Ethanol Infusion of the Vein of Marshall in Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Mitral Valve Replacement.

Background: The effectiveness of ethanol infusion of the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with mitral valve replacement (MVR) remains to be determined.

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of EIVOM in catheter ablation of persistent AF in patients with MVR.

Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study.

Predictive value of sudden cardiac death risk stratification for outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Prediction models for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) incorporate factors that influence outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of CA of AF in patients with HCM stratified by SCD risk.

Methods: Of the 23,904 patients who underwent CA of AF, 417 patients with HCM were screened.

Ablation characteristics associated with steam pops in ablation index-guided radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Steam pops present a significant concern during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). It is crucial to analyse the incidence and ablation characteristics associated with steam pops. This study aims to investigate the occurrence and potential predictors of steam pops.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left bundle branch block.

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are commonly coexisting conditions. The impact of LBBB on catheter ablation of AF has not been well determined. This study aims to explore the long-term outcomes of patients with AF and LBBB after catheter ablation.

Prospective randomized comparison between upgraded '2C3L' vs. PVI approach for catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: PROMPT-AF trial design.

Background: In randomized studies, the strategy of pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVI) plus linear ablation has failed to increase success rates for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) ablation when compared with PVI alone. Peri-mitral reentry related atrial tachycardia due to incomplete linear block is an important cause of clinical failures of a first ablation procedure. Ethanol infusion (EI) into the vein of Marshall (EI-VOM) has been demonstrated to facilitate a durable mitral isthmus linear lesion.

Direct autotransfusion in the management of acute pericardial tamponade during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: An imperfect but practical method.

Background: Acute pericardial tamponade (APT) is one of the most serious complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF-CA). Direct autotransfusion (DAT) is a method of reinjecting pericardial blood directly into patients through vein access without a cell-salvage system. Data regarding DAT for APT are rare and provide limited information.

Repeat ablation strategy for recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation: A propensity-matched score comparison between "2C3L" and "extensive ablation" approach.

Background: Debates exist in the repeat ablation strategy for patients with recurrence presenting as persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after initial persistent AF ablation.

Objective: To compare the outcome between the "2C3L" and "extensive ablation" approach in patients undergoing repeat procedures for recurrent persistent AF.

Methods: Propensity-score matching was performed in 196 patients with AF recurrence undergoing repeat ablation, and 79 patients treated with "2C3L" strategy were matched to 79 patients treated with "extensive ablation" strategy.

Risk Factors for Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background:  Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a common complication of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), causing morbidity and mortality.

Methods:  This study retrospectively analyzed patients with DCM from January 2002 to August 2020 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Clinical characteristics were compared between the LVT group and the age and sex 1:4 matched with the LVT absent group.

Outcome of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) frequently coexist. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcome of catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF and SCAD.

Methods: In total, 12,104 patients with paroxysmal AF underwent catheter ablation in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry between 2011 and 2019 were screened.

Impact of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels on Outcomes in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study.

BACKGROUND Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction improves cardiovascular outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between lipid levels and outcomes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation by LDL-C quarters. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled from 31 typical hospitals in China.

A strategy of idarucizumab for pericardial tamponade during perioperative period of atrial fibrillation ablation.

Objective: To investigate theoptimal idarucizumab (dabigatran antagonist) usage strategy for patients with acute pericardial tamponade receiving uninterrupted dabigatran during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Ten patients presenting acute pericardial tamponade while receiving uninterrupted dabigatran during catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2019 to July 2020 were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. A "wait and see" strategy of idarucizumab was carried out for all patients; in brief, idarucizumab was applied following pericardiocentesis, comprehensive evaluation of bleeding and hemostasis.

Comparison of prognosis and outcomes of catheter ablation versus drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease: A prospective propensity-score matched cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) frequently coexist.

Hypothesis: To investigate the prognosis of catheter ablation versus drug therapy in patients with AF and SCAD.

Methods: In total, 25 512 patients with AF in the Chinese AF Registry between 2011 and 2019 were screened for SCAD.

Healthcare quality and mortality among patients hospitalized for heart failure by hospital level in Beijing, China.

