Transseptal approach versus retrograde aortic approach in mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias from anterolateral papillary muscles.

Introduction: The anterior and lateral position of the anterolateral papillary muscle (ALPM) has found to be reached with better catheter stability and less mechanical bumping via the transseptal (TS) compared to the retrograde aortic (RA) approach. The aim of this study is to compare the TS and RA approaches on mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from ALPMs.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with ALPM-VAs undergoing mapping and ablation via the TS approach were included and compared with 31 patients via the RA approach within the same period.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left bundle branch block.

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are commonly coexisting conditions. The impact of LBBB on catheter ablation of AF has not been well determined. This study aims to explore the long-term outcomes of patients with AF and LBBB after catheter ablation.

Predictive value of valvular calcification for the recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Background: Valvular calcification (VC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between VC and atrial fibrillation is not clear.

Hypothesis: We treated the aortic valve, mitral valve, and tricuspid valve as a whole and considered the possible association between VC and recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation among hospitalized patients: clinical correlates and in-hospital outcomes in Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation.

Aims: The clinical correlates and outcomes of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in hospitalized patients are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the clinical correlates and in-hospital outcomes of asymptomatic AF in hospitalized Chinese patients.

Methods And Results: We conducted a cross-sectional registry study of inpatients with AF enrolled in the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation Project between February 2015 and December 2019.

A novel esophageal retractor with eccentric balloon during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Due to the anatomically adjacent relationship between the left atrium (LA) and esophagus, energy delivery on the posterior wall of LA is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel esophageal retractor (SAFER) with an inflatable C-curve balloon during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Method: Nine patients underwent AF ablation assisted with the SAFER.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with autoimmune disease: A propensity score matching study based on the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry.

Background: Evidence on outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with autoimmune disease (AD) is limited.

Hypothesis: Patients with AD had worse outcomes after CA procedures for AF.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in patients undergoing AF ablation between 2012 and 2021.

Prospective randomized comparison between upgraded '2C3L' vs. PVI approach for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: PROMPT-AF trial design.

Background: In randomized studies, the strategy of pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVI) plus linear ablation has failed to increase success rates for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) ablation when compared with PVI alone. Peri-mitral reentry related atrial tachycardia due to incomplete linear block is an important cause of clinical failures of a first ablation procedure. Ethanol infusion (EI) into the vein of Marshall (EI-VOM) has been demonstrated to facilitate a durable mitral isthmus linear lesion.

Fascicular ventricular tachycardia arising from the left side His and its adjacent region: a subset of upper septal idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia.

Aims: Fascicular ventricle tachycardia (FVT) arising from the proximal aspect of left His-Purkinje system (HPS) has not been specially addressed. Current study was to investigate its clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological characteristics.

Methods And Results: Eighteen patients who were identified as this rare FVT were consecutively enrolled, and their scalar electrocardiogram and electrophysiological data were collected and analysed.

Direct autotransfusion in the management of acute pericardial tamponade during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: An imperfect but practical method.

Background: Acute pericardial tamponade (APT) is one of the most serious complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF-CA). Direct autotransfusion (DAT) is a method of reinjecting pericardial blood directly into patients through vein access without a cell-salvage system. Data regarding DAT for APT are rare and provide limited information.

Repeat ablation strategy for recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation: A propensity-matched score comparison between "2C3L" and "extensive ablation" approach.

Background: Debates exist in the repeat ablation strategy for patients with recurrence presenting as persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after initial persistent AF ablation.

Objective: To compare the outcome between the "2C3L" and "extensive ablation" approach in patients undergoing repeat procedures for recurrent persistent AF.

Methods: Propensity-score matching was performed in 196 patients with AF recurrence undergoing repeat ablation, and 79 patients treated with "2C3L" strategy were matched to 79 patients treated with "extensive ablation" strategy.

Risk Factors for Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background:  Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a common complication of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), causing morbidity and mortality.

Methods:  This study retrospectively analyzed patients with DCM from January 2002 to August 2020 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Clinical characteristics were compared between the LVT group and the age and sex 1:4 matched with the LVT absent group.

Outcome of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) frequently coexist. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcome of catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF and SCAD.

