Evaluating the effect of coronary atherosclerosis on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation through coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: The direct impact of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary vessels on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients without a history of acute myocardial ischemia, previous myocardial infarction, or revascularization procedures remains largely unknown.

Aims: To assess the risk and predictors of new-onset AF in patients with coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: We included consecutive patients referred for CCTA who had been observed and diagnosed with new-onset AF over 10 years.

Association of left atrial enlargement and increased left ventricular wall thickness with arrhythmia recurrence after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) predicts atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (CB). Increased left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) is pathophysiologically associated with LAE and atrial arrhythmias.

Aims: To assess effect of increased LVWT on long-term outcomes of CB depending on coexistence of LAE.

Association between the acquisition of antibodies against Lyme disease and the risk of atrial arrhythmias.

Introduction: The impact of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (BB) on the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients without typical symptoms of Lyme disease (LD) is largely unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other atrial arrhythmias (AAs) in patients who tested positive for anti-LD antibodies.

Patients And Methods: We included consecutive patients referred for the diagnosis and treatment of AAs who had no history of erythema migrans or other symptoms of LD.

A combination of quinidine/mexiletine reduces arrhythmia in dilated cardiomyopathy in two patients with R814W SCN5A mutation.

SCN5A gene mutations are described in 2% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and different rhythm disturbances, including multifocal ectopic Purkinje-related premature contractions. Recent data indicate that sodium channel blockers are particularly effective monotherapy in carriers of the R222Q SCN5A variant. Our purpose is to describe the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic treatment in a family with genetically determined arrhythmogenic DCM associated with the R814W variant in the SCN5A gene.

Ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmias late after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot: long-term follow-up.

Background: After the surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot, surgical scars and natural obstacles form pathways capable of supporting an atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT). Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is effective, although the few studies published on this topic had relatively short follow-up periods.

Aim: The aims of the study were to evaluate the acute and long-term effects of RF ablation of AT and examine the charac-teristics of arrhythmia recurrence.

Risk factors of atrial fibrillation recurrence despite successful radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathway: At 11 years of follow-up.

Background: Previous reports on patients with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of accessory pathway (AP) and atrial fibrillation (AF) include only short follow-up periods. The aim of this study was to analyze predictors of recurrence of AF in patients after successful RFCA of APs over long term follow-up periods.

Methods: Of the 1,007 patients who underwent non-pharmacological treatment of APs (between the years 1993-2008), data of 100 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed (75 men, mean age 43.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways in patients with Ebstein's anomaly: At 8 years of follow-up.

Background: Data regarding long-term follow-up of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of accessory pathways (APs) in patients with Ebstein's anomaly (EA) are limited. The procedures are challenging due to multiple or wide APs.

Methods: Analysis was performed on clinical and periprocedural data of patients with EA referred to the centre in order to perform catheter ablation of AP.

[Ortodromic atrio-ventricular reentrant tachycardia with functional left bundle branch block morphology - differential diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia based on case report].

We present a case of 18 year-old man, without structural heart disease, who suffered from regular and irregular palpitations. ECG was normal during sinus rhythm, and showed LBBB morphology during tachycardia (220/min). Programmable pacing from CS induced sustained atrial fibrillation with normal and wide QRS (LBBB-like, RBBB-like) and minimal RR interval 270 ms.

[Sixty four-slice computed tomography unmasked unexpected source of atrial arrythmias--a case report].

We describe a 23-year-old man with drug refractory, left atrial arrhythmias (paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, runs, pairs and single extra beats) in the area of remnant of left upper pulmonary vein ostium (in fact, this vein). The superior drained into vena innominata/vena cava superior. The patient underwent three unsuccessful catheter ablations in another center.

Impact of different re-stenting strategies on expansion of a drug-eluting stent implanted to treat bare-metal stent restenosis.

We used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to compare the expansion of drug-eluting stents (DES) implanted to treat bare-metal stent (BMS) restenosis after 3 common re-stenting strategies. A total of 80 consecutive BMS restenotic targets were re-stented either directly (n = 30, group 1) or after low-pressure (<8 atm) pre-dilation with an undersize regular balloon (n = 16, group 2) or after high-pressure (>12 atm) pre-dilation with a semicompliant balloon the same or greater diameter as the original BMS diameter (n = 34, group 3). More patients from groups 2 and 3 had diabetes mellitus.