Single-lead electrocardiogram Artificial Intelligence model with risk factors detects atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm.

Aims: Guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF), using a 30 s single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded by a wearable device. Since many patients have paroxysmal AF, identification of patients at high risk presenting with sinus rhythm (SR) may increase the yield of subsequent long-term cardiac monitoring. The aim is to evaluate an AI-algorithm trained on 10 s single-lead ECG with or without risk factors to predict AF.

Initial experience of left bundle branch area pacing using stylet-driven pacing leads: A multicenter study.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has been performed exclusively using lumen-less pacing leads (LLL) with fixed helix design. This registry study explores the safety and feasibility of LBBAP using stylet-driven leads (SDL) with extendable helix design in a multicenter patient population.

Methods: This study prospectively enrolled consecutive patients who underwent LBBAP for bradycardia pacing or heart failure indications at eight Belgian hospitals.

Treatment patterns in anticoagulant therapy in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in Belgium: results from the GARFIELD-AF registry.

AF, anticoagulation, NOACs, changing patterns of prescription. We describe baseline data and treatment patterns of patients recruited in Belgium in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF). Recruitment began when novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were introduced and provides a unique picture of changing treatment patterns over time.

Flutter ablation with remote magnetic navigation: comparison between the 8-mm tip, the irrigated tip and a manual approach.

Introduction: Remote magnetic navigated ablation has proven its feasibility in a large group of arrhythmias. Until now only scarce data are available on the use for atrial flutter. In this study we compared remote magnetic navigation (RMN), using non-irrigated and irrigated tip catheters, to manual radiofrequency ablation for ablating typical atrial flutter.

Mapping and isolation of the pulmonary veins using the PVAC catheter.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) catheter (a novel multielectrode catheter using duty-cycled bipolar and unipolar radiofrequency energy, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) to completely isolate the pulmonary veins (PVs).

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (60 +/- 8 years) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent PV isolation with the PVAC catheter. PVAC was used for both mapping and isolation of the PVs (PVAC-guided ablation).

Self-terminating AF depends on electrical remodeling while persistent AF depends on additional structural changes in a rapid atrially paced sheep model.

The development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with electrical and structural remodeling. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of electrical and structural remodeling to the development of AF in a rapid atrially paced ovine model with and without His bundle ablation and to determine the role of the angiotensin pathway and matrix metalloproteinases in this process. Thirty-five sheep were rapidly paced in the atrium and were randomized to undergo His bundle ablation (HBA) (21 sheep; HBA sheep) or not (14 sheep; non-HBA sheep).

Long-term symptomatic benefit after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial flutter despite a high incidence of post-procedural atrial fibrillation.

Objective: A high proportion of patients develops atrial fibrillation (AF) after ablation for atrial flutter (AFL). Radiofrequency ablation for AFL therefore would only be useful if it leads to a better quality of life despite this high incidence of AF post-ablation.

Methods: All patients who underwent AFL ablation in our centre before March 2002 (n=203) were contacted by letter a median of 2.

Endurance sports is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation after ablation for atrial flutter.

Introduction: Sports activity has been associated with the development of atrial arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently observed after successful ablation for atrial flutter. Sports activity as a risk factor for AF development after flutter ablation has not been studied.

Matrix metalloproteinases and atrial remodeling in patients with mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with extracellular matrix remodeling involving atrial fibrosis and atrial dilatation. Angiotensin II mediated pathways and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in these processes. Our aim was to study atrial structural remodeling and the expression of the angiotensin receptor subtypes and MMPs and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in patients with mitral valve disease with and without AF.

Importance of measurements at or after the J-point for evaluation of ST-segment deviation and resolution during treatment for acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Determination of ST-segment deviation (STdev) and its resolution (STR) by reperfusion strategies have become important tools in the assessment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). STdev has been measured at different time-points, i.e.

ST-deviation reconstruction in missing leads on the 12-lead ECG: applicability in studies on ST-segment resolution during thrombolysis.

Quantitative analysis of ST-segment deviations (STdev) and their resolution by treatment (STR; calculated from a combined sum of STdev in multiple leads) are used in trials on reperfusion for myocardial infarction (MI). Unreadable or unavailable electrocardiogram (ECG) leads are a common reason for exclusion, decreasing the statistical power of the trials. We developed mathematical formulas for reconstruction of immeasurable STdev based on STdev from other available leads on the 12-lead ECG.

Simultaneous creation and evaluation of linear radiofrequency lesions.

Background: Catheter based "maze" procedures for atrial fibrillation have been hampered by difficult creation and evaluation of continuous and transmural linear lesions. Our aim was to develop an online evaluation method for effective lesion creation based on conventional techniques and using the multipolar ablation catheter, already in place.

Methods And Results: We created 15 linear lines in right atria of 13 anesthetized sheep using three multipolar catheter designs (8 x 4 mm 7 Fr, 4 x 6 mm 7 Fr, 8 x 4 mm 3.