Clinical utility of oesophageal temperature monitoring in AF ablation: An updated meta-analysis and review of literature.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can lead to oesophageal thermal injuries (ETI). These are thought to be the precursor of the much rarer but frequently fatal atrio-oesophageal fistulas. Many centers performing AF ablation routinely use oesophageal temperature monitoring (ETM).

Cardiovascular disease in type 1 diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a well-recognized complication of diabetes. Although the association of type 2 diabetes with CVD has been well described, the mechanisms, risk stratification and screening strategies of CVD in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are less understood. This review aims to evaluate recent literature and guidelines regarding CVD in T1D.

Quality of life benefits from arrhythmia ablation: A longitudinal study using the C-CAP questionnaire and EQ5D.

Aims: To investigate long-term efficacy of cardiac ablation for symptomatic arrhythmia by gathering generic and arrhythmia-related quality of life data using patient-reported outcome measures before and after ablation.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing cardiac ablation procedures at three sites in the United Kingdom were enrolled (n = 561). Data were collected at baseline, at 8-16 weeks, and 12 months after the ablation with responses from 390 patients received at all three time points.

Glomerular filtration rate: A prognostic marker in atrial fibrillation-A subanalysis of the AntiThrombotic Agents Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective: An increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been widely reported in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, a subanalysis of the AntiThrombotic Agents Atrial Fibrillation (ATA-AF) is performed with the aim to evaluate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as an independent prognostic marker of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with AF.

Methods And Results: The ATA-AF study enrolled 7148 patients with AF, in 360 Italian centers.

Patient-Reported Outcomes for Quality of Life Assessment in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review of Measurement Properties.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a large and growing burden across all types of healthcare. Both incidence and prevalence are expected to double in the next 20 years, with huge impact on hospital admissions, costs and patient quality of life. Patient wellbeing determines the management strategy for atrial fibrillation, including the use of rhythm control therapy and the clinical success of heart rate control.

Haemodynamic effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy using single-vein, three-pole, multipoint left ventricular pacing in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular free wall scar: the MAESTRO study.

Aims: The clinical response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is variable. Multipoint left ventricular (LV) pacing could achieve more effective haemodynamic response than single-point LV pacing. Deployment of an LV lead over myocardial scar is associated with a poor haemodynamic response to and clinical outcome of CRT.

Cardiff cardiac ablation patient-reported outcome measure (C-CAP): validation of a new questionnaire set for patients undergoing catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias in the UK.

Purpose: To formally test and validate a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for patients with cardiac arrhythmias undergoing catheter ablation procedures in the UK [Cardiff Cardiac Ablation PROM (C-CAP)].

Methods: A multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study with consecutive patient enrolment from three UK sites was conducted. Patients were sent C-CAP questionnaires before and after an ablation procedure.

Living on a knife edge-the daily struggle of coping with symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias.

Background: In 2010 a retrospective audit was undertaken to assess the viability of using PROMs in patients with symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias having undergone percutaneous arrhythmia ablation. A response rate of 74 % was achieved, with finding suggesting that arrhythmia patients reported a significant impact on their work, social and family life.

Aims: To conduct a qualitative cross sectional survey to understand patients' perspectives of how cardiac arrhythmias affect their daily lives, as part of a program to develop a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM).

Establishing content validity in a novel patient reported outcome measure for cardiac arrhythmia ablation patients.

Aim: Preliminary content validity testing of a UK Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) for use in cardiac arrhythmia patients undergoing ablation treatment.

Methods: Twenty five patients diagnosed with symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias participated in qualitative interviews to obtain their perspective of a draft PROM. As part of the process to establish preliminary content validity, patients were asked to complete the questionnaires and to identify missing and redundant items within the PROM, while also reviewing the instructions and formatting.

Patient reported outcome measures for cardiac ablation procedures: a multicentre pilot to develop a new questionnaire.

Aim: To assess the feasibility of administering Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) in patients treated with ablation for cardiac arrhythmias, and to conduct the first stage of development and testing of a new PROM tool.

Methods And Results: A new tool was developed by a multidisciplinary team and tested alongside an adaptation of the patient perception of arrhythmia questionnaire (PPAQ) and EQ-5D-5L in a multicentre retrospective audit involving 791 consecutive cardiac arrhythmia patients treated with catheter ablation at three UK centres over 13 months. Data were recorded in the National Cardiac Rhythm Management Database, part of the National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research.

Local activation time derived from stored EGM is associated with failure of antitachycardia pacing in patients with implantable defibrillator.

Background: Antitachycardia pacing (ATP) is an effective treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, persistent failure of ATP in some patients is well recognized.

Methods: A method of deriving the local activation time from stored intracardiac electrograms in implantable cardioverter defibrillators is described.

Verification of electrical isolation of pulmonary veins following left atrial circumferential ablation may require sinus rhythm.

A 67-year-old female with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent left atrial circumferential ablation, and during the procedure, she developed AF. Once the ablation was complete, the left upper pulmonary vein (LUPV) appeared to continue in a rapid disorganized rhythm, despite further attempts at isolating this vein. When the patient was electrically cardioverted to sinus rhythm to assist mapping, the LUPV remained in a disorganized rhythm, pulmonary vein (PV) fibrillation.

Coronary endarterectomy: impact on morbidity and mortality when combined with coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: The results of coronary endarterectomy (CE) performed in addition to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been controversial. We aimed to examine the impact of CE performed in addition to CABG when compared with CABG alone in our unit.

Methods: Patients who had CABG between January 1995 and December 2001 were included.