Real-world evidence demonstrates an appropriate atrial fibrillation population for hybrid convergent approach versus stand-alone cryoballoon ablation: A long-term safety and efficacy study.

Introduction: A hybrid convergent approach (endocardial and epicardial ablation) demonstrated superior effectiveness in a recent randomized study for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). Yet, there is a lack of real-world, long-term evidence as to which patients are best candidates for a hybrid convergent approach compared to standard endocardial cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (CB PVI).

Methods And Results: This single-center, retrospective analysis spanning from 2010 to 2015 compared two distinctly different atrial fibrillation (AF) cohorts; one treated with stand-alone cryoablation and one treated with a hybrid convergent approach.

A Retrospective Look at Patient, Procedural, and Follow-up Characteristics Associated With WATCHMAN Implantation.

Background: Persons with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at risk for stroke. Atrial fibrillation-related strokes most often result for emboli arising from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Stroke prevention includes the use of anticoagulants and/or antiplatelets.

Initial Psychometric Testing of the Knowledge About Atrial Fibrillation and Self-Management Survey.

Background: Guidelines endorse educating patients to self-manage atrial fibrillation (AF) to mitigate AF-related adverse events contributing to personal and societal burden. Published interventions to improve patients' knowledge about AF and self-management are emerging, but evaluations of interventions are limited by lack of a psychometrically sound instrument to measure learning outcomes.

Objective: We report results of initial psychometric testing of the Knowledge about Atrial Fibrillation and Self-Management (KAFSM) survey.