Incidence Of Cardiac Tamponade Research Articles

Renal function and periprocedural complications in patients undergoing left atrial catheter ablation: A comparison between uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants and phenprocoumon administration.

Data regarding uninterrupted oral anticoagulation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during catheter ablation for left atrial arrhythmias is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of periprocedural uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) compared with uninterrupted phenprocoumon in patients with CKD undergoing left atrial catheter ablation. We conducted a retrospective single-center study of patients who underwent left atrial catheter ablation between 2016 and 2019 with underlying chronic kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 15 and 45ml/min). The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy or warfarin presents a superior safety profile in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing left atrial catheter ablation. We compared periprocedural complications (arteriovenous fistula, aneurysm, significant hematoma (> 5cm)) and/or bleeding (drop in hemoglobin of >2g/dl, pericardial effusion, retroperitoneal bleeding, other bleeding, stroke) between patients receiving either uninterrupted DOAC or warfarin therapy. Secondary analysis included patient baseline characteristics as well as procedural data. A total of 188 patients (female n = 108 (57%), mean age 75.3 ± 8.1years, mean GFR 36.8 ± 6ml/min) were included in this study. Underlying arrhythmias were atrial fibrillation (n = 104, 55.3%) and atypical atrial flutter (n = 84, 44.7%). Of these, n = 132 patients (70%) were under a DOAC medication, and n = 56 (30%) were under phenprocoumon. Major groin complications including pseudoaneurysm and/or AV fistula occurred in 8.9% of patients in the phenprocoumon group vs. 11.3% of patients in the DOAC group, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.62). Incidence of cardiac tamponade (2.3% vs. 0%; p = 0.55) and stroke (0% vs. 0%) were low in both DOAC and phenprocoumon groups with similar post-procedural drops in hemoglobin levels (1.1±1g/dl vs 1.1±0.9g/dl; p= 0.71). The type of anticoagulation had no significant influence on bleeding or thromboembolic events as well as groin complications in this retrospective study. Despite observing an increased rate of groin complications, the uninterrupted use of DOAC or phenprocoumon during left atrial catheter ablation in patients with CKD appears to be feasible and effective.

Temporal trends of clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute pericarditis: analysis of the nationwide database in Japan

Abstract Background Most patients with acute pericarditis are considered to have a good prognosis, but the short-term outcomes and whether they improve or worsen over time are unknown in large clinical databases. Purpose We sought to investigate in-hospital mortality and incidence of cardiac tamponade in patients hospitalized for acute pericarditis in Japan, as well as trends over time in these outcomes. Methods From the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases database from 2016 to 2020, we analyzed 7,374 patients hospitalized for acute pericarditis at 871 certificated hospitals by Japanese Circulation Society. We included etiology of acute pericarditis by idiopathic, connective-tissue disease, and post-cardiac injury syndrome. The primary and secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality and incidence of cardiac tamponade, respectively. Cochran-Armitage test was performed. Results In Japanese acute pericarditis patients (mean age; 65.0 years, male 71.0%), the etiology was idiopathic 96.2%, connective-tissue disease 2.1%, and post-cardiac injury syndrome 1.7%. The mortality rate and incidence of cardiac tamponade were 2.2% and 5.3%, respectively. Secular trend in those rates remained unchanged over time (p-trend = 0.30 and 0.19). The rates of mortality and cardiac tamponade were 2.1% and 5.2% in idiopathic pericarditis, 1.3% and 10.5% in connective-tissue disease, and 7.0% and 3.9% in post-cardiac injury syndrome, respectively. Connective-tissue disease pericarditis was at higher risk of cardiac tamponade compared to idiopathic pericarditis (5.2 vs. 10.5%, P=0.004). In addition, compared to idiopathic pericarditis, postoperative cardiac pericarditis tended to have a higher mortality rate (2.1 vs. 7.0%, P<0.001). Conclusion The short-term prognosis of acute pericarditis did not change significantly over time. This finding that clinical outcomes differed depending on the underlying disease suggests to clinicians the importance of differential diagnosis.

Real-world comparison of in-hospital complications after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between non-antivitamin K anticoagulants and warfarin: A propensity-matched analysis using nation-wide database.

Few large-scale, real-world studies have compared the efficacy and safety of non-antivitamin K anticoagulants (NOACs) with that of warfarin in catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). This retrospective, cross-sectional study used a nationwide administrative claims database, to compare complication-incidence rates following CA for AF between NOAC-treated patients and warfarin-treated matched cohorts in the real-world. Among the 32,797,540 records between June 2011 and August 2020 from 426 hospitals, 41,347 patients (38,065 on NOACs and 3,282 on Warfarin) were considered eligible. After performing propensity matching, 6,564 patients (3,282 per group) were analyzed. The overall complication incidence was significantly lower in the NOACs group than in the warfarin group(2.3% vs. 4.0%; P<0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-0.74). Although no significant differences in the incidence of cardiac tamponade (1.0% vs. 1.1%; P=0.90, OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.60-1.56) and major bleeding (0.6% vs. 0.7%; P=0.54, OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.44-1.52) were noted, blood transfusion requirements (0.6% vs. 1.2%; P=0.02, OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.30-0.88) and vascular complications (0.2% vs. 0.5%; P=0.02, OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12-0.79) were significantly lower in the NOACs group than in the warfarin group. Furthermore, the thromboembolic event incidence was significantly lower in the NOACs group than in the warfarin group (0.5% vs. 1.2%; P<0.001, OR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19-0.64). NOACs should be considered as a first-line therapy for periprocedural anticoagulation in patients undergoing CA for AF.

Uninterrupted Direct Oral Anticoagulants Without a Change in Regimen for Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Is an Acceptable Protocol.

Background: In patients undergoing catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF), the use of uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is the current protocol. This study evaluated bleeding complications following the uninterrupted use of 4 DOACs in patients undergoing CA for AF without any change in the dosing regimen. Moreover, we assessed differences between once- and twice-daily DOAC dosing in patients undergoing CA for AF who continued on DOACs without any change in the dosing regimen.Methods and Results: This study was a retrospective single-center cohort study of consecutive patients. All patients continued DOACs without interruption or changes to the dosing schedule, even in the case of morning procedures. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major bleeding events within the first 30 days after CA. In all, 710 consecutive patients were included in the study. Bleeding complications were less frequent in the uninterrupted twice- than once-daily DOACs group. However, the incidence of cardiac tamponade across all DOACs was low (0.98%; 7/710), suggesting that uninterrupted DOACs without changes to the dosing regimen may be an acceptable strategy. The rate of total bleeding events, including minor bleeding (12/710; 1.6%), was also satisfactory.Conclusions: Uninterrupted DOACs without any change in dosing regimen for patients undergoing CA for AF is acceptable. Bleeding complications may be less frequent in patients receiving DOACs twice rather than once daily.

Comparison of major bleeding events of uninterrupted non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants versus uninterrupted vitamin K antagonist during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background Previous meta-analyses comparing major bleeding of uninterrupted non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus uninterrupted vitamin K antagonist (VKA) during catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) had no consensus. This meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively evaluate the risk of major bleeding events of these two anticoagulant strategies. Methods We searched online databases for randomised controlled trials that compared major bleeding events of uninterrupted NOACs and VKA during CA of AF. A fixed-effect model was used if P-value was > 0.10 and I 2 was < 50%, otherwise a random- effect model was used. Results Six studies including 2392 patients were included in the analysis. The incidence of major bleeding was lower in the NOACs group than in the VKA group (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.34 − 0.93, I 2 = 38%, p = 0.15). Subgroup analyses showed that the incidence of severe puncture site complications was lower in the NOACs group than in the VKA group (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.30 − 0.96, I 2 = 16%, p = 0.32). But the incidence of cardiac tamponade (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.23 − 1.26, I 2 = 0%, p = 0.46), intracranial (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.03 − 2.23, I 2 = 0%, p = 0.82) and gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.18 − 5.39, I 2 = 0%, p = 0.43) had no statistically differences between the two groups. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that compared to uninterrupted VKA, uninterrupted NOACs are superior in major bleeding during CA of AF, but this superiority existed only in the aspect of severe puncture site complications.

Different hypothermic and cerebral perfusion strategies in extended arch replacement for acute type a aortic dissection: a retrospective comparative study

BackgroundThe optimal hypothermic level in total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation for acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD) has not been established, and the superiority of unilateral or bilateral cerebral perfusion remains a controversial issue. Therefore, we evaluated the application of moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA) with a core temperature of 29 °C and bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion in aTAAD treated by total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation.MethodsFrom July 2019 to January 2020, 25 aTAAD patients underwent total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation via MHCA (29 °C) and bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (modified group). Thirty-six patients treated by the same procedure with MHCA (25 °C) and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion during this period were selected as controls.ResultsThere were no differences between the two groups of patients in terms of age, sex, incidence of hypertension, malperfusion, and pericardial effusion, although the incidence of cardiac tamponade was higher in the modified group (control 2.8%, modified 20%; P = 0.038). The lowest mean circulatory arrest temperature was 24.6 ± 0.9 °C in the control group, and 29 ± 0.8 °C in the modified group (P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 4.9% (3/61) for the entire cohort (control 8.3%, modified 0; P = 0.262). The incidence of permanent neurologic deficit was 4.9% (control 8.3%, modified 0; P = 0.262). There were no significant differences in the occurrence of temporary neurological deficit, renal failure, and paraplegia between groups. The rate of major adverse events in the modified group was lower (30.6% vs. 4%, P = 0.019). A shorter duration of ventilation and ICU stay was identified in the modified group, as well as a reduced volume of drainage within the first 48 h and red blood cell transfusion.ConclusionsThe early results of MHCA (29 °C) and bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion applied in total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation for aTAAD were acceptable, providing similar inferior cerebral and visceral protection compared with that of the conventional strategy. A higher core temperature may account for the shorter duration of ventilation and ICU stay, as well as a reduced volume of drainage and red blood cell transfusion.

Association between the use of contact force-sensing catheters and cardiac tamponade in atrial fibrillation ablation

IntroductionCardiac tamponade is a rare but life-threatening complication during atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Contact force (CF)–sensing catheters improve ablation effectiveness. However, the impact of the application of CF-sensing catheters on the occurrence of cardiac tamponade remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the “real-world” impact of CF-sensing catheters on cardiac tamponade during AF ablation in an experienced medical center.Methods and resultsThis was a retrospective study of consecutive de novo AF ablation procedures at Beijing Anzhen Hospital between 2013 and 2016. The ablation procedure was divided into a CF group and a non-CF group. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the use of CF-sensing catheters and the risk of cardiac tamponade. A total of 5313 patients with AF were involved in this study. The incidence of cardiac tamponade in the CF group was significantly higher than that in the non-CF group (1.07% vs. 0.44%, P = 0.009). Of the cardiac tamponade cases in the non-CF group, 45.45% were delayed compared with 10% in the CF group (P = 0.011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CF-sensing catheters increased the risk of cardiac tamponade (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.17–4.26, P = 0.015). Stratified analysis revealed patients with a smaller left atrium dimension, lower ejection fraction, longer procedure duration, or longer ablation duration had a greater risk of cardiac tamponade during ablation with CF-sensing catheters.ConclusionsCF-sensing catheters increase the risk of cardiac tamponade during AF ablation.

Outcomes of Surgical Ablation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries

Surgical ablation procedure is commonly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardiac surgeries; however, the evidence regarding its impact on in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes is controversial. We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database for patients with AF who underwent cardiac surgeries from 1998 to 2013. We performed a propensity-score matching including 21 various baseline characteristics to compare those who underwent surgical ablation with those who had not. A total of 47,964 hospitalizations were included in our final analysis. On propensity matching, 23,975 were in the surgical ablation group and 23,990 in the control group. The primary outcome of in-hospital mortality was lower in the surgical ablation group compared with the control group (3.6% versus 4.2%, p<0.001). The surgical ablation group was associated with lower in-hospital cerebrovascular accident (2.0% versus 2.8%, p < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (2.6% versus 3.6%, p < 0.001), use of intraaortic balloon pump (5.1% versus 5.8%, p= 0.001), and shorter length of hospital stay (12.3 ± 10.1 versus 12.5 ± 10.3 days, p= 0.008). There was no difference between the surgical ablation and control groups in the incidence of cardiac tamponade (0.4% versus 0.3%, p= 0.296). The surgical ablation group was associated with a higher rate of complete heart block (5.2% versus 4.3%, p < 0.001) and permanent pacemaker insertion (8.6% versus 8.0%, p= 0.01). In this large analysis of almost 50,000 patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery, surgical ablation appears to be safe in the short term. Future studies should focus on evaluating the long-term effectiveness of this procedure.

Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most complex ablation procedures. Both patients and operators are exposed to scattered radiation. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of intracardiac echo (ICE)-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) without fluoroscopy. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 481 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing radiofrequency PVI with the CARTO 3 system (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). ICE-guided PVI without fluoroscopy and without CT/MRI integration (Nonfluoro group) was performed for 245 patients, and conventional fluoroscopy-guided PVI (Fluoro group) was performed for 236 patients. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of major adverse events. The primary efficacy endpoint was freedom from AF during follow-up. Secondary endpoints included procedure duration, fluoroscopy duration, and acute PVI rate. Mean procedure times between groups were similar (108.8 ± 18.2minutes in the Non-fluoro group vs 113.6 ± 26.8minutes in the Fluoro group; P=not significant [NS]). Acute PVI was achieved in all patients, with mean radiofrequency application times of 43.4 ± 7.5 and 44.4 ± 10.7minutes for the Nonfluoro and Fluoro groups, respectively (P=NS). The incidence of cardiac tamponade was 1.2% (3/245 patients) in the Nonfluoro group and 0.8% (2/236 patients) in the Fluoro group (P=NS). During 15.2 ± 4.1 months of follow-up, after a single procedure, AF recurrence was documented in 65 of 245 (26.5%) patients and 61 of 236 (25.8%) patients in the Nonfluoro and Fluoro groups, respectively (P=NS). Nonfluoroscopic ICE-guided catheter ablation of AF without prior cardiac image integration or angiography is feasible and safe. PVI without fluoroscopy did not affect procedure duration or long-term efficacy.

Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tamponade during radiofrequency catheter ablation for arrhythmias

Background: To explore the clinical manifestations of cardiac tamponade during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for cardiac arrhythmias and investigate its diagnosis and treatment strategies. Methods: The clinical data including clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment and prognosis of 21 patients who had suffered from cardiac tamponade during RFCA for cardiac arrhythmias were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The incidence of cardiac tamponade gradually decreased along with the extension of learning curve. It was significantly higher in females than in males (5.4‰ vs . 1.2‰, P vs . 1.2‰, P Conclusions: Cardiac tamponade during RFCA is associated with learning curve, gender (female), and age. The condition should be timely identified based on clinical manifestations and X-ray findings and appropriately managed.

EComment. Other factors associated with an increased risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

We read the article by Fawzy et al. and congratulate the authors on their study [1]. However, there are some conflicting points that should be highlighted. First of all, in the ‘Patients and Methods’ section, the authors mentioned several exclusion criteria. Among these, we did not note atrial dilatation, left ventricular aneurysm, long aortic clamping, long cardiopulmonary bypass time, electrolyte abnormalities and hypothyroidism, pathologies that can also cause postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) [2,3]. However in the same section, the authors stated that “all of the patients in both groups had preoperative B-blockers and no prophylactic anti-arrhythmic drugs were given to any patient postoperatively”. B-blockers withdrawal is also related to the increased risk of developing POAF [3]. Were B-blockers given to patients in both groups postoperatively or were B-blockers included prophylactic anti-arrhythmic drugs postoperatively? If not, in the postoperative period, B-blockers should have been used in both groups. As a result; all of these situations maybe a confounding factor for the purity of the study and the authors should have added these situations in the exclusion criteria. In the ‘Patients and Methods’ section, the authors stated that “echocardiography was performed on the third and fifth postoperative days and before discharge and the patient was considered to have POAF when an episode of AF persisted longer than 30 min even after correction of hypoxia and electrolyte imbalance”. We wonder why authors did not start echocardiographic follow-up on the first two postoperative days and why they chose 30 min to determine AF? Also in the same section, we did not note any information on using low-molecular weight heparin, standard heparin or anti-aggregating drugs in early postoperative period? If so, these drugs can cause an increased risk of developing POAF. This situation maybe a confounding factor for the purity of this study. In the Results section, the authors stated that “15 patients in Group I developed mild and moderate pericardial effusion vs 50 patients in group II”, but they did not mention what mild and moderate pericardial effusion means and which method or classification system they used for this situation. In the Results section, the authors showed that the incidence of cardiac tamponade and AF was lower in the study group. As a matter of fact, these results have been shown in many studies in the literature and are common knowledge. For example, in 1999, Kuralay et al. have already shown that posterior pericardiotomy lowers the risk of developing cardiac tamponade, PE and AF in 200 coronary artery bypass patients [4].

Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient with Primary Hypothyroidism

ABSTRACTHypothyroidism is a common disease with multisystem involvement. It may present clinically in various forms.Pericardial effusion (PE) is one of the cardiovascular manifestation.Pericardial effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space. The occurrence of pericardial effusion in hypothyroidism appears to be frequent manifestation of severe myxedema, than in mild hypothyroidism. The incidence of pericardial effusion in hypothyroidism is 3 to 6%. However, the incidence of cardiac tamponade in patients with hypothyroidism is rare event. The slow accumulation of liquid in the pericardial space leads to the rarity of hemodynamic premonitory signs, even in presence of large effusions.In this article, we report an elderly female presented with features of hypothyroidism and pericardial effusion which rapidly developed into cardiac tamponade. She did not have premonitory hemodynamic signs.How to cite this articleKatyayini R, Rekha NH, Chikkananjaiah R. Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient with Primary Hypothyroidism. J Med Sci 2015;1(1):7-9.

Abstract 330: Thirty-day Incidence of Cardiac Tamponade and Mortality Following Catheter or Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Background: The risks of cardiac tamponade and mortality during the first 30 days following catheter or surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation are not well known. Previous large population studies have been limited to in-hospital complication rates and might significantly underestimate the risks of these procedures. Methods: This population based retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national representative administrative claims database, the Medical Outcomes Research for Effectiveness and Economics Registry (MORE2 Registry®). Thirty-day incidence rates of cardiac tamponade and mortality were calculated and compared by type of procedure (i.e. catheter or surgical), patient gender and age. We analyzed 38,974 AF ablation procedures (catheter: 30,758, 78.9%; surgical: 8,216, 21.1%; age 80 or older: 6,077, 15.6%; 65 to 79: 19,572, 50.2%; 50 to 64: 10,243, 26.3%; 18 to 49: 3,082, 7.9%) performed on 35,754 patients (men: 21,879, 61.2%; women: 13,875, 38.8%) from 2007 to 2012. Results: Thirty-day incidence of cardiac tamponade was 1.74% and differed significantly by type of procedure (catheter: 1.51% vs. surgical: 2.62%, p&lt;0.001) and gender (men: 1.60% vs. women: 1.96%, p=0.010), but not by age group (18-49: 1.49%; 50-64: 1.77%; 65-79: 1.91%; 80 or older: 1.28%, p=0.425). The thirty-day mortality rate was 1.15% and differed significantly by type of procedure (catheter: 0.70% vs. surgical: 2.76%, p&lt;0.001), but not by gender (men: 1.06% vs. women: 1.29%, p=0.058). The mortality rate did not differ significantly from the youngest age group to the next oldest (18 to 49: 0.33% vs. 50 to 64: 0.21%, p=0.315), but increased significantly for the oldest age groups (65 to 79: 1.28%; 80 or older: 2.75%, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The 30-day risks of both cardiac tamponade and mortality following catheter AF ablation are greater than the in-hospital rates reported in a previous study. Surgical AF ablation has significantly higher 30-day rates of both cardiac tamponade and mortality, compared to catheter AF ablation. The risk of cardiac tamponade is greater for women than men, but does not vary significantly by age group. Conversely, the risk of mortality is greater for patients age 65 and older, but is not significantly different for women compared to men. These findings provide new comparative safety information that can help inform optimal treatment practices and could serve as the basis of a physician or facility quality measure designed to evaluate relative performance and provide benchmarks to support both consumer choice and quality improvement efforts.

