Effect of Postablation Statin Treatment on Arrhythmia Recurrence in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Statins have been proposed as a means to prevent postablation atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences, mainly on the basis of their pleiotropic effects. The objective of this subanalysis of a prospectively randomized controlled study population of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF was to test the hypothesis that statin treatment is associated with longer time to recurrence.

Methods And Results: This is a subanalysis over an extended follow-up period of a prospective randomized study (ClinicalTrials.

Effect of pulmonary vein isolation on left atrial appendage flow in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) functional modification in the context of pulmonary vein isolation has been a focus point of research and LAA emptying flow velocity (LAAEFV) is considered to reflect LAA contractility, stunning, and fibrosis.

Objective: In the present study, we sought to prospectively evaluate short-term LAAEFV changes after radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon ablation in paroxysmal AF.

Methods: This was a prospective substudy of the Effect of Cryoballoon and RF Ablation on Left Atrial Function (CryoLAEF) study (ClinicalTrials.

Circulating Erythrocyte Microparticles and the Biochemical Extent of Myocardial Injury in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: Red blood cell microparticles (RBCm) have potential adverse vascular effects and they have been shown to be elevated in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study is to investigate their relationship with biochemical infarct size.

Methods: RBCm were quantified with flow cytometry in blood drawn from 60 STEMI patients after a primary angioplasty.