Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Left Anterior Fascicular Ventricular Arrhythmias: Predicting Origin Sites via Mapping and Electrocardiography.

Background: Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the left anterior fascicle (LAF) are uncommonly seen, and their characteristics still need to be sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to conclude these VAs' characteristics and explore efficient ablation strategies.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 118 patients undergoing successful catheter ablation for LAF VAs.

Causal association between mitochondrial function and psychiatric disorders: Insights from a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous observational studies have suggested that there appears to be a close association between mitochondrial function and psychiatric disorders, but whether a causal role exists remains unclear.

Methods: We extracted genetic instruments for 67 mitochondrial-related proteins and 10 psychiatric disorders from publicly available genome-wide association studies, and employed five distinct MR methods and false discovery rate correction to detect causal associations between them. Additionally, we conducted a series of sensitivity tests and additional model analysis to ensure the robustness of the results.

Ventricular arrhythmias originating from different portions of the communicating vein of the left ventricular summit: electrocardiographic characteristics and catheter ablation.

Background: Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (IVAs) arising from different portions of the communicating vein of the left ventricular summit (summit-CV) are not a rare phenomenon. Whereas its electrocardiographic (ECG) and electrophysiological characteristics are not fully investigated.

Objective: This study aimed to identify distinct ECG and electrophysiological features of IVAs originating from different portions of summit-CV.

Association between primary biliary cholangitis with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases: A bidirectional multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Background And Aims: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease often accompanied by multisystem damage. This study aimed to explore the causal association between genetically predicted PBC and diabetes, as well as multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Methods: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data of PBC in 24,510 individuals of European ancestry from the European Association for the Study of the Liver was used to identify genetically predicted PBC.

Bilirubin Elevation During Hospitalization Post Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Variation Trend, Related Factors, and Relevance to 1-Year Recurrence.

Background: The role of total bilirubin (TBIL) in cardiovascular disease has been increasingly recognized in recent decades. Studies have shown a correlation between total bilirubin levels and the prognosis of patients after heart surgery. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of bilirubin elevation in persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients who received radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the left ventricular summit.

The left ventricular summit (LVS) refers to the highest portion of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). It is an epicardially delimited triangular area by the left coronary arteries and the coronary venous circulation. Its deep myocardium correlates closely with the left coronary cusp, aortic-mitral continuity, and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), complicating the anatomical relationship.

Bilaterality, not multifocality, is an independent risk factor for recurrence in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer.

Background: The impact of multifocality and bilaterality on recurrence in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is relevant when considering patients for a de-escalated treatment strategy: hemithyroidectomy instead of total thyroidectomy followed with or without radioactive iodine. This study aims to analyze contralateral tumor probability in patients treated for low-risk PTC and assess multifocality and bilaterality as possible predictors for recurrence.

Methods: Patients with low-risk PTC treated with total thyroidectomy followed with or without radioactive iodine in the Netherlands between 2005 and 2015 were included in this study.

Activating α7nAChR helps post-myocardial infarction healing by regulating macrophage polarization via the STAT3 signaling pathway.

Background: Monocytes/macrophages play critical roles in inflammation and cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI). The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) modulates local and systemic inflammatory responses by activating α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) in monocytes/macrophages. We investigated the effect of α7nAChR on MI-induced monocyte/macrophage recruitment and polarization and its contribution to cardiac remodeling and dysfunction.

Feasibility of Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Combined with Atrioventricular Node Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Heart Failure.

Background: Pacemaker implantation combined with atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) could be a practical choice for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure (HF). Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP) has been widely reported.

Objectives: To explore the safety and efficacy of LBBaP combined with AVNA in AF patients with HF.

Overcoming High Impedance in the Transitional Area of the Distal Great Cardiac Vein during Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmia.

(1) Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is an essential treatment for ventricular arrhythmia (VA). However, high impedance in the transitional area of the distal great cardiac vein (TAODGCV) often leads to ablation failure. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing impedance and identify effective ways to reduce impedance.

Bone Mineral Density Assessment by Quantitative Computed Tomography in Glucocorticoid-Treated Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Linear Mixed-Effects Modeling Approach.

Objective: Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are at risk of bone damage and low bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of the study is to examine lumbar BMD values measured by QCT and identify the factors associated with BMD loss using a multilevel mixed-effects model.

Methods: Lumbar BMD was evaluated by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) at diagnosis, 1 and 2 years follow up in patients with DMD who were treated with GC.

Case Report: ALK-Positive Histiocytosis With Fusion in Cerebrum-Disseminated Lesions in a Child.

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive histiocytosis is a rare type of histiocytosis that could affect multiple systems in children and adults. 10 cases of ALK-positive histiocytosis invading the central nervous system (CNS) have been reported. Herein, we report a case of ALK-positive histiocytosis invading the central nervous system and lungs and the details of follow-up of tumor dynamic changes during treatment.

Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From the Region of DGCV-AIV via a Swartz Sheath Support Approach.

This study aimed to investigate an appropriate catheter manipulation approach for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the left ventricular epicardium adjacent to the transitional area from the great cardiac vein to the anterior interventricular vein (DGCV-AIV). A total of 123 patients with DGCV-AIV VAs were retrospectively analyzed. All these patients underwent routine mapping and ablation by conventional approach [Non-Swartz sheath support (NS) approach] firstly.

One-Year Recording of Cardiac Arrhythmias in a Non-Infected Population with Cardiac Implantable Devices During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was associated with a higher risk of arrhythmia in infected patients. However, there are no reports about the effect of the ongoing pandemic on arrhythmias in the non-infected population. We measured the arrhythmia burden in a non-infected population with cardiac implantable devices.

Multimodality Treatment Improves Locoregional Control, Progression-Free and Overall Survival in Patients with Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Oncological Outcomes and Morbidity between Multimodality Treatment and Limited Treatment.

Background: Patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) have poor overall survival, and the optimal management approach remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate our experience with multimodality (MMT) versus limited treatment (LT) for ATC.

Patients And Methods: A cohort study of patients with ATC managed in a tertiary referral center was undertaken.

R/S Ratio in Lead III Predicts Successful Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating in Para-Hisian Region.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the electrocardiographic characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating near the His bundle (HB) and use the R/S ratio in lead III (R/S ratio) to predict successful ablation of para-Hisian VAs.

Background: Catheter ablation for idiopathic VAs near the HB is often challenging, and data are limited.

Methods: The present study included 134 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of para-Hisian VAs.

Active Surveillance for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma in a Population with Restrictive Diagnostic Workup Strategies.

The worldwide incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has increased. Efforts to reduce overtreatment follow two approaches: limiting diagnostic workup of low-risk thyroid nodules and pursuing active surveillance (AS) after diagnosis of microscopic PTC (mPTC). However, most studies on AS have been performed in countries with a relatively high proportion of overdiagnosis and thus incidental mPTC.

Folic acid attenuates remodeling and dysfunction in the aging heart through the ER stress pathway.

Aims: Age-related structure changes and dysfunction of heart are likely to contribute heart failure in elderly people. Recent studies have shown that folic acid supplementation effectively delays age-related declines; nevertheless, the role and mechanism of folic acid in protection against cardiac aging remain unclear. The aim of the current study was to determine whether folic acid inhibits remodeling and dysfunction during the aging process and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

Dexmedetomidine Exerted Anti-arrhythmic Effects in Rat With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy via Upregulation of Connexin 43 and Reduction of Fibrosis and Inflammation.

Background: Persistent myocardial ischemia post-myocardial infarction can lead to fatal ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, both of which carry high mortality rates. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a highly selective α2-agonist used in surgery for congenital cardiac disease because of its antiarrhythmic properties. Dex has previously been reported to prevent or terminate various arrhythmias.

An electrocardiographic sign of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia ablatable from the distal great cardiac vein.

Background: Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (IVAs) can originate from the distal great cardiac vein (DGCV). However, inadequate distinction sometimes occurs when electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics are used to distinguish ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the DGCV from those arising from the adjacent left ventricular endocardium (LV ENDO).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify distinct ECG features in patients with idiopathic IVAs originating from the DGCV.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the region above pulmonary valve.

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the origin above pulmonary valve lack comprehensive investigation. This study aimed to disclose the characteristics and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) outcomes for those VAs.

Methods: One hundred six VAs arising from the region above pulmonary valve treated with RFCA were included in this study.