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  • 1
    In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, Frontiers Media SA, Vol. 10 ( 2023-2-27)
    Abstract: Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a life-threatening condition often observed in patients with structural heart disease. Ventricular tachycardia ablation through radiation therapy (VT-ART) for sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia seems promising, effective, and safe. VT-ART delivers focused, high-dose radiation, usually in a single fraction of 25 Gy, allowing ablation of VT by inducing myocardial scars. The procedure is fully non-invasive; therefore, it can be easily performed in patients with contraindications to invasive ablation procedures. Definitive data are lacking, and no direct comparison with standard procedures is available. Discussion The aim of this multicenter observational study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VT-ART, comparing the clinical outcome of patients undergone to VT-ART to patients not having received such a procedure. The two groups will not be collected by direct, prospective accrual to avoid randomization among the innovative and traditional arm: A retrospective selection through matched pair analysis will collect patients presenting features similar to the ones undergone VT-ART within the consortium (in each center independently). Our trial will enroll patients with optimized medical therapy in whom endocardial and/or epicardial radiofrequency ablation (RFA), the gold standard for VT ablation, is either unfeasible or fails to control VT recurrence. Our primary outcome is investigating the difference in overall cardiovascular survival among the group undergoing VT-ART and the one not exposed to the innovative procedure. The secondary outcome is evaluating the difference in ventricular event-free survival after the last procedure (i.e., last RFA vs. VT-ART) between the two groups. An additional secondary aim is to evaluate the reduction in the number of VT episodes comparing the 3 months before the procedure to the ones recorded at 6 months (from the 4th to 6th month) following VT-ART and RFA, respectively. Other secondary objectives include identifying the benefits of VT-ART on cardiac function, as evaluated through an electrocardiogram, echocardiographic, biochemical variables, and on patient quality of life. We calculated the sample size (in a 2:1 ratio) upon enrolling 149 patients: 100 in the non-exposed control group and 49 in the VT-ART group. Progressively, on a multicentric basis supervised by the promoting center in the VT-ART consortium, for each VT-ART patient enrollment, a matched pair patient profile according to the predefined features will be shared with the consortium to enroll a patient that has not undergone VT-ART. Conclusion Our trial will provide insight into the efficacy and safety of VT-ART through a matched pair analysis, via an observational, multicentric study of two groups of patients with or without VT-ART in the multicentric consortium (with subgroup stratification into dynamic cohorts).
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2297-055X
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2781496-8
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  • 2
    In: European Heart Journal Supplements, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 24, No. Supplement_K ( 2022-12-15)
    Abstract: Worldwide, air pollution is the fourth leading cause of death. Both brief and long-term exposures to air pollution have been associated with marked increases in cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have focused on the short-term influence of particulate pollutants on ventricular arrhythmia (VA) development, primarily expressed as 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring arrhythmic burden or as presentation as life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between air pollutant exposure and VA burden in remotely-monitored patients. Methods We enrolled retrospectively 86 patients carriers of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), loop recorders (ILR) or pacemaker devices with remote monitoring via CarelinkTM Medtronic or Merlin.netTM PCN Abbott softwares. Intracavitary and ILR tracings were reviewed by EP personnel at our centre to define VA burden and the number of appropriate shocks and ATPs occurred in 2021. Demographic and clinical characteristics (e.g. cardiovascular history, ejection fraction, smoking, antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs)) were collected through telephone interviews. Each patient's residential and working address were used to obtain information on pollutant exposure in the years 2017-2021 in terms of annual mean concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and benzene, as determined by European Environmental Agency air quality reports. The primary endpoint was a composite of ventricular fibrillation, sustained and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, appropriate ATP or shocks in patients with various levels of air pollutants exposure. Results Of 86 patients (58 male, mean age 63.2±18.7 years) enrolled in this study, 44 (51.6%) had received an ICD, 32 of whom (37.2%) with a primary prevention indication. 