The optimal lookback period for estimating incidence and temporal trends in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Accurate measurement of atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence using secondary data is challenging due to variation in lookback period definitions used to distinguish incident from prevalent cases. As the choice of lookback period critically influences incidence estimates, establishing an appropriate duration is essential for sustained surveillance of AF trends.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify a reproducible definition of the lookback period and analyze trends in the incidence rate and prevalence of AF in Korea.

Racial differences in bleeding risks among patients with atrial fibrillation: An ecological epidemiological study comparing Korea and UK population.

Background: Racial differences in the propensity to bleeding may be evident, with a higher risk of bleeding in Asian populations. This study aimed to assess racial differences in bleeding risk among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using an ecological epidemiological approach.

Methods: We included patients with AF from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening and UK Biobank who underwent health check-ups between 2006 and 2010.

Temporal trends in ischemic stroke and female sex as a risk modifier in atrial fibrillation: insights from non-anticoagulated Asian patients in a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Previous studies from Western populations have reported changing temporal trends in ischemic stroke (IS) incidence in females with atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared with males. Nationwide data on such temporal trends in AF-related IS incidence by sex are limited in Asian populations.

Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study included patients with incident AF diagnosed between 2005 and 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service.

Detection rate by time period and predictors of serious arrhythmias in unexplained syncope: a multicenter implantable loop recorder registry study.

Background/aims: Although an implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a valuable tool for investigation of unexplained syncope, there are limited data regarding time course to diagnosis and predictors of serious arrhythmias as a cause of unexplained syncope. We sought to investigate diagnosis rate by time period after ILR implantation and identify predictors of serious arrhythmias in patients with unexplained syncope.

Methods: We identified 394 patients who received ILR implantation for unexplained syncope enrolled in the Korean ILR registry.

Metabolic Status and Atrioventricular Block Risk: The Role of Physical Activity.

Background: The relationship between metabolic status as a possible risk factor and predictor of response to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in atrioventricular block (AVB) remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 82,365 UK Biobank participants without a history of AVB or pacemaker implantation, and who were involved in accelerometer work-up, were chosen for the study population. Metabolic status was classified into two categories, healthy and unhealthy, using modified criteria for metabolic syndrome from the International Diabetes Federation.

Nationwide Epidemiology and Management Time Trends for Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From the Korean AF Factsheet.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, with its incidence rising globally. Korea's comprehensive national health insurance system facilitates the meticulous collection and management of health care utilization data for its entire population. This robust data infrastructure has enabled numerous recent studies on AF in Korea, encompassing its prevalence, incidence, anticoagulation treatment rates, health care burden, and associated complications.

Proteomic Signatures for Risk Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Proteomic signatures might improve disease prediction and enable targeted disease prevention and management. We explored whether a protein risk score derived from large-scale proteomics data improves risk prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 51 680 individuals with 1459 unique plasma protein measurements and without a history of AF were included from the UKB-PPP (UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project).

Integration of Left Atrial Function Assessment, Genetic Risk, and Clinical Risk Factors Improves Prediction of Incident Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Integration of imaging, genetic, and clinical markers might improve risk assessment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We explored whether the addition of left atrial (LA) function and polygenic risk score (PRS) to a clinical risk score improves risk prediction of AF.

Methods: A total of 36 919 individuals without AF who were assessed for LA emptying fraction (evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) and PRS were analyzed from the UK Biobank imaging enhancement.

Cryoballoon Ablation for Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Korean Cryoballoon Registry.

Background And Objectives: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is considered an effective rhythm control treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) and is increasing exponentially. However, data regarding the efficacy and safety of CBA in elderly patients are limited.

Methods: A total of 2,652 patients (55.

Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: From the Korean Cryoballoon Ablation Registry.

Background And Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in more than 20% of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, further increasing the risk of stroke. Although radiofrequency catheter ablation in AF patients with HCM has been performed, data on cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in HCM patients are limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA in HCM patients with AF.

Polygenic Risk and Cardiovascular Event Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation With Low to Intermediate Stroke Risk.

Background: The clinical utility of the polygenic risk score in predicting cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has not yet been established. This study aimed to determine whether the polygenic risk score for AF might be useful in the risk stratification of AF-related cardiovascular events.

Methods And Results: This study included 9597 oral anticoagulation-naive patients with AF with a CHADS-VA (congestive heart failure; hypertension; age ≥75 years; diabetes; prior stroke or transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism; vascular disease; and age 65-74 years) score of 0 or 1 from the UK Biobank.

