Novel 6-bp deletion in MEF2A linked to premature coronary artery disease in a large Chinese family.

The aim of the present study was to identify the genetic defect responsible for familial coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction (CAD/MI), which exhibited an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, in an extended Chinese Han pedigree containing 34 members. Using exome and Sanger sequencing, a novel 6‑base pair (bp) 'CAGCCG' deletion in exon 11 of the myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) gene was identified, which cosegregated with CAD/MI cases in this family. This 6‑bp deletion was not detected in 311 sporadic cases of premature CAD/MI or in 323 unrelated healthy controls.

Effect of pulmonary vein isolation on atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in patients with high dispersion of atrial refractoriness.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) efficacy on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and to determine a predictive dispersion of atrial refractoriness (dERP) value for performing PVI in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) patients.

Methods: Of 67 PSVT patients with past AF episodes who underwent accessory pathway (AP) or slow pathway of atrioventricular node ablation, 63 (4 lost to follow-up or death) were assigned into two groups (A and B; 29 and 34 patients, respectively) based on whether they underwent or not subsequent PVI, and all were followed-up up to 3 years. Atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and dERP were measured during the ablation procedure.

Atrial conduction delay predicts atrial fibrillation in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

This study aimed to assess whether intra- and inter-atrial conduction delay could predict atrial fibrillation (AF) for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) patients after successful treatment by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Echocardiography examination was performed on 524 consecutive PSVT patients (15 patients were excluded). Left atrial dimension, right atrial diameter and intra- and inter-atrial conduction delay were measured before ablation.

"Triple therapy" rather than "triple threat": a meta-analysis of the two antithrombotic regimens after stent implantation in patients receiving long-term oral anticoagulant treatment.

Background: An increasing number of patients with an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation (PCI-s). However, the optimal antithrombotic treatment for these patients is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize the benefits and risks of triple antithrombotic therapy (combined aspirin, clopidogrel, and OAC) after stent implantation in patients under long-term OAC treatment compared with dual antiplatelet therapy (combined aspirin and clopidogrel).

Role of the calpain system in pulmonary vein connexin remodeling in dogs with atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Changes in connexins and calpains of the myocardial sleeve of the pulmonary vein and the left atrium were investigated in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) animal models.

Background: There are no reports of changes in the calpain system and connexins in the pulmonary vein where AF is initiated.

Methods: An AF animal model was prepared by rapid pacing of the right atrium for 8 weeks.