Echocardiographic predictors of atrial fibrillation after mitral valve replacement

Objectives

Detection of the echocardiographic predictors of post-operative atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease undergoing mitral valve replacement.

Clinical predictors of arrhythmia recurrences following pulmonary vein antrum isolation for atrial fibrillation: predicting arrhythmia recurrence post-PVAI

Predicting Arrhythmia Recurrence Post‐PVAI . Introduction: Pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) is an accepted treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to medical therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify the patient, procedural, and follow‐up factors associated with arrhythmia recurrences following PVAI. Methods and Results: Clinical data were prospectively collected on all 385 consecutive patients who had 530 PVAI (age 58 ± 11 years, 63% paroxysmal AF–PAF, follow‐up 2.8 ± 1.2 years) between February 2004 and March 2009. ECGs were recorded at each follow‐up visit with Holter monitoring 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following PVAI and every 6 months thereafter. Recurrences < 3 months post‐PVAI were defined as early, 3 months—1 year post‐PVAI as late, and > 1 year post‐PVAI as very late. Relationship between predictor variables and outcomes was modeled using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Late recurrences occurred in 42% with a lower rate among PAF versus non‐PAF patients (39% vs 56%, P = 0.001). Of the 256 patients with ≥ 1‐year follow‐up, 121 (47%) had no arrhythmia off antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) 1 year post‐PVAI; 36 (30%) of these had a very late recurrence. In multivariate analysis, non‐PAF, hypertension, and prior AAD failure predicted recurrence. When entered into the model, early recurrences remained the only predictor of late recurrences. Conclusion: Patients with non‐PAF, hypertension, and prior failure of multiple AAD were more likely to experience arrhythmia recurrence post‐PVAI. Early recurrences were the strongest predictor of late recurrences. Late and very late recurrences following PVAI were common and should be considered when planning long‐term AF patient management. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 1‐9)     

Incidence and predictors of very late recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablation

Introduction: Radiofrequency catheter ablation can effectively treat patients with refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Very late AF recurrence (≥12 months post-ablation) is uncommon and may represent a unique patient cohort.
Methods and Results: A nested case-control study was performed in the cohort who underwent AF ablation at the University of Pennsylvania to characterize patients who develop very late AF recurrence after ablation. The procedure consisted of isolation of pulmonary veins (PVs) demonstrating triggers and elimination of non-PV triggers initiating AF. Twenty-seven (7.9%) patients with very late recurrence were compared to 219 patients without recurrence and ≥12 months of follow-up. The mean age was 54.6 ± 11.3 years and 79% were men. Very late recurrence patients more likely weighed >200 lbs (70% vs 55%, P = 0.01); during initial ablation had fewer PVs isolated (2.8 ± 1.1 vs 3.3 ± 1.0, P = 0.03); and were less likely to have right inferior PV isolation (37% vs 61%, P = 0.02), less likely to have isolation of all PVs (30% vs 56%, P = 0.01), and more likely to have non-PV triggers (30% vs 11% OR 3.4(95% CI, 1.3–8.7), P = 0.01). PV reconnectivity and new triggers were found in the majority of patients with very late recurrence of AF who underwent repeat ablation.
Conclusion: Very late recurrence of AF more likely occurred in patients >200 lbs who demonstrated non-PV triggers and did not undergo right inferior PV isolation. The majority of patients undergoing repeat ablation for very late recurrence demonstrated PV reconnectivity and new non-PV and PV triggers not observed during the initial ablation.     

