| 1. |
- Schnabel, Renate B, et al.
(author)
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Early diagnosis and better rhythm management to improve outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation : the 8th AFNET/EHRA consensus conference
- 2023
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 25:1, s. 6-27
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite marked progress in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF), detecting AF remains difficult and AF-related complications cause unacceptable morbidity and mortality even on optimal current therapy. This document summarizes the key outcomes of the 8th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Eighty-three international experts met in Hamburg for 2 days in October 2021. Results of the interdisciplinary, hybrid discussions in breakout groups and the plenary based on recently published and unpublished observations are summarized in this consensus paper to support improved care for patients with AF by guiding prevention, individualized management, and research strategies. The main outcomes are (i) new evidence supports a simple, scalable, and pragmatic population-based AF screening pathway; (ii) rhythm management is evolving from therapy aimed at improving symptoms to an integrated domain in the prevention of AF-related outcomes, especially in patients with recently diagnosed AF; (iii) improved characterization of atrial cardiomyopathy may help to identify patients in need for therapy; (iv) standardized assessment of cognitive function in patients with AF could lead to improvement in patient outcomes; and (v) artificial intelligence (AI) can support all of the above aims, but requires advanced interdisciplinary knowledge and collaboration as well as a better medico-legal framework. Implementation of new evidence-based approaches to AF screening and rhythm management can improve outcomes in patients with AF. Additional benefits are possible with further efforts to identify and target atrial cardiomyopathy and cognitive impairment, which can be facilitated by AI.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Alhede, Christina, et al.
(author)
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Antiarrhythmic medication is superior to catheter ablation in suppressing supraventricular ectopic complexes in patients with atrial fibrillation
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 244, s. 186-191
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) originating in the pulmonary veins are known triggers of atrial fibrillation (AF) which led to the development of pulmonary vein isolation for AF. However, the long-term prevalence of SVEC after catheter ablation (CA) as compared to antiarrhythmic medication (AAD) is unknown. Our aims were to compare the prevalence of SVEC after AAD and CA and to estimate the association between baseline SVEC burden and AF burden during 24 months of follow-up. Methods: Patients with paroxysmal AF (N = 260) enrolled in the MANTRA PAF trial were treated with AAD (N = 132) or CA (N = 128). At baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months follow-up patients underwent 7-day Holter monitoring to assess SVEC and AF burden. We compared SVEC burden between treatments with Wilcoxon sum rank test. Results: Patients treated with AAD had significantly lower daily SVEC burden during follow-up as compared to CA (AAD: 19 [6-58] versus CA: 39 [14-125], p = 0.003). SVEC burden increased post-procedurally followed by a decrease after CA whereas after AAD SVEC burden decreased and stabilized after 3 months of follow-up. Patients with low SVEC burden had low AF burden after both treatments albeit this was more pronounced after CA at 24 months of follow-up. Conclusion: AAD was superior to CA in suppressing SVEC burden after treatment of paroxysmal AF. After CA SVEC burden increased immediately post-procedural followed by a decrease whereas after AAD an early decrease was observed. Lower SVEC burden was highly associated with lower AF burden during follow-up especially after CA. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Alhede, Christina, et al.
