Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia frequently seen in surgical patients. The onset of new atrial fibrillation during the peri-operative period is less common. There are many possible precipitating factors, although volatile agents themselves may have an antifibrillatory action. The management of atrial fibrillation includes removal of any precipitating factors and treatment of the arrhy...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) can be challenging, but it is highly relevant in patients presenting with sinus rhythm and acute cerebral ischemia. We aimed to evaluate prospectively whether natriuretic peptide levels and kinetics identify patients with paroxysmal AF. METHODS Patients with acute cerebral ischemia were included into the prospective obser...

AIMS To determine the impact of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on quality of life and to determine the predictors of quality of life, particularly the role of symptomatology and autonomic function. METHODS AND RESULTS The study group comprised 73 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (mean age 54.1 years, 51 males). On average, patients had a 3-year history of one paroxysm per week las...

REVERSE LEFT ATRIAL REMODELING ASSESSMENT AFTER PAROXYSMAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ABLATION: OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE (Abstract) We aimed to assess reverse left atrial (LA) remodeling at 6 months after ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), and to identify the most relevant parameter of reverse LA remodeling. Material and methods: Left atrial size was assessed by echocardiography: antero-post...

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is well established but not drawback free. Pulmonary vein stenosis is one of the complications and usually treated with stenting with the disadvantages of high re-stenosis rate and anticoagulant dependence. CASE PRESENTATION Herein, we present the case of a 47 year-old lady, who suffered from fever and hemoptysis d...

The relatively low success rates seen with pulmonary vein ablation in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients as compared to those with the paroxysmal form of the arrhythmia have prompted electrophysiologists to search for newer ablative strategies. A decade has passed since the initial description of complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation aimed at targeting the electr...

Catheter ablation is at the forefront of the management of a range of atrial arrhythmias. In this Series paper, we discuss the underlying mechanisms and the current role of catheter ablation for the three most common atrial arrhythmias encountered in clinical practice: focal atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. The mechanisms of focal atrial tachycardia and atrial flutte...

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency catheter ablation guided by electroanatomical mapping is currently an important therapeutic option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The complexity of the procedure, the several techniques used and the diversity of the patients hinder the reproduction of the results and the indication for the procedure. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and factors associate...

In patients with stroke, atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor and indicates a poor prognosis. Cardiac monitoring is carried out for longer periods in stroke units. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency at which atrial fibrillation is detected in stroke units and the percentage of patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who receive anticoagula...