Acute myocardial infarction revealed by recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias detected by remote monitoring.

Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) represented a major improvement in clinical practice and has been used with multiple indications. Many parameters monitored on a daily basis by current CIED can indeed assist in clinical practice (eg, decompensated heart failure) by providing the patient with optimal timing for anticipated outpatient visit or urgent medical care. Recognition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not usually considered among the capabilities of RM. We present the case of an AMI occurring without any ischaemic symptoms but associated with recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias effectively treated by multiple interventions of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator and promptly detected by RM personnel, who recommended the patient to quickly access to the emergency department where diagnosis and revascularization of an otherwise untreated myocardial infarction was performed.

Mechanisms, prevalence and management of cardiac arrhythmias in cancer patients: a comprehensive review.

Recently, prognosis and survival of cancer patients has improved due to progression and refinement of cancer therapies; however, cardiovascular sequelae in this population augmented and now represent the second cause of death in oncological patients. Initially, the main issue was represented by heart failure and coronary artery disease, but a growing body of evidence has now shed light on the increased arrhythmic risk of this population, atrial fibrillation being the most frequently encountered. Awareness of arrhythmic complications of cancer and its treatments may help oncologists and cardiologists to develop targeted approaches for the management of arrhythmias in this population. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the mechanisms triggering cardiac arrhythmias in cancer patients, their prevalence and management.

Clinical Impact of Cardiac Fibrosis on Arrhythmia Recurrence after Ablation in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are often affected by cardiac arrhythmias requiring catheter ablation. Catheter ablation in this setting represents the treatment of choice but is flawed by frequent recurrencies. Predictors of arrhythmia relapse have been identified, but the role of cardiac fibrosis in this setting has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the extension of cardiac fibrosis, detected by electroanatomical mapping, in predicting arrhythmia recurrencies after ablation in ACHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with congenital heart disease and atrial or ventricular arrhythmias undergoing catheter ablation were enrolled. An electroanatomical bipolar voltage map was performed during sinus rhythm in each patient and bipolar scar was assessed according to the current literature data. During follow-up, arrhythmia recurrences were recorded. The relationship between the extent of myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmia recurrence was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent successful catheter ablation of atrial (14) or ventricular (6) arrhythmias, with no inducible arrhythmia at the end of the procedure. During a median follow-up period of 207 weeks (IQR 80 weeks), eight patients (40%; five atrial and three ventricular arrhythmias) had arrhythmia recurrence. Of the five patients undergoing a second ablation, four showed a new reentrant circuit, while one patient had a conduction gap across a previous ablation line. The extension of the bipolar scar area (HR 1.049, CI 1.011-1.089, p = 0.011) and the presence of a bipolar scar area >20 cm2 (HR 6.101, CI 1.147-32.442, p = 0.034) were identified as predictors of arrhythmia relapse. CONCLUSION: The extension of the bipolar scar area and the presence of a bipolar scar area >20 cm2 can predict arrhythmia relapse in ACHD undergoing catheter ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Recurrent arrhythmias are often caused by circuits other than those previously ablated.

Short-Term Atrioventricular Dysfunction Recovery after Post-TAVI Pacemaker Implantation.

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) represents a frequent complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to atrio-ventricular (AV) node injury. Predictors of early AV function recovery were investigated. We analyzed 50 consecutive patients (82 ± 6 years, 58% males, EuroSCORE: 7.8 ± 3.3%, STS mortality score: 5 ± 2.8%). Pacemaker interrogations within 4−6 weeks from PPI were performed to collect data on AV conduction. The most common indication of PPI was persistent third-degree (44%)/high-degree (20%) AV block/atrial fibrillation (AF) with slow ventricular conduction (16%) after TAVI. At follow-up, 13 patients (26%) recovered AV conduction (i.e., sinus rhythm with stable 1:1 AV conduction/AF with a mean ventricular response >50 bpm, associated with a long-term ventricular pacing percentage < 5%). At multivariate analysis, complete atrio-ventricular block independently predicted pacemaker dependency at follow-up (p = 0.019). Patients with persistent AV dysfunction showed a significant AV conduction time prolongation after TAVI (PR interval from 207 ± 50 to 230 ± 51, p = 0.02; QRS interval from 124 ± 23 to 147 ± 16, p < 0.01) compared to patients with recovery, in whom AV conduction parameters remained unchanged. Several patients receiving PPI after TAVI have recovery of AV conduction within a few weeks. Longer observation periods prior to PPI might be justified, and algorithms to minimize ventricular pacing should be utilized whenever possible.

