Five waves of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: results of a national survey evaluating the impact on activities related to arrhythmias, pacing, and electrophysiology promoted by AIAC (Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing)

BACKGROUND

The subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy had a major impact on cardiac care.

METHODS

A survey to evaluate the dynamic changes in arrhythmia care during the first five waves of COVID-19 in Italy (first: March-May 2020; second: October 2020-January 2021; third: February-May 2021; fourth: June-October 2021; fifth: November 2021-February 2022) was launched.

RESULTS

A total of 127 physicians from arrhythmia centers (34% of Italian centers) took part in the survey. As compared to 2019, a reduction in 40% of elective pacemaker (PM), defibrillators (ICD), and cardiac resynchronization devices (CRT) implantations, with a 70% reduction for ablations, was reported during the first wave, with a progressive and gradual return to pre-pandemic volumes, generally during the third-fourth waves, slower for ablations. For emergency procedures (PM, ICD, CRT, and ablations), recovery from the initial 10% decline occurred in most cases during the second wave, with some variability. However, acute care for atrial fibrillation, electrical cardioversions, and evaluations for syncope showed a prolonged reduction of activity. The number of patients with devices which started remote monitoring increased by 40% during the first wave, but then the adoption of remote monitoring declined.

CONCLUSIONS

The dramatic and profound derangement in arrhythmia management that characterized the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a progressive return to the volume of activities of the pre-pandemic periods, even if with different temporal dynamics and some heterogeneity. Remote monitoring was largely implemented during the first wave, but full implementation is needed.

A novel local impedance algorithm to guide effective pulmonary vein isolation in AF patients: preliminary experience among different voltages of atrial substrate

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Recently, a novel technology able to measure local tissue impedance (LI) and contact force (CF) aimed at validating ablation endpoints has become available for clinical use.

Purpose

This analysis explores the relationship between LI parameters, substrate characteristics and AF type during ablation in AF patients.

Methods

A novel ablation catheter with dedicated algorithm was used to measure LI at the distal electrode. Each ablation point was characterized in terms of RF delivery time, baseline LI and LI drop during ablation according to different voltages (above or below 0.5 mV) of the atrial substrate. Ablation endpoint was PVI as assessed by entrance and exit block with local capture. Data are reported as mean±SD.

Results

A total of 2032 RFC deliveries from 34 consecutive patients were analyzed (71% paroxysmal AF, 29% persistent AF). All PVs were successfully isolated with an overall procedure time of 128±33min (fluoroscopy time=15.6±9min, RF delivery time=9.6±4s, CF=11.1±7g). The baseline LI was 155±17Ω prior to ablation and 136±14Ω after ablation (p<0.0001, absolute LI drop of 21.0±8Ω) with a LI drop rate equal to 2.8±2Ω/s. Ablation spots were more frequently deployed in high-voltage areas (>0.5mv, n=1240, 61%). Baseline LI and LI drops were both higher when underlying atrial voltages were >0.5mV than when <0.5mV (156±18Ω vs 153.6±16Ω for starting LI, p=0.0032; 22.2±8Ω vs 19.1±8Ω for LI drop, p<0.0001, respectively). No differences were found in terms of both CF and LI after ablation between >0.5mV and <0.5mV (11.0±7g vs 11.2±7g for CF, p=0.3435; 136.4±13Ω vs 135.3±15Ω for ablated tissue LI, p=0.1521, respectively). Low-voltage areas were more frequently detected at ablated spots in persistent AF cases (n=288, 51.9%) than in paroxysmal AF cases (n=504, 35.1%, p<0.0001), however, no differences were found in terms of both baseline LI and LI drop between persistent and paroxysmal AF cases (156.3±17Ω vs 154.6±17Ω for starting LI, p=0.135; 20.7±8Ω vs 21.1±9Ω for LI drop, p=0.1722, respectively).

Conclusions

LI measurements well distinguished contact with high-voltage areas from low-voltage areas and were able to detect significant differences in LI drop during ablation according to the voltage level.

P34 ASYMPTOMATIC VENTRICULAR PRE–EXCITATION WITH DISAPPEARANCE DURING EXERTION: ALWAYS AN INDEX OF BENIGNITY?

Introduction

The disappearance of pre–excitation at high heart rates points to a low arrhythmic risk: why resort to electrophysiological studies anyway?

