Aim To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) on brain damage due to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.Methods 120 male mice were divided into four groups randomly and the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) model was established through drawing out and reperfusing 40% of the whole blood volume in combination with clamping the carotid arteries for 20 min after anesthesia with 40 g?L-1chloral hydrate(400 mg?kg-1 ip).The mice were intracerebraventricularly(icv) injected with 3(l of150 ?mol?L-1 hemin,150 ?mol?L-1 ZnPPIX,or artificial cerebrospinal fluid(ACSF),respectively 16 h before the model established.Sham operation group only received anesthesia and operation without I/R and icv injection.The hippocampal HO activity and cerebral cortex xanthine oxidase(XO) activity,the levels of malonaldehyde(MDA) and reactive oxygen species(ROS),hippocampal neuron apoptosis,and hippocampal HO-1 expression were determined by spectrophotometer,TUNEL method,and Western blot,respectively.Results The increased hippocampal HO-1 expression and HO activity,decreased XO activity,MDA and ROS levels,and diminished hippocampal apoptosis were observed in the hemin group,compared with ACSF group(P0.05),but inhibited the activity of HO with the elevation of XO activity,MDA and ROS levels,as well as cellular apoptosis(vs ACSF,P

Objective To evaluate the value of neck blood vessel colored doppler ultrasound (NBVCDU) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to extracranial carotid artery stenosis in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods After implementing NBVCDU and MRA examinations at the same time,45 TIA patients with at least one examination showing arteriostenosis in extracranial section were chosen to carry out cerebral digital subtraction angiography( DSA ),then the stenosis rate was calculated by American symptomatic carotid endarterectomy trial (NASCET) method.Results Regarding DSA as the gold standard,for 45 TIA patients that having 180 arteriostenosis in extracranial section, sensitivity,specificity,accuracy of NBVCDU examination was 93.51% ,95.15% ,94.44%, Kappa = 0.735; sensitivity,specificity,accuracy of MRA was 92.21% ,94.17% ,93.33% , Kappa =0.681; sensitivity,specificity,accuracy of NBVCDU combined with MPA was 97.40% ,99.03% ,98.33%, Kappa = 0.872.Conclusions The sensitivity and accuracy of arteriostenosis in extracranial section by NBVCDU examination is higher than that by MRA, and it is suitable in the crowd primary examination.NBVCDU combined with MRA has shown good consistence with DSA for diagnosing arteriostenosis in extracranial section,but can't replace DSA comlpetely.

Objective To identify the electrophysiological charateristics and cause of ridge gap related reentry after MI ablation in atrial ifbrillation patients. Methods Activation and entrainment mapping was performed in 82 redo cases for OAT recurrence in whom MI was ablated during the index produre. Once ridge gap related reentry was conifrmed, detailed mapping was performed in MI and ridge region. In addition, in 36 cases undergoing MI ablation and fulfilling criterion for bidirectional block, differential pacing was repeated at the ridge to identify a ridge gap. Results Out of 82 redo cases for OAT recurrence in whom MI was ablated during the index produre, 7 (8.5%) was found to be ridge gap related reentry. TCL was (247.9±19.2) ms, and the left atrial endocardial activation time was (145.4±17.7) ms, accounting for (58.5±3.2)%of TCL. However, wide double potential was recorded along the previous ablated MI line where PPI was (34.3±6.6) ms longer than TCL, while PPI was signiifcantly shorter at the ridge[PPI-TCL (11.4±3.9) ms, P<0.001]. Tachycardia was terminated at the ridge in 6 cases and at the corresponding site in coronary sinus in 1 case. No recurrence was found during follow-up for (11.1±4.5) months. In addition, in 36 patients undergoing MI ablation in whom criterion of bi-directional block was fuliflled, conduction gap located at the ridge was found in 5 (13.9%) cases. Conclusions MI ridge gap related reentry is a distinctive OAT, in which the ridge was used as the critical isthmus, whereas the previous ablated MI line is not part of the reentry. MI pseudo-block due to the ridge gap may lead to this type of recurrent tachycardia.

