Extent of arterial calcification by conventional vitamin K antagonist treatment.

Background And Aims: Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) remain the most frequently prescribed oral anticoagulants worldwide despite the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). VKA interfere with the regeneration of Vitamin K1 and K2, essential to the activation of coagulation factors and activation of matrix-Gla protein, a strong inhibitor of arterial calcifications. This study aimed to clarify whether VKA treatment was associated with the extent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a population with no prior cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter revisited: current evidence and practical guidance for a common procedure.

Cardioversion is widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter when a rhythm control strategy is pursued. We sought to summarize the current evidence on this important area of clinical management of patients with AF including electrical and pharmacological cardioversion, peri-procedural anticoagulation and thromboembolic complications, success rate, and risk factors for recurrence to give practical guidance.

Predictive Markers of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of cardio-embolism in patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) make long-term monitoring for AF possible, but limited health care resources make patient selection important. AF is associated with atherosclerosis and markers of this could potentially be used to guide AF monitoring.

Left atrial volume index and left ventricular global longitudinal strain predict new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with transient ischemic attack.

This study aimed to investigate different echocardiographic parameters for predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). Echocardiography was performed in 110 patients (median age 65.8 years, 53% males) with TIA and no history of stroke or AF.

The long-term efficacy of concomitant maze IV surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. AF surgery is widely used for rhythm control of AF, but previous studies have shown varying results. This study sought to investigate the long-term efficacy of concomitant maze IV (CMIV) surgery in an unselected AF population and identify predictors of late AF recurrence.

Subclinical atrial fibrillation in patients with recent transient ischemic attack.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor of stroke, but the association between AF and transient ischemic attack (TIA) is less clear. Despite this, patients with TIA are included in stroke trials.

Aims: To determine the 1-year incidence of AF in TIA patients using an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM); second, to determine factors associated with incident AF in these patients.

Complications after implantation of a new-generation insertable cardiac monitor: Results from the LOOP study.

Background: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) are leadless devices utilized in long-term monitoring of the heart rhythm. The implantation procedure of the new-generation ICMs is minimally invasive, but little experience exists regarding complications. We thus aimed to investigate adverse events (AE) according to procedure-related characteristics after implantation of a large number of new-generation ICMs.

Low Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke. Therefore, all patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) should be examined with 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous monitoring to detect AF. Current guidelines recommend at least 24 h continuous ECG monitoring, which is primarily based on studies investigating patients with ischemic stroke.