Effect of Post-Loop Diuretic Urinary Sodium Level on Length of Stay and Rehospitalization in Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure Patients.

Background: In Indonesia, heart failure has become a major community problem because of the high cost of care, low quality of life, and premature death. Until now, loop diuretics are still the main therapy in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with clinical congestion. Diuretic responsiveness can be assessed objectively by measuring sodium urine.

Comparison of Global Longitudinal Strain in Dual-chamber versus Ventricular Pacemaker in Complete Heart Block.

Context: Bradycardia caused by total atrioventricular block (TAVB) is treated by implantation of permanent pacemakers (PPMs) in either dual-chamber (DDD) versus ventricular (VVI) pacing modes. DDD is considered a more physiological pacing mode than VVI as it avoids atrioventricular dyssynchrony. However, previous trials have failed to demonstrate the superiority of DDD in improving quality of life and morbidity.

Identification of Pacemaker Lead Position Using Fluoroscopy to Avoid Significant Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Permanent pacemaker implantation improves survival but can cause tricuspid valve dysfunction in the form of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The dominant mechanism of pacemaker-mediated TR is lead impingement. This study evaluated the association between the location of the pacemaker leads crossing the tricuspid valve and the incidence of worsening TR and lead impingement using fluoroscopy.

Rapid Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common rhythm disorder seen in doctors' offices and emergency departments (EDs). In both settings, an AF holistic pathway including anticoagulation or stroke avoidance, better symptom management, and cardiovascular and comorbidity optimization should be followed. However, other considerations need to be assessed in the ED, such as haemodynamic instability, the onset of AF, the presence of acute heart failure and pre-excitation.

Simple electrocardiography algorithm for localizing accessory pathway in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Background: Existing algorithms to predict the location of an accessory pathway (AP) in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) have good sensitivity and specificity but complex with various accuracy and inter-observer agreement rates. A simple algorithm with high accuracy and inter-observer agreement rates is needed.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional and retrospective diagnostic study.

ECG characteristics of COVID-19 patient with arrhythmias: Referral hospitals data from Indonesia.

Background: Arrhythmia is a significant clinical modifier in COVID-19 patient outcomes. Currently, data on arrhythmia and ECG characteristics in COVID-19 from lower middle-income countries are limited.

Methods: COVID-19 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing of a nasopharyngeal sample.

Giant lipoma in superior vena cava: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Intravascular lipomas are rare occurrences, especially in major vessels. This tumour is composed of adipocytes in a fibrous capsule that has a slow growth rate and usually shows no symptoms. There were only eight reports in the literature regarding intravascular lipoma located in the superior vena cava.

2021 Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) practice guidance on atrial fibrillation screening.

In this paper, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) sought to provide practice guidance on AF screening based on recent evidence, with specific considerations relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. A key recommendation is opportunistic screening for people aged ≥65 years (all countries), with systematic screening to be considered for people aged ≥75 years or who have additional risk factors (all countries).

Trainees’ perceptions and expectations of formal academic mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesian cardiology residency programs.

Purpose: During medical residency programs, physicians develop their professional identities as specialists and encounter high expectations in terms of achieving competencies. The responsibilities of medical trainees include caring for patients, balancing work with personal life, and weathering stress, depression, and burnout. Formal academic mentoring programs strive to ease these burdens.

Indonesian registry on atrial fibrillation (OneAF).

Background: Data on the optimal therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) for non-valvular and valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in Indonesia is currently unavailable. Therefore, we designed the Indonesian Registry on Atrial Fibrillation (OneAF) registry in order to seek a safe and beneficial range of INR in Indonesian patients with non-valvular and valvular AF.

Methods/design: The OneAF registry is a nationwide collaboration of the Indonesian Heart Rhythm Society (InaHRS) enrolling all hospitals with cardiac electrophysiologists in Indonesia.

Incidence and impact of cardiac arrhythmias in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies have shown that cardiac arrhythmias may occur in up to 44% of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has been associated with an increased risk of death. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 and their implications on patient prognosis.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search from PubMed, SCOPUS, Europe PMC, Cochrane Central Databases, and Google Scholar + Preprint Servers.

Efficacy and safety of renal denervation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation and hypertension-Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the latest evidence on the use of renal denervation (RDN) + pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) compared to PVI alone for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with hypertension.

Methods: A systematic literature search from several electronic databases was performed up until January 2020. The primary outcome was AF recurrence defined as AF/atrial flutter (AFL)/atrial tachycardia (AT) ≥30 seconds at 12-month follow-up and the secondary outcome was procedure-related complications.

Combination of Oral Anticoagulants and Single Antiplatelets versus Triple Therapy in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Coronary Syndrome: Stroke Prevention among Asians.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent arrhythmic disease, tends to foster thrombus formation due to hemodynamic disturbances, leading to severe disabling and even fatal thromboembolic diseases. Meanwhile, patients with AF may also present with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) requiring stenting, which creates a clinical dilemma considering that majority of such patients will likely receive oral anticoagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention and require additional double antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) to reduce recurrent cardiac events and in-stent thrombosis. In such cases, the gentle balance between bleeding risk and atherothromboembolic events needs to be carefully considered.

Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is associated with increased mortality in patients with COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Systematic literature search from several electronic databases were performed. The outcome was mortality (non-survivor) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Hypertension is associated with increased mortality and severity of disease in COVID-19 pneumonia: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Objective: To investigate the association between hypertension and outcome in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search from several databases on studies that assess hypertension and outcome in COVID-19. Composite of poor outcome, comprising of mortality, severe COVID-19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), need for intensive care unit (ICU) care and disease progression were the outcomes of interest.

AH jump duration is associated with elimination of slow pathway during ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Introduction: Ablating the slow pathway (SP) is the superior treatment for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with a low complication rate. However, the ablation of the SP could result in either complete elimination or modification of the SP. We aimed to investigate whether the duration of AH jump pre-ablation associated with the outcome of elimination of SP.

Longer diagnosis-to-ablation time is associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation-Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diagnosis-to-ablation time (DTAT) has been postulated to be one of the predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence, and it is a "modifiable" risk factor unlike that of many electrocardiographic or echocardiographic parameters. This development may change our consideration for ablation. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to analyze the latest evidence on the importance of DTAT and whether they predict the AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

Serum Galectin-3 level and recurrence of atrial fibrillation post-ablation - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Serum galectin-3, a circulating biomarker of fibrosis, has been associated with atrial remodelling. Recent studies investigating serum galectin-3 and AF recurrence post-ablation have shown mixed results. We aimed to analyze the latest evidence on the association between serum galectin-3 and AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

Electrocardiographic early repolarization is associated with future ventricular arrhythmia after acute myocardial infarction-Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Early repolarization (ER) has been linked to ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden cardiac death in patients without structural heart disease. We aimed to assess the latest evidence on whether ER is associated with future VA after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search on the topic that assesses ER and VA/adverse cardiovascular events in AMI.

Association between PR Interval, First-degree atrioventricular block and major arrhythmic events in patients with Brugada syndrome - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Risk stratification in patients with asymptomatic Brugada Syndrome is challenging, and despite recent advances, there is no clear evidence. The first-degree atrioventricular block was hypothesized to be a predictor of arrhythmic events. Measurement of the PR interval and diagnosing atrioventricular block from surface ECG is easy, noninvasive, and cost-effective.

Evidence-Based Case Report: The Use of D-Dimer Assay to Exclude Left Atrial Thrombus in Patient with Atrial Fibrillation >48 Hours.

Introduction: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for >48 hours who are a candidate for cardioversion should have transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) performed to exclude left atrial thrombus (LAT) that may cause systemic thromboembolism upon conversion to sinus rhythm. However, TEE facilities were limited, especially in developing countries.

Case Illustration: A 50 years-old man presented with exertional dyspnea and palpitation for 72 hours prior to admission.