Nurse-Led Multicomponent Behavioral Activation Intervention for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are often ill-equipped for shared decision-making. This study investigated the effects of a patient empowerment care model on patient-reported health outcomes and treatment decision-making in patients with AF.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial prospectively randomized patients with AF to receive standard care (n=194) or a 13-week nurse-led multicomponent behavioral activation intervention (n=198).

[Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis patients in internal medicine : a 10-year retrospective study].

Introduction: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is a pathology increasingly encountered in all hospital departments, including internal medicine. The aim of our study is to describe the characteristics and care pathway of patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in internal medicine and to show that the number of patients diagnosed is increasing.

Methods: Descriptive, retrospective, non-interventional, single-center study at Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS).

Relationship between predictive factors and atrial high-rate episodes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Objective: Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) are atrial tachyarrhythmia episodes detected by implanted cardiac devices, characterised by an atrial rate exceeding 180-190 beats per minute. Recent studies have linked AHRE to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased stroke risk, especially when episodes last longer than 5-6 min. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between predictive factors and the occurrence of AHRE in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Feasibility of Atrial Substrate Mapping During Atrial Pacing and Its Impact on the Omnipolar Voltage and the Peak-Frequency of Electrograms.

Introduction: Atrial pacing maps are often used as substitutes for sinus rhythm (SR) maps to expedite mapping procedures. However, the impact of this method on electrophysiological parameters has not been systematically examined. This study aimed to elucidate the advantages and limitations of atrial pacing maps.

Impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes and metabolic events in Chinese han patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the real-world impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on the efficacy, safety, and metabolic profiles of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), both with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A cohort of 1,130 patients with reduced ejection fraction chronic heart failure (HFrEF) was recruited from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, spanning January 2021 to August 2023. Among these, 154 patients received SGLT2i therapy, while 131 patients were assigned to a non-SGLT2i group, following specified inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Association between red cell distribution width-to-lymphocyte ratio and 30-day mortality in patients with ischemic stroke: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Ischaemic stroke (IS) has become a major health problem globally as it is one of the leading causes of long-term disability and death. This study aimed to evaluate the association between red cell distribution width (RDW) to lymphocyte (LYM) ratio (RLR) and 30-day mortality risk in patients with IS.

Methods: The present study employed a retrospectively cohort study design with the adult data extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III, MIMIC-IV) databases between 2001 and 2019.

Epigenetic regulation on left atrial function and disease recurrence after catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Genetic variation and modifiable risk factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The influence of epigenetic modification on AF remains to be elucidated. We investigated the role of DNA methylation in the etiology of AF.

Coffee consumption and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: There is some evidence of reduced major cardiovascular event (MACE) rates associated with moderate coffee consumption in the general population. However, there is concern about the potential risks of coffee consumption in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between coffee consumption and MACE in AF patients.

Screening for undiagnosed atrial fibrillation using an electronic health record‒based clinical prediction model: clinical pilot implementation initiative.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, and early AF diagnosis may reduce associated morbidity and mortality. A 10-variable predictive model (UNAFIED) was previously developed to estimate patients' 2-year AF risk. This study evaluated a clinical workflow incorporating UNAFIED for screening, education, and follow-up evaluation of patients visiting a cardiology clinic who may be at an elevated risk of developing AF within 2 years.

Left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with atrial fibrillation and intracerebral haemorrhage associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a multicentre observational study and pooled analysis of published studies.

Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) with a high recurrence risk. Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a method for ischaemic stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), potentially reducing the risk of intracranial bleeding in CAA-associated ICH. We aimed to determine the outcomes of patients with AF with CAA-associated ICH undergoing LAAO.

Comparing pulsed field ablation and thermal energy catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A cost-effectiveness analysis of the ADVENT trial.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as an effective technology in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PFA vs. thermal ablation from a US healthcare payer perspective using data from a randomized trial.

Prediction of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using machine learning.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), leading to increased symptom burden and risk of thromboembolism. The HCM-AF score was developed to predict new-onset AF in patients with HCM, though sensitivity and specificity of this conventional tool are limited. Thus, there is a need for more accurate tools to predict new-onset AF in HCM.

Pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation with a pentaspline catheter across National Health Service England centres.

