Outcomes of cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter ablation: randomized study comparing single vs. multiple catheter procedures-the SIMPLE study.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is recommended as first-line therapy for patients with symptomatic typical AFl. Although the conventional multi-catheter approach is the standard of care for cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation, a single-catheter approach was recently described as a feasible alternative. The present study sought to compare safety, efficacy, and efficiency of single vs. multi-catheter approach for atrial flutter (AFl) ablation. METHODS: In this randomized multi-center study, consecutive patients referred for AFl ablation (n = 253) were enrolled and randomized to multiple vs. single-catheter approach for CTI ablation. In the single-catheter arm, PR interval (PRI) on the surface ECG was used to prove CTI block. Procedural and follow-up data were collected and compared between the two arms. RESULTS: 128 and 125 patients were assigned to the single-catheter and to the multi-catheter arms, respectively. In the single-catheter arm, procedure time was significantly shorter (37 ± 25 vs. 48 ± 27 minutes, p = 0.002) and required less fluoroscopy time (430 ± 461 vs. 712 ± 628 seconds, p < 0.001) and less radiofrequency time (428 ± 316 vs. 643 ± 519 seconds, p < 0.001), achieving a higher first-pass CTI block rate (55 (45%) vs. 37 (31%), p = 0.044), compared with the multi-catheter arm. After a median follow-up of 12 months, 11 (4%) patients experienced AFl recurrences (5 (4%) in the single-catheter arm and 6 (5%) in the multi-catheter arm, p = 0.99). No differences were found in arrhythmia-free survival between arms (log-rank = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The single-catheter approach for typical AFl ablation is not inferior to the conventional multiple-catheter approach, reducing procedure, fluoroscopy, and radiofrequency time.

A hybrid clinical and electrocardiographic score to predict the origin of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: To predict the outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OTVA) site of origin (SOO) before the ablation procedure has important practical implications. The present study sought to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of a clinical and electrocardiographic hybrid algorithm (HA) for the prediction of OTVAs-SOO, and at the same time to develop and to prospectively validate a new score with improved discriminatory capacity. METHODS: In this multicenter study, we prospectively enrolled consecutive patients referred for OTVA ablation (N = 202), and we divided them in a derivation sample and a validation cohort. Surface ECGs during OTVA were analyzed to compare previous published ECG-only criteria and to develop a new score. RESULTS: In the derivation sample (N = 105), the correct prediction rate of HA and ECG-only criteria ranged from 74 to 89%. R-wave amplitude in V3 was the best ECG parameter for discriminating LVOT origin in V3 precordial transition (V3PT) patients, and was incorporated to the novel weighted hybrid score (WHS). WHS correctly classified 99 (94.2%) patients, presenting 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity (AUC 0.97) in the entire population; WHS mantained a 87% sensitivity and 91% specificity (AUC 0.95) in patients with V3PT subgroup. The high discriminatory capacity was confirmed in the validation sample (N = 97): the WHS exhibited an AUC (0.93), and a WHS ≥ 2 allowed a correct prediction of LVOT origin in 87 (90.0%) cases, yielding a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 90%; moreover, the V3PT subgroup showed an AUC of 0.92, and a punctuation ≥ 2 predicted an LVOT origin with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 78%. CONCLUSIONS: The novel hybrid score has proved to accurately anticipate the OTVA's origin, even in those with a V3 precordial transition. A Weighted hybrid score. B Typical examples of the use of the weighted hybrid score. C ROC analysis of WHS and previous ECG criteria for prediction of LVOT origin in the derivation cohort. D ROC analysis of WHS and previous ECG criteria for prediction of LVOT origin in the V3 precordial transition OTVA subgroup.

