Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that is wreaking havoc on the health and economy of much of human civilization. Electrophysiologists have been impacted personally and professionally by this global catastrophe. In this joint article from representatives of the Heart Rhythm Society, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association, we identify the potential risks of exposure to patients, allied healthcare staff, industry representatives, and hospital administrators. We also

Aims Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation modality that has demonstrated preferential tissue ablation, including no oesophageal damage, in first-in-human clinical trials. In the MANIFEST-PF survey, we investigated the ‘real world’ performance of the only approved PFA catheter, including acute effectiveness and safety—in particular, rare oesophageal effects and other unforeseen PFA-related complications. Methods and results This retrospective survey included all 24 clinical centres using the pentaspline PFA catheter after regulatory approval. Institution-level data were obtained on patient characteristics, procedure parameters, acute efficacy, and adverse events. With an average of 73 patients treated per centre (range 7–291), full cohort included 1758 patients: mean age 61.6 years (range 19–92), female 34%, first-time ablation 94%, paroxysmal/persistent AF 58/35%. Most procedures employed deep sedation without intubation (82.1%), and 15.1% were discharged same day. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was successful in 99.9% (range 98.9–100%). Procedure time was 65 min (38–215). There were no oesophageal complications or phrenic nerve injuries persisting past hospital discharge. Major complications (1.6%) were pericardial tamponade (0.97%) and stroke (0.4%); one stroke resulted in death (0.06%). Minor complications (3.9%) were primarily vascular (3.3%), but also included transient phrenic nerve paresis (0.46%), and TIA (0.11%). Rare complications included coronary artery spasm, haemoptysis, and dry cough persistent for 6 weeks (0.06% each). Conclusion In a large cohort of unselected patients, PFA was efficacious for PVI, and expressed a safety profile consistent with preferential tissue ablation. However, the frequency of ‘generic’ catheter complications (tamponade, stroke) underscores the need for improvement.

Risk stratification scheme. Risk stratification aiming at assessing the risk of VAs and SCD in patients with MVP, involving two phases based on the clinical and imaging context and the uncovered arrhythmia. In the absence of ventricular tachycardia, phenotypic risk features will trigger the intensity of screening for arrhythmia. Green boxes indicate green heart consensus statements and yellow boxes indicate yellow heart consensus statements. High risk -sustained VT, polymorphic NSVT, fast (>180 bpm) NSVT, VT/NSVT resulting in syncope. ICD = implantable cardioverter defibrillator; LA = left atrium; LGE = late gadolinium enhancement; LV-EF = left ventricular ejection fraction; MAD = mitral annular disjunction; MV = mitral valve; PVCs = premature ventricular contractions; TWI = T-wave inversion; VT = ventricular tachycardia. #Additional ECG monitoring method may be used such as loop recorders.

No abstract

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.