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Objective: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) concomitant to heart surgery in patients with underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) has gained attention because of long-term reduction of thromboembolic complications. As of mortality benefits in the setting of non-AF, data from both observational studies and randomized controlled trials are conflicting. Methods: On-line databases were screened for studies comparing LAAC versus no LAAC concomitant to other heart surgery. End points assessed were all-cause mortality and stroke at early and longest-available follow-up. Subgroup analyses stratified on preoperative AF were performed. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% CIs served as primary statistics. Results: Electronic search yielded 25 studies (N = 660 [158 patients]). There was no difference between LAAC and no LAAC in terms of early mortality. In the overall population analysis, LAAC reduced long-term mortality (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.00; P = .05; I2 = 88%), reduced early stroke risk by 19% (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93; P = .002; I2 = 57%), and reduced late stroke risk by 13% (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.84-0.90; P

Catheter ablation of septal ventricular tachycardia (VT) is challenging. Pulsed field ablation is a promising technology, potentially reaching deep substrates. We report the first sequential unipolar biventricular pulsed field ablation targeting refractory septal VT. Besides, we illustrate the importance of searching underlying cardiomyopathy in patients with recurrent multiple morphology VTs and normal magnetic resonance imaging.

Background Brugada syndrome (BrS) has been associated with sudden cardiac death in otherwise healthy subjects, and drug‐induced BrS accounts for 55% to 70% of all patients with BrS. This study aims to develop a deep convolutional neural network and evaluate its performance in recognizing and predicting BrS diagnosis. Methods and Results Consecutive patients who underwent ajmaline testing for BrS following a standardized protocol were included. ECG tracings from baseline and during ajmaline were transformed using wavelet analysis and a deep convolutional neural network was separately trained to (1) recognize and (2) predict BrS type I pattern. The resultant networks are referred to as BrS‐Net. A total of 1188 patients were included, of which 361 (30.3%) patients developed BrS type I pattern during ajmaline infusion. When trained and evaluated on ECG tracings during ajmaline, BrS‐Net recognized a BrS type I pattern with an AUC‐ROC of 0.945 (0.921–0.969) and an AUC‐PR of 0.892 (0.815–0.939). When trained and evaluated on ECG tracings at baseline, BrS‐Net predicted a BrS type I pattern during ajmaline with an AUC‐ROC of 0.805 (0.845–0.736) and an AUC‐PR of 0.605 (0.460–0.664). Conclusions BrS‐Net, a deep convolutional neural network, can identify BrS type I pattern with high performance. BrS‐Net can predict from baseline ECG the development of a BrS type I pattern after ajmaline with good performance in an unselected population.

Abstract Background Stiff left atrial syndrome (SLAS) and pulmonary vein (PV) occlusion are rare yet potentially major life-long complications after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. While mostly controlled by medical management, SLAS can progress to refractory congestive heart failure. Treatment of PV stenosis and occlusion remains a challenging problem with ongoing risk for recurrence regardless of techniques employed. Herein we present the case of a now 51-year-old male with acquired PV occlusion and SLAS who, over the course of eleven years, despite multiple interventions, ultimately required heart transplantation. Case presentation After undergoing three radiofrequency catheter procedures for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), a hybrid ablation was planned due to reappearance of symptomatic AF. Preoperative echocardiography and chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an occlusion of both left PVs. Furthermore, left atrial dysfunction, high pulmonary artery and pulmonary wedge pressures were diagnosed as well as an important reduction of the left atrial volume. The diagnosis of stiff left atrial syndrome was made. Primary surgical repair of the left-sided PVs was performed using a pericardial patch as a tubular neo-vein, combined with cryoablation in the left and right atrium to treat the patient’s arrhythmia. Initial results were favorable, however, after two years the patient experienced progressive restenosis with hemoptysis. Therefore, stenting of the common left PV was performed. Over the years, progressive right heart failure with severe tricuspid regurgitation developed, despite maximal medical therapy, which led to the need for heart transplantation. Conclusion The impact of PV occlusion and SLAS after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation can be lifelong and devastating for the clinical course of the patient. Since the presence of a small left atrium could be an important predictor for SLAS in case of redo ablation, preprocedural imaging should guide the operator to an algorithm of a decision-making containing lesion set, energy source, and safety of re-ablation.

To date, studies assessing the safety profile of 3D printing materials for application in cardiac ablation are sparse. Our aim is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of two biocompatible 3D printing materials, investigating their potential use for intra-procedural guides to navigate surgical cardiac arrhythmia ablation. Herein, we 3D printed various prototypes in varying thicknesses (0.8 mm–3 mm) using a resin (MED625FLX) and a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU95A). Geometrical testing was performed to assess the material properties pre- and post-sterilization. Furthermore, we investigated the thermal propagation behavior beneath the 3D printing materials during cryo-energy and radiofrequency ablation using an in vitro wet-lab setup. Moreover, electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were performed on biological tissue that had been exposed to the 3D printing materials to assess microparticle release. Post-sterilization assessments revealed that MED625FLX at thicknesses of 1 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm, along with TPU95A at 1 mm and 2.5 mm, maintained geometrical integrity. Thermal analysis revealed that material type, energy source, and their factorial combination with distance from the energy source significantly influenced the temperatures beneath the 3D-printed material. Electron microscopy revealed traces of nitrogen and sulfur underneath the MED625FLX prints (1 mm, 2.5 mm) after cryo-ablation exposure. The other samples were uncontaminated. While Raman spectroscopy did not detect material release, further research is warranted to better understand these findings for application in clinical settings.

Background: In the field of medicine, photogrammetry has played for long time a marginal role due to the significant amount of work required that made it impractical for an extended medical use. Developments in digital photogrammetry occurred in the recent years, that have steadily increased the interest and application of this technique. The present study aims to compare photogrammetry reconstruction of heart with computed tomography (CT) as a reference.Methods: The photogrammetric reconstructions of digital images from ECG imaging derived images were performed. In particular, the ventricles of 15 patients with Brugada syndrome were reconstructed by using the free Zephyr Lite software. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the technique, measurements on the reconstructions were compared to patient-specific CT scan imported in ECG imaging software UZBCIT.Result: The results showed that digital photogrammetry in the context of ventricle reconstruction is feasible. The photogrammetric derived measurements of ventricles were not statistically different from CT scan measurements. Furthermore, the analysis showed high correlation of photogrammetry reconstructions with CT scan and a correlation coefficient close to 1.Conclusion: It is possible to reproduce digital objects by photogrammetry if the process described in this study is performed. The reconstruction of the ventricles from CT scan was very close to the values of the respective photogrammetric reconstruction.

BackgroundLeft atrial appendage (LAA) is a common source of thrombi in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The effect on left atrial (LA) function of the Totally Thoracoscopic (TT)-LAA exclusion with epicardial clip is currently unknown. This study aims at evaluating the effect of TT-LAA exclusion on LA function.MethodsStandalone TT-LAA exclusion with the clip device was performed in 26 patients with AF and contraindication to oral anticoagulation (OAC). A 3D CT scan, trans-esophageal echocardiography, spirometry and cerebrovascular doppler ultrasound were performed preoperatively. Clip positioning and LAA exclusion were guided and confirmed by intraoperative trans-esophageal echo. To evaluate LA function, standard transthoracic echocardiography and 2D strain of LA were performed before surgery, at discharge and at 3-month follow-up.ResultsThe mean CHA2DS2-VASc and HASBLED scores were 4.6 and 2.4 respectively. There were no major complications during the procedure. At median follow-up of 10.3 months, 1 (3.8%) non-cardiovascular death, 1 (3.8%) stroke and 4 (15.4%) cardiovascular hospitalizations occurred. At 2D strain of LA, the reservoir function decreased significantly at discharge, compared to baseline and recovered at 3-months follow-up. Furthermore, NT-proBNP increased significantly after the procedure with a return to baseline after 3 months. Changes in E/A were persistent at 3 months.ConclusionOur data in a small cohort suggest that TT-LAA exclusion with epicardial clip can be a safe procedure with regards to the atrial function. The LAA amputation impairs the reservoir LA function on the short term, that recovers over time.

BackgroundBrugada syndrome (BrS) is a disease associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Epicardial ablation has demonstrated high therapeutic efficacy in preventing ventricular arrhythmias. The purpose of this research is to define a workflow to create a patient-specific 3D-printed tool to be used as a surgical guide for epicardial ablation in BrS.MethodsDue to their mechanical properties and biocompatibility, the MED625FLX and TPU95A were used for cardiac 3D surgical guide printing. ECG imaging was used to define the target region on the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). CT scan imaging was used to design the model based on patient anatomy. A 3D patient-specific heart phantom was also printed for fitting test. Sterilization test was finally performed.Results3D printed surgical models with both TPU95A and MED625FLX models were in agreement with pre-specified imputed measurements. The phantom test showed retention of shape and correct fitting of the surgical tool to the reproduced phantom anatomy, as expected, for both materials. The surgical guide adapted to both the RVOT and the left anterior descending artery. Two of the 3D models produced in MED265FLX showed damage due to the sterilization process.ConclusionsA 3D printed patient-specific surgical guide for epicardial substrate ablation in BrS is feasible if a specific workflow is followed. The design of the 3D surgical guide ensures proper fitting on the heart phantom with good stability. Further investigations for clinical use are eagerly awaited.

Background3D printing technology development in medical fields allows to create 3D models to assist preoperative planning and support surgical procedures. Cardiac ischemic scar is clinically associated with malignant arrhythmias. Catheter ablation is aimed at eliminating the arrhythmogenic tissue until the sinus rhythm is restored. The scope of this work is to describe the workflow for a 3D surgical guide able to define the ischemic scar and target catheter ablation.Materials and methodsFor the patient-specific 3D surgical guide and 3D heart phantom model realization, both CT scan and cardiac MRI images were processed; this was necessary to extract anatomical structures and pathological information, respectively. Medical images were uploaded and processed in 3D Slicer. For the surgical guide modeling, images from CT scan and MRI were loaded in Meshmixer and merged. For the heart phantom realization, only the CT segmentation was loaded in Meshmixer. The surgical guide was printed in MED625FLX with Polyjet technology. The heart phantom was printed in polylactide with FDM technology.Results3D-printed surgical model was in agreement with prespecified imputed measurements. The phantom fitting test showed high accuracy of the 3D surgical tool compared with the patient-specific reproduced heart. Anatomical references in the surgical guide ensured good stability. Ablation catheter fitting test showed high suitability of the guide for different ablation tools.ConclusionA 3D-printed guide for ventricular tachycardia ablation is feasible and accurate in terms of measurements, stability, and geometrical structure. Concerning clinical use, further clinical investigations are eagerly awaited.