Clinical and Genetic Risk Factors Predict Atrial Fibrillation on the Basis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Clinical and genetic predispositions are significant in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF); however, their role in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the impact of clinical and genetic risk factors on the development of AF in patients with and without HCM.

Methods And Results: This retrospective analysis involved data from the UK Biobank cohort.

Early Rhythm Control for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With End-Stage or Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: To investigate the benefits and risks of early rhythm control (ERC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Patients And Methods: This population-based cohort study included 5224 patients with AF (58.2% male, median age 70 years) with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD; n=1660) and CKD stage 3 to 4 (n=3564), who underwent ERC or rate control between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015.

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.

Racial differences and similarities in atrial fibrillation epidemiology and risk factors in UK Biobank and Korean NHIS-HEALS cohort studies.

Background: The increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) requires efforts to understand racial differences in disease distribution and risk factors.

Objective: We aimed to compare associations between risk factors and AF in White Europeans from the UK Biobank and Asians from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening (NHIS-HEALS) study.

Methods: This study included participants from the Korean NHIS-HEALS and UK Biobank.

Associations of accelerometer-derived moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and atrioventricular block in a healthy elderly population.

Background: There is limited information on protective factors related to atrioventricular (AV) block.

Objective: This study examines the association between accelerometer-derived moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and AV block in healthy elderly individuals.

Methods: A total of 23,590 UK Biobank participants ≥60 years of age involved in a wrist-worn accelerometer study with no history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and coronary heart disease were analyzed.

Artificial intelligence-derived electrocardiographic aging and risk of atrial fibrillation: a multi-national study.

Background And Aims: Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) provides promising age prediction methods. This study investigated whether the discrepancy between ECG-derived AI-predicted age (AI-ECG age) and chronological age, termed electrocardiographic aging (ECG aging), is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk.

Methods: An AI-ECG age prediction model was developed using a large-scale dataset (1 533 042 ECGs from 689 639 participants) and validated with six independent and multi-national datasets (737 133 ECGs from 330 794 participants).

Age and Clinically Actionable Events in Patients With Implantable Loop Recorders: Analysis of Multicenter Loop Recorder Registry.

Introduction: Little is known about age and clinical intervention after implantable loop recorder (ILR) insertion. This study investigated the association between age and clinical intervention after ILR implantation.

Methods And Results: Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of ILR in Korea (2017-2020, n = 795).

Clinical Outcome of Cryoballoon Ablation for Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: From the Korean Cryballoon Ablation Registry.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is considered an effective primary strategy for early persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data regarding CBA for long-standing persistent AF (PeAF) are limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA for long-standing PeAF compared to PeAF.

Association of Adding Salt to Foods and Potassium Intake with Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the UK Biobank Study.

Background: High sodium and low potassium consumption are related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the relationship between the frequency of salt addition and potassium consumption with the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Our study used the UK Biobank cohort, which included over 500,000 individuals enrolled from the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010.

All-Cause Death and Major Adverse Events in Atrial Fibrillation with Frailty: Observations from the Korea National Health Insurance Service Data.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an indicator of frailty in old patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of frailty on the use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) and clinical outcomes in a nationwide cohort of patients with new-onset AF.

Methods: This study included 451,368 participants without AF from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening cohort between 2002 and 2009.

Clinical Implications of Polypharmacy for Patients with New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Based on Real-World Data: Observations from the Korea National Health Insurance Service Data.

Background: Polypharmacy is commonly observed in atrial fibrillation (AF) and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Our study aimed to elucidate the polypharmacy prevalence, its associated risk factors, and its relationship with adverse clinical outcomes using a 'real-world' database.

Methods: This study included 451,368 subjects without prior history of AF (median age, 54 [interquartile range, 48.

Long-term clinical impact of early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia after cryoballoon ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The impact of early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ERAT) within the 90-day blanking period on long-term outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is controversial. This study aimed to assess the relationship between ERAT and late recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (LRAT) post-CBA.

Methods: Utilizing data from a multicenter registry in Korea (May 2018 to June 2022), we analyzed the presence and timing of ERAT (<30, 30-60, and 60-90 days) and its association with LRAT risk after CBA.

The associations of leukocyte telomere length and intermediary cardiovascular phenotype with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the white population.

The evidence about the associations of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and intermediary cardiovascular phenotypes with adverse cardiovascular outcomes is inconclusive. This study assessed these relationships with cardiovascular imaging, electrocardiography, and the risks of sudden cardiac death (SCD), coronary events, and heart failure (HF) admission. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank participants enrolled between 2006 and 2010.