Screening tools for the detection of clinically silent cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background: clinically silent cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may be associated with adverse outcomes, hence the rationale for screening patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis. The optimal screening strategy has not been clearly defined.

Methods: patients with extra-cardiac sarcoidosis were prospectively included and underwent screening consisting of symptom history, electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiogram, Holter, and signal-averaged ECG (SAECG).

Diagnostics, treatment and outcomes of cardiac sarcoidosis in a Norwegian cohort.

Background: Evidence-based guidelines for cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) regarding use of second- and third-line agents, treatment duration, surveillance and prognostic factors are lacking.

Objective: To analyze the clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, monitoring and clinical outcomes in a Norwegian cohort.

Methods: Using discharge diagnoses between 2017 through 2020 from a large tertiary center, we identified 52 patients with CS.

An International Survey of Current Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a potentially serious form of infiltrative cardiomyopathy. Despite scarce evidence, immunosuppressive treatment is generally recommended, but local routines may vary significantly. We sought to survey the clinical practices in the treatment of CS, with the aim that the results may suggest future research priorities.

Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation as the Initial Manifestation of Cardiac Sarcoidosis: Insights From a Catheter Ablation Registry.

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a rare form of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy; a delayed diagnosis can lead to significant consequences. Patients with clinically manifest CS often have minimal extracardiac involvement and thus frequently present initially to cardiology. Indeed, certain specific arrhythmic scenarios should trigger investigations for undiagnosed CS.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

About 5% of sarcoidosis patients develop clinically manifest cardiac features. Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) typically presents with conduction abnormalities, ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. Its diagnosis is challenging and requires a substantial degree of clinical suspicion as well as expertise in advanced cardiac imaging.

Relationship between ablation index and myocardial biomarkers after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Further in-vivo evidence is needed to support the usefulness of ablation index (AI) in guiding atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We aimed at evaluating the relationship between AI and other lesion indicators and the release of myocardial-specific biomarkers following radiofrequency AF ablation.

Methods: Forty-six patients underwent a first-time radiofrequency AF ablation and were prospectively enrolled in this study.

The impacts of contact force, power and application time on ablation effect indicated by serial measurements of impedance drop in both conventional and high-power short-duration ablation settings of atrial fibrillation.

Background: This study aimed to clarify the interrelationship and additive effects of contact force (CF), power and application time in both conventional and high-power short-duration (HPSD) settings.

Methods: Among 38 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent first-time pulmonary vein isolation, 787 ablation points were collected at the beginning of the procedure at separate sites. Energy was applied for 60 s under power outputs of 25, 30 or 35 W (conventional group), or 10 s when using 50 W (HPSD group).

Incidence and clinical predictors of subsequent atrial fibrillation requiring additional ablation after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation for typical atrial flutter and to determine the predictors for symptomatic atrial fibrillation that required a further additional dedicated ablation procedure.

Design: 127 patients underwent elective cavotricuspid isthmus ablation with the indication of symptomatic, typical atrial flutter. The occurrence of atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular events and the need for additional ablation procedures for symptomatic atrial fibrillation was assessed during long-term follow-up.

Effect of flecainide on the extension and localization of complex fractionated electrogram during atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Complex fractionated electrogram (CFE) ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation is an accepted strategy for the treatment of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to determine the effect of flecainide on the distribution and extension of CFE areas.

Methods: Twenty-three non-paroxysmal AF patients were enrolled in this prospective study.

Ablation effect indicated by impedance fall is correlated with contact force level during ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Previous studies have validated the use of impedance fall as a measure of the effects of ablation. We investigated whether catheter-to-tissue contact force correlated with impedance fall during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Methods And Results: A total of 394 ablation points from 35 patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation were selected and analyzed in terms of the presence of stable catheter contact in non-ablated areas in the left atrium.

Long-term outcomes of adjunctive complex fractionated electrogram ablation to pulmonary vein isolation as treatment for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The adjunctive ablation of areas of complex fractionated electrogram (CFE) to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an emerging strategy for patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We studied the long-term outcomes of this approach.

Methods: Sixty-six patients (mean age 58 ± 9, 86.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level at long-term follow-up after atrial fibrillation ablation: a marker of reverse atrial remodelling and successful ablation.

Aims: We investigated the relationship between arrhythmia burden, left atrial volume (LAV) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) at baseline and after long-term follow-up of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: We studied 38 patients (23 paroxysmal, 6 women, mean age 56 ± 11) scheduled for AF ablation. LAV was calculated on the basis of computed tomography images at baseline and long-term follow-up, and arrhythmia burden was graded from self-reported frequency and duration of AF episodes.

Ventricular arrhythmias originating from the aortomitral continuity: an uncommon variant of left ventricular outflow tract tachycardia.

Aims: Ventricular arrhythmias arising from the fibrous rings have been demonstrated, but knowledge about the aortomitral continuity (AMC) as a source of the arrhytmias is still limited. The objective is to describe the characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the AMC in patients without structural heart disease.

Methods And Results: Ten patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or premature ventricular contractions, who had been successfully treated by catheter ablation at the AMC beneath the aortic valve, were enrolled.

Remote magnetic versus manual catheters: evaluation of ablation effect in atrial fibrillation by myocardial marker levels.

Background: A remote magnetic navigation (MN) system is available for radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), challenging the conventional manual ablation technique. The myocardial markers were measured to compare the effects of the two types of MN catheters with those of a manual-irrigated catheter in AF ablation.

Methods: AF patients underwent an ablation procedure using either a conventional manual-irrigated catheter (CIR, n = 65) or an MN system utilizing either an irrigated (RMI, n = 23) or non-irrigated catheter (RMN, n = 26).