scholarly journals Atrial fibrillation evolution and rhythm control strategy following left appendage closure: new insights from the prospective FLAAC registry

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Lellouche ◽  
Raphaele Arrouasse ◽  
Julien Ternacle ◽  
Romain Gallet ◽  
Jean-Sylvain Hermida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with high thromboembolism risk, particularly with contraindications to OAC. The LAA itself could possess proarrhythmogenic properties. As patients undergoing LAA closure could be candidates for cardioversion or ablation, we aimed to evaluate AF disease progression following LAA closure and the outcome of patients undergoing a rhythm control strategy after the procedure. Methods The prospective multicenter French Nationwide Observational LAA Closure Registry (FLAAC) comprises 33 French interventional cardiology departments. Patients were included if they fulfilled the following criteria: history of non-valvular AF, successful LAA closure and long-term ECG follow-up. Results A total of 331 patients with successful LAA closure were enrolled in the study. Patients mean age was 75.4 ± 0.5 years. The study population was characterized by a high thromboembolic risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score: 4.5 ± 0.1) and frequent comorbidities. The median follow-up was 11.9 months. One hundred and nineteen (36.0%) patients were in sinus rhythm (SR) at baseline. Among SR patients, documented AF was observed in 16 (13.4%) patients whereas 15 (7.1%) patients in AF at baseline restored SR, at the end of follow up. Finally, only 13 patients (4%) underwent procedures to restore SR without complications during the follow-up. Conclusions The vast majority of patients undergoing LAA closure have the same AF status at baseline and one year after the index procedure. During the follow-up, a very small proportion (4%) of our population underwent procedures to restore SR without complications whatever the post-procedural antithrombotic strategy was.

Author(s):  
Shinwan Kany ◽  
Johannes Brachmann ◽  
Thorsten Lewalter ◽  
Ibrahim Akin ◽  
Horst Sievert ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-paroxysmal (NPAF) forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported to be associated with an increased risk for systemic embolism or death. Methods Comparison of procedural details and long-term outcomes in patients (pts) with paroxysmal AF (PAF) against controls with NPAF in the prospective, multicentre observational registry of patients undergoing LAAC (LAARGE). Results A total of 638 pts (PAF 274 pts, NPAF 364 pts) were enrolled. In both groups, a history of PVI was rare (4.0% vs 1.6%, p = 0.066). The total CHA2DS2-VASc score was lower in the PAF group (4.4 ± 1.5 vs 4.6 ± 1.5, p = 0.033), while HAS-BLED score (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 3.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.40) was comparable. The rate of successful implantation was equally high (97.4% vs 97.8%, p = 0.77). In the three-month echo follow-up, LA thrombi (2.1% vs 7.3%, p = 0.12) and peridevice leak > 5 mm (0.0% vs 7.1%, p = 0.53) were numerically higher in the NPAF group. Overall, in-hospital complications occurred in 15.0% of the PAF cohort and 10.7% of the NPAF cohort (p = 0.12). In the one-year follow-up, unadjusted mortality (8.4% vs 14.0%, p = 0.039) and combined outcome of death, stroke and systemic embolism (8.8% vs 15.1%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the NPAF cohort. After adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc and previous bleeding, NPAF was associated with increased death/stroke/systemic embolism (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.02–2.72, p = 0.041). Conclusion Atrial fibrillation type did not impair periprocedural safety or in-hospital MACE patients undergoing LAAC. However, after one year, NPAF was associated with higher mortality. Graphic abstract


