The association between hyperuricemia and atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: Hyperuricemia (HU) has been reported to be associated with a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the relationship between HUA and recurrent AF after catheter ablation (CA) is unclear. Methods: Four hundred consecutive AF patients (paroxysmal/persistent AF [PAF/PsAF]: 200/200) who underwent the initial CA were retrospectively enrolled. HU was defined as serum uric acid (SUA) level >7.0 mg/dL. We measured SUA levels 1 day before (pre-CA) and 1 month after CA (post-CA). A second-generation 28 mm cryoballoon was used for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for PAF, while PVI plus linear ablation (roof and mitral isthmus lines) by radiofrequency catheter was conducted for PsAF. Results: During 57 ± 24 months of follow-up, AF recurred in 16% and 42% in PAF and PsAF patients (p < .0001). Pre-CA SUA level in PsAF was significantly higher than that in PAF (6.5 ± 1.3 vs. 5.8 ± 1.3 mg/dL, p < .001). SUA level was significantly decreased after CA in both PAF and PsAF (5.8 ± 1.3 vs. 5.6 ± 1.3 mg/dL; p < .01 and 6.5 ± 1.3 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2 mg/dL; p < .0001, respectively). The association between pre-/post-CA HU and recurrent AF was not identified in PAF, while the incidence of post-CA HU was significantly higher in patients with recurrent AF than those without in PsAF (36% vs. 15%, p < .001). In multivariable analysis, longer AF duration and the presence of post-CA HU were identified as independent predictors of AF recurrence in PsAF (OR:1.01, 95%CI:1.003-1.011, p = .0001 and OR:2.77, 95%CI:1.333-5.755, p = .007, respectively). Conclusions: SUA level was significantly higher in PsAF than PAF patients. The presence of post-CA HU was strongly related to AF recurrence in PsAF patients.

A case of cardiac calcified amorphous tumor complicated with acute myocardial infarction.

An 80-year-old woman with a history of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, cardiac hypertrophy, and diabetes called for an ambulance after developing chest pain. She was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the right coronary artery. Coronary aspiration was performed, and coronary aspirate was white with calcified factor. After percutaneous coronary intervention, transthoracic echocardiography performed on day 25 revealed a hyperechoic mobile mass originating from the anterior mitral leaflet. As a mobile or rapidly increasing mass carries a high risk of embolism, we decided to perform surgical resection. Preoperative cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed asymptomatic cerebral infarction, suggesting embolism by the cardiac mass. Resection of the cardiac mass was performed by cardiac surgeons. Microscopic pathology of cardiac mass revealed nodules of calcification and fibroblasts, leading to diagnosis of calcified amorphous tumor (CAT). Furthermore, the microscopic pathology of the coronary aspirate showed calcification, fibrin, and vascular endothelial cells. The pathological similarity of the cardiac mass and coronary aspirate indicated that the AMI has been caused by CAT. CAT causes systemic embolization; however, only 1 case of MI caused by CAT has been reported. We therefore experienced a rare case in which CAT caused AMI. .

Cancer and malnutrition were independently associated with a poor prognosis in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in treatment have improved the survival of cancer patients. Such survivors may go on to develop heart failure (HF) later in life. HF and cancer are wasting diseases, and malnutrition is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with HF or cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients admitted to our hospital with HF from April 2012 to March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into 2 groups: cancer patients (N = 185) and patients without cancer (N = 930). Patients discharged alive and followed by our outpatient clinic were also examined (N = 857, median follow-up period: 794 days). RESULTS: In cancer patients, the geriatric nutritional risk index and prognostic nutritional index were lower and the controlling nutritional status score was higher than in HF patients without cancer; nutrition was disturbed in HF patients with cancer. The in-hospital mortality rates of the two groups were not markedly different; however, cancer patients showed higher long-term mortality in comparison to HF patients without cancer. A multivariate analysis revealed that cancer and malnutrition were independently associated with all-cause death. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term mortality of HF patients with cancer was higher than that of HF patients without cancer. Malnutrition was associated with long-term mortality, independently of the presence of cancer. Multidisciplinary treatment is needed when treating HF patients with cancer.

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Does Not Affect Post-Discharge Survival in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients complicated by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) show poor in-hospital outcomes. However, the post-discharge outcomes of survivors of OHCA have not been well studied. Methods and Results: Data for patients admitted to The Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital with AMI between April 2012 and March 2020 were examined retrospectively. The Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital is a tertiary emergency medical facility, so the frequency of OHCA in this hospital is higher than in an ordinary AMI population. Of 803 patients, 92 (11.5%) were complicated by OHCA. Of the 92 OHCA patients, 37 died in hospital, compared with 45 of 711 non-OHCA patients who died in hospital (P<0.001). OHCA was more frequent in men than in women. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower in those with than without OHCA. Long-term mortality was evaluated in patients discharged alive and followed-up at an outpatient clinic (n=635; median follow-up period 607 days). The long-term post-discharge mortality was comparable between AMI patients with and without OHCA. Conclusions: The post-discharge mortality of AMI patients with OHCA was comparable that of patients without OHCA.

Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest increases the plasma level of B-type natriuretic peptide.

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) regulate blood pressure and fluid homeostasis and exert various effects on the cardiovascular system. Recently, the relationship between NPs and the energy metabolism has been reported, and using a cell culture experiment system, we previously showed that NP activated brown cells in a low temperature environment while also suppressing a decrease in the cell temperature. However, few reports have described the secretion of NPs in cold environments, and there have been almost no studies of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in humans. We investigated how NPs respond to cold environments in 21 patients who underwent therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after cardiac arrest. The plasma BNP levels were significantly increased (more than fivefold) during TH (logarithmically from 1.98 ± 0.79 to 2.63 ± 0.59, P < 0.01). During TH, diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) significantly decreased, and there were no significant changes in the stroke volume index (SVI). This increase of BNP was not associated with any hemodynamic changes. In contrast to our findings for BNP, the change in A-type NP (ANP) was quite small. We detected a significant increase in the plasma BNP levels during TH, unrelated to hemodynamics. This elevation of BNP levels seems to be potential influenced by hypothermia.

123I-BMIPP/201Tl dual myocardial SPECT proves the efficacy of surgical treatment for an adult with Bland-White-Garland syndrome.

Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease in which the left coronary artery originates from the pulmonary artery (PA). Surgical treatment to rebuild a dual coronary system is recommended at the time of the diagnosis. However, no effective operative procedure has been established for adult-type BWG patients because of the paucity of such cases. We herein report a case of adult-type BWG that was successfully treated by patch closure of the orifice of the left main tract from the main PA and coronary artery bypass grafting. 123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) and 201thallium (Tl) dual myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed before surgery, early after surgery, and at three months after surgery. Before surgery, dual SPECT showed myocardial perfusion defects in the anterior and septal wall, which corresponded to the cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging findings. Early after surgery, only 201Tl images demonstrated an improvement in the defect area. At three months after surgery, both the 201Tl and 123I-BMIPP imaging findings demonstrated an improvement in the defect area, which was correlated with the recovery of the left ventricular function. These results showed the effectiveness of this surgical approach for BWG syndrome. .

Anatomical and Procedural Factors of Severe Pulmonary Vein Stenosis After Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Ablation.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the anatomical or procedural factors associated with severe pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis after cryoballoon PV isolation. BACKGROUND: PV stenosis is a complication associated with cryoballoon ablation. METHODS: The study included 170 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent cryoballoon ablation. In addition to factors generally considered to be related to the occurrence of PV stenosis (PV size, cryoballoon application number and time, and minimum freezing temperature), we evaluated the following 4 factors: 1) depth of balloon position; 2) the PV angle (internal angle between each PV and horizontal line); 3) noncoaxial balloon placement (hemispherical occlusion); and 4) contact surface area between the cryoballoon and the PV wall (defined as the balloon contact ratio). RESULTS: Severe PV stenosis (≥75% area reduction) was observed in 9 (1.3%) PVs (6 left superior and 3 right superior PVs) in 9 patients. The PV size, cryoballoon application number and time, minimum freezing temperature, and the depth of cryoballoon position were not significantly associated with occurrence of severe PV stenosis, but the PV angle was significantly smaller in PVs with severe stenosis than it was in those without stenosis (25.6 ± 9.7° vs. 34.2 ± 6.4°; p < 0.001). Hemispherical occlusion was more frequently observed and balloon contact ratio was larger in PVs with severe stenosis (55.6% vs. 14.8%; p = 0.049) than in those without stenosis (0.70 ± 0.06 vs. 0.54 ± 0.08; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A horizontally connecting PV, noncoaxial placement of cryoballoon, and a larger contact surface area of the cryoballoon were predictors of the occurrence of severe PV stenosis after cryoballoon ablation.

