Atrioventricular Interval Extension Is Highly Efficient in Preventing Unnecessary Right Ventricular Pacing in Sinus Node Disease: A Randomized Cross-Over Study Versus Dual- to Atrial Single-Chamber Mode Switch.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the Intrinsic Rhythm Support (IRSplus) and Ventricular Pace Suppress (VpS) in terms of right ventricular pacing percentage (VP %), mean atrioventricular interval (MAVI), atrial fibrillation, and cardiac volumes.

Background: Modern pacemakers are provided with algorithms for reducing unnecessary ventricular pacing. These may be classified as: periodic search for intrinsic atrioventricular (AV) conduction prolonging the AV delay accordingly; or DDD-ADI mode switch.

Anticoagulation Issues in Patients with AF.

The evaluation of the risk of stroke for individual patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a crucial factor in the decision to provide anticoagulation therapy. Novel oral anticoagulants, as compared with warfarin, are associated with a lower or similar rate of stroke and systemic embolism and a lower rate of hemorrhagic stroke. These drugs are administered at a fixed dose, have a shorter peak action and half-life, and do not require international normalized ratio monitoring.

Emotional anticipation rather than processing is altered in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Objective: To investigate whether the electrocortical activity underlying the anticipation and processing of emotional stimuli is enhanced in individuals with recurrent episodes of vasovagal syncope (VVS).

Methods: Fifteen fainters and 15 age-matched healthy controls were presented a S1-S2 task, where the content of high-arousal pleasant and unpleasant, and neutral pictures (S2) was forecasted by word cues (S1). Stimulus Preceding Negativity (SPN) amplitude during the S1-S2 interval was computed as a measure of affective anticipation.

Left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome in men: a case series.

Objectives: Apical ballooning syndrome usually involves elderly women. We reported the profile of this syndrome in men.

Methods: We identified 54 consecutive patients with the syndrome: among them, seven were men (13%, group M) and 47 were women (87%, group F).

Impact of systematic isolation of superior vena cava in addition to pulmonary vein antrum isolation on the outcome of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation ablation: results from a randomized study.

Background: Pulmonary veins (PVs) have been shown to represent the most frequent sites of ectopic beats initiating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, additional non-PV triggers, arising from different areas, have been reported as well. One of the most common non-PV sites described is the superior vena cava.

Long-term outcome and sex distribution across ages of left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome.

Objective: Apical ballooning syndrome is a rare clinical entity that predominantly involves elderly women and is considered to be benign. We report our experience regarding this syndrome in terms of sex distribution and long-term outcome.

Methods: Between 1999 and 2006, we identified 28 consecutive patients affected by the apical ballooning syndrome.

Role of anticoagulation therapy after pulmonary vein antrum isolation for atrial fibrillation treatment.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of atrioembolic stroke. However, the role of anticoagulation therapy (OAT) in preventing cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) after intracardiac echocardiography-guided pulmonary vein antrum isolation (ICE-PVAI) is still unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the incidence of CVA following the interruption of OAT 3 months after ICE-PVAI.