Swee-Chong Seow

Single-Ring Posterior Left Atrial (Box) Isolation Results in a Different Mode of Recurrence Compared With Wide Antral Pulmonary Vein Isolation on Long-Term Follow-Up Longer Atrial Fibrillation–Free Survival Time but Similar Survival Time Free of Any Atrial Arrhythmia

Background—Electric isolation of the pulmonary veins and posterior left atrium with a single ring of radiofrequency lesions (single-ring isolation [SRI]) may result in fewer atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences than wide antral pulmonary vein isolation (wide antral isolation [WAI]) by abolishing extravenous AF triggers. The effect of mitral isthmus line (MIL) ablation on outcomes after SRI has not previously been assessed. Methods and Results—We randomly assigned 220 consecutive patients (58±10 years old; 82% men) with highly symptomatic AF (61% paroxysmal, 39% persistent/longstanding persistent) to undergo either SRI or WAI. Half of each cohort was also randomly allocated to have left lateral MIL ablation (2×2 factorial study design). Patients were followed clinically and with 7-day Holter studies for arrhythmia recurrences. The primary end points were recurrence of AF and organized atrial tachyarrhythmias. AF-free survival at 2 years was better after SRI (74% [95% CI, 65%–82%]) than WAI (61% [51%–70%]; P=0.031). Organized atrial tachyarrhythmia–free survival was similar after SRI and WAI (67% [57%–75%] ersus 64% [54%–72%], respectively, at 2 years; P=0.988). MIL ablation resulted in better 2-year organized atrial tachyarrhythmia–free survival (71% [62%–79%] versus 60% [50%–69%]; P=0.07), which approached statistical significance. Survival free of any atrial arrhythmia after one procedure was not significantly affected by isolation technique or MIL ablation. Conclusions—SRI resulted in fewer AF recurrences compared with WAI on long-term follow-up but did not reduce the recurrence of all atrial arrhythmias. MIL ablation may reduce organized atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences. Clinical Trial Registration—http://www.anzctr.org.au; ACTRN12606000467538.

PREFERENCE FOR SYMPTOM VERSUS SURVIVAL IMPROVEMENT AMONG ASIAN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE

With increasing treatment options for heart failure (HF), understanding patient preferences for quality of life versus survival is critical for therapeutic decisions. Such data are lacking in Asians. We studied the clinical and sociocultural correlates of patient preferences in consecutive

Permanent pacing in patients without upper limb venous access: a review of current techniques

Permanent transvenous cardiac pacing is usually accomplished through the upper limb veins. When these are occluded, several other vascular access options exist which include the internal jugular, external jugular, femoral and iliac veins as well as more proximal access of the subclavian veins. Anterograde and retrograde techniques to restore subclavian venous patency has been described. A review of these approaches is undertaken, with a discussion of their pros and cons. Familiarity with these techniques will enable the implanter to perform transvenous pacing when faced with limited vascular access.

High Incidence of Occult Atrial Fibrillation in Asian Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke

BACKGROUND Occult atrial fibrillation (AF) is not uncommon in patients with stroke. In western cohorts, insertable loop recorders (ILRs) have been shown to be the gold-standard and are cost-effective for AF detection. Anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention is indicated if AF is detected. The incidence of occult AF among Asian patients with cryptogenic stroke is unclear. METHODS Patients with cryptogenic stroke referred between August 2014 and February 2017 had ILRs implanted. Episodes of AF >2 minutes duration were recorded using proprietary algorithms within the ILRs, whereupon clinicians and patients were alerted via remote monitoring. All AF episodes were adjudicated using recorded electrograms. Once AF was detected, patients were counseled for anticoagulation. RESULTS Seventy-one patients with cryptogenic stroke, (age 61.9 ± 13.5 years, 77.5% male, mean CHA2DS2VASc score of 4.2 ± 1.3) had ILRs implanted. Time from stroke to the ILR implant was a median of 66 days. Duration of ILR monitoring was 345 ± 229 days. The primary endpoint of AF detection at 6 months was 12.9%; and at 12 months it was 15.2%. Median time to detection of AF was 50 days. The AF episodes were all asymptomatic and lasted a mean of 77 minutes (± 118.9). Anticoagulation was initiated in all but 1 patient found to have AF. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of occult AF is high in Asian patients with cryptogenic stroke and comparable to western cohorts. The combination of ILR and remote monitoring is a highly automated, technologically driven, and clinically effective technique to screen for AF.

Failure to shock due to misdiagnosis of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: to bin or not to bin?

A patient with ischaemic cardiomyopathy was found dead 3 months after the implantation of a primary prevention biventricular cardioverter-defibrillator. The last event on his device showed correct detection of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the VT-2 zone. However, defibrillation was inhibited during redetection …

Snare vegetectomy for right‐sided endocarditis

Introduction A middle-aged male developed right-sided endocarditis from an infection of an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) system. Following percutaneous device and lead explantation, a very large pedunculated vegetation (19 mm × 14 mm) was found on the Eustachian valve. We decided to remove the vegetation percutaneously using a wire snare instead of open heart surgery. Case report Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy were used to guide the procedure. Access was from the right femoral vein. Using a triple-loop wire snare through a deflectable sheath, the vegetation was successfully removed in its entirety without complications. Conclusion Percutaneous snare vegetectomy is feasible and may be a viable option in place of open heart surgery in selected patients.

Snare vegetectomy for right-sided endocarditis: Snare Vegetectomy for Right-Sided Endocarditis

Introduction A middle-aged male developed right-sided endocarditis from an infection of an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) system. Following percutaneous device and lead explantation, a very large pedunculated vegetation (19 mm × 14 mm) was found on the Eustachian valve. We decided to remove the vegetation percutaneously using a wire snare instead of open heart surgery. Case report Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy were used to guide the procedure. Access was from the right femoral vein. Using a triple-loop wire snare through a deflectable sheath, the vegetation was successfully removed in its entirety without complications. Conclusion Percutaneous snare vegetectomy is feasible and may be a viable option in place of open heart surgery in selected patients.