Preventive substrate ablation in chronic post-myocardial infarction patients with high-risk scar characteristics for ventricular arrhythmias: rationale and design of PREVENT-VT study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies showed that an early strategy for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation resulted in reduction of VT episodes or mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived border zone channel (BZC) mass has proved to be a strong non-invasive predictor of VT in post-myocardial infarction (MI). CMR-guided VT substrate ablation proved to be safe and effective for reducing sudden cardiac death (SCD) and VA occurrence. METHODS: PREVENT-VT is a prospective, randomized, multicenter, and controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prophylactic CMR-guided VT substrate ablation in chronic post-MI patients with CMR-derived arrhythmogenic scar characteristics. Chronic post-MI patients with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR will be evaluated. CMR images will be post-processed and the BZC mass measured: patients with a BZC mass > 5.15 g will be eligible. Consecutive patients will be enrolled at 3 centers and randomized on a 1:1 basis to undergo a VT substrate ablation (ABLATE arm) or optimal medical treatment (OMT arm). Primary prevention ICD will be implanted following guideline recommendations, while non-ICD candidates will be implanted with an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM). The primary endpoint is a composite outcome of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or sustained monomorphic VT, either treated by an ICD or documented with ICM. Secondary endpoints are procedural safety and efficiency outcomes of CMR-guided ablation. DISCUSSION: In some patients, the first VA episode causes SCD or severe neurological damage. The aim of the PREVENT-VT is to evaluate whether primary preventive substrate ablation may be a safe and effective prophylactic therapy for reducing SCD and VA occurrence in patients with previous MI and high-risk scar characteristics based on CMR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04675073, registered on January 1, 2021.

Relationship between the posterior atrial wall and the esophagus: esophageal position and temperature measurement during atrial fibrillation ablation (AWESOME-AF). A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) implies unavoidable ablation lesions to the left atrial posterior wall, which is closely related to the esophagus, leading to several potential complications. This study evaluates the usefulness of the esophageal fingerprint in avoiding temperature rises during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) ablation. METHODS: Isodistance maps of the atrio-esophageal relationship (esophageal fingerprint) were derived from the preprocedural computerized tomography. Patients were randomized (1:1) into two groups: (1) PRINT group, the PVI line was modified according to the esophageal fingerprint; (2) CONTROL group, standard PVI with operator blinded to the fingerprint. The primary endpoint was temperature rise detected by intraluminal esophageal temperature probe monitoring. Ablation settings were as specified on the Ablate BY-LAW study protocol. RESULTS: Sixty consecutive patients referred for paroxysmal AF ablation were randomized (42 (70%) men, mean age 60 ± 11 years). Temperature rise (> 39.1 °C) occurred in 5 (16%) patients in the PRINT group vs. 17 (56%) in the CONTROL group (p < 0.01). Three AF recurrences were documented at a mean follow-up of 12 ± 3 months (one (3%) in the PRINT group and 2 (6.6%) in the CONTROL group, p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: The esophageal fingerprint allows for a reliable identification of the esophageal position and its use for PVI line deployment results in less frequent esophageal temperature rises when compared to the standard approach. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of PVI line modification to avoid esophageal heating on long-term outcomes. The development of new imaging-derived tools could ultimately improve patient safety (NCT04394923).

Relationship between the posterior atrial wall and the esophagus: Esophageal position during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation ablation implies a risk of esophageal thermal injury. Esophageal position can be analyzed with imaging techniques, but evidence for esophageal mobility is inconsistent. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze esophageal position stability from one procedure to another and during a single procedure. Methods: Esophageal position was compared in 2 patient groups. First, preprocedural multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) of first pulmonary vein isolation and redo intervention (redo group) was segmented with ADAS 3D™ to compare the stability of the atrioesophageal isodistance prints. Second, 3 imaging modalities were compared for the same procedure (multimodality group): (1) preprocedural MDCT; (2) intraprocedural fluoroscopy obtained with the transesophageal echocardiographic probe in place with CARTOUNIVU™; and (3) esophageal fast anatomic map (FAM) at the end of the procedure. Esophageal position correlation between different imaging techniques was computed in MATLAB using semiautomatic segmentation analysis. Results: Thirty-five redo patients were analyzed and showed a mean atrioesophageal distance of 1.2 ± 0.6 mm and a correlation between first and redo procedure esophageal fingerprint of 91% ± 5%. Only 3 patients (8%) had a clearly different position. The multi-imaging group was composed of 100 patients. Esophageal position correlation between MDCT and CARTOUNIVU was 82% ± 10%; between MDCT and esophageal FAM was 80% ± 12%; and between esophageal FAM and CARTOUNIVU was 83% ± 15%. Conclusion: There is high stability of esophageal position between procedures and from the beginning to the end of a procedure. Further research is undergoing to test the clinical utility of the esophageal fingerprinted isodistance map to the posterior atrial wall.

