The Relation of Atrial Fibrillation and Inflammation Do Inflammation Imply the Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation？

Atrial fibrillation （AF）, the most commonly encountered arrhythmia in clinical practice, is associated with a 2-fold increase in total cardiovascular mortality, as well as the potential for substantial morbidity, including stroke, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Its incidence and prevalence are increasing, and it represents a growing clinical and economic burden. Owing to relative inefficacy and side effects of current pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy for AF, it remains a great challenge to improve primary and secondary AF prevention strategies to reduce this potentially enormous health burden.     

Smartwatch Algorithm for Automated Detection of Atrial Fibrillation

Background

The Kardia Band (KB) is a novel technology that enables patients to record a rhythm strip using an Apple Watch (Apple, Cupertino, California). The band is paired with an app providing automated detection of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Results of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients With or Without a History of Atrial Flutter

INTRODUCTION There are two kinds of atrial flutter will meet during AF ablation. Left atrial flutter (LAFL) is a known complication of catheter-based therapies of atrial fibrillation (AF). Linear catheter ablation may lead to instances of“gap”within the…     

Predictors of Occurrence of Left Atrial Appendage Stunning After Electrical Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm

Objective To determine the predictors and risk factors of occurrence of atrial appendage stunning after electrical cardioversion of non-valvular atrial fibrillation.     

What Is the Role of Left Atrial Appendage Closure in the Rhythm Control of Atrial Fibrillation?

Interventional catheter ablation approaches to the rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF) have advanced significantly in the past decade. The foundation of the catheter ablation in AF is electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVI). However, PVI only in more advanced stages of AF (persistent AF) has only modest to poor success rates prompting a search for alternative and adjunctive procedures to improve the outcomes of ablation in persistent AF. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is well understood to be a primary source of emboli in AF but less well known be a trigger or driver for AF. Therefore, LAA exclusion is an attractive target to potentially improve AF ablation outcomes in more advanced stages of AF and possibly as an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation in the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in AF. However, the precise role of LAA closure in the interventional approach to AF is still to be elucidated with ongoing clinical investigations.     

Predictors and Risk Factors of Occurrence of Left Atrial Thrombus Among Aged patients With Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

Objective To determine the predictors and risk factor of thrombus in left atrium among aged patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.     

Is Atrial Fibrillation a Genetic Disease?

Atrial fibrillation remains one of the most challenging arrhythmias for the clinician and basic researcher. Different approaches have been undertaken to improve its understanding; from the development of animal models to the analysis of genetic backgrounds in individuals with familial and acquired forms of the disease. In the last few years, a large body of evidence has shown that alterations in ionic currents are involved in the disease. However, it has not been until recently, with the genetic link between mutations in proteins responsible for these ionic currents and the familial disease, that we have been given the final evidence that atrial fibrillation can also be primarily an ion channelopathy. Despite the limited prevalence of the inherited diseases, it has been shown before that the knowledge gained in their study will be helpful in dealing with the most common acquired forms of the disease. Therefore, as data keep unraveling, clinicians can expect that soon better therapeutic and preventive options for atrial fibrillation will emerge from basic science.     

Gene Expression of Atrial Calcium-Handling Proteins in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease and Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives To investigate the gene expression of calcium - handling proteins in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) . Methods A total of 50 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease were included. According to cardiac rhythm and duration of episode of AF, patients were divided into four groups: sinus rhythm group, paroxysmal AF group, persistent AF for less than 6 months group and persistent AF for more than 6 months group. Atrial tissue was obtained from the right atrial appendage, the right atrial free wall and the left atrial appendage respectively during open heart surgery. Total RNA was isolated and reversly transcribed into cDNA. In a semi - quantitative polymerase chain reaction the cDNA of interest and of glyceralde-hyde3 - phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were amplified and separated by ethidium bromide - stained gel electrophoresis. Multiple liner regress was used for correlation between the mRNA amount and age, sex, right atrial diameter (RAd) and left a     

Does Rapid Atrial Pacing Terminate Atrial Fibrillation? A Comparison of Laboratory and Device Termination Studies

Atrial fibrillation is understood to be a re-entrant arrhythmia and for many years electrophysiologists have attempted to pace-terminate the rhythm. Several studies have demonstrated that an excitable gap is present during atrial fibrillation and that the capture of small amounts of atrial tissue is possible. Early attempts to terminate atrial fibrillation however were unsuccessful. The rapid development of pacemaker and defibrillator technology has provided an exciting new direction for the treatment of recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Results from studies of the effectiveness of atrial anti-tachycardia pacing algorithms have suggested that 50% of atrial arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation) can be pace-terminated. These findings conflict with data from the electrophysiology laboratory where atrial fibrillation has yet to be convincingly terminated. In this review, the current literature is discussed and possible reasons for this discrepancy are proposed.     

Effect of mmPs/TIMPs on Atrial Structural Remodeling in A Chronic Canine Atrial Fibrillation Model

Objective Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associatedwith atrial dilation and fibrosis, but the mechanism underlying these abnormalities remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (mmP-9)and tissue in hibitor metalloproteinase -1 (TIMP-1) on extracellular matrix of atrium.     

Elevated Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke in Patients With Atrial Flutter—A Population-Based Study

Background

The risk of stroke from atrial flutter and its relationship with progression to atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. This study describes the incidence of AF and stroke in patients with atrial flutter, and whether atrial flutter ablation attenuates the incidence of AF and stroke.