Prevention of esophageal lesions during atrial fibrillation catheter ablation using esophageal temperature monitoring: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The use of esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) for the prevention of esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is often advocated. However, evidence supporting its use is scarce and controversial. We therefore aimed to review the evidence assessing the efficacy of ETM for the prevention of esophageal injury.

The influence of cardiac arrhythmias on the detection of heartbeats in the photoplethysmogram: benchmarking open-source algorithms.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Wearable devices based on photoplethysmography give the opportunity to screen large populations, hence allowing for an earlier detection of pathological rhythms that might reduce the risks of complications and medical costs. While most of beat detection algorithms have been evaluated on normal sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation recordings, the performance of these algorithms in patients with other cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or bigeminy, remain unknown to date.

Interobserver variability in target definition for stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation.

Background: Stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR) is a potential new therapy for patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). The arrhythmogenic substrate (target) is synthesized from clinical and electro-anatomical information. This study was designed to evaluate the baseline interobserver variability in target delineation for STAR.

Case report: First-in-human combined low-dose whole-heart irradiation and high-dose stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation for immunosuppressive refractory cardiac sarcoidosis and ventricular tachycardia.

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis is associated with heart failure, conduction abnormalities, and life-threatening arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia (VT). Radiotherapy has been suggested as a treatment for extra-cardiac sarcoidosis in patients refractory to immunomodulatory treatment.

Methods: The effectiveness and safety of low-dose whole-heart radiotherapy for therapy refractory cardiac sarcoidosis were evaluated in a pre- and post-intervention case report comparing the 54 months before and after treatment.

Corrigendum: Yield of the electrophysiological study in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block after transcathether aortic valve replacement: The PR interval matters.

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Yield of the electrophysiological study in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block after transcathether aortic valve replacement: The PR interval matters.

Background: Studies suggest that performing an electrophysiological study (EPS) may be useful to identify patients with new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) post-TAVR at risk of atrioventricular block. However, tools to optimize the yield of such strategy are needed. We therefore aimed to investigate whether 12-lead ECG changes post-TAVR may help identify patients with abnormal EPS findings.

New Insights in Central Venous Disorders. The Role of Transvenous Lead Extractions.

Over the last decades, the implementation of new technology in cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators as well as the increasing life expectancy have been associated with a higher incidence of transvenous lead complications over time. Variable degrees of venous stenosis at the level of the subclavian vein, the innominate trunk and the superior vena cava are reported in up to 50% of implanted patients. Importantly, the number of implanted leads seems to be the main risk factor for such complications.

From trivial to severe arrhythmias: the diagnostic role of multimodality imaging in inflammatory cardiomyopathy through a case series.

Background: The diagnosis of inflammatory cardiomyopathy remains challenging in cases presenting with arrhythmia as sole manifestation. An early diagnosis is critical as it may prevent life-threatening complications such as sudden cardiac death and atrioventricular block (AVB). The diagnostic workup of suspected cases includes multimodality imaging that requires an adequate interpretation in order to limit the risk of overdiagnosis.

High Incidence of Inappropriate Alarms in Patients with Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: Findings from the Swiss WCD Registry.

Background: The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) uses surface electrodes to detect arrhythmia before initiating a treatment sequence. However, it is also prone to inappropriate detection due to artefacts.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the alarm burden in patients and its impact on clinical outcomes.

Swiss National Registry on Catheter Ablation Procedures: Changing Trends over the Last 20 Years.

The Swiss Ablation Registry provides a national database for electrophysiologic studies and catheter ablations. We analyzed the database to provide an in-depth look at changing trends over the last 20 years. During the study period a total of 78622 catheter ablations (age 61.

Efficiency of the RADPAD Surgical Cap in Reducing Brain Exposure During Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implantation.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the RADPAD No Brainer (Worldwide Innovation and Technologies, Overland Park, Kansas) efficiency in reducing brain exposure to scattered radiation.

Background: Cranial radioprotective caps such as the RADPAD No Brainer are being marketed as devices that significantly reduce operator's brain exposure to scattered radiation. However, the efficiency of the RADPAD No Brainer in reducing brain exposure in clinical practice remains unknown to date.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy for the Management of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia: Promise and Future Directions.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) caused by myocardial scaring bears a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy (AAD) and catheter ablation remain the cornerstone of VT management, but both treatments have limited efficacy and potential adverse effects. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is routinely used in oncology to treat non-invasively solid tumors with high precision and efficacy.

[Sinus node dysfunction, Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome affecting the same patient : when genetics can't make head or tail of it].

The gene SCN5A encodes the cardiac sodium channel which, through the conduction of Na+ current into the cell, generates the fast upstroke of the action potential of cardiomyocytes. Pathogenic variants of SCN5A have been causally associated to several hereditary cardiac diseases including, among others, Brugada syndrome, congenital long QT syndrome and sinus node dysfunction. Recently, overlap syndromes have been described that are characterized by the simultaneous expression of mixed clinical phenotypes among two or more hereditary cardiac diseases associated to the gene SCN5A (HCD-SCN5A).

Ablation of Incessant Premature Ventricular Complex Through Retrograde Transvenous Ethanol Infusion.

Ethanol infusion has been used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia. We describe a case of ethanol infusion through the coronary sinus venous network to treat refractory epicardial premature ventricular complexes. The premature ventricular complexes were initially successfully suppressed but recurred after resolution of the myocardial edema.

Interatrial septum dissection and atrial wall hematoma following transseptal puncture: A systematic review of the literature.

Background: Interatrial septum (IAS) dissection due to transseptal puncture (TSP) is a rare, underreported complication of the procedure. Data on the mechanism, diagnosis, and management of this complication are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of all reported cases of IAS dissection with or without associated LA hematoma due to TSP, by thoroughly searching MEDLINE and EMBASE through May 2019.

[Management of refractory ventricular tachycardia using stereotactic body radiotherapy].

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is routinely used in oncology to treat non-invasively solid tumors with high precision and efficacy. Recently, this technology has been evaluated in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT). This article presents the basic underlying principles, proofs of concept and main results of clinical studies that used SBRT for the treatment of VT.

[Ventricular arrhythmias in ion channel diseases].

In patients with ion channel disease the predominant arrhythmias are polymorphic ventricular tachycardias (VT), torsade de pointes tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VF). In only extremely rare cases is very rapid monomorphic ventricular tachycardia observed. This is why implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) should always be programmed for treatment of VF only with high detection rates to avoid inappropriate discharges.