Subclavian Ansae Stimulation on Cardiac Hemodynamics and Electrophysiology in Atrial Fibrillation: A Target for Sympathetic Neuromodulation.

Background: The sympathetic autonomic nervous system plays a major role in arrhythmia development and maintenance. Historical preclinical studies describe preferential increases in cardiac sympathetic tone upon selective stimulation of the subclavian ansae (SA), a nerve cord encircling the subclavian artery.

Objectives: This study sought to define, for the first time, the functional anatomy and physiology of the SA in humans using a percutaneous approach.

Feasibility of double-blinded, placebo-controlled interventional study for assessing catheter ablation efficacy in persistent atrial fibrillation: Insights from the ORBITA AF feasibility study.

Background: To date, there are no randomized, double-blinded clinical trials comparing catheter ablation to DC cardioversion (DCCV) with medical therapy in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF). Conducting a large-scale trial to address this question presents considerable challenges, including recruitment, blinding, and implementation. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a definitive placebo-controlled trial.

DOACs vs Vitamin K Antagonists During Cardiac Rhythm Device Surgery: A Multicenter Propensity-Matched Study.

Background: There is a paucity of data comparing vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) at the time of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) surgery. Furthermore, the best management of DOACs (interruption vs continuation) is yet to be determined.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the incidence of device-related bleeds and thrombotic events based on anticoagulant type (DOAC vs VKA) and regimen (interrupted vs uninterrupted).

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation with a multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon; first and early two centre experience in Europe.

Introduction: The Heliostar™ ablation system is a novel RF balloon ablation technology with an integrated three-dimensional mapping system. Here, we describe our early experience and procedural outcomes using this technology for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

Methods: We sought to comprehensively assess the first 60 consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation using the novel HELISOTAR™ RF balloon technology including procedural outcomes.

PolarX Cryoballoon metrics predicting successful pulmonary vein isolation: targets for ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aim: Evaluate the novel PolarX Cryoballoon in atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation through a propensity-matched comparison with the Arctic Front Advance (AFA). The aim was also to identify cryoablation metrics that are predictive of successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with the PolarX Cryoballoon.

Methods And Results: This prospective multi-centre study included patients that underwent cryoablation for AF.

Risk factors for developing pacing induced LV dysfunction: Experience from a tertiary center in the UK.

Background: The risk factors for developing pacing induced left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in patients with high burden of right ventricular pacing (RVP) is poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess the determinants of pacing induced LVD.

Methods: Our data were retrospectively collected from 146 patients with RVP > 40% who underwent generator change (GC) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) upgrade between 2016 and 2019 who had left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) ≥50% at initial implant.

Incidence and Prognostic Impact of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Severe Covid-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) contributes to cardiovascular complications including arrhythmias due to high inflammatory surge. Nevertheless, the common types of arrhythmia amongst severe COVID-19 is not well described. New onset atrial fibrillation(NOAF) is frequentlyseen in critically ill patients and therefore we aim to assess the incidence of NOAF in severe COVID -19and its association with prognosis.

First experience of POLARx™ versus Arctic Front Advance™: An early technology comparison.

Introduction: Cryoballoon ablation is an established technique to achieve pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, a new manufacturer of cryoballoon achieved regulatory CE marking (POLARx™; Boston Scientific). We describe our early experience of using this new market entrant of the technology and describe procedural aspects in comparison to the incumbent Medtronic Arctic Front Advance™.

Communication in the intensive care unit during COVID-19: early experience with the Nightingale Communication Method.

Objective: To assess the utility and frequency of use of the Nightingale Communication Method, during the early operational phase of the Nightingale Hospital London (NHL) 4000-bed field hospital's intensive care unit.

Design: Survey-based cross-sectional assessment.

Setting: The intensive care unit at the Nightingale London hospital.

A trial of three non-invasive blood pressure monitors compared with invasive blood pressure assessment in atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm.

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of three non-invasive blood pressure (BP) devices in atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with invasive arterial BP.

Methods: One hundred patients aged 45-90 years, 63% male (50 in AF and 50 age matched controls in sinus rhythm [SR]) were identified with arterial lines measuring beat-to-beat BP fluctuation. Non-invasive BP measurements utilising the manual sphygmomanometer (MS), PulseCor R6.

Rare and challenging case of stroke as a manifestation of non bacterial thrombotic endocarditis in an underlying ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Non bacterial thrombotic endocarditis presenting as a stroke is a rare presentation as a result of an underlying occult ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma. Embolic events secondary to non bacterial thrombotic endocarditis are potentially a life-threatening condition if not diagnosed and treated promptly. High clinical suspicion for an underlying neoplasm is one of the key elements to be considered in the management of non bacterial thrombotic endocarditis.

Bio-organic materials in the atmosphere and snow: measurement and characterization.

Bio-organic chemicals are ubiquitous in the Earth's atmosphere and at air-snow interfaces, as well as in aerosols and in clouds. It has been known for centuries that airborne biological matter plays various roles in the transmission of disease in humans and in ecosystems. The implication of chemical compounds of biological origins in cloud condensation and in ice nucleation processes has also been studied during the last few decades, and implications have been suggested in the reduction of visibility, in the influence on oxidative potential of the atmosphere and transformation of compounds in the atmosphere, in the formation of haze, change of snow-ice albedo, in agricultural processes, and bio-hazards and bio-terrorism.