Elevated Uric Acid Is Associated With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Swedish AMORIS Cohort.

Background The role of uric acid is gaining increasing importance in the evaluation of cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between uric acid levels and risk of new-onset AF. Methods and Results A total of 339 604 individuals 30 to 60 years of age and free from cardiovascular disease at baseline (1985-1996) in the Swedish AMORIS (Apolipoprotein-Mortality Risk) cohort were followed until December 31, 2019 for incident AF.

On the Natural History of Coronary Artery Disease: A Longitudinal Nationwide Serial Angiography Study.

Background The long-term course of coronary atherosclerosis has not been studied in large nationwide cohorts. Understanding the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis could help identify patients at risk for future coronary events. Methods and Results All coronary artery segments with <50% luminal stenosis in patients with a first-time coronary angiogram between 1989 and 2017 were identified (n=2 661 245 coronary artery segments in 248 736 patients) and followed until a clinically indicated angiography within 15 years was performed or until death or end of follow-up (April 2018) using SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry).

Echocardiographic measures of atrial function may predict atrial fibrillation in stroke patients.

Objective: In patients with a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and atrial fibrillation anticoagulant treatment is indicated. This study's purpose was to investigate if echocardiography can predict unknown AF in patients after stroke.

Design: Prospectively, 174 stroke/TIA patients without diagnosed AF underwent echocardiographic evaluation including tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) focusing on functional parameters of the left atrium and left ventricular diastolic function.

Circulating levels of interleukin 6 soluble receptor and its natural antagonist, sgp130, and the risk of myocardial infarction.

Objective: To investigate the association between circulating levels of the soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL6R) and the soluble gp130 (sgp130) with myocardial infarction (MI) and to explore the potential interaction between sIL6R and sgp130 in this association.

Methods: Study population is the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program (SHEEP), a population-based case-control study. SIL6R (ng/mL) and sgp130 (ng/mL) levels were measured in serum samples from 682 and 664 MI cases and 1103 and 1062 controls, respectively.

Clinical application of the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) for gait training-a systematic review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the literature on clinical applications of the Hybrid Assistive Limb system for gait training.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL and clinicaltrials.gov and additional search was made using reference lists in identified reports.