Pulmonary vein isolation guided by moderate ablation index targets combined with strict procedural endpoints for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Ablation index (AI)-guided radiofrequency ablation has been increasingly used for the treatment of drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF)，but the optimal AI targets remain to be determined. We aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation guided by moderate AI values but more strict procedural endpoints in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients who received their first AI-guided ablation for paroxysmal AF from 2017 to 2018.

Role of the notched unipolar electrogram in guiding catheter ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions originating from the ventricular outflow tract.

Objective: To investigate the value of a notched unipolar electrogram (N-uniEGM) in confirming the origin of premature ventricular contractions originating from the ventricular outflow tract (VOT-PVC) during mapping and ablation procedures.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with symptomatic idiopathic frequent VOT-PVCs that underwent radiofrequency ablation. The characteristics of the uniEGM of the successful ablation targets were analysed.

Identification of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation responders among patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: clinical value of the sequential low-dose ibutilide test.

Aims: Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation can be effective as sole treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation. However, identifying those patients who will respond to this therapy remains a challenge. We investigated the clinical value of the sequential low-dose ibutilide test for identifying patients with persistent atrial fibrillation in whom pulmonary vein isolation is effective as sole therapy.

Electrocardiographic morphology during left bundle branch area pacing: Characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and clinical implications.

Aims: In this study, we investigated the characteristics and underlying mechanisms of the electrocardiographic (ECG) morphology during left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), which have not been systematically described.

Methods: Patients with indications for permanent cardiac pacing underwent LBBAP attempts. The ECGs of patients with confirmed left bundle branch (LBB) capture were compared with those of individuals with right bundle branch block (RBBB) on 12-lead ECG.

Dual-time-point myocardial F-FDG imaging in the detection of coronary artery disease.

Background: Myocardial F-deoxyglucose (F-FDG) uptake has been observed to be enhanced in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) under fasting conditions. However, whether the increased F-FDG is induced by myocardial ischemia and how to discriminate ischemic from physiological F-FDG uptake have rarely been investigated.

Methods: Under fasting conditions, F-FDG PET imaging was performed in 52 patients with suspected CAD.

Use of resting myocardial 18F-FDG imaging in the detection of unstable angina.

Objective: Increased myocardial glucose metabolism occurs with the onset of myocardial ischemia and may persist even after the restoration of blood flow, termed as 'ischemic memory'. Previous studies have demonstrated that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is a sensitive marker of myocardial ischemia and may have potential utility in diagnosing unstable angina (UA). This study aimed to explore the value of F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing UA.

Ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy in children with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans: a pilot study.

Purpose: Childhood post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is an infrequent lung disease leading to narrowing and/or complete obliteration of small airways. Ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) scan can provide both regional and global pulmonary information. However, only few retrospective researches investigating post-infectious BO involved V/Q scan, the clinical value of this method is unknown.

Evaluation of left and right ventricular ejection fraction and volumes from gated blood-pool SPECT in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: comparison with cardiac MRI.

Unlabelled: This prospective study evaluated the accuracy of electrocardiogram-gated blood-pool SPECT (GBPS) for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging as the reference standard.

Methods: Thirty-two patients (24 men and 8 women; mean age, 51 y) with a diagnosis of idiopathic DCM underwent GBPS and CMR. LV and RV parameters including EDV, ESV, and EF from GBPS were calculated using fully automated gradient software and compared with those obtained by CMR.

The role of myocardial viability assessed by perfusion/F-18 FDG imaging in children with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

Purpose: Although surgical treatments evolved, the short-term postoperative mortality is still high in children with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), and long-term survivors may suffer from restrained functional recovery. Therefore, an optimal means in predicting postoperative reversal is demanded. In this study, we assess the utility of myocardial perfusion/F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) imaging in the evaluation of myocardial viability and postsurgery functional recovery in children with ALCAPA.