A prospective multicenter study of direct comparison of feasibility and safety of pulmonary vein isolation using the minimally interrupted apixaban between second-generation cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: J-HIT apixaban.

Background: The feasibility and safety of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon (CB) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) with minimally interrupted apixaban has not fully explored.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized prospective study, we enrolled patients with PAF undergoing CB or radiofrequency (RF) ablation with interrupted (holding 1 dose) apixaban. The primary composite end point consisted of bleeding events, including pericardial effusion and major bleeding requiring blood transfusion, or thromboembolic events at 4 weeks after ablation; secondary end points included early recurrence of AF and procedural duration.

Endocardial contact mapping of the left atrial appendage in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is often performed in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Propagation patterns in the LAA during AF remain to be elucidated. We sought to characterize propagation patterns in the LAA during AF in persistent AF.

Utility of a ripple map for the interpretation of atrial propagation during atrial tachycardia.

Purpose: Ripple map (RM) is a novel method for displaying activation pattern on the surface of a cardiac chamber. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the RM in interpreting the atrial propagation in atrial tachycardia (AT) in comparison with a conventional local activation (LAT) map.

Methods: Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping and ablation of AT were performed using multielectrode catheters and the CARTO3 ConfiDENSE Module (Biosense Webster).

Transvenous excimer laser-assisted lead extraction of cardiac implantable electrical devices in the Japanese elderly population.

Background: The feasibility and safety of lead extraction of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in the elderly Asian population remain uncertain. We report the outcome and safety of transvenous excimer laser-assisted lead extraction of CIEDs in Japanese patients aged ≥80 years.

Methods: Consecutive 235 patients (age 67±15 years, 167 male) undergoing lead extraction of CIED with an excimer laser system (Philips, Andover, MA, USA) were included.

Reentrant circuit of adenosine-sensitive atrial tachycardia originating near the his bundle region revealed by entrainment pacing and catheter ablation of the 'entrance'.

The mechanism of adenosine-sensitive atrial tachycardia (AT) originating near the His bundle region has been reported to be due to reentry, as indicated by entrainment pacing at a site remote from the 'entrance' to the slow conduction zone of the postulated reentrant circuit. We report a case of AT, in which the change in response to the entrainment pacing following radiofrequency applications at the 'entrance' to the slow conduction zone not only suggested that the mechanism of the AT was reentry, but also the size of the reentrant circuit. < The mechanism of adenosine-sensitive atrial tachycardia (AT) with an earliest atrial activation site near the His bundle has been reported to be due to reentry, but the size of the postulated reentrant circuit remains uncertain.

Bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation of a recurrent refractory ventricular tachycardia occurring after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and outflow tract premature ventricular contractions.

Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter or surgical ablation. We present our experience with bilateral CSD in a patient with a recurrent VT despite attempts at treatment with catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs, and this is the first description of the successful management of an idiopathic refractory VT with a bilateral CSD and concomitant oral amiodarone, occurring after catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation and idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular contractions.