Characterization of the semen microbiota of healthy stud dogs using 16S RNA sequencing

The reproductive microbiota of male dogs has never been investigated using culture-independent sequencing techniques. The purpose of the present study was to get seminal knowledge on the microbiota of the ejaculate. Specifically, factors as the fraction of the ejaculate, the sperm quality (normospermia, teratozoospermia), and the living environment were evaluated. The sperm-rich and the prostatic fractions of the ejaculate were collected from healthy stud dogs. Following the sperm analysis, samples from twenty animals (normospermic n = 10 and teratozoospermic n = 10) were stored at - 80 °C until further processing including DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha- (Shannon index) and beta- (Bray-Curtis, Unweighted UniFrac) diversities were assessed and compared (PERMANOVA) based on the group of samples (biological samples from the ejaculate and controls), the fraction of the ejaculate (sperm-rich and prostatic fractions), the animal group (normospermia and teratozoospermia), and the living environment of the animal (kennel or pet living in-house). The most abundant bacterial phyla in canine semen samples were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Overall, the dominant bacterial family was that of Pasteurellaceae The genus Mycoplasma was never detected. No differences in terms of bacterial composition were found based on the fraction of the ejaculate and based on the animal group (P > 0.05). On the other hand, differences in alpha and beta diversities were highlighted based on the living environment (P = 0.001). Overall, the results of the present study provide preliminary insights on dog semen microbiota, opening a new chapter in the field of canine andrology. Our results suggest that the environment may play a role in influencing the reproductive microbiota of male dogs and that the prostatic fraction of the ejaculate can be used for further research as a representative of the semen microbiota.

Systematic use of half normal saline during ablation of ventricular tachycardia in structural heart disease

BACKGROUND

Efficiency and safety of ablation using half normal saline (HNS) has been shown in refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT), but no evaluation in unselected larger populations has been made.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficiency and safety of systematic HNS ablation in VT ablation.

METHODS

All successive VT ablations in patients with structural heart disease from 2018 to 2021 used HNS in our center and were retrospectively included.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-seven successive VT ablation procedures using HNS have been performed in 148 patients (91% males, mean 64 ± 12 years, ischemic cardiomyopathy 64%, left ventricular ejection fraction 38 ± 13%). A mean of 19 ± 7.5 min of RF was delivered, with a mean power of 44 ± 7 W. Relevant complications happened in 9% (strokes 2%, tamponades 3%, atrioventricular block during septal ablations 5%). Over a mean follow-up of 15 ± 9 months, VT recurred in 46%. Final recurrence rate after one or several procedures was 36% (18 months follow-up). Number of VT episodes decreased from 14 ± 35 before to 2.5 ± 10 after ablation (p < .0001) and number of ICD shocks decreased from 4.8 ± 6.8 to 1.5 ± 0.8 (p = .027).

CONCLUSION

Systematic use of HNS during VT ablations in patients with structural heart disease leads to long-term recurrences rates and complications in the range of what is reported using normal saline. Although controlled studies are needed for demonstrating the superiority of such attitude, the use of HNS in every scar-related VT ablation seems safe for standard cases and may be furthermore useful in case of refractory arrhythmias due to difficult-to-ablate substrates.

A comparative study of canine epididymal sperm collection techniques and cryopreservation

Introduction

An optimized collection method and freezing protocol for preservation of epididymal spermatozoa remains a topic of interest to many scientists. The current study focused on the collection and preservation of canine epididymal spermatozoa. During the process of collection of canine epididymal spermatozoa, blood content can occur, which may affect sperm cryopreservation in a negative way. Here, we compared first two epididymal sperm collection techniques [epididymal mincing (EM) and single incision epididymal sperm aspiration (SESA)]; and next we tried to solve the issue of blood content using an erythrocyte lysis buffer (ELB).

Methods

Hence spermatozoa were collected after weighing the epididymides, either by EM or SESA, and sperm quality assessed prior to and post freezing (concentration, total sperm output (TSO), motility, viability and morphology). Next, new sperm samples were collected from eight epididymides by EM and subjected either to a standard freezing protocol or to an ELB treatment freezing protocol. Post-thaw sperm parameters (concentration, TSO, motility, viability and morphology), including intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The correlation between the weight of the epididymis and the TSO was evaluated based on the collection technique, and differences in sperm parameters were detected both within different collection techniques and between different pre-freezing treatment protocols.

Results

There was a very strong correlation between the weight of the epididymis and the TSO for the EM technique (p  =  0.002, R2 =  0.6), along with an increased sperm motility with EM compared to SESA (median 80%, inter-quartile range (IQR) 88-65 and median 67.5%, IQR 72.5-52.5, respectively; (p  =  0.002). Post-thaw samples subjected to ELB treatment freezing protocol had lower motility and higher intracellular ROS compared to the standard freezing protocol (motility: median 56.25%, IQR 60-48.75 and median 70%, IQR 72.5-63, respectively; p   =  0.01; ROS: median 78.5%, IQR 81.25-75.5 and median 70%, IQR 70.5-68.75, respectively; (p  =  0.04).

Discussion

The results indicated that EM is a better technique to harvest epididymal spermatozoa despite the presence of some blood content. Furthermore, the ELB treatment should not be implemented to remove those red blood cells prior to cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa in dogs.

Mito-Tempo improves acrosome integrity of frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa in tomcats

Introduction

In tomcats, epididymal spermatozoa provide an additional source of male gametes available for cryopreservation. While this procedure is feasible, the survival rate and motility of epididymal cat spermatozoa are both low after thawing. Cryopreservation is known to induce oxidative stress in spermatozoa, with mitochondria and the plasma membrane being the two major generation sites, and an imbalanced presence of free radicals is a possible cause for this low survival rate. Different antioxidants have been tested before for their effect on cryopreserved cat spermatozoa quality, with varying results. Here, we used Mito-Tempo, which is a synthetic mitochondria-targeted antioxidant and a specific scavenger of the mitochondrial superoxide system. By supplementing Mito-Tempo with the freezing extender, we aimed to improve the sperm quality of frozen-thawed cat epididymal spermatozoa.

Methods

Epididymal spermatozoa obtained from twelve tomcats were assessed for motility and concentration. Prior to freezing, samples were diluted in TRIS buffered extender with egg yolk and glycerol and divided into five aliquots supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5, 5, 50, and 1005M of Mito-Tempo. After thawing, sperm motility, concentration, morphology, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated. A Friedman rank sum test with a Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to determine statistical in-between group differences in post-thaw semen parameters.

Results and discussion

The results indicated a slight improvement in acrosome integrity across all groups that were supplemented with Mito-Tempo, with the group that received 55M of Mito-Tempo showing the greatest improvement [(median of 67.99%, IQR of 5.55) compared to the control group (median of 65.33%, IQR of 7.75; P = 0.05)]. For all other sperm parameters, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected between different Mito-Tempo concentrations. These findings highlight the protective effect of Mito-Tempo on acrosome integrity and suggest that 55M is the most effective concentration for maintaining acrosome integrity. Since Mito-Tempo has shown a positive effect on multiple sperm parameters in other species, such as men, boars, roosters, rams, and bulls, we need to conclude that species-specificity may play a role here.

Acute transvenous pacemaker lead thrombosis early after implantation: A rare clinical scenario

Symptomatic thrombus formation due to a permanent pacemaker (PM) lead is a rare complication. It could be associated with serious outcome and should be suspected in patients who present with unexplained right heart failure, dyspnea, or syncope following dual-chamber PM implantation. A timely decision to perform an echocardiographic examination, followed by medical, thrombolytic, or surgical treatment can be necessary. We describe the case of an 84-year-old man who presented with syncope and hypotension a few days after PM implantation. A transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mobile mass in the right atrium attached to the pacemaker lead. Intravenous heparin allowed a complete resolution of the thrombus.

Survival, ventricular arrhythmia, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator usefulness in toxic cardiomyopathy due to substance abuse

BACKGROUND

Toxic dilated cardiomyopathy (T-DCM) due to substance abuse is now recognized as a potential cause of severe left ventricular dysfunction. The burden of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and the role of a prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are not well documented in this population. We aim to assess the usefulness of ICD implantation in a T-DCM cohort.

