Background The increasing use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in the ablation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) has raised questions about its true efficacy and safety. Objective To evaluate the long-term outcome and periprocedural complications of PVCs ablation with and without ICE. Methods This retrospective study collected the periprocedural complications and PVC burden post ablation. The risk factors of PVC recurrence was further explored. Results The study included patients treated without ICE (control group, n=451) and with ICE (ICE group, n=155) from May 2019 to July 2022. The ICE group demonstrated significantly lower fluoroscopy times and X-ray doses. There were no major complications in the ICE group, and the difference in the occurrence of periprocedural complications between the groups was not statistically significant (p=0.072). The long-term success rates were similar for the control and ICE groups (89.6% and 87.1%, respectively). The origin of PVCs was identified as the independent factor for ablation success. Conclusions The use of ICE did not confer an advantage with regard to long-term success in PVCs ablation. To thoroughly evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ICE in PVCs ablation, a prospective, multicenter, randomized study is warranted.

Background Previous research indicates disparities in atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and complications following catheter ablation in women; however, long-term outcomes based on gender remain underexplored. Objective This study evaluated the long-term rates of AF recurrence and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) following catheter ablation, investigating gender-related risk factors to inform clinical practice improvement. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from a prospectively observational registry of AF ablation procedures at our institution from 2015 to 2020. Patients were followed up for MACCE and AF recurrence. The risk factors of AF recurrence and MACCE were further explored. Results The study cohort consisted of 2,293 patients, including 1,441 males and 852 females, and had an average follow-up duration of 50.36 months. After catheter ablation, females exhibited a notably higher rate of recurrence compared to males, with a hazard ratio of 1.305 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 1.101 to 1.547, which was statistically significant (p=0.0014). Gender differences in AF recurrence persisted regardless of early versus late intervention (both p<0.05). No significant difference in MACCE rates was observed between genders. Independent risk factors for AF recurrence included female gender, diabetes, left atrial diameter ≥40 mm. Conclusions Gender differences significantly impact the long-term outcomes of AF recurrence, but not MACCE rates post-catheter ablation. The study highlights the necessity to integrate gender considerations into AF management strategies.

Aims: To assess the effect of oral anticoagulant (OAC) administration on incidence of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with Systematic review and meta-analysis in according with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols. Methods: We systematically searched the electronic databases including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, and ClinicalTrails.gov for relevant articles. The primary outcome was the incidence of dementia. The adjusted risk ratio (RR), odds ratio, or hazard ratio were extracted and pooled by the random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the setting observational window. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, while publication bias was assessed by the Begg’s and Egger’s tests. Results: Nine studies included in this review (2 prospective and 7 retrospective observational studies, including 613,920 patients). The results presented the significant association between OAC therapy and the reduced risk of dementia compared with no treatment (RR [95%CI] =0.72 [0.60, 0.86], I2=97.2%; P =0.000). In the subgroup analysis, the pooled RR became statistically non-significant (including four studies, RR [95%CI] =0.75 [0.51, 1.10], I2=98.8%; P =0.000). There is no significant risk of bias and publication bias. Conclusions: This study indicated the protective effect of OAC therapy for dementia in patients with AF. However, the results are limited because of high heterogeneity, inconsistent direction of effect in subgroup analysis. Further prospective well-designed study is needed with longer follow-up duration in younger patients.

Background: Although epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been proved be associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and post-ablation AF recurrence, the relationship between EAT and AF after cardiac surgery (AFACS) is not evident, yet. Objective: In the study, we aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between EAT and AFACS and whether it is independent of the measurement methods. Methods: Systematic reach was implemented until May, 30, 2020, which “atrial fibrillation” and “epicardial adipose tissue” were as the main items in electronic databases. Analysis was stratified by EAT measurement methods into three pooled meta-analyses on 1) total EAT volume, 2) left atrium (LA)-EAT volume and 3) EAT thickness between two groups with and without AFACS, estimating standardized mean difference (SMD) with a random effect model. Results: Eight articles with ten studies (546 patients) were included. Accordingly, the results of meta-analysis showed that EAT was higher in AFACS subjects, regardless of the methods of EAT measurement.[ total EAT volume: SMD = 0.56 ml; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56-1.10ml, I2 = 0.90, P=0.04; EAT thickness: SMD = 0.85mm; 95% CI = 0.04-1.65mm, I2 = 0.90, P=0.04; LA-EAT volume: SMD = 0.57ml, 95% CI = 0.23-0.92ml, I2 = 0.00, P=0.001.] And there was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion: EAT may be a potential marker and therapeutic target for AFACS. However, larger scale studies are still required, and evaluation is needed to for further estimation.

Instruction Cessation of oral anticoagulation (OAC) is common after the first 3 months of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF); however, thromboembolic risk has not been defined in patients with and without AF recurrence (RAF vs. NRAF) post ablationMethods and Results We identified 796 patients who discontinued OAC at 3 months post AF ablation from January 2015 to May 2018 in our center. Regular follow-up was performed to detect RAF, collect medication management and thromboembolic and major bleeding events. CHA2DS2-VASc score was 1.79±1.50; 547 (68.7%) patients were at intermediate and high risk (i.e. CHA2DS2-VASc score ³1 in male patients, or ³2 in female patients); 169 (21.2%) were RAF. During 29.2±12.2 months follow-up, the incidence rate of thromboembolism was 1.62 per 100 patient-year (7 in 431 years) in RAF, 0.33 per 100 patient-year (5 in 1503 years) in NRAF. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, RAF was associated with more 3.5-fold higher rate of thromboembolism compared with NRAF (adjusting HR, 4.488; 95%CI, 1.381-14.586). Rate of thromboembolism was even higher in patients with intermediate and high risk (2.16 per 100 patient-year [7 in 323 years] versus 0.38 per 100 patient-year [4 in 1043 years], aHR, 5.807; 95%CI, 1.631-20.671). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RAF was the only independent predictor of thromboembolism (4.837 [1.498-15.621], P=0.008).