Arrhythmias/Electrophysiology
Global Survey | Incidence, management and prognosis of esophageal fistula after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation
19 Apr, 2023 | 13:14h | UTCCommentary: Esophageal Fistula Still a Rare but Deadly Complication of AF Ablation: POTTER-AF – TCTMD
Commentary from the author on Twitter
?The POTTER-AF study
➡️published #EHJ online
➡️138 oesophageal fistulas
➡️incidence 0,025% overall, ?RF 0.038%, ❄️CRYO 0.0015%
☠️Mortality: 90% if treated conservative!
?V. Schmidt, @KeelaniAhmad @ChristianHeeger@AGEP_DGK @ESC_Journals #UKSHhttps://t.co/jTmC36wlYQ #EPeeps pic.twitter.com/3lntY6lR6H— Roland Tilz (@RolandTilz) April 16, 2023
EHRA expert consensus document on the management of arrhythmias in frailty syndrome
18 Apr, 2023 | 12:58h | UTC
Cohort Study | Value of screening for the risk of sudden cardiac death in young competitive athletes
12 Apr, 2023 | 13:11h | UTC
RCT | Augmented ablation fails to outperform standard ablation in paroxysmal AF patients
11 Apr, 2023 | 13:57h | UTCStandard vs Augmented Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation for Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: The AWARE Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA Cardiology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Augmented Ablation Adds No Benefit in Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Arrhythmia – HCP Live
Commentary on Twitter
The AWARE Trial tested an augmented WACA in pts with paroxysmal AF. A high single procedure freedom from AF was noted without an improvement compared to single WACA. There might be a “ceiling effect” to catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF. https://t.co/2ihyHwHlTA pic.twitter.com/waSbp0QF1a
— JAMA Cardiology (@JAMACardio) March 22, 2023
Study identifies top 3 anticancer drugs with highest atrial fibrillation rates
11 Apr, 2023 | 13:55h | UTCCommentary: More AF Surveillance Needed in Chemotherapy Trials, Meta-analysis Hints – TCTMD
Adolescent sudden cardiac death: the role of underlying conditions and physical activity
5 Apr, 2023 | 13:26h | UTCSudden Cardiac Death Among Adolescents in the United Kingdom – Journal of the American College of Cardiology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary on Twitter
Among the causes of SCD in adolescents, arrhythmogenic #cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies & commotio cordis are more common in young athletes who die suddenly than in similarly aged sedentary individuals.
Read more on this https://t.co/VHRIiNz1hE… pic.twitter.com/N3bev3Nv8i
— JACC Journals (@JACCJournals) March 14, 2023
SCAI/HRS Expert consensus statement on transcatheter left atrial appendage closure
31 Mar, 2023 | 13:44h | UTCSCAI/HRS Expert Consensus Statement on Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Closure – JSCAI
Key Points: Consensus Statement on Transcatheter LA Appendage Closure – American College of Cardiology
Commentaries:
SCAI/HRS Consensus Document Covers the Ins and Outs of LAAO – TCTMD
Coffee consumption vs. caffeine avoidance: cardiac ectopy, daily steps, and sleep impacts
27 Mar, 2023 | 13:32h | UTCSummary: A prospective, randomized, case-crossover trial studied the acute health effects of caffeinated coffee consumption in 100 ambulatory adults.
Participants were monitored using continuous electrocardiogram devices, wrist-mounted accelerometers, and ongoing glucose monitoring systems for 14 days. They received daily text messages instructing them to either consume caffeinated coffee or abstain from caffeine.
The primary outcome was the mean number of daily premature atrial contractions. Results indicated that caffeinated coffee consumption didn’t lead to significantly more daily premature atrial contractions compared to caffeine avoidance. However, it was associated with a higher number of daily premature ventricular contractions, increased daily steps, and reduced nightly sleep.
