Jürgen Kammler

Long-term outcomes in patients with atrioventricular block undergoing septal ventricular lead implantation compared with standard apical pacing

AIMS Left ventricular function may be altered by right ventricular apical pacing. The aims of the study were to compare the long-term course of different parameters of left ventricular dysfunction in patients undergoing implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker with the ventricular lead in a septal position vs. in a standard apical position. METHODS We randomized 98 patients with atrioventricular block (AV-block) undergoing pacemaker implantation to positioning the ventricular lead in the high or mid septum (n = 53) or in the apex (n = 45) of the right ventricle. N-terminal pro-brain natriuetic peptide (BNP) levels, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and exercise capacity were analysed 3 days, 3 months, and 18 months after the implantation. The primary endpoints were the changes of these parameters from baseline to 18 months. RESULTS Changes of BNP levels, LVEF, and exercise capacity from baseline to 18 months were statistically not different between septal and apical stimulation. The clinical occurrence or deterioration of overt heart failure was similar in both treatment arms. CONCLUSION With regard to different parameters of congestive heart failure, a septal stimulation site is not superior to conventional apical pacing in unselected patients undergoing pacemaker implantation for AV-block.

Pre-injection of magnesium sulfate enhances the efficacy of ibutilide for the conversion of typical but not of atypical persistent atrial flutter

BACKGROUND Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic drug, frequently used for conversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter. Retrospective cohort evaluations found that intravenous application of magnesium enhances the efficacy of ibutilide for chemical conversion of these arrhythmias. This prospective study sought to investigate the effects of intravenously pre-injected magnesium on the conversion rate of ibutilide for typical and atypical atrial flutter. METHODS We performed a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients with typical atrial flutter (TAF) or atypical atrial flutter (AAF) were randomized to receive either 4 g of intravenous magnesium sulfate or placebo immediately before administration of a maximum dose of 2 mg of ibutilide fumarate. Continuous rhythm monitoring for 4 h provided information on conversion to sinus rhythm. QT interval durations were measured before randomization, after magnesium, as well as 30 min and 4 h after starting ibutilide infusion. RESULTS We randomized 117 patients (58 with and 59 without pre-injection of magnesium; 65 with TAF and 52 with AAF). In patients with TAF, pre-injection of magnesium significantly improved the efficacy of ibutilide for conversion (85% with magnesium vs. 59% with placebo, p=0.017). In patients with AAF, no significant difference in conversion rates between patients receiving magnesium or placebo was detected (48% vs. 56%, p=0.189). Pre-injection of magnesium did not significantly influence the QT intervals at any time after administration of ibutilide. CONCLUSIONS Pre-injection of magnesium significantly enhances the efficacy of ibutilide for the conversion of TAF but not of AAF.

Predictors of response to renal denervation for resistant arterial hypertension: a single center experience.

Background: Renal denervation (RDN) has been shown to reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant arterial hypertension (RAH). We aimed to investigate predictors for response to RDN. Methods: Patients suffering from RAH underwent RDN after exclusion of secondary causes of hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) for 24 h was performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after RDN. Response was defined as a at least 5 mmHg 24 h SBP drop at 6 months. A linear regression model was used to analyze an association between baseline variables and response to RDN. Results: In total, 45.6% of patients were responders to RDN. In those, there was a significant reduction in ABPM values at 6 and 12 months (12 months: 24 h SBP: −17.2 ± 9.0 mmHg, P < 0.01; 24 h DBP: −9.0 ± 11.6 mmHg, P < 0.01). Per 10 mmHg increase in baseline 24 h SBP, there was a 5.5 mmHg 24 h SBP reduction at 6 months. Per kg/m2 increase in BMI, 24 h SBP increased by 0.7 mmHg at 6 months. Per increment in antihypertensive drugs used at baseline, there was a 2.7 mmHg 24 h SBP reduction at 6 months. Conclusion: Out of a wide range of baseline variables, elevated systolic ABPM values, BMI and the number of antihypertensive drugs used were associated with response. One has to consider the Hawthorne effect, the regression to the mean phenomenon, the actual effect of sympathetic denervation and the interaction of therapy modification when interpreting data from RDN registries without a control arm.

Effects of Renal Denervation on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements in Patients With Resistant Arterial Hypertension

The sympathetic nervous system is an important factor in hypertension. In patients suffering from resistant hypertension, transfemoral renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) reduces office blood pressure (BP) values.