右心房大小不能预测持续性心房颤动导管射频消融术后的复发

目的:本研究旨在探讨右心房横径(RAD)是否可以预测持续性心房颤动射频消融术后复发。方法:纳入2009年1月至2011年12月,在北京安贞医院行导管射频消融术的持续性心房颤动患者共274例。消融策略为双侧环肺静脉隔离(PVI)基础上加行左心房顶部、二尖瓣峡部和三尖瓣峡部线性消融。术后以常规心电图和动态心电图随访患者心律失常复发情况。运用回归分析方法甄别与心律失常复发相关的危险因素并检测其预测效力。结果:术后随访平均24个月,共有174例消融术后复发。与未复发组相比,复发组左心房内径(LAD)显著性增大[(44.6±5.4)vs.(42.8±5.8)mm;P=0.009],但是两组的RAD差异无统计学意义,[(43.5±5.6)vs.(43.7±6.1)mm;P=0.796)。单因素Cox回归分析显示女性(HR=0.475,95%CI:0.260~0.867,P=0.015)﹑体质量指数(HR=1.063,95%CI:0.988~1.143,P=0.100)和LAD(HR=1.064,95%CI:1.015~1.115,P=0.010)是心房颤动术后复发的危险因素,而RAD不是心房颤动术后复发的危险因素。多因素Cox回归分析显示LAD(HR=1.053,95%CI:1.000~1.109,P=0.050)和女性(HR=0.418,95%CI:0.213~0.819,P=0.011)可以独立预测心房颤动消融术后复发。结论:右心房大小不能独立预测持续性心房颤动消融术后复发,推测有其他潜在的机制参与此类心房颤动的发生与维持。     

Predictive criteria of early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after reduction by electrical cardioversion

The management of atrial arrhythmias aims not only to restore sinus rhythm but also to maintain it. Ten to thirty per cent of patients have early recurrence of atrial arrhythmias, the treatment of which remains empiric. The aim of this study was to define factors predictive of early recurrence of atrial arrhythmias and the consequences on the length of hospital stay. A series of 131 patients who underwent reduction of atrial arrhythmias by electrical cardioversion was studied retrospectively. A recurrence within 24 hours was observed in 12.2% of the patients. These recurrences significantly increased the length of hospital stay (6.8+/-6.3 versus 3.6+/-3.8 days, p=0.005). This study confirms two previously reported results with respect to more long-term recurrences. In the "early recurrence" group, the duration of the atrial arrhythmia was longer (p=0.003) and there were fewer treatments with amiodarone (p=0.03). In addition, original results were obtained. In the "early recurrence" group, the patients were more often treated with furosemide (p=0.02), class Ic antiarrhythmics (p=0.007) or anaesthetised with thiopental (p=0.002) than patients without early recurrences. Experimental data explain these results. However, they require confirmation by a prospective randomised trial.     

心房颤动消融术后三个月内房性心律失常发生与远期成功率的关系

目的通过分析射频消融治疗心房颤动(简称房颤)术后3个月内("空白期")发生的房性心律失常,探讨其与远期随访结果的关系。方法 92例房颤患者在接受同一术者初次环肺静脉电隔离射频消融术后空白期内接受远程心电图(TTECG)监测,同时开始进行规律定期临床随访(24 h-Holter和门诊/电话询问)12个月。房颤消融复发的定义为随访期间TTECG或动态心电图记录到房颤和/或心房扑动(简称房扑)和/或房性心动过速(简称房速)发作持续时间≥30 s。根据术后第12个月的临床随访结果将患者分为房颤复发组和无复发组。结果共收到18 969份TTECG,其中严重干扰TTECG 733份,有效率为96.1%。所有TTECG中诊断为快速性房性心律失常占25.7%(其中房颤为17.7%、房扑为5.6%、房速为2.4%),房性早搏为21.1%,窦性心动过缓为7.1%。采用TTECG随访结果术后3个月房颤复发率高于定期临床随访结果(42.4%vs 29.3%,P=0.03)。术后第12个月的随访结果显示房颤复发率为35.9%(33/92)。与无复发组相比,房颤复发组患者术后3个月内房颤发生率较高(中位数:22.6%vs 11.3%,P<0.01),且维持在较高水平(术后3个月分别为23.3%、22.2%、28.1%,P=0.65)。无复发组术后3个月亦可出现房颤,但是随着时间推移房颤发生率降低(术后3个月分别为18.8%、11.3%、4.0%,P<0.01)。结论无论远期随访房颤是否复发,术后"空白期"内均可以出现各种房性心律失常。TTECG监测系统用于房颤消融术后随访优于常规心电图和24 h-Holter。"空白期"内出现的房颤复发并不能等于远期复发,但是房颤发作频率无明显下降者远期随访具有较高复发可能性。     

Pre-procedural predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation.

