Therapy duration and improvement of ventricular function in de novo heart failure: the Heart Failure Optimization study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In patients with de novo heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is expected to occur when started on guideline-recommended medical therapy. However, improvement may not be completed within 90 days. METHODS: Patients with HFrEF and LVEF ≤ 35% prescribed a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator between 2017 and 2022 from 68 sites were enrolled, starting with a registry phase for 3 months and followed by a study phase up to 1 year. The primary endpoints were LVEF improvement > 35% between Days 90 and 180 following guideline-recommended medical therapy initiation and the percentage of target dose reached at Days 90 and 180. RESULTS: A total of 598 patients with de novo HFrEF [59 years (interquartile range 51-68), 27% female] entered the study phase. During the first 180 days, a significant increase in dosage of beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists was observed (P < .001). At Day 90, 46% [95% confidence interval (CI) 41%-50%] of study phase patients had LVEF improvement > 35%; 46% (95% CI 40%-52%) of those with persistently low LVEF at Day 90 had LVEF improvement > 35% by Day 180, increasing the total rate of improvement > 35% to 68% (95% CI 63%-72%). In 392 patients followed for 360 days, improvement > 35% was observed in 77% (95% CI 72%-81%) of the patients. Until Day 90, sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias were observed in 24 wearable cardioverter-defibrillator carriers (1.8%). After 90 days, no sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia occurred in wearable cardioverter-defibrillator carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous optimization of guideline-recommended medical therapy for at least 180 days in HFrEF is associated with additional LVEF improvement > 35%, allowing for better decision-making regarding preventive implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

More than 30 years of Brugada syndrome: a critical appraisal of achievements and open issues.

Over the last three decades, what is referred to as Brugada syndrome (BrS) has developed from a clinical observation of initially a few cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the absence of structural heart disease with ECG signs of "atypical right bundle brunch block" to a predominantly electrocardiographic, and to a lesser extent genetic, diagnosis. Today, BrS is diagnosed in patients without overt structural heart disease and a spontaneous Brugada type 1 ECG pattern regardless of symptoms. The diagnosis of BrS is less clear in those with an only transient or drug-induced type 1 Brugada pattern, but should be considered in the presence of an arrhythmic syncope, family history of BrS, or family history of sudden death. In addition to survived cardiac arrest, syncope is probably the single most decisive risk marker for future arrhythmias. For asymptomatic BrS, risk stratification remains challenging. General recommendations to lower the risk in BrS include avoidance of drugs/agents known to induce and/or increase right precordial ST-segment elevation, including treatment of fever with antipyretic drugs. Several ECG markers that have been associated with an increased risk of SCD have been incorporated into a recently published risk score for BrS. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the status of risk stratification and to illustrate open issues und gaps in evidence in BrS.

Prevention of cerebral thromboembolism by oral anticoagulation with dabigatran after pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation: the ODIn-AF trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) following successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. Prospective data are missing. The ODIn-AF study aimed to evaluate the effect of OAC on the incidence of silent cerebral embolic events and clinically relevant cardioembolic events in patients at intermediate to high risk for embolic events, free from AF after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). METHODS: This prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label, blinded endpoint interventional trial enrolled patients who were scheduled for PVI to treat paroxysmal or persistent AF. Six months after PVI, AF-free patients were randomized to receive either continued OAC with dabigatran or no OAC. The primary endpoint was the incidence of new silent micro- and macro-embolic lesions detected on brain MRI at 12 months of follow-up compared to baseline. Safety analysis included bleedings, clinically evident cardioembolic, and serious adverse events (SAE). RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2021, 200 patients were randomized into 2 study arms (on OAC: n = 99, off OAC: n = 101). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of new cerebral microlesions between the on OAC and off OAC arm [2 (2%) versus 0 (0%); P = 0.1517] after 12 months. MRI showed no new macro-embolic lesion, no clinical apparent strokes were present in both groups. SAE were more frequent in the OAC arm [on OAC n = 34 (31.8%), off OAC n = 18 (19.4%); P = 0.0460]; bleedings did not differ. CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of OAC after successful PVI was not found to be associated with an elevated risk of cerebral embolic events compared with continued OAC after a follow-up of 12 months.

