Rivaroxabananddabigatraninpatientsundergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Aims: The recent availability of the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may have led to a change in the anticoagulation regimens of patients referred to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Preliminary data exist concerning dabigatran, but information regarding the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban in this setting is currently scarce. Methods: and results Of the 556 consecutive eligible patients (age 61.0 ± 9.6; 74.6% men; 61.2% paroxysmal AF) undergoing AF catheter ablation in our centre (October 2012 to September 2013) and enroled in a systematic standardized 30-day follow-up period: 192 patients were under vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), 188 under rivaroxaban, and 176 under dabigatran. Peri-procedural mortality and significant systemic or pulmonary thromboembolism (efficacy outcome), as well as bleeding events (safety outcome) during the 30 days following the ablation were evaluated according to anticoagulation regimen. During a 12-month time interval, the use of the NOACs in this population rose from <10 to 70%. Overall, the rate of events was low with no significant differences regarding: thrombo-embolic events in 1.3% (VKA 2.1%; rivaroxaban 1.1%; dabigatran 0.6%; P = 0.410); major bleeding in 2.3% (VKA 4.2%; rivaroxaban 1.6%; dabigatran 1.1%; P = 0.112), and minor bleeding 1.4% (VKA 2.1%; rivaroxaban 1.6%; dabigatran 0.6%; P = 0.464). No fatal events were observed. Conclusion: The use of the NOAC in patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF has rapidly evolved (seven-fold) over 1 year. These preliminary data suggest that rivaroxaban and dabigatran in the setting of catheter ablation of AF are efficient and safe, compared with the traditional VKA.

Thrombolysis in Patients Aged over 80 Years Is Equally Effective and Safe

BACKGROUND: Despite stroke's high prevalence in the elderly, intravenous thrombolysis is licensed in Europe only for patients younger than 80 years old. We aimed to compare the functional outcomes and complication rates in patients older versus younger than 80 years old treated with intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of patients who received intravenous thrombolysis in a stroke unit between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2012, was conducted. Variables were compared between 2 subgroups (≤80 and >80 years). RESULTS: Overall, 512 patients underwent intravenous thrombolysis, of which 13.1% were over 80 years. The mean age was 65.4 years in the younger subgroup and 82.9 years in the older subgroup. Prior independence rates did not differ between the subgroups. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke was higher in the older subgroup (P = .004 and .026). Only 3% of the elderly with atrial fibrillation were taking oral anticoagulants. Symptoms-to-needle time was lower in the older subgroup (P = .048). Stroke severity was higher in patients over 80 years (P = .026). There was significant improvement in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 7 days after intravenous thrombolysis (P < .001) in both subgroups. The proportion of patients with 3 months' favorable outcome and independence, hemorrhagic transformation, and mortality rates were similar in both subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients' benefits and outcomes from intravenous thrombolysis treatment were identical to the younger subgroup without excess hemorrhagic transformation or mortality. These results favor the use of intravenous thrombolysis in patients over 80 years.

Internship in arrhythmology

The arrhythmology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders and their complications, and has undergone a dramatic evolution over the past two decades. The widespread use of catheter ablation, the introduction of implantable cardioverter defibrillators for the prevention of sudden cardiac death and, finally, the development of cardiac resynchronization therapy led to a gradual loss of the impact of antiarrhythmic drugs as a therapeutic approach. This report was performed as a result of an internship performed in Cardiac Physiology with the duration of 400 hours. The main goal of the internship was to strengthen theoretical knowledge and acquire practical experience in the varied fields of arrhythmology, especially in the areas of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology. During the internship were performed 41 electrophysiologic studies, where Atrioventricular Node Reentrant Tachycardia and Atrial Fibrillation were the most observed arrhythmias. New technologies such as three-dimensional mapping for electrophysiology studies are developing quickly and being use on a daily basis, as they prove to have safe and higher success rates. The proof is that in approximately half of the studies, one of the two mapping systems available, Carto or NavX, was used. In addition, were interrogated 283 pacemakers during the pacing clinics, being the dual chamber with DDD pacing mode the most encountered device. A large number of devices with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and/or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators were also observed. This report is divided into three chapters. Chapter I is constituted by a revision of the literature and includes concepts such as definition and mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias; a brief description of the varied diagnostic tools and its recommendations; and a presentation of the different therapeutic approaches available and its indications. The second chapter is a descriptive drawing of the activity performed in the modules of Electrophysiology and Pacing. Lastly, the chapter III presents two clinical cases in Electrophysiology considered interesting from a clinical point of view.

Oral Anticoagulation in the Elderly: New Oral Anticoagulants-Innovative Solution for an Old Problem?

Direct oral anticoagulants emerge as the most innovative and promising drug toward preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, raising great interest among the scientific community. Numerous studies and meta-analysis generated much data clarifying clinicians' doubts; however, uncertainties remain regarding their use in particular groups such as patients with prosthetic valves, in valvular atrial fibrillation (defined as atrial fibrillation related to mitral rheumatic heart disease or prosthetic heart valves), among the elderly, in paraneoplastic thromboembolism, in pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic compromise, and scarcity of specific antidotes. This review article intends to condense the vast scientific production addressing new oral anticoagulants by focusing on their advantages and disadvantages when used on the elderly.

Benefícios clínicos da terapia de ressincronização cardíaca em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca e fibrilhação auricular

Objetivo: Verificar se os benefícios da TRC nos pacientes em FA são semelhantes aos benefícios nos pacientes em RS. População e Métodos: Estudaram-se 397 pacientes (137 em FA e 260 em RS), com ICC refratária à terapêutica médica, nos quais foi implantado um sistema para TRC, em 4 centros distintos. Incluíram-se os pacientes que, antes do procedimento, apresentavam FEVE ≤ 35% e perturbação da condução, com um QRS≥ 120ms e estivessem em Classe NYHA II a IV. Foram recolhidos os dados relativos às diversas características clínicas, eletrocardiográficas e ecocardiográficas dos pacientes antes da implantação e após o período de seguimento. Registaram-se ainda o número de internamentos por descompensação de IC, mortes e de MACE, ocorridos no período de seguimento. Avaliou-se a ocorrência de resposta ecocardiográfica e clínica (melhoria ≥ 1 classe NYHA). Resultados: Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhorias significativas e comparáveis a nível ecocardiográfico na remodelagem inversa e função ventricular e a nível clínico na classe funcional NYHA. Os pacientes com RS apresentaram redução significativa nos internamentos e maior sobrevida. Nos pacientes em FA, observou-se uma maior ocorrência de MACE. Quando se procedeu a ablação NAV nos pacientes em FA, obteve-se uma sobrevida para mortalidade total comparável à do RS. Por análise univariada, a presença de FA, a ausência de ablação NAV, género masculino, história familiar de morte súbita são preditores de mortalidade total e MACE. A história familiar de morte súbita e a HTP foram preditores de morte cardíaca. Na análise multivariada, apenas a idade, presença de FA, FEVE e NYHA pós-TRC foram preditores de mortalidade total. Os preditores de mortalidade cardíaca foram a FEVE, NYHA e diâmetro TD do VE pós-TRC. A FEVE e o diâmetro e volumes telesistólicos após a TRC revelaram-se capazes de predizer a resposta clínica pela melhoria da classe funcional NYHA Conclusão: Os pacientes em FA submetidos a TRC têm uma sobrevida semelhante aos pacientes em RS, se forem submetidos a ablação NAV. Porém, os benefícios na capacidade funcional e a nível ecocardiográfico são semelhantes aos pacientes em RS, independentemente da preseça da ablação NAV.