Predictive value of interatrial block on electrocardiogram among obese patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Determine a predictive value of interatrial block (IAB) on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcomes in obese patients.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 205 consecutive patients with body mass indices (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m who underwent initial AF ablation. Evidence of partial IAB defined as P-wave duration (PWD) ≥ 120 ms and advanced IAB with PWD ≥ 120 ms and biphasic or negative P-wave in inferior leads was examined from sinus electrocardiograms (ECGs) within 1-year pre-ablation.

Effect of Continued Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Ventricular Arrhythmias After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces ventricular arrhythmia (VA) burden in some patients with heart failure, but its effect after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is unknown. We compared VA burden in patients with CRT devices in situ who underwent LVAD implantation and continued CRT (n = 39) to those who had CRT turned off before discharge (n = 26). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks were significantly reduced in patients with continued CRT (1.

The Incremental Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identification of Apical Pouch in Patients with Apical Variant of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The development of a left ventricular (LV) apical pouch in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM) has been thought to be the transition point that can become an apical aneurysm, which is linked to higher risk of adverse events. In our study, we sought to compare the ability of transthoracic echocardiography (echo) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) to accurately identify the presence of an apical pouch or aneurysm in patients with aHCM.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all consecutive patients that had features of aHCM on imaging.

Vasovagal syncope: an update on the latest pharmacological therapies.

Introduction: Syncope is an abrupt loss of consciousness in response to reduced perfusion to the brain. Neurocardiogenic or vasovagal syncope results from a complex neurologic reflex, and treatments to prevent recurrence attempt to modulate aspects of that reflex.

Areas Covered: Pharmacologic treatments for vasovagal syncope address the syncope reflex in multiple ways.

Recent developments in the ablation of ventricular arrhythmias.

Catheter ablation for the management of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is an emerging technology, with good efficacy in selected patients. It is an effective treatment for recurrent VA and can terminate VA during electrical storm. Recent innovations enhance the accuracy of ventricular mapping, allowing for substrate modification while the patient remains in sinus rhythm, thus facilitating the treatment of different types of VA.