Clinical Case

L.S., a 12–year–old patient, performed an ECG for sports examination with evidence of ventricular pre–excitation from an asymptomatic left lateral accessory route (Fig. A). A 24 h ECG–Holter during training showed the disappearance of the pre–excitation at high frequencies (Fig. B) which is considered a low risk index. The patient underwent a transesophageal electrophysiological study (SETE) during which an effective refractory antegrade period of 228 ms of the pathway was objectified through atrial extrastimuli (*) (Fig. C: drive of atrial stimuli (*) followed by extrastimulus with conduction on an accessory route (E)). In addition, a 1: 1 conduction was observed on the atrial pathway up to at least 270 bpm (222 ms). The antegrade refractory period of the resting path was <250 ms and therefore identified a high–risk condition to be treated with ablation.

Discussion

The disappearance of pre–excitation at high heart rates is usually considered indicative of an accessory pathway with a long refractory period and therefore at low risk, however it must be sudden. According to European guidelines, the execution of invasive studies in asymptomatic patients who are employed in high–risk jobs or competitive sports has a class I B indication, but in the remaining asymptomatic cases the indication is IIa B. The Holter ECG alone or the stress test, with a careless evaluation of the disappearance of the pre–excitation (sudden vs progressive with minimal residual pre–excitation) would have erroneously led to labeling this accessory pathway at low risk. In the left lateral accessory pathways, with the increase of the HR, there can be a disappearance or pseudo–disappearance of the pre–excitation for anatomical reasons (being further away from the SA node) and for an increase in the AV conduction speed, not therefore for a long refractory period of the pathway. SETE is closer to the atrial side of the left accessory pathway and allows to correctly classify the risk.

Conclusion

SETE is a low–cost and minimally invasive method that should be considered as an integral part of the study of patients with asymptomatic ventricular pre–excitation even if non–invasive stratification indicates low risk.

Optimized radiofrequency lesions through local impedance guidance for effective cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation in typical right atrial flutter: data from the CHARISMA registry

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) is an established treatment for typical right atrial flutter (RAFL). However, whether local tissue impedance (LI) is able to predict effective CTI ablation and what LI drop values during ablation should be used to judge a lesion as effective remains to be established.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the ability of LI to predict ablation efficacy in patients (pts) with RAFL and to characterize the CTI in terms of LI.

Methods

Consecutive pts undergoing RAFL ablation from the CHARISMA registry were enrolled at 9 centers. A novel RF ablation catheter with dedicated algorithm (DirectSense - DS -) was used to measure LI at the distal electrode of this catheter. RF applications (RFC) were targeted to a minimum LI drop of 10 Ω within 30 seconds and were stopped when a maximum cutoff LI drop of <40 Ω was observed. Successful single RFC was defined according with a split in two separate potentials (SPL), reduction of voltage (RedV) by at least 50% or changes at unipolar EGM (UPC). Agreement among criteria was evaluated. Ablation endpoint was the creation of bidirectional conduction block (BDB) across the isthmus.

Results

A total of 279 ablation spot lesions were delivered in 30 pts (mean RFC 9 ± 6 lesions per pt): 106 (38%) at anterior, 115 (41%) at mid and 58 (21%) at posterior portions of the CTI. BDB was obtained in all cases and no complications were observed. The median RFC delivery time was 30 [19–45] seconds per lesion. 132 (47%), 150 (54%) and 86 (31%) ablation spots were effective according with SPL, RedV and UPC, respectively. Complete agreement of all the criteria was reached in 70% of the cases. The mean LI was 104.4 ± 11Ω prior to ablation and 92.1 ± 11Ω after ablation (p < 0.0001, mean absolute LI drop 12.2 ± 7Ω, mean time to LI drop 13 ± 8 seconds). Effective ablation spots showed a higher LI drop compared with ineffective sites at each single criteria (16.6 ± 7Ω vs 8.3 ± 4Ω for SPL, p < 0.0001; 16.1 ± 6Ω vs 7.8 ± 5Ω at for RedV, p < 0.0001; 19 ± 6Ω vs 9.2 ± 4Ω for UPC, p < 0.0001) and LI drop values significantly increase according to the number of criteria satisfied (ranging from 7.5Ω % -no criteria- to 19.1 -all criteria-). A 15Ω cut-off value for LI (AUC 0.91, sensitivity = 67%, specificity = 92%, p < 0.0001) was associated with the achievement of all criteria with an OR of 21.9 (95%CI: 11.1 to 43.5, p < 0.0001) and a positive predictive value of 76%. Starting LI and LI drop seem to be higher at mid-septal areas.

Conclusion

In our preliminary experience, a LI-guided approach of CTI seems to be safe and effective in RAFL ablation. The magnitude of LI drop was associated with effective lesion formation and conduction block and could be used as a marker of ablation efficacy.

Atrial fibrillation recurrence after transcatheter ablation worsens left atrial strain

Introduction

Left atrial strain (LAs) shows correlation with atrial fibrosis and is a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after transcatheter ablation. Little is known about LAs evolution after ablation.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the atrial function with echocardiographic strain before and 6 months after AF ablation.

Methods

65 consecutive patients undergoing radiofrequency or cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation at our centre were enrolled. They underwent a transthoracic echocardiography before the procedure and at 6 months follow-up. 5 patients were excluded because of low quality images. Global left atrial strain during the reservoir phase (LASr) was calculated as a mean of the values obtained in 4 and 2 chamber apical view; the ventricular end-diastole was set as reference to allow the calculation both in patients in AF and sinus rhythm during the echocardiography. Recurrence was defined as any atrial arrhythmia episode lasting more than 30 seconds recorded on an EKG strip after the 3 months blanking period; all patients underwent a 24 hours EKG Holter after the blanking period to detect asymptomatic recurrence. Quality of life was assessed before the procedure and at follow-up with the EQ-5D-3L model.

Results

At 6 months 14 patients (13%) had AF recurrence. Patients with recurrence (AF-R) had similar baseline characteristics compared to those without recurrence (AF-NR) but the former had a longer history of AF (39±53 vs 85±94 months, p=0,018). LASr, LA volume and left ventricle ejection fraction (EF) were similar at baseline between groups. At follow-up LASr was significantly impaired in the AF-R group compared to AF-NR (14±6% vs 26±10% respectively, p<0,0001) whereas LA volume, LV end systolic volume and EF remained similar. Compared to baseline LASr worsened in patients experiencing AF recurrence (22±11% vs 14±6%, p=0.016) and this finding was consistent also in patients in sinus rhythm during both examinations (29±8 vs 17±7, p=0,005). Compared to baseline LASr (22±10% vs 26±10%, p=0.024), LV end-systolic volume (29±15 ml vs 22±6 ml, p=0,006) and EF (51±9% vs 58±18%, p=0,038) improved in the AF-NR group but the effect was driven mainly by patients restoring sinus rhythm. Both groups showed a significant improvement of the quality of life (55±23 vs 85±13, p<0,0001 AF-NR; 63±17 vs 80±12, p=0,012 AF-R).

Conclusions

Atrial fibrillation recurrence after transcatheter ablation is associated with significant left atrial strain worsening which indicates disease progression and may predispose to further long-term recurrences whereas a successful ablation has a protective effect on atrial function.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P1187Pocket-Hematoma after cardiac implantable electronic devices surgery: a single centre study

Intro

Pocket hematoma is a common complication after pacemaker (PMK) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) surgery. In this clinical setting anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy are associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications, but data are sparse.

Purpose

We examined  the impact of antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or heparin on the risk of pocket hematoma. Materials and method: between august 2017 and june 2019, a total of 639 devices were implanted or replaced at our centre. Predictors of hematoma occurrence were determined by multivariate regression analysis. We used a specific definition of pocket hematoma: a) any palpable swelling in the pocket area requiring an unscheduled visit or prolonged hospitalization > 24 h or re-hospitalization for hematoma, b) interruption of antithrombotics, c) reoperation, d) hemoglobin drop > 2 g/dl or blood transfusion. The above criteria were assessed during hospitalization and up to 10 days after discharge. Results: the incidence of pocket hematoma was 7.5%. Among 639 patients (pts) including in the study 33.5% (214 pts) didn’ t take any antithrombotic therapy, 40.2 % (257 pts) were on single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), 8.8 % (56 pts) were on dual antiplatelet therapy, 11.1 % (71 pts) were on uninterrupted VKA (mean INR 2). Heparin bridging was administered in 6.4% (41 pts). Ejection fraction (43 ±13 %) and  hemoglobin value before implantation (12.3 ±2.6 g/dL) in patients who developed hematoma were significantly lower compared with whose without hematoma. Patients with hematoma had a higher prevalence of congestive heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy and intake antithrombotic therapy. After adjusting for confounding factors with multivariate logistic regression only the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (OR 5.9 95% CI 1.5-21 p = 0.008) and the bridging with enoxaparin (OR 5.6 95% CI 1.4-22 p = 0.013) increased the risk of pocket hematoma. Single antiplatelet therapy (OR 2.6 95% CI 0.8-8.4 p = ns) and uninterrupted VKA (OR 0.9 95% CI 0.7-11 p = ns) did not increased the risk of pocket hematoma compared to no antithrombotic therapy. Pulse generator change and new device implant/upgrading (OR 1.8 95% CI 0.6-5.2 p = ns) carried the same haemorrhagic risk.

