Chokesuwattanaskul, Ronpichai

AbstractIntroductionCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a standard treatment for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, there is still a gap of evidence in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients regarding resynchronization therapy.MethodsWe performed a meta‐analysis and systematic review of CHD patients who received CRT implantation. We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database from inception to June 2023. Studies that reported response rate to CRT, total mortality rate, change in QRS duration, change in left ventricular ejection fraction, and change in New York Heart Association functional class were included.ResultsA total of 14 studies were included in the study. There were 10 studies that reported response rates after implantation. The overall response rate to CRT in CHD patients was 68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61%–75%, I2 32%). The response rates in patients with systemic right ventricle (RV), systemic left ventricle (LV), and single ventricle were 58% (95% CI 46%–70%, I2 0%), 80% (95% CI 74%–86% I2 14%), and 67% (95% CI 49%–80% I2 0%). Response to CRT in systemic RV was inferior to systemic LV with an odds ratio of 0.38 (95% CI 0.15–0.95, I2 38%). The total mortality rate from seven studies was 12% (95% CI 8%–18%, I2 55%). The parameters which represented ventricular dyssynchrony improved after CRT implantation.ConclusionThe overall response rate to CRT in CHD was 68%. Patients with systemic RV had a lower response rate to CRT when compared to patients with systemic LV. The total mortality rate after CRT implantation was 12%.

AbstractIntroductionThe concurrent data on sex disparities in VT management and outcomes have remained unclear. Therefore, our objective was to determine the impact of sex on ventricular tachycardia (VT) management and outcomes in patients admitted with VT, dervied from the US National Inpatient Sample database (NIS).MethodsWe used data from the US NIS to identify hospitalized adult patients who were admitted with VT between 2016 and 2018. Regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of sex on VT management, in‐hospital mortality, complications, length of stay, and hospitalization costs.ResultsOf the database, a total of 146 070 patients, who were primarily hospitalized for VT, were approximated. Among these, women comprised 25.5%; they were significantly younger and had fewer comorbidities. Of procedural aspects, women were less likely to receive an angiogram, mechanical support, implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantation, and VT ablation compared to men. Notably, women were associated with higher do‐not‐resuscitate rates and in‐hospital cardiac arrests than men. No differences in in‐hospital mortality and cardiogenic shock were observed between men and women (p > .05). Length of stay was significantly longer for women, while no differences in hospital costs were observed in both sexes.ConclusionSignificant sex disparities in management and outcomes were observed in admitted patients with VT. Our results reflect the need for further studies to explore factors causing such diversities.

Introduction Premature birth has a causal relationship with hypertension and diabetes, which are significant risk factors for major cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, little is known whether premature birth portends future risks of acquired heart diseases, for example, ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), and valvular heart disease (VHD). Methods We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database from inception to December 2021. Studies with prospective and retrospective cohort designs that reported the association between premature birth and acquired heart disease, including IHD, HF, and VHD, were included. Data from each study were combined with a random-effects model. The results were reported in the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results The selected studies were comprised of 7 studies, with 5 studies involving premature birth and the development of IHD in adulthood and 2 studies involving premature birth and HF. No studies reporting the relationship between premature birth and VHD met our initial inclusion criteria. Our study did not find any association between premature birth and IHD in the adulthood (HR 1.14 95% CI 0.91-1.19, P = .16, I 2 = 51%). We found the association between premature birth and acquired HF (HR 1.53 95% CI 1.08-2.16, P = .01, I 2 = 0) Conclusion Premature birth was not statistically associated with IHD in adulthood, but there was a significant association between preterm and HF.

AbstractBackgroundHigh‐power short‐duration (HPSD) atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with a power of 40–50 W was proved to be safe and effective. Very high‐power short‐duration (vHPSD) AF ablation is a novel method using >50 W to obtain more durable AF ablation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vHPSD ablation compared with HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation.MethodsA literature search for studies that reported AF ablation outcomes, including short‐term freedom from atrial arrhythmia, first‐pass isolation (FPI) rate, procedure time, and major complications, was conducted utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. All relevant studies were included in this analysis. A random‐effects model of network meta‐analysis and surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) were used to rank the treatment for all outcomes.ResultsA total of 29 studies with 9721 patients were included in the analysis. According to the SUCRA analysis, HPSD ablation had the highest probability of maintaining sinus rhythm. Point estimation showed an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–1.9) between HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation and an odds ratio of 1.3 (95% CI: 0.78–2.2) between vHPSD ablation and conventional power ablation. While the odds ratio of FPI between HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation was 3.6 (95% CI: 1.5–8.9), the odds ratio between vHPSD ablation and conventional power ablation was 2.2 (95% CI: 0.61–8.6). The procedure times of vHPSD and HPSD ablations were comparable and, therefore, shorter than that of conventional power ablation. Major complications were low in all techniques.ConclusionvHPSD ablation did not yield higher efficacy than HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation. With the safety concern, vHPSD ablation outcomes were comparable with those of other techniques.

AbstractBackgroundLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently become a promising option for the near‐natural restoration of electrical activation. However, the clinical relevance of therapeutic effects in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and dyssynchrony remains unknown.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until June 2022. Data from each study was combined using a random‐effects model, the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird, to calculate standard mean differences and pooled incidence ratio, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsA total of 772 HFrEF patients were analyzed from 15 observational studies per protocol. The success rate of LBBAP implantation was 94.8% (95% CI 89.9–99.6, I2 = 79.4%), which was strongly correlated with shortening QRS duration after LBBAP implantation, with a mean difference of −48.10 ms (95% CI −60.16 to −36.05, I2 = 96.7%). Over a period of 6–12 months of follow‐up, pacing parameters were stable over time. There were significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (LVEDV) with mean difference of 16.38% (95% CI 13.13–19.63, I2 = 90.2%), −46.23 ml (95% CI −63.17 to −29.29, I2 = 86.82%), −7.21 mm (95% CI −9.71 to −4.71, I2 = 84.6%), and −44.52 ml (95% CI −64.40 to −24.64, I2 = 85.9%), respectively.ConclusionsLBBAP was associated with improvements in both cardiac function and electrical synchrony. The benefits of LBBAP in individuals with HFrEF and dyssynchrony should be further validated by randomized studies.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently become a promising option for the near-natural restoration of electrical activation. However, the clinical relevance of therapeutic effects in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and dyssynchrony remains unknown. Methods & Results: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until June 2022. Data from each study was combined using a random-effects model, the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird, to calculate standard mean differences and pooled incidence ratio, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 772 HFrEF patients were analyzed from 15 observational studies per protocol. The success rate of LBBAP implantation was 94.8% (95% CI 89.9 to 99.6, I 2 = 79.4%), which was strongly correlated with shortening QRS duration after LBBAP implantation, with a mean difference of −48.10 msec (95% CI −60.16 to −36.05, I 2 = 96.7%). Over a period of 6–12 months of follow-up, pacing parameters were stable over time. There were significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) with mean difference of 16.38% (95% CI 13.13 to 19.63 I 2 = 90.2 %), −46.23 mL (95% CI −63.17 to −29.29, I 2 = 86.82%), −7.21 mm (95% CI −9.71 to −4.71, I 2 = 84.6%), and −44.52 mL (95% CI −64.40 to −24.64, I 2 = 85.9 %), respectively . Conclusions: LBBAP was associated with improvements in both cardiac function and electrical synchrony. The benefits of LBBAP in individuals with HFrEF and dyssynchrony should be further validated by randomized studies.

AbstractIntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly performed worldwide. As comfort with AF ablation increases, the procedure is increasingly used in patients that are older and in those with more comorbidities. However, it is not well established whether AF ablation in the elderly, especially those >75 years old, has comparable safety and efficacy to younger populations.ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety profiles in patients older than 75 years undergoing AF ablation with younger patients.MethodsDatabases from EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane, were searched from inception through September 2021. Studies that compared the success rates in AF catheter ablation and all complications rates between patients who were older vs under 75 years were included. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.ResultsTwenty‐seven observational studies were included in the analysis consisting of 363,542 patients who underwent AF ablation. Comparing patients older than 75 years old to younger patients, there was no difference in the success of ablation rates between elderly and younger patients (pooled OR 0.85: 95% CI:0.69–1.05, p = .131). On the other hand, AF ablation in the elderly was associated with higher complication rates (pooled OR 1.42: 95% CI:1.21–1.68, p < .001).ConclusionAs AF ablation is expanded to elderly populations, our study found that AF ablation success rates were similar in both elderly and younger patients. However, older patients experience higher rates of complications that should be considered when offering the procedure and as a means to improve outcomes with future innovations.

