AF-FLOW Global Registry Confirms Validity of Electrographic Flow Mapping as a Phenotyping Tool for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Electrographic flow (EGF) mapping allows for the visualization of global atrial wavefront propagations. One mechanism of initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF) is stimulation from EGF-identified focal sources that serve as driver sites of fibrillatory conduction. Electrographic flow consistency (EGFC) further quantifies the concordance of observed wavefront patterns, indicating that a healthier substrate shows more organized wavefront propagation and higher EGFC.

Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived deformation analysis of the morphologic left ventricle in adults with corrected dextro-transposition of the great arteries-insights from the CSONGRAD Registry and MAGYAR-Path Study.

Background: Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA) stands out as a prevalent cyanotic congenital heart defect (CHD), characterized by an intricate reversal in the arrangement of the major arteries. In the past, several surgical procedures have been used to treat dTGA, including the atrial switch. Although the method is no longer used, survivors of the procedure still living among us.

Arrhythmia Detection in Atrioventricular, Single-Lead, Floating Atrial Dipole ICD Systems Compared with Conventional Single- and Dual-Chamber Defibrillators.

Background: An atrioventricular defibrillator system with a floating atrial dipole (VDD ICD) can provide atrial sensing by a single lead. Our aim was to compare the arrhythmia detection efficacy of VDD ICDs with conventional single- (VVI) and dual-chamber (DDD) defibrillators.

Methods: Data from consecutive patients undergoing ICD implantation were retrospectively analyzed.

PVI-only is not enough for all patients with persistent AF: A FLOW-AF subgroup analysis.

Background: Since the Substrate and Trigger Ablation for Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Trial Part II (STAR-AF II), there has been a trend toward pulmonary vein isolation (PVI)-only ablation strategies for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). Electrographic flow (EGF) mapping can identify active sources of atrial fibrillation (AF) and estimate the electrographic flow consistency (EGFC) of wavefront propagation through substrate, revealing functional AF mechanisms.

Objective: We sought to examine the success of a PVI-only ablation strategy for a redo PeAF/longstanding PeAF population.

Apolipoprotein B-48 and late graft failure in kidney transplant recipients.

Introduction: Transplant vasculopathy resembles atherosclerotic plaque formation and is a major contributor to late graft failure in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Remnant lipoproteins and associated triglycerides are causal risk factors for atherosclerotic plaques and have been implicated in late kidney graft failure. However, whether remnants derived from liver (containing apolipoprotein [apo] B100) or intestine (containing apoB48) are clinically more important is unclear.

Artificial intelligence in chronic kidney diseases: methodology and potential applications.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by kidney damage and decreased function. Its prevalence has steadily increased, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology, risk factors, and management strategies. While traditional prognostic markers such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria provide valuable insights, they may not fully capture the complexity of CKD progression and associated cardiovascular (CV) risks.

Efficacy and safety of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with and without obesity: A meta-analysis.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) has emerged as an alternative to transvenous systems for prevention of sudden cardiac death. However, concerns have been raised regarding its efficacy and safety in obese individuals.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the S-ICD in patients with obesity by assessing the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and clinical outcomes.

Key influences of VDD (DX) ICD selection: Results from a prospective, national survey.

Background: To preserve the benefit of atrial sensing without the implantation of an additional lead, a single-lead ICD system with a floating atrial dipole (DX ICD) has been developed. The purpose of this nationwide survey was to provide an overview of the current key influences of device selection focusing on DX ICD and to test the applicability of a previously published decision-making flowchart of ICD-type selection.

Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to all implanting centers in Hungary.

A Randomized Trial of Electrographic Flow-Guided Redo Ablation for Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (FLOW-AF).

Background: Electrographic flow (EGF) mapping enables full spatiotemporal reconstruction of organized wavefront propagation to identify extrapulmonary vein sources of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: FLOW-AF (A Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate the Reliability of the Ablacon Electrographic FLOW [EGF] Algorithm Technology [Ablamap Software] to Identify AF Sources and Guide Ablation Therapy in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation) was multicenter, randomized controlled study of EGF mapping to: 1) stratify a nonparoxysmal AF population undergoing redo ablation; 2) guide ablation of these extrapulmonary vein AF sources; and 3) improve AF recurrence outcomes.

