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 Identify the mechanism of induced atrial arrhythmias after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal atrial ifbrillation(PAF), and investigate its long-term prognosis. Methods All patients with PAF undergoing PVI and induction test afterwards between Feburary 2010 and October 2010 were included. The induction protocol was rapid pacing initiated at cycle length of 250 ms with progressive shortening in a decrement of 10 ms down to 180 ms or refractoriness. Isoproterenol of 2-4μg/min was administrated as well. Inducibility was deifned as induction of atrial arrhythmia lasting >1 min. The mechanism of induced tachycardia was identiifed by activation mapping and entrainment mapping under the guidance of CARTO system. All patients were followed up by 36 months. Results Forty-nine atrial tachycardia were induced in 39 (19.7%) patients, including 35 organized atrial tachycardia (OAT) and 14 atrial ifbrillation (AF). The LA diameter was signiifcantly larger in inducible group than non-inducible group (39.5±6.6 mm vs. 36.7±5.2 mm, P=0.004). Macroreentry was the most common mechanism in induced OATs (28, 80.0%), and mitral isthmus was the most common critical site (20, 40.8%), followed by cavo-tricuspid isthmus (12, 24.5%), PV (6, 12.2%), LA septum (4, 8.2%), superior vena cava (3, 6.1%) and LA roof (1, 2.0%). Conclusions The most common mechanism of induced tachycardia by IV isoproterenol and rapid pacing is MI and CTI dependent after PVI in PAF patients, which can be succssefully eliminated by liner ablation, not increasing long-term recurrence rate.

Objective To investigate ablation characteristics of PVC/VT originating from left ventricle anterior papillary muscles.Methods This study included 10 patients of PVC/VT originating from left ventricle anterior papillary muscles from January 2015 to June 2016 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital.Electrophysiological mapping and radiofrequency ablation were completed using three-dimensional anatomical mapping system combined with three-dimensional intracardiac ultrasound technology.ECG and abaltion target diagram characteristics as well as the special anatomy were explored.Results All the 10 patients were successfully ablated and followed up for 12 months.One patient had recurrence within 12 months and no complications were recorded.The target sites localized at the tip (n =1),middle portion(n =4)or the base (n =5) of the LV-APM.Among 7 patients,the target sites were located at the anterior septal papillary muscle and in 3 patients were located in the free papillary muscle.9 patients were successfully ablated via anterograde trans-septal catheterization after the failure of retrograde approach.Premature QRS wave time were 152.80 ± 11.72 ms and 6 patients presented sharp potential at the targets during PVC/VT.Conclusions PVC/VT originating from left ventricle anterior papillary muscles have similar ECG and diagram characteristics that is different from which originating from left anterior fascicle.It is recommended to get the target via transseptalpuncure approach.Ablation target could be clearly positioned by three-dimensional intracardiac ultrasound technology.

Objectives To address whether menopause affects outcome of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) by comparing the safety and long-term outcome of a single-procedure in pre-and post-menopausal women. Methods A total of 743 female patients who underwent a single CA procedure of drug-refractory AF were retrospectively analyzed. The differences in clinical presentation and outcomes of CA for AF between the pre-menopausal women (PreM group, 94 patients, 12.7%) and the post-menopausal women (PostM group, 649 patients, 87.3%) were assessed. Results The patients in the PreM group were younger (P<0.001) and less likely to have hypertension (P<0.001) and diabetes (P=0.005) than those in the PostM group. The two groups were similar with regards to the proportion of concomitant mitral valve regurgitation coronary artery disease, left atrium dimensions, and left ventricular ejection fraction. The overall rate of complica-tions related to AF ablation was similar in both groups (P=0.385). After 43 (16-108) months of follow-up, the success rate of ablation was 54.3%in the PreM group and 54.2%in the PostM group (P=0.842). The overall freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence was simi-lar in both groups. Menopause was not found to be an independent predictive factor of the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia. Conclusions The long-term outcomes of single-procedure CA for AF are similar in pre-and post-menopausal women. Results indicated that CA of AF appears to be as safe and effective in pre-menopausal women as in post-menopausal women.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of subcutaneous negative pressure drainage and absorbable suture in preventing postoperative complications of cranioplasty. Methods: The clinical data of 175 cases of skull defect admitted and treated in Department of Neurosurgeryof the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University from January 2012 to February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the different intraoperative treatment methods, 97 cases were treated with thread suture to the galea aponeurotica combined with general drainage(the general drainage group), and 78 cases were treated with absorbable suture to the galea aponeurotica combined with negative pressure drainage(the negative pressure drainage group). The galea aponeurotica were sutured intermittently with both silk thread and absorbable suture, and the drainage tube was placed outside the metal titanium plate under the skin, and removed after 48-72 hours.The postoperative complications of the two groups were compared. Results: The incidence rates of subcutaneous hemorrhage, knotting reaction, infection of incision in the negative pressure drainage group were 1.3%(1/78), 0.0%(0/78), and 0.0%(0/78), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the average drainage group[11.3%(11/97), 20.6%(20/97), 7.2%(7/97)], the differences were statistically significant(χ²=6.85, 18.16, 4.13, all P<0.05). Conclusion The application of absorbable suture suturing galea aponeurotica and subcutaneous negative pressure drainage in skull repair can significantly reduce and prevent postoperative complications of cranioplasty.

