Strategy to achieve mitral isthmus flutter ablation by radiofrequency: the SHERIFF plan.

Background: Achieving mitral isthmus (MI) block can be challenging. This prospective study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a systematic strategy comprising three consecutive steps to achieve MI block.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients (mean (± SD) age 71.

Early pacemaker insertion after aortic valve replacement with an Edwards Intuity sutureless valve.

Background: Postoperative conduction disorders are serious adverse events in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, and may prolong the duration of hospitalization and require pacemaker insertion.

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the rate of pacemaker insertion after implantation of an Edwards Intuity sutureless aortic valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) compared with a standard surgical bioprosthesis.

Methods: This retrospective single-centre study included patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with an Intuity sutureless aortic valve or a standard bioprosthetic valve between 4 June 2014 and 27 June 2016.

Micra AV leadless pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Transvenous pacemaker (PM) implantation is a complication in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Recently, a second generation of leadless PMs able of atrioventricular (AV) synchronous pacing has been introduced and could be an alternative when ventricular pacing is required after TAVI. Real-world data on Micra AV after TAVI are still lacking.

An improved window of interest for electroanatomical mapping of atrial tachycardia.

Purpose: Diagnosis of atrial tachycardia (AT) with 3D mapping system remains challenging due to fibrosis or previous ablation. This study aims to evaluate a new electroanatomical mapping annotation setting using a window of interest adjusted at the end of the P wave (WOI) to identify the AT mechanism more accurately.

Methods: Twenty patients with successful ablation of left AT using navigation system CARTO3 were evaluated.

Elimination of the negative component of the unipolar electrogram as a local procedural endpoint during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation catheter ablation using contact-force sensing: the UNIFORCE study.

Purpose: Elimination of the negative component of the unipolar atrial electrogram is a reliable indicator of the creation of a transmural lesion. Contact-force (CF) sensing technology has the potential to increase the durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). In the present multicenter study, we assessed the 2-year sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance rate in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) after PVI guided by these two approaches.

Complete atrioventricular block decreases left ventricular assist device flow rate.

A 52-year-old man, living at home, had been on left ventricular assistance for 15 months with a Novacor pump (Worldheart, Ottawa, ON, Canada). Following the onset of effort dyspnea that had recently become worse, he was admitted to the hospital. A review of the pump showed that its flow rate had significantly decreased.