Project description:BackgroundCatheter ablation (CA) is a treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We investigated the electrophysiological characteristics of recurrence in a tertiary referral center and compared long-term clinical outcomes after CA therapy with patients who did not undergo CA.MethodsPatients with HCM and AF who underwent CA (group 1, n = 60) or pharmacological treatment (group 2, n = 298) between 2006 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. The baseline characteristics and electrophysiological characteristics of group 1 patients were examined to elucidate the reason for the recurrence of AF after CA therapy. The clinical results of the patients in Group 1 and Group 2 were compared using a propensity score (PS)-matched method.ResultsThe most common cause of recurrence was pulmonary vein reconnection (86.5%), followed by non-pulmonary vein triggers (40.5%), cavotricuspid isthmus flutter (29.7%), and atypical flutter (24.3%). Thyroid disease (HR, 14.713; P < 0.01), diabetes (HR, 3.074; P = 0.03), and non-paroxysmal AF (HR, 4.012; P = 0.01); these factors independently predicted recurrence. After the first recurrence, patients who underwent repeat CA showed a better arrhythmia-free state (74.1%) than those who underwent drug escalation therapy (29.4%, P < 0.01). After matching, PS-group 1 patients showed significantly better outcomes in all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and left atrial reverse remodeling than PS-group 2 patients.ConclusionsPatients who underwent CA showed better clinical outcomes than those who underwent drug therapy. The main predictors of recurrence were thyroid disease, diabetes, and non-paroxysmal AF.
Project description:BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is common in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). There is limited data regarding the outcomes of AF catheter ablation in HCM patients. In this study, we aimed to synthesize all available evidence on the effectiveness of ablation of AF in patients with HCM compared to those without HCM.Methods and resultsWe systematically reviewed bibliographic databases to identify studies published through February 2023. We included cohort studies with available quantitative information on rates of recurrent atrial arrhythmias, anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy, and repeat ablation procedures after initial AF ablation in patients with vs without HCM. Estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis models and reported as risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Eight studies were included in quantitative synthesis (262 HCM and 642 non-HCM patients). During median follow-up 13-54 months across studies, AF recurrence rates ranged from 13.3% to 92.9% in HCM and 7.6% to 58.8% in non-HCM patients. The pooled RR for recurrent atrial arrhythmia after the first AF ablation in HCM patients compared to non-HCM controls was 1.498 (95% CI = 1.305-1.720; P < 0.001). During follow-up, HCM patients more often required AAD therapy (RR = 2.844; 95% CI = 1.713-4.856; P < 0.001) and repeat AF ablation (RR = 1.544; 95% CI = 1.070-2.228; P = 0.02). The pooled RR for recurrent atrial arrhythmias after the last AF ablation was higher in patients with HCM than those without HCM (RR = 1.607; 95% CI = 1.235-2.090; P < 0.001).ConclusionsCompared to non-HCM patients, those with HCM had higher rates of recurrent atrial arrhythmias, AAD use, and need for repeat AF ablation after initial ablation of AF.