METHODS

Patients younger than 65 years with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% followed at a tertiary center heart failure (HF) clinic between January 2003 and August 2019 were screened for inclusion. The diagnosis of T-DCM was confirmed after excluding other etiologies, and substance abuse was established according to the DSM-5 criteria. The composite primary endpoints were arrhythmic syncope, sudden cardiac death (SCD), or death of unknown cause. The secondary endpoints were the occurrence of sustained VA and/or appropriate therapies in ICD carriers.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were identified, and an ICD was implanted in 19 (50%) of these patients, only one for secondary prevention. The primary outcome was similar between the two groups (ICD vs. non-ICD; p = 1.00). After a mean follow-up of 33 ± 36 months, only two VA episodes were reported in the ICD group. Three patients received inappropriate ICD therapies. One ICD implantation was complicated with cardiac tamponade. Twenty-three patients (61%) had an LVEF ≥35% at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

VA are infrequent in the T-DCM population. The prophylactic ICD benefit was not observed in our cohort. The ideal timing for potential prophylactic ICD implantation in this population needs further studies.

Superior vena cava tear during transvenous lead extraction: Medical management in hemodynamically stable patients

INTRODUCTION

Superior vena cava (SVC) tear is the most lethal complication during transvenous lead extraction (TLE) with a mortality rate as high as 50%. Treatment involves aggressive attempts to maintain cardiac output and immediate sternotomy to localize and repair the vascular tear. Occlusion balloons have been developed to provisionally occlude the lacerated SVC and to provide hemodynamic stability allowing time for surgery. In case of mediastinal hematoma without hemodynamic instability, the strategy remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We describe two cases of SVC tear during TLE. The first case was a 60-year-old man who presented with a right ventricular single-chamber defibrillator lead fracture and innominate vein stenosis. The RV lead was removed using a laser sheath causing a mediastinal hematoma with no active bleeding during surgical exploration few hours later. The second case was a 28-year-old man that presented with a right atrial (RA) lead fracture and RV lead insulation failure in a dual-chamber defibrillator (ICD).

CONCLUSION

Both the RA and RV leads were removed with mechanical sheaths, and a mediastinal hematoma was medically managed.

Correlations Between Endocardial Voltage Mapping, Diagnosis, and Genetics in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

The relations between endocardial voltage mapping and the genetic background of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) have not been investigated so far. A total of 97 patients with proved or suspected ARVC who underwent 3-dimensional endocardial mapping and genetic testing have been retrospectively included. Presence, localization, and size of scar areas were correlated to ARVC diagnosis and the presence of a pathogenic variant. A total of 78 patients (80%) presented with some bipolar or unipolar scar on endocardial voltage mapping, whereas 43 carried pathogenic variants (44%). Significant associations were observed between presence of endocardial scars on voltage mapping and previous or inducible ventricular tachycardia, right ventricular function and dimensions, or electrocardiogram features of ARVC. A total of 60 of the 78 patients (77%) with an endocardial scar fulfilled the criteria for a definitive arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia diagnosis versus 8 of 19 patients (42%) without scar (p = 0.003). Patients with a definitive diagnosis of ARVC had more scars from any location and the scars were larger in patients with ARVC. In the 68 patients with a definitive diagnosis of ARVC, the presence of any endocardial scar was similar whether an ARVC-causal mutation was present or not. Only scar extent was significantly greater in patients with pathogenic variants. There was no difference in the presence and characteristics of scars in PKP2 mutated versus other mutated patients. The 3-dimensional endocardial mapping could have an important role for refining ARVC diagnosis and may be able to detect minor forms with otherwise insufficient criteria for diagnosis. The trend for larger scar extent were observed in mutated patients, without any difference according to the mutated genes.

Hemodynamical consequences and tolerance of sustained ventricular tachycardia

AIMS

Factors underlying clinical tolerance and hemodynamic consequences of monomorphic sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) need to be clarified.

METHODS

Intra-arterial pressures (IAP) during VT were collected in patients admitted for VT ablation and correlated to clinical, ECG and baseline echocardiographical parameters.

RESULTS

114 VTs from 58 patients were included (median 67 years old, 81% ischemic heart disease, median left ventricular ejection fraction 30%). 61 VTs were untolerated needing immediate termination (54%). VT tolerance was tightly linked to the evolution of IAPs. Faster VT rates (p<0.0001), presence of resynchronization therapy (p = 0.008), previous anterior myocardial infarction (p = 0.009) and more marginally larger baseline QRS duration (p = 0.1) were independently associated with VT tolerance. Only an inferior myocardial infarction was more often present in patients with only tolerated VTs vs patients with only untolerated VTs in multivariate analysis (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4-1000, p = 0.03). In patients with both well-tolerated and untolerated VTs, a higher VT rate was the only variable independently associated with untolerated VT (p = 0.02). Two different patterns of hemodynamic profiles during VT could be observed: a regular 1:1 relationship between electrical (QRS) and mechanical (IAP) events or some dissociation between both. VT with the second pattern were more often untolerated compared to the first pattern (78% vs 29%, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study helps to explain the large variability in clinical tolerance during VT, which is clearly related to IAP. VT tolerance may be linked to resynchronization therapy, VT rate, baseline QRS duration and location of myocardial infarction.

