Presence Of Ventricular Arrhythmias Research Articles

Effects of Mitral Valve Surgery on Ventricular Arrhythmia in Mitral Valve Prolapse Patients: Five-Year Eollow-up.

Aim To evaluate the effect of mitral valve (MV) repair and replacement on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and to identify risk factors for the persistence of VA in patients with MV prolapse and severe mitral regurgitation (MR) during a mid-term follow-up.Material and methods A single-site observational, prospective study successively enrolled 30 patients (mean age, 55.2±9.9 years, 60% men) who underwent MV repair or replacement for severe MR due to MV prolapse or chordal avulsion. Transthoracic echocardiography and Holter monitoring were performed in all patients before and annually after surgery. A pathomorphological study of MV fragments excised during surgery was performed.Results During the five-year follow-up period (144 person-years), one case of sudden cardiac death outside a health care facility was recorded. MR severity progressed in three patients after MV repair. The total number of all VAs decreased during the follow-up period, with a significant decrease in the number of paroxysms of unstable ventricular tachycardia during the first two years after surgery. The presence of VA in the postoperative period was correlated with the severity of postoperative left ventricular (LV) remodeling: end-diastolic volume (EDV) (rs=0.69; p=0.005), LV ejection fraction (EF) (rs = -0.55; p=0.004) and severity of MV myxomatous alterations according to histological study data (rτ=0.58; p=0.045). The beta-blocker treatment did not influence the VA frequency and severity (rs= -0.18; p=0.69). According to a univariate regression analysis only EDV (p = 0.001), LVEF <50% (p = 0.003), and myxomatous MV degeneration (p = 0.02) were risk factors for persistent ventricular tachycardia in the postoperative period.Conclusion Surgical intervention on MV in patients with MV prolapse and severe MR decreased the number of cases of malignant VAs and was correlated with the postoperative changes in LV volume and function, as well as the severity of MV myxomatous alterations.

Hospital Outcomes of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection With Concurrent Ventricular Arrhythmias

BackgroundWhile patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) occasionally present with concurrent ventricular arrhythmias (VA), the impact of VA on in-hospital outcomes in the United States (US) is not well-established. This study aims to analyze in-hospital outcomes of patients with SCAD and concurrent VA and to determine the factors associated with VA occurrence in this high-risk population in the US. MethodsUsing the Nationwide Readmissions Database, our study included patients age 18 years or older who had SCAD between 2017 and 2020. We categorized the cohort into 2 groups depending on the presence of VA during hospitalization. In-hospital outcomes were assessed between SCAD patients with VA and those without. Weighted analysis was performed. We analyzed the independent factors associated with VA occurring among SCAD patients through univariable and multivariable analyses. ResultsEight hundred seventy-seven SCAD patients were included in the study: 118 (13.5%) with VA and 759 (86.6%) without. SCAD patients with concurrent VA were associated with higher rates of early mortality (10.2% vs 2.0%; P < .01), prolonged index hospital stay (≥7 days) (33.1% vs 11.7%; P < .01), and non-home discharge (21.2% vs 5.9%; P < .01). The length of hospital stay was longer in the SCAD with concurrent VA group (7.39 days vs 3.58 days; P < .01), and the median cumulative cost of hospitalization was also higher in this group ($31,451 vs $13,802; P < .01). SCAD patients with concurrent VA had increased in-hospital adverse events: acute heart failure, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, cerebral infarction, pulmonary edema, and acute kidney injury. In multivariable analysis, the independent factors associated with VA occurrence among SCAD patients were chronic liver disease (aOR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.43-8.20; P < .01) and heart failure (aOR, 5.63; 95% CI, 3.36-9.42; P < .01). ConclusionsConcurrence of VA among SCAD patients was associated with poorer in-hospital outcomes. Heart failure and chronic liver disease were the independent factors associated with VA occurrence in SCAD patients.