(author)
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Higher burden of supraventricular ectopic complexes early after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation
- 2018
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In: Europace. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 20:1, s. 50-57
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims Early identification of patients who could benefit from early re-intervention after catheter ablation is highly warranted. Our aim was to investigate the association between post-procedural burden of supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) and the risk of long-term atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. Methods and results A total of 125 patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF were included. Patients underwent 7-day Holter recordings immediately post-procedural. The number of SVEC in post-procedural Holter recordings was categorized into quartiles: 0-72, 73-212, 213-782 and amp;gt;= 783 SVEC/day. Long-term AF recurrence was defined as a combined endpoint of AF amp;gt;= 1 min during follow-up Holter recordings, cardioversion or hospitalization for AF after a 3-month blanking period and within 24 months of follow-up. High post-procedural supraventricular ectopy burden was associated with an increased risk of long-term AF recurrence in a dose-dependent manner (amp;gt;= 783 SVEC: HR 4.6 [1.9-11.5], P amp;lt; 0.001) irrespective of AF recurrence during the blanking period or other risk factors. In patients with early AF recurrence amp;lt; 90 days after catheter ablation ectopy burden was also highly predictive of long-term AF recurrence (SVEC amp;gt;= 213: HR 3.0 [1.3-6.7], P = 0.007). Correspondingly, patients with early AF recurrence but low ectopy burden remained at low risk of long-term AF recurrence after the blanking period. Conclusion Our results indicate that post-procedural ectopy burden is highly associated with long-term AF recurrence and could be a potent risk marker for selection of patients for early re-ablation. Development of future ablation risk stratification and strategies should include focus on post-procedural ectopy burden.
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| 5. |
- Alhede, Christina, et al.
(author)
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The impact of supraventricular ectopic complexes in different age groups and risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation after antiarrhythmic medication or catheter ablation
- 2018
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 250, s. 122-127
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Supraventricular ectopic complexes (SVEC) are known risk factors of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of SVEC in different age groups is unknown. We aimed to investigate the risk of AF recurrence with higher SVEC burden in patients +/- 57 years, respectively, after treatment with antiarrhythmic medication (AAD) or catheter ablation (CA). Methods: In total, 260 patients with LVEF amp;gt;40% and age amp;lt;= 70 years were randomized to AAD (N = 132) or CA (N = 128) as first-line treatment for paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent 7-day Holter monitoring at baseline, and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months and were categorized according to median age +/- 57 years. We used multi-variate Cox regression analyses and we defined high SVEC burden at 3 months of follow-up as the upper 75th percentile amp;gt;195 SVEC/day. AF recurrence was defined as AF amp;gt;= 1 min, AF-related cardioversion or hospitalization. Results: Age amp;gt;57 years were significantly associated with higher AF recurrence rate after CA (58% vs 36%, p = 0.02). After CA, we observed a higher SVEC burden during follow-up in patients amp;gt;57 years which was not observed in the younger age group treatedwith CA (p = 0.006). High SVEC burden at 3 months after CA was associated with AF recurrence in older patients but not in younger patients (amp;gt;57 years: HR 3.4 [1.4-7.9], p = 0.005). We did not find any age-related differences after AAD. Conclusion: We found that younger and older patients respond differently to CA and that SVEC burden was only associated with AF recurrence in older patients. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Arbelo, Elena, et al.
(author)
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Contemporary management of patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation : in-hospital and 1-year follow-up findings from the ESC-EHRA atrial fibrillation ablation long-term registry
- 2017
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 38:17, s. 1303-1316
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims The ESC-EHRA Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term registry is a prospective, multinational study that aims at providing an accurate picture of contemporary real-world ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and its outcome. Methods and results A total of 104 centres in 27 European countries participated and were asked to enrol 20-50 consecutive patients scheduled for first and re-do AFib ablation. Pre-procedural, procedural and 1-year follow-up data were captured on a web-based electronic case record form. Overall, 3630 patients were included, of which 3593 underwent an AFib ablation (98.9%). Median age was 59 years and 32.4% patients had lone atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein isolation was attempted in 98.8% of patients and achieved in 95-97%. AFib-related symptoms were present in 97%. Inhospital complications occurred in 7.8% and one patient died due to an atrioesophageal fistula. One-year follow-up was performed in 3180 (88.6%) at a median of 12.4 months (11.9-13.4) after ablation: 52.8% by clinical visit, 44.2% by telephone contact and 3.0% by contact with the general practitioner. At 12-months, the success rate with or without antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) was 73.6%. A significant portion (46%) was still on AADs. Late complications included 14 additional deaths (4 cardiac, 4 vascular, 6 other causes) and 333 (10.7%) other complications. Conclusion AFib ablation in clinical practice is mostly performed in symptomatic, relatively young and otherwise healthy patients. Overall success rate is satisfactory, but complication rate remains considerable and a significant portion of patients remain on AADs. Monitoring after ablation shows wide variations. Antithrombotic treatment after ablation shows insufficient guideline-adherence.
