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Background The improved life expectancy observed in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has made age‐related cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias, a growing health concern. Hypothesis We describe the temporal trends in frequency of various arrhythmias and assess impact of arrhythmias on hospitalized HIV patients using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Methods Data on HIV‐related hospitalizations from 2005 to 2014 were obtained from the NIS database using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD‐9) codes. Data was further subclassified into hospitalizations with associated arrhythmias and those without. Baseline demographics and comorbidities were determined. Outcomes including in‐hospital mortality, cost of care, and length of stay were extracted. SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) was utilized for analysis. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors of arrhythmias among hospitalized HIV patients. Results Among 2 370 751 HIV‐related hospitalizations identified, the overall frequency of any arrhythmia was 3.01%. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most frequent arrhythmia (2110 per 100 000). The overall frequency of arrhythmias increased over time by 108%, primarily due to a 132% increase in AF. Arrhythmias are more frequent among older males, lowest income quartile, and nonelective admissions. Patients with arrhythmias had a higher in‐hospital mortality rate (9.6%). In‐hospital mortality among patients with arrhythmias decreased over time by 43.8%. The cost of care and length of stay associated with arrhythmia‐related hospitalizations were mostly unchanged. Conclusions Arrhythmias are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized HIV patients. AF is the most frequent arrhythmia in hospitalized HIV patients.

IntroductionThe application of brief high voltage electrical pulses to tissue can lead to an irreversible or reversible electroporation effect in a cell-specific manner. In the management of ventricular arrhythmias, the ability to target different tissue types, specifically cardiac conduction tissue (His-Purkinje System) vs. cardiac myocardium would be advantageous. We hypothesize that pulsed electric fields (PEFs) can be applied safely to the beating heart through a catheter-based approach, and we tested whether the superficial Purkinje cells can be targeted with PEFs without injury to underlying myocardial tissue.MethodsIn an acute (n = 5) and chronic canine model (n = 6), detailed electroanatomical mapping of the left ventricle identified electrical signals from myocardial and overlying Purkinje tissue. Electroporation was effected via percutaneous catheter-based Intracardiac bipolar current delivery in the anesthetized animal. Repeat Intracardiac electrical mapping of the heart was performed at acute and chronic time points; followed by histological analysis to assess effects.ResultsPEF demonstrated an acute dose-dependent functional effect on Purkinje, with titration of pulse duration and/or voltage associated with successful acute Purkinje damage. Electrical conduction in the insulated bundle of His (n = 2) and anterior fascicle bundle (n = 2), was not affected. At 30 days repeat cardiac mapping demonstrated resilient, normal electrical conduction throughout the targeted area with no significant change in myocardial amplitude (pre 5.9 ± 1.8 mV, 30 days 5.4 ± 1.2 mV, p = 0.92). Histopathological analysis confirmed acute Purkinje fiber targeting, with chronic studies showing normal Purkinje fibers, with minimal subendocardial myocardial fibrosis.ConclusionPEF provides a novel, safe method for non-thermal acute modulation of the Purkinje fibers without significant injury to the underlying myocardium. Future optimization of this energy delivery is required to optimize conditions so that selective electroporation can be utilized in humans the treatment of cardiac disease.

Background Transvenous lead implantation has multiple drawbacks and complications that can be overcome by epicardial lead placement. We aimed to design percutaneously implanted epicardial leads that are anchored through the transverse sinus (TS). Methods and results We designed a novel multielectrode pacing device with four bipole electrode pairs. The device is advanced through the TS, with both ends externalized out of the pericardium. We tested the prototype in one proof-of-concept and 5 additional acute canine experiments. The TS device recorded ventricular and atrial electrograms. The median amplitude of near-field ventricular electrograms was 3.3 mA (IQR 2.0-4.3) and of near-field atrial electrograms was 2.1 mA (IQR 1.3-2.2). The median ventricular threshold (N = 30) was 1.1 mA (IQR 0.7-3.1) at a median pulse width of 0.5 ms (IQR 0.5-0.5). The median atrial threshold (N = 10) was 2.4 mA (IQR 1.1-7.8) at a median pulse width of 0.5 ms (IQR 0.5-0.9). Right and left ventricular and atrial pacing morphologies were noted while pacing electrodes adjacent to these chambers. Simultaneous left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) pacing showed reduction in QRS duration from 116 ms (RV) and 105 ms (LV) to 91 ms. On necropsy, the device was located in the TS in all animals. There were TS abrasions in one animal, and no other acute complications. Conclusions This study highlights a novel approach to epicardial pacing harnessing the unique anatomy of the transverse sinus as an anchoring point. Placement of this novel transverse sinus device was safe and feasible, with acceptable atrial and ventricular thresholds.