31 patients (36.1%) had been receiving at least one AAD. History of coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in one third of the study population and baseline mean EF was 49.8±13.8%. VA events occurred in 17 patients (19.8%), all with a significantly lower baseline EF (40.3±12.2% vs 51.5±13.5% p=0.005). Average mean values of benzene concentration in the previous 4 years were significantly higher in patients suffering from a VA event (1.64±0.82 μg/m3 vs 1.12±0.48 μg/m3, p=0.001), as were PM2.5 values (11.64±1.98 vs 10.74±1.28 μg/m3, p=0.023). A weak but positive correlation was found between median PM2.5 concentration, benzene and VAs (p=0.023, p=0.001 respectively). A multivariate regression model was built, including long-term exposure to benzene and PM2.5 and baseline EF, and it would explain 29.8% of the variance in VAs, correctly classifying 78.1% of cases. Conclusions This study was the first to evaluate the relationship between long-term exposure to a wide array of air pollutants and VAs in a European population. In our sample, we found a weak but significant correlation between a higher chronic exposure to benzene and recorded VA events. Possible mechanisms may include oxidative stress and a direct, nonspecific membrane action due to benzene lipophilic properties. Hence, we highlighted the possible role of outdoor benzene exposure in ventricular arrhythmogenesis for the first time, a finding that requires validation through subsequent studies aimed at elucidating the role of air pollution as a ubiquitous, potentially modifiable, population-based risk factor.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1520-765X , 1554-2815
    Language: English
    Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2141255-8
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  • 3
    In: Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, MDPI AG, Vol. 9, No. 10 ( 2022-09-24), p. 324-
    Abstract: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) represents a frequent complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to atrio-ventricular (AV) node injury. Predictors of early AV function recovery were investigated. We analyzed 50 consecutive patients (82 ± 6 years, 58% males, EuroSCORE: 7.8 ± 3.3%, STS mortality score: 5 ± 2.8%). Pacemaker interrogations within 4–6 weeks from PPI were performed to collect data on AV conduction. The most common indication of PPI was persistent third-degree (44%)/high-degree (20%) AV block/atrial fibrillation (AF) with slow ventricular conduction (16%) after TAVI. At follow-up, 13 patients (26%) recovered AV conduction (i.e., sinus rhythm with stable 1:1 AV conduction/AF with a mean ventricular response 〉 50 bpm, associated with a long-term ventricular pacing percentage 〈 5%). At multivariate analysis, complete atrio-ventricular block independently predicted pacemaker dependency at follow-up (p = 0.019). Patients with persistent AV dysfunction showed a significant AV conduction time prolongation after TAVI (PR interval from 207 ± 50 to 230 ± 51, p = 0.02; QRS interval from 124 ± 23 to 147 ± 16, p 〈 0.01) compared to patients with recovery, in whom AV conduction parameters remained unchanged. Several patients receiving PPI after TAVI have recovery of AV conduction within a few weeks. Longer observation periods prior to PPI might be justified, and algorithms to minimize ventricular pacing should be utilized whenever possible.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2308-3425
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2777082-5
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  • 4
    In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, Frontiers Media SA, Vol. 9 ( 2022-7-22)
    Abstract: Atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) are a common complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, a significant proportion of patients might recover AV conduction at follow-up. Objectives The aim of our study was to evaluate the recovery of AV conduction by determination through Wenckebach point in patients with PPI and therefore identify patients who could benefit from device reprogramming to avoid unnecessary RV pacing. Methods We enrolled 43 patients that underwent PM implantation after TAVI at our Department from January 2018 to January 2021. PM interrogation was performed at follow-up and patients with native spontaneous rhythm were further assessed for AV conduction through WP determination. Results A total of 43 patients requiring a PM represented the final study population, divided in patients with severely impaired AV conduction (no spontaneous valid rhythm or WP & lt; 100; 26) and patients with valid AV conduction (WP ≥ 100; 17). In the first group patients had a significantly higher number of intraprocedural atrioventricular block (AVB) (20 vs. 1, p & lt; 0.005), showed a significant higher implantation depth in LVOT (7.7 ± 2.2 vs. 4.4 ± 1.1, p & lt; 0.05) and lower ΔMSID (−0.28 ± 3 vs. −3.94 ± 2, p & lt; 0.05). Conclusion AV conduction may recover in a significant proportion of patients. In our study, valve implantation depth in the LVOT and intraprocedural AV block are associated with severely impaired AV conduction. Regular PM interrogation and reprogramming are required to avoid unnecessary permanent right ventricular stimulation in patients with AV conduction recovery.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2297-055X
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2781496-8
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  • 5