Personalized paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation by tailoring ablation index to the left atrial wall thickness: the 'Ablate by-LAW' single-centre study-a pilot study.

AIMS: To determine if adapting the ablation index (AI) to the left atrial wall thickness (LAWT), which is a determinant of lesion transmurality, is feasible, effective, and safe during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients referred for PAF first ablation. Left atrial wall thickness three-dimensional maps were obtained from multidetector computed tomography and integrated into the CARTO navigation system. Left atrial wall thickness was categorized into 1 mm layers and AI was titrated to the LAWT. The ablation line was personalized to avoid thicker regions. Primary endpoints were acute efficacy and safety, and freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences. Follow-up (FU) was scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and every 6 months thereafter. Ninety patients [60 (67%) male, age 58 ± 13 years] were included. Mean LAWT was 1.25 ± 0.62 mm. Mean AI was 366 ± 26 on the right pulmonary veins with a first-pass isolation in 84 (93%) patients and 380 ± 42 on the left pulmonary veins with first-pass in 87 (97%). Procedure time was 59 min (49-66); radiofrequency (RF) time 14 min (12.5-16); and fluoroscopy time 0.7 min (0.5-1.4). No major complication occurred. Eighty-four out of 90 (93.3%) patients were free of recurrence after a mean FU of 16 ± 4 months. CONCLUSION: Personalized AF ablation, adapting the AI to LAWT allowed pulmonary vein isolation with low RF delivery, fluoroscopy, and procedure time while obtaining a high rate of first-pass isolation, in this patient population. Freedom from AF recurrences was as high as in more demanding ablation protocols. A multicentre trial is ongoing to evaluate reproducibility of these results.

A standardized stepwise zero-fluoroscopy approach with transesophageal echocardiography guidance for atrial fibrillation ablation.

PURPOSE: There is growing interest in performing fluoroless radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) due to the increasing awareness of risk associated with radiation exposure of patients and professional staff. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a stepwise transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided zero-fluoroscopy approach (ZFA) for RFA. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 111) referred for AF-ablation were prospectively enrolled with intention to RFA with ZFA. Procedural outcomes were compared with historical controls (HCs) after 1:1 propensity score matching. ZFA success was considered when no X-ray was utilized to perform the whole procedure. RESULTS: ZFA success was achieved in 80 (72%) procedures. BMI > 35 kg/m2 resulted in the only independent predictor of ZFA failure (OR = 6.10, 95% CI 1.15-46.49, p = 0.04). In comparison to HCs, a significant reduction in radiation exposure was observed in the ZFA group: fluoroscopy time (3 vs. 63 s, p < 0.001), total emitted fluoroscopy dose (0.2 vs. 6.0 mGy, p < 0.001), dose area product (0.04 vs. 1.4 Gy*cm2, p < 0.001), and effective dose (0.8 vs. 27.2 mSv*100, p < 0.001). Complete pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all procedures. No difference was observed between the groups in in-hospital complication rate (0.9% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study proving procedural feasibility, safety, and efficacy of TEE-guided AF-ablation with a complete or near-complete avoidance of radiological exposure, without using intracardiac echocardiography.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance determinants of ventricular arrhythmic events after myocardial infarction.

