Transcatheter edge to edge repair (TEER) with MitraClipTM has been increasingly used after its FDA approval. Peri-procedural antithrombotic therapy is not yet clearly defined. We compared the outcomes of patients on anticoagulation with those on antiplatelets in this retrospective study.

We identified 2,422 patients with MitraClipTM placement in Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database from January 2016 to December 2020. Anticoagulation (AC group) were compared with dual antiplatelet (DAPT group). Patients were followed for 3 years. Primary outcome was occurrence of ischemic stroke, secondary outcomes were clinically significant bleeding requiring hospital visit and readmission within 30 days.

Of 2,422 patients, 957 (39.5 %) were on anticoagulation. Mean age was 79 + SD with 51 % males and 78 % Caucasians. Apixaban and aspirin were used in 486 (50.8 %) patients while 366 (38.24 %) patients used warfarin and aspirin. There was no statistically significant between groups difference in the incidence of stroke (HR 0.85, CI: 0.71-1.01, p = 0.07), clinically significant bleeding (HR 0.96, 95 % CI: 0.86-1.07, p = 0.46), or 30-days readmission rate (HR 1.07, 95 % CI: 0.84-1.36, p = 0.60). Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant benefit of using anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients (CI: 0.68-0.99, HR = 0.82, p = 0.04,). Heart failure was the most common cause of 30 days readmission.

DAPT has comparable results to anticoagulation after TEER with MitraClipTM in terms of stroke prevention, bleeding and 30-days readmission with the exception of patients with atrial fibrillation, who benefit from anticoagulation. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the importance of periprocedural anticoagulation and to reduce readmissions.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent among patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs); however, the exact influence of different types of AF on the clinical outcomes of these patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the impact of different types of AF on the outcomes of patients with LVADs.

The records of 162 patients with the LVADs HeartMate 3 (n = 64) and HeartMate II (n = 98) at a single center were reviewed. Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the associations among paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF), permanent atrial fibrillation (peAF), survival, hemorrhage, and thromboembolism. To adjust for confounding factors, we also used the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method and estimated the average treatment effect (ATE) for the outcomes of ischemic stroke (IS), mortality and right heart failure (RHF).

not applicable.

Of the 56 (34.6%) patients with preoperative AF, 38 patients had pAF and 18 patients had peAF. Overall survival differed significantly among the three groups (log-rank test: p = 0.001). Patients with peAF or pAF had a greater incidence of postoperative right heart failure (RHF) than did patients with sinus arrhythmia (SR) (p = 0.037). According to the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, both pAF and peAF were independent risk factors for post-LVAD IS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.65 (95% CI: 1.28-10.41, p = 0.016 and HR: 9.48 (2.94-30.56), p < 0.001). Patients with preoperative peAF or pAF who received an LVAD did not have an increased risk for hemorrhagic stroke. After IPTW, the ATE with respect to mortality was significantly different between patients with peAF and those with SR (p < 0.001). The ATE with respect to post-LVAD IS was significantly different for the pAF vs. SR and the peAF vs. SR patient groups (p = 0.035 and p = 0.004). After IPTW, the ATE for the RHF outcome did not significantly differ among the three groups.

Patients with preoperative pAF or peAF who underwent LVAD implantation had a higher risk of IS than patients with SR. Our data demonstrated that only preoperative peAF is associated with poor survival while SR is not.

End-stage heart failure (HF) accounts for 1% to 10% of all HF cases. It is frequently associated with coexistent atrial fibrillation due in part to structural changes related to altered hemodynamics, increased wall stress, and neurohormonal activation. The treatment remains challenging because of frequent atrial remodeling, comorbidities, and high recurrence rates. Studies have found no benefit of medical rhythm control compared with rate control. However, recent data suggest that catheter ablation might be associated with a reduction in HF symptomatology and all-cause mortality. Alternative treatment options including AV nodal ablation are available for refractory cases, but should not delay urgent heart transplantation.

The degree and time course of improvement in left ventricular (LV) function with treatment in patients with tachycardiomyopathy (TCMP) is highly variable. This study aims to clinically characterize the recovery of TCMP based on the extent and course of improvement in LV function and identify predictors of complete myocardial recovery.

In this prospective, single-center, observational study, patients with suspected TCMP who underwent successful tachyarrhythmia termination/control were included. Clinical and echocardiographic assessment of LV function was done at baseline, within 1 h after tachyarrhythmia termination, 24 h later, and at 12 weeks follow-up.

Ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Six patients had immediate normalization of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) with reversion to sinus rhythm and were labeled as "pseudo-TCMP"; the remaining 93 patients were included in the analysis. Based on complete versus partial normalization of LVEF at 12-week follow-up, 50 patients (53.8%) were labeled as completely recovered TCMP and 43 (46.2%) as partially recovered TCMP respectively. Causative arrhythmias included atrial fibrillation (38%), focal atrial tachycardia (28%), atrial flutter (22%), ventricular arrhythmias (11%), and orthodromic re-entrant tachycardia (2%). The LVEF at presentation was 0.25 ± 0.05 which improved to 0.36 ± 0.11 within 1 h after tachycardia termination (p < 0.0001), 0.41 ± 0.14 24 h later (p = 0.009) and to 0.52 ± 0.12 at 12 weeks follow-up (p < 0.0001). Male gender was the only differentiating statistically significant variable between completely recovered and partially recovered TCMP, 24 (48%) versus 30 (69.7%) respectively (p = 0.0339).

Nearly half of the TCMP patients have complete recovery of LV function at 12 weeks follow-up, while the other half have a partial recovery only. There was no robust predictor of complete myocardial recovery.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are highly prevalent conditions associated with significant morbidity and symptom burden.