Objective The recurrence of perimitral atrial tachycardia is common after initial ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study is to explore a preferable ablation approach for perimitral atrial tachycardia in the redo ablation of persistent AF. Methods Seventy-four patients with perimitral atrial tachycardia after initial ablation for persistent AF were included in our study. Patients were distinguished into either the group of having ablation during tachycardia (Group A) or the group having ablation after cardioversion to sinus rhythm (Group B) according to the different ablation strategies. The procedural endpoints were pulmonary vein isolation and bidirectional conduction block of all the ablated lines. The primary endpoint of the study was freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence during the follow-up period. Results There were statistical differences in baseline clinical data between the 2 groups. During the redo procedure, conduction recovery rate across the mitral isthmus (MI),cavotricuspid isthmus and left atial roofline were 100％, 40.5％ and 48.6％ respectively. The procedural time, fluoroscopy time, mapping time were longer in the patients of group A. During a mean follow-up of (16.9±6.3) months, 31 (72.1％) patients in group A and 21(67.7％) patients in group B maintained in sinus rhythm in the absence of antiarrhythmic durgs (P =0.771) . Conclusion In patients with perimitral atrial tachycardia after initial ablation for persistent AF,ablation in sinus rhythm is a more simplified method and as effective as ablation during tachycardia.

Objective Cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary vein (PV) ostia often induces a vagal response.This prospective study was designed to assess the effectiveness of prophylactic intravenous administration of atropine on hemodynamic impairment induced by cryoballoon ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods Twenty-five patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoballoon ablation were prospectively enrolled and assigned to either the trial group on the control group.First twelve patients (the trial group) were administered 1 mg of atropine before deflation of the cryoballoon,while the following 13 patients (the control group) were given atropine only after the onset of the hemodynamic variation (decrease in heart rate and/or blood pressure).Treatment was considered effective when the hemodynamic variations were restored.Results In the trial group,three patients with transient hypotension did not require further supportive care throughout the procedures and one patient with hypotension required supportive management.In the control group,hypotension,bradycardia and mixed bradycardia with hypotension requiring supportive care occurred in six,three,and three patients,respectively.Overall,the rate of marked vagal responses was significantly lower when prophylactic atropine was administrated (4/12 vs.12/13 patients,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Atropine is effective in the prevention of all types of vasovagal responses induced by cryoballoon ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background::Oral anti-coagulants (OAC) are the intervention for the prevention of stroke, which consistently improve clinical outcomes and survival among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The main purpose of this study is to identify problems in OAC utilization among hospitalized patients with AF in China.Methods::Using data from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Atrial Fibrillation (CCC-AF) registry, guideline-recommended OAC use in eligible patients was assessed.Results::A total of 52,530 patients with non-valvular AF were enrolled from February 2015 to December 2019, of whom 38,203 were at a high risk of stroke, 9717 were at a moderate risk, and 4610 were at a low risk. On admission, only 20.0% (6075/30,420) of patients with a diagnosed AF and a high risk of stroke were taking OAC. The use of pre-hospital OAC on admission was associated with a lower risk of new-onset ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack among the diagnosed AF population (adjusted odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.43–0.68; P <0.001). At discharge, the prescription rate of OAC was 45.2% (16,757/37,087) in eligible patients with high stroke risk and 60.7% (2778/4578) in eligible patients with low stroke risk. OAC utilization in patients with high stroke risk on admission or at discharge both increased largely over time (all P <0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that OAC utilization at discharge was positively associated with in-hospital rhythm control strategies, including catheter ablation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 11.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.04–13.47; P <0.001), electronic cardioversion (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.65–3.51; P <0.001), and anti-arrhythmic drug use (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.38–1.53; P <0.001). Conclusions::In hospitals participated in the CCC-AF project, >70% of AF patients were at a high risk of stroke. Although poor performance on guideline-recommended OAC use was found in this study, over time the CCC-AF project has made progress in stroke prevention in the Chinese AF population.Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02309398.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) over 75 years. A total of 82 patients with AF who underwent LAAO successfully in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 2014 to March 2019 were divided into two groups according to age: the elderly group (aged>75 years) and the young group (aged ≤75 years). Risk of perioperative complications and incidence of ischemic stroke and major bleeding during follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in procedure-related ischemic stroke(0 vs.1.6%, P=0.768) and major bleeding (0 vs.1.6%, P=0.768) during perioperative period between the two groups. No complications as death or pericardial tamponade occurred in the two group. During a (25.9±15.9) months period of followed up, ischemic stroke event rate was 3.6/100 person-years in the elderly group and 4.9/100 person-years in the young group, respectively. Major bleeding event rate was 2.5/100 person-years in the elderly group and 0/100 person-years in the young group, respectively. Compared with the expected ones, the relative risk reduction (RRR) of stroke in the elderly group was more profound than that in the young group (32.0% vs. 25.0%), while the risk of major bleeding in the young group was significantly lower than that in the elderly group (RRR 100% vs. 56.9%). Therefore, LAAO might be suitable for stroke prevention in the elderly AF patients.