Conclusion

the use of DAPT or bridging with enoxaparin are highly predictive for the occurrence of perioperative pocket hematoma in patients scheduled for pmk/icd surgery. In contrast, single antiplatelet therapy and uninterrupted VKA  did not increase the risk of hematoma.

P1448Ablation of cti-dependent flutter using a novel advanced mini-electrodes technology: preliminary results from Leonardo registry

Funding Acknowledgements

NO FUNDING

OnBehalf

LEONARDO study group

Background

Ablation of cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) represents the standard therapeutic approach for the creation of bidirectional conduction block (BDB) across the isthmus and the prevention of recurrences, yet recurrence of arrhythmia is common.

Objective

To evaluate the acute and long-term outcome of CTI ablation through a novel ablation catheter equipped with three radially distributed mini-electrodes (ME) compared with standard ablation catheter technology (ST).

Methods

Atrial Flutter Ablation in a Real World Population (LEONARDO) is a prospective, multicenter cohort study aimed at providing an estimate of acute to long-term outcome in a large population of pts indicated for AFL ablation from 2015 to 2017. The procedural endpoint was the creation of a BDB. Presence of widely split double potentials (DP) along the ablation line and assessment of the atrial activation sequence (AAS) were used as criteria for complete BDB. Recurrence of AFL and complications were assessed at 12-month follow-up.

Results

  205 consecutive pts undergoing typical AFL ablation were included (74% male, 50.6% with history of AF, median of 7[4–11] ablation lesions, median ablation time of 20[10-30] min). Complete BDB was achieved in 175 (85.4%) pts (10 pts had DP only criterion, 19 pts had AAS only criterion whereas in 1 pt we failed to reach a BDB). 15 (7.3%) pts experienced AFL recurrence during follow-up. 102 pts (49.8%) underwent ablation procedure with ME catheters whereas 103 (50.2%) pts were treated by ST catheters. The median number of lesions/pt was significantly lower in the ME group compared to the ST one (4[3-6] vs 8.5[6-12], p < 0.0001), whereas no differences were found in terms of fluoroscopy time (10.5[7-15] min vs 10[5.8 ± 15] min, p = NS) or ablation time (22.5[10-30.5] min vs 18[10-26] min, p = NS). No complications were reported. The acute procedural success was comparable between groups (81.4% vs 89.2%, p = NS) whereas the time to AFL recurrence was significantly longer among pts targeted with ME catheters (HR = 0.343; 0.12 to 0.97; log-rank p = 0.044).

Conclusions

In our preliminary experience, the use of the ME technology seemed safe and effective. It resulted in fewer lesions/pt and a lower AFL recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up compared with ST ablation catheters.

P1005Origin, distribution and timing of the slow pathway potentials recorded inside the Kock's triangle in Avnrt patients through High-density Mapping

Background

Atrial activation during typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) exhibits anatomic variability and spatially heterogeneous propagation inside the Kock's Triangle (KT). The mechanism of the reentrant circuit has not been elucidated yet.

Purpose

To evaluate signal characteristics and find out the origin, distribution, and timing of the slow pathway (SP) potentials recorded in the KT.

Methods

The 3-D KT geometry was created during both sinus rhythm (SR) and tachycardia (TR) from the basket mapping catheter IntellaMap Orion and the Rhythmia Mapping System (Boston Scientific). The KT was divided into 8 regions moving from an antero-septal to postero-septal areas and bounded by tricuspid annulus (TA) anteriorly and tendon of Todaro (TT) posteriorly. Each area was characterized in terms of distribution and timing of Jackman (JP) and Haissaguerre (HP) potentials and signal amplitude.

Results

20 consecutive successful SP ablation cases of AVNRT were included (mean RA acquired points = 6000±1100, 275±63 inside the KT; mean KT area=29±3mm2; mean mapping time=12±5 minutes). During SR, the site of earliest atrial activation within the KT was anterior in 80% of patients whereas a midseptal activation occurred less frequently (20%). The mid-septal regions bounded by TA anteriorly and TT posteriorly showed higher prevalence of JP as compared to antero-/mid-septal regions across TT both in SR and TR (77.4% vs 4.8% during SR, p<0.0001; 84.1% vs 0% during TR, p<0.0001, respectively). HPs seemed to have variable distribution across KT (50% of these potentials recorded in antero- to mid-septal regions across TT for SR, 52.3% for TR). The median signal voltage was 0.44 [0.2–0.9] mV during SR and 0.5 [0.22–0.895] mV during TR. The mid-septal region was the area of lowest voltage compared to other regions (0.2 [0.1–0.7] mV vs 0.5 [0.4–1.5] mV for SR, p<0.0001; 0.2 [0.15–0.6] mV vs 0.6 [0.4–1.5] mV for TR, p<0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

JPs seem to be associated with low signal-amplitude areas whereas HPs seem to have variable distribution across KT. Although not perfectly known, the typical low-high-type double potential of JP might be therefore explained by wavefront collision in the lowest area of the KT.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P2871Attenuated clinical benefit after ICD replacement over long term follow-up in a contemporary large world population: insight to the DECODE registry

Background

Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) surgery is threatened by serious complications both during the procedure and during follow-up. The factors associated to attenuated clinical benefit over long term follow-up are poorly understood.

