Educational case: a 46-year-old woman with palpitations and shortness of breath.

In this educational case report, the journey of a woman with atrial fibrillation is discussed, to highlight contemporary management issues in atrial fibrillation. Issues discussed include decisions on anticoagulation, rate and rhythm control, the management of refractory high rates, and the genetic basis of atrial fibrillation.

The incidence of atrial fibrillation detected by implantable loop recorders: a comparison between patients with and without embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Aims: Stroke is the most debilitating outcome of atrial fibrillation (AF). The use of implantable loop recorders increases the detection of AF episodes among patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. The significance of device-detected AF, or subclinical AF, is unknown.

Location, Location, Location: A Pilot Study to Compare Electrical with Echocardiographic-Guided Targeting of Left Ventricular Lead Placement in Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy is ineffective in 30-40% of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Targeting non-scarred myocardium by selecting the site of latest mechanical activation using echocardiography has been suggested to improve outcomes but at the cost of increased resource utilisation. The interval between the beginning of the QRS complex and the local LV lead electrogram (QLV) might represent an alternative electrical marker.

The impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock post-acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Cardiogenic shock remains the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used in the treatment of infarct-related cardiogenic shock. However, there is limited evidence regarding its beneficial impact on mortality.

Identifying the optimal time period for detection of atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke and TIA: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke (IS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The timely detection of first-diagnosed or "new" AF (nAF) would prompt a switch from antiplatelets to anticoagulation to reduce the risk of stroke recurrence; however, the optimal timing and duration of rhythm monitoring to detect nAF remains unclear.

Aims: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) between 2012 and 2023 investigating nAF detection after IS and TIA.

Exploring the Temporal Patterns of Right Ventricular Pacing Burden.

Elevated right ventricular pacing (RVP) burdens are associated with the development of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This association is alluded to in the recent European and American pacing guidelines where anticipated pacing burden forms part of the indications for conduction system pacing. Understanding the temporal pattern of RVP burden is important with respect to anticipating future burden and ensuring that the most appropriate pacing modality is selected for patients.

Atrial fibrillation in embolic stroke of undetermined source: role of advanced imaging of left atrial function.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected in over 30% of patients following an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) when monitored with an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Identifying AF in ESUS survivors has significant therapeutic implications, and AF risk is essential to guide screening with long-term monitoring. The present study aimed to establish the role of left atrial (LA) function in subsequent AF identification and develop a risk model for AF in ESUS.

Electrocardiographic Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common pathological arrhythmia, and its complications lead to significant morbidity and mortality. However, patients with AF can often go undetected, especially if they are asymptomatic or have a low burden of paroxysms. Identification of those at high risk of AF development may help refine screening and management strategies.

Risk Factors Associated With Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a complex heterogeneous disorder that has affected the lives of millions of people globally. Identification of potential risk factors to better understand who is at risk of developing PCC is important because it would allow for early and appropriate clinical support.

Objective: To evaluate the demographic characteristics and comorbidities that have been found to be associated with an increased risk of developing PCC.

The predictive value of abnormal P-wave axis for the detection of incident atrial fibrillation: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: There is growing interest in the prediction of incident atrial fibrillation (AF). The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been a particularly rich target for possible prediction strategies.

Purpose: The P-wave axis is an ECG parameter that reflects the dominant vector of atrial depolarisation and is usually 0° -75°.

The Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: Recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown a significant prognostic benefit of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the cardiovascular (CV) profile of patients with diabetes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide a concise evaluation of all the available evidence for the use of these agents in patients with heart failure (HF) regardless of their baseline diabetes status.

Methods And Results: PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched from inception until November 20 2020.

Safety, Feasibility and Economic Impact of Same-Day Discharge Following Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Background: The widely accepted model for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation involves overnight hospital stay post-procedure. Day case AF ablation has been carried out at Royal Papworth Hospital (RPH) since early 2017. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of day case AF ablation at RPH.

A Prospective Comparison of Short-Term Outcomes of Subpectoral and Prepectoral Strattice-Based Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Prepectoral acellular dermal matrix-assisted immediate implant-based breast reconstruction is gaining popularity, involving complete implant coverage with acellular dermal matrix. The authors aimed to compare pain, patient-reported outcome measures (including implant rippling), and safety of prepectoral and subpectoral Strattice-assisted implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods: Consecutive patients were recruited prospectively, having either therapeutic or risk-reducing mastectomy.