Utility and Validity of the HFA-PEFF and HFPEF Scores in Patients With Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a significant clinical challenge. Two diagnostic scoring tools have been developed to aid the noninvasive diagnosis of HFpEF: the HFA-PEFF (Heart Failure Association Pre-test assessment, Echocardiography and natriuretic peptide, Functional testing, Final etiology) and the HFPEF scoring systems.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of these 2 scoring tools for the diagnosis of HFpEF against a gold standard of invasive evaluation in a cohort of patients with AF.

Exercise echocardiography to assess left atrial function in patients with symptomatic AF.

Background: Left atrial (LA) function contributes to the augmentation of cardiac output during exercise. However, LA response to exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. We explored the LA mechanical response to exercise and the association between LA dysfunction and exercise intolerance.

Cabergoline-associated valvulopathy of the tricuspid valve in the treatment of prolactinoma.

Cabergoline-associated valvulopathy (CAV) is defined by the echocardiographic triad of moderate or severe regurgitation, valvular thickening and restricted valvular motion. While it is a well-described complication of dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson's disease, only three convincing cases of CAV have previously been described in the treatment of prolactinoma, with none involving the tricuspid valve. We describe a case of CAV affecting the tricuspid valve, ultimately resulting in the patient's death.

Single ring isolation for atrial fibrillation ablation: Impact of the learning curve.

Introduction: Although single ring isolation is an accepted strategy for undertaking pulmonary vein (PV) and posterior wall isolation (PWI) during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, the learning curve associated with this technique as well as procedural and clinical success rates have not been widely reported.

Methods And Results: Prospectively collected data from 250 consecutive patients undergoing de novo AF ablation using single ring isolation. PWI was achieved in 212 patients (84.

Predictive role of atrial fibrillation in cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2.8 million individuals.

Aims: To systematic review and meta-analyse the association and mechanistic links between atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive impairment.

Methods And Results: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to 27 March 2021 and yielded 4534 citations. After exclusions, 61 were analysed; 15 and 6 studies reported on the association of AF and cognitive impairment in the general population and post-stroke cohorts, respectively.

Accelerated Biological Aging Secondary to Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Is a Predictor of Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Chronological aging is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD); however, the effect of biological aging on CVD and outcomes remain poorly understood. Herein, we evaluated the association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of biological age, and CV outcomes.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Ovid Medline, and Web of Science Core Collection for the studies on the association between LTL and myocardial infarction (MI), CV death, and/or CVD risk factors from inception to July 2020.

Remote Monitoring Alert Burden: An Analysis of Transmission in >26,000 Patients.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the remote monitoring (RM) alert burden in a multicenter cohort of patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED).

Background: RM of CIEDs allows timely recognition of patient and device events requiring intervention. Most RM involves burdensome manual workflow occurring exclusively on weekdays during office hours.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of gender differences in long-term mortality and cardiovascular events in peripheral artery disease.

Objective: Individual studies of peripheral artery disease (PAD) have indicated that gender discrepancies exist in the symptoms, functional status, and treatment usage. It remains uncertain whether these discrepancies result in different long-term outcomes. We examined the potential gender differences in mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Cessation of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To characterise the rate, causes and predictors of cessation of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive patients with AF with a long-term anticoagulation indication treated with NOACs (dabigatran, apixaban and rivaroxaban) in our centre from September 2010 through December 2016 were included. Prospectively collected data with baseline characteristics, causes of cessation, mean duration-to-cessation and predictors of cessation were analysed.

Complex interaction of obesity, intentional weight loss and heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of the meta-analysis was to determine the association of obesity and heart failure (HF) and the cardiac impact of intentional weight loss following bariatric surgery on cardiac structure and myocardial function in obese subjects.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science were searched up to 3 April 2018. Studies reporting association and prognostic impact of obesity in HF and the impact of intentional weight loss following bariatric surgery on cardiac structure and myocardial function in obesity were included in the meta-analysis.

Feasibility, Safety, and Efficacy of Posterior Wall Isolation During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The posterior left atrium is an arrhythmogenic substrate that contributes to the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of posterior wall isolation (PWI) as an AF ablation strategy has not been widely reported.

Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies performing PWI to assess (1) acute procedural success including the ability to achieve PWI and the number of procedure-related complications, (2) Long-term, clinical success including rates of arrhythmia recurrence and posterior wall reconnection, and (3) The efficacy of PWI compared with pulmonary vein isolation on preventing arrhythmia recurrence. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched in May 2018 to retrieve relevant studies.

Implication of ventricular pacing burden and atrial pacing therapies on the progression of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common after pacemaker implantation. However, the impact of pacemaker algorithms in AF prevention is not well understood.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of pacing algorithms in preventing AF progression.

Atrial fibrillation and conduction system disease: the roles of catheter ablation and permanent pacing.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and diseases of the cardiac conduction system frequently co-exist, and interactions between these rhythm disturbances can adversely impact patient outcomes. Concurrent AF and sinus node disease often manifests as the tachy-brady syndrome wherein the underlying sinus node dysfunction can pose a challenge to AF management. Similarly, the combination of AF and left bundle branch block increases mortality in individuals with co-existent heart failure and hampers effective delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Predicted longevity of contemporary cardiac implantable electronic devices: A call for industry-wide "standardized" reporting.

Background: Battery longevity is an important factor that may influence the selection of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). However, there remains a lack of industry-wide standardized reporting of predicted CIED longevity to facilitate informed decision-making for implanting physicians and payers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the predicted longevity of current generation CIEDs using best-matched CIEDs settings to assess differences between brands and models.

Subclinical device-detected atrial fibrillation and stroke risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: To determine stroke risk in subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) and temporal association between subclinical AF and stroke.

Methods And Results: Pubmed/Embase was searched for studies reporting stroke in subclinical AF in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). After exclusions, 11 studies were analysed.

Device Therapy for Rate Control: Pacing, Resynchronisation and AV Node Ablation.

Atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) is generally reserved for patients whose atrial fibrillation (AF) is refractory all other therapeutic options, since the recipients will often become pacemaker dependent. In such patients, this approach may prove particularly useful, especially if a tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is suspected. Historically, an "ablate and pace" approach has involved AVNA and right ventricular pacing, with or without an atrial lead.