictors of successful complex catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation despite failure of targeted procedural arrhythmia termination.

INTRODUCTION: Procedural atrial fibrillation (AF) termination is considered as a predictor of long-term success after catheter ablation for persistent AF (persAF). However, some patients remain free of arrhythmia recurrences despite failure to achieve AF termination. The objective of this study was to assess long-term outcome and prognostic factors in patients undergoing complex ablation without procedural AF termination. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study comprised 419 patients (63.8 ± 10.2 years, 63.4% male) undergoing complex ablation for persAF. Patients without procedural AF termination (n = 137, 64.2 ± 9.7 years, 63.5% male) were categorized into patients who remained in sinus rhythm (SR) in long-term outcome (SR-group) and patients with recurrence of AF or atrial tachycardia (AT) (AR-group). During a follow-up (FU) of 19.6 ± 14.6 months, the SR-group consisted of 65 (47.5%) and the AR-group of 69 (50.4%) patients. Three patients (2.2%) were lost to FU. Left atrial appendage (LAA) flow velocity and left atrium volume index (LAVI) could be identified as predictors for long-term success. LAA flow velocity and baseline AF cycle length (AFCL) were significantly associated with the type of arrhythmia recurrence (AF vs AT), ie, higher values of both are predictive for AT rather than AF recurrences. Patients with a LAVI < 34.4 mL/m² and significant AFCL increase during the ablation procedure had rather AT than AF recurrences. CONCLUSION: Patients with an arrhythmia-free outcome despite failure of procedural AF termination during complex ablation for persAF are characterized by specific morphological and functional properties that are easy to obtain.

Noninvasive peripheral vascular function and atrial fibrillation in the general population.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is a strong predictor of atrial fibrillation in the community. Whether noninvasively measured conduit artery function and peripheral vascular reactivity are related to atrial fibrillation remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 15 010 individuals of the population-based Gutenberg Health Study, mean age 55 ±â€Š11 years, 50.5% men, we determined noninvasive vascular function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) in relation to manifest atrial fibrillation (N = 466). Patients with atrial fibrillation exhibited a higher mean brachial artery diameter [4.81 mm (4.17, 5.33) in atrial fibrillation vs. 4.31 mm (3.67, 4.93)] and baseline pulse amplitude in arbitrary units [6.35 (5.76, 6.78) in atrial fibrillation vs. 6.09 (5.36, 6.71)] as well as a reduced FMD in arbitrary units [1.29 (1.26, 1.33) in atrial fibrillation vs. (1.31 (1.26, 1.37)] and PAT ratio [0.42 (0.19, 0.77) in atrial fibrillation vs. 0.67 (0.33, 0.94)] compared with individuals without atrial fibrillation (all PWilcoxon rank-sum test). In age-adjusted and sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses, only baseline brachial artery diameter [odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.37; P = 0.012] and PAT ratio (OR 0.83; 0.74-0.94; P = 0.0029) were associated with atrial fibrillation. In risk factor and heart rate-adjusted models, there was no statistically significant correlation of atrial fibrillation and brachial artery diameter, FMD and PAT ratio while baseline pulse amplitude was reduced in individuals with atrial fibrillation (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71-0.93; P = 0.0034). CONCLUSION: In our large contemporary cohort, peripheral vascular function was compromised in individuals with atrial fibrillation. However, observed associations were mediated by age and classical risk factors. Noninvasive vascular function measures did not improve discriminatory ability for atrial fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation Manifestations Risk Factors and Sex Differences in a Population-Based Cohort (From the Gutenberg Health Study).

Sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac structure and function, and disease and symptom burden in the common arrhythmia atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been investigated systematically at the population level. Cross-sectional data of 14,796 subjects (age range 35 to 74 years, 50.5% men) from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study were examined to show the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors by AF status and sex, and to determine sex-specific predictors for AF. The prevalence of AF was higher in men (4.3%) than in women (1.9%). Men had a worse cardiovascular risk factor profile, a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, but fewer symptoms than women. Age-adjusted Cox regressions showed sex interactions in the association of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, generalized anxiety disorder, and heart rate with AF. After multivariable adjustment, sex interactions were seen for thickness of interventricular end-diastolic septum, odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation (SD), 95% confidence interval women: 0.9 (0.8, 1.1), men: 1.2 (1.1, 1.4), interaction p value = 0.02; left atrial diameter index, OR per SD women: 1.5 (1.3, 1.8), men: 1.9 (1.7, 2.1), interaction p value = 0.03; and myocardial infarction, OR women: 2.7 (1.3, 5.6), men: 0.7 (0.5, 1.1), interaction p value = 0.002. In conclusion, in our large cohort, we observed substantial sex differences in AF distribution and clinical characteristics including comorbidities, symptom burden, and structural cardiac changes.

Outcome of slow pathway modulation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with 50 versus 30 watts-more power, more effect?

PURPOSE: Slow pathway modulation is the treatment of choice in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). No comparative data on ablation strategies exist. Therefore, we sought to compare two common ablation approaches. METHODS: We analyzed prospective ablation databases of two high-volume tertiary centers (> 1000 ablations/year) using either 30 or 50 W for slow pathway modulation from 2012 to 2013. We analyzed procedural characteristics as well as short- and long-term outcomes. Mean follow-up was 36 ± 9 months. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-four patients (50 W center: n = 342, 30 W center: n = 292) were ablated. Slow pathway modulation was successful in 99% in both groups (p = ns). Periprocedural AV block occurred in nine patients (2.6%) in the 50 W and five patients (1.7%) in the 30 W group (p = 0.59), respectively. We documented no permanent higher-degree AV block. The number of RF lesions and seconds of RF delivery was significantly less in the 50 W group (p = 0.04 for number of lesions; p < 0.001 for seconds). AVNRT recurrence was similar (p = 0.23). In males, significantly fewer recurrences accrued in the 50 W group (p = 0.04), while in females less transient AV blocks occurred during the procedure with 30 W (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The 30 and 50 W target power approaches for slow pathway modulation are highly effective and safe. Significantly, fewer RF duration was necessary to modulate the slow pathway with higher power output (50 W). Our subgroup analysis suggests that males and females might benefit most from different modulation approaches.

Contact force facilitates the achievement of an unexcitable ablation line during pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS: Contact force (CF) catheters provide catheter-tissue contact information to improve outcome of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We evaluated different target-CF values for achievement of the additional endpoint of an unexcitable ablation line. METHODS: A total of 106 patients undergoing PVI were randomized into three groups (G) (G1: target-CF 15 g, G2: target-CF 10 g, G3: CF concealed from operator). The PVI encircling line was divided into predefined sections. Excitable tissue along the PVI-line identified by high output pacing (10 V, 2 ms) was targeted for further ablation. RESULTS: Mean average CF was 17.4 ± 4.7 g (G1) vs. 12.3 ± 6.0 g (G2) vs. 11.1 ± 6.5 g (G 3) (p < 0.001). Primary unexcitable ablation lines were found in 38.6, 19.4 and 5.7% (G1, G2, G3 respectively; G1 vs. G2 p < 0.05, G1 vs. G3 p < 0.001, G2 vs. G3 ns). Additional radiofrequency (RF)-energy to achieve unexcitability was lowest in G1 (3.6 ± 3.1 kJ vs. 8.6 ± 7.2 kJ (G2) and 10.4 ± 6.7 (G3), p ≤ 0.001, G2 vs. G3 ns) with accordingly lowest additional RF applications in G1 (3.0 ± 2.6 vs. 7.0 ± 5.4 in G2 and 8.4 ± 4.0 in G3; G1 vs. G2 and G3, p < 0.001, G 2 vs. G 3 ns). Sections along ablation lines with low initial CF were most likely to reveal excitability. Single procedure success was 81.9 vs. 73.5 vs. 71.4% (G 1, 2 and 3, p = 0.6) during 437 ± 254 day follow-up. CONCLUSION: Higher tip-to-tissue CF during PVI facilitates the achievement of an unexcitable ablation line, requiring less additional RF-energy.