Methods: In total, 12,104 patients with paroxysmal AF underwent catheter ablation in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry between 2011 and 2019 were screened.

A strategy of idarucizumab for pericardial tamponade during perioperative period of atrial fibrillation ablation.

Objective: To investigate theoptimal idarucizumab (dabigatran antagonist) usage strategy for patients with acute pericardial tamponade receiving uninterrupted dabigatran during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Ten patients presenting acute pericardial tamponade while receiving uninterrupted dabigatran during catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2019 to July 2020 were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. A "wait and see" strategy of idarucizumab was carried out for all patients; in brief, idarucizumab was applied following pericardiocentesis, comprehensive evaluation of bleeding and hemostasis.

Comparison of prognosis and outcomes of catheter ablation versus drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease: A prospective propensity-score matched cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) frequently coexist.

Hypothesis: To investigate the prognosis of catheter ablation versus drug therapy in patients with AF and SCAD.

Methods: In total, 25 512 patients with AF in the Chinese AF Registry between 2011 and 2019 were screened for SCAD.

A simple and easily implemented risk model to predict 1-year ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Accurate prediction of ischemic stroke is required for deciding anticoagulation use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Even though only 6% to 8% of AF patients die from stroke, about 90% are indicated for anticoagulants according to the current AF management guidelines. Therefore, we aimed to develop an accurate and easy-to-use new risk model for 1-year thromboembolic events (TEs) in Chinese AF patients.

Healthcare quality and mortality among patients hospitalized for heart failure by hospital level in Beijing, China.

Aims: This study sought to compare healthcare quality and 30 day, 90 day, and 1 year mortality rates among patients admitted to secondary and tertiary hospitals for heart failure (HF) in Beijing.

Methods And Results: This study retrospectively enrolled patients hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF during January 2014 to December 2015, from five tertiary and four secondary hospitals, in Beijing, China. Mortality data were extracted from Beijing Death Surveillance Database.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in situs inversus dextrocardia: Challenge, improved procedure, outcomes, and literature review.

Introduction: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF-CA) in patients with situs inversus dextrocardia (SID) can be challenging because of the contrary anatomy and associated anomalies. Cases and literature regarding AF-CA in SID are rare and provide little information. Our study aims to present an improved procedure, ablation strategies, and evaluate the safety and outcomes of AF-CA in patients with AF and SID.

New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Adverse In-Hospital Outcome in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be secondary to acute pulmonary embolism (PE). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of new-onset AF on patients with acute PE. In this study, 4,288 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with acute PE were retrospectively screened.

Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in abdominal solid organ (renal and hepatic) transplant recipients: A single-center pilot experience.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in abdominal solid organ transplant recipients and a cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. However, the outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) in transplant recipients with AF remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the outcomes of CA in renal and hepatic transplant recipients.

Left-sided accessory pathways successfully ablated from the aortomitral continuity region: distinctive atrial activation patterns and anatomic concerns.

Aims: Accessory pathways (APs) successfully ablated at the aortomitral continuity (AMC) were sporadically reported but relevant data are very limited. We aimed to describe the electrophysiological characteristics of AMC-AP and the related anatomy.

Methods And Results: This study involved eight (male/female = 3/5, mean age 42.

Evidence of 2 conduction exits of the moderator band: Findings from activation and pace mapping study.

Background: The moderator band (MB) is an endocavitary structure with only 2 exits to the bulk of the ventricular myocardium. Whether this may lead to specific electrophysiological characteristics remains unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate electrocardiographic (ECG), activation, and pace mapping characteristics of MB-originated ventricular arrhythmias (VAs).

Relationship Between Ablation Lesion Size Estimated by Ablation Index and Different Ablation Settings-an Ex Vivo Porcine Heart Study.

This study aimed to verify the reliability of ablation index (AI) for ablation lesion estimating with different settings for radiofrequency (RF) parameters: power, impedance, contact angles, irrigation rate, temperature of irrigation saline, and irrigation solution. RF ablations (N = 66) were performed on ex vivo porcine left ventricle submerged in 37 °C saline. The aforementioned ablation parameters were changed to measure whether the size of the ablation lesion was consistent at a fixed AI value of 500.