AIMS: To non-invasively characterize, by means of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR), scar differences, and potential variables associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurrence in chronic post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case-control study was designed through retrospective LGE-CMR data analysis of chronic post-MI patients (i) consecutively referred for VT substrate ablation after a first VT episode (n = 66) and (ii) from a control group (n = 84) with no arrhythmia evidence. The myocardium was characterized differentiating core, border zone (BZ), and BZ channels (BZCs) using the ADAS 3D post-processing imaging platform. Clinical and scar characteristics, including a novel parameter, the BZC mass, were compared between both groups. One hundred and fifty post-MI patients were included. Four multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were created for total scar mass, BZ mass, core mass, and BZC mass, adjusting them by age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). A cut-off of 5.15 g of BZC mass identified the cases with 92.4% sensitivity and 86.9% specificity [area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.93 (0.89-0.97); P < 0.001], with a significant increase in the AUC compared to other scar parameters (P < 0.001 for all pairwise comparisons). Adding BZC mass to LVEF allowed to reclassify 33.3% of the cases and 39.3% of the controls [net reclassification improvement = 0.73 (0.71-0.74)]. CONCLUSIONS: The mass of BZC is the strongest independent variable associated with the occurrence of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in post-MI patients after adjustment for age, sex, and LVEF. Border zone channel mass measurement could permit a more accurate VT risk stratification than LVEF in chronic post-MI patients.

Impact of a predefined pacemapping protocol use for ablation of infrequent premature ventricular complexes: A prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Pacemapping (PM) is a useful maneuver for aiding premature ventricular complex (PVC) ablation. Its standalone clinical value is still to be defined. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of a predefined PM protocol for low-burden PVC ablation, regardless of their site of origin (SOO) and the presence of structural heart disease. METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter study. The PM protocol was performed when <1 PVC/min was found. The "target area" was delimited by the 3 best matching points >94% correlation, and 3 radiofreqency (RF) applications were delivered. RESULTS: Of 185 patients, 105 (57%) underwent activation mapping, 60 (32%) were PM-guided, and 20 (11%) were canceled due to absence of PVCs. Baseline QRS, PVC burden, and outflow tract origin were independent predictors of PM-guided ablation. A higher proportion of right ventricular outflow tract SOO in the PM group (52% vs 40%; P = .03) was observed. Mean target area was 0.6 ± 0.9 cm2. Mean 10-ms isochronal area in local activation time (LAT)-guided procedures was higher (1.7 ± 2.3 cm2; P <.001). Mean number of PM matching points acquired was 39 ± 21 (range 6-98). Mean mapping and RF times were similar in both groups. However, significantly shorter procedural (53 ± 24 vs 61 ± 26 minutes; P = .04) as well as RF times (111 ± 51 vs 149 ± 149 seconds; P = .05) were needed in the PM group using the proposed protocol. Global clinical success reached 87% for the PM group and 90% (P = .58) the for LAT mapping group. CONCLUSION: When LAT mapping is precluded, application of a PM-guided ablation protocol directed to >94% matching correlation target area is a more efficient alternative with comparable clinical results.

MANual vs. automatIC local activation time annotation for guiding Premature Ventricular Complex ablation procedures (MANIaC-PVC study).

