Anticoagulants versus Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Co-Morbid Thrombocytopenia.

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative approach to anticoagulants. Nonetheless, data regarding the outcomes of LAAC procedures in patients with thrombocytopenia remain lacking. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of the composite endpoint comprising ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, major bleeding, and cardiac cause of death among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and thrombocytopenia who were either undergoing LAAC or receiving oral anticoagulants. The secondary endpoint was the determination of total mortality. Data from a prospective, single-center registry of patients undergoing LAAC procedures were analyzed. A subset of 50 consecutive patients with thrombocytopenia were selected. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a thrombocyte count below 150,000. Subsequently, from patients hospitalized with AF receiving oral anticoagulants, 50 patients were further chosen based on propensity score matching, ensuring comparability with the study group. The primary endpoint occurred in 2% of patients in the LAAC group and 10% of patients in the non-LAAC group (p = 0.097). Additionally, a significant difference was noted in the occurrence of the secondary endpoint, which was observed in 0% of patients in the LAAC group and 10% of patients in the non-LAAC group (p = 0.025). In patients with thrombocytopenia the LAAC procedure improves prognosis compared with continued anticoagulant treatment.

Rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of mechanical neuroprotection in reducing the risk of silent brain infarcts associated with percutaneous left atrial appendage closure: study protocol for a LAAC-SBI trial.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures prevent cardioembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who have contraindications to oral anticoagulant medications. However, these procedures carry certain risks of peri-procedural complications. One such complication is silent brain infarcts (SBI), which can lead to cognitive impairment and mood disturbances. The implementation of mechanical neuroprotection systems during LAAC procedures may reduce the risk of SBI and associated cognitive and mood disorders. METHODS: The LAAC-SBI trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, and double-blind interventional study. The study aims to enroll a total of 240 patients, with 120 patients allocated to each group. The study group will evaluate the use of the Sentinel CPS during LAAC, while the control group will undergo LAAC procedures without the Sentinel CPS. The primary endpoint of the study is the number of new SBIs or stroke foci detected by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI). Secondary endpoints include deterioration of cognitive function, development of dementia syndrome, and occurrence of depressive disorders. These endpoints will be assessed using questionnaire tools such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test (TMT), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The observational period for patients in the study is 2 years. DISCUSSION: If the study demonstrates a favorable outcome with reduced incidence of SBI and improved cognitive and mood outcomes in patients receiving cerebral protection devices during LAAC, it will have significant implications for clinical management standards. This would support the use of neuroprotection devices not only for LAAC but also in procedures such as atrial fibrillation ablation or transcatheter mitral valve interventions, where the risk of embolic events and subsequent brain injury may also be present. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05369195. Registration on 11.05.2022.

Quality of life in patients with a subcutaneous vs. transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) are well-accepted life-saving devices for treating potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia, but little is known about quality of life (QoL) in patients with S-ICD and ICD. AIMS: Our study aimed to compare QoL in patients with S-ICD and ICD. METHODS: All consecutive patients who had S-ICD implanted between October 2015 and September 2021 were included in the study. A cohort of transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) patients was matched to S-ICD subjects by sex, age, indications for the device, and type of prevention. All patients were requested to fulfill two standardized questionnaires to assess QoL: 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) 6 months after device implantation. RESULTS: Patients with S-ICD (n = 49) and TV-ICD (n = 49) did not differ regarding baseline characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences between S-ICD and TV-ICD subgroup, both for mental and physical QoL assessed in SF-36 and MLHFQ (all P = NS). The median MLHFQ total score was 24 (9-41) for S-ICD and 28 (14-43) for TV-ICD (P = 0.83). The median total score for the SF-36 questionnaire was 62.5 (29-86) vs. 59 (38-77) for S-ICD and TV-ICD, respectively (P = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life after device implantation does not differ significantly between the groups of patients with subcutaneous and conventional implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

PULMONARY ALVEOLAR MICROLITHIASIS. DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND CLINICAL PATTERN- CASE STUDY.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare genetic disorder, inherited autosomally recessively, which is characterized by intra-alveolar deposition of microliths built mostly of calcium salts and phosphorus. This case study describing management of patient with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. A 49-year-old woman, diagnosed with pulmonary microlithiasis in 1979 was admitted to Pneumology Department due to increased dyspnea. On admission there were no clinical signs of active infection. The chest computer tomography scan confirmed the presence of advanced microlithiasis. Pulmonary function test revealed mild restriction with moderate diffusion impairment, due to severe hypoxemia present on 6-minute walking test patient was sent for specific assessment to local lung transplant team in Zabrze for consideration for lung transplantation. According to International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation guidelines the patient was observed in 6 months intervals to reveal whether further disease progression will be observed. Clinical condition of our patient does not correlate with radiological scans, severe respiratory symptoms and cardiological complications. Computer tomography scan should not be the only indication for lung transplant.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation as a treatment option in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and atrial flutter after Fontan operation-Case report.

