External Validation of the REACT-HF Score for Predicting Heart Failure in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Validated risk prediction scores for incident heart failure (HF) in patients with atrial fibrillation are lacking. We aimed to externally validate the the HF prediction risk score derived from three large control randomized trials RE-LY, AVERROES, and ACTIVE-A (REACT-HF) score and assess potential improvements by incorporating biomarkers.

Methods: We included 2599 patients with atrial fibrillation without prior HF from the Swiss-AF (Swiss Atrial Fibrillation) and BEAT-AF (Basel Atrial Fibrillation) cohorts.

Atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis cause different vascular brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atherosclerosis pre-dispose to the occurrence of vascular brain lesions compared with the general population, yet direct comparisons of brain lesion patterns between these two cardiovascular patient groups are lacking. This study sought to compare the prevalence and distribution of vascular brain lesions on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between patients with AF and those with atherosclerosis.

Methods: Baseline clinical data and standardized brain MRI scans from the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation cohort study (Swiss-AF; representing patients with AF) and the COMPASS MRI sub-study (COMPASS MIND; representing patients with atherosclerosis without AF) were used to compare the prevalence of lacunar and non-lacunar infarcts, periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and cerebral micro-bleeds (CMB) between groups.

Biomarker panels for improved risk prediction and enhanced biological insights in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, yet the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. We evaluate a panel of 12 circulating biomarkers representing diverse pathophysiological pathways in 3817 AF patients to assess their association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We identify 5 biomarkers including D-dimer, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), interleukin-6 (IL-6), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTropT) that independently predict cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and systemic embolism, significantly enhancing predictive accuracy.

Smoking, Colchicine and Postoperative Outcomes in Thoracic Surgery: Post Hoc Analysis of the COP-AF Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: To determine, among patients who underwent major noncardiac thoracic surgery, the association between smoking and perioperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS), and whether the effect of colchicine use on these outcomes varied by smoking status.

Methods: This study is a subgroup analysis of the Colchicine for the Prevention of Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation (COP-AF) randomized clinical trial. A total of 3209 participants who underwent major noncardiac thoracic surgery were randomized to receive colchicine, 0.

Correction: "Impact of Virtual Care With Remote Automated Monitoring on the Rate of Acute Hospital Care Post Discharge and Index Length of Hospital Stay: Protocol for the Post Discharge After Surgery Virtual Care With Remote Automated Monitoring Technology 3 (PVC-RAM-3) Trial".

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Risk of major bleeding in recurrent fallers receiving anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The risk of fall-related bleeding is a frequent reason for not following recommendations on anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: To assess whether patients on anticoagulation therapy with recurrent falls are at an increased risk of bleeding.

Methods: We used data from the Swiss-AF multicenter cohort study, including patients aged ≥65 years with documented AF and oral anticoagulant treatment.

Remote early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections using a wearable-based algorithm: Results from the COVID-RED study, a prospective randomised single-blinded crossover trial.

Background: Rapid and early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections, especially during the pre- or asymptomatic phase, could aid in reducing virus spread. Physiological parameters measured by wearable devices can be efficiently analysed to provide early detection of infections. The COVID-19 Remote Early Detection (COVID-RED) trial investigated the use of a wearable device (Ava bracelet) for improved early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections in real-time.

Alcohol Intake and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: RE-LY AF Registry Analysis.

Background: Alcohol intake increases recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), but its relationship with cardiovascular outcomes is less well characterized. We aimed to study the association between different levels of alcohol intake and cardiovascular outcomes in a global cohort of patients with AF.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the RE-LY AF registry, including 15,400 patients with AF who visited emergency departments in 47 countries.

Effects of a Hypotension-Avoidance Versus a Hypertension-Avoidance Strategy on Neurocognitive Outcomes After Noncardiac Surgery.

Background: Perioperative hemodynamic abnormalities have been associated with neurocognitive outcomes after noncardiac surgery.

Objective: To compare the effects of perioperative hypotension-avoidance versus hypertension-avoidance strategies on delirium and 1-year cognitive decline after noncardiac surgery.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Impact of Virtual Care With Remote Automated Monitoring on the Rate of Acute Hospital Care Post Discharge and Index Length of Hospital Stay: Protocol for the Post Discharge After Surgery Virtual Care With Remote Automated Monitoring Technology 3 (PVC-RAM-3) Trial.

Background: A substantial proportion of patients require acute hospital care after hospital discharge post surgery, and many regions and countries have surgical backlogs.

Objective: The Post Discharge After Surgery Virtual Care with Remote Automated Monitoring Technology-3 (PCV-RAM-3) trial tests the hypothesis that informing surgeons and patients of virtual care with remote automated monitoring (VC-RAM) assignment will promote earlier discharge, thereby reducing the index length of hospital stay, and that postdischarge VC-RAM will reduce acute hospital care.

