Publications by authors named "Dennis Lau"
Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and negatively impacts treatment outcomes. Optimal tools for AF patient selection for SDB testing are lacking.
Objectives: This study sought to develop and validate a prediction tool to detect patients who have AF with moderate-to-severe SDB.
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) commonly coexist. We hypothesize that patients with symptomatic AF but without overt clinical HF commonly exhibit subclinical HFpEF according to established hemodynamic criteria.
Objectives: The authors sought to use invasive hemodynamics to investigate the prevalence and implications of subclinical HFpEF in AF ablation patients.
Aims: Exercise training reduces recurrence of arrhythmia and symptom severity amongst patients with symptomatic, non-permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is little evidence on whether this effect is modified by patient sex. In a sub-analysis from the ACTIVE-AF (A Lifestyle-based, PhysiCal AcTIVity IntErvention for Patients With Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation) randomized controlled trial, we compared the effects of exercise training on AF recurrence and symptom severity between men and women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine the associations between specific dietary patterns and incident atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods: Using data from the UK Biobank, dietary intakes were calculated from 24-hour diet recall questionnaires. Indices representing adherence to dietary patterns (Mediterranean-style, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and plant-based diets) were scored, and ultra-processed food consumption was studied as a percentage of total food mass consumed.
Background: Autonomic dysfunction, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), has been reported in individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). However, the degree of dysautonomia in PASC has not been compared to those with POTS and healthy controls.
Methods: All participants were prospectively enrolled between August 5, 2021 and October 31, 2022.
Purpose: The effect of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) remains poorly studied. Here, we sought to compare the HrQoL in individuals with POTS to a normative age-/sex-matched population.
Methods: Participants enrolled in the Australian POTS registry between 5 August 2021 and 30 June 2022 were compared with propensity-matched local normative population data from the South Australian Health Omnibus Survey.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate how factors like vector length, implant angle, and patient characteristics influence the accuracy of electrogram sensing in insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs).
- It involved analyzing 1800 ECG tracings from 150 participants using different distances, angles, and postures, finding that longer vector lengths (75 mm) and oblique angles improved P- and R-wave amplitudes significantly.
- The findings suggest that optimizing vector length and implant angle can enhance electrogram visibility, which is crucial for reducing false alerts in cardiac monitoring.
Objectives: To evaluate at 1.5 and 3 T MRI the safety and performance of trademarked ENO, TEO, or OTO pacing systems with automated MRI Mode and the image quality of non-enhanced MR examinations.
Methods: A total of 267 implanted patients underwent MRI examination (brain, cardiac, shoulder, cervical spine) at 1.
Background: Fat layers in obese patients can impair R-wave detection and diagnostic performance of a subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). We compared safety and ICM sensing quality between obese patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m] and normal-weight controls (BMI <30 kg/m) in terms of R-wave amplitude and time in noise mode (noise burden) detected by a long-sensing-vector ICM.
Materials And Methods: Patients from two multicentre, non-randomized clinical registries are included in the present analysis on January 31, 2022 (data freeze), if the follow-up period was at least 90 days after ICM insertion, including daily remote monitoring.
Background: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are increasingly used for cardiac rhythm diagnosis with expanding indications. Little has been reported about their use and efficacy.
Objective: The study sought to evaluate the clinical utility of a novel ICM (Biotronik BIOMONITOR III) including the time to diagnosis in unselected patients with different ICM indications.
Unlabelled: Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy in selected patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), its role in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients remains understudied. We describe a case of successful CRT implantation in an OHT recipient for HFrEF and high-grade atrioventricular block. This case highlights the deliberations made given the lack of clinical trial and observational evidence for this therapy in OHT recipients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There are limited data on the effect of exercise interventions on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and symptoms.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of an exercise and physical activity intervention on AF burden and symptoms among patients with symptomatic AF.
Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial included 120 patients with paroxysmal or persistent, symptomatic AF, randomized 1:1 to receive an exercise intervention, combining home and supervised aerobic exercise over 6 months, or to receive usual care.
Article Synopsis
- * Out of 3,000 screened individuals, only 0.43% were diagnosed with AF, with a higher prevalence in older age groups, particularly those over 70 years.
- * Overall, the findings suggest that while AF is relatively rare in this younger population, its prevalence increases with age, highlighting the need for better awareness and screening in older demographics.
Article Synopsis
- Most modern cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can now undergo MRI scans, which requires both pre- and post-scan checks, leading to increased workload for cardiac services.
- A study covering three years revealed 739 CIED checks related to MRI scans, showing a rise in the demand for these checks over time.
- The projected annual cost for handling CIED checks is expected to reach AUD$161,695 in ten years, highlighting the need for better budgeting and staff management.