AIMS: To assess potential benefits of a local activation time (LAT) automatic acquisition protocol using wavefront annotation plus an ECG pattern matching algorithm [automatic (AUT)-arm] during premature ventricular complex (PVC) ablation procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective, randomized, controlled, and international multicentre study (NCT03340922). One hundred consecutive patients with indication for PVC ablation were enrolled and randomized to AUT (n = 50) or manual (MAN, n = 50) annotation protocols using the CARTO3 navigation system. The primary endpoint was mapping success. Clinical success was defined as a PVC-burden reduction of ≥80% in the 24-h Holter within 6 months after the procedure. Mean age was 56 ± 14 years, 54% men. The mean baseline PVC burden was 25 ± 13%, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 55 ± 11%. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The most frequent PVC-site of origin were right ventricular outflow tract (41%), LV (25%), and left ventricular outflow tract (17%), without differences between groups. Radiofrequency (RF) time and number of RF applications were similar for both groups. Mapping and procedure times were significantly shorter in the AUT-arm (25.5 ± 14.3 vs. 32.8 ± 12.6 min, P = 0.009; and 54.8 ± 24.8 vs. 67.4 ± 25.2, P = 0.014, respectively), while more mapping points were acquired [136 (94-222) AUT vs. 79 (52-111) MAN; P < 0.001]. Mapping and clinical success were similar in both groups. There were no procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: The use of a complete automatic protocol for LAT annotation during PVC ablation procedures allows to achieve similar clinical endpoints with higher procedural efficiency when compared with conventional, manual annotation carried out by expert operators.

Left atrial wall thickness of the pulmonary vein reconnection sites during atrial fibrillation redo procedures.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial wall thickness (LAWT) has been related to pulmonary vein (PV) reconnections after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The aim was to integrate 3D-LAWT maps in the navigation system and analyze the relationship with local reconnection sites during AF-redo procedures. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred for AF-redo ablation were included. Procedure was performed using a single catheter technique. LAWT maps obtained from multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) were imported into the navigation system. LAWT of the circumferential PV line, the reconnected segment and the reconnected point, were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty patients [44 (73%) male, age 61 ± 10 years] were included. All reconnected veins were isolated using a single catheter technique with 55 min (IQR 47-67) procedure time and 75 s (IQR 50-120) fluoroscopy time. Mean LAWT of the circumferential PV line was 1.46 ± 0.22 mm. The reconnected segment was thicker than the rest of segments of the circumferential PV line (2.05 + 0.86 vs. 1.47 + 0.76, p < .001 for the LPVs; 1.55 + 0.57 vs. 1.27 + 0.57, p < .001 for the RPVs). Mean reconnection point wall thickness (WT) was at the 82nd percentile of the circumferential line in the LPVs and at the 82nd percentile in the RPVs. CONCLUSION: A single catheter technique is feasible and efficient for AF-redo procedures. Integrating the 3D-LAWT map into the navigation system allows a direct periprocedural estimation of the WT at any point of the LA. Reconnection points were more frequently present in thicker segments of the PV line. The use of 3D-LAWT maps can facilitate reconnection point identification during AF-redo ablation.

Arrhythmogenic substrate detection in chronic ischaemic patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia ablation using multidetector cardiac computed tomography: compared evaluation with cardiac magnetic resonance.

AIMS: Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) permits characterizing ischaemic scars, detecting heterogeneous tissue channels (HTCs) which constitute the arrhythmogenic substrate (AS). Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance also improves the arrhythmia-free survival when used to guide ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate ablation. However, its availability may be limited. We sought to evaluate the performance of multidetector cardiac computed tomography (MDCT) imaging in identifying HTCs detected by LGE-CMR in ischaemic patients undergoing VT substrate ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty ischaemic patients undergoing both LGE-CMR and MDCT before VT substrate ablation were included. Using a dedicated post-processing software, two blinded operators, assigned either to LGE-CMR or MDCT analysis, characterized the presence of CMR and computed tomography (CT) channels, respectively. Cardiac magnetic resonance channels were classified as endocardial (layers < 50%), epicardial (layers ≥ 50%), or transmural. Cardiac magnetic resonance- vs. CT-channel concordance was considered when showing the same orientation and American Heart Association (AHA) segment. Mean age was 69 ± 10 years; 90% were male. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 35 ± 10%. All patients had CMR channels (n = 76), whereas only 26/30 (86.7%) had CT channels (n = 91). Global sensitivity (Se) and positive predictive values for detecting CMR channels were 61.8% and 51.6%, respectively. MDCT performance improved in patients with epicardial CMR channels (Se 80.5%) and transmural scars (Se 72.2%). In 4/11 (36%) patients with subendocardial myocardial infarction (MI), MDCT was unable to identify the AS. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to LGE-CMR, myocardial wall thickness assessment using MDCT fails to detect the presence of AS in 36% of patients with subendocardial MI, showing modest sensitivity identifying HTCs but a better performance in patients with transmural scars.

