bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 285,000 patients
Authors: Romiti GF , Pastori D , Rivera-Caravaca JM , Ding WY , Gue YX , Menichelli D , Gumprecht J , Koziel M , Yang PS , Guo Y , Lip GYH , Proietti M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
The ‘Atrial Fibrillation Better Care’ (ABC) pathway has been recently proposed as a holistic approach for the comprehensive management of patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF), standing on three main pillars: ‘A’ Avoid stroke (with Anticoagulants); ‘B’ Better symptom management; ‘C’ Cardiovascular and Comorbidity management. The ABC pathway is now recommended in several clinical guidelines, including the recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) AF management guidelines. We performed a systematic review of the current evidence for use of the ABC pathway on clinical outcomes.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA Guidelines. Pubmed and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting the prevalence of ABC pathway adherent management in AF patients, and its impact on clinical outcomes (all-cause death, cardiovascular death, stroke, and major bleeding). Metanalysis of odds ratio (OR) was performed with random-effect models; subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to account for heterogeneity; a CHA2DS2-VASc-stratified sensitivity analysis was also performed.

Results
Among 2862 records retrieved from the literature search, 8 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of ABC adherent management was 21% (95% confidence intervals (CI), 13-34%), with a high grade of heterogeneity; in a multivariable meta-regression model, adherence to each criteria of the ABC pathway explained most part of the heterogeneity (R2 = 98.9%). Patients treated according to the ABC pathway showed a lower risk of all-cause death (OR:0.42, 95%CI 0.31-0.56), cardiovascular death (OR:0.37, 95%CI 0.23-0.58), stroke (OR:0.55, 95%CI 0.37-0.82) and major bleeding (OR:0.69, 95%CI 0.51-0.94), with moderate heterogeneity. Meta-regressions showed that the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and history of stroke were associated with a reduced effectiveness of the ABC pathway for all-cause and cardiovascular death; each comorbidity was able to explain a significant proportion of heterogeneity at univariate meta-regression. Conversely, longer follow-up time was associated with more effectiveness of the ABC pathway for all outcomes. Adherence to ABC pathway was associated with a progressively greater reduction of the all-cause death risk amongst patients with higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores; no difference in ABC pathway effectiveness was found across CHA2DS2-VASc strata for CV death and stroke occurrence.

Conclusions
Adherence to the ABC pathway was suboptimal, being adopted in 1 in every 5 patients. Adherence to the ABC pathway was associated with a reduction in the risk of major adverse outcomes. Our data supports extensive application of the ABC pathway for the management of AF. Abstract Figure.
Risks of thromboembolism, mortality and bleeding in 2,435,541 atrial fibrillation patients with and without cancer: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Pastori D , Marang A , Bisson A , Menichelli D , Herbert J , Lip GYH , Fauchier L 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer are frequently coexisting in clinical practice. The impact of cancer on outcomes in AF patients is unclear as well as the performance of HAS-BLED and CHA2DS2-VASc scores.
Purpose. To investigate the incidence rate (IR) of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, ischemic stroke (IS), major bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) according to the presence of cancer and cancer types.