Effects of Sex on the Incidence of Cardiac Tamponade After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Background— Cardiac tamponade is the most dramatic complication observed during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and the leading cause of procedure-related mortality. Female sex is a known risk factor for complications during AF ablation; however, it is unknown whether women have a higher risk of tamponade. Methods and Results— A systematic Medline search was used to locate academic electrophysiological centers that reported cases of tamponade occurring during AF ablation. Centers were asked to provide information on cases of acute tamponade according to sex and their mode of management including any case of related mortality. Nineteen electrophysiological centers provided information on 34 943 ablation procedures involving 25 261 (72%) men. Overall, 289 (0.9%) cases of tamponade were reported: 120 (1.24%) in women and 169 (0.67%) in men (odds ratio, 1.83; P &lt;0.001). There was a reciprocal association between center volume and the occurrence of tamponade with substantially lower risk in high-volume centers. Most cases of tamponade occurred during catheter manipulation or ablation; women tended to develop more tamponades during transseptal catheterization. No sex difference in the mode of management was observed. However, 16% cases of tamponade required surgery with lower rates in high-volume centers. Three cases of tamponade (1%) culminated in death. Conclusions— Tamponade during AF ablation procedures is relatively rare. Women have an ≈2-fold higher risk for developing this complication. The risk of tamponade among women decreases substantially in high-volume centers. Surgical backup and acute management skills for treating tamponade are important in centers performing AF ablation.

Pulmonary Artery Perforation by Plug Anchoring System After Percutaneous Closure of Left Appendage

Patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation who are at high risk of bleeding are increasingly referred for percutaneous left atrial appendage exclusion. Although effective, this procedure is not free from risk. We report a case of pericardial tamponade due to pulmonary artery tear caused by a trespassing anchoring hook of an AGA plug. Intraoperatively, no actual bleeding was found from the left appendage, a proof of its complete occlusion by the device. The patient underwent successful surgical repair and radio-frequency ablation of atrial fibrillation was performed by pulmonary veins encircling.

Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using a Visually Guided Laser Balloon Catheter

Background— Because of the technical difficulty with achieving pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in the treatment of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, novel catheter designs to facilitate the procedure are in development. A visually guided laser ablation (VGLA) catheter was designed to allow the operator to directly visualize target tissue for ablation and then deliver laser energy to perform point-to-point circumferential ablation. Single-center studies have demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy. We sought to determine the multicenter feasibility, efficacy, and safety of performing PV isolation using the VGLA catheter. Methods and Results— This study includes the first 200 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients treated with the VGLA catheter (33 operators, 15 centers). After transseptal puncture, the VGLA catheter was used to perform PV isolation. Electric isolation was assessed using a circular mapping catheter. Using the VGLA catheter, 98.8% (95% confidence interval, 97.8%–99.5%) of targeted PVs were isolated using a mean of 1.07 catheters per patient. Fluoroscopy and procedure times were 31±21 (mean±SD) and 200±54 minutes, respectively, and improved with operator experience. There were no instances of stroke, transient ischemic attack, atrioesophageal fistulas, or significant PV stenosis. There was a 2% incidence of cardiac tamponade and a 2.5% incidence of phrenic nerve palsy. At 12 months, the drug-free rate of freedom from atrial arrhythmias after 1 or 2 procedures was 60.2% (95% confidence interval, 52.7%–67.4%). Conclusions— In this multicenter experience of the first 200 patients treated with the VGLA catheter, PV isolation can be achieved in virtually all patients using a single VGLA catheter with an efficacy similar to radiofrequency ablation.

Rationale and design of the COlchicine for Prevention of the Post-pericardiotomy Syndrome and Post-operative Atrial Fibrillation (COPPS-2 trial): A randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study on the use of colchicine for the primary prevention of the postpericardiotomy syndrome, postoperative effusions, and postoperative atrial fibrillation