Predictors of oxygenation impairment in medical treatment for type B acute aortic dissection.

Lung oxygenation impairment often occurs in patients with type B acute aortic dissection (AAD), necessitating mechanical ventilation. Patients receiving mechanical ventilation are at risk of complications, so a low-oxygen condition requiring mechanical ventilation should be avoided. We explored the predictors of oxygenation impairment. We enrolled 46 patients with type B AAD who had been medically treated and underwent computed tomography. Blood was sampled to measure markers of inflammation, such as the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and white blood cell count. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated to quantify the severity of respiratory failure. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the minimum PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly correlated with gender, age, and current smoker, and the peak CRP, body temperature, and D-dimer values. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that younger age, male sex, and the peak CRP level were significant predictors of the minimum PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P = 0.01, 0.035 and 0.005, respectively). A covariance structure analysis showed that a younger age and the peak CRP level were significant predictors of oxygenation impairment in type B AAD. Oxygenation impairment in type B AAD is correlated with younger age and a higher peak CRP level. This will enable the identification of patients whose respiratory condition is susceptible to worsening and help prevent mechanical ventilation, leading to the provision of appropriate therapy.

The Usefulness and Limitations of Point-of-care Cardiac Troponin Measurement in the Emergency Department.

Objective This study was carried out to examine the usefulness of point-of-care (POC) cardiac troponin in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to understand the limitations of a POC cardiac troponin I/T-based diagnoses. Methods Patients whose cardiac troponin levels were measured in the emergency department using a POC system (AQT System; Radiometer, Tokyo, Japan) between January and December 2016 were retrospectively examined (N=1,449). Patients who were < 20 years of age or who were admitted with cardiopulmonary arrest were excluded. The sensitivity and specificity of the POC cardiac troponin levels for the diagnosis of ACS were determined. Result One hundred and twenty of 1,449 total patients had ACS (acute myocardial infarction, n=88; unstable angina n=32). On comparing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the area under the curve (AUC) values for POC cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T were 0.833 and 0.786, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of POC cardiac troponin I when using the 99th percentile (0.023 ng/mL) as the diagnostic cut-off value were 69.0% and 88.1%, respectively. The sensitivity of POC cardiac troponin I (99th percentile) was higher in the patients sampled > 3 hours after symptom onset (83.3%) than in those sampled ≤ 3 hours after symptom onset (58.8%, p < 0.01). Conclusion When sampled > 3 hours after the onset of symptoms, the POC cardiac troponin I level is considered to be suitable for use in diagnosing ACS. However, when sampled ≤ 3 hours after the onset of symptoms, careful interpretation of POC cardiac troponins is therefore required to rule out ACS.

Atrial fibrillation diagnosed by a medical checkup is associated with a poor outcome of catheter ablation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), especially asymptomatic cases, is often detected by medical checkups. We investigated the outcome of AF ablation in cases detected by medical checkups. We reviewed the data of 735 patients with AF (56 ± 10 years, paroxysmal: 441 patients) who underwent initial catheter ablation. All patients were divided into two groups based on their AF being diagnosed either by a medical checkup (group M) or not (group NM). AF was diagnosed by medical checkups in 263 (36%) patients. In Group M, the age was younger, time from the diagnosis to ablation shorter, left atrium dimension larger, and left ventricular ejection fraction lower than in Group NM. Male gender, persistent AF, and asymptomatic AF were more frequently seen in Group M than in Group NM. A mean of 13 ± 11 months after the initial ablation procedure, AF recurrence was more frequently observed in group M compared to group NM (P = 0.018). While the AF recurrence rate was similar in both groups in persistent AF patients (P = 0.87), it was more frequently observed in Group M than in Group NM in paroxysmal AF patients (P = 0.005). AF diagnosed by medical checkups was often associated with a worse outcome of catheter ablation, especially in paroxysmal AF patients.

