Multicenter prospective observational study to clarify the current status and clinical outcome in Japanese patients who have an indication for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) (TRANSITION JAPAN-ICD/WCD study): Rationale and design of a prospective, multicenter, observational, comparative study.

Background: Despite the positive impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) on prognosis, their implantation is often withheld especially in Japanese heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) for uncertain reasons. Recent advancements in heart failure (HF) medications have significantly improved the prognosis for HFrEF. Given this context, a critical reassessment of the treatment and prognosis of ICDs and WCDs is essential, as it has the potential to reshape awareness and treatment strategies for these patients.

The impact of geriatric nutritional risk index on one-year outcomes in hospitalized elderly patients with heart failure.

Background: Strategies that accurately predict outcomes in elderly heart failure (HF) patients have not been sufficiently established. In previous reports, nutritional status, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), and lower limb muscle strength are known prognostic factors associated with cardiac rehabilitation (CR). In the present study, we investigated which CR factors can accurately predict one-year outcomes in elderly patients with HF among the above factors.

Long-term events following catheter-ablation for atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: Data regarding prognostic events following catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are scarce. We conducted this study to compare the incidence of major adverse clinical events (MACE) following CA for AF between patients with HFpEF and those with systolic heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: This single-centre observational study included 142 patients with HF who underwent CA for AF (median follow-up: 4.

The Differential Prognostic Impact of Long-Duration Atrial High-Rate Episodes Detected by Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices between Patients with and without a History of Atrial Fibrillation.

Long-duration atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) monitored using cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can predict long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). This study aimed to compare the impact of long-duration AHRE on MACE development between patients with and without a history of atrial fibrillation (AF). This single-center observational study included 132 CIED-implanted patients with AHREs detected via remote monitoring.

Corrigendum: Malnutrition and Frailty Are Critical Determinants of 6-Month Outcome in Hospitalized Elderly Patients With Heart Failure Harboring Surgically Untreated Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.

Impact of Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Recurrence on the Development of Long-Term Adverse Clinical Events Following Catheter Ablation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation With Systolic Impairment: A Single-Center Observational Study.

Background Catheter ablation can improve long-term prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation with systolic impairment. However, atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) recurrence increases during long-term follow-up. We aimed to investigate the impact of ATA recurrence on the development of long-term adverse clinical events following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and to identify predictors for the development of adverse clinical events.

Malnutrition and Frailty Are Critical Determinants of 6-Month Outcome in Hospitalized Elderly Patients With Heart Failure Harboring Surgically Untreated Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

Hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) frequently exhibit aggravating mitral regurgitation (MR). Those patients do not always undergo surgical mitral valve repair, but particularly in the elderly, they are often treated by conservative medical therapy. This study was aimed to investigate factors affecting 6-month outcomes in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) harboring surgically untreated MR.

An impact of superior vena cava isolation in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients with low voltage areas.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between left atrial low-voltage areas (LVAs) and an arrhythmogenic superior vena cava (SVC) and the impact on the efficacy of an empiric SVC isolation (SVCI) along with a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (non-PAF) with or without LVAs.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 153 consecutive patients with non-PAF who underwent a PVI alone (n = 51) or empiric PVI plus an SVCI (n = 102). Left atrial voltage maps were constructed during sinus rhythm to identify the LVAs (<0.

Epicardial flow in the right ventricular wall on echocardiography: A sign of chronic total occlusion of left anterior descending artery.

Transthoracic coronary Doppler echocardiography (TCDE) can be useful for the detection of chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) noninvasively, by detecting retrograde flow through the distal LAD or its septal branch. This intriguing case report details the detection of abnormal blood flow in the right ventricular free wall by TCDE. This detection of abnormal flow may be useful to predict CTO of the LAD, even in the absence of retrograde flow in the LAD and its septal branch.

Telethonin variants found in Brugada syndrome, J-wave pattern ECG, and ARVC reduce peak Na 1.5 currents in HEK-293 cells.

Background: Telethonin (TCAP) is a Z-disk protein that maintains cytoskeletal integrity and various signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes. TCAP is shown to modulate α-subunit of the human cardiac sodium channel (hNa 1.5) by direct interactions.

G790del mutation in DSC2 alone is insufficient to develop the pathogenesis of ARVC in a mouse model.

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart disease that causes heart failure and/or sudden cardiac death. Several desmosomal genes (DSC2, PKG, PKP2, DSP, and RyR2) are thought to be the causative gene involved in ARVC. Out of them, DSC2 mutations account for 2% of ARVC genetic abnormalities.