This study compared the evolution over time of functional class and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HF according to the presence of AF.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at an outpatient heart failure clinic in Colombia, between 2020 and 2022. Functional class (based on the New York Heart Association classification) and QoL (measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), were analyzed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and the last visit. The simultaneous impact of AF and left ventricular ejection fraction was analyzed using a generalized estimation equation model.

Among the 440 patients (median age 74 years, 56.6% men), 41.4% with AF, and 65.2% with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Over time, functional class improved in both groups, with a more significant improvement in patients without AF. Patients with AF and HFrEF were more likely to remain in worse functional classes (OR: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.37-5.62). Similar trends were observed in QoL questionnaire, with sustained improvement after 3 months. However, AF negatively affected the physical dimension in patients with HFrEF, increasing the QoL questionnaire score by up to 4%.

The presence of AF and reduced ejection fraction was associated with a lesser improvement in functional class and physical dimension of QoL questionnaire, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management of AF as part of comprehensive HF care.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a variety of adverse long-term outcomes and increases sympathetic nervous system activation, which could increase the risk of arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/AFL).

We examined episodes of TBI and subsequent AF/AFL in a large cohort of post-9/11 servicemembers and veterans.

The variable of interest was TBI, stratified by severity (mild, moderate/severe, and penetrating). The outcome was a subsequent diagnosis of AF/AFL. We used Fine-Gray competing risks models to evaluate the potential risk imparted by TBI on subsequent AF/AFL.

Of the 1,924,900 participants included in the analysis, 369,891 (19.2%) experienced an episode of documented TBI. Most were young (63% <35 years), male (81.7%), and non-Hispanic White (62.7%). AF/AFL was diagnosed in 22,087 patients. On univariate analysis, only penetrating TBI (hazard ratio [HR], 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.84-2.23; P < .001) was associated with AF/AFL compared with veterans without TBI. After adjustment in the full multivariable model (adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, service branch, rank, component, and comorbidities), mild (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.22-1.32; P < .001), moderate/severe (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.24-1.44; P < .001), and penetrating TBI (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.65-2.02; P < .001) were significantly associated with AF/AFL compared with no TBI. Post hoc analyses demonstrated that the risk of AF/AFL was concentrated in female and younger patients.

We found that an episode of TBI, particularly penetrating TBI, significantly increased the risk for AF/AFL. Further work is needed to delineate the long-term risk of arrhythmias after TBI.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmias in the world. Patients with AF also suffer from heart failure (HF). The relationship between AF and HF is often considered bidirectional and both share very similar risk factors. The mechanism of AF-induced cardiomyopathy lies in 3 distinct components: tachycardia-related cardiac dysfunction, heart rhythm irregularity, and AF-induced atrial myopathy. These components are mediated by calcium mishandling, neurohormonal activation, oxidative stress, myocardial supply-demand mismatch, and irreversible fibrosis and remodeling. Managing AF-induced cardiomyopathy should focus on early rhythm control to mitigate the development of irreversible remodeling and atrial myopathy.

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are common cardiovascular conditions that are intricately linked to each other, with a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. These two conditions can create a vicious pathophysiologic milieu associated with neurohormonal changes, elevated cardiac filling pressure, myocardial remodeling, systemic and regional inflammation, fibrosis, and diminished myocardial contractility. It is well known that cardiomyopathy can cause atrial fibrillation and vice-versa, but often it is difficult to sort which came first. Unfortunately, the disease burden will only continue to rise with an aging population, and understanding the epidemiology of the disease and the interplay of these two conditions is vital to improved patient care.

Interactions between the heart and other organs have been a focus in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, the association between ADHF and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), which may lead to malnutrition, remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between exocrine pancreatic enzymes and ADHF.

We enrolled 155 and 46 patients with and without ADHF, respectively. Serum amylase and lipase levels were compared between the two groups. In the ADHF group, factors correlating with serum amylase or lipase levels were assessed using multiple regression analysis, and changes in their levels throughout the hospital course were determined.

Patients with ADHF exhibited significantly lower amylase and lipase levels. In the same group, the significant independent correlates of lower amylase levels included a lower blood urea-nitrogen level (partial correlation coefficient, 0.530; p < 0.001), lower albumin level (partial correlation coefficient, 0.252; p = 0.015), and higher uric acid level (partial correlation coefficient, -0.371; p < 0.001). The significant independent correlates of lower lipase levels included coexisting atrial fibrillation (coefficient, 0.287; p = 0.026), lower creatinine level (coefficient, 0.236; p = 0.042), and higher B-type natriuretic peptide level (coefficient, -0.257; p = 0.013). Both amylase and lipase levels significantly increased following the improvement in ADHF.

In patients with ADHF, decreased serum amylase and lipase levels were associated with the congestion severity, suggesting that PEI may occur in patients with ADHF, potentially due to ADHF-related congestion.

Atrial fibrillation with Heart Failure is a constellation of co-morbid conditions that now constitutes a major cardiovascular epidemic, with HF now the most common complication of AF. Mechanistically, both conditions promote substrate disease in the atrium and ventricle. AF is an independent rixk factor in HF progression and pump failure death. While early studies comparing rhythm control antiarrhythmic drugs and rate control drugs showed no significant benefit in cardiovascular outcomes, AF did promote HF emergence and hospitalizations. Newer rhythm control strategies with present day antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation support benefits in cardiovascular outcomes in AF with HF. Catheter ablation improved HF outcomes in HF with reduced ejection fraction but further and larger studies are needed, especially for AF with HF with preserved ejection fraction.

Multiple randomized clinical trials have demonstrated catheter ablation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction reduces mortality and hospitalization as well as improves ventricular function, quality of life, and functional status. Catheter ablation has been shown to be superior to alternative rate and rhythm control strategies in these outcomes. Guidelines strongly support the use of catheter ablation to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in acute heart failure (AHF), with a prevalence of approximately 35%. However, little is known about the clinical characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital conversion from AF to sinus rhythm and vice versa.

In a post hoc secondary analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled PROTECT trial in patients with AHF, we identified 4 groups of patients: AF at admission and in-hospital conversion to sinus rhythm (n = 44); in-hospital development of AF (n = 31); persistent AF (n = 278); and continuous sinus rhythm (n = 410).

Conversion from AF to sinus rhythm (13.7%) and from sinus rhythm to AF (7.0%) occurred only in a minority of patients. Patients with AF who converted to sinus rhythm were more often classified as being in New York Heart Association class IV, had higher heart rates and higher respiratory rates at hospital admission, whereas patients who developed AF were older, more likely to be female and had the highest ejection fractions compared to continuous sinus rhythm (all P < 0.05). Conversion to sinus rhythm or development of AF occurred mainly within the first 24 hours after hospital admission. Patients with persistent AF and those who developed AF had longer median lengths of hospital stay (8 vs 7 days; P < 0.001 and 9 vs 7 days; P < 0.001, respectively), compared to those with continuous sinus rhythm. In both univariable and multivariable analyses, there was no significant association between the AF groups and the primary clinical outcomes of either 180-day all-cause mortality or 60-day death or readmission for heart failure.

In patients hospitalized for AHF, only few converted from AF to sinus rhythm or sinus rhythm to AF. Although development of AF or persistent AF was associated with longer lengths of hospitalization, midterm mortality and readmission rates were similar in the groups.

BackgroundTo investigate the relationship between heart failure (HF) and the non-resolution of atrial thrombus detected in anticoagulated patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).MethodsThis was a single-center, observational, retrospective, and prospective study. Anticoagulated patients with NVAF and atrial thrombus identified by transesophageal echocardiography or cardiac computed tomography angiography were consecutively enrolled. All patients received follow-up imaging within 6 months to assess the resolution of atrial thrombus. The primary endpoint was the resolution of atrial thrombus and the secondary endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause death during the follow-up period.ResultsAmong 8987 patients with NVAF scheduled for catheter ablation or cardioversion, 70 anticoagulated patients with atrial thrombus were final analyzed. The average age was 61.8±10.6 years, 62.9% of them were men, and 32 (45.7%) patients presented with HF. Within the 6-month follow-up period, atrial thrombus resolution was observed in 47 (67.1%) patients. The rate of atrial thrombus resolution was lower in patients with baseline HF (50.0% vs 81.6%). In the adjusted logistic regression analysis model, HF was independently associated with the non-resolution of atrial thrombus (adjusted OR: 5.38, 95% CI: 1.19-24.27). During the median follow-up period of 4.5 years, four ischemic stroke events occurred in four patients. None of the patients in this study experienced major bleeding events or death during follow-up.ConclusionsHF was associated with the non-resolution of atrial thrombus detected in anticoagulated patients with NVAF. Further research is needed to identify optimal therapeutic approaches for this high-risk population.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) often accompany each other, as they share similar risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. AF in patients with HF is known to increase hospitalizations and worsen prognosis. A combination of AF and HF translates into high risks of thromboembolic complications, which renders anticoagulants an important aspect of therapy for these patients. Vitamin K antagonists make achieving the target level of anticoagulation challenging due to drug interactions and comorbidities. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are preferred medications owing to a more favorable risk-benefit ratio in this group of patients. At the same time, patients with HF often require a personalized approach when choosing an anticoagulant due to increased risks of thromboembolic complications and bleeding, as well as multiple comorbidities. The article presents the results of sub-analyses of key studies on the efficacy and safety of DOACs vs vitamin K antagonists in patients with HF and AF. It also explores DOACs use in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Heart failure (HF) can coexist with atrial fibrillation in up to 60 % of cases, increasing rates of hospitalizations and death. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment, hospitalization, and mortality of patients with HF and atrial fibrillation based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

A retrospective cohort study included patients from an outpatient HF clinic at Medellín (Colombia) between 2020-2022. Patients were classified into two groups according to LVEF: reduced (LVEF≤40 %) and mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (LVEF>40 %). The evaluated outcomes were hospitalization and mortality during follow-up. Values for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), LVEF and functional class according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) were also analyzed at admission and during the last follow-up visit.

The study included 185 patients, with 51.9% being male. The median age of the participants was 80 years (interquartile range [IQR] 74 - 86). There was an overall improvement in the NYHA functional class, BNP levels, and LVEF compared with the baseline values, irrespective of left systolic function. Atrial fibrillation ablation was performed in 3.2 % of patients, and cardiac device implantation with atrioventricular node ablation in 29 %. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of hospitalization and mortality regarding left systolic function.

Compressive optimal treatment for patients with HF and atrial fibrillation requires pharmacological treatment, ablation strategies, cardiac devices, cardiovascular rehabilitation and close follow-up. In this cohort, hospitalization and mortality rates were similar according to LVEF categories and there was improvement in NYHA functional class and BNP level.

The relationship between subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) and left pulmonary vein anatomy is unknown. This study sought to investigate whether left pulmonary vein trunk predict the development of SCAF in patients with cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). We also examined the relationship between the duration of SCAF and left pulmonary vein trunk. We retrospectively enrolled 162 patients who underwent implantation of dual-chamber CIEDs and follow-up by remote monitoring system. Computed tomography was used to measure the length of the left pulmonary vein. During median follow up of 2.7 years, the episodes of > 6 min and > 24 h SCAF were observed in 61 (37.7%) and 24 (14.8%) patients, respectively. The diagnosis of sinus node disease (HR: 3.66 [2.06-6.52], P < 0.01 and HR: 2.68 [1.09-6.62], P = 0.04) and left atrial diameter (HR: 1.04 [1.00-1.07], P = 0.04 and HR: 1.05 [1.00-1.10], P = 0.04) were independent predictors for > 6 min and > 24 h SCAF, respectively. Length of the left pulmonary vein trunk was an independent predictor for > 6 min SCAF (HR: 1.06 [1.02-1.10], P < 0.01), but not for > 24 h SCAF (P = 0.06). Sinus node disease, size of the left atrium and length of the left pulmonary vein trunk were related to SCAF. The left pulmonary vein trunk might especially contribute as a trigger rather than as a driver of development of atrial fibrillation.

Several studies have reported the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of AF in the IBD population.

We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant studies published up to February 2024. We used the random-effects model to pool the prevalence and incidence rates of AF among IBD patients. The subgroup analyses were performed according to the IBD type.

A total of twenty-five studies were included. The pooled prevalence of AF among IBD patients was 6.23 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 4.99 %-7.47 %). The incidence rate of AF among IBD patients was 3.53 % (95 % CI: 0.57 %-6.48 %). The risk of developing AF in IBD patients was 1.45 times higher than that in the general population (risk ratio [RR]: 1.45, 95 % CI: 1.21-1.73). When comparing specific IBD types to the general population, the RR was 1.35 (95 % CI: 1.11-1.64) for CD and 1.17 (95 % CI: 1.11-1.23) for UC.

Our findings suggest that IBD patients exhibit an increased risk of developing AF compared to the general population. CD patients have a higher AF incidence compared to UC patients.

The echocardiography parameters may predict the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion of a supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA).

Patients in septic shock with onset of an SVA, normal to moderately reduced LV systolic function (EF_LV˃̳35%) and on a continuous noradrenaline of <1.0 μg/kg.min were included. Echocardiography was performed at the arrhythmia onset, 1 h and 4 h post cardioversion on an infusion of propafenone or amiodarone.

Cardioversion was achieved in 96% of the 209 patients within a median time of 6(1.8-15.6)h, 134(64.1%) patients experienced at least one SVA recurrence after cardioversion. At 4 h the left atrial emptying fraction (LA_EF, cut-off 38.4%, AUC 0.69,p˂0.001), and transmitral A wave velocity-time-integral (Avti, cut-off 6.8 cm, AUC 0.65,p = 0.001) showed as limited predictors of a single arrhythmia recurrence. The LA_EF 44(36,49)%, (p = 0.005) and the Avti 8.65(7.13,9.50)cm, (p < 0.001) were associated with sustained sinus rhythm and decreased proportionally to increasing numbers of arrhythmia recurrences (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). The enlarged left atrial end-systolic diameter at the arrhythmia onset (p = 0.04) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure at 4 h (p = 0.007) were weak predictors of multiple(˃3) recurrences.

The LA_EF and Avti are related to arrhythmia recurrences post-cardioversion suggesting potential guidance to the choice between rhythm and rate control strategies.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03029169, registered on 24th of January 2017.

Atrial fibrosis is central to the pathology of heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Identifying precise mechanisms underlying atrial fibrosis will provide effective strategies for clinical intervention. This study investigates a metabolic serine threonine kinase gene, sucrose non-fermenting related kinase (SNRK), that we previously reported to control cardiac metabolism and function. Conditional knockout of Snrk in mouse cardiomyocytes ( Snrk cmcKO) leads to atrial fibrosis and subsequently HF. The precise mechanism underlying cardiomyocyte SNRK-driven repression of fibrosis is not known. Here, using mouse, rat, and human tissues, we demonstrate that SNRK expression is high in atria, especially in atrial cardiomyocytes. SNRK expression correlates with lower levels of pro-fibrotic protein transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) in the atrial cardiomyocytes. In HL-1 adult immortalized mouse atrial cells, using siRNA approaches, we show that Snrk knockdown cells show more TGFβ1 secretion, which was also observed in heart lysates from Snrk cardiac-specific knockout mice in vivo. These effects were exacerbated upon infusion of Angiotensin II. Results from Snrk knockdown cardiomyocytes co-cultured with cardiac fibroblasts suggest that SNRK represses TGFβ1 signaling (Smad 2/3) in atrial CMs and prevents paracrine cardiac fibroblast activation (α-SMA marker). In conclusion, high SNRK expression in atria regulates cardiac homeostasis, by preventing the release of TGFβ1 secretion to block cardiac fibrosis. These studies will assist in developing heart chamber-specific fibrosis therapy for non-ischemic HF and AF.

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are two common cardiovascular conditions that frequently coexist, and it has been widely demonstrated that in patients with chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation is associated with a significant increase in the risk of all-cause death and all-cause hospitalization. Nevertheless, there is no unanimous consensus in the literature on how to approach this category of patients and which therapeutic strategy (rhythm control or frequency control) is the most favorable in terms of prognosis; moreover, there is still a lack of data comparing the different ablative techniques of atrial fibrillation in terms of efficacy, and many of the current trials do not consider current ablative techniques such as high-power short-duration ablation index protocol for radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation. Eventually, while several RCTs have widely proved that in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, ablation of atrial fibrillation is superior to medical therapy alone, there is no consensus regarding those with preserved ejection fraction. For these reasons, in this review, we aim to summarize the main updated evidence guiding clinical decision in this complex scenario, with a special focus on the most recent trials and the latest meta-analyses that examined the role of catheter ablation (CA) in rhythm control in patients with AF and HF.

Patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are more prone to atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Nevertheless, a risk prediction model for new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in HFpEF patients remains a notable gap, especially with respect to imaging indicators.

We retrospectively analyzed 402 HFpEF subjects reviewed at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from 2017 to 2023. Cox regression analysis was performed to screen predictors of NOAF. A nomogram was constructed based on these factors and internally validated through the bootstrap resampling method. A performance comparison between the nomogram and the mC2HEST score was performed.

Out of the 402 participants, 62 (15%) developed atrial fibrillation. The risk factors for NOAF were finally screened out to include age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hyperthyroidism, renal dysfunction, left atrial anterior-posterior diameter (LAD), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), all of which were identified to create the nomogram. We calculated the bootstrap-corrected C-index (0.819, 95% CI: 0.762-0.870) and drew receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves [3-year areas under curves (AUC) = 0.827, 5-year AUC = 0.825], calibration curves, and clinical decision curves to evaluate the discrimination, calibration, and clinical adaptability of the six-factor nomogram. Based on two cutoff values calculated by X-tile software, the moderate- and high-risk groups had more NOAF cases than the low-risk group (P < 0.0001). Our nomogram showed better 3- and 5-year NOAF predictive performance than the mC2HEST score estimated by the Integrated Discriminant Improvement Index (IDI) and the Net Reclassification Index (NRI) (P < 0.05).

The nomogram combining clinical features with echocardiographic indices helps predict NOAF among HFpEF patients.

His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) are novel methods of pacing directly pacing the cardiac conduction system. HBP while developed more than two decades ago, only recently moved into the clinical mainstream. In contrast to conventional cardiac pacing, conduction system pacing including HBP and LBBP utilizes the native electrical system of the heart to rapidly disseminate the electrical impulse and generate a more synchronous ventricular contraction. Widespread adoption of conduction system pacing has resulted in a wealth of observational data, registries, and some early randomized controlled clinical trials. While much remains to be learned about conduction system pacing and its role in electrophysiology, data available thus far is very promising. In this review of conduction system pacing, the authors review the emergence of conduction system pacing and its contemporary role in patients requiring permanent cardiac pacing.

The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is a noninvasive scoring system that is used to assess the progression of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to assess whether the FIB-4 index is associated with recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation in patients with and without heart failure (HF).

We included 1,184 patients who underwent initial AF catheter ablation between 2016 and 2021. The patients were classified into low-risk (< 1.3), intermediate-risk (1.3-2.67), and high-risk (> 2.67) groups based on their FIB-4 indices at baseline. The patients were divided into HF (n = 552) and non-HF groups (n = 632); the HF group was further divided into paroxysmal AF (PAF) and non-PAF groups. AF recurrence after catheter ablation was then compared among the groups.

In the non-HF group, no significant differences in recurrence after ablation were observed between the low-(n = 219), intermediate-(n = 364), and high-risk (n = 49) groups. In contrast, in the HF group, the intermediate-(n = 341) and high-risk (n = 112) groups had significantly higher recurrence rates than the low-risk group (n = 99) (log-rank test, p = 0.005). This association remained significant after multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR]:1.374; p = 0.027). The FIB-4 index increased incrementally as the brain natriuretic peptide levels and severity of tricuspid regurgitation increased. The FIB-4 index was an independent predictor of recurrence in the non-PAF HF group (HR:1.498; p = 0.007) but not in the PAF group.

The FIB-4 index may be a useful predictor of AF recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with HF, particularly in those with non-PAF.

To examine the association between the burden of cardiometabolic disorders with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and lifetime risk of AF incidence among men and women.

Four thousand one hundred and one men and 5421 women free of AF at baseline (1996-2008) from the population-based Rotterdam Study were included. Sex-specific Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to assess the association between the burden of cardiometabolic disorders and risk of new-onset AF. The remaining lifetime risk for AF was estimated at index ages of 55, 65, and 75 years up to age 108. Mean age at baseline was 65.5 ± 9.4 years. Median follow-up time was 12.8 years. In the fully adjusted model, a stronger association was found between a larger burden of cardiometabolic disorders and incident AF among women [hazard ratio (HR): 1.33% and 95% conference interval (CI): 1.22-1.46], compared to men [1.18 (1.08-1.29)] (P for sex-interaction <0.05). The lifetime risk for AF significantly increased with the number of cardiometabolic disorders among both sexes. At an index age of 55 years, the lifetime risks (95% CIs) for AF were 27.1% (20.8-33.4), 26.5% (22.8-30.5), 29.9% (26.7-33.2), 30.8% (25.7-35.8), and 33.3% (23.1-43.6) among men, for 0, 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 comorbid cardiometabolic disorders. Corresponding risks were 15.8% (10.5-21.2), 23.0% (19.8-26.2), 29.7% (26.8-32.6), 26.2% (20.8-31.6), and 34.2% (17.3-51.1) among women.

We observed a significant combined impact of cardiometabolic disorders on AF risk, in particular among women. Participants with cardiometabolic multimorbidity had a significantly higher lifetime risk of AF, especially at a young index age.

