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Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.

The amount of interventional procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), pacemaker implantation (PI) and ablations has increased within the previous decade. Simultaneously, novel fluoroscopy mainframes enable lower radiation doses for patients and operators. Therefore, there is a need to update the existing diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and propose new ones for common or recently introduced procedures. Read More

Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2019 Apr 12:e12652. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Aims: Supraventricular arrhythmia diagnosis using the surface electrocardiogram (sECG) is often cumbersome due to limited atrial signal quality. In some instances, use of esophageal electrocardiography (eECG) may facilitate the diagnosis. Here, we present a novel approach to reconstruct cardiac activation maps from eECG recordings. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena University Hospital, Modena, Italy.

Background: Reactive atrial-based antitachycardia pacing (rATP) aims to terminate atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT/AF) episodes when they spontaneously organize to atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia; however, its effectiveness in the real-world has not been studied. We used a large device database (Medtronic CareLink) to evaluate the effects of rATP at reducing AT/AF.

Methods: Pacemaker, defibrillator, and resynchronization device transmission data were analyzed. Read More

Clin Epidemiol 2019 22;11:231-244. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department for Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in heart failure (HF) epidemiology and diagnostic work-up in Sweden.

Methods: Adults with incident HF (≥2 ICD-10 diagnostic codes) were identified from linked national health registers (cohort 1, 2005-2013) and electronic medical records (cohort 2, 2010-2015; primary/secondary care patients from Uppsala and Västerbotten). Trends in annual HF incidence rate and prevalence, risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related 1-year mortality and use of diagnostic tests 6 months before and after first HF diagnosis (cohort 2) were assessed. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Apr;8(8):e011606

3 Tufts Medical Center Boston MA.

Background We sought to examine patient characteristics, peri-infarction invasive and pharmacologic management, and in-hospital major bleeding in myocardial infarction patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter, based on home anticoagulant use. Methods and Results We stratified patients by home anticoagulant: (1) no anticoagulant, (2) warfarin, and (3) direct oral anticoagulants ( DOAC s) among ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction ( STEMI ) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter treated at 761 US hospitals in the ACTION (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network) Registry from January 2015 to December 2016. The primary outcome of our study was in-hospital major bleeding. Read More

Curr Oncol Rep 2019 Apr 4;21(5):45. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Cardio-Oncology Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr., MCB-CPT, Tampa, FL, 33612-9416, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The anticoagulation strategies for various cardiac-specific pathologies including atrial fibrillation are changing. Applying these strategies in patients with concomitant active cancer requires additional considerations. Here, we review the most recent changes in the anticoagulation management of common cardiac diseases and their application in cancer patients. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2019 Mar 20;19(3):101-105. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Kansai Rosai Hospital Cardiovascular Center, Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan.

Cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is a cornerstone of atrial flutter ablation. The goal of CTI-dependent flutter ablation is achievement of bidirectional CTI block. Usually bidirectional CTI block is confirmed by atrial activation during septal and lateral atrial pacing or the use of differential pacing maneuvers. Read More

Clin Exp Emerg Med 2019 Mar 28;6(1):64-69. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Emergency Department, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Objective: Despite limited evidence, electrical cardioversion of acute-onset atrial fibrillation (AAF) is widely performed in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness and safety of electrical cardioversion of AAF performed by emergency physicians in the ED.

Methods: All episodes of AAF electrically cardioverted in the ED were retrieved from the database for a 10-year period. Read More

PLoS One 2019 3;14(4):e0212903. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of Cardiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Introduction: Electrical coupling index (ECI) and contact force (CF) have been developed to aid lesion formation during catheter ablation. ECI measures tissue impedance and capacitance whilst CF measures direct contact. The aim was to determine whether the presence of catheter / tissue interaction information, such as ECI and CF, reduce time to achieve bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus block during atrial flutter (AFL) ablation. Read More

Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

University of Dschang, LISIE/L2MSP, P.O. Box 134, Bandjoun, Cameroon.

In this paper, synthetic electrocardiogram signals (SECG) of eight cardiac arrhythmias (sinus bradycardia, junctional bradycardia, tachycardia, flutter, atrial extrasystole, ventricular extrasystole, left branch block and right branch block) are obtained numerically by solving the McSharry mathematical model (2003) based on three coupled ordinary differential equations with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. They are compared with normal electrocardiogram signal. Indeed, visual analysis of a section of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of these arrhythmias was used to suggest suitable values for the parameters in the McSharry mathematical model. Read More

Orv Hetil 2019 Apr;160(14):540-548

Városmajori Szív- és Érgyógyászati Klinika, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Budapest, Városmajor u. 68., 1122.

