Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most complex ablation procedures. Both patients and operators are exposed to scattered radiation. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of intracardiac echo (ICE)-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) without fluoroscopy.

Transesophageal vs. intracardiac echocardiographic screening in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation with uninterrupted rivaroxaban.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) routinely undergo different imaging modalities for the evaluation of the left atrial (LA) appendage to rule out thrombus prior to the AF ablation procedure. Recently, uninterrupted novel oral anticoagulants were introduced for patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation to minimize the peri-procedural thromboembolism risk. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the safety of uninterrupted rivaroxaban and whether transesophageal (TEE) or intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is necessary for patients undergoing AF ablation.

New intronic splicing mutation in the LMNA gene causing progressive cardiac conduction defects and variable myopathy.

Background: Most of mutations in the LMNA gene are unique and have been found in only a few unrelated families. The clinical interpretation of new genetic variants, especially beyond the coding area and canonical splice sites, is proving to be difficult and requires advanced investigation.

Methods: This study included patients with progressive cardiac conduction defects with neuromuscular involvement.