bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening for atrial fibrillation in subjects aged 65 using a long-term continuous ECG telemonitoring vest: the NOninvasive Monitoring for early detection of atrial fibrillation (NOMED-AF) study
Authors: Sredniawa B , Mitrega K , Stokwiszewski J , Sokal A , Boidol J , Wierucki L , Zieleniewicz P , Rajca A , Bandosz P , Zdrojewski T , Opolski G , Kazmierczak J , Grodzicki T , Lip G.Y.H , Kalarus Z 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) confers a high healthcare burden from stroke, heart failure, dementia and hospitalisation, and one challenge is. Early detection of this arrhythmia in the community, given that it is often asymptomatic.

Aim
To perform population screening for atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF/AFl) using a mobile long-term continuous ECG telemonitoring vest in a representative Polish and European population aged ≥65 years (age range 65–100 years).

Methods
The NOMED-AF study is a cross-sectional study based on a representative sample of adults aged ≥65 years (n=3014; mean age 77.5±7.9 years; 49.1% female). All study participants were equipped with a mobile long-term continuous ECG telemonitoring vest. National and European estimations were calculated on weighted data.

Results
In 680 subjects AF/AFl (including 279 with SAF; 9.3%) was confirmed. In the NOMED-AF population, the prevalence of AF/AFl was 22.6%, estimated to be 19.2% for Poland [1,251,100 (95% CI: 1,158,300–1,344,000) and 480,100 (95% CI: 426,60–533,700) subjects with AF/AFl and SAF, respectively] and 20.4% for Europe [20,300,000 (95% CI 18.8–21.9 M), including 8,000,000 (95% CI: 6.9–9.3 M) subjects with AF/AFl and SAF, respectively]. The prevalence of AF/AFl was 2.56-fold higher in men than in women and the incidence of silent AF (SAF) was 4.73-fold higher in men than in women. Although the risk of either AF/AFl or SAF increased with age, the odds ratio was significantly higher in women of a particular age group than in men of the corresponding age. Based on our survey, the total number of subjects with AF/AFl in Europe is estimated to be roughly 20.3 million (95% CI 18.8–21.9M), including 8.0 million (95% CI: 6.9–9.3M) subjects with silent AF/AFl (Figure).

Conclusions
Approximately 1 in 5 subjects aged ≥65 years suffers from AF/AFl. The risk for AF/AFl and SAF is higher in men than that in women, but when correlated to a particular age group, the risk increases significantly in women. Continuous ECG telemonitoring allows for more credible AF/AFl and SAF detection.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The research has received funding from the National Centre for Research and Development under grant agreement (STRATEGMED2/269343/18/NCBR/2016
The prognostic impact of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation after heart failure hospitalization on long-term mortality – Propensity-score matching analysis
Authors: Iwanami Y , Jujo K , Higuchi S , Abe T , Shoda M , Ejima K , Hagiwara N 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
In the last two decades, catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) including pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been developed as a standard and effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). In patients with chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HFrEF), PVI CA for AF dramatically improves LVEF, resulting in better clinical prognoses. On the contrary, there still has been no data that PVI CA for AF improves the prognosis in heart failure patients with preserved LVEF (HFpEF).

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of PVI CA for AF after the hospitalization due to decompensation of heart failureHF, focusing on LVEF.

Methods
From the database including 1,793 consecutive patients who were hospitalized due to congestive HF, we ultimately analyzed 624 AF patients who were discharged alive. They were assigned into two groups due that PVI CA for AF procedure done after the index hospitalization for HF; the PVI CA group (n=62) and Non-PVI CA group (n=562). For the two groups, we performed propensity-score (PS) matching using variables as follows: age, sex, LVEF, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at discharge. Further analysis was performed separately in HFrEF (LVEF &lt;50%) and HFpEF (LVEF &gt;50%). The primary endpoint of this study was death from any cause.

Results
In unmatched patients, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the PVI CA group had a significantly lower all-cause mortality than those in the Non-PVI CA group during 678 median follow-up period (Log-rank test: P=0.003, Figure A). In 96 PS-matched patients, patients in the PVI CA group still had lower mortality rate than those in the Non-PVI CA group (hazard ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.09–0.86, p=0.018, Figure B). When the whole study population was classified into HFrEF and HFpEF, HFrEF patients who received PVI showed a significantly lower mortality than those who did not (p=0.007); whereas, in HFpEF patients, PVI CA for AF did not make statistical difference in all-cause mortality (p=0.061).

Conclusions
In this observational study, PVI CA for AF may improve the mortality in HF patients with reduced LVEF. However, the prognostic impact of PVI CA for AF was not observed in HF patients with preserved LVEF.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Geographical region differences in the Cabana trials
Authors: Cappato R , Silverstein A.P , Bahnson T.D , Monahan K.A , Poole J.E , Al-Khalidi H.A , Mark D.B , Packer D.L 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Unexpected variations in treatment benefits by geographic region raise questions about the generalizability of findings from international clinical trials.

Purpose
Investigate the outcome of catheter ablation vs drug therapy in CABANA patients with AF treated at North American (NA) compared with non-NA sites, a pre-specified comparison.

Methods
CABANA randomized 2204 symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to ablation vs drug therapy at 126 centers in 10 countries. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, disabling stroke, serious bleeding, or cardiac arrest.

Results
There were 1285 patients enrolled at 85 NA sites, and 919 at 45 non-NA sites. At baseline, NA and non-NA patients differed significantly with regard to age, sex, BMI, CCS, CHA2DS2-VASc score, family history of AF, prior AF hospitalization, history of A Flutter, diabetes, NYHA class, and proportion with sleep apnea, heart disease, CAD, CHF, or EF &gt;35%. Four-year Kaplan-Meier event rates showed considerable differences in treatment effects between NA and non-NA patients (see Table). Ablation was associated with a 50% reduction in the primary endpoint in non-NA (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.03) vs a 5% reduction in NA (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.30) enrollees despite higher event rates in NA patients. The trend of favorable outcome with ablation at non-NA sites was maintained after adjustment for baseline covariates that differed between the non-NA (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.04) and NA populations (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.20).

Conclusion
We observed substantial geographic variation in clinical outcomes and treatment effects in the CABANA trial that suggests an important disconnection between overall event rates and treatment benefit from ablation in AF.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): NIH
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with reduced systolic function: a national perspective
Authors: Munir M , Khan M.Z , Agrawal P , Benjamin M.M , Syed M , Farjo P , Patel K , Ghaffar Y.A , Khan M.U , Khan S , Balla S 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Randomized trials have shown improvement in hard clinical end points when catheter ablation (CA) was employed as a management strategy for certain atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We sought to determine real world data on mortality and complications after utilization of CA in such patients.

Methods and results
Data were derived from National Inpatient Sample from January 2008 to August 2015. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared among AF and HFrEF patients undergoing CA or not. Propensity matching was done to mitigate selection bias and balance confounding variables. Various CA related complications were assessed. Logistic regression was done to determine predictors of mortality in our study cohort. A total of 2,569,919 patients were enrolled and out of these approximately 7773 patients underwent CA. Mortality was significantly better in CA group in both unmatched (1.2% vs. 4.9%, p&lt;0.01) and propensity matched cohorts (1.2% vs. 3.6%, p&lt;0.01). Overall complication rate was 10.2% in CA cohort and were primarily cardiac and neurological in origin. In regression analysis, CA remains a strong predictor of reduced mortality (OR 0.301, 95% CI 0.184–0.494).

Conclusion
CA is associated with improved mortality in admitted AF patients with concomitant HFrEF. Overall complication rate after CA was modest at 10.2%.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Not only power and energy but also balloon size is correlated with lesion formation in laser ablation model in vitro study
Authors: Matsunaga Y , Egami Y , Yano M , Yamato M , Shutta R , Nishino M , Tanouchi J 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Power and total energy were known to correlate with lesion formation during laser balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation. However, it is unclear whether balloon size can influence lesion formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of balloon size on lesion formation during laser balloon procedure in vitro model.