Antiarrhythmic effects of baroreceptor activation therapy in chronic heart failure: a case report.

Background: Autonomic imbalance represents a keystone of chronic heart failure (HF) with substantial clinical and prognostic implications. Baroreceptor activation therapy (BAT) is a new therapeutic strategy to target the autonomic dysbalance by electrical stimulation of carotid baroreceptors. Besides its known beneficial effects on HF parameters, BAT is also supposed to trigger potential antiarrhythmic effects, which may additionally contribute to HF improvement. Case summary: We report on a 70-year-old male with progredient shortness of breath and advanced HF in the context of an extensive cardiovascular history. After optimization of pharmacologic and device-related therapy, the decision was made to implant a BAT system (Barostim Neo, CVRx) to improve functional cardiac parameters and support symptomatic improvement. Implantation was associated with an overall clinical improvement assessed during outpatient visits every 6 months. Frequency of ventricular arrhythmic events declined, and atrial fibrillation ceased spontaneously. Echocardiography revealed an amelioration in left ventricular systolic function. Numbers of HF hospitalization decreased after Barostim implantation. Discussion: We present a patient with an extensive cardiovascular history and fully exploited pharmacologic and device-related therapy, who showed improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular systolic function, and reduction of arrhythmic events following implantation of the BAT device. This case presents an additional positive potential of BAT for HF patients in terms of reduction of arrhythmia burden. These results should be confirmed by further clinical trials.

Performance and feasibility of three different approaches for computer based semi-automated analysis of ventricular arrhythmias in telemetric long-term ECG in cynomolgus monkeys.

Computer-based analysis of long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring in animal models represents a cost and time-consuming process as manual supervision is often performed to ensure accuracy in arrhythmia detection. Here, we investigate the performance and feasibility of three ECG interval analysis approaches A) attribute-based, B) attribute- and pattern recognition-based and C) combined approach with additional manual beat-to-beat analysis (gold standard) with regard to subsequent detection of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and time consumption. ECG analysis was performed on ECG raw data of 5 male cynomolgus monkeys (1000 h total, 2 × 100 h per animal). Both approaches A and B overestimated the total number of arrhythmias compared to gold standard (+8.92% vs. +6.47%). With regard to correct classification of detected VA event numbers (accelerated idioventricular rhythms [AIVR], ventricular tachycardia [VT]) approach B revealed higher accuracy compared to approach A. Importantly, VA burden (% of time) was precisely depicted when using approach B (-1.13%), whereas approach A resulted in relevant undersensing of ventricular arrhythmias (-11.76%). Of note, approach A and B could be performed with significant less working time (-95% and - 91% working time) compared to gold standard. In sum, we show that a combination of attribute-based and pattern recognition analysis (approach B) can reproduce VA burden with acceptable accuracy without using manual supervision. Since this approach allowed analyses to be performed with distinct time saving it represents a valuable approach for cost and time efficient analysis of large preclinical ECG datasets.

Utilization of 3D mapping systems in interventional electrophysiology and its impact on procedure time and fluoroscopy-Insights from the "Go for Zero Fluoroscopy" project.