The efficacy and safety of colchicine for the primary prevention of the postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS), postoperative effusions, and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remain uncertain. Although preliminary data from a single trial of colchicine given for 1 month postoperatively (COPPS trial) were promising, the results have not been confirmed in a large, multicenter trial. Moreover, in the COPPS trial, colchicine was given 3 days postoperatively. The COPPS-2 study is a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Forty-eight to 72 hours before planned cardiac surgery, 360 patients, 180 in each treatment arm, will be randomized to receive placebo or colchicine without a loading dose (0.5 mg twice a day for 1 month in patients weighing ≥70 kg and 0.5 mg once for patients weighing <70 kg or intolerant to the highest dose). The primary efficacy end point is the incidence of PPS, postoperative effusions, and POAF at 3 months after surgery. Secondary end points are the incidence of cardiac tamponade or need for pericardiocentesis or thoracentesis, PPS recurrence, disease-related admissions, stroke, and overall mortality. The COPPS-2 trial will evaluate the use of colchicine for the primary prevention of PPS, postoperative effusions, and POAF, potentially providing stronger evidence to support the use of preoperative colchicine without a loading dose to prevent several postoperative complications. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01552187.

Complications of peripherally inserted central venous catheter in Japanese neonatal intensive care units

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC)-related complications using a multicenter case survey. A prospective cohort study was carried out by 19 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Japan from February 2005 to March 2007. A total of 975 case records were collected. PICC-related complications including pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade pleural effusion/ascites, catheter removal difficulties, catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI), and symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis were collected from case record forms. As for precautions during insertion, institutions were classified into three groups: those with maximum barrier precautions; standard precautions; and no specific precautions. PICC complications occurred in 27 cases (2.9%) among 946 PICC. The incidence was 1.6% for CR-BSI, and 0.1% for cardiac tamponade. CR-BSI rate per 1000 catheter-days was 1.1 with maximum barrier precautions at catheter insertion, 1.2 with standard precautions, and 1.8 with no specific precautions. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that proximal placement (odds ratio [OR], 3.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-10.60, P = 0.008) and longer placement duration (OR, 1.35; 95%CI: 1.14-1.60, for each week, P = 0.0005) independently contributed to overall complications. The incidence of cardiac tamponade was rare in this multicenter prospective study. Longer duration and proximal placement may be risk factors for PICC complications. In this cohort, the CR-BSI rate was low irrespective of the degree of barrier precautions at insertion.

Cardiac tamponade

To re-emphasize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade is a cause of obstructive shock. Incidence of cardiac tamponade is poorly documented. In cardiac tamponade, the pericardial pressure may reach 15-20 mmHg, leading to an equalization of pressures into the cardiac chambers and to a huge decrease in the systemic venous return. The right atrial transmural pressure becomes negligible. A competition between the right atrium and the right ventricle and between both ventricles is occurring. Deep inspiration allows the patients to maintain the systemic venous return at a certain level. Echocardiography is the key tool to diagnose a pericardial effusion, to detect its bad-tolerance, and to guide the treatment. In some situations following cardiac surgery, transesophageal echocardiography is mandatory. Treatment aims to restore a 'normal' blood pressure by fluid loading (with caution) and catecholamines and to drain the pericardium in emergency. Cardiac tamponade is responsible for an obstructive shock. Causes of pericardial effusion are numerous. Echocardiography is the fundamental tool for the diagnosis and therapeutic management. Volume resuscitation and catecholamines are temporary treatments, pericardial drainage remaining the only effective treatment.

Cardiac tamponade in Ilesa, Nigeria : audit

Background: There is a dearth of information on cardiac tamponade in children in Nigeria. Objective: To review the frequency, aetiology and outcome of cardiac tamponade in children in Ilesa, Nigeria. Design: A descriptive retrospective hospital-based study. Setting: The children’s emergency room (CHER), Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa. Subjects: All post-neonatal aged children with diagnosis of cardiac tamponade over a seven year period (2001 – 2007). Results: Of the 8,813 CHER admissions, cardiac tamponade was diagnosed in only 16 (0.2%) children (11 boys and 5 girls). The leading aetiologies were Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis (6 cases), blunt chest injury (4 cases) and tuberculosis pericarditis (3 cases). The mean (SD) was 5.6 (3.1) years. Recurrence was observed in 3/12 (25.0%) of the non-traumatic cases. The mortality was 10/ 16 (62.5%) with 100% case fatality recorded following trauma and 66.7% and 50.0% following tuberculous and staphylococcal pericarditis respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of cardiac tamponade in children in Ilesa, Nigeria seems low but the mortality is unacceptably high. Prompt diagnosis and improved interventional facilities are required.