Pulmonary vein isolation by means of a novel cryoballoon technology in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients: 1-year outcome from a large Italian multicenter clinical registry.

Introduction: Recently, a new cryoballoon (CB) technology (POLARx; Boston Scientific) has come onto the market. Preliminary data have shown that its acute safety and efficacy are similar to those of the first-generation CB. The aim of this study was to assess the medium-term outcome of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with the POLARxTM CB in a large multicenter registry.

"Shift and cover technique": conservative management of complications for the rescue of S-ICD subcutaneous implantable defibrillator systems.

Background: The risk of complications has been shown to be lower with subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) than with conventional ICDs. Given the low frequency of complications, experience of how to manage them is limited. In this paper, we describe generator- and lead-related complications recorded in a series of S-ICD patients, and we propose our conservative approach to managing them.

Distal Pancreatectomy Fistula Risk Score (D-FRS): Development and International Validation.

Objective: To develop 2 distinct preoperative and intraoperative risk scores to predict postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP) to improve preventive and mitigation strategies, respectively.

Background: POPF remains the most common complication after DP. Despite several known risk factors, an adequate risk model has not been developed yet.

Combined Use of S-ICD and Absorbable Antibacterial Envelopes: A Proof-of-concept Study.

Background: Absorbable antibacterial envelopes (AAEs) are currently recommended in patients undergoing a transvenous ICD implantation in cases at high risk of infection, who are now preferably implanted with a subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD). Nevertheless, experiences using a combined approach with S-ICD and AAE have not been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate this strategy in patients at very high risk of infection.

Early rhythm-control ablation therapy to prevent atrial fibrillation recurrences: Insights from the CHARISMA Registry.

Background: An early, comprehensive rhythm-control therapy is needed in order to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) effectively and to improve ablation outcomes.

Methods: A total of 153 consecutive patients from the CHARISMA registry undergoing AF ablation at eight centers were included. Patients with de novo PVI were classified as having undergone early treatment (ET) if the procedure was performed within 6 months after the first AF episode, and as having undergone delayed treatment (DT) if ablation was performed over 6 months after the first AF episode.

Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation and liver disease: a pooled-analysis of >20 000 patients.

Aims: Anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation patients with liver disease represents a clinical dilemma. We sought to evaluate the efficacy/safety of different anticoagulation, i.e.

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure: from Evidences to Guidelines.

Purpose Of Review: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in heart failure seems to be the way to improve the quality of life, life expectance, and prognosis. In this review, we outline the growing role of this therapy and which patients can benefit from it.

Recent Findings: While previous studies comparing rate control and rhythm control had not demonstrated the superiority of rhythm control in the prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, recent findings seem to demonstrate that catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation reduces mortality and hospitalization for heart failure and improves the quality of life, when compared to medical therapy alone.

Advantages of the integration of ICE and 3D electroanatomical mapping and ultrasound-guided femoral venipuncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: To evaluate how the integration of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and ultrasound-guided femoral venipuncture (USGVC) may affect the safety of catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: From a single center 374 patients with AF underwent 3D electroanatomic mapping-guided CA with or without the integration of ICE and USGVC. The primary endpoints were periprocedural complications, fluoroscopy time, and procedure time between the two groups.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in heart failure: clinical, prognostic, and echocardiographic outcome.

Purpose: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF) patients is associated with a lower rate of cardiac events compared with medical therapy. This study deals with the clinical, echocardiographic, and prognostic outcomes in these patients. Prognostic scores, as MAGGIC (Meta-analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure) score, may help to predict the outcomes.