AIM: The implementation of 3D mapping systems plays an important role in interventional electrophysiology (EP) in recent years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate use of 3D mapping systems regarding fluoroscopy and procedure duration. METHOD: In the "Go for Zero Fluoroscopy" project 25 European centers provided data of consecutive EP procedures. Data on use of 3D mapping systems as well as utilization of contact force catheters and multipolar mapping catheters were associated with fluoroscopy time, dose area product (DAP), and procedure duration. RESULT: A 3D mapping system was used in 966 (54%) cases. Use of 3D mapping for atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001), DAP (p = 0.04) but increased procedure time (p = 0.029). Moreover, fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and DAP (p = 0.005) were significantly lower in the 3D mapping group in ablation of typical atrial flutter. However, the procedure time (p < 0.001) increased. Use of 3D mapping in the ablation of accessory pathway (AP) was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and DAP (p < 0.001) with no significant increase in procedure time (p = 0.066). In the case of atrial fibrillation, a 3D mapping system was used in 485 patients (75.8%). Additional use of a contact force catheter was associated with lower fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and DAP (p < 0.001). Use of a multipolar mapping catheter was associated with lower fluoroscopy time (p = 0.002). The implementation of 3D mapping systems in the ablation of ventricular tachycardias resulted in a significant increase in the procedure time (p = 0.001) without significant differences regarding the DAP (p = 0.773) and fluoroscopy time (p = 0.249). CONCLUSION: Use of 3D mapping systems in ablation of supraventricular tachycardias is associated with lower radiation exposure. Nevertheless, the procedure time often increases, except in the case of ablation for AP. Use of contact force catheters and multipolar mapping catheters is associated with yet lower radiation exposure values. Prospective randomized studies are needed to further elucidate potential benefit of these technological tools.

Simple and safe digitoxin dosing in heart failure based on data from the DIGIT-HF trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to develop a simple dosing score when starting the cardiac glycoside digitoxin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) employing first data from the randomized, double-blinded DIGIT-HF trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: In DIGIT-HF, digitoxin was started with a dose of 0.07 mg once daily (o.d.) in all patients. For score derivation, 317 patients were analyzed who had been randomized to digitoxin. In these patients, after scheduled determination of serum levels at study week 6, the digitoxin dose had remained unchanged or had been reduced to 0.05 mg o.d. (97% of patients) to achieve serum concentrations within a predefined range (10.5-23.6 nmol/l). In logistic regression analyses, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were associated with need for dose reduction and, therefore, selected for further developing the dosing score. Optimal cut-points were derived from ROC curve analyses. Finally, female sex, age ≥ 75 years, eGFR < 50 ml/min/1.73 m2, and BMI < 27 kg/m2 each were assigned one point for the digitoxin dosing score. A score of ≥ 1 indicated the need for dose reduction with sensitivity/specificity of 81.6%/49.7%, respectively. Accuracy was confirmed in a validation data set including 64 patients randomized to digitoxin yielding sensitivity/specificity of 87.5%/37.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with HFrEF, treatment with digitoxin should be started at 0.05 mg o.d. in subjects with either female sex, eGFR < 50 ml/min/1.73m2, BMI < 27 kg/m2, or age ≥ 75 years. In any other patient, digitoxin may be safely started at 0.07 mg o.d.

Changes in eligibility for a subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator after implantation of a left ventricular assist device-A prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The number of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implanted in patients with end-stage heart failure is increasing. In this patient cohort, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) could be a promising alternative to transvenous ICDs due to lower infection rates and avoidance of venous access. However, eligibility for the S-ICD depends on ECG features that may be influenced by an LVAD. The aim of the present study was a prospective evaluation of S-ICD eligibility before and after LVAD implantation. METHODS: The study recruited all patients presenting at Hannover Medical School for LVAD implantation between 2016 and 2020. S-ICD eligibility was evaluated using the ECG-based and the device-based S-ICD screening test before and after LVAD implantation. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (57.3 ± 8.7 years of age, 95.5% male) were included in the analysis. The most common underlying diseases were dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 16, 72.7%) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 5, 22.7%). Before LVAD implantation 16 patients were found eligible for the S-ICD according to both screening tests (72.7%), but only 7 patients were eligible after LVAD, 31.8%; p = 0.05). Oversensing due to electromagnetic interference was observed in 6 patients (66.6%) found ineligible for S-ICD after LVAD implantation. A lower S wave amplitude in leads I (p = 0.009), II (p = 0.006) and aVF (p = 0.006) before LVAD implantation was associated with higher rate of S-ICD ineligibility after LVAD implantation. CONCLUSION: LVAD implantation can impair S-ICD eligibility. Patients with lower S wave amplitude in leads I, II and aVF were more likely to be ineligible for S-ICD implantation after LVAD implantation. Thus, S-ICD therapy should be carefully considered in patients who are candidates for LVAD therapy.