Abstract 13027: Hospital Outcomes and Predictors of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection With Concurrent Ventricular Arrhythmias

Background: While spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) patients can present with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), the in-hospital outcomes among these patients are not well-established. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the in-hospital outcomes of patients with SCAD and concurrent VAs, and to determine the predictors of VAs occurrence in this population. Methods: Using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, our study included patients aged 18 years or older who had SCAD between 2017 and 2020. We categorized the cohort into two groups depending on the presence of VAs during hospitalization. The in-hospital outcomes were assessed between two groups. Through multivariable analysis, we further analyzed the predictors of VAs occurrence among SCAD patients. Results: Our study included 160 (13.45%) SCAD patients with concurrent VAs and 1,030 (86.55%) SCAD patients without concurrent VAs between 2017 and 2020. SCAD patients with concurrent VA were associated with higher rates of early mortality (11.88% vs. 2.04%, p&lt;0.01), prolonged index hospital stay (≥7 days) (31.25% vs. 12.82%, p&lt;0.01), and non-home discharge (21.88% vs. 6.50%, p&lt;0.01). The length of hospital stay was longer in the SCAD with concurrent VAs group (6.93 days vs. 3.73 days, p&lt;0.01), and the median cumulative cost of hospitalization was also higher in this group ($31,450 vs. $14,664, p&lt;0.01). SCAD with concurrent VAs patients also had poorer in-hospital adverse events. In multivariable analysis, the independent predictors for VAs occurrence among SCAD patients were chronic liver disease (aOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.15- 4.12, p=0.02) and heart failure (aOR: 3.40; 95%CI: 2.30- 5.02, p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Ventricular arrhythmias among SCAD patients were associated with poorer in-hospital outcomes. Heart failure and chronic liver disease were the predictors of VAs in SCAD patients. This highlights the importance of closely monitor and aggressive VAs management among these high-risk patients.

Mitral annular disjunction and Pickelhaube sign in children with mitral valve prolapse: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundMitral annular disjunction (MAD) and the Pickelhaube sign are identified as risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden cardiac death in adults with mitral valve prolapse (MVP); their prevalence and consequences in children have never been studied. ObjectivesTo determine the proportion of MAD in children with MVP, and its potential link with VAs. MethodsA cohort of 49 consecutive children (mean age 12.8±3.0 years; 33 females) with MVP and comprehensive clinical arrhythmia (24-hour monitoring) and Doppler echocardiographic characterization, including pulsed-wave tissue Doppler (PWTD) of the lateral mitral annulus, was identified. The relationship between clinical and echocardiographic data and presence of VAs was studied. ResultsMAD was common (n=25; 51%). Only five patients had significant VAs (Lown grade>2) characterized by polymorphic premature ventricular contractions or couplets. MAD was not associated with VAs on 24-hour Holter monitoring, but an association was found between VAs and spiked high-velocity midsystolic signal>16cm/s on PWTD (Pickelhaube sign) (P=0.004), myxomatous mitral valve (P=0.004) and left ventricular dilatation (P=0.01). T-wave inversion in inferolateral leads on electrocardiogram was more frequent in patients with versus without the Pickelhaube sign (P=0.03). No difference was found between patients with or without MAD regarding sex, history of palpitation, severity of mitral regurgitation, aortic root diameter and incidence of connective tissue disorders. Myocardial fibrosis was detected in two of three patients who underwent a complementary cardiac magnetic resonance examination. ConclusionsMAD is common in children with MVP; its presence was not associated with significant VAs on 24-hour Holter monitoring, but the Pickelhaube sign and presence of myxomatous mitral valve may help to detect patients prone to significant VAs. Myocardial fibrosis can be detected by cardiac magnetic resonance in children with significant VAs.

Abstract P2136: TpTe Interval Behavior And Mortality In Wistar Rats Submitted To Cardiac Ischemia And Reperfusion Treated With The Heparin Fragment Trisulfated Disaccharide

