Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-Based Lipidomics Reveal the Association of Altered Red Blood Cell (RBC) Membrane Lipidome with the Presence and the Severity of Coronary Artery Stenosis.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite significant improvements in diagnostic modalities. Emerging evidence suggests that erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), are one of the most important contributors to the events implicated in atherosclerosis, although the molecular mechanisms behind it are under investigation. We used NMR-based lipidomic technology to investigate the RBC lipidome in patients with CHD compared to those with normal coronary arteries (NCAs), all angiographically documented, and its correlation with coronary artery stenosis.

CPVT: Arrhythmogenesis, Therapeutic Management, and Future Perspectives. A Brief Review of the Literature.

Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) is a primary electrical disease characterized by a normal resting electrocardiogram and induction of malignant arrhythmias during adrenergic stress leading to syncope or sudden cardiac death (SCD). CPVT is caused by mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) or in the sarcoplasmic reticulum protein calsequestrin 2 genes (). The RyR2 mutations are responsible for the autosomal dominant form of CPVT, while mutations are rare and account for the recessive form.

Autonomic responses during acute myocardial infarction in the rat model: implications for arrhythmogenesis.

Background Autonomic responses participate in the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction, but their precise time course remains unclear. Here, we investigated the autonomic activity and ventricular tachyarrhythmias in conscious, unrestrained rats post-infarction. Methods The left coronary artery was ligated in 12 Wistar rats, and six rats were sham operated, followed by 24-h electrocardiographic recording via implanted telemetry transmitters.

Long-term prognosis of drug-induced Brugada syndrome.

Background: Patients with drug-induced Brugada syndrome (BS) are considered at a lower risk than those with a spontaneous type I pattern. Nevertheless, they can present arrhythmic events.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate their clinical characteristics, long-term prognosis and risk factors.

Local conduction during acute myocardial infarction in rats: Interplay between central sympathetic activation and endothelin.

We investigated the effects of autonomic dysfunction and endothelin on local conduction and arrhythmogenesis during myocardial infarction. We recorded ventricular tachyarrhythmias, monophasic action potentials, and activation sequences in wild-type and ET-deficient rats displaying high endothelin levels. Central sympathetic inputs were examined after clonidine administration.

A score model to predict risk of events in patients with Brugada Syndrome.

Aims: Risk stratification in Brugada Syndrome (BS) remains challenging. Arrhythmic events can occur life-long and studies with long follow-ups are sparse. The aim of our study was to investigate long-term prognosis and risk stratification of BS patients.

Prolonged intra-myocardial growth hormone administration ameliorates post-infarction electrophysiologic remodeling in rats.

Experimental studies indicate improved ventricular function after treatment with growth hormone (GH) post-myocardial infarction, but its effect on arrhythmogenesis is unknown. Here, we assessed the medium-term electrophysiologic remodeling after intra-myocardial GH administration in (n = 33) rats. GH was released from an alginate scaffold, injected around the ischemic myocardium after coronary ligation.

'The role of novel oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation'.

Aim: Peri-procedural thromboembolic (TE) and hemorrhagic events are complications of major concern for patients undergoing cryoballoon (CB) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). While peri-procedural anticoagulation management could decrease the incidence of these complications, data on CB ablation are scarce. The role of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has not been thoroughly tested in this population.

Intra-myocardial growth hormone administration ameliorates arrhythmogenesis during ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Growth hormone, currently under evaluation for the prevention of left ventricular remodeling post-myocardial infarction, displays antiarrhythmic properties in the acute setting. However, it is uncertain whether these actions are retained after ischemia/reperfusion. Using implanted telemetry transmitters, we examined the effects of prolonged, intra-myocardial growth hormone administration in conscious rats.

Prevalence and Clinical Impact of Early Repolarization Pattern and QRS-Fragmentation in High-Risk Patients With Brugada Syndrome.