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| 7. |
- Aronsson, Mattias, et al.
(author)
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The cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation as first-line treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation : results from a MANTRA-PAF substudy.
- 2015
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 17:1, s. 48-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: The aim of this prospective substudy was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) compared with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) as first-line treatment.METHODS AND RESULTS: A decision-analytic Markov model, based on MANTRA-PAF (Medical Antiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) study data, was developed to study long-term effects and costs of RFA compared with AADs as first-line treatment. Positive clinical effects were found in the overall population, a gain of an average 0.06 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) to an incremental cost of €3033, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €50 570/QALY. However, the result of the subgroup analyses showed that RFA was less costly and more effective in younger patients. This implied an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €3434/QALY in ≤50-year-old patients respectively €108 937/QALY in >50-year-old patients.CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency catheter ablation as first-line treatment is a cost-effective strategy for younger patients with paroxysmal AF. However, the cost-effectiveness of using RFA as first-line therapy in older patients is uncertain, and in most of these AADs should be attempted before RFA (MANTRA-PAF ClinicalTrials.gov number; NCT00133211).
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| 16. |
- Cosedis Nielsen, Jens, et al.
(author)
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Radiofrequency Ablation as Initial Therapy in Paroxysm Atrial Fibrillation
- 2012
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In: New England Journal of Medicine. - : Massachusetts Medical Society. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 367:17, s. 1587-1595
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThere are limited data comparing radiofrequency catheter ablation with antiarrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.MethodsWe randomly assigned 294 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and no history of antiarrhythmic drug use to an initial treatment strategy of either radiofrequency catheter ablation (146 patients) or therapy with class IC or class III antiarrhythmic agents (148 patients). Follow-up included 7-day Holter-monitor recording at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Primary end points were the cumulative and per-visit burden of atrial fibrillation (i.e., percentage of time in atrial fibrillation on Holter-monitor recordings). Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the ablation and drug-therapy groups in the cumulative burden of atrial fibrillation (90th percentile of arrhythmia burden, 13% and 19%, respectively; P=0.10) or the burden at 3, 6, 12, or 18 months. At 24 months, the burden of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the ablation group than in the drug-therapy group (90th percentile, 9% vs. 18%; P=0.007), and more patients in the ablation group were free from any atrial fibrillation (85% vs. 71%, P=0.004) and from symptomatic atrial fibrillation (93% vs. 84%, P=0.01). One death in the ablation group was due to a procedure-related stroke; there were three cases of cardiac tamponade in the ablation group. In the drug-therapy group, 54 patients (36%) underwent supplementary ablation.ConclusionsIn comparing radiofrequency ablation with antiarrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, we found no significant difference between the treatment groups in the cumulative burden of atrial fibrillation over a period of 2 years.
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| 17. |
- Dickstein, Kenneth, et al.
(author)
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CRT Survey II : a European Society of Cardiology survey of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in 11 088 patients-who is doing what to whom and how?
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : WILEY. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 20:6, s. 1039-1051
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in appropriately selected patients with heart failure and is strongly recommended for such patients by guidelines. A European Society of Cardiology (ESC) CRT survey conducted in 2008-2009 showed considerable variation in guideline adherence and large individual, national and regional differences in patient selection, implantation practice and follow-up. Accordingly, two ESC associations, the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Failure Association, designed a second prospective survey to describe contemporary clinical practice regarding CRT. Methods and results A survey of the clinical practice of CRT-P and CRT-D implantation was conducted from October 2015 to December 2016 in 42 ESC member countries. Implanting centres provided information about their hospital and CRT service and were asked to complete a web-based case report form collecting information on patient characteristics, investigations, implantation procedures and complications during the index hospitalisation. The 11 088 patients enrolled represented 11% of the total number of expected implantations in participating countries during the survey period; 32% of patients were aged >= 75 years, 28% of procedures were upgrades from a permanent pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and 30% were CRT-P rather than CRT-D. Most patients (88%) had a QRS duration >= 130 ms, 73% had left bundle branch block and 26% were in atrial fibrillation at the time of implantation. Large geographical variations in clinical practice were observed. Conclusion CRT Survey II provides a valuable source of information on contemporary clinical practice with respect to CRT implantation in a large sample of ESC member states. The survey permits assessment of guideline adherence and demonstrates variations in patient selection, management, implantation procedure and follow-up strategy.