Premature ventricular complex site of origin and ablation outcomes in patients with prior myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are common after a myocardial infarction (MI), but data on PVC ablation in this population are limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze data on PVC ablation in post-MI patients. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-two patients with frequent PVCs and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction were prospectively studied. Data from 67 patients (20%; age 63 ± 10 years; 65 men [93%]) with previous MI were compared with the remaining 265 patients. RESULTS: PVCs in post-MI patients originate predominantly from the LV (92% LV vs 6% right ventricle [RV]; P <.001). The most frequent sites of origin (SOO) were MI scar in 23 patients (34%) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in 22 patients (33%). A papillary muscle origin was more frequent in post-MI patients (16% vs 4%; P = .001), whereas an RV outflow tract origin was less frequent (1% vs 33%; P <.001) compared to patients without MI. In post-MI patients, PVC burden decreased from 29% ± 12% at baseline to 4.6% ± 7% (P <.001); left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved from 33.6% ± 8% to 42% ± 10% (P <.001); and New York Heart Association functional class improved from 2.1 ± 0.7 to 1.4 ± 0.5 points (P <.001) at 12 months. Compared with the remaining 265 patients, there were no differences in acute ablation success (85% vs 85%; P = .45), complication rate (6% vs 6%; P = .41), or absolute improvement in LVEF (8.8 ± 10 vs 9.9 ± 11 absolute points; P = .38). CONCLUSION: PVC ablation significantly improves cardiac function and functional status in post-MI patients. PVCs predominantly originate from MI scar and LVOT. A papillary muscle SOO was found to be strongly associated with previous MI.

Influence of baseline QRS on the left ventricular ejection fraction recovery after frequent premature ventricular complex ablation.

AIMS: Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can induce or worsen left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the influence of the baseline QRS in the response after PVC ablation in patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and fifteen [59 ± 13 years old, 152 (71%) men] consecutive patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and frequent PVCs referred for ablation were included and followed-up for 12 months. Echocardiographic response was defined as an improvement of at least five absolute points in LVEF. Clinical, electrocardiogram, and electrophysiological characteristics were analysed. Mean baseline QRS duration was 110 ms [97-140]. Premature ventricular complex burden significantly decreased after ablation from 23% [16-33] at baseline to 1% [0-8] at 12 months, P < 0.001. Mean PVC burden reduction was 18 [8-30] points. There was a significant improvement of LVEF from 35% [29-40] at baseline to 44% [35-55] at 12 months, P < 0.001. One hundred and thirty (61%) patients were considered as echocardiographic responders. Baseline QRS duration (ms) [odds ratio (OR) 0.98 (0.97-0.99), P = 0.01] was an independent predictor of echocardiographic response. Mean LVEF improvement was 16 [10-21] points when the baseline QRS duration was <90 ms; 12 [4-20] when it was 90-110 ms; 5 [0-15] when it was 110 ± 130 ms; and 0 [0-6] points when it was >130 ms. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, intrinsic QRS duration is inversely related to the probability and the degree of echocardiographic response after frequent PVC ablation. Patients with a QRS duration >130 ms at baseline have the poorer response after ablation.

