Impact of atrial fibrillation ablation on left ventricular filling pressure and left atrial remodeling.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), and the estimation of elevated LV filling pressures by E/e' ratio is related to worse outcomes in patients with AF. However, it is unknown if restoring sinus rhythm reverses this process.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of AF ablation on estimated LV filling pressure.

Sudden cardiac arrest in general anesthesia as the first manifestation of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery.

Background And Objectives: This case report describes a rare and potentially fatal condition associated with anesthesia administration. Our aim was to discuss the causes of sudden cardiac arrest during the perioperative period in apparently healthy patients and the pathophysiology of anomalous origin of the coronary arteries as a cause of sudden cardiac arrest.

Case Report: Female patient, 44 years old, with no previous symptoms of heart disease or arrhythmias, had a sudden cardiac arrest during general anesthesia in two different situations.

Comparison of a shortened isosorbide dinitrate-potentiated head-up tilt testing with the conventional protocol: tolerance and diagnostic accuracy.

Background: The head-up tilt test (HUT) is widely used to investigate unexplained syncope; however, in clinical practice, it is long and sometimes not well tolerated.

Objectives: To compare the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and patients' tolerance of a conventional and shortened HUT.

Methods: Patients with a history of vasovagal syndrome (VVS) were randomized to a conventional HUT (group I) consisting of 20-minute passive tilt followed by 25 minutes after administration of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), or a shortened HUT (group II) where ISDN was given immediately after tilt and observed for 25 minutes.

Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring with a deflectable esophageal temperature probe and intracardiac echocardiography may reduce esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures: results of a pilot study.

Background: Luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring is one strategy to minimize esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. However, esophageal ulceration and fistulas have been reported despite adequate LET monitoring. The objective of this study was to assess a novel approach to LET monitoring with a deflectable LET probe on the rate of esophageal injury in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.

[Oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation: from guidelines to bedside].

Objective: Although oral anticoagulation has proved beneficial for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and embolic risk factors, it is still underused. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of anticoagulation therapy in patients with AF followed in a private clinic specialized in cardiology, in accordance with the American and European societies of cardiology guidelines/2006 and with the Brazilian Guidelines/2003.

Methods: Between November 2005 and August 2006, we evaluated 7,486 electrocardiograms and selected 53 patients with AF and complete chart records.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: a current overview.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia occurs in healthy children and young adults causing syncope and sudden cardiac death. This is a familial disease, which affect de novo mutation in 50% of the cases. At least two causative genes have been described to be localized in the chromosome 1; mutation of the ryanodine receptor gene and calsequestrin gene.