Introduction Emerging medical technology has allowed for monitoring of heart rhythm abnormalities using smartphone compatible devices. The safety and utility of such devices have not been established in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). We sought to assess the safety and compatibility of the Food and Drug Administration-approved AliveCor Kardia device in patients with CIEDs. Methods and results We prospectively recruited patients with CIED for a Kardia recording during their routine device interrogation. A recording was obtained in paced and nonpaced states. Adverse clinical events were noted at the time of recording. Electrograms (EGMs) from the cardiac device were obtained at the time of recording to assess for any electromagnetic interference (EMI) introduced by Kardia. Recordings were analyzed for quality and given a score of 3 (interpretable rhythm, no noise), 2 (interpretable rhythm, significant noise) or 1 (uninterpretable). A total of 251 patients were recruited (59% with a pacemaker and 41% with ICD). There were no adverse clinical events noted at the time of recording and no changes to CIED settings. Review of all EGMs revealed no EMI introduced by Kardia. Recordings were correctly interpreted in 90% of paced recordings (183 had a score of 3, 43 of 2, and 25 of 1) and 94.7% of nonpaced recordings (147 of 3, 15 of 2, and 9 of 1). Conclusion The AliveCor Kardia device has an excellent safety profile when used in conjunction with most CIEDs. The quality of recordings was preserved in this population. The device, therefore, can be considered for heart rhythm monitoring in patients with CIEDs.

Introduction Bicaval anastomosis is the most adopted surgical technique for OHT. We present a case of IVC stenosis following bicaval OHT; a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. Case Report A 59-year-old woman with ischemic cardiomyopathy presented for OHT. Her intraoperative course was unremarkable. She was on stable doses of inotropes/vasopressors postoperatively. Four hours later, she became tachycardic and hypotensive requiring escalating vasopressor support. Swan-Ganz catheterization revealed low cardiac indices and filling pressures. She was resuscitated with 5 L of crystalloid and albumin without improvement in hypotension. She notably developed progressive abdominal distention corresponding with fluid resuscitation. TEE showed a small hyperdynamic LV and a small underfilled RV (Figure 1A). Flow acceleration was noted at the IVC-RA junction with velocity of 2 m/s (Figure 1B). The gradient across the junction was 16 mmHg (Figure 1C). A femoral CVC was placed and transduced to measure pressure in the IVC. The transduced gradient across the SVC and IVC was 18 mmHg; consistent with that found on TEE. She was emergently taken to the operating room. Evidently, the IVC anastomosis was obstructed by presence of a thickened eustachian valve. The valve was completely excised. The IVC orifice and anastomosis were confirmed to be widely patent and the anterior wall of the anastomosis was closed. TEE following resection showed resolution of IVC-RA pressure gradient (Figure 1D). Her hemodynamics subsequently showed hypervolemia for which aggressive diuresis was started. She was slowly weaned off vasopressor support. Her cardiac index improved to >2.0. She later had an uncomplicated course and overall recovery. Summary IVC stenosis is an underrecognized cause of hypotension following bicaval OHT. Prompt recognition using TEE is crucial for immediate repair and prevention of multi-organ failure. A thickened donor eustachian valve can result in IVC stenosis and may require surgical resection if hemodynamically significant.

Percutaneous epicardial access is increasingly used for atrial and ventricular arrhythmia ablation and left atrial appendage ligation [(1–4)][1]. Although electrophysiologists frequently perform a subxiphoid puncture for epicardial access; access to certain structures, such as the left atrial