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.

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.

Aim To explore the impact of ablation termination on the maintenance of sinus rhythm in long-stand-ing persistent atrial fibrillation(LSPAF)by"Stepwise"ablation strategy.Methods This study involved 260 LSPAF patients who underwent"Stepwise"ablation strategy and clinical characteristics were collected.According to the ablation procedure,the patients were divided into ablation termination group and cardioversion group.The prognostic value of con-version to atrial flutter(AFL)and ablation termination was analyzed using subgroup analysis,followed up for 1 year to ex-plore their impact on prognosis.Results Overall,103(39.6％)cases of LSPAF were terminated by ablation.Compared to the cardioversion group,the courses of atrial fibrillation and left atrial diameter were lower in the ablation ter-mination group(all P＜0.05).At 1 year of follow-up,45(17.3％)patients had experienced recurrence,with no statis-tical difference in the proportion of recurrence between the two groups(all P＞0.05).Compared to preoperative,left atri-al diameter was significantly lower after 1 year regardless of recurrence.In subgroup analysis,conversion to AFL and ab-lation termination was associated with the maintenance of long-term sinus rhythm(all P＜0.05).On multivariable Cox re-gression,the courses of atrial fibrillation,body mass index,left atrial diameter and fasting blood glucose were independent risk factors for recurrence.Conclusions 39.6％of LSPAF recovered sinus rhythm during the"Stepwise"ablation process,but there was no correlation with long-term sinus rhythm maintenance.Termination of ablation after conversion to AFL during ablation has a predictive effect on the maintenance of long-term sinus rhythm.

BACKGROUND: The age, biomarkers, and clinical history (ABC)-atrial fibrillation (AF)-Stroke score have been proposed to refine stroke risk stratification, beyond what clinical risk scores such as the CHA2DS2-VASc score can offer. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with thromboembolism and evaluate the performance of the ABC-AF-Stroke score in predicting thromboembolism in non-anticoagulated AF patients following successful ablations. METHODS: A total of 2692 patients who underwent successful ablations with discontinued anticoagulation after a 3-month blanking period in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (CAFR) between 2013 and 2019 were included. Cox regression analysis was conducted to present the association of risk factors with thromboembolism risk. The ABC-AF-Stroke score was evaluated in terms of discrimination, including concordance index (C-index), net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), clinical utilization by decision curve analysis (DCA), and calibration by comparing the predicted risk with the observed annualized event rate. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 64 patients experienced thromboembolism events. Age, prior history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (cTnT-hs), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were independently associated with thromboembolism risk. The ABC-AF-Stroke score performed statistically significantly better than the CHA2DS2-VASc score in terms of C-index (0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.74 vs. 0.60, 95% CI: 0.52-0.67, P = 0.030) and reclassification capacity. The DCA implied that the ABC-AF-Stroke score could identify more thromboembolism events without increasing the false positive rate compared to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. The calibration curve showed that the ABC-AF-Stroke score was well calibrated in this population. CONCLUSIONS In this real-world study enrolling non-anticoagulated AF patients following successful ablations, age, prior history of stroke/TIA, level of NT-proBNP, and cTnT-hs were independently associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. The ABC-AF-Stroke score was well-calibrated and statistically significantly outperformed the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting thromboembolism risk.
Humans ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; Atrial Fibrillation/complications* ; East Asian People ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Registries ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/etiology* ; Thromboembolism/etiology* ; Troponin T

Objectives:To explore the correlation between mitral annulus calcification(MAC)and recurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF)after radiofrequency ablation. Methods:The study included 785 patients with AF who underwent radiofrequency ablation in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 1,2019 to December 31,2020.According to the recurrence of AF after operation,patients were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group.Univariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors associated with AF recurrence,and multivariate Cox regression model was used to evaluate the influence of MAC on AF recurrence. Results:The average follow-up was(16±10)months.190 patients(24.2%)in the recurrence group,595(75.8%)patients in the non-recurrence.Patients in the recurrence group were older,had a higher proportion non-paroxysmal AF,a higher proportion of MAC,moderate/severe mitral regurgitation and larger left atrial diameter(LAD),and higher CHA2DS2-VASc score(all P<0.001).Univariate analysis showed that MAC was a risk factor of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation(HR=2.530,95%CI:1.639-3.907,P<0.001).After adjusting for age and sex,MAC remained significantly associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation(HR=1.52,95%CI:1.14-2.17,P<0.001).After multivariate adjustment for age,sex,non-paroxysmal AF,hypertension,diabetes,LAD,moderate/severe mitral regurgitation,and CHA2DS2-VASc score,MAC remained as an independent risk factor of AF recurrence(HR=1.48,95%CI:1.13-1.95,P=0.001). Conclusions:MAC is significantly associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.

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.

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 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.

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.