Background: Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent risk factor for the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that reduced CRF is associated with structural, functional, and electrical remodeling of the left atrium.
Objectives: This study sought to correlate objectively assessed CRF with functional and electrical left atrial (LA) parameters using invasive and noninvasive assessments.
Background: Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a significant clinical challenge. Two diagnostic scoring tools have been developed to aid the noninvasive diagnosis of HFpEF: the HFA-PEFF (Heart Failure Association Pre-test assessment, Echocardiography and natriuretic peptide, Functional testing, Final etiology) and the HFPEF scoring systems.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of these 2 scoring tools for the diagnosis of HFpEF against a gold standard of invasive evaluation in a cohort of patients with AF.
Background: Left atrial (LA) function contributes to the augmentation of cardiac output during exercise. However, LA response to exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. We explored the LA mechanical response to exercise and the association between LA dysfunction and exercise intolerance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) commonly coexist. We hypothesize that patients with symptomatic AF but without overt clinical HF commonly exhibit subclinical HFpEF according to established hemodynamic criteria.
Objectives: The authors sought to use invasive hemodynamics to investigate the prevalence and implications of subclinical HFpEF in AF ablation patients.
Aims: Exercise training reduces recurrence of arrhythmia and symptom severity amongst patients with symptomatic, non-permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is little evidence on whether this effect is modified by patient sex. In a sub-analysis from the ACTIVE-AF (A Lifestyle-based, PhysiCal AcTIVity IntErvention for Patients With Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation) randomized controlled trial, we compared the effects of exercise training on AF recurrence and symptom severity between men and women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There are limited data on the effect of exercise interventions on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and symptoms.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of an exercise and physical activity intervention on AF burden and symptoms among patients with symptomatic AF.
Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial included 120 patients with paroxysmal or persistent, symptomatic AF, randomized 1:1 to receive an exercise intervention, combining home and supervised aerobic exercise over 6 months, or to receive usual care.
Heart Lung Circ
August 2022
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the role of cardiac afferent reflexes in atrial fibrillation (AF).
Background: Efferent autonomic tone is not associated with atrial remodeling and AF persistence. However, the role of cardiac afferents is unknown.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with exercise intolerance, stroke, and all-cause mortality. However, whether this can be solely attributable to the arrhythmia itself or alternative mechanisms remains controversial. Heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF) commonly coexists with AF and may contribute to the poor outcomes associated with AF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significantly impaired quality-of-life. Iron deficiency (ID) is prevalent in patients with AF. Correction of ID in other patient populations with intravenous iron supplementation has been shown to be a safe, convenient and effective way of improving exercise tolerance, fatigue and quality-of-life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study sought to determine the remote monitoring (RM) alert burden in a multicenter cohort of patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED).
Background: RM of CIEDs allows timely recognition of patient and device events requiring intervention. Most RM involves burdensome manual workflow occurring exclusively on weekdays during office hours.
Background: Although physical activity (PA) is an important component of cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, its role in atrial fibrillation (AF) risk is less well established.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to systematically summarize the evidence pertaining to the relationship of PA and risk of AF.
Methods: We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for prospective cohort studies reporting the risk of AF associated with a specific PA volume through March 2020.
Background: Reduced exercise capacity and exercise intolerance are commonly reported by individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF). Our objectives were to evaluate the contributing factors to reduced exercise capacity and describe the association between subjective measures of exercise intolerance versus objective measures of exercise capacity.
Methods: Two hundred and three (203) patients with non-permanent AF and preserved ejection fraction undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were recruited.
At the population level, there is a parallel escalation in the healthcare burden of both, atrial fibrillation (AF) as well its risk factors. Compounding this relationship, AF is associated with escalating burden at an individual level, due its self-perpetuating and progressive nature. The mechanisms by which these risk factors interact to produce atrial remodelling and subsequent AF are unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Increased sodium uptake has been shown to contribute to hypertension and cardiac end-organ damage. The sodium-proton-exchanger subtype 3 (NHE3) is an important mediator of intestinal sodium absorption. Whether a reduction in intestinal sodium absorption can prevent the development of an atrial arrhythmogenic substrate in hypertension is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine the potential association of atrial fibrillation (AF) to syncope and falls, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis given the increasing prevalence of AF in older adults as well as emerging data that it is a risk factor for dementia.
Patients And Methods: CENTRAL, PubMed, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to January 31, 2019, to retrieve relevant studies. Search terms consisted of MeSH, tree headings, and keywords relating patients with "AF," "falls," "syncope," and "postural hypotension.
Aims: Physical activity reduces cardiovascular disease burden and mortality, although its relationship with cardiac arrhythmias is less certain. The aim of this study was to assess the association between self-reported physical activity and atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular arrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias, across the UK Biobank cohort.
Methods And Results: We included 402 406 individuals (52.
Background: The posterior left atrium is an arrhythmogenic substrate that contributes to the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of posterior wall isolation (PWI) as an AF ablation strategy has not been widely reported.
Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies performing PWI to assess (1) acute procedural success including the ability to achieve PWI and the number of procedure-related complications, (2) Long-term, clinical success including rates of arrhythmia recurrence and posterior wall reconnection, and (3) The efficacy of PWI compared with pulmonary vein isolation on preventing arrhythmia recurrence. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched in May 2018 to retrieve relevant studies.
Background: Battery longevity is an important factor that may influence the selection of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). However, there remains a lack of industry-wide standardized reporting of predicted CIED longevity to facilitate informed decision-making for implanting physicians and payers.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the predicted longevity of current generation CIEDs using best-matched CIEDs settings to assess differences between brands and models.