R2CHADS2 score and thromboembolic events after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in comparison with the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

Background: A new risk model, the R2CHADS2 (Renal Dysfunction, Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertension, Age, Diabetes, Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack) score, was proposed to be a powerful scoring scheme in predicting stroke or systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF). The goal of the present study is to validate the usefulness of the R2CHADS2 score among patients with AF after catheter ablation. We also aimed to compare the accuracy of the CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertension, Age [≥ 75 y], Diabetes, Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack, Vascular Disease, Age [65-74 y], Sex [Female]) and R2CHADS2 scores for risk stratification of thromboembolic (TE) events after ablation procedures.

Impact of renal dysfunction on clinical outcome in patients with low risk of atrial fibrillation.

Background:  The impact of renal dysfunction has been investigated in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess its additive prognostic value in low thromboembolic risk AF patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score 0-1.

Methods And Results:  A total of 617 non-valvular AF patients were enrolled and baseline serum creatinine was measured.

Atrial fibrillation influences survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: experience from a single center in Taiwan.

Background: It is unclear whether atrial fibrillation (AF) adversely influences the clinical course of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: During the period from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2010, 476 patients (mean ± SD age 60.3 ± 12.

Hyperuricemia and the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation--could it refine clinical risk stratification in AF?

Background: Although hyperuricemia has been reported to be a risk factor of stroke, the relationship between hyperuricemia and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains uncertain. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether hyperuricemia could potentially refine clinical risk stratification in AF.

Methods: This study used the "National Health Insurance Research Database" in Taiwan.

Seasonal variation in the frequency of sudden cardiac death and ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy: the effect of meteorological factors.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the most catastrophic presentation in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C).

Objectives: To investigate the seasonal variations in the frequency of SCD and ventricular tachyarrhythmia in patients with AVRD/C and to elucidate the meteorological factors that trigger these events.

Methods: From 1998 to 2012, we enrolled 88 consecutive patients with ARVD/C from Taipei City.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness and ablation outcome of atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Epicardial fat was closely related to atrial fibrillation (AF). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has been proposed to be a convenient imaging tool in assessing epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). The goal of the present study was to investigate whether the EAT thickness measured on TTE was a useful parameter in predicting procedural outcomes of AF ablations.

Prevalence, characteristics, mapping, and catheter ablation of potential rotors in nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Identification of critical atrial substrates in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) failing to respond to pulmonary vein isolation is important. This study investigated the signal characteristics, substrate nature, and ablation results of rotors during AF.

Methods And Results: In total, 53 patients (age=55±8), 31 with persistent AF and 22 with long-lasting AF, underwent pulmonary vein isolation and substrate modification of complex fractionated atrial electrograms.

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and adverse events in patients with atrial fibrillation referred for coronary angiogram.

Objectives: Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have been reported to be associated with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress in multiple cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether ADMA was a predictor of clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: From 2006-2009, 990 individuals were referred to our institution for coronary angiography.

The association between hyperuricemia, left atrial size and new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Background: Although hyperuricemia was associated with several cardiovascular diseases, the role of uric acid (UA) in left atrial (LA) remodeling and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been fully explored. The goal of the present study is to investigate the relationship between UA, LA diameter and the development of AF in the large-scale cohort.

Methods: The study consisted of 2 parts.

Gender Difference in Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract-Ventricular Tachycardia.

Background: Few studies have discussed gender differences in idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract-ventricular tachycardia (RVOT-VT). This study explored possible gender differences in electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation for idiopathic RVOT-VT in Taiwan.

Methods: Ninety-three patients (mean age 38.

A novel finding- impairment of gastric myoelectricity after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Dyspepsia is not uncommon in patients undergoing ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in gastric myoelectrical activity and its relationship to the outcome after ablation by electrogastrography (EGG).

Methods And Results: The study prospectively enrolled 32 patients: 16 patients (Group 1) had AF and 16 (Group 2) had paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Differences in high on-treatment platelet reactivity between intra-coronary and peripheral blood after dual anti-platelet agents in patients with coronary artery disease.

The differences of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) between the coronary arteries and peripheral veins might be associated with poor prediction of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery diseases. HPR from the peripheral blood might not adequately reflect the platelet responses in the coronary artery. A total of 21 patients were recruited, and regional differences in HPR were compared between blood samples from the intra-coronary artery (IC), femoral artery (FA), and femoral vein (FV) by light aggregometry (agonists: arachidonic acid, LTA-AA; ADP, LTA-ADP), VerifyNow P2Y12 assays, and a platelet function analyser (PFA-100, collagen and epinephrine cartridge, PFA-CEPI).

The relationship among atrium electromechanical interval, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an important risk factor of atrial fibrillation. However, an understanding of the adverse effects of MS on left atrial (LA) functional assessment in terms of electromechanical interval, a convenient parameter that can reflect the process of LA remodelling, has been lacking. The goal of this study was to investigate the association between electromechanical interval and MS.

Differences in the atrial electrophysiological properties between vagal and sympathetic types of atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Autonomic modulation of the cardiac activity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the atrial electrical and structural properties between patients with vagal and sympathetic AF.

Methods: The study included 30 patients (53 ± 12 years old, male 26) with frequent attacks of symptomatic paroxysmal AF.

The association between heme oxygenase-1 gene promoter polymorphism and the outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

A length polymorphism of GT repeats in the promoter region of the human heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene modulates its gene transcription to protect against myocardial injury. The present study investigated the association between HO-1 promoter polymorphisms and the outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The allelic frequencies of GT repeats in the HO-1 gene promoter were screened in 205 random individuals who underwent catheter ablation for drug refractory AF.

CHADS2 score and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: The components of CHADS2 score were reported to be important risk factors for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The goal of the current study was to investigate whether the CHADS2 score was a useful scheme in predicting new-onset AF. Furthermore, we aimed to use the CHADS2 scoring system to estimate the individual risk in developing AF for patients with different comorbidities.

Permanent pacemaker implantation for late atrioventricular block in patients receiving catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

The present study investigated the incidence and predictors of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation for late atrioventricular block (AVB) in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) who received ablation. The data from 3,442 patients with AVNRT who received ablation were analyzed. Those who developed late AVB (>1 month after ablation) and received a PPM were identified.

Long-term outcome of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation originating from nonpulmonary vein ectopy.

Introduction: Data regarding the long-term outcome of catheter ablation in patients with nonpulmonary vein (NPV) ectopy initiating atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited. We aimed to evaluate the long-term result of patients with AF who had NPV triggers and underwent catheter ablation.

Methods And Results: The study included 660 consecutive patients (age 54 ± 11 years old, 477 males) who had undergone catheter ablation for AF.

Nonlinear analysis of fibrillatory electrogram similarity to optimize the detection of complex fractionated electrograms during persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Currently, the identification of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFEs) in the substrate modification is mostly based on cycle length-derived algorithms. The characteristics of the fibrillation electrogram morphology and their consistency over time are not clear. The aim of this study was to optimize the detection algorithm of crucial CFEs by using nonlinear measure electrogram similarity.

Binding of ABI4 to a CACCG motif mediates the ABA-induced expression of the ZmSSI gene in maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm.

Starch synthase I (SSI) contributes the majority of the starch synthase activity in developing maize endosperm. In this work, the effects of various plant hormones and sugars on the expression of the starch synthase I gene (ZmSSI) in developing maize endosperms were examined. The accumulation of ZmSSI mRNA was induced using abscisic acid (ABA) but not with glucose, sucrose, or gibberellin treatment.