Vagal responses induced by endocardial left atrial autonomic ganglion stimulation before and after pulmonary vein antrum isolation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Elimination of vagal inputs into the left atrium (LA) may be necessary for successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). These vagal inputs are clustered in autonomic ganglia (AG) that are close to the pulmonary vein antrum (PVA) borders, but whether standard intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided PVA isolation (PVAI) affects these inputs is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether standard ICE-guided PVAI affects vagal responses induced by endocardial AG stimulation in the LA.

Left atrial appendage exclusion and the risk of thromboembolic events following mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery with respect to thromboembolic events.

Background: LAA is the predominant source of emboli in patients with atrial fibrillation. Prophylactic LAA exclusion at the time of heart surgery has been recommended to reduce the risk of future thromboembolism.

The need for atrial flutter ablation following pulmonary vein antrum isolation in patients with and without previous cardiac surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of atrial flutter (AFL) after pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) in patients with previous cardiac surgery (PCS) in comparison to patients without PCS and to assess the need for AFL ablation in both groups.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and AFL often co-exist. Pulmonary vein antrum isolation may be sufficient to control both arrhythmias.

Pre-existent left atrial scarring in patients undergoing pulmonary vein antrum isolation: an independent predictor of procedural failure.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of left atrial scarring (LAS) on the outcome of patients undergoing pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Left atrial scarring may be responsible for both the perpetuation and genesis of AF.

Methods: A total of 700 consecutive patients undergoing first-time PVAI were studied.

Prevalence, predictors, and mortality significance of the causative arrhythmia in patients with electrical storm.

Introduction: Electrical storm (ES) is characterized by either refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, little is known about the prevalence, predictors, and mortality implications of the causative arrhythmia in ES. We sought to assess the prevalence, predictors, and survival significance of VT and VF as the causative arrhythmia of ES in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients.