BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication after myocardial revascularization, and it increases morbidity/mortality. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to test the hypothesis that temporary biatrial pacing is effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after myocardial revascularization. METHODS Ninety-eight non-co...

OBJECTIVES Our purpose was to investigate the impact of short-lasting atrial fibrillation (AF) on the electrophysiological properties of the atria and pulmonary veins (PVs) in patients devoid of AF. BACKGROUND The presence of AF is associated with electrical remodeling processes that promote a substrate for arrhythmia maintenance in the atria, which has been termed "AF begets AF." However, it...

OBJECTIVE To determine the type of atrial fibrillation induced by use of 2 pacing protocols during fentanyl and pentobarbital anesthesia before and after administration of atropine and to determine the organization of electrical activity in the left and right atria during atrial fibrillation in German Shepherd Dogs. ANIMALS 7 German Shepherd Dogs. PROCEDURES Extrastimulus and pacedown proto...

Background Three bleeding risk–prediction schemes have been derived for and validated in patients with AF: HEMORR2HAGES (Hepatic or Renal Disease, Ethanol Abuse, Malignancy, Older Age, Reduced Platelet Count or Function, Re-Bleeding, Hypertension, Anemia, Genetic Factors, Excessive Fall Risk and Stroke), ATRIA (Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation), and HAS-BLED (Hypertension...

BACKGROUND We treated paroxysmal recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) with radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation by creating long linear lesions in the atria. To achieve line continuity, a 3D electroanatomic nonfluoroscopic mapping system was used. METHODS AND RESULTS In 27 patients with recurrent AF, a catheter incorporating a passive magnetic field sensor was navigated in both atria to constr...

Bleeding risk represents a major concern in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Several bleeding prediction scores have been described: HAS-BLED, ATRIA, HEMORR2HAGES and ORBIT. Of these, only HAS-BLED considers quality of anticoagulation control amongst vitamin K antagonist (VKA) users. We hypothesised that predictive value of bleeding risk scores other than HAS-BLED could be...

BACKGROUND Structural changes of the left and right atria associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in mitral stenosis (MS) patients are well known, and alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of the right atria have also been investigated. However, miRNA changes in the left atria still require delineation. This study evaluated alterations in miRNA expression profiles of left atrial ...

BACKGROUND We previously demonstrated that persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation is maintained by activation emanating from foci and breakthrough sites of different cycle lengths (CLs). The purpose of this study was to characterize the behavior of focal and nonrandom breakthrough activation identified during high-density mapping of atrial fibrillation in these patients. ...

BACKGROUND During persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), waves with a focal spread of activation are frequently observed. The origin of these waves and their relevance for the persistence of AF are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS In 24 patients with longstanding persistent AF and structural heart disease, high-density mapping of the right and left atria was performed during cardiac surgery. In a r...