PREVENTING EMBOLIZATION IN INHERITED ARRHYTHMIA DISORDERS Pedro Brugada, MD, PhD. Chairman Cardiovascular Division UZ-Brussel, Brussels.

Why this topic? Inherited arrhythmia disorders: An unknown cause of potential embolization. Guidelines on atrial fibrillation give no recommendations at all regarding inherited arrhythmia disorders (exception: HCM, WPW). NOACs may not be refunded for patients that may benefit the most.

EMBOLIZATION IN INHERITED ARRHYTHMIA DISORDERS Atrial: ATRIAL FIBRILLATION – Familial atrial fibrillation – Short QT – Long QT – Brugada syndrome – HCM – PRKAG with HCM or CCM – ANP gene mutations

EMBOLIZATION IN INHERITED ARRHYTHMIA DISORDERS Ventricular: STRUCTURAL – Left ventricular non-compaction – Post-op right ventricular dysplasia

28 cM I:1I: cM 6.6 cM 0.5 cM FAMILIAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION REGION SHARED ON 10q2 AFFECTED NON AFFECTED DEAD Familial Atrial Fibrillation

Mean Age of Diagnosis18 years Range in age Diagnosis1-35 years EchocardiogramNormal Chronic AF 41/42 Asymptomatic36/42 Anticoagulation:0 No embolization known: Future? FAMILIAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION CLINICAL FEATURES Familial Atrial Fibrillation

SHORT QT syndrome. Atrial fibrillation in 40-45% of cases. Youngest reported case: In utero. No known embolization. Gussak, Brugada P, Brugada J, et al. Cardiology 2000

LONG QT SYNDROME Atrial fibrillation: Yes, but incidence unknown Embolization: No reports

BRUGADA SYNDROME Atrial fibrillation: 20-25% Embolization: Yes Youngest patients: 3-14 y

Spontaneous atrial arrhythmias Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or SSS may be the first manifestation of Brugada syndrome: AJMALINE TEST! Common cause of inappropriate ICD shocks: 14% of ICD recipients had inappropiate ICD shock because of asymptomatic, undiagnosed AF. Marker of higher risk and/or of disease progress ?

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN CHILDREN WITH BRUGADA SYNDROME 3/8 pts in 1992 paper were children with AF. 3/3 had SSS and were pacemaker dependent. 2/43 children had total atrial standstill. 1/43 with right and left atriomegally. 4/43 (10%) with atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Transient ischemic attack in a 71 year-old man

First consultation Patient comes for second opinion after TIA Admitted at local hospital during his holidays because of speech difficulties Rx: Aspirine, simvastatine Previous history: Appendicectomy. Similar episode 8 years ago.

Admission at University Hospital Full neurological examination: Normal. No carotid stenosis. CT, etc: Normal. Cerebral MRI: Multiple microembolisms Cardiological consultation: Normal, including TEE, Holter, troponine, etc. Diagnosis: Cryptogenic TIA

ECG

Medical report local hospital

ECG

ECGs at admission V1

Ajmaline test

TIA as a first manifestation of Brugada syndrome.

Follow-up ECGs

Follow-up DDD-ICD implanted. Ablation of cavo-tricuspid isthmus. Anticoagulation, sotalol. No recurrence of AF after 2 years.

EMBOLIZATION IN INHERITED ARRHYTHMIA DISORDERS Ventricular: STRUCTURE – Left ventricular non-compaction – Post-op right ventricular dysplasia

Left Ventricular Non-compaction.

Intratrabecular flow in LVNC

Atrial Fibrillation in a 16 year-old boy.

AA, born : diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction Rx: Metroprolol, asymptomatic. 3/2011: Atrial fibrillation with fatigue and dyspnea Rx: Sotalol (vomiting, low blood pressure) Amiodarone (hyperthyroidism) Verapamil, Lasix, Spirolactone, Warfarine.

Echocardiography DATELA (mm)LVEF (%)SPAP (mmHg) (B)573075

After optimal medical RX DATELA (mm)LVEF (%)SPAP (mmHg) (B) MI 3/4 !4095

After optimal medical therapy

Severe heart failure with caquexia Persistent atrial fibrillation Diagnosis of LV non compaction confirmed Severe mitral regurgitation with dilatation of the annulus en massive tricuspid insufficiency

The longer one waits to initiate a rhythm-control strategy, the harder it is to regain sinus rhythm 1 month P<.02 6 months P<.07 Electrical cardioversion 82% 36% Patients in sinus rhythm (%) 67% 27% <3m

Electroanatomical mapping

CRYOBALLOON ABLATION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Success rate of single procedure catheter ablation PAF ranges from 38% to 78%. Most series > 60%. Persistent AF ranges from 22% to 45%. Most centers < 30%. Success rate of mutiple procedure catheter ablation PAF ranges from 54% to 80%. Most series > 70%. Persistent AF ranges from 37% to 88%. Most centers around 50%. Centre for Heart and Vessel Disease, University Hospital Brussels

HYBRID THERAPY FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION Simultaneous endo and epicardial ablation. Combination of RF and cryoablation possible. Allows reduction of left atrium dimensions. Allows exclusion of the left atrial appendage. Can be combined with other procedures: Valve repair ICD implantation Success rate in persistent AF of 80-90%.

After CRT-D DATELA (mm)LVEF (%)SPAP (mmHg) (B) MI 3/4 ! MI 1/46260

After CRT-D

What about the future? Embolization Heart failure Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Best strategy to treat AF in inherited arrhythmia disorders? Medical: Disease specific therapies and disease specific pro-arrhythmic drugs. THE MIRROR-IMAGE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Electrical: Pacing for SSS. Ablation: RF ablation versus cryoablation. Surgical: Hybrid therapy for persistent AF.

ISSUES ABOUT ANTICOAGULATION IN INHERITED ARRHYTHMIA DISORDERS. IADs not diagnosed as the cause of AF. Incidence and prevalence of AF in IADs unclear. Indications for anticoagulation in IADs unclear. Role of CHADS2 and CHAD2DS2-VASC scores?

With AF, the younger you are the greater the risk? CHADS2y/risky to 100%

Conclusions Because of the low embolization score NOACs are not reimbursed for patients with IADs in spite of the high cumulative life-long risk. Studies to understand and guidelines on how to manage AF in IADs are urgently required. In young individuals with AF, and in those with a structurally normal heart, IADs have to be excluded as the cause of AF.