Being commonly diagnosed in elderly women and associated with comorbidities as well as ageing-related cardio-vascular changes, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been recently considered as a distinct cardiogeriatric syndrome. Frailty is another frequent geriatric syndrome. HFpEF and frailty share common underlying mechanisms, often co-exist, and represent each other's risk factors. A threshold of 65 years old is usually used to screen patients for both frailty and HFpEF in research and clinical settings. However, both HFpEF and frailty are very heterogenous conditions that may develop at younger ages. In this review we aim to provide a broader overview on the coexistence of HFpEF and frailty throughout the lifetime. We hypothesize that HFpEF and frailty patients' profiles (young, elderly, superaged) represent a continuum of the common ageing process modified by cumulative exposure to risk factors resulting to a presentation of HFpEF and frailty at different ages. We believe, that suggested approach might stimulate assessment of frailty in HFpEF assessment and vice versa regardless of age and early implementation of targeted interventions. Future studies of pathophysiology, clinical features, and outcomes of frailty in HFpEF by age are needed.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent complication associated with levosimendan; however, it remains uncertain whether there are any disparities in the effects of levosimendan on non-postoperative and postoperative AF.

This study aimed to evaluate the levosimendan effect on non-postoperative and postoperative AF by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs).

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and other databases were searched. Pairs of reviewers identified RCTs that compared levosimendan and placebo or other therapies, and the results reported AF events data. Random effects models were used (at a significance level of 5%).

Twenty-nine eligible trials comprising 6550 participants were included, eleven of which evaluated the non-postoperative AF incidence, and 18 included postoperative AF. The analysis revealed that levosimendan elevated the AF risk significantly in the non-postoperative group (OR, 1.62; 95% CI: 1.19-2.20; p=0.002) and reduced the AF incidence in the postoperative group (OR, 0.65; 95% CI: 0.44-0.96; p=0.03). AF occurrence decreased more significantly in patients who used levosimendan after cardiac surgery (OR, 0.53; 95% CI: 0.32-0.88; p=0.02) than in patients who used levosimendan before cardiac surgery (OR, 0.67; 95% CI: 0.42-1.06; p=0.09). Moreover, The AF risk was significantly elevated by levosimendan large bolus dose (bolus dose≥12 μg/kg) (OR, 1.44; 95% CI: 1.10-1.88; p=0.004) and decreased by small bolus dose of levosimendan (bolus dose<12 μg/kg) (OR, 0.64; 95% CI: 0.34-1.20; p=0.16).

Levosimendan was linked to an increased non-postoperative AF incidence. The employment of levosimendan was effective in preventing postoperative AF.

Background/Objectives: The effectiveness of a rhythm control strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 50%) in real-world practice remains uncertain. Our objective was to evaluate the real-world outcomes of a rhythm control strategy in patients with AF and reduced LVEF, focusing on changes in LV systolic function and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 80 patients with concurrent AF and reduced LVEF who underwent rhythm control therapy between March 2015 and December 2021. Results: The patients had an average age of 63.6 years and an initial LVEF of 34.3%. Sinus rhythm was restored using anti-arrhythmic drugs (38, 47.5%) or electrical cardioversion (42, 52.5%). Over a follow-up period of 53.0 months, AF recurred in 65% of patients, with 57.7% undergoing catheter ablation. Significant improvements were noted in LVEF (from 34.3% to 55.1%, p < 0.001) and BNP levels (from 752 pg/mL to 72 pg/mL, p < 0.001) at the last follow-up. Nearly all patients (97.5%) continued with the rhythm control strategy during the follow-up period. Conclusions: In real-world settings, a rhythm control strategy proves to be feasible and effective for improving LVEF and reducing BNP levels in AF patients with reduced LVEF.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with the MitraClip system is now approved for degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly seen in MR. In our study, we perform a pooled analysis of the existing data to investigate the outcomes of MitraClip in patients with versus without AF. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS databases through December, 2022 for studies comparing the outcomes of TMVR using the MitraClip in patients with preexisting AF versus those without AF. A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the primary outcomes of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, in-hospital mortality, stroke, New York Heart Association class I or II at follow-up, length of hospital stay, and procedural time. A total of 10 studies (n = 24,111; AF = 12,789; no AF = 11,322) were included in the final analysis. Preexisting AF was associated with higher overall all-cause mortality (odds ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.32 to 1.83, p <0.0002) and higher overall HF hospitalization rate (odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.56, p <0.0154). There was no statistically significant difference in cardiovascular mortality, in-hospital mortality, stroke, length of hospital stay, procedural time, or New York Heart Association class I/II at follow-up comparing AF versus no AF. The presence of AF in patients who underwent TMVR with MitraClip is associated with higher all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization. This should be taken into consideration in the management of MR patients.

BMP10 (bone morphogenic protein 10) has emerged as a novel biomarker associated with the risk of ischemic stroke and other outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The study aimed to determine if repeated BMP10 measurements improve prognostication of cardiovascular events in patients with AF.

BMP10 was measured using a prototype Elecsys immunoassay in plasma samples collected at randomization and after 2 months in patients with AF randomized to apixaban or warfarin in the ARISTOTLE (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation) trial (n=2878). Adjusted Cox-regression models were used to evaluate the association between 2-month BMP10 levels and outcomes. BMP10 levels increased by 7.8% (P<0.001) over 2 months. The baseline variables most strongly associated with BMP10 levels at 2 months were baseline BMP10 levels, body mass index, sex, age, creatinine, diabetes, warfarin treatment, and AF-rhythm. During median 1.8 years follow-up, 34 ischemic strokes/systemic embolism, 155 deaths, and 99 heart failure hospitalizations occurred. Comparing the third with the first sample quartile, higher BMP10 levels at 2 months were associated with higher risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33 [95% CI, 0.67-2.63], P=0.037), heart failure (HR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.17-3.12], P=0.012) and all-cause death (HR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.17-2.21], P<0.001). Adding BMP10 levels at 2 months on top of established risk factors and baseline BMP10 levels improved the C-indices for ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (from 0.73 to 0.75), heart failure hospitalization (0.76-0.77), and all-cause mortality (0.70-0.72), all P<0.05.