Mortality and morbidity reduction after frequent premature ventricular complexes ablation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

AIMS: Ablation of frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) improves left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the long-term hard outcomes and potential prognostic variables in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective multicentre study including 101 consecutive patients [56 ± 12 years old, 62 (61%) men] with LV systolic dysfunction and frequent PVCs who underwent PVC ablation before November 2015. The last evaluation performed was considered the long-term follow-up (LTFUP) evaluation. Mean follow-up was 34 ± 16 months (range 24-84 months). Ablation was successful in 95 (94%) patients. There was a significant reduction in the PVC burden from 21 ± 12% at baseline to 3.8 ± 6% at LTFUP, P < 0.001. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 32 ± 8% at baseline to 39 ± 12% at LTFUP (P < 0.001) and New York Heart Association class from 2.2 ± 0.6% to 1.3 ± 0.6% (P < 0.001). Brain natriuretic peptide levels decreased from 136 (78-321) to 68 (32-144) pg/mL (P = 0.007). Most of this improvement occurs during the first 6 months after ablation. Persistent abolition of at least 18 points of the baseline PVC burden was independently and inversely associated with the composite endpoint of cardiac mortality, cardiac transplantation, or hospitalization for heart failure during follow-up [hazard ratio 0.18 (0.05-0.66), P = 0.01]. CONCLUSION: In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, ablation of frequent PVCs induces a significant improvement in functional, structural, and neurohormonal status, which persists at LTFUP. A sustained reduction in the baseline PVC burden is associated with a lower risk of cardiac mortality, cardiac transplantation, or hospitalization for heart failure during follow-up.

Influence of myocardial scar on the response to frequent premature ventricular complex ablation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the influence of myocardial scar after premature ventricular complexes (PVC) ablation in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: 70 consecutive patients (58±11 years, 58 (83%) men, 23% (18-32) mean PVC burden) with LV dysfunction and frequent PVCs submitted for ablation were included. A late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) was performed prior to the ablation and a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the scar was done. RESULTS: Left ventricular ejection fraction progressively improved from 34.3%±9% at baseline to 44.4%±12% at 12 months (p<0.01) and 48 (69%) patients were echocardiographic responders. New York Heart Association class improved from 1.96±0.9 points at baseline to 1.36±0.6 at 12 months (p<0.001). Brain natriuretic peptide decreased from 120 (60-284) to 46 (23-81) pg/mL (p=0.04). Twenty-nine (41%) patients showed scar in the preprocedural LGE-CMR with a mean scar mass of 10.4 (5-20) g. Mean scar mass was significantly smaller in responders than in non-responders (0 (0-4.7) g vs 2 (0-14) g, respectively, p=0.017). PVC burden reduction (OR 1.09 (1.01-1.16), p=0.02) and scar mass (OR 0.9 (0.81-0.99), p=0.04) were independent predictors of response, but the former showed a higher accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of myocardial scar modulates, but does not preclude, the probability of response to PVC ablation in patients with LV dysfunction.

Clinical recognition of pure premature ventricular complex-induced cardiomyopathy at presentation.

BACKGROUND: Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can induce or worsen left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical pattern of patients having a "pure PVC-induced" cardiomyopathy at presentation. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study included 155 consecutive patients (age 55 ± 12 years, 96 men [62%], 23% ±12% mean PVC burden) with LV dysfunction and frequent PVCs submitted for ablation and followed up for at least 12 months. Patients with a previously diagnosed structural heart disease (50 [32%]) and those without complete PVC abolition during follow-up who did not normalize LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (24 [15%]) were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Of the remaining 81 patients, 41 (51%) had a successful sustained ablation, did not have normalized LVEF, and were classified as having PVC-worsened nonischemic cardiomyopathy, and 40 (49%) who had normalized LVEF were considered as having pure PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. The latter group had higher baseline PVC burden (27% ± 12% vs 12% ± 8%; P <.001), smaller LV end-diastolic diameter (58 ± 5 mm vs 60 ± 6 mm; P = .05), and shorter intrinsic QRS (105 ± 12 vs 129 ± 24 ms; P <.001). Any of the following baseline characteristics accurately identified patients who will not normalize LVEF after PVC ablation (85% sensitivity, 98% specificity): intrinsic QRS >130 ms, baseline PVC burden <17%, and LV end-diastolic diameter >63 mm. CONCLUSION: Almost half of patients with frequent PVCs and low LVEF of unknown origin normalize LVEF after sustained PVC abolition, and these patients can be identified before ablation.

