Papillary Muscle Research Articles

Catheter ablation of idiopathic left fascicular ventricular tachycardia: Implications of false tendons for mapping and ablation.

The anatomical substrate for idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) remains speculative. Purkinje networks surrounding false tendons (FTs) might be involved in the reentrant circuit of ILVT. The objective was to evaluate the anatomical and electrophysiological features of false tendons FTs in relation to ILVT. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) was conducted on patients with ILVT. The relationship of the FTs with ILVT was determined using electro-anatomical mapping. Electrophysiological evaluation and radiofrequency ablation were conducted in 23 consecutive patients with ILVT. FTs were identified in 19/23 cases (82.6%) with P1 potentials during VT recorded at the FT in 14 of these patients (73.7%). Three FT types were identified. In type 1, the FT attached the septum to the base of the posteromedial papillary muscle (PPM) (4/19); type 2 FTs ran between the septum and the PPM apex (3/19), while in type 3, the connection occurred between the septum and apex (11/19) or between the septum and the LV free wall (1/19). The effective ILVT ablation sites were situated at the FT-PPM (3/19) and the FT-septum (16/19) attachment sites. This series demonstrates the association between Purkinje fibers and FTs during catheter ablation of ILVT and verifies that left ventricular FTs are an important substrate in this type of tachycardia.

The Mechanism and Natural History of Mitral Regurgitation in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is an infl/ammatory cardiomyopathy that can present with mitral regurgitation (MR), but few studies describe the mechanisms and natural history of MR in CS. We queried an institutional registry of 512 patients with CS for moderate or greater MR at diagnosis. Baseline demographic and echocardiography (TTE) data were collected. MR was classified by Carpentier type. Positron emission tomography was analyzed for 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) avidity of anterolateral and posteromedial papillary muscles. Follow-up TTE and positron emission tomography imaging of patients treated with immunosuppression was analyzed for MR severity and FDG avidity changes. Fifty-four patients were identified. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 39.3%, effective regurgitant orifice 0.34cm2, and MR regurgitant volume 46.3ml. Carpentier type I was the most common MR mechanism (46.3%). Forty-one patients had follow-up TTE (median follow-up 1.7 years, interquartile range 2.6 years). Evaluating preprocedural follow-up TTE only, MR severity was significantly reduced, with 37% of patients showing reduction by at least 1 severity grade (p=0.04). With postprocedural TTE included, 61% of patients showed alleviation of MR severity with mean decrease in grade-0.98 (p <0.001). Sixty-eight percent of patients had anterolateral/posteromedial FDG avidity. Papillary muscle FDG avidity resolved in 80% of patients (n=20, median follow-up 1.6 years, interquartile range 2.5 years). In conclusion, Carpentier type I functional MR is the most common MR mechanism in CS. MR severity and papillary muscle FDG avidity decrease after treatment, and MR resolution is further strengthened by procedural intervention in a minority of patients, suggesting an overall favorable natural history of MR in CS.

Apical Aneurysms and Mid–Left Ventricular Obstruction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

BackgroundApical left ventricular (LV) aneurysms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are associated with adverse outcomes. The reported frequency of mid-LV obstruction has varied from 36% to 90%. ObjectivesThe authors sought to ascertain the frequency of mid-LV obstruction in HCM apical aneurysms. MethodsThe authors analyzed echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance examinations of patients with aneurysms from 3 dedicated programs and compared them with 63 normal controls and 47 controls with apical-mid HCM who did not have aneurysms (22 with increased LV systolic velocities). ResultsThere were 108 patients with a mean age of 57.4 ± 13.5 years; 40 (37%) were women. A total of 103 aneurysm patients (95%) had mid-LV obstruction with mid-LV complete systolic emptying. Of the patients with obstruction, 84% had a midsystolic Doppler signal void, a marker of complete flow cessation, but only 19% had Doppler systolic gradients ≥30 mm Hg. Five patients (5%) had relative hypokinesia in mid-LV without obstruction. Aneurysm size is not bimodal but appears distributed by power law, with large aneurysms decidedly less common. Comparing mid-LV obstruction aneurysm patients with all control groups, the short-axis (SAX) systolic areas were smaller (P < 0.007), the percent SAX area change was greater (P < 0.005), the papillary muscle (PM) areas were larger (P < 0.003), and the diastolic PM areas/SAX diastolic areas were greater (P < 0.005). Patients with aneurysms had 22% greater SAX PM areas compared with those with elevated LV velocities but no aneurysms (median: 3.00 cm2 [IQR: 2.38-3.70 cm2] vs 2.45 [IQR: 1.81-2.95 cm2]; P = 0.004). Complete emptying occurs circumferentially around central PMs that contribute to obstruction. Late gadolinium enhancement was always brightest and the most transmural apical of, or at the level of, complete emptying. ConclusionsThe great majority (95%) of patients in the continuum of apical aneurysms have associated mid-LV obstruction. Further research to investigate obstruction as a contributing cause to apical aneurysms is warranted.

Electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias from the right bundle branch of the moderator band

There are little data on ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the right bundle branch (RBB) of the moderator band (MB) (MB-RBB VAs) in a cohort of patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of MB-RBB VAs. Sixteen patients with MB-RBB VAs and 5 patients with right ventricular (RV) anterior papillary muscle (APM) VAs (RV-APM VAs) were studied under the guidance of intracardiac echocardiography. The MB-RBB VAs group demonstrated a typical left bundle branch block pattern with left superior axis deviation and a narrower QRS complex during VAs (P < .001) as compared with the RV-APM VAs group. Furthermore, the MB-RBB VAs group had a shorter rS interval, a sharper slope of the S wave downstroke without notching in leads V1 and V2, and a shorter r wave duration in lead V2. A leading RBB potential at the target during VAs was observed for all patients in the MB-RBB VAs group, which was also present during sinus rhythm for all patients, except for 2 with RBB block at baseline. Ablation of the leading RBB potential effectively eliminated the arrhythmia. In the RV-APM VAs group, no Purkinje potential at the target was identified in any patient during VAs. QRS morphology of MB-RBB VAs is characterized by a typical left bundle branch block pattern with a relatively narrow QRS complex, short r wave and rS durations, and a sharp S wave downstroke without notching in leads V1 and V2. Mapping and ablation of the leading RBB potential are effective in eliminating VAs.

Biventricular false tendons

Biventricular false tendons

Myricetin May Improve Cardiac Dysfunction Possibly Through Regulating Blood Pressure and Cellular Stress Molecules in High-Fructose-Fed Rats.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of myricetin on cardiac dysfunction caused by high fructose intake. Fructose was given to the rats as a 20% solution in drinking water for 15 weeks. Myricetin was administered by oral gavage for the last 6 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff method. The effects of isoprenaline, phenylephrine, and acetylcholine on cardiac contractility and rhythmicity were recorded in the isolated right atrium and left ventricular papillary muscles. In addition to biochemical measurements, the cardiac expressions of cellular stress-related proteins were determined by western blotting. Myricetin improved systolic blood pressure but did not affect body weight, plasma glucose, and triglyceride levels in fructose-fed rats. The impairment of isoprenaline- and phenylephrine-mediated increases in atrial contraction and sinus rate in fructose-fed rats was restored by myricetin treatment. Isoprenaline, phenylephrine, and acetylcholine-mediated papillary muscle contractions were not changed by fructose or myricetin administration. The expression of the mitochondrial fission marker dynamin-related protein 1 and the mitophagic marker PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) was enhanced in the fructose-fed rat, and myricetin treatment markedly attenuated PINK1 expression. High-fructose intake augmented phosphorylation of the proinflammatory molecule Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the stress-regulated kinase JNK1, but myricetin only reduced NF-κB expression. Moreover, myricetin diminished the elevation in the expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax. Our results imply that myricetin has a protective role in cardiac irregularities induced by a high-fructose diet through reducing systolic blood pressure, improving cardiac adrenergic responses, suppressing PINK1, NF-κB, and Bax expression, and thus reflecting a potential therapeutic value.

