Neuro-arrhythmology: a challenging field of action and research: a review from the Task Force of Neuro-arrhythmology of Italian Association of Arrhythmias and Cardiac Pacing There is a growing interest in the study of the mechanisms of heart and brain interactions with the aim to improve the management of high-impact cardiac rhythm disorders, first of all atrial fibrillation. However, there are several topics to which the scientific interests of cardiologists and neurologists converge constituting the basis for enhancing the development of neuro-arrhythmology. This multidisciplinary field should cover a wide spectrum of diseases, even beyond the classical framework corresponding to stroke and atrial fibrillation and include the complex issues of seizures as well as loss of consciousness and syncope. The implications of a more focused interaction between neurologists and cardiologists in the field of neuro-arrhythmology should include in perspective the institution of research networks specifically devoted to investigate ‘from bench to bedside’ the complex pathophysiological links of the abovementioned diseases, with involvement of scientists in the field of biochemistry, genetics, molecular medicine, physiology, pathology and bioengineering. An investment in the field could have important implications in the perspectives of a more personalized approach to patients and diseases, in the context of ‘precision’medicine. Large datasets and electronic medical records, with the approach typical of ‘big data’ could enhance the possibility of new findings with potentially important clinical implications. Finally, the interaction between neurologists and cardiologists involved in arrythmia management should have some organizational implications, with new models of healthcare delivery based on multidisciplinary assistance, similarly to that applied in the case of syncope units.

Mechanical atrial recovery after cardioversion in persistent atrial fibrillation evaluated by bidimensional speckle tracking echocardiography Background Atrial fibrillation induces reversible electrical and mechanical modifications (atrial remodeling). Atrial stunning is a mechanical dysfunction with preserved bioelectrical function, occurring after successful atrial fibrillation electrical cardioversion (ECV). Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is a new technology for evaluating atrial mechanical function. We assessed atrial mechanical function after ECV with serial two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography evaluations. The investigated outcome was left atrium mechanical recovery within 3 months. Methods A total of 36 patients [mean age 73 (7.9) years, 23 males] with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent conventional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography before ECV. Positive global atrial strain (GSA+) was assessed at 3 h, 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and 3 months after ECV. Mechanical recovery was defined as the achievement of a GSA+ value of 21%. Results Independent predictors of GSA+ immediately after ECV (basal GSA+) were E/e′ ratio and left atrial appendage anterograde flow velocity. During the follow-up, 25% of patients suffered atrial fibrillation recurrence. In 12/36 patients (33%) left atrium mechanical recovery was detected (mechanical recovery group), while in 15/36 (42%) recovery did not occur (no atrial mechanical recovery group). At univariate analysis, the variables associated with recovery, were basal GSA+ (P = 0.015) and maximal velocity left atrial appendage (P = 0.022). Female sex (P = 0.038), N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (P = 0.013), E/e′ (P = 0.042) and the indexed left atrium volume (P = 0.019) were associated with the lack of left atrium mechanical recovery. Conclusion In almost half of the patients, the left atrium did not resume mechanical activity within the 3 months after ECV, despite sinus rhythm recovery. The left atrium of these patients was larger, stiffer and their E/E′ was higher, suggesting a higher endocavitary pressure compared with mechanical recovery patients. These findings might suggest an increased thromboembolic risk.

PREventive left atrial appenDage resection for the predICtion of fuTure atrial fibrillation: design of the PREDICT AF study Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, posing a heavy burden on patients’ wellbeing and healthcare budgets. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk of developing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), new-onset atrial fibrillation and subsequent atrial fibrillation-related complications, including stroke. Sufficient clinical identification of patients at risk fails while the pathological substrate changes that precede atrial fibrillation remain unknown. Here, we describe the PREDICT AF study design, which will be the first study to associate tissue pathophysiology and blood biomarkers with clinical profiling and follow-up of cardiothoracic surgery patients for the prediction of future atrial fibrillation. Methods PREDICT AF will include 150 patients without atrial fibrillation and a CHA2DS2–VASc score of at least 2 undergoing cardiac surgery. The left atrial appendage will be excised during surgery and blood samples will be collected before surgery and at 6 and 12 months’ follow-up. Tissue and blood analysis will be used for the discovery of biomarkers including microRNAs and protein biomarkers. The primary study endpoint is atrial fibrillation, which will be objectified by 24 h Holters and ECGs after 30 days for POAF and after 6, 12 and 24 months for new-onset atrial fibrillation. Secondary endpoints include the dynamic changes of blood biomarkers over time and other atrial arrhythmias. PREDICT AF participants may benefit from extensive postoperative care with clinical phenotyping, rhythm monitoring and primary prevention of stroke. Conclusion We here describe the PREDICT AF trial design, which will enable the discovery of biomarkers that truly predict POAF and new-onset atrial fibrillation by combining tissue and plasma-derived biomarkers with comprehensive clinical follow-up data. Trial registration Retrospectively registered NCT03130985 27 April 2017.

Percutaneous coronary interventions for stable ischemic heart disease in Italy Aims Although the benefits of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in patients with stable chronic ischemic heart disease (SIHD) are controversial, a large number of PCIs are currently performed in SIHD patients, frequently after coronary angiography (ad-hoc procedures), without the use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) to identify patients most likely to benefit from PCI. Methods Assessment of regional variations in PCI for SIHD performed in Italy in 2017 and correlation of the regional number of PCI per million inhabitants with the use of FFR were performed using the data reported in the registry of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) registry for the year 2017. Results PCI for SIHD accounted for 44.5% of all PCI performed in Italy with large variations among the Italian regions. There was a significant and inverse relationship between the use of FFR and the PCI number per million inhabitants performed for SIHD in the various Italian regions (P = 0.01). In the Veneto region, where local authorities mandated Heart Team reports to select the most appropriate treatment choice in multivessel disease patients, the rate of ad-hoc procedures was significantly lower than the national average. Conclusion PCI for SIHD patients represent almost half of all procedures currently performed in Italy with regional variations inversely related to physiologic guidance use. The mandatory assessment by the Heart Team to select the most appropriate treatment choice in multivessel disease patients is associated with a significantly lower number of ad-hoc procedures.

Myocardial revascularization appropriateness in Italy: measuring the unmeasured No abstract available

Atrial natriuretic peptide predicts disease progression and digital ulcers development in systemic sclerosis patients Aims Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by micro/macrovascular damage due to the underlying fibrosis. Markers able to predict the progression of cardiovascular damage, including digital ulcers, in SSc are warranted. We aimed at characterizing the relevance of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in relation to cardiovascular damage and digital ulcers in a cohort of Italian SSc patients. Methods Seventy patients were enrolled (64 women and six men; mean age 56.7 ± 14 years) with a disease duration of 11.1 ± 8.3 years. Clinical, instrumental (nailfold videocapillaroscopy, ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, pulmonary function test with diffusion lung CO), NT-proANP and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide plasma levels measurement were performed at baseline. The clinical follow-up lasted 24 months. The statistical approach used to achieve the study objectives included multivariate analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results Both NT-proNPs levels correlated with systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, but only the NT-proANP level correlated with right heart dimension. Both NT-proNPs levels were higher in patients experiencing events at follow-up but only the NT-proANP level significantly predicted the progression of cardiovascular damage, including development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). NT-proANP levels were higher in patients with digital ulcers and strongly predicted their development. Conclusion Our results show that the NT-proANP plasma level significantly correlates with disease progression such as new onset of PAH, worsening of pulmonary hypertension and development of digital ulcers in a cohort of SSc Italian patients. If future studies will confirm our findings, the plasma NT-proANP level could be used in clinical practice as a novel sensitive marker for PAH and digital ulcers development in SSc.

The potential antiarrhythmic properties of sacubitril/valsartan: a case report No abstract available

Electrocardiographic changes in focal takotsubo syndrome: a case report No abstract available

Aortic valve-in-valve implantation requiring valve fracturing via a subclavian access: new insights with a word of caution No abstract available

Long-term parameters of heart rate variability in patients with insulin-resistance No abstract available