    In: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Abstract: Spatial differences in conduction velocity (CV) are critical for cardiac arrhythmias induction. We propose a method for an automated CV calculation to identify areas of slower conduction during cardiac arrhythmias and sinus rhythm. Methods Color-coded representations of the isochronal activation map using data coming from the RHYTHMIA™ Mapping System were reproduced by applying a temporal isochronal window at 20 ms. Geodesic distances of the 3D mesh were calculated using an algorithm selecting the minimum distance pathway (MDP). The CV estimation was performed considering points on the boundary of two spatially and temporally adjacent isochrones. For each of the boundary points of a given isochrone, the nearest boundary point of the consecutive isochrone was chosen, the MDP was evaluated, and a map of CV was created. The proposed method has been applied to a population of 29 patients. Results In all cases of perimitral atrial flutter (16 pts out of 29 (55%)), areas with significantly low CV ( 〈  30 cm/s) were found. Half of the cases present regions with low CV located in the anterior wall. No case with low CV at the so-called LA isthmus was observed. Right atrial maps during common atrial flutters showed low CV areas mainly located in the inferior inter-atrial septum. No areas of low CV were observed in subjects without a history of atrial arrhythmia while pts affected by paroxysmal AF showed areas with a limited extension of low CV. Conclusions The proposed software for automated CV estimation allows the identification of low CV areas, potentially helping electrophysiologists to plan the ablation strategy.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1383-875X , 1572-8595
    Language: English
    Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006887-6
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  • 6
    In: European Heart Journal Supplements, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 23, No. Supplement_G ( 2021-12-08)
    Abstract: Atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias are common among patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) and can impair quality of life and prognosis. Catheter ablation is often the main treatment option in this population, despite anatomical hurdles. Substrate mapping findings have not been thoroughly investigated as predictors of arrhythmia recurrence success and cardiovascular clinical outcome after ablation. We sought to determine the prognostic value of myocardial scar and chamber enlargement detected at electroanatomical mapping in ACHD patients undergoing catheter ablation of tachyarrhythmias. Methods and results Consecutive ACHD patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial and ventricular tachycardias using different electroanatomical mapping systems were retrospectively identified from a hospital-based database. Scar extent detected at the electroanatomical mapping, as well as the total mapped area, was calculated. Arrhythmia recurrence, hospitalization for cardiovascular (CV) reasons, and a combined endpoint (arrhythmia recurrence and/or CV hospitalization) were evaluated during the follow-up. The relationship between the aforementioned electroanatomical findings and the patients’ outcome was assessed. Twenty patients (12 male, 60%; mean age 40 ± 11 years) undergoing atrial (n = 14; 70%) or ventricular (n = 6; 30%) tachyarrhythmia were included. Acute procedural success (arrhythmia termination and/or no reinduction) was achieved in all the patients. At a mean follow-up of 171 ± 135 weeks, eight patients (40%) had arrhythmia recurrence (4/6 in the ventricular tachycardia group, 67%, 4/14 in the atrial tachycardia group, 28%). Patients with arrhythmia recurrence had a more extensive bipolar scar (P = 0.029) and a larger total mapped area (P = 0.03) than patients without recurrence, and so did the patients with the composite endpoint (P = 0.029 and P = 0.03, respectively). Patients with subsequent CV hospitalization had a larger total mapped area than patients without CV hospitalization (P = 0.017). The presence of a bipolar scar ≥22.95 cm2 predicted arrhythmia relapse (0.039) at the multivariate analysis. Conclusions Patients with ACHD show a high recurrence rate after catheter ablation, especially for ventricular tachycardias. A large bipolar scar at the electroanatomical mapping and total mapped area predict arrhythmia recurrence, likely due to the presence of more extensive reentry circuits. A large total mapped area, which may reflect a greater disease severity, predicts both arrhythmia recurrence and CV hospitalizations. Early referral of ACHD patients for catheter ablation may be a sound strategy in order to perform the procedure in the setting of less advanced heart disease.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1520-765X , 1554-2815
    Language: English
    Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2141255-8
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  • 7
    In: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Elsevier BV, Vol. 81, No. 8 ( 2023-03), p. 179-
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0735-1097
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: Elsevier BV
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1468327-1
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  • 8
    In: PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 14, No. 11 ( 2019-11-15), p. e0225059-
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1932-6203
    Language: English
    Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Publication Date: 2019
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2267670-3
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  • 9
    In: Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, MDPI AG, Vol. 10, No. 4 ( 2023-04-13), p. 168-