Calcified False Tendon Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death in a Young Adult: An Autopsy-based Case Report

Left Ventricular False Tendons (LVFTs) are cord-like structures that traverse the cavity of the left ventricle, connecting the left ventricular free wall or papillary muscle and the ventricular septum without attachment to the mitral valve leaflets. They are incidentally found in autopsy heart specimens. False tendons are generally benign anatomic variants and can be associated with functional murmurs and electrocardiographic abnormalities. False tendons can also be a cause of ventricular arrhythmias. Two-dimensional echocardiography serves as a useful imaging modality in detecting false tendons. They should be differentiated from other entities such as thickened ventricular trabeculations, an accessory anterior mitral leaflet, thrombus, vegetation, and ventricular masses or tumours. Most LVFTs are transverse and are located in the apex. They are found to arise from the inner trabeculated layer of the myocardium. The exact prevalence of LVFTs remains unclear. Present report is a case of postmortem findings in the heart of a 34-year-old male who experienced a sudden collapse while walking after lunch. On gross examination, the left ventricular wall and the lower part of the interventricular septum showed focal grey-white areas. A well-defined, grey-white, hard polypoidal lesion was noted in the left ventricle near the apex, attached to the papillary muscles. The left anterior descending artery showed early atherosclerotic changes. LVFT was diagnosed, which could have been the reason for the arrhythmia. Hence, the evaluation of cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) serves as helpful parameters in detecting LVFTs.

Effect of ovariohysterectomy on queen myocardial function: echocardiographic evidence.

Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is one of the most common surgeries in veterinary medicine. Although this surgical method has several advantages, it can alter the function of various organs such as heart. The present study investigated the effect of OHE on cardiac functions using M-mode echocardiography. A total of 10 healthy adult domestic short-haired cats were enrolled in the current study. Fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) percentages along with cardiac output (CO) were measured through the right parasternal approach in papillary muscle level view. Moreover, the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before OHE (D0) as well as 10 (D10), 20 (D20) and 30 (D30) days after OHE. The results of this study showed that the mean FS and EF decreased on all days of the study. The FS reduction was significant between D10 and D30 and EF changes were significant between D10 and D20. The means of CO increased significantly on D0 compared to the D10. After D20, CO reduced until the end of the study. Mean concentrations of LH and FSH increased on all research days; but, the changes were significant until D20. Despite the negative effects of OHE on myocardial function, there was no significant correlation between hormonal levels and echocardiographic findings after OHE in this study.

Molecular basis of the different effects of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide on the maximum upstroke velocity and half-decay time of the cardiac action potential in guinea pig papillary muscle.

Procainamide (PA) and its in vivo metabolite, N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA), display some pharmacological differences. Although it is agreed that PA is a class IA antiarrhythmic, it has been reported that NAPA is a pure class III antiarrhythmic that affects only the repolarizing phase of the cardiac action potential. This last concept, observed exclusively in dogs, gained wide acceptance, appearing in classic pharmacology textbooks. However, evidence in species such as mice and rats indicates that NAPA can affect cardiac Na+ channels, which is unexpected for a pure class III antiarrhythmic drug. To further clarify this issue, the effects of PA (used as a reference drug) and NAPA on the maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) and half-decay time (HDT) of the cardiac action potential were examined in the isolated right papillaris magnus of the guinea pig heart. Both PA and NAPA affected Vmax at lower concentrations than required to affect HDT, and NAPA had weaker effects on both variables. Thus, NAPA displayed typical class IA antiarrhythmic behavior. Therefore, the concept that NAPA is a pure class III antiarrhythmic drug is more species-dependent than previously envisioned. In addition, we demonstrated that the differential pharmacology of PA and NAPA is explainable, in molecular terms, by steric hindrance of the effects of NAPA and the greater number of potent aromatic-aromatic and cation π interactions with Na+ or K+ cardiac channels for PA.

Cardiac Rhabdomyoma in Four Göttingen Minipigs.