Methods
Laser energy was applied to chicken muscles using first generation laser balloon. Laser ablation was performed with different 2 balloon size (18mm and 32mm) using 2 different power settings (12W/20sec and 8.5W/20sec). Forty lesions were evaluated for each setting. We compared maximum lesion width, maximum lesion depth, depth at maximum width and endocardial lesion width between 18mm and 32mm balloon groups at 12W/20sec and 8.5W/20sec, respectively.

Results
At 8.5W/20sec, inadequate lesion formation to assess lesion size was observed in 1/40 lesion of 18mm balloon group and in 5/40 lesions of 32mm balloon group. Thus, at 8.5W/20sec 18 mm balloon group consisted of 39 lesions and 32 mm balloon group consisted of 35 lesions. At 12W/20sec 18 mm balloon group consisted of 40 lesions and 32 mm balloon group consisted of 40 lesions. At both power settings, maximum lesion depth was larger in 18mm balloon than in 32mm balloon group. At 12W/20sec setting, maximum lesion width and endocardial width were larger in 32mm balloon group than in 18mm balloon group. At 12W/20sec setting, depth at maximum width was smaller in 32mm balloon group than in 18mm balloon group. Lesion morphologies were summarized in a figure.

Conclusion
Balloon size could affect lesion formation during laser balloon ablation in addition to laser power and energy. Laser ablation lesion were wider but shallower in 32mm balloon group compared with in 18mm balloon group.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Prevalence of LAA thrombus in patients undergoing percutaneous ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Silva C , Freitas P.N , Ferreira A.M , Albuquerque F , Guerreiro S , Abecasis J.M , Rodrigues G , Carmo J , Saraiva C , Goncalves M , Carmo P , Cavaco D , Morgado F , Adragao P , Mendes M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Computed tomography (CT) is often performed before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation to assess the anatomy of the pulmonary veins and exclude left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. With the growing use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), a reassessment of the need for systematic thrombus exclusion in this context seems warranted.

Objective
To evaluate the prevalence of thrombus in LA/LAA in pre-ablation CT in a contemporary cohort of patients predominantly anticoagulated with NOACs.

Methods
We evaluated 789 consecutive patients (mean age 61±12 years; 38% female; 84% with paroxysmal AF) who underwent pre-ablation CT between Oct/2015 and Oct/2019. ECG-gated CT-angiography was performed using a dual-source 64-slice CT after iodinated contrast injection. Whenever necessary, a second dedicated acquisition was made 60 seconds after the first set of images. Presence of thrombus was defined as a persistent opacification defect. For each patient, thromboembolic risk was assessed with the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

Results
The median interval between CT and AF ablation was 1 day (IQR 1 – 2 days). The median CHA2DS2-VASc was 2 points (IQR 0 – 3 points), with 590 patients (75%) having CHA2DS2-VASc ≥1. Among the 199 patients (25%) with CHA2DS2-VASc = 0, 118 (59,3%) were anticoagulated with a NOAC and 14 (7%) with a vitamin K antagonist; 67 (34%) were not anticoagulated. Conversely, amongst the 590 patients with CHA2DS2-VASc ≥1, 84% were anticoagulated with a NOAC (n=494), 11% used vitamin K antagonists (n=62), and 34 patients were not anticoagulated (23 with CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). On cardiac CT, 521 (66%) patients were in sinus rhythm. Overall, only one LAA thrombus was found (0.12% [1/789]; 95% CI: 0.0–0.7%) – in a patient with CHA2DS2-VASc = 0, anticoagulated with a NOAC. The median effective radiation dose was 3.2 mSv (IQR 2.1–4.8 mSv). There were 5 minor allergic reactions to iodinated contrast. No strokes were documented within the first 24 hours after ablation.

