AimsRisk stratification in individuals with type 1 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern (type 1 ECG) for primary prevention of sudden death (SD).Methods and resultsThree hundred and twenty patients (258 males, median age 43 years) with type 1 ECG were enrolled. No patient had previous cardiac arrest. Fifty-four per cent of patients had a spontaneous and 46% a drug-induced type 1 ECG. One-third had syncope, two-thirds were asymptomatic. Two hundred and forty-five patients underwent electrophysiologic study (EPS) and 110 patients received an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). During follow-up [median length 40 months (IQ20-67)], 17 patients had major arrhythmic events (MAE) (14 resuscitated ventricular fibrillation (VF) and three SD). Both a spontaneous type 1 ECG and syncope significantly increased the risk (2.6 and 3.0% event rate per year vs. 0.4 and 0.8%). Major arrhythmic events occurred in 14% of subjects with positive EPS, in no subjects with negative EPS and in 5.3% of subjects without EPS. All MAE occurred in subjects who had at least two potential risk factors (syncope, family history of SD, and positive EPS). Among these patients, those with spontaneous type 1 ECG had a 30% event rate.Conclusion(1) In subjects with the Brugada type 1 ECG, no single clinical risk factor, nor EPS alone, is able to identify subjects at highest risk; (2) a multiparametric approach (including syncope, family history of SD, and positive EPS) helps to identify populations at highest risk; (3) subjects at highest risk are those with a spontaneous type 1 ECG and at least two risk factors; (4) the remainder are at low risk.

Introduction:The recently developed second-generation subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) and the intermuscular two-incision implantation technique demonstrate potential favorable features that reduce inappropriate shocks and complications. However, data concerning large patient populations are lacking.The aim of this multicentre prospective study was to evaluate the safety and outcome of second-generation S-ICD using the intermuscular two-incision technique in a large population study. Methods and Results:The study population included 101 consecutive patients (75% male; mean age, 45 ± 13 years) who received second-generation S-ICD (EMBLEM; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) implantation using the intermuscular twoincision technique as an alternative to the standard implantation technique. Twenty nine (29%) patients were implanted for secondary prevention. Twenty four (24%) patients had a previously implanted transvenous ICD. All patients were implanted without any procedure-related complications. Defibrillation testing was performed in 80 (79%) patients, and ventricular tachycardia was successfully converted at less than or equal to 65 J in 98.75% (79/80) of patients without pulse generator adjustments.During a median follow-up of 21 ± 10 months, no complications requiring surgical revision or local or systemic device-related infections were observed. Ten patients Disclosures: None.(9.9%) received appropriate and successful shocks for ventricular arrhythmias. Three (2.9%) patients experienced inappropriate shocks due to oversensing the cardiac signal (n = 1), noncardiac signal (n = 1), and a combination of both cardiac and noncardiac signals (n = 1), with one patient requiring device explantation. No patients required device explantation due to antitachycardia pacing indications.Conclusions: According to our multicentre study, second-generation S-ICD implanted with the intermuscular two-incision technique is an available safe combination and appears to be associated with a low risk of complications, such as inappropriate shocks. K E Y W O R D S implantable cardioverter defibrillator, intermuscular technique, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, two-incision technique 1 | INTRODUCTION Current guidelines state that the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) represents a therapeutic option for patients at highrisk of sudden cardiac death, in whom pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy is not required. 1 The recent development of an entirely S-ICD constitutes a major evolution of defibrillator technology, and there has been consistent clinical evidence regarding its safety. 2-4 The standard S-ICD implantation technique requires three incisions and the placement of a midaxillary pulse generator under subcutaneous tissue. However, various alternative implantation techniques have been explored, 3 including the intermuscular two-incision technique. 4-6 New techniques may reduce complications such as erosion while improving the esthetic appeal of the puls...

There was no funding source for this study.

Background Anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently based on clinical parameters (CHA2DS 2‐VASc score) that have been shown to predict cerebrovascular events (CVE). Controversy exists as to whether CVE risk persists unmodified after successful catheter ablation, as observational studies suggest a lower risk of CVE. Current guidelines recommend continued oral anticoagulation (OAC) based on the CHA 2DS 2‐VASc score risk profile. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review of all studies published up to July 31, 2018, that reported CVE after catheter ablation of AF and compared patients on or off OAC. Random‐effects models were used to demonstrate the risk of CVE and major bleeding in on‐OAC vs off‐OAC patients. This analysis was further stratified by CHADS2 and CHA 2DS 2‐VASc score. Results We retained 16 studies, 10 prospective cohort and 6 retrospective cohort, that met inclusion criteria, and which enrolled 25 177 patients: 13 166 off‐OAC and 12 011 on‐OAC. No significant difference in the incidence of CVE emerged between on‐OAC and off‐OAC patients after AF ablation (risk ratio, 0.66; confidence interval [CI], 0.38, 1.15). Similar results were found after stratification by CHADS2 and CHA 2DS 2‐VASc score. Off‐OAC patients suffered significantly less bleeding than those on OAC (RR, 0.17; CI, 0.09, 0.34). Of note, the percentage of patients with AF recurrence impacts the treatment effect in the two groups ( P = 0.001). Conclusions In this metanalysis, the risk‐benefit ratio favored the suspension of OAT after successful AF ablation even in patients at moderate‐high risk. Whether the reported results can be extended also to non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants warrants further investigations.

Pace mapping of Koch's triangle identifies patients in whom the AFP is absent or is abnormally close to the slow pathway. In these cases, guiding ablation helps to avoid AV block.