Correlations between endocardial voltage mapping, diagnosis and genetic in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Background

The relations between voltage mapping and diagnosis or genetic background of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) have not been investigated so far.

Objective

To investigate if diagnosis or genetic background were linked to voltage mapping in ARVC.

Method

97 patients with proved or suspected ARVC undergoing 3D endocardial mapping and genetic testing have been retrospectively included. Presence, localisation and extension of low voltage areas were correlated to ARVC diagnosis and presence of a culprit mutation.

Results

68 patients (70%) fulfilled ARVC diagnosis according to the Task Force criteria and 43 (44%) had ARVC-causal mutations. 78 (80%) presented with some bipolar or unipolar endocardial scar. 60/ 78 patients with endocardial scar (77%) fulfilled the criteria for a definitive ARVC diagnosis versus 8/19 patients without scar (42%) (p=0.003).

In the 68 patients with a definitive diagnosis of ARVC, the presence of endocardial scar was similar whether an ARVC-causal mutation was present or not (35/40 vs 25/28, p=ns). While there was slightly more infero-lateral scars in patients carrying a pathogenic genetic variant (34/40 vs 18/28, p=0.04), there was no difference for right ventricular outflow tract (24/40 vs 17/28) and apical scars (12/40 vs 11/28) or for multiple scars (26/35 vs 14/25 patients with scars). Scar extension was greater in patients with pathogenic variants (bipolar 12±10 vs 6±10%, p=0.02, and unipolar 22±13 vs 12±15%, p=0.01).

Conclusion

3D endocardial mapping could have an important role for refining ARVC diagnosis. Trends for larger and more infero-lateral scars were observed in mutated patients, without difference according to the mutated genes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Vergelijking van twee kleuringsmethoden ter beoordeling van vaginale uitstrijkjes bij hond en kat

Vaginale cytologie is een nuttige diagnostische techniek vanwege de eenvoud en mogelijkheid om snel resultaten te verkrijgen. De voornaamste aanleiding voor het nemen van een uitstrijkje is het bepalen van het cyclusstadium bij teven. Het beoordelen van het staal gebeurt meestal door middel van een Diff-Quick (DQ)-kleuring, waarbij het in de praktijk niet altijd zo eenvoudig is om verhoornde of gekeratiniseerde cellen te differentiëren van niet-verhoornde. De Harris-Shorr (HS)-kleuring daarentegen is in staat cellen die keratineprecursoren bevatten, te differentiëren van overige celtypes, maar is omslachtig. In dit onderzoek werd een nieuwe, vereenvoudigde Harris-Shorr-kleuring vergeleken met de gebruikelijke Diff-Quick-methode. Uit de vergelijkende studie blijkt dat de correlatie tussen de verhoornde cellen (DQ) enerzijds en de som van de volledig rode cellen en >50% rode cellen (HS) anderzijds duidelijk positief is (rs (72) = 0,574 (p < 0,001)). Bijgevolg kan deze gemodificeerde Harris-Shorr-kleuring een meerwaarde betekenen in praktijkomstandigheden.

Influence of Single Layer Centrifugation with Canicoll on Semen Freezability in Dogs

Simple Summary

Freezing dog semen is not always possible due to low quality sperm or poor survival during freezing. In order to make this assisted reproductive technique available to a larger number of dogs, this study investigated the benefit of selecting the best spermatozoa before freezing using single layer centrifugation (SLC). The results indicated that this technique was effective in separating spermatozoa according to their quality, although this resulted in losing some good quality spermatozoa. After thawing, spermatozoa centrifuged by SLC were of better quality than after standard centrifugation. However, spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen did not survive freezing as well as spermatozoa from semen of optimal quality, even after SLC. Single layer centrifugation, therefore, makes it possible to obtain better quality spermatozoa after thawing but is not sufficient on its own to improve the inferior freezing ability of spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen. So far, eighteen pups were born after insemination with SLC-selected frozen-thawed semen, proving that these selected spermatozoa remain fertile.

