Impact of Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis-to-Ablation Time on 24-Month Efficacy and Safety Outcomes in the Cryo Global Registry.

Background And Aims: Early rhythm-control therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF) results in higher freedom from atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence and improved cardiovascular outcomes. The optimal timing of Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is unknown.

Methods: We evaluated AA recurrence and procedure-related complications of early vs.

[Race against sudden death : the benefits of pre-participation cardiovascular screening].

Sudden death (SD) in young, apparently healthy athletes under 35 is an underestimated public health problem in Belgium. This is dramatically illustrated by the case of a 28-year old ultra-trail runner who suffered cardiac arrest during training, revealing an unrecognized cardiomyopathy. This highlights the importance of pre-participation cardiovascular screening in identifying such hidden conditions.

Safety of cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: First European results from the cryo AF Global Registry.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been utilized in Europe for >15 years.

Objectives: Report patient and procedural characteristics that influence the safety of cryoablation for the treatment of AF.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the prospective, multicenter Cryo AF Global Registry were treated at 38 European centers.

Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: results from the Belgian registry.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy at midterm follow-up of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) using different devices, in real life in Belgium.

Methods And Results: Between June 2009 and November 2016, 457 consecutive patients (63% male, 75±12 yrs, CHA2DS2-VASc 4±0.6, HAS-BLED 3.

[LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE IN A PATIENT WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS].

We report the clinical history of a 69 year-old female who suffered from systemic sclerosis and in whom we performed a percutaneous left atrial appendage closure due to recurrent gastrointestinal bleedings under anticoagulant therapy for chronic atrial fibrillation. We review the impact of scleroderma on the cardiac and digestive systems and discuss the issue of anticoagulation and its alternatives in uncommon clinical situations. We also describe the indications, technical aspects and potential complications of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure.