Optimized target delineation procedure for the radiosurgery treatment of ventricular tachycardia: observer-independent accuracy.

Background: Part of the current stereotactic arrythmia radioablation (STAR) workflow is transfer of findings from the electroanatomic mapping (EAM) to computed tomography (CT). Here, we analyzed inter- and intraobserver variation in a modified EAM-CT registration using automatic registration algorithms designed to yield higher robustness.

Materials And Methods: This work is based on data of 10 patients who had previously undergone STAR.

Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio in Assessment of Lesion Hemodynamic Significance and Explanation of their Discrepancies. International, Multicenter and Prospective Trial: The FiGARO Study.

Background The FiGARO (FFR versus iFR in Assessment of Hemodynamic Lesion Significance, and an Explanation of Their Discrepancies) trial is a prospective registry searching for predictors of fractional flow reserve/instantaneous wave-free ratio (FFR/iFR) discrepancy. Methods and Results FFR/iFR were analyzed using a Verrata wire, and coronary flow reserve was analyzed using a Combomap machine (both Philips-Volcano). The risk polymorphisms for endothelial nitric oxide synthase and for heme oxygenase-1 were analyzed.

Case Report: Repeated Stereotactic Radiotherapy of Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia: Reasons, Feasibility, and Safety.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been reported as an attractive option for cases of failed catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in structural heart disease. However, even this strategy can fail for various reasons. For the first time, this case series describes three re-do cases of SBRT which were indicated for three different reasons.

The relationship between symptom onset-to-needle time and ischemic outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary PCI: Observations from Prague-18 Study.

Objectives: Based on previous studies with clopidogrel, the time between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptoms onset and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was proven as important prognostic factor. Our aim was to assess the relationship between symptoms onset to needle time (SNT) and procedural results and the occurrence of ischemic endpoints in primary angioplasty patients treated with potent P2Y12 inhibitors.

Methods: A total of 1,131 out of 1,230 patients randomized to the Prague-18 study (prasugrel vs.

Real-time measurement of ICD lead motion during stereotactic body radiotherapy of ventricular tachycardia.

Background: Here we aimed to evaluate the respiratory and cardiac-induced motion of a ICD lead used as surrogate in the heart during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Data provides insight regarding motion and motion variations during treatment.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed the log files of surrogate motion during SBRT of ventricular tachycardia performed in 20 patients.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survival: External validation of current predictive scoring systems focusing on influenza A etiology.

Despite increasing clinical experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), its optimal indications remain unclear. Here, we externally evaluated all currently available ECMO survival-predicting scoring systems and the APACHE II score in subjects undergoing veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO) support due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with influenza (IVA) and non-influenza (n-IVA) etiologies. Our aim was to find the best scoring system for influenza A ARDS ECMO success prediction.

Differences in risk profiles and long-term outcomes in acute heart failure patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in the Czech Republic: The AHEAD registry sub-analysis.

Background: The latest European heart failure guidelines define patients as those with reduced (HFrEF), mid-range, and preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; <40%, 40%-49%, and ≥50%, respectively). We investigated the causes of rehospitalizations/deaths in our institution's heart failure patients and focused on differences in the clinical presentation, risk profile, and long-term outcomes between the HFrEF and HFpEF groups in a real-life scenario.

Methods And Results: We followed 1274 patients discharged from heart failure hospitalization in 2 centres.

The Effect of Diabetes on Prognosis Following Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Angioplasty and Potent Antiplatelet Therapy.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic significance of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with high risk acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in the era of potent antithrombotics.

Methods: Data from 1230 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients enrolled in the PRAGUE-18 (prasugrel vs. ticagrelor in pPCI) study were analyzed.

The prognostic significance of periprocedural infarction in the era of potent antithrombotic therapy. The PRAGUE-18 substudy.

Background: The prognostic significance of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) remains controversial.

Methods And Results: The study aims to investigate the incidence of periprocedural MI in the era of high sensitivity diagnostic markers and intense antithrombotics, and its impact on early outcomes of patients with acute MI treated with primary angioplasty (pPCI). Data from the PRAGUE-18 (prasugrel versus ticagrelor in pPCI) study were analyzed.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for ablation of ventricular tachycardia.

Aims: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for ventricular tachycardias (VTs) could be an option after failed catheter ablation. In this study, we analysed the long-term efficacy and toxicity of SBRT applied as a bail-out procedure.

Methods And Results: Patients with structural heart disease and unsuccessful catheter ablations for VTs underwent SBRT.

Endothelial dysfunction assessed by digital tonometry and discrepancy between fraction flow reserve and instantaneous wave free ratio.

We tested whether the level of endothelial dysfunction assessed by digital tonometry, and expressed as reactive hyperemia index (RHI), is related to occurrences of a discrepancy between fractional flow reserve (FFR) and the instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03033810). We examined patients with coronary stenosis in the range of 40-70%, assessed by both FFR and iFR (system Philips-Volcano) for stable angina.

1-Year Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Primary Angioplasty for Myocardial Infarction Treated With Prasugrel Versus Ticagrelor.

Background: Early outcomes of patients in the PRAGUE-18 (Comparison of Prasugrel and Ticagrelor in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction) study did not find any significant differences between 2 potent P2Y inhibitors.

Objectives: The 1-year follow-up of the PRAGUE-18 study focused on: 1) a comparison of efficacy and safety between prasugrel and ticagrelor; and 2) the risk of major ischemic events related to an economically motivated post-discharge switch to clopidogrel.

Methods: A total of 1,230 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to prasugrel or ticagrelor with an intended treatment duration of 12 months.

Prasugrel Versus Ticagrelor in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Multicenter Randomized PRAGUE-18 Study.

Background: No randomized head-to-head comparison of the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor and prasugrel has been published in the 7 years since the higher efficacy of these newer P2Y inhibitors were first demonstrated relative to clopidogrel.

Methods: This academic study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of prasugrel and ticagrelor in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary or immediate percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 1230 patients were randomly assigned across 14 sites to either prasugrel or ticagrelor, which was initiated before percutaneous coronary intervention.

Effect of renal denervation on glucose metabolism after a 12 month follow-up.

Background: Renal denervation is an invasive endovascular procedure using radiofrequency ablation of the renal arteries. This reduces renal sympathetic activity. However, the effect of renal denervation on glucose metabolism remains unclear.

Effect of rosuvastatin therapy on troponin I release following percutaneous coronary intervention in nonemergency patients (from the TIP 3 study).

Several randomized studies have suggested that pretreatment with statins may reduce a periprocedural biomarker release in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, results remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 1-day rosuvastatin therapy on troponin I release in patients who underwent nonemergency PCI. A total of 445 patients with angina pectoris were randomly assigned to therapy with rosuvastatin (20 mg 12 hours before coronary angiography + 20 mg immediately before PCI; rosuvastatin group, 220 patients) or PCI without statin therapy (control group, 225 patients).