Bone Marrow Stem Cell Treatment for Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients with No Option of Revascularization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PMCID: PMC3686792This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Adapting detection sensitivity based on evidence of irregular sinus arrhythmia to improve atrial fibrillation detection in insertable cardiac monitors

Intermittent change in p-wave discernibility during periods of ectopy and sinus arrhythmia is a cause of inappropriate atrial fibrillation (AF) detection in insertable cardiac monitors (ICM). To address this, we developed and validated an enhanced AF detection algorithm.Atrial fibrillation detection in Reveal LINQ ICM uses patterns of incoherence in RR intervals and absence of P-wave evidence over a 2-min period. The enhanced algorithm includes P-wave evidence during RR irregularity as evidence of sinus arrhythmia or ectopy to adaptively optimize sensitivity for AF detection. The algorithm was developed and validated using Holter data from the XPECT and LINQ Usability studies which collected surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous ICM ECG over a 24-48 h period. The algorithm detections were compared with Holter annotations, performed by multiple reviewers, to compute episode and duration detection performance. The validation dataset comprised of 3187 h of valid Holter and LINQ recordings from 138 patients, with true AF in 37 patients yielding 108 true AF episodes ≥2-min and 449 h of AF. The enhanced algorithm reduced inappropriately detected episodes by 49% and duration by 66% with <1% loss in true episodes or duration. The algorithm correctly identified 98.9% of total AF duration and 99.8% of total sinus or non-AF rhythm duration. The algorithm detected 97.2% (99.7% per-patient average) of all AF episodes ≥2-min, and 84.9% (95.3% per-patient average) of detected episodes involved AF.An enhancement that adapts sensitivity for AF detection reduced inappropriately detected episodes and duration with minimal reduction in sensitivity.Helmut Pürerfellner, Prashanthan Sanders, Shantanu Sarkar, Erin Reisfeld, Jerry Reiland, Jodi Koehler, Evgeny Pokushalov, Ľuboš Urban, Lukas R C Dekke

Evaluating Real-World Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology Final 2-Year Outcome Data of the EWOLUTION Trial Focusing on History of Stroke and Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage occlusion with WATCHMAN has emerged as viable alternative to vitamin K antagonists in randomized controlled trials. Evaluating real-life clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients receiving the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure technology was designed to collect prospective multicenter outcomes of thromboembolic events, bleeding, and mortality for patients implanted with a WATCHMAN in routine daily practice. METHODS: One thousand twenty patients with a WATCHMAN implant procedure were prospectively followed in 47 centers. Left atrial appendage occlusion indication was based on the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Follow-up and imaging were performed per local practice up to a median follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: Included population was old (age 73.4±8.9 years), at high risk for stroke (311 prior ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack and 153 prior hemorrhagic stroke) and bleeding (318 prior major bleeding), with CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≥5 in 49%, hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, Labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs/alcohol concomitantly ≥3 in 40% and oral anticoagulation contraindication in 72%. During follow-up, 161 patients (16.4%) died, 22 strokes were observed (1.3/100 patient-years, 83% reduction versus historic data), and 47 major nonprocedural bleeding events (2.7/100 patient-years, 46% reduction versus historic data). Stroke and bleeding rates were consistently lower than historic data in those with prior ischemic (−76% and −41%) or hemorrhagic (−81% and 67%) stroke and prior bleeding (−85% and −30%). Lowest bleeding rates were seen in patients with early discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy. Patients with early discontinuation of antithrombotic therapy showed lower bleeding rates, while they were highest for those with prior bleeding. Device thrombus was observed in 34 patients (4.1%) and was not correlated to drug regimen during follow-up (P=0.28). CONCLUSIONS: During the complete 2-year follow-up of Evaluating RealLife Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology, patients with a WATCHMAN left atrial appendage occlusion device had consistently low rates of stroke and nonprocedural bleeding, although most were contraindicated to oral anticoagulation and used only single antiplatelet therapy or nothing

How to use implantable loop recorders in clinical trials and hybrid therapy

Epidemiological studies show that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a doubling of mortality, even after adjustment for confounders. AF can be asymptomatic, but this does not decrease the thromboembolic risk of the patient. Office ECGs, occasional 24-h Holter recordings and long-term ECG event recording might not be sensitive and accurate enough in patients with AF, especially in those with paroxysmal episodes. In one study, 7 days of continuous monitoring with event recorders detected paroxysmal AF in 20 of 65 patients with a previous negative 24-h Holter recording. Over the last decade, enormous improvements have been made in the technology of implantable devices, which can now store significant information regarding heart rhythm. The first subcutaneous implantable monitor (Reveal XT, Medtronic) was validated for continuous AF monitoring by the XPECT study. The dedicated AF detection algorithm uses irregularity and incoherence of R–R intervals to identify and classify patterns in ventricular conduction. Its sensitivity in identifying patients with AF is >96%. Numerous clinical data from continuous monitoring of AF have recently been published. The first applications of this technology have been in the field of surgical and catheter AF ablation. With regard to cryptogenic stroke, an international randomized trial is ongoing to compare standard care with standard care plus the implantable cardiac monitor for AF detection in patients discharged with the diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke: the Crystal AF trial. Continuous AF monitoring provides an optimal picture of daily AF burden, both symptomatic and asymptomatic. Implantable cardiac monitors have high sensitivity, enable better assessment of therapy success and may guide further AF therapy

Clinical Implementation of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy-Regional Disparities across Selected ESC Member Countries.

BACKGROUND: The present analysis aimed to estimate the penetration of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on the basis of the prevalence and incidence of eligible patients in selected European countries and in Israel. METHODS AND RESULTS: The following countries were considered: Italy, Slovakia, Greece, Israel, Slovenia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. CRT penetration was defined as the number of patients treated with CRT (CRT patients) divided by the prevalence of patients eligible for CRT. The number of CRT patients was estimated as the sum of CRT implantations in the last 5 years, the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) White Book being used as the source. The prevalence of CRT indications was derived from the literature by applying three epidemiologic models, a synthesis of which indicates that 10% of heart failure (HF) patients are candidates for CRT. HF prevalence was considered to range from 1% to 2% of the general population, resulting in an estimated range of prevalence of CRT indication between 1000 and 2000 patients per million inhabitants. Similarly, the annual incidence of CRT indication, representing the potential target population once CRT has fully penetrated, was estimated as between 100 and 200 individuals per million. The results showed the best CRT penetration in Italy (47-93%), while in some countries it was less than 5% (Romania, Russian Federation, and Ukraine). CONCLUSION: CRT penetration differs markedly among the countries analyzed. The main barriers are the lack of reimbursement for the procedure and insufficient awareness of guidelines by the referring physicians

RESULTS OF INTRAMYOCARDIAL ADMINISTRATION OF A MONONUCLEAR FRACTION OF AUTOLOGOUS BONE MARROW CELLS IN CHD PATIENTS WITH CONCOMITANT CARDIAINSUFFICIENCY

Aim. Evaluation of long-term results of drug therapy and intramyocardial administration of a mononuclear fraction of bone marrow cells in CHD patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency. Materials and methods. 109 patients were randomized into two groups by using an envelope method. Intramyocardial administration of a mononuclear fraction of autologous bone marrow cells and cardiac insufficiency therapy were performed for the 1st group (n = 55), while the 2nd group (n = 54) received drug therapy only. All patients underwent clinical examination at admission and at 6 and 12 months after the onset of the study. Results. In the 1st group the angina functional class was reliably lowered (from 3.3 ± 0.2 at the onset of the study down to 2.5 ± 0.1 after 12 months). The distance covered during a 6-minute walk test increased from the initial 185 ± 39 meters up to 359 ± 69 me- ters by the end of the 12th month. The angina class decreased from 3.1 ± 0.4 at the onset of the study down to 1.6 ± 0.4 by the end of the 12th month. Minnesota Life Quality Index reduced from 65.3 ± 21 points down to 22.4 ± 6 points in the first group, while in the control one it decreased down to 59.9 ± 16 points. On the contrary, cardiac insufficiency in patients of the second group tended to continually progress: from NYHA FC 3.5 ± 0.1 at the beginning of the study up to 3.9 ± 0.1 in the course of 12-month observation. The angina class remained the same (3.5 ± 0.5 at the beginning and 3.5 ± 0.4 after 12 months respectively). Conclusion. Intramyocardial implantation of a mononuclear fraction of autologous bone marrow cells is a safe method that contributes to the improvement of the left ventricular function, clinical data and prognosis

Safety profile of a miniaturized insertable cardiac monitor: results from two prospective trials

