Cardiac Arrhythmias and Autonomic Dysfunction Associated With COVID-19: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiac arrhythmias are commonly noted in patients during infections with and recovery from COVID-19. Arrhythmic manifestations span the spectrum of innocuous and benign to life-threatening and deadly. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed.

2023 HRS/APHRS/LAHRS guideline on cardiac physiologic pacing for the avoidance and mitigation of heart failure.

Cardiac physiologic pacing (CPP), encompassing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and conduction system pacing (CSP), has emerged as a pacing therapy strategy that may mitigate or prevent the development of heart failure (HF) in patients with ventricular dyssynchrony or pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This clinical practice guideline is intended to provide guidance on indications for CRT for HF therapy and CPP in patients with pacemaker indications or HF, patient selection, pre-procedure evaluation and preparation, implant procedure management, follow-up evaluation and optimization of CPP response, and use in pediatric populations. Gaps in knowledge, pointing to new directions for future research, are also identified.

Outcomes of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion device implantation in atrial fibrillation patients based on underlying stroke risk.

Aims: To determine outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) based on the underlying stroke risk (defined by the CHA2DS2-VASc score).

Methods And Results: Data were extracted from the National Inpatient Sample for calendar years 2016-20. Left atrial appendage occlusion implantations were identified on the basis of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification code of 02L73DK.

Incidence and implications of atrial fibrillation in patients hospitalized for COVID compared to non-COVID pneumonia: A multicenter cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported to occur with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but whether it is related to myocarditis or lung injury is unclear.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare incident AF in patients with pneumonia/adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with and without COVID.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study from 17 hospitals (March 2020 to December 2021) utilizing the University of California COVID Research Data Set (CORDS) included patients aged ≥18 years with primary diagnosis of pneumonia or ARDS during hospitalization.

Noninvasive Stereotactic Radiation for Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia After Failure of Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy is a novel treatment option for refractory ventricular tachycardia. We present a case of ventricular tachycardia, with epicardial origin located in large inferior infarct scar, that recurred despite treatment with multiple antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, and cardiac sympathetic denervation. Stereotactic body radiation therapy safely and effectively terminated the arrhythmia.

Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: An International Multicenter Registry Study.

Background: Data on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and outcomes are limited in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients with CHD presenting for AF ablation and their outcomes.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis was performed of patients with CHD undergoing AF ablation between 2004 and 2020 at 13 participating centers.

Association of advanced age with procedural complications and in-hospital outcomes from left atrial appendage occlusion device implantation in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the National Inpatient Sample of 36,065 procedures.

Background: Age-stratified analyses of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) are limited. The purpose of current study was to compare in-hospital outcomes in elderly AF patients (age > 80 years) to a relatively younger cohort (age £ 80 years) after LAAO.

Methods: Data were extracted from National Inpatient Sample for calendar years 2015-2018.

Association of heart failure with procedural complications and in-hospital outcomes from left atrial appendage occlusion device implantation in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the national inpatient sample of 62 980 procedures.

Aims: To determine outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with concomitant heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods And Results: Data were extracted from National Inpatient Sample for calendar years 2015-2019. LAAO device implantations were identified on the basis of ICD-10-CM code of 02L73DK.

Effects of Supervised Exercise Training on Atrial Fibrillation: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS.

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with the comorbidities of a sedentary lifestyle. Endurance athletes also show an increased incidence of AF. The role of exercise in the treatment of AF is unknown so this study aimed to examine the effects of supervised exercise on AF.

Electrical abnormalities with St. Jude/Abbott pacing leads: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although there is a paucity of contemporary data on pacemaker lead survival rates, small studies suggest that some leads may have higher malfunction rates than do others.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the malfunction rates of current pacemaker leads.

Methods: A meta-analysis including studies that examined the non-implant-related lead malfunction rates of current commercially available active fixation pacemaker leads was performed.

Bariatric surgery to aLleviate OCcurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalization-BLOC-AF.

Background: Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Weight reduction improves outcomes in patients known to have AF.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of heart failure (HF) or first-time AF hospitalization in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BAS) vs other abdominal surgeries.

Cardiovascular Problems in the Fragile X Premutation.

There is a dearth of information about cardiovascular problems in fragile X premutation carriers who have 55-200 CGG repeats in fragile X mental retardation 1 () gene. The expansion in the premutation range leads to toxic RNA gain-of-function resulting in cellular dysregulation. The mechanism of RNA toxicity underlies all of the premutation disorders including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency, and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorder.

Meditation for Improved Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Implantable Defibrillators for Heart Failure- Pilot Study.

Background: Sympathetic activation is associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) and leads to adverse clinical events.We hypothesized that meditation by reducing emotional reactivity would have beneficial effect in reducing arrhythmias compared to control patients.

Methods: Patients known to have CHF and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) were randomized to Vipassana meditation or usual care control group.

Patient Perception of the Remote Versus Clinic Visits for Interrogation of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) are used in the management of sudden cardiac arrest. Compared with clinic visits, remote interrogation of these devices has shown clinical benefit and lower cost. We hypothesize that demographic and socioeconomic factors influence patient satisfaction with remote monitoring and therefore the choice of a pathway for follow-up.

Comparison of Cryoballoon and Hybrid surgical Posterior Wall Isolation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation to conventional ablation.

Background: Optimalablation strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear;PWI of the left atrium may improve outcome.Our aim was to compare outcomes of posterior wall isolation (PWI) ablation for persistent AF achieved by cryoballoon ablation (CRYO) or hybrid surgical ablation (HABL) to matched patients undergoing conventional radiofrequency ablation (CRA).

Methods: In our single center retrospective study,patients underwent HABL and CRYO withcircumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA),roof and floor lines to complete PW box lesion.