Cross-Cultural Validation of Knowledge About Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention Questionnaire: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Chinese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Aim: To cross-culturally adapt the Knowledge about Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention Questionnaire (KAFSP-Q) for Chinese AF patients and validate its effectiveness.

Design: Instrument adaptation and cross-sectional validation.

Methods: The KAFSP-Q was translated into Chinese by using the forward and back translation method.

The influence of epicardial adipose tissue on the prognosis of atrial fibrillation patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation combined with left atrial appendage occlusion.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in adults. The interplay between epicardial adipose tissue and atrial fibrillation has garnered significant scientific interest. Recently, the combined approach of radiofrequency ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion has become a widely adopted strategy for managing non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of thrombus formation.

Effect of social support on illness perception in patients with atrial fibrillation during "Blanking Period": Mediating role of sense of mastery.

Aim: To explore whether sense of mastery can mediate the relationship between social support and illness perception in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were at the "Blanking Period."

Design: A cross-sectional design.

Methods: 405 patients with AF who were at the "Blanking Period" in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were recruited; they completed a set of questionnaires, including the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Personal Mastery Scale and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire.

Factors influencing kinesiophobia during the "blanking period" after radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation by the fear-avoidance model.

Background: The influencing factors of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)during the post-operative "Blanking Period" are not known. The aims were to investigate the status of kinesiophobia in patients with AF during the post-operative "Blanking Period", then further describe the occurrence and analyze the influencing factors of patients' kinesiophobia by the Fear-Avoidance Model.

Materials And Methods: In total,400 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, during the post-operative "Blanking Period" from the selected hospital were included in this study.

Comparison of co-administration of amiodarone and rivaroxaban to co-administration of dronedarone and rivaroxaban for hemorrhage risks after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Purpose: To investigate whether co-administration of antiarrhythmic dronedarone and anticoagulant rivaroxaban would increase the risks of hemorrhage after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: A total of 100 patients with AF who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) in the Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from 2019-12 to 2020-11 were included. Patients were divided into an oral dronedarone and rivaroxaban group (D-R group, N = 50) and an oral amiodarone and rivaroxaban group (A-R group, N = 50) according to the postoperative antiarrhythmic and anticoagulation strategies.

Risk factors for late recurrence in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Objective: To identify the risk factors for postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in nonvalvular AF patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 426 of 450 AF patients who underwent CA. Patients were divided into two groups according to recurrence after the operation; the risk factors for AF recurrence were analyzed.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 prevents pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Background And Aim: Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2) has been reported to be involved in cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload is still elusive. We aimed to examine the role of sFRP2 in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro.

Efficacy and effects on cardiac function of radiofrequency catheter ablation vs. direct current cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of catheter ablation vs. direct current synchronized cardioversion (DCC) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and to define baseline features of patients that will get more benefit from ablation.

Methods: From July 2013 to October 2014, 97 consecutive single-center patients with persistent AF and symptomatic heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%) underwent DCC followed by amiodarone (n = 40) or circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI; n = 57) according to patient's preference were recruited in the study.

MiR-206 Suppresses the Progression of Coronary Artery Disease by Modulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Expression.

BACKGROUND We investigated whether microRNA-206 (miR-206) is abnormally expressed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The potential mechanism by which miR-206 may regulate CAD progression was also studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 78 CAD patients in the case group and 65 subjects in the control group were enrolled in this study so that the correlation between miR-206 and CAD could be accurately determined.

Safety and efficacy of early radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation complicated with amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis.

Background: Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug that is frequently used to control atrial fibrillation (AF). Many patients with AF are afraid of the risk of ablation and take amiodar-one, some patients develop amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). The purpose of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of early radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF complicated with AIT.