Jin Seok Kim

Does isolation of the left atrial posterior wall improve clinical outcomes after radiofrequency catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation?: A prospective randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION Although posterior wall of left atrium (LA) is known to be arrhythmogenic focus, little is known about the effect of posterior wall isolation (PWI) in patients who undergo radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). METHODS We randomly assigned 120 consecutive PeAF patients to additional PWI [PWI (+), n=60] or control [PWI (-), n=60] groups. In all patients, linear ablation was performed after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Linear lesions included roof, anterior perimitral, and cavotricuspid isthmus lines with conduction block. In PWI (+) group, posterior inferior linear lesion was also conducted. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin-T levels were measured 1day after RFCA. LA emptying fraction (LAEF) was assessed before and 12 months after RFCA. RESULTS A total of 120 subjects were followed for 12 months after RFCA. There were no significant differences between two groups in baseline demographics and LA volume (LAV). The levels of CK-MB and troponin-T and procedure time were not significantly different between the groups. AF termination during RFCA was more frequently observed in PWI (+) than control (P=0.035). During follow-up period, recurrence occurred in 10 (16.7%) patients in PWI (+) and 22 (36.7%) in control (P=0.02). The change in LAEF was not significantly different between the groups. On multivariate analysis, smaller LAV and additional PWI were independently associated with procedure outcome. CONCLUSIONS PWI in addition to PVI plus linear lesions was an efficient strategy without deterioration of LA pump function in patients who underwent RFCA for PeAF.

Is Empirical Four Pulmonary Vein Isolation Necessary for Focally Triggered Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation? Comparison of Selective Pulmonary Vein Isolation Versus Empirical Four Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Background: We questioned whether the empirical four pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (EmPVI) was necessary in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) triggered from clearly and reproducibly defined arrhythmogenic PVs.

Visceral adiposity and skeletal muscle mass are independently and synergistically associated with left ventricular structure and function: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

BACKGROUND Obesity and low muscle mass may coexist as age-related changes in body composition. We aimed to investigate the effect of visceral adiposity and skeletal muscle mass on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in the general population. METHODS A total of 1941 participants without known cardiovascular disease were enrolled from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Visceral fat area (VFA) was assessed by computed tomography. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and was used as a percentage of body weight (ASM/Wt). LV structure and function were assessed by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography. RESULTS Across VFA tertiles, ASM increased, but ASM/Wt decreased (all P<0.001). In multivariate models adjusted for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, LV mass index and LV diastolic parameters, such as left atrial dimension, TDI Ea velocity, and E/Ea ratio, were significantly impaired as VFA increased. On the other hand, an increase in ASM/Wt was associated with a decrease in LV mass index and improvement of LV diastolic parameters. With regard to LV mass index and TDI Ea velocity, VFA and ASM/Wt showed synergistic effects (all P interaction<0.05). When both VFA and ASM/Wt were simultaneously included in the same model, both remained independent predictors of LV mass index and TDI Ea velocity. CONCLUSIONS More visceral fat and less muscle mass are independently and synergistically associated with an increase in LV mass index and impairment of LV diastolic parameters. Further research is needed to explore the complex mechanisms underlying these associations.

Sodium Excretion and Cardiovascular Structure and Function in the Nonhypertensive Population: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

BACKGROUND The effect of sodium intake on the cardiovascular system remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between sodium intake and cardiovascular structure and function in the nonhypertensive population. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 1,586 nonhypertensive subjects who participated in the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (2007-2008). Sodium intake was assessed by estimating the 24-hour urinary sodium excretion from a spot urine sample. Changes in cardiovascular structure and function were assessed by using tissue Doppler echocardiography, the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). RESULTS Systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased with increasing tertiles of estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. In multivariate analyses adjusting for covariates, there were stepwise decreases in the baPWV (P = 0.003) and CIMT (P = 0.001) values as the estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion increased, whereas no significant differences in left ventricular (LV) structural and functional parameters were observed across the tertiles of estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion was independently and inversely associated with baPWV (P < 0.001) and CIMT (P = 0.001), but not with LV parameters. CONCLUSIONS In the nonhypertensive population, urinary sodium excretion was inversely related to baPWV and CIMT. However, there were no associations between urinary sodium excretion and LV structure or function.

