Medial Deviation of a 6° Prosthetic Trochlear Groove After Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty Occurs in Four Types of Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) and Decreases the Forgotten Joint Score.

Background: The study focused on kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (KA TKA). It identified which coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) types are associated with a higher proportion of medial deviation of the 6° prosthetic trochlear groove (PTG) relative to the quadriceps' line of pull and whether medial deviation adversely affected the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS). The research calculated the minimum PTG angle required to prevent medial deviation by at least 2° in all patients.

An international physician survey of current ablation practices in atrial fibrillation: An AIM-AF substudy.

Background: Practice guidelines recommend ablation (ABL) in atrial fibrillation (AF) for rhythm control. Guidance for antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) post-ABL is limited.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine AAD and ABL practices in the United States and Europe.

Translation of pathophysiological mechanisms of atrial fibrosis into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Atrial fibrosis is one of the main manifestations of atrial cardiomyopathy, an array of electrical, mechanical and structural alterations associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke and heart failure. Atrial fibrosis can be both a cause and a consequence of AF and, once present, it accelerates the progression of AF. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to atrial fibrosis are diverse and include stretch-induced activation of fibroblasts, systemic inflammatory processes, activation of coagulation factors and fibrofatty infiltrations.

Anticoagulation in device-detected atrial fibrillation with or without vascular disease: a combined analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA trials.

Background And Aims: The optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation (DDAF) is unknown. Concomitant vascular disease can modify the benefits and risks of anticoagulation.

Methods: These pre-specified analyses of the NOAH-AFNET 6 (n = 2534 patients) and ARTESiA (n = 4012 patients) trials compared anticoagulation with no anticoagulation in patients with DDAF with or without vascular disease, defined as prior stroke/transient ischaemic attack, coronary or peripheral artery disease.

Biomarker-based prediction of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation patients: the EAST-AFNET 4 biomolecule study.

Background And Aims: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), recurrent AF and sinus rhythm during follow-up are determined by interactions between cardiovascular disease processes and rhythm control therapy. Predictors of attaining sinus rhythm at follow-up are not well known.

Methods: To quantify the interaction between cardiovascular disease processes and rhythm outcomes, 14 biomarkers reflecting AF-related cardiovascular disease processes in 1586 patients in the EAST-AFNET 4 biomolecule study (71 years old, 45% women) were quantified at baseline.

Anticoagulation in Patients With Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation With and Without a Prior Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: The NOAH-AFNET 6 Trial.

Background: Short and rare episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) are commonly detected using implanted devices (device-detected AF) in patients with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulation in patients with prior stroke or TIA and device-detected AF but with no ECG-documented AF is unclear.

Methods And Results: This prespecified analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 (Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial High Rate Episodes) trial with post hoc elements assessed the effect of oral anticoagulation in patients with device-detected AF with and without a prior stroke or TIA in the randomized, double-blind, double-dummy NOAH-AFNET 6 trial.

SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients, health care workers and hospital outbreaks during the first 3 waves of the pandemic: a retrospective analysis in a secondary care hospital network in Germany.

Background: Hospital infections with SARS-CoV-2 continued during the initial waves of the pandemic worldwide. So far, Data on the dynamics of these infections and the economic burden of outbreaks are rare.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients, hospital employees and nosocomial infections resulting in outbreaks in two hospitals of a secondary care hospital network in Germany during the initial 3 pandemic waves (03/2020-06/2021).

Cardiac implantable electronic device infection awareness - A European survey amongst implanting physicians.

Background And Aims: Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) infections pose significant mortality and morbidity despite optimal treatment. This survey aimed to understand whether and how the risk of CIED infection is assessed and mitigated in clinical practice in Europe, and to detect gaps with respect to EHRA recommendations.

Methods: An Expert Group of 8 European cardiologists with specific expertise across CIED therapy designed and distributed electronically a survey to a number of European Cardiologists.

Atrial cardiomyopathy revisited-evolution of a concept: a clinical consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asian Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS).

Aims: The concept of "atrial cardiomyopathy" (AtCM) had been percolating through the literature since its first mention in 1972. Since then, publications using the term were sporadic until the decision was made to convene an expert working group with representation from four multinational arrhythmia organizations to prepare a consensus document on atrial cardiomyopathy in 2016 (EHRA/HRS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus on atrial cardiomyopathies: definition, characterization, and clinical implication). Subsequently, publications on AtCM have increased progressively.

Modified Ludloff's medial approach for resection of heterotopic ossification of the hip following severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case report.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has significantly affected people worldwide. Herein, we present a case of massive heterotopic ossification (HO) of the right hip following severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The exact origin of HO development is still unknown, but a critical illness, chronic immobilization and hypoxia are important risk factors.

