Ablation of Supraventricular Arrhythmias With as Low as Reasonably Achievable X-Ray exposure (AALARA): Results of Prospective, Observational, Multicenter, Multinational, Open-Label Registry Study on Real World Data Using Routine Ensite 3D Mapping During SVT Ablation.

Introduction: The reduction of fluoroscopic exposure during catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias is widely adopted by experienced electrophysiology physicians with a relatively short learning curve and is becoming the standard of care in many parts of the world. While observational studies in the United States and some parts of Western Europe have evaluated the minimal fluoroscopic approach, there are scarce real-world data for this technique and the generalizability of outcomes in other economic regions.

Method: The AALARA study is a prospective, observational, multicenter, and multinational open-label study.

Assessment of patient-reported treatment burden in patients with coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Patient-reported treatment burden (TBN) refers to the patient's time and effort invested in the management of their chronic health conditions. The aim of this research was to explore TBN in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic medical condition(s) were invited to complete the study questionnaires (TBN and EQ-5D).

The impact of anticoagulation therapy on kidney function in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are closely related. These diseases share common risk factors and are associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events. Choosing the appropriate oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) in patients with AF and CKD is challenging.

Long-Term Renal Function after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study evaluated the impact of long-term rhythm outcome after catheter ablation (CA) of AF on renal function. The study group included 169 consecutive patients (the mean age was 59.

Risk factors for late reconnections after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation guided by lesion size index - Data from repeat invasive electrophysiology procedure.

Background: Late reconnections (LR) of pulmonary veins (PVs) after wide antral circumferential ablation (WACA) using point-to-point radiofrequency (RF) ablation are common. Lesion size index (LSI) is a novel marker of lesion quality proposed by Ensite Precision mapping system, expected to improve PV isolation durability. This study aimed to assess the durability of LSI-guided PVI and the risk factors for LR of PVs.

Sex-related differences in self-reported treatment burden in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Treatment burden (TB) is defined as the patient's workload of healthcare and its impact on patient functioning and wellbeing. High TB can lead to non-adherence, a higher risk of adverse outcomes and lower quality of life (QoL). We have previously reported a higher TB in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) vs.

Anxiety and Comorbidities Differences in Adults with Chronic Pulmonary Diseases: Serbian Single Center Experience.

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in the degree of the anxiety and comorbidity levels in patients with different chronic pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD) without emphysema phenotype, pulmonary emphysema, bronchial asthma and lung cancer. Materials and Methods: The prospective clinical study included 272 patients that were diagnosed and treated of pulmonary pathology. COPD (without emphysema phenotype) (Group-1), pulmonary emphysema (Group-2), bronchial asthma (Group-3) and lung cancer (Group-4) were assessed.

Focal Myocarditis after Mild COVID-19 Infection in Athletes.

COVID-19 infection in athletes usually has a milder course, but in the case of complications, myocarditis and even sudden cardiac death may occur. We examined an athlete who felt symptoms upon returning to training after asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. Physical, laboratory, and echocardiography findings were normal.

Improvement of Maximal Exercise Performance After Catheter-Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and Its Prognostic Significance for Long-Term Rhythm Outcome.

Background Rhythm control may improve functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Long-term exercise tolerance improvement and its prognostic implications following catheter-ablation (CA) of paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal AF are underreported. Methods and Results Consecutive patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing just before and 12 months after their index CA of AF.

Self-reported treatment burden in patients with atrial fibrillation: quantification, major determinants, and implications for integrated holistic management of the arrhythmia.

Aims: Treatment burden (TB) refers to self-perceived cumulative work patients do to manage their health. Using validated tools, TB has been documented in several chronic conditions, but not atrial fibrillation (AF). We measured TB and analysed its determinants and impact on quality of life (QoL) in an AF cohort.

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome and / or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The use of triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) consisting of an oral anticoagulant (OAC), aspirin, and a P2Y12 inhibitor in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and / or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with a high risk of bleeding. Recently, several randomized clinical trials tested the hypothesis as to whether dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) regimens (consisting of an OAC and a single antiplatelet drug) may be safer in terms of bleeding events as compared with TAT. They also investigated the role of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) as a part of DAT and TAT.

Risk factor modification for the primary and secondary prevention of atrial fibrillation. Part 2.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with increased risk of death, stroke, and heart failure. Prevalence and incidence of AF are rising due to better overall medical treatment, longer survival, and increasing incidence of cardiometabolic and lifestyle risk factors. Treatment of AF and AF‑related complications significantly increases healthcare costs.

Risk factor modification for the primary and secondary prevention of atrial fibrillation. Part 1.

Modifiable risk factors, such as cardiometabolic and lifestyle risk factors, considerably contribute to (bi)atrial remodeling, finally resulting in clinical occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Early identification and prompt intervention on these risk factors may delay further progression of atrial arrhythmia substrate and prevent the occurrence of new‑onset AF. Moreover, in patients with previous history of recurrent AF, aggressive risk factor management may improve efficacy of other rhythm control strategies, including antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation in sinus rhythm maintenance.

A square root pattern of changes in heart rate variability during the first year after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and their relation with long‑term arrhythmia recurrence.

Background: An incidental lesion of the parasympathetic ganglia during circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) may affect heart rate variability (HRV).

Aims: We studied the pattern of changes in HRV parameters and the relationship between the 1‑year HRV change following CPVI and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients undergoing CPVI for paroxysmal AF were enrolled (mean [SD] age, 56 [11.

The role of amiodarone in contemporary management of complex cardiac arrhythmias.

Amiodarone is an iodinated benzofuran derivative, a highly lipophilic drug with unpredictable pharmacokinetics. Although originally classified as a class III agent due to its ability to prolong refractoriness in cardiac regions and prevent/terminate re-entry, amiodarone shows antiarrhythmic properties of all four antiarrhythmic drug classes. Amiodarone is a potent coronary and peripheral vasodilator and can be safely used in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction or those with congestive heart failure or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Revisiting the effects of omitting aspirin in combined antithrombotic therapies for atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndromes or percutaneous coronary interventions: meta-analysis of pooled data from the PIONEER AF-PCI, RE-DUAL PCI, and AUGUSTUS trials.

Aims: Recently, three randomized trials reported that dual antithrombotic treatments (DATs) including non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and a P2Y12 inhibitor without aspirin were associated with significantly less bleeding than vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-based triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We conducted an analysis of pooled data from these trials.

Methods And Results: A meta-analysis of the PIONEER AF-PCI, RE-DUAL PCI, and AUGUSTUS trials considering major bleeding [International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction], clinically relevant non-major bleeding, all-cause/cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and stent thrombosis.

Clinical approach to the patient with Brugada Syndrome: risk stratification and optimal management.

The Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is an inherited cardiac ion channel disorder associated with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality. Diagnosis is based on a characteristic electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern of coved type ST-segment elevation >2 mm followed by a negative T-wave in ≥1 of the right precordial leads V1 to V3. Since the first description of BrS, the definition of disease and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been significantly improved in recent years.

Validation of the MB-LATER score for prediction of late recurrence after catheter-ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Reliable identification of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients more likely to be AF-free long-term post-single catheter ablation (CA) would facilitate appropriate risk communication to patients. We validated the recently proposed MB-LATER score for prediction of late recurrences of AF (LRAF) post-CA.

Methods: Patients who underwent CA for symptomatic AF refractory to ≥1 antiarrhythmic drugs at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, between March 2003 and December 2015, for whom ≥1-year post-CA follow-up data were available, were enrolled.