Why Every Asthma Patient Tells a Different Story.

Asthma has traditionally been viewed as a single disease, but recent research reveals its clinical and molecular complexity. This perspective highlights the need to shift from a traditional, uniform treatment paradigm to one that embraces the heterogeneity of asthma across individuals. Each patient presents a unique clinical story shaped by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, developmental programming during critical early-life windows, the influence of sex and hormones, and lifelong environmental exposures.

An alternative method for phrenic nerve monitoring during cryoballoon procedures.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is associated with a consistent risk of phrenic nerve (PN) damage. Abdominal palpation associated with other strategies such as the diaphragmatic compound motor action potential (CMAP) has been shown to be an effective and reliable method for preventing this complication.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new surface CMAP electrodes positioning.

Role of Free Radicals in the Pathophysiology of OSA: A Narrative Review of a Double-Edged Sword.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder, primarily characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep. Individuals affected by OSA are at increased risk for a variety of adverse health outcomes, particularly neurocognitive impairments and cardiovascular complications, highlighting the clinical significance of this condition. A defining feature of OSA is intermittent hypoxemia, which contributes to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the subsequent development of oxidative stress.

Reconsidering Gender in Asthma: Is It All About Sex? A Perspective Review.

Asthma is a prevalent chronic condition, affecting an estimated 260 million people worldwide, according to the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study. This condition significantly impacts individuals of all ages. One notable finding is that asthma prevalence among adults was higher in females than males.

Epicardial adipose tissue, pulmonary veins anatomy, and the P-wave/PR interval ratio in young patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncommon in the youngest population. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume has been proposed as an independent AF risk factor.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of the EAT, the anatomy of the pulmonary veins (PVs), and electrocardiogram (ECG) features in these young patients with AF.

Voltage mapping of Koch's triangle in atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia ablation : Results from an observational multicenter prospective registry.

Background: The identification of a "low-voltage bridge" to guide ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) has been described as a safe and effective strategy in children. We investigated the presence of a low-voltage bridge in adult patients undergoing AVNRT ablation, to evaluate its anatomical correspondence with the successful ablation site. We also investigated the possible correlations between Koch's triangle anatomy and patients' biometric characteristics.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in patients with refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is an innovative therapeutic approach in patients (pts) with a diagnosis of refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) after the use of drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation, and/or defibrillator (ICD) implant. The current efficacy data of SABR are limited and several prospective clinical studies are ongoing to support the use of ablative radiation dose to control VT. The aim of the current prospective pilot study is to report the efficacy and tolerability of SABR in ICD implanted pts with refractory VT in our centre.

Individualized ablation strategy to treat persistent atrial fibrillation: Core-to-boundary approach guided by charge-density mapping.

Background: Noncontact charge-density mapping allows rapid real-time global mapping of atrial fibrillation (AF), offering the opportunity for a personalized ablation strategy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the 2-year outcome of an individualized strategy consisting of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus core-to-boundary ablation (targeting the conduction pattern core with an extension to the nearest nonconducting boundary) guided by charge-density mapping, with an empirical PVI plus posterior wall electrical isolation (PWI) strategy.

Methods: Forty patients (age 62 ± 12 years; 29 male) with persistent AF (10 ± 5 months) prospectively underwent charge-density mapping-guided PVI, followed by core-to-boundary stepwise ablation until termination of AF or depletion of identified cores.

Should all individuals with a nondiagnostic Brugada-electrocardiogram undergo sodium-channel blocker test?

Background: The diagnostic Brugada-electrocardiogram (Br-ECG) is characterized by "coved-type" ST-segment elevation (type 1) in V(1) to V(2)/V(3). The sodium-channel blocker test is clinically used to unmask diagnostic Br-ECG in patients with nondiagnostic "saddle-back" Br-ECG (type 2 and type 3).

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of the sodium-channel blockers test in individuals with a nondiagnostic Br-ECG.

Age-related hemodynamic changes during vasovagal syncope.

Objective: The aim of our study was to identify specific age-related hemodynamic changes during upright tilt test in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Methods: We studied 115 subjects who were referred to us for unexplained syncope during 65 degrees tilt with pharmacological challenge (s.l.