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kany ◽  
J Brachmann ◽  
T Lewalter ◽  
I Akin ◽  
H Sievert ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Stiftung für Herzinfarkforschung Background  Non-paroxysmal (NPAF) forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported to be associated with an increased risk for systemic embolism or death compared with paroxysmal AF (PAF). This study investigates the procedural safety and long-term outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with different forms of AF. Methods  Comparison of procedural details and long-term outcomes in patients (pts) with PAF against controls with NPAF in the prospective, multicentre observational registry of patients undergoing LAAC in Germany (LAARGE).  Results  A total of 638 pts (PAF 274 pts, NPAF 364 pts) were enrolled. NPAF consisted of 31.6% patients with persistent AF and 68.4% with longstanding persistent AF or permanent AF. In both groups, a history of PVI was rare (4.0% vs 1.6%, p = 0.066). The PAF group had significantly less history of heart failure (19.0% vs 33.0%, p < 0.001) while the current median LVEF was similar (60% vs 60%, p = 0.26). The total CHA2DS2-VASc score was lower in the PAF group (4.4 ± 1.5 vs 4.6 ± 1.5, p = 0.033), but no difference in the HAS-BLED score (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 3.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.40) was observed. The rate of successful implantation was equally high (97.4% vs 97.8%, p = 0.77) in both groups. In the three-month echo follow-up, device-related thrombi (2.1% vs 7.3%, p = 0.12) and peridevice leak >5 mm (0.0% vs 7.1%, p= 0.53) were numerically higher in the NPAF group. Overall, in-hospital complications occurred in 15.0% of the PAF cohort and 10.7% of the NPAF cohort (p = 0.12). In the one-year follow-up, unadjusted mortality (8.4% vs 14.0%, p = 0.039) and combined outcome of death, stroke and systemic embolism (8.8% vs 15.1%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the NPAF cohort. After adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc and previous bleeding, NPAF was associated with increased death/stroke/systemic embolism (HR 1.67, 95%-CI: 1.02-2.72). Conclusion  Atrial fibrillation type did not impair periprocedural safety or in-hospital MACE of patients undergoing LAAC. However, after one year, NPAF was associated with higher mortality and combined outcome of death, stroke and systemic embolism.


2020 ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Praveen Shukla ◽  
Awadhesh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Biswajit Majumder ◽  
Pritam Kumar Chatterjee ◽  
Vinay Krishna ◽  
...  

Objectives – Non- valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is the most commonly occurring arrhythmia worldwide .Ranolazine is an emerging drug with a ray of hope in the management of NVAF. This is the first large observational study with longer follow up of one year. Methods - It is a hospital based observational prospective study. A total of 100 patients was recruited for the study .The primary objective was to determine the efficacy of ranolazine in converting NVAF to sinus rhythm & the secondary objective was to study epidemiological aspects of NVAF. Results –After 1 month of follow up conversion to normal sinus rhythm was 12% in group A & 6% in group B (6%), it was not significant statistically (Z=1.48p=0.13). After 6 months, conversion to normal sinus rhythm was increased from 12% to 18% in group A which was preserved at 12 months of follow up and statistically significant and higher than that of group B (6.0%) (Z=2.61p=0.009). In predisposing risk factors & other co-morbidities HTN was present in 61%, obesity together with overweight in 37%, smoking in 44%, history of moderate amount of alcohol intake in 35%, history of CVA/TIA in 13%, DM in 11%, CKD in 4%, CAD in 30%, COPD in 20% and congestive heart failure in 15% of the patients. Conclusion- Ranolazine is an effective option when used for rhythm control strategy in NVAF. HTN is the predominant predisposing risk factor.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Zhao ◽  
Jianqiang Hu ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Yawei Xu ◽  
Yanzhou Zhang ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms and effectiveness of pulmonary antrum radial-linear (PAR) ablation in comparison with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after a long-term follow-up. Background: The one-year follow up data suggested that PAR ablation appeared to have a better outcome over the conventional PVI for paroxysmal AF. Methods: The enrollment occurred between March, 2011, and August, 2011, with the last follow-up in May, 2014. A total of 133 patients with documented paroxysmal AF were enrolled from 5 centers and randomized to PAR group or PVI group. Event ECG recorder and Holter monitoring were conductedduring the follow-up for all patients. Results: The average procedure time was 151±23 min in PAR group and 178±43 min in PVI group ( P <0.001). The average fluoroscopy time was 21±7 min in PAR group and 27±11 min in PVI group ( P= 0.002). AF triggering foci were eliminated in 59 patients (89.4%) in PAR group, whereas, only 4 patients (6.0%) in PVI group (P<0.001).At median 36 (37-35) months of follow-up after single ablation procedure, 43 of 66 patients in PAR group (65%) and 28 of 67 patients in PVI group (42%) had no recurrence of AF off antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) (P=0.007); and 47 of 66 patients in PAR group (71%) and 32 of 67 patients in PVI group (48%) had no recurrence of AF with AAD (P=0.006). At the last follow-up, the burden of AF was significantly lower in PAR group than in PVI group (0.9% ± 2.3% vs 4.9% ± 9.9%;90th percentile, 5.5% vs 19.6%; P=0.008). No major adverse event (death, stroke, PV stenosis) was observed in all the patients except one case of pericardial tamponade. Conclusions: PAR ablation is a simple, safe, and effective strategy for the treatment of paroxysmal AF with better long-term outcome than PVI. PAR ablation might exhibit the beneficial effect on AF management through multiple mechanisms. Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-11001191


