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Heidi Estner

Bio: Heidi Estner is an academic researcher from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catheter ablation & Atrial fibrillation. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 49 publications receiving 582 citations.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This expert consensus statement task force was set down to raise awareness of using the right risk assessment tool for a given outcome in a given population, and to provide physicians with practical proposals that may lead to rational and evidence-based risk assessment and improvement of patient care in this regard.

62 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Use of CF catheters in PVI has a beneficial effect on procedural parameters, probably by improving efficacy of transmural lesion formation, suggesting more efficient lesion creation by CF-guided ablation.
Abstract: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an established procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). New techniques are necessary to improve procedural parameters like shortening of procedure duration. Real-time contact force (CF) catheters are new tools aiming to improve PVI by optimizing electrode–tissue contact and generating more effective lesions. Objective of this study was to investigate the influence on procedural parameters and clinical outcome by using a CF catheter for PVI. PVI was performed on 67 consecutive patients using a CF catheter (n = 32) or a standard ablation catheter (SAC, n = 35). Study endpoints included number of energy applications, impedance drop, fluoroscopy time, and left atrial (LA) procedure time and freedom from AF after 6 and 12 months. Procedural endpoint was reached in all patients with a similar clinical outcome (freedom from AF) in both groups 6 months (62.9 vs. 62.5 %) and 12 months post PVI (59.4 vs. 62.9 % in CF vs. SAC group, respectively). However, CF-guided ablation resulted in a greater fall of impedance (6.58 ± 0.33 vs. 9.09 ± 0.53 Ω, *** p < 0.001), lower number of energy applications (44.20 ± 3.67 vs. 34.06 ± 3.11, * p < 0.05), reduction of LA procedure time (95.52 ± 7.35 vs. 78.08 ± 7.23* min) and a significant reduction of fluoroscopy time (51.4 ± 3.3 vs. 33.0 ± 2.7*** min). In addition, a detailed analysis showed a significant correlation between quantitative impedance drop and amount of CF applied, suggesting more efficient lesion creation by CF-guided ablation. Use of CF catheters in PVI has a beneficial effect on procedural parameters, probably by improving efficacy of transmural lesion formation.

58 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
22 Feb 2016-Europace
TL;DR: Bleeding events were statistically less frequent in patients on NOACs compared with vitamin K antagonists and the education level and patients' knowledge have a direct influence on the global management of the anticoagulation.
Abstract: The purpose of this patient survey was to analyse the knowledge about blood thinning medications relative to gender, age, education, and region of residence in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 1147 patients with AF [mean age 66 ± 13 years, 529 (45%) women] from eight European countries responded to this survey. Most patients understood that the indication for anticoagulation therapy was to ‘thin the blood’, but 8.1% responded that the purpose of the medication was to treat the arrhythmia. Patients with college or university grades reported less frequent deviations from their target INR range compared with those without schooling (2.8% vs. 5.1%, P < 0.05). The awareness of anticoagulation-related risk of bleedings was lowest in patients without schooling (38.5%) and highest in those with college and university education (57.0%), P < 0.05. The same pattern was also observed regarding patient's awareness of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs): 56.5% of the patients with university education and only 20.5% of those without schooling ( P < 0.05) knew about NOACs, indicating that information about new anticoagulation therapies remains well below the target. Bleeding events were statistically less frequent in patients on NOACs compared with vitamin K antagonists. The education level and patients' knowledge have a direct influence on the global management of the anticoagulation.

54 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2016-Europace
TL;DR: The survey shows that there is room for improvement regarding education and adherence of patients taking OACs, particularly regarding monitoring requirements for NOACs.
Abstract: The purpose of this European Heart Rhythm Association survey was to assess the attitude, level of education, and knowledge concerning oral anticoagulants (OACs) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) or antiplatelets. A total of 1147 patients with AF [mean age 66 ± 13 years, 529 (45%) women] from 8 selected European countries responded to this survey. The overall use of OACs and antiplatelets was 77 and 15.3%, respectively. Of the patients taking OACs, 67% were on VKAs, 33% on NOACs, and 17.9% on a combination of OACs and antiplatelets. Among patients on VKAs, 91% correctly stated the target international normalized ratio (INR) level. The proportion of patients on VKA medication who were aware that monthly INR monitoring was required for this treatment and the proportion of patients on NOAC who knew that renal function monitoring at least annually was mandatory for NOACs was 76 and 21%, respectively. An indirect estimation of compliance indicated that 14.5% of patients temporarily discontinued the treatment, and 26.5% of patients reported having missed at least one dose. The survey shows that there is room for improvement regarding education and adherence of patients taking OACs, particularly regarding monitoring requirements for NOACs.

