Difference in Microembolic Signals Between Flex-Tip Versus Non-Flex-Tip Type Catheters During High-Power Short-Duration Ablation.

Introduction: A novel flex-tip ablation catheter has a distal tip with a unique design, especially for optimized irrigation flow against catheter contact. This study aimed to evaluate the microembolic signals (MESs) during high-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation between flex-tip and non-flex-tip catheters.

Method And Results: We retrospectively evaluated 70 patients (39 and 31 with flex-tip and non-flex-tip catheters, respectively) who underwent first-time HPSD radiofrequency ablation with a 50 W-power setting for atrial fibrillation at two institutions.

Characteristics of Effective Antitachycardia Pacing for Ventricular Tachycardia: The Importance of True Septal Lead Position.

Background: Antitachycardia pacing (ATP) has a potential benefit for shock reduction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients; however, its clinical utility and characteristics are unknown.

Objectives: This study aims to extract characteristics leading to a high ventricular tachycardia (VT) termination rate of ATP.

Methods: Patients who had a history of ≥1 ATP treatment episode from ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRTD) devices were included.

Age-related variations in patient concerns: A text-mining analysis of nursing records in catheter ablation cases.

Aim: Healthcare workers should empathize with the concerns of patients undergoing invasive treatments, but no studies have analyzed and characterized the language and expressions of these patients. This study utilized text mining to objectively evaluate the words used by patients undergoing catheter ablation.

Methods: Text mining was done for nursing records from a newly established catheter ablation facility, encompassing 80 379 characters from 34 consecutive patients, and the resulting data was represented visually.

Time-frequency analysis of high-frequency power profile within the QRS complex in patients with ventricular tachycardia using wavelet transform.

Background: Time-frequency analysis using continuous wavelet transform enables the detection of hidden frequency power within the QRS complex in electrocardiography. These frequency profiles may reflect myocardial damage and electrical dispersion. This study evaluated the frequency power profile in patients with a history of ventricular tachycardia (VT) using time-frequency analysis and assessed changes in the profile after catheter ablation.

Efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy on cardiac sarcoidosis: Insight into mechanism of mechanical response and the role of myocardial work.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves the prognosis of patients with heart failure and complete left bundle branch block; however, its efficacy in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) remains unclear.

Objective: This study evaluated the mechanisms of CRT response in patients with and without CS, focusing on myocardial work (MW) assessment.

Methods: Twenty and 73 patients with CS and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who underwent CRT implantation and had complete left bundle branch block and QRS width of ≥ 150 ms were assessed.

Char Formation During Very High-Power Short-Duration Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation. However, PV isolation using vHPSD ablation (vHPSD-PVI) carries a potential risk of char formation. We aimed to assess the incidence, patient characteristics, and procedural factors of char formation during vHPSD-PVI.

Early Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation is Associated With Lower Recurrence Rates and Improved Prognosis in Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) following catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AFCA) has not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the clinical impact of early LVRR after AFCA on prognosis in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD).

Methods: Of 1,989 consecutive patients undergoing first-time AFCA, 302 patients with a baseline LV ejection fraction < 50% were included.

A novel peak frequency mapping algorithm for the precise localization of accessory pathways in the middle cardiac vein: a case report.

Background: Advancements in three-dimensional mapping systems have enhanced the precise accessory pathway (AP) localization and conduction properties. However, accurately identifying the earliest atrial or ventricular activation sites remains challenging, particularly in cases with multiple insertions or epicardial connections.

Case Summary: A 24-year-old woman with palpitations and a manifest Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome Type A underwent catheter ablation.

Acute Chest Pain and ST-Segment Changes in a Patient After Permanent His-Bundle Pacing Pacemaker Implantation.

Diagnosis of ST-segment changes is challenging in patients with right ventricular pacing rhythm. Herein, we present a patient with a history of permanent His-bundle pacemaker implantation who developed chest pain and ST-segment changes on electrocardiography. An immediate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction on the basis of the electrocardiographic abnormality and prompt management of coronary intervention resulted in a short door-to-balloon time of 80 minutes, even on a holiday morning, and a stable clinical course thereafter.

Clinical Impact of Genetic Testing for Long QT Syndrome - Evidence From a Nationwide LQTS Registry in Japan.

Background: Genetic testing for long QT syndrome (LQTS) is useful for diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the clinical impact of genetic testing for LQTS patients.

Methods And Results: Total 3,851 patients (proband: 2,316 [60%]; female: 2,283 [59%]; median age: 14 years [interquartile range 9-36 years]) diagnosed with LQTS (LQTS score ≥3.

Efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrences after atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with heart failure.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently observed in patients with heart failure (HF), and the efficacy of catheter ablation for AF treatment has been established; however, recurrence of atrial arrhythmia is possible. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been reported to suppress AF recurrence in patients with diabetes; however, the efficacy of SGLT2i after AF ablation in patients with HF has not been fully elucidated.

Methods: A total of 141 consecutive patients with HF aged ≤75 years who underwent AF ablation were analyzed.

Clinical Outcomes and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Partial Perforation After Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing.

Background: Septal perforation, defined as partial or complete protrusion of a lead helix, is a potential complication of left bundle branch area pacing, theoretically increasing risks of pacing failure and thromboembolism. However, no studies have examined the long-term prognosis of patients with partial perforations (PPs).

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the incidence, outcomes, and electrophysiological characteristics of PP in clinical and experimental swine studies.

Discontinuation of Oral Anticoagulation After Successful Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Importance: There is no clear consensus regarding the discontinuation of oral anticoagulants (OACs) after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: To evaluate thromboembolic and major bleeding events and all-cause death following OAC discontinuation and characteristics associated with patient prognoses after successful CA.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients without AF recurrence or adverse events 12 months after CA among those undergoing their first CA between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2021.

A Practical Scoring System for Estimating Ventricular Arrhythmia Events in Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Primary Prevention.

The prognostic value of defibrillators in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for primary prevention remains debatable. Predicting ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) before implantation is useful for deciding whether to add a defibrillator to a CRT device. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for VA events after CRT device implantation and to construct a scoring model.