Long-term prognosis and prognostic factors after primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding which patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) should be considered for prophylactic therapies, such as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), in the primary percutaneous intervention era. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients of ICM and non-ICM who underwent ICD implantation at our institute from October 2006 to August 2020. MACE were defined as composite outcome of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and appropriate ICD therapies. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients were enrolled [male, 138 (83 %); age, 62.1 ±â€¯11.7 years; left ventricular ejection fraction, 23.5 ±â€¯6.1 %; left ventricular diastolic diameter, 67.4 ±â€¯9.0 mm; atrial fibrillation, 47 (28 %); NSVT, 124 (74 %); use of class III antiarrhythmic drugs, 55 (33 %); ischemic cardiomyopathy, 56 (34 %); cardiac resynchronization therapy, 73 (44 %)]. The median follow-up duration was 61 months. MACE occurred with 71 patients (43 %). When comparing baseline characteristics of the patients, left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.02) and atrial fibrillation (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with MACE. The multivariable Cox analysis for the target variable MACE identified atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 2.00; 95 % confidence index 1.18-3.37; p = 0.01) as an independent predictor for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Prior NSVT before ICD implantation was not an independent predictor of future MACE in patients with HFrEF with primary prophylactic ICD. In contrast, atrial fibrillation was associated with worse prognosis. To predict the prognosis of patients with primary prophylactic ICD, these factors should be assessed as comprehensive risk stratification factors for MACE.

Right ventricular systolic function as a predictor of appropriate ICD therapy.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that right ventricular dysfunction is associated with a significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of the right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy to determine the cutoff value of the RVFAC. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent initial ICD implantations except those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, and long QT syndrome were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoint was defined as any appropriate ICD therapy. The right ventricular dimensions and function on transthoracic echocardiography were measured for analysis. RESULTS: In total, 172 patients (60.3 ± 13.6 years, 131 males) were enrolled. Ninety patients received an ICD as a secondary prophylaxis. The mean LV ejection fraction and RVFAC were 38.3 ± 14.3% and 35.8 ± 8.8%, respectively. Regarding appropriate ICD therapy events, the best cutoff value of the RVFAC was 34.8%, while 74 patients had an RVFAC < 34.8%. Regarding the primary endpoint, the hazard ratio of a low RVFAC was 2.73 (95% CI 1.46-5.12, P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, a low RVFAC was an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapy (HR: 3.40, 95% CI 1.74-6.64, P < 0.01). The secondary prophylactic cohort with a low RVFAC had the highest incidence of appropriate ICD therapy. Among the patients with RV dysfunction, the RVFAC normalized in 39% of patients during follow-up. This recovered RVFAC group had a significantly lower incidence of appropriate ICD therapy than the unrecovered RVFAC group (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: A low RVFAC might be associated with increased appropriate ICD therapy.

Junctional rhythm during cryoablation for typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

INTRODUCTION: Cryoablation is being used as an alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) owing to the lower risk of atrioventricular block (AVB) compared to RF ablation. Junctional rhythm often occurs during successful application of RF ablation for AVNRT. In contrast, junctional rhythm has rarely been reported to occur during cryoablation. This retrospective study evaluated the characteristics of junctional rhythm during cryoablation for typical AVNRT. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective study included 127 patients in whom successful cryoablation of typical AVNRT was performed. Patients diagnosed with atypical AVNRT were excluded. Junctional rhythm appeared during cryofreezing in 22 patients (17.3%). These junctional rhythms appeared due to cryofreezing at the successful site in the early phase within 15 s of commencement of cooling. Transient complete AVB was observed in 10 of 127 patients (7.9%), and it was noted that atrioventricular conduction improved immediately after cooling was stopped in these 10 patients. No junctional rhythm was observed before the appearance of AVB. No recurrence of tachycardia was confirmed in patients in whom junctional rhythm occurred by cryofreezing at the successful site. CONCLUSION: Occurrence of junctional rhythms during cryoablation is not so rare and can be considered a criterion for successful cryofreezing. Furthermore, junctional rhythm may be associated with low risk of recurrent tachycardia.

Antithrombotic Regimen After Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure　- A Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic therapy after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients at high risk of bleeding remains controversial. We present real-world clinical outcomes of LAAC.Methods and Results: Data from 74 consecutive patients who received LAAC therapy between January 2020 and June 2022 were analyzed. Patients received 1 of 3 antithrombotic therapies according to the bleeding risk category or clinical event. Regimen 1 was based on a prior study, regimen 2 comprised a lower antiplatelet drug dose without dual antiplatelet therapy, and regimen 3 was antiplatelet drug administration for as long as possible to patients with uncontrollable bleeding who were required to stop anticoagulant drugs. Overall, 73 (98.6%) procedures were successful. Of them, 16 (21.9%) patients were selected for regimen 1, 46 (63.0%) for regimen 2, and 11 (15.1%) for regimen 3. Device-related thrombosis (13% vs. 0% vs. 0%, P=0.0257) only occurred with regimen 1. There was no difference in major bleeding event rates (6% vs. 2% vs. 9%, P=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The post-LAAC antithrombotic regimen was modified without major concerns.