Aims: This study sought to compare healthcare quality and 30 day, 90 day, and 1 year mortality rates among patients admitted to secondary and tertiary hospitals for heart failure (HF) in Beijing.

Methods And Results: This study retrospectively enrolled patients hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF during January 2014 to December 2015, from five tertiary and four secondary hospitals, in Beijing, China. Mortality data were extracted from Beijing Death Surveillance Database.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in situs inversus dextrocardia: Challenge, improved procedure, outcomes, and literature review.

Introduction: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF-CA) in patients with situs inversus dextrocardia (SID) can be challenging because of the contrary anatomy and associated anomalies. Cases and literature regarding AF-CA in SID are rare and provide little information. Our study aims to present an improved procedure, ablation strategies, and evaluate the safety and outcomes of AF-CA in patients with AF and SID.

New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Adverse In-Hospital Outcome in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be secondary to acute pulmonary embolism (PE). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of new-onset AF on patients with acute PE. In this study, 4,288 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with acute PE were retrospectively screened.

Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in abdominal solid organ (renal and hepatic) transplant recipients: A single-center pilot experience.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in abdominal solid organ transplant recipients and a cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. However, the outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) in transplant recipients with AF remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the outcomes of CA in renal and hepatic transplant recipients.

Relationship Between Ablation Lesion Size Estimated by Ablation Index and Different Ablation Settings-an Ex Vivo Porcine Heart Study.

This study aimed to verify the reliability of ablation index (AI) for ablation lesion estimating with different settings for radiofrequency (RF) parameters: power, impedance, contact angles, irrigation rate, temperature of irrigation saline, and irrigation solution. RF ablations (N = 66) were performed on ex vivo porcine left ventricle submerged in 37 °C saline. The aforementioned ablation parameters were changed to measure whether the size of the ablation lesion was consistent at a fixed AI value of 500.

Crosstalk between PKC and MAPK pathway activation in cardiac fibroblasts in a rat model of atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent form of cardiac arrhythmia and major cause of cardiac ischemia. Defective calcium homeostasis due to anomalous expression of ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) or its hyperactivation by phosphorylation by serine threonine kinases has been implicated as a central mechanism of AF pathogenesis. Given the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in cardiac function we investigated role of PKC in AF using a rat model.

Zero-fluoroscopy approach for ablation of supraventricular tachycardia using the Ensite NavX system: a multicenter experience.

Background: Three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping systems have demonstrated a significant reduction in radiation exposure during radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures. We aimed to investigate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of a completely zero-fluoroscopy approach for catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia using the Ensite NavX navigation system compared with a conventional fluoroscopy approach.

Methods: A multicenter prospective non-randomized registry study was performed in seven centers from January 2013 to February 2018.

The safety of discontinuation of oral anticoagulation therapy after apparently successful atrial fibrillation ablation: a report from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the safety of discontinuing oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy after apparently successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, using data from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study.

Methods And Results: We identified 4512 consecutive patients who underwent successful AF ablation between August 2011 and December 2017. Of them, 3149 discontinued OAC 3 months post-ablation (Off-OAC group) and 1363 continued OAC beyond this period (On-OAC group).

Depolarization and repolarization parameters on ECG predict recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: The outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation remain suboptimal. It is important to identify which AF patients will most likely benefit from ablation and who are more likely to show treatment failure, especially in those with structural heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods And Results: We enrolled 120 HCM patients who underwent primary AF ablation (48 with persistent AF).

Serum potassium levels and mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background: The evidence of current epidemiological studies investigating the association between serum potassium levels and mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is controversial and inadequate.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Two researchers independently searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases to identify observational studies published prior to 31 October 2017.

Long-Term Persistence with Newly-Initiated Warfarin or Non-VKA Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from the Prospective China-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND Oral anticoagulants (OACs) such as warfarin and non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are at risk for stroke. Whether NOACs have a higher persistence than warfarin is still unclear. This is especially true in China.

Body mass index and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the China atrial fibrillation registry study.

Background: Impact of body mass index (BMI) on all-cause mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains controversial.

Methods: A total of 10,942 AF patients were prospectively enrolled and categorized into four BMI groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m), normal weight (BMI 18.