We report a 15-year-old male with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) after Fontan operation with recurrent, drug-resistant atrial tachycardia. With the use of electro-anatomical mapping system (EnSite) an atrial flutter (AFl) with reentry activation around the tricuspid valve was diagnosed. Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) was performed.

Upgrade from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator vs. de novo implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy: long-term outcomes.

AIMS: To assess and compare long-term mortality and predictors thereof in de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) vs. upgrade from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to CRT-D. METHODS AND RESULTS: Study population consisted of 595 consecutive patients with CRT-D implanted between 2002 and 2015 in a tertiary care, university hospital, in a densely inhabited, urban region of Poland [480 subjects (84.3%) with CRT-D de novo implantation; 115 patients (15.7%) upgraded from ICD to CRT-D]. In a median observation of 1692 days (range 457-3067), all-cause mortality for de novo CRT-D vs. CRT-D upgrade was 35.5% vs. 43.5%, respectively (P = 0.045). On multivariable regression analysis including all CRT recipients, the previously implanted ICD was an independent predictor for death [hazard ratio (HR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.29, P = 0.02]. For those, who were upgraded from ICD to CRT-D, the independent predictors for all-cause death were as follows: creatinine level (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, P = 0.01), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.11, P = 0.002), New York Heart Association (NYHA) IV class at baseline (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.00-5.53, P = 0.049) and cardiac device-related infective endocarditis during follow-up (HR 2.42, 95% CI 1.02-5.75, P = 0.046). A new CRT scale (Creatinine ≥150 µmol/L; Remodelling, left ventricular end-systolic ≥59 mm; Threshold for NYHA, NYHA = IV) showed high prediction for mortality in CRT-D upgrades (AUC 0.70, 95% CI 0.59-0.80, P = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: All-cause mortality in patients upgraded from ICD is significantly higher compared with de novo CRT-D implantations and reaches almost 45% within 4.5 years. A new CRT scale (Creatinine; Remodelling; Threshold for NYHA) has been proposed to help survival prediction following CRT upgrade.

The Extended Utility of CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED Scores in the Selection for Transcutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an option for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. Randomized studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of LAAC but included patients with an average risk of stroke and bleeding complications. The current study aimed to assess the extended utility of CHA2DS2VASc (congestive heart failure; hypertension; age ≥75 years [doubled]; type 2 diabetes; previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, or thromboembolism [doubled]; vascular disease; age 65 to 75 years; and sex category) and HAS-BLED (hypertension; abnormal renal/liver function; stroke; bleeding history or predisposition; labile INR, elderly, drugs/alcohol concomitantly) scores for qualification and prognosis after LAAC. METHODS: The study population comprised 270 patients aged 72.8 ± 8.78 years. The occluders used were the Amplatzer Amulet (N = 205), Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (N = 53), and Watchman device (N = 12). The prognosis after LAAC was analyzed for different cohorts of patients distinguished based on different CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED scores. The mean duration of follow-up was 21.6 ± 10.3 months. RESULTS: The observed rates of ischemic stroke and bleeding were much lower than that expected (2.2% vs. 5.6%, and 0.76% vs. 6.05%, respectively). The mortality rate did not differ concerning the CHA2DS2CVASc score. It was significantly lower (8.3%) for HAS-BLED < 3, and it raised to 17.9% for HAS-BLED = 3 and to 25.9% for HAS-BLED > 3. Significant differences (p = 0.003) occurred for Kaplan-Meier curves for extreme HAS-BLED subgroups. A composite endpoint was most often found in high/very high risk of bleeding patients. CONCLUSIONS: HAS-BLED, but not CHA2DS2CVASc score, may be a useful tool to predict the prognosis of patients after LAAC. Qualification for LAAC based on the risk of stroke should not differ from qualification for anticoagulation. Despite the worse prognosis of patients with the highest bleeding risk, this group is likely to experience the greatest benefit from reducing the bleeding risk from LAAC.

The first successful implantation of an intravenous AAIR pacemaker into autologous extracardiac lateral tunnel Fontan in the child.

Patients with a single ventricle have complex anatomy that requires staged palliation which is usually the Fontan procedure. This procedure has undergone a lot of modifications to improve hemodynamics. Despite these efforts, sinus node dysfunction (SND) and bradyarrythmias are still common complications after Fontan operation, therefore there is a need of pacemakers implantation. Unfortunately, the most frequent technique of creating Fontan cannale - the extracardiac lateral tunnel makes the transvenous access to the atrium difficult or impossible to achieve. We report a case of successful implantation of an endocardial atrial lead for SND in patient with an extracardiac autologous Fontan tunnel.