Incidence of premature battery depletion in subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator patients: insights from a multicenter registry.

BACKGROUND: The subcutaneous ICD established its role in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in recent years. The occurrence of premature battery depletion in a large subset of potentially affected devices has been a cause of concern. The incidence of premature battery depletion has not been studied systematically beyond manufacturer-reported data. METHODS: Retrospective data and the most recent follow-up data on S-ICD devices from fourteen centers in Europe, the US, and Canada was studied. The incidence of generator removal or failure was reported to investigate the incidence of premature S-ICD battery depletion, defined as battery failure within 60 months or less. RESULTS: Data from 1054 devices was analyzed. Premature battery depletion occurred in 3.5% of potentially affected devices over an observation period of 49 months. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of premature battery depletion of S-ICD potentially affected by a battery advisory was around 3.5% after 4 years in this study. Premature depletion occurred exclusively in devices under advisory. This is in line with the most recently published reports from the manufacturer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04767516 .

Echocardiographic parameters indicating left atrial reverse remodeling after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: The echocardiographic parameters total atrial conduction time (PA-TDI duration), left atrial (LA) volume index (LAVI), and LA strain reflect adverse atrial remodeling and predict atrial fibrillation (AF). Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate echocardiographic parameters indicating reverse LA remodeling and potential associations with AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods: This prospective observational study consecutively enrolled patients scheduled for PVI for symptomatic AF. Electrocardiogram (ECG) test and transthoracic echocardiography were performed the day before and after PVI and again 3 months later. AF recurrence was determined by Holter ECG at 3 months, and telephone follow-up at 12 months, after PVI. The parameters of LA remodeling [PA-TDI, LAVI, and LA strain analysis: reservoir strain (LASr), conduit strain (LAScd), contraction strain (LASct)] were determined by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: A total of 48 patients were included in the study (mean age: 61.4 ± 12.2 years). PA-TDI significantly decreased the day after PVI compared with the baseline (septal PA-TDI 103 ± 13 vs. 82 ± 14.9 ms, p ≤ 0.001; lateral PA-TDI 122.4 ± 14.8 vs. 106.9 ± 14.4 ms, p ≤ 0.001) and at the 3-month follow-up (septal PA-TDI: 77.8 ± 14.5, p ≤ 0.001; lateral PA-TDI 105.2 ± 16.1, p ≤ 0.001). LAVI showed a significant reduction at the 3-month follow-up compared with the baseline (47.7 ± 14.4 vs. 40.5 ± 9.7, p < 0.05). LASr, LAScd, and LASct did not change after PVI compared with the baseline. AF recurred in 10 patients after PVI (21%). Septal PA-TDI, septal a', and LAVI/a' determined the day after PVI were associated with AF recurrence. Conclusion: Changes in echocardiographic parameters of LA remodeling and function indicate that functional electromechanical recovery preceded morphological reverse remodeling of the left atrium after PVI. Furthermore, these changes in echocardiographic parameters indicating LA reverse remodeling after PVI may identify patients at high risk of AF recurrence.

Acute echocardiographic and electrocardiographic effects of triggered left ventricular pacing.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an essential pillar in the therapy of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) presenting with broad left bundle branch block (LBBB) or pacemaker dependency. To achieve beneficial effects, CRT requires high bi-ventricular (BiV) pacing rates. Therefore, device-manufacturers designed pacing algorithms which maintain high BiV pacing rates by a left ventricular (LV) pacing stimulus immediately following a right ventricular sensed beat. However, data on clinical impact of these algorithms are sparse. We studied 17 patients implanted with a CRT device providing triggered left ventricular pacing (tLVp) in case of atrioventricular nodal conduction. Assessment of LV dyssynchrony was performed using echocardiographic and electrocardiographic examination while CRT-devices were set to three different settings: 1. Optimized bi-ventricular-stimulation (BiV); 2. Physiological AV nodal conduction (tLVp-off); 3. Physiological AV nodal conduction and tLVp-algorithm turned on (tLVp-on). QRS duration increased when the CRT-device was set to tLVp-off compared to BiV-Stim, while QRS duration was comparable to BiV-Stim with the tLVp-on setting. Echocardiographic analysis revealed higher dyssynchrony during tLVp-off compared to BiV-Stim. TLVp-on did not improve LV dyssynchrony compared to tLVp-off. QRS duration significantly decreased using tLVp-algorithms compared to physiological AV nodal conduction. However, echocardiographic examination could not show functional benefit from tLVp-algorithms, suggesting that these algorithms are inferior to regular biventricular pacing regarding cardiac resynchronization. Therefore, medical treatment and ablation procedures should be preferred, when biventricular pacing rates have to be increased. TLVp-algorithms can be used in addition to these treatment options.

[Approach to patients with Assurity® and Endurity® pacemakers : Recommendations from the nucleus of the Working Group Electrophysiology and Rhythmology of the German Cardiac Society]. / Vorgehen bei Patienten mit Assurity®- und Endurity®-Schrittmachern : Empfehlungen des Nucleus der Arbeitsgruppe Elektrophysiologie und Rhythmologie (AGEP) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kardiologie.

In a subset of patients with pacemaker models Assurity® and Endurity® (Abbott, Sylmar, California, USA; worldwide outside the USA approximately 83,000 devices), a mistake during production may have occurred resulting in insufficient adhesion between the pulse generator header and device housing which in turn may allow moisture to enter the header. This may cause loss of telemetry, switch to back-up mode, reduced battery longevity, or in worst case loss of pacing. Until June 2022, these malfunctions were reported for 128 devices worldwide (0.15%); no permanent harm to patients due to this issue has been reported. The nucleus of the AGEP suggests the following recommendations: (1) Patients with a device under safety advisory should be informed. (2) The risks for the patient in case of loss of stimulation should be assessed. Patients should be categorized into "likely pacemaker-dependent" (e.g., indication permanent atrioventricular [AV] block, no intrinsic rhythm at the last follow-up, percentage of ventricular pacing in the device memory > 90%), "unknown", or "likely not pacemaker-dependent" (e.g., indication sick sinus syndrome, intrinsic rhythm > 50 bpm at the last follow-up, percentage of ventricular pacing in the device memory < 1%). (3) In likely pacemaker-non-dependent patients, information about this issue should be provided together with an unchanged follow-up or a follow-up with shortened intervals (e.g., every 3 months) and/or remote monitoring. (4) In patients with unknown risk if stimulation failure occurs, at least follow-up intervals should be shortened to, for example, 3 months and/or remote monitoring should be initialized. In addition, risks and benefits of a device exchange should be weighed against each other. (5) In patients who are likely pacemaker-dependent, device exchange is recommended.

[Implantation of mechanical circulatory support systems and heart transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure : Consensus paper of the DGK, DGTHG]. / Implantation mechanischer Unterstützungssysteme und Herztransplantation bei Patienten mit terminaler Herzinsuffizienz : Konsensuspapier DGK, DGTHG.