Methods: FLOW-AF enrolled persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF)/long-standing PerAF patients undergoing redo ablation at 4 centers.

Risk of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection after Early versus Delayed Lead Repositioning.

(1) Background: Early reintervention increases the risk of infection of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Some operators therefore delay lead repositioning in the case of dislocation by weeks; however, there is no evidence to support this practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the timing of reoperation on infection risk.

Device infection in patients undergoing pacemaker or defibrillator surgery: risk stratification using the PADIT score.

Background: The use of an antibacterial envelope is cost-effective for patients at high risk of developing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection. The identification of these high-risk patients may be facilitated using a clinical risk score. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the PADIT score for identifying high-risk patients in patients undergoing a CIED procedure in a tertiary academic center.

Indirect Insulin Resistance Indices and Their Cut-Off Values for the Prediction of Post-Transplantation Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Current methods for the direct determination of insulin resistance are complicated and invasive. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relevance of indirect insulin resistance indices in relation to the development of PTDM in KTRs.

Dynamic Perfusion Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with a History of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia-A Pilot Study.

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is associated with high rates of long-term cardiovascular mortality. Exercise stress testing to detect obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) can be difficult in this subset of patients due to inability to undergo exercise testing, presence of balanced ischemia and severe coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Aim: To test the feasibility of regadenoson stress dynamic perfusion computed tomography (DPCT) in CLTI patients.

Robotic magnetic navigation-guided catheter ablation establishes highly effective pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation when compared to conventional ablation techniques.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a pivotal part of ablative therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). Currently, there are multiple techniques available to realize PVI, including: manual-guided cryoballoon (MAN-CB), manual-guided radiofrequency (MAN-RF), and robotic magnetic navigation-guided radiofrequency ablation (RMN-RF). There is a lack of large prospective trials comparing contemporary RMN-RF with the more conventional ablation techniques.

Effect of myocardial scar size on the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic total coronary occlusion.

Background: The presence of an untreated chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) is associated with a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). This increased risk may be modulated by the presence of an existing scar.

Objectives: To evaluate whether scar size is associated with VA in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and a CTO.

Fasting Ketone Bodies and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in the General Population.

Unlabelled: With rising incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes, prevention including identification of prospective biomarkers becomes increasingly relevant. Although ketone bodies recently received a renewed interest as potential biomarkers, data linking these metabolites to diabetes risk are scarce. Therefore, the present prospective study investigated a potential association between fasting ketone bodies and incident type 2 diabetes in the general population.

Electrographic flow mapping guided catheter ablation offers advantages for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) remains challenging due to suboptimal success rates in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Existing mapping technologies cannot reliably distinguish sources in this patient population. Recently, the novel electrographic flow (EGF) mapping system was developed using a modified Horn-Schunk optical flow algorithm to detect and quantify patterns of electrical wavefront propagation in the atria.

Long-Term Outcome of ICD Therapy in Patients With Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy Compared With DCM and HCM.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are frequently used for primary and secondary prevention in patients with cardiomyopathies due to different etiologies. However, long-term outcome studies in patients with noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) are scarce.

Objectives: This study summarizes the long-term outcome of ICD therapy in patients with NCCM compared with those with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

The performance of dipole charge density mapping integrated with robotic magnetic navigation in the treatment of atrial tachycardias.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) has become a well-established first-line therapy for a broad spectrum of arrhythmias, including atrial tachycardias (ATs). In this study we aimed to assess the performance of the integrated novel high-resolution new generation noncontact mapping system (AcQMap) with robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) system in CA procedures for patients with ATs including comparing patient subgroups based on the utilized mapping modality, arrhythmia mechanism, localization and type of procedure.

Methods: All patients undergoing CA for AT using the AcQMap-RMN system were included.