Methods
Observational retrospective cohort study including 2,435,541 AF patients.
Results. Overall, 399,344 (16.4%) had cancer, the most common being metastatic, prostatic, colorectal, lung, breast, and bladder (figure). The table shows the IR of bleeding and ischemic outcomes according to the cancer type. During 2 years follow-up, the IS was higher with pancreas, uterine and breast cancers.
Cancer increased major bleeding (HR 1.27, 95%CI 1.26-1.28) and ICH (HR 1.07, 95%1.05-1.10), which progressively increased by HAS-BLED score, which showed generally good predictivity (c indexes &gt;0.70). The CHA2DS2-VASc score showed slightly lower predictivity in AF cancer patients.
Conclusions. Cancer increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, major bleeding and ICH risk in AF patients. The association between cancer and IS differed among cancer types. All-cause deathCardiovascular deathISMajor bleedingICHNo Cancer10.8 (10.8-10.8)3.8 (3.8-3.8)2.4 (2.3-2.4)5.0 (5.0-5.1)1.2 (1.1-1.2)Cancer27.0 (26.8-27.1)4.4 (4.4-4.5)2.3 (2.2-2.3)8.4 (8.3-8.5)1.3 (1.3-1.4)Breast20.4 (20.1-20.8)4.2 (4.1-4.4)2.6 (2.5-2.8)5.5 (5.3-5.7)1.3 (1.2-1.4)Ovarian40.4 (38.7-42.2)3.8 (3.3-4.4)2.2 (1.8-2.6)8.6 (7.8-9.5)0.9 (0.7-1.2)Uterine27.0 (26.0-28.1)4.2 (3.8-4.7)2.6 (2.3-2.9)9.0 (8.4-9.6)1.1 (0.9-1.3)Prostatic20.4 (20.1-20.7)4.2 (4.1-4.3)2.2 (2.1-2.3)9.1 (8.9-9.3)1.4 (1.3-1.5)Renal24.2 (23.5-24.9)4.1 (3.8-4.4)2.1 (1.9-2.3)9.6 (9.1-10.1)1.5 (1.3-1.7)Bladder23.7 (23.3-24.1)3.9 (3.7-4.1)2.2 (2.1-2.4)11.7 (11.4-12.0)1.2 (1.1-1.3)Gastric41.2 (40.0-42.5)3.6 (3.3-4.0)2.2 (1.9-2.5)11.0 (10.3-11.7)0.9 (0.7-1.1)Colorectal22.5 (22.2-22.8)3.2 (3.1-3.4)2.1 (2.0-2.2)8.4 (8.2-8.6)1.1 (1.0-1.2)Liver59.8 (58.2-61.4)5.9 (5.4-6.5)1.9 (1.7-2.3)12.7 (11.9-13.5)1.5 (1.2-1.7)Pancreas72.4 (70.4-74.5)5.7 (5.2-6.3)2.8 (2.4-3.3)11.7 (10.9-12.6)1.4 (1.2-1.7)Lung60.7 (60.0-61.4)5.6 (5.4-5.9)1.9 (1.8-2.0)8.2 (7.9-8.5)1.0 (0.9-1.1)Leukaemia38.1 (37.3-38.9)6.1 (5.8-6.4)2.0 (1.8-2.2)12.4 (11.9-12.9)1.9 (1.7-2.1)Myeloma33.3 (32.4-34.1)5.1 (4.8-5.5)2.0 (1.8-2.2)11.6 (11.1-12.2)1.5 (1.4-1.7)Metastatic66.9 (66.3-67.4)6.0 (5.8-6.2)2.2 (2.1-2.3)10.4 (10.2-10.6)1.3 (1.2-1.4)Abstract Figure 1
Left atrial wall stress and the outcome of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: artificial intelligence-based prediction of clinical outcome
Authors: Lee J , Kwon OS , Lee JS , Yu HT , Kim TH , Uhm JS , Joung BY , Lee MH , Pak HN 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background/Introduction: Left atrial (LA) wall stress (LAW-str) may contribute to the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Purpose
We explored the clinical characteristics and the rhythm outcome of AF depending on LAW-str among the patients who underwent AF catheter ablation (AFCA). We also tested whether artificial intelligence (AI) properly estimate LAW-str without invasive parameters.

Methods
We included 2223 patients (72.8% male, 59.0 [52.0–67.0] years old, 28.7% with persistent AF [PeAF]) who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). LAW-str was calculated by the Law of Laplace using LA diameter (echocardiogram), peak LA pressure, and mean LA wall thickness (computed tomography) measured by customized software. Based on the quartile (Q1–4) or AI-estimated values of LAW-str, we compared clinical characteristics and rhythm outcome.

Results
LAW-str was independently associated with PeAF (p &lt; 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.012) and vascular disease (p = 0.002), body mass index (p &lt; 0.001), E/Em (p &lt; 0.001), and mean LA voltage (p &lt; 0.001). During 26.0 (12.0–52.0) months follow-up, clinical recurrence of AF was significantly higher in the Q4 of LAW-str group (log rank p = 0.001). LAW-str was independently associated with clinical recurrence after AFCA (HR 1.001 [1.000–1.002], p = 0.013). AI-based model using non-invasive parameters predicted Q4 of LAW-str with area under the curve (AUC) 0.734, which was similar to logistic regression based predictive model using all data including invasive parameters (AUC 0.726). Patients in Q4 of LAW-str showed consistently worse rhythm outcome regardless of the type of AF, sex, or AI-based prediction (p = 0.039).

Conclusions
The LAW-str seems to be associated with rhythm outcome of AFCA and AI can predict this complex parameter with moderate accuracy. TableMultivariateβ (95% CI)PPersistent AF31.08 (21.77-40.39)&lt;0.001Diabetes mellitus15.36 (3.35-27.38)0.012Vascular disease22.27 (8.4-36.14)0.002Body mass index2.91 (1.53-4.29)&lt;0.001E/Em4.95 (3.87-6.02)&lt;0.001Mean LA voltage-22.24 (-27.96–16.52)&lt;0.001Linear regression analysis for clinical variables predictive of LA wall stress (10^3 dyn/cm2).Abstract Figure. AF recurrence by LAW-str, AI-prediction
Usefulness of different screening questionnaires and scoring systems for obstructive sleep apnea in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Delesie M , Knaepen L , Wouters A , De Cauwer A , De Roy A , Verbraecken J , Weytjens K , Dendale P , Heidbuchel H , Desteghe L 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This study is part of Limburg Clinical Research Center, supported by the foundation Limburg Sterk Merk, province of Limburg, Flemish government, Hasselt University, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg and Jessa Hospital.

OnBehalf
Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Antwerp

Background
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) influences the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) but is underdiagnosed in this population. Studies have shown that its treatment can help to reduce AF recurrences and improve symptoms. Polysomnography (PSG) is currently the gold standard for diagnosing OSA but being expensive and requiring overnight examination it is therefore not the ideal screening method. Different OSA screening tools such as questionnaires and scoring systems already exist but their value in AF patients remains unclear.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to examine the performance of different screening questionnaires and scoring systems for diagnosing OSA in an AF cohort, compared with PSG as gold standard.

Methods
Prospective study of the predictive performance of seven screening questionnaires and scoring systems (the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), Sleep Apnea Clinical Score (SACS), OSA50, STOP-BANG, NoSAS, MOODS) in consecutive AF patients referred to two sleep clinics.

Results
A total of 100 AF patients presenting for PSG were included (64.0 ± 8.6 years, 73% male, 87% non-permanent AF, mean Body Mass Index 30.6 ± 5.9 kg/m2, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 2.4 ± 1.7, mEHRA≥2 in 64%; mean AF history 5.4 ± 5.6 years). Forty-two percent of patients were referred to the sleep clinic by cardiologists. PSG diagnosed ≥mild OSA in 90% of patients, ≥moderate in 69%, and severe OSA in 33%. In screening for mild OSA, NoSAS, STOP-BANG and MOODS screening questionnaires had a fair area under the curve (AUC) of 0.773, 0.710 and 0.709 respectively. For at least moderate OSA, only the SACS and the NoSAS questionnaires had an AUC of 0.704 and 0.712 respectively (Figure 1). None of the seven screening questionnaires/scoring systems were performant enough (i.e. a fair AUC &gt; 0.7) to detect severe OSA.