Purpose

To evaluate type and extent of Adverse Events (AEs) and potential predictors of major AEs over 12 months after ICD/CRT-D replacement/upgrade in a contemporary Italian population.

Methods

Detect long-term complications after ICD replacement (DECODE) was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter cohort study aimed at estimating medium- to long-term complications in a large population of patients (pts) who underwent ICD/CRT-D replacement/upgrade from 2013 to 2015. The endpoint for this analysis is death from any cause, procedure-related infection, and surgical actions/hospitalizations necessary to treat the AEs.

Results

We included 983 consecutive pts (median age 71 years, 76% male, 55% ischemic, 47% CRT-D). During a mean follow-up duration of 353±49 days, 7% of the pts died. A total of 104 AEs occurred in 70 (7.1%) pts. 43 (4.4%) pts needed at least one surgical action to treat the AEs. A total of 23 (2.3%) pts had infective AEs (CIED related in 12 pts, due to other causes in 11). Mortality was unrelated to the occurrence of overall AEs, or of CIED-related AEs, or of surgical actions/hospitalizations needed to correct AEs. The endpoint was reached by 109 (11%) pts over 12-month follow-up (97 pts had a single event, and 12 pts had two events). The median time to the endpoint was 137 [50 - 254] days. On multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for baseline confounders, ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.91; p=0.0076), hospitalization prior to the procedure (2.34, 1.35 to 4.05; 0.0025) and anticoagulation (1.91, 1.25 to 2.92; 0.0032) were associated with the endpoint during follow-up.

Conclusion

Evaluation of the patient's profile may assist in predicting vulnerability and should prompt reconsideration of the procedure by deferring at a more stable clinical status, and carefully individualized in the setting of upgrades and anticoagulation management

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P1009Procedural success and long-term outcome of CTI ablation targeted with maximum voltage-guided approach: preliminary results from an Italian multicenter registry

Background

Ablation technique targeting high-amplitude signals (maximum voltage guided - MVG -) on the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) has emerged as viable alternative option compared to standard anatomical approach (ST) for the creation of bidirectional conduction block (BDB) across the isthmus but limited data are available to date.

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of acute and long-term outcome of CTI ablation through MVG technique for AFL compared to standard linear (SL) lesion ablation.

Methods

Atrial Flutter Ablation in a Real World Population (LEONARDO) is a prospective, multicenter cohort study aimed at providing an estimate of acute to long-term outcome in a large population of patients (pts) indicated for AFL ablation. Recurrence of AFL were retrieved at 12-month follow-up. Complete BDB was defined by agreement with the presence of widely split double potentials (DP) along the ablation line and assessment of the atrial activation sequence (AAS). For MVG technique the ablation catheter was positioned at the site of maximum local electrogram voltage.

Results

Two-hundred fifteen consecutive pts were included (mean age 68 years, 73% male). A median of 4 [2–6] ablation lesions were required. Median follow up was 359 [192–443] days. Complete BDB was achieved in 175 (81.4%) pts (9 pts had DP only criterion, 30 pts had AAS only criterion whereas in 1 pt we failed to reach a BDB). In the 106 pts with complete data at 1-year follow-up, 10 (9.4%) had a recurrence of AFL. 171 pts (79%) underwent a SL ablation whereas 44 pts (21%) were treated by MVG approach. The median number of lesions/pt was significantly lower in the group of pts targeted with MVG compared to the SL approach (3 [2–4] vs 4 [2–8], p<0.01), whereas no differences were found in terms of fluoroscopy time (16 [12–18] min vs 12 [7–22] min, p=NS) or proportion of pts with BDB achievement (86.4% of the cases for MVG vs 80.1% of the cases for ST, p=NS). No complications were reported. AFL recurrence was comparable during follow-up between groups (8.3% for MVG vs 9.8% for SL ablation; p=NS).

Conclusion

Ablation of a targeted site through MGV approach seems to be safe and effective as standard anatomical ablation technique. This strategy may avoid unnecessary ablation of the entire anatomic isthmus.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None