Background: High-frequency low-tidal-volume (HFLTV) ventilation is a safe and cost-effective strategy that improves catheter stability, first-pass pulmonary vein isolation, and freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the incremental value of adding rapid-atrial pacing (RAP) to HFLTV-ventilation has not yet been determined. Objective: To evaluate the effect of HFLTV-ventilation plus RAP during RFCA of paroxysmal AF on procedural and long-term clinical outcomes compared to HFLTV-ventilation alone. Methods: Patients from the REAL-AF prospective multicenter registry, who underwent RFCA of paroxysmal AF using either HFLTV+RAP (500-600 msec) or HFLTV ventilation alone from April 2020 to February 2023 were included. The primary outcome was freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included procedural characteristics, long-term clinical outcomes, and procedure-related complications. Results: A total of 545 patients were included in the analysis (HFLTV+RAP=327 vs. HFLTV=218). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. No differences were observed in procedural (HFLTV+RAP 74 [57-98] vs. HFLTV 66 [53-85.75] min, p=0.617) and RF (HFLTV+RAP 15.15 [11.22-21.22] vs. HFLTV 13.99 [11.04-17.13] min, p=0.620) times. Both groups showed a similar freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias at 12-month follow-up (HFLTV+RAP 82.68% vs. HFLTV 86.52%, HR=1.43, 95% CI [0.94-2.16], p=0.093). There were no significant differences in freedom from AF-related symptoms (HFLTV+RAP 91.4% vs. HFLTV 93.1%, p=0.476) or AF-related hospitalizations (HFLTV+RAP 98.5% vs. HFLTV 97.2%, p=0.320). Procedure-related complications were low in both groups (HFLTV+RAP 0.6% vs. HFLTV 0%, p=0.247). Conclusion: In patients undergoing RFCA for paroxysmal AF, adding RAP to HFLTV-ventilation was not associated with improved procedural and long-term clinical outcomes.

Background: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is increasingly used during left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) as an alternative to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) Aim: To evaluate the impact of ICE vs. TEE guidance during LAAO on procedural characteristics and acute outcomes, as well the presence of peri-device leaks and residual septal defects during follow-up. Methods: All studies comparing ICE-guided vs. TEE-guided LAAO were identified. The primary outcomes were procedural efficacy and occurrence of procedure-related complications. Secondary outcomes included lab efficiency (defined as a reduction in in-room time), procedural time, fluoroscopy time, and presence of peri-device leaks and residual interatrial septal defects (IASD) during follow-up. Results: Twelve studies (n=5637) were included. There were no differences in procedural success group (98.3% vs. 97.8%; OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.42-1.27, p=0.27; I2=0%) or adverse events (4.5% vs. 4.4%; OR 0.81 95% CI 0.56-1.16, p=0.25; I2=0%) between the ICE-guided and TEE-guided groups. ICE guidance reduced in in-room time (mean-weighted 28.6-minute reduction in in-room time) without differences in procedural time or fluoroscopy time. There were no differences in peri-device leak (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.68-1.27, p=0.64); however, an increased prevalence of residual IASD was observed with ICE-guided vs. TEE-guided LAAO (46.3% vs. 34.2%; OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.05-4.75, p=0.04). Conclusion: ICE guidance is associated with similar procedural efficacy and safety, but could result in improved lab efficiency (as established by a significant reduction in in-room time). No differences in the rate of periprocedural leaks were found. A higher prevalence of residual interatrial septal defects was observed with ICE guidance.

Introduction: Increasing evidence has suggested improved outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure (HF) undergoing catheter ablation (CA) as compared to medical therapy. We sought to investigate the benefit of CA on outcomes of patients with AF and HF as compared to medical therapy. Methods and Results: A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials was performed for clinical studies evaluating the benefit of CA for patients with AF and HF. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included atrial-arrhythmia recurrence and improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eight randomized controlled trials were included with a total of 2121 patients (mean age: 65 ± 5 years; 72% male). Mean follow-up duration was 32.9 ± 14.5 months. All-cause mortality in patients who underwent CA was significantly lower than in the medical treatment group (8.8% vs. 13.5%, RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51-0.83, P=0.0005). A 35% relative risk reduction and 4.7% absolute risk reduction in all-cause mortality was observed with CA. Rates of atrial-arrhythmia recurrence were significantly lower in the CA group (39.9% vs 69.6%, RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.40-0.76, P=0.0003). Improvement in LVEF was significantly higher in patients undergoing CA (+9.4 ±7.6%) as compared to conventional treatment (+3.3±8%) (Mean difference 6.2, 95% CI 3.6-8.8, P<0.00001). Conclusion: CA for AF in patients with HF decreases all-cause mortality, improves atrial-arrhythmia recurrence rate and LVEF when compared to medical management. CA should be considered the treatment of choice to improve survival in this select group of patients.

Background: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is standard of care for the management of patients with cardiac implantable electronic device infection or lead related complications. Currently, objective data on TLE in Latin America is lacking. Objective: To describe the current practice standards in Latin American centers performing TLE. Methods: An online survey was sent through the mailing list of the Latin American Heart Rhythm Association (LAHRS). Online reminders were sent through the mailing list; duplicate answers were discarded. The survey was available for one month, after which no more answers were accepted. Results: A total of 48 answers were received, from 44 different institutions (39.6% from Colombia, 27,1% from Brazil), with most respondents (83%) being electrophysiologists. Twenty-nine institutions (66%) performed less than 10 lead extractions/year, with 7 (15%) institutions not performing lead extraction. Although most institutions in which lead extraction is performed reported using several tools, mechanical rotating sheaths were cited as the main tool (73%), 13.5% reported the use of mechanical extraction sheaths and only 13.5% reporting the use of laser sheaths. Management of infected leads was performed according to current guidelines. Conclusion: This survey is the first attempt to provide information on TLE procedures in Latin America and could provide useful information for future prospective registries. According to our results, the number of centers performing high volume lead extraction in Latin America is smaller than that reported in other continents, with most interventions performed using mechanical tools. Future prospective registries assessing acute and long-term success are needed.