Article: Acute Effects of Coffee Consumption on Health among Ambulatory Adults – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentaries:
What to know about new research on coffee and heart risks – Associated Press
CRAVE Trials Offers Most Comprehensive Overview Yet of Impact of Coffee, Caffeine Intake – HCP Live
Acute Effects of Coffee Consumption on Health – American College of Cardiology
BRAVO Registry | Brugada substrate ablation results in a significant reduction of ventricular fibrillation events
27 Mar, 2023 | 13:11h | UTCLong-Term Outcomes of Brugada Substrate Ablation: A Report from BRAVO (Brugada Ablation of VF Substrate Ongoing Multicenter Registry) – Circulation (free for a limited period)
Study shows increased bleeding complications in ESKD patients undergoing AF ablation
24 Mar, 2023 | 13:09h | UTCSummary: The study analyzed 347 procedures in 307 patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation in 12 referral centers in Japan.
Despite a vast majority of patients having subtherapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) values during the peri-procedural period, 35 patients (10%) experienced major complications, with the majority being major bleeding events (19 patients; 5.4%), including 11 cases of cardiac tamponade (3.2%). There were also two peri-procedural deaths (0.6%), both related to bleeding events. A pre-procedural INR value of 2.0 or higher was identified as the only independent predictor of major bleeding.
Current peri-procedural anticoagulation guidelines state that patients undergoing AF ablation should be under therapeutic anticoagulation throughout the peri-procedural period. The findings of this study suggest that these guidelines may not be appropriate for ESKD patients undergoing the procedure, and the role of peri-procedural anticoagulation in this population should be further investigated.
Commentary on Twitter
Peri-procedural anticoagulation in patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing #afib ablation ? despite undertreatment with warfarin, the rate of haemorrhagic complications is high! https://t.co/3W8gEtZYdy#kidney #afib #anticoagulation #ablation #cardiotwitter #europace pic.twitter.com/vI27UeIpRf
— European Society of Cardiology Journals (@ESC_Journals) March 16, 2023
M-A | Posterior pericardiotomy reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery
22 Mar, 2023 | 13:18h | UTCPosterior pericardiotomy for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomised controlled trials – EuroIntervention (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Related:
SR | Oral Class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs for maintaining sinus rhythm after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation
20 Mar, 2023 | 13:41h | UTCSummary: This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of Class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs for maintaining sinus rhythm after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The review included nine randomized controlled trials involving 3,269 participants.
The analysis found that Class I and/or III antiarrhythmic drugs may reduce the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias at 0 to 3 months and likely reduce recurrence at > 3 to 6 months. However, beyond six months, the evidence is uncertain, and the benefit of antiarrhythmic drugs may not persist. Additionally, the use of these drugs post-ablation likely reduces hospitalizations for atrial tachyarrhythmias by approximately 57% at 0 to 3 months.
The use of Class I and/or III antiarrhythmic drugs did not increase the risk of thromboembolic events, myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, or the need for repeat ablation.
AHA Scientific Statement | Atrial fibrillation occurring during acute hospitalization
14 Mar, 2023 | 14:04h | UTC
Review | Orthostatic tachycardia after covid-19
14 Mar, 2023 | 13:48h | UTCOrthostatic tachycardia after covid-19 – The BMJ
Commentary: Key steps for diagnosis and management of orthostatic tachycardia after COVID-19 – News Medical
Retrospective Cohort | Arrhythmogenic cardiotoxicity associated with contemporary treatments of lymphoproliferative disorders
14 Mar, 2023 | 13:27h | UTC
#ACC23 – Single-arm study | Pulsed field ablation shows promise for the treatment of atrial fibrillation
8 Mar, 2023 | 14:08h | UTCCommentaries:
PULSED AF ‘Strengthens the Case’ for Pulsed-Field Ablation in AF – TCTMD
Cohort Study | Elevated uric acid linked to increased risk of new‐onset atrial fibrillation