Spiral activation of the superior vena cava: The utility of ultra-high-resolution mapping for caval isolation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the manner in which the superior vena cava (SVC) is activated during sinus rhythm. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the manner of caval activation with an ultra-high-density mapping system (Rhythmia, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) and its utility for SVC isolation. METHODS: Forty patients with atrial fibrillation (mean age 55 ± 12 years; paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 23[58%]) who underwent SVC mapping with Rhythmia were studied. The location of the sinus node (SN), phrenic nerve (PN), and the manner of caval activation during sinus rhythm were analyzed. The SVC was isolated by radiofrequency applications at electrical connections, shown as breakthroughs on the Rhythmia map. RESULTS: The SN location varied widely (lateral/posterior/anterior 60%/8%/32%), while the PN was mostly located in the lateral segment (lateral/anterior 82%/18%). In 36 patients who underwent SVC isolation, the mean number of breakthroughs was 2.5 ± 0.8. The first breakthrough predominantly located in the anterior aspect (anterior/septal/posterior/lateral 78%/14%/5%/3%), and atrial activation was conducted superiorly and clockwise from the SN (referred to as spiral activation) in 32 patients (89%). The mean rotation angle from the SN to the first breakthrough was 79° ± 41°. In addition, 10 patients (25%) showed the SN within the SVC. Although radiofrequency applications were needed at the PN capture site in 11 patients (31%) the SVC was successfully isolated without any complications in all patients. CONCLUSION: The SN location showed great heterogeneity; however, atrial activation predominantly showed a clockwise spiral form. This is the first report to use ultra-high-resolution mapping to demonstrate the manner of spiral activation, which is useful for the safe and efficient isolation of the SVC.

Dissociated pulmonary vein activity after cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Cryoballoons (CBs) have proven to be effective for achieving pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Dissociated PV activity (DPVA) after successful radiofrequency PVI is sometimes observed inside the PV and has been found to prove the achievement of electrical disconnection from the left atrium. However, little is known about the incidence or characteristics of DPVA after CB-PVI. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and characteristics of DPVA in patients undergoing CB and radiofrequency (RF) ablation for AF. Two hundred and ninety-four propensity score-matched patients from 440 consecutive patients who underwent initial catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were included in the present study (CB-PVI 147, RF-PVI 147). DPVA was more frequently observed after CB-PVI than after RF-PVI (32 vs. 19% of the PVs, P < 0.001), especially in the left superior PV (52 vs. 29%, P < 0.001) and left inferior PV (22 vs. 7%, P < 0.001). The AF-free rate after the initial ablation in the patients with and without DPVA was similar in both the CB (P = 0.23) and RF (P = 0.39) groups. During repeat ablation procedures for recurrent AF, PV reconnection was similarly observed in PVs with and without DPVA during the initial procedure, both in the CB (30 vs. 44%, P = 0.29) and RF (65 vs. 58%, P = 0.41) groups. DPVA was more frequently observed after CB-PVI than after RF-PVI. The presence of DPVA was not related to the ablation outcome or chronic PV reconnection following CB-PVI.

Incidence and Factors Associated With the Occurrence of Pulmonary Vein Narrowing After Cryoballoon Ablation.

BACKGROUND: In contrast with traditional radiofrequency ablation, little is known about the influence of cryoballoon ablation on the morphology of pulmonary veins (PVs). We evaluated the influence of cryoballoon ablation on the PV dimension (PVD) and investigated the factors associated with a reduction of the PVD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-four patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were included in the present study. All subjects underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography both before and at 3 months after the procedure. The PVD (cross-sectional area) was measured using a 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system. Each PV was evaluated according to the PVD reduction rate (ΔPVD), which was calculated as follows: (1-post-PVD/pre-PVD)×100 (%). Ninety-two percent of the PVs (271/296) were successfully isolated only by cryoballoon ablation; the remaining 8% of the PVs required touch-up ablation and were excluded from the analysis. Mild (25%-50%), moderate (50%-75%), and severe (≥75%) ΔPVD values were observed in 87, 14, and 3 PVs, respectively, including 1 case with severe left superior PV stenosis (ΔPVD: 94%) in a patient who required PV angioplasty. In multivariable analysis, a larger PV ostium and lower minimum freezing temperature during cryoballoon ablation were independently associated with PV narrowing (odds ratio, 1.773; P=0.01; and odds ratio, 1.137; P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction of the PVD was often observed after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation. A larger PV ostium and lower minimum freezing temperature during cryoballoon ablation were associated with an increased risk of PVD reduction.

