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Principles and Limitations of miRNA Purification and Analysis in Whole Blood Collected during Ablation Procedure from Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

MicroRNA (miRNA) have the potential to be non-invasive and attractive biomarkers for a vast number of diseases and clinical conditions; however, a reliable analysis of miRNA expression in blood samples meets a number of methodological challenges. In this report, we presented and discussed, specifically, the principles and limitations of miRNA purification and analysis in blood plasma samples collected from the left atrium during an ablation procedure on patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Consecutive patients hospitalized in the First Department of Cardiology for pulmonary vein ablation were included in this study (11 with diagnosed paroxysmal AF, 14 with persistent AF, and 5 without AF hospitalized for left-sided WPW ablation-control group).

Positive left atrial remodeling in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after a successful radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: A potential relationship between the initial left atrial (LA) echocardiographic parameters and LA remodeling after pulmonary vein isolation using (PVI) radiofrequency energy energy with effectiveness of this treatment was discussed.

Aim: We aimed to determine the relationship between initial and post-follow-up transthoracic echocardiography- derived predictors of successful PVI in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Eighty patients with paroxysmal AF (aged 58 [interquartile range, IQR, 50-63] years; male, 50 [62.

Hyperintense Brain Lesions in Asymptomatic Low Risk Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Radiofrequency Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Background: The aim was to determine the occurrence, consequences and risk factors for brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH) assessed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in low-risk patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (PVI-RF).

Methods: 74 patients with AF (median 58.5 years (IQR 50-63), 45 male) were included.

Cerebral microembolism during atrial fibrillation ablation can result from the technical aspects and mostly does not cause permanent neurological deficit.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation ablation can be associated with microembolism detected in the intracranial arteries and risk of neurological incidents. The aims of this study were to evaluate microembolic signals (MES) during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and establish the potential significance of MES for damage of the brain in radiological investigation and neurological state.

Material And Methods: In the prospective study we included patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous pulmonary vein isolation (radiofrequency ablation/balloon cryoablation) with ultrasound monitoring of microembolisms in the middle cerebral artery.

Temporal trends in the availability and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in a highly populated urban area.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation has become one of the core modalities of the rhythm control strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Aims: The aim of the study was to analyze temporal trends in the availability and efficacy of AF and atrial flutter (AFL) catheter ablation in an urban area of Upper Silesia in Poland.

Methods: The source data were obtained from the SILCARD (Silesian Cardiovascular Database) covering an adult population of 3.

Left atrial function in obese and non-obese patients undergoing percutaneous pulmonary vein isolation.

Obesity constitutes a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) and modifies the efficacy of invasive AF treatment. Left atrial (LA) global longitudinal strain (GLS), which is measured using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), is one of the new methods that are helpful in evaluating the function of LA. The aim of the study was to evaluate LA function in obese and non-obese patients that were undergoing percutaneous pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) before and 6 months after the procedure.

Lower soluble Klotho and higher fibroblast growth factor 23 serum levels are associated with episodes of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: The proarrhythmic effect of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) was observed in patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, there is no data on the role of FGF23 and soluble Klotho (sKlotho) in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) beyond ESKD. The aim of the study was to assess the peripheral vein and left atrial (LA) serum levels of FGF23 and sKlotho along with calcium-phosphates parameters in patients with AF undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Renalase is associated with adverse left atrial remodelling and disease burden in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: Renalase is a catecholamine-metabolising enzyme, but its possible association with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown.

Aim: We sought to evaluate plasma renalase concentration in patients with AF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with respect to AF clinical characteristics, left atrial (LA) remodelling, and PVI efficacy.

Methods: This case-control study included 69 patients (median age 58 years) with either paroxysmal (89%) or persistent (11%) AF, referred for PVI, and a control group consisting of 15 patients without AF, matched for age, sex, and comorbidi-ties.

CHA2DS2-Vasc score, age and body mass index as the main risk factors of hyperintense brain lesions in asymptomatic patients with paroxysmal non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: The aim was to assess the occurrence, severity and risk factors for silent white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to determine the potential relationship between WHM and cognitive decline.

Methods: Seventy-four patients with paroxysmal non-valvular AF were enrolled (age 59 (IQR 50-63)years, males 45/61%). All patients were on adequate warfarin treatment before inclusion and had no history of stroke or TIA.

Quality of life in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with a deterioration of quality of life (QoL). Catheter ablation is a therapeutic strategy for some patients with AF. The effectiveness of pulmonary vein isolation is still under assessment.

Stroke caused by carotid artery dissection during ablation of atrial arrhythmia.

A 55-year-old woman was admitted to the Cardiology Department due to a poorly tolerated attack of tachyarrhythmia. The patient was enrolled in the electrophysiology study (EPS) study with radiofrequency ablation (RF). After a few applications, during transseptal puncture, the patient demonstrated a neurological syndrome in the form of progressive aphasia and weakness in the right extremities.

Differentiation of arrhythmia originating from the right or left ventricular outflow tract based on the QRS morphology of premature ventricular beats and duration of repolarisation.

Background: Premature ventricular beats (PVBs) and monomorphic ventricular tachycardia originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are the most frequent forms of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias, but arrhythmia originating from the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) may be found in about 10% of these patients.

Aim: To compare electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns and duration of repolarisation after PVBs originating from the left and right superior part of the interventricular septum which were successfully treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Methods: We studied 62 patients who did not receive antiarrhythmic drug treatment before ablation, including 50 patients with RVOT arrhythmia (21 males, mean age 42 ± 14 years, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 61 ± 6%) and 12 patients with LVOT arrhythmia (3 males, mean age 41 ± 17 years, LVEF 59 ± 9%).

Predictors of long-term outcome in patients with left ventricular dysfunction following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Prognostic significance of clinical and non-invasive risk markers in patients after surgical revascularisation remains unclear, especially in post-infarction patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Aim: The single-centre, prospective study was designed to assess survival and the predictive power of several clinical and non- -invasive risk markers of all-cause (ACM) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in post-CABG patients with LV dysfunction.

Methods: A cohort of 61 patients (age 59+/-9 years, 49 males, LVEF 33+/-6%) 6-12 months after CABG was prospectively followed for a median of 46 months.

Correlation between electrical and mechanical properties of the left ventricle in patients with postinfarction ventricular tachycardia.

Background: Electroanatomical mapping allows differentiation between viable and scarred myocardium. Echocardiography is widely used to assess myocardial contractility. The relationship between electrophysiological and echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function has not yet been well established.