Massive Accumulation of Myofibroblasts in the Critical Isthmus Is Associated With Ventricular Tachycardia Inducibility in Post-Infarct Swine Heart

Objectives In this study the authors determined the extent of cellular infiltration and dispersion, and regional vascularization in electrophysiologically (EP) defined zones in post–myocardial infarction (MI) swine ventricle. Background The critical isthmus (CI) in post-MI re-entrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a target for catheter ablation. In vitro evidence suggests that myofibroblasts (MFB) within the scar border zone (BZ) may increase the susceptibility to slow conduction and VT, but whether this occurs in vivo remains unproven. Methods Six weeks after mid–left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, EP catheter-based mapping was used to assess susceptibility to VT induction. EP data were correlated with detailed cellular profiling of ventricular zones using immunohistochemistry and spatial distribution analysis of cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, MFB, and vascularization. Results In pigs with induced sustained monomorphic VT (mean cycle length: 353 ± 89 ms; n = 6) the area of scar that consisted of the BZ (i.e., between the normal and the low-voltage area identified by substrate mapping) was greater in VT-inducible hearts (iVT) than in noninducible hearts (non-VT) (p 100 times that in normal myocardium and >5 times higher than that in the BZ in non-VT hearts) and by a 1.7-fold increase in blood vessel density within the dense scar region extending towards the CI. Sites of local abnormal ventricular activity potentials exhibited cellularity and vascularization that were intermediate to the CI in iVT and BZ in non-VT hearts. Conclusions The authors reported the first cellular analysis of the VT CI following an EP-based zonal analysis of iVT and non-VT hearts in pigs post-MI. The data suggested that VT susceptibility was defined by a remarkable number of MFB in the VT CI, which appeared to bridge the few remaining dispersed clusters of cardiomyocytes. These findings define the cellular substrate for the proarrhythmic slow conduction pathway

Eine prospektive klinische Beobachtungsstudie zur Beurteilung des Blutungsrisikos nach dentoalveolären Eingriffen unter der Medikation mit direkten oralen Antikoagulantien (DOAKs), Thrombozytenaggregationshemmern und Vitamin-K-Antagonisten

The purpose of the study is to observe how frequently bleeding occurs after oral surgery in anticoagulated patients compared to patients without anticoagulation. One group received oral surgery under medication with oral anticoagulants such as phenprocoumon (marcumar®), antiplatelet therapy or direct oral anticoagulants. The intake was not interrupted for the procedure. In the healthy control group, which was created retrospectively, comparable dental surgical interventions were carried out, but the patients did not receive any anticoagulant medication. Only interventions performed on an outpatient basis were included. A total of 95 patients in the anticoagulated group and 100 patients in the control group were documented. 27 patients were taking DOACs, 51 patients were taking antiplatelet therapy and 17 patients phenprocoumon. A total of 51 interventions of size A, what means that only one tooth was removed, and 15 interventions of size B, what means that up to three teeth were removed, were documented. 29 interventions of size C have performed. “C” includes an osteotomy, implantation and teeth extractions with more than three teeth. A total of 27 secondary bleedings occurred. Only two of these took place in the control group. 24 of the secondary bleedings in the anticoagulated group were slight secondary bleedings, that did not require any further hemostatic measures. One secondary bleeding was moderate, that required another hemostatic measure by the practitioner. The secondary bleedings in the control group were both slight. It was found that significantly (p= 0,000) more secondary bleedings occurred in the anticoagulated group. In connection with the size of the intervention, i.e. the number of teeth extracted, it could be shown that there is a correlation (p= 0.005). More secondary bleedings occured in larger surgeries than in smaller intervention sizes. The type of anticoagulation also had no influence on the occurrence of bleeding events. Only with phenprocoumon (marcumar®) there was a little less bleeding. The procedure should be carried out atraumatically and sufficient hemostasis measures, for example in the form of a suture, should be applied. Since our study showed a relationship between the size of the intervention, for example the number of teeth extracted, and the occurrence of secondary bleedings, the dentist can consider splitting up extensive interventions into several smaller interventions to prevent bleeding – as long if it is possible

Monozytäre Expression von CD 14 ("Endotoxin-Rezeptor") und proinflammatorische Subpopulationen antigenpräsentierender Leukozyten

Fragestellung: Um mögliche proinflammatorische Zeichen bzw. Frühindikatoren (sog. Mikroinflammation) bei Patienten mit chronischem Nierenversagen und nierentransplantierten Patienten aufzuspüren, die an späteren Organkomplikationen (chronische Transplantatdysfunktion, Herz-Kreislaufmorbidität, endotheliale Dysfunktion, Infektanfälligkeiten) beteiligt sein können, untersuchten wir die Expression funktioneller monozytärer Oberflächenantigene. Als immunologischen Marker der Aktivität einer Entzündungsreaktion verglichen wir die in der Durchflusszytometrie (fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS))gemessene Expression sog. mCD14-Rezeptoren und der CD14+CD16++-Rezeptoren auf peripheren Blut-Monozyten mit serologischen Parametern wie C-reaktives Protein und Leukozytenzahl. Die Frage, ob die beiden Oberflächenantigene CD14 und CD16 sowie die Koexpression beider Antigene (proinflammatorisch aktivierte Monozyten) zum „immunologischen Monitoring“ geeignet sind, sollte erstmalig klinisch an Gesunden, Patienten nach Nierentransplantation sowie Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz im Endstadium ohne Dialysebehandlung untersucht werden. Ergänzend wurden nichtorgantransplantierte Patienten mit akuten infektiösen Komplikationen auf mögliche Modulationen proinflammatorischer Blutmonozyten (CD14+/CD16++-Zellen) hin untersucht. CD14 existiert membrangebunden (mCD14) und in löslicher Form (sCD14) und ist verantwortlich für die Interaktion von Endotoxin (LPS) mit Monozyten und Neutrophilen. LPS ist ein Glykoprotein der äußeren Membranschicht gramnegativer Bakterien. CD14 ist der wichtigste Rezeptor für gram-negative bakterielle Lipopolysaccharide (Endotoxin), jedoch auch für Peptidoglykan und Lipoteichonsäure gram-positiver Erreger. CD 16 ist der funktionell wichtige Fcγ–Rezeptor Typ III (FcγRIII, IgG-Rezeptor Typ III), der mit niedriger Affinität monomeres IgG sowie polymeres IgG oder Immunkomplexe bindet. Er vermittelt wichtige immunphysiologische Funktionen wie antikörperabhängige zellvermittelte Zytotoxizität, Beseitigung zirkulierender Immunkomplexe, Superoxidbildung und ist auch an der Signaltransduktion beteiligt. Die untersuchten CD14+CD16++-Monozyten bewirken im Zusammenwirken von TNFα, IL-1, IL-6 und IL-10 bewirkt eine stärkere Entzündungsreaktion als die konventionellen CD14++CD16negativen-Zellen; sie sind sehr potente Antigen-präsentierende Zellen, besitzen eine hohe Phagozytoseaktivität und verstärken die endotheliale Adhäsion. Untersuchungsaufbau: Wir untersuchten 69 Patienten nach Nierentransplantation (23 Frauen, 46 Männer) im Alter von durchschnittlich 52,63 +/- 11,42 Jahren (Median 53,84 Jahre). Die Patienten erhielten durchschnittlich vor 6,38 +/- 5,2 Jahren ein Nieren- Transplantat (Median 8,16 Jahre). Wir unterschieden diese Patienten hinsichtlich ihrer Immunsuppression in folgende Gruppen: 1) Mycophenolat-Mofetil-Monotherapie (MMFmono), 2) Cyclosporin-Monotherapie (CyAmono) und 3) einer Kombination aus MMF und CyA (MMF-CyAkombi). In die Gruppe mit MMF-Monotherapie wurden16 Personen eingeschlossen (3 Frauen, 13 Männer) im Alter von durchschnittlich 51,29 +/- 10,47 Jahren (Median 51,15 Jahre). In der Gruppe der CyA-monotherapierten Patienten befanden sich 11 Personen (3 Frauen, 8 Männer) im Durchschnittsalter von 58,43 +/- 8,01 Jahren (Median 59,96 Jahre). Zur Gruppe der MMF-CyA-kombinationstherapierten Patienten gehörten 18 Patienten (3 Frauen, 15 Männer) im Alter von 46,69 +/- 10,22 Jahren (Median 47,44 Jahre). Des weiteren wurden 13 Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz (12 Männer, eine Frau) im Alter von 32 bis 74 Jahren (Median 65,0 Jahre; Mittelwert 63,5 Jahre +/- 10,3 Jahre) in die Analysen miteinbezogen. Parallel wurden 8 Patienten (6 Frauen, 2 Männer) im Verlauf einer akuten Infektion erfasst (Mittelwert 74,6 +/- 10,53 Jahre; Median 78 Jahre). Unser Kontrollkollektiv bestand aus 18 klinisch gesunden freiwilligen Probanden im Alter zwischen 24 und 54 Jahren (Median 31Jahre; Mittelwert 33,42 +/- 9,91 Jahre; 10 Frauen, 8 Männer). Ergebnisse: 1. Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz hatten signifikant höhere CRP-Serumkonzentrationen als Gesunde (p=0,010)(Gesunde 0,33 mg/dl vs. Urämiker 0,7 mg/dl). 2. Die mCD14-Expression auf peripheren Blutmonozyten war bei Urämikern (p=0,024) und bei nierentransplantierten Patienten (p=0,026) signifikant niedriger als bei Gesunden.(Gesunde 517 MFI vs. Urämiker 426 MFI vs. NTX 433 MFI) 3. Der prozentuale Anteil CD14+CD16++-Monozyten im Blut war sowohl bei Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz (p=0,00000487; MFI= 13,0%) als auch bei Patienten nach Nierentransplantation (p=0,00298; MFI=9,3%) signifikant höher. 4. Die Leukozytenzahl im Blut war weder bei immunsupprimierten Nierentransplantierten noch bei Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz im Endstadium signifikant gegenüber Gesunden verändert. 5. Hinsichtlich der verschiedenen Strategien der immunsuppressiven Therapie ließen sich keine Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen der MMF-mono, der CyA-mono und der MMF-CyA-kombi-behandelten Nt-Patienten feststellen. 6. Die Absolutzahl CD14+CD16++-Monozyten war sowohl bei urämischen Patienten (p=0,003; 430/µl) als auch bei nierentransplantierten Patienten (p=0,005; 413/µl) gegenüber Gesunden signifikant erhöht. 7. Bei Nierentransplantierten fiel die CRP-Konzentration im Serum mit steigendem Alter des Transplantates logarithmisch ab (p=0,065), die mCD14-Expression fiel linear ab (p=0,063) wohingegen der prozentuale Anteil der CD14+CD16++- Monozyten invers ansteigt (p=0,0036). 8. Im Verlauf akuter infektiöser Erkrankungen war der Anteil der CD14+CD16++- Monozyten signifikant höher als bei Gesunden (p=0,000049) und fiel bis zur stationären Entlassung so signifikant ab (p=0,012), so dass kein Unterschied mehr zwischen Gesunden und Kranken mehr nachweisbar war. Schlußfolgerungen: 1. Sowohl bei Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz wie bei Nierentransplantierten finden sich anhand erhöhter Zahlen proinflammatorischer Blutmonozyten (CD14+CD16++-Phänotyp) eindeutig Zeichen einer sog. „Mikroinflammation“; dies ausdrücklich auch bei NTX-Patienten, obwohl diese unter einer dauerhaften immunsuppressiven Behandlung stehen. 2. Proinflammatorische Blutmonozyten sind Ziel- und Effektorzellen der Immunabwehr. Darüber hinaus sind sie pathophysiologisch an den Vorgängen einer Atheromatose beteiligt. CD14+CD16++-Blutmonozyten entsprechen dem Phänotyp von Gewebsmakrophagen. Erhöhte Anteile CD14+CD16++-Blutmonozyten gehen möglicherweise parallel mit der erhöhten Progressionsrate der Atheromatose von Organtransplantierten und Patienten mit Niereninsuffizienz. Andererseits sind sie an der Auslösung und Perpetuation der chronischen Transplantatdysfunktion (chronisches Transplantatversagen) ursächlich beteiligt, was aus Biopsiedaten hervorgeht. Die hier erfolgten Blutzellanalysen unterstützen diese These. 3. Dauerimmunsuppression bei Nierentransplantierten vermag nicht den proinflammatorischen Status diese Patienten zu unterdrücken. Damit gilt für alle NTXPatienten, dass sich mehr oder weniger schnell trotz potenter Immunsuppression irgendwann ein Transplantatversagen einstellt. Es spricht alles dafür, dass aktivierte Blutmonozyten hier die Schlüsselrolle spielen. Wir postulieren, dass dies nur dann abgeschwächt oder vermindert werden könnte, wenn sich die zellulären Marker, die auf chronische inflammatorische Aktivität hinweisen, pharmakologisch günstig beeinflussen ließen

