Incidence and Predictors of Adverse Events Among Patients Awaiting Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Background: There is a paucity of data regarding the optimal timing of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and whether scheduling delays increase the risk for adverse outcomes.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the incidence and predictors of adverse events among patients awaiting LAAC.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study assessed all patients who underwent LAAC from January 2017 to March 2020.

Snaring via a Femoral Approach to Facilitate Transvenous Lead Extraction of an Infected Right Ventricular Lead Jailed by a Bioprosthetic Tricuspid Valve.

An 85-year-old woman presented with bacteremia complicated by infective endocarditis with vegetations on the prosthetic mitral valve and right ventricular (RV) lead. The patient had a single-chamber permanent pacemaker with two RV leads, one of which was previously trapped or "jailed" after a bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement. Complete transvenous lead extraction including the chronically retained jailed RV lead was achieved via laser extraction assisted by concomitant traction from a superior left subclavian and inferior right femoral venous approach.

Long-term outcomes of ADEM-like and tumefactive presentations of CNS demyelination: a case-comparison analysis.

A minority of initial multiple sclerosis (MS) presentations clinically or radiologically resemble other central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) or tumefactive demyelination (atypical demyelination presentations). With the aim of better defining the long-term outcomes of this group we have performed a retrospective cohort comparison of atypical demyelination versus 'typical' MS presentations. Twenty-seven cases with atypical presentations (both first and subsequent demyelinating events) were identified and compared with typical MS cases.

Incidence and temporal evolution of delayed peridevice leak after left atrial appendage closure.

Background: Peridevice leak (PDL) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) portends adverse outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, predictors, clinical implications, and temporal evolution of PDL after LAAC.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent LAAC with Watchman FLX and had no PDL detected at the time of implantation.

Prevalence of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Based on Resting and Post-Tachycardia Pacing Left Atrial Pressure.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are frequent co-morbid conditions. In patients with symptomatic AF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction the clinical diagnosis of HFpEF may be difficult, as history, examination, and echocardiography are not sensitive or specific. This study sought to assess the prevalence of HFpEF in patients undergoing AF ablation utilizing resting and post-tachycardia pacing left atrial pressure (LAP) measurements.