Very high-power short-duration radiofrequency ablation in patients with typical atrial flutter: rationale and design of the FASD-HP randomized trial.

Background: The aim of cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent flutter ablation is the bidirectional conduction block of the CTI. Very-high-power short-duration (vHPSD) radiofrequency ablation aims to minimize conductive heating and increase resistive heating to create shallower but wider lesions in a very short time, while reducing the risk of collateral tissue damage. Experimental studies have shown that it produces effective transmural lesions with an equal or better safety profile compared to conventional parameters.

A Novel Technique of Placing Desfibrillator Leads in Patients with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava.

Persistent left superior vena cava is the most common thoracic venous anomaly. It is usually asymptomatic, but it can make implanting intracardiac devices difficult.We present a novel technique to facilitate desfibrillator lead implantation in patients with persistent left superior vena cava and the absence of the right superior vena cava.

Outcomes of leadless pacemaker implantation in patients with mechanical heart valves.

Introduction: Device infections constitute a major complication of transvenous pacemakers. Mechanical heart valves (MHV) increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE) and pacemaker infection, requiring lifelong vitamin K-antagonists (VKA), which may affect patient management. Leadless pacemakers (LP) are associated with low infection rates, posing an attractive option in MHV patients requiring permanent pacing.

Remote heart failure management using the HeartLogic algorithm. RE-HEART registry.

Introduction And Objectives: HeartLogic is a multiparametric algorithm incorporated into implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). The associated alerts predict impending heart failure (HF) decompensations. Our objective was to analyze the association between alerts and clinical events and to describe the implementation of a protocol for remote management in a multicenter registry.

A case report of a triad causing platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome.

Background: Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare condition characterized by hypoxaemia and dyspnoea when changing from a recumbent to an upright position. Diagnosis requires a high clinical suspicion and is often underdiagnosed.

Case Summary: We report a case of POS in a 50-year-old woman with dyspnoea and new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Importance of cardiac magnetic resonance findings in the diagnosis of left dominant arrythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction And Objectives: Left dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (LDAC) has recently been recognized as falling on the spectrum of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by fibroadipose replacement of the left ventricle. The aim of this study was to describe the most frequent forms of clinical presentation of LDAC, imaging findings, and events at follow-up, highlighting the importance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

One-year efficacy and safety of prasugrel and ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndromes: Results from a prospective and multicentre ACHILLES registry.

Background: Prasugrel and ticagrelor have demonstrated higher efficacy than clopidogrel in their main clinical trials for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the long-term prognosis and different clinical characteristics related to the type of antiplatelet prescription in current clinical practice ACS patients have not been analysed in depth. The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical profile of ACS and the efficacy and safety of novel oral P2Y inhibitors in current clinical practice patients discharged afterACS.

Switching of Oral P2Y Inhibitor Treatment in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: Prevalence, Predictors, and Prognosis.

Background And Objective: Dual antiplatelet therapy is one of the main treatments in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Switching antiplatelet agents may be necessary in some patients to improve efficacy or safety. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, predictors, and implications of clinical switching in patients during hospital admission and 1-year follow-up at discharge.

Conservatively managed patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome are undertreated with indicated medicines.

Introduction And Aims: Patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are often managed conservatively. Clinical practice guidelines recommend treating these patients with the same pharmacological drugs as those who receive invasive treatment. We analyze the use of new antiplatelet drugs (NADs) and other recommended treatments in people discharged following an NSTE-ACS according to the treatment strategy used, comparing the medium-term prognosis between groups.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Third-Generation P2Y Inhibitors Use in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Impact on the Prognosis at 1 Year.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, they are underrepresented in clinical trials. We aimed to investigate differences in prognosis of acute coronary syndrome patients with and without CKD, focusing on the use of novel P2Y receptor inhibitors.

Time-to-Effect-Based Dosing Strategy for Cryoballoon Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the plusONE Multicenter Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial.

Background: The optimal dosage of cryotherapy during cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins is still unclear. This trial tested the noninferiority of a novel, individualized, cryotherapy-dosing strategy for each vein.

Methods And Results: This prospective, randomized, multicenter, noninferiority study included 140 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which was refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs.

The HAS-BLED score predicts long-term major bleeding and death in anticoagulated non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients undergoing electrical cardioversion.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients eligible for cardioversion tend to be younger and are at lower risk than 'general' AF clinic populations. We evaluated the incidence of major bleeding and death, as well as the predictive value of the HAS-BLED score in non-valvular AF patients who underwent electrical cardioversion (ECV).

Methods: Consecutive non-valvular AF patients who underwent ECV were recruited.

Long-Term Predictors of Thromboembolic Events in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Electrical Cardioversion.

Background: Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo electrical cardioversion (ECV) tend to be younger and have less comorbidity. Long-term anticoagulation after ECV should be based on thromboembolic risk. We sought to study the long-term incidence of thromboembolic events (TE), factors related to TE and compare the predictive value of the CHADS2and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in this particular population.

Cardiac tamponade following pacemaker implantation.

Cardiac tamponade is a rare complications after pacemaker implantation. However iatrogeny is becoming one of the main causes of severe pericardial effusions. We present the experience of our centre compiled in 17 years.

[Should we try to determine the specific cause of cardiac tamponade?].

Introduction: The causes of cardiac tamponade vary and it has been suggested that underlying causes should be sought in all cases. The purpose of this study was to determine the causes of cardiac tamponade in our environment, distinguishing between specific and idiopathic causes, and analyzing the proportion and causes in the subgroup of patients with relapsing tamponade.

Patients And Method: We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent therapeutic pericardiocentesis between 1985 and 2001.

[The efficacy of scheduled cardioversion in atrial fibrillation. Comparison of two schemes of treatment: electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion].

Introduction And Objectives: Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia with high morbidity and mortality. Restoring sinus rhythm is one of the principle objectives in its management. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of scheduled cardioversion on atrial fibrillation by comparing two different therapeutic approaches: electrical vs.