Association of the use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes or dual use with hypertension and mortality in hypertensive individuals: Insights from NHANES 2015-2018.

Introduction: Combustible cigarettes have been shown to increase hypertension risk. Nevertheless, data on the association between electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), as well as dual use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes, and hypertension, are limited.

Methods: This study aims to examine the association of the use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes or dual use with hypertension.

1-Year Clinical Outcomes and the Impact of Procedural Configurations in Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Patients.

Background: The clinical performance of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) as a procedure and the long-term impact of its varied implantation configurations and anticoagulation regimens remain unclear.

Objectives: This study sought to provide data in routine practice from a prospective multicenter registry.

Methods: A total of 3,096 consecutive patients from 39 Chinese centers undergoing LAAO were enrolled between April 1, 2019, and October 31, 2020.

Strategy Optimization for a Combined Procedure in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The COMBINATION Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The optimal strategy of combining left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with catheter ablation (CA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during a single procedure remains unclear.

Objective: To determine the effects of ablation-first vs occlusion-first strategies on long-term clinical outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing a combined LAAO and CA procedure.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The prospective, multicenter COMBINATION randomized clinical trial was conducted in 14 high-volume centers in China.

Additional Lesion Sets in Ablation of Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Recurrence remains a challenge after ablation of outflow tract premature ventricular contractions (OT-PVCs). Although adding additional lesions next to the index effective ablation site is sometimes performed to reinforce the ablation, it remains uncertain whether this approach is effective.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that additional ablation lesions would reduce the recurrence rate compared with single-point ablation at the index effective site for the ablation of OT-PVCs.

Advancements in understanding cardiotoxicity of EGFR- TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer treatment and beyond.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are a class of oral targeted anticancer drugs that have been demonstrated to significantly inhibit tumor progression and improve clinical prognosis in patients diagnosed with EGFR-mutated tumors, particularly in those with non-small cell lung cancer. However, the sustained usage of EGFR-TKIs may cause potential cardiotoxicity, thus limiting their applicability. The primary objective of this review is to systematically analyze the evolving landscape of research pertaining to EGFR-TKI-induced cardiotoxicity and elucidate its underlying mechanisms, such as PI3K signaling pathway inhibition, ion channel blockade, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis.

Comparison of cardiac function and structure after left atrial appendage occlusion without versus with ablation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a retrospective study.

The Aim of this study was to investigate the long-term impact of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) on cardiac function and structure in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). 157 patients with NVAF who underwent LAAO or combined with ablation were included and divided into simple LAAO group or combined group. Long term impact of LAAO on cardiac function and structure were evaluated.

Case report: Widely split P' waves in a patient with focal atrial tachycardia.

Background: Widely split P waves in sinus rhythm have been reported previously. However, widely split P' waves in focal atrial tachycardia (AT) on a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) have rarely been reported. The electrophysiological mechanism is relatively difficult to clarify, requiring a electrophysiological study.

Progress of circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis in atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia that requires effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets for clinical management. In recent years, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key players in the pathogenesis of AF, particularly through the ceRNA (competitive endogenous RNA) mechanism. By acting as ceRNAs, ncRNAs can competitively bind to miRNAs and modulate the expression of target mRNAs, thereby influencing the biological behavior of AF.

Fasting blood glucose predicts high risk of in-stent restenosis in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a cohort study.

Studies have shown that fasting blood glucose (FBG) is closely associated with poor prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but its association with in-stent restenosis (ISR) is still unclear. Therefore, this study was to explore the association between FBG with ISR in patients with CHD after PCI. In this cohort study, we included 531 patients with CHD who underwent PCI.

Using the Perimeter-Derived Diameter and Ellipticity Index of the Left Atrial Appendage Landing Zone to Predict Watchman Occluder Size.

Objective: The Watchman 2.5 occluder device is a useful device to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), and predicting the size of the Watchman 2.5 occluder device is important to the therapeutic efficacy.

A preliminary study of minimal left atrial appendage occlusion using Watchman under the guidance of fluoroscopy.

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has been considered an alternative treatment to prevent embolic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). However, it carries a risk of general anesthesia or esophageal injury if guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Aims: We aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of minimal LAAO (MLAAO) using Watchman under fluoroscopy guidance alone in patients with NVAF.

