Atrial Pacing Affects Left Atrial Morphological and Functional Parameters Early after Pacemaker Implantation.

: Chronic atrial stimulation might impair left atrial (LA) function. We aimed to assess the impact of atrial pacing burden on LA volumetric and functional parameters after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker. : The prospective study included 121 subjects with sinus node disease (SND) or atrioventricular block (AVB) that received a dual-chamber pacemaker.

Risk Factors of Early Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Following Electrical Cardioversion When Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is Preserved.

Background and objectives: To identify clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory parameters that affect the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after restoring sinus rhythm (SR) by electrical cardioversion (ECV), and to determine whether left atrial (LA) strain, as a noninvasive indicator reflecting fibrosis, is associated with laboratory indicators affecting the development of fibrosis, interleukin 6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Materials and Methods: The study included 92 persistent AF patients who underwent elective ECV. The effective maintenance of SR was evaluated after 40 ± 10 days of ECV.

The Predictive Value of Tissue Doppler Indices for Early Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Electrical Cardioversion.

Purpose: Spectral tissue Doppler-derived E/e' ratio has been proposed as the best parameter for prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF). Relaxation and contraction are equivalent parts of a continuous cardiac cycle, where systolic and diastolic abnormalities have a variable contribution to the left ventricle (LV) failure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the E/(e'xs') ratio is a better index than E/e' to predict AF recurrence and to determine the changes of spectral tissue Doppler indices 1 month after the electrical cardioversion (ECV).

Prognostication of Poor Survival After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a successful treatment option for appropriately selected patients. However, one-third of recipients do not experience any positive outcome or their condition even declines. We aimed to assess preimplantation factors associated with worse survival after the CRT.

Relationship of Natriuretic Peptides with Left Atrial Structure and Function within 1 Month after Electrical Cardioversion in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) despite the absence of heart failure is related to increased levels of natriuretic peptides (NPs). NPs have not been widely investigated in relation to left atrium (LA) function after sinus rhythm (SR) restoration and duration of AF. The aim of the study was to determine the changes of NPs levels and to define their relation with LA phasic function after electrical cardioversion (ECV).

Heart rate variability after radiofrequency ablation of epicardial ganglionated plexuses on the ovine left atrium.

Background: Ganglionated plexuses (GP) are terminal parts of cardiac autonomous nervous system (ANS). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) possibly affects GP. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) after RFA can reflect ANS modulation.

Evaluation of atrial fibrillation management and cardiovascular risk profile in atrial fibrillation patients: A cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The aim of this study to investigate the most frequent risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF), co-morbidities, complications associated with AF and the use of anticoagulants and other medications in patients who were referred to university hospitals in Lithuania.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive inpatients and outpatients with AF presenting to cardiologists in the two biggest Lithuanian university hospitals from November 2013 to May 2014. AF diagnosis was confirmed by a 12-lead ECG or 24-h Holter with an episode duration of >30s.

Evaluation of left ventricular longitudinal function and synchrony after dual chamber pacemaker implantation.

Background And Objective: To evaluate left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function and dyssynchrony mechanisms after dual chamber pacemaker implantation.

Materials And Methods: The speckle tracking imaging technique was used for quantification of global longitudinal function of the left ventricle and for dyssynchrony evaluation before pacemaker implantation and after 3-month follow-up. The study group consisted of 98 patients with conventional indications for dual chamber pacemaker implantation.

Predictors of positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Approximately 30% of patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) do not achieve favourable response. The purpose of the present study was to identify echocardiographic and clinical predictors of a positive response to CRT.

Methods: The study included 82 consecutive heart failure (HF) patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV with left bundle branch block (LBBB), QRS duration ≥ 120 ms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of pulmonary vein roots results in axonal degeneration of distal epicardial nerves.

Background: In treatment of atrial fibrillations (AF), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at the pulmonary vein (PV) roots isolates AF triggers in the myocardial sleeves, but also can destroy PV ganglia and branches of the intrinsic cardiac nerve plexus.

Aim: To determine the long-term impact of RFA at the PV roots on the structure of epicardial nerves located distally from the RFA site.

Methods: Five black-faced sheep underwent epicardial RFA of the left and middle PV roots.

Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia in children: curative therapy with radiofrequency ablation.

Unlabelled: Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia is a rare condition, and there is a lack of clear guidelines for the necessity and indications for prophylactic antiarrhythmic or curative treatment. The aim of this study was to review the clinical picture of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation therapy in children.

Material And Methods: The subjects of this study were 16 children with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

Influence of radiofrequency catheter ablation on platelet aggregation.

The objective of this article was to find out how radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) influences platelet aggregation (PA), and the dependence on the total energy (TE) of RFA used and the cause of arrhythmia. We investigated 97 patients. PA was analyzed before, after, and in 24 hours after RFA.

Changes of electrophysiological parameters in patients with atrial flutter.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to study some anatomic and electrophysiological features of the right atrium, related to the presence of atrial flutter.

Materials And Methods: A total 23 patients with type I atrial flutter and 22 patients without atrial flutter were studied. Right atrium size was assessed using echocardiography before intracardiac examination and radiofrequency ablation.

Alterations of platelet aggregation while treating cardiac arrhythmias with radiofrequency ablation.

Objective: To find out if radiofrequency ablation as method of treatment of cardiac arrhythmia influences platelet aggregation and if intensity of this process depends on the number of radiofrequency ablation episodes for one patient.

Material And Methods: We analyzed platelet aggregation before, right after and in 24 hours after radiofrequency ablation in whole blood and platelet rich plasma in 39 cases with cardiac arrhythmias. Adenosine diphosphate and adrenaline were used for aggregation induction.