1 Mar, 2023 | 13:54h | UTCNews Release: Uric acid linked to later risk for irregular heart rhythm – American Heart Association
Commentary: Elevated uric acid levels linked to new-onset AFib – Cardiovascular Business
Commentary on Twitter
Elevated Uric Acid Is Associated With New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Swedish AMORIS Cohort #AHAJournals https://t.co/P4ydRLTBrH pic.twitter.com/XT3ifw0YEH
— JAHA (@JAHA_AHA) January 12, 2023
RCT | Effects of an exercise and physical activity program in patients with atrial fibrillation
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:38h | UTCAn Exercise and Physical Activity Program in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The ACTIVE-AF Randomized Controlled Trial – JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: ACTIVE-AF Suggests Physical Activity May Reduce Atrial Fibrillation Risk – HCP Live
M-A | Effect of posterior pericardiotomy in cardiac surgery
28 Feb, 2023 | 13:34h | UTC
Post hoc analysis | Prevalence and significance of bradyarrhythmias in patients screened for atrial fibrillation
17 Feb, 2023 | 13:13h | UTCSummary: This study looked at the prevalence and significance of bradyarrhythmias in people screened for atrial fibrillation using an implantable loop recorder compared to those who did not receive screening. The study found that screening was associated with the incidental diagnosis of bradyarrhythmias in 1 in 5 people and an increase in pacemaker implantations, but it did not reduce the risk of syncope or sudden death. While bradyarrhythmias are common in older people and can be risk markers, actively detecting and treating them in asymptomatic individuals may not improve clinical outcomes.*
Author Interview: Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Bradyarrhythmias in Patients Screened for Atrial Fibrillation vs Usual Care – JAMA
Commentary on Twitter
In the randomized LOOP study, AF screening resulted in the coincidental diagnosis of sinus node dysfunction or atrioventricular block in 1 of 5 participants, along with increased pacemaker implantations, but no change in risk of syncope or sudden death. https://t.co/V5JK2iGlQV
— JAMA Cardiology (@JAMACardio) February 15, 2023
*Note: This summary was created through the collaboration of a medical editor and ChatGPT.
Retrospective Cohort | High burden of premature ventricular complex linked to increased risk of new‐onset atrial fibrillation
17 Feb, 2023 | 13:12h | UTCSummary: The study investigated whether a high burden of premature ventricular complex (PVC) is associated with an increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The study analyzed the daily burden of PVC using the 24-hour Holter ECG and medical record databases of a single hospital in Taiwan. Patients with high PVC burden were at a higher risk of new-onset AF compared to those with low PVC burden.*
*Note: This summary was created through the collaboration of a medical editor and ChatGPT.
Review | Postoperative atrial fibrillation: from mechanisms to treatment
15 Feb, 2023 | 15:54h | UTCPostoperative atrial fibrillation: from mechanisms to treatment – European Journal of Cardiology
Commentary on Twitter
Postoperative atrial fibrillation: from mechanisms to treatment https://t.co/Alpb9eFRGb @escardio #EHJ #ESCYoung #cardiotwitter @ehj_ed @rladeiraslopes pic.twitter.com/s27PGkS49X
— European Society of Cardiology Journals (@ESC_Journals) February 14, 2023
Retrospective Cohort | Phenotypes of overdiagnosed Long QT syndrome
14 Feb, 2023 | 10:35h | UTCPhenotypes of Overdiagnosed Long QT Syndrome – Journal of the American College of Cardiology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentaries:
Phenotypes of Overdiagnosed Long QT Syndrome – American College of Cardiology
Long QT syndrome overdiagnosis persists – MDedge
Commentary on Twitter
Increased physician & public awareness of LQTS-assoc. warning signs & an increase in #ECG screening programs may contribute to an overdiagnosis of #LQTS.
Authors discuss the top 5 causes of LQTS misdiagnosis & provide guidance to reduce this burden. https://t.co/CDUoiUhihY #JACC pic.twitter.com/BNTXMWQzGP
— JACC Journals (@JACCJournals) February 3, 2023
Cohort Study | Autoimmune diseases and new-onset atrial fibrillation
3 Feb, 2023 | 13:52h | UTCAutoimmune diseases and new-onset atrial fibrillation: a UK Biobank study – EP Europace
RCT | Ablation vs. anti-arrhythmic therapy for reducing all hospital episodes from recurrent atrial fibrillation
3 Feb, 2023 | 13:40h | UTC