Introduction: Levels of cardiac necroenzymes, high-sensitive troponin (hsTnT) and creatine kinase muscle-brain (CKMB) increase as a result of a myocardial damage following catheter ablation.

Aim: To analyze the mid-term alteration of hsTnT and CKMB levels following radiofrequency ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFlu), AV-nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) and electrophysiological studies (EPS) without ablation.

Method: Patients undergoing RFCA for various indications and EPS were consecutively enrolled in our prospective study. Read More

Cureus 2019 Jan 21;11(1):e3934. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Cardiology, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, GRC.

High-frequency muscle tremor can mimic atrial flutter. Unnecessary therapies and aggressive interventions may have devastating consequences in these cases. We present a case of a patient with global pseudo-atrial flutter waves in the setting of essential tremor strictly confined to the arms. Read More

BMJ Open 2019 Mar 30;9(3):e026590. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a strong risk factor for coronary artery disease and heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of the ongoing MUSCAT-HF (It stands for Prospective Comparison of Luseogliflozin and Alpha-glucosidase on the Management of Diabetic Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction) trial is to evaluate the efficacy of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, versus voglibose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, using brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as the index of therapeutic effect in T2DM patients with HFpEF.

Methods And Analysis: A total of 190 patients with T2DM and HFpEF (ejection fraction >45%) who are drug-naïve or taking any anti-diabetic agents will be randomised (1:1) to receive luseogliflozin 2. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2018 Jul;92(1):174-175

Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.

PFO closure reduces risk of recurrent stroke in some patients with cryptogenic stroke, particularly younger patients <45 years with moderate or greater right to left shunting Number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one stroke at 5 years are 28 to 69 (95% confidence limits of 21 to 351) suggesting need for individualized risk stratification models PFO closure may increase short- and possibly long-term risk of atrial flutter/fibrillation. Read More

EuroIntervention 2019 Mar 26. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Cardiological Department, Misericordia Hospital, Italy.

Aims: Aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial cavity and appendage thrombosis in patients undergoing cardioversion for non-valvular atrial tachyarrhythmias. In persistent atrial tachyarrhythmias 90% of Thrombosis are reported to be located inside the Left Atrial Appendage. This prevalence refers to old studies and metanalysis in mixed population of valvular and non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Ankara City Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University, Ankara, Turkey.

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Mar 26;5(3):306-314. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Objectives: STOP AF PAS (Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Post-Approval Study) is the first prospective, multicenter, 3-year study in North America to assess long-term safety and effectiveness of the cryoballoon for treatment of patients with drug-refractory symptomatic pAF.

Background: The STOP AF PAS was required by the U.S. Read More

Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi 2019 Mar;47(3):240-241

Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China.

JCI Insight 2019 Mar 21;4(6). Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Acutus Medical Inc., Carlsbad, California, USA.

Background: Spatial resolution in cardiac activation maps based on voltage measurement is limited by far-field interference. Precise characterization of electrical sources would resolve this limitation; however, practical charge-based cardiac mapping has not been achieved.

Methods: A prototype algorithm, developed from first principles of electrostatic field theory, derives charge density (CD) as a spatial representation of the true sources of the cardiac field. Read More

Echo Res Pract 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

B Shah, Cardiology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

A 62-year-old man admitted with palpitations had a 12-lead ECG that revealed atrial flutter with 2:1 AV block (rate 150bpm). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed normal left ventricular size with impaired systolic function and severe MR. No MV prolapse was seen. Read More

Prehosp Emerg Care 2019 Mar 20:1-6. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

a University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , United States.

Background: The early use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can save lives by correcting lethal ventricular arrhythmia with minimal operator intervention. AED shock advisements also play a role in termination of resuscitation strategies. AED function is dependent on the accuracy of their shock advisement algorithms, which may differ between manufacturers. Read More

West J Emerg Med 2019 03 31;20(2):426. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

University of Alabama School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.

[This corrects the article on p. 361 in vol. 19, PMID: 29560066. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Mar 18:1-8. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

a Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery , The First Hospital of Putian, Teaching Hospital, Fujian Medical University , Putian , Fujian Province , China.

Fetal arrhythmias are common, and they may resolve spontaneously in majority of the cases. Sustained fetal arrhythmias associated with major structural heart disorders, hydrops fetalis, and fetal heart failure warrant intrauterine pharmaceutical conversion of heart rhythm or early pacemaker implant in order to avoid fetal demise. Fetal atrial flutter (AF) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) resemble in terms of the effects of intrauterine therapies. Read More

J Cardiol 2019 Jun 13;73(6):497-506. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Data regarding atrial tachycardia (AT) following second-generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited.

