Significant hemolysis is present during irreversible electroporation of cardiomyocytes in vitro.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) of atrial fibrillation is a new method in clinical practice. Despite a favorable safety profile of PFA in atrial fibrillation ablation, rare cases of renal failure, probably due to hemolysis, have recently been reported.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of hemolysis and cardiac cell death during in vitro PFA with different electric field intensities.

Periprocedural Intravascular Hemolysis During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Comparison of Pulsed Field With Radiofrequency Ablation.

Background: Hemolysis-related renal failure has been described after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with pulsed-field ablation (PFA).

Objectives: This study sought to compare the potential for hemolysis during PVI with PFA vs radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods: In consecutive patients, PVI was performed with PFA or RFA.

LVSP and LBBP Result in Similar or Improved LV Synchrony and Hemodynamics Compared to BVP.

Background: The effect of left ventricular septal myocardial pacing (LVSP) and left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) on ventricular synchrony and left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic status is poorly understood.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of LVSP and LBBP vs biventricular pacing (BVP) on ventricular electrical synchrony and hemodynamic status in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients.

Methods: In cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates with LV conduction disease, ventricular synchrony was assessed by measuring QRS duration (QRSd) and using ultra-high-frequency electrocardiography.

Myocardial Damage, Inflammation, Coagulation, and Platelet Activity During Catheter Ablation Using Radiofrequency and Pulsed-Field Energy.

Background: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) represents a new, nonthermal ablation energy for the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Ablation energies producing thermal injury are associated with an inflammatory response, platelet activation, and coagulation activation.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the systemic response in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using pulsed-field and radiofrequency (RF) energy.

Transseptal puncture in left atrial appendage closure guided by 3D printing and multiplanar CT reconstruction.

Background: The presented study investigates the application of bi-arterial 3D printed models to guide transseptal puncture (TSP) in left atrial appendage closure (LAAC).

Aims: The objectives are to (1) test the feasibility of 3D printing (3DP) for TSP guidance, (2) analyse the distribution of the optimal TSP locations, and (3) define a CT-derived 2D parameter suitable for predicting the optimal TSP locations.

Methods: Preprocedural planning included multiplanar CT reconstruction, 3D segmentation, and 3DP.

Nonprocedural bleeding after left atrial appendage closure versus direct oral anticoagulants: A subanalysis of the randomized PRAGUE-17 trial.

Introduction: Observational studies have shown low bleeding rates in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated by left atrial appendage closure (LAAC); however, data from randomized studies are lacking. This study compared bleeding events among patients with AF treated by LAAC and nonvitamin K anticoagulants (NOAC).

Methods: The Prague-17 trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial that compared LAAC to NOAC in high-risk AF patients.

Previous antithrombotic therapy does not have an impact on the in-hospital mortality of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The association between antithrombotics (ATs) and the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is well known; however, data regarding the influence of ATs on outcomes are scarce. The goals of this study are: (i) to assess the impact of prior AT therapy on in-hospital and 6-month outcomes and (ii) to determine the re-initiation rate of the ATs after a bleeding event. All patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) who underwent urgent gastroscopy in three centres from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 were retrospectively analysed.

A Comparison of Cardiac Computed Tomography, Transesophageal and Intracardiac Echocardiography, and Fluoroscopy for Planning Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) is accompanied by a high risk of complications. Due to the complex anatomy of the LAA and the oval-shaped ostium, the proper sizing of the device is often difficult.

Purpose: To assess individualized fluoroscopy viewing angles using pre-procedural CT analysis and to compare the results of landing zone measurements obtained from CT, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), and fluoroscopy.

The effect of left atrial appendage closure on heart failure biomarkers: A PRAGUE-17 trial subanalysis.

Introduction: The randomized PRAGUE-17 trial demonstrated noninferiority of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) to non-vitamin K anticoagulants (NOACs) for the prevention of major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. However, the left atrial appendage is an important source of natriuretic peptides and plays a role in left atrial reservoir function. Changes of heart failure (HF) biomarkers after LAAC compared to NOAC has not been studied.

[Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure].

Stroke is one of the most severe complications of atrial fibrillation. Oral anticoagulation is the first choice therapy in prevention of cardiac embolic events. Particularly in patients with the history of serious bleeding, oral anticoagulation may be contraindicated.