Ablate and pace: Comparison of outcomes between conduction system pacing and biventricular pacing

BACKGROUND

Conduction system pacing (CSP), including His-bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), have been proposed as alternatives to biventricular pacing (BVP) in patients scheduled for ablate and pace (A&P) strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes, including the rate and nature of device-related complications, between BVP and CSP in a cohort of patients undergoing A&P.

METHODS

Prospective, multicenter, observational study, enrolling consecutive patients undergoing A&P. The risk of device-related complications and of heart failure (HF) hospitalization was prospectively assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 373 patients (75.3 ± 8.7 years, 53.9% male, 68.9% with NYHA class ≥III) were enrolled: 263 with BVP, 68 with HBP, and 42 with LBBAP. Baseline characteristics of the three groups were similar. Compared to BVP and HBP, LBBAP was associated with the shortest mean procedural and fluoroscopy times and with the lowest acute capture thresholds (all p < .05). At 12-month follow-up LBBAP maintained the lowest capture thresholds and showed the longest estimated residual battery longevity (all p < .05). At 12-months follow-up the three study groups showed a similar risk of device-related complications (5.7%, 4.4%, and 2.4% for BVP, HBP, and LBBAP, respectively; p = .650), and of HF hospitalization (2.7%, 1.5%, and 2.4% for BVP, HBP, and LBBAP, respectively; p = .850).

CONCLUSIONS

In the setting of A&P, CSP is a feasible pacing modality, with a midterm safety profile comparable to BVP. LBBAP offers the advantage of reducing procedural times and obtaining lower and stable capture thresholds, with a positive impact on the device longevity.

Ablation of CTI-dependent flutter using different ablation technologies: acute and long-term outcome from the LEONARDO study

BACKGROUND

A novel ablation catheter has been released to map and ablate the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) in patients with atrial flutter (AFL), improving ablation efficiency.

METHODS

We evaluated the acute and long-term outcome of CTI ablation aiming at bidirectional conduction block (BDB) in a prospective, multicenter cohort study enrolling 500 patients indicated for typical AFL ablation. Patients were grouped on the basis of the AFL ablation method (linear anatomical approach, Conv group n = 425, or maximum voltage guided, MVG group, n = 75) and ablation catheter (mini-electrodes technology, MiFi group, n = 254, or a standard 8-mm ablation catheter, BLZ group, n = 246).

RESULTS

Complete BDB according to both validation criteria (sequential detailed activation mapping or mapping only the ablation site) was achieved in 443 patients (88.6%). The number of RF applications needed to achieve BDB was lower in the MiFi MVG group vs both the MiFi Conv group and the BLZ Conv group (3.2 ± 2 vs 5.2 ± 4 vs 9.3 ± 5, p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Fluoroscopy time was similar among groups, whereas we observed a reduction in the procedure duration from the BLZ Conv group (61.9 ± 26min) to the MiFi MVG group (50.6 ± 17min, p = 0.048). During a mean follow-up of 548 ± 304 days, 32 (6.2%) patients suffered an AFL recurrence. No differences were found according to BDB achieved by both validation criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Ablation was highly effective in achieving acute CTI BDB and long-term arrhythmia freedom irrespective of the ablation strategy or the validation criteria for CTI chosen by the operator. The use of an ablation catheter equipped with mini-electrodes technology seems to improve ablation efficiency.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Atrial Flutter Ablation in a Real World Population. (LEONARDO).

CLINICALTRIALS

gov Identifier: NCT02591875.

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.

Effectiveness and safety of implantable loop recorder and clinical utility of remote monitoring in patients with unexplained, recurrent, traumatic syncope

BACKGROUND

Implantable loop recorder (ILR) is still underutilized in clinical practice, especially in the setting of elderly patients with recurrent, traumatic, unexplained syncope. Data on the actual risk of traumatic syncopal recurrence during ILR monitoring in this specific patient setting are lacking.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Prospective, multicentre registry enrolling consecutive patients undergoing ILR insertion for unexplained, recurrent, traumatic syncope. In a proportion of enrolled patients, remote monitoring (RM) was used for device follow-up. The risk of traumatic and non-traumatic syncopal recurrences during ILR observation were prospectively assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 483 consecutive patients (68±14 years, 59% male) were enrolled. During a median follow-up of 18 months, a final diagnosis was reached in 270 patients (55.9%). The risk of syncopal and traumatic syncopal recurrence was of 26.5 and 9.3%, respectively. RM significantly reduced the time to diagnosis (19.7±10.3 vs. 22.1±10.8 months; p=0.015) and was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of syncope recurrence of 48% (p<0.001), and of traumatic syncope recurrence of 49% (p=0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

ILR monitoring is effective and safe in patients with unexplained, recurrent, traumatic syncope. RM reduces the time to diagnosis and significantly reduces the risk of traumatic and non-traumatic syncopal relapses.