BackgroundDue to their mechanical properties, the MED625FLX and TPU95A could be appropriate candidates for cardiac 3D surgical guide use during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment.MethodsRFA aims to destroy the heart tissue, which cause arrhythmias, by applying a radiofrequency (RF) energy at critical temperature above +50.0°C, where the thermal damage is considered not reversible. This study aims to analyze the biomaterials thermal properties with different thicknesses, by testing the response to bipolar and unipolar RFA on porcine muscle samples (PMS), expressed in temperature. For the materials evaluation, the tissue temperature during RFA applications was recorded, firstly without (control) and after with the biomaterials in position. The biomaterials were considered suitable for the RFA treatment if: (1) the PMS temperatures with the samples were not statistically different compared with the control; (2) the temperatures never reached the threshold; (3) no geometrical changes after RFA were observed.ResultsBased on these criteria, none of the tested biomaterials resulted appropriate for unipolar RFA and the TPU95A failed almost all thermal tests also with the bipolar RFA. The 1.0 mm MED625FLX was modified by bipolar RFA in shape, losing its function. Instead, the 2.5 mm MED625FLX was considered suitable for bipolar RFA catheter use only.ConclusionsThe 2.5 mm MED625FLX could be used, in the design of surgical guides for RFA bipolar catheter only, because of mechanical, geometrical, and thermal properties. None of biomaterials tested are appropriate for unipolar ablation catheter because of temperature concerns. Further investigations for clinical use are eagerly awaited.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Arrhythmias are frequently associated with COVID-19 and could be the result of inflammation or hypoxia. This study aimed to define the incidence of arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 and to correlate arrhythmias with pulmonary damage assessed by computed tomography (CT).MethodsAll consecutive patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis hospitalized at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium, between March 2020 and May 2020, were screened. All included patients underwent a thorax CT scan and a CT severity score, a semiquantitative scoring system of pulmonary damage, was calculated. The primary endpoint was the arrhythmia occurrence during follow-up.ResultsIn this study, 100 patients were prospectively included. At a mean follow-up of 19.6 months, 25 patients with COVID-19 (25%) experienced 26 arrhythmic episodes, including atrial fibrillation in 17 patients, inappropriate sinus tachycardia in 7 patients, atrial flutter in 1 patient, and third-degree atrioventricular block in 1 patient. No ventricular arrhythmias were documented. Patients with COVID-19 with arrhythmias showed more often need for oxygen, higher oxygen maximum flow, longer QTc at admission, and worse damage at CT severity score. In univariate logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of the primary endpoint were: the need for oxygen therapy (odds ratio [OR] 4.59, 95% CI 1.44–14.67, p = 0.01) and CT severity score of pulmonary damage (OR per 1 point increase 1.25, 95% CI 1.11–1.4, p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn a consecutive cohort of patients with COVID-19 the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was 25%. The need for oxygen therapy and CT severity score were predictors of arrhythmia occurrence during follow-up.

BackgroundNew technologies for ablation procedures are often produced by different companies with no cross-compatibility out of the box. This is not a negligible clinical problem since those separately developed devices are often used together. The aim of this study was to develop a bench-testing method to assess compatibility between the DiamondTemp ablation system (DTA) and the Rhythmia electroanatomic mapping system (EAM).MethodsDifferent setups were tested. DTA was connected to the Rhythmia EAM using the following configurations: 3.1. An Ensite EPT GenConnect box (GCB) and Rhythmia Maestro GCB (Maestro GCB, native Rhythmia setup); 3.2. The Medtronic GCB-E and Maestro GCB; 3.3. The Medtronic GCB-E out via the Medtronic GCB-E directly to the Rhythmia at box 1 (pin A61 to A64).ResultsThe DTA location was represented in real-time on the Rhythmia EAM. A proper tracking of the DTA was observed in all setups tested by visual comparison of physical catheter movements and its representation on EAM. In configuration 3.1, a significant shift was observed after the first radio frequency (RF) application; however, further applications caused no further shift. In setup 3.2, no significant shift was observed. The setup 3.3 showed a massive shift in the catheter position before ablation compared to baseline points acquired using the Orion catheter as a reference.ConclusionsA universal and reproducible solution for compatibility testing between the various mapping systems and the ablation catheters has been described. DTA has been demonstrated as compatible with Rhythmia EAM with satisfactory results if a specific setup is used.

A 79-year-old male with chronic coronary syndrome with complex coronary artery disease was included in the first-in-man trial of surgical revascularization guided solely by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and fractional flow reserve derived from CCTA (FFRCT). In CCTA analysis, the patient had calcified three-vessel disease, with a global anatomical SYNTAX score of 27. In contrast, in the initial FFRCT, only the ramus intermediate stenosis was physiologically significant, with no other vessels having an FFRCT ≤ 0.80 (functional SYNTAX score of 2). Discordance between the results of the CCTA and FFRCT necessitated an in-depth analysis by using both invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography. Angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) confirmed that the stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) was physiologically significant, while it remained functionally negative in the second assessment of FFRCT. Extensive calcification is the most plausible explanation for the underestimation of the stenosis of proximal LAD in CCTA-derived FFR technology.