The treatment of patients with advanced heart failure requires interdisciplinary care in a qualified heart failure team, especially prior to and in the follow-up of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implantation and heart transplantation (HTx). The basic prerequisite is the early specialized evaluation of symptomatic patients even under optimized heart failure treatment. Diagnostics and treatment are initially aimed at improving the prognosis. If the prerequisites for MCS or HTx treatment are present, possible contraindications and problems have to be evaluated in order to achieve an optimal risk-benefit ratio for the abovementioned complex treatments with limited resources. The optimal treatment is still HTx if the conditions are right, so this should be sought in all potential patients. At the same time, the optimal individual transplantation window should not be missed. The provision of a MCS system is a treatment performed with very good results for patients with exclusion criteria for HTx or with hemodynamic instability that prevents a longer waiting time for a donor organ. Short-term and medium-term survival is now comparable to HTx when carefully indicated. Timely implantation before the onset of manifest end-organ damage is crucial. Optimized implementation of advanced treatment requires professional structures that enable effective interdisciplinary cooperation between different sectors of health care.

Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure and an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with development of depressive symptoms and reduced quality of life (QoL). Patients with HF and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) were evaluated regarding depressive symptoms and QoL. Methods: The present study included 446 patients with HF and an ICD. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), QoL was evaluated using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Functional ability and exercise tolerance were assessed at inclusion and after 6 months with help of the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Results: Patients included in the study had a mean age of 65.8 years and were predominantly male (83.6%), with mostly ischemic (n = 277; 62.1%) or dilated (n = 150; 33.6%) cardiomyopathy. One hundred ninety-three (43.2%) patients had depressive symptoms, of whom 75 patients (16.8%) were classified as moderate to severe depression according to the PHQ-9 at baseline. Depressive symptoms were associated with low QoL independent of NYHA functional class. High NYHA functional class, high PHQ-9 score, age and body mass index (BMI) were associated with a lower 6MWT at enrollment, while depressive symptoms (expressed as higher PHQ-9 score) and age were associated with a lower 6MWT after 6 months. Patients with history of smoking and a higher BMI showed higher PHQ-9 scores after 6 months. Patients under antidepressant medication showed improved PHQ-9 score after 6 months, indicating controlled/treated depression. However, patients with low QoL at inclusion remained with low QoL after 6 months. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms correlate with low QoL and lower long-term functional status in patients with HF and an ICD. Depressive symptoms are associated with smoking and obesity, which themselves are risk factors for a poor prognosis in HF. Only a small fraction of patients with HF and ICD showing depressive symptoms receives appropriate treatment. Assessing depressive symptoms and lifestyle factors should be part of a multimodal treatment plan in patients with HF and an ICD.

Usage of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator during pregnancy.

Background: Pregnancy can trigger or aggravate the risk for life-threating arrhythmias in cardiac diseases. Pregnancy is associated with reluctance for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) due to concerns about radiation. Thus, the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) might be an option during pregnancy. Aim of the study was to collect experiences about the use of WCD in pregnancy. Methods and results: This study retrospectively included eight women who received a WCD during pregnancy. They suffered from ventricular tachycardia (VT) without known cardiac disease (n = 3), Brugada syndrome (n = 1), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n = 1), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 1), non-compaction (n = 1), and survived sudden cardiac arrest during a preceding pregnancy (n = 1). WCD usage was started between 13 and 28 weeks of gestation. WCD wearing period ranged from 3 days to 30.9 weeks, WCD wearing time ranged from 13.0 to 23.7 h per day. Two women (25%) abandoned WCD already during pregnancy. Neither appropriate nor inappropriate WCD shocks were recorded. Antiarrhythmic management included beta-blockers (n = 5) and flecainide (n = 2). After delivery, ICD were implanted (n = 4), refused (n = 2) and estimated not necessary after successful catheter ablation (n = 2). Conclusion: Uneventful pregnancy is possible in women at risk for sudden cardiac death by interdisciplinary monitoring and diligent pharmacotherapy protected by the WCD. Since no WCD shocks were recorded, the effectiveness of WCD during pregnancy is still unclear. However, arrhythmia detection by WCD was very good despite the changed anatomy in pregnancy. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to assess effectiveness of WCD in pregnant women. Furthermore, efforts should be made to increase the wearing adherence of WCD during pregnancy.