Abstract

This study evaluated how semen selection by single layer centrifugation (SLC) with Canicoll affects semen freezability in dogs. A total of eighteen ejaculates, collected from dogs with optimal and suboptimal semen quality (optimal: normal morphology (NM) ≥ 80%, n = 9; suboptimal: NM between 60 and 79%, n = 9), were divided into two aliquots and subjected to standard centrifugation or SLC before cryopreservation. Motility, NM, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity were improved in fresh samples after SLC, regardless of semen quality, but at the expense of some good quality spermatozoa. After thawing, NM and membrane integrity were improved in SLC-selected semen in both semen qualities. Interestingly, MMP was also higher but only in optimal quality semen. Still, spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen did not survive freezing to the same extent as spermatozoa from optimal quality semen, even after selecting superior spermatozoa. Semen selection with Canicoll is, therefore, an effective technique to isolate a subpopulation of high-quality spermatozoa and obtain sperm samples of better quality after thawing, but is not sufficient to improve the intrinsic inferior freezability of suboptimal quality semen. So far, eighteen pups were born after insemination with SLC-selected frozen-thawed semen, proving that these selected spermatozoa remain fertile.

Sperm Gone Smart: A Portable Device (iSperm®) to Assess Semen Concentration and Motility in Dogs

The iSperm® is a portable device for semen analysis. This study aimed to investigate its correlation with a conventional computer-assisted sperm analyzer (ISAS®v1) for the assessment of semen concentration and kinematic parameters in dogs (n = 224). The intra-assay variability of both devices and their ability to estimate semen concentration at a fixed value of 40 × 106/mL were also investigated. Results showed that the intra-assay variability was lower for the ISAS®v1 for all parameters compared to the iSperm®. Hence, iSperm® estimates were more variable in-between fields. Both the iSperm® and the ISAS®v1 were not reliable in estimating semen concentration (ISAS®v1: median 30 × 106/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 12, p < 0.01; iSperm®: median 35.12 × 106/mL, IQR 11.11, p < 0.01). Finally, positive correlations were found between both devices with stronger correlations obtained when four fields were analyzed by the iSperm®. However, the low number of spermatozoa analyzed per field and the inability to avoid artifacts are downsides that currently limit the reliability of the iSperm®. Therefore, the software of iSperm® needs some improvement to make it a valid and practical alternative to automated computerized systems for the analysis of canine semen.

Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone: A Potential Semen Quality Biomarker in Stud Dogs?

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been suggested to be involved in spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood serum AMH concentration and semen quality in dogs. Moreover, this study sought to find the optimal cut-off point value of serum AMH with the greatest sensitivity and specificity to predict semen quality. Forty-five clinically healthy dogs were included in the study and their age as well as the following semen parameters were determined and correlated to serum AMH concentration: total sperm output, normal morphology, plasma membrane integrity, total motility, progressive motility, and velocity parameters. Statistical analysis for correlations were performed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Moderate negative associations were found between serum AMH and semen total motility (r = −0.38, p = 0.01), progressive motility (r = −0.36, p = 0.01), and normal morphology (r = −0.36, p= 0.02). Based on these associations, an AMH concentration of 5.54 µg/L was found to be the optimal cut-off point value to obtain the greatest summation of sensitivity (86%) and specificity (63%) to predict semen quality. The serum AMH assay may therefore be a potential hormonal marker to predict which dogs would require further semen analysis. Future research is however needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in patients with primary hemostasis disorders and atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND OR PURPOSE

We report our single-center experience with percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and primary hemostasis disorders (HD).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with primary HD who underwent a percutaneous LAAC were included. Baseline characteristics, procedural data, and clinical outcomes were prospectively collected and compared with the overall LAAC cohort without HD.