Elevated levels of BMP10 at 2 months strengthened the associations with the risk of ischemic stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause mortality. Repeated measurements of BMP10 may further refine risk stratification in patients with AF.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of new-onset ventricular contractile dysfunction, termed arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC). Although cardioembolic stroke remains the most feared and widely studied complication of AF, AIC is also a clinically important consequence of AF that portends significant morbidity and mortality to patients with AF. Current treatments are aimed at restoring sinus rhythm through catheter ablation and rate and rhythm control, but these treatments do not target the underlying molecular mechanisms driving the progression from AF to AIC. Here, we describe the clinical features of the various AIC subtypes, discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms driving the progression from AF to AIC, and review the evidence surrounding current treatment options. In this review, we aim to identify key knowledge gaps that will enable the development of more effective AIC therapies that target cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Contemporary use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) has not been described.

We analyzed the MarketScan databases for the period January 1, 2021 to July 30, 2022. Validated algorithms were used to identify patients with AF and HF, and to classify patients into HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We assessed the prevalence of SGLT2i and ARNi use overall and by HF type. Additionally, we explored correlates of lower use, including demographics and comorbidities. The study population included 60 927 patients (mean age, 75 years; 43% women) diagnosed with AF and HF (85% with HFpEF, 15% with HFrEF). Prevalence of ARNi use was 11% overall (30% in HFrEF, 8% in HFpEF), whereas the corresponding figure was 6% for SGLT2i (13% in HFrEF, 5% in HFpEF). Use of both medications increased over the study period: ARNi from 9% to 12% (22%-29% in HFrEF, 6%-8% in HFpEF), and SGLT2i from 3% to 9% (6%-16% in HFrEF, 2%-7% in HFpEF). Female sex, older age, and specific comorbidities were associated with lower use of these 2 medication types overall and by HF type.

Use of ARNi and SGLT2i in patients with AF and HF is suboptimal, particularly among women and older individuals, though use is increasing. These results underscore the need for understanding reasons for these disparities and developing interventions to improve adoption of evidence-based therapies among patients with comorbid AF and HF.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently defined as symptomatic by asking patients if they are aware of when they are in AF and if they feel better in sinus rhythm. However, this approach of defining AF as symptomatic and asymptomatic fails to adequately consider the adverse effects of AF in patients who are unaware of their rhythm including progression from paroxysmal to persistent AF, and the development of dementia, stroke, sinus node dysfunction, valvular regurgitation, ventricular dysfunction, and heart failure. Labeling these patients as asymptomatic falsely suggests that their AF requires less intense therapy and puts into question the notion of truly asymptomatic AF. Because focusing on patient awareness ignores other important consequences of AF, clinical endpoints that are independent of symptoms are being developed. The concept of AF burden has more recently been used as a clinical endpoint in clinical trials as a more clinically relevant endpoint compared to AF-related symptoms or time to first recurrence, but its correlation with symptoms and other clinical outcomes remains unclear. This review will explore the impact of AF on apparently asymptomatic patients, the use of AF burden as an endpoint for AF management, and potential refinements to the AF burden metric. The review is based on a presentation by the senior author during the 2023 16th annual European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS) congress in Paris, France.

The knowledge of prognosis following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in patients with heart failure heart failure (HF) is sparse. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome after OHCA among patients with and without HF.

We studied 45,293 patients who were included for the Danish cardiac arrest registry between 2001 and 2014. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence of HF prior to cardiac arrest. The primary outcome was 30-day survival and secondary outcome was anoxic brain damage or permanent nursing home admission at 1-year among 30-day survivors.

Among the final 28,955 patients included, 6675 (23%) patients had prior HF and 22,280 (77%) patients had no prior HF. At 30 days, 616 (9.2%) patients survived among the patients with HF and 1916 (8.6%) among the patients without HF. There was a significant interaction between atrial fibrillation (AF) and HF for primary outcome and therefore it was assessed separately between the two study groups stratified based on AF. Among patients without AF a significantly higher odds of 30-day survival were observed among patients with HF (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.34-3.08, P < 0.001), but no difference was observed among the patients from two study groups with no AF. No significant difference in risk for secondary outcome was observed among the two study groups. In multivariable average treatment effect modeling, all the results largely remain unchanged.

Outcome following OHCA among patients with and without HF is found to be similar in this large Danish OHCA registry.

We aimed to assess the effect of SGLT2i on arrhythmias by conducting a meta-analysis using data from randomized controlled trials(RCTs).

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown cardioprotective effects via multiple mechanisms that may also contribute to decrease arrhythmias risk.

We searched in databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov) up to April 2023. RCTs comparing SGLT2i with placebo were included. The effects of SGLT2i on atrial fibrillation(AF), atrial flutter(AFL), composite AF/AFL, ventricular fibrillation(VF), ventricular tachycardia(VT), ventricular extrasystoles(VES), sudden cardiac death(SCD) and composite VF/VT/SCD were evaluated.