Introduction: The Tp-Te ekg interval reflects ventricular transmural dispersion, being used for prediction of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death. The heparin fragment called Trisulfated Disaccharide (TD), which has no effect on blood coagulation and acts on the sodium-calcium exchanger accelerating the output of calcium from the cell, decreases cytoplasmic calcium concentrations in situations of calcium overload due to ischemia and reperfusion (I-R). Objective: To evaluate the behavior of the Tp-Te interval and mortality due to cardiac arest in Wistar rats submitted to surgicaly induced I-R under treatment with TD at reperfusion. Materials and Method: Wistar rats (n=8) with average weight of 300g were anesthetized and under assisted breathing were electrocardiographically monitored and submitted to surgical cardiac ischemia by ligation of the anterior descending artery for 10 min, with reperfusion thereafter. The Tp-Te interval was analyzed before ischemia, at 10 min after ischemia induction and at 10 min after reperfusion, The incidence of arrhythmias was determined throughout the recording period. In the study group intravenous (0.2 mg/kg) TD was injected concomitantly with the reperfusion. In the control group (n=8), the same procedure was performed, without the TD infusion. Results: During ischemia there was a similar alteration of the Tp-Te interval in both groups when compared to the pre-ischemic phase, with an increase of about 90% in magnitude, as well as the presence of ventricular arrhythmias, without animal mortality. During reperfusion Tp-Te interval returned to normal in the treated group and there was no mortality. In the control group, the magnitude of the Tp-Te increase was maintained. The presence of ventricular arrhythmias was similar, but total atrioventricular block and/or sustained arrhythmia occurred in 50% of the animals, followed by animals death. Conclusion: Treatment with TD at the time of reperfusion normalized the Tp-Te interval 10 min after TD infusion as well as reduced mortality in wistar rats submitted to I-R, and may be useful in the protection of organs submitted to the same I-R conditions (transplants, surgical and hemodynamic procedures), where calcium overload is determinant in morbidity and mortality.

The pivotal role of ECG in cardiomyopathies.

Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of pathologies characterized by structural and functional alterations of the heart. Recent technological advances in cardiovascular imaging offer an opportunity for deep phenotypic and etiological definition. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first-line diagnostic tool in the evaluation of both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Some electrocardiographic signs are pathognomonic or fall within validated diagnostic criteria of individual cardiomyopathy such as the inverted T waves in right precordial leads (V1-V3) or beyond in individuals with complete pubertal development in the absence of complete right bundle branch block for the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy of the right ventricle (ARVC) or the presence of low voltages typically seen in more than 60% of patients with amyloidosis. Most other electrocardiographic findings such as the presence of depolarization changes including QRS fragmentation, the presence of epsilon wave, the presence of reduced or increased voltages as well as alterations in the repolarization phase including the negative T waves in the lateral leads, or the profound inversion of the T waves or downsloping of the ST tract are more non-specific signs which can however raise the clinical suspicion of cardiomyopathy in order to initiate a diagnostic procedure especially using imaging techniques for diagnostic confirmation. Such electrocardiographic alterations not only have a counterpart in imaging investigations such as evidence of late gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging, but may also have an important prognostic value once a definite diagnosis has been made. In addition, the presence of electrical stimulus conduction disturbances or advanced atrioventricular blocks that can be seen especially in conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis or sarcoidosis, or the presence of left bundle branch block or posterior fascicular block in dilated or arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathies are recognized as a possible expression of advanced pathology. Similarly, the presence of ventricular arrhythmias with typical patterns such as non-sustained or sustained ventricular tachycardia of LBBB morphology in ARVC or non-sustained or sustained ventricular tachycardia with an RBBB morphology (excluding the "fascicular pattern") in arrhythmogenic left ventricle cardiomyopathy could have a significant impact on the course of each disease. It is therefore clear that a learned and careful interpretation of ECG features can raise suspicion of the presence of a cardiomyopathy, identify diagnostic "red flags" useful for orienting the diagnosis toward specific forms, and provide useful tools for risk stratification. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the important role of the ECG in the diagnostic workup, describing the main ECG findings of different cardiomyopathies.

The association of exercise test variables with long-term mortality in patients with chronic Chagas disease.

BackgroundThe identification of variables obtained in the exercise test (ET) associated with increased risk of death is clinically relevant and would provide additional information for the management of Chagas disease (CD). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association of ET variables with mortality in patients with chronic CD.MethodsThis retrospective longitudinal observational study included 232 patients (median age 46.0 years; 50% women) with CD that were followed at the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and performed an ET between 1989 and 2000. The outcome of interest was all-cause mortality.ResultsThere were 103 deaths (44.4%) during a median follow-up of 21.5 years (IQR 25–75% 8.0–27.8), resulting in 24.5 per 1,000 patients/year incidence rate. The ET variables associated with mortality after adjustments for potential confounders were increased maximal (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.03 per mmHg) and change (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.06 per mmHg) of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during ET, ventricular tachycardia at rest (HR 3.95; 95% CI 1.14–13.74), during exercise (HR 2.73; 95% CI 1.44–5.20), and recovery (HR 2.60; 95% CI 1.14–5.91), and premature ventricular complexes during recovery (HR 2.06; 1.33–3.21).ConclusionOur findings suggest that ET provides important prognostic value for mortality risk assessment in patients with CD, with hemodynamic (increased DBP during exercise) and electrocardiographic (presence of ventricular arrhythmias) variables independently associated with an increased mortality risk in patients with CD. The identification of individuals at higher mortality risk can facilitate the development of intervention strategies (e.g., close follow-up) that may potentially have an impact on the longevity of patients with CD.