2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Androulakis ◽  
Catrin Sohrabi ◽  
Alexandros Briasoulis ◽  
Constantinos Bakogiannis ◽  
Bunny Saberwal ◽  
...  

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been proposed as a means of improving outcomes among patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who are otherwise receiving appropriate treatment. Unlike HFrEF, treatment options are more limited in patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and the data pertaining to the management of AF in these patients are controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of CA on outcomes of patients with AF and HFpEF, such as functional status, post-procedural complications, hospitalization, morbidity and mortality, based on data from observational studies. Methods: We systematically searched the electronic databases MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for Central Register of Clinical Trials until May 2020. Results: Overall, the pooling of our data showed that sinus rhythm was achieved long-term in 58.0% (95% CI 0.44–0.71). Long-term AF recurrence was noticed in 22.3% of patients. Admission for HF occurred in 6.2% (95% CI 0.04–0.09) whilst all-cause mortality was identified in 6.3% (95% CI 0.02–0.13). Conclusion: This meta-analysis is the first to focus on determining the benefits of a rhythm control strategy for patients with AF and HFpEF using CA, suggesting it may be worthwhile to investigate the effects of a CA rhythm control strategy as the default treatment of AF in HFpEF patients in randomized trials.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 919-928
Author(s):  
So-Ryoung Lee ◽  
Chan Soon Park ◽  
Eue-Keun Choi ◽  
Hyo-Jeong Ahn ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
...  

The association between the cumulative hypertension burden and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hypertension burden and the development of incident AF. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified 3 726 172 subjects who underwent 4 consecutive annual health checkups between 2009 and 2013, with no history of AF. During the median follow-up of 5.2 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 22 012 patients (0.59% of the total study population; 1.168 per 1000 person-years). Using the blood pressure (BP) values at each health checkup, we determined the burden of hypertension (systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg), stratified as 0 to 4 per the hypertension criteria. The subjects were grouped according to hypertension burden scale 1 to 4: 20% (n=742 806), 19% (n=704 623), 19% (n=713 258), 21% (n=766 204), and 21% (n=799 281). Compared with normal people, subjects with hypertension burdens of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were associated with an 8%, 18%, 26%, and 27% increased risk of incident AF, respectively. On semiquantitative analyses with further stratification of stage 1 (systolic BP of 130–139 mm Hg or diastolic BP of 80–89 mm Hg) and stage 2 (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg) hypertension, the risk of AF increased with the hypertension burden by up to 71%. In this study, both a sustained exposure and the degree of increased BP were associated with an increased risk of incident AF. Tailored BP management should be emphasized to reduce the risk of AF.


1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Niimi ◽  
U. Ito ◽  
O. Tone ◽  
K. Yoshida ◽  
S. Sato ◽  
...  

