Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Nov 2018
High-Resolution Infrared Thermal Imaging of the Esophagus During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation as a Predictor of Endoscopically Detected Thermal Lesions: Results From the HEAT-AF Study.
Endoscopically detected thermal esophageal lesions (EDEL) after ablation of atrial fibrillation may be precursors of atrioesophageal fistula and esophageal luminal temperature monitoring has previously failed to decrease thermal damage. ⋯ For the first time esophageal temperature monitoring using a high resolution, high-fidelity IRTS allowed accurate prediction of postablation EDEL suggesting that Tpeak alone is an excellent binary classifier of patients at risk of EDEL. The logistic regression model and associated receiver operator curve will aid in the selection of optimal temperature thresholds in future prospective studies.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Nov 2018
Outcomes, Costs, and 30-Day Readmissions After Catheter Ablation of Myocardial Infarct-Associated Ventricular Tachycardia in the Real World.
Patients undergoing catheter ablation of myocardial infarction-associated ventricular tachycardia (VT) have significant comorbidities that can increase the risks of adverse outcomes. The rates of readmissions after VT ablation are unknown. We sought to examine in-hospital outcomes, costs, and 30-day readmissions after catheter ablation of myocardial infarction-associated VT. ⋯ Thirty-day readmissions after catheter ablation of VT occur in nearly 1 out of 5 cases, with the majority of readmissions being caused by recurrent VT or congestive heart failure. Baseline comorbidities are significant predictors of procedural mortality, complications, and readmissions. Strategies to reduce recurrent VT postablation by improving procedural success, optimizing postablation heart failure treatment, and ensuring close postdischarge follow-up may help reduce readmissions and healthcare costs.