Project description:Methods for characterization of atrial fibrillation (AF) episode patterns have been introduced without establishing clinical significance. This study investigates, for the first time, whether post-ablation recurrence of AF can be predicted by evaluating episode patterns. The dataset comprises of 54 patients (age 56 ± 11 years; 67% men), with an implantable cardiac monitor, before undergoing the first AF catheter ablation. Two parameters of the alternating bivariate Hawkes model were used to characterize the pattern: AF dominance during the monitoring period (log(mu)) and temporal aggregation of episodes (beta1). Moreover, AF burden and AF density, a parameter characterizing aggregation of AF burden, were studied. The four parameters were computed from an average of 29 AF episodes before ablation. The risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation using the Hawkes parameters log(mu) and beta1, AF burden, and AF density was evaluated. While the combination of AF burden and AF density is related to a non-significant hazard ratio, the combination of log(mu) and beta1 is related to a hazard ratio of 1.95 (1.03-3.70; p < 0.05). The Hawkes parameters showed increased risk of AF recurrence within 1 year after the procedure for patients with high AF dominance and high episode aggregation and may be used for pre-ablation risk assessment.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at a fourfold to sixfold higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to the general population, though incidence rates among patients undergoing alcohol septal ablation (ASA) are not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate atrial fibrillation incidence following ASA.MethodsWe studied 132 consecutive HCM patients without comorbid AF that underwent 154 ASA procedures. The incidence of AF in follow-up was assessed through chart abstraction including electrocardiography. Survival free of AF was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methodology.ResultsOver a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 2.7 years (maximum 11.3 years), 10 (7.6%) patients developed new-onset AF. Of those who developed AF, both resting and provoked left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradients had improved significantly (difference -79.78 mm Hg, P ≤ 0.005). Severity of mitral regurgitation improved in 7 (70%) patients. Survival free of AF was estimated to be 99.1%, 93.7%, and 91.7% at 1, 3, and 5 years.ConclusionsDespite relieving LVOT obstruction and improving mitral regurgitation severity via ASA, new-onset AF remained a common complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Project description:Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Limited data exists about the efficacy and clinical outcomes of AF ablation in HCM. Objective The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the role of catheter-based ablation for treatment of AF in patients with HCM. Methods PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies discussing outcomes of catheter-based ablation for AF in patients with HCM. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted relevant data. Incidence rate estimates from individual studies underwent logit transformation to calculate the weighted summary proportion under the random effect model. Results A total of 19 reports met the inclusion criteria (1183 patients). The single ablation procedure was successful in 39% patients. Up to 34% patients underwent a repeat ablation. About 41% patients in normal sinus rhythm after successful AF ablation received postprocedure antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy. Patients undergoing successful AF ablation experienced a significant improvement in the New York Heart Association functional class (standardized mean difference –1.03; 95% confidence interval –1.23 to –0.83; P < .00001). Conclusion AF ablation appears to be safe and feasible in patients with HCM. Freedom from AF after undergoing successful ablation is associated with significant improvement in heart failure symptoms.
Project description:IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Although catheter ablation is highly recommended for general AF populations, it is less effective in maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with HCM associated with AF. Hybrid ablation, combining a cosmetic approach with a lower rate of AF relapse, lacks comparative studies to verify its efficacy against CA in HCM. This study aims to assess the rhythm control effectiveness of hybrid versus CA in non-obstructive HCM (non-oHCM) patients with AF.Methods/analysisThis prospective, multicentre, randomised trial involves a blinded assessment of outcomes in non-oHCM patients with non-paroxysmal AF. Sixty-six candidates from three centres will be randomised 1:1 to either hybrid or CA, including isthmus addressed lesion sets. Participants will be stratified by left atrial (LA) size (LA diameter ≤50 mm or >50 mm). Follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th and 12th months will evaluate the primary endpoint of freedom from documented atrial tachycardia lasting over 30 s within 12 months post-procedure without antiarrhythmic drugs, along with secondary endpoints of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, cerebral stroke, peripheral vascular embolism, heart failure-related rehospitalisation, all-cause rehospitalisation and quality of life assessments.Ethics and disseminationapprovalThe central ethics committee at Fuwai Hospital has approved the Hypertrophic CardioMyopathy with Atrial Fibrillation trial (approval number: 2022-1736). Results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.Trial registration numberNCT05610215.
Project description:Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represents a common inherited cardiac disorder with well-known complications Including stroke and sudden cardiac death. There is a recognised association between HCM and the development of AF. This review describes the epidemiology of AF within the HCM population and analyses the risk factors for the development of AF. It further discusses the outcomes associated with AF in this population, including the evidence in support of higher stroke risk in patients with HCM with AF compared with the general AF population. Finally, the evidence and recommendations for anticoagulation in this patient group are addressed.
Project description:AimsWild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt-CM) is often accompanied by atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFL), and atrial tachycardia (AT), which are difficult to control because beta-blockers and antiarrhythmic drugs can worsen heart failure (HF). This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) for AF/AFL/AT in patients with ATTRwt-CM and propose a treatment strategy for CA.Methods and resultsA cohort study was conducted on 233 patients diagnosed with ATTRwt-CM, including 54 who underwent CA for AF/AFL/AT. The background of each arrhythmia and the details of the CA and its outcomes were investigated. The recurrence-free rate of AF/AFL/AT overall in ATTRwt-CM patients with multiple CA was 70.1% at 1-year, 57.6% at 2-year, and 44.0% at 5-year follow-up, but CA significantly reduced all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.342, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.133-0.876, P = 0.025], cardiovascular mortality (HR: 0.378, 95% CI: 0.146-0.981, P = 0.045), and HF hospitalization (HR: 0.488, 95% CI: 0.269-0.889, P = 0.019) compared with those without CA. There was no recurrence of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent AFL, non-CTI-dependent simple AFL terminated by one linear ablation, and focal AT originating from the atrioventricular (AV) annulus or crista terminalis eventually. Twelve of 13 patients with paroxysmal AF and 27 of 29 patients with persistent AF did not have recurrence as AF. However, all three patients with non-CTI-dependent complex AFL not terminated by a single linear ablation and 10 of 13 cases with focal AT or multiple focal ATs originating beyond the AV annulus or crista terminalis recurred even after multiple CA.ConclusionThe outcomes of CA for ATTRwt-CM were acceptable, except for multiple focal AT and complex AFL. Catheter ablation may be aggressively considered as a treatment strategy with the expectation of improving mortality and hospitalization for HF.
Project description:Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with complex and multifaceted etiology including neural modulation that alters atrial electrophysiology. To explore potential biomarkers for AF and AF recurrence. Peripheral histidine levels in PeAF were significantly higher compared to those in the right atrium and coronary sinus. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that peripheral histidine was predictive of AF recurrence, with an optimal cutoff value of ≤ 4.71 µg/mL, yielding a sensitivity of 76.3% and a specificity of 76.5%. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.59–0.90). Peripheral His was robustly associated with lower incidence of AF recurrence after covariates adjustment (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14- 0.71, p=0.01).
Project description:AimsCatheter ablation is the most effective rhythm-control option in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and is currently considered an option mainly for improving symptoms. We aimed to assess the impact of catheter ablation on hard clinical outcomes.Methods and resultsWe performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing catheter ablation vs. optimized medical treatment. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL on 8 January 2024, for trials published ≤10 years. We pooled data through risk ratio (RR) and mean differences (MDs), with 95% confidence interval (CI), and calculated the number needed to treat (NNT). Sub-group and sensitivity analyses were performed for the presence/absence of heart failure (HF), paroxysmal/persistent AF, early ablation, higher/lower quality, and published ≤5 vs. >5 years. Twenty-two RCTs were identified, including 6400 patients followed for 6-52 months. All primary endpoints were significantly reduced by catheter ablation vs. medical management: all-cause hospitalization (RR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.39-0.85, P = 0.006), AF relapse (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.39-0.58, P < 0.00001), and all-cause mortality (RR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.86, P = 0.0007, NNT = 44.7, driven by trials with HF patients). A benefit was also demonstrated for all secondary endpoints: cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.34-0.87), cardiovascular (RR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.96), and HF hospitalizations (RR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.89), AF burden (MD = 20.6%, 95% CI 5.6-35.5), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery (MD = 5.7%, 95% CI 3.5-7.9), and quality of life (MLHFQ, AFEQT, and SF-36 scales).ConclusionCatheter ablation significantly reduced hospitalizations, AF burden, and relapse, and improved quality of life. An impact on hard clinical outcomes, with an important mortality reduction and improvement in LVEF, was seen for patients with AF and HF.