Quality indicators in atrial fibrillation ablation (RIQAFA). A national registry from the Portuguese Association of Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology (APAPE).

Introduction And Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, with significant burden for patients. Catheter ablation is safe and superior for symptom improvement. The purpose of this work was to assess how clinical practice compares with current scientific evidence and quality indicators for AF ablation.

Electrocardiographic imaging to guide ablation of ventricular arrhythmias and agreement between two different systems.

Background And Aim: A recent study using an epicardial-only electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI), suggests that the agreement of ECGI activation mapping and that of the contact mapping for ventricular arrhythmias (VA) is poor. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of two endo-epicardial ECGI systems using different cardiac sources and the agreement between them.

Methods: We performed 69 ECGI procedures in 52 patients referred for ablation of VA at our center.

Validation of an electrocardiographic marker of low voltage areas in the right ventricular outflow tract in patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias.

Background: Previous studies have reported the presence of subtle abnormalities in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in patients with apparently normal hearts and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) from the RVOT, including the presence of low voltage areas (LVAs). This LVAs seem to be associated with the presence of ST-segment elevation in V1 or V2 leads at the level of the 2nd intercostal space (ICS).

Objective: Our aim was to validate an electrocardiographic marker of LVAs in the RVOT in patients with idiopathic outflow tract VAs.

A simplified approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular outflow tract premature ventricular contractions.

Introduction: Frequently, low voltage areas (LVAs) and diastolic potentials (DPs) are present at ablation sites in sinus rhythm in patients with idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Objective: Validate these findings as substrates for PVCs and evaluate the feasibility of a simplified substrate approach based on LVAs and DPs for ablation of idiopathic outflow tract PVCs, in patients with a low PVC burden during the procedure.

Methods: Prospective single-arm clinical trial at two centers with comparison with a historical group, matched to age and gender.

Assessment of wave front activation duration and speed across the right ventricular outflow tract using electrocardiographic imaging as predictors of the origin of the premature ventricular contractions: A validation study.

Aims: Evaluate right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) activation duration (AD) and speed, invasively and with the electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI), as predictors of the origin of the PVCs, validating the ECGI.

Methods: 18 consecutive patients, 8 males, median age 55 (35-63) years that underwent ablation of PVCs with inferior axis and had ECGI performed before ablation. Isochronal activation maps of the RVOT in PVC were obtained with the ECGI and invasively.

Cardiac arrhythmias in patients presenting with COVID-19 treated in Portuguese hospitals: A national registry from the Portuguese Association of Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology.

Introduction And Objectives: In December 2019, SARS-CoV-2, was discovered as the agent of COVID-19 disease. Cardiac arrhythmias have been reported as frequent but their incidence is unknown. The aim of this research was to assess the real incidence of cardiac arrhythmias among COVID-19 patients admitted to Portuguese hospitals and to understand the underlying prognostic implications.

Cardiac arrhythmias in patients presenting with COVID-19 treated in Portuguese hospitals: A national registry from the Portuguese Association of Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology.

Introduction And Objectives: In December 2019, SARS-CoV-2, was discovered as the agent of COVID-19 disease. Cardiac arrhythmias have been reported as frequent but their incidence is unknown. The aim of this research was to assess the real incidence of cardiac arrhythmias among COVID-19 patients admitted to Portuguese hospitals and to understand the underlying prognostic implications.

Prolonged Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Endocardial Activation Duration and Presence of Deceleration Zones in Patients With Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions. Association With Low Voltage Areas.

Background And Aims: The wavefront propagation velocity in the myocardium with fibrosis is characterized by the presence of deceleration zones and late activated zones, that are absent in the normal myocardium. Our aim was to study the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) endocardial activation duration in sinus rhythm, and assess the presence of deceleration zones, in patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and in controls.

Methods: We studied 29 patients with idiopathic PVCs from the outflow tract, subjected to catheter ablation that had an activation and voltage map of the RVOT in sinus rhythm.

Anatomic guided ablation of the atrial right ganglionated plexi is enough for cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with significant bradyarrhythmias.

