What we know about knowing: Presuppositions generated by factive verbs influence downstream neural processing.

Presuppositions convey information that comprehenders assume to be true, even when it is tangential to the communicator's main message. For example, a class of verbs called 'factives' (e.g.

Abnormally high risk of stroke in Brugada syndrome.

Background: The present study sought to evaluate the incidence of cerebrovascular events in a large cohort of patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) analysing possible predictors, clinical characteristics and prognosis of cardioembolic events secondary to atrial fibrillation.

Methods: A total of 671 consecutive patients (age 42.1 ± 17.

T-T, T-T/QT ratio and T-T dispersion for risk stratification in Brugada Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome is an ion channelopathy that predisposes affected subjects to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF), potentially leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD). T-T intervals, (T-T)/QT ratio and T-T dispersion have been proposed for risk stratification, but their predictive values in Brugada syndrome have been challenged recently.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine their values in predicting arrhythmic and mortality outcomes in Brugada Syndrome.

Towards a tailored cryo-pulmonary vein isolation. Lessons learned from second-generation cryoballoon ablation.

Second-generation cryoballoon ablation has emerged as an effective and practical approach for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. It gained the overall interest of the electrophysiology community due to its excellent success rates, and reproducible clinical outcomes comparable to the point-by-point radiofrequency technique. This technology offers several advantages including a fast learning curve and shorter procedure times making this device widely adopted in many EP-laboratories as an alternative strategy to conventional point-by-point radiofrequency ablation.

Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation - A Detailed Analysis of the Impact of Left Atrial Volume Index on Clinical Outcome.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by means of cryoballoon is increasingly being used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study assessed whether the left atrial volume index (LAVI) predicts AF recurrence following PVI by means of 2nd-generation cryoballoon (Cryoballoon Advance; CB-A) when comparing persistent AF (PeAF) and paroxysmal AF (PAF).

Methods and results: Patients with drug-resistant AF and undergoing preprocedural computed tomography (CT) and PVI with CB-A were included.

Left atrium remodeling predicts late recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after second generation cryoballoon ablation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Nowadays, AF ablation is a valuable treatment option. It has been shown that the left atrium (LA) diameter is a predictor of AF recurrence after cryoballoon ablation (CBA).

Acute and long-term outcomes of simultaneous atrioventricular node ablation and leadless pacemaker implantation.

Aims: Leadless pacemaker (LDP) allows implantation using a femoral approach. This access could be utilized for conventional atrioventricular nodal ablation (AVNA). It could facilitate unifying the two procedural components.

Continuous monitoring after second-generation cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Background: The second-generation cryoballoon (CB) is effective in achieving pulmonary vein isolation. Continuous monitoring would eliminate any over- or underestimated freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) postablation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to differentiate between arrhythmias occurring after cryoballoon ablation (CBA), detecting true AF in symptomatic patients and detecting silent subclinical AF.

Second-generation cryoballoon ablation for recurrent atrial fibrillation after an index cryoballoon procedure: a staged strategy with variable balloon size.

Purpose: Currently, information on the optimal approach of redo procedures for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is limited. Radiofrequency ablation is the preferred technique, with reported success rates of 50-70% at 1-2 years, whereas only few reports exist on redo cryoballoon (CB) ablations. We describe outcomes on a systematic approach of repeat procedures with a second-generation cryoballoon (CB-2) after a successful index CB ablation.

Value of ultrasound for access guidance and detection of subclinical vascular complications in the setting of atrial fibrillation cryoballoon ablation.

Aims: Vascular complications are the most common complications of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Cryoballoon (CB) ablation for AF needs the insertion of a large 15 Fr sheath in the femoral vein. Our aim was to investigate the impact of vascular ultrasound (US) in guiding access and evaluating post-procedural subclinical complications in a large, multi-centre patient cohort that underwent CB ablation.

Extracardiac ice formation during CoolLoop cryoablation of atrial fibrillation.

A 75-year-old male patient was referred for longstanding atrial fibrillation ablation. We performed this procedure combining an epicardial and endocardial approach. Under general anesthesia and via a left-sided thoracoscopic approach, we isolated the pulmonary veins (PVs) and the roofline and inferior line were created using a radiofrequency tool.

Real-Time Recordings in Cryoballoon Pulmonary Veins Isolation: Comparison Between the 25mm and the 20mm Achieve Catheters.

Aims: Real Time Recordings (RTR) of pulmonary vein (PV) activity provide important information in the setting of the 2nd generation Cryoballoon (CB-A), as a funcion of time to isolation. Visualization of RTR with the standard inner lumen mapping catheter (ILMC) 20mm Achieve (AC) is possible in roughly 50% of PVs. A novel 25mm-Achieve Advance (AC-A) has been developed with the aim of increasing the detection of RTR.

