Atrial fibrillation in vascular surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence, incidence and outcome implications.

Aims: To know the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as the incidence of postoperative AF (POAF) in vascular surgery for arterial diseases and its outcome implications.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA statement.

Results: After the selection process, we analyzed 44 records (30 for the prevalence of AF history and 14 for the incidence of POAF).

DIGItal Health Literacy after COVID-19 Outbreak among Frail and Non-Frail Cardiology Patients: The DIGI-COVID Study.

Background: Telemedicine requires either the use of digital tools or a minimum technological knowledge of the patients. Digital health literacy may influence the use of telemedicine in most patients, particularly those with frailty. We aimed to explore the association between frailty, the use of digital tools, and patients' digital health literacy.

Adherence to the "Atrial fibrillation Better Care" (ABC) pathway in patients with atrial fibrillation and cancer: A report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in atrial fibrillation (EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry.

Background: Implementation of the Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway is recommended by guidelines on atrial fibrillation (AF), but the impact of adherence to ABC pathway in patients with cancer is unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the adherence to ABC pathway and its impact on adverse outcomes in AF patients with cancer.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were analyzed according to (i) No Cancer; and (ii) Prior or active cancer and stratified in relation to adherence to the ABC pathway.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on oncological radiotherapy in patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device: Prevalence and predictors of device malfunction in 3121 patients.

Background: The number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for cancer treatment is growing. At present, prevalence and predictors of RT-induced CIEDs malfunctions are not defined.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted following the PRISMA recommendations.

Impact of anthropometric factors on outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients: analysis on 10 220 patients from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)-European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) EurObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) general long-term registry.

Aim: To investigate the association of anthropometric parameters [height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), and lean body mass (LBM)] with outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: Ten-thousand two-hundred twenty patients were enrolled [40.3% females, median age 70 (62-77) years, followed for 728 (interquartile range 653-745) days].

Atrial Fibrillation in the Setting of Acute Pneumonia: Not a Secondary Arrhythmia.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the setting of critically ill patients. Pneumonia, and in particular community-acquired pneumonia, is one of the most common causes of illness and hospital admission worldwide. This article aims to review the association between AF and acute diseases, with specific attention to pneumonia, from the pathophysiology to its clinical significance.

Atrial High-Rate Episodes Detected by Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Dynamic Changes in Episodes and Predictors of Incident Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) detected by cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) may be associated with a risk of progression towards long-lasting episodes (≥24 h) and clinical atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Consecutive CIED patients presenting AHRE (with confirmation of an arrhythmia lasting 5 min-23 h 59 min, atrial rate ≥175/min, with no AF at 12-lead ECG and no prior clinical AF) were retrospectively enrolled. The aims of this study were to describe patients' characteristics and the incidence of adverse events, and second, to identify potential predictors of the composite outcome of clinical AF and/or AHRE episodes lasting ≥24 h.

Impact of malignancy on outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational research programme in atrial fibrillation general long-term registry.

Background: The management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and malignancy is challenging given the paucity of evidence supporting their appropriate clinical management.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with active or prior malignancy in a contemporary cohort of European AF patients.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the EURObservational Research Programme in AF General Long-Term Registry were categorized into 3 categories: No Malignancy (NoMal), Prior Malignancy (PriorMal) and Active Malignancy (ActiveMal).

Cardiac troponins and adverse outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the ESC-EHRA EORP atrial fibrillation general long-term registry.

Background: Cardiac troponins (cTn) have been reported to be predictors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF), patients, but their actual use is still unclear.

Aim: To assess the factors associated with cTn testing in routine practice and evaluate the association with outcomes.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were stratified into 3 groups according to cTn levels as (i) cTn not tested, (ii) cTn in range (≤99th percentile), (iii) cTn elevated (>99th percentile).

Kidney Function According to Different Equations in Patients Admitted to a Cardiology Unit and Impact on Outcome.

Background: This paper aims to evaluate the concordance between the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula and alternative equations and to assess their predictive power for all-cause mortality in unselected patients discharged alive from a cardiology ward.

Methods: We retrospectively included patients admitted to our Cardiology Division independently of their diagnosis. The total population was classified according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) categories, as follows: G1 (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥90 mL/min/1.

