document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18283199&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">ACC/AHA/Physician Consortium 2008 clinical performance measures for adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures and the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (Writing Committee to Develop Clinical Performance Measures for Atrial Fibrillation): developed in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18283199&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18283199&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>ACC/AHA/Physician Consortium 2008 clinical performance measures for adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures and the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (Writing Committee to Develop Clinical Performance Measures for Atrial Fibrillation): developed in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 26;117(8):1101-20</p>        <p>Authors:  Estes NA, Halperin JL, Calkins H, Ezekowitz MD, Gitman P, Go AS, McNamara RL, Messer JV, Ritchie JL, Romeo SJ, Waldo AL, Wyse DG,  ,  ,  </p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18283199 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18250272&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Deficient zebrafish ether-&#xE0;-go-go-related gene channel gating causes short-QT syndrome in zebrafish reggae mutants.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18250272&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18250272&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Deficient zebrafish ether-&#x26;#xE0;-go-go-related gene channel gating causes short-QT syndrome in zebrafish reggae mutants.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 19;117(7):866-75</p>        <p>Authors:  Hassel D, Scholz EP, Trano N, Friedrich O, Just S, Meder B, Weiss DL, Zitron E, Marquart S, Vogel B, Karle CA, Seemann G, Fishman MC, Katus HA, Rottbauer W</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Genetic predisposition is believed to be responsible for most clinically significant arrhythmias; however, suitable genetic animal models to study disease mechanisms and evaluate new treatment strategies are largely lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: In search of suitable arrhythmia models, we isolated the zebrafish mutation reggae (reg), which displays clinical features of the malignant human short-QT syndrome such as accelerated cardiac repolarization accompanied by cardiac fibrillation. By positional cloning, we identified the reg mutation that resides within the voltage sensor of the zebrafish ether-&#x26;#xE0;-go-go-related gene (zERG) potassium channel. The mutation causes premature zERG channel activation and defective inactivation, which results in shortened action potential duration and accelerated cardiac repolarization. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of zERG rescues recessive reg mutant embryos, which confirms the gain-of-function effect of the reg mutation on zERG channel function in vivo. Accordingly, QT intervals in ECGs from heterozygous and homozygous reg mutant adult zebrafish are considerably shorter than in wild-type zebrafish. CONCLUSIONS: With its molecular and pathophysiological concordance to the human arrhythmia syndrome, zebrafish reg represents the first animal model for human short-QT syndrome.</p>        <p>PMID: 18250272 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17578561&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Recently published papers: therapies failed, disputed, and beneficent.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://ccforum.com/content/11/3/143&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.biomedcentral.com-graphics-pubmed-ccf.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17578561&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Recently published papers: therapies failed, disputed, and beneficent.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care. 2007;11(3):143</p>        <p>Authors:  Williams G</p>        <p>A recent meta-analysis puts another nail in the coffin of a therapy that held great promise for management of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Two papers further highlight the growing controversy surrounding the safety profile of drotrecogin alpha (activated) and increase the clamour for a new independent trial. Also covered are steroids and their role in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation, and success in instituting hypothermia after cardiac arrest. Finally, which form of renal replacement therapy should we be using in the intensive care unit?</p>        <p>PMID: 17578561 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18269975&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Preventive ablation strategies in a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation based on realistic anatomical data.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2007.912672&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18269975&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Preventive ablation strategies in a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation based on realistic anatomical data.</b></p>        <p>IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2008 Feb;55(2):399-406</p>        <p>Authors:  Reumann M, Bohnert J, Seemann G, Osswald B, D&#x26;#xF6;ssel O</p>        <p>Ablation strategies to prevent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) have been subject to many clinical studies. The issues mainly concern pattern and transmurality of the lesions. This paper investigates ten different ablation strategies on a multilayered 3-D anatomical model of the atria with respect to 23 different setups of AF initiation in a biophysical computer model. There were 495 simulations carried out showing that circumferential lesions around the pulmonary veins (PVs) yield the highest success rate if at least two additional linear lesions are carried out. The findings compare with clinical studies as well as with other computer simulations. The anatomy and the setup of ectopic beats play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of AF as well as the resulting therapy. The computer model presented in this paper is a suitable tool to investigate different ablation strategies. By including individual patient anatomy and electrophysiological measurement, the model could be parameterized to yield an effective tool for future investigation of tailored ablation strategies and their effects on atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18269975 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17906918&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: selected controversies including optimal anticoagulation intensity, treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11239-007-0101-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17906918&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: selected controversies including optimal anticoagulation intensity, treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.</b></p>        <p>J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2008 Feb;25(1):26-32</p>        <p>Authors:  Hart RG, Aguilar MI</p>        <p>Clinical trials during the past 20 years have revolutionized the antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation. Based on consideration of 30 randomized trials involving 29,017 participants, adjusted-dose warfarin remains the most efficacious prophylaxis against stroke for atrial fibrillation patients at moderate-to-high risk (compared with antiplatelet agents, warfarin reduces stroke by about 40%). The optimal INR for prevention of stroke for most atrial fibrillation patients is probably 2.0-2.5; INRs of 1.6-1.9 provide substantial protection, 80-90% of that afforded by higher intensities. Warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage is an increasing problem as more elderly patients with atrial fibrillation are anticoagulated. Modest reductions in blood pressure results in large decreases in this most dreaded complication of warfarin; anticoagulation of elderly atrial fibrillation patients should be accompanied by a firm commitment to control hypertension. Warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage has a 50% early mortality. A wide range of acute treatments to urgently reverse anticoagulation have been recommended by experts, but prevention is a far better option than treatment of this devastating problem.