Publications by authors named "Joseph Gallinghouse"

Article Synopsis
  • Purkinje fibers are important in causing ventricular fibrillation (VF) and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT), and fascicular substrate modification (FSM) is a proposed treatment method for recurrent VF.
  • This study examined 18 patients who underwent catheter-based FSM targeting the Purkinje fibers, finding that the procedure was both safe and effective, with no complications and high success rates.
  • After 24 months, 88.9% of the patients remained free from arrhythmias, highlighting the efficacy of FSM compared to traditional antiarrhythmic medications.
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Introduction: Both atrial fibrillation (AF) and amyloidosis increase stroke risk. We evaluated the best anticoagulation strategy in AF patients with coexistent amyloidosis.

Methods: Consecutive AF patients with concomitant amyloidosis were divided into two groups based on the postablation stroke-prophylaxis approach; group 1: left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in eligible patients and group 2: oral anticoagulation (OAC).

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We present a case of persistent complete atrioventricular block that occurred during the diagnostic portion of a premature ventricular contractions' radiofrequency ablation in a complex heart failure patient. The case was managed by bailout deep left ventricular septal pacing after bipolar radiofrequency elimination of premature ventricular contractions.

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Background: High-voltage pulses can cause hemolysis.

Objectives: The authors evaluated the occurrence of hemoglobinuria after pulsed-field ablation (PFA) and its impact on renal function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A consecutive series of patients with AF undergoing PFA were included in this analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzed the impact of pulsed-field ablation (PFA) on pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), comparing it with standard radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
  • It involved 28 patients who had previously undergone multiple RFAs and experienced PH, assessing changes in pulmonary artery pressure before and after the treatment.
  • Results showed that PFA did not worsen mean pulmonary artery pressure compared to RFA, highlighting PFA as a potentially safer option for these patients.
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Background: Acute pericarditis is a known complication of ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of colchicine monotherapy in terms of reducing the risk of pericarditis and related hospitalization rate in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation.

Methods: Consecutive AF patients undergoing first catheter ablation were classified into 3 groups based on their colchicine use: Group 1: no colchicine; group 2: colchicine from 7 days before to 1 month after ablation; and group 3: colchicine from the day of the procedure to 1 month after.

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Article Synopsis
  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVC), as found in a study of 394 patients undergoing PVC ablation between 2016 and 2019.
  • Out of these, 24% had AF, which was linked to older age, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and higher CHA DS -VASc scores compared to those without AF.
  • At the 2-year mark, recurrence of PVCs was notably higher in patients with AF (17.7%) than in those without (9.4%), indicating that AF negatively impacts the success of PVC ablation.
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Article Synopsis
  • Following electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA), assessing its mechanical function through transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is crucial for deciding on the continuation of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients.
  • A study of 160 TEE exams revealed a 36% diagnostic discrepancy in LAA dysfunction, mostly misclassifying a normal function despite reduced contraction, particularly due to misinterpretation of passive flows.
  • This underdiagnosis significantly raised the risk of cerebrovascular events in patients who stopped anticoagulation, highlighting the need for careful TEE evaluation by experienced operators.
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Introduction: Obesity, a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), is potentially reversible through lifestyle changes, including diet and physical activity. However, lack of compliance is a major obstacle in attaining sustained weight loss. We investigated the impact of patient engagement using a digital monitoring system on compliance for lifestyle-change measures and subsequent outcome.

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Objectives: In this study, the authors investigated the ablation success of scar homogenization with combined (epicardial + endocardial) vs endocardial-only approach for ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) at 5 years of follow-up.

Background: Best ablation approach to achieve long-term success rate in VT patients with ICM is not known yet.

Methods: Consecutive ICM patients undergoing VT ablation at our center were classified into group 1: endocardial + epicardial scar homogenization and group 2: endocardial scar homogenization.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Around 30% of COVID-19 patients experience cardiac arrhythmias, making them the second most common complication of the virus.
  • * The review aims to explore how COVID-19 contributes to the development of cardiac arrhythmias and offers guidance for their monitoring and management.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The article has been retracted upon the authors' request due to incorrect information in the methods section regarding ablation settings.
  • - These settings were linked to a specific pulsed field ablation technology currently investigating for FDA approval, making their disclosure inappropriate.
  • - The authors expressed their apologies for this oversight, and further details regarding the retraction will be provided by the Editor-in-Chief or publisher.
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Article Synopsis
  • The article has been retracted at the request of the authors due to incorrect specifications in the methods section related to ablation settings.
  • These settings could potentially connect to a specific pulsed field ablation technology currently under FDA investigation.
  • The authors apologize for the oversight and any inconvenience caused, and there may be a reference to previous plagiarized work if applicable.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study compared the long-term effectiveness of standard antithrombotic treatment versus half-dose direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) following Watchman implantation in patients.
  • A total of 555 patients were analyzed, with results showing that device-related thrombosis (DRT) occurred only in patients receiving standard antithrombotic strategy, while the half-dose DOAC group had a significantly lower risk of nonprocedural major bleeding.
  • The findings concluded that half-dose DOAC significantly lowered the risks of DRT, thromboembolic events, and major bleeding compared to the standard strategy, highlighting its potential as a more effective treatment option post-implantation.
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  • Intracardiac electrogram data plays a crucial role in guiding complex heart procedures, but existing technology for processing and displaying these signals has not significantly improved over the years.
  • This study aimed to assess a new signal processing platform, the PURE EP™ system, by collecting and evaluating intracardiac signals from 51 patients during ablation procedures.
  • Results showed that 75.2% of the PURE signals were rated as superior to conventional methods by independent reviewers, indicating better quality and clinical utility of the PURE system.
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Article Synopsis
  • Watchman FLX is now approved in the US for LAAO and using ICE as a guide can simplify the procedure and lower costs compared to TEE.
  • A study of 190 patients showed successful LAAO with no significant complications, and procedural times were notably shorter with ICE.
  • The conclusion indicates that ICE-guided LAAO is a safe and effective method, offering benefits such as reduced procedural time and potentially lower radiation exposure.
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Article Synopsis
  • * A total of 43 patients aged around 75 years with notable leaks after the procedure were treated using RF applications, achieving a median leak size reduction from 5 mm to nearly 0 mm, and had a low complication rate of just 2.3%.
  • * The findings suggest that RF techniques can effectively promote tissue healing and LAA sealing after Watchman procedures, ultimately reducing the risk of future complications related to leaks.
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Article Synopsis
  • Atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) is a serious complication of atrial fibrillation ablation, with a median symptom onset of 21 days post-procedure and a high mortality rate of 59.3%.
  • Most patients (75%) showed neurological issues, and those evaluated at walk-in clinics faced longer delays in treatment compared to those seen by specialists.
  • Early recognition of symptoms, understanding diagnostic challenges, and timely coordination with electrophysiologists are crucial to improve outcomes and minimize mortality rates associated with AEF.
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Objectives: This study sought to report the incidence of device-related thrombosis (DRT) and thromboembolic (TE) events when an alternative to clopidogrel is prescribed in loss-of-function (LOF) allele carriers of the cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) gene.

Background: LOF polymorphisms of the CYP2C19 gene are associated with reduced hepatic bioactivation of clopidogrel.

Methods: A total of 1,002 Watchman patients were included.

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