Combining catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: The safety and efficacy of a combined approach of catheter ablation (CA) and left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) compared to LAAO alone remain unknown.

Methods: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at increased stroke risk who underwent LAAO were divided into either combined (CA and LAAO) procedures or LAAO alone group. Propensity score matching was utilized to balance baseline characteristics.

Post-procedural and long-term functional outcomes of jailed side branches in stented coronary bifurcation lesions assessed with side branch Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio.

Introduction: In coronary bifurcation lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a 1-stent strategy, the occurrence of side branch (SB) compromise may lead to long-term myocardial ischemia in the SB territory. Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR) is a novel angiography-based approach estimating fractional flow reserve from a single angiographic view, and thus is more feasible to assess SB compromise in routine practice. However, its association with long-term SB coronary blood flow remains unknown.

Left atrial appendage angiography for stroke risk prediction in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The current risk stratification schemes for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are insufficient for an accurate assessment of stroke risk.

Aims: This study evaluates the association between the mechanical function of the left atrial appendage (LAA), as assessed by angiography, and the risk of stroke.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the mechanical function of the LAA by measuring the left atrial appendage ejection fraction (LAAEF) and grading the contrast retention (CR) using angiography.

Alprostadil vs. isosorbide dinitrate in ameliorating angina episodes in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The optimum therapy for coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) stays debatable. This study compared the effectiveness of alprostadil with isosorbide dinitrate in alleviating angina episodes in CSFP patients.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled study, 102 patients with CSFP without severe coronary artery stenosis that exhibited stable angina were allocated randomly in a ratio of 1:1 to either the alprostadil group (40 μg, three times per day, = 51) or the isosorbide dinitrate group (5 mg, three times per day, = 51).

Risk of device-related thrombosis following short-term oral anticoagulation with low-dose dabigatran versus warfarin after Watchman left atrial appendage occlusion.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides an alternative for poor candidates for long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC). To prevent device-related thrombosis (DRT), OAC should be continued for the first 45 days to allow complete endothelialization post-LAAO implantation. Whereas, evidence is limited on the feasibility and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) used after LAAO.

Myocardial protective effect of intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil via targeted perfusion microcatheter in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of nicorandil and alprostadil on myocardial protection in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: In this prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 90 consecutive patients scheduled for elective PCI for de novo coronary lesions were assigned to the nicorandil, alprostadil, and nitroglycerin groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Drugs were administered intracoronary via a targeted perfusion microcatheter.

Combination of ablation and left atrial appendage closure as "One-stop" procedure in the treatment of atrial fibrillation: Current status and future perspective.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, is a major cause of stroke and systemic embolism. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been proved to be noninferior to traditional Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) as well as novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), which is becoming an important alternative to prevent stroke in non-valvular AF. Catheter-based AF ablation (CA) is recommended to be a standard of care in patients with AF refractory to drug therapy due to a better rhythm control and improvement of life quality than antiarrhythmic drugs.

Initial anticoagulation experience with standard-dose rivaroxaban after Watchman left atrial appendage occlusion.

Background: Warfarin is now recommended as the standard anti-thrombotic regimen to allow complete endothelialization over the Watchman device post percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). However, the need for frequent monitoring, narrow therapeutic range, dietary restrictions and multiple drug interactions associated with warfarin have contributed to increasing uptake of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) worldwide. At present, the feasibility and safety of NOACs instead of warfarin post-LAAO is lacking.

A real-world analysis of cardiac rupture on incidence, risk factors and in-hospital outcomes in 4190 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients from 2004 to 2015.

Background: Cardiac rupture is a disastrous but uncommon complication of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The incidence, risk factors and in-hospital outcomes related to cardiac rupture in the current era are unknown.

Methods: This study consecutively collected all acute STEMI patients admitted to a single tertiary center in China from January 2004 to December 2015.