33 placebo-controlled RCTs were included, comprising 88,098 patients (48,585 in SGLT2i vs. 39,513 in placebo). The mean age was 64.9 ± 9.4 years, 63.0% were male. The mean follow-up was 1.4 ± 1.1 years. The pooled-results showed that SGLT2i was associated with a significantly lower risk of AF [risk ratio(RR): 0.88, 95% confidence interval(CI) 0.78-1.00, P = 0.04] and composite AF/AFL (RR: 0.86, 95%CI 0.77-0.96, P = 0.01). This favorable effect appeared to be substantially pronounced in patients with HFrEF, male gender, dapagliflozin, and > 1 year follow-up. For SCD, only in heart failure patients, SGLT2i were found to be associated with a borderline lower risk of SCD (RR: 0.67, P = 0.05). No significant effects of SGLT2i on other ventricular arrhythmic outcomes were found.

SGLT2i lowers the risks of AF and AF/AFL, and this favorable effect appeared to be particularly pronounced in patients with HFrEF, male gender, dapagliflozin, and longer follow-up (> 1 year). SGLT2i lowers the risk of SCD only in heart failure patients.

In recent years, SGLT2 inhibitors have become an integral part of heart failure therapy, and several mechanisms contributing to cardiorenal protection have been identified. In this study, we place special emphasis on the atria and investigate acute electrophysiological effects of dapagliflozin to assess the antiarrhythmic potential of SGLT2 inhibitors. Direct electrophysiological effects of dapagliflozin were investigated in patch clamp experiments on isolated atrial cardiomyocytes. Acute treatment with elevated-dose dapagliflozin caused a significant reduction of the action potential inducibility, the amplitude and maximum upstroke velocity. The inhibitory effects were reproduced in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, and were more pronounced in atrial compared to ventricular cells. Hypothesizing that dapagliflozin directly affects the depolarization phase of atrial action potentials, we examined fast inward sodium currents in human atrial cardiomyocytes and found a significant decrease of peak sodium current densities by dapagliflozin, accompanied by a moderate inhibition of the transient outward potassium current. Translating these findings into a porcine large animal model, acute elevated-dose dapagliflozin treatment caused an atrial-dominant reduction of myocardial conduction velocity in vivo. This could be utilized for both, acute cardioversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes and rhythm control of persistent atrial fibrillation. In this study, we show that dapagliflozin alters the excitability of atrial cardiomyocytes by direct inhibition of peak sodium currents. In vivo, dapagliflozin exerts antiarrhythmic effects, revealing a potential new additional role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is a common manifestation in critically ill patients. There is a paucity of evidence indicating a relationship between urinary ketones and NOAF.

Critically ill patients with urinary ketone measurements from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database were included. The primary outcome was NOAF Propensity score matching was performed following by multivariable logistic regression.

A total of 24,688 patients with available data of urine ketone were included in this study. The urine ketone of 4014 patients was tested positive. The average age of the included participants was 63.8 years old, and 54.5% of them were male. Result of the fully-adjusted binary logistic regression model showed that patients with positive urinary ketone was associated with a significantly lower risk of NOAF (Odds ratio, 0.79, 95% CI 0.7-0.9), compared with those with negative urinary ketone. In the subgroup analysis according to diabetic status, compared with nondiabetics, patients with diabetes had lower risk of NOAF (p-values for interaction < 0.05). Results of other subgroup analyses according to gender, age, infection, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure were consistent with the primary analysis.

Positive urinary ketone body may be associated with reduced risk of NOAF in critically ill patients during intensive care unit hospitalization. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) represent conditions that commonly coexist. The impact of AF in HF has yet to be well studied in Latin America. This study aimed to characterize the sociodemographic and clinical features, along with patients' outcomes with AF and HF from the Colombian Heart Failure Registry (RECOLFACA).

Patients with ambulatory HF and AF were included in RECOLFACA, mainly with persistent or permanent AF. A 6-month follow-up was performed. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. To assess the impact of AF on mortality, we used a logistic regression model. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. All statistical tests were two-tailed.

Of 2,528 patients with HF in the registry, 2,514 records included information regarding AF diagnosis. Five hundred sixty (22.3%) were in AF (mean age 73 ± 11, 56% men), while 1,954 had no AF (mean age 66 ± 14 years, 58% men). Patients with AF were significantly older and had a different profile of comorbidities and implanted devices compared to non-AF patients. Moreover, AF diagnosis was associated with lower quality of life score (EuroQol-5D), mainly in mobility, personal care, and daily activity. AF was prevalent in patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF), while no significant differences in N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were observed. Although higher mortality was observed in the AF group compared to individuals without AF (8.9% vs. 6.1%, respectively; P = 0.016), this association lost statistical significance after adjusting by age in a multivariate regression model (odds ratio (OR): 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95 - 1.92).

AF is more prevalent in HF patients with higher EF, lower quality of life and different clinical profiles. Similar HF severity and non-independent association with mortality were observed in our cohort. These results emphasize the need for an improved understanding of the AF and HF coexistence phenomenon.

Arrhythmias are common in patients with heart failure (HF) and are associated with a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Optimal antiarrhythmic treatment is therefore essential. Here, we review current approaches to antiarrhythmic treatment in patients with HF.

In atrial fibrillation, rhythm control and ventricular rate control are accepted therapeutic strategies. In recent years, clinical trials have demonstrated a prognostic benefit of early rhythm control strategies and AF catheter ablation, especially in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction. Prevention of sudden cardiac death with ICD therapy is essential, but optimal risk stratification is challenging. For ventricular tachycardias, recent data support early consideration of catheter ablation. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy is an adjunctive therapy in symptomatic patients but has no prognostic benefit and well-recognized (proarrhythmic) adverse effects. Antiarrhythmic therapy in HF requires a systematic, multimodal approach, starting with guideline-directed medical therapy for HF and integrating pharmacological, device, and interventional therapy.