AIMS: The success rate of circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) ranges from 60 to 90%, depending on the series. The objective of the study was to identify predictors of AF recurrence after a standardized CPVA procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of 148 consecutive patients undergoing CPVA for symptomatic paroxysmal (60.8%), persistent (23.6%), or permanent (15.5%) AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs were included in the study. CPVA with the creation of supplementary block lines along the posterior wall and mitral isthmus was performed and a minimum of 6 months follow-up completed in all patients. Structural heart disease was present in 19.6% and hypertension in 33.8% of patients. After 13.1 +/- 8.4 months follow-up, 73.6% of patients were free of AF recurrences after a mean of 1.18 +/- 0.45 procedures/patient (one procedure in 85.2%, two procedures in 14.8%, and three procedures in 2.7%). Univariable analysis showed that the risk of AF recurrence increases with age (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00-1.06, P = 0.031), with the presence of previous hypertension (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.43-5.07, P = 0.002), and if AF is permanent (HR 2.23; 95% CI 1.08-4.59, P = 0.042). In addition, larger anteroposterior left atrial diameter (LAD) (HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.05-1.18, P = 0.001) and larger left ventricular end-systolic diameter (HR 1.07; 95% CI 1.00-1.15, P = 0.029) prior to the procedure were associated with AF recurrence after CPVA. Cox regression analysis showed that hypertension (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.5-5.4; P = 0.002) and LAD (OR = 1.1; 95% CI 1.05-1.19, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of AF recurrence. The mean predicted proportion of patients with AF recurrence after CPVA of the multivariable model showed a linear relationship with the increase in LAD prior to the procedure. The presence of hypertension further increased the mean predicted proportion of patients with AF recurrence at each LAD. CONCLUSION: Hypertension and LAD are independent pre-procedural predictors of AF recurrence after CPVA to treat AF. These data may help in patient selection for AF ablation.     

Electrocardiographic predictors of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation

Background

Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is an effective method for restoring sinus rhythm after atrial fibrillation (AF). However, early recurrence of AF occurs in a significant number of patients after ECV. This study aimed to identify electrocardiographic (ECG) predictors of early AF recurrence after ECV.

Methods

A total of 272 patients with persistent AF undergoing successful ECV were consecutively enrolled in this study. We investigated clinical, echocardiographic, and ECG data. The 12-lead ECG parameters were measured during sinus rhythm right after ECV using a digital caliper. The early AF recurrence was defined as recurrence within 2 months.

Results

Of the 272 patients, 165 patients (60.7%) experienced an early AF recurrence. Maximum P-wave duration (PWD) in limb leads (OR: 1.086; 95% CI: 1.019–1.157; p = .012) and P-terminal force (PTF) in V₁ (OR: 1.019; 95% CI: 1.004–1.033; p = .011) were independent predictors of early AF recurrence after ECV. The optimal cutoff value of the maximum PWD in limb leads for predicting early AF recurrence was 134 ms, characterized by 90.3% sensitivity and 72.0% specificity. Likewise, the optimal cutoff value of PTF in V₁ was 50 ms × mm, characterized by 80.0% sensitivity and 64.5% specificity.

Conclusion

A longer PWD (>134 ms) and a larger PTF (>50 ms × mm) were useful predictors of early recurrence of AF after successful ECV in clinical practice. A more effective rhythm control therapy such as catheter ablation or rate control strategy rather than a repeat ECV should be considered.

     

超声心动图评价房间隔缺损封堵术心脏血流动力学及其负荷的变化

目的应用经胸超声心动图（TTE）评价房间隔缺损（ASD）封堵术前、后心脏血流动力学及负荷的变化。方法西京医院ASD封堵术患者30（女23,男7）例,年龄4.563（28±18）岁。于封堵术前、术后3 d、3个月及6个月行TTE检查。测量肺动脉瓣口、三尖瓣口血流速度,左、右心室和心房大小变化。结果ASD封堵术后3 d、3个月、6个月:肺动脉瓣口最大流速、平均流速、速度时间积分以及三尖瓣口E峰和A峰值血流速度较术前显著降低（P<0.01）;肺动脉中段内径、右心房和右心室各径较术前显著减小（P<0.01）;左心房、左心室各径较术前增大（P<0.05,P<0.01）。术后各个时间点比较各指标也有不同程度改善。结论ASD封堵治疗后患者血流动力学异常和心腔前负荷变化得以纠正。TTE在ASD封堵术后的疗效观察中具有重要的作用。     

Clinical experience with tiered atrial therapies and atrial arrhythmia prevention algorithms in a dual chamber cardioverter defibrillator