Background: This study aims to get an effective machine learning (ML) prediction model of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to highlight the most relevant clinical factors. Methods: Four ML algorithms were employed to analyze 394 patients undergoing CABG, and their performances were compared: Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline, Neural Network, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine. Each algorithm was applied to the training data set to choose the most important features and to build a predictive model. The better performance for each model was obtained by a hyperparameters search, and the Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under the Curve metric was selected to choose the best model. The best instances of each model were fed with the test data set, and some metrics were generated to assess the performance of the models on the unseen data set. A traditional logistic regression was also performed to be compared with the machine learning models. Results: Random Forest model showed the best performance, and the top five predictive features included age, preoperative creatinine values, time of aortic cross-clamping, body surface area, and Logistic Euro-Score. Conclusions: The use of ML for clinical predictions requires an accurate evaluation of the models and their hyperparameters. Random Forest outperformed all other models in the clinical prediction of POAF following CABG.

Background The rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) is ≈1%/y. Noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging is a noninvasive mapping system that has a role in assessing BrS depolarization and repolarization abnormalities. This study aimed to analyze electrocardiographic imaging parameters during ajmaline test (AJT). Methods and Results All consecutive epicardial maps of the right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT‐EPI) in BrS with CardioInsight were retrospectively analyzed. (1) RVOT‐EPI activation time (RVOT‐AT); (2) RVOT‐EPI recovery time, and (3) RVOT‐EPI activation‐recovery interval (RVOT‐ARI) were calculated. ∆RVOT‐AT, ∆RVOT‐EPI recovery time, and ∆RVOT‐ARI were defined as the difference in parameters before and after AJT. SCD‐BrS patients were defined as individuals presenting a history of aborted SCD. Thirty‐nine patients with BrS were retrospectively analyzed and 12 patients (30.8%) were SCD‐BrS. After AJT, an increase in both RVOT‐AT [105.9 milliseconds versus 65.8 milliseconds, P

Abstract Background Success rates with conventional transvenous endocardial pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are variable due to advanced electrical and structural remodeling of the atria. As a consequence, more extensive endocardial lesions, minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgical techniques, and hybrid ablation (combining thoracoscopic epicardial surgical and endocardial catheter ablation) have been developed. Hypothesis The HARTCAP-AF trial hypothesizes that hybrid AF ablation is more effective than (repeated) transvenous endocardial catheter ablation in (longstanding) persistent AF, without increasing the number of associated major adverse events. Methods This randomized controlled trial will include 40 patients with persistent or longstanding persistent AF who will be 1:1 randomized to either hybrid ablation or (repeated) catheter ablation. The procedures and follow-up are conducted according to the guidelines. The primary effectiveness endpoint is freedom from any supraventricular arrhythmia lasting longer than 5 min without the use of Vaughan-Williams class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs through 12 months of follow-up after the last procedure. In the catheter ablation arm, a second procedure planned within 6 months after the index procedure is allowed for obtaining the primary endpoint. Additionally, adverse events, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life data will be recorded. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02441738. Registered on 12 May 2015.

Electrical isolation of pulmonary veins (PVI) is the cornerstone of invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, arrhythmia-free survival of a PVI only approach is suboptimal in patients with persistent and long-term persistent AF. Hybrid AF ablation has been developed with the aim of combining the advantages of a thoracoscopic surgical ablation (direct visualization of anatomical structures to be spared and the possibility to perform epicardial lesions) and endocardial ablation (possibility to check line block, confirm PVI, and possibility to perform cavotricuspid isthmus ablation). Patient selection is of utmost importance. In persistent and long-term persistent AF, hybrid AF ablation demonstrated promising results in terms of AF free survival. It has been associated with a relatively low complication rate if performed in centers with expertise in hybrid procedures and experience with both surgical and endocardial ablation. Different techniques have been described, with different approaches and lesion sets. The aim of this review is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of hybrid AF ablation.