DNA methylation cooperates with H3K9me2 at HCN4 promoter to regulate the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into pacemaker-like cells.

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a a life-threatening disease, and biological pacemakers derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have practical clinical applications. Previous studies demonstrated that epigenetics plays an important role in the differentiation of BMSCs into pacemaker-like cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Hyperoside alleviates doxorubicin-induced myocardial cells apoptosis by inhibiting the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1/p38 pathway.

Background: Cardiotoxicity is a side effect of the anthracycline broad-spectrum anti-tumor agent, doxorubicin (DOX). Hyperoside, a flavonoid glycoside extracted from many herbs, has anti-apoptotic and anticancer properties. However, its impact on the alleviation of DOX-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes remains elusive.

The effect of two different methods of planning landing zone for left atrial appendage closure by cardiac computed tomography angiography: a comparative study.

Background: To explore the value of 2 different methods for planning landing zone for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) by cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients who successfully underwent LAAC with the Watchman device at The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2020 to February 2022. Two different methods were used to plan the landing zone and measure the longest diameter, average diameter, depth, and perimeter of the landing zone.

A Randomized Trial of Preoperative Planning of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Using Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography.

. To evaluate the value of individualized planning of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) using cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) reconstruction techniques. .

Construction of atrial fibrillation-related circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network and analysis of potential biomarkers.

Background: The specific pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of differential messenger RNAs (mRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long-stranded noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to initially construct a circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network to explore the pathogenesis of AF and to screen for potential biomarkers.

Methods: A total of four pairs of AF cases and healthy subjects were selected to detect differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by microarray analysis.

Effects of Left Atrial Appendage Closure on Neuroendocrine Function in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND The left atrial appendage (LAA) is an organ with neuroendocrine function. It remains unclear whether left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has physiological effects on neuroendocrine function in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of LAAC on neuroendocrine function in patients with NVAF.

Exposure to perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate and the prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification.

Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are reported to affect human health. However, it is unclear about the associations between exposure to these chemicals and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). A total of 959 individuals were included in a large representative survey.

Jujuboside A Ameliorates Myocardial Apoptosis and Inflammation in Rats with Coronary Heart Disease by Inhibiting PPAR- Signaling Pathway.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a chronic disease caused by atherosclerosis (AS), which can cause myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, or necrosis, seriously threatening human health. There is an urgent need for effective treatments and drugs to reduce the various risk factors for coronary heart disease and relieve symptoms of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction in patients. Jujuboside A (JuA) is a triterpenoid saponin extracted from jujube seeds, which has various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects.

Circulating Galectin-3 and Aldosterone for Predicting Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation.

Background: Circulating galectin-3 (Gal-3) and aldosterone (ALD) are involved in fibrosis and inflammation. However, their potential value as predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is unknown or controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between baseline Gal-3, ALD levels, and AF recurrence in patients performing RFCA.

Influencing Factors of Recurrence of Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation and Construction of Clinical Nomogram Prediction Model.

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the predictive factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients after radiofrequency ablation (RFCA) and construct a nomogram prediction model for providing precious information of ablative strategies.

Methods: A total of 221 patients with AF who underwent RFCA were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to screen the predictors of recurrence.

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial appendage occlusion prior to atrial septal defect closure: A case report.

Background: In patients who suffer from both atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial septal defect (ASD), cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), sequential left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and ASD closure could be a strategy for effective prevention of stroke and right heart failure.

Case Summary: A 65-year-old man was admitted to our institution due to recurrent episodes of palpitations and shortness of breath for 2 years, which had been worsening over the last 48 h. He had a history of AF, ASD, coronary heart disease with stent implantation and diabetes.

Periprocedural Outcomes Associated With Use of a Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device in China.

Importance: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as an alternative to anticoagulation for patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the performance of LAAO among East Asian patients is unknown.

Objective: To document the procedural success rate and configurations, major adverse event rates, and antithrombotic medication regimens during and after LAAO procedures among patients in China.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL.

Purpose: Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an invasive therapy that reduces stroke incidence and death. The impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on patients with AF with LAA occlusion remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of CR in patients with AF with LAA occlusion.