Risk factors for thrombosis and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast with sludge in atrial fibrillation patients treated with oral anticoagulants before electrical cardioversion.

Background: Knowledge of thrombosis (T) risk predictors and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are important tools in appropriate qualification of patients for safe electrical cardioversion.

Aims: We aimed to investigate predictors of T and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) with sludge in the left atrium (LA) and appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on oral anticoagulation.

Methods: The study included 300 patients with AF lasting >48 hours.

Electric Cardioversion in Older Adults. Is Sedation Using Propofol Safe in the Absence of the Direct Anesthetist's Assistance?

This study aimed to assess the safety of electric cardioversion in the absence of anesthetists assistance. We also evaluated the efficacy and safety of this procedure in older adults (≥80 years) compared to younger populations. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent electric cardioversion at our cardiology department.

Efficacy and safety of antazoline vs propafenone for conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm: a randomized, double-blind study (AnProAF).

Introduction: Antazoline is a frequently used antiarrhythmic drug (AAD); however, to date, no randomized controlled trial has evaluated its efficacy and safety for cardioversion of recent‑onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with other approved AADs.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare clinical efficacy and safety of antazoline and propafenone for a rapid conversion of nonvalvular paroxysmal AF to sinus rhythm in patients without heart failure.

Patients And Methods: This was a single‑center, randomized, double‑blind study.

Heart failure and the risk of left atrial thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/AFl) with reference to the presence of heart failure (HF) and its subtypes.

Methods And Results: The research is a sub-study of the multicentre, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transoesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry, which comprised 3109 consecutive patients with AF/AFl undergoing TOE prior to direct current cardioversion or catheter ablation. TOE parameters, including presence of LAT, were compared between patients with and without HF and across different subtypes of HF, including HF with preserved (HFpEF), mid-range (HFmrEF), and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent oral anticoagulation.

Background: Electric cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of embolism, with embolic material existing in the heart cavities. The initiation of oral anticoagulation therapy reduces the risk of thromboembolic events. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi in non-valvular AF, to compare vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with respect to thrombus prevalence, and to evaluate the rate of LAA thrombus persistence on repeat transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after treatment change.