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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Zurich ACM Program is supported by generous grants from the Georg and Bertha Schwyzer-Winniker Foundation, the Baugarten Foundation, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Heart Foundation and Wild Foundation. This work is also supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant (FRN: 162402) and the Labatt Heart Centre and Waugh Family Innovation Funds, Caitlin Elizabeth Morris Memorial Fund, Alex Corrance Memorial Foundation and Meredith Cartwright. BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) has several phenocopies such as cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), idiopathic outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (OT-VT) and myocarditis. Differentiation between these entities can be challenging. Recently, we have identified diagnostic anti-desmoglein-2 autoantibodies (anti-DSG2 Abs) in patients with ARVC. PURPOSE We sought to examine whether anti-DSG2 Abs are also present in clinical phenocopies of ARVC. METHODS Anti-DSG2 Abs in sera of 25, 19 and 22 patients with sarcoidosis, OT-VT and myocarditis, respectively, were assessed by western blots and ELISA. Clinical and imaging parameters, as well as conventional biomarkers were correlated to detected anti-DSG2 Ab intensity levels. RESULTS Anti-DSG2 Abs, at various intensities, were identified in 6/25 (24%) patients with sarcoidosis, all presenting with CS, but were absent in patients with OT-VT and myocarditis. Cardiac 18F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) was positive in all sarcoidosis patients with positive anti-DSG2 Abs, corresponding to a median PET maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 5.65 [IQR: 5.15 – 10.9]. In sarcoidosis patients without anti-DSG2 Abs, the SUVmax values were significantly lower with a median of 0 [IQR: 0 – 4] (p = 0.011). The Pearson correlation coefficient (R) was 0.188 (p = 0.039) indicating a positive correlation between cardiac 18F-FDG uptake and anti-DSG2 Abs. No significant correlation was detected for any of the other clinical parameters and biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS In addition to being present in ARVC, anti-DSG2 Abs are also found in CS, a common phenocopy of ARVC; conversely, anti-DSG2 Abs are absent in idiopathic OT-VT and myocarditis. Anti-DSG2 Ab levels positively correlate with myocardial disease activity in CS as indicated by cardiac 18F-FDG PET scanning. Abstract Figure. Central illustration

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is defined as de novo onset of atrial fibrillation in the post operative period, in patients with no previous history of atrial fibrillation. It affects almost 3% of all over 45 year old patients undergoing non cardiovascular surgery and is associated with a higher risk of stroke and mortality. PURPOSE To assess independent predictors of POAF in elective non-cardiac surgery. METHODS Retrospective observational database including all patients attending a cardiological preoperative assessment from the 1st of January 2016 to the 31st of December 2019. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of POAF. Individual predictors of the primary endpoint were tested through a series of multivariable logistic regression models, including only those variables with a p RESULTS A total of 2048 patients were enrolled (1350 men, age 71 ± 12 years). Fourty-four patients experienced POAF (2.1%) – median 3 days (1st-3rd quartile 2-3 days). Age (OR 1.03 for each year; 95% CI 1.01-1.07), hypertension (OR 3.43; 95% CI 1.22-9.63), thyroid dysfunction (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.35-5.42) and intermediate or high risk surgery (OR 18.28; 95% CI 2.51-33.09) resulted as independent predictors of POAF (all p 0.001). A cut-off score ≥ 5 has a 70% sensitivity and a 72% specificity in detecting POAF in our population (AUC 0.74). Bootstrapping for internal validation confirmed the overall results. CONCLUSIONS A four items point-based risk score such as the HART score, could be effective in implementing effective POAF screening and improve management. The HART score Variable Points H Hypertension 1 point A Age (65-74 years) 1 point Age (75+ years) 2 points R Intermediate Risk surgery 3 points High Risk surgery 3 points T Thyroid dysfunction 1 point

Use of cardiac implantable devices and catheter ablation is steadily increasing in Western countries following the positive results of clinical trials. Despite the advances in scientific knowledge, tools development, and techniques improvement we still have some grey area in the field of electrical therapies for the heart. In particular, several reports highlighted differences both in medical behaviour and procedural outcomes between female and male candidates. Women are referred later for catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, leading to suboptimal results. On the opposite females present greater response to cardiac resynchronization, while the benefit of implantable defibrillator in primary prevention seems to be less pronounced. Differences on aetiology, clinical profile, and development of myocardial scarring are the more plausible causes. This review will discuss all these aspects together with gender-related differences in terms of acute/late complications. We will also provide useful hints on plausible mechanisms and practical procedural aspects.

A 58-year-old woman affected by drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) was referred for pulmonary veins (PV) disconnection by radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Bidimensional echocardiography documented normal left ventricular dimension and function; a moderate enlargement of left atrium (LA) was present. Before ablation, a cardiac contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed with multidetector CT scanner (MDCT, LightSpeed Pro 16, GE, Phy-USA). The CT scan was loaded into an electroanatomic mapping system equipped with an image integration software (CartoMerge, Biosense Webster Inc.) to provide three-dimensional CT …

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a useful diagnostic tool in patients with unknown blood loss, particularly when there is a high suspicion of small bowel disease, but because of its use of radio frequency, it is relatively contraindicated in patients with a cardiac device. We report the case of a patient with an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) who underwent VCE because of anaemia and previous surgery for colorectal cancer. Device interrogations were performed before and after the procedure. No interference between VCE and ICD was found. VCE is feasible and relatively safe in patients with ICDs.