Image integration into 3-dimensional-electro-anatomical mapping system facilitates safe ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the aortic root and its vicinity.

Aims: During ablation in the vicinity of the coronary arteries establishing a safe distance from the catheter tip to the relevant vessels is mandatory and usually assessed by fluoroscopy alone. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of an image integration module (IIM) for continuous monitoring of the distance of the ablation catheter tip to the main coronary arteries during ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) originating in the sinus of valsalva (SOV) and the left ventricular summit part of which can be reached via the great cardiac vein (GCV). Methods and results: Of 129 patients undergoing mapping for outflow tract arrhythmias from June 2014 till October 2015, a total of 39 patients (52.4 ± 18.1 years, 17 female) had a source of origin in the SOV or the left ventricular summit. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation was performed when a distance of at least 5 mm could be demonstrated with IIM. A safe distance in at least one angiographic plane could be demonstrated in all patients with a source of origin in the SOV, whereas this was not possible in 50% of patients with earliest activation in the summit area. However, using the IIM a safe position at an adjacent site within the GCV could be obtained in three of these cases and successful RF ablation performed safely without any complications. Ablation was successful in 100% of patients with an origin in the SOV, whereas VAs originating from the left ventricular summit could be abolished completely in only 60% of cases. Conclusion: Image integration combining electroanatomical mapping and fluoroscopy allows assessment of the safety of a potential ablation site by continuous real-time monitoring of the spatial relations of the catheter tip to the coronary vessels prior to RF application. It aids ablation in anatomically complex regions like the SOV or the ventricular summit providing biplane angiograms merged into the three-dimensional electroanatomical map.

Influence of energy source on early atrial fibrillation recurrences: a comparison of cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency current energy ablation with the endpoint of unexcitability in pulmonary vein isolation.

Introduction: Comparative data of early recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) following second-generation cryoballoon (CB-G2) and radiofrequency current (RFC) ablation for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal AF (PAF) are rare. We randomized PAF patients into either PVI with CB-G2 (group 1) or PVI with a combined RFC-approach applying contact force (CF) with the endpoint of unexcitability (group 2) to investigate ERAF. Methods and results: In group 1 (n = 30), CB-G2-PVI was performed. After CF-PVI in group 2 (n = 30), bipolar pacing on the ablation line and additional ablation until unexcitability was conducted. Follow-up included 48 h of in-hospital monitoring followed by 5-day Holter ECGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 months postablation to evaluate ERAF. Acute PVI was reached in 100% of group 2 and in 99% of group 1. Shorter procedure durations (98.0 ± 21.9 vs. 114.3 ± 18.7 min, P < 0.05) but extended fluoroscopy times (15.4 ± 3.9 vs. 10.0 ± 4.3 min, P < 0.05) were found in the CB-G2 group. Ten non-severe complications occurred (6 vs. 4 in group 1 and 2, P = 0.73). In group 2, five patients suffered from ERAF vs. seven patients in group 1 (P = 0.67). The time until the occurrence of ERAF was shorter in group 2 (1 day (q1-q3: 1-4.5)) when compared with group 1 (22 (q1-q3: 6-54) days, P = 0.025). Conclusion: ERAF rates were equal among groups; however, they occurred earlier in the initial phase after RFC ablation when compared with CB-G2. PVI utilizing cryoablation is associated with shorter procedure durations but extended fluoroscopy time while being similarly secure.

