Insertable cardiac monitor-guided early intervention to reduce atrial fibrillation burden following catheter ablation: Study design and clinical protocol (ICM-REDUCE-AF trial).

Background: Percutaneous catheter ablation (CA) to achieve pulmonary vein isolation is an effective treatment for drug-refractory paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, recurrence rates after a single AF ablation procedure remain elevated. Conventional management after CA ablation has mostly been based on clinical AF recurrence.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy and ventricular tachyarrhythmia burden.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) may reduce the incidence of first ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) in patients with heart failure (HF) and left bundle branch block (LBBB).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of CRT-D on VTA burden in LBBB patients.

Methods: We included 1281 patients with LBBB from MADIT-CRT (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial-Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy).

Device-Directed Therapy for Resistant Hypertension.

Hypertension remains a significant risk factor for an array of diseases despite advancements in pharmacotherapy. Patients with resistant hypertension who do not respond to conventional medical treatments and lifestyle modifications are especially at risk for poor health outcomes. With the increasing awareness of resistant hypertension, ever-evolving research efforts continue to focus on innovative interventions, including renal denervation, median nerve stimulation, and baroreceptor activation therapy.

Present and Future of Interventional Treatment of Resistant Hypertension.

The increasing prevalence of hypertension, a significant cause of disability and premature death throughout the world, is a major public health concern. This is especially true for the subset of patients who suffer from resistant hypertension, which is associated with a fourfold greater risk of cardiovascular events as compared to those hypertensive patients able to achieve target blood pressure. Though quite daunting in number and ill effect, hypertension remains the most common and the most important modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.

Factors Associated With Smoking Cessation Attempts in Asthmatics.

Asthma is a common disorder affecting about 8% of adults in the U.S. Smoking is one factor that is associated with exacerbations of the disease.