2018 Outcomes & Quality Report in Cardiovascular Services

Arrhythmias

 

Adenosine: Electrophysiological Phenomena and Mechanisms

Weill Cornell cardiologists authored a comprehensive review focused on the unique properties of adenosine that make it a specific electrophysiological probe for identifying underlying supraventricular arrhythmogenic mechanisms and confirming ablative success. Published in the December 2018 issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, their article notes that “adenosine is a potent but underutilized tool that is useful for clarifying the clinical diagnosis of seemingly obscure or poorly understood arrhythmias … and provides insights that are independent of and synergistic with those obtained with standard pacing maneuvers routinely used to uncover supraventricular mechanisms, such as entrainment, resetting, or para-Hisian pacing. The advantages of adenosine are that its effects are short-lived (on the order of several seconds), its effects are potent, and its signal transduction cascade mediates a multiplicity of electrophysiological effects that no other single agent replicates.”

Adenosine has considerable value in providing the electrophysiologist with insights and actionable findings that are not fully replicated by any other agent or intervention.

The authors reported that adenosine is the only agent, to their knowledge, that can provide insight into atrial tachycardia circuit dimension and mechanism, as well as probability of tachycardia location. They concluded, “Familiarity with the multifaceted effects of adenosine, including its effects on dormant conduction, unmasking of arrhythmogenic pathways, or in identifying triggered activity as the mechanism of AT, should enhance diagnostic acumen and optimize therapeutic outcomes.”

The Impact of Arrhythmias on TAVR

Columbia cardiologists are collaborating with the vascular intervention team to look at the long-term impact of arrhythmias — specifically heart block and atrial fibrillation (AF) — on patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. In one study, the researchers examined the impact of AF on the incidence of and indications for pacemakers in patients undergoing TAVR. Evaluating data of 1,723 patients without pre-existing pacemakers who underwent TAVR, they found that conversion to AF is an independent predictor of permanent pacemaker implantation in these patients. Indications differ depending on heart rhythm, with patients in AF manifesting clinically significant tachybrady syndrome versus atrioventricular block.

Population Specific Arrhythmias

Patients with Myocardial Infarction

To better understand the risk of adverse outcomes of patients undergoing catheter ablation for myocardial infarction-associated ventricular tachycardia (VT), Weill Cornell faculty undertook a study of 4,109 admissions using the Nationwide Readmissions database to identify procedural complications, 30 day readmissions, and costs associated with VT ablation. Their findings, published in the November 2018 issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, showed that 30 day readmissions occurred in nearly 1 out of 5 cases, with the majority of readmissions being caused by recurrent VT or congestive heart failure. Baseline comorbidities — pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, smoking, and chronic pulmonary disease — were significant independent predictors of 30 day readmissions. After adjustment, 30 day readmissions were associated with a 38.9 percent increase in cumulative hospitalization costs. The researchers concluded that improving procedural success, optimizing post-ablation heart failure treatment, and ensuring close post-discharge follow-up may help reduce readmissions and healthcare costs.

Patients with Adult Congenital Heart Disease

As adults, many patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) begin manifesting cardiac arrhythmias. NewYork-Presbyterian cardiologists are increasingly collaborating with their counterparts in the Hospital’s adult congenital heart disease programs both in the clinical arena and on research investigating the efficacy of ablation procedures. Research by Columbia faculty recently confirmed that aggressive therapy for arrhythmias, including catheter ablation, in patients with ACHD leads to better outcomes in the long term. In a complementary study, they sought to better define predictors of recurrence of atrial fibrillation following catheter ablation. The researchers concluded that BMI was a significant risk factor independent of Fontan status, which may help guide treatment decisions for persistent arrhythmias in the ACHD population. Findings were published in the November 19, 2018 issue of Congenital Heart Disease.

Understanding Idiopathic Malignant PVCs

In susceptible patients, idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) may develop malignant potential, trigger ventricular fibrillation, and result in sudden cardiac death. Alternatively, idiopathic PVCs can also induce cardiomyopathy. Clinical recognition of these entities can lead to effective targeted therapy. In the first instance, treatment consists of ablating the PVC source and implanting a defibrillator, whereas in the second scenario, ablating the PVC origin can normalize left ventricular function.

In a comprehensive review of these conditions in the May 2018 issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, Weill Cornell faculty noted that the most acute challenge in successfully treating malignant PVCs is in identifying those patients who are at high risk for developing sudden cardiac death before their first event. They believe it is critical to enhance fundamental understanding of the relative importance of PVC site of origin and PVC coupling interval in the triggering of fatal arrhythmias, as well as the dynamic interplay between the PVC and the underlying myocardial substrate. Furthermore, unraveling the potential role of previously unidentified polymorphisms may lend some clarity as to how a seemingly benign PVC is transformed into a malignant one.

VAD-Induced Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia challenges are also being encountered more frequently in patients with advanced heart failure with ventricular assist devices because of improved survival rates. In a study of 249 consecutive patients who received an LVAD at Columbia, faculty found that 32 percent of patients manifested atrial fibrillation (AF) after device placement, including 13 percent who did not have a prior documented history of AF. However, the presence of AF was not associated with increased risk of death or stroke. To address this growing concern, our cardiologists continue to explore different ways of managing arrhythmias in these unique patients through medication combinations and ablation procedures.

Catheter Ablations

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LVOT Arrhythmias

The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), a frequent source of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in patients with and without structural heart disease, can present with unique mapping and ablation challenges. In the January 2019 issue of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, Weill Cornell faculty describe the complex anatomy of the LVOT and its adjoining structures, which is important for determining the sites of ablation and increasing success rates in targeting challenging LVOT arrhythmias. The authors note that juxtaposition of the aortic valvar leaflets, the coronary vessels, and the right ventricular outflow tract around the region of the LVOT can present both opportunities, as well as impediments, for successful treatment of LVOT VA with catheter ablation. The aortic root VA can be readily ablated with success from either above or below the valvar leaflets due to the limited extent of myocardial tissue incorporated at the bases of the aortic sinus of Valsalva. Intramural LVOT and LV summit arrhythmias are less readily accessed due to the presence of thicker anteroseptal myocardium and epicardial fat.