IIntroduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation requires a precise reconstruction of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PV). Model-based FAM (m-FAM) is a novel module recently developed for the CARTO system which applies machine-learning techniques to LA reconstruction. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a m-FAM guided AF ablation as well as the accuracy of LA reconstruction using the cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the same patient LA as gold standard, in 32 patients referred for AF ablation. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation. The m-FAM reconstruction was performed with the ablation catheter (Group 1) or a Pentaray catheter (Group 2). The reconstruction accuracy was confirmed prior to the ablation by verification of pre-specified landmarks of the LA and PVs by intracardiac echocardiogram (ICE) visualization and fluoroscopy. A cardiac CTA performed before the ablation was used as gold standard of LA anatomy. For each patient, the m-FAM reconstruction was compared to his/her cardiac CTA. Results: The m-FAM reconstruction was accurate in all patients regardless the catheter used for mapping. In 12% re acquisition of the LA landmarks was necessary to improve the accuracy. m-FAM time was shorter in group 2 while the M-Fam fluoroscopy time was similar. Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in 100% of patients without major complications. The m-FAM reconstructions accurately resemble the cardiac CTA of the same patients. Conclusions: The m-FAM module allows for rapid and precise reconstruction of the LA and PV anatomy, which can be safely used to guide AF ablation.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with adverse prognosis in various patient populations but currently no data is available about the prevalence and prognostic implication of TR in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. We investigated the possible implication of TR among STEMI patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and its relation to major clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Patients records were assessed for the prevalence and severity of TR, its relation to the clinical profile, key echocardiographic parameters, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term mortality. Patients with previous myocardial infarction or known previous TR were excluded. Results: The study included 1071 STEMI patients admitted between September 2011 and May 2016 (age 61 ± 13 years; predominantly male). A total of 205 patients (19%) had mild TR while another 32 (3%) had moderate or greater TR was 3% (n = 32). Patients with significant TR demonstrated worse echocardiographic parameters, more likely to have in-hospital complications and had higher long-term mortality (28% vs. 6%; p<0.001). Following adjustment for significant clinical and echocardiographic parameters, mortality hazard ratio (HR) of at least moderate to severe TR remained significant (2.44; 95% CI, 1.06-5.6; P = .036) for patients with moderate-severe TR. Conclusions: Among STEMI patients after primary PCI, the presence of moderate-severe TR was independently associated with adverse outcomes and significantly lower survival rate. Keywords: Tricuspid Regurgitation; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; percutaneous coronary intervention; cardiac intensive care unit; cardiac intensive care unit; echocardiography; valvular regurgitation.