Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/therapy* ; China

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male

Atrial Fibrillation ; epidemiology ; genetics ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans

A distributed simulation method of electric field based on the atrial defibrillation of the heart modeling and finite element solution is proposed in this study. In order to solve the problem that ordinary clinical trials could not measure the actual distribution of the defibrillation electric field in the heart accurately, this method provides a research tool for electrical defibrillation. A complete atrial anatomical structure in the heart model is used in the research, the finite element method is proceeded to solve; Three parameters: defibrillation threshold voltage, the high field strength rate and the defibrillation threshold energy are set to evaluate the effect of defibrillation. The heart electric field distributions of transvenous atrial defibrillation with different electrode locations or sizes are simulated. The simulation results and the reported results match fairly well, which initially verify the feasibility of this method.
Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Computer Simulation ; Electric Countershock ; instrumentation ; methods ; Electrodes

Atrial Fibrillation ; epidemiology ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this review was to delineate our current knowledge of the close relationship between the abundance of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and the risk of all major cardiovascular disease, especially atrial fibrillation (AF).

DATA SOURCESThe data analyzed in this review were mainly from articles reported in PubMed published from 1972 to 2014.

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and critical reviews relevant to EAT and AF were selected.

RESULTSEAT, a particular form of metabolically active visceral fat deposited around the heart, is being regarded as an important independent predictor of cardio-metabolic diseases. EAT is composed of smaller adipocytes than other visceral fat depots and functioned like brown adipose tissue (BAT) to protect adjacent tissues. Improving the understanding of EAT in AF genesis and maintenance may contribute to prevent AF and reduce the complications associated with AF.

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggest that EAT associates with AF severity and the recurrence of AF after catheter ablation even after adjustment for AF risk factors, but the precise mechanisms are not fully elucidated.

Adipose Tissue ; pathology ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; therapy ; Humans

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Humans

Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Early diagnosis and effective management are important to reduce atrial fibrillation-related adverse events. Photoplethysmography (PPG) is often used to assist wearables for continuous electrocardiograph monitoring, which shows its unique value. The development of PPG has provided an innovative solution to AF management. Serial studies of mobile health technology for improving screening and optimized integrated care in atrial fibrillation have explored the application of PPG in screening, diagnosing, early warning, and integrated management in patients with AF. This review summarizes the latest progress of PPG analysis based on artificial intelligence technology and mobile health in AF field in recent years, as well as the limitations of current research and the focus of future research.
Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/therapy* ; Photoplethysmography ; Artificial Intelligence ; Electrocardiography ; Biomedical Technology

OBJECTIVETo determine the feasibility and efficiency of terminating atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) using synchronous low-energy shocks delivered through a novel transesophageal electric balloon electrode system.

METHODSBy using a novel electric balloon electrode system, we attempted 91 transesophageal cardioversions in 52 patients, to treat 53 episodes of AFL and 38 episodes of AF.

RESULTSOf the 40 patients of AFL that failed to respond to drug therapy, 37 (92.5%) were successfully countershocked to sinus rhythm by transesophageal cardioversion, with a mean energy of (22.70 +/- 4.50) J (20 - 30 J). Of the 19 patients in AF, transesophageal cardioversion was successful in 16 (84.2%) cases, requiring a mean delivered energy of (17.38 +/- 8.58) J (3 - 30 J). There were no complications such as heart block or ventricular fibrillation, and no evidence of esophageal injury.

CONCLUSIONSTransesophageal cardioversion using an electric balloon electrode system is an effective and feasible method for the treatment of AFL and AF. It requires low energy and no anesthesia, leads to less trauma, and shows a high cardioversion success rate that may prove valuable in the management of tachyarrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Atrial Flutter ; therapy ; Electric Countershock ; instrumentation ; methods ; Electrodes ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome