Local impedance and contact force guidance to predict successful cavotricuspid isthmus ablation with a zero-fluoroscopy approach.

Introduction: A new technology capable of monitoring local impedance (LI) and contact force (CF) has recently been developed. At the same time, there is growing concern regarding catheter ablation performed under fluoroscopy guidance, due to its harmful effects for both patients and practitioners. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of zero-fluoroscopy cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation monitoring LI drop and CF as well as to elucidate if these parameters can predict successful radiofrequency (RF) applications in CTI ablation.

Feasibility and safety of zero-fluoroscopy left bundle branch pacing: An initial experience.

Introduction: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has emerged in recent years as a new pacing modality, providing patients with a narrower paced QRS than conventional pacing and stable pacing parameters. At the same time, there is a growing concern about the use of fluoroscopy in pacemaker implantations, given its harmful effects on both patients and operators. However, there are no prior experiences of zero-fluoroscopy in LBBP procedure.

Transjugular closure of a residual septal device defect: a case report.

Background: Severe residual shunts after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects are unusual. These patients are usually considered candidates for surgery.

Case Summary: We describe the transjugular closure of a residual atrial septal defect with significant left-to-right shunt due to a malpositioned large atrial septal device in a symptomatic 74-year-old female.

His-Bundle Pacing in a Patient With Tricuspid and Mitral Prosthetic Valves Without Suitable Coronary Veins for Lead Placement.

Atrioventricular block in patients with a prosthetic tricuspid valve and a pacemaker with a dysfunctional epicardial lead is not uncommon. In such instances, coronary sinus lead placement is the preferred option, but it has a failure rate of 10%-15%. An atrial transseptal left ventricular lead placement has been proposed as an alternative, but this approach is not feasible in patients with a prosthetic mitral valve.

High-degree atrioventricular block. An unusual presentation of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report.

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction with transient wall motion abnormalities without a culprit coronary stenosis or other concurrent diagnoses. Its coexistence with transient high-degree AV block is very infrequent.

Case Presentation: A 61-year-old man presented with a new onset of high degree AV block without ST segment deviations developing an anterior and apical dyskinesia with a low left ventricular ejection fraction in the absence of coronary artery disease.

Efficacy and safety of abciximab versus tirofiban in addition to ticagrelor in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention.

Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) have been part of the adjuvant treatment of acute coronary syndrome for years. However, real-life data regarding the efficacy and safety of GPIs under the current indications are lacking in the setting of potent platelet inhibition. The objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of abciximab versus tirofiban in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and pretreated with ticagrelor, and to identify independent predictor factors of efficacy, bleeding and platelet drop.

Baseline Risk Stratification of Patients Older Than 75 Years With Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock Undergoing Primary Angioplasty.

Background And Objectives: Patients older than 75 years with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty in cardiogenic shock have high mortality. Identification of preprocedural predictors of short- and long-term mortality could be useful to guide decision-making and further interventions.

Methods: We analyzed a nationwide registry of primary angioplasty in the elderly (ESTROFA MI+75) comprising 3576 patients.

Primary Angioplasty in Patients Older Than 75 Years. Profile of Patients and Procedures, Outcomes, and Predictors of Prognosis in the ESTROFA IM+75 Registry.

Introduction And Objectives: The proportion of elderly patients undergoing primary angioplasty is growing. The present study describes the clinical profile, procedural characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of outcome.

Methods: A 31-center registry of consecutive patients older than 75 years treated with primary angioplasty.

Prediabetes and coronary artery disease: Outcome after revascularization procedures.

Objective: To assess the long-term association between prediabetes and an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study. We searched our database to identify all PCI procedures performed in 2010.

Comparison of paclitaxel and everolimus-eluting stents in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and influence of thrombectomy on outcomes. ESTROFA-IM study.

Introduction And Objectives: We sought to compare the long-term clinical outcome of with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents or everolimus-eluting stents and the influence of thrombectomy on outcomes.

Methods: The ESTROFA-IM is a multicenter retrospective registry collecting consecutive patients with infarction treated with these stents in 16 centers. Propensity-score matching was performed to select comparable stent groups and comparable groups with and without thrombectomy.

Comparison of paclitaxel-eluting stents (Taxus) and everolimus-eluting stents (Xience) in left main coronary artery disease with 3 years follow-up (from the ESTROFA-LM registry).

Evidence regarding therapy with drug-eluting stents in the left main coronary artery (LM) is based mostly on trials performed with first-generation drug-eluting stents. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes after treatment for unprotected LM disease with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) and everolimus-eluting stents (EES). The ESTROFA-LM is a multicenter retrospective registry including consecutive patients with unprotected LM disease treated with PES or EES.