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between weight control and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 333 overweight and obese patients aged 28 to 87 years old, who underwent catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between October 2015 and February 2016. Data of patients′ characteristics, laboratory examination and treatment were collected at baseline. Each patient was followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation to collect information on weight, AF recurrence, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons and death, etc. Patients were divided into weight controlled group (ΔBMI<-1 kg/m²) and weight uncontrolled group (ΔBMI≥-1 kg/m²), according to the changes in the most recent exposure BMI before AF recurrence in patients with recurrence or the BMI at 12 months′ follow-up in patients without recurrence and the BMI at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust other known risk factors of AF recurrence and to explore the association between weight control and AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Results: There were 54 patients in weight controlled group and 279 patients in weight uncontrolled group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, education level, left atrial size and history of hypertension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers was higher in the weight controlled group (50.0%(27/54) vs. 34.8%(97/279), P=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with obesity (33.3% (18/54) vs. 29.7% (83/279)), paroxysmal AF (59.3% (32/54) vs. 56.6% (158/279)) and AF duration less than 5 years (76.9% (40/52) vs. 65.4% (178/272)) between the weight controlled group and the uncontrolled group. During 1-year follow-up after ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was significantly lower in the weight controlled group than that in the weight uncontrolled group (14.8% (8/54) vs. 32.6%(91/279), P=0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis shows that weight control is independently associated with a lower postoperative AF recurrence rate (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.18-0.90, P=0.026). Conclusion Weight control is strongly associated with a lower AF recurrence rate after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients.

Objectives This study explored the relationship between weight control and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients. Methods We prospectively enrolled consecutive 333 overweight and obese patients aged 28 to 87 years old, who underwent catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between October 2015 and February 2016. Data of patients′ characteristics, laboratory examination and treatment were collected at baseline. Each patient was followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation to collect information on weight, AF recurrence, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons and death, etc. Patients were divided into weight controlled group (ΔBMI<-1 kg/m2) and weight uncontrolled group (ΔBMI≥-1 kg/m2), according to the changes in the most recent exposure BMI before AF recurrence in patients with recurrence or the BMI at 12 months′ follow?up in patients without recurrence and the BMI at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust other known risk factors of AF recurrence and to explore the association between weight control and AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Results There were 54 patients in weight controlled group and 279 patients in weight uncontrolled group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, education level, left atrial size and history of hypertension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients using angiotensin?converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers was higher in the weight controlled group (50.0%(27/54) vs. 34.8%(97/279), P=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with obesity (33.3% (18/54) vs. 29.7% (83/279)), paroxysmal AF (59.3% (32/54) vs. 56.6% (158/279)) and AF duration less than 5 years (76.9% (40/52) vs. 65.4% (178/272)) between the weight controlled group and the uncontrolled group. During 1?year follow?up after ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was significantly lower in the weight controlled group than that in the weight uncontrolled group (14.8% (8/54) vs. 32.6%(91/279), P=0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis shows that weight control is independently associated with a lower postoperative AF recurrence rate ( OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.18-0.90, P=0.026). Conclusion Weight control is strongly associated with a lower AF recurrence rate after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients.

Objective:To explore the role of mechanical hemodynamic support (MHS) in mapping and catheter ablation of patients with hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT), report single-center experience in a cohort of consecutive patients receiving VT ablation during MHS therapy, and provide evidence-based medical evidence for clinical practice.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with hemodynamically unstable VT who underwent catheter ablation with MHS at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between August 2021 and December 2023 were included. Patients were divided into rescue group and preventive group according to the purpose of treatment. Their demographic data, periprocedural details, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed.Results:A total of 15 patients with hemodynamically unstable VT were included (8 patients in the rescue group and 7 patients in the preventive group). The acute procedure was successful in all patients. One patient in the rescue group had surgical left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, remaining 14 patients received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for circulation support. ECMO decannulation was performed in 12 patients due to clinical and hemodynamic stability, of which 6 patients were decannulation immediately after surgery and the remaining patients were decannulation at 2.0 (2.5) d after surgery. Two patients in the rescue group died during the index admission due to refractory heart failure and cerebral hemorrhage. During a median follow-up of 30 d (1 d to 12 months), one patient with LVAD had one episode of ventricular fibrillation at 6 months after discharge, and no further episodes of ventricular fibrillation and/or VT occurred after treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs. No malignant ventricular arrhythmia occurred in the remaining 12 patients who were followed up.Conclusions:MHS contributes to the successful completion of mapping and catheter ablation in patients with hemodynamically unstable VT, providing desirable hemodynamic status for emergency and elective conditions.