</p>        <p>PMID: 17906918 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18269975&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Preventive ablation strategies in a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation based on realistic anatomical data.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2007.912672&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18269975&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Preventive ablation strategies in a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation based on realistic anatomical data.</b></p>        <p>IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2008 Feb;55(2):399-406</p>        <p>Authors:  Reumann M, Bohnert J, Seemann G, Osswald B, D&#x26;#xF6;ssel O</p>        <p>Ablation strategies to prevent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) have been subject to many clinical studies. The issues mainly concern pattern and transmurality of the lesions. This paper investigates ten different ablation strategies on a multilayered 3-D anatomical model of the atria with respect to 23 different setups of AF initiation in a biophysical computer model. There were 495 simulations carried out showing that circumferential lesions around the pulmonary veins (PVs) yield the highest success rate if at least two additional linear lesions are carried out. The findings compare with clinical studies as well as with other computer simulations. The anatomy and the setup of ectopic beats play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of AF as well as the resulting therapy. The computer model presented in this paper is a suitable tool to investigate different ablation strategies. By including individual patient anatomy and electrophysiological measurement, the model could be parameterized to yield an effective tool for future investigation of tailored ablation strategies and their effects on atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18269975 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17906918&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: selected controversies including optimal anticoagulation intensity, treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11239-007-0101-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17906918&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: selected controversies including optimal anticoagulation intensity, treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.</b></p>        <p>J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2008 Feb;25(1):26-32</p>        <p>Authors:  Hart RG, Aguilar MI</p>        <p>Clinical trials during the past 20 years have revolutionized the antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation. Based on consideration of 30 randomized trials involving 29,017 participants, adjusted-dose warfarin remains the most efficacious prophylaxis against stroke for atrial fibrillation patients at moderate-to-high risk (compared with antiplatelet agents, warfarin reduces stroke by about 40%). The optimal INR for prevention of stroke for most atrial fibrillation patients is probably 2.0-2.5; INRs of 1.6-1.9 provide substantial protection, 80-90% of that afforded by higher intensities. Warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage is an increasing problem as more elderly patients with atrial fibrillation are anticoagulated. Modest reductions in blood pressure results in large decreases in this most dreaded complication of warfarin; anticoagulation of elderly atrial fibrillation patients should be accompanied by a firm commitment to control hypertension. Warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage has a 50% early mortality. A wide range of acute treatments to urgently reverse anticoagulation have been recommended by experts, but prevention is a far better option than treatment of this devastating problem.</p>        <p>PMID: 17906918 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18269975&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Preventive ablation strategies in a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation based on realistic anatomical data.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2007.912672&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18269975&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Preventive ablation strategies in a biophysical model of atrial fibrillation based on realistic anatomical data.</b></p>        <p>IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2008 Feb;55(2):399-406</p>        <p>Authors:  Reumann M, Bohnert J, Seemann G, Osswald B, D&#x26;#xF6;ssel O</p>        <p>Ablation strategies to prevent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) have been subject to many clinical studies. The issues mainly concern pattern and transmurality of the lesions. This paper investigates ten different ablation strategies on a multilayered 3-D anatomical model of the atria with respect to 23 different setups of AF initiation in a biophysical computer model. There were 495 simulations carried out showing that circumferential lesions around the pulmonary veins (PVs) yield the highest success rate if at least two additional linear lesions are carried out. The findings compare with clinical studies as well as with other computer simulations. The anatomy and the setup of ectopic beats play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of AF as well as the resulting therapy. The computer model presented in this paper is a suitable tool to investigate different ablation strategies. By including individual patient anatomy and electrophysiological measurement, the model could be parameterized to yield an effective tool for future investigation of tailored ablation strategies and their effects on atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18269975 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17906918&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: selected controversies including optimal anticoagulation intensity, treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11239-007-0101-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17906918&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: selected controversies including optimal anticoagulation intensity, treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.</b></p>        <p>J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2008 Feb;25(1):26-32</p>        <p>Authors:  Hart RG, Aguilar MI</p>        <p>Clinical trials during the past 20 years have revolutionized the antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation. Based on consideration of 30 randomized trials involving 29,017 participants, adjusted-dose warfarin remains the most efficacious prophylaxis against stroke for atrial fibrillation patients at moderate-to-high risk (compared with antiplatelet agents, warfarin reduces stroke by about 40%). The optimal INR for prevention of stroke for most atrial fibrillation patients is probably 2.0-2.5; INRs of 1.6-1.9 provide substantial protection, 80-90% of that afforded by higher intensities. Warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage is an increasing problem as more elderly patients with atrial fibrillation are anticoagulated. Modest reductions in blood pressure results in large decreases in this most dreaded complication of warfarin; anticoagulation of elderly atrial fibrillation patients should be accompanied by a firm commitment to control hypertension. Warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage has a 50% early mortality. A wide range of acute treatments to urgently reverse anticoagulation have been recommended by experts, but prevention is a far better option than treatment of this devastating problem.</p>        <p>PMID: 17906918 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18314828&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Sustainability and impact of warfarin compliance for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18314828&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Sustainability and impact of warfarin compliance for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Health R I. 2007 Dec;90(12):378-80</p>        <p>Authors:  Kuo S, Burrill J</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18314828 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18294494&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Preoperative statin therapy is not associated with a decrease in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-8703(07)00860-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18294494&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Preoperative statin therapy is not associated with a decrease in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.</b></p>        <p>Am Heart J. 2008 Mar;155(3):541-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Virani SS, Nambi V, Razavi M, Lee VV, Elayda M, Wilson JM, Ballantyne CM</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery is associated with significant morbidity. We investigated whether preoperative statin therapy was associated with decreased incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including isolated valve surgery and patients with low ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: A retrospective study of consecutive patients without history of AF (n = 4044) who underwent cardiac surgeries at St. Luke&#x27;s Episcopal Hospital (Houston, TX), from January 1, 2003, through April 30, 2006, was conducted. Postoperative AF was assessed by continuous telemetry monitoring during hospitalization for cardiac surgery. RESULTS: A total of 2096 patients (52%) received preoperative statins. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 1270 patients (31.4% in both the statin and nonstatin groups). In multivariate regression analysis, age &#x26;gt;65 years, history of valvular heart disease, rheumatic disease, pulmonary disease, and New York Heart Association class III/IV were independent predictors of increased risk, whereas female sex was associated with decreased risk. Preoperative statin therapy was not associated with decreased risk in the entire cohort (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.31) or in subgroups undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.97-1.43), isolated valve surgery (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.81-1.46), or both (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.72-1.65), or the subgroup with EF &#x26;lt;35% (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.84-1.82). After propensity score analysis (n = 867 patients in each group), preoperative statin therapy was not associated with decreased AF incidence (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.92-1.41). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative statin therapy was not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including patients with low EF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18294494 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18087298&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Is dronedarone effective for the prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1089&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.nature.com-images-logo_cardiovascular_medicin.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18087298&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Is dronedarone effective for the prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation?</b></p>        <p>Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2008 Mar;5(3):136-7</p>        <p>Authors:  White CM</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18087298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17434629&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Mechanisms responsible for the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation assessed by non-contact mapping system.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0167-5273(07)00471-8&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17434629&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Mechanisms responsible for the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation assessed by non-contact mapping system.</b></p>        <p>Int J Cardiol. 2008 Feb 29;124(2):218-26</p>        <p>Authors:  Rha SW, Kim YH, Hong MK, Ro YM, Choi CU, Suh SY, Kim JW, Kim EJ, Park CG, Seo HS, Oh DJ</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: This study is aimed to assess the initiation and maintenance mechanisms of atrial fibrillation (AF) and their relationships with the anatomical structures of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (pts; 33 men, mean age 50+/-12, range 25-68 years) with paroxysmal AF (n=29) and persistent AF (n=8) who underwent mapping of the LA and PV using 3D non-contact endocardial mapping system (EnSite 3000) were included. Atrial premature complexes (APCs) which triggered the initiation of AF lasted longer than 1 min were mapped and the activation sequence on isopotential color maps was analyzed. RESULTS: Wave front dynamics and the relationship with the underlying anatomical structures were assessed. APCs from PV were related to the initiation of AF, but not to the maintenance of AF in 59.5% of the pts (focally triggered type) whereas APCs from PV not only initiated AF but also maintained AF without continuous triggering in 27% (focally driven type). Mixed type and indeterminate type of AF was in 4.5% and 13.5%, respectively. During AF, the mean number of wavelet was 1.45 (maximum 3 in 76.5%). Anatomical structures showing frequent wave break and slow conduction were mostly located at the septopulmonary bundle (86.5%) and the posterior LA roof between left superior PV and right superior PV (54.1%). CONCLUSION: Focal repetitive activity from PV played an important role in both initiation and maintenance of AF using NCM study. Specific anatomical structures such as septopulmonary bundle or posterior LA roof were associated with the spontaneous wave break and heterogeneous conduction delay, which was also appears to be important in the maintenance of AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 17434629 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18317119&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Withholding warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation patients in the perioperative period.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00006534-200803000-00096&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18317119&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Withholding warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation patients in the perioperative period.</b></p>        <p>Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Mar;121(3):155e-156e</p>        <p>Authors:  Smoot EC</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18317119 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18237596&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Cost in the use of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing a transesophageal echocardiography-guided cardioversion (from Assessment of Cardioversion using Transesophageal Echocardiography [ACUTE] II randomized multicenter study).</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-9149(07)01905-4&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18237596&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Cost in the use of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing a transesophageal echocardiography-guided cardioversion (from Assessment of Cardioversion using Transesophageal Echocardiography [ACUTE] II randomized multicenter study).</b></p>        <p>Am J Cardiol. 2008 Feb 1;101(3):338-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Zhao L, Zhang Z, Kolm P, Jasper S, Lewis C, Klein A, Weintraub W,  </p>        <p>The ACUTE II study demonstrated that transesophageal echocardiographically guided cardioversion with enoxaparin in patients with atrial fibrillation was associated with shorter initial hospital stay, more normal sinus rhythm at 5 weeks, and no significant differences in stroke, bleeding, or death compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH). The present study evaluated resource use and costs in enoxaparin (n=76) and UFH (n=79) during 5-week follow-up. Resources included initial and subsequent hospitalizations, study drugs, outpatient services, and emergency room visits. Two costing approaches were employed for the hospitalization costing. The first approach was based on the UB-92 formulation of hospital bill and diagnosis-related group. The second approach was based on UB-92 and imputation using multivariable linear regression. Costs for outpatient and emergency room visits were determined from the Medicare fee schedule. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results. A bootstrap resample approach was used to obtain the confidence interval (CI) for the cost differences. Costs of initial and subsequent hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and emergency room visits were lower in the enoxaparin group. Average total costs remained significantly lower for the enoxaparin group for the 2 costing approaches ($5,800 vs $8,167, difference $2,367, 95% CI 855 to 4,388, for the first approach; $7,942 vs $10,076, difference $2,134, 95% CI 437 to 4,207, for the second approach). Sensitivity analysis showed that cost differences between strategies are robust to variation of drug costs. In conclusion, the use of enoxaparin as a bridging therapy is a cost-saving strategy (similar clinical outcomes and lower costs) for atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18237596 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18237595&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Acute effects and long-term outcome of pulmonary vein isolation in combination with electrogram-guided substrate ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-9149(07)01906-6&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18237595&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Acute effects and long-term outcome of pulmonary vein isolation in combination with electrogram-guided substrate ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Am J Cardiol. 2008 Feb 1;101(3):332-7</p>        <p>Authors:  Estner HL, Hessling G, Ndrepepa G, Luik A, Schmitt C, Konietzko A, Ucer E, Wu J, Kolb C, Pflaumer A, Zrenner B, Deisenhofer I</p>        <p>Complex fractionated atrial electrographic (CFAE) catheter ablation is a new approach for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). It is unclear if acute results of this approach correspond to long-term outcome. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess acute and long-term successes of an ablation approach combining pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and ablation of CFAE areas for treatment of persistent AF. PVI and ablation of CFAE areas were performed in 35 patients with persistent AF (30 men, 57+/-9 years of age). At the end of the ablation procedure AF had terminated in 23 of 35 patients (66%) by conversion to sinus rhythm (8 of 23 patients, 35%) or organization to atrial tachycardia (15 of 23 patients, 65%). AF persisted in 12 of 35 patients (34%). At the end of the follow-up period (19+/-12 months), sinus rhythm was present in 26 of 35 patients (74%), including 9 patients with a repeat procedure. This group of 26 patients consisted of 7 of 8 patients (88%) with acute sinus rhythm after the first ablation, 11 of 15 patients (73%) with organization, and 8 of 12 patients (66%) with ongoing AF (p=0.32). In conclusion, a combined approach of PVI and CFAE ablation in persistent AF leads to acute AF termination in 66% and long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm in 74% of cases. However, long-term outcome was not predictable by acute results of the ablation procedure.</p>        <p>PMID: 18237595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18325440&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: learning by burning continues.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0735-1097(07)03870-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18325440&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: learning by burning continues.</b></p>        <p>J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Mar 11;51(10):1011-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Marchlinski FE</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18325440 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18325439&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Characterization of electrograms associated with termination of chronic atrial fibrillation by catheter ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0735-1097(07)03888-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>Characterization of electrograms associated with termination of chronic atrial fibrillation by catheter ablation.</b></p>        <p>J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Mar 11;51(10):1003-10</p>        <p>Authors:  Takahashi Y, O&#x27;Neill MD, Hocini M, Dubois R, Matsuo S, Knecht S, Mahapatra S, Lim KT, Ja&#x26;#xEF;s P, Jonsson A, Sacher F, Sanders P, Rostock T, Bordachar P, Cl&#x26;#xE9;menty J, Klein GJ, Ha&#x26;#xEF;ssaguerre M</p>        <p>OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the characteristics of atrial electrograms predictive of slowing or termination of atrial fibrillation (AF) during ablation of chronic AF. BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition of a role for electrogram-based ablation. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients (34 male, 59 +/- 10 years) undergoing ablation for chronic AF persisting for a median of 12 months (range 1 to 84 months) were included. After pulmonary vein isolation and roof line ablation, electrogram-based ablation was performed in the left atrium and coronary sinus. Targeted electrograms were acquired in a 4-s window and characterized by: 1) percentage of continuous electrical activity; 2) bipolar voltage; 3) dominant frequency; 4) fractionation index; 5) mean absolute value of derivatives of electrograms; 6) local cycle length; and 7) presence of a temporal gradient of activation. Electrogram characteristics at favorable ablation regions, defined as those associated with slowing (a &#x26;gt;or=6-ms increase in AF cycle length) or termination of AF were compared with those at unfavorable regions. RESULTS: The AF was terminated by electrogram-based ablation in 29 patients (73%) after targeting a total of 171 regions. Ablation at 37 (22%) of these regions was followed by AF slowing, and at 29 (17%) by AF termination. The percentage of continuous electrical activity and the presence of a temporal gradient of activation were independent predictors of favorable ablation regions (p = 0.016 and p = 0.038, respectively). Other electrogram characteristics at favorable ablation regions were not significantly different from those at unfavorable ablation regions. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation at sites displaying a greater percentage of continuous activity or a temporal activation gradient is associated with slowing or termination of chronic AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18325439 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18222247&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The role of atrial remodeling for ablation of atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003-4975(07)02007-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18222247&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The role of atrial remodeling for ablation of atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;85(2):474-80</p>        <p>Authors:  Grubitzsch H, Menes A, Modersohn D, Konertz W</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes electrical, contractile, and structural remodeling of the atria. We investigated remodeling in patients undergoing AF ablation. METHODS: Concomitant ablation of permanent AF, lasting 1 to 240 months, was performed in 73 patients (49.3% men) with a mean age of 66 +/- 9.1 years undergoing mitral valve operations. Electrical (AF cycle length from surface electrocardiogram), contractile (force of contraction measured at right atrial muscle bundles), and structural (left atrial [LA] diameter from echocardiography) remodeling was assessed. Predictors for rhythm outcome were determined. RESULTS: Two patients died perioperatively, and 3 died during follow-up. The deaths were not ablation related. At the last follow-up (mean, 12 +/- 6.9 months), 47 patients (71.2%) were in sinus rhythm, 41 (62.1%) without antiarrhythmic drugs. Corresponding to cycle length (126 to 247 ms), force (2 to 18 mN/mm2), and LA diameter (37 to 79 mm), atrial remodeling exhibited a wide interindividual variability but no correlation between different remodeling levels. No relationship was found between remodeling and AF duration or LA hemodynamic load. Univariate analysis demonstrated higher force (7 +/- 4.2 vs 4 +/- 2.8 mN/mm2, p = 0.078), smaller LA diameter (51 +/- 7.1 vs 58 +/- 10.2 mm, p &#x26;lt; 0.05), and shorter AF duration (34 +/- 48.7 vs 73 +/- 63.0 months, p &#x26;lt; 0.05) associated with successful sinus rhythm restoration, whereas logistic regression analysis revealed AF duration (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.02, p = 0.045) and LA diameter (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.23, p = 0.016) as predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial remodeling exhibited a high interindividual variability but no relationship within different remodeling levels, with AF duration or with LA hemodynamic load. However, AF duration and structural remodeling, but not electrical or contractile remodeling, predicted rhythm outcome.</p>        <p>PMID: 18222247 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18294998&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Comparison of idraparinux with vitamin K antagonists for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140-6736(08)60168-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-01406736-TL.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18294998&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Comparison of idraparinux with vitamin K antagonists for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.</b></p>        <p>Lancet. 2008 Jan 26;371(9609):315-21</p>        <p>Authors:   , Bousser MG, Bouthier J, B&#x26;#xFC;ller HR, Cohen AT, Crijns H, Davidson BL, Halperin J, Hankey G, Levy S, Pengo V, Prandoni P, Prins MH, Tomkowski W, Thorp-Pedersen C, Wyse DG</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonists, the current standard treatment for prophylaxis against stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation, require regular monitoring and dose adjustment; an unmonitored, fixed-dose anticoagulant regimen would be preferable. The aim of this randomised, open-label non-inferiority trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of idraparinux with vitamin K antagonists. METHODS: Patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for thromboembolism were randomly assigned to receive either subcutaneous idraparinux (2.5 mg weekly) or adjusted-dose vitamin K antagonists (target of an international normalised ratio of 2-3). Assessment of outcome was done blinded to treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was the cumulative incidence of all stroke and systemic embolism. The principal safety outcome was clinically relevant bleeding. Analyses were done by intention to treat; the non-inferiority hazard ratio was set at 1.5. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00070655. FINDINGS: The trial was stopped after randomisation of 4576 patients (2283 to receive idraparinux, 2293 to receive vitamin K antagonists) and a mean follow-up period of 10.7 (SD 5.4) months because of excess clinically relevant bleeding with idraparinux (346 cases vs 226 cases; 19.7 vs 11.3 per 100 patient-years; p&#x26;lt;0.0001). There were 21 instances of intracranial bleeding with idraparinux and nine with vitamin K antagonists (1.1 vs 0.4 per 100 patient-years; p=0.014); elderly patients and those with renal impairment were at greater risk of such complications. There were 18 cases of thromboembolism with idraparinux and 27 cases with vitamin K antagonists (0.9 vs 1.3 per 100 patient-years; hazard ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.39-1.30; p=0.007), satisfying the non-inferiority criterion. There were 62 deaths with idraparinux and 61 with vitamin K anatagonists (3.2 vs 2.9 per 100 patient-years; p=0.49). INTERPRETATION: In patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for thromboembolism, long-term treatment with idraparinux was no worse than vitamin K antagonists in terms of efficacy, but caused significantly more bleeding.</p>        <p>PMID: 18294998 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18294981&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: another step sideways.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140-6736(08)60143-9&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-01406736-TL.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: another step sideways.</b></p>        <p>Lancet. 2008 Jan 26;371(9609):278-80</p>        <p>Authors:  Go AS, Singer DE</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18294981 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242305&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Thoracic epidural anesthesia and atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass grafting.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-5223(07)01808-9&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242305&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Thoracic epidural anesthesia and atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass grafting.</b></p>        <p>J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Feb;135(2):466-7; author reply 467</p>        <p>Authors:  Augoustides JG</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242305 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242298&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation surgery: is it time to draw specific recommendations?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-5223(07)01492-4&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242298&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation surgery: is it time to draw specific recommendations?