BACKGROUND: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) are used to continuously monitor the patient's ECG. In response to patient activation or based on automated device algorithms, arrhythmia episodes are stored and automatically transmitted daily to the clinician. Thus, ICMs can be used to diagnose arrhythmias in at-risk patients and in those with symptoms potentially attributable to arrhythmias. The ICM described in the present report has undergone a dramatic change in size and method of insertion. METHODS: To evaluate the safety profile of the ICM procedure, we analyzed procedure-related adverse events from two separate trials: a controlled, non-randomized multicenter study (Reveal LINQ™ Usability study) and a multicenter registry (Reveal LINQ™ Registry) evaluating real-world experience. For the Registry we reported all procedure-related adverse events upon occurrence, whereas for the Usability study, we reported events occurring during the first month of follow-up. RESULTS: The Usability study enrolled 151 patients (age 56.6 ± 12.1 years; male 67%) at 16 centers; during follow-up, an infection was observed in 1.3% patients and a procedure-related serious adverse event (SAE) in 0.7% patients. The Registry enrolled 122 patients (age 61.0 ± 17.8 years; male 47%) at 7 centers; during follow-up, an infection was observed in 1.6% patients and a procedure-related SAE in 1.6% patients. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative experience from a controlled clinical trial and a "real-world" registry, demonstrate that the new ICM can be inserted with very low incidence of adverse events.Suneet Mittal, Prashanthan Sanders, Evgeny Pokushalov, Lukas Dekker, Dean Kereiakes, Edward J. Schloss, Erika Pouliot, Noreli Franco, Yan Zhong, Marco Di Bacco and Helmut Pürerfellne

ФИБРИЛЛЯЦИЯ ПРЕДСЕРДИЙ ПОСЛЕ КАРДИОХИРУРГИЧЕСКИХ ОПЕРАЦИЙ: ПАТОФИЗИОЛОГИЯ И МЕТОДЫ ПРОФИЛАКТИКИ

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most frequent complications occurring after cardiac surgery. Post-operative atrial fibrillation confidently increases the risk of mortality and associated complications. Pathogenesis of this disorder is frequently based on combination of several promoting factors. A major number of studies has been performed among cardiac surgery patients in order to search for effective drug therapy or other surgical techniques aimed at post-operative atrial fibrillation prevention. At present none of the suggested prevention treatment can assure secure protection from post-operative atrial fibrillations and associated complications. Therefore new studies are needed aimed at the detail investigation of pathophysiology of this disorder and development of effective prevention and treatment methods. Фибрилляция предсердий является одним из наиболее частых осложнений, встречающихся после кардиохирургических вмешательств. Послеоперационная фибрилляция предсердий достоверно увеличивает риск развития летального исхода и ассоциированных осложнений. Патогенез развития данного заболевания зачастую обусловлен сочетанием нескольких провоцирующих факторов. В ходе поиска эффективной лекарственной терапии или других хирургических методов для профилактики послеоперационной фибрилляции предсердий проведено большое количество исследований среди пациентов кардиохирургического профиля. В настоящее время ни одна из предложенных схем профилактической терапии не гарантирует надежной защиты пациента от развития послеоперационной фибрилляции предсердий и ассоциированных осложнений. Поэтому весьма актуальным представляется проведение новых исследований, направленных на детальное изучение патофизиологии данного заболевания, и разработки эффективных способов профилактики и лечения.

Meta-Analysis of Percutaneous Endomyocardial Cell Therapy in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure by Combination of Individual Patient Data (IPD) of ACCRUE and Publication-Based Aggregate Data

Individual patient data (IPD)-based meta-analysis (ACCRUE, meta-analysis of cell-based cardiac studies, NCT01098591) revealed an insufficient effect of intracoronary cell-based therapy in acute myocardial infarction. Patients with ischemic heart failure (iHF) have been treated with reparative cells using percutaneous endocardial, surgical, transvenous or intracoronary cell delivery methods, with variable effects in small randomized or cohort studies. The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transendocardial cell therapy in patients with iHF. Two investigators extracted the data. Individual patient data (IPD) (n = 8 studies) and publication-based (n = 10 studies) aggregate data were combined for the meta-analysis, including patients (n = 1715) with chronic iHF. The data are reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The primary safety and efficacy endpoints were all-cause mortality and changes in global ejection fraction. The secondary safety and efficacy endpoints were major adverse events, hospitalization and changes in end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes. Post hoc analyses were performed using the IPD of eight studies to find predictive factors for treatment safety and efficacy. Cell therapy was significantly (p < 0.001) in favor of survival, major adverse events and hospitalization during follow-up. A forest plot analysis showed that cell therapy presents a significant benefit of increasing ejection fraction with a mean change of 2.51% (95% CI: 0.48; 4.54) between groups and of significantly decreasing end-systolic volume. The analysis of IPD data showed an improvement in the NYHA and CCS classes. Cell therapy significantly decreased the end-systolic volume in male patients; in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension or hyperlipidemia; and in those with previous myocardial infarction and baseline ejection fraction ≤ 45%. The catheter-based transendocardial delivery of regenerative cells proved to be safe and effective for improving mortality and cardiac performance. The greatest benefit was observed in male patients with significant atherosclerotic co-morbidities