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INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) often coexist with an increase in morbidity and mortality. AF catheter ablation (CA) has proved to be a safe and efficient option for HF patients, but long-term evolution and prognosis remain uncertain. The aim is to assess the efficacy and safety of CA in HF patients with AF, and analyze HF long-term evolution. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed consecutive patients with AF and congestive HF or left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) less than 45%, who underwent CA of AF between 2011 and 2016. We excluded patients who did not complete one year of follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included. Mean age was 62.1 years, 72.4% were men, 67.2% had hypertension and 8.6% were diabetics. Mean EF was 49%, left atrial area was 26.5 cm2 and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2. 70.6% were on NYHA FC II-III.The recurrence rate of AF was 60%, and after a second CA the rate decreased to 27.8%. Only persistent AF prior to the procedure was identified as independent predictor of recurrence. There was a significant NYHA FC improvement in the sinus rhythm (SR) group vs those with recurrence (63.6% vs 36.4%; p=0.047). None of the patients in SR were hospitalized, whereas six with recurrence were hospitalized due to HF (0% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.07). The rate of complications was 9.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in heart failure presents an adequate success rate, improving symptoms and reducing rehospitalizations due to heart failure.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN 31. Introducción: La iniciativa Stent-Save a Life! (SSL) es un programa europeo que busca mejorar el acceso de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST (IAMCEST) a un tratamiento de reperfusión basado en las recomendaciones de las guías clínicas, reduciendo así su morbimortalidad. Objetivo: Describir los resultados de los primeros tres años de la iniciativa SSL Argentina Material y métodos: Se realizó inicialmente un mapeo para analizar la situación local y luego se desarrolló el Programa Puerta-Balón (PPB) como un proceso de mejora continua para centros con capacidad de realizar angioplastia primaria (ATCp). Resultados: Desde marzo de 2016 hasta marzo de 2018 se trataron 3041 pacientes con IAMCEST en 38 centros participantes del citado programa. El 20% (n = 610) de esos pacientes tuvo su primer contacto médico (PCM) con el servicio de emergencias médicas. Excluyendo los 184 pacientes sin lesiones coronarias (6% del total), el 93% fue reperfundido, principalmente con ATCp (95%). El tiempo global de isquemia fue de 117 minutos, variando según el momento del PCM. La mortalidad global intrahospitalaria fue del 7%. Conclusiones: La falta de una "cultura de reperfusión" fue la barrera en común de centros públicos y privados que motivó el desarrollo del PPB. La identificación de los puntos críticos que impiden un tratamiento a tiempo, junto con la organización de los centros puertas adentro, representan el primer paso para mejorar la atención de estos pacientes. Es necesario el trabajo integrado de todos los actores involucrados a partir de la organización de redes de atención, adaptadas a la realidad local de cada centro y región.
ABSTRACT 39. Introduction: The Stent-Save a Life! (SSL) initiative is a European program that seeks to improve the access of patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) to reperfusion therapies based on clinical guideline recommendations, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the results of the first three years of the SSL Argentina initiative. Methods: Initially, a mapping was carried out to analyze the local situation and then the Door-to- Balloon Program (DBP) was developed as a continuous improvement process for centers with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) capability. Results: From March 2016 to March 2018, 3,041 patients with STEMI were treated in 38 centers participating in this program. In 20% of cases (n=610) patients had their first medical contact with the emergency medical services. After excluding 184 patients (6%) without coronary lesions, reperfusion therapy was performed in 93% of cases, mainly by pPCI (95%). Total ischemic time was 117 minutes, with differences according to the time of first medical contact. Overall in-hospital mortality was 7%. Conclusions: The lack of a "reperfusion culture" was the common barrier of public and private centers that motivated the development of the DBP. The identification of critical points that prevent treatment on time, together with enhancement of in-hospital organization, represent the first step to improve the care of these patients. The integrated work of all the involved parties is necessary to develop care networks adapted to the local reality of each center and region.
