Feasibility and safety of endomyocardial biopsy by lumenless pacing lead sheath-directed method during cardiac implantable electronic device implantation.

Background: Patients with an indication for a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) are complicated with special cardiomyopathy or other unspecified cardiac abnormalities and may need endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). However, EMB by a bioptome is usually avoided to reduce the risk of lead displacement in the CIED periprocedural period.

Objective: We aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of a novel approach for transvenous right ventricular (RV) EMB using the lead sheath method (L-S-M) during CIED implantation and compared it with the traditional bioptome method (T-B-M).

Fecal calprotectin: A novel predictor of ulcerated esophageal injury after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

Background: Atrial esophageal fistula (AEF) is a lethal complication that can occur post atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Esophageal injury (EI) is likely to be the initial lesion leading to AEF. Endoscopic examination is the gold standard for a diagnosis of EI but extensive endoscopic screening is invasive and costly.

His bundle pacing versus left bundle branch pacing on ventricular function in atrial fibrillation patients referred for pacing: a prospective crossover comparison.

Background: His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) both provide physiologic pacing which maintain left ventricular synchrony. They both improve heart failure (HF) symptoms in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. We aimed to assess the intra-patient comparison of ventricular function and remodeling as well as leads parameters corresponding to two pacing modalities in AF patients referred for pacing in intermediate term.

In Situ Construction of Bronze/Anatase TiO Homogeneous Heterojunctions and Their Photocatalytic Performances.

Photocatalytic degradation is one of the most promising emerging technologies for environmental pollution control. However, the preparation of efficient, low-cost photocatalysts still faces many challenges. TiO is a widely available and inexpensive photocatalyst material, but improving its catalytic degradation performance has posed a significant challenge due to its shortcomings, such as the easy recombination of its photogenerated electron-hole pairs and its difficulty in absorbing visible light.

Novel α-galactosidase A gene mutation in a Chinese Fabry disease family: A case report.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A.

Case Summary: Herein, we analyzed a four-generation Chinese family. The proband is a 57-year-old woman who was diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation 7 years ago.

Comparison of synchronization between left bundle branch and his bundle pacing in atrial fibrillation patients: An intra-patient-controlled study.

Background: His bundle pacing (HBP) is a physiological pacing strategy to preserve the electrical synchrony of ventricular conduction and left ventricular (LV) function. Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has emerged as an alternative physiological pacing technique.

Objective: To evaluate cardiac electrical and mechanical synchrony comparing LBBP and HBP in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Risk of esophageal thermal injury during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation guided by different ablation index.

Background: During ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), energy delivery toward the left atrial posterior wall may cause esophageal injury (EI). Ablation index (AI) was introduced to estimate ablation lesion size, however, the impact of AI technology on the risk of EI has not been explored.

Method: From March 2019 to December 2019, 60 patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing first-time ablation were prospectively enrolled.

Adjunctive percutaneous ablation targeting epicardial arrhythmogenic structures in patients of atrial fibrillation with recurrence after multiple procedures.

Introduction: Repeat ablation strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after multiple ablation procedures is known to be challenging. This study evaluated the insights of adjunctive ablation for epicardial arrhythmogenic substrates in those patients via a percutaneous epicardial approach.

Methods And Results: Thirty-five consecutive patients with AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence, who had two or more prior ablation procedures, were enrolled from September 2016 to December 2018.

PV isolation guided by esophageal visualization with a tailored ablation strategy for the avoidance of esophageal thermal injury: a randomized trial.

Purpose: Radiofrequency ablation along the posterior wall of the left atrium may lead to atrioesophageal fistula due to esophageal thermal injury. The purpose of our study was to prospectively investigate whether ablation guided by soluble contrast esophageal visualization (SCEV) reduces injury during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were randomized to a SCEV group (n = 39) and control group without visualization (n = 39).

Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Promotes Reendothelialization in Carotid Artery of Diabetic Rabbits by Reactivating Akt/eNOS Pathway.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea and has proven benefits on endothelial cells in diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether EGCG could improve function of late endothelial progenitor cells (L-EPCs) in diabetes. Thirty-six rabbits were randomized into six groups.

Metabolic benefits of rivaroxaban in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Background And Objective: Rivaroxaban is a new oral anticoagulant for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), which has less drug-food interaction than warfarin. We conducted this prospective randomized study to evaluate the metabolic benefits as well as the safety and efficacy with rivaroxaban versus warfarin in patients with NVAF following radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Methods: From April to July 2014, 60 patients with NVAF undergoing RFCA were prospectively enrolled in our study.

T Wave Safety Margin during the Process of ICD Implantation As a Novel Predictor of T Wave Oversensing.

T wave oversensing (TWOS) is a major drawback of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and data on predictors of TWOS in ICD is limited. We aimed to calculate a novel index of T wave safety margin (TWSM) and assess its potential for evaluating TWOS during the procedure of ICD implantation. Thirty-two consecutive patients with ICD implantation were enrolled.

Impact of Anatomically Guided Ganglionated Plexus Ablation on Electrical Firing from Isolated Pulmonary Veins.

Background: The mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) initiation and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) effectiveness remain unclear. Ganglionated plexus (GPs) have been implicated in AF initiation and maintenance. In this study, we evaluated the impact of GP ablation in patients with pulmonary vein (PV) firing after PVI.

Non-pulmonary vein foci induced before and after pulmonary vein isolation in patients undergoing ablation therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: incidence and clinical outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and clinical outcome of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plus isoproterenol (ISP)-induced non-pulmonary vein (PV) foci before and after circumferential PV isolation (CPVI) during index ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods: In 80 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for drug-refractory, symptomatic PAF at our hospital from April 2010 to January 2011, atrial fibrillation (AF) was provoked with ATP (20 mg) and ISP (20 µg/min) administration before and after CPVI. The spontaneous initiation of AF was mapped and recorded.

Incidence of pulmonary vein conduction recovery in patients without clinical recurrence after ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: mechanistic implications.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation has become the mainstay acute procedural end point for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Objective: To examine the incidence of conduction recovery in the PVs in patients without clinical recurrence of AF after paroxysmal AF ablation.

Methods: From August 2008 to March 2011, 392 patients with drug-refractory PAF underwent catheter ablation in our center, a wide area circumferential ablation approach guided with a circular mapping catheter was performed with the intended endpoint of entrance block in all PVs.

Marked suppression of pulmonary vein firing after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: is pulmonary vein firing an epiphenomenon?

Introduction: Rapid firing in pulmonary veins (PVs) is a leading cause of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized that PV firing (PV-F) should continue after circumferential PV isolation (CPVI) because the PV tissue responsible for PV-F remains intact.

Methods And Results: In Group-1 (n = 92), isoproterenol (ISP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were co-administered to provoke PV-F before and after CPVI.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment of a Chinese family with congenital short QT syndrome.].

Objective: To observe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic efficacy of a Chinese family with congenital short QT Syndrome (SQTs).

Methods: Fourteen family members including the proband were screened with routine clinical examination, serum electrolyte, serum myocardial enzymes, electrocardiography (ECG), Holter recording, treadmill exercise test, echocardiography and chest radiograph. High risk patient received intracardiac electrophysiological study (EPS).

Prevention of sudden cardiac death with omega-3 fatty acids in patients with coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To systematically review trials concerning the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on sudden cardiac death (SCD), cardiac death, and all-cause mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database (1966-2007) were searched. We identified randomized controlled trials that compared dietary or supplementary intake of omega-3 fatty acids with control diet or placebo in CHD patients.

[Plasma levels of vWF and NO in patients with metabolic syndrome and their relationship with metabolic disorders].

Objective: To measure the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with metabolic disorders and to study their relationships with the disease.

Methods: The plasma levels of vWF and NO were determined in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS group, n=36), patients with 1 - 2 metabolic disorders (MD group, n=43) and normal subjects (control group, n=30).

Result: The plasma vWF level was higher in MS group than that in MD group (P <0.