Performance of Different Risk Scores for the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Among Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent underlying cause of cryptogenic stroke (CS) and its detection can be increased using implantable cardiac monitoring (ICM). We sought to evaluate different risk scores and assess their diagnostic ability in identifying patients with CS with underlying AF on ICM.

Methods: Patients with CS, being admitted to a single tertiary stroke center between 2017 and 2022 and receiving ICM, were prospectively evaluated.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence following Catheter Ablation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1)Introduction: Catheter ablation has become a cornerstone for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, recurrence rates remain high. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been associated with AF pathogenesis and maintenance.

Efficacy, Safety and Feasibility of Superior Vena Cava Isolation in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation: An Up-to-Date Review.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation; yet, the role of arrhythmogenic superior vena cava (SVC) is increasingly recognized and different ablation strategies have been employed in this context. SVC can act as a trigger or perpetuator of AF, and its significance might be more pronounced in patients undergoing repeated ablation. Several cohorts have examined efficacy, safety and feasibility of SVC isolation (SVCI) among AF patients.

Atrial strain and occult atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cryptogenic stroke (CS) remains a significant cause of morbidity. Failure to identify the underlying pathology increases the rate of recurrence. Atrial fibrillation (AF) seems to be responsible for a substantial proportion of CS.

Left atrial appendage morphofunctional indices could be predictive of arrhythmia recurrence post-atrial fibrillation ablation: a meta-analysis.

Background: Left atrium changes are implicated in atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate and are predictive of AF outcomes. Left atrial appendage (LAA) is an integral component of left atrial structure and could be affected by atrial cardiomyopathy. We aimed to elucidate the association between LAA indices and late arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA).

Advances in the Management of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction; The Role of SGLT2is, ARNI, Myotropes, Vericiguat, and Anti-inflammatory Agents: A Mini-review.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been associated with poor prognosis, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare expenditure. Despite tremendous advances in HFrEF management, reduced survival and a high rate of hospitalization remain unsolved issues. Furthermore, HFrEF morbidity and economic burden are estimated to increase in the following years; hence, new therapies are constantly emerging.

Inflammatory Biomarkers in Coronary Artery Ectasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a relatively rare clinical entity, the pathogenesis of which is poorly understood. More and more evidence is accumulating to suggest a critical inflammatory component. We aimed to elucidate any association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and coronary artery ectasia.

Different venous approaches for implantation of cardiac electronic devices. A network meta-analysis.

Objectives: Many of the complications arising from cardiac device implantation are associated to the venous access used for lead placement. Previous analyses reported that cephalic vein cutdown (CVC) is safer but less effective than subclavian vein puncture (SVP). However, comparisons between these techniques and axillary vein puncture (AVP) - guided either by ultrasound or fluoroscopy - are lacking.

Early arrhythmia recurrence after cryoballoon ablation in atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Early arrhythmia recurrence within the 3-month blanking period is a common event that historically has been attributed to reversible phenomena. While its mechanistic links remain obscure, accumulating evidence support the argument of shortening the blanking period. We aimed to elucidate the association between early and late arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation cryoablation.

Old stuff still trending: use of propafenone as a safety net until catheter ablation in a patient with documented pre-excited atrial fibrillation and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome - a classic case report.

Background: Atrial fibrillation in WolffParkinsonWhite syndrome may result in life-threateningly rapid antegrade conduction over a bypass tract, manifested by an irregular broad-complex (pre-excited) tachycardia that can degenerate to ventricular fibrillation. The shortest pre-excited RR interval below 250 ms during atrial fibrillation (AF) predicts increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

Case Summary: We report a case of a 43-year-old man with unremarkable cardiac history who presented due to sudden-onset feeling of palpitations and pre-syncope after strenuous lifting.

Immunologic Dysregulation and Hypercoagulability as a Pathophysiologic Background in COVID-19 Infection and the Immunomodulating Role of Colchicine.

In 2020, SARS-COV-2 put health systems under unprecedented resource and manpower pressure leading to significant number of deaths. Expectedly, researchers sought to shed light on the pathophysiologic background of this novel disease (COVID-19) as well as to facilitate the design of effective therapeutic modalities. Indeed, early enough the pivotal role of inflammatory and thrombotic pathways in SARS-COV-2 infection has been illustrated.

Molecular Insights in Atrial Fibrillation Pathogenesis and Therapeutics: A Narrative Review.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is bound to increase globally in the following years, affecting the quality of life of millions of people, increasing mortality and morbidity, and beleaguering health care systems. Increasingly effective therapeutic options against AF are the constantly evolving electroanatomic substrate mapping systems of the left atrium (LA) and ablation catheter technologies. Yet, a prerequisite for better long-term success rates is the understanding of AF pathogenesis and maintenance.

The role of left atrial peak systolic strain in atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic role of left atrial peak systolic longitudinal strain (LA-PLSsys) as a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation.

Methods: We systematically searched major electronic databases and grey literature for studies assessing the role of pre-ablation LA-PLSsys, measured in at least two segments, in post-ablation AF recurrence, after a follow-up period of at least 6 months.

Results: Seventeen eligible studies were included, resulting in 1704 patients (68.

Could Sodium/Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors Have Antiarrhythmic Potential in Atrial Fibrillation? Literature Review and Future Considerations.

The global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) is constantly increasing, necessitating novel and effective therapeutic options. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been introduced in clinical practice as glucose-lowering medications. However, they have recently gained prominence for their potential to exert substantial cardiorenal protection and are being evaluated in large clinical trials including patients with type 2 diabetes and normoglycemic adults.

The prognostic role of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and reduced ejection fraction, implanted with cardioverter defibrillators for primary prevention. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies suggest that late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is associated with arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), while others have questioned the role of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as a sole predictor of future events.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of LGE on CMR in identifying patients with NICM and reduced LVEF for whom a benefit from defibrillator implantation for primary prevention is not anticipated, thus they are mainly exposed to potential risks.

Methods: Major electronic databases were searched for studies reporting the incidence of appropriate device therapy (ADT), sudden cardiac death (SCD), and cardiac death based on the presence of LGE on CMR, among patients with NICM and reduced LVEF, implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator for primary prevention.

Atrial fibrillation risk in patients suffering from type I diabetes mellitus. A review of clinical and experimental evidence.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Although, the long term macrovascular and microvascular sequela of DM are well validated, the association between the less prevalent type 1 DM (T1DM) and atrial arrhythmogenesis is poorly understood. In the present review we highlight the current experimental and clinical data addressing this complex interaction.

Implantable Cardiac Monitoring in the Secondary Prevention of Cryptogenic Stroke.

Objective: In this study, we sought to evaluate the impact of implantable cardiac monitoring (ICM) in the prevention of stroke recurrence after a cryptogenic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: We evaluated consecutive patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke or TIA admitted in a comprehensive stroke center during an 8-year period. We compared the baseline characteristics and outcomes between patients receiving conventional cardiac monitoring with repeated 24-hour Holter-monitoring during the first 5 years in the outpatient setting and those receiving continuous cardiac monitoring with ICM during the last 3 years.

The Greek study in the effects of colchicine in COvid-19 complications prevention (GRECCO-19 study): Rationale and study design.

Objective: Colchicine has been utilized safely in a variety of cardiovascular clinical conditions. Among its potential mechanisms of action is the non-selective inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome which is thought to be a major pathophysiologic component in the clinical course of patients with COVID-19. GRECCO-19 will be a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, controlled study to assess the effects of colchicine in COVID-19 complications prevention.

Effect of cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation for pulmonary vein isolation on left atrial function in patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A prospective randomized study (Cryo-LAEF study).

Background: Isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVI) has become a mainstay in atrial fibrillation (AFib) therapy. Lesions in left atrial tissue lead to scar formation and this may affect left atrial function.

Methods: Patients with paroxysmal AFib were randomly assigned in a 1:2 allocation scheme to radiofrequency (RF) ablation or cryoballoon.

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.