We present a rare case of multiple spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistulae associated with the Parkes-Weber (PW) syndrome. A 31-year-old male known to have the PW syndrome involving the left leg since birth, presented with a 7-month-history of progressive myelopathy of the lower extremities and dysfunction of the bladder and bowel. Myelography demonstrated dilated intradural vessels. Angiography demonstrated two distinct single hole perimedullary arteriovenous fistulae near the conus at two different metameres. They were supplied by the left posterior spinal artery. The patient was treated by transarterial embolisation using polyvinyl alcohol particles, which resulted in venous side occlusion of the fistulae. After the treatment, the patient developed transient worsening of the spasticity of the lower extremities, and was treated by heparinization. After heparinization, the patient partially recovered from the pre-embolisation status of his myelopathy. The follow-up angiogram one year after the embolisation demonstrated persistent obliteration of both fistulae. At long-term follow-up, the patient can ambulate without assistance and work as a farmer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Dalgaard ◽  
S Al-Khatib ◽  
J Pallisgaard ◽  
C Torp-Pedersen ◽  
T B Lindhardt ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Treatment of AF patients with rate or rhythm drug therapy have shown no difference in mortality in clinical trials. However, the generalizability of these trials to real-world populations can be questioned. Purpose We aimed to investigate the all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality risk in a nationwide AF cohort by treatment strategy (rate vs. rhythm) and by individual drug classes. Methods We queried the Danish nationwide registries from 2000 to 2015 to identify patients with AF. A rate control strategy included the use of one or more of the following medications: beta-blocker, digoxin, and a class-4 calcium channel blocker (CCB). A rhythm control strategy included the use of an anti-arrhythmic drug (amiodarone and class-1C). Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcome was CV mortality. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) were computed using Poisson regression with time-dependent covariates allowing patients to switch treatment during follow-up. Results Of 140,697 AF patients, 131,793 were on rate control therapy and n=8,904 were on rhythm control therapy. At baseline, patients on rhythm control therapy were younger (71 yrs [IQR: 62–78] vs 74 [65–82], p<0.001) more likely male (63.5% vs 51.7% p<0.001), had more prevalent heart failure (31.1% vs 19.4%, p<0.001) and ischemic heart disease (40.1% vs. 23.3%, p<0.001), and had more prior CV-related procedures; PCI (7.4% vs. 4.0% p<0.001) and CABG (15.0% vs. 2.3%, p<0.001). During a median follow up of 4.0 (IQR: 1.7–7.3) years, there were 64,653 (46.0%) deaths from any-cause, of which 27,025 (19.2%) were CVD deaths. After appropriate adjustments and compared to rate control therapy, we found a lower IRR of mortality and CV mortality in those treated with rhythm control therapy (IRR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.90–0.97] and IRR 0.84 [95% CI: 0.79–0.90]). Compared with beta-blockers, digoxin was associated with increased risk of all-cause and CV mortality (IRR: 1.26 [95% CI: 1.24–1.29] and IRR: 1.32 [95% CI: 1.28–1.36]), so was amiodarone: IRR for all-cause mortality: 1.16 [95% CI: 1.11–1.21] and IRR for CV mortality: 1.12 [95% CI: 1.05–1.19]. Class-1C was associated with lower all-cause (0.43 [95% CI: 0.37–0.49]) and CV mortality (0.35 [95% CI: 0.28–0.44]). Figure 1. Models were adjusted for age, sex, ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, valvular atrial fibrillation, bleeding, diabetes, ablation, pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, hypertension, heart failure, use of loop diuretics, calendar year, and time on treatment. Abbreviations; CCB; calcium channel blocker, PY; person years. Conclusions In a real-world AF cohort, we found that compared with rate control therapy, rhythm control therapy was associated with a lower risk of all-cause and CV mortality. The reduced mortality risk with rhythm therapy could reflect an appropriate patient selection. Acknowledgement/Funding The Danish Heart Foundation


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