Increased Late Noncardiac Nonrelapse Mortality in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed During Their Hospital Stay for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults but its impact on allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is not well characterized. We studied AF manifestation during the hospital stay for allogeneic SCT, referred to as AF in hospital (AFiH), and analyzed the incidence of, risk factors for, and clinical impact of AFiH on intensive care unit (ICU)-/hospital-/ and overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS). This retrospective matched cohort study comprised 553 consecutive SCT recipients at Hannover Medical School between January 2013 and October 2019. Patients with AFiH were compared with a non-AFiH control cohort matched for Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI), European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) risk score, disease, conditioning regimen and availability of molecular genetic data for patients with myeloid diseases. AFiH occurred in 46 patients (8%) at a median of 2 days (interquartile range, 0 to 8 days) after SCT. Patient history of AF and elevated NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin T levels, but not conventional echocardiographic parameters, were predictive for AFiH. AFiH occurred more often in patients with mutations in DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1 genes related to clonal hematopoiesis compared with patients with wild-type alleles, with the greatest impact from DMT3A mutations. ICU admission was significantly higher in the AFiH cohort (46% versus 7%), without significant differences in ICU or post-ICU hospital survival (62% versus 40% and 52% versus 40%, respectively). The main cause of death was sepsis. In terms of long-term outcomes, the incidences of relapse and grade II-IV acute GVHD did not differ significantly between the AFiH and the non-AFiH groups; however, OS was significantly shorter in the AFiH group (1 year OS, 39% versus 65%), owing to late noncardiac NRM (1 year NRM, 49% versus 27%). Although the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain to be characterized in further detail, these data clearly demonstrate the impact of inpatient AF manifestation/AFiH on long-term outcomes of SCT recipients.

Anatomy for ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia and accessory pathways.

The atrioventricular (AV) valve plane and the central septum are of particular importance for electrophysiological diagnosis and interventional therapy of supraventricular tachycardias because accessory electrical connections of various types may be present in addition to the specific conduction system. Although modern 3D electroanatomic reconstruction systems including high-density mapping can be of great assistance, detailed knowledge of the anatomic structures involved, their complex three-dimensional arrangement, and their electrical properties in conjunction with electrophysiological features of supraventricular arrhythmias is essential for safe and efficient electrophysiological treatment. The aim of this article is to present current anatomical, topographical, and electrophysiological findings against the background of historical, seminal, and still indispensable literature.

Delayed Improvement of Left Ventricular Function in Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure Depends on Etiology-A PROLONG-II Substudy.

In patients with newly diagnosed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), three months of optimal therapy are recommended before considering a primary preventive implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). It is unclear which patients benefit from a prolonged waiting period under protection of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) to avoid unnecessary ICD implantations. This study included all patients receiving a WCD for newly diagnosed HFrEF (n = 353) at our center between 2012 and 2017. Median follow-up was 2.7 years. From baseline until three months, LVEF improved in patients with all peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Beyond this time, LVEF improved in PPCM and DCM only (10 ± 8% and 10 ± 12%, respectively), whereas patients with ICM showed no further improvement. The patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF were compared to 29 patients with a distinct WCD indication, which is an explantation of an infected ICD. This latter group had a higher incidence of WCD shocks and poorer overall survival. All-cause mortality should be considered when deciding on WCD prescription. In patients with newly diagnosed HFrEF, the potential for delayed LVEF recovery should be considered when timing ICD implantation, especially in patients with PPCM and DCM.

Stereotactic radioablation for ventricular tachycardia.

Non-invasive stereotactic radioablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate has been proposed as a novel treatment modality for patients not eligible for catheter-based ablation or in whom this approach has failed. Initial clinical results are promising with good short-term efficacy in VT suppression and tolerable side effects. This article reviews the current clinical evidence for cardiac radioablation and gives an overview of important preclinical and translational results. Practical guidance is provided, and a cardiac radioablation planning and treatment workflow based on expert consensus and the authors' institutional experience is set out.