Publications by authors named "E Kevin Heist"
Reflex syncope (RS) is the most prevalent form of syncope, yet its pathophysiology and clinical presentation are not well understood. Despite controversy, the 'ventricular theory' remains the most plausible hypothesis to explain RS in susceptible patients. Certain assumptions regarding the geometry and function of the heart are essential in supporting this theory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComparison of efficiency of PFA catheter designs by computer modeling.
J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- Various catheter designs for Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) showed differences in safety and efficiency, with reported side effects like hemolysis and kidney injury.
- A CT-derived computer model compared efficiency (power delivery) and safety (electric current for effective treatment) among multiple designs, finding that efficiency varied significantly across the catheters.
- High-efficiency catheters minimized atrial blood exposure and demonstrated lower collateral current, suggesting they are safer; however, further in-vivo studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Article Synopsis
- *A study analyzing hospital data from 2016 to 2020 revealed that while the rate of AF/AFL hospitalizations was stable prior to 2020, it dropped sharply in 2020 alongside an increase in severe outcomes like mortality and stroke.
- *Key factors associated with worse outcomes included older age, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and COVID-19 infection itself.
This systematic review aims to summarize the procedural arrhythmia termination rates in catheter ablation (CA) procedures of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias using the commonly used mapping systems (CARTO, Rhythmia and EnSite/NavX). A systematic search in MEDLINE and Cochrane databases through February 2021 was performed. With regard to atrial fibrillation ablation procedures, acute success rates ranged from 15.
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