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.

Objective To investigate associations of herpes simplex virus(HSV)infection with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP)level and the development of atrial fibrillation(AF) in elderly individuals.Methods Through screening a total of 2,603 individuals,49 patients aged 60 years or over with AF and without structural heart diseases and known risk factors for AF were selected for data collection.Fifty-five elderly healthy control subjects were selected from a population based Chinese Arrhythmia Registry.Baseline characteristics,plasma antibody levels against HSV-1 and-2,and level of hsCRP were analyzed.Results Level of antibodies against HSV-1 was significantly higher in AF patients[(314.5±63.6)mg/L than in control subjects(216.0±50.7) mg/L,P＜0.01].Level of antibodies against HSV-2 was significantly higher in AF patients[(400.1±50.7) mg/L than in control subjects (306.3 ± 64.5) mg/L,P ＜ 0.01].Linear regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation of plasma levels of hsCRP with both anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 IgG antibodies (r =0.291,0.188,all P ＜ 0.01).In multiple logistic regression analysis,HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibody levels were significantly associated with AF occurrence(OR =1.035 and 1.034,all P ＜0.01).The optimal cut-off point for predicting AF occurrence was 284.96 mg/L for anti-HSV-1 with sensitivity of 67.3％ and a specificity of 92.7％,and was 366.26 mg/L for anti-HSV-2 with a sensitivity of 67.3％ and a specificity of 85.5％,respectively.Conclusions The increased plasma levels of anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 antibodies are significantly associated with AF occurrence in elderly adults.

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 investigate the long-term safety of digoxin in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods:This was a prospective study, in which 25 512 AF patients were enrolled from China Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study. After exclusion of patients receiving ablation therapy at the enrollment, 1 810 CAD patients [age: (71.5±9.3)years] with AF were included. The subjects were grouped into the digoxin group and non-digoxin group, and were followed up for a period of 80 months. Long-term outcomes were compared between the groups and an adjusted Cox regression analysis was applied to evaluate the risk of digoxin on the long-term outcomes. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.Results:The patients were followed up for a median period of 3.05 years. After multivariable adjustment, the Cox regression analysis showed that digoxin significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality ( HR=1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.61, P=0.038), cardiovascular mortality ( HR=1.48,95% CI 1.10-2.00, P=0.010), cardiovascular hospitalization ( HR=1.67,95% CI 1.35-2.07, P=0.008) and the composite endpoints ( HR=2.02,95% CI 1.71-2.38, P<0.001). In the subgroup of patients with heart failure (HF), digoxin was not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, but was still associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular mortality ( HR=1.44,95% CI 1.05-1.98, P=0.025), cardiovascular hospitalization ( HR=1.44,95% CI 1.09-1.90, P=0.010) and the composite endpoints ( HR=1.37, 95% CI 1.01-1.70, P=0.004). However, in the subgroup of patients without HF, digoxin was only associated with all-cause mortality ( HR=2.56,95% CI 1.44-4.54, P=0.001). Conclusion:Digoxin significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in CAD patients with AF, especially in patients without HF.

【Objective】 To investigate the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid exosome-derived miR-630 and the function of brain microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs）. 【Methods】 The subarachnoid hemorrhage endothelial cell model was established to evaluate the effect of hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid （BCSF） on BMECs’ proliferation by MTT assay and cell cycle analysis. qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expressions of endothelial cell tight junction protein （ZO-1） and adhesion molecule （ICAM-1 and VCAM-1）. Changes in NOx concentration were detected by radioimmunoassay. The cerebrospinal fluid exosomes in the experimental group （co-incubated with BCSF） and the control group （normal cerebrospinal fluid） were isolated and identified， and differences in the expressions of cerebrospinal fluid exosomal miR-630 between the two groups were compared. BMECs work changes after the intervention with miR-630 analogue were observed. 【Results】 The proliferation of BMECs was significantly inhibited in the experimental group； the mRNA and protein levels of ICAM-1， VCAM-1 and ZO-1 were significantly decreased， and the function of endothelial cells was significantly inhibited （P<0.05）. After the successful separation and identification of cerebrospinal fluid exosomes， the expression of miR-630 was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group （P<0.05）. The function of BMECs was significantly improved with miR-630 mimics. 【Conclusion】 The low expression of miR-630 in cerebrospinal fluid exosomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage is closely related to BMECs injury.