Personnel, equipment, and facilities for electrophysiological and catheter ablation procedures in Europe: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association Survey

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Pacing Using Cardiac Implantable Electric Device During TAVR

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an effective and safe therapy for severe aortic stenosis. Rapid or fast pacing is required for implantation, which can be performed via a pre-existing cardiac implantable electric device (CIED). However, safety data on CIEDs for pacing in TAVR are missing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to elucidate procedural safety and feasibility of internal pacing with a CIED in TAVR. Methods: Patients undergoing TAVR with a CIED were included in this analysis. Baseline characteristics, procedural details, and complications according to Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 (VARC-3) criteria after TAVR were compared between both groups. Results: A total of 486 patients were included. Pacing was performed using a CIED in 150 patients and a transient pacemaker in 336 patients. No differences in technical success according to VARC-3 criteria or procedure duration occurred between the groups. The usage of transient pacers for pacing was associated with a significantly higher bleeding rate (bleeding type ≥2 according to VARC-3-criteria; 2.0% vs 13.1%; P < 0.01). Furthermore, impairment of the CIED appeared in 2.3% of patients after TAVR only in the group in which pacing was performed by a transient pacer, leading to surgical revision of the CIED in 1.3% of all patients when transient pacemakers were used. Conclusions: Internal pacing using a CIED is safe and feasible without differences of procedural time and technical success and might reduce bleeding rates. Furthermore, pacing using a CIED circumvents the risk of lead dislocation. Our data provide an urgent call for the use of a CIED for pacing during a TAVR procedure in general

Permanent pacemaker dependency in patients with new left bundle branch block and new first degree atrioventricular block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Conduction disorders with need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation remain frequent complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Up to 22% of PPM after TAVI are implanted for new onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) and atrioventricular block (AVB) I. However, clinical benefit and predictors of ventricular pacing in TAVI patients receiving PPM for this indication remain unclear. We retrospectively evaluated pacemaker interrogation data of patients who received a PPM post TAVI for new LBBB and new AVB I. The primary endpoint of this study was relevant ventricular pacing (ventricular pacing rate: Vp ≥ 1%) at the first outpatient pacemaker interrogation. Secondary endpoints were predictors for relevant ventricular pacing. At the first pacemaker interrogation (median follow up at 6.23 2.8-14.8 months), median ventricular pacing frequency was 1.0{\%} 0.1-17.8. Out of 61 patients, 36 (59{\%}) had Vp rates ≥ 1{\%}. Patients with frequent ventricular pacing showed longer QRS duration (155~ms ± 17~ms vs. 144~ms ± 18~ms, p = 0.018) at the time of PPM implantation and were less likely treated with a balloon-expandable Edwards Sapiens Valve (39{\%} vs. 12{\%}, p = 0.040). Our findings suggest that the majority of patients with new LBBB and new AVB I after TAVI show relevant ventricular pacing rates at follow up. Further prospective studies are necessary to identify patients at higher risk of pacemaker dependency

Recent advances in the genetics of atrial fibrillation: from rare and common genetic variants to microRNA signaling

Besides traditional risk factors, atrial fibrillation (AF) also shares a strong genetic component. Here, we review the genetics of AF including monogenic forms of AF, heritability of AF, complex genetic risk of AF, and the role of microRNAs in AF pathophysiology. Thirtytwo mutations (17 genes) have been reported to cause familial AF. Mutations in cardiac ion channel genes or their subunits alter electrical properties and thereby lead to AF. Recently, also non-ion channel gene mutations have been identified to cause familial AF. Twin and community-based studies suggested AF to be heritable also on the population level. The AF risk in the offspring of an affected first-degree relative ranged between 2- to 5-fold, depending on the age of onset. Thereby, the risk of AF increases gradually the earlier the youngest relative of an AF patient developed the arrhythmia. African Americans bear a lesser risk of AF compared to individuals of European ancestry. Their risk rises with increasing European admixture. Genome wide association studies have revealed loci on chromosomes 4q25, 16q21 and 1q21 conferring risk of AF. Very recently, another consortial effort has identified a novel locus on chromosome 1, intronic to IL6R. IL6R encodes the a subunit of the interleukin 6 receptor. MicroRNAs were shown to regulate gene expression, and are increasingly reported to modify AF. A hallmark of AF pathophysiology is electrical and structural remodeling. MicroRNAs are involved in this process by regulating gene expression of cardiac ion channels, calcium handling proteins, transcription factors, and extracellular matrix related proteins

Safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

Background: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) represents the diagnostic image modality of choice in several conditions. With an increasing number of patients requiring MRI for diagnostic purposes, the issue of safety in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) undergoing this imaging modality will play an ever more important role. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and device function following MRI in an unrestricted real-world cohort of patients with a wide array of cardiac devices. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study including 1010 MRI studies conducted in adult patients (≥18 years) with an implanted CIED treated in the University Hospital of Munich (LMU) between July 2012 and March 2024. Patients with non-MR conditionally labeled leads, abandoned or epicardial leads, as well as lead fragments, were included for analysis. Results: Across a total of 1010 MRIs (920 total MR-conditional device generators) performed in patients with an implanted CIED, there were no deaths, reports of discomfort, palpitations, heating, or ventricular arrythmias in the 24 h following MRI. Only 2/1010 MRIs were followed by a reported atrial arrhythmia within 24 h, both in patients with an MR-conditional pacemaker (PM) device without an abandoned lead. No significant changes in device function following MRI from baseline were observed across all included CIEDs. Lastly, no instances of severe malfunction, such as generator failure, loss of capture, electrical reset, or inappropriate inhibition of pacing, were found in post-MRI interrogation reports across all MRI studies. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of 1010 MRIs undergone by patients with CIEDs, following standardized device interrogation, manufacturer-advised device programming, monitoring of vital function, and manufacturer-advised reprogramming, MRI can be performed safely and without adverse events or changes in device function

EHRA expert consensus document on the management of arrhythmias in frailty syndrome, endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Latin America Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), and Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA)

There is an increasing proportion of the general population surviving to old age with significant chronic disease, multimorbidity, and disability. The prevalence of pre-frail state and frailty syndrome increases exponentially with advancing age and is associated with greater morbidity, disability, hospitalization, institutionalization, mortality, and health care resource use. Frailty represents a global problem, making early identification, evaluation, and treatment to prevent the cascade of events leading from functional decline to disability and death, one of the challenges of geriatric and general medicine. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in advancing age, chronic illness, and frailty and include a broad spectrum of rhythm and conduction abnormalities. However, no systematic studies or recommendations on the management of arrhythmias are available specifically for the elderly and frail population, and the uptake of many effective antiarrhythmic therapies in these patients remains the slowest. This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document focuses on the biology of frailty, common comorbidities, and methods of assessing frailty, in respect to a specific issue of arrhythmias and conduction disease, provide evidence base advice on the management of arrhythmias in patients with frailty syndrome, and identifies knowledge gaps and directions for future research