The Annual Congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA 2019)

AVATAR-HF: Simplified AF ablation yields good outcomes for less costs

Elvira Manzano, 20190426050850

Foregoing intracardiac electrophysiologic mapping was as good as conventional cryoablation with pulmonary vein (PV) mapping in the AVATAR-HF* study, suggesting that a simplified procedure could produce the same outcomes for lower costs.

Elevated SBP level tied to increased dementia risk in middle-aged patients with AF

Elaine Soliven, 20190417000000

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) above 129 mm Hg was associated with an increased risk of dementia in middle-aged patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study presented at EHRA 2019.

Edoxaban joins league with other NOACs as option during AF ablation

Pearl Toh, 20190416190010

Use of uninterrupted edoxaban during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) shows comparable safety and efficacy as uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), according to the ELIMINATE-AF trial presented at EHRA 2019.

Periprocedural edoxaban appears safe for many procedures

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20190416140306

Patients on the anticoagulant drug edoxaban could safely continue their treatment while undergoing certain procedures, with a low incidence of bleeding and cardiovascular events reported in the prospective EMIT AF/VTE* study.

Telemedicine may improve HF patient care

Audrey Abella, 20190415100000

Remote monitoring (RM) reduced hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure (HF) and implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), according to data from the RESULT* trial presented at EHRA 2019.

First-line catheter ablation reduces PVC burden in paediatric population

Elaine Soliven, 20190412091055

The use of catheter ablation as first-line treatment reduces the number of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) in a paediatric population, according to a study presented at EHRA 2019.

Delayed cardioversion an option after AF

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20190411140203

Patients who have recently experienced atrial fibrillation (AF) could benefit from treatment with upfront rate-control medication rather than undergoing immediate cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm, according to The Netherlands-based RACE 7 ACWAS* trial.

Tilt training averts syncope

Audrey Abella, 20190410100000

A two-part tilt training programme designed to retrain the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to respond correctly to move to an upright position effectively prevented reflex syncope (RS) or fainting episodes, offering patients an improved quality of life (QoL) and ability to return to work, according to data presented at EHRA 2019.

High-dose nifedipine tied to greater cardiac arrest risk

Pearl Toh, 20190409190010

Use of high doses of the dihydropyridine nifedipine was associated with a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) than nonuse of dihydropyridines, according to data from two large registries under the ESCAPE-NET* presented at EHRA Congress 2019.