The T-peak-to-T-end interval: a novel ECG marker for ventricular arrhythmia and appropriate ICD therapy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) primarily due to ventricular arrhythmia (VA). In patients (pts.) with a high risk of SCD, the implantation of an intracardiac cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is thus indicated. Previous studies suggest that a prolonged interval between the peak and the end of the T wave, T-peak to T-end (TpTe), is associated with an elevated risk of VA and SCD in various clinical settings. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between TpTe and VA in HCM pts. with a previously implanted ICD. METHODS: In 40 HCM pts. (51.4 ± 16.4 years; 62.5% men), TpTe was measured using the baseline digital standard resting 12-lead ECG during sinus rhythm. VA was assessed by device follow-up. RESULTS: Within 41.8 ± 35.1 months, 7 (17.5%) pts. had VA leading to appropriate therapy (AT), 7 pts. (17.5%) had non-sustained VA, and 26 pts. (65.0%) had no VA. The maximum TpTe was significantly prolonged in pts. with VA leading to AT compared to pts. without VA (101.3 ± 19.6 vs. 79.9 ± 15.3 ms; p = 0.004). Maximum TpTe was associated with an elevated risk of VA leading to AT (hazard ratio per 10 ms increase 1.63; 95% CI 1.04-2.54; p = 0.031) and pts. with a maximum TpTe ≤ 78 ms were without any VA leading to AT during follow-up. There was no correlation of maximum TpTe to other clinical parameters in our patient cohort. CONCLUSION: A prolonged TpTe is associated with VA and AT in HCM. Our findings suggest that TpTe can possibly serve as a marker for ventricular arrhythmogenesis in pts. with HCM and assessment of TpTe might, therefore, optimize SCD risk stratification.

Acute and long-term effects of fingolimod on heart rhythm and heart rate variability in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Fingolimod can lead to increased risk of cardiac events such as bradycardia or atrioventricular (AV) block. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate acute and long-term effects of fingolimod on heart rhythm (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and development of AV-blocks. METHODS: In 64 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis Holter ECG monitoring (HEM) and HRV analysis were performed 24h before, six h during and 72h after initiation of fingolimod. We additionally analyzed a 24h HEM after a follow up of ≥ three months. RESULTS: Heart rate (HR) decreased significantly (p < 0.001) under fingolimod treatment with nadir at five hours after starting and maintained decreased for 72h. Five (7.8%) patients suffered from new-onset AV-block requiring cessation of treatment. In four of five patients (80%), the AV-block could only be documented in the 72h-HEM with a median time of occurrence at 14h. The mean heart rate was still significant lower after a mean follow up time of 14.1 ± 9.6 months (85.0 ± 9.8 vs. 75.3 ± 16.2 bpm; p = 0.002) in comparison to baseline. CONCLUSION: The treatment with fingolimod leads to an increase of vagal activation which persists even after 14 months of treatment. These changes did not return to baseline levels on treatment with fingolimod. Based on our data an additional at least 24h hour-HEM after the initiation of fingolimod therapy should be considered.

Risk stratification of patients with left atrial appendage thrombus prior to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: An approach towards an individualized use of transesophageal echocardiography.

INTRODUCTION: The need for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (CA-AF) is still being questioned. The aim of this study is to analyze patients' (patients) risk factors of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) prior to CA-AF in daily clinical practice, according to oral anticoagulation (OAC) strategies recommended by current guidelines. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients scheduled for CA-AF from 01/2015 to 12/2016 in our center were included and either treated with NOACs (novel-OAC; paused 24-hours preablation) or continuous vitamin K antagonists (INR 2.0-3.0). All patients received a preprocedural TEE at the day of ablation. Two groups were defined: (1) patients without LAAT, (2) patients with LAAT. The incidence of LAAT was 0.78% (13 of 1,658 patients). No LAAT was detected in patients with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of ≤1 (n = 640 patients) irrespective of the underlying AF type. Independent predictors for LAAT are: higher CHA2 DS2 -VASc scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95%-confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.23, P = 0.0019), a history of nonparoxysmal AF (OR 7.96, 95%-CI: 1.52-146.64, P = 0.049), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; OR 9.63, 95% CI: 1.36-43.05, P = 0.007), and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 30% (OR 8.32, 95% CI: 1.18-36.29, P = 0.011). The type of OAC was not predictive (P = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of LAAT in patients scheduled for CA-AF is low. Therefore, periprocedural OAC strategies recommended by current guidelines seem feasible. Preprocedural TEE may be dispensed in patients with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≤1. However, a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≥2, reduced LVEF, HCM, or history of nonparoxysmal AF are independently associated with an increased risk for LAAT.