Soluble ST2 Predicts 1‐Year Outcome in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

Soluble ST2 (sST2) has been introduced as a novel biomarker in patients suffering from heart failure for risk stratification. In this study, we sought to investigate whether sST2 is useful for risk stratification and prediction of mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Removal of Active-Fixation Coronary Sinus Leads Using a Mechanical Rotation Extraction Device

Active fixation coronary sinus (CS) leads are widely used in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Due to their low dislodgement rates they are an attractive option for implanters. However, extraction of active fixation leads is a complex procedure that bears potential fatal risks for patients.

Simultaneous angiographic late stent thrombosis in two different coronary vessels after withdrawal of the combined anti-platelet therapy

Dr. Jürgen Kammler, MD ()) · Robert Hofmann, MD Clemens Steinwender, MD · Alexander Kypta, MD Franz Leisch, MD Cardiovascular Division General Hospital Linz Krankenhausstraße 9 4020 Linz, Austria Tel.: +43-7 32 / 78 06-7 32 13 Fax: +43-7 32 / 78 06-62 05 E-Mail: juergen.kammler@akh.linz.at Sirs: The use of drug-eluting stents has extended the time of combined anti-platelet therapy recommended for prevention of stent thrombosis. Withdrawal of anti-platelet therapy within the standard time period carries a substantial risk of stent thrombosis and subsequent myocardial infarction [1]. We report on a patient with simultaneous myocardial infarction of the anterior and posterior wall, due to late stent thrombosis in two vessels, following anti-platelet therapy withdrawal 1 month after a recent coronary stenting procedure and 5 months after a previous coronary stenting procedure. Case report

Individual-patient visit-by-visit office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements over 24 months in patients undergoing renal denervation for hypertension☆

BACKGROUND Renal denervation (RDN) is a promising treatment option in addition to medical antihypertensive treatment in patients suffering from resistant hypertension. Despite the growing interest in RDN, only few long-term results are published so far. METHODS We systematically investigated the effects of RDN on ABPM in a consecutive series of patients with resistant hypertension out to 24 months. Office BP measurements and ABPM assessment were offered at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. The patients with an average systolic BP reduction of more than 10 mmHg in office BP 6months after RDN were classified as responders. Additional to this classical responder concept, we categorized response to RDN by an individual-patient visit-by-visit evaluation of office BP and 24-hour-BP, separately. RESULTS We included 32 patients. In 21 patients (65.6%) we found a mean systolic BP reduction >10 mmHg in office BP six months after RDN. These patients were classified as responders. In responders, mean office BP dropped from 175.3 ± 15.9/96 ± 14.2 mmHg to 164.8 ± 24.4/93.2 ± 10.4 mmHg (p=0.040/p=0.323) and mean 24-h BP in ABPM decreased from 146.8 ± 17.0/89.1 ± 11 mmHg to 136.8 ± 15.0/83.2 ± 10.7 mmHg after 24 months (p=0.034/p=0.014). Additionally, we performed a visit-by-visit evaluation of all patients and results were divided in larger-than-median and smaller-than-median response. By this evaluation, we found a high variation of office BP reductions and the 24-hour BP results demonstrated a significant BP reduction in patients with larger-than-median response, which sustained over the 24 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the observed variation of office BP measurements, ABPM demonstrated a reproducible and sustained significant BP reduction in patients with larger-than-median response to RDN.

Incidence of stent thrombosis in patients with drug eluting stents and short-term dual antiplatelet therapy

AIMS This study sought to investigate the incidence of stent thrombosis (ST) in patients treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) and clearly defined short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) for three or six months for sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) or paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), respectively. METHODS AND RESULTS A series of 1023 consecutive patients with 1,414 stented lesions and prescribed short-term DAT were followed for at least two years after DES implantation. The individual durations of DAT, the rate of ischaemic events, and survival status were assessed. Follow-up was completed for 1017 patients (99.4%) with a mean follow-up of 3.0 +/- 0.7 years. DAT duration was 2.8 +/- 0.4 and 5.9 +/- 0.8 months in patients with SES and PES, respectively. Adherence to continued single antiplatelet therapy was 98.4%. We identified 14 patients with definite ST (1.4%) and no patients with probable ST with a cumulative incidence of 0.6% at 30 days, of 0.8% at one year, of 1.2% at 2 years, and of 1.4% at three years. CONCLUSIONS Definite or probable ST after DES implantation and short DAT occurs with a cumulative incidence of 1.4% at 3 years if excellent patient adherence to the continued single antiplatelet therapy can be achieved.

Influence of pseudo-resistance on the effect of renal denervation on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure levels.

Renal denervation (RDN) is a promising treatment option in addition to medical antihypertensive treatment in patients suffering from resistant hypertension. Despite the growing interest in RDN, the negative result of the Symplicity HTN‐3 trial led to a debate on the efficacy of RDN.