Identification of cavotricuspid isthmus voltage patterns in typical atrial flutter ablation.

Background: Electroanatomical mapping is an essential tool in the ablation of typical AFL.

Objectives: To identify the existence of voltage patterns in the CTI voltage maps and their relevance for typical AFL ablation.

Methods: A voltage map of the CTI was made prior to ablation, identifying the areas of maximum voltage and their location along the CTI, allowing classification into patterns according to their distribution.

Cardiac magnetic resonance outperforms echocardiography to predict subsequent implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapies in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are effective as a primary prevention measure of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The implications of using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) instead of echocardiography (Echo) to assess LVEF prior to the indication of ICD in this setting are unknown.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 52 STEMI patients (56.

Transient narrowing of a wide QRS tachycardia. What is the mechanism?

Electrocardiogram showing a regular wide QRS tachycardia with left branch block (LBBB) like in morphology at 200 beats per minute (bpm). During electrophysiology study, it suddenly gets narrow and faster. What is the mechanism of the switch from a broad complex to a narrow complex tachycardia?

Spanish Results of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II).

Introduction And Objectives: We describe the results for Spain of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II) and compare them with those of the other participating countries.

Methods: We included patients undergoing CRT device implantation between October 2015 and December 2016 in 36 participating Spanish centers. We registered the patients' baseline characteristics, implant procedure data, and short-term follow-up information until hospital discharge.

Differences in scar lesion formation between radiofrequency and cryoballoon in atrial fibrillation ablation: a comparison study using ultra-high-density mapping.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is usually associated to conduction gaps in pulmonary veins (PVs). Our objective was to characterize gaps in patients with recurrences after a first radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon (CB) PVI procedure, using a high-density mapping (HDM) system.

Methods And Results: Fifty patients with AF recurrence after a first PVI procedure (pre-RF 25 patients; pre-CB 25 patients) were included at two centres.

Medium-term results of cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. First experience of a Spanish center.

Purpose: Cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins (CAPV) is a new technique that could have similar results to radiofrequency procedures, but with fewer complications. We analyzed the outcomes and safety of this technique in a consecutive cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 63 patients with paroxysmal (n = 40) or persistent (n = 23) AF were studied.

Syncope and bundle branch block. Diagnostic yield of a stepped use of electrophysiology study and implantable loop recorders.

Introduction And Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of a stepped protocol involving an electrophysiologic study (EPS) and implantable loop recorders (ILR) in patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB).

Methods: Eighty-five consecutive patients referred for syncope and BBB after initial non-diagnostic assessment underwent EPS including a pharmacological challenge with procainamide. Those patients without indication for defibrillator implantation received ILRs.

Implantation of single-lead atrioventricular permanent pacemakers guided by electroanatomic navigation without the use of fluoroscopy.

Aims: Fluoroscopy is the standard and almost unique tool used for cardiac imaging during permanent pacemaker implantation, and its use implies exposure of patients and operators to radiation. The usefulness for this purpose of electroanatomic systems not based on fluoroscopy is unknown. Our aim was to study the feasibility of implanting single-lead VDD pacemakers without the use of fluoroscopy.

Carbohydrate antigen 125: an emerging prognostic risk factor in acute heart failure?

Objective: To assess whether circulating levels of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) predict subsequent 6-month all-cause mortality in patients after the index hospitalisation for acute heart failure (HF).

Design And Setting: Prospective cohort study at a single teaching centre in Spain.

Methods: 529 consecutive patients with acute HF admitted in a single university centre were analysed.

[Therapeutic success of a prospective cardioversion protocol for persistent atrial fibrillation].

Introduction And Objectives: The best therapeutic approach for persistent atrial fibrillation has yet to be defined. Our aim was to investigate the effects of cardioversion in unselected patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who were treated according to a strict protocol involving pretreatment, cardioversion, and follow-up.

Methods: Consecutive patients with persistent atrial fibrillation of at least 1 months' duration were included prospectively in a cardioversion protocol that involved standard antiarrhythmic pretreatment, with amiodarone being offered first, and follow-up.

Significance of tilt table testing in patients with suspected arrhythmic syncope and negative electrophysiologic study.

Background: The diagnostic significance of a tilt table test (TTT) in patients with a suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and negative electrophysiologic study (EPS) has not been previously assessed comparing the TTT results with the findings of prolonged monitoring using an implantable loop recorder (ILR). We sought to assess the diagnostic yielding of TTT in patients with suspected arrhythmic syncope and negative EPS.

Methods And Results: In 81 patients with suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and negative EPS, TTT was performed and an ILR implanted regardless the results of TTT.

[Relationship of C-reactive protein levels with angiographic findings and markers of necrosis in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome].

Introduction And Objectives: The mechanism responsible for elevated C-reactive protein levels (inflammation of the ruptured atherosclerotic plaque or myocardial necrosis) in acute coronary syndromes is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between C-reactive protein levels and angiographic complexity of the culprit lesion and troponin elevation in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Patients And Method: The study group consisted of 125 patients with single-vessel disease.