Prevention of recurrences in patients with lone atrial fibrillation. The dose-dependent effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to the activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which seems to play an important role in atrial remodelling. It is not known yet whether RAS blockade may prevent recurrences in patients with lone AF.

Methods And Results: Patients with an episode of persistent AF for >7 days, in the absence of cardiac or extracardiac causes and with normal blood pressure values (lone AF), were recruited.

[Usefulness of brain natriuretic peptide to evaluate patients with heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization].

Introduction And Objectives: The aim of the present study was to document the evolution of the blood levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with heart failure and their correlation with the clinical course after implantation of a biventricular pacemaker.

Patients And Method: Twenty-eight patients with heart failure associated to left bundle branch block and left ventricular systolic dysfunction were included in the study. In each patient we performed laboratory tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, and measured blood levels of BNP.

Saline irrigated catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation in pigs: an experimental model.

Focal AF is amenable to radical cure by RF ablation within the PV. The primary purpose of this study was to compare lesion characteristics for irrigated versus standard ablation using three power settings for PV isolation in pigs. Secondary analyses were the comparisons of ablation time and temperature characteristics, and evaluation of short-term safety in the pig model.

Angiotensin receptor blocker as adjunctive therapy for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation: results of the irbesartan-amiodarone trial.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality. The early appearance of electrical remodeling is followed by structural remodeling of the atrial tissue. Direct current cardioversion of persistent AF is the most effective treatment for the restoration of sinus rhythm, but it is hampered by a high percentage of recurrences.