Leadless Pacemaker vs. Transvenous Pacemaker in End Stage Kidney Disease: Insights from the Nationwide Readmission Database.

: Leadless pacemakers offer a safe and effective alternative pacing strategy. However, limited data are available for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a population of significant relevance. Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we extracted data from all adult patients with ESRD who underwent traditional transvenous or leadless pacemaker implantation between 2016 and 2021.

Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in comparison to warfarin in obese patients with atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Obesity affects nearly 650 million adults worldwide, and the prevalence is steadily rising. This condition has significant adverse effects on cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation (AF). While anticoagulation for obese patients with AF is a well-established therapy for the prevention of thromboembolism, the safety and efficacy of different anticoagulants in this specific population are not well explored.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) versus vitamin K antagonist in left ventricular thrombus: An updated meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Current clinical guidelines for treating left ventricular thrombus (LVT) are limited by inadequate evidence to inform the comparative efficacy of oral anticoagulants. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in patients with LVT.

Methods: Four standard databases were searched for relevant literature comparing the efficacy and safety between DOAC and VKA for LVT treatment, published before August 19, 2023.

Catheter ablation using pulmonary vein isolation with versus without left atrial posterior wall isolation for persistent atrial fibrillation: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the results are suboptimal for persistent AF. The left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) is thought to be a major additional area in initiation and perpetuation of persistent AF. Therefore, adjunctive ablation of the posterior wall may reduce AF recurrence in patients with persistent AF.

A comparative study of the two leadless pacemakers in clinical practice.

Introduction: AVEIR-VR leadless pacemaker (LP) was recently approved for clinical use. Although trial data were promising, post-approval real world data with regard to its effectiveness and safety is lacking. To report our early experience with AVEIR-VR LP with regard to its effectiveness and safety and compare it with MICRA-VR.

Role of dofetilide in patients with ventricular arrhythmias.

Background Or Purpose: To assess effectiveness of dofetilide in reducing the burden of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs).

Background: Prior small sample studies show that dofetilide has benefit in reducing VA. However, large sample investigations with long-term follow-up are lacking.

Anatomical location of leadless pacemaker and the risk of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy.

Background: It is unclear if the location of implantation of the leadless pacemaker (LP) makes a difference in the incidence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM).

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PICM based on the location of implantation of LP.

Methods: A total of 358 consecutive patients [women: 171 (48%), mean age: 73 ± 15 years] with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) > 50%, who received an LP (Micra) between January 2017 and June 2022, formed the study cohort.

Outcome of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest among Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Outcomes following in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in patients with COVID-19 have been reported by several small single-institutional studies; however, there are no large studies contrasting COVID-19 IHCA with non-COVID-19 IHCA. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes following IHCA between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We searched databases using predefined search terms and appropriate Boolean operators.

Comparative assessment of safety with leadless pacemakers compared to transvenous pacemakers: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Leadless pacemakers (LP) and transvenous pacemakers (TVP) are two stable pacing platforms currently available in clinical practice. Observational data show mixed results with regards to their comparative safety. This meta-analysis was aimed to evaluate the comparative safety of LP over TVP.

Look before you place: A bizarre ECG artifact due to lead placement.

The Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a readily available non-invasive test used in the evaluation of a patient with angina. ECG artifacts are common and stem from a number of different reasons including lead placement and must be identified to appropriately manage patients. We present the case of an elderly patient for whom an ECG was performed to evaluate chest pain showing an abnormal waveform concerning for an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Electric Cardioversion vs. Pharmacological with or without Electric Cardioversion for Stable New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is no clear consensus on the preference for pharmacological cardioversion (PC) in comparison to electric cardioversion (EC) for hemodynamically stable new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess PC (whether being followed by EC or not) vs. EC in achieving cardioversion for hemodynamically stable NOAF patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Pulsed Field Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia associated with high morbidity and mortality. AF treatment is guided by a patient-provider risk-benefit discussion regarding drug versus ablation or combination. Thermal ablation has a high rate of adverse events compared to pulsed field ablation (PFA).

Comparative Efficacy of Dofetilide Versus Amiodarone in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: The study's goal was to compare the efficacy and safety of dofetilide (DOF) versus amiodarone (AMIO) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Comparative efficacy of DOF versus AMIO in patients with AF has not been well established. In addition, proarrhythmia has been a concern with DOF therapy.

Gender differences, outcomes and trends among nonagenarian with atrial fibrillation: insight from National Inpatient Sample database.

Background: Nonagenarians (NG), individuals aged ≥ 90 years, constitute an increasing proportion of hospitalizations presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, not much is known about demographics, clinical outcomes, and trends of hospitalizations. Therefore, we analyzed data about hospitalizations and clinical outcomes among NGs with AF over ten years from 2005 to 2014 using a publically available database, the National Inpatient Sample.

Substrate Targeted Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Guided by High Density Voltage Mapping: Long-Term Results.

Background: Long-term ablation results for atrial fibrillation (AF) have been disappointing, particularly for non-paroxysmal AF (NPAF). We hypothesize fibrosis in paroxysmal AF (PAF) and NPAF would be reflected in voltage fragmentation and visualized by high density mapping. Targeted ablation of discrete low voltage bridges (LVB) would eliminate endocardial fragmentation and should have a positive effect on long-term sinus rhythm (SR) survival.

Baseline and decline in device-derived activity level predict risk of death and heart failure in patients with an ICD for primary prevention.

Background: Implanted defibrillators are capable of recording activity data based on company-specific proprietary algorithms. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of baseline and decline in device-derived activity level across different device companies in the real world.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients (n = 280) who underwent a defibrillator implantation (Boston, Medtronic, St.

Trends and Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation-Flutter Hospitalizations Among Heart Transplant Recipients (From the National Inpatient Sample).

Atrial fibrillation-flutter (AF) has been described in 10% to 24% of patients after heart transplant (HT). Data on AF hospitalizations after HT are limited to single-center experiences. To bridge this gap, we performed an analysis of admissions for AF in HT patients from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) years 2000 to 2014.

Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and AF.

With the growing obesity epidemic, the global burden of AF and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasing at an alarming rate. Obesity, age, male gender, alcohol consumption, smoking and heart failure are common risk factors for both AF and OSA and they are independently associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Weak evidence from observational studies link OSA to the development of AF.

Temporal trends and factors associated with increased mortality among atrial fibrillation weekend hospitalizations: an insight from National Inpatient Sample 2005-2014.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) weekend hospitalizations were reported to have poor outcomes compared to weekday hospitalizations. The relatively poor outcomes on the weekends are usually referred to as 'weekend effect'. We aim to understand trends and outcomes among weekend AF hospitalizations.

Role of diabetes and insulin use in the risk of stroke and acute myocardial infarction in patients with atrial fibrillation: A Medicare analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with elevated risk for ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of the study is to assess the role of insulin use on the risk of stroke and MI in AF patients with diabetes.

Methods: We identified Medicare beneficiaries with new AF in 2011 to 2013.