Conclusions
Our analysis shows that screening questionnaires and scoring systems such as ESS, BQ, SACS, NoSAS, OSA50, STOP-BANG and MOODS are not very useful to predict clinically relevant OSA (i.e. at least moderate OSA) in AF patients. Therefore, other screening modalities for OSA in AF patients should be investigated and validated. Abstract Figure 1
Stabilization of unstable reentrant atrial tachycardias via fractionated continuous electrical activity ablation (CHAOS study)
Authors: Franco E , Lozano-Granero C , Matia R , Hernandez-Madrid A , Sanchez-Perez I , Zamorano JL , Moreno J 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background. Unstable reentrant atrial tachycardias (ATs) (i.e. those with frequent circuit modification or conversion to atrial fibrillation) are challenging to ablate.
Purpose. We have tested a strategy to convert unstable reentrant ATs into mappable stable ATs based on the detection and ablation of rotors.
Methods. From May 2017 to December 2019, we included all consecutive patients scheduled for ablation of reentrant AT, excluding CTI-dependent atrial flutter, in which the tachycardia circuit was unstable. Operators subjectively identified rotors as sites with fractionated continuous (or quasi-continuous) electrical signals on 1-2 adjacent bipoles of conventional high-density mapping catheters, without dedicated software (Figure, A). Focal ablation of these sites was performed in order to stabilize the AT or convert it into sinus rhythm. In patients without rotors or failed rotor ablation, sites with spatiotemporal dispersion (i.e. all the cycle length comprised within the mapping catheter) plus non-continuous fractionation on single bipoles were targeted (Figure, B). Procedural success was defined as the successful ablation of all inducible ATs, without need of cardioversion, final sinus rhythm and non-inducibility. Follow-up included visits with ECG and 24h Holter-ECG at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Results. From May 2017 to December 2019, 97 patients were scheduled for reentrant AT ablation, excluding CTI-dependent atrial flutter. Of these, 18 patients (18.6%; 72.1 ± 8.9 years of age, 9 females) presented unstable circuits and were included. 9 patients (50%) had structural cardiomyopathy, 11 patients (61%) prior atrial arrhythmias ablations, and 4 patients (22%) previous cardiac surgery. 13 patients (72%) had detectable rotors (26 rotors; median 2 [1–3] rotors per patient); focal ablation achieved conversion into stable AT or sinus rhythm in 12 (92%). In the other patient, and the 5 patients without detectable rotors, 17 sites with spatiotemporal dispersion were detected and focally ablated, with success to achieve arrhythmia stabilization in 5 patients (83%). Globally, and excluding one patient with spontaneous AT stabilization, ablation success to stabilize the AT was achieved in 16/17 patients (94.1%). Procedural success was achieved in 16/18 patients (88.9%). Rate of one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias was 66.7%. In the 9 patients with stable ATs ablated during the same period, procedural success (92.4%) and one-year freedom from atrial arrhythmias (65.8%) were similar (Figure, C).
Conclusion. Most unstable reentrant ATs show detectable rotors, identified as sites with single-bipole fractionated quasi-continuous signals, or spatiotemporal dispersion plus non-continuous fractionation. Ablation of these sites is highly effective to stabilize the AT or convert it into sinus rhythm. Abstract FIGURE
Radiofrequency catheter denervation of sinus node: a randomized comparison of right and left atrial approach for the cardioneuroablation
Authors: Wichterle D , Jansova H , Stiavnicky P , Peichl P , Stojadinovic P , Cihak R , Kautzner J 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of superior paraseptal ganglionic plexus is an important step to eliminate the vagal modulation of sinus node for the treatment of neurally-mediated syncope. The reasonable effect can be achieved by targeting this plexus from the endocardial aspect of both right (RA) and left (LA) atria.

Purpose
We investigated the efficacy of RA and LA ablation in terms of sinus nodal denervation.

Methods
The study included 24 patients (age: 42 ± 13 years, 50% males) who underwent cardioneuroablation for recurrent cardioinhibitory syncope in general anesthesia. Right atrial semicircular lesion at the posteroseptal quadrant of superior vena cava ostium was composed of 5-6 equidistantly distributed ablation sites (30 W, 30 s, 20 ml/min). Left atrial lesion of comparable size was placed strictly contralaterally across the interatrial septum in the anterior vestibulum of a right superior pulmonary vein. Patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to RA-to-LA or LA-to-RA ablation. Sinus rate and the response to extracardiac right vagal nerve high-frequency stimulation (50 Hz, 0.05 ms, 1 V/kg [&lt;70V], 5 s) were recorded at baseline and after each ablation cluster.

Results
Study protocol ablations overall resulted in sinus acceleration (81 ± 13 vs. 59 ± 12 bpm, P &lt;0.0001) and attenuation of inducible sinus arrests (maximum pause: 1.2 ± 1.4 vs. 5.5 ± 3.0 s, P &lt;0.0001). Temporal development of outcome measures with the progression of ablation is shown in the Figure. There was no significant difference between study groups. Irrespective of ablation order, the first ablation cluster on average generated 77% of the final effect on sinus rate and 68% of the final effect on suppression of vagally-induced sinus pauses.

