Plasma FABP4 levels are associated with left atrial fat volume in persistent atrial fibrillation and predict recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: Imaging techniques have shown the association between left atrial adipose tissue (LAAT) volume and atrial fibrillation (AF) risk.

Purpose: To analyze 1) adipokines in peripheral and atrial plasma from patients undergoing AF ablation; 2) its association with LAAT volume measured by multislice CT and 3) its predictive value for AF recurrence.

Methods: Seventy consecutive patients undergoing AF catheter ablation were screened.

Heart failure with recovered ejection fraction: Clinical characteristics, determinants and prognosis. CARDIOCHUS-CHOP registry.

Background: The magnitude and the prognostic impact of recovering left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure (HF) and systolic dysfunction is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with HFrecEF in an HF population.

Methods: 449 consecutive patients were selected with the diagnosis of HF and an evaluation of LVEF in the 6 months prior to selection who were referred to two HF units.

Maintenance therapy of lupus nephritis with mycophenolate or azathioprine: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to summarize the comparative efficacy and safety of MMF and AZA as maintenance therapy for LN.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of MMF and AZA as maintenance therapy for LN were performed based on a sensitive search. Meta-regression was used to explore causes of heterogeneity.