Single 3-min freeze per vein ablation strategy with the second-generation cryoballoon for atrial fibrillation in a large cohort of patients: long term outcome after a single procedure.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess the long-term success rate of a single 3-min freeze per vein ablation strategy in the setting of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by means of second-generation cryoballoon (CB-A; Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: Three hundred and one patients with drug resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) having undergone PVI by means of CB-A using a single 3-min freeze per vein ablation strategy were included in the analysis.

Results: Paroxysmal AF (PAF) was documented in 70.

Value of high-resolution mapping in optimizing cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Unrecognized incomplete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), as opposed to post-PVI pulmonary vein reconnection, may be responsible for clinical recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF). To date, no data are available on the use of high-resolution mapping (HRM) during cryoballoon (CB) ablation for AF as the index procedure. The aims of this study were: - to assess the value of using a HRM system during CB ablation procedures in terms of ability in acutely detecting incomplete CB lesions; - to compare the 8-pole circular mapping catheter (CMC, Achieve) and the 64-pole mini-basket catheter (Orion) with respect to pulmonary vein (PV) signals detection at baseline and after CB ablation; - to characterize the extension of the lesion produced by CB ablation by means of high-density voltage mapping.

Impact of an additional right pulmonary vein on second-generation cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation: a propensity matched score study.

Purpose: Cryoballoon (CB) technology in the context of anatomical pulmonary vein (PV) variants might hypothetically hamper successful PV isolation (PVI). Our aim was to assess the impact of a right middle PV (RMPV) in the setting of second-generation cryoballoon (CB advance-CB-A), on procedural parameters and on mid-term follow-up.

Methods: Consecutive patients with AF presenting RMPV (RMPV+) at the pre-procedural computed tomography who underwent PVI by CB-A were enrolled.

Anatomical and procedural predictors of pulmonary vein stenosis in the setting of second-generation cryoballoon ablation.

Aims: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a well recognized complication as a consequence of pulmonary vein isolation. In the current study, we sought to analyze potential anatomical and intraprocedural predictors of PVS during second-generation cryoballoon ablation, particularly focusing on the impact of freeze duration and number of cryoapplications.

Methods: Fifty-four patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation were included retrospectively in this study.

"Betting on nature" or "betting on others": anti-coordination induces uniquely high levels of entropy.

Uncertainty in the form of risk or ambiguity can arise from the interaction with nature and other players, while strategic uncertainty arises only in interactions with others. Here, we systematically compare binary decisions between a safe option and a potentially higher paying but uncertain option in four experimental conditions with the same potential monetary outcomes: coordination vs. anti coordination games, as well as risky and ambiguous lotteries.

Acute pericarditis following second-generation cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Acute pericarditis is a minor complication following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical aspects of pericarditis following cryoballoon (CB) ablation of AF investigating a possible association with procedural characteristics and a possible relationship with post-ablation recurrences.

Methods: Four hundred fifty consecutive patients (male 73%, age 59.

One-stage Approach for Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Treatment.

The one-stage approach for hybrid atrial fibrillation involves the simultaneous and close cooperation of different medical specialties. This review attempts to describe its challenging issues, exposing a plan to balance thrombotic risk and bleeding risk. It describes the combined surgical-electrophysiological procedure.

Cryoballoon Ablation in Today's Practice: Can the Left Common Ostium Be Ablated and Injury to the Right Phrenic Nerve Avoided?

Cryoballoon ablation is rapidly gaining popularity among electrophysiologists in the setting of pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of AF. The first part of the following review focuses on the feasibility and clinical outcome of this technique in patients exhibiting a left common ostium. In the second part, we discuss how to predict and prevent the most common complication related to cryoballoon ablation: right phrenic nerve palsy.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Children and Adolescents With Brugada Syndrome.

Background: Young patients presenting with symptomatic Brugada syndrome have very high risks for ventricular arrhythmias and should be carefully considered for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement. However, this therapy is associated with high rates of inappropriate shocks and device-related complications.

Objectives: This study investigated clinical features, management, and long-term follow-up of young patients with Brugada syndrome and ICD.

Leadless pacing in a young patient with cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope.

Vasovagal syncope is characterized by vasodilatation and/or bradycardia and thereby a fall in arterial BP and global cerebral perfusion in response to a trigger. Although it is a benign condition, patients with frequent and traumatic episodes need treatment in order to improve quality of life. We describe the case of a 17-years-old boy suffering from cardioinhibitory syncope.