</b></p>        <p>J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Feb;135(2):462; author reply 462</p>        <p>Authors:  di Marco F, Gerosa G</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242281&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Simplified technique for surgical ligation of the left atrial appendage in high-risk patients.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-5223(07)01662-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242281&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Simplified technique for surgical ligation of the left atrial appendage in high-risk patients.</b></p>        <p>J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Feb;135(2):430-1</p>        <p>Authors:  Bakhtiary F, Kleine P, Martens S, Dzemali O, Dogan S, Keller H, Ackermann H, Zierer A, Ozaslan F, Wittlinger T, Moritz A</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242281 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242276&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Preoperative statins for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiothoracic surgery.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-5223(07)01561-9&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242276&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Preoperative statins for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiothoracic surgery.</b></p>        <p>J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Feb;135(2):405-11</p>        <p>Authors:  Lertsburapa K, White CM, Kluger J, Faheem O, Hammond J, Coleman CI</p>        <p>OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that statins reduce atrial fibrillation after cardiothoracic surgery, but the use of proven prophylactic strategies such as beta-blockers and amiodarone in these studies was not provided. Therefore, we sought to determine whether preoperative statin use could reduce the incidence of post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation in a population who already had a high background use of beta-blockers and appreciable use of prophylactic amiodarone. METHODS: Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery from the randomized, controlled Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trials I, II, and III were evaluated in this nested cohort evaluation. The patients&#x27; demographics, surgical characteristics, medication use, and incidence of post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation (atrial fibrillation &#x26;gt; 5 minutes duration) were uniformly and prospectively collected as part of Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trials I, II, and III. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Overall, 331 patients (59.6%) received a statin preoperatively and 224 patients (40.4%) did not. The study population had an average age of 67.8 +/- 8.6 years, 77.1% were male, 14.6% had valve surgery, 6.1% had a history of atrial fibrillation, 12.6% had a history of heart failure, 84.0% received postoperative beta-blockade, and 44.1% received postoperative prophylactic amiodarone. In total, 174 patients (31.4%) developed post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation. Upon multivariate logistic regression, statin use was associated with a reduction in post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation (adjusted odds ratio: 0.60; 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.99). Higher intensity statin dosing (equivalent of &#x26;gt; or = 40 mg of atorvastatin) seemed to be associated with the greatest reductions in post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation (adjusted odds ratio: 0.45; 95% confidence interval 0.21-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: In a population with appreciable beta-blocker and amiodarone use, adjunctive preoperative statin use was still associated with a 40% reduction in patients&#x27; odds of developing post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18242276 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18286943&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Clinical case of the month. Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response (1:1 atrioventricular conduction) caused by fleca&#xEF;nide]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18286943&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Clinical case of the month. Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response (1:1 atrioventricular conduction) caused by fleca&#x26;#xEF;nide]</b></p>        <p>Rev Med Liege. 2007 Dec;62(12):701-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Robinet S, Melon R, Pi&#x26;#xE9;rard L</p>        <p>We report a case of 1:1 flutter in a patient taking fleca&#x26;#xEF;nide for atrial fibrillation. We discuss the mechanism of the arrhythmia, its treatment and the preventive attitude to be adopted.</p>        <p>PMID: 18286943 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18258520&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The missing diagnosis in patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia: WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.anakarder.com/yazilar.asp?yaziid=1197&#x26;amp;sayiid=&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.anakarder.com-icon-pubmed-anakarder.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18258520&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The missing diagnosis in patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia: WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2008 Feb;8(1):E4-5</p>        <p>Authors:  Sen N, Okuyan H, T&#x26;#xFC;rko&#x26;#x11F;lu S, Tavil Y, Ozdemir M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18258520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18221618&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Surgical methods to reverse left ventricular remodeling.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18221618&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Surgical methods to reverse left ventricular remodeling.</b></p>        <p>Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2007 Dec;4(4):214-20</p>        <p>Authors:  De Bonis M, Alfieri O</p>        <p>Heart transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for &#x22;end-stage&#x22; dilated cardiomyopathy. However, its epidemiologic impact on the heart failure problem continues to be small due to limited donor organ availability and contraindications. Therefore, several &#x22;conventional&#x22; surgical procedures have been developed to reverse the vicious cycle of ventricular remodeling that accompanies systolic heart failure and to improve symptoms and survival of the patients. This review discusses indications, results, and limitations of the most common surgical methods currently used to arrest or reverse cardiac remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18221618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18091644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The role of intracardiac echocardiography in interventional electrophysiology.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18091644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The role of intracardiac echocardiography in interventional electrophysiology.</b></p>        <p>Minerva Cardioangiol. 2007 Dec;55(6):755-70</p>        <p>Authors:  Knackstedt C, Mischke K, Frechen D, Gramley F, Schimpf T, Becker M, Franke A, Kelm M, Schauerte P</p>        <p>Visualization of the cardiac anatomy becomes more and more important as the complexity of interventions increases. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides good depiction of cardiac soft tissue structures and has become an important tool in today&#x27;s cardiology. It has been shown to be valuable during many ablation procedures for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. ICE has been used for monitoring catheter placement, observing catheter-tissue contact and lesion formation as well as titrating ablation energy. The rate of complications could be reduced, outcome of procedures improved and radiation exposure decreased. Even more, new therapy strategies have been evaluated based on ICE and it has also been used in the setting of three- dimensional imaging and image integration.</p>        <p>PMID: 18091644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070318&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Deglutition induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1575&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070318&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Deglutition induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1575-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Kanjwal Y, Imran N, Grubb B</p>        <p>Deglutition induced supraventricular tachycardia is an uncommon condition postulated to be a vagally mediated phenomenon due to mechanical stimulation. Patients usually present with mild symptoms or may have severe debilitating symptoms. Treatment with Class I agents, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, amiodarone and radiofrquency catheter ablation has shown to be successful in the majority of reported cases. We report the case of a 46-year-old healthy woman presenting with palpitations on swallowing that was documented to be transient atrial tachycardia with aberrant ventricular conduction as well as transient atrial fibrillation. She was successfully treated with propafenone with no induction of swallowing-induced tachycardia after treatment. This is also the first case to show swallowing-induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the same patient.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070318 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070317&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">IntraCameral right coronary artery: detection by 64 slice coronary computed tomographic angiography and implications for radiofrequency ablation of atrial dysrhythmias.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1571&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070317&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>IntraCameral right coronary artery: detection by 64 slice coronary computed tomographic angiography and implications for radiofrequency ablation of atrial dysrhythmias.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1571-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Rosamond T, Wetzel LH, Lakkireddy D, Ferrell R, Tadros P</p>        <p>An intracameral or intracavitary course for a coronary artery is a rare anomaly. Nevertheless, it carries a significant impact for invasive cardiac procedures that require right atrial catheterization, pacemaker implantation, or electrophysiologic study such as radiofrequency ablation. If a coronary artery were to be damaged within the atrial chamber by catheter manipulation at the time of heart catheterization, serious complications might ensue. We describe the first reported case of an intracameral right coronary artery identified with multidetector 64-slice coronary computed tomographic angiography performed prior to pulmonary venous antral isolation for atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070317 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070309&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Acute conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation during dofetilide initiation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1527&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070309&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Acute conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation during dofetilide initiation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1527-30</p>        <p>Authors:  Cotiga D, Arshad A, Aziz E, Joshi S, Koneru JN, Steinberg JS</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Dofetilide (D) is a highly selective blocker of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current and was approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) based on a satisfactory safety/efficacy profile from trials in patients with left ventricle (LV) dysfunction or heart failure. The dose-dependant acute conversion rates (&#x26;lt;72 hours) were reported to be in the range of 6-30%. We hypothesized that the acute pharmacological conversion rate of D is higher than previously reported if used in a healthier cohort of patients with persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty consecutive patients received D dosing per Cockroft-Gault adjustment for creatinine clearance and QTc intervals. Patients were 61 +/- 10 years, 79% male, ejection fraction (EF) 53 +/- 13%, coronary artery disease 20%, and left atrial dimension 4.1 +/- 0.2 cms. The duration of the treated AF episode was a median of 19 days (range 10-113 days). All patients received D while on telemetry for at least six dosing intervals. After 2.2 +/- 1.2 doses, 77% of patients converted to sinus rhythm (SR) and 23% did not and required direct current (DC) cardioversion. Acute pharmacological conversion rates were: 20% for D 125 mcg bid, 44% for 250 mcg bid, and 85% for 500 mcg bid. None of the patients had torsade de pointes and none had to stop D for intolerance. Failure to convert to SR on D alone was associated with larger left atrium (LA) diameter (P = 0.04), longer duration of AF (P = 0.02), and use of lower dosages of D (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: D had an unusually high pharmacological conversion rate, demonstrated an incremental dose response, and was well tolerated and safe, in a relatively healthy adult cohort with persistent AF. In addition to D dose, pharmaco-conversion was predicted by LA size and AF duration. D is a desirable alternative for conversion of AF in a variety of clinical settings.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070309 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070306&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Does the age affect the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1506&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070306&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Does the age affect the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation?</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1506-10</p>        <p>Authors:  Hu YF, Tai CT, Lin YJ, Chang SL, Lo LW, Wongcharoen W, Udyavar AR, Tuan TC, Chen SA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The anatomical differences with age may raise difficulty in determining the proper positioning of the transseptal puncture site in the therapeutic left heart catheterization. This study investigated whether age affects the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in the catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients (52 +/- 12 years, 35 men) who underwent ablation for paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age (cut-point 50 y/o): young group (n = 20) and old group (n = 30). In the 30 degrees right anterior oblique view (RAO), the width between the transseptal puncture site and coronary sinus ostium (H (N-CSO)) was longer in old-age group (14.4 +/- 9.4 vs 10.9 +/- 10.4 mm, P = 0.034). In the 60 degrees left anterior oblique view (LAO) view, the angle of the direction of the transseptal needle (N-angle) was less in the old-age group (56.0 +/- 10.0 degrees vs 58.4 +/- 9.8 degrees , P = 0.041). The ratio of the transseptal puncture site-coronary sinus ostium (CSO) distance over the distance between the superior vena cava-right atrial junction and CSO (V(N-CSO)/V(J-CSO)) was significantly higher in the old-age group (0.73 +/- 0.12 vs 0.63 +/- 0.2, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The transseptal puncture site in the RAO view moved higher and more posterior and the transseptal puncture angle in the LAO view decreased with age. These findings highlight the influence of age on the atrial anatomy and transseptal puncture site.