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.

Effect of remote monitoring on patient-reported outcomes in European heart failure patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: primary results of the REMOTE-CIED randomized trial.

Aims: The European REMOTE-CIED study is the first randomized trial primarily designed to evaluate the effect of remote patient monitoring (RPM) on patient-reported outcomes in the first 2 years after implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Methods And Results: The sample consisted of 595 European heart failure patients implanted with an ICD compatible with the Boston Scientific LATITUDE® RPM system. Patients were randomized to RPM plus a yearly in-clinic ICD check-up vs.

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.

Novel electromyographic monitoring technique for prevention of right phrenic nerve palsy during cryoballoon ablation.

Background: Right phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is the most frequent complication of cryoballoon ablation. Diaphragmatic electromyography can predict PNP with a comfortable safety margin. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of electromyography-guided PN monitoring using a novel hepatic vein approach for prevention of PNP.

Adenosine plasma level and A2A adenosine receptor expression: correlation with laboratory tests in patients with neurally mediated syncope.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that responses to the ATP test and head-up tilt test (HUT) may be correlated with different purinergic profiles.

Design And Setting: The ATP and HUT identify distinct subsets of patients with neurally mediated syncope (NMS). Adenosine and its A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) may be implicated in the pathophysiology of NMS in patients with positive HUT.

Long-term outcomes following infection of cardiac implantable electronic devices: a prospective matched cohort study.

Objective: To assess long-term outcomes and predictors of mortality in patients treated according to current recommendations for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection.

Design: Two-group matched cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care institution.

Characteristics of recurrent clockwise atrial flutter after previous radiofrequency catheter ablation for counterclockwise isthmus-dependent atrial flutter.

Aims: Isthmus-dependent (ID) clockwise (CW) atrial flutters (AFl) are rare in comparison with counterclockwise (CCW) AFl. Little is known about clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of CW AFl occurring after previous radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of CCW AFl. We sought to compare CW AFl de novo vs.

Transradial approach and subclavian wired temporary pacemaker to increase safety of alcohol septal ablation for treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the TRASA trial.

Background: Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is a therapeutic catheter-based option and an alternative to surgical myectomy in the treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Although the safety of the ASA procedure has been consistently improved, a temporary transvenous pacemaker is recommended for at least 48h postprocedure, with several drawbacks, including the risk of cardiac perforation and infection, and the absence of any fixation mechanism. In addition, femoral artery catheterization has resulted in a concomitant increase in bleedings and iatrogenic femoral artery injuries.

Extraction of transvenous leads in the operating room versus electrophysiology laboratory: a comparative study.

Background: Although risks and life-threatening complications associated with lead extraction are well characterized, practice patterns vary regarding whether procedures are performed in an operating room (OR) or electrophysiology (EP) laboratory with cardiothoracic surgical backup.

Objective: Our objective was to compare procedural outcomes and complications associated with lead extraction in the OR vs. EP laboratory.

Diagnosis of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis after device removal.

Objectives: We sought to determine the incidence, diagnostic value, and outcome of intracardiac masses observed by echocardiography after device removal. We hypothesized that these "ghosts" of leads could be associated with the diagnosis of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE).

Background: The echocardiographic appearance of residual floating masses in the right atrium after removal of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators was recently described.

Is there a need for more than one left ventricular lead in some patients?

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment of heart failure in selected patients. However, with conventional CRT, notable left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling is achieved in only 60-70% of patients. This lack of effect of CRT might be due to incomplete resynchronization.