MSA-VT Score for Assessment of Long-Term Prognosis after Electrical Storm Ablation.

Introduction: Prognosis after electrical storm (ES) ablation remains severe, especially in patients with recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT) or progressive heart failure (HF). However, single-factor-based prediction is suboptimal and may be refined by more complex algorithms. We sought to evaluate if a novel score MSA-VT (M = moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, S = severe HF at admission, A = atrial fibrillation at admission, VT = inducible SMVT after ablation) may improve prediction of death and recurrences compared to single factors and previous scores (PAINESD, RIVA and I-VT).

The Association between Diagnosis-to-Ablation Time and the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs in maintaining sinus rhythm. Novel evidence suggests that increasing the time between the first diagnosis of AF and ablation, or diagnosis-to-ablation time (DAT), is a predictor for AF recurrence post-ablation.

Purpose: Our primary objective was to investigate the relationship between DAT and AF recurrence after a first ablation.

Anti-bradycardia pacing-impact on patients with HFpEF: a systematic review.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become an emerging concern. The protective effect of bradycardia in patients with reduced ejection fraction using beta-blockers or ivabradine does not improve symptoms in HFpEF. This review aims to assess current data regarding the impact of anti-bradycardia pacing in patients with HFpEF.

Predictors for Super-Responders in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: Prediction of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response, particularly a super-response, is of great importance.

Study Question: The aim of our study was to assess the predictors for super-responders in CRT.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective, observational study, which finally included 622 patients with heart failure treated with CRT between January 2008 and May 2020 who had a minimal follow-up of 6 months after CRT.

New Score for Predicting Results after Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: VAT-DHF.

Introduction: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been proven to have the highest efficacy in maintaining sinus rhythm. Several studies have proposed different scores for predicting post-procedural success, but most have not been validated in prospective cohorts. Further research is required to determine the optimal formulae.

Robotic or laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for gynecological malignancies: feasible options to open surgery.

Objective: To acknowledge that minimally invasive pelvic exenteration is a feasible alternative to open surgery and potentially identify prediction factors for patient outcome.

Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective single team analysis of 12 consecutive cases, set between January 2008 and January 2022.

Results: Six anterior and 6 total pelvic exenterations were performed.

Non-revascularized chronic total occlusions impact on substrate and post-ablation results in drug-refractory electrical storm.

Background And Aims: There is limited data concerning the effect of non-revascularized chronic total occlusions (NR-CTOs) after VT ablation. This study sought to evaluate the impact of NR-CTOs after ablation for electrical storm (ES).

Methods: Post-hoc retrospective analysis of data regarding 64 consecutive post-myocardial infarction patients (out of which 12 patients with NR-CTOs and 52 without NR-CTOs) undergoing substrate ablation for ES with an available median follow-up of 37.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Left Atrial Remodeling: A Novel Insight?

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) restores ventricular dyssynchrony, improving left ventricle (LV) systolic function, symptoms, and outcome in patients with heart failure, systolic dysfunction, and prolonged QRS interval. The left atrium (LA) plays tremendous roles in maintaining cardiac function, being often inflicted in various cardiovascular diseases. LA remodeling implies structural-dilation, functional-altered phasic functions, and strain and electrical-atrial fibrillation remodeling.

Electrophysiology and arrhythmia care in Romania.

Interventional electrophysiological procedures such as catheter ablation and cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation have become important treatment options for patients with arrhythmia, but delivering state-of-the-art care can be challenging in developing countries. Romania has 19 million people. Throughout Romania, there are 28 centers that can implant CIEDs and 16 centers that can perform catheter ablation, but they are concentrated in the capital of Bucharest.

Esophageal Pressure Measurement in Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure Due to Severe COPD Exacerbation Requiring NIV-A Pilot Safety Study.

Esophageal pressure (Pes) measurements could optimise ventilator parameters in acute respiratory failure (ARF) patients requiring noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Consequently, the objectives of our study were to evaluate the safety and accuracy of applying a Pes measuring protocol in ARF patients with AECOPD under NIV in our respiratory intermediate care unit (RICU). An observational cohort study was undertaken.

Monomorphic VT Non-Inducibility after Electrical Storm Ablation Reduces Mortality and Recurrences.

Background: Electrical storm (ES) is defined by clustering episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and is associated with severe long-term outcomes. We sought to evaluate the prognostic impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in ES as assessed by aggressive programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS). Methods: Single-center retrospective longitudinal study with 82 consecutive ES patients referred for RFCA with a median follow-up (IQR 25−75%) of 45.