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| 18. |
- Dickstein, Kenneth, et al.
(author)
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European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey II : rationale and design
- 2015
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 17:1, s. 137-141
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Survey II is a 6 months snapshot survey initiated by two ESC Associations, the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Failure Association, which is designed to describe clinical practice regarding implantation of CRT devices in a broad sample of hospitals in 47 ESC member countries. The large volume of clinical and demographic data collected should reflect current patient selection, implantation, and follow-up practice and provide information relevant for assessing healthcare resource utilization in connection with CRT. The findings of this survey should permit representative benchmarking both nationally and internationally across Europe.
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| 19. |
- Fabritz, Larissa, et al.
(author)
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Dynamic risk assessment to improve quality of care in patients with atrial fibrillation : the 7th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference
- 2021
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 23:3, s. 329-344
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsThe risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) and its complications continues to increase, despite good progress in preventing AF-related strokes.Methods and resultsThis article summarizes the outcomes of the 7th Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) held in Lisbon in March 2019. Sixty-five international AF specialists met to present new data and find consensus on pressing issues in AF prevention, management and future research to improve care for patients with AF and prevent AF-related complications. This article is the main outcome of an interactive, iterative discussion between breakout specialist groups and the meeting plenary. AF patients have dynamic risk profiles requiring repeated assessment and risk-based therapy stratification to optimize quality of care. Interrogation of deeply phenotyped datasets with outcomes will lead to a better understanding of the cardiac and systemic effects of AF, interacting with comorbidities and predisposing factors, enabling stratified therapy. New proposals include an algorithm for the acute management of patients with AF and heart failure, a call for a refined, data-driven assessment of stroke risk, suggestions for anticoagulation use in special populations, and a call for rhythm control therapy selection based on risk of AF recurrence.ConclusionThe remaining morbidity and mortality in patients with AF needs better characterization. Likely drivers of the remaining AF-related problems are AF burden, potentially treatable by rhythm control therapy, and concomitant conditions, potentially treatable by treating these conditions. Identifying the drivers of AF-related complications holds promise for stratified therapy.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Gorenek, Bulent, et al.
(author)
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Cardiac arrhythmias in acute coronary syndromes : position paper from the joint EHRA, ACCA, and EAPCI task force
- 2014
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In: EuroIntervention. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1774-024X .- 1969-6213. ; 16, s. 1655-1673
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is known that myocardial ischaemia and infarction leads to severe metabolic and electrophysiological changes that induce silent or symptomatic life-threatening arrhythmias. Sudden cardiac death is most often attributed to this pathophysiology, but many patients survive the early stage of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) reaching a medical facility where the management of ischaemia and infarction must include continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) and hemodynamic monitoring, and a prompt therapeutic response to incident sustained arrhythmias. During the last decade, the hospital locations in which arrhythmias are most relevant have changed to include the cardiac catheterization laboratory, since the preferred management of early acute ACS is generally interventional in nature. However, a large proportion of patients are still managed medically.Both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias may occur in the setting of ACS and sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VAs) may be associated with circulatory collapse and require immediate treatment. Atrial fibrillation (AF) may also warrant urgent treatment when a fast ventricular rate is associated with hemodynamic deterioration. The management of other arrhythmias is also based largely on symptoms rather than to avert progression to more serious arrhythmias. Prophylactic antiarrhythmic management strategies have largely been discouraged.Although the mainstay of antiarrhythmic therapy used to rely on antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), particularly sodium channel blockers and amiodarone, their use has now declined, since clinical evidence to support such treatment has never been convincing. Therapy for acute coronary syndrome and arrhythmia management are now based increasingly on invasive approaches. The changes in the clinical approach to arrhythmia management in ACS have been so substantial that the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions established a task force to define the current position.