P121 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION ON AGONIST ATHLETES WITH RECENT PAUCISYMPTOMATIC SARS COV 2 INFECTION, FOR THE RENEWAL OF AGONIST SPORT ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY: PLAUSIBLE ROLE AND UTILITY OF GLS ANALYSIS THROUGH SPECKLE TRACKING

BackgroundThe aim of this work is to highlight whether or not the methodical echocardiography done through the analysis of global and segmental longitudinal deformation (GLS–SLS) can be useful to identify subclinical myocardial lesions in paucisymptomatic young agonist athletes with recent SarsCov2 infection before they return to agonist practice.Material and MethodsFrom 12/2020 to 12/2021 84 agonist athletes with previous SarsCov2 infection have been examined at “Cardiomed Center” Maglie (Lecce, IT), as part of screening for their return to sport practice; all of them under standard echocardiographic analysis associated to GLS analysis, Holter–ECG analysis with 24h on 12 derivations.ResultsThe base echocardiographic examination didn’t show any myocardial cynesis anomalies in any patient. In 5 patients there was a presence of a light pericardial effusion, how it was supposed to be as an outcome of a previous inflammatory ingjury The GLS analysis, that resulted in reliability considering the optimal acoustic window, showed a slightly lower medium value compared to the values cited in the literature (19.4 ± 2.9) and particularly 4 patients show considerable deficit reductions of segmentary strain. In these patients Holter analysis showed the presence of a moderate non–complex extrasystolic arrhythmia. These elements–that are a reduced GLS with marked regional anomaly, coupled with the presence of ventricular arrhythmia even in absence of segmentary dissinergyes– led to cardiac RMN evaluation. In 2 out of 4 patients there have been flaws that were compatible to modest myocardial lesions, in one case it was observed a marked flaw in medium–apical–lateral region that was correlated to the described areas at the specle tracking. ConclusionOur experience at the Cardiology and Sports integrated clinic, although it relied on a meager population of patients, it still demonstrated how echocardiographic analysis through GLS evaluation and the highlighting of sectorial alterations even in absence of cynesis anomalies can be used as a parameter to suppose the presence of miocarditic lesions that might be sent to the next RMN examination for confirmation, in young athletes with recent paucisymptomatic Covid–19 infection.

The Arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse: Presentation and outcome

Mitral-valve-prolapse (MVP) is often considered benign but recent suggestion of an arrhythmic MVP form (AMVP) remains incompletely defined and uncertain. To determine ventricular-arrhythmia prevalence, severity, phenotypical context and independent impact on outcome in patients with MVP. A cohort of 595 (65 ± 16 years, 278 female) consecutive patients with MVP and comprehensive clinical, arrhythmia (24-hour-Holter) and Doppler-echocardiographic characterization, was identified and long-term outcome analyzed. Ventricular-arrhythmia was frequent (43% with at least ventricular ectopy ≥ 5%), most often moderate. Presence of ventricular arrhythmia was associated with male sex, bileaflet-prolapse, marked leaflet-redundancy, mitral-annulus-disjunction (MAD), and T-wave-inversion/ST-depression (all P ≤ 0.001). Overall mortality after arrhythmia diagnosis (8-year 13 ± 2%) was strongly associated with arrhythmia-severity (8-year 10 ± 2% for no/trivial, 15 ± 3% for mild/moderate and 24 ± 7% for severe arrhythmia; P = 0.02). Excess-mortality was substantial for severe-arrhythmia (univariate-hazard-ratio 2.70[1.27–5.77], P = 0.01 vs. no/trivial arrhythmia), even adjusted comprehensively including for MVP-characteristics (adjusted-hazard-ratio 2.94[1.36–6.36], P = 0.006). Severe-arrhythmia was also associated with higher rates of mortality, defibrillator-implantation, VT-ablation (adjusted-hazard-ratio 4.68[2.45–8.92], P < 0.0001), but the association was weaker post-mitral surgery (adjusted-hazard-ratio 3.69[0.93–14.74], P = 0.06) ( Fig. 1 ). AMVP is independently associated with phenotype dominated by MAD, marked leaflet redundancy and repolarization abnormalities. Long-term, severe-arrhythmia is independently associated with notable excess-mortality and reduced event-free survival. Therefore, arrhythmic MVP is a clinical entity strongly associated with outcome warranting careful risk-assessment and well-designed clinical trials.

