Miguel Nobre Menezes

Triple-site pacing for cardiac resynchronization in permanent atrial fibrillation – Acute phase results from a prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION AND AIM Multi-site pacing is emerging as a new method for improving response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), but has been little studied, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. We aimed to assess the effects of triple-site (Tri-V) vs. biventricular (Bi-V) pacing on hemodynamics and QRS duration. METHODS This was a prospective observational study of patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and ejection fraction <40% undergoing CRT implantation (n=40). One right ventricular (RV) lead was implanted in the apex and another in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) septal wall. A left ventricular (LV) lead was implanted in a conventional venous epicardial position. Cardiac output (using the FloTrac™ Vigileo™ system), mean QRS and ejection fraction were calculated. RESULTS Mean cardiac output was 4.81±0.97 l/min with Tri-V, 4.68±0.94 l/min with RVOT septal and LV pacing, and 4.68±0.94 l/min with RV apical and LV pacing (p<0.001 for Tri-V vs. both BiV). Mean pre-implantation QRS was 170±25 ms, 123±18 ms with Tri-V, 141±25 ms with RVOT septal pacing and LV pacing and 145±19 with RV apical and LV pacing (p<0.001 for Tri-V vs. both BiV and pre-implantation). Mean ejection fraction was significantly higher with Tri-V (30±11%) vs. Bi-V pacing (28±12% with RVOT septal and LV pacing and 28±11 with RV apical and LV pacing) and pre-implantation (25±8%). CONCLUSION Tri-V pacing produced higher cardiac output and shorter QRS duration than Bi-V pacing. This may have a significant impact on the future of CRT.

Triple-site pacing for cardiac resynchronization in permanent atrial fibrillation: follow-up results from a prospective observational study

Aims Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is associated with a particularly high non-response rate in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess the effectiveness of triple-site (Tri-V) pacing CRT in this population. Methods and results Prospective observational study of patients with permanent AF who underwent CRT implantation with an additional right ventricle lead in the outflow tract septal wall. After implantation, programming mode (Tri-V or biventricular pacing) was selected based on cardiac output determination. Patients were classified as responders if NYHA class was reduced by at least one level and echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) increased ≥ 10%, and as super-responders if in NYHA class I and EF ≥ 50%. Forty patients (93% male, mean age 72 ± 10 years) were included. Thirty-three were programmed in Tri-V. The following results pertain to this subgroup. At baseline, 58% were in NYHA class III and 36% NYHA class II. At 1 year follow-up, Minnesota QoL score was reduced (36 ± 23 vs. 8 ± 6; P = 0.001) and the 6MWT distance improved (384 ± 120 m to 462 ± 87 m, P = 0.003). Mean EF increased (26% ± 8 vs. 39 ± 10; P < 0.001 at 6 months and 41 ± 10; P < 0.001 at 12 months). Responder rate was 59% at 6 months and 79% at 12 months. Super-responder rate was 9% at 6 months and 16% at 12 months. One year survival free from heart failure hospitalization was 87.9%. Conclusion Tri-V CRT yielded higher response and super-response rates than usually reported for CRT in patients with permanent AF using clinical and remodeling criteria.

Combined MitraClip implantation and left atrial appendage occlusion using the Watchman device: A case series from a referral center

INTRODUCTION Patients referred for percutaneous transcatheter mitral valve repair using the MitraClip® system frequently have atrial fibrillation, which imposes additional challenges due to the need for oral anticoagulation. Left atrial appendage occlusion is currently regarded as a non-inferior alternative to anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and both high thromboembolic and bleeding risk. Considering that both MitraClip implantation and left atrial appendage occlusion are percutaneous techniques that require transseptal puncture, it is technically attractive to consider their concomitant use. OBJECTIVES We aim to evaluate the feasibility of a combined approach with MitraClip implantation and left atrial appendage occlusion in a single procedure. METHODS We report the first case series regarding this issue, discussing the specific advantages, pitfalls and technical aspects of combining these two procedures. RESULTS Five patients underwent left atrial appendage occlusion with the Watchman® device followed by MitraClip implantation in the same procedure. All patients experienced significant reduction in mitral valve regurgitation of at least two grades, optimal occluder position, no associated complications and significant clinical improvement assessed by NYHA functional class (reduction of at least one functional class, with four patients in class I at one-month follow-up). CONCLUSION In selected patients rejected for surgical mitral valve repair, with atrial fibrillation and increased risk of bleeding and embolic events, a combined approach with MitraClip implantation and left atrial appendage occlusion in a single procedure is feasible, safe and effective.

Progressão da desnervação simpática cardíaca avaliada por cintigrafia com MIBG‐I123 na polineuropatia amiloidótica familiar e o impacto da transplantação hepática

INTRODUCTION Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a rare disease caused by systemic deposition of amyloidogenic variants of the transthyretin (TTR) protein. The TTR-V30M mutation is caused by the substitution of valine by methionine at position 30 and mainly affects the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. Cardiovascular manifestations are common and are due to autonomic denervation and to amyloid deposition in the heart. Cardiac sympathetic denervation detected by iodine-123 labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is an important prognostic marker in TTR-V30M FAP. Liver transplantation, widely used to halt neurological involvement, appears to have a varying effect on the progression of amyloid cardiomyopathy. Its effect on the progression of cardiac denervation remains unknown. METHODS In this observational study, patients with the TTR-V30M mutation underwent annual cardiac assessment and serial MIBG imaging with quantification of the late heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio. RESULTS We studied 232 patients (median age 40 years, 54.7% female, 37.9% asymptomatic at the time of inclusion) who were followed for a median of 4.5 years and underwent a total of 558 MIBG scans. During follow-up, 47 patients (20.3%) died. MIBG scintigraphy at inclusion was a strong predictor of prognosis, with the risk of death increasing by 27.8% for each one-tenth reduction in the late H/M ratio. The late H/M ratio decreased with age (0.082/year, p<0.001), but progression of cardiac denervation was so slow that annual repetition of MIBG imaging did not increase its prognostic accuracy. During follow-up, 70 symptomatic patients underwent liver transplantation. The late H/M ratio decreased by 0.19/year until transplantation but no statistically significant differences were detected after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Cardiac denervation is common during the progression of TTR-V30M FAP and quantification of the late H/M ratio on MIBG scintigraphy is valuable for prognostic stratification of these patients. Liver transplantation stabilizes cardiac denervation, without recovery or further deterioration in cardiac MIBG uptake after the procedure.

Overcoming a subclavian complete occlusion: Simple single lead extraction by the subclavian vein allowing implantation of two new leads and upgrade to CRT-P with multi-site pacing.

Central venous obstruction following pacemaker implantation is not uncommon, and can prove challenging in the case of system upgrade. We report a case of DDDR to CRT-P (with multi-site pacing) upgrade, where a subclavian occlusion was overcome resorting to an atrial lead extraction (using only a locking stylet). This allowed regaining of the venous access with subsequent implantation of not just one, but two new leads and subsequent successful upgrade.

Subacute Retrograde TAVI Migration Successfully Treated With a Valve-in-valve Procedure

© 2016 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Coronary Arteries with Massive Ectasy

A 69-year-old caucasian male with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and tobacco use was admitted due to an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with two hours evolution. He was treated with aspirin, clopidogrel and unfractioned heparin, and an emergent transradial coronary angiography was performed. Ectasic dilatation of left main, left anterior descending and circumflex arteries were documented, with distal TIMI 2 flow (Figure 1A). The dominant right coronary artery (RCA) was massively dilated proximally and occluded in the mid segment (Figure 1B). Figure 1 Percutaneous coronary intervention of RCA was attempted, using an AL 1 6 Fr catheter. Thrombus aspiration and balloon dilation of the mid/distal segments were performed, with distal flow recovery (TIMI 2) (Figure 1C). Given the massive ectasy, no stent was implanted. After five days of triple therapy (aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin) a new coronariography was performed: intracoronary echocardiography revealed an ectasic RCA, with recanalyzed thrombus. The maximum diameter was 14 mm proximally and 8 mm in the middle segment, at the previous occlusion site (Figure 1D). The patient was managed conservatively with long-term anticoagulation. Giant coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are rare and convey a risk of acute coronary syndromes, usually due to local thrombosis. In addition to antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation is recommended, with surgical or percutaneous excision of CAA in patients with ischemia or a significant change in dimension over time. In this case, given the diffuse character of these lesions, this approach was unsuitable. In recurrent cases, the use of peripheral, self-expanding stents, may be considered. Video Watch the videos here: http://www.arquivosonline.com.br/2016/english/10703/video_ing.asp