RESULTS

Since 2013, among 229 LAAC, 17 patients (7%) had a primary HD: thrombocytopenia (n = 5), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 6), von Willebrand syndrome (n = 4), type A hemophilia (n = 1), and dysfibrinogenemia (n = 1). The HD population's age ranged from 61 to 87 years, and the median CHA₂DS₂VASc was 5. Periprocedural plasmatic management was required in 47% of patients. The immediate LAAC implantation success rate was 100%. Patients received a direct oral anticoagulant (DOA) (n = 9), dual antiplatelet (n = 6), aspirin (n = 1), or no therapy (n = 1) during the first six postoperative weeks, followed with single antiplatelet (n = 16) or no therapy (n = 1) during lifelong. After 20 months, the technical success rate and procedural success rate were 100% and 94%. Zero device-/procedure-related complication and only one life-threatening bleeding occurred. Compared to patients without HD (n = 212), a baseline history of bleeding was less frequent (53% vs 91%, p < 0.001), and more patients received a perioperative blood transfusion (47% vs 4%, p < 0.001) in the HD group. The efficacy and safety outcomes did not differ between HD and non-HD cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous LAAC in primary HD carriers appeared as safe and as effective as in overall LAAC population for stroke and bleeding prevention at midterm follow-up. Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation and primary hemostasis disorders. The percutaneous LAAC in primary hemostasis disorders and AF carriers requires a multidisciplinary approach. Cardiologist, anesthesiologist, and hematologist discussion is a cornerstone to assess anticoagulant contraindication, LAAC feasibility, periprocedural management, and follow-up (high). This multidisciplinary care is illustrated by the case of a 61-year-old male with hemophilia type A and recurrent hemarthrosis. Pre-LAAC assessment confirmed procedural indication and cactus LAA anatomy (left). After plasmatic management with factor VIII infusion, a WATCHMAN™ no. 21 was successfully implanted (middle). During follow-up, without antithrombotic regime, no ischemic or hemorrhagic complication occurred (right). LAA, left atrial appendage; LAAC, left atrial appendage closure; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography. Percutaneous LAAC in primary HD carriers appeared as safe and as effective as in overall LAAC population for stroke and bleeding prevention at midterm follow-up.

Lead extraction of an unintentional pacemaker lead implantation in the left ventricle from the left subclavian artery

INTRODUCTION

Inadvertent implantation from the subclavian/axillary arteries is uncommon and has been rarely reported. Complications are frequent, mainly driven by thromboembolic events. Lead extraction, depending on the dwell time may be challenging and associated with thromboembolic events Case Report: We report the case of an 87-year-old man who had involuntarily pacemaker lead implanted into the left ventricle through the left subclavian artery. An extraction procedure was performed with surgical dissection to the artery and simple traction of the probe without complication.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous lead extraction using surgical dissection is a therapeutic option for less than one year old left ventricle inadvertent lead implantation.

Gonadectomie 2.0: nieuwe inzichten over de langetermijneffecten bij honden

Argumenten tegen gonadectomie worden steeds vaker gehoord. Nieuwe studies tonen immers aan dat de ingreep voor de hond negatieve gevolgen kan hebben die op het eerste zicht niet rechtstreeks met het weghalen van de gonaden of de geslachtshormonen verband houden. In het voorliggende overzichtsartikel wordt de huidige literatuur over de langetermijngevolgen van gonadectomie op de gezondheid van de hond beschreven. De belangrijkste reden voor het ovariëctomiseren van een teef is de afname van het risico op pyometra en mammatumoren in vergelijking met intacte teven. De beschermende werking tegen mammatumoren is de reden waarom de operatie vaak op jonge leeftijd uitgevoerd wordt. Echter, in recent onderzoek werd aangetoond dat gewrichtsproblemen en bepaalde niet-genitale neoplasieën vaker voorkomen bij honden na gonadectomie, vooral bij prepuberaal geopereerde dieren. De resultaten van deze studies tonen grote rasverschillen aan, waardoor een algemeen advies over gonadectomie voor de hele hondenpopulatie niet realistisch is. De evolutie naar een ‘advies op maat’ dringt zich op.

Relationships between left ventricular mass and QRS duration in diverse types of left ventricular hypertrophy

AIMS

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may be associated with very narrow QRS, while left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may increase QRS duration. We investigated the relationships between QRS duration and LV mass (LVM) in subtypes of abnormal LV wall thickness.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Automated measurement of LVM on MRI was correlated to automated measurement of QRS duration on ECG in HCM, left ventricular non compaction (LVNC), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and controls with healthy hearts. Uni and multivariate analyses were performed between groups including explanatory variables expected to influence LVM and QRS duration. The relationships between QRS duration and LVM were further studied within each group. Two hundred and twenty-one HCM, 28 LVNC, 16 LVH, and 40 controls were retrospectively included. Mean QRS duration was 92 ms for HCM, 104 for LVNC, 110 for LVH, and 92 for controls (P < 0.01). Mean LVM was 100, 90, 108, and 68 g/m2 (P < 0.01). QRS duration, LVM, hypertension, maximal wall thickness, and late gadolinium enhancement were significantly linked to HCM in multivariate analysis (w/wo bundle branch block). An independent negative correlation was found between LVM and QRS duration in the HCM group, while the relationship was reverse in LVNC, LVH, and controls.