Diagnosis of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia during late adulthood due to a rare genetic variant in RYR2: a case report

BackgroundCatecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a severe hereditary channelopathy characterized by the presence of ventricular arrhythmias triggered by adrenergic stimuli, usually diagnosed in the first two decades of life. Genetic variants in the cardiac ryanodine receptor gene are the most frequently occurring that cause an increase in intracellular calcium concentration and thus induce ventricular arrhythmias due to a delayed after depolarisation-induced triggered activity.Case presentationWe present the case of a 74-year-old male, a regular athlete with no relevant family history who suffered from sinus dysfunction and frequent premature ventricular complexes with no symptoms. A treadmill test revealed severe polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias which led to the suspicion of CPVT. A genetic study was undertaken, and it identified a rare genetic variant in the RYR2 gene which was possibly associated with its development in heterozygosity: c.14465G > A, p.Arg4822His. While evaluating the co-segregation, we observed that most of his relatives exhibit polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias with exertion without symptoms and carried the same variant.ConclusionsWe described, for the first time, the clinical characteristics and co-segregation of a family diagnosed with CPVT secondary to a little-known genetic variant of the RYR2 gene. It is a variant that, in our case study, suggests an association with a very good prognosis.

B-PO03-165 MEAN SCAR ENTROPY PREDICTS VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS EVENTS IN HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY USING LATE GADOLINIUM ENHANCEMENT CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Previous studies have found late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)was independently associated with VAs in HCM. Risk stratification of VAs remains complex and LGE is present in the majority of HCM patients. This study was to determine whether the LGE by CMR derived entropy within the scar and the left ventricular (LV) myocardium predicts VAs in HCM. Consecutive HCM patients with scar by LGE-CMR were included. Routine left ventricular function parameters including LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and %LGE defined as percentage of LGE to LV mass (%LGE) using software CVI 42. The scar heterogeneity, quantified by entropy within the scar and LV myocardium was derived. The presence of VAs was defined as previous aborted cardiac arrest, documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and non-stained VT (nsVT) by Holter or implantable cardiac devices (ICD) monitoring. A total of 68 HCM patients (54.6 ±14.3 years, 69.1% male, LVEF 67.2 ±12.9 %) with LGE CMR were enrolled with a median follow-up of 25 (IQR 13-13) months. Thirty-one patients in VAs group and 37 patients in No-VAs group were included. From multivariable analysis, higher entropy of the scar (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.682;95% confidence interval [CI]:1.022 to 7.037; P=0.039) was independently associated with VAs, after adjusting for LVEF, %LGE, the LV maximal wall thickness (MWT) and the left atrium (LA) diameter. High entropy within the scar was an independent predictor of VAs and may indicate an arrhythmogenic scar. It seemed to be valuable for assessing the clinical status of VAs in HCM patients.

Ventricular arrhythmia predicts poor outcome in polymyositis/dermatomyositis with myocardial involvement.

Myocardial involvement (MCI) is known to increase morbidity and mortality in polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). This study aims to investigate whether complicating with ventricular arrhythmia (VA) predicts poor outcomes in patients with PM/DM-related myocardial involvement (PM/DM-MCI). We reviewed all PM/DM-MCI patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from October 1997 to April 2019. VA and the other possible risk factors for the composite endpoint, including death from any cause and rehospitalization for cardiac causes, were analyzed. A total of 75 PM/DM-MCI patients (44 PM and 31 DM) were enrolled, of which 27 (36%) met the composite endpoint during a median follow-up of 24 months. Independent prognostic factors for the composite endpoint include VA [HR 4.215, 95% CI (1.737, 10.230)], NT-proBNP > 3415 pg/ml [HR 2.606, 95% CI (1.203, 5.646)], interstitial lung disease [HR 2.688, 95% CI (1.209, 5.978)], and anti-cardiac remodelling therapy [HR 0.302, 95% CI (0.115, 0.792)]. The 3-year event-free survival rate of patients without VA was significantly higher than that of patients with VA (63.3% vs 40.7%, P = 0.034). Skin lesions [OR 0.163, 95% CI (0.051, 0.523)] and positive antimitochondrial antibody [OR 3.484, 95% CI (1.192, 10.183)] were independent predictors of VA. VA provides prognostic insights for PM/DM-MCI patients and predicts poor outcome. Polymyositis and positive antimitochondrial antibody are closely associated with the presence of VA in PM/DM-MCI.

