High heart rates during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: continuous rhythm monitoring data of the RACE V study.

Background: Preventing high heart rates in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a key objective of AF management. Data regarding heart rates in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) is lacking. This analysis aimed to provide insight into heart rates during PAF episodes measured with continuous implantable loop monitoring.

Identifying patients with atrial fibrillation recurrences after two pulmonary vein isolation procedures.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an important treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, many patients need more than one procedure to maintain long-term sinus rhythm. Even after two PVIs some may suffer from AF recurrences.

First-line treatment of persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation with single-stage hybrid ablation: a 2-year follow-up study.

Aims: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of first-line single-stage hybrid ablation of (long-standing) persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), over a follow-up period of 2 years, and provides additional information on arrhythmia recurrences and electrophysiological findings at repeat ablation.

Methods And Results: This is a prospective cohort study that included 49 patients (65% persistent AF; 35% long-standing persistent AF) who underwent hybrid ablation as first-line ablation treatment (no previous endocardial ablation). Patients were relatively young (57.

Temporal patterns and short-term progression of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: data from RACE V.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often starts as a paroxysmal self-terminating arrhythmia. Limited information is available on AF patterns and episode duration of paroxysmal AF. In paroxysmal AF patients, we longitudinally studied the temporal AF patterns, the association with clinical characteristics, and prevalence of AF progression.

Pulmonary vein anatomy addressed by computed tomography and relation to success of second-generation cryoballoon ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Cryoballoon isolation is considered a safe and effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, recurrence of AF after first cryoballoon ablation occurs in ~30% of patients. Pre-procedurally identifying patients at risk of AF recurrence could be beneficial.

Obesity is associated with impaired long-term success of pulmonary vein isolation: a plea for risk factor management before ablation.

Aims: Obesity is an increasing health problem and is an important risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the association of body mass index (BMI) on the safety and long-term efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for drug-refractory AF.

Methods: 414 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter PVI for AF between 2003 and 2013 were included.

Totally Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Vein Isolation: A Simplified Technique.

Since the introduction of thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), the field of minimally invasive AF treatment has evolved toward an established treatment option for AF, with an overall 2-year antiarrhythmic drug free success rate of 77%. Complications are usually minor, and the incidence of bleeding needing conversion to sternotomy or (mini-)thoracotomy varies between 0% and 1.6%.