Methods: The PVC-RAM-3 trial is a randomized controlled trial that compares VC-RAM to standard postdischarge care among 2500 adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgery in 3 Canadian hospitals.

Rhythm vs Rate Control Strategies for Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation After Noncardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: For patients with perioperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after noncardiac surgery, earlier conversion to sinus rhythm might improve outcomes. The efficacy of a rhythm vs rate control strategy for the acute management of POAF remains uncertain.

Methods: We searched databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that included patients with POAF after noncardiac surgery and reported outcomes for patients acutely treated with a rhythm control strategy vs either a rate control or no treatment strategy.

Biomarker and cognitive decline in atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study.

We investigated associations of a broad biomarker panel with cognitive decline in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients to characterize possible mechanisms. We enrolled 1440 AF patients with available baseline biomarkers and cognitive testing by the Montreal Cognitive assessment (MoCA) score at inclusion and at ≥ 2 yearly follow-ups. We investigated the associations of biomarkers with cognitive decline in univariate logistic regression models, LASSO regression analysis and built a combined model.

A large-scale genome-wide study of gene-sleep duration interactions for blood pressure in 811,405 individuals from diverse populations.

Although both short and long sleep duration are associated with elevated hypertension risk, our understanding of their interplay with biological pathways governing blood pressure remains limited. To address this, we carried out genome-wide cross-population gene-by-short-sleep and long-sleep duration interaction analyses for three blood pressure traits (systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure) in 811,405 individuals from diverse population groups. We discovered 22 novel gene-sleep duration interaction loci for blood pressure, mapped to 23 genes.

Polygenic Risk Scores in Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery: A VISION Substudy.

Background: Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is the most prevalent vascular complication following surgical procedures. Although the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) is widely used to predict postoperative cardiovascular complications, its predictive accuracy is suboptimal.

Objectives: Considering genetic influences may improve risk prediction.

Sequencing in over 50,000 cases identifies coding and structural variation underlying atrial fibrillation risk.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent and morbid abnormality of the heart rhythm with a strong genetic component. Here, we meta-analyzed genome and exome sequencing data from 36 studies that included 52,416 AF cases and 277,762 controls. In burden tests of rare coding variation, we identified novel associations between AF and the genes MYBPC3, LMNA, PKP2, FAM189A2 and KDM5B.

Meta-analysis of genome-wide associations and polygenic risk prediction for atrial fibrillation in more than 180,000 cases.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm abnormality and is a leading cause of heart failure and stroke. This large-scale meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies increased the power to detect single-nucleotide variant associations and found more than 350 AF-associated genetic loci. We identified candidate genes related to muscle contractility, cardiac muscle development and cell-cell communication at 139 loci.

A Large-Scale Genome-wide Association Study of Blood Pressure Accounting for Gene-Depressive Symptomatology Interactions in 564,680 Individuals from Diverse Populations.

Background: Gene-environment interactions may enhance our understanding of hypertension. Our previous study highlighted the importance of considering psychosocial factors in gene discovery for blood pressure (BP) but was limited in statistical power and population diversity. To address these challenges, we conducted a multi-population genome-wide association study (GWAS) of BP accounting for gene-depressive symptomatology (DEPR) interactions in a larger and more diverse sample.

Bleeding Risks With Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants Versus Single Antiplatelet Therapy : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.

Background: In several settings, therapeutic-dose non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are superior to aspirin for the prevention of arterial and venous thromboembolism.

Purpose: To estimate differences in bleeding risks between NOACs and single antiplatelet therapy.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on productivity in working-age patients: an analysis of Swiss-AF prospective cohort study data.

Aims: We aimed to explore atrial fibrillation (AF)-induced productivity losses in working-age atrial fibrillation patients and to estimate atrial fibrillation-related indirect costs.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2017, the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation prospective cohort study (Swiss-AF) enrolled 217 working-age patients with documented atrial fibrillation. Self-reported changes in professional activity and the reasons thereof were descriptively analysed over 8 years of follow-up or until patients reached the retirement age.

Management of Patients with Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Background: Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is associated with an increased incidence of cardiac morbidity and mortality. Little is known about how these patients are managed.

Methods: We performed a single-centre retrospective chart review of patients referred to a postoperative clinic with the diagnosis of MINS.

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.

Coffee Consumption Correlates With Better Cognitive Performance in Patients With a High Incidence for Stroke.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for the development of cognitive impairments. Regular coffee consumption has shown cognitive benefits in healthy individuals. Whether regular consumption reduces cognitive decline in vulnerable patients is controversial.

Temporal Trends in the Management Practices of Clinically Important Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation After Noncardiac Surgery.

Background: Clinically important perioperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common cardiac complication after noncardiac surgery. Little is known about how patients with POAF are managed acutely and whether practices have changed over time.

Methods: We conducted an observational substudy of patients who had POAF, were at elevated cardiovascular risk, and were enrolled in the PeriOperative Ischemic Evaluation (POISE)-1, 2 and 3 trials between 2002 and 2021.