Impact of Contact Force-Sensing Catheters on Fluoroscopy Time in Interventional Electrophysiology: A European Survey.

This multicenter European survey systematically evaluated the impact of using contact force-sensing catheters (CFSCs) on fluoroscopy and procedure time in interventional electrophysiology. Data from 25 participating centers were collected and analyzed, also considering important confounders. With the use of CFSCs, fluoroscopy time was reduced for right- and left-sided atrial ablations (median −6.

Ratio between Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain and Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure: Novel Prognostic Parameter in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: We aimed to evaluate whether right ventricle (RV) longitudinal strain indexed to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) has prognostic significance in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: Patients undergoing CRT were prospectively included. The primary endpoint was adverse cardiovascular events (death and HF-related hospitalizations).

Right ventricular-arterial coupling - A new perspective for right ventricle evaluation in heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Right ventricular - arterial (RV-PA) coupling can be estimated by echocardiography using the ratio between (TAPSE) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP). TAPSE/PASP ratio proved to be a prognostic parameter in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Objective: To evaluate the significance of RV-PA coupling in patients with HFrEF undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Utilization and perception of same-day discharge in electrophysiological procedures and device implantations: an EHRA survey.

The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess the utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) in electrophysiology (EP). An online-based questionnaire was shared with the EHRA community between 12 and 30 June 2020 and recorded institutional information, complication assessment, recent experiences, and opinions regarding possible advantages or concerns with SDD. In total, 218 responses from 49 countries provided information on current SDD management.

Yield of Rare Variants Detected by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing in a Cohort of Romanian Index Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the rare variants in a cohort of Romanian index cases with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: Forty-five unrelated probands with HCM were screened by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) of 47 core and emerging genes connected with HCM.

Results: We identified 95 variants with allele frequency < 0.

Comparison of outcomes in infected cardiovascular implantable electronic devices between complete, partial, and failed lead removal: an ESC-EHRA-EORP ELECTRa (European Lead Extraction ConTrolled) registry.

Aims: The present study sought to determine predictors for success and outcomes of patients who underwent cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) extraction indicated for systemic or local CIED related infection in particular where complete lead removal could not be achieved.

Methods And Results: ESC-EORP ELECTRa (European Lead Extraction ConTRolled Registry) is a European prospective lead extraction registry. Out of the total cohort, 1865/3510 (52.

Do all intra-ventricular conduction defect ECG patterns respond equally to CRT?

Purpose: Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is well-established in patients with typical left bundle branch block (LBBB) but modest or even negative in those with intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD). However, IVCD pattern is heterogeneous, and it is possible that QRS patterns may also respond to CRT.

Methods: Consecutive baseline ECGs of 239 patients implanted between 2007 and 2010 with CRT were analyzed.

Defibrillation testing and clinical outcomes after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in patients in atrial fibrillation at the time of implant: An analysis from the SIMPLE trial.

Background: The Shockless IMPLant Evaluation (SIMPLE) trial showed that defibrillation testing (DT) at the time of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implant did not improve shock efficacy or reduce mortality. There are no data regarding the risk of complications, including stroke, among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo DT.

Objective: The purpose of this prospectively planned substudy of SIMPLE was to evaluate the effect of DT vs no DT on clinical outcomes among patients with AF.

Unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin in the elderly.

With the ageing of the general population, clinicians are facing with increased frequency the challenge of administering parenteral anti-coagulation therapy in the elderly, the main indications being venous thromboembolism (VTE), acute coronary syndromes (ACS), atrial fibrillation and bridging therapy. Assessing the risk/benefit ratio is always difficult in this category of patients, because of the higher risk for hemorrhagic events, although in most cases the benefit outweighs the risk, especially in the setting of VTE. The development of early invasive strategies for treating ACS has improved outcomes, while reducing the need for prolonged anticoagulation.

Albumin correlates with all-cause mortality in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Albumin is a marker of frailty. Scarce data are available on correlations between frailty-related parameters and outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI. This study sought to evaluate the relation between albumin and mortality in TAVI candidates.

Selective tissue ablation using laser radiation at 355 nm in lead extraction by a hybrid catheter; a preliminary report.

Background: Current lead extraction (LE) devices can harm the blood vessel endothelium, increasing the risk of perforation.

Objective: Proof of concept for using a solid-state pulsed laser at 355 nm with a hybrid catheter in LE.

Methods: A hybrid catheter was used comprising optical fibers for the delivery of 355 nm laser pulses at 30 Hz and 6 J/cm(2) combined with a blunt mechanical blade.