Impact of Substrate Modification by Catheter Ablation on Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Interventions in Patients With Unstable Ventricular Arrhythmias and Coronary Artery Disease: Results From the Multicenter Randomized Controlled SMS (Substrate Modification Study).

BACKGROUND: The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the standard therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease and unstable ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The prospective multinational SMS (Substrate Modification Study) was designed to assess whether prophylactic ablation of the arrhythmogenic substrate reduces or prevents the recurrence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in such patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 111 patients included in an intention-to-treat analysis, 54 were randomly assigned catheter ablation plus ICD implantation (ablation group: 68±8 years; 47 men), whereas 57 were assigned ICD implantation without catheter ablation (ICD-only group: 66±8 years; 46 men). Primary study end point was the time to first recurrence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. ICD episodes were assessed and verified by an independent board. Patients were followed up for 2.3±1.1 years. The primary end point was reached by 25 ablation patients and 26 ICD-only patients. Two-year event-free survival was estimated at 49.0% (95% confidence interval, 33.3%-62.9%) in the former and 52.4% (36.7%-65.9%) in the latter groups. Comparison of episode incidence revealed no significant difference in the primary end point (P=0.84). In an Andersen-Gill regression model with multiple end point recurrences, the difference between the study arms significantly favored catheter ablation for both the primary end point and all but one of the predefined subgroups of detected arrhythmia events. CONCLUSIONS: SMS failed to meet the primary end point of time to first ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation recurrence. However, catheter ablation did reduce the total number of ICD interventions during the duration of follow-up. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00170287.

5-Year Outcome of Pulmonary Vein Isolation by Loss of Pace Capture on the Ablation Line Versus Electrical Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare long-term arrhythmia-free survival between electrical circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and PVI with the endpoint of unexcitability along the ablation line. BACKGROUND: PVI is the standard ablation strategy of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, although arrhythmia recurrence in long-term follow-up (FU) is high. The endpoint of unexcitability along the ablation line results in decreased arrhythmia recurrence compared to electrical PVI in 1-year FU. METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive patients (age 62.5 ± 10.6 years; 70.3% male) with de novo paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who were initially included in our randomized trial and underwent catheter ablation at our institution were analyzed. Patients who were randomized to either a conventional group (PVI, guided by circumferential catheter signals) or a pace-guided group (PG, anatomical ablation line encircling, ablation until loss of pace capture at 10 V, 2-ms pulse width on the ablation line) underwent long-term FU. The primary endpoint was recurrence of any atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia after a blanking period of 3 months. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients completed a mean FU period of 5.14 ± 0.98 years. Arrhythmia-free survival without antiarrhythmic drug therapy was significantly higher in the PG group (71.05% vs. 25.81%, p = 0.002). Furthermore, multiple procedure success (1.29 ± 0.61 procedures in PG vs. 1.97 ± 1.06 procedures in conventional group, p < 0.001) was higher in the PG group compared to the conventional group (89.47% vs. 58.06%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The endpoint of unexcitability along the PVI line improves success rates, resulting in a significant reduction of exposure to invasive procedures in 5-year FU.

