Management of Tamponade Complicating Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Early Removal of Pericardial Drains Is Safe and Effective and Reduces Analgesic Requirements and Hospital Stay Compared to Conventional Delayed Removal.

Objectives: This study reports on the safety of early removal of pericardial drains after cardiac tamponade complicating atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA) procedures, the need for repeat pericardiocentesis, major adverse outcomes, as well as length of stay, and the need for opiate analgesia.

Background: Tamponade from AFCA is traditionally managed by pericardiocentesis with delayed removal of the drain (typically 12 to 24 h later) in case of re-bleeding. A drain in situ often causes severe pain but ongoing blood loss is rare.

Validation of novel 3-dimensional electrocardiographic mapping of atrial tachycardias by invasive mapping and ablation: a multicenter study.

Objectives: This study prospectively evaluated the role of a novel 3-dimensional, noninvasive, beat-by-beat mapping system, Electrocardiographic Mapping (ECM), in facilitating the diagnosis of atrial tachycardias (AT).

Background: Conventional 12-lead electrocardiogram, a widely used noninvasive tool in clinical arrhythmia practice, has diagnostic limitations.

Methods: Various AT (de novo and post-atrial fibrillation ablation) were mapped using ECM followed by standard-of-care electrophysiological mapping and ablation in 52 patients.

Ajmaline attenuates electrocardiogram characteristics of inferolateral early repolarization.

Background: J waves are the hallmark of both inferolateral early repolarization (ER) and Brugada syndrome. While ajmaline, a class 1a antiarrhythmic drug, accentuates the J wave in Brugada syndrome, its effect on ER is unreported.

Objective: To describe the effect of ajmaline on the electrocardiogram in ER.

Successful transseptal puncture for radiofrequency ablation of left atrial tachycardia after closure of secundum atrial septal defect with Amplatzer septal occluder.

We report on a 37-year-old woman presenting with atrial arrhythmias after catheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect with an Amplatzer septal occluder device. Electrophysiological studies suggested that the arrhythmia originated from the left atrium, from an area near the device. Transseptal puncture was successfully performed under transoesophageal guidance and the arrhythmia was successfully ablated.