Introduction: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a novel modality for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We describe the initial uptake and experience of PFA using a pentaspline catheter across selected National Health Service England (NHSE) centres.

Methods: Data collected by NHSE Specialised Services Development Programme regarding AF ablation procedures using a single-shot, pentaspline, multielectrode PFA catheter (FARAWAVE, Boston Scientific) between June 2022 and August 2024 were aggregated and analysed to examine procedural metrics, acute efficacy and safety outcomes over 3-month follow-up.

Pentaspline catheter or cryoballoon for pulmonary vein plus posterior wall isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation: 1-year outcomes.

Background: Left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) plus pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can be performed with either radiofrequency, cryoballoon (CB-A) or, recently, with pulsed field ablation (PFA).

Objective: The aim of this study is: (1) to evaluate efficacy and safety of the pentaspline PFA catheter for PVI + LAPWI in patients with persistent AF undergoing an index ablation procedure and (2) to compare 1- year outcomes of PVI + LAPWI with PFA vs CB-A.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing to an index ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium, between 2021 and 2023, were retrospectively screened.

A Novel Focal Lattice Tip Catheter Toggling Between Pulsed Field Energy and Radiofrequency for Atrial Arrhythmia Ablation: Results from a Real-World, Multicenter Registry.

Introduction: A novel focal lattice tip catheter allowing the delivery of either pulsed field (PF) or radiofrequency (RF) energy has recently received regulatory approval. The technology features a proprietary 3D electroanatomical mapping system.

Objective: to describe the first real-world and multicentre experience.

Prescription Medication Use and Expenditure of Atrial Fibrillation in the United States.

Objectives: To study the national trends of anticoagulants, antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD), and expenditures in civilian non-institutionalized AF population.

Methods: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was queried from January 2016 to December 2021 to identify adults (age ≥ 18 years) with a diagnosis of AF utilizing ICD-10-CM code "I48". Prevalence of anticoagulants, AAD, and its expenditure and AF expenditure across clinical settings in the United States were estimated.

Long-Chain Polysaturated Fatty Acid in Atrial Fibrillation-Associated Stroke: Lipidomic-GWAS Study.

Background and Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between lipidomic domains, particularly free fatty acids (FFAs), and the presence of AF in patients with acute stroke, and to identify mechanisms of AF-associated stroke through genetic studies. Methods A total of 483 patients of stroke in patients without AF (n = 391) and with AF (n = 92) were selected from a prospectively collected stroke registry. Lipidomic profiling was conducted and the lipid components associated with AF were explored using fold-change analyses and clustering.

Clinical and Biomarker Determinants for Recurrent Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Despite effective secondary prevention, including oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, the risk of recurrent stroke (RS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains substantial with an annualized risk of 3.2%-6.5% per year.

The Role of P-Wave Variables in Enhancing Prediction of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it is common to observe new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF), which is often related to a negative prognosis. Some P-wave variables (P-wave duration [PWD], P-wave amplitude, and interatrial block [IAB]), reflecting the process of electrical and structural remodeling, could predict the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to assess the predictive value of P-wave variables for post-AMI NOAF.

Pericardial-Esophageal Fistula After Combined Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation.

Pericardial-esophageal fistula is a rare complication after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. A 52-year-old man developed pneumopericardium, which was revealed by echocardiogram and computed tomography, after a combined ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion procedure for atrial fibrillation. He was diagnosed with a pericardial-esophageal fistula and underwent surgical pericardial and mediastinal drainage tube placement.

3 Leadless Pacemaker Implantations in an 81-Year-Old Woman With a History of Transvenous Pacemaker Infection.

Leadless pacemakers (LPMs) offer an alternative for patients with challenging venous access or device infection history. Management of LPM battery depletion in frail patients presents unique challenges. We present the case of an 81-year-old frail woman with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and complete heart block, previously treated with percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation and a transvenous pacemaker, who received an LPM after device extraction for infection.

Acute Electrocardiographic Changes Coincident With Dofetilide Overdose and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

A 73-year-old man with atrial fibrillation and coronary disease requiring stenting to the right coronary artery 7 months prior was admitted for observation after taking an extra dofetilide dose. Troponins trended upward, and electrocardiogram demonstrated QT prolongation to 502 ms as well as T-wave inversions. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization, which revealed severe distal left main disease.