Influence of ablation index on the incidence of cardiac tamponade complicating pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: Cardiac tamponade (CT) complicating pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complication that can increase morbidity and mortality. Radiofrequency energy is a known cause of CT. Ablation Index (AI) is a novel ablation quality marker.

One-year outcome and durability of pulmonary vein isolation after prospective use of ablation index for catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF) is associated with less favorable outcomes than for paroxysmal AF (PAF). Recent studies have shown improved clinical outcomes with use of ablation index (AI) targets for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in PAF. AI is a novel ablation quality marker that incorporates contact force (CF), time, and power in a weighted formula.

The BioMonitor 2 insertable cardiac monitor: Clinical experience with a novel implantable cardiac monitor.

Introduction: Implantable loop recorders (ILR) are leadless subcutaneous devices that allow cardiac monitoring for up to 3 years and are a valuable tool in the diagnosis of arrhythmias, cryptogenic stroke and unexplained syncope. The Biotronik BioMonitor 2 is a novel, insertable ILR allowing long-term continuous monitoring with wireless telemetry options.

Methods: A single-center, prospective, observational study investigating the reliability of sensing quality and detection performance in the BioMonitor 2 ILR, as well as post-implantation patient satisfaction.

Initial experience of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure using the LAmbre device for thromboembolic prevention.

Aims: Stroke due to atrial fibrillation has been associated with a high risk of disability and mortality. Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has been established as an alternative strategy for stroke prevention in patients not eligible for oral anticoagulation. The LAmbre is a novel occluder, specifically designed for LAA closure adaptive to various LAA anatomies.

Impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers on the long-term outcome after pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on the long-term outcome after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is unknown.

Methods: This matched-pair study included 102 patients with PAF treated with ACE-I or ARBs (group 1) and 102 control subjects (group 2) after standardized PVI. Tele-ECG recorders were used to detect the end point of the first PAF recurrence after a 3-month blanking period.

Introduction of an expert system for the discrimination of local pulmonary vein and atrial far field signals.

Background: Discrimination of local and far field potentials during sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation (AF) is essential for successful pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. We sought to introduce an expert system for the classification of electrophysiologic PV signals.

Methods: For the expert system database, we analyzed ablation procedures of 50 patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF.