High-Power Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Using Late Gadolinium Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Novel Index of Esophageal Injury.

Objectives: This study retrospectively evaluated the feasibility and esophageal thermal injury (ETI) patterns of high-power short-duration (HPSD) radiofrequency atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Background: ETI following AF ablation can lead to serious complications. Little consensus exists on the optimal radiofrequency power setting or on the optimal strategy to assess ETI.

Bridging Anticoagulation: Primum Non Nocere.

Chronic oral anticoagulation frequently requires interruption for various reasons and durations. Whether or not to bridge with heparin or other anticoagulants is a common clinical dilemma. The evidence to inform decision making is limited, making current guidelines equivocal and imprecise.

Reduced survival in patients with "coronary microvascular disease".

The syndrome of chest pain, abnormal stress test, and nonflow limiting coronary artery disease (CAD) is common and is attributed to coronary microvascular disease (µVD). It is associated with increased hospital admissions and health care costs. But its impact on long-term survival is not known.