A case of cardiac sarcoidosis with successful heart transplantation after COVID-19 infection.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and cardiac sarcoidosis can both present with ventricular tachycardia. We report a case of a patient whose histological diagnosis was not only confirmed by the transplanted heart but who also underwent successful transplantation after overcoming COVID-19. < Similarities in the clinical presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) Management differences between CS and ARVC Successful heart transplantation after COVID-19.

Targeting non-pulmonary vein triggers in persistent atrial fibrillation: results from a prospective, multicentre, observational registry.

Aims: We evaluated the efficacy of an ablation strategy empirically targeting pulmonary veins (PVs) and posterior wall (PW) and the prevalence and clinical impact of extrapulmonary trigger inducibility and ablation in a large cohort of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF).

Methods And Results: A total of 1803 PerAF patients were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) extended to the entire PW.

Impact of catheter ablation in patients with atrial flutter and concurrent heart failure.

Background: No studies assessed impact of atrial flutter (AFL) ablation on outcomes in patients with AFL and concurrent heart failure (HF).

Objectives: To assess the effect of AFL ablation on mortality and HF readmissions in patients with AFL and HF.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study identified 15,952 patients with AFL and HF from the 2016-17 Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Concurrent Heart Failure.

Due to limited real-world data, the aim of this study was to explore the impact of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF). This retrospective cohort study identified 119,694 patients with AF and HF from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2017. Propensity-matching was generated using demographics, comorbidities, hospital and other characteristics through multivariate logistic regression.

Anticoagulation After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Is it time to Discontinue in Select Patient Population?

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective strategy for treatment of drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Continuation of oral anticoagulation (OAC) beyond 3 months after an apparently successful ablation of AF remains controversial.

Methods: A systematic electronic search of the scientific literature was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Google Scholar.

Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical left atrial appendage occlusion (s-LAAO) during concomitant cardiac surgery.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search through May 31st 2018 for all eligible studies comparing s-LAAO vs no occlusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Clinical outcomes during follow-up included: embolic events, stroke, all-cause mortality, atrial fibrillation (AF), reoperation for bleeding and postoperative complications.

Painful left bundle branch block syndrome treated with his bundle pacing.

This is a case report of a patient with painful LBBB Syndrome that responded favorably to His Bundle Pacing. This syndrome is largely under recognized despite 50 reports in the literature over the last 60 years. Both diagnosis and treatment are not well defined and represent a major challenge in patients with this entity.

Outcomes of patients admitted with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in the United States.

Background: Mortality caused by ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) remains a problem of epidemic proportions. Understanding current trends on admission of VA, patient characteristics, morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization could help us improve allocation of health care resources and risk prediction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes of VA, including ventricular tachycardia (VT), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks, and sudden cardiac death (SCD); and to identify predictors of morbidity and mortality, patterns of utilization of ICD and VT ablation, and the impact of such metrics on overall health care utilization.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Inotrope-Dependent Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in inotrope-dependent patients with heart failure (HF) to ascertain the viability of CRT in these patients.

Background: During the last decade, significant numbers of trials have demonstrated the beneficial effect of CRT in the treatment of patients with HF and systolic dysfunction, prolonged QRS complex duration, and New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. However, it is currently undetermined whether CRT may benefit patients who require inotropic support.

Frequency of in-hospital adverse outcomes and cost utilization associated with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator implantation in the United States.

Background: The utilization of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) has increased significantly, since its initial approval for use in selected patients with heart failure. Limited data exist as for current trends in implant-related in-hospital complications and cost utilization. The aim of our study was to examine in-hospital complication rates associated with CRT-D and their trends over the last decade.

Causes and Predictors of Readmission in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Catheter Ablation: A National Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Reducing readmission after catheter ablation (CA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) is important.

Methods And Results: We utilized National Readmission Data (NRD) 2010-2014. AF was identified by diagnostic code 427.