Introduction: Cardiac autonomic system modulation by endocardial ablation targeting atrial ganglionated plexi (GP) is an alternative strategy in selected patients with severe functional bradyarrhythmias, although no consensus exists on the best ablation strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a simplified approach by a purely anatomical guided ablation of just the atrial right GP is enough for the treatment of these patients.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with significant functional bradyarrhythmias and performed endocardial ablation purely guided by 3D electroanatomic mapping directed at the atrial right GP and accessed parameters of parasympathetic modulation and recurrence of bradyarrhythmias.

Right bundle brunch block in patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with a higher in-hospital arrhythmic risk and mortality, and a worse prognosis after discharge.

Introduction: Recently, the presence of right bundle brunch block (RBBB) in patients with persistent ischaemic symptoms has been suggested as an indication for emergent coronary angiography.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of RBBB in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before the implementation of the recent recommendations.

Methods: We retrospectively studied consecutive patients admitted with AMI between 2011 and 2013.

Frequent premature ventricular contractions. Association of burden and complexity with prognosis according to the presence of structural heart disease.

Introduction: Premature ventricular contractions (PVC) have been associated with mortality and heart failure (HF) regardless the presence of structural heart disease (SHD). The aim of this study was assessing the impact of burden and complexity of PVCs on prognosis, according to presence of SHD.

Methods: 312 patients were retrospectively evaluated out of 1967 consecutive patients referred for 24-hr Holter at a single hospital, with a PVC count >1% of total beats.

Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions From the Outflow Tract Display an Underlying Substrate That Can Be Unmasked by a Type 2 Brugada Electrocardiographic Pattern at High Right Precordial Leads.

Patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and apparently normal hearts, can have ST elevation similar to type 2 or type 3 Brugada pattern in the electrocardiographic (ECG) performed at a higher position. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), has shown conflicting data regarding existence of structural abnormalities in patients with idiopathic PVCs from the RVOT. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of low voltage areas (LVAs) in the RVOT of patients with PVCS from the outflow tract, and in a control group.

Excessive Atrial Ectopic Activity Worsens Prognosis and Predicts the Type of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients With Frequent Premature Ventricular Contractions.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of premature atrial contractions (PACs) burden, and the presence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on prognosis and type of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Methods: We retrospectively studied 285 consecutive patients with frequent PVCs defined as PVC count equal or higher than 1% of total beats assessed with 24-h Holter recording. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were excluded.

An inappropriate shock after reprogramming tachycardia zones.

A patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) (Abbott®) had episodes of slow monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and his ICD was programmed with three tachycardia zones. During the follow-up, he received an inappropriate shock. Upon interrogation (of the device), trigeminal pattern binned as ventricular sensing (VS)-VS-ventricular fibrillation (VF) was detected.

Isolated diastolic potentials as predictors of success in ablation of right ventricular outflow tract idiopathic premature ventricular contractions.

Background And Aims: Discrete potentials, low voltage and fragmented electrograms, have been previously reported at ablation site, in patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The aim of this study was to review the electrograms at ablation site and assess the presence of diastolic potentials and their association with success.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electrograms obtained at the radiofrequency (RF) delivery sites of 48 patients subjected to ablation of RVOT frequent PVCs.

Clinical Impact of Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial High-rate Episodes.

Background: Atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) are common in pacemaker patients. Our aims were to compare patients with AHREs to those without them and to assess if, in those with AHREs, the initiation of oral anticoagulation (OAC) has any clinical impact on the occurrence of ischemic and hemorrhagic events.

Methods: From 2014-2017 we selected patients with pacemaker in whom AHREs were detected.

Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition thought to increase in the future. Being mostly undiagnosed, the most serious complications are cardiovascular diseases, among which are arrhythmias. Controversy remains as to whether OSA is a primary etiologic factor for ventricular arrhythmias, because of the high incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities in OSA patients.

A clinical audit of thrombolytic therapy in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism and intermediate risk.

Introduction: There is considerable debate regarding the use of thrombolytic therapy in patients with pulmonary embolism, normal blood pressure and intermediate clinical risk, as defined by right ventricular dysfunction on transthoracic echocardiography or elevated serum markers of cardiac necrosis.

Aims And Objectives: A clinical audit of normotensive patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism using multi- detector computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (MDCTPA) and intermediate risk, was conducted to determine clinical outcomes at 30 days. The specific role played by imaging findings and clinical severity, on the decision to thrombolyse, was assessed.