Background: De novo atrial fibrillation (AF) is rare in pregnancy. The exact pathophysiology of AF is unclear; it might be caused by several cardiovascular and hemodynamic changes that occur in pregnancy, leading to an increased stretch in myocardial cells of the atrial wall.
Case Description: A 26-year-old primigravida with a thus far uncomplicated pregnancy presents with symptoms of heart palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain. The CTG was normal but an ECG showed de novo atrial fibrillation. The patient was given two doses of digoxin 0.25mg after which sinus rhythm was achieved. No anatomical substrate was found; hence it was seen as most likely caused by increased hemodynamic demands in pregnancy. The delivery and postpartum period were uncomplicated.
Conclusion: AF is rarely seen in pregnancy. Treatment favours rate and/or rhythm control with metoprolol and digoxin, respectively. Anticoagulation is not indicated in lone AF during pregnancy. Vaginal birth is preferred.
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Lancet Neurol
February 2025
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Background: People with subclinical atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke, albeit to a lesser extent than those with clinical atrial fibrillation, leading to an ongoing debate regarding the benefit of anticoagulation in these individuals. In the ARTESiA trial, the direct-acting oral anticoagulant apixaban reduced stroke or systemic embolism compared with aspirin in people with subclinical atrial fibrillation, but the risk of major bleeding was increased with apixaban. In a prespecified subgroup analysis of ARTESiA, we tested the hypothesis that people with subclinical atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack, who are known to have an increased risk of recurrent stroke, would show a greater benefit from oral anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention compared with those without a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly prevalent cardiovascular conditions, particularly among the elderly population. These two conditions share common risk factors and often coexist, leading to a complex interplay that alters the clinical course of each other. The pathophysiology of HFpEF is multifaceted and intricately linked, with atrial disease serving as a common pathophysiological pathway.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Commun
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap) at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal 43139, Sweden.
Atrial fibrillation and heart failure have both been suggested to increase stroke and dementia risk. However, in observational studies, reversed causation and unmeasured confounding may occur. To mitigate these issues, this study aims to investigate if higher genetic risk for atrial fibrillation and heart failure increases dementia and stroke risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeart Rhythm
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address:
Background: Focal pulsed-field ablation (F-PFA) integrated in electroanatomical mapping (EAM) systems allows tailored lesion sets in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Objective: To determine feasibility, safety and 6-months outcome of F-PFA for a tailored substrate-based catheter ablation (CA) approach in patients with AF and advanced atrial substrate.
Methods: Consecutive patients with AF and advanced atrial substrate treated by a F-PFA system (Cardiofocus) through contact-force sensing catheters integrated in EAM systems were prospectively enrolled.
JACC Case Rep
December 2024
Groupement de Coopération Sanitaire-Groupement des Hôpitaux de l'Institut Catholique de Lille/Lille Catholic Hospitals, Heart Valve Center, Cardiology Department, DATACARD (Données Arythmie Technologie et imAgerie CARDio-vasculaire), ETHICS (Experience, technology & human interactions, care & society) EA 7446, Lille Catholic University, Lille, France.
We present a case of a 76-year-old man with de novo right heart failure. Echocardiography initially detected a mass near to the posterior area of the right atrium. Despite a comprehensive multimodality imaging assessment, the exact location of the mass remained unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!