Atrial Structural Remodeling in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Is a Diffuse Fibrotic Process: Evidence From High-Density Voltage Mapping and Atrial Biopsy.

Background Low-voltage areas (LVAs) in the atria of patients with atrial fibrillation are considered local fibrosis. We hypothesized that voltage reduction in the atria is a diffuse process associated with fibrosis and that the presence of LVAs reflects a global voltage reduction. Methods and Results We examined 140 patients with atrial fibrillation and 13 patients with a left accessory pathway (controls).

S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation is associated with malignancy of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background: Glucose metabolism of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas is unclear. S6 ribosomal protein (S6) phosphorylation is involved not only in controlling cell growth but also in glucose metabolism in cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of S6 phosphorylation and the significance of glucose metabolic changes in IPMN.

Left atrial low-voltage zone ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient with myotonic dystrophy: A case report.

We here report a case of a 32-year-old man with genetically diagnosed myotonic dystrophy and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent a low-voltage zone (LVZ) ablation. His cardiac function was normal except for a prophylactic pacemaker implantation for a high risk of complete atrioventricular block. An LVZ was found in the anteroseptal left atrium during sinus rhythm and was ablated during induced AF after a pulmonary vein antrum isolation, which terminated the AF and rendered it noninducible by rapid pacing and/or isoproterenol.