Association between brominated flame retardants (PBDEs and PBB153) exposure and hypertension in U.S. adults: results from NHANES 2005-2016.

Background: Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) have attracted widespread concern due to their environmental persistence and potential toxicity. This study aims to examine the association between BFRs exposure and hypertension.

Methods: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2005 to 2016 for the cross-sectional analysis.

Mid-term outcome of catheter ablation of idiopathic non-outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias.

Background: Catheter ablation is recommended in patients with frequent and symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in an otherwise normal heart. Right or left outflow tract (OT) are the most common origins, and catheter ablation is highly effective with low complication rates. However, outcome of catheter ablation of VAs other than the OT (non-OTVAs) is limited.

Association between urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds and cardiovascular disease in the general population from NHANES 2011-2018.

Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contain hundreds of chemicals and human exposure to VOCs is pervasive. However, most studies have considered only a single chemical or a class of similar chemicals.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between urinary volatile organic compound metabolites (mVOCs) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population.

Effect of Prolonged Use of Dronedarone on Recurrence in Patients with Non-Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Ablation (DORIS): Rationale and Design of a Randomized Multicenter, Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Prolonged use of anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) beyond the post-ablation blanking period to maintain sinus rhythm has been adopted in clinical practice but without sufficient evidence. Dronedarone is an AAD valid for maintaining sinus rhythm with fewer side effects than other AAD for long-term use.

Objective: We sought to investigate the effect of prolonged use of dronedarone on the recurrence of non-paroxysmal AF patients beyond 3 months within the first year after ablation.

An analysis of antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

As a result of large, randomized trials and updates to clinical guidelines, antithrombotic therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has changed in recent years for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the real-world data of antithrombotic regimens at discharge and their evolving trends, as well as compare the effect of different therapies on the incidence of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic events (MACCEs) and bleeding events in elderly patients. An analysis of 6298 stent implantation patients from 2016 to 2018 was carried out retrospectively.

Novel algorithm for diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy: Key gene expression profiling using machine learning.

Background: It is difficult to distinguish between arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) because of their similar clinical manifestations. This study aimed to develop a novel diagnostic algorithm for distinguishing ACM from DCM.

Methods: Two public datasets containing human ACM and DCM myocardial samples were used.

Bipolar catheter ablation strategies for outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias refractory to unipolar ablation.

Introduction: Conventional unipolar catheter ablation (UA) is generally effective for the treatment of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OT-VAs). However, deep foci refractory to UA remains a clinical challenge. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bipolar ablation (BA) in the treatment of OT-VAs refractory to UA.

Prevalence and Predictors of Additional Ablation Beyond Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective strategy in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Yet, there are limited data on additional ablation beyond PVI. In this study, we sought to assess the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of additional ablation in PAF patients.

VR/V Index: A Novel Electrocardiographic Criterion for Differentiating Left From Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Arrhythmias Origins.

Background: Several algorithms have been proposed to predict the origin of outflow tract (OT) ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) using standard 12-lead ECG. However, the additive value of right precordial and posterior leads is unknown.

Methods: Standard 12-lead ECG, right precordial leads ECG (VR, VR, VR) and posterior leads ECG (V, V, V) were recorded and analyzed in a development cohort of consecutive patients undergoing OT-VAs ablation at a single center.