Prophylactic catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in ischemic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Catheter ablation is proven to be an effective strategy for drug refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) in ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, the appropriate timing of VT ablation and identifying the group of patients that may receive the greatest benefit remains uncertain. There is limited data on the effect on prophylactic catheter ablation (PCA) in the prevention of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, electrical storm, and mortality.

Temporal trends of in-hospital complications associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in the United States: An update from Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2011-2014).

Background: Catheter ablation is widely accepted intervention for atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, but limited data are available regarding contemporary trends in major complications and in-hospital mortality due to the procedure. This study was aimed at exploring the temporal trends of in-hospital mortality, major complications, and impact of hospital volume on frequency of AF ablation-related outcomes.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was utilized to identify the AF patients treated with catheter ablation.

High risk for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome predicts new onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a retrospective analysis.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is highly prevalent in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). OSAHS is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the risk of AF in patients who are high risk for OSAHS is unclear.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on consecutive patients undergoing CABG from 2013 to 2015 without AF pre-operatively.

Role of Cardiac Imaging in Evaluating Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of death from cardiovascular disease. Our ability to predict patients at the highest risk of developing lethal ventricular arrhythmias remains limited. Despite recent studies evaluating risk stratification tools, there is no optimal strategy.

Atrial Substrate and Triggers of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with atrial remodeling, atrial fibrillation (AF), and increased incidence of arrhythmia recurrence after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. We aimed to characterize the atrial substrate, including AF triggers in patients with paroxysmal AF and OSA.

Methods And Results: In 86 patients with paroxysmal AF (43 with ≥moderate OSA [apnea-hypopnea index ≥15] and 43 without OSA [apnea-hypopnea index <5]), right atrial and left atrial voltage distribution, conduction velocities, and electrogram characteristics were analyzed during atrial pacing.

Atrial fibrillation: Utility of CHADS and CHADS-VASc scores as predictors of readmission, mortality and resource utilization.

Background: CHADS and CHADS-VASc scores are widely used for thromboembolic risk assessment in Atrial Fibrillation(AF) cohort, however further utilization to predict outcomes is understudied.

Method: HCUP's National Readmission Data(NRD) 2013 was queried for AF admissions using ICD-9-CM code 427.31 in principal diagnosis field.

Effects of Transendocardial Stem Cell Injection on Ventricular Proarrhythmia in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Results from the POSEIDON and TAC-HFT Trials.

Transendocardial stem cell injection in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) improves left ventricular function and structure but has ill-defined effects on ventricular arrhythmias. We hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) implantation is not proarrhythmic. Post hoc analyses were performed on ambulatory ECGs collected from the POSEIDON and TAC-HFT trials.

Hospital Admissions for Chest Pain Associated with Cocaine Use in the United States.

Background: The outcomes related to chest pain associated with cocaine use and its burden on the healthcare system are not well studied.

Methods: Data were collected from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2001-2012). Subjects were identified by using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes.

Long-term follow-up of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and severe left atrial scarring: comparison between pulmonary vein antrum isolation only or pulmonary vein isolation combined with either scar homogenization or trigger ablation.

Aims: Left atrial (LA) scarring, a consequence of cardiac fibrosis is a powerful predictor of procedure-outcome in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing catheter ablation. We sought to compare the long-term outcome in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and severe LA scarring identified by 3D mapping, undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVAI) only or PVAI and the entire scar areas (scar homogenization) or PVAI+ ablation of the non-PV triggers.

Methods And Results: Totally, 177 consecutive patients with PAF and severe LA scarring were included.

Differences Between Access to Follow-Up Care and Inappropriate Shocks Based on Insurance Status of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Recipients.

Differences in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) utilization based on insurance status have been described, but little is known about postimplant follow-up patterns associated with insurance status and outcomes. We collected demographic, clinical, and device data from 119 consecutive patients presenting with ICD shocks. Insurance status was classified as uninsured/Medicaid (uninsured) or private/Health Maintenance Organization /Medicare (insured).