Optimizing ablation sites for pulmonary vein isolation reconnections: A novel approach using an emphasis map combined with the peak frequency and local activation timing map.

Background: Although catheter ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation (AF) have advanced, some cases of reconnections after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation still exist. The diversity of the anatomic wall thickness and fiber orientation around the PVs might contribute to reconnections.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of the emphasis map's emphasize settings to determine optimal ablation sites.

Efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with aged 80 years or older.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia observed in the elderly. Its prevalence rises with age, particularly in individuals over 80 years old. While catheter ablation has emerged as a first line therapy for the patients with symptomatic AF, evidence on its application in elderly patients remains controversial.

Addressing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with current technology advances: Breaking the deadlock with a mobile network.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a global public health problem, with survival rates remaining low at around 10% or less despite widespread cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This is partly due to the challenges of knowing when and where a sudden OHCA occurs and where the nearest AED is located. In response, countries around the world have begun to use network technology-based smartphone applications.

Tensor cardiography: A novel ECG analysis of deviations in collective myocardial action potential transitions based on point processes and cumulative distribution functions.

To improve clinical diagnoses, assessments of potential cardiac disease risk, and predictions of lethal arrhythmias, the analysis of electrocardiograms (ECGs) requires a more accurate method of weighting waveforms to efficiently detect abnormalities that appear as minute strains in the waveforms. In addition, the inverse problem of estimating the myocardial action potential from the ECG has been a longstanding challenge. To analyze the variance of the ECG waveforms and to estimate collective myocardial action potentials (APs) from the ECG, we designed a model equation incorporating the probability densities of Gaussian functions of time-series point processes in the cardiac cycle and dipoles of the collective APs in the myocardium.

Multicenter prospective observational study to clarify the current status and clinical outcome in Japanese patients who have an indication for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) (TRANSITION JAPAN-ICD/WCD study): Rationale and design of a prospective, multicenter, observational, comparative study.

Background: Despite the positive impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) on prognosis, their implantation is often withheld especially in Japanese heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) for uncertain reasons. Recent advancements in heart failure (HF) medications have significantly improved the prognosis for HFrEF. Given this context, a critical reassessment of the treatment and prognosis of ICDs and WCDs is essential, as it has the potential to reshape awareness and treatment strategies for these patients.

Prognostic impact of plasma volume status during hospital admission in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Aims: Plasma volume status (PVS), a measure of plasma volume, has been evaluated as a prognostic marker for chronic heart failure. Although the prognostic value of PVS has been reported, its significance in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the relationship between PVS and long-term mortality in patients with ADHF admitted to the CICU.

Impact of Red Blood Cell Transfusion on Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Heart Failure and Anemia.

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy is often performed in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and anemia; however, its impact on subsequent cardiovascular events is unclear. We examined whether RBC transfusion influences major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after discharge in patients with AHF and anemia.We classified patients with AHF and anemia (nadir hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL) according to whether they received RBC transfusion during hospitalization.

The Japanese Catheter Ablation Registry (J-AB): Annual report in 2021.

The Japanese Catheter Ablation (J-AB) registry, started in August 2017, is a voluntary, nationwide, multicenter, prospective, observational registry, performed by the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society (JHRS) in collaboration with the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center using a Research Electronic Data Capture system. The purpose of this registry is to collect the details of target arrhythmias, the ablation procedures, including the type of target arrhythmias, outcomes, and acute complications in the real-world settings. During the year of 2021, we have collected a total of 89 609 procedures (mean age of 66.

Enlarged right atrium predicts pacemaker implantation after atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome.

Introduction: Although catheter ablation (CA) of tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome (TBS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered to be an effective treatment strategy, pacemaker implantations (PMIs) are often required even after a successful CA. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical predictors of a PMI after CA.

Methods: From 2011 to 2020, 103 consecutive patients diagnosed with TBS were retrospectively enrolled in the study.

Preferred left ventricular lead position for upgrade from right ventricular pacing to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Introduction: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is well-established for treating symptomatic heart failure with electrical dyssynchrony. The left ventricular (LV) lead position is recommended at LV posterolateral to lateral sites in patients with left bundle branch block; however, its preferred region remains unclear in patients being upgraded from right ventricular (RV) apical pacing to CRT. This study aimed to identify the preferred LV lead position for upgrading conventional RV apical pacing to CRT.

Registry for Evaluating Healthy Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outcomes after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in the Very Elderly (REHEALTH AF) study: rationale and design of a prospective, multicentre, observational, comparative study.

Introduction: Data are lacking on the extent to which patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who are aged ≥80 years benefit from ablation treatment. The question pertains especially to patients' postablation quality of life (QoL) and long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods And Analysis: We are initiating a prospective, registry-based, multicentre observational study that will include patients aged ≥80 years with non-valvular AF who choose to undergo treatment by catheter ablation and, for comparison, such patients who do not choose to undergo ablation (either according to their physician's advice or their own preference).

External Validation of the Kumamoto Criteria in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Screening - A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The Kumamoto criteria have been proposed as a non-invasive screen for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. This study assessed the validity of the Kumamoto criteria externally. The study included 138 patients (median age 73 years; 65% male) who underwent Tc-pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy.

Mechanism and management of atrial fibrillation in the patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although there has been an increase in the incidence of AF due to the aging population, it has been reported that OSA is still underdiagnosed because many patients remain asymptomatic or unaware of the symptoms associated with OSA, such as daytime sleepiness. Untreated OSA reduces the effectiveness of AF treatment, regardless of pharmacological or non-pharmacological modes of therapy, such as catheter ablation.