Regional variations in patient selection and procedural characteristics for cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation in the cryo global registry.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is a well-established anatomical approach for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although widely adopted, regional variations in standards of care have not been well characterized.

Methods: Patients with AF were enrolled in the Cryo Global Registry (NCT02752737) from May 2016 to Sept 2021 at 128 sites in 37 countries and treated with cryoballoon ablation according to local clinical practice.

Prevalence of Lyme Carditis in Patients with Atrioventricular Blocks.

Infections with may cause cardiac conduction system abnormalities, including atrioventricular blocks (AVBs). Therefore, we aimed to identify patients in whom Lyme carditis (LC) could be considered as the initial diagnosis among consecutive subjects who were referred for implantation of a permanent pacemaker due to symptomatic AVBs. To date, such a systematic evaluation has not been reported yet.

Dutogliptin in Combination with Filgrastim in Early Recovery Post-Myocardial Infarction-The REC-DUT-002 Trial.

Patients with acute myocardial infarction are at high risk for developing heart failure due to scar development. Although regenerative approaches are evolving, consistent clinical benefits have not yet been reported. Treatment with dutogliptin, a second-generation DPP-4 inhibitor, in co-administration with filgrastim (G-CSF) has been shown to enhance endogenous repair mechanisms in experimental models.

Systemic Brucellosis with Arrhythmogenic Cardiac Inflammatory Pseudotumor.

BACKGROUND Cardiac inflammatory pseudotumors are rarely observed. Their etiology might include immunologic abnormalities, fibrogenetic disorders, specific reactions to infections or abnormalities related to trauma, necrosis, or neoplasm. Life-threatening ventricular tachycardia and cases of sudden death related to cardiac tumors have been reported.

A Randomized, double-blind, dose ranging clinical trial of intravenous FDY-5301 in acute STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury remains a major clinical problem in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), leading to myocardial damage despite early reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). There are no effective therapies to limit ischemia-reperfusion injury, which is caused by multiple pathways activated by rapid tissue reoxygenation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). FDY-5301 contains sodium iodide, a ubiquitous inorganic halide and elemental reducing agent that can act as a catalytic anti-peroxidant.

Impedance fluctuation and steam pop occurrence during radiofrequency current ablation: An experimental in vitro model.

Background: The radiofrequency impedance measurement is one of the basic parameters monitored during ablation procedures. An abrupt rise in impedance is often observed corresponding to a steam pop. The exact correlation between the occurrence of steam pop and subsequent rise in impedance has not been experimentally described so far.

The safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of gentamycin-collagen sponge in multicomponent prevention strategy of cardiac implantable electronic device infections - a single-center experience.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device(CIED)infections are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare expenses. Apart from standard systemic antibiotic therapy, locally acting agents are under investigation as a potential approach for the prevention of this complication.

Aims: The study aimed to summarize our experience with a gentamycin-collagen sponge (GCS) in a multi-component prevention strategy of cardiac implantable electronic device infection.

Safety of cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: First European results from the cryo AF Global Registry.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been utilized in Europe for >15 years.

Objectives: Report patient and procedural characteristics that influence the safety of cryoablation for the treatment of AF.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the prospective, multicenter Cryo AF Global Registry were treated at 38 European centers.

Percutaneous Occlusion of the Left Atrial Appendage with Thrombus Irresponsive to Antithrombotic Therapy.

We analyzed clinical experience with percutaneous closure of instances of left atrial appendage with thrombus (LAAT) irresponsive to antithrombotic therapy in patients treated in three high-volume cardiology centers. Clinical and procedural data regarding consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (PLAAC) due to LAAT were retrospectively analyzed. The study population consisted of 17 patients (11 men; 68 ± 14 years; CHADSVASC 4.

New Polish prototypes of 4- and 8-mm-tip nonirrigated radiofrequency ablation catheters: an in vitro study.

Background: Effectiveness of lesion formation during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation can be assessed using in vitro or in vivo animal models.

Aims: In this in vitro study, we aimed to compare the prototypes of the first Polish RF ablation catheters with common commercially available catheters from other manufacturers.

Methods: Samples of the porcine left ventricle were subject to temperature-controlled ablation (50 W / 50 oC / 60 s), using 4- and 8-mm -tip nonirrigated ablation catheters (commercial ones as well as new prototypes).

Multicentre early experience with totally subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillators in Poland.

Introduction: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have a strong position in the prevention of sudden death. Nowadays, the most commonly used high-energy cardiac devices are transvenous ICDs. A new technology of totally subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) was invented and recently introduced into clinical practice in order to reduce lead-related complications of conventional ICDs.

Effect of Renal Denervation and Catheter Ablation vs Catheter Ablation Alone on Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Among Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Hypertension: The ERADICATE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Renal denervation can reduce cardiac sympathetic activity that may result in an antiarrhythmic effect on atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To determine whether renal denervation when added to pulmonary vein isolation enhances long-term antiarrhythmic efficacy.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Evaluate Renal Denervation in Addition to Catheter Ablation to Eliminate Atrial Fibrillation (ERADICATE-AF) trial was an investigator-initiated, multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at 5 referral centers for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in the Russian Federation, Poland, and Germany.

Baseline intrinsic heart rate and response to ivabradine treatment in patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

Background: Treatment with ivabradine became a new therapeutic alternative for patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST). The aim was to determine a relation between intrinsic heart rate (IHR) and response to ivabradine treatment.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (mean age 37 ± 11; 23 women) with symptomatic IST despite medical treatment were recruited into the study.

Diagnosis and management of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardioversion or percutaneous left atrial procedures: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

Practices regarding indications and timing for transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) before cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) or left atrial (LA) interventional procedures, and preferred imaging techniques and pharmacotherapy, in cases of thrombus resistant to chronic oral anticoagulation (OAC) treatment, are largely unknown. The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) conducted a survey to capture contemporary clinical practice in those areas of AF care. A 22-item online questionnaire was developed and distributed among the EHRA electrophysiology research network centres.

Straight and crosier‑shaped catheter techniques for phrenic nerve stimulation during cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Cryoablation is an effective and safe method of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, monitoring of phrenic nerve function during cryoballoon PVI remains an important issue.

Aims: We aimed to compare 2 techniques of phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) with the use of either a straight or a crosier‑shaped decapolar deflectable catheter.

Severe atrial fibrosis as a cause of significant intraatrial conduction delay in a patient with scleromyositis.

Scleromyositis is an autoimmune disease and an overlap syndrome of scleroderma and poly/dermatomyositis. It is characterized by frequent cardiovascular involvement including heart failure, arrhythmias and conduction disturbances. We present a case of a 73-year old female patient who required an upgrade from a DDD pacemaker to cardiac resynchronization therapy due left ventricular dysfunction and permanent ventricular pacing.

Statement by a Working Group conceived by the Polish National Consultants in Cardiology and Neurology addressing the use of implantable cardiac monitors in patients after ischaemic embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Introduction: Stroke remains one of the main causes of death and the most common cause of long-term disability in adults. Embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS) amount to a significant proportion of all ischaemic strokes. Detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) in this group of patients would allow for a major therapeutic decision to switch from antiplatelets to oral anticoagulants and therefore significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.

Self-terminating ventricular fibrillation recorded by an implantable loop recorder as a cause of syncope - A case report.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most common arrhythmia leading to sudden cardiac death, but in rare cases VF can manifest as a syncope, provided that it will self-terminate. We present a case of a 45-year old female with a history of unexplained syncopal episodes despite exhaustive diagnostics. Implantable loop recorder documented an episode of idiopathic, self-terminating VF as a cause of syncope.