Long-term outcome of catheter ablation of left fascicular ventricular arrhythmias.

Background: Due to their low prevalence in Europe, data on optimal treatment of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) involving the left ventricular conduction system are scarce.

Aim: To report on clinical and procedural characteristics and long-term outcomes of European patients undergoing catheter ablation of primary ventricular complexes (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardias (VTs) involving the left ventricular conduction system.

Methods And Results: This study includes 27 retrospectively identified Caucasian patients (10/27 (37%) women, median age 44.

Diabetes and Obesity and Treatment Effect of Early Rhythm Control vs Usual Care in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Secondary Analysis of the EAST-AFNET 4 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The EAST-AFNET 4 randomized clinical trial demonstrated that early rhythm control therapy added to anticoagulation therapy and therapy of concomitant conditions reduces the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, stroke, hospitalization because of heart failure, or acute coronary syndrome compared to usual care. However, the impact of body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and diabetes on outcomes in EAST-AFNET 4 is not known.

Objective: To assess the effects of BMI and diabetes on outcomes in EAST-AFNET 4.

Comparative analysis of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: In selected patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), catheter ablation has been proposed for rhythm control. It is unclear, if cryoballoon (CBA) or radiofrequency (RFA) ablation is the preferred technique.

Methods: The FREEZE Cohort (NCT01360008) sub-analysis included patients with LVEF < 50 % undergoing CBA (Group A) or RFA (Group B) comparing baseline characteristics, procedural data and outcome.

Implementation of transcutaneous ultrasound-guided axillary vein access for implantations, revisions and upgrades of cardiac implantable electronic devices in a large tertiary care center.

Background: Central venous access for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantations is conventionally acquired via the cephalic or subclavian vein. Controlled data suggest that axillary vein access may reduce complications.

Objectives: We, therefore, shifted institutional practice from subclavian vein access to ultrasound (US)-guided axillary vein access for new implantations and revisions or upgrades and report on implant success rates, learning curves and periprocedural complications.