Modified sympathicotomy in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia and structural heart disease: a single-center experience.

Background: Modified cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) with stellate ganglion (SG) sparing is a novel technique for cardiac neuromodulation in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Objectives: Our aim is to describe the mid- to long-term clinical outcome of the modified CSD with SG sparing in a series of patients with structural heart disease (SHD) and refractory VT.

Methods: All consecutive patients with SHD and refractory VT undergoing modified CSD were enrolled.

Ventricular Electrograms Duration Map to Detect Ventricular Arrhythmia Substrate: the VEDUM Project Study.

Background: The analysis of the wave-front activation patterns is crucial for the comprehension and treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT). The ventricular electrograms duration map (VEDUM) is a potential method to identify areas (VEDUM area) with slow and inhomogeneous activation. There is no available data on the characteristics and the arrhythmogenic role of VEDUM areas identified during sinus/paced rhythm.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation for untreatable ventricular tachycardia in structural heart disease. Strengths and pitfalls of evolving surgical techniques.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a valuable option in the setting of refractory ventricular arrhythmias in patient with structural heart disease. Since the procedure was introduced for non structural heart disease patients the techniques evolved and were modified to be adopted in several settings. In this state-of-the-art article we revised different techniques, their rationale, strengths, and pitfalls.

Acute atrial ischemia associates with early but not late new-onset atrial fibrillation in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI: relationship with in-hospital outcomes.

Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF), both early (EAF) or late (LAF), may complicate ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The mechanisms underlying EAF or LAF are poorly described. We investigated atrial branch occlusion and EAF or LAF onset in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.