Göttingen minipigs are increasingly used as an alternative large animal model in nonclinical toxicology studies, and proliferative lesions in this species are rare. Here, we report four cases of cardiac rhabdomyoma in Göttingen minipigs, an incidental and benign mass in the heart. Three cases lacked gross observations and had a microscopic nodule in either the left ventricle or interventricular septum. The last case had a large, firm, raised nodule on a left ventricular papillary muscle noted at necropsy, with additional microscopic intramural masses in the left ventricular wall. In all cases, microscopic evaluation revealed well-circumscribed, expansile nodules composed of bundles of large, highly vacuolated, ovoid to polygonal cells with variable cytoplasmic processes radiating from a centrally located nucleus. Cells displayed patchy accumulation of intracytoplasmic, PAS-positive material and haphazardly arranged cytoplasmic cross-striations. There was no evidence of cardiac insufficiency or other data to suggest the masses were clinically meaningful. Cardiac rhabdomyomas have been reported in meat-hybrid swine, with a breed predisposition in red wattle. This lesion is well established in guinea pigs, but documentation in other laboratory species used in toxicologic studies is limited to two beagle dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous cardiac rhabdomyoma in Göttingen minipigs.

Negative Inotropic Effects of Class I Antiarrhythmics on Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocardium: Correlation with L-Type Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt; Channel Blockade

The negative inotropic effects of nine Vaughan Williams class I antiarrhythmic drugs were examined in guinea pig ventricular tissue preparations. The drugs decreased the contractile force of papillary muscles with different potencies: the potency order was propafenone > aprindine > cibenzoline > flecainide > ranolazine > disopyramide > pilsicainide > mexiletine > GS-458967. The potency of drugs correlated with the reported IC50 values to block the L-type Ca2+ channel rather than the Na+ channel. The effects of drugs were roughly the same when examined under a high extracellular K+ solution, which inactivates the Na+ channel. Furthermore, the attenuation of the extracellular Ca2+-induced positive inotropy was strong with propafenone, moderate with cibenzoline, and weak with pilsicainide. These results indicate that the negative inotropic effects of class I antiarrhythmic drugs can be largely explained by their blockade of the L-type Ca2+ channel.

Effect analysis of myectomy guided by personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing in the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objective: To examine the clinical efficacy of myectomy guided by personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: The clinical data of 28 patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who underwent septal myectomy guided by personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing in the Department of Cardiaovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from May 2020 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 14 females, aging (51.1±14.0) years (range: 18 to 72 years). Enhanced cardiac computed tomography images were imported into Mimics software for preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction. The direction of the short axial plane of each segment was marked perpendicularly to the interventricular septum on the long axial plane of the digital cardiac model, then the thickness was measured on each short axial plane. A figurative digital model was used to determine the extent of resection and to visualize mitral valve and papillary muscle abnormalities. Correlation between the length, width, thickness, and volume of the predicted resected myocardium and those of the surgically resected myocardium was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis. The accuracy of detecting mitral valve and papillary muscle abnormalities of transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional reconstruction was also compared. Results: There was no death or serious complications like permanent pacemaker implantation, re-sternotomy for bleeding, low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, or multiple organ dysfunction syndromes in the whole group. Namely, the obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract was effectively relieved. The systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet was absent in all patients after myectomy. The length, width, and thickness of the predicted resected myocardium by three-dimensional reconstruction were significantly positively correlated with the length (R=0.65, 95%CI: 0.37 to 0.82, P<0.01), width (R=0.39, 95%CI: 0.02 to 0.67, P<0.01), and thickness (R=0.82, 95%CI: 0.65 to 0.92, P<0.01) of the surgically resected myocardium, while the relation of the volume of the predicted resected myocardium and the volume of the surgically resected myocardium was a strong positive correlation (R=0.88, 95%CI: 0.76 to 0.94, P<0.01). Importantly, the interventricular septal myocardial thickness measured by preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed a moderate positive correlation with the volume of surgically resected myocardium (R=0.52, 95%CI: 0.19 to 0.75, P<0.01). During a follow-up of (14.4±6.8) months (range: 3 to 22 months), no death occurred, and 1 patient was readmitted for endocardial radiofrequency ablation due to atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Personalized three-dimensional reconstruction and printing can not only visualize the intracardiac structure but also guide septal myectomy by predicting the thickness, volume, and extent of resected myocardium to achieve ideal resection.

An Aberrant Papillary Muscle Causes Bifid Shape of Cardiac Apex.

An Aberrant Papillary Muscle Causes Bifid Shape of Cardiac Apex.