Conclusion
In this contemporary cohort of patients with predominantly paroxysmal AF and anticoagulated with NOAC, the prevalence of intracavitary thrombus was extremely low (0.12%). While these findings do not compromise the multipurpose role of pre-ablation CT, they should nevertheless inform future discussions on the risk/benefit and cost/benefit of performing systematic exclusion of LA/LAA thrombi prior to AF ablation.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography versus magnetic resonance imaging for pulmonary vein imaging prior to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: extended long-term follow-up
Authors: Kettering K 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Catheter ablation has become the first line of therapy in patients with symptomatic, recurrent, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is still challenging because of the high degree of variability of the pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a promising new technique for cardiac imaging. Therefore, we have evaluated the usefulness of 3-D TEE for analysing the left atrial anatomy prior to an ablation procedure in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods
In 150 patients, 3-D TEE and cardiac MRI were performed immediately prior to an ablation procedure (paroxysmal AF: 65 patients, persistent AF: 85 patients). The image quality provided by 3-D TEE and by cardiac MRI was compared in all patients. Two different ablation strategies were used. In patients with paroxysmal AF, the cryoablation technique was used. In the other patients, a circumferential pulmonary vein ablation was performed using a three-dimensional mapping system.

Results
A 3-D TEE and a cardiac MRI could be performed successfully in all patients prior to the ablation procedure. Several variations of the PV anatomy could be visualized precisely by 3-D TEE and cardiac MRI (e.g. accessory PVs, common PV ostia, varying diameter of the left atrial appendage and its distance to the left superior PV). The image quality was good in the majority of patients even if AF with rapid ventricular response was present during the examination. The image quality provided by 3-D TEE was acceptable in 144/150 patients (96.0%). The TEE findings correlated well with the PV angiographies performed using cardiac MRI. There was a good correlation with regard to the diameter of the PV ostia assessed by these two imaging techniques. All ablation procedures could be performed successfully (mean number of completely isolated PVs: 3.8 (cryo group), 4.0 (radiofrequency catheter ablation group)). At 48-month follow-up, 69.3% of all patients were free from an arrhythmia recurrence (cryo group: 75.4%, Carto group: 64.7%). There were no major complications.

Conclusions
AF ablation procedures can be performed safely and effectively based on prior 3-D TEE imaging. The image quality was acceptable in the vast majority of patients.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Atrial fibrillation ablation in athletes: 5-years experience of a single italian third-level center
Authors: Pizzamiglio F , Riva S.I , Dessanai M.A , Bonomi A , Fassini G , Casella M , Moltrasio M , Tundo F , Zeppilli P , Tondo C 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
The number of master athletes is increasing and treatment of AF is mandatory for sports continuation. However, few data exist about the effectiveness of catheter ablation (CA) in athletes and the feasibility of resuming vigorous exercise afterwards.

Objectives
Aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of AF CA in athletes and to evaluate the feasibility of resuming vigorous exercise.

Methods
We report a retrospective registry of athletes referred to our center for AF CA in the last five years. All athletes were previously declared non-eligible to competitive sport because of recurrences of AF or evidence of persistent asymptomatic AF. CA was performed as per practice and recurrences were defined as recrudescence of symptoms and/or any documentation of AF lasting more than 30 sec. At the end of the follow-up all pts were asked about resuming sport.

Results
We ablated 40 athletes (38 males, 95%) with a mean age of 48±13 years. Mean left atrium volume was 36±11 ml/m2 and mean ejection fraction was 61±5%. Distribution between AF characteristics was: 31 (78%) paroxysmal AF, 8 (20%) early-persistent AF, 1 (2%) long-persistent AF.
After a median follow-up of 787 days, 62,5% of athletes were free from recurrences after one CA procedure and mostly without antiarrhythmic drugs (87%). 7 athletes underwent a redo procedure and all of them were then free of recurrences with an overall freedom from recurrences of 84%. No major complication was observed. Athletes practicing endurance sports showed a negative trend in terms of recurrences (p = ns).
Most (72%) of the athletes resumed vigorous exercise after at least 3 months from the CA as per Italian sport protocols.

Conclusions
CA is safe and efficient in treating AF also in athletes. Resuming high intensity sports is often possible after 3 months from CA.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Real world experience from 1000 patients. Preprocedural DOAC interruption impacts detectable DOAC serum levels but not adverse events after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Konstantinou A , Bordignon S , Tohoku T , Chen S , Bologna F , Tsianakas N , Urbanek L , Trolesse L , Lindhoff-Last E , Schmidt B , Chun K.R.J 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) therapy represents the standard of care in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased stroke risk. In a real world setting withholding DOAC medication before elective AF ablation is considered to reduce procedural bleeding risks. The aim of this study was to determine the individual DOAC level prior to the ablation procedure, to identify predisposing factors affecting traceable DOAC levels and to screen for associated severe adverse events.

