Ultra-short-term heart rate variability using a photoplethysmography-based smartphone application: a TeleCheck-AF subanalysis.

Aims: Autonomic nervous system activation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). It can be determined using heart rate variability (HRV). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using photoplethysmography (PPG) recordings for the assessment of the ultra-short-term HRV.

Sex-Based Differences in Symptomatology in the First Month Following Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation.

Background: Differences in baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes exist between female and male patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: To assess sex-specific symptoms within 1 month of AF catheter ablation.

Methods: Patients undergoing AF ablation between 2000 and 2024 were identified from 57 healthcare organizations using a global federated research network.

Characterization of acute residual pulmonary vein connections using electroanatomic mapping during pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Single-shot pulsed-field ablation (PFA) catheters show promising safety and efficacy for achieving pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, additional PFA applications are sometimes required after standard PFA delivery to achieve PVI.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the real-world frequency and location of acute residual pulmonary vein (PV) connections using 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (3D-EAM) during index PFA.

Temporal Trends in the Association Between Female Sex and Ischemic Stroke Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Female sex has historically been associated with higher risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, contemporary European studies suggest this association may have attenuated and become nonsignificant over recent years. This study aims to characterize temporal trends in cardiovascular outcomes in a large, global cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Vascular access site management during electrophysiology procedures: a European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

Aims: Reliable vascular access and haemostasis techniques are important to the safety of electrophysiology (EP) procedures. This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey aimed to evaluate contemporary vascular access site management practices across international EP centres.

Methods And Results: A 30-question survey was disseminated via the EHRA between March and April 2025, with 401 responses from professionals across 51 countries.

The relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index and recurrence after cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: The effectiveness of lesion formation during cryoballoon ablation (CBA) may be influenced by the extent of acute local inflammation induced during the ablation process. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of inflammatory markers following CBA.

Methods: A total of 102 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent CBA (51.

Lifestyle and risk factor modification in atrial fibrillation: a European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

Aims: Lifestyle and risk factor modification (LRFM) forms a central pillar in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey aims to assess current clinical practice regarding LRFM across EHRA countries.

Methods And Results: A 31-item questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst healthcare professionals via the EHRA and social media, between 23 September and 21 October 2024.

An approach to electroanatomical mapping with a pentaspline pulsed field catheter to guide atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) using a pentaspline multi-electrode catheter is commonly performed under fluoroscopic guidance. No data exist on the integration of this catheter within a three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping (3D-EAM) system for left atrial voltage and activation mapping, posterior wall isolation (PWI), or redo ablation. This technical report reviews an approach whereby mapping is performed using the pentaspline PFA catheter itself within an open architectural impedance-based 3D-EAM system.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for patients with atrial fibrillation receiving catheter ablation: protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) with embedded process evaluation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects approximately 2.5% of the UK population, with a risk of 1 in 3-5 individuals after the age of 45 years. The global prevalence has risen sharply in the past two decades, from 33.

Sex differences in atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the Kerala-AF registry.

Background: Much data informing sex differences in atrial fibrillation (AF) comes from Western cohorts. In this analysis, we describe sex differences in Kerala, India, using the Kerala-AF registry-the largest AF registry from the Indian subcontinent.

Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years were recruited from 53 hospitals across Kerala.

Impact of pulmonary vein isolation on atrial arrhythmias in patients with typical atrial flutter: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Aims: Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is the current ablation treatment for typical atrial flutter (AFL). However, post-ablation atrial tachyarrhythmias, mostly in the form of atrial fibrillation (AF), are frequently observed after CTI ablation. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concomitant or isolated pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with typical AFL scheduled for ablation.

Pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation with a pentaspline catheter across National Health Service England centres.

Introduction: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a novel modality for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We describe the initial uptake and experience of PFA using a pentaspline catheter across selected National Health Service England (NHSE) centres.

Methods: Data collected by NHSE Specialised Services Development Programme regarding AF ablation procedures using a single-shot, pentaspline, multielectrode PFA catheter (FARAWAVE, Boston Scientific) between June 2022 and August 2024 were aggregated and analysed to examine procedural metrics, acute efficacy and safety outcomes over 3-month follow-up.

Phenotypes of South Asian patients with atrial fibrillation and holistic integrated care management: cluster analysis of data from KERALA-AF Registry.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently experience multimorbidity. Cluster analysis, a machine learning method for classifying patients with similar phenotypes, has not yet been used in South Asian AF patients.

Methods: The Kerala Atrial Fibrillation Registry is a prospective multicentre cohort study in Kerala, India, and the largest prospective AF registry in South Asia.

Feasibility of pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation under mild conscious sedation.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a new modality for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF). PFA is performed under general anaesthetic (GA) or deep sedation with propofol, but this requires anaesthetic support in many countries, restricting use. No study has tested the feasibility of PFA under mild conscious sedation (MCS).

Dynamic Voltage Mapping of the Post-infarct Ventricular Tachycardia Substrate: A Practical Technique to Help Differentiate Scar from Borderzone Tissue.

During catheter ablation of post-infarct ventricular tachycardia (VT), substrate mapping is used when VT is non-inducible or poorly tolerated. Substrate mapping aims to identify regions of slowly conducting myocardium (borderzone) within and surrounding myocardial scar for ablation. Historically, these tissue types have been identified using bipolar voltage mapping, with areas of low bipolar voltage (<0.

Impact of Catheter Ablation on Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Symptoms in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is more common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and is often highly symptomatic. The impact of catheter ablation (CA) may be under-reported when evaluated by long-term freedom from any atrial arrhythmia.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate whether CA of AF in patients with HCM would significantly reduce AF burden and improve symptoms.

A novel study on the quality of life index in canine chronic kidney disease treated with incremental intermittent hemodialysis.

Background And Aim: In veterinary medicine, health-related quality-of-life index (QOL) measurements are becoming increasingly important because they are a multifaceted concept that represents not only patients' physical well-being but also clients' emotional health. This study assessed QOL in dogs receiving incremental intermittent hemodialysis (-IHD) with high- and low-flux dialyzers.

Materials And Methods: Thirty dogs diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage IV were randomly divided into two groups of 15 dogs each.