The potential role of scar mapping in assessing of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon application

Cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a frequently used therapy after failure of at least one antiarrhythmic drug. The main target of AF ablation has been durable pulmonary vein isolation. However, it is unclear if ablation strategies need to be modified after recurrence. Herein, we presented a female patient undergoing successful pulmonary vein re-connection ablation after left atrial scar mapping. In electroanatomical mapping, gray area shows intense scar tissue. Gray, red, and purple areas indicate atrial potentials <0.5 mV, 0.5–1.5 mV, and >1.5 mV, respectively. Please note that there is a non-scar area in the bottom of right inferior pulmonary vein (arrow)

Cardiac Involvement in Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV: Two Cases and the Two Ends of a Spectrum

Glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to the deficiency of α 1,4-glucan branching enzyme, resulting in an accumulation of amylopectin-like polysaccharide in various systems. We describe two cases, a 23-year-old girl with dilated cardiomyopathy who presented with progressive dyspnea and fatigue and a 28-year-old girl with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who was asymptomatic, secondary to the accumulation of amylopectin-like fibrillar glycogen, in heart. In both patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by enzyme assessment. Our patients showed that GSD IV is not only liver or skeletal muscle disease, but also it can be presented in different form of the spectrum of cardiomyopathy from dilated to hypertrophic and from asymptomatic to decompensated heart failure. Also, to our knowledge, this is the first hypertrophic cardiomyopathy case due to GSD IV in the literature

Fractionated Mapping-Guided Ablation Strategy in Patients with Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: a Case Series

Although pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), optimal ablation strategy for long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF) remains unclear. This article presents two patients with LSPAF in whom acute AF termination was achieved during ablation by using fractionated-guided extended PVI, posterior wall isolation, and mitral isthmus

Phrenic Nerve Injury During Cryoballoon-Based Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Results of the Worldwide YETI Registry.

BackgroundCryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has emerged as an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. The most frequent complication during cryoballoon-based PVI is phrenic nerve injury (PNI). However, data on PNI are scarce.MethodsThe YETI registry is a retrospective, multicenter, and multinational registry evaluating the incidence, characteristics, prognostic factors for PNI recovery and follow-up data of patients with PNI during cryoballoon-based PVI. Experienced electrophysiological centers were invited to participate. All patients with PNI during CB2 or third (CB3) and fourth-generation cryoballoon (CB4)-based PVI were eligible.ResultsA total of 17 356 patients underwent cryoballoon-based PVI in 33 centers from 10 countries. A total of 731 (4.2%) patients experienced PNI. The mean time to PNI was 127.7±50.4 seconds, and the mean temperature at the time of PNI was -49±8°C. At the end of the procedure, PNI recovered in 394/731 patients (53.9%). Recovery of PNI at 12 months of follow-up was found in 97.0% of patients (682/703, with 28 patients lost to follow-up). A total of 16/703 (2.3%) reported symptomatic PNI. Only 0.06% of the overall population showed symptomatic and permanent PNI. Prognostic factors improving PNI recovery are immediate stop at PNI by double-stop technique and utilization of a bonus-freeze protocol. Age, cryoballoon temperature at PNI, and compound motor action potential amplitude loss >30% were identified as factors decreasing PNI recovery. Based on these parameters, a score was calculated. The YETI score has a numerical value that will directly represent the probability of a specific patient of recovering from PNI within 12 months.ConclusionsThe incidence of PNI during cryoballoon-based PVI was 4.2%. Overall 97% of PNI recovered within 12 months. Symptomatic and permanent PNI is exceedingly rare in patients after cryoballoon-based PVI. The YETI score estimates the prognosis after iatrogenic cryoballoon-derived PNI. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03645577. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article

Intracardiac Thrombosis and Coronary-to-Pulmonary Artery Fistula with Pulmonary Embolism and Budd-Chiari Syndrome in Behcet'S Disease: A Case Report

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic, chronic and inflammatory vasculitis presentation. A 29-year-old male patient with BD was admitted to our clinic with dyspnea and chest pain. On his physical examination, a left parasternal murmur resembling the sound of a machine was detected along with abdominal ascites. The patient's electrocardiography and chest X-ray were normal. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed a chronic pulmonary embolism. On abdominal CT, a thrombus was detected in the hepatic vein and inferior vena cava, which was consistent with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a mass on the right atrium protruding into the right ventricle. On the suprasternal view, abnormal flow surrounding the arcus aorta and pulmonary artery was detected. Coronary angiography showed a fistula formation between the left main branch and pulmonary artery. A treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and heparin was initiated. Complete recovery of the pulmonary embolism and intracardiac thrombosis were observed at six months. In this article, we present a BD patient with intracardiac thrombosis and coronary-to-pulmonary fistula associated with a pulmonary embolism and BCS.Wo

Fractionation mapping software to map ganglionated plexus sites during sinus rhythm

Ablation of ganglionated plexuses (GPs) is a relatively new technique in patients with vasovagal syncope. Due to individual variation of GP settlement, reproducible GP detection methods are needed to during electrophysiologic study. In the present case, fractionation mapping software of Ensite system was tested to detect localization of GPs and first compared with previously validated fractionated electrograms based strategy