Left atrial appendage closure outcomes in relation to atrial fibrillation patterns: a comprehensive analysis.

Objective: The effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) patterns on outcomes remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the influence of AF type on the risk of cardiocerebrovascular events after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) at long-term follow-up.

Methods: AF was categorized as paroxysmal AF (PAF) and non-PAF (NPAF).

Cardiovascular Significance and Genetics of Epicardial and Pericardial Adiposity.

Importance: Epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue (EPAT) has been associated with cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) and coronary artery disease (CAD), but studies have been limited in sample size or drawn from selected populations. It has been suggested that the association between EPAT and cardiovascular disease could be mediated by local or paracrine effects.

Objective: To evaluate the association of EPAT with prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease and to elucidate the genetic basis of EPAT in a large population cohort.

Liquid Nitrogen Cryoballoon Ablation System for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Multicenter, Prospective, Single-Arm Clinical Trial.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) has emerged as an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: This study sought to assess the performance of a novel liquid nitrogen-driven CBA system and evaluate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter single-arm clinical trial with 10 participating tertiary hospitals enrolling 176 patients with PAF.

The Cardiovascular Impact and Genetics of Pericardial Adiposity.

Background: While previous studies have reported associations of pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) with cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease, they have been limited in sample size or drawn from selected populations. Additionally, the genetic determinants of PAT remain largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association of PAT with prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease and to elucidate the genetic basis of PAT in a large population cohort.

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure With a Novel LAA Occluder for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: More than 90% of thromboses originate from the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of LAA closure with the Leftear device (Pulse Scientific) in NVAF patients.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, registry-based study was conducted in 200 NVAF patients with CHADS-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, female sex) scores ≥2.

Effect of congestive heart failure on safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of congestive heart failure (CHF) on safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients.

Methods: A total of 401 patients who consecutively underwent LAAC with Watchman and LAmbre devices were divided into CHF (85 cases) and non-CHF (316 cases) groups. Comparisons between groups were performed against data.

Novel ACTN2 missense variant is associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation: a case report.

Background: Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a diagnosis of exclusion made in patients who experience VF without an attributable cause. Pathogenic variants of the gene encoding the sarcomeric protein alpha-actinin-2 are known to cause hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy. We show that variants may also be associated with malignant arrhythmias in the absence of overt structural heart disease.

Comparative analysis of left atrial appendage closure efficacy and outcomes by CHADS-VASc score group in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Higher CHADS-VASc score is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), regardless of oral anticoagulation (OAC) status. However, whether this association still exists in patients undergoing left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is unknown. We evaluated the impact of CHADS-VASc score on LAAC efficacy and outcomes.

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia: an examination of existing definitions.

Aims: Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a syndrome characterized by an elevated sinus rate unassociated with known physiological, pathological, or pharmacological causes. Despite published consensus documents, IST definitions appear to vary in the literature. In this study, we reviewed IST publications to evaluate IST definition variability and ascertain the degree to which consensus definitions are being adopted.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure Yields Favorable Cardio- and Cerebrovascular Outcomes in Patients With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Stroke.

Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and previous stroke are at significantly higher risk of stroke recurrence. Data on the efficacy of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) on these patients is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of LAAC efficacy on long-term cardio- and cerebrovascular outcomes in NVAF patients with vs.

Safety and effectiveness of left atrial appendage closure in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and prior major bleeding.

Objectives: To investigate safety and effectiveness of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in atrial fibrillation patients with prior major bleeding.

Methods: A total of 377 consecutive patients scheduled for LAAC with Watchman device were divided into bleeding group (n = 137) and non-bleeding group (n = 240). Data were compared between groups.

Magnesium Deficiency Causes a Reversible, Metabolic, Diastolic Cardiomyopathy.

Background Dietary Mg intake is associated with a decreased risk of developing heart failure, whereas low circulating Mg level is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. We investigated whether Mg deficiency alone could cause cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results C57BL/6J mice were fed with a low Mg (low-Mg, 15-30 mg/kg Mg) or a normal Mg (nl-Mg, 600 mg/kg Mg) diet for 6 weeks.

Impact of sex differences on outcomes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation undergoing left atrial appendage closure: A single-center experience.

Female patients affected by non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) have a higher risk of stroke compared with male patients. Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has been demonstrated as a reasonable alternative to warfarin therapy for stroke prevention in patients with NVAF. However, the impact of sex-related differences on outcomes in patients undergoing LAA closure (LAAC) remains unclear.

Brain Injury After Transcatheter Replacement of Bicuspid Versus Tricuspid Aortic Valves.

Background: An increasing number of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients are undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but the risk of brain injury in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is currently unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the risk of brain injury in BAV patients following TAVR.

Methods: A total of 204 consecutive severe aortic stenosis patients who underwent TAVR were enrolled.

Comparison of fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiogram for intra-procedure device surveillance assessment during implantation of Watchman.

Objectives: To evaluate intraprocedural assessments using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy during left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the WATCHMAN device.

Method: A total of 208 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing LAAO were included in this study[101 standard procedures (retrospective cohort) and 107 with fluoroscopy-alone approach (prospective cohort). Individual device position, anchoring, compression and peri-device leak (PDL) were successively analyzed based on TEE and fluoroscopy in the retrospective cohort to summarize detailed fluoroscopic assessments for prospective application.

Efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage closure in non-valvular atrial fibrillation in patients over 75 years.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) may decrease risks of stroke and bleeding in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), but it is still lacking of evidence. The present study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of LAAC in patients with NVAF over 75 years. 351 patients with NVAF who underwent LAAC were retrospectively analyzed on the LAAC procedure characteristics and the clinical follow-up according to age (age ≥ 75 years or < 75 years).

Computed Tomographic Angiography-Derived Risk Factors for Vascular Complications in Percutaneous Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a viable alternative to surgical valve implantation, particularly for higher risk patients; however, vascular complications (VCs) remain a concern in transfemoral TAVI. We aimed to determine clinical and computed tomographic angiography-derived risk factors associated with Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 criteria VCs in patients who underwent TAVI. From 2011 to 2017, 481 patients underwent percutaneous transfemoral TAVI at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and were screened for procedural and postprocedural access-related VC according to VARC-2 criteria.