Left ventricular mass as a modulator of ventricular arrhythmia risk and sex differences after CRT for nonischemic cardiomyopathy and LBBB.

Background: The risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been associated with ischemic disease/scar, sex, and possibly left ventricular mass (LVM).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences and baseline/postimplant change in LVM on VA risk after CRT implantation in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block.

Methods: In patients meeting the criteria, baseline and follow-up echocardiographic images were obtained for LVM assessment.

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation versus radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins and left atrial posterior wall: Patient-reported outcomes.

Background: Data are lacking on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) following cryoballoon ablation (CBA) versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We sought to evaluate QoL and clinical outcomes of cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation only (CRYO-PVI-ONLY) versus RFA with PVI and posterior wall isolation (RF-PVI+PWI) in a large prospective PRO registry.

Methods: Patients who underwent AF ablation (2013-2016) at our institution were enrolled in an automated, prospectively maintained PRO registry.

LBBB and heart failure-Relationships among QRS amplitude, duration, height, LV mass, and sex.

Background: Height, left ventricular (LV) size, and sex were proposed as additional criteria for patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) but their connections with the QRS complex in left bundle branch block (LBBB) are little investigated. We evaluated these.

Methods: Among patients with "true" LBBB, QRS duration (QRSd) and amplitude, and LV hypertrophy indices, were correlated with patient's height and LV mass, and compared between sexes.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Young Adults: Measuring Quality of Life Using Patient-Reported Outcomes Over 5 Years.

Background: Ablation is used for both rhythm control and improved quality of life (QoL) in atrial fibrillation (AF). It has been suggested that young adults may experience high recurrence rates after ablation and data remain lacking regarding QoL benefits. We aimed to investigate AF ablation outcomes and QoL benefits in young adults undergoing AF ablation using a large prospectively maintained registry and automated patient-reported outcomes (PRO).