The spatial overlap between left atrial epicardial adipose tissue and fibrosis is not associated to clinical stage of atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial (LA) epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and wall fibrosis are both proven to contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). The theory of LA wall fibrosis induction by local EAT infiltration, paracrine secretions, and activation of the inflammatory process is strongly advocated, but the imaging evidence for anatomical proximity of the two tissue types and its association to AF stage is lacking. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to analyse the spatial overlap between LA EAT and adjacent wall fibrosis using 3D Dixon water-fat separated late gadolinium enhancement (LGE-Dixon) MRI and correlate the findings with the clinical AF stage.

Haemodynamic changes after atrial fibrillation initiation in patients eligible for catheter ablation: a randomized controlled study.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) haemodynamics is less well studied due to challenges explained by the nature of AF. Until now, no randomized data are available. This study evaluates haemodynamic variables after AF induction in a randomized setting.

Corrigendum: Elevated atrial blood stasis in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a patient-specific computational fluid dynamics study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.

Elevated atrial blood stasis in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a patient-specific computational fluid dynamics study.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, often caused by thrombi that form in the left atrium (LA), and especially in the left atrial appendage (LAA). The underlying mechanism is not fully understood but is thought to be related to stagnant blood flow, which might be present despite sinus rhythm. However, measuring blood flow and stasis in the LAA is challenging due to its small size and low velocities.

Long-term antithrombotic therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation. A nationwide observational study from the SWEDEHEART registry.

Aims: To provide data guiding long-term antithrombotic therapy after coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) in patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: From the SWEDEHEART registry, we included all patients, between January 2006 and September 2016, with preoperative AF and CHADS-VASC score ≥2, undergoing CABG. Based on dispensed prescriptions 12 to 18 months after CABG, patients were divided in 3 groups: use of platelet inhibitors (PI) only, oral anticoagulant (OAC) only or a combination of OAC + PI.

Predictors of recurrence after catheter ablation and electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.

Aims: The recurrence rates after catheter ablation (CA) and direct current (DC) cardioversion remain high, although they have been established treatments of rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF). This umbrella review systematically appraises published meta-analyses of both observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the association of risk and protective factors for arrhythmia recurrence after CA and DC cardioversion of AF.

Methods And Results: Three bibliographic databases were searched up to June 2021.

Risk and Protective Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global public health issue, accounting for 10-20% of deaths in industrialized countries. Identification of modifiable risk factors may reduce SCD incidence.

Methods: This umbrella review systematically evaluates published meta-analyses of observational and randomized controlled trials (RCT) for the association of modifiable risk and protective factors of SCD.

Clinical decision support for familial hypercholesterolemia (CDS-FH): Rationale and design of a cluster randomized trial in primary care.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an underdiagnosed and undertreated genetic disorder with high risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and death. Clinical decision support (CDS) systems have the potential to aid in the identification and management of patients with FH. Prior studies using computer-based systems to screen patients for FH have shown promising results, but there has been no randomized controlled trial conducted.

Comparing efficacy and safety in catheter ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation: protocol of a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Catheter ablation (CA) of AF is an increasingly offered therapeutic approach, primary to relieve AF-related symptoms. Despite the development of new ablation approaches, there is no consensus regarding the most efficient ablation strategy.

Echocardiographic and Biochemical Factors Predicting Arrhythmia Recurrence After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation-An Observational Study.

RFA is a well-established treatment for symptomatic patients with AF. However, the success rate of a single procedure is low. We aimed to investigate the association between the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after a single radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure and cardiac neurohormonal function, left atrial (LA) mechanical function as well as proteins related to inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis.

Post-cardioversion Improvement in LV Function Defined by 4D Flow Patterns and Energetics in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cause of cardiovascular morbidity, including thromboembolism and heart failure. Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) detected in AF patients may be either precursor or consequence of the arrythmia. Successful cardioversion of chronic AF is often followed by a transient period of left atrial (LA) stunning, where depressed mechanical atrial contraction persists despite reinstitution of sinus rhythm.

A clinical decision support tool for improving adherence to guidelines on anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke: A cluster-randomized trial in a Swedish primary care setting (the CDS-AF study).

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with substantial morbidity, in particular stroke. Despite good evidence for the reduction of stroke risk with anticoagulant therapy, there remains significant undertreatment. The main aim of the current study was to investigate whether a clinical decision support tool (CDS) for stroke prevention integrated in the electronic health record could improve adherence to guidelines for stroke prevention in patients with AF.

Left Atrial 4D Blood Flow Dynamics and Hemostasis following Electrical Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation.

Electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation is followed by a transiently impaired atrial mechanical function, termed atrial stunning. During atrial stunning, a retained risk of left atrial thrombus formation exists, which may be attributed to abnormal left atrial blood flow patterns. 4D Flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) enables blood flow assessment from the entire three-dimensional atrial volume throughout the cardiac cycle.

Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a left endoventricular patch: a case report.

Surgical resection of a left ventricular aneurysm in the setting of ventricular tachycardia (VT) was first described by Couch in 1959. The technique was further developed by Dor with performance of endocardiectomy and complete myocardial revascularization. Despite an attempt to remove the arrhythmogenic substrate, however, recurrences of VT remain an issue.