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Abstract: Background: Limited medical options are available for rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). There are no published reports of dofetilide use in this population. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 1,404 patients loaded on dofetilide for AF suppression at the Cleveland Clinic from 2008 to 2012, 25 of whom were found to have HCM. Results: The HCM cohort was 32% female, 76% with persistent AF, mean age of 59 ± 10 years, and mean ejection fraction of 54 ± 9 %. Of the 25 patients, 21 were discharged on dofetilide, three discontinued during loading due to QTc prolongation, and one due to inefficacy. There were no adverse events during loading. Of those discharged on dofetilide, 11/21 (52%) were still on it at a median follow‐up of 396 (198, 699) days at the time of the chart review. For those in whom it was discontinued, the median time on the drug was 301 (111, 738) days. Of the 10 patients who discontinued dofetilide during follow‐up, six were due to inefficacy, one postablation, one postheart transplant, one due to death secondary to lung cancer, and one due to worsening edema. Conclusions: Dofetilide was well tolerated in this group of patients with AF and HCM and it facilitated management of AF in 21/25 (84%) patients. Further research is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of dofetilide in order to develop evidence‐based guidelines for the pharmacological management of AF in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achieving long-term successful outcomes with ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a clinical and procedural challenge. We aimed to assess 2 ablation strategies for persistent AF: pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI) in sinus rhythm after direct current cardioversion versus PVAI and ablation targeting complex-fractionated atrial electrograms while in AF.Methods and Results: Between June 2009 and July 2013, patients with continuous persistent AF for ≥3 months were prospectively randomized to either direct current cardioversion before PVAI and posterior wall/septum ablation while in sinus rhythm (group 1), versus same ablation in group 1 in addition to complex-fractionated atrial electrogram ablation while in AF (group 2). The procedural profiles and clinical outcomes of the 2 strategies were compared. Ninety patients were randomized to group 1 (n=46) or group 2 (n=44). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups. Over 365 days of follow-up after the index procedure, 16 patients (35%) in group 1 and 13 patients (30%) in group 2 remained arrhythmia-free off antiarrhythmic medications. Over long-term follow-up (median, 867 days), arrhythmia-free survival off antiarrhythmic medications was more likely in group 1 than in group 2 in Kaplan-Meier analysis (Log Rank P=0.04). Group 1 ablation was associated with significantly shorter procedural duration and fluoroscopy time (231±72 versus 273±76 min; P=0.008 and 54 [Q1-Q3: 46-67] versus 66 (Q1-Q3: 53-83] min; P=0.018, respectively).Conclusions: In patients with persistent AF, PVAI in sinus rhythm after direct current cardioversion is associated with higher success and shorter procedural and fluoroscopy times compared with PVAI in AF with additional complex-fractionated atrial electrogram ablation.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02429648. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are limited and conflicting data regarding the prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after cardiac device implantation (implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD]; permanent pacemaker [PPM]). Objective The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of TR after cardiac device implantation and determine its clinical significance. Methods A total of 1,596 patients, who had cardiac devices implanted between 2005 and 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic and had at least one preimplantation echocardiogram and at least one postimplantation echocardiogram were included in this study. A total of 3,566 postimplantation echocardiograms were available for the 1,596 patients (median follow-up 10 months). The primary end point was postimplantation TR and the secondary end point was all-cause mortality after implantation. We have used a cumulative logistic nonlinear mixed-effects model to assess the temporal trend of TR prevalence and a parametric multiphase hazard model to assess survival. Results Of the 1,596 patients (mean age: 60 ± 10 years, 61% of patients were men), 985 (62%) had ICDs (including 334 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator) and 611 (38%) had PPMs. The prevalence of grade 3 or 4+ TR increased from 27% to 31% by 1 month and to 35% at 4 years. Accordingly, prevalence of grade 0/1+ TR decreased from 46% preimplantation to 37% at 1 month and to 32% at 4 years. Device type (ICD vs PPM) and the number of leads placed did not have an effect on postimplantation TR (P > 0.2). Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) did not change over time (36 mm Hg baseline, 37.5 mm Hg by 3 months, and 37 mm Hg by 1 year). One-year and 5-year survival were 93% and 73%, respectively. Postimplantation TR was an independent risk factor for late death (P < 0.05). Conclusion Cardiac device implantation was associated with a small but significant increase in the prevalence of moderate and severe TR, both acutely and chronically after implantation. The increase in TR was similar with both ICD and PPM placement, which was not related to the number of leads implanted and not associated with a significant increase in RVSP. Postimplantation TR was associated with a higher risk of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many centers continue to routinely perform transesophageal echocardiograms before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). One study suggested that the procedures could be done without transesophageal echocardiogram but used intracardiac echocardiography imaging of the appendage from the right ventricular outflow. This study aimed to assess the safety of ablation for AF without transesophageal echocardiogram screening or intracardiac echocardiography imaging of the appendage in DOAC compliant patients.Methods: All patients undergoing AF ablation at the Cleveland Clinic (2011-2018) were enrolled in a prospectively maintained data registry. All consecutive patients presenting with AF or atrial flutter on DOAC were included. Periprocedural thromboembolic complications were assessed.Results: A total of 900 patients were included. Their median CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2 (interquartile range 1-3). All were on DOACs (333 rivaroxaban, 285 dabigatran, 281 apixaban, and 1 edoxaban). Thromboembolic complications occurred in 4 patients (0.3%): 2 ischemic strokes, 1 transient ischemic attack without residual deficit, and 1 splenic infarct; all with no further complications. Bleeding complications occurred in 5 patients (0.4%): 2 pericardial effusions (1 intraoperative, 1 after 30 days, both drained), 3 groin hematomas (1 of them due to needing heparin for venous thrombosis, none required interventions). No patients required emergent surgeries.Conclusions: In DOAC compliant patients who present for ablation in AF/atrial flutter, the procedures could be performed without transesophageal echocardiogram screening or intracardiac echocardiography imaging of the appendage; with low risk of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]