Cardiac Fibroma with Asymptomatic Ventricular Arrhythmia in an Adolescent with Gorlin's Syndrome.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS), also referred to as Gorlin's syndrome, is an autosomal dominant inherited condition that predisposes affected individuals to various tumors such as cardiac fibromas. Though technically benign, cardiac fibromas may result in malignant arrhythmias and sudden death. The pertinent literature pertaining to pediatric cases of cardiac fibromas and their clinical features were reviewed. We present the case of an asymptomatic teenage with de novo NBCCS who was diagnosed with both NBCCS and cardiac fibroma later in life. The patient was noted to have clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias that were eliminated with tumor resection. There are no established best practice guidelines for the management of cardiac fibromas in patients with NBCCS. Given the risk of sudden arrhythmic death, the presence of ventricular arrhythmias should prompt strong consideration of tumor resection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: Role of prognostic markers and relationship with genetic analysis

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of myocardial infarction (MI). Currently there is little knowledge about prognostic factors for unfavorable outcome at long term follow-up; furthermore, there is also little knowledge about the genetics of these patients. AimsThis observational and retrospective study describes long-term cardiovascular outcomes of a population affected by SCAD and assesses predictors of recurrent de novo SCAD and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Furthermore, a correlation between genotype and adverse events at follow-up was sought. MethodsBaseline characteristics, angiographic features, use of medication and long-term cardiovascular events were systematically ascertained between 2000 and 2019.Next generation sequencing was performed with a panel consisting of twenty genes of interest. Variants found were filtered based on their frequency and only frequencies <1% in the general population were considered as “positive”. ResultsSeventy patients were enrolled and followed for a median time of 39.1 months. Median age was 52 years and the majority were women (86%). Use of hormone therapy (HT) (OR 3.64, p = 0.041) and presence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) at onset (OR 7.03, p = 0.0073) were associated with a greater risk of recurrent de novo SCAD. Proximal type SCAD (OR 8.47, p < 0.0001) and presence of VAs at onset (OR 9.97, p = 0.047) were associated with a greater risk of MACE.A potential SCAD-associated mutation was detected in 27 patients (44%); 6 patients (22%) defined as genetically “positive” developed MACE vs. 2 patients (6%) defined as “negative” (p = 0.06 at univariate analysis). MACE at follow-up is reached earlier in genetically positive patients (7.9 vs. 42.5 months). Conclusionuse of HT and VAs at SCAD onset are prognostic factors for recurrent de novo SCAD. Proximal SCAD site and VAs at SCAD onset were prognostic factors for MACE. Analysis by molecular genetics seems to be a promising tool for the possible additional role it could play in MACE prediction.

Cardiac arrhythmias and In-hospital mortality amongst patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy: A retrospective study in an Italian population.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an acute non-ischemic cardiomyopathy classically associated with an intense emotional or physiologic trigger. Data on the relationship between arrhythmias and mortality in TTC have been limited by small sample sizes. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias and advanced atrioventricular block on in-hospital mortality in a large inpatient population with TTC. Data was obtained from the Italian National Healthcare System Databank from 2009 to 2016. Patients with TTC were identified using diagnosis codes and clinical characteristics were collected, with a primary outcome of mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant predictors for mortality, and patients with TTC were further analyzed according to sex and age. There were 10,861 patients with TTC; 91.7% were women (9959) and the mean age was 70.7 +/- 11.9years. The mortality rate was 2.2%; while 1.2% of patients had ventricular arrhythmias, 10.0% had atrial arrhythmias, and 1.3% had advanced atrioventricular block. Male sex, increased age and ventricular arrhythmias were predictors of mortality. In a sex-stratified analysis, ventricular arrhythmias and advanced age remained independent predictors for mortality in women. In this large retrospective analysis, male sex and the presence of ventricular arrhythmias are strong predictors of mortality in patients hospitalized with TTC.

Presentation and Outcome of Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse

BackgroundMitral valve prolapse (MVP) is often considered benign but recent suggestion of an arrhythmic MVP (AMVP) form remains incompletely defined and uncertain. ObjectivesThis study determined ventricular arrhythmia prevalence, severity, phenotypical context, and independent impact on outcome in patients with MVP. MethodsA cohort of 595 (age 65 ± 16 years; 278 women) consecutive patients with MVP and comprehensive clinical, arrhythmia (24-h Holter monitoring) and Doppler-echocardiographic characterization, was identified. Long-term outcomes were analyzed. ResultsVentricular arrhythmia was frequent (43% with at least ventricular ectopy ≥5%), most often moderate (ventricular tachycardia [VT]; 120 to 179 beats/min) in 27%, and rarely severe (VT ≥180 beats/min) in 9%. Presence of ventricular arrhythmia was associated with male sex, bileaflet prolapse, marked leaflet redundancy, mitral annulus disjunction (MAD), a larger left atrium and left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and T-wave inversion/ST-segment depression (all p ≤ 0.001). Severe ventricular arrhythmia was independently associated with presence of MAD, leaflet redundancy, and T-wave inversion/ST-segment depression (all p < 0.0001) but not with mitral regurgitation severity or ejection fraction. Overall mortality after arrhythmia diagnosis (8 years; 13 ± 2%) was strongly associated with arrhythmia severity (8 years; 10 ± 2% for no/trivial, 15 ± 3% for mild and/or moderate, and 24 ± 7% for severe arrhythmia; p = 0.02). Excess mortality was substantial for severe arrhythmia (univariate hazard ratio [HR]: 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 to 5.77; p = 0.01 vs. no/trivial arrhythmia), even after it was comprehensively adjusted, including for MVP characteristics (adjusted HR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.36 to 6.36; p = 0.006) and by time-dependent analysis (adjusted HR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.56 to 6.78; p = 0.002). Severe arrhythmia was also associated with higher rates of mortality, defibrillator implantation, VT ablation (adjusted HR: 4.68; 95% CI: 2.45 to 8.92; p < 0.0001), particularly under medical management (adjusted HR: 5.80; 95% CI: 2.75 to 12.23; p < 0.0001), and weakly post-mitral surgery (adjusted HR: 3.69; 95% CI: 0.93 to 14.74; p = 0.06). ConclusionsIn this large cohort of patients with MVP, ventricular arrhythmia by Holter monitoring was frequent but rarely severe. AMVP was independently associated with phenotype dominated by MAD, marked leaflet redundancy, and repolarization abnormalities. Long-term severe arrhythmia was independently associated with notable excess mortality and reduced event-free survival, particularly under medical management. Therefore, AMVP is a clinical entity strongly associated with outcome and warrants careful risk assessment and well-designed clinical trials.

Arrhythmias and Sudden Death Risk in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The risk of sudden death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is related to the presence of ventricular arrhythmias in most cases. Finding the best schemes to assess the probability of arrhythmic complications will remain a challenge for modern Cardiology. Meanwhile, the multifactorial approach is the best strategy to avoid the unnecessary implantation of devices such as the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Although the electrocardiogram remains an excellent diagnostic tool, even before echocardiographic expression, it does not have a clear role as a risk factor. However, the identification of associated arrhythmias such as preexcitation or long QT and variants of presentation as apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, allows identifying patients with high probability of sudden death. During the last few years, cardiac resonance and quantification of intramyocardial fibrosis (the basic mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias) have gained an important role in the evaluation of these patients.In particular, pediatric patients must have an individualized approach due to the poor prognosis at early ages and the uncertain role of different tools for risk assessment and treatment.

