Long-term experience with implantable infusion pumps for intravenous treprostinil in pulmonary arterial hypertension-procedural safety and system-related complications.

Implantable pumps for intravenous treprostinil provide a promising option to overcome drawbacks of parenteral prostanoid administration with external pumps in pulmonary hypertension. We retrospectively analyzed 85 patients undergoing implantation in a single center since 2010. In our cohort, serious complications were rare, and flow rate increase over time warrants careful monitoring.

Indications and Outcome in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure-The Austrian LAAC Registry.

Background: Complete real-world data on the indications and outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) outside of clinical trials are rare. In this study, we stratified patients undergoing LAAC by indication groups.

Methods: This analysis of the national multicentre Austrian LAAC Registry comprised all patients that underwent LAAC up until 2018 at the currently active centres in Austria.

Cerebral thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation ablation: a direct comparison of vitamin K antagonists versus non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulants.

Purpose: Cerebral thromboembolic events are well-known complications of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and can manifest as stroke or silent cerebral embolic lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of cerebral embolic lesions (including silent cerebral embolism and stroke) after AF ablation in patients on vitamin K antagonists versus patients on non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulants, and to identify corresponding clinical and procedural risk factors.

Methods: A total of 421 patients undergoing PVI were prospectively included into the study.

Functional status and life satisfaction of patients with stable angina pectoris in Austria.

Objectives: Although substantial progress in the treatment of stable angina pectoris (sAP) has been made, little is known about the functional status and quality of life (QoL) of patients in different healthcare systems.

Design And Methods: We undertook a survey using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) (five domains scored form 0-worst assessment to 100-best assessment) to assess symptoms, QoL (including limitation of activities), demographics, geographic distribution and individual disease data in patients with stable coronary artery disease in Austrian cardiology practices.

Results: A total of 660 patients with sAP with a mean age of 69.

Ranolazine: impact on quality of life in patients with stable angina pectoris, results from an observational study in Austria - the ARETHA AT study.

Objective: Assessment of treatment routine and outcome for ranolazine in clinical practice as second-line treatment for stable angina pectoris (AP).

Design And Setting: Multicenter, prospective, uncontrolled, non-interventional study at 88 sites including internal specialists, cardiologists, pneumologists, angiologists and primary care practices in Austria.

Participants: In this study 292 patients receiving ranolazine in the course of routine treatment on top of beta blockers or calcium channel blockers after failure of first-line therapy.

Pacemaker-Mediated Programmable Hypertension Control Therapy.

Background: Many patients requiring a pacemaker have persistent hypertension with systolic blood pressures above recommended levels. We evaluated a pacemaker-based Programmable Hypertension Control (PHC) therapy that uses a sequence of variably timed shorter and longer atrioventricular intervals.

Methods And Results: Patients indicated for dual-chamber pacing with office systolic blood pressure (oSBP) >150 mm Hg despite stable medical therapy were implanted with a Moderato™ pulse generator that delivers PHC therapy.

Expert position paper on prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy in secondary prevention following myocardial infarction.

The protective effect of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following acute coronary syndrome is undisputed, but its duration is subject of debate. Several studies show that prolonged therapy provides a clinical benefit in patients following acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this position paper authored by Austrian experts is to outline the current evidence and provide an overview of recent studies.

Acute myocarditis with normal wall motion detected with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography.

Unlabelled: SummaryWe present the case of a 26-year-old male with acute tonsillitis who was referred for coronary angiography because of chest pain, elevated cardiac biomarkers, and biphasic T waves. The patient had no cardiovascular risk factors. Echocardiography showed no wall motion abnormalities and no pericardial effusion.

Optimizing radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation by direct catheter force measurement-a case-matched comparison in 198 patients.

Background: Sufficient electrode-tissue contact is crucial for adequate lesion formation in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Objective: We assessed the impact of direct catheter force measurement on acute procedural parameters and outcome of RFCA for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Ninety-nine consecutive patients (70% men) with paroxysmal (63.

Asymptomatic cerebral lesions during pulmonary vein isolation under uninterrupted oral anticoagulation.

Aims: Left atrial radiofrequency ablation has been shown to carry a risk of asymptomatic cerebral lesions. No data exist in patients under continued oral anticoagulation during the ablation procedure. The aim of this study was to quantify the amount of silent cerebral lesions assessed by pre-procedural and post-procedural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients under therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) and to identify clinical or procedural parameters that correlate with cerebral embolism.