E-Health-based, trans-sectoral, geriatric health service - Geriatric Network (GerNe).

Currently, exchange of information between the geriatric clinic and the attending general practitioner (GP) occurs primarily through the doctor's letter after discharging from the clinic. The aim of our study was to reduce readmissions of multimorbid, geriatric patients to the clinic by establishing a new form of care via an electronic case file (ECF) and a consultation service (CS). The discharging geriatric clinic filled out an online ECF.

Safety and efficacy of long-term sodium channel blocker therapy for early rhythm control: the EAST-AFNET 4 trial.

Aims: Clinical concerns exist about the potential proarrhythmic effects of the sodium channel blockers (SCBs) flecainide and propafenone in patients with cardiovascular disease. Sodium channel blockers were used to deliver early rhythm control (ERC) therapy in EAST-AFNET 4.

Methods And Results: We analysed the primary safety outcome (death, stroke, or serious adverse events related to rhythm control therapy) and primary efficacy outcome (cardiovascular death, stroke, and hospitalization for worsening of heart failure (HF) or acute coronary syndrome) during SCB intake for patients with ERC (n = 1395) in EAST-AFNET 4.

Longer and better lives for patients with atrial fibrillation: the 9th AFNET/EHRA consensus conference.

Aims: Recent trial data demonstrate beneficial effects of active rhythm management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and support the concept that a low arrhythmia burden is associated with a low risk of AF-related complications. The aim of this document is to summarize the key outcomes of the 9th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA).

Methods And Results: Eighty-three international experts met in Münster for 2 days in September 2023.

Utilization of and perceived need for simulators in clinical electrophysiology: results from an EHRA physician survey.

Aims: Simulator training has been recently introduced in electrophysiology (EP) programmes in order to improve catheter manipulation skills without complication risks. The aim of this study is to survey the current use of EP simulators and the perceived need for these tools in clinical training and practice.

Methods And Results: A 20-item online questionnaire developed by the Scientific Initiatives Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) in collaboration with EHRA Digital Committee was disseminated through the EHRA Scientific Research Network members, national EP groups, and social media platforms.

Coagulation Factor Xa Has No Effects on the Expression of PAR1, PAR2, and PAR4 and No Proinflammatory Effects on HL-1 Cells.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), characterised by irregular high-frequency contractions of the atria of the heart, is of increasing clinical importance. The reasons are the increasing prevalence and thromboembolic complications caused by AF. So-called atrial remodelling is characterised, among other things, by atrial dilatation and fibrotic remodelling.

Heart Failure, Female Sex, and Atrial Fibrillation Are the Main Drivers of Human Atrial Cardiomyopathy: Results From the CATCH ME Consortium.

Background: Atrial cardiomyopathy (atCM) is an emerging prognostic factor in cardiovascular disease. Fibrotic remodeling, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and capillary density are hallmarks of atCM. The contribution of etiological factors and atrial fibrillation (AF) to the development of differential atCM phenotypes has not been quantified.

Anticoagulation with edoxaban in patients with long atrial high-rate episodes ≥24 h.

Background And Aims: Patients with long atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) ≥24 h and stroke risk factors are often treated with anticoagulation for stroke prevention. Anticoagulation has never been compared with no anticoagulation in these patients.

Methods: This secondary pre-specified analysis of the Non-vitamin K antagonist Oral anticoagulants in patients with Atrial High-rate episodes (NOAH-AFNET 6) trial examined interactions between AHRE duration at baseline and anticoagulation with edoxaban compared with placebo in patients with AHRE and stroke risk factors.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Patients With Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation: A Study-Level Meta-Analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA Trials.

Background: Device-detected atrial fibrillation (also known as subclinical atrial fibrillation or atrial high-rate episodes) is a common finding in patients with an implanted cardiac rhythm device and is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Whether oral anticoagulation is effective and safe in this patient population is unclear.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE and Embase for randomized trials comparing oral anticoagulation with antiplatelet or no antithrombotic therapy in adults with device-detected atrial fibrillation recorded by a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, cardiac resynchronization therapy device, or implanted cardiac monitor.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Vitamin C during the Postoperative Period in Patients Subjected to Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vitamin C, a potent reducing and antioxidant agent, plays an important role in the body, aiding in the growth of cartilage and bones. It is also involved in mechanisms that help reduce inflammation and its effects on the body. In addition, vitamin C decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, which produce acute-phase proteins such as CRP and influence inflammatory markers such as ESR.

Anticoagulation with Edoxaban in Patients with Atrial High-Rate Episodes.

Background: Device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) are atrial arrhythmias detected by implanted cardiac devices. AHREs resemble atrial fibrillation but are rare and brief. Whether the occurrence of AHREs in patients without atrial fibrillation (as documented on a conventional electrocardiogram [ECG]) justifies the initiation of anticoagulants is not known.