Management of atrial fibrillation: focus on catheter-based ablation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) contributes to considerable morbidity, with increasing risk of stroke, complications from anticoagulation, and exacerbation of heart failure. AF ablation has become a commonly performed procedure in many hospitals as the procedural techniques evolve rapidly with improved success. Here we discuss the interventional options of catheter-based AF ablation for rhythm control, which offers the benefit of mortality reduction associated with normal sinus rhythm but without medication complications.

Management of atrial fibrillation: focus on rate versus rhythm control.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in adults and accounts for approximately one-third of all arrhythmias requiring admission to the hospital. Treatment strategies are determined by the classification of AF, whether paroxysmal or persistent, as well as numerous patient-specific cardiac and medical considerations (eg, pre-existing congestive heart failure or previous myocardial infarction). Thromboembolic risk also influences whether patients are treated with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications.

Characterization of complex coronary artery stenosis morphology by coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the ability of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in identifying complex coronary stenosis morphology before invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: Complexity of stenosis morphology affects PCI success. Whether CTA can detect the entire spectrum of recognized complex stenosis morphologies has not been investigated.