Ablation using 355 nm laser pulses in combination with a mechanical blunt blade may potentially constitute a viable alternative for LE.

Baseline albumin can be used as a simple tool that correlates with survival after TAVI. Low albumin is an important parameter associated with all-cause mortality after the procedure.

The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess the utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) in electrophysiology (EP). An online-based questionnaire was shared with the EHRA community between 12 and 30 June 2020 and recorded institutional information, complication assessment, recent experiences, and opinions regarding possible advantages or concerns with SDD. In total, 218 responses from 49 countries provided information on current SDD management. Overall, SDD was implemented in 77.5%, whereas this proportion was significantly higher in tertiary and high-volume centres (83.8% and 85.3%, both P < 0.01). The concept of SDD was most commonly used following implantations of cardiac event recorders (97%), diagnostic EP procedures (72.2%), and implantations of pacemakers with one or two intracardiac leads (50%), while the lowest SDD utilization was observed after catheter ablations of left atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Within SDD-experienced centres, ∼90% respondents stated that this discharge concept is recommendable or highly recommendable and reported that rates of increased rehospitalization and complication rates were low. Most respondents assumed a better utilization of hospital resources (78.2%), better cost effectiveness (77.3%), and an improved patients’ comfort but were concerned about possible impairment of detection (72.5%) and management (78.7%) of late complications. In conclusion, >75% of respondents already implement SDD following EP interventions with a large heterogeneity with regard to specific procedures. Further research is needed to confirm or disprove existing and expected benefits and obstacles.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the rare variants in a cohort of Romanian index cases with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: Forty-five unrelated probands with HCM were screened by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) of 47 core and emerging genes connected with HCM. Results: We identified 95 variants with allele frequency < 0.1% in population databases. MYBPC3 and TTN had the largest number of rare variants (17 variants each). A definite genetic etiology was found in 6 probands (13.3%), while inconclusive results due to either known or novel variants were established in 31 cases (68.9%). All disease-causing variants were detected in sarcomeric genes (MYBPC3 and MYH7 with two cases each, and one case in TNNI3 and TPM1 respectively). Multiple variants were detected in 27 subjects (60%), but no proband carried more than one causal variant. Of note, almost half of the rare variants were novel. Conclusions: Herein we reported for the first time the rare variants identified in core and putative genes associated with HCM in a cohort of Romanian unrelated adult patients. The clinical significance of most detected variants is yet to be established, additional studies based on segregation analysis being required for definite classification.

Functional response to CRT at 1 year does not differ significantly between patients with or without kidney disease, and is an independent predictor of improved long-term survival in patients with renal dysfunction.