Identification of cavotricuspid isthmus voltage patterns in typical atrial flutter ablation.

Background: Electroanatomical mapping is an essential tool in the ablation of typical AFL.

Objectives: To identify the existence of voltage patterns in the CTI voltage maps and their relevance for typical AFL ablation.

Methods: A voltage map of the CTI was made prior to ablation, identifying the areas of maximum voltage and their location along the CTI, allowing classification into patterns according to their distribution.

Cardiac magnetic resonance outperforms echocardiography to predict subsequent implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapies in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are effective as a primary prevention measure of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The implications of using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) instead of echocardiography (Echo) to assess LVEF prior to the indication of ICD in this setting are unknown.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 52 STEMI patients (56.

Long-term prognosis of women with Brugada syndrome and electrophysiological study.

Background: A male predominance in Brugada syndrome (BrS) has been widely reported, but scarce information on female patients with BrS is available.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of women with BrS.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study of patients diagnosed with BrS and previous electrophysiological study (EPS) was performed.

Safety, efficacy, and reproducibility of cavotricuspid isthmus ablation guided by the ablation index: acute results of the FLAI study.

Aims: Ablation index (AI) is a marker of lesion quality during catheter ablation that incorporates contact force, time, and power in a weighted formula. This index was originally developed for pulmonary vein isolation as well as other left atrial procedures. The aim of our study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the AI for the ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) in patients presenting with typical atrial flutter (AFL).

Effect of mountain ultramarathon distance competition on biochemical variables, respiratory and lower-limb fatigue.

The study aimed at assessing the acute physiological effects of running a 65-km vs a 107-km mountain ultramarathon. Nineteen athletes (15 males and 4 females) from the shorter race and forty three athletes (26 males and 17 females) from the longer race were enrolled. Body weight, respiratory and lower limb strength were assessed before and after the race.

Predictors of adoption and impact of evidence-based programming on the incidence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies.

Introduction And Objectives: The ADVANCE III trial showed that a delayed-detection strategy reduces implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies. Here, we describe the adherence to and predictors of ADVANCE adoption and compare ICD therapy rates between patients with and without ADVANCE programming.

Methods: This observational retrospective study analyzed patients implanted with Medtronic ICDs included from 2005 to 2016 in a Spanish national multicenter registry (UMBRELLA database; ClinicalTrials.

Cardiac Damage Biomarkers and Heart Rate Variability Following a 118-Km Mountain Race: Relationship with Performance and Recovery.

This study aimed to assess the release of cardiac damage biomarkers jointly with cardiac autonomic modulation after a mountain ultramarathon. Such knowledge and the possible relationship of these markers with race time is of primary interest to establish possible recommendations upon athletes' recovery and return to training following these competitions. Forty six athletes enrolled in the Penyagolosa Trails CSP115 race (118 km and a total positive elevation of 5439 m) took part in the study.

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.

Calcification detection of abdominal aorta in CT images and 3D visualization in VR devices.

Automatic calcification detection in abdominal aorta consists of a set of computer vision techniques to quantify the amount of calcium that is found around this artery. Knowing that information, it is possible to perform statistical studies that relate vascular diseases with the presence of calcium in these structures. To facilitate the detection in CT images, a contrast is usually injected into the circulatory system of the patients to distinguish the aorta from other body tissues and organs.

Comparative Evaluation of Four Risk Scores for Predicting Mortality in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator for Primary Prevention.

Introduction And Objectives: Several clinical risk scores have been developed to identify patients at high risk of all-cause mortality despite implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. We aimed to examine and compare the predictive capacity of 4 simple scoring systems (MADIT-II, FADES, PACE and SHOCKED) for predicting mortality after defibrillator implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in a Mediterranean country.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed in 15 Spanish hospitals.

Primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator in elderly patients: results of a Spanish multicentre study.

Aims: Currently, there continues to be a lack of evidence regarding outcomes associated with device-based therapy for ventricular arrhythmias in elderly patients, even more in primary-prevention indications. We aimed to describe the follow-up in terms of efficacy and safety of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in a large cohort of elderly patients.

Methods And Results: Retrospective multicentre study performed in 15 Spanish hospitals.

Primary Prevention of Sudden Death in Patients With Valvular Cardiomyopathy.

Introduction And Objectives: Few data exist on the outcomes of valvular cardiomyopathy patients referred for defibrillator implantation for primary prevention. The aim of the present study was to describe the outcomes of this cardiomyopathy subgroup.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included consecutive patients referred for defibrillator implantation to 15 Spanish centers in 2010 and 2011, and to 3 centers after 1 January 2008.

Scar Extension Measured by Magnetic Resonance-Based Signal Intensity Mapping Predicts Ventricular Tachycardia Recurrence After Substrate Ablation in Patients With Previous Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if noninvasive measurement of scar by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based signal intensity (SI) mapping predicts ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence after endocardial ablation.

Background: Scar extension on voltage mapping predicts VT recurrence after ablation procedures.

Methods: A total of 46 consecutive patients with previous myocardial infarction (87% men, mean age 68 ± 9 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 36 ± 10%) who underwent VT substrate ablation before the implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator were included.

[Electrical storm in patients with prophylactic defibrillator implantation].

Introduction: Little is known about the prevalence of electrical storm, baseline characteristics and mortality implications of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator in primary prevention versus those patients without electrical storm. We sought to assess the prevalence, baseline risk profile and survival significance of electrical storm in patients with implantable defibrillator for primary prevention.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter study performed in 15 Spanish hospitals.

Endo-epicardial versus only-endocardial ablation as a first line strategy for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Epicardial ablation has shown improvement in clinical outcomes of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. However, usually epicardial access is only performed when endocardial ablation has failed. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of endocardial+epicardial ablation versus only endocardial ablation in the first procedure in patients with IHD.

Analyses of inappropriate shocks in a Spanish ICD primary prevention population: Predictors and prognoses.

Background: ICDs have been demonstrated to be highly effective in the primary prevention of sudden death, but inappropriate shocks (IS) occur frequently and represent one of the most important adverse effects of ICDs. The aim of this study was to analyze IS and identify the clinical predictors and prognostic implications of ISs in a real-world primary prevention ICD population.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study was performed in 13 centers with experience in the field of ICD implantation (at least 30 per year) and ICD follow-up in Spain.

Medium-term results of cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. First experience of a Spanish center.

Purpose: Cryoballoon ablation of the pulmonary veins (CAPV) is a new technique that could have similar results to radiofrequency procedures, but with fewer complications. We analyzed the outcomes and safety of this technique in a consecutive cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 63 patients with paroxysmal (n = 40) or persistent (n = 23) AF were studied.

Influence of metabolic syndrome on development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in the transplanted heart.

Background: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the main cause of graft failure and death 1 year after heart transplantation (HTx). Metabolic syndrome (MS) increases the risk of cardiovascular events by endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with MS developed a higher risk of CAV 1 year after HTx.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T in patients with cardiac rhythm devices.

Aims: Recent studies suggest that non-cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning can be performed safely in selected cardiac rhythm device patients. However, little is known about the safety of performing specific cardiac MRI in this setting. We sought to determine the feasibility of cardiac MRI in patients with pacemakers (PMs) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac pacing devices.

Currently, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is contraindicated in patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. This study was carried out because the potential risks in this situation need to be clearly defined. This prospective study evaluated clinical and electrical parameters before and after magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 33 patients (five with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and 28 with pacemakers).