Causes of syncopal recurrences in patients treated with permanent pacing for bradyarrhythmic syncope: Findings from the SYNCOPACED registry

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the causes of syncope/collapse recurrences in patients with a previously implanted pacemaker for bradyarrhythmic syncope.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the causes of syncope/collapse recurrences after pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmic syncope in a large patient population.

METHODS

The SYNCOpal recurrences in patients treated with permanent PACing for bradyarrhythmic syncope (SYNCOPACED) registry was a prospective multicenter observational registry enrolling 1364 consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmic syncope. During follow-up, the time to the first syncope/collapse recurrence was recorded. Patients with syncope/collapse recurrences underwent a predefined diagnostic workup aimed at establishing the mechanism of syncope/collapse.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 50 months, 213 patients (15.6%) reported at least 1 syncope/collapse recurrence. The risk of syncope/collapse recurrence was highest in patients who underwent implantation for cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (26.4%), followed by unexplained syncope and chronic bifascicular block (21.5%), cardioinhibitory carotid sinus syndrome (17.2%), atrial fibrillation needing pacing (15.5%), atrioventricular block (13.6%), and sinus node disease (12.5%) (P = .017). The most frequent cause of syncope/collapse recurrence was reflex syncope (27.7%), followed by orthostatic hypotension (26.3%), pacemaker or lead malfunction (5.6%), structural cardiac disease (5.2%), and atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (4.7% and 3.8%, respectively). In 26.8% of cases, the mechanism of syncope/collapse remained unexplained.

CONCLUSION

In patients receiving a pacemaker for bradyarrhythmic syncope, reflex syncope and orthostatic hypotension are the most frequent mechanisms of syncope/collapse recurrence after implantation. Pacing system malfunction, structural cardiac diseases, and tachyarrhythmias are rare mechanisms. The mechanism remains unexplained in >25% of patients.

Risk of syncopal recurrences in patients treated with permanent pacing for bradyarrhythmic syncope: role of correlation between symptoms and electrocardiogram findings

Aims 

To evaluate the risk of syncopal recurrences after pacemaker implantation in a population of patients with syncope of suspected bradyarrhythmic aetiology.

Methods and results 

Prospective, multicentre, observational registry enrolling 1364 consecutive patients undergoing pacemaker implantation for syncope of bradyarrhythmic aetiology (proven or presumed). Before pacemaker implantation, all patients underwent a cardiac work-up in order to establish the bradyarrhythmic aetiology of syncope. According to the results of the diagnostic work-up, patients were divided into three groups: Group A, patients in whom a syncope-electrocardiogram (ECG) correlation was established (n = 329, 24.1%); Group B, those in whom clinically significant bradyarrhythmias were detected without a documented syncope-ECG correlation (n = 877, 64.3%); and Group C, those in whom bradyarrhythmias were not detected and the bradyarrhythmic origin of syncope remained presumptive (n = 158, 11.6%). During a median follow-up of 50 months, 213 patients (15.6%) reported at least one syncopal recurrence. Patients in Groups B and C showed a significantly higher risk of syncopal recurrences than those in Group A [hazard ratios (HRs): 1.60 and 2.66, respectively, P &lt; 0.05]. Failure to establish a syncope-ECG correlation during diagnostic work-up before pacemaker implantation was an independent predictor of syncopal recurrence on multivariate analysis (HR: 1.90; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

In selecting patients with syncope of suspected bradyarrhythmic aetiology for pacemaker implantation, establishing a correlation between syncope and bradyarrhythmias maximizes the efficacy of pacing and reduces the risk of syncopal recurrences.

Physical Activity Measured by Implanted Devices Predicts Atrial Arrhythmias and Patient Outcome: Results of IMPLANTED (Italian Multicentre Observational Registry on Patients With Implantable Devices Remotely Monitored)

Background

To determine whether daily physical activity (PA), as measured by implanted devices (through accelerometer sensor), was related to the risk of developing atrial arrhythmias during long‐term follow‐up in a population of heart failure (HF) patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Methods and Results

The study population was divided into 2 equally sized groups (PA cutoff point: 3.5 h/d) according to their mean daily PA recorded by the device during the 30‐ to 60‐day period post‐ICD implantation. Propensity score matching was used to compare 2 equally sized cohorts with similar characteristics between lower and higher activity patients. The primary end point was time free from the first atrial high‐rate episode (AHRE) of duration ≥6 minutes. Secondary end points were: first AHRE ≥6 hours, first AHRE ≥48 hours, and a combined end point of death or HF hospitalization. Data from 770 patients (65±15 years; 66% men; left ventricular ejection fraction 35±12%) remotely monitored for a median of 25 months were analyzed. A PA ≥3.5 h/d was associated with a 38% relative reduction in the risk of AHRE ≥6 minutes (72‐month cumulative survival: 75.0% versus 68.1%; log rank P=0.025), and with a reduction in the risk of AHRE ≥6 hours, AHRE ≥48 hours, and the combined end point of death or HF hospitalization (all P<0.05).

Conclusions

In HF patients with ICD, a low level of daily PA was associated with a higher risk of atrial arrhythmias, regardless of the patients' baseline characteristics. In addition, a lower daily PA predicted death or HF hospitalization.

Clinically guided pacemaker choice and setting: pacemaker expert programming study

Aim

The aim of this multicentre, observational, transversal study was to evaluate pacemaker (PM) choice and setting in a large number of patients, in order to understand their relationship with the patients' clinical characteristics.

Methods and results

The study enrolled a total of 1858 patients (71 ± 14 years, 54% male), consecutively evaluated during scheduled PM follow-up visits in 7 Italian cardiac arrhythmia centres. To evaluate the appropriateness of PM choice in relation to the patients' clinical characteristics, we analysed their rhythm disorders at the time of device implantation and the characteristics of the devices implanted. To evaluate the appropriateness of device setting, current rhythm disorders and device setting at the time of enrolment were analysed. In the overall study population, 64.3% of the patients received a PM with all of the features required for their rhythm disorder [80.8% in persistent atrioventricular (AV) block, 76.5% in atrial fibrillation needing pacing, 71.0% in sinus node disease, 58.7% in non-persistent atrioventricular block (AVB), 52.7% in neuro-mediated syncope]. The most frequent cause of inappropriate PM choice was the lack of an algorithm to promote intrinsic AV conduction in non-persistent AVB patients (38.1%). In 76.2% of the patients with an appropriate PM (n = 1301), the PM was optimally set for their rhythm disorder.

Conclusions

In the present 'real-world' registry, a large number of patients (35.7%) did not receive an optimal PM for their rhythm disorders. Moreover, one-fourth of appropriate PMs were not programmed according to the patients' clinical characteristics.

Effect of fixed-rate vs. rate-RESPONSIve pacing on exercise capacity in patients with permanent, refractory atrial fibrillation and left ventricular dysfunction treated with atrioventricular junction aBLation and bivEntricular pacing (RESPONSIBLE): a prospective, multicentre, randomized, single-blind study

Aims

Atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation followed by biventricular pacing is an established strategy for improving symptoms and morbidity in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and uncontrolled ventricular rate. There is no clear evidence that such patients benefit from rate-responsive (RR) pacing.

Methods and results

This prospective, randomized, single-blind, multicentre study was designed as an intra-patient comparison and enrolled 60 patients (age 69.5 ± 11.8 years, males 63.3%, NYHA 3.0 ± 0.6) with refractory AF and reduced LVEF (mean 32.4 ± 8.3%) treated with AVJ ablation and biventricular pacing. Two 6-minute walking tests (6MWT) were performed 1 week apart: one during VVI 70/min biventricular pacing and the other during VVIR 70-130/min biventricular pacing; patients were randomly and blindly assigned to Group A (n = 29, first 6MWT in VVIR mode) or B (n = 31, first 6MWT in VVI mode). Rate-responsive activation determined an increase of 18.8 ± 24.4 m in the distance walked during the 6MWT (P < 0.001). The increase was similar in both groups (P = 0.571). A >5% increase in the distance walked was observed in 76.7% of patients. The increase in the distance walked was linearly correlated with the increase in heart rate recorded during the 6MWT in the VVIR mode (r = 0.54; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In permanent AF patients with uncontrolled rate and reduced LVEF who had undergone AVJ ablation and biventricular pacing, RR pacing yields a significant gain in exercise capacity, which seems to be related to the RR-induced frequency during effort.