Efficacy of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Outcomes After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have recently been a significant focus of attention because of their multiple pleiotropic effects. However, the impact of SGLT2i on atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the effects of SGLT2i on AF after catheter ablation (CA).

Increase in heart rate-dependent left atrial pressure is associated with symptoms in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: It remains unclear why some patients with the same heart rate during an atrial fibrillation (AF) have subjective symptoms, whereas others do not. We assessed the hypothesis that different responses of arterial and left atrial blood pressures to rapid stimulation may be associated with the symptoms of AF.

Methods: A total of 110 patients who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were retrospectively studied.

Predictors for reduced flow velocity in left atrial appendage during sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. While decreased left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV) during AF leads to left atrial appendage thrombus and embolic events, some AF patients show decreased LAAFV even during sinus rhythm (SR). We studied 392 patients (256 males, 68 ± 10 years) who exhibited SR during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before CA for AF.

Is the abnormal conduction zone of the left atrium a precursor to a low voltage area in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Background: The abnormal conduction zone (ACZ) in the left atrium (LA) has attracted attention as an arrhythmia source in atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the hypothesis that the ACZ is related to the low voltage area (LVA) or the LA anatomical contact areas (CoAs) with other organs.

Methods And Results: We studied 100 patients (49 non-paroxysmal AF, 66 males, and 67.

Left ventricular stiffness assessed by diastolic Wall strain predicts asymptomatic atrial high-rate episodes in patients with pacemaker implantation.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) have been reported to be associated with thromboembolic risks. The present study aimed to investigate the association of echocardiographic and clinical parameters with the occurrence of AHREs in patients with a dual-chamber pacemaker (PMI).

Methods: One hundred forty-seven patients (76 males, 75.

Predictors of movable type left atrial appendage thrombi in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial appendage thrombi (LAAT) are the main cause of thromboembolic events. Especially, movable type LAAT is high-risk for thromboembolic events. We aimed to investigate the predictors of the movable type LAAT in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

The association between left atrial stiffness and low-voltage areas of left atrium in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The low-voltage areas of left atrium (LA-LVA) have recently been of significant focus. However, very few studies have focused on the association between LA function and LA-LVA, and the mechanism of appearance of LA-LVA remains unclear. We investigated the marker for the existence of LA-LVA using automated 3-D mapping system.

Predictors of left atrial appendage stunning after electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The transient left atrial appendage (LAA) dysfunction after electrical cardioversion (CV), which is called as LAA-stunning, was found to be an important etiology of thrombus formation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors of LAA-stunning. This study included 134 patients who underwent catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal, non-valvular, and symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF).

Predictors of Left Atrial Thrombi and Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast in the Acute Phase After Cardioembolic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: The underlying mechanism of the residual left atrial thrombus (LAT)/spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) after the onset of cardioembolic stroke (CES) is unknown. This study aims to investigate the utility of CHADS and CHADS-VASc scores for predicting LAT/SEC, and to investigate the risk factors of residual LAT/SEC after CES onset.

Methods: This retrospective study included 124 patients who were admitted with the acute phase of CES at our center.

Prediction of sudden cardiac death in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction by ADMIRE-HF risk score and early repolarization pattern.

Background: AdreView myocardial imaging for risk evaluation in heart failure (ADMIRE-HF) risk score is a novel risk score to predict serious arrhythmic risk in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Moreover, early repolarization pattern (ERP) has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in HFrEF patients. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of combining ADMIRE-HF risk score and ERP to predict SCD in HFrEF patients.

A novel protocol for initial heparin administration during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants.

Thromboembolism and bleeding complications remain a major limitation of the catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to evaluate the association between achieving target activated clotting time (ACT) and clinical factors, and to develop an appropriate protocol for early achievement of target ACT in patients with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). At the initiation cohort, 190 patients (127 males, age 68 ± 9) taking DOACs who underwent CA for AF were studied.

Serial Change in Serum Chloride During Hospitalization Could Predict Heart Failure Death in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Patients.

Background: Although hyponatremia predicts morbidity and mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), hypochloremia is also independently associated with poor prognosis in ADHF. Little is known, however, about the prognostic value of serial change in serum chloride during hospitalization in ADHF patients.

Methods and results: We prospectively studied 208 ADHF survivors after discharge and divided them into 4 groups according to serum chloride on admission and at discharge: (1) persistent hypochloremia group (n=12), hypochloremia both on admission and at discharge; (2) progressive hypochloremia group (n=42), development of hypochloremia after admission; (3) improved hypochloremia group (n=14), hypochloremia only on admission; and (4) no hypochloremia group, no hypochloremia during hospitalization (n=140).

Prediction of sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure by regional washout rate in cardiac MIBG SPECT imaging.

Background: The sympathetic nervous system provides an important trigger for major arrhythmic events through regional heterogeneity of sympathetic activity, which could be evaluated by SPECT imaging as the regional MIBG washout rate (WR). There is little information available on the prognostic value of regional WR in SPECT imaging for the prediction of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: We studied 73 CHF outpatients with LVEF < 40%.

Tolvaptan Reduces the Risk of Worsening Renal Function in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction - Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Although the mainstay of treatment for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is decongestion by diuretic therapy, it is often associated with worsening renal function (WRF). The effect of tolvaptan, a selective V2 receptor antagonist, on WRF in ADHF patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is unknown.

Methods and results: We enrolled 50 consecutive ADHF patients whose LVEF on admission was ≥45%.

Usefulness of Cardiac MetaIodobenzylguanidine Imaging to Improve Prognostic Power of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Scoring System in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Heart Failure.

Liver dysfunction has a prognostic impact on the outcomes of patients with advanced heart failure (HF). The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is a robust system for rating liver dysfunction, and a high score has been shown to be associated with a poor prognosis in ambulatory patients with HF. In addition, cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging provides prognostic information in patients with chronic HF (CHF).

Neuropeptide substance P stimulates the formation of osteoclasts via synovial fibroblastic cells.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the formation of osteoclasts via synovial fibroblastic cells. Synovial fibroblastic cells derived from rat knee joint expressed the SP receptor, neurokinin-1 receptor (NK(1)-R). The addition of SP stimulated the proliferation of synovial fibroblastic cells and this effect was inhibited by SP or NK(1)-R antagonists.

In vitro assay of mineralized-tissue formation on titanium using fluorescent staining with calcein blue.

Many studies have examined mineralized-tissue formation on titanium in vivo and in vitro; however, no precise method for measuring the mineralized tissue produced by cultured osteoblastic cells on titanium in vitro has been established. This study developed a method for measuring mineralized-tissue formation by cultured rat osteoblastic cells on titanium in vitro, and re-evaluated the effects of modifying the titanium surface. We used calcein blue, which binds to mineralized tissue, and measured the resulting fluorescence under ultraviolet light.