PURPOSE We aimed to identify predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence after conversion to sinus rhythm. MATERIAL/METHODS We included 100 patients with a history of documented atrial fibrillation in the last 12 months that were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, 12-lead electrocardiogram and signal averaged electrocardiogram of the P wave. Follow-up was 7.3 ± 2.2 months. RESULTS...

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation arises in 20-30% of patients with sick sinus syndrome, increasing the risk of systemic embolization and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical determinants of development of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in sick sinus syndrome patients before implantation of a pacemaker. METHODS This case-control survey involved 144 patients (mean age ± SD...

Introduction Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of therapy for patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; and recent studies have suggested that even for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, addition of linear lesions to PVI may not confer any advantage in efficacy. Despite this, patients with significant left atrial fibrosis and chamber enlargeme...

background: alcohol consumption has multiple side effects on heart which can be divided to six subgroups: heavy alcohol drinkers (80 g/day alcohol consumption) are most susceptible to cardiac complications. the aim of this study was to review alcohol side effects on heart and two present two alcoholic patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy. case report: case a: a 52 year-old man presented with ...

BACKGROUND New-onset atrial fibrillation in patients hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction often leads to hemodynamic deterioration and has serious adverse prognostic implications; mortality is particularly high in patients with congestive heart failure and/or a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The mechanism of atrial fibrillation in the context of an acute myocardial infar...

OBJECTIVES Maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is a major clinical challenge also in patients with preserved left ventricular function. Subclinical inflammation and atrial strain have been recognized as important contributors to atrial fibrillation onset and perpetuation. Aim of the study was to compare the predictive role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and indic...

AIMS Left atrial appendage device occlusion is an increasingly accepted therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. The feasibility and safety of left atrial catheter ablation procedures in the presence of a left atrial appendage device implant is unclear. We report on 10 cases of successful left atrial catheter ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation in patients with an implanted Wa...

OBJECTIVE We prospectively tested the hypothesis that atrial enlargement and increased level of atrial natriuretic peptide, N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide would predict atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS Eighty-eight elective coronary artery bypass grafting patients had preoperative echocardiographic assessment. The level of...

Oral anticoagulation with warfarin is a cornerstone in the prevention of systemic thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. It reduces the risk of stroke by 67% compared with no antithrombotic therapy and by 36% compared with aspirin. The downside of anticoagulation is increased risk of major bleeding which amounts to 1% per year. Therefore, careful selection of patients for oral an...