Evaluating the effect of coronary atherosclerosis on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation through coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: The direct impact of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary vessels on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients without a history of acute myocardial ischemia, previous myocardial infarction, or revascularization procedures remains largely unknown.

Aims: To assess the risk and predictors of new-onset AF in patients with coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: We included consecutive patients referred for CCTA who had been observed and diagnosed with new-onset AF over 10 years.

Clinical and genetic yield of familial screening after a sudden unexplained death at a young age.

Background: In a population under 45 years of age, the predominant causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are inherited cardiac diseases. Determining the underlying cause may help identify relatives at risk and prevent further events but is more difficult if an autopsy has not been performed.

Aims: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of clinical and genetic screening in relatives of young non-autopsied sudden unexplained death (SUD) victims.

Association of left atrial enlargement and increased left ventricular wall thickness with arrhythmia recurrence after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) predicts atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (CB). Increased left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) is pathophysiologically associated with LAE and atrial arrhythmias.

Aims: To assess effect of increased LVWT on long-term outcomes of CB depending on coexistence of LAE.

Association between the acquisition of antibodies against Lyme disease and the risk of atrial arrhythmias.

Introduction: The impact of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (BB) on the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients without typical symptoms of Lyme disease (LD) is largely unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other atrial arrhythmias (AAs) in patients who tested positive for anti-LD antibodies.

Patients And Methods: We included consecutive patients referred for the diagnosis and treatment of AAs who had no history of erythema migrans or other symptoms of LD.

Titin-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy: The Clinical Trajectory and the Role of Circulating Biomarkers in the Clinical Assessment.

Titin truncating variants (tv) are known as the leading cause of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Nevertheless, it is unclear whether circulating cardiac biomarkers are helpful in detection and risk assessment. We sought to assess 1) early indicators of cardiotitinopathy including the serum biomarkers high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in clinically stable patients, and 2) predictors of outcome among tv carriers.

A Novel Truncating Variant in a Family with Episodic Myocardial Injury in the Course of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy-A Possible Role of a Low Penetrance Variant.

Mono-allelic dominant mutations in the desmoplakin gene () have been linked to known cardiac disorders, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. During the course of cardiomyopathy, episodes of acute myocardial injury may occur. While their mechanisms remain unclear, myocarditis has been postulated as an underlying cause.

A combination of quinidine/mexiletine reduces arrhythmia in dilated cardiomyopathy in two patients with R814W SCN5A mutation.

SCN5A gene mutations are described in 2% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and different rhythm disturbances, including multifocal ectopic Purkinje-related premature contractions. Recent data indicate that sodium channel blockers are particularly effective monotherapy in carriers of the R222Q SCN5A variant. Our purpose is to describe the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic treatment in a family with genetically determined arrhythmogenic DCM associated with the R814W variant in the SCN5A gene.

Can Circulating Cardiac Biomarkers Be Helpful in the Assessment of Mutation Carriers?

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene are variably phenotypically expressed; however, it is unclear whether circulating cardiac biomarkers are helpful in the detection and risk assessment of cardiolaminopathies. We sought to assess (1) clinical characteristics including serum biomarkers: high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in clinically stable cardiolaminopathy patients, and (2) outcome among pathogenic/likely pathogenic lamin A/C gene ( mutation carriers. Our single-centre cohort included 53 patients from 21 families.

Positional sleep disordered breathing in patients with arrhythmia. Should we advise our patients to avoid supine position during sleep?

Background: Sleep disordered breathing [SDB] is a well-known problem in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Around 50% of pts. with SDB present positional sleep disordered breathing [PSDB].

Impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on attitude to the therapy, aims in life and professional work in patients after myocardial infarction.

Background: Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation aims to restore pathophysiological and psychosocial consequences of myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of the study was to assess how exercise-only-based cardiac rehabilitation (ECR) influences the attitude to the therapy (ATT), to the aims in life and professional work (AAL) amongst men and women after MI.

Material And Methods: The study comprised 44 post-MI patients: 28 men and 16 women, mean age 58±10 years old, referred to ECR.

Sudden cardiac arrest in patients without overt heart disease: a limited value of next generation sequencing.

INTRODUCTION Unexplained sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), occurs in up to 10% of patients and is often attributed to an inherited arrhythmia syndrome. Family screening and genetic testing may help clarify the cause of unexplained SCA. OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess the usefulness of clinical evaluation and genetic testing in patients after unexplained SCA and in their families.

Rapid and effective response of the R222Q SCN5A to quinidine treatment in a patient with Purkinje-related ventricular arrhythmia and familial dilated cardiomyopathy: a case report.

Background: Mutations of the SCN5A gene are reported in 2-4% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In such cases, DCM is associated with different rhythm disturbances such as the multifocal ectopic Purkinje-related premature contractions and atrial fibrillation. Arrhythmia often occurs at a young age and is the first symptom of heart disease.

Ventricular fibrillation induced by radiofrequency energy delivery for premature ventricular contractions arising from the right ventricular outflow tract: is implantablecardioverterdefibrillator indicated?

INTRODUCTION    Inadvertently induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) by radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery for premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) is a rare phenomenon; nevertheless, it is crucial to assess long‑term risk of sudden cardiac death in these patients. OBJECTIVES    The aim of our study was to define the long‑term prognosis in patients with normal ejection fraction (EF), in whom VF was inadvertently induced by RF energy application during ablation of symptomatic idiopathic PVCs originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). PATIENTS AND METHODS    Among over 20 000 RF catheter ablations performed at 5 tertiary centers (2008-2016), 6 patients (5 men) had VF induced by RF application to the RVOT.

Ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmias late after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot: long-term follow-up.

Background: After the surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot, surgical scars and natural obstacles form pathways capable of supporting an atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT). Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is effective, although the few studies published on this topic had relatively short follow-up periods.

Aim: The aims of the study were to evaluate the acute and long-term effects of RF ablation of AT and examine the charac-teristics of arrhythmia recurrence.

Characteristic features of patients with multiple accessory pathways.

Objective Only limited clinical and electrophysiological data concerning patients (pts) with multiple accessory pathways (MAP) in comparison to large control groups are available. The aim of our study was to analyse these data from the largest cohort of patients with multiple accessory pathways and a large control group. Method and results We analysed data from pts with MAP (group 1) and pts with a single accessory pathway (AP) (group 2) referred for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) at our tertiary centre.