Pentaspline catheter or cryoballoon for pulmonary vein plus posterior wall isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation: 1-Year outcomes.

Background: Left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) plus pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can be performed with radiofrequency ablation, cryoballoon ablation (CB-A), or, recently, pulsed field ablation (PFA).

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy and safety of the pentaspline PFA catheter for PVI + LAPWI in patients with persistent AF undergoing an index ablation procedure and to compare 1-year outcomes of PVI + LAPWI with PFA vs CB-A.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing an index ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium, between 2021 and 2023 were retrospectively screened.

A novel focal lattice-tip catheter toggling between pulsed field energy and radiofrequency for atrial arrhythmia ablation: Results from a real-world, multicenter registry.

Background: A novel focal lattice-tip catheter allowing the delivery of either pulsed field (PF) or radiofrequency (RF) energy has recently received regulatory approval. The technology features a proprietary 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system.

Objective: We describe the first real-world and multicenter experience.

Ultrasound-guided versus fluoroscopy-guided axillary vein puncture for cardiac implantable electronic device implantation: a meta-analysis enrolling 1257 patients.

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided (Echo-AVP) and Fluoroscopy-guided Axillary Vein Puncture (Fluoro-AVP) are both acknowledged as safe and effective techniques for transvenous implantation of leads for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Nonetheless, it is still debated which of the two techniques has a better safety and efficacy profile. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Echo-AVP versus Fluoro-AVP for CIEDs implantation.

Multielectrode catheter-based pulsed field ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Rhythm control of non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is significantly more challenging, as a result of arrhythmia perpetuation promoting atrial substrate changes and AF maintenance. We describe a tailored ablation strategy targeting multiple left atrial (LA) sites via a pentaspline pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter in persistent AF sustained beyond 6 months (PerAF > 6 m) and long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF).

Methods And Results: The ablation protocol included the following stages: pulmonary vein antral and posterior wall isolation plus anterior roof line ablation (Stage 1); electrogram-guided substrate ablation (Stage 2); atrial tachyarrhythmia regionalization and ablation (Stage 3).

Focal Pulsed Field Ablation for Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Multicenter Experience.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel technology for catheter-based atrial arrhythmia treatment. Evidence of its application for ventricular arrhythmia ablation is still limited. In this study, we describe the feasibility and efficacy of focal PFA for premature ventricular contraction (PVC) ablation.

Assessment of solar geoengineering impact on precipitation and temperature extremes in the Muda River Basin, Malaysia using CMIP6 SSP and GeoMIP6 G6 simulations.

The concept of solar geoengineering remains a topic of debate, yet it may be an effective way for cooling the Earth's temperature. Nevertheless, the impact of solar geoengineering on regional or local climate patterns is an active area of research. This study aims to evaluate the impact of solar geoengineering on precipitation and temperature extremes of the Muda River Basin (MRB), a very important agricultural basin situated in the northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Bone: A Neglected Endocrine Organ?

Bone has traditionally been viewed in the context of its structural contribution to the human body. Foremost providing necessary support for mobility, its roles in supporting calcium homeostasis and blood cell production are often afterthoughts. Recent research has further shed light on the ever-multifaceted role of bone and its importance not only for structure, but also as a complex endocrine organ producing hormones responsible for the autoregulation of bone metabolism.

Catheter ablation as an adjunctive therapy to ICD implantation in Brugada Syndrome.

Background: Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia disorder associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden cardiac death. Current management primarily relies on implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), but patients may experience ICD shocks. Catheter ablation (CA) has emerged as a potential intervention to target the arrhythmogenic substrate.

Advancing Surgical Arrhythmia Ablation: Novel Insights on 3D Printing Applications and Two Biocompatible Materials.

To date, studies assessing the safety profile of 3D printing materials for application in cardiac ablation are sparse. Our aim is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of two biocompatible 3D printing materials, investigating their potential use for intra-procedural guides to navigate surgical cardiac arrhythmia ablation. Herein, we 3D printed various prototypes in varying thicknesses (0.

The impact of water pollution on the health of older people.

Water pollution exerts a negative impact on the health of both women and men, inducing hormonal changes, accelerating aging, and consequently leading to the premature onset of age-related health problems. Water pollutants can in general be classified as chemical (both organic and inorganic), physical, and biological agents. Certain chemical pollutants have been found to disrupt hormonal balance by blocking, mimicking, or disrupting functions within the intricate homeostasis of the human body.

Development of novel resistivity-chargeability statistical relationships for subsurface characterization at Langkawi, Kedah.

The significance of resistivity-chargeability relationships has been acknowledged and applied in various geologic terrains and different environmental conditions. However, there remains an underexplored opportunity to fully utilize these methods in complex geological terrains with a mixture of granitic and sedimentary rocks where empirical relationships have not been established. Such discoveries are crucial for accurately delineating petrophysical and geomechanical properties, which are essential in addressing urgent environmental concerns like landslides, foundation collapse, groundwater shortages, and pollution.

Pulsed field ablation of the right superior pulmonary vein prevents vagal responses via anterior right ganglionated plexus modulation.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is selective for the myocardium. However, vagal responses and reversible effects on ganglionated plexi (GP) are observed during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Anterior-right GP ablation has been proven to effectively prevent vagal responses during radiofrequency-based PVI.