New Cerebral Microbleeds After Catheter-Based Structural Heart Interventions: An Exploratory Analysis.

Background Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are increasingly recognized as "covert" brain lesions indicating increased risk of future neurological events. However, data on CMBs in patients undergoing catheter-based structural heart interventions are scarce. Therefore, we assessed occurrence and predictors of new CMBs in patients undergoing catheter-based left atrial appendage closure and percutaneous mitral valve repair using the MitraClip System.

Hydrochlorothiazide therapy: impact on early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation?

Background: Hypokalemia has been linked to electrocardiogram changes and afterdepolarization-mediated arrhythmias. However, the association between hypokalemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been well studied. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) diuretic therapy was shown to be associated with hypokalemia in multiple studies.

The Beneficial Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a combined range of measures aimed at providing patients with cardiovascular disease with the optimum psychological and physical conditions so that they themselves can prevent their disease from progressing or potentially reversing its course. The following measures are the three main parts of CR: exercise training, lifestyle modification, and psychological intervention. The course of cardiac rehabilitation generally takes 3-4 weeks.

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: State of the Art and Future Perspectives.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia, is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Maintenance of stable sinus rhythm (SR) is the intended treatment target in symptomatic patients, and catheter ablation aimed at isolating the pulmonary veins provides the most effective treatment option, supported by encouraging clinical outcome data. A variety of energy sources and devices have been developed and evaluated.

Predictors of freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence after cryoballoon ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: A multicenter study.

Aims: We sought to assess (1) clinical outcomes of second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), and (2) the association of baseline and procedural covariates with atrial arrhythmia recurrence (AAR) after ablation.

Methods: A total of 135 patients (63 ± 11 years, 96 men [71%]) with persistent AF underwent CB ablation at three experienced electrophysiology centers. Freedom from AAR was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method.

The use of a high-resolution mapping system may facilitate standard clinical practice in VE and VT ablation.

Background: First experiences using a 64-electrode mini-basket catheter (BC) paired with an automatic mapping system (Rhythmia™) for catheter ablation (CA) of ventricular ectopy (VE) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) have been reported.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate (1) differences in ventricular access for the BC and (2) benefit of this technology in the setting of standard clinical practice.

Methods: Patients (pts) undergoing CA for VE or VT using the Intellamap Orion™ paired with the Rhythmia™ automated-mapping system were included in this study.

Velocity characteristics of atrial fibrillation sources determined by electrographic flow mapping before and after catheter ablation.

Background: Electrographic-Flow-(EGF)-Mapping is a novel method to identify Atrial Fibrillation (AF) drivers. Sources of excitation during AF can be characterized and monitored.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between velocity of EGF around a respective AF source and its spatial variability (SV) and stability (SST).

Correction to: first epicardial mapping of the left ventricle using the advisor ™ HD grid catheter.

Figure 1 as originally published was incorrect-on the published fig. 1C there is no RVA catheter and the wrong figure caption was used. Figure 1 has been corrected along with the figure caption.

Identification of active atrial fibrillation sources and their discrimination from passive rotors using electrographical flow mapping.

Background: The optimal ablation approach for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is still under debate; however, the identification and elimination of AF sources is thought to play a key role. Currently available technologies for the identification of AF sources are not able to differentiate between active rotors or focal impulse (FI) and passive circular turbulences as generated by the interaction of a wave front with a functional obstacle such as fibrotic tissue.

Objectives: This study introduces electrographic flow (EGF) mapping as a novel technology for the identification and characterization of AF sources in humans.

Cryoballoon ablation in the elderly: one year outcome and safety of the second-generation 28mm cryoballoon in patients over 75 years old.

Aims: The efficacy of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated previously. Data on the efficacy of CB ablation in elderly patients is missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term success rate of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients ≥75 years vs.

Long-term follow up of 3 T MRI-detected brain lesions after percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure.

Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) for stroke prevention is an increasingly performed intervention.

Aims: This prospective study aims to evaluate the incidence of long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected brain lesions as well as potential changes of neurocognitive function after percutaneous LAAC.

Methods: Brain MRI at 3 T was performed within 24 hr before and after LAAC.

External electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient with a Micra™ Transcatheter Pacing System.

We report a case of a 85-year old woman with a preexisting Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) (Micra™ VR, Fa. Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) undergoing several external electrical cardioversions (CV) for symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF).

Apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran use in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation using the second-generation cryoballoon.

Background: Data are limited on the safety of periprocedural anticoagulation with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the incidence of acute periprocedural complications in patients undergoing PVI do not differ between patients treated with VKA compared to NOACs.

Methods: In 200 consecutive patients (mean age, 64.

Prospective randomized study evaluating the effects of PerClot® (Polysaccharide Hemostatic System) application in patients with high bleeding risk undergoing cardiac rhythm device implantation.

Background: Thus far, the topic hemostatic agent PerClot® is used for surgical procedures. Data about the use of PerClot® for cardiac-rhythm-devices (CRD) implantation are missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PerClot® in patients with high bleeding risk.

Incidence of MRI-detected brain lesions and neurocognitive function after electrical cardioversion in anticoagulated patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: After electrical cardioversion (eCV) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the risk for clinically apparent cerebral thromboembolism is increased in the subsequent weeks. To date, there is little evidence on the incidence of acute brain lesions (ABL) detected with cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after eCV, in particular in patients treated with the Non-Vitamin K Antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC).

Aims: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the incidence of MRI-detected ABL, as well as the neuro-cognitive function after eCV in patients with persistent AF using NOACs as compared to phenprocoumon.