Análise comparativa do fractional flow reserve (FFR) e do instantaneous wave‐free ratio (iFR): resultados de um registo de 5 anos

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Assessment of coronary lesions by the instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR) has generated significant debate. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of iFR and its impact on the decision to use fractional flow reserve (FFR) and on procedural characteristics. METHODS In this single-center registry of patients undergoing functional assessment of coronary lesions, FFR was used as a reference for assessing the diagnostic performance of iFR. An iFR value <0.86 was considered positive and a value >0.93 was considered negative. RESULTS Functional testing was undertaken of 402 lesions, of which 154 were assessed with both techniques, 222 with FFR only, and 26 with iFR only. Using a cut-off of ≤0.80 for iFR, the area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.65-0.81), with an optimal value of ≤0.91. FFR was undertaken in 93 out of 94 lesions with an inconclusive iFR and was performed in 69.1% of the remaining iFR-tested lesions. Concordance between iFR and FFR was 87% (chi-square=22.43; p<0.001). Notwithstanding, there were four out of 13 cases (30.7%) of positive iFR with negative FFR and three out of 42 (7.1%) cases of negative iFR and positive FFR. This difference was significant (p=0.026). iFR had no impact on procedure time, fluoroscopy time or radiation dose. CONCLUSION iFR had a reasonable diagnostic performance. Operators often chose to perform FFR despite conclusive iFR results. iFR and FFR were highly concordant, but a non-negligible proportion of lesions classified as ischemic by iFR were classified as non-ischemic by FFR. iFR had no impact on procedural characteristics.

Acquired fistula from left anterior descending artery to coronary sinus: An unusual finding during percutaneous coronary intervention

A 64-year-old Caucasian male with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [internal mammary artery (IMA) graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and saphenous vein graft to right posterior descending artery (PDA)], presented with stable angina with a positive treadmill exercise test. Coronary angiography (CAG) documented occlusion of both middle LAD and IMA grafts (Figure 1, panel A); no significant lesions were found in the circumflex artery or the saphenous vein graft. The CAG performed prior to surgery is shown in Figure 2. After a myocardial perfusion scintigraphy confirming viability in LAD territory, an angioplasty was performed. A new large vessel was visible after mid-LAD dilatation (Figure 1, panel B, supplementary film 1). The images were suggestive of a fistula or a shunt. A 4.0×18-mm drug-eluting stent was successfully implanted. The patient remained stable throughout the procedure.

Transradial Approach for Left Ventricular Endomyocardial Biopsy

BACKGROUND Left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (LV-EMB) may offer a superior diagnostic yield compared with right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (RV-EMB) in conditions predominantly affecting the LV but is underused compared with RV-EMB. Despite the steep uptake of radial approach in coronary interventions, LV-EMB is usually performed via the femoral artery in contemporary practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of LV-EMB via a transradial approach in a multicentre registry. METHODS One-hundred and two patients who underwent LV-EMB via transradial approach were included. Clinical characteristics, procedural, safety and feasibility data were evaluated. RESULTS LV-EMB was successfully performed via transradial access in 101 (99%) patients. Mild or moderate radial artery spasm occurred in 12 (12%) patients, but only 1 (0.98%) patient required conversion to femoral access due to severe spasm. A total of 80 (78%) patients had LV-EMB via a sheathless guide catheter. Among those, 77 (96.3%) patients had 7.5-French sheathless guides, and 3 (3.8%) patients had 8.5-French sheathless guides inserted. Radial sheaths were used in the remaining 22 patients, with 5-French sheaths in 21 of 22 patients. Heparin was administered to 93.1% of patients at a median dose of 5000 (3000-5000) IU. The remaining patients followed a provisional strategy upon patent hemostasis achievement. No access site-related complications were reported. There were no major complications (pericardial tamponade, life-threatening arrhythmia, cerebrovascular accident or death). CONCLUSIONS In a population of patients undergoing transradial LV-EMB, the procedural success rate was high and showed an excellent safety profile. Further studies comparing transradial and transfemoral routes may help expand the use of transradial access for LV-EMB.