Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of CHADS2, R2CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores for the prediction of rhythm outcomes after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: the Leipzig Heart Center AF Ablation Registry.
Recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF) occur in up to 30% within 1 year after catheter ablation. This study evaluated the value of CHADS2, R2CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores for the prediction of rhythm outcomes after AF catheter ablation. ⋯ R2CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc were associated with rhythm outcomes after catheter ablation. However, AF type, left atrial diameter, and especially ERAF are also significant predictors for LRAF that should be included into new clinical scores for the prediction of rhythm outcomes after catheter ablation.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
Burden of sudden cardiac death in persons aged 1 to 49 years: nationwide study in Denmark.
Knowledge of the burden and causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is sparse in persons aged<50 years; better understanding is needed to lower the risk of SCD. The aim of this study was to report SCD incidence rates and autopsy findings in persons aged 1 to 49 years. ⋯ In a nationwide cohort of persons aged<50 years, the annual incidence rate of SCD was ≈10× higher in persons aged 36 to 49 years than in persons aged 1 to 35 years. Notably, coronary artery disease was the most common cause of SCD, followed by unexplained deaths. These findings may help in developing strategies to prevent SCD in the future.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
T-cell-mediated inflammatory activity in the stellate ganglia of patients with ion-channel disease and severe ventricular arrhythmias.
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are electric diseases characterized by catecholamine-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Unbalanced autonomic innervation of the heart may trigger arrhythmic events and stellectomy is a treatment option for patients who are resistant to pharmacological drugs. We analyzed left stellectomy specimens of LQTS and CPVT patients for signs of inflammatory activity. ⋯ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity toward ganglion cells may boost adrenergic activity as to trigger or enhance electric instability in LQTS/CPVT patients who are already genetically predisposed to arrhythmias.
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Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol · Apr 2014
Long-term follow-up after catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the incidence of recurrence and progression of atrial fibrillation.
Although catheter ablation (CA) is a standard treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), its long-term efficacy remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the incidences of AF recurrence and of progression from paroxysmal to persistent AF, after CA, in patients with paroxysmal AF. ⋯ Although the long-term follow-up revealed the effect of CA on preventing AF recurrence, repeated CA sessions might be required. The rate of progression from paroxysmal to persistent AF was 0.3%/y.