Left Atrial Wall Thickness Measured by a Machine Learning Method Predicts AF Recurrence After Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) remodeling plays a significant role in the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although LA wall thickness (LAWT) has emerged as an indicator of structural remodeling, its impact on AF outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to determine the association between LAWT and AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), as well as to evaluate the relationship between LAWT and LA fibrosis.

Outcomes of ventricular tachycardia ablation in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy: A propensity-score matched analysis.

Introduction And Objectives: Catheter ablation (CA) is effective in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Although some observational data suggest patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) have less favorable outcomes when compared to those with an ischemic etiology (ICM), direct comparisons are rarely reported. We aimed to compare the outcomes of VT ablation in a propensity-score matched population of ICM or NICM patients.

Predicting obstructive coronary artery disease in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A practical clinical score.

Introduction And Objectives: Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the most common etiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, there is controversy whether invasive coronary angiography (ICA) should be used initially to exclude CAD in patients presenting with new-onset HFrEF of unknown etiology. Our study aimed to develop a clinical score to quantify the risk of obstructive CAD in these patients.

Outcomes of a combined vs non-combined endo-epicardial ventricular tachycardia ablation strategy.

Background: Direct comparisons of combined (C-ABL) and non-combined (NC-ABL) endo-epicardial ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation outcomes are scarce. We aimed to investigate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of these 2 strategies in ischemic heart disease (IHD) and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) populations.

Methods: Multicentric observational registry included 316 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for drug-resistant VT between January 2008 and July 2019.

The Relationship between Epicardial Fat and Atrial Fibrillation Cannot Be Fully Explained by Left Atrial Fibrosis.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), but its pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear.

Objectives: To measure the correlation between EAT and left atrium (LA) fibrosis, and to assess their ability to predict relapse after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods: Patients with AF enrolled for a first PVI procedure underwent both cardiac computerized tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging within less than 48 hours.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Atrial Extension: A Case Report.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignancy usually associated with cirrhosis. Despite being a highly aggressive tumor with several cases of vascular invasion, metastatic disease to the heart is a rare condition. A 65-year-old male cirrhotic patient was admitted with dyspnea, ascites, and lower extremity edema.

Immunosuppressive CD14/HLA-DR monocytes in patients with Chagas Disease.

Chagas Disease (CD) is a neglected illness whose immunopathological mechanisms have not yet been plainly elucidated. The asymptomatic (indeterminate) form of CD is a long-term condition and approximately 20% to 35% of the individuals with this form evolve into one of the three chronic symptomatic clinical forms of CD, namely: cardiac, digestive or cardio-digestive (mixed). A variant of blood monocytes characterized by low expression of the HLA-DR antigen (CD14/HLA-DR) constitutes a subtype of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) whose main function is to regulate exacerbated inflammatory processes.

Medication adherence to direct anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation - A real world analysis.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) changed the landscape of atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, but also brought with them new challenges in terms of accessibility and compliance. The purpose of this study was to assess adherence to DOACs, and its determinants in a population of AF patients.

Methods: Single-center retrospective study including all patients with non-valvular AF treated with a DOAC from the outpatient general cardiology list at a tertiary center, whose first DOAC prescription was between 1 April 2016 and August 2018.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a European observational multicentre study.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Data on the efficacy of catheter ablation of AF in HCM patients are sparse.

Methods And Results: Observational multicentre study in 137 HCM patients (mean age 55.

Coronary artery calcium scoring and cardiovascular risk reclassification in patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.

Introduction: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is used for both cardiovascular risk reclassification and as a gatekeeper for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The aims of this study were to assess to what extent CAC score results can reclassify the cardiovascular risk of patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) on CCTA, and to measure the proportion of these patients whose primary prevention medication is changed after the exam.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis of a multicenter registry of individuals who underwent CCTA for suspected CAD during a two-year period, the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) risk scores were calculated for each individual.

The impact of 2 weeks of detraining on phase angle, BIVA patterns, and muscle strength in trained older adults.

Background: An intermission in the training routine, in which older adults refrain from regular structured exercise, may have deleterious effects on muscle performance and bioelectric phase angle (PhA), which is a predictive marker for cellular integrity.

Purpose: To determine the effects of a 2-week detraining period on PhA and muscular strength (MS) in trained older adults.

Methods: A total of 14 trained older adults (6 females) aged ≥65 years (77.

Storm-Drain and Manhole Detection Using the RetinaNet Method.

As key-components of the urban-drainage system, storm-drains and manholes are essential to the hydrological modeling of urban basins. Accurately mapping of these objects can help to improve the storm-drain systems for the prevention and mitigation of urban floods. Novel Deep Learning (DL) methods have been proposed to aid the mapping of these urban features.

A new electrophysiologic triad for identification and localization of the critical isthmus in atrial flutter.

Introduction: Atypical atrial flutter (AFL) is a supraventricular arrhythmia that can be treated with catheter ablation. However, this strategy yields suboptimal results and the best approach is yet to be defined. Carto® electroanatomical mapping (EAM) version 7 displays a histogram of the local activation times (LAT) of the tachycardia cycle length (TCL), in addition to activation and voltage maps.