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.

Incidence and predictors of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect following catheter ablation.

Background: The left atrium approach for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation requires an atrial transseptal puncture that may cause an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). This study aimed to investigate the incidence and predictors of iASD in catheter ablation, assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), a relatively non-invasive technique frequently employed in follow-up.

Methods: This retrospective study included 639 patients (489 male; 60.

Effect of Oral Care on Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Periodontitis is a common chronic infection and is associated with cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated whether basic oral care for periodontal disease could improve endothelial function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).This study enrolled 54 patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to Kagoshima City Hospital and who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention.

Exploration of reference genes for the development of a diagnostic kit on vascular aging in human saliva.

Identifying reliable biomarkers in saliva can be a promising approach to developing a rapid diagnostic kit for detecting vascular aging. This study investigated the most suitable reference gene for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in saliva that is not affected by vascular aging variables. Whole saliva samples were collected to assess the expression of reference genes: actin beta (ACTB), 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), beta-2-microglobulin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).

Association between weight gain following smoking cessation and development of hypertension in the future.

Although quitting smoking lowers the risk of developing chronic conditions, it usually leads to weight gain. Literature on the association between weight gain after quitting smoking and the future development of hypertension is scarce. Among 234 596 individuals who visited our health center, 856 who had quit smoking for whom data were available at least 6 years after smoking cessation were included.

Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Left Atrial Reverse Remodeling After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Arterial stiffness has been reported to cause left atrial (LA) remodeling due to increased left ventricular filling pressure, resulting in atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to evaluate the association between LA reverse remodeling (LARR) after AF ablation and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), an indicator of arterial stiffness.This study included 333 patients with AF (171 with paroxysmal AF and 162 with nonparoxysmal AF) and LA enlargement (LA volume index ≥ 34 mL/m) who underwent AF ablation between December 2008 and July 2021.

Absence of first-pass isolation is associated with poor pulmonary vein isolation durability and atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection is the main cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. This study aimed to examine the effect of first-pass PV isolation (PVI) on PV reconnection frequency during the procedure and on AF ablation outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study included 446 patients with drug-refractory AF (370 men, aged 64 ± 10 years) who underwent initial PVI using an open-irrigated contact force catheter between January 2015 and October 2016.

Sex-specific relationship between abdominal obesity and new-onset atrial fibrillation in the general Japanese population.

The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to increase with increasing obesity and number of geriatric patients in Japan. Although higher body mass index and abdominal obesity are associated with an increased risk of AF, the sex-specific relationship between abdominal obesity and new-onset AF is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the sex-specific relationship between abdominal obesity and new-onset AF.

A case of pulseless electrical activity due to takotsubo syndrome following radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

A 51-year-old man with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). After isolating the pulmonary veins (PV), we attempted to ablate multiple non-PV AF triggers evoked by isoproterenol and performed repetitive intracardiac electrical cardioversion under considerable dose of barbiturate. Finally, administration of pilsicainide was required to maintain sinus rhythm.

Home Sleep Apnea Test to Screen Patients With Atrial Fibrillation for Sleep Apnea Prior to Catheter Ablation.

Background: Whether all atrial fibrillation (AF) patients should be evaluated for sleep apnea before catheter ablation (CA) remains controversial. Watch-type peripheral arterial tonometry (W-PAT) is a home sleep testing device and an easier tool for diagnosing sleep apnea than polysomnography. We investigated the prevalence and predictors of sleep apnea using W-PAT in unscreened sleep apnea patients with AF before CA.

Clinical significance of left ventricular reverse remodeling after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AFCA) has not been fully described. This study investigated the predictors and clinical outcomes of LVRR after AFCA in patients with LV systolic dysfunction.

Methods: Of 3319 consecutive patients who underwent first-time AFCA between January 2012 and October 2019, 376 with a baseline LV ejection fraction of <50% were retrospectively evaluated.

Burden and Long Firing of Premature Atrial Contraction Early After Catheter Ablation Predict Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Associations between characteristics of premature atrial contraction (PAC) 6 months after catheter ablation (CA) and later recurrence are not known. We investigated the effects of PAC characteristics on long-term outcomes of initially successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods and results: In all, 378 patients (mean age 61 years, 21% female, 67% paroxysmal AF) who underwent initial radiofrequency CA for AF without recurrence up to 24-h Holter monitoring 6 months after the procedure were reviewed retrospectively.

c-Src promotes tumor progression through downregulation of microRNA-129-1-3p.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) fine-tune cellular signaling by regulating expression of signaling proteins, and aberrant expression of miRNAs is observed in many cancers. The tyrosine kinase c-Src is upregulated in various human cancers, but the molecular mechanisms underlying c-Src-mediated tumor progression remain unclear. In previous investigations of miRNA-mediated control of c-Src-related oncogenic pathways, we identified miRNAs that were downregulated in association with c-Src transformation and uncovered the signaling networks by predicting their target genes, which might act cooperatively to control tumor progression.

Outcomes After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients With Premature Atrial Contractions Originating From Non-Pulmonary Veins.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between residual premature atrial contractions (PACs) originating from non-pulmonary veins (PVs), which do not initiate atrial fibrillation (AF), and AF recurrence after ablation.

Background: Residual atrial ectopic beats that trigger AF from non-PVs (non-PV AF triggers) after catheter ablation are among the major causes of AF recurrence. However, little is known about the impact of non-PV PACs on AF recurrence.

Impact of baseline left atrial function on long-term outcome after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) size is an established predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We investigated the impact of baseline LA function on recurrence after PAF ablation and compared the predictive values of LA function with those of LA size.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 292 consecutive patients who underwent PAF ablation (median follow-up: 3.

Multiple Shifts of the Earliest Retrograde Atrial Activation Site Along the Tricuspid Annulus During the Fast-Slow Form of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia by Radiofrequency Modification.

A 70-year-old woman was admitted for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia. Ventriculoatrial conduction was revealed through programmed ventricular stimulation; the coronary sinus ostium (CSos) was the earliest atrial activation site. The fast-slow forms of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) were induced by ventricular extra-stimuli.

Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of Automated Annotation-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation and 2nd-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Automated ablation lesion annotation with optimal settings for parameters including contact force (CF) and catheter stability may be effective for achieving durable pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods and results: We retrospectively examined 131 consecutive patients who underwent initial catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by automatic annotation system (VISITAG module)-guided radiofrequency CA (RFCA) (n=61) and 2nd-generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA) (n=70) in terms of safety and long-term efficacy. The automatic annotation criteria for the RFCA group were as follows: catheter stability range of motion ≤1.

Usefulness of Failed Electrical Cardioversion for Early Recurrence After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation as a Predictor of Future Recurrence.

Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (ERAA) during a blanking period after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) does not always result in subsequent AF recurrence. We investigated whether failed electrical cardioversion (ECV) during the blanking period was associated with recurrence. A total of 1,240 consecutive patients who underwent first-time CA for AF at our institution between March 2012 and March 2016 were investigated.

A case of acute coronary syndrome caused by delayed coronary ischemia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

An 84-year-old female patient suffered from dyspnea due to severe aortic stenosis. Several comorbidities and her advanced age made her acceptable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The TAVI procedure was performed via a femoral access and a 26-mm CoreValve prosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was implanted.

Left Atrial Reverse Remodeling After Catheter Ablation of Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

The efficacy of catheter ablation (CA) of nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction is controversial. We investigated the outcomes of CA for non-PAF in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the impact of early left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling on these outcomes. A total of 251 consecutive patients who underwent CA for non-PAF were divided into 2 groups (reduced: preoperative LVEF ≤55%, LVEF: 46.

Efficacy and Safety of Figure-of-Eight Suture for Hemostasis After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of venous figure-of-eight (FoE) suture to achieve femoral venous hemostasis after radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results: We retrospectively examined 517 consecutive patients undergoing RFCA for AF. The control group (n=247) underwent manual compression for femoral venous hemostasis after sheath removal with 6 h of bed rest.

The incidence of asymptomatic cerebral microthromboembolism after atrial fibrillation ablation: comparison of warfarin and dabigatran.

Background: Cerebral microthromboembolism after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has been reported in 4-20% with perioperative warfarin. Dabigatran is a new anticoagulant in patients with nonvalvular AF. We investigated the incidence of asymptomatic cerebral microthromboembolism after AF ablation with perioperative warfarin or dabigatran using diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Tysnd1 deficiency in mice interferes with the peroxisomal localization of PTS2 enzymes, causing lipid metabolic abnormalities and male infertility.

Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles involved in lipid metabolic processes, including those of very-long-chain fatty acids and branched-chain fatty acids, among others. Peroxisome matrix proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm. Targeting signals (PTS or peroxisomal targeting signal) at the C-terminus (PTS1) or N-terminus (PTS2) of peroxisomal matrix proteins mediate their import into the organelle.

Effectiveness of esophagus detection by three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping to avoid esophageal injury during ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Esophageal-left atrial (LA) fistula during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is a fatal event. We explored the relation of the esophagus-to-ablated point distance and esophageal temperature rise.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n=106) underwent complex fractionated atrial electrogram-guided AF ablation using CartoMerge; the pulmonary veins were isolated in 23 patients.