Electrocardiographic manifestations of cardiac metastasis in lung cancer

We describe a case of primary lung cancer with myocardial metastasis, documented with electrocardiogram (ECG) mimicking myocardial ischemia and manifesting VT. Metastatic tumor to the myocardium proper is uncommon and difficult to diagnose because of nonspecific signs and symptoms. We observed such ECG changes in this case were initially misinterpreted as acute coronary syndrome. The diagnosis of cardiac metastasis was confirmed by contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.

Influence of sex on the association between epicardial adipose tissue and left atrial transport function in patients with atrial fibrillation: A multislice computed tomography study

Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is known to play an important role in atrial fibrillation substrate remodeling; however, the influence of sex on the association between EAT and left atrial (LA) transport function has not been elucidated. Methods and Results Of the 514 patients who underwent an index atrial fibrillation ablation procedure, 123 postmenopausal women with no history of hormone replacement therapy and 123 men who were matched for age, body mass index, type of atrial fibrillation, and CHADS 2 score were enrolled. Before the procedure, LA volume, LA emptying fraction, and EAT volume were assessed using multislice computed tomography. Blood samples were obtained from a coronary sinus for analysis of serum adiponectin level before the ablation procedure. There were no differences in baseline demographics and laboratory findings between sexes. Compared with men, women had significantly less total EAT (P<0.001) and higher serum adiponectin levels (P=0.022) but higher proportions of periatrial EAT to total EAT volume (P/T EAT ratio, P<0.001), lower LA emptying fraction (P=0.042), and lower LA voltage (P=0.034). The ratio of periatrial to total EAT volume correlated significantly with LA emptying fraction and LA voltage in both sexes, whereas total EAT volume and serum adiponectin level did not. On multivariate analysis, increased LA volume and higher periatrial:total EAT volume ratio were independent predictors of decreased LA emptying fraction in both sexes. Conclusions Compared with matched men, postmenopausal women with atrial fibrillation had higher periatrial adiposity, which was independently correlated with decreased LA voltage and LA transport function.

Feasibility of intracardiac echocardiography imaging from the left superior pulmonary vein for left atrial appendage occlusion

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is considered an alternative imaging modality for left atrium appendage occlusion (LAAO) to avoid general anesthesia. However, the quality of ICE images obtained from right atrium can be suboptimal compared with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) imaging. Although placing an ICE probe into left atrium can improve imaging quality, there are limited data regarding procedure outcomes of ICE-guided LAAO versus TEE-guided LAAO. One hundred forty four patients who underwent LAAO with Amplatzer Cardiac Plug, Amulet, or Watchman device were enrolled from two referral institutes. TEE-guided LAAO was performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation (n = 103), and ICE-guided LAAO was conducted under local anesthesia (n = 41). An ICE probe was placed into left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV) via transseptal approach. The procedure success and complication rates of the ICE-guided LAAO were comparable with the TEE-guided LAAO (100 vs. 97.1%, p = 1.0; 2.4 vs. 6.8%, p = 0.734, respectively). The procedure time and total radiation dose were significantly lower in ICE-guided group compared with TEE-guided group (58.0 [55.0, 61.0] min vs. 80.0 [58.0, 95.0] min, p < 0.001; 456.0 [359.0, 604.0] mGy vs. 625.0 [439.0, 1502.5] mGy, p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, younger age, the last time period of procedure, and local anesthesia were independent factors affecting shorter procedure time. ICE imaging from the LSPV provided optimal views for LAAO procedure with a significant reduction of total procedure time through performing under local anesthesia. This approach can be very useful for LAAO procedure especially in patients who are ineligible for general anesthesia.

Inferior vena cava collapsibility index, renal dysfunction, and adverse outcomes in patients with broad spectrum cardiovascular disease

The clinical implication of the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) has not been well evaluated in patients with various cardiovascular diseases.

A case of papillary fibroelastoma in the left ventricle

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF) is a rare and benign primary cardiac neoplasm of unknown prevalence. The incidence of CPF in the left ventricle is lower than that in other parts of the heart. A 65-year-old female was referred to our cardiology department for evaluation of a cardiac mass of the left ventricle. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a 1.8 × 1.7 cm highly mobile round mass attached by a stalk to the apical inferior wall of the left ventricle with an echolucent area. The mass was successfully removed without any postoperative complications and was identified as a CPF.