INTRODUCTION: The acceptance of atrial arrhythmia features in implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) will depend on their ability to appropriately discriminate atrial tachyarrhythmias/atrial fibrillation (AT/AF). This study tested the effectiveness of an atrial/ventricular ICD with advanced atrial detection and new algorithms designed to prevent atrial arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were implanted with a dual chamber ICD (Model 1900, Guidant Corporation, MN, USA) at 25 US centers. Ten patients received a coronary sinus (CS) lead allowing a defibrillation vector for AT/AF cardioversion. Follow-up was 12.2 months. The addition of new atrial features designed for detection, discrimination, and prevention of AT/AF had no adverse effect upon detection of induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) (mean detection time with new features ON was 2.22 seconds vs 2.19 seconds with features OFF). A total of 100% of the induced and spontaneous ventricular and atrial arrhythmias receiving shock therapy were reviewed as appropriate detection. Atrial shock conversion efficacy for spontaneous and induced AT/AF episodes was 83% and 96%, respectively (144 spontaneous, 162 induced episodes). A 3-month randomized crossover trial of atrial preventative pacing features did not result in adverse effects, but there was no clinical efficacy for prevention of AT/AF. CONCLUSION: Enhanced atrial detection and discrimination features combined with tiered atrial therapies did not adversely impact the ability of the ICD (Model 1900) to appropriately detect and treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias.     

Echocardiographic and clinical predictors for outcome of elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

Previous studies have suggested that success of elective direct-current cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) can be predicted from clinical features and M-mode echocardiographic left atrial diameter. We evaluated clinical variables as well as M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of atrial size in 85 patients undergoing electrical cardioversion for AF. Of 65 patients who were initially converted to sinus rhythm, 45 (69%) and 38 (58%) remained in sinus rhythm at 1 and 6 months, respectively. No historical feature predicted initial success, although patients with cardiomyopathy or pulmonary disease underlying their AF had significantly lower success rates compared with those having other etiologies. Furthermore, no M-mode or 2-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of atrial size predicted initial success of cardioversion. Maintenance of sinus rhythm at 1 month was related to short duration of AF before cardioversion (less than 3 months vs greater than 12 months, p less than 0.05). Left atrial area and long axis dimension by 2-dimensional echocardiography were significantly larger in patients remaining in sinus rhythm than in those who had reverted to AF at 1 month (28 +/- 7 vs 24 +/- 5 cm2 and 65 +/- 9 vs 59 +/- 8 mm, respectively, both p less than 0.05), but overlap was great. No significant difference in atrial dimensions was noted at 6-month follow-up. It appears that, although no clinical or echocardiographic variable predicts initial success for cardioversion of AF, duration of AF does predict maintenance of sinus rhythm 1 month after initial success.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

阵发性房颤射频消融术后空白期内房性心律失常与房颤远期复发的关系

目的 探讨阵发性房颤射频消融术后3个月（“空白期”）内房性心律失常的发作趋势与远期复发的关系.方法 入选在我院接受首次环肺静脉电隔离射频消融术的阵发性房颤患者50例,并于术后3个月内每月行24h动态心电图检查,同时进行术后定期临床随访和监测12个月.根据术后第12个月体表心电图、24h动态心电图监测及临床随访结果,分为房颤复发组和无复发组,比较复发组患者与无复发组患者术后3个月内房性心律失常发生率及随着时间推移两组房性心律失常的发作趋势.结果 术后第12个月体表心电图及24h动态心电图统计结果显示,房颤复发率为36.0％（18/50）,所有心电图中出现快速型房性心律失常心电图为26.9％,其中房颤20.2％、房扑2.0％、房速4.7％;房性早搏20.1％;窦性心动过缓2.0％.复发组患者术后3个月内房性心律失常的发生率高于无复发组（41.1％比10.2％,P＜0.05）,复发组患者术后3个月内房性心律失常的发生率维持在较高水平（术后3个月分别为44.4％、41.8％、38.5％,P＞0.05）.无复发组患者术后3个月可出现房颤复发,随着时间推移房性心律失常的发生率呈降低趋势（术后3个月分别为18.7％、10.5％、4.4％,P＜0.01）.结论 早期复发不能代表消融失败和晚期复发,但早期房性心律失常发作频繁,则晚期房颤复发的危险性增加.