Safety of fluoroless radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with pre-existing cardiac implantable electronic device: A single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is being increasingly performed without fluoroscopy. This study aims to determine the safety of fluoroless RFA for patients with pre-existing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). METHODS: This is a single-center, single-operator, retrospective, observational study of 225 consecutive fluoroless RFA procedures for AF from June 1, 2019 to June 1, 2022. All procedures were performed with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) support. Patients with pre-existing CIED were extracted from the database. Each CIED was interrogated at the start and end of each procedure and at 30-day follow-up. Pre- and post-procedure CIED interrogations were compared for any change in device or lead parameters. Patients were tracked for any subsequent device malfunction. RESULTS: Out of 225 fluoroless AF ablations, 25 (10.2%) had pre-existing CIED (14 dual-chamber pacemakers, three dual-chamber defibrillators, three single-chamber defibrillators, one single chamber pacemaker, and four biventricular devices). Mean patient age was 71 ± 6 years. The mean duration of indwelling CIED was 1804 ± 1645 days (range: 78-6267 days). One (4%) patient had lead-related fibrin on ICE imaging. There was no significant difference in lead(s) threshold, impedance, or sensing post procedure or at 30-day follow-up compared to pre procedure. None of the patients required lead revision. There were no intra- or post-op thromboembolic events or subsequent device infection. One patient underwent CIED extraction after 11 months for an unrelated secondary device infection. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency catheter ablation for AF can be safely performed without fluoroscopy in patients with pre-existing CIED.

Management of Right Atrial Thrombus During MitraClip Implantation: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) is a relatively novel approach for treatment of symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation. Intra procedural thrombus formation is a rare but potential complication. Herein, we describe a case of large right atrial thrombus formation after transseptal puncture, that was successfully managed using aspiration thrombectomy.

Meta-Analysis of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Low Surgical Risk.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the current standard of care for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk for surgery. However, several recent studies have demonstrated the comparable safety and efficacy of TAVI in low-risk patients as well. We sought to pool the existing data to further assert its comparability. MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases were evaluated for relevant articles published from January 2005 to June 2019. Studies comparing outcomes of TAVI versus surgical aortic valve replacement in patients who are at low risk for surgery were included. Twelve studies (5 randomized controlled trials and 7 observational studies) totaling 27,956 patients were included. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 5 years. Short-term all-cause mortality, short-term, and 1-year cardiac mortality were significantly lower in the TAVI group. One-year all-cause mortality, short-term, and 1-year stroke and myocardial infarction were similar in both groups. Rate of acute kidney injury and new-onset atrial fibrillation were lower in the TAVI group, whereas permanent pacemaker implantation and major vascular complications were higher in the TAVI group. Subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials showed significantly lower 1-year all-cause mortality in the TAVI group. In conclusion, in severe aortic stenosis patients at low surgical risk, TAVI when compared with surgical aortic valve replacement, demonstrated a lower rate of short-term all-cause mortality, short-term, and 1-year cardiac mortality and similar in terms of 1-year all-cause mortality. TAVI is emerging as a safe and efficacious alternative for low surgical risk patients.

Concurrent Cardiac Tamponade and Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Concerning Situation.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most commonly diagnosed lymphoma; as per the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database 2006-2015, incidence of DLBCL is 7.0/100,000 per year. Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome and cardiac tamponade are life-threatening oncological emergencies with an overlap in clinical manifestations. While SVC syndrome may commonly be seen with mediastinal masses, literature search shows only one prior case of cardiac tamponade resulting from DLBCL. Here, we present a case of a patient with a concurrent diagnosis of DLBCL and non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC), presenting with respiratory symptoms initially but subsequently worsening with hemodynamic compromise. He was found to have cardiac tamponade secondary to DLBCL and was treated appropriately for it but failed to improve clinically due to co-existing SVC syndrome that was not treated. The patient expired in the intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours of acute clinical deterioration. This case highlights that in absence of a clinical suspicion for both conditions, identification of one can lead to an overlooked diagnosis of the other. When associated with hemodynamic instability, urgent intervention is mandatory and failure to recognize and treat either of the two may result in grave outcome. This case attempts to alert medical personnel regarding two major oncological emergencies where an accurate diagnosis and urgent intervention can prevent mortality and morbidity.