Beyond the Learning Curve: How Operator Experience Affects Pulsed-Field Ablation Outcomes.

Background: The learning curve for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using "single-shot" pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is thought to be short. 3D electro-anatomical mapping (3D-EAM) might provide adjunctive information to shorten the learning curve and improve lesion durability.

Objective: To analyze procedural performance markers over time for PVI using PFA and 3D-EAM.

Comparison of a Novel Temperature-Controlled Diamond-Tip Catheter and a Power-Controlled Gold-Tip Catheter for the Irrigated Ablation of Cavotricuspid Isthmus-Dependent Atrial Flutter.

: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) is a recommended treatment option for typical atrial flutter (AFL). While power-controlled ablation has been the current standard, a novel temperature-controlled ablation system has been introduced. We aimed to compare the procedural efficacy and one-year outcome of a temperature-controlled diamond-tip catheter with an established power-controlled gold-tip catheter.

Impact of shortening the blanking period to 8 weeks after PVI: Insights from COMPARE-CRYO using continuous rhythm monitoring.

Background: Early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ERATs) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are common. While many correlate to late recurrences (LRs), some do not. The impact of ERATs timing is difficult to assess with noninvasive Holter monitoring because of undersampling.

Pulsed-field vs cryoballoon vs radiofrequency ablation: Outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) has shown promising data in terms of safety and procedural efficiency for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), with similar long-term outcomes compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the procedural and long-term outcomes in patients with persistent AF undergoing PVI using PFA, CBA, or RFA.

Methods: Consecutive patients with persistent AF undergoing first PVI with PFA, CBA, or RFA were included.

Impact of atrial fibrillation phenotype and left atrial volume on outcome after pulmonary vein isolation.

Aims: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is increasingly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Both AF phenotype and left atrial (LA) volume have been shown to influence ablation outcome. The inter-relationship of the two is incompletely understood.

Clinical features, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings and outcome of patients with suspected myocarditis.

Myocarditis is largely underdiagnosed due to subclinical symptoms and non-availability of diagnostic techniques necessitating high index of suspicion and early disease identification. This study aimed to assess the clinical presentation, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging findings and prognosis of these patients. After reviewing the CMR data of Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2011 to December 2019, a total of 24 patients were included in the study with the confirmed diagnosis of myocarditis on CMR.

Features on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and accuracy of echocardiographic findings for diagnosing constrictive pericarditis.

Constrictive pericarditis is a rare disease with a difficult diagnosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging data of Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2011 to March 2020 was retrospectively reviewed and patients with the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis were included. A total of 22 patients were included with the mean age of 46±16 years and majority 17(77%) were male.

Spectrum of antihypertensive therapy in South Asians at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Despite available guidelines on hypertension (HTN), use of antihypertensives is variable. This study was designed to ascertain frequency of patients on monotherapy and > 1 antihypertensive therapy and also to ascertain proportion of patients on diuretic therapy.

Methods: It was a crossectional study conducted on 1191 adults(age > 18 yrs)hypertensive patients selected by computerized International Classification of Diseases -9-coordination and maintenance (ICD-9-CM) presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.