Efficacy of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Outcomes After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have recently been a significant focus of attention because of their multiple pleiotropic effects. However, the impact of SGLT2i on atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the effects of SGLT2i on AF after catheter ablation (CA).

Increase in heart rate-dependent left atrial pressure is associated with symptoms in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: It remains unclear why some patients with the same heart rate during an atrial fibrillation (AF) have subjective symptoms, whereas others do not. We assessed the hypothesis that different responses of arterial and left atrial blood pressures to rapid stimulation may be associated with the symptoms of AF.

Methods: A total of 110 patients who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF were retrospectively studied.

Absence of first-pass isolation is associated with poor pulmonary vein isolation durability and atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection is the main cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. This study aimed to examine the effect of first-pass PV isolation (PVI) on PV reconnection frequency during the procedure and on AF ablation outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study included 446 patients with drug-refractory AF (370 men, aged 64 ± 10 years) who underwent initial PVI using an open-irrigated contact force catheter between January 2015 and October 2016.

A case of pulseless electrical activity due to takotsubo syndrome following radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

A 51-year-old man with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). After isolating the pulmonary veins (PV), we attempted to ablate multiple non-PV AF triggers evoked by isoproterenol and performed repetitive intracardiac electrical cardioversion under considerable dose of barbiturate. Finally, administration of pilsicainide was required to maintain sinus rhythm.

Clinical significance of left ventricular reverse remodeling after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AFCA) has not been fully described. This study investigated the predictors and clinical outcomes of LVRR after AFCA in patients with LV systolic dysfunction.

Methods: Of 3319 consecutive patients who underwent first-time AFCA between January 2012 and October 2019, 376 with a baseline LV ejection fraction of <50% were retrospectively evaluated.

Early recurrence during the blanking period and left atrial reverse remodeling after catheter ablation for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ERAT) during a 90-day blanking period (BP) often occurs after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Left atrial reverse remodeling (LARR), which is the reduction in LA volume (LAV), also occurs during the BP. Both ERAT and LARR are associated with late recurrence (LR, greater than 90 days after ablation).

Burden and Long Firing of Premature Atrial Contraction Early After Catheter Ablation Predict Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Associations between characteristics of premature atrial contraction (PAC) 6 months after catheter ablation (CA) and later recurrence are not known. We investigated the effects of PAC characteristics on long-term outcomes of initially successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods and results: In all, 378 patients (mean age 61 years, 21% female, 67% paroxysmal AF) who underwent initial radiofrequency CA for AF without recurrence up to 24-h Holter monitoring 6 months after the procedure were reviewed retrospectively.

Impact of baseline left atrial function on long-term outcome after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) size is an established predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We investigated the impact of baseline LA function on recurrence after PAF ablation and compared the predictive values of LA function with those of LA size.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 292 consecutive patients who underwent PAF ablation (median follow-up: 3.

Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of Automated Annotation-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation and 2nd-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Automated ablation lesion annotation with optimal settings for parameters including contact force (CF) and catheter stability may be effective for achieving durable pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods and results: We retrospectively examined 131 consecutive patients who underwent initial catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by automatic annotation system (VISITAG module)-guided radiofrequency CA (RFCA) (n=61) and 2nd-generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA) (n=70) in terms of safety and long-term efficacy. The automatic annotation criteria for the RFCA group were as follows: catheter stability range of motion ≤1.