title: Electrophysiological studies in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a retrospective investigation.
abstract: Few studies have investigated patients with pulmonary hypertension and arrhythmias. Data on electrophysiological studies in these patients are rare. In a retrospective dual-centre design, we analysed data from patients with indications for electrophysiological study. Fifty-five patients with pulmonary hypertension were included (Dana Point Classification: group 1: 14, group 2: 23, group 3: 4, group 4: 8, group 5: 2, and 4 patients with exercised-induced pulmonary hypertension). Clinical data, 6-minute walk distance, laboratory values, and echocardiography were collected/performed. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia was the most frequent indication (n = 15) for an electrophysiological study, followed by atrial flutter (n = 14). In summary 36 ablations were performed and 25 of them were successful (atrial flutter 12 of 14 and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia 4 of 4). Fluoroscopy time was 16 ± 14.4 minutes. Electrophysiological studies in patients with pulmonary hypertension are feasible and safe. Ablation procedures are as effective in these patients as in non-PAH patients with atrial flutter and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and should be performed likewise. The prognostic relevance of ventricular stimulations and inducible ventricular tachycardias in these patients is still unclear and requires further investigation.
authors: The German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Centre (UGMLC), Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Bandorski
authors: Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany ; Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Centre, Benekestrasse 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
authors: Jörn
authors: J
authors: Schmitt
authors: The German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Centre (UGMLC), Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Kurzlechner
authors: Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany ; Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Centre, Benekestrasse 2-8, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
authors: Damir
authors: D
authors: Erkapic
authors: Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors: Christian W
authors: CW
authors: Hamm
authors: The German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Centre (UGMLC), Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors: Werner
authors: W
authors: Seeger
authors: The German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Centre (UGMLC), Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors: Ardeschir
authors: A
authors: Ghofrani
authors: Medical Clinic III, St. Agnes Hospital Bocholt, Barloer Weg 125, 46397 Bocholt, Germany.
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Höltgen
authors: The German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Centre (UGMLC), Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors: Henning
authors: H
authors: Gall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome