NDRG1 Regulates Iron Metabolism and Inhibits Pathologic Cardiac Hypertrophy.

Background: Cardiac pathologic hypertrophy, a pathologic physiological alteration in many cardiovascular diseases, can progress to heart failure. The cellular biology underlying myocardial hypertrophy remains to be fully elucidated. Although N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) has been reported to participate in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and cellular stress responses, its role in cardiac diseases remains unexplored.

NR4A3 prevents diabetes induced atrial cardiomyopathy by maintaining mitochondrial energy metabolism and reducing oxidative stress.

Background: Atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) is responsible for atrial fibrillation (AF) and thromboembolic events. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for ACM. However, the potential mechanism between ACM and DM remains elusive.

Real world risk of discontinuing oral anticoagulation after successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) discontinued oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy after successful catheter ablation. We aimed to determine the real-world risks and consequences of discontinuing OAC use after catheter ablation for AF.

Methods: Patients who underwent successful catheter ablation for AF from January 2004 to December 2020 were divided into continued long-term OAC (On-OAC, n = 1062) and discontinued (Off-OAC, n = 1055) groups.

BRD4 as a therapeutic target for atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which BRD4 play a role in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: We used a discovery-driven approach to detect BRD4 expression in the atria of patients with AF and in various murine models of atrial fibrosis. We used a BRD4 inhibitor (JQ1) and atrial fibroblast (aFB)-specific BRD4-knockout mice to elucidate the role of BRD4 in AF.

Prognostic Impact of Left Atrial Appendage Patency After Device Closure.

Background: The prognostic impact of left atrial appendage (LAA) patency, including those with and without visible peri-device leak (PDL), post-LAA closure in patients with atrial fibrillation, remains elusive.

Methods: Patients with atrial fibrillation implanted with the WATCHMAN 2.5 device were prospectively enrolled.

Coptisine inhibits neointimal hyperplasia through attenuating Pak1/Pak2 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells without retardation of re-endothelialization.

Background And Aims: Vascular injury-induced endothelium-denudation and profound vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and dis-regulated apoptosis lead to post-angioplasty restenosis. Coptisine (CTS), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has multiple beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Recent studies identified it selectively inhibits VSMCs proliferation.

Incidence, impact and predictors of residual device patency after left atrial appendage closure with the LACbes device.

Background: The residual device patency (RDP) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the LACbes device has not been specifically explored in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. This study aims to explore the incidence, impact and predictors of RDP detected by cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) post LAAC.

Methods: AF patients implanted with the LACbes device were prospectively enrolled.

Combined Radiofrequency Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Atrial Fibrillation and Systolic Heart Failure.

Background: Managing patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and comorbid heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) is of clinical importance but a great challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefit of the combined radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedure in AF patients complicated with systolic HF.

Methods: AF patients with HFrEF or HFmrEF who underwent the combined RFCA and LAAC procedure were prospectively enrolled in the LAACablation registry.

Accuracy of the Injection-Based Occlusion Tool Utilizing Saline and Glucose Solution in Cryoballoon Ablation Guided by a Novel Dielectric Imaging System.

The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of the injection-based occlusion (IBO) tool utilizing saline and glucose solution in verifying pulmonary vein (PV) occlusion during cryoballoon ablation guided by a novel dielectric system (KODEX-EPD system). In this retrospective study, we enrolled 34 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent their initial cryoballoon ablation procedure guided by the KODEX-EPD system. PV occlusion was firstly assessed by the IBO tool utilizing saline or glucose solution and then verified by direct contrast angiography.

Higher Sodium Channel Excitability in Cardiac Purkinje Fibers: Implications for Multifocal Ectopic Purkinje-Related Premature Contractions.

Background: Multifocal ectopic Purkinje-related premature contractions (MEPPCs) are associated with SCN5A variants. However, it is not well understood why Purkinje fibers, but not ventricular myocardium, play a predominant role in arrhythmogenesis.

Objectives: This study sought to explore the underlying mechanisms of MEPPC.

Efficacy of Left Atrial Appendage Closure and Oral Anticoagulation After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation.

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) proved to be noninferior to oral anticoagulation (OAC) in nonablated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of LAAC with those of OAC therapy in patients after AF ablation. This study included patients who underwent catheter ablation (CA) of AF between January 2016 and December 2020.

Safety and efficacy of ablation for atrial fibrillation in combination with left atrial appendage occlusion in octogenarians.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) combined with left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a feasible approach for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Its role in octogenarians with AF is unclear.

Hypothesis: In AF patients over 80 years, CA combined with LAAO is a feasible way in restoring sinus rhythm and preventing stroke.

Novel signaling axis of FHOD1-RNF213-Col1α/Col3α in the pathogenesis of hypertension-induced tunica media thickening.

Hypertension-induced tunica media thickening (TMT) is the most important fundamental for the subsequent complications like stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Pathogenically, TMT originates from both vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) hypertrophy due to synthesizing more amount of intracellular contractile proteins and excess secretion of extracellular matrix. However, what key molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of TMT is unknown.

[Simulation Results and Analysis of Electric Field Distribution in Myocardial Tissue under Circular Electrode Electric Pulse Ablation].

As a new energy source for atrial fibrillation ablation, electric pulse ablation has higher tissue selectivity and biosafety, so it has a great application prospect. At present, there is very limited research on multi-electrode simulated ablation of histological electrical pulse. In this study, a circular multi-electrode ablation model of pulmonary vein will be built on COMSOL5.

Cadherin-11-Interleukin-6 Signaling between Cardiac Fibroblast and Cardiomyocyte Promotes Ventricular Remodeling in a Mouse Pressure Overload-Induced Heart Failure Model.

Heart failure is a serious and life-threatening disease worldwide. Cadherin-11 (Cad-11) is highly expressed in the heart and closely associated with inflammation. There is currently limited understanding on how Cad-11 contributes to cardiac remodeling and its underline molecular mechanism.

Sex Differences in the Combined Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Closure: Results From LAACablation Registry.

Background: More than 40% of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures were combined with atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in China.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the sex differences in the combined radiofrequency catheter ablation and LAAC procedures.

Methods: Data from the LAACablation (Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Combination With Catheter Ablation) registry, which enrolled AF patients who underwent the combined procedure between 2018 and 2021, were analyzed.

Left atrial appendage closure in patients with reversed chicken-wing morphology: Anatomical features and procedural strategy.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with the reversed chicken-wing (RCW) LAA is challenging.

Aims: To elucidate the LAAC strategy of the RCW-LAA.

Methods: A total of 802 AF patients who were enrolled in the LAACablation registry for LAAC procedure were included, 55 of whom presented with the RCW-LAA.

Inhibition of Wdr5 Attenuates Ang-II-Induced Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition in Cardiac Fibrosis by Regulating Mdm2/P53/P21 Pathway.

Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological process in many diseases. Wdr5 catalyzes the trimethylation of lysine K4 on histone H3. The effects of Wdr5 on the cardiac fibrosis phenotype and the activation or transformation of cardiac fibroblasts were investigated by Ang-II-infused mice by osmotic mini-pump and isolated primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Case report: Intrapericardial thrombus aspiration in early stage of pericardial thrombosis for cardiac tamponade complicating percutaneous left atrial appendage closure.

Introduction: Pericardial thrombosis that complicates pericardial bleeding is a life-threatening emergency in interventional cardiology, and surgery remains the only definitive treatment option. We report the first case of successful intrapericardial thrombus aspiration using a dedicated thrombus aspiration catheter in the early stage of pericardial thrombosis.

Case Report: A 76-year-old woman with non-valve atrial fibrillation underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure for secondary prevention of stroke.

Ezh2 Inhibits Replicative Senescence of Atrial Fibroblasts Through Promotion of H3K27me3 in the Promoter Regions of CDKN2a and Timp4 Genes.

Background: In most cell types, replicative senescence (RS) is supposed to be a principle causative factor for aging. Atrial fibrosis, pathologically characterized by proliferation of atrial fibroblasts (AFs) and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, is the most common substrate of atrial fibrillation (Afib) in the elderly. However, whether AFs' RS develops in the aged and fibrotic left atrium (LA) and, if yes, what is the key regulator for the pathogenesis of AFs' RS remain largely unknown.

Long-term outcome of combined catheter ablation and left atrial appendage closure in atrial fibrillation patients.

Background: The combined procedure of catheter ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) aims to simultaneously control the heart rhythm and reduce the risk of strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The study aims to evaluate the procedural safety and long-term outcome of the combined procedure in a large patient cohort.

Methods: Clinical data of AF patients who underwent the combined procedure was retrospectively analyzed.