Background: The phenotypic heterogeneity of Brugada syndrome (BrS) can lead some patients to show an additional inferolateral early repolarization pattern (ERP), or fragmented QRS (f-QRS). The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of f-QRS, ERP or combined f-QRS/ERP in high-risk patients with BrS.

Methods and results: Patients with spontaneous or drug-induced BrS and an indication to receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) were considered eligible for this study.

Single 3-Minute versus Double 4-Minute Freeze Strategy for Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Second-generation cryoballoon (CB-Adv) ablation is highly effective in achieving pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with promising mid-term clinical outcome. However, the ideal freezing strategy is still under debate. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single 3-minute approach compared to the conventional 4-minute plus bonus application using CB-Adv.

Clinical characterisation and long-term prognosis of women with Brugada syndrome.

Objectives: Brugada syndrome (BS) in women is considered an infrequent condition with a more favourable prognosis than in men. Nevertheless, arrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death (SCD) also occur in this population. Long-term follow-up data of this group are sparse.

Effects of central sympathetic activation on repolarization-dispersion during short-term myocardial ischemia in anesthetized rats.

Aims: Sympathetic activation during myocardial ischemia enhances arrhythmogenesis, but the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the central sympathetic effects on ventricular repolarization during the early-period post-coronary artery occlusion.

Main Methods: We studied 12 Wistar rats (254±2 g) for 30 min following left coronary artery ligation, with (n=6) or without (n=6) pretreatment with the central sympatholytic agent clonidine.

Central Sympathetic Activation and Arrhythmogenesis during Acute Myocardial Infarction: Modulating Effects of Endothelin-B Receptors.

Sympathetic activation during acute myocardial infarction (MI) is an important arrhythmogenic mechanism, but the role of central autonomic inputs and their modulating factors remain unclear. Using the in vivo rat-model, we examined the effects of clonidine, a centrally acting sympatholytic agent, in the presence or absence of myocardial endothelin-B (ETB) receptors. We studied wild-type (n = 20) and ETB-deficient rats (n = 20) after permanent coronary ligation, with or without pretreatment with clonidine.

On the Quest for the Best Freeze: Predictors of Late Pulmonary Vein Reconnections After Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation.

Background: The second-generation cryoballoon is effective in achieving acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and favorable clinical outcome. To date, no data are available on factors affecting late PV reconnection after second-generation cryoballoon ablation.

Methods And Results: A total of 29 consecutive patients (25 male, 86.

Electrophysiological findings following pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency catheter guided by contact-force and second-generation cryoballoon: lessons from repeat ablation procedures.

Aims: To assess the incidence of late pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection following index PV isolation (PVI) procedure initially achieved with radiofrequency contact-force catheter ablation (CFCA) and second-generation cryoballoon ablation (CB-AdvA).

Methods And Results: A total of 56 consecutive patients (41 male, 73.2%; mean age 60.

Asymptomatic Brugada Syndrome: Clinical Characterization and Long-Term Prognosis.

Background: Among Brugada syndrome patients, asymptomatic individuals are considered to be at the lowest risk. Nevertheless, arrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death are not negligible. Literature focused on this specific group of patients is sparse.

Prognostic value of programmed electrical stimulation in Brugada syndrome: 20 years experience.

Background: The prognostic value of electrophysiological investigations in individuals with Brugada syndrome remains controversial. Different groups have published contradictory data. Long-term follow-up is needed to clarify this issue.

Persistence of Phrenic Nerve Palsy Following 28-mm Cryoballoon Ablation: A Four-Year Single Center Experience.

Background: Phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is the most frequently observed complication in the setting of cryoballoon (CB) ablation (Arctic Front, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). Although, usually transient, resolving before the end of the procedure, persistent PNP (not resolving before the end of procedure) can occur.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in Brugada syndrome: a 20-year single-center experience.

Background: Patients with Brugada syndrome and aborted sudden cardiac death or syncope have higher risks for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and should undergo implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement. Device-based management of asymptomatic patients is controversial. ICD therapy is associated with high rates of inappropriate shocks and device-related complications.