Atorvastatin Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation Reduces Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels.

We investigated whether serum hs-CRP levels predict the efficacy of atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with atorvastatin. Bibliographic databases were exhaustively searched for studies relevant to the research topic. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) criteria, combined with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS), were applied for study quality assessment.

Effect of Atorvastatin on Serum Levels of Total Cholesterol and High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein in High-Risk Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Asia.

Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and total cholesterol in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in Asia.

Methods: By searching English and Chinese language-based electronic databases (ie, PubMed, EBSCO, Ovid, SpringerLink, Wiley, Web of Science, Wanfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP database), we identified 13 studies relevant to our topic of interest. Data were collected from the 13 studies and analyzed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 2.

Assessment of atrial fibrillation and vulnerability in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Purpose: The aim was to assess atrial fibrillation (AF) and vulnerability in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome patients using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Methods: All patients were examined via transthoracic echocardiography and 2D-STE in order to assess atrial function 7 days before and 10 days after RF catheter ablation. A postoperative 3-month follow-up was performed via outpatient visit or telephone calls.

[Coronary artery and myocardium lesion comparison post atrioventricular ring radiofrequency catheter ablation with different catheters].

Objective: To analyze the extent of myocardium and coronary artery lesion post atrioventricular ring radiofrequency catheter ablation with different tip catheters.

Methods: Twenty-one healthy dogs were randomly divided into 64 degrees C/50 W/100 s, 64 degrees C/100 W/100 s, 45 degrees C/45 W/100 s groups and ablated by 4 mm tip catheter, 8 mm tip catheter and irrigated tip catheter respectively. Left atrioventricular ring and right atrioventricular ring ablation were performed in all dogs.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and symptomatic premature ventricular contraction originating from valve annulus.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been established as an effective and curative therapy for ventricular tachycardia (VT) and severely symptomatic premature ventricular contraction (PVC) from the outflow tract in structurally normal hearts. This study aimed to investigate electrophysiologic characteristics and effects of RFCA for patients with idiopathic VT and symptomatic PVC originating from the valve annulus.

Methods: Characteristics of body surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and endocardiogram in a successful RFCA target were analyzed in 16 patients with idiopathic VT and symptomatic PVC originating from the valve annulus.

[Clinical evaluation of catheter ablation for idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia originating from ventricular outflow tract].

Objective: To study the ECG and electrophysiological characteristic of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular contraction (PVC) originating from ventricular outflow tract and assess the clinical effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for treatment.

Methods: 105 patients aged from 12 to 73 years old were treated with RFCA. Activation mapping, pace mapping and non-contact mapping system of Ensite 3000 were used during the procedure.

[Effects of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia and premature ventricular contraction originating from left and right ventricular outflow tracts].

Objective: To observe the ECG and electrophysiological characteristic of patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular contraction (PVC) originating from left (LVOT) and right (RVOT) ventricular outflow tracts and assess the clinical effect of radio frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on these patients.

Methods: RFCA was performed in 58 patients (10 with VT and 48 with PVC, 5 patients with VT from RVOT under the guidance of non-contact mapping system Ensite3000). VT or PVC originated from LVOT in 15 patients (12 out of 15 from left sinus of Valsalva) and RVOT in 43 patients.

[Regional denervation after myocardial infarction and its effect on ventricular repolarization].

Objective: To investigate whether myocardial infarction (MI) causes heterogeneity of sympathetic innervation and to evaluate the effects of sympathetic stimulation on myocardial repolarization in the regions of denervation after MI.

Methods: Fourteen dogs were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: MI Group, undergoing ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and Control Group, undergoing sham operation. Four weeks later thoracotomy was performed for the second time, the effective refractory period (ERP) of the non-infarcted myocardium at the base of heart proximal to the infarcted myocardium and the ERP of the non-infarcted myocardium at the cardiac apex distal to the infarcted myocardium by S(1)S(2) programmed stimulation.

Effects of Losartan on acute atrial electrical remodeling.

Background: Atrial electrical remodeling (AER) contributes to the maintainance of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was to compare the effects of Losartan with those of Diltiazem on tachycardia-induced acute AER in rabbits.

Methods: Twenty-one rabbits paced with maximal atrial capture rate for 3 hours in the right atrium (RA) were randomly divided into saline group, Diltiazem group and Losartan group.