CONCLUSION

QRS duration increases with LVM in LVNC, LVH, or in healthy hearts, while reverse relationship is present in HCM. These relationships were independent from other parameters. These results warrant additional investigations for refining diagnosis criteria for HCM in the future.

Relations between voltage mapping and diagnosis and genetics in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Introduction

Relations between voltage mapping and diagnosis or genetic background in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) have not been investigated so far.

Objective

We investigate if diagnosis or genetic background were linked to voltage mapping in ARVC.

Method

70 patients with proved or suspected ARVC undergoing 3D endocardial mapping and genetic testing have been retrospectively included. Localisation and extension of bipolar low voltage areas were correlated to ARVC diagnosis and presence of a culprit mutation.

Results

44/70 fulfilled ARVC Task Force criteria and 25/70 had culprit mutations. Endocardial (38/44 vs 16/26, p=0.02) and especially infero-lateral scars (31/44 vs 9/26, p=0.003) were more often present in patients fulfilling Task force criteria vs suspected ARVC, with larger scars (area 23±27 vs 8±11 cm2, p=0.04, perimeter 17±10 vs 11±7 cm, p=0.03) (sensitivity 86%). Mutated patients had more infero-lateral (19/25 vs 21/45, p=0.01), multiple (12/20 vs 11/34, p=0.04) and larger scars (perimeter 21±10 vs 12±7 cm, p=0.01) vs non mutated patients. In patients with ARVC diagnosed according to the Task Force criteria, there was a trend toward more infero-lateral (p=0.09) and larger scars (p=0.08) in mutated cases. PKP2-mutated cases tended to have less ourflow tract (p=0.08) and less multiple scars (p=0.09) vs other mutations.

Conclusion

3D endocardial mapping could have an important role for ARVC diagnosis and may be able to detect minor forms with otherwise insufficiant criteria for diagnosis. More frequent and larger infero-lateral scars are present in mutated patients with bordeline differences according to the mutated genes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Semen donation and establishment of an open canine semen bank: a novel tool to prevent inbreeding in pedigree dogs

At present, only 5% of pedigree dogs is being used for breeding. To increase the number of breeding dogs, one solution could be to start a canine semen bank based on the principle of semen donation, like in humans. Many dog owners have no desire to become dog breeders but are willing to preserve the genetic material of their dog, if offered this possibility. However, not all canine ejaculates are suitable for cryopreservation as the initial quality may differ and the resistance of sperm cells to survive the freezing procedure is highly variable. In order to freeze the semen of as many male dogs as possible, it is important to optimize and individualize the cryopreservation protocol per ejaculate. Practically, frozen semen can be stored in the CanIfreeze-semen bank or in veterinary practices adjacent to the owner of the bitch and can be used for insemination at a later time.

Who are patients classified within the new terminology of heart failure from the 2016 ESC guidelines?

Aims

The main terminology used to describe heart failure (HF) is based on measurement of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). LVEF in the range of 40–49% was recently defined as HF with mid‐range EF (HFmrEF) by the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical profile and prognosis of patients with HF according to this new classification.

Methods and results

A total of 482 patients referred for HF were retrospectively included over a period of 1 year. There were 258 (53%), 115 (24%), and 109 (23%) patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), HFmrEF, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), respectively. Patient age increased, whereas left block bundle branch, brain natriuretic peptide level, and the use of beta‐blocker and furosemide decreased from HFrEF to HFpEF. After adjustment for the age, patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF were more likely to have NYHA stage 2 dyspnea, had a higher systolic blood pressure, were less likely to have spironolactone, had lower furosemide dose, and had lower haemoglobin than those with HFrEF. Cardiovascular risk factors and medical history were similar in the three groups of patients. There was a 33% death rate after a mean follow‐up of 32.2 ± 14.3 months. The survival was the same among patients whatever the group of HF (P = 0.884).

Conclusions

Patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF share the same cardiovascular risk factors, medical history, and prognosis. Patients with HFmrEF have a different clinical profile, which is nearly the same as patients with HFpEF, except for sex. These results question the relevance of this new classification of HF to stimulate research into this new group of patients.