Background

Catheter ablation (ABL) for non-valvular (NV) atrial fibrillation (AF) improves rhythm control. Our aim was to compare re-hospitalization for heart failure (HF), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), or recurrent AF among patients with NVAF who underwent ABL versus controls.

Methods

From the Office of Statewide Planning and Development (OSHPD) database, we identified all patients who had at least one hospitalization for AF between 2005-2013. Patients who subsequently underwent ABL were compared to controls (up to fivematched controls by age, sex and duration of AF between diagnosis and time of ABL). Cases with valve disease, open maze, other arrhythmias, or implanted cardiac devices were excluded. Pre-specified clinical outcomes including readmission for HF, ACS, severe or simple AF (severe = with HF or ACS; simple= without HF or ACS)were assessed using a weighted proportional hazard model adjusting for number of hospital admissions with AF before the ABL, calendar year of ABL, and presence of chronic comorbidities.

Results

The study population constituted 8338 cases and controls, with mean 3.5+ 1 patient-year follow up. In the ABL cohort, there was lower risk of re-hospitalizations for HF, HR=0.55(95%CI: 0.43-0.69,); ACS,HR=0.5(95%CI: 0.35-0.72,); severe AF [HR=0.86 (CI:0.74-0.99), and higher for simple AF, HR=1.25 (CI:1.18-1.33).

Conclusions

In patients with NVAF,although ABL is associated with increased risk of re-hospitalization for simple AF, ABL was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of re-hospitalization for HF, ACS and severe AF. These findingsrequireconfirmation in a prospective clinical trial.

Background

Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Weight reduction improves outcomes in patients known to have AF.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of heart failure (HF) or first-time AF hospitalization in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BAS) vs other abdominal surgeries.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked hospital discharge records from 1994-2014. Obese patients without known AF or atrial flutter (AFL) who had undergone abdominal hernia or laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were identified for each case that underwent BAS (2:1). Clinical outcomes were HF, first-time hospitalization for AF, AFL, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Outcomes were analyzed using conditional proportional hazard modeling accounting for the competing risk of death, adjusting for demographics and comorbidities.

Results

There were 1581 BAS cases and 3162 controls (48% age <50 years; 60% white; 79% female; mean CHA₂DS₂VASc score 1.6 ± 1.2) with follow-up of 66 months. Compared to controls, BAS cases had a significantly lower risk of new-onset AF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.93) or HF (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.60-0.91) but a higher risk of GIB (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.5-3.0), with no differences in AFL, ischemic stroke, or hemorrhagic stroke. Reduction in AF improved as follow-up increased beyond 60 months.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing BAS, the risk of either HF or AF was reduced by ∼29% but with greater risk of GIB. The findings support the hypothesis that weight loss reduces the long-term risk of HF or incident AF hospitalization.

Background

Fluoroscopy is the standard tool for transvenous implantation of traditional and leadless pacemakers (LPs). LPs are used to avoid complications of conventional pacemakers, but there still is a 6.5% risk of major complications. Mid-right ventricular (RV) septal device implantation is suggested to decrease the risk, but helpful cardiac landmarks cannot be visualized under fluoroscopy. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an alternative intraprocedural imaging method.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the spatial relationship of the LP to cardiac landmarks via TEE and their correlations with electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, and to outline an intraprocedural method to confirm mid-RV nonapical lead positioning.

Methods

Fifty-six patients undergoing implantation of LP with TEE guidance were enrolled in the study. Device position was evaluated by fluoroscopy, ECG, and TEE. Distances between the device and cardiac landmarks were measured by TEE and analyzed with ECG parameters with and without RV pacing.

Results

Mid-RV septal positioning was achieved in all patients. TEE transgastric view (0°-40°/90°-130°) was the optimal view for visualizing device position. Mean tricuspid valve-LP distance was 4.9 ± 0.9 cm, mean pulmonary valve-LP distance was 4.2 ± 1 cm, and calculated RV apex-LP distance was 2.9 ± 1 cm. Mean LP paced QRS width was 160.8 ± 28 ms and increased from 117.2 ± 34 ms at baseline. LP RV pacing resulted in left bundle branch block pattern on ECG and 37.8% QRS widening by 43.5 ± 29 ms.

Conclusion

TEE may guide LP implantation in the nonapical mid-RV position. Further studies are required to establish whether this technique reduces implant complications compared with conventional fluoroscopy.