Methods
Between September 2016 and March 2019 blood samples were obtained from patients on DOAC before an elective AF ablation. Per institutional standard all patients have been instructed to pause DOAC medication prior ablation for one or two doses depending on the patient profile and type of medication. The time interval between ablation and last DOAC intake was calculated in hours. Patient characteristics, procedural data and in-hospital complications were noted from all patients.

Results
A total of 1000 patients (60% male, age: 68y, GFR 83.25: BMI: 28, CHADSVASC score 3) undergoing AF ablation were included. Two groups were defined. Group A (n=416, 41.6%): patients treated with “single pill” DOAC (Rivaroxaban (n=288, 28.8%) and Edoxaban (n=128, 12.8%)). Group B (n=584, 58.4%): patients treated with twice a day DOAC (Apixaban (n=505, 50.5%) and Dabigatran (n=79, 7.9%)). The only difference in patient characteristics was an increased prior bleeding history in group B. The DOAC pause was significantly longer in group A (mean 40h) compared to group B (mean 32h), p=0.026. In a total of 217 patients (21.7%) DOAC levels where traceable prior to AF ablation. Traceable DOAC levels were significantly more common in group B (n=144/584, 24.7%) compared to group A (n=73/416, 17.5%). Adverse events occurred in 5.7% of patients (0.4% stroke, 0.3% tamponade, 2.5% hematoma, 1.9% AV-fistel, 0.7% pseudoaneurysma). T-Test analysis showed no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events between both groups.

Conclusion
Despite of interrupting DOACs before an elective AF ablation therapeutic substance levels can be detected in &gt;20% of patients. The rate of adverse events was not different between “single pill” vs. twice a day DOAC intake.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Positive clinical benefit on patient care, quality of life and symptoms after radiofrequency ablation with contact force in persistent atrial fibrillation: analyses from PRECEPT
Authors: Natale A , Calkins H , Osorio J , Pollack S.J , Melby D , Marchlinski F.E , Athill C.A , Delaughter C , Patel A , Gentlesk P.J , Deville B , Macle L , Ellenbogen K.A , Dukkipati S , Mansour M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
The management of persistent (PsAF) aims to prevent AF recurrence and associated disabilities while reducing side effects from treatment. Contact force (CF)-guided RF catheters have proven efficacious and safe for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to treat paroxysmal AF; however, there is limited evidence on clinical benefits with ablation of PsAF.

Purpose
To assess long-term clinical effects on patients care, symptoms and QOL after CF-guided RF ablation in PsAF.

Methods
PRECEPT was a multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of CF RF catheters in the treatment of symptomatic PsAF (NCT02817776). PVI was performed with or without substrate modification. Patients were followed at 6, 9, 12 and 15 mos to collect the following data: Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) score, Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation (CCS-SAF) score, Class I/III AAD use, and incidence of cardioversion and cardiovascular hospitalization.

Results
A total of 333 enrolled patients (65.4±8.8 yrs, 71.2% male, CHA2DS2-VASC score 2.3±1.5) underwent PVI. Compared to baseline, 1) improvements in the AFEQT composite and subscores were seen from 6–15 mos, exceeding Clinical Important Difference (±5 points) in majority of subjects (Figure), 2) proportion of CCS-SAF Class 0 patients (asymptomatic with respect to AF) rose from 0.7% to 81.0%, 3) class I/III AAD use was reduced from 97.0% to 24.7%, and 4) incidence of cardioversion decreased from 62.0% to 10.7%. Moreover, the 1-yr Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from hospitalization was 84.2% [95% CI: 80.2%, 88.2%].

Conclusion
CF-guided RF ablation in PsAF patients led to a clinically meaningful improvement in QOL, as well as a reduction in AAD use, cardioversion, and hospitalization.
Figure 1. Mean AFEQT composite and subscore

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): This study was funded by Biosense Webster, Inc.