The effect of atrial fibrillation intervention on nocturnal respiratory events in elderly patients with persistent AF.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated. This study investigated the impact of AF intervention on 6-month home sleep testing data.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients (aged 66 to 86, 53% male) with persistent AF were randomized (1:1:1) to direct current cardioversion (DCCV) (22 patients), permanent pacemaker (PPM) + atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) + DCCV (22 patients) or AF ablation (23 patients).

Standardized stimulation protocol to predict the long-term success of radiofrequency ablation of postinfarction ventricular tachycardia.

Background: The ability to predict the success of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an essential step in the management of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Methods: This study tested a standardized programmed stimulation protocol and pre-specified definitions of procedural outcome. Consecutive patients referred for RFA of delayed post infarction VT were enrolled.

Dynamic alterations in right atrial activation during atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is usually considered to be a disorganized rhythm. However, several reports have described areas of organized right atrial (RA) activation during AF. We describe a patient with focal paroxysmal AF with a consistent pattern of organized RA activity despite typically disorganized left atrial activity.

Interatrial transseptal electrical conduction: comparison of patients with atrial fibrillation and normal controls.

Introduction: This study analyzed the electrophysiologic properties of interatrial transseptal electrical conduction at Bachmann's bundle and the ostium of the coronary sinus (CS os) in response to pulmonary vein (PV) stimuli, which mimicked spontaneous ectopy.

Methods And Results: Forty patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) referred for ablation (15 persistent AF and 25 paroxysmal AF) and 15 control patients were enrolled in the study. During decremental extra-stimulus pacing from the PVs, right atrial activation was analyzed using noncontact mapping and multipolar catheters.

Paroxysmal cycle length shortening in the pulmonary veins during atrial fibrillation correlates with arrhythmogenic triggering foci in sinus rhythm.

Introduction: The focal origin of atrial fibrillation (AF) is identified by recording atrial ectopic beats or the ectopic activity that precedes AF. We hypothesized that arrhythmogenic pulmonary veins (PVs) also could be identified during persistent AF.

Methods And Results: Patients with persistent AF referred for focal ablation were enrolled prospectively.