[Telemedicine in arrhythmology].

Telemedicine can be defined as a health care service that, specifically in the field of diagnostics, employs remote transfer of a large volume of data from a large number of subjects at the same time. This data is subsequently processed on a central basis and returned to a large number of health care providers by whom the service was ordered on national or international level. In arrhythmology, telemedicine is used particularly in long-term ECG monitoring to diagnose arrhythmias and check out treatment outcome via external recorders, smart watch, and implantable devices.

[Outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients over 65 years of age].

Purpose: This study assessed ablation techniques, recurrent arrhythmias, long-term outcomes, and complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients 65 years of age.

Methods: Consecutive patients aged < 65 years (n = 653) vs 65 years (n = 213), who underwent catheter ablation of AF in the course of eight years, were compared. Ablation strategy and procedure endpoints were left at the operators discretion.

[Catheter ablation of atrio-ventricular accessory pathways in the era of ablation therapy of complex arrhythmias: a changing perspective for oncoming generation of electrophysiologists].

Introduction: Catheter ablation of atrio-ventricular accessory pathways has become a routine treatment method. However, its perspective has been changing in the era of ablation of complex arrhythmias. This study was aimed at evaluating accessory pathways ablation efficacy within the last nine years at one center.

[Improvement of quality of life after ablation of longstanding persistent versus paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results of 2-year follow-up].

Aims: The purpose of the study was to assess quality of life and socio-economic parameters in patients after ablation of paroxysmal versus longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: The study included 89 patients with paroxysmal AF and 56 patients with longstanding persistent AF who underwent ablation within 1 year, and were afterwards prospectively followed up for 2 years. Quality of life was evaluated by the EQ-5D questionnaire before and every 6 months after ablation.

Characterization of residual coronary sinus-related tachycardia during ablation of longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The aim was to characterize the coronary sinus (CS)-related tachycardia that occurred as the last residual arrhythmia and required ablation within the CS or great cardiac vein to restore sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with primary longstanding persistent AF.

Methods: The study included 23 patients in whom stable SR was restored by ablation inside the vein during the first or repeat ablation.

Results: The 23 subjects represented 23% of the 99 patients in whom SR was restored by ablation.