Clinical impact of an open-irrigated radiofrequency catheter with direct force measurement on atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Electrode-tissue contact is crucial for adequate lesion formation in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Objective: We assessed the impact of direct catheter force measurement on acute procedural parameters during RFCA of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients (28 male) with paroxysmal AF who underwent their first procedure of circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) were assigned to either RFCA using (1) a standard 3.

[Catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes in a patient with progressive heart failure].

Ischemic heart disease is characterized by hemodynamic adaptations and an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) have been associated with ventricular reentry arrhythmias and can promote the worsening of left ventricular function. This case report discusses the beneficial effects of catheter ablation of frequent premature ventricular complexes originating remote from the healed myocardial infarction scar in the treatment of progressive heart failure.

[Endo- and epicardial catheter ablation preventing ventricular tachycardia: impact of substrate modification].

Challenges encountered during catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) include hemodynamic instability and lack of inducibility. Recent approaches guided by electroanatomic mapping demonstrated the feasibility of VT ablation during sinus rhythm. We analyzed the data from 40 consecutive patients who were referred to the Elisabethinen Hospital Linz for VT ablation.

Identification of a high-risk population for esophageal injury during radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: procedural and anatomical considerations.

Background: Atrioesophageal fistula is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Esophageal ulcerations (ESUL) have been proposed to be potential precursor lesions.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to prospectively investigate the incidence of ESUL in a large patient population undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA).

Acute development of gastroesophageal reflux after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Induction of gastroesophageal reflux after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) may have an impact on the progression of esophageal injury.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effect of RFCA on distal esophageal acidity using leadless pH-metry capsules.

Methods: A total of 31 patients (27 male and 4 female; 25 with paroxysmal AF) who underwent RFCA and esophagoscopy 24 hours before and after ablation were assessed for reflux and esophageal lesions.

Acute effects of complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation on dominant frequency and regulatory index for the fibrillatory process.

Aims: The purpose of our study was to determine the acute effects of complex fractionated electrograms (CFAE) ablation guided by automated detection on dominant frequency (DF) and regulatory index (RI) for the fibrillatory process.

Methods And Results: The study included 41 patients (21 paroxysmal and 20 persistent) referred for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Our ablation strategy included pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as first step, CFAE ablation as second step, roof line ablation as next, and mitral isthmus ablation as last step.

Esophageal damage during radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation: impact of energy settings, lesion sets, and esophageal visualization.

Introduction: Atrioesophageal fistula is an uncommon but often lethal complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The purpose of our study was to prospectively investigate the incidence of esophageal ulcerations (ESUL) as well as the impact of energy settings, radiofrequency lesion sets, and direct visualization of the esophagus on esophageal wall injury.

Methods And Results: One hundred seventy-five patients, 57.

Gender-related outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: data from the Austrian acute PCI registry.

Aims: Whether or not primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) is equally effective and safe in women and men in a real world setting is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gender on in-hospital outcome after P-PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a prospective national registry.

Methods And Results: This registry includes in-hospital outcome data from 19 PCI-performing hospitals.

Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Circumferential radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) around the orifices of the pulmonary veins (PV) is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Integration of multislice computed tomography into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping to guide catheter ablation has been shown to be accurate and feasible. This study investigated whether the use of such sophisticated imaging technology translates into better clinical outcomes, procedural efficacy, and safety in comparison with a control group treated with conventional three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping.

New insights into long-term follow-up of atrial fibrillation ablation: full disclosure by an implantable pacemaker device.

Introduction: Long-term outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is difficult to assess. This study sought to evaluate various aspects of very long-term follow-up (FU) by the properties of an implantable device.

Methods: Fourteen patients with an implanted pacemaker device (Medtronic AT500) were selected for RFA, due to drug-refractory and highly symptomatic AF despite antibradycardic pacing.

Accuracy of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping for real-time guided radiofrequency ablation of left atrial fibrillation-influence of heart rhythm and radiofrequency lesions.

Circumferential radiofrequency ablation around the orifices of the pulmonary veins is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Three-dimensional cardiac image integration is a promising new technology to visualize the complex left atrial anatomy and neighbouring structures. This study aimed to validate the accuracy of integrating multislice computed tomography (MSCT) into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (EAM) to guide radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) of AF.

Short- and long-term experience in pulmonary vein segmental ostial ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Segmental ostial pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is considered a potentially curative therapeutic approach in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). There is only limited data available on the long-term effect of this procedure.

Methods: Patients (Pts) underwent a regular clinical follow up visit at 3, 6 and 24 months after PVI.