Suchergebnisse

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment of patients with moderate and severe heart failure (HF) who were resistant to pharmacotherapy in Latvia and to assess the cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) by exploring the predisposing factors which provides CRT efficacy. We accomplished prospective analysis of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and other parameter changes 12 and 24 months after CRT device implantation, dividing the population into two groups: responders — to whom LVEF improvement was ≥10% and non-responders where ≥ 10% LVEF improvement was not achieved. The study included 50 chronic HF patients with preserved sinus rhythm, who underwent CRT device implantation in Latvia at the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital from June 2009 to March 2012. In the group of patients where 12 and 24 months after CRT device implantation LVEF improvement ≥10% was achieved, there were statistically significantly more patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) QRS morphology, wider QRS complex, nonischemic genesis of HF, and normal systolic blood pressure. Patients with LVEF improvement had more pronounced ventricular dyssynchrony measured by Echo before CRT device implantation and, accordingly, the CRT mode was programmed as left ventricle paced before right ventricle and close to 100% biventricular pacing was achieved and the patient was female.

Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is one of major risk factors of cerebral infarction. The use of oral anticoagulants is the only evidence-based method of reducing the risk of cardioembolic accidents. The guidelines of oral anticoagulant admission and usage have been available since 2012. The results of this study show that of 550 stroke patients that were admitted to Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Rīga, Latvia, from 1 January 2014 until 1 July 2014, atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in 247 (45%) cases, and of these patients, only 8.5% used oral anticoagulants before the onset of stroke. Six months after discharge of 111 (44.9%) stroke survivors, five (4.5%) used no secondary prevention medication, 27 (24.3%) used antiplatelet agents, 54 (48.6%) warfarin, and 25 (22.5%) used target specific oral anticoagulants (TSOACs). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the patient group that used no secondary prevention medication or antiplatelet agents compared to the patient group that used oral anticoagulants. The use of oral anticoagulants for primary stroke prevention in Latvia is insufficient. The mortality of cardioembolic stroke in 180 days is very high - 40.4%. Secondary prevention is essential to prevent recurrent cardioembolic accidents.

Abstract
Patients with atrial fibrillation are faced with an increased risk of thromboembolic events, myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure and death. For some patients with atrial fibrillation, direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is a strategy that can be used to reacquire sinus rhythm. Our aim was to analyse the most commonly used medications after an electrical cardioversion, the reasons for not using them, the effects of pharmacotherapy on recurrence rates, and compare results with data from studies in 2014. The prospective study includes patients with electrocardiographically confirmed atrial fibrillation who underwent direct current cardioversion, hospitalised at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (Rīga, Latvia). The average age was 64.6 years. 50% of the patients were female. During the six-month study period, 14.3% patients were using amiodarone, 8.3% patients were on etacizine, 7.1% received propafenone, and 57.1% used beta blockers in monotherapy or in combination. Warfarin was used in 28.0% patients, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC's) in 29.9%, 21,4% of patients received aspirin and 16.7% did not use any antithrombotic therapy. Comparing the recurrence rate in patients using different antiarrhythmic drugs, amiodarone showed a statistically significant superiority compared to etacizine and propafenone (p = 0.02). The obtained data showed that over four years, the use of anticoagulants increased by 11.6%.

Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) conversion to sinus rhythm by electrical cardioversion (ECV) is followed by the challenge of preventing arrhythmia recurrence, especially in high-risk patients. The properties of class IC, class III and also class II antiarrhythmic medications have been established, but not all effects have been studied. The aim of the study was to compare efficacy of class IC and class III antiarrhythmic medications, and additionally medication with a class II mechanism of action, or taken concomitantly with a beta-blocker, for post-cardioversion sinus rhythm maintenance in patients with high-risk AF. A total of 112 patients who underwent successful ECV in Latvian Centre of Cardiology were included. Data was acquired by a face-to-face interview and 1-, 3-, 6-month follow-up interviews. Comparing class IC (used by 34.8%) and class III (used by 65.2%) drugs, there was no statistically significant difference between six-month sinus rhythm maintenance rates (53.8% vs. 63.0%, p = 0.346) and arrhythmia-free survival (p = 0.313). Comparing amiodarone (used by 57.1%) and ethacizine, concurrently with a beta-blocker (used by 25.9%), no statistically significant difference was found between six-month sinus rhythm maintenance (64.1% vs. 58.6%, p = 0.616) and arrhythmia-free survival (p = 0.706). The results showed that specific antiarrhythmic drug choice was not associated with superior effectiveness, highlighting that, if not contraindicated, ethacizine, concomitantly with a beta-blocker, could be used as a similarly effective alternative for amiodarone, which has adverse health effects.

Abstract
The cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) survey II is a joint initiative between the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Failure Association. It compiles real world data about cardiac resynchronisation therapy in European Society of Cardiology member states. 11 088 patients assigned to implantation of CRT with pacemaker function (CRT-P) or CRT with an incorporated defibrillator (CRT-D) were enrolled in the survey starting 1 October 2015 till 31 December 2016 and for each patient, an electronic case report form (eCRF) was completed. Each participating country had each eCRF data-point benchmarked against the total cohort. In total, 79 patients were included from Latvia. The mean age of patients was 68.1, similar to the total cohort of other ESC member states, and 21.8% of patients were female. Latvian patients compared to other countries more often had permanent atrial fibrillation, NYHA class III and IV, ejection fraction 35 %. CRT-Ds and multipolar lead implantation rates were higher. Peri-procedural complication rates were similarly low in both groups. At discharge, prescribed medication rates were similar but more frequently MRAs, ivabradine and calcium channel blockers were prescribed and slightly less frequently ACE inhibitors/ARBs were prescribed. The CRT survey II is a valuable resource that describes ongoing practice of cardiac resynchronisation therapy around Europe and benchmarking against the total cohort is nationally significant for each participating country.