AbstractBackgroundReal‐world data on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcomes in obese populations have remained scarce, especially the relationship between obesity and in‐hospital AF ablation outcome.HypothesisObesity is associated with higher complication rates and higher admission trend for AF ablation.MethodsWe drew data from the US National Inpatient Sample to identify patients who underwent AF ablation between 2005 and 2018. Sociodemographic and patients' characteristics data were collected, and the trend, incidence of catheter ablation complications and mortality were analyzed, and further stratified by obesity classification.ResultsA total of 153 429 patients who were hospitalized for AF ablation were estimated. Among these, 11 876 obese patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11 422–12 330) and 10 635 morbid obese patients (95% CI: 10 200–11 069) were observed. There was a substantial uptrend admission, up to fivefold, for AF ablation in all obese patients from 2005 to 2018 (p < .001). Morbidly obese patients were statistically younger, while coexisting comorbidities were substantially higher than both obese and nonobese patients (p < .01) Both obesity and morbid obesity were significantly associated with an increased risk of total bleeding, and vascular complications (p < .05). Only morbid obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of ablation‐related complications, total infection, and pulmonary complications (p < .01). No difference in‐hospital mortality was observed among obese, morbidly obese, and nonobese patients.ConclusionOur study observed an uptrend in the admission of obese patients undergoing AF ablation from 2005 through 2018. Obesity was associated with higher ablation‐related complications, particularly those who were morbidly obese.

AbstractIntroductionReal‐world data on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation among moderate and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have so far remained scarce, especially in‐hospital AF ablation outcomes.MethodsWe drew data from the US National Inpatient Sample to identify hospitalized patients who underwent AF ablation between 2005 and 2018, and further stratified by CKD classification. We assessed the trend of AF ablation, as well as its complications.ResultsA total of 152 630 patients who were primarily hospitalized for AF and underwent ablation were estimated. Among these, CKD patients were found in a total of 1509 participants, with 978, 206, and 325 under CKD3, CKD4, and CKD5/ESKD, respectively. There was a significant increment in admission rates for AF ablation in the CKD population across all CKD classifications (p < .001). All CKD patients were statistically older, with higher coexisting comorbidities, while hypertension was found substantially lower than non‐CKD patients (p ≤ .001). Importantly, CKD, especially CKD3 and CKD5/ESKD, was significantly associated with an increased risk of total complications, and total bleeding, Neurological complications were found statistically lower in CKD patients (p = .029), and no mortality rates were significantly different (p = .287).ConclusionOur study observed an increase in admission trends for AF ablation among moderate and advanced CKD patients from 2005 to 2018. CKD was strongly associated with higher procedure‐related complications and bleeding, but neurological safety profiles and mortalities rates were nonsignificantly different.

AbstractBackgroundQRS area, a three‐dimensional QRS complex, is a novel vectorcardiography method of measuring the magnitude of electrical forces in the heart. Hypothetically, a greater QRS area denotes higher dyssynchrony and indicates potential benefits from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Previous studies suggest a positive correlation between QRS area and the degree of response to CRT, but its clinical use remains unclear. We performed a meta‐analysis of the relationship between QRS area and survival benefit following CRT.MethodsWe comprehensively searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from inception to August 2021. We included studies with prospective and retrospective cohort designs that reported QRS area before CRT and total mortality. Data from each study were analyzed using a random‐effects model. The results were reported as a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsFive observational studies including 4931 patients were identified. The cut‐off values between large and small QRS areas ranged from 102 to 116 μVs. Our analysis showed a larger QRS area was statistically associated with increased 5‐year survival in patients implanted with CRT (HR pooled 0.48, 95% CI 0.46–0.51, I2 = 54%, p < .0001). Greater QRS area reduction (pre‐ and post‐implantation) were associated with a lower total mortality rate (HR pooled 0.45, 95% CI 0.38–0.52, I2 = 0%, p < .0001).ConclusionLarger pre‐implantation QRS area was associated with increased survival after CRT. QRS area reduction following CRT implantation was also associated with lower mortality. QRS area may potentially become an additional selection criterion for CRT implantations.