Atrioventricular conduction in PM recipients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Implications using Wenckebach point measurement.

Background: Atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) are a common complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, a significant proportion of patients might recover AV conduction at follow-up. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the recovery of AV conduction by determination through Wenckebach point in patients with PPI and therefore identify patients who could benefit from device reprogramming to avoid unnecessary RV pacing. Methods: We enrolled 43 patients that underwent PM implantation after TAVI at our Department from January 2018 to January 2021. PM interrogation was performed at follow-up and patients with native spontaneous rhythm were further assessed for AV conduction through WP determination. Results: A total of 43 patients requiring a PM represented the final study population, divided in patients with severely impaired AV conduction (no spontaneous valid rhythm or WP < 100; 26) and patients with valid AV conduction (WP ≥ 100; 17). In the first group patients had a significantly higher number of intraprocedural atrioventricular block (AVB) (20 vs. 1, p < 0.005), showed a significant higher implantation depth in LVOT (7.7 ± 2.2 vs. 4.4 ± 1.1, p < 0.05) and lower ΔMSID (-0.28 ± 3 vs. -3.94 ± 2, p < 0.05). Conclusion: AV conduction may recover in a significant proportion of patients. In our study, valve implantation depth in the LVOT and intraprocedural AV block are associated with severely impaired AV conduction. Regular PM interrogation and reprogramming are required to avoid unnecessary permanent right ventricular stimulation in patients with AV conduction recovery.

Severity of spleep apnea syndrome and life-threatening tachyarrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) has been reported to be associated with a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate whether in SAS patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) the severity of SAS was associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias; (2) to assess whether changes in nocturnal apnoic/hypopnoic episodes may favor the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias, that is, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT)/fibrillation (VF), requiring ICD intervention. METHODS: We enrolled 46 patients with documented SAS at polysomnography (apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] > 5) who also had a left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% and, according to primary prevention indications, implanted an ICD (Boston Scientific Incepta) able to daily monitor apnoic/hypopnoic episodes occurring during sleep. Patients were followed at 3-month intervals. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 18 months, 21 episodes of sustained VT/FV requiring ICD intervention were documented in eight patients (17.4%). Baseline AHI was significantly higher in patients with compared to those without ICD intervention. ICD interventions, however, were not preceded by any worsening of apnoic/hypopnoic episodes. The respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of the week during the event, indeed, was not different from that recorded during the previous 2 weeks (25.4 ± 11, 25.6 ± 10 and 25.1 ± 10, respectively; p = .9). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SAS who received an ICD for primary prevention of sudden death, those with ICD interventions showed a more severe form of the disease at baseline. ICD interventions, however, were not preceded by any significant changes in SAS severity.

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery in Octogenarians: Reliable Option or Fallback Solution?

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve disease is more and more common in western countries. While percutaneous approaches should be preferred in older adults, previous reports have shown good outcomes after surgery. Moreover, advantages of minimally invasive approaches may be valuable for octogenarians. We sought to compare outcomes of conventional aortic valve replacement (CAVR) versus minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) in octogenarians. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of 75 consecutive octogenarians who underwent primary, elective, isolated aortic valve surgery through conventional approach (41 patients, group CAVR) or partial upper sternotomy (34 patients, group MIAVR). RESULTS: Mean age was 81.9 ± 0.9 and 82.3 ± 1.1 years in CAVR and MIAVR patients, respectively (P = 0.09). MIAVR patients had lower 24-hour chest drain output (353.4 ± 207.1 vs 501.7 ± 229.9 mL, P < 0.01), shorter mechanical ventilation (9.6 ± 2.4 vs 11.3 ± 2.3 hours, P < 0.01), lower need for blood transfusions (35.3% vs 63.4%, P = 0.02), and shorter hospital stay (6.8 ± 1.6 vs 8.3 ± 4.3 days, P < 0.01). Thirty-day mortality was zero in both groups. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 89.9%, 80%, and 47%, respectively, in the CAVR group, and 93.2%, 82.4%, and 61.8% in the MIAVR group, with no statistically significant differences (log-rank test, P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve surgery in older patients provided excellent results, as long as appropriate candidates were selected. MIAVR was associated with shorter mechanical ventilation, reduced blood transfusions, and reduced hospitalization length, without affecting perioperative complications or mid-term survival.

Ventricular arrhythmias in Takotsubo Syndrome: incidence, predictors and clinical outcomes.

AIMS: To investigate predictors of the occurrence of subacute ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), defined as any VAs presenting after 48 h from admission in patients with Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS), and to evaluate the related in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-center study enrolling patients admitted between 2012 and 2017 with TTS according to International Takotsubo diagnostic criteria. Data collection included ECG on admission and at 48 h, telemetry monitoring and transthoracic echocardiogram. RESULTS: We enrolled 93 patients; during in-hospital stay (mean 14 ±â€Š16 days) subacute VAs occurred in 25% of patients (VAs group). Life-threatening VAs occurred in 6% of patients (3 sustained ventricular tachycardia, 1 torsade de pointes, 1 ventricular fibrillation) and not life-threatening VAs in 19% (6 non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and 12 premature ventricular contractions > 2000 in 24 h). Mortality was higher in the VAs than in the non-VAs group (P = 0.03), without differences in terms of life-threatening and not life-threatening subacute VAs (P = 0.65) and VAs on admission (P = 0.25). Logistic regression identified the following independent predictors of subacute VAs occurrence: VAs on admission {odds ratio [OR] 22.5 (3.9-131.8), P = 0.001]}, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV on admission [OR 6.7 (1.3- 34.0), P = 0.021] and QTc at 48 h [OR 1.01 (1.00-1.03), P = 0.046]. CONCLUSION: TTS patients with VAs and NYHA class III-IV on admission and higher QTc at 48 h are at increased risk of subacute VAs occurrence, associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Awareness of this potential complication is critical for proper patients management.

Long-Term Arrhythmic Risk Assessment in Biopsy-Proven Myocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess long-term arrhythmic risk in patients with myocarditis who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). BACKGROUND: The arrhythmic risk of patients with myocarditis overtime remains poorly known. METHODS: The study enrolled 56 patients with biopsy-proven myocarditis who received an ICD for either primary (57%) or secondary prevention (43%) according to current guidelines. Clinical characteristics, biopsy findings, electrophysiological data from endocardial 3-dimensional electroanatomic voltage mapping, and device interrogation data were analyzed to detect arrhythmic events overtime. Coronary angiography excluded significant coronary artery disease in all patients. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 74 ± 60 months (median 65 months), 25 (45%) patients had major ventricular arrhythmias treated by ICD intervention (76% being terminated by ICD shock and 24% by antitachyarrhythmia burst pacing). At multivariable analysis, the presence of sustained ventricular tachycardia on admission (hazard ratio: 13.0; 95% confidence interval: 2.0 to 35.0; p = 0.032) and the extension of the areas of low potentials at the bipolar endocardial mapping (hazard ratio: 1.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.37; p = 0.013) were the only independent predictors of appropriate ICD interventions. A cutoff value of 10% of abnormal bipolar area at electroanatomical ventricular mapping discriminated patients with appropriate ICD interventions with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 85%. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that the prevalence of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in patients with myocarditis receiving an ICD according to current guidelines is high and the arrhythmic risk persists late overtime. Electroanatomical ventricular mapping may be a useful tool to identify patients at greater arrhythmic risk.

