High-density lipoprotein metrics during midlife and future subclinical atherosclerosis in women: the SWAN HDL study.

Objective: The clinical utility of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in risk classification is limited, especially in midlife women. Novel metrics of HDL may better reflect this risk. We clustered a comprehensive profile of HDL metrics into favorable and unfavorable clusters and assessed how these two clusters are related to future subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima media thickness [cIMT], interadventitial diameter [IAD], and carotid plaque presence) in midlife women.

Association of pre-left ventricular assist device defibrillator shocks for ventricular arrhythmia with clinical outcomes after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillation (ICD) shocks after left ventricular assist device therapy (LVAD) are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Little is known about the association of pre-LVAD ICD shocks on post-LVAD clinical outcomes and whether LVAD therapy affects the prevalence of ICD shocks.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether pre-LVAD ICD shocks are associated with adverse clinical outcomes post-LVAD and to compare the prevalence of ICD shocks before and after LVAD therapy.

Cardiovascular Hospitalizations and Resource Use Following Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Background Over the next few years, atrial fibrillation (AF)-related morbidity and costs will increase significantly. Thus, it is prudent to examine the impact of AF treatment on health care resource use. This study examined the impact of AF ablation on hospitalization, length of stay, and resource use for patients undergoing AF ablation in a multihospital system.

Impact of a dedicated center for atrial fibrillation on resource utilization and costs.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects millions of Americans each year and can lead to high levels of resource utilization through emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient stays.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that referral of patients to a dedicated Center for AF from the ED would reduce costs of care.

Methods: The University of Pittsburgh Center for AF serves as a rapid referral center for patients with AF to avoid unnecessary inpatient admissions and provide specialized care.

Early Midlife Cardiovascular Health Influences Future HDL Metrics in Women: The SWAN HDL Study.

Background Utility of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in assessing the antiatherogenic properties of HDL may be limited in midlife women. Novel metrics of HDL function, lipid contents, and subclasses may better reflect the atheroprotective capacities of HDL, supporting the need to evaluate how cardiovascular health affects these metrics in women. We assessed the relationship of early midlife Life's Simple 7 (LS7) score and its health behavior components with future HDL function (HDL-cholesterol efflux capacity), HDL-phospholipid, HDL-triglyceride, HDL particles (HDL-P) and size, and the relationship between LS7 score and changes in HDL metrics over time.

Electroanatomic mapping in atrioventricular junction ablation during sinus rhythm for tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome with persistent left superior vena cava.

This is the first report describing atrioventricular junction ablation during sinus rhythm in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava. Electroanatomic mapping systems and awareness of anatomic and electrogram variations may decrease procedure time, decrease fluoroscopy time, and minimize delivery of ineffective ablation lesions.

Open-window mapping and the extended early-meets-late algorithm for the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

This is the first report describing open-window mapping with the extended early-meets-late algorithm to enhance visualization of the location and width of an atrioventricular accessory pathway. This may be particularly useful when linear or cluster ablation lesion sets are required for wide pathways.

Associations of Abdominal and Cardiovascular Adipose Tissue Depots With HDL Metrics in Midlife Women: the SWAN Study.

Context: The menopause transition is accompanied by declines in the atheroprotective features of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which are linked to deleterious cardiovascular (CV) outcomes.

Objective: This work aimed to assess the relationship between abdominal and CV visceral adipose tissues (VAT) with future HDL metrics in midlife women, and the role of insulin resistance (IR) on these associations.

Methods: Temporal associations compared abdominal and CV fat with later measures of HDL metrics.

Catheter ablation via the left atrium for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: A narrative review.

Background: Since 1996, it has been recognized that catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) may require an approach through the left atrium.

Objective: The purposes are to present a case report and to provide a comprehensive narrative review on this topic.

Methods: A literature review of all articles that provided detailed information on patients who underwent catheter ablation via the left atrium for AVNRT was performed.

Wide QRS complex tachycardia after surgical repair of an isolated atrial septal defect: What is the mechanism?

Macroreentrant atrial tachycardia within the right atrium is the dominant mechanism in patients with prior surgical repair of atrial septal defects, with dual-loop circuits much more common than single-loop circuits. This case highlights the importance of clinical history for predicting arrhythmia mechanisms. Considering prior cardiac surgery may assist in preprocedural preparations and discussions regarding potential risks and benefits of catheter ablation.

Maternal focal atrial tachycardia during pregnancy: A systematic review.

Introduction: The presentation and optimal management of maternal focal atrial tachycardia (AT) during pregnancy are unknown. The objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive summary of the existing evidence.

Methods And Results: A systematic review of all reported cases of maternal focal AT during pregnancy was performed.