Active Atrial Function and Atrial Scar Burden After Multiple Catheter Ablations of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Extensive and repeated substrate modification (SM) is frequently performed as an ablation strategy in persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF). The effect of these extended ablation strategies on atrial function has not been investigated sufficiently so far. The purpose was to assess atrial function by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and its association with left atrial (LA) scar burden by electroanatomical voltage-mapping after multiple persAF ablation procedures. METHODS: We included 16 persAF patients who had ≥2 SM procedures and a control group (CG) of 21 persAF patients without prior ablation. CMR was performed in sinus rhythm at least 4 weeks after the last cardioversion. Active left and right (RA) atrial emptying fractions (AEF) as well as peak active left atrial appendage (LAA) emptying velocities were obtained by CMR flow measurements. Furthermore, LA scar burden was quantified on electroanatomical voltage maps by the portion of points with local voltage amplitude <0.2 mV. RESULTS: We found median LA-AEF to be lower (13 [9-22] vs 32 [26-36] %, P < 0.001) and median LA scar burden to be higher (40 [20-68] vs nine [3-18] %, P < 0.05) in the SM group compared with the CG. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between mean LA voltage and LA-AEF (r2 = 0.62, P < 0.001). No significant differences were detected with respect to median RA-AEF (41 [28-48] vs 47 [35-50] %, P = 0.43) and median peak LAA emptying velocities (30 [16-40] vs 17 [13-28] cm/s, P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Active LA function is preserved but significantly impaired and associated with ablation-related LA scar burden after multiple extensive persAF ablations.

Complication Rates of Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Aged ≥75 Years versus <75 Years-Results from the German Ablation Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Despite a rising demand for catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) in an elderly population, complication and success rates are not fully elucidated. We sought to compare complication rates of CA of AF in patients ≥75 versus <75 years of age. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory AF were prospectively enrolled from January 2007 to 2010 in this multicenter study. A total of 4,449 patients, group 1 ≥75 years and group 2 <75 years (n = 227, age 77.3 ± 2.2 vs. 59.7 ± 9.8 years, 52.0% vs. n = 4,222, 68.9% male, CHA2 DS2 -VASc-Score 3.7 ± 1.0 vs. 1.7 ± 1.2; P < 0.001, respectively), with paroxysmal AF (59.9% in group 1 vs. 63.3% in group 2, P = 0.30), and persistent AF (34.8% in group 1 vs. 29.4% in group 2, P = 0.082) underwent CA of AF. A centralized follow-up was obtained in 4,347 patients by the Institute for Myocardial Infarction Research (IHF, Ludwigshafen). There was a significant difference between periprocedural stroke rates in the elderly versus the younger cohort (1.3% vs. 0.1%, P < 0.01). In-hospital severe nonfatal complications did not differ significantly between the groups (4.4% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.14). Other procedure-related, in-hospital complications were not significantly different. After a mean follow-up of 472 ± 99 days (group 1) and 477 ± 94 days (group 2), no differences were found in complication rates. CONCLUSION: CA of AF in patients ≥75 years is associated with higher in-hospital stroke rates. In a 1-year follow-up, complication rates do not differ between the groups.

The role of the multidisciplinary health care team in the management of patients with Marfan syndrome.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare, severe, chronic, life-threatening disease with multiorgan involvement that requires optimal multidisciplinary care to normalize both prognosis and quality of life. In this article, each key team member of all the medical disciplines of a multidisciplinary health care team at the Hamburg Marfan center gives a personal account of his or her contribution in the management of patients with MFS. The authors show how, with the support of health care managers, key team members organize themselves in an organizational structure to create a common meaning, to maximize therapeutic success for patients with MFS. First, we show how the initiative and collaboration of patient representatives, scientists, and physicians resulted in the foundation of Marfan centers, initially in the US and later in Germany, and how and why such centers evolved over time. Then, we elucidate the three main structural elements; a team of coordinators, core disciplines, and auxiliary disciplines of health care. Moreover, we explain how a multidisciplinary health care team integrates into many other health care structures of a university medical center, including external quality assurance; quality management system; clinical risk management; center for rare diseases; aorta center; health care teams for pregnancy, for neonates, and for rehabilitation; and in structures for patient centeredness. We provide accounts of medical goals and standards for each core discipline, including pediatricians, pediatric cardiologists, cardiologists, human geneticists, heart surgeons, vascular surgeons, vascular interventionists, orthopedic surgeons, ophthalmologists, and nurses; and of auxiliary disciplines including forensic pathologists, radiologists, rhythmologists, pulmonologists, sleep specialists, orthodontists, dentists, neurologists, obstetric surgeons, psychiatrist/psychologist, and rehabilitation specialists. We conclude that a multidisciplinary health care team is a means to maximize therapeutic success.