Prognostic significance of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on stored electrograms in pacemaker recipients.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prognostic significance of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NS-VT) in outpatients scheduled for routine pacemaker controls. We therefore sought to investigate the prognostic significance of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on stored electrograms in pacemaker recipients. METHODS: We enrolled patients implanted with dual chamber pacemaker for atrioventricular block or sinus node dysfunction from 2010 to 2016, with LVEF> 45%, older than 18 years, with at least 3 device interrogations at follow-up. Data were collected about medical history, pharmacological therapy at implantation, pacemaker programming, NS-VT occurrence, long-term survival. RESULTS: A total of 308 patients were included in the final analysis, with median follow-up time of 56 months. No ventricular arrhythmic episodes were documented in 221 patients (Group 1), whereas 87 had at least 1 episode of NS-VT during follow-up (Group 2). As a whole, 282 episodes of NS-VT were documented. There was a higher prevalence of previous myocardial infarction and slightly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in Group 2. The primary endpoint (all-cause mortality) occurred in 50 patients (22%) of Group 1 and 12 (14%) patients of Group 2 (p = 0.07). Clinical predictors of all-cause mortality at univariate analysis included age, LVEF and coronary artery disease (CAD). Only age and CAD, however, remained as predictors of mortality at multivariable analysis. A sizeable, but not statistically significant, portion of patients who died had a de novo occurrence of NS-VT at the last pacemaker check. CONCLUSION: Our data do not support a prognostic role for the detection of NS-VT during pacemaker controls.

Appraising cardiotoxicity associated with liposomal doxorubicin by means of tissue Doppler echocardiography end-points: rationale and design of the LITE (Liposomal doxorubicin-Investigational chemotherapy-Tissue Doppler imaging Evaluation) randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiomyopathy following anthracycline chemotherapy may have ominous clinical implications in cancer patients treated with this effective yet potentially toxic therapy. Early detection at subclinical stage is pivotal to minimize the risk of overt cardiotoxicity. Liposomal anthracyclines have the potential for more selective uptake by cancer cells and reduced cardiac toxicity. OBJECTIVE: We designed a single-center randomized clinical trial, the Liposomal doxorubicin-Investigational chemotherapy-Tissue Doppler imaging Evaluation (LITE) pilot study to compare the safety of liposomal doxorubicin vs standard epirubicin in terms of clinical and subclinical cardiotoxicity. METHODS: Whereas diagnostic and prognostic instruments effective at early recognition of cardiomyopathy are lacking, promising data have been reported for tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography. The study will enroll 80 patients with breast cancer and indication to anthracycline chemotherapy, randomizing them in a 1:1 ratio to liposomal doxorubicin or standard epirubicin. The primary end-point will be the comparison of changes from baseline to 12-month follow-up of left ventricular TDI systolic function parameters, and the co-primary end-point will be based instead on changes in TDI diastolic function parameters. Among secondary end-points, we will adjudicate changes in standard 2-dimensional echocardiography parameters, including ejection fraction, peak values of biochemical markers of cardiac damage and heart failure, ie cardiac troponin T and BNP, overall survival, functional class, freedom from cancer recurrence, and adverse effects of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the LITE pilot study should provide important clinical and mechanistic insights on the promising role of liposomal anthracyclines in patients with breast cancer and indication to anthracycline chemotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00531973).

Apical ballooning syndrome without myocardial necrosis: proof of concept from a case report.

The "apical ballooning" is a cardiac syndrome characterized by acute extensive but reversible akinesia of the apex and mid part of the left ventricle (LV), without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), triggered by emotional or physical stress, accompanied by chest pain and/or dyspnoea, electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and minimal but, to date, obligatory release of cardiac enzymes. Today the precise aetiology remains unknown, but prognosis is generally excellent. We hereby report a unique case of a 60-year-old woman presenting with transient wide anterolateral akinesia and severe LV dysfunction with persistently normal myocardial markers, despite the extent of wall motion abnormalities. This clinical vignette is the first proof of the concept that timely recognition and management may be able to prevent myocardial necrosis in patients with apical ballooning syndrome.

Coronary vasospasm secondary to hypercholinergic crisis: an iatrogenic cause of acute myocardial infarction in myasthenia gravis.

Patients with myasthenia gravis undergo lifelong treatment with anticholinesterase agents. While the heart is usually unaffected by this disease, clinicians should bear in mind the potential adverse interaction between cardiac function and the underlying myasthenic disease or its specific medications. In the present article we report, to the best of our knowledge for the first time in the literature, a case of vasospastic acute myocardial infarction due to iatrogenic hypercholinergic crisis secondary to anticholinesterase therapy in an elderly female with myasthenia gravis. This clinical vignette emphasizes the importance of taking into account the potential vasospastic effect of anticholinesterase drugs. Indeed, prompt recognition of the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia due to iatrogenic hypercholinergic crisis is pivotal to the timely and appropriate management of this medical emergency, as well as prevention of future recurrences.