Acute Severe Mitral Regurgitation Secondary to Papillary Muscle Rupture: A Rare Mechanical Complication of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction in current era is detected promptly and emergent percutaneous intervention is initiated in most part of the world as a standard of care which has led to significant reduction in all the complications associated with acute myocardial ischemia. A 46-year-old man presented with acute onset of chest pain and shortness of breathand was found to have a non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and acute mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle rupture. This case describes a rare and potentially fatal mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction. Use of transesophageal echo guides for the understanding the mechanism and guide the management.

Propofol versus insulin cardioplegia in valvular heart surgeries assessed by myocardial histopathology and troponin I

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Despite of the effectiveness of on pump cardiac surgeries in valvular diseases, cardioplegic arrest and myocardial reperfusion injury are still an obstacle. Many cardioprotective additives are tried but the obtained laboratory results are mixed. Our objective was to compare the effects of supplementing the cardioplegia solution with propofol or insulin evaluated not only by laboratory biomarkers but also with papillary muscle biopsy in patients undergoing on pump valvular surgeries. Methods Sixty adult patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups to receive: cold blood cadioplegia (control (C) group), supplemented with either 9 mg/L propofol 10% (P group), or 10 IU/L regular insulin (I group) Results Propofol induced significant higher myocardial protection presented by better histopathological grading of the obtained muscle biopsies when compared to either group C (P = 0.0460) or group I (P = 0.014), lower postoperative dysrhythmia (P = 0.004), lower troponin I release (40.57 ± 8.5 vs 47.7 ± 6.22-fold increase), and more eukalemic state with lower need for K supplementation than insulin. Conclusion Propofol was superior to insulin in providing higher grade of myocardial protection with lower troponin I release, more steady K level and lower postoperative complications.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in acute mitral regurgitation following acute myocardial infarction: Recent advances.

Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) is not a rare finding following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It may develop due to papillary muscle rupture (primary MR) or due to rapid remodeling of the infarcted areas leading to geometric changes and leaflets tethering (secondary or functional MR). The clinical presentation can be catastrophic, with pulmonary edema and refractory cardiogenic shock. Acute MR is a potentially life-threatening complication and is linked to worse clinical outcomes. Until recently, medical treatment or mitral valve surgery were the only established treatment options for these patients. However, there is growing evidence for the benefits of safe and effective trans-catheter interventions in this condition, specifically transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). We aimed to review the current role of TEER in post-MI acute MR patients, focusing on different etiologies.

Subannular repair for functional mitral regurgitation with reduced systolic ventricle function: rationale and design of REFORM-MR registry

BackgroundFunctional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is one of the most common heart valve diseases that is a sequel of left ventricular remodelling. Although mitral valve annuloplasty is a standard treatment of FMR, the recurrence of FMR is a major drawback and occurs in 10–50% of patients. The REFORM-MR registry aims to investigate the effectiveness of standardized papillary muscle relocation and ring annuloplasty and to identify the risk factors associated with recurrent FMR.MethodsREFORM-MR is a prospective, multicenter registry that enrols consecutive FMR patients across five sites in Germany. All patients with FMR and restricted movement of leaflets during systole (i.e., type IIIb mitral regurgitation) undergoing standardized subannular repair in combination with mitral valve annuloplasty are included in the study. The primary objective is to examine the effect of combined papillary muscle relocation and ring annuloplasty on the recurrence of FMR at 2 years postoperatively. The secondary objectives are MACCE rate, reinterventions on the mitral valve and cardiac-related mortality in the study cohort. Echocardiography core-lab and MRI core-lab will provide anonymized analysis of the imaging data in the REFORM-MR registry. Student’s t-test or Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables and the Chi-Square or Fisher exact test for categorical variables are used for group comparisons. Kaplan–Meier analyses is performed for survival and safety outcomes.ResultsAs of May 2021, a total of 97 patients were enrolled across five sites in Germany.ConclusionsThe results of this study will help define the outcomes of combined papillary muscle relocation and ring annuloplasty in the FMR treatment in a multicentre setting and to improve the understanding of the limitations of subannular repair procedures while treating patients with type III FMR.Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03470155.