Aim: To describe the incidence, mechanisms, and clinical predictors of ATs following CBA.

Methods And Results: In this retrospective single-center study 238 patients undergoing CBA for treatment of paroxysmal (91/238; 38. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Although atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) frequently coexist, the influence of AF/AFL on physical activity, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and quality of life in HFpEF is unclear and could have relevance to HFpEF trial design. We evaluated the association between AF/AFL and volitional physical activity, functional performance, NT-proBNP, and quality of life in patients with HFpEF in the Nitrate's Effect on Activity Tolerance (NEAT)-HFpEF trial. Of 99 patients with accelerometer data, 35 (35%) had AF/AFL. Read More

Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2019 Mar;12(3):e006955

Cardiology Division, University Hospitals of Geneva (N.J., D.C.S., P.B.D., M.N.).

Background Although entrainment mapping is an established approach to atypical atrial flutter ablation, postpacing intervals shorter than tachycardia cycle length (difference between postpacing interval and tachycardia cycle length [dPPI] <0 ms) remain of unknown significance. We sought to compare anatomic and electrophysiological properties of sites with dPPI <0, dPPI=0-30, and dPPI >30 ms. Methods We studied 24 noncavotricuspid isthmus-dependent macroreentrant atypical atrial flutter in 19 consecutive patients. Read More

Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2019 Mar;12(3):e007258

The Heart and Vascular Institute of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA.

Arq Bras Cardiol 2019 Feb 28. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil.

Background: The association of subclinical thyroid dysfunction (STD) with cardiac arrhythmias remains controversial, particularly in the non-elderly population.

Objective: To investigate whether STD was associated with cardiac arrhythmias in a cohort of middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: Baseline data of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health, ELSA-Brasil (35-74 years) were collected from 2008 to 2010. Read More

Europace 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 København, Denmark.

Aims: Prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) might be associated with arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The effect of short-term amiodarone in this setting remains unknown. This study seeks to quantify short-term amiodarone's impact on QTc, and to investigate QTc and amiodarone treatment as predictors of recurrence of arrhythmia after ablation. Read More

Croat Med J 2019 Feb;60(1):2-11

Vladimir Trkulja, Department of Pharmacology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Šalata 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,

Aim: To assess the quality of real-life warfarin anticoagulation in patients requiring chronic thromboprophylaxis in a southern Croatian county.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed international normalized ratio (INR) values determined over one year (2016-2017) at the Zadar County General Hospital in warfarin-treated patients requiring chronic thromboprophylaxis. The values represent 83. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019 03 1;3:CD006715. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.

Background: General anaesthesia combined with epidural analgesia may have a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes. However, use of epidural analgesia for cardiac surgery is controversial due to a theoretical increased risk of epidural haematoma associated with systemic heparinization. This review was published in 2013, and it was updated in 2019. Read More

HeartRhythm Case Rep 2019 Feb 12;5(2):70-73. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.

Heart Rhythm 2019 Feb 25. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Cardiology Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: The electrophysiological substrate underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) progression remains difficult to identify.

Objective: The goals of this study were to study the evolution of post-pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) AF inducibility (AFI) after AF ablation and to compare patients with organized atrial tachycardia recurrence (OATr) and those with paroxysmal and persistent AF recurrence.

Methods: We studied 99 patients who underwent de novo AF ablation (p1) and redo ablation (p2) for AF recurrence (AFr) or OATr. Read More

Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J 2019 Feb 25. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

This article reviews important features for improving the diagnosis and management of fetal arrhythmias. The normal fetal heart rate ranges between 110 and 160 beats per minute. A fetal heart rate is considered abnormal if the heart rate is beyond the normal ranges or the rhythm is irregular. Read More

Circ J 2019 Mar 28;83(4):793-800. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School.

Background: Landiolol, an ultra-short acting β-selective blocker, is more effective for controlling the heart rate (HR) than digoxin in patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The impact of the type of atrial tachyarrhythmias on the effectiveness of landiolol is uncertain. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of landiolol on tachycardiac atrial fibrillation (AF) and tachycardiac atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia (AFl/AT) in patients with reduced LV function. Read More

Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2019 Feb;77(2):80-83

Universidade Federal da Bahia; Salvador BA, Brasil.

Objectives: To compare warfarin and dabigatran for thromboembolic event prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of participants with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter using either warfarin or dabigatran in a reference center in Brazil.

Results: There were 112 patients (mean age 65. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019 Feb 24. Epub 2019 Feb 24.

International Arrhythmia Center, CardioInfantil Foundation, Bogotá, Colombia.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation may predispose patients to the development of atypical atrial flutters (AFL). We describe two cases of roof dependent AFLs that failed to terminate despite posterior wall isolation. An epicardial breakthrough involving the septopulmonary bundle is proposed. Read More

Int Heart J 2019 Mar 22;60(2):489-491. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University.

The patient was a 101-year-old woman whose chief complaints were difficulty of breathing and high fever. The history of the present illness included paroxysmal atrial flutter which was untreated, but she had not developed heart failure.At admission, auscultation of the chest revealed moist rales and systolic murmur but did not clearly show the presence of fixed splitting of S2. Read More

Clin Res Cardiol 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Clinic for Cardiology II - Electrophysiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Background: Digitalis glycosides are employed for rate control of atrial fibrillation. Recent studies suggested potential harmful effects of digitalis monotherapy and combination with antiarrhythmic drugs. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and potential impact of digitalis therapy on outcome in patients undergoing catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias. Read More

Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Background: Several wireless ECG devices are commercially available for possible screening, monitoring and diagnosis of rhythms. The field is rapidly expanding, and some devices have demonstrated acceptable qualities. The objective was to evaluate the accuracy, usability and diagnostic capabilities of smartphone ECG in both patients and healthy controls. Read More

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Feb 1;5(2):231-241. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Center for Digital Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. Electronic address:

Objectives: In this study the authors investigated effectiveness and safety of an initial treatment strategy with class IC or class III antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) for newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL).

Background: There is limited evidence to guide optimal AAD selection for rhythm control in newly diagnosed AF/AFL.

Methods: Using data from TREAT-AF (The Retrospective Evaluation and Assessment of Therapies in AF), the authors performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with AF/AFL from 2004 to 2014 and class IC or class III AAD prescription within 90 days following diagnosis. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Epicardiac conduction via the vein of Marshall (VOM) can bypass the mitral isthmus (MI) line, making MI ablation difficult. This study aimed to assess the contribution of the VOM in achieving MI conduction block.

Methods: This study included 143 consecutive patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent initial MI ablation. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

Background: Atrial arrhythmias (AA), including atrial fibrillation (AF), have been reported in patients after cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for typical atrial flutter (AFL). Several studies have examined the effect of performing concomitant pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with CTI on recurrent AA. These studies were analyzed to determine the overall effect of this approach on recurrent AA. Read More

Hypertension 2019 Apr;73(4):893-899

Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, State College (X. Zhang, X.G.).

Arterial stiffness and blood pressure (BP) both increase with aging synchronously. Whether elevated BP results from thickening of arterial wall or vice versa is controversial in previous studies. This study included 17 862 participants without history of myocardial infarction, stroke, atrial fibrillation or flutter, or cancer and with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and BP measurements during 2010 to 2016. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Center for Arrhythmia Care, Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; UCLA Health System, UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address:

Background: Recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF) after ablation have been attributed to conduction gaps and nontransmural ablation lesions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of adjunctive percutaneous mapping of the epicardial regions of the left atrium to characterize the transmural extent of substrate and ablation lesions.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, combined epicardial and endocardial mapping of AF was performed in 18 patients via an inferior subxiphoid percutaneous approach (16 with previously failed ablation procedures and 2 patients with long-standing persistent AF) at 2 centers. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Electronic address:

Background: Triggers for discrete atrial fibrillation (AF) events remain poorly studied and incompletely characterized.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe common triggers for AF and their relationships with patient characteristics.

Methods: We invited symptomatic, paroxysmal AF patients enrolled in the Health eHeart Study and through the patient-centered advocacy organization StopAfib. Read More

Eur J Intern Med 2019 04 13;62:29-36. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz (Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz), Mainz, Germany.

Aims: Syncope is a common phenomenon in the general population. Although most of the causes are of benign origin, some comorbidities are accompanied by high mortality. We aimed to compare the in-hospital mortality of patients with syncope related to different comorbities and investigate the impact of syncope in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF). Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Departement of Electrophysiology, Laboratorio di Elettrofisiologia, Clinica Montevergine, Mercogliano, Italy.

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Cardiology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing, China.

Introduction: A left common pulmonary vein (LCPV) is a common anatomical variant in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Whether an LCPV influences outcomes of repeated radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for AF has not been elucidated.

Methods: From a prospectively collected database, we enrolled 154 patients who received repeated RFCA for recurrent AF after the initial RFCA (56 ± 9 years, 72% paroxysmal AF, 32 patients with an LCPV, and 122 patients with typical left-sided pulmonary veins [PVs]). Read More