    Abstract: Background. Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are often affected by cardiac arrhythmias requiring catheter ablation. Catheter ablation in this setting represents the treatment of choice but is flawed by frequent recurrencies. Predictors of arrhythmia relapse have been identified, but the role of cardiac fibrosis in this setting has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the extension of cardiac fibrosis, detected by electroanatomical mapping, in predicting arrhythmia recurrencies after ablation in ACHD. Materials and Methods. Consecutive patients with congenital heart disease and atrial or ventricular arrhythmias undergoing catheter ablation were enrolled. An electroanatomical bipolar voltage map was performed during sinus rhythm in each patient and bipolar scar was assessed according to the current literature data. During follow-up, arrhythmia recurrences were recorded. The relationship between the extent of myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmia recurrence was assessed. Results. Twenty patients underwent successful catheter ablation of atrial (14) or ventricular (6) arrhythmias, with no inducible arrhythmia at the end of the procedure. During a median follow-up period of 207 weeks (IQR 80 weeks), eight patients (40%; five atrial and three ventricular arrhythmias) had arrhythmia recurrence. Of the five patients undergoing a second ablation, four showed a new reentrant circuit, while one patient had a conduction gap across a previous ablation line. The extension of the bipolar scar area (HR 1.049, CI 1.011–1.089, p = 0.011) and the presence of a bipolar scar area 〉 20 cm2 (HR 6.101, CI 1.147–32.442, p = 0.034) were identified as predictors of arrhythmia relapse. Conclusion. The extension of the bipolar scar area and the presence of a bipolar scar area 〉 20 cm2 can predict arrhythmia relapse in ACHD undergoing catheter ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Recurrent arrhythmias are often caused by circuits other than those previously ablated.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2308-3425
    Language: English
    Publisher: MDPI AG
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2777082-5
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  • 10
    In: European Heart Journal Supplements, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 24, No. Supplement_K ( 2022-12-15)
    Abstract: Maternal cardiovascular physiology is affected by changes that may be impaired in women with cardiovascular disease. Management of these pregnancies is challenging, as prevalence of late childbearing and of women with congenital heart disease achieving pregnancy is increasing. Objective This single-center prospective study sought to evaluate the effects of maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) on pregnancy outcome and, after birth, on maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Methods 140 patients with cardiovascular disease prior to pregnancy (congenital or acquired) or cardiovascular disease developed during pregnancy were enrolled at our tertiary referral hospital between 2011 and 2021. Baseline data included cardiovascular risk factors, cardiological therapy, mWHO class in pregnancy, 12-lead EKG, and transthoracic echocardiography. Birth-related data included gestational age at delivery; neonatal weight, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes from birth; admission to neonatal ICU. A medium-to-long term follow-up of these patients was carried out by telemedicine. The primary endpoint was pregnancy outcome in terms of live births, week of delivery and fetal growth. Secondary endpoints included neonatal complications, maternal adverse cardiovascular events (death from cardiovascular causes, sustained arrhythmia, acute heart failure, postpartum cardiac surgery) and adverse obstetric events (spontaneous abortion, fetal loss, intrauterine death, neonatal death, SGA, prematurity, frequency of caesarean sections). Results Six cohorts were identified: adult congenital heart disease (ACHD); arrhythmias; valvular heart disease (VHD); ischemic CVD; cardiomyopathies and myopericarditis (CM/MYO); aortic disease. Heart disease prior to pregnancy was the most common setting (88%), mainly including ACHD (54%), followed by VHD (15%) and arrhythmias (11%). The pregnancy-onset cardiovascular diseases (12%) were predominantly CM/MYO (53%), mainly peripartum dilated cardiomyopathy, followed by arrhythmias (35%). Intermediate and high-risk classes (mWHO II-III, III and IV) were observed in 94 patients (67%). There were no maternal deaths; acute heart failure occurred in 6% of patients with no significant difference between groups. Sustained arrhythmias were found in 7% of the total cases, with a significantly higher prevalence in the cohort with preexisting arrhythmia (p & lt;0.05). Cardiac surgery was performed in 4% of the patients, all in the ACHD cohort. Live births were 135 (94%); fetal deaths were 5 (one spontaneous abortion, 3 fetal losses and one neonatal death). Caesarean section was performed in 74% of patients. The mean gestational age at birth was low in all groups (36.6 ± 4.6 weeks), as well as the neonatal weight in grams (2676.9 ± 698.3) and the percentile of neonatal weight (37.8 ± 25.2). Reduced LVEF was significantly associated with low neonatal weight in the mWHO risk class IV patients (p = 0.04). At a mean follow-up of 26 months, cardiac surgery was significantly higher in the group of aortic disease (50% in diseases of the aorta, 8% in the ACHD group, 7% in the CM/MYO group, no events in other groups; p = 0.007), despite the small sample under investigation. Conclusions We provide insights of how, by strict and timely follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach implemented before pregnancy and throughout gestation, good outcomes can be achieved in pregnancies with congenital or acquired cardiovascular disease, despite the high prevalence of intermediate and high-risk patients.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 1520-765X , 1554-2815
    Language: English
    Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2141255-8
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