48 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 May 2016-Europace
TL;DR: The recurrence rate of ventricular arrhythmias in iVF survivors is high and recurrence might occur delayed (>7 years after the initial event), and ERP seems to be highly predictive with respect to early arrhythmia recurrence.
Abstract: Aims Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (iVF) accounts for up to 14% of VF incidence. Data regarding long-term outcome and clinical risk markers of arrhythmia recurrence are scarce. The objective of our study was to describe a long-term follow-up (FU) of a cohort of iVF survivors in our centre during the past 20 years, and to investigate the influence of clinical parameters, e.g. presence of an early repolarization pattern (ERP), on recurrence rate of arrhythmias. Methods and results Thirty-five iVF survivors were identified and retrospectively analysed regarding recurrent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interventions and covariates potentially influencing arrhythmia recurrence. Appropriate ICD interventions occurred in 15 patients (43%) after a median of 6.6 years during a median FU period of 8.8 years. Two patients (13%) received the first appropriate therapy after an assumed average ICD battery longevity of 7 years, while in all other patients, the first therapy occurred within the first ICD period. Appropriate interventions were observed more often and earlier in patients with ERP (HR 3.9; 1.4–11.0; P = 0.01), whereas all other covariates failed to predict subsequent events. A high incidence of inappropriate ICD therapies (67 interventions in 14 patients) could be attributed to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (66% of all inappropriate therapies). Conclusion The recurrence rate of ventricular arrhythmias in iVF survivors is high and recurrence might occur delayed (>7 years after the initial event). ERP seems to be highly predictive with respect to early arrhythmia recurrence. Our results highlight that better pathophysiologic understanding of ERP might facilitate a better risk stratification before and an optimal treatment after an iVF event. The high rate of AF and ERP in iVF survivors might indicate an underlying heart disease or myocardial electrical disorder not apparent at the index event. [10.1093/europace/euv322][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1093/europace/euv322

43 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: March 5, 2019 e1 WRITING GROUP MEMBERS Emelia J. Virani, MD, PhD, FAHA, Chair Elect On behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee.
Abstract: March 5, 2019 e1 WRITING GROUP MEMBERS Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, FAHA, Chair Paul Muntner, PhD, MHS, FAHA, Vice Chair Alvaro Alonso, MD, PhD, FAHA Marcio S. Bittencourt, MD, PhD, MPH Clifton W. Callaway, MD, FAHA April P. Carson, PhD, MSPH, FAHA Alanna M. Chamberlain, PhD Alexander R. Chang, MD, MS Susan Cheng, MD, MMSc, MPH, FAHA Sandeep R. Das, MD, MPH, MBA, FAHA Francesca N. Delling, MD, MPH Luc Djousse, MD, ScD, MPH Mitchell S.V. Elkind, MD, MS, FAHA Jane F. Ferguson, PhD, FAHA Myriam Fornage, PhD, FAHA Lori Chaffin Jordan, MD, PhD, FAHA Sadiya S. Khan, MD, MSc Brett M. Kissela, MD, MS Kristen L. Knutson, PhD Tak W. Kwan, MD, FAHA Daniel T. Lackland, DrPH, FAHA Tené T. Lewis, PhD Judith H. Lichtman, PhD, MPH, FAHA Chris T. Longenecker, MD Matthew Shane Loop, PhD Pamela L. Lutsey, PhD, MPH, FAHA Seth S. Martin, MD, MHS, FAHA Kunihiro Matsushita, MD, PhD, FAHA Andrew E. Moran, MD, MPH, FAHA Michael E. Mussolino, PhD, FAHA Martin O’Flaherty, MD, MSc, PhD Ambarish Pandey, MD, MSCS Amanda M. Perak, MD, MS Wayne D. Rosamond, PhD, MS, FAHA Gregory A. Roth, MD, MPH, FAHA Uchechukwu K.A. Sampson, MD, MBA, MPH, FAHA Gary M. Satou, MD, FAHA Emily B. Schroeder, MD, PhD, FAHA Svati H. Shah, MD, MHS, FAHA Nicole L. Spartano, PhD Andrew Stokes, PhD David L. Tirschwell, MD, MS, MSc, FAHA Connie W. Tsao, MD, MPH, Vice Chair Elect Mintu P. Turakhia, MD, MAS, FAHA Lisa B. VanWagner, MD, MSc, FAST John T. Wilkins, MD, MS, FAHA Sally S. Wong, PhD, RD, CDN, FAHA Salim S. Virani, MD, PhD, FAHA, Chair Elect On behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee

5,739 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Statistical Update represents the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and the cardiovascular risk factors listed in the AHA's My Life Check - Life’s Simple 7, which include core health behaviors and health factors that contribute to cardiovascular health.
Abstract: Each chapter listed in the Table of Contents (see next page) is a hyperlink to that chapter. The reader clicks the chapter name to access that chapter. Each chapter listed here is a hyperlink. Click on the chapter name to be taken to that chapter. Each year, the American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies, brings together in a single document the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and the cardiovascular risk factors listed in the AHA’s My Life Check - Life’s Simple 7 (Figure1), which include core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure [BP], and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update represents …

5,102 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This year's edition of the Statistical Update includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, metrics to assess and monitor healthy diets, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, a focus on the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors, implementation strategies, and implications of the American Heart Association’s 2020 Impact Goals.
Abstract: Background: The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports on the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovas...

5,078 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascul...
Abstract: Background: The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascul...

3,034 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This 2017 Consensus Statement is to provide a state-of-the-art review of the field of catheter and surgical ablation of AF and to report the findings of a writing group, convened by these five international societies.

1,626 citations