Variant Anatomy of the Right Ventricular Moderator Band in Human Heart in Early Antenatal Period of Development

INTRODUCTION: The information about the variants of the structure and topography of the moderator band (MB) that connects the interventricular septum with the anterior papillary muscle and the anterior wall of the right ventricle in the heart of a fetus and a newborn, is of great importance for cardiac surgery.&#x0D; AIM: To establish the prevalence of the MB and describe the variants of its shape, structure and position in the right ventricle of the normal human heart in the early antenatal period of development.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Olympus SZX2-ZB10 stereomicroscope with 4.725X to 15X magnification, formalin-fixed hearts of fetuses and stillborns of 1728 weeks were studied. The results are presented in the form of median, 25th and 75th percentiles, extreme values. Correlation analysis was performed. Significance of the difference of proportions was evaluated by one-sided t-test. The results are presented in the form of median (Me), 25th and 75th percentiles (Q25%Q75%).&#x0D; RESULTS: MB was found in 73 of 90 preparations (81.1%), in 48 cases (66%) it was bridge-like, and in 24 of 72 (33.3%) ― parietal. MB had flattened (crest-like) or cylindrical shape (62.5% vs 33%; p = 0.0002). The most common was flattened bridge-like variant. The length of MB was 2.2 (1.753.0) mm, width 1.35 (0.91.75) mm, thickness 1.0 (0.651.5) mm. The band mainly originated from the interventricular septum between the middle and apical thirds of the longitudinal axis, and the anterior and middle thirds of the transverse axis of the interventricular septum. It typically terminated with the attachment to the anterior papillary muscle (47.7%), or to the anterior wall of the right ventricle immediately in front of this muscle (38.5%). In 22.2% of cases, the MB had papillary muscles on it, and in 37.5%, the secondary trabeculae extended from it to the apex of the ventricle.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: MB is a normal, but not obligatory structure of the heart in the antenatal period, its normal anatomy is variable and is manifested by typical and rare variants of the form, position, beginning and end, which in many cases can impede diagnostics and treatment of the pathology of the right ventricle.

Complicaciones mecánicas en el IAMCEST: tendencias de prevalencia y mortalidad en la era de la angioplastia primaria. Registro Ruti-STEMI

Introduction and objectivesMechanical complications confer a dreadful prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Their prevalence and prognosis are not well-defined in the current era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) reperfusion networks. We aimed to analyze prevalence and mortality trends of post-STEMI mechanical complications over 2 decades, before and after the establishment of pPCI networks. MethodsProspective, consecutive registry of STEMI patients within a region of 850 000 inhabitants over 2 decades: a pre-pPCI period (1990-2000) and a pPCI period (2007-2017). We analyzed the prevalence of mechanical complications, including ventricular septal rupture, papillary muscle rupture, and free wall rupture (FWR). Twenty eight-day and 1-year mortality trends were compared between the 2 studied decades. ResultsA total of 6033 STEMI patients were included (pre-pPCI period, n=2250; pPCI period, n=3783). Reperfusion was supported by thrombolysis in the pre-pPCI period (99.1%) and by pPCI in in the pPCI period (95.7%). Mechanical complications developed in 135 patients (2.2%): ventricular septal rupture in 38 patients, papillary muscle rupture in 24, and FWR in 73 patients. FWR showed a relative reduction of 60% in the pPCI period (0.8% vs 2.0%, P<.001), without significant interperiod changes in the other mechanical complications. After multivariate adjustment, FWR remained higher in the pre-pPCI period (OR, 1.93; 95%CI, 1.10-3.41; P=.023). At 28 days and 1 year, mortality showed no significant changes in all the mechanical complications studied. ConclusionsThe establishment of regional pPCI networks has modified the landscape of mechanical complications in STEMI. FWR is less frequent in the pPCI era, likely due to reduced transmural infarcts.

Flecainide in patients with arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome: A case series

Arrhythmic symptoms are prevalent and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are a feared complication in patients with arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome (AMVS) (1). There is no established medical therapy to suppress VA and relieve arrhythmic symptoms in these patients beyond conventional beta-blocker therapy, which is often unsuccessful and not evaluated in randomized controlled trials. Catheter ablation can suppress VA in some patients, but is limited due to the multifocal nature of premature ventricular complexes (PVC), papillary muscle origin, and VA recurrence despite initial successful procedures.