Cardiovascular magnetic resonance-based predictors of complete left ventricular systolic functional recovery after rhythm restoration in patients with atrial tachyarrhythmia.

Aims: To establish a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-based prediction model for complete systolic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery for the distinction of 'arrhythmia-induced' from 'arrhythmia-mediated' cardiomyopathy in patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Methods And Results: Two hundred and fifty-three tachyarrhythmia patients referred for catheter ablation were enrolled and underwent CMR baseline imaging; patients with a reduced LVEF <50% at baseline and CMR imaging at 3-month follow-up after successful rhythm restoration constituted the final study population (n = 134). CMR at baseline consisted of standard functional cine imaging, determination of extracellular volume, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging; follow-up CMR comprised standard functional cine imaging.

Fluoroscopy usage in contemporary interventional electrophysiology: Insights from a European registry.

Background: Fluoroscopy has been an essential part of every electrophysiological procedure since its inception. However, till now no clear standards regarding acceptable x-ray exposure nor recommendation how to achieve them have been proposed.

Hypothesis: Current norms and quality markers required for optimal clinical routine can be identified.

Clinical utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators presenting with electrical instability or worsening heart failure symptoms.

Background: Data on the usefulness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for clinical decision making in patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are scarce. The present study determined the impact of CMR imaging on diagnostic stratification and treatment decisions in ICD patients presenting with electrical instability or progressive heart failure symptoms.

Methods: 212 consecutive ICD patients underwent 1.

Combined single-session cardiovascular magnetic resonance: stress perfusion and three-dimensional pulmonary vein angiography for stratification of atrial fibrillation patients with chest pain syndromes prior to catheter ablation.

Aims: To determine the clinical utility of a combined single-session cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging protocol integrating adenosine stress perfusion and three-dimensional pulmonary vein angiography for stratification of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients referred for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and complaining about chest pain syndromes.

Methods And Results: The preprocedural CMR examination (adenosine stress perfusion, late gadolinium enhancement, and three-dimensional pulmonary vein angiography) was performed in 357 consecutive AF patients with chest pain syndromes referred for PVI. Stress perfusion results were used for stratification: ischaemia positive patients underwent invasive coronary angiography, ischaemia negative patients underwent PVI, and follow-up/outcome data were collected (combined primary endpoint of cardiac death/non-fatal myocardial infarction).

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on electrophysiological parameters in nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: The RIPPAF Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most relevant arrhythmia with a prevalence of 2%. The treatment options are either highly invasive and cost-intensive or limited by potential side effects or insufficient efficacy. However, no direct means of prevention that could reduce the burden of AF have been tested.

Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure-Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Prognostic Relevance.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) commonly coexist and are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. Both conditions develop into epidemics due to the ageing of the population and lead to poorer prognosis for the individual patients. Therapeutic strategies include treatment with oral anticoagulation, and rate and rhythm control concepts to prevent stroke and improve the cardiovascular outcome.

Morphological determinators of platelet activation status in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Stage of platelet activation is an important modulator of stroke risk associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, factors determining such activation status of thrombocytes in patients with AF are still not well studied.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 83 patients (mean age 61 ± 10 years, 61% male, mean CHADS-VASc 2.

Association of left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement with left atrial low voltage areas in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is related to adverse cardiovascular outcome. Many patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF) undergo cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging prior to ablation. Since quantification of atrial fibrosis still lacks reproducibility, we sought to investigate risk factors for the presence of left ventricular (LV)-LGE and a possible correlation between ventricular fibrosis as defined by positive LGE and pathological atrial voltage maps evaluated by 3D mapping systems.

Predictors, management, and outcome of cardioversion failure early after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Aims: Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is frequently required for early atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. However, in some cases, ECV is unsuccessful, and factors associated with long-term rhythm outcomes after failed ECV are unknown. This study aimed to identify possible predictors of ECV failure early after AF ablation and to analyse management and long-term rhythm outcome of these patients.

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on electrophysiological and biomolecular parameters in nonvalvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (RIPPAF study): Rationale and study design of a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been studied in models of different cardiovascular entities. Recently, a beneficial effect of RIPC on incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in postsurgical patients has been suggested. However, the potential impact of RIPC on electrophysiological- and thrombogenesis-related parameters in the setting of paroxysmal nonvalvular AF has not been investigated.