Background: Ischemic stroke after coronary artery bypass (CABG) has been often linked to aortic manipulation during surgery.Objectives: The objective of the study was to estimate the rate of postoperative ischemic stroke within 30 days from CABG by surgical risk factors alone or in combination.Methods: The multinomial propensity score for multiple treatments was used to create six models with a total of 16,255 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG. For each model, a different classification variable was used to stratify patients.Results: Balance achieved in all models was substantial, enabling unbiased estimation of the treatment estimand. Both off-pump techniques with (0.009; 95% CI 0.006–0.011) or without proximal anastomoses (0.005; 0.005–0.003), and surgery performed on the beating heart using cardiopulmonary bypass with (0.009; 0.006–0.011) or without proximal anastomoses (0.024; 0.021–0.029) showed a mean stroke estimate significantly lower than the other techniques. Off-pump surgery and on-pump surgery without an aortic cross-clamp yielded nearly equal incidences of stroke (0.012; 0.008–0.015 and 0.018; 0.012–0.023, respectively). Using an aortic cross-clamp significantly increased the stroke estimate (0.075; 0.061–0.088), whereas using a side-biting clamp did not (0.039; 0.033–0.044). The number of aortic touches (0.029; 0.026–0.031) and the number of proximal anastomoses (0.044; 0.035–0.047) did not significantly increase the incidence of stroke.Conclusions: Aortic cross-clamping was found to be the primary cause of post-CABG ischemic stroke. Instead, additional aortic manipulation from a side-biting clamp, on-pump surgery, multiple aortic touches, number of proximal anastomoses, and aortic cannulation were found not to increase the estimate of stroke significantly. Further research on this topic is warranted.

Introduction The previously published SYNTAX III REVOLUTION trial demonstrated that clinical decision-making between coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention based on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) had a very high agreement with the treatment decision derived from invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The study objective of the FASTTRACK CABG is to assess the feasibility of CCTA and fractional flow reserve derived from CTA (FFRCT) to replace ICA as a surgical guidance method for planning and execution of CABG in patients with three-vessel disease with or without left main disease.Methods and analysis The FASTTRACK CABG is an investigator-initiated single-arm, multicentre, prospective, proof-of-concept and first-in-man study with feasibility and safety analysis. Surgical revascularisation strategy and treatment planning will be solely based on CCTA and FFRCT without knowledge of the anatomy defined by ICA. Clinical follow-up visit including CCTA will be performed 30 days after CABG in order to assess graft patency and adequacy of the revascularisation with respect to the surgical planning based on non-invasive imaging (CCTA) with functional assessment (FFRCT) and compared with ICA. Primary feasibility endpoint is CABG planning and execution solely based on CCTA and FFRCT in 114 patients. Primary safety endpoint based on 30 day CCTA is graft assessment and topographical adequacy of the revascularisation procedure. Automatic non-invasive assessment of functional coronary anatomy complexity is also evaluated with FFRCT for functional Synergy Between percutaneous coronary intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Score assessment on CCTA. CCTA with FFRCT might provide better anatomical and functional analysis of the coronary circulation leading to appropriate anatomical and functional revascularisation, and thereby contributing to a better outcome.Ethics and dissemination Each patient has to provide written informed consent as approved by the ethical committee of the respective clinical site. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and will be disseminated at scientific conferences.Trial registration number NCT04142021.

Patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) printed models have been increasingly used in many medical fields, including cardiac surgery for which they are used as planning and communication tools. To locate and plan the correct region of interest for the bypass placement during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, cardiac surgeons can pre-operatively rely on different medical images. This article aims to present a workflow for the production of a patient-specific 3D-printed surgical guide, from data acquisition and image segmentation to final prototyping. The aim of this surgical guide is to help visualize the region of interest for bypass placement during the operation, through the use of dedicated surgical holes. The results showed the feasibility of this surgical guide in terms of design and fitting to the phantom. Further studies are needed to assess material biocompatibility and technical properties.

