Objectives: Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that is used as positive inotropic drug in acute decompensated heart failure. An increased incidence of atrial fibrillation after levosimendan-treatment was observed in clinical and experimental studies. Due to the limited range of antiarrhythmic drugs, the aim of the present study was to assess potential antiarrhythmic effects of ranolazine in levosimendan-pretreated isolated rabbit hearts.
Methods: Twelve rabbit hearts were excised and retrogradely perfused employing the Langendorff setup. Left and right atrial catheters were used to record monophasic action potentials and to obtain cycle length-dependent atrial action potential durations (aAPD90) and effective refractory periods (aERP). After obtaining baseline data, 0.5 µmol/L levosimendan was infused. Subsequently, 10 µmol/L ranolazine was administered.
Results: Infusion of levosimendan led to a reduction of aAPD90 (-9 ms, p < 0.05) and aERP (-13 ms, p < 0.05). Additional treatment with ranolazine prolonged aAPD90 (+23 ms, p < 0.01) and aERP (+30 ms, p < 0.05). Under baseline conditions, a predefined pacing protocol induced 77 episodes of atrial fibrillation. Infusion of levosimendan enhanced the vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (132 episodes, p = 0.14). Further treatment with ranolazine had a significant antiarrhythmic effect (61 episodes, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: In this study, ranolazine seems to prevent atrial fibrillation in levosimendan-pretreated hearts. Underlying mechanism is a prolongation of atrial repolarization and aERP.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000490572 | DOI Listing |
Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc
February 2025
Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany.
Background: A significant number of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) receives off-label or inappropriate doses. This study examines the prevalence, dosages, and clinical outcomes in AF-patients on DOAC therapy admitted to an emergency department (ED).
Methods: This retrospective single-center observational study utilized data from the Heidelberg Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (HERA-FIB), consecutively including patients with AF presenting to the ED of the University Hospital of Heidelberg from June 2009 to March 2020.
Pak J Med Sci
January 2025
Zhuqing Ji Department of Medicine Oncology, The Affiliated Huai'an 1st People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, Jiangsu Province 223300, P.R. China.
Objective: To explore the risk factors associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) and to construct a nomogram predictive model.
Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data of 193 patients who received OPCABG in Huai'an First People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from June 2021 to November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the established diagnosis of POAF, patients were divided into the POAF group (n=75) and the non-POAF group (n=118).
JACC Adv
February 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Background: Up to 50% of patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (MTEER) have an indication for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). However, prospective evaluation of this strategy is lacking.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the outcomes of combined LAAO and MTEER.
Rev Cardiovasc Med
January 2025
Department of Echocardiography and Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, 213003 Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Background: This article focuses on the effect of body mass index (BMI) on cardiac structure and function in cases with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Only a few articles have investigated the relationship between BMI and the incidence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in cases with NVAF.
Methods: This single-center retrospective study was conducted at The First People's Hospital of Changzhou.
Rev Cardiovasc Med
January 2025
Cardiology Department, Université de Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
Background: Neuromodulation has been shown to increase the efficacy of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. However, despite its ability to influence the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. The activity of the ANS via the intracardiac nervous system (ICNS) can be inferred from heart rate variability (HRV).
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