Rhythm- or rate-control strategies according to 4S-AF characterization scheme and long-term outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients: the FAMo (Fibrillazione Atriale in Modena) cohort.

The 4S-AF scheme [Stroke risk, Symptom severity, Severity of atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, Substrate severity] was recently proposed to characterize AF patients. In this post hoc analysis we evaluated the agreement between the therapeutic strategy (rate or rhythm control, respectively), as suggested by the 4S-AF scheme, and the actual strategy followed in a patients cohort. Outcomes of interest were as follows: all-cause death, a composite of all-cause death/any thromboembolism/acute coronary syndrome, and a composite of all-cause death, any thrombotic/ischemic event, and major bleeding (net clinical outcome).

Digital literacy as a potential barrier to implementation of cardiology tele-visits after COVID-19 pandemic: the INFO-COVID survey.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of telemedicine has represented a new potential option for outpatient care. The aim of our study was to evaluate digital literacy among cardiology outpatients.

Methods: From March to June 2020, a survey on telehealth among cardiology outpatients was performed.

Device-detected atrial high rate episodes and the risk of stroke/thrombo-embolism and atrial fibrillation incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Atrial High Rate Episodes (AHRE) are asymptomatic atrial tachy-arrhythmias detected through continuous monitoring with a cardiac implantable electronic device. The risks of stroke/Thromboembolic (TE) events and incident clinical Atrial Fibrillation (AF) associated with AHRE varies markedly.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between AHRE and TE events, and between AHRE and incident clinical AF.

Optimizing indices of atrial fibrillation susceptibility and burden to evaluate atrial fibrillation severity, risk and outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has heterogeneous patterns of presentation concerning symptoms, duration of episodes, AF burden, and the tendency to progress towards the terminal step of permanent AF. AF is associated with a risk of stroke/thromboembolism traditionally considered dependent on patient-level risk factors rather than AF type, AF burden, or other characterizations. However, the time spent in AF appears related to an incremental risk of stroke, as suggested by the higher risk of stroke in patients with clinical AF vs.

Clinical Factors Associated with Atrial Fibrillation Detection on Single-Time Point Screening Using a Hand-Held Single-Lead ECG Device.

Our aim was to assess the prevalence of unknown atrial fibrillation (AF) among adults during single-time point rhythm screening performed during meetings or social recreational activities organized by patient groups or volunteers. A total of 2814 subjects (median age 68 years) underwent AF screening by a handheld single-lead ECG device (MyDiagnostick). Overall, 56 subjects (2.

Red Cell Distribution Width: A Routinely Available Biomarker with Important Clinical Implications in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is an inexpensive marker of anisocytosis easily available in the standard complete blood cell count. Besides its traditional use in the differential diagnosis of anemias, RDW values reflect abnormalities in erythropoiesis and red blood cell metabolism related to aging, sex, ethnicity, systemic inflammatory state, and oxidative stress. Thus, higher RDW values are common findings in several acute clinical conditions and chronic diseases.

Long-term outcomes of postoperative atrial fibrillation following non cardiac surgery: A systematic review and metanalysis.

Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in non-cardiac postoperative setting is common and is associated with a high risk of in-hospital mortality and morbidity. The long-term risks of stroke, mortality and AF recurrence rate in patients with postoperative AF (POAF) are unclear.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review in electronic databases from inception to March 5th, 2020 of studies reporting the incidence of stroke, mortality and AF recurrence in patients with POAF.

Atrial fibrillation pattern and factors affecting the progression to permanent atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may progress from a non-permanent to a permanent form, and improvement in prediction may help in decision-making. In- and outpatients with non-permanent AF were enrolled in a prospective study and followed every 6 months. At baseline, 314 out of 523 patients (60%) had non-permanent AF (25.

Cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation: Implications for outcome in a cohort study.

Background: The impact of cognitive status on outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is not well defined.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment in AF patients and evaluate its association with: i) all-cause mortality; ii) a composite endpoint of death, stroke/systemic embolism, hemorrhages, acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, new/worsening heart failure.

Methods: In a cohort study, cognitive status was assessed at baseline by the Mini Mental State examination adjusted for age and education (aMMSE).