Impact of deep sedation on the electrophysiological behavior of pulmonary vein and non-PV firing during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is performed with and without deep sedation, which could affect the arrhythmogenic activity during the procedure. We investigated the impact of sedation on electrophysiological properties in patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation. METHODS: This study consisted of 255 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (229 males, persistent: 105 patients) who underwent a single-catheter ablation procedure. The patients were divided into the following two groups according to the depth of sedation during the procedure: group M (mild sedation with flunitrazepam in 138 patients) and group D (deep sedation with propofol in 117 patients). Peripheral oxygen saturation was continuously monitored via pulse oximetry throughout the procedure. RESULTS: A spontaneous dissociated pulmonary vein activity after pulmonary vein isolation occurred more frequently in group M than in group D (29.1 vs 15.7%, P < 0.01). Adenosine-induced dormant pulmonary vein conduction was more frequently observed in group M than in group D (19.2 vs 13.0% P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the incidence of non-pulmonary vein triggers between groups M and D (15.2 vs 11.1%, P = 0.53). The atrial fibrillation recurrence rate following the single procedure did not differ between the two groups (29.0 vs 26.5%, in groups M and D, P = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Although deep sedation reduced the incidence of a dissociated pulmonary vein activity and dormant pulmonary vein conduction following pulmonary vein isolation, it did not affect the recurrence rate for atrial fibrillation after the procedure.

Total absence of pulmonary vein potentials in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: was it really isolated?

We herein present a case (72 years, male) with total absence of pulmonary veins (PVs) potentials at the beginning of the first procedure for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), demonstrating dormant conduction between the left atrium and all PVs revealed by adenosine triphosphate provocation with relation to the incidence of AF. He was free from atrial arrhythmias during 1 year follow-up after complete PV isolation with the elimination of multiple transient dormant conductions by circular mapping catheter guide ablation.

Influence of the concomitant use of heparin on the effects of warfarin during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Warfarin is widely used to perform catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Heparin is usually administered during this procedure to prevent thromboembolic events, while protamine is used to reduce the incidence of bleeding complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heparin and protamine administration on the effects of warfarin and its safety. The subjects included 226 AF patients (206 males, 54.9 ± 9.1 years, paroxysmal/persistent AF: 118/108) undergoing AF ablation with the discontinuation of warfarin administration over 2 days. Heparin was administered to achieve an activated clotting time (ACT) above 300 s during the procedure. Several parameters of the coagulation status, including the prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) and ACT values, measured immediately before and after protamine infusion were compared. The mean value of PT-INR prior to ablation was 1.9 ± 0.6. At the end of the procedure, the mean ACT and PT-INR values were 348.0 ± 52.9 and 2.9 ± 0.7, respectively. Following the infusion of 30 mg of protamine, both the ACT and PT-INR values significantly decreased, to 159.6 ± 31.0 (p < 0.0001) and 1.6 ± 0.3 (p < 0.0001), respectively. No cases of symptomatic cerebral infarction were observed, although femoral hematomas developed in 17 (7.5 %) of the patients without further consequence. The concomitant use of heparin augments the effect of warfarin. Meanwhile, protamine administration immediately reverses both the ACT and PT-INR, indicating the applicability of protamine for AF ablation in patients under the mixed administration of heparin and warfarin.

Diabetes is a predictor of coronary artery stenosis in patients hospitalized with heart failure.

In patients with heart failure, coronary artery disease is the most common underlying heart disease, and is associated with increased mortality. However, estimating the presence or absence of coronary artery disease in patients with heart failure is sometimes difficult without coronary imaging. We reviewed 155 consecutive patients hospitalized with heart failure who underwent coronary angiography. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with (N = 59) and without (N = 96) coronary artery stenosis. The clinical characteristics and blood sampling data were compared between the two groups. The patients with coronary artery stenosis were older than those without. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia and a history of revascularization was higher in the patients with coronary artery stenosis. Patients with coronary artery stenosis tended to have wall motion asynergy more frequently than those without. On the other hand, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) was lower in patients with coronary artery stenosis. The serum hemoglobin level and estimated glomerular filtration rate were lower in patients with coronary artery stenosis than in those without. In the multivariate analysis, DM (odds ratio 3.517, 95 % CI 1.601-7.727) was found to be the only the predictor of the presence of coronary artery stenosis in patients with heart failure. In conclusion, coronary imaging is strongly recommended for heart failure patients with DM to confirm the presence of coronary artery stenosis.