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| 23. |
- Hindricks, Gerhard, et al.
(author)
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Ability to remotely monitor atrial high-rate episodes using a single-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with a floating atrial sensing dipole
- 2023
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 25:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: To allow timely initiation of anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of stroke, the European guidelines on atrial fibrillation (AF) recommend remote monitoring (RM) of device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) and progression of arrhythmia duration along pre-specified strata (6 min...<1h, 1 h...<24 h, >= 24h). We used the MATRIX registry data to assess the capability of a single-lead implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) with atrial sensing dipole (DX ICD system) to follow this recommendation in patients with standard indication for single-chamber ICD.Methods and results: In 1841 DX ICD patients with daily automatic RM transmissions, electrograms of first device-detected AHREs per patient in each duration stratum were adjudicated, and the corresponding positive predictive values (PPVs) for the detections to be true atrial arrhythmia were calculated. Moreover, the incidence and progression of new-onset AF was assessed in 1451 patients with no AF history. A total of 610 AHREs >= 6min were adjudicated. The PPV was 95.1% (271 of 285) for episodes 6min...<1h, 99.6% (253/254) for episodes 1 h...<24h, 100% (71/71) for episodes >= 24h, or 97.5% for all episodes (595/610). The incidence of new-onset AF was 8.2% (119/1451), and in 31.1% of them (37/119), new-onset AF progressed to a higher duration stratum. Nearly 80% of new-onset AF patients had high CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc stroke risk, and 70% were not on anticoagulation therapy. Age was the only significant predictor of new-onset AF.Conclusion: A 99.7% detection accuracy for AHRE >= 1h in patients with DX ICD systems in combination with daily RM allows a reliable guideline-recommended screening for subclinical AF and monitoring of AF-duration progression.
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| 24. |
- Huo, Yan, et al.
(author)
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Effects of baseline P-wave duration and choice of atrial septal pacing site on shortening atrial activation time during pacing.
- 2012
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 14:9, s. 1294-1301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Atrial septal pacing (ASP) has been shown to shorten P-wave duration (PWD) and reduce recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with bradyarrhythmias. However, variability of interatrial connections and atrial conduction properties may explain ASP's modest clinical benefit. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ASP site on the duration of the paced P wave. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atrial septal pacing at high atrial septum (HAS), posterior septum behind the fossa ovalis (PSFO), and coronary sinus ostium (CSo) was performed in 69 patients admitted for electrophysiological study (52 ± 16 years, 41 men). Twelve-lead electrocardiogram was recorded at baseline and during pacing, signal-averaged for analysis of PWD and P-wave shortening achieved by ASP (ΔPWD = paced PWD-baseline PWD). Baseline PWD was 128 ± 15 ms. The shortest PWD during pacing was achieved at CSo (112 ± 15 ms) followed by HAS (122 ± 14 ms, P< 0.001 vs. CSo) and PSFO (124 ± 21 ms, P< 0.001 vs. CSo). P wave was shortened during pacing in patients with baseline PWD of > 120 ms (n= 50), whereas those with PWD of ≤ 120 ms showed PWD lengthening (n= 19) when paced at HAS (8 ± 17 vs. -12 ± 15 ms, P< 0.001), PSFO (15 ± 17 vs. -12 ± 26 ms, P< 0.001) and CSo (6 ± 16 vs. -25 ± 18 ms, P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pacing at CSo is associated with the shortest PWD. P-wave shortening is greatest in patients with baseline PWD of > 120 ms regardless of the pacing site. The results may have implications on the selection of candidates for ASP and the placement of the atrial septal lead, and warrant further evaluation in cases of permanent pacing in patients with paroxysmal AF.
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