Catheter Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Disease Progression: Magnitude of the anti-progression effect and role of intervention timing.

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials(RCT) have shown that catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(AF) is associated with a lower incidence of progression to persistent AF compared to the use of antiarrhythmic drug(AAD) therapy.

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the magnitude of the anti-progression effect of catheter ablation, as well as the effect of intervention timing.

Methods: MEDLINE/EMBASE databases were searched until April 1 2024 for RCTs comparing catheter ablation and AAD therapy for the treatment of paroxysmal AF and reporting the rate of progression to persistent AF at 3 years (PROSPERO CRD42024534288).

Improved myocardial scar visualization using free-breathing motion-corrected wideband black-blood late gadolinium enhancement imaging in patients with implantable cardiac device.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to introduce and evaluate a novel two-dimensional wideband black-blood (BB) LGE sequence, incorporating wideband inversion recovery, wideband T2 preparation, and non-rigid motion correction (MOCO) reconstruction, to improve myocardial scar detection and address artifacts associated with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

Materials And Methods: The wideband MOCO free-breathing BB-LGE sequence was tested on a sheep with ischemic scar and in 22 patients with cardiac disease, including 15 with cardiac implants, at 1.5 T.

Anatomical Treatment Strategies for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation with Ethanol Infusion within the Vein of Marshall-Current Challenges and Future Directions.

Currently, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the gold standard in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, PVI alone may be insufficient in the management of persistent AF, and complementary methods are being explored. One such method takes an anatomical approach-improving both its success rate and lesion durability may lead to improved treatment outcomes.

An Update on Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae: Case Series and Systematic Review.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (sDAVFs) are rare entities with delayed diagnosis, potentially dramatic clinical manifestations, and complex management. We aim to present our mini case series and perform an updated systematic review of the usual patient profile, to search for established prognostic factors, to compare the effectiveness and safety of surgical and endovascular intervention, and to discuss trends in therapeutic strategy. We retrospectively collected data from patients treated in our department in the last decade (2014-2024) and we systematically reviewed the literature according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria and searched the PubMed database for relevant articles published in the same period.

Impact of Catheter Ablation of Electrical Storm on Survival: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: Electrical storm (ES) is a life-threatening condition, associated with substantial early and subacute mortality. Catheter ablation (CA) is a well-established therapy for ES. However, data regarding the impact of CA on the short-term and midterm survival of patients admitted for ES remain unclear.

Wideband black-blood late gadolinium enhancement imaging for improved myocardial scar assessment in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Purpose: Wideband phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) enables myocardial scar imaging in implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) patients, mitigating hyperintensity artifacts. To address subendocardial scar visibility challenges, a 2D breath-hold single-shot electrocardiography-triggered black-blood (BB) LGE sequence was integrated with wideband imaging, enhancing scar-blood contrast.

Methods: Wideband BB, with increased bandwidth in the inversion pulse (0.

State-of-the-art pulsed field ablation for cardiac arrhythmias: ongoing evolution and future perspective.

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is an innovative approach in the field of cardiac electrophysiology aimed at treating cardiac arrhythmias. Unlike traditional catheter ablation energies, which use radiofrequency or cryothermal energy to create lesions in the heart, PFA utilizes pulsed electric fields to induce irreversible electroporation, leading to targeted tissue destruction. This state-of-the-art review summarizes biophysical principles and clinical applications of PFA, highlighting its potential advantages over conventional ablation methods.

Analysis of the effectiveness of the latest 4th-generation cryoballoon catheters in pulmonary vein isolation using high-resolution mapping.

Background: Long-term data showed that up to 27% of pulmonary veins are reconnected using cryoballoon ablation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the latest 4th-generation cryoballoon catheters using ultra high-resolution mapping.

Methods: In patients with atrial fibrillation, a standard pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with the latest 4th-generation cryoballoon catheter (Arctic Front Advance PRO, Medtronic Minneapolis, USA) and the spiral mapping catheter (Achieve Advance, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was performed.

Neurosurgery Training in Greece.

Objective: The structure and specifics of neurosurgery residency training vary substantially across programs and countries, potentially leading to differences in clinical reasoning, surgical skills, and professionalism. The Greek neurosurgical training system is unique in numerous respects. This manuscript delineates the current state of neurosurgical residency training in Greece and outlines future directions.

Demonstration of differential ventricular overdrive pacing during long RP' supraventricular tachycardia.

We described the differential ventricular overdrive pacing during long RP' supraventricular tachycardia and discussed about its response leading to the dianosis.