Analysis of drug-induced and spontaneous cardioversions reveals similar patterns leading to termination of atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The mechanisms leading to the conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm are poorly understood. This study describes the dynamic behavior of electrophysiological parameters and conduction patterns leading to spontaneous and pharmacological AF termination.

Methods: Five independent groups of goats were investigated: (1) spontaneous termination of AF, and drug-induced terminations of AF by various potassium channel inhibitors: (2) AP14145, (3) PA-6, (4) XAF-1407, and (5) vernakalant.

Pathogenesis of Vascular Retinal Manifestations in Patients: A Review.

Pandemic infection secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 () had an important impact on the general population affecting not only respiratory tract but also many other organs. Ocular manifestations are quite common at the level of the anterior segment (conjunctivitis, dry eye), while posterior segment and, in particular, retinal findings are less frequent. In the retina, is associated with vascular events.

The Complex Relation between Atrial Cardiomyopathy and Thrombogenesis.

Heart disease, as well as systemic metabolic alterations, can leave a 'fingerprint' of structural and functional changes in the atrial myocardium, leading to the onset of atrial cardiomyopathy. As demonstrated in various animal models, some of these changes, such as fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fatty infiltration, can increase vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF), the most relevant manifestation of atrial cardiomyopathy in clinical practice. Atrial cardiomyopathy accompanying AF is associated with thromboembolic events, such as stroke.

Coagulation Factor Xa Induces Proinflammatory Responses in Cardiac Fibroblasts via Activation of Protease-Activated Receptor-1.

Coagulation factor (F) Xa induces proinflammatory responses through activation of protease-activated receptors (PARs). However, the effect of FXa on cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and the contribution of PARs in FXa-induced cellular signalling in CF has not been fully characterised. To answer these questions, human and rat CFs were incubated with FXa (or TRAP-14, PAR-1 agonist).

Burr-Assisted Peripheral Superficial Keratectomy for the Treatment of Persistent Symptomatic Peripheral Corneal Edema.

Purpose: To describe a simple technique of diamond burr-assisted superficial keratectomy for the treatment of peripheral corneal edema.

Cases Presentation: Two patients with persistent symptomatic peripheral corneal edema underwent superficial keratectomy with the use of a diamond ophthalmic burr. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated clinically as well as with anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration: time-dependent changes of central retinal thickness with anti-VEGF treatment.

Purpose: To assess the influence of time interval since last injection and time from baseline on central retinal thickness (CRT) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with fluid refractory to monthly anti-VEGF treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study included nAMD eyes with incomplete response to anti-VEGF defined by the presence of intra- or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography despite maximal (monthly) anti-VEGF dosing. The outcome measure was CRT, and two time variables (time from last injection ant time from baseline) were the independent factors included in the individual correlation analyses.

Thrombo-Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: An Expert Consensus Document from the Third Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis.

Thrombo-inflammation describes the complex interplay between blood coagulation and inflammation that plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases. The third Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis assembled basic, translational, and clinical scientists to discuss the origin and potential consequences of thrombo-inflammation in the etiology, diagnostics, and management of patients with cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. This article presents a state-of-the-art reflection of expert opinions and consensus recommendations regarding the following topics: (1) challenges of the endothelial cell barrier; (2) circulating cells and thrombo-inflammation, focused on platelets, neutrophils, and neutrophil extracellular traps; (3) procoagulant mechanisms; (4) arterial vascular changes in atherogenesis; attenuating atherosclerosis and ischemia/reperfusion injury; (5) management of patients with arterial vascular disease; and (6) pathogenesis of venous thrombosis and late consequences of venous thromboembolism.

Classification and Statistical Trend Analysis in Detecting Glaucomatous Visual Field Progression.

Aim: To evaluate the agreement between different methods in detection of glaucomatous visual field progression using two classification-based methods and four statistical approaches based on trend analysis.

Methods: This is a retrospective and longitudinal study. Twenty Caucasian patients (mean age 73.

Supraciliary versus intrascleral implantation with hema implant (Esnoper V-2000) in deep sclerectomy: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To compare the supraciliary versus intrascleral implantation of the hema implant (Esnoper V-2000) in terms of the efficacy and safety in nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS).

Patients And Methods: Prospective, randomized, unmasked, competitive and multicenter clinical trial. Eighty-three eyes from 83 patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma (40 males, 43 females) were enrolled and followed up for 12 months.

Diurnal Variations of Peripapillary and Macular Vessel Density in Glaucomatous Eyes Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diurnal variation in peripapillary and macular vessel density (VD) measurements using optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) and its correlation to intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in glaucoma patients.

Methods: Prospective, observational cross-sectional study including 37 patients (74 eyes; age, 63.8±12.

Prospective Evaluation of Standalone XEN Gel Implant and Combined Phacoemulsification-XEN Gel Implant Surgery: 1-Year Results.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of XEN gel implant (Allergan Inc., Irvine) as a standalone versus combined XEN-Phacoemulsification surgery (XEN+cataract) in glaucoma patients.

Methods: Prospective, interventional study.

XEN-augmented Baerveldt: A New Surgical Technique for Refractory Glaucoma.

Background: Glaucoma drainage devices have traditionally been reserved for patients with refractory glaucoma. However, these devices are prone to various sight-threatening complications. To prevent hypotony after placement of the Baerveldt tube, surgeons traditionally tie the tube with an absorbable suture until encapsulation occurs around the plate.