Four typical pulmonary venous pressure curves displaying the level of occlusion during atrial fibrillation ablation by cryoballoon.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is safe and effective for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. To monitor adhesion between the balloon and the pulmonary vein, an alternative technique to pulmonary venography is to analyze changes in the pressure curve.

Methods: We have described the adhesion level characterized by four types of pressure waveforms.

Recurrences of Atrial Fibrillation Despite Durable Pulmonary Vein Isolation: The PARTY-PVI Study.

Background: Recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are mainly due to pulmonary vein reconnection. However, a growing number of patients have AF recurrences despite durable PVI. The optimal ablative strategy for these patients is unknown.

Ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction: 20-year trends in the FAST-MI study.

Aims: Sudden cardiac arrest remains a major complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and is frequently related to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Incidence and impact of VF among patients hospitalized for AMI were evaluated.

Methods And Results: Data from the FAST-MI programme consisting of 5 French nationwide prospective cohort studies between 1995 and 2015 were analysed, totally including 14 423 patients with AMI (66 ± 14 years, 72% males, 59% ST-elevation myocardial infarction).

Preventing atrial fibrillation by combined right isthmus ablation and cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in patients with typical atrial flutter: PAF-CRIOBLAF study.

Background: Although less common, typical atrial flutter shares similar pathophysiological roots with atrial fibrillation. Following successful cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation using radiofrequency, many patients, however, develop atrial fibrillation in the mid-to-long-term. This study sought to assess whether pulmonary vein isolation conducted at the same time as cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation would significantly modify the atrial fibrillation burden upon follow-up in patients suffering from typical atrial flutter.

Exclusion of Intra-Atrial Thrombus Diagnosis Using D-Dimer Assay Before Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study hypothesized that the association of D-dimer blood level and several clinical items in a new risk score could predict the absence of atrial thrombus.

Background: Symptomatic and drug resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) can be treated by catheter ablation. The procedure-related risk of thromboembolism is limited by the pre-operative use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to detect atrial thrombi.