Ablation of frequent PVC in patients meeting criteria for primary prevention ICD implant: Safety of withholding the implant.

BACKGROUND: Premature ventricular complex (PVC) ablation has been shown to improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and New York Heart Association functional class in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Both are considered key variables in predicting risk of sudden cardiac death. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess whether ablation might remove the primary prevention (PP) implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) indication in patients with frequent PVC. METHODS: Sixty-six consecutive patients with PP-ICD indication and frequent PVC [33 (50%) men; mean age 53 ± 13 years; 11 (17%) with ischemic heart disease] underwent PVC ablation. The ICD was withheld and the indication was reevaluated at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: LVEF progressively improved from 28% ± 4% at baseline to 42% ± 12% at 12 months (P < .001). New York Heart Association functional class improved from 2 patients with NYHA functional class I (3%) at baseline to 35 (53%) at 12 months (P < .001). The brain natriuretic peptide level decreased from 246 ± 187 to 176 ± 380 pg/mL (P = .004). The PP-ICD indication was removed in 42 patients (64%) during follow-up, from 38 (92%) of them at 6 months, showing an independent association with baseline PVC burden and successful sustained ablation. In patients with successful sustained ablation, a cutoff value of 13% PVC burden had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 93% (area under the curve 99%) for removing ICD indication postablation. No sudden cardiac deaths or malignant ventricular arrhythmias were observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with frequent PVC and PP-ICD indication, ablation improves LVEF and, in most cases, allows removal of the indication. Withholding the ICD and reevaluating within 6 months of ablation seems to be a safe and appropriate strategy.

Optimized pacing mode for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Impact of ECG fusion during pacing.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic (ECG) fusion with intrinsic QRS could reduce the benefit of atrial synchronous biventricular pacing (AS-BiVP) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of AS-BiVP and the influence of ECG fusion for reduction of left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) in these patients. METHODS: Twenty-one symptomatic HOCM patients with severe LVOTG were included. Twelve patients were evaluated retrospectively for the prevalence of fusion and its influence on outcomes after AS-BiVP. Eleven patients (2 of the first population were also evaluated retrospectively) were prospectively included to evaluate the benefit of performing atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) to achieve full ventricular capture if fusion was present during AS-BiVP. RESULTS: Seven of the first 12 patients (58%) had ECG fusion. After 54 ± 24 months of AS-BiVP, the presence of fusion was associated with lower values for reduction of resting, dynamic LVOTG and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. In the prospectively evaluated patients, after 12 months of follow-up, resting LVOTG decreased from 98 ± 39 to 39 ± 24 mm Hg (P = .008); dynamic LVOTG decreased from 112 ± 38 to 60 ± 24 mm Hg (P = .013); NYHA class decreased from 2.8 ± 0.4 to 1.7 ± 0.6 (P = .014); endurance time during constant work rate cycling exercise (80% of peak oxygen consumption) increased from 399 ± 148 to 691 ± 249 seconds (P = .046); quality of life improved from 46 ± 22 to 22 ± 20 points (P = .02); and brain natriuretic peptide levels decreased from 318 ± 238 to 152 ± 118 pg/mL (P = .09). Eight of the 11 prospectively evaluated patients (73%) needed AVNA, which further decreased LVOTG from 108 ± 40 mm Hg at baseline to 89 ± 29 mm Hg after BiVP to 54 ± 22 mm Hg after AVNA (P = .003). CONCLUSION: As-BiVP that ensures no ECG fusion, by means of AVNA when needed, appears to be the optimal pacing mode in HOCM patients.