Open-Chest Ablation of Incessant Ventricular Tachycardia During Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

The presence of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement is an independent predictor of electrical storm and mortality after LVAD surgery ([1][1]). The ideal treatment of VAs peri-LVAD placement remains unknown. The images presented ([Figure 1][2] and [

650The arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse: presentation and outcome

Abstract Background The majority of patients with of Mitral-valve-prolapse (MVP) have a excellent prognosis. Until recently most cases of mortality were thought to be related to mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction. The concept of the arrhythmic MVP emerged to describe cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the presence of isolated MVP yet it’s phonotype remains incompletely and inconsistently defined. Purpose To analyze the prevalence, severity and characteristics of ventricular-arrhythmia (VA), to determine it’s phenotypical context and independent impact on outcome in patients with MVP. Methods A cohort of 595 (65 ± 16 years, 278 female) consecutive patients with MVP and comprehensive clinical, arrhythmia (24hour-Holter) and Doppler-echocardiographic characterization, was identified and long-term outcome analyzed. Results VA was frequent, present in 43% of patients with at least ventricular ectopy≥5%, but was most often moderate (ventricular-tachycardia—VT 120-179bpm) in 27% and rarely severe (VT≥180/min) in 8.6%. Presence of VA was associated with older age, male sex, bileaflet-prolapse, marked leaflet redundancy, mitral-annulus-disjunction (MAD), larger left-atrium and left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and T-wave-inversion/ST-depression (all P ≤ 0.001). Severe VA was independently associated with presence of MAD, leaflet-redundancy and T-wave-inversion/ST-depression (all P &amp;lt; 0.0001) but not with mitral regurgitation severity or ejection-fraction. Outcome primary endpoint of overall survival after arrhythmia diagnosis (8-year 87 ± 2%) was strongly associated with arrhythmia-severity (8-year 90 ± 2% for no/trivial arrhythmia, 85 ± 3% for mild/moderate and 76 ± 7% for severe arrhythmia. P = 0.02, Figure). Excess-mortality was substantial for severe-arrhythmia (univariate-hazard-ratio 2.70[1.27-5.77], P = 0.01 vs. no/trivial arrhythmia), even adjusted comprehensively including for MVP-characteristics (adjusted-hazard-ratio 2.94[1.36-6.36], P = 0.006) ). Conclusions This large cohort of isolated consecutive MVP characterized with 24-hour-Holter monitoring, clinical and Echocardiographic assessment, demonstrates that VA are frequent with MVP but rarely severe. The arrhythmic MVP was independently and strongly associated with specific ECG and morphologic patterns, particularly ST-T changes, MAD presence and marked leaflet redundancy, suggestive of a specific arrhythmic MVP phenotype, independently of MR-severity. Arrhythmia, particularly severe, is associated with long-term excess-mortality, independently of any other characteristics, including MR severity and LVEF. These findings lay the foundation for novel risk-stratification of MVP for the conduct of prospective controlled studies evaluating the management of MVP high-risk patients. Figure – Impact on survival of ventricular arrhythmia Overall survival of MVP stratified by ventricular arrhythmia (Panel A) or ventricular arrhythmia severity (Panel B) throughout follow-up. Abstract Figure.

Supraventricular tachycardia in 23 cats; comparison with 21 cats with atrial fibrillation (2004–2014)

IntroductionSupraventricular tachycardia (SVT) has not been well described in cats. The aim of this study was to describe the signalment, clinical findings, and outcome for cats with SVT versus cats with atrial fibrillation (AF). AnimalsForty-four client owned cats are included in the study. 23 cats with SVT and 21 with AF. MethodsThis is a retrospective study. Clinical characteristics were compared between groups using a two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to assess for impact of rhythm diagnosis, presence of ventricular arrhythmia, left atrial diameter, heart rate and congestive heart failure (CHF) status on cardiac death. Differences in survival between groups were compared using Mantel-Cox logrank comparison of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. ResultsCats with supraventricular arrhythmias most commonly presented with respiratory distress (10 of 44 cats). Cats with AF had a slower median heart rate (220 [range: 180–260 beats per minute (bpm)] compared with cats with SVT (300 [range: 150–380] bpm, p < 0.001). All cats with AF had structural heart disease, whereas 4 cats with SVT had no structural abnormalities. Left atrial diameter was significantly larger in cats with AF (23.7 (16.2–40.1) mm compared with 19.1 (12.8–31.4) mm in SVT cats; p = 0.02). Median survival was 58 days (1–780) in cats with AF and 259 days (2–2295) in cats with SVT (p = 0.1). Cats with signs of CHF had a shorter survival time (p = 0.001). ConclusionsMost cats with AF or SVT have advanced structural heart disease. Some cats with SVT had structurally normal hearts, suggesting that SVT in cats is not always a consequence of atrial enlargement.