Conclusions
Neither RA nor LA approach is preferable for targeting the superior paraseptal ganglionic plexus. Both ablation clusters convey complementary and, in part, mutually independent effects. Biatrial cardioneuroablation seems essential for efficacious sinus nodal denervation. Abstract Figure.
New biochemical predictor of the ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Atabekov T , Batalov R , Sazonova S , Gusakova S , Krivolapov S , Khlynin M , Popov S 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Introduction. The cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation is the most effective method for the sudden cardiac death (SCD) prevention. However, about 25% patients did not receive an ICD therapy during the first 5-years follow-up. At the same time ICD does not register ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA) events in patients with ICD implanted for the primary prevention of SCD. So, it’s necessary to find out new prognostic markers of the VTA incidence, which will help to optimize the selection of patients who really need an ICD implantation. Currently, ST-2 and galectin-3 are actively studied in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic heart failure due to their high potential prognostic value. Moreover, their role in the development of life-threatening arrhythmias is still poorly understood. In this regard, the study of the level of biomarkers of inflammation and myocardial fibrosis is relevant.
Aim. To evaluate the prognostic value of the ST-2 and galectin-3 in VTA predicting in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35 %.
Material and methods. The study included 40 patients (males – 36, median age – 64,5 [57,5; 68,5] years) with CAD, II and III functional class of chronic heart failure, left ventricle ejection fraction less than 35 % and ICD implantation indications (primary prevention of the SCD). ST-2 and galectin-3 blood concentration were determined before ICD implantation. All patients were followed-up during 18 months. There were assessed arrhythmological events recorded in ICD memory and ICD-lead parameters.
Results. The 1st group consisted of 10 (25,0 %) patients with VTA events terminated with ICD antitachycardia pacing or shock, the 2nd group – 30 (75,0 %) patients without VTA events. The univariate ROC-analysis showed that the high values of the ST-2 (p = 0,003) and galectin-3 (p = 0,045) were associated with frequent VTA events. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the ST-2 &gt; 22,48 ng/ml (p = 0,02) and galectin-3 &gt; 10,95 ng/ml (p = 0,009) significantly increase the risk of the VTA events. The multivariate ROC-analysis showed that only ST-2 increase (OR = 1,1053; CI 95 %: 1,0134-1,2056; р = 0,023) leaded to frequent VTA events. Conclusion. An increase of ST-2 more than 22,48 ng/ml and galectin-3 more than 10,95 ng/ml has predictive value in VTA assessing risk in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. In multivariate analysis, an independent predictor of VTA is the ST-2 increase more than 22,48 ng/ml.
Investigate clinical characteristics and genetic mutations of CPVT patients in Taiwan and risk stratification
Authors: Hsu CY , Wu MH , Chiu SN , Lin MT , Lai LP , Chen WJ , Lin TT , Juang JM 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministry of Science and Technology

Background
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare and lethal arrhythmia in children and young adults. RYR2 mutation accounts for 60% of CPVT patients. While many articles about CPVT are published in the Caucasian population, only a few studies are based on Asian ethnicity. A CPVT scorecard proposed using Caucasian patients is proven effective in reducing the burden of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) of RYR2 mutations is not yet tested in the Asian population.

Purpose
Identify mutations among Taiwanese CPVT patients and compare genetic and clinical results with other ethnicities. We also tested the efficacy of the CPVT scorecard in Taiwanese CPVT patients.

Methods
40 clinically diagnosed CPVT patients and their family members were consecutively enrolled from multi-centers. We compared clinical characteristics and genetic results with other ethnicities, and applied the Caucasian CPVT scorecard to test whether it is applicable in Taiwanese CPVT patients.

Results
This is the first nationwide CPVT cohort in Taiwan. Among the 29 patients with CPVT-related gene mutation, 12 RYR2 variants was identified in our cohort with 5 of them unreported in previous studies. The RYR2 yield rate was 55%, similar to other ethnicities. Exercise-induced symptoms including syncope and cardiac arrest were more severe in Taiwanese CPVT cohort, compared to Japanese and Caucasian cohorts. The CPVT scorecard also successfully reduced the VUS rate for the Taiwanese cohort.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated genetic difference in CPVT patients across ethnicities, suggesting the importance of genetic testing in Taiwan. The CPVT scorecard is applicable to Taiwanese CPVT patients and is a helpful tool in interpreting genetic test results in clinical practice. Clinical characteristics of the cohort Gender (male, %) 15 (52%) Mean age of onset (years) 18 ± 15 Exercise-related syncope or cardiac arrest (n, %) 23 (79%) Exercise-related cardiac arrest (n, %) 14 (48%) Family history of unexplained sudden cardiac death (n, %) 5 (17%) Heart rate (bpm) 73 ± 16 Exercise stress test or Holter positive (n, %) 14 (48%) Ventricular arrhythmia (n, %) 23 (79%) Beta-blockers only (n, %) 10 (35%) Intracardiac defibrillator implantation (n, %) 15 (52%) CPVT score 6 ± 3