Correlation between asymptomatic gastroesophageal excessive transmural injury after pulmonary vein isolation and a bonus freeze protocol using the second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Second-generation cryoballoon (2G-CB) ablation is highly effective for achieving pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with a promising clinical outcome. However, the ideal freezing strategy for preventing gastroesophageal excessive transmural injury (ETI) remains under debate. This study aimed to clarify the correlation between gastroesophageal ETI and a bonus-freeze protocol after PVI using 2G-CBs.

Relationship between coronary diastolic pressure indexes during the wave-free period and a novel pressure-derived index: Diastolic pressure ratio at the optimal point.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the diastolic pressure ratio at the optimal point (DROP) using a simple measurement algorithm and to compare DROP with distal coronary-to-aortic pressure ratios during the wave-free period (PR ) and at the mid-diastolic point (PR ).

Methods: Distal coronary and aortic pressures were measured from color pressure images of 440 beats in 48 patients with coronary stenoses. The DROP measurement point was 67% for one beat between the two rising points on the aortic pressure curve according to the distribution of the wave-free period and the mid-diastolic point.

Current Trends in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy in Children - Results From the JCDTR Database.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are being used with increasing frequency in children. Our aim was to examine the current trend of pediatric ICD implantation in Japan.

Methods and results: Data was extracted from the Japanese Cardiac Device Treatment Registry (JCDTR), a nation-wide registry started in 2006.

Prognostic significance of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy for primary prevention: Analysis of the Japan cardiac device treatment registry database.

Background: Whether nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is a marker of increased risk of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) remains to be established in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) for primary prevention.

Methods: Among the follow-up data of the Japan cardiac device treatment registry (JCDTR) with an implantation date between January 2011 and August 2015, information regarding a history of NSVT before the CRT-D implantation for primary prevention had been registered in 269 patients. Outcomes were compared between two groups with and without NSVT: NSVT group (n = 179) and No NSVT group (n = 90).

Strict sequential catheter ablation strategy targeting the pulmonary veins and superior vena cava for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: An effective catheter ablation strategy, beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is necessary. Pulmonary vein (PV)-reconduction also causes recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias. The effect of the PVI and additional effect of a superior vena cava (SVC) isolation (SVCI) was strictly evaluated.

Survival and Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With or Without a Defibrillator for Primary Prevention in Japan - Analysis of the Japan Cardiac Device Treatment Registry Database.

Background: Randomized control trials comparing the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, with (CRT-D) or without (CRT-P) a defibrillator, are scarce in heart failure patients with no prior sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Methods and results: The Japan Cardiac Device Treatment Registry (JCDTR) has data for 2714 CRT-D and 555 CRT-P recipients for primary prevention with an implantation date between January 2011 and August 2015. Of these patients, follow-up data were available for 717.

Inferior J waves in patients with vasospastic angina might be a risk factor for ventricular fibrillation.

Background: There is little information about the relationship between J waves and the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with vasospastic angina (VSA). The present study aimed to assess the incidence of J waves and the occurrence of VF in patients with VSA.

Methods: The subjects consisted of 62 patients with VSA diagnosed by acetylcholine provocation tests in our institution from 2002 to 2014.

Successful cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in a patient with situs inversus and dextrocardia.

A 79-year-old man with situs inversus and dextrocardia underwent catheter ablation of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), using second-generation cryoballoon under Ensite NavX system guidance, was performed successfully in a reverse manner, which required short procedure and fluoroscopy times, as required in a PVI performed on a normal heart without any complications. Cryoballoon-based PVI under Ensite NavX guidance was feasible and safe to achieve a favorable outcome in this patient with abnormal anatomy.

Trends and determinant factors in the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy devices in Japan: Analysis of the Japan cardiac device treatment registry database.

Background: The choice of cardiac resynchronization therapy device, with (CRT-D) or without (CRT-P) a defibrillator, in patients with heart failure largely depends on the physician׳s discretion, because it has not been established which subjects benefit most from a defibrillator.

Methods: We examined the annual trend of CRT device implantations between 2006 and 2014, and evaluated the factors related to the device selection (CRT-D or CRT-P) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure by analyzing the Japan Cardiac Device Treatment Registry (JCDTR) database from January 2011 and August 2015 (CRT-D, =2714; CRT-P, =555).

Results: The proportion of CRT-D implantations for primary prevention among all the CRT-D recipients was more than 70% during the study period.