Background. In the recent ESC/EACTS guidelines, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion or exclusion in patients undergoing (thoracoscopic) atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation surgery is recommended. The Watchman device (WD, Boston Scientific, Minnesota) has proved to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events by closing of the LAA, yet no data exist on WD implantation during surgical AF ablation. The objective is to determine if WD implantation is safe and feasible in a hybrid AF ablation setting (i.e., combination of thoracoscopic epicardial surgical and endocardial catheter ablation) and could become subject of further testing to serve as a bail-out in cases in which surgical LAA occlusion methods cannot be applied, due to, for example, severe adhesions. Methods. In this prospective, single center, pilot study, 10 consecutive patients undergoing a hybrid ablation qualifying for LAA exclusion (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 1) were included. At the end of the hybrid ablation, the LAA was occluded endocardially using the WD. The feasibility endpoint was successful implantation. The safety endpoint concerned major complications. Results. One patient was excluded and replaced because the LAA was insufficiently visible on transesophageal echocardiography. In 10/11 patients, device delivery was successful (mean time: 35 minutes). No major complications occurred. Transesophageal echocardiography after 6 weeks and 6 months showed successful occlusion of the LAA without significant peridevice flow. Conclusion. Implantation of the WD seems to be feasible and safe in the setting of hybrid AF ablation and could be an alternative to epicardial occlusion in surgical AF ablation procedures. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings. This trial is registered with NCT02471131.

The Cox maze III and Cox maze IV procedures are surgical solutions for the treatment of symptomatic stand-alone atrial fibrillation. Despite their proven efficacy, these procedures have not gained widespread acceptance because of the invasiveness, complexity, and technical difficulty. Endocardial pulmonary vein isolation is the cornerstone of percutaneous catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. It is currently accepted as an invasive therapy, if rhythm control has failed using antiarrhythmic drugs or electrical cardioversions. Pulmonary vein isolation is reported to be effective in 60%–85% of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and in 30%–50% of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. A second or third ablation is often necessary to achieve these results, and complications may occur in up to 6% of patients. Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation has seen important improvements in the last decade. New technologies have simplified creation of transmural lesions on the beating heart through a less-invasive, thoracoscopic procedure. This allows for pulmonary vein isolation, isolation of the posterior wall, and left atrial appendage exclusion—usually combined with ganglionic plexi evaluation and destruction. Nonetheless, it is still uncertain whether these procedures are effective in restoring permanent sinus rhythm since transmurality of a lesion set cannot be guaranteed with current ablation catheters on the beating heart. In an attempt to limit the shortcomings of an endo- or an epicardial technique, a hybrid approach has recently been introduced. This approach is based on a close collaboration between the surgeon and the electrophysiologist, employing a patient-tailored procedure which is adapted to the origin of the patient’s atrial fibrillation and takes into consideration triggers and substrate. Using a mono- or bilateral energy source, a thoracoscopic epicardial approach is combined with a percutaneous endocardial ablation in a single-step or in a sequential-step procedure. This article provides our experience and an overview of the current knowledge in the hybrid treatment of stand-alone atrial fibrillation.

Abstract atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a significant burden of morbidity and increased risk of mortality. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy remains a cornerstone to restore and maintain sinus rhythm for patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF based on current guidelines. However, conventional drugs have limited efficacy, present problematic risks of proarrhythmia and cause significant noncardiac organ toxicity. Thus, inadequacies in current therapies for atrial fibrillation have made new drug development crucial. New antiarrhythmic drugs and new anticoagulant agents have changed the current management of AF. This paper summarizes the available evidence regarding the efficacy of medications used for acute management of AF, rhythm and ventricular rate control, and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation and focuses on the current pharmacological agents.