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070306 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070300&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Transthoracic versus transesophageal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation under light sedation: a prospective randomized trial.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1469&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070300&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Transthoracic versus transesophageal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation under light sedation: a prospective randomized trial.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1469-75</p>        <p>Authors:  Santini L, Gallagher MM, Papavasileiou LP, Romano V, Topa A, Di Battista L, Aracri M, Romeo F</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Electrical cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited by a 5-10% failure rate and by the expense arising from a perceived need for general anesthesia. A transesophageal approach using light sedation has been proposed as a means of augmenting the success rate and avoiding the need for general anesthesia. We hypothesized that the high rate of success and the lower energy requirement associated with biphasic cardioversion might eliminate any advantage of the transesophageal approach. METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients attending for ECV of persistent AF to a transesophageal or a transthoracic approach. Sedation of moderate depth was achieved with intravenous midazolam. The dose of midazolam was titrated in the same manner in both groups. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was restored in 29/30 patients (97%) in each group using a similar number of shocks for both groups (1.3 +/- 0.6 transesophageal vs 1.4 +/- 0.7 transthoracic, P = NS) with a similar procedure duration (14.1 +/- 8.2 minutes vs 13.8 +/- 7.5 minutes, P = NS). Both groups received similar doses of midazolam (4.2 +/- 2.7 mg vs 4.4 +/- 2.8 mg, P = NS) and both reported a similar discomfort score in (0.9 +/- 1.3 vs 1.1 +/- 1.8, P = NS). No complication occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: AF may be cardioverted safely and effectively by either a transthoracic or a transesophageal approach. The use of sedation of moderate depth renders cardioversion by either approach acceptable. As transesophageal ECV shows no clear advantage, transthoracic cardioversion should remain the approach of first choice.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070300 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070298&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Morphology-enhanced atrial event classification improves sensing in pacemakers.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1455&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070298&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Morphology-enhanced atrial event classification improves sensing in pacemakers.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1455-63</p>        <p>Authors:  Lewalter T, Tuininga Y, Fr&#x26;#xF6;hlig G, Remerie S, Eberhardt F, Schmidt J, van Groeningen C, Wohlgemuth P</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In atrial-based pacing, appropriate therapy and reliable diagnostics depend on detection and discrimination of atrial signals. Accurate classification of atrial events is mainly confounded by oversensing of ventricular far-field R-wave signals (FFRW), but attempts to reject FFRWs by manipulating atrial sensitivity and/or postventricular atrial blanking period (PVAB) may result in undersensing (especially of atrial fibrillation, AF) or in 2:1 atrial flutter detection. The objective of this study is therefore to evaluate if such methods can be improved by morphology-enhanced atrial event classification (MORPH). METHODS: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory atrial electrograms were recorded from continuous telemetry of digital pacemakers. Half of the recording was used for collecting two individual morphology parameters that discriminated P-waves from FFRWs in every patient (learning phase). The other half was used to test the MORPH algorithm against traditional methods (classification phase). RESULTS: In 44/48 patients, data were suitable for analysis. Average P and FFRW amplitudes were 1.96 mV versus 0.61 mV (P &#x26;lt; 0.001). The interval between ventricular events and FFRW oversensing (VA interval) averaged at 14 ms during sensing and at 118 ms during pacing in the ventricle. Compared to nominal (&#x22;Factory&#x22;) settings, the MORPH algorithm improved the sensitivity for P-wave recognition from 97.2% to 99.2%, the specificity from 91.9% to 99.96%, and the accuracy from 95.3% to 99.4% (P &#x26;lt; 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: By improving atrial signal discrimination, morphology analysis of atrial electrograms allows for high atrial sensitivity settings, and potentially improves the reliability of atrial arrhythmia diagnostics in heart rhythm devices.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17947064&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Action potential duration gradient protects the right atrium from fibrillating.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260522&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17947064&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Action potential duration gradient protects the right atrium from fibrillating.</b></p>        <p>Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:3978-81</p>        <p>Authors:  Ridler M, McQueen DM, Peskin CS, Vigmond E</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by rapid and disorganized electrical activity in the atria. Atrial arrhythmias can be triggered from an ectopic focus, i.e., an abnormal impulse originating in an area other than the sinus node, generating reentrant waves. The regional ionic heterogeneities found in the atria cause a gradual shortening of the action potential duration (APD) with increased distance from the sinoatrial node. It is generally thought that the only electrophysiological consequence of the spatial dispersion of cardiac action potentials (AP) is the enhancement of reentry. This paper investigates the effect of a gradient in APD on arrhythmogenesis via computer simulations. A gradient of ionic properties was introduced into a computationally efficient computer model of the canine atria to produce a smooth distribution of APDs. The window of vulnerability for ectopic beat-induction of reentry was determined for both left atrium (LA) and the right atrium (RA) stimulation, with and without an APD gradient. The shortened windows of vulnerability in the RA, due to the addition of the APD gradient, suggests a protective mechanism against AF. The left atrial window of vulnerability was slightly longer from ionic dispersion.</p>        <p>PMID: 17947064 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17946597&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Morphological analysis of P-wave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260071&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17946597&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Morphological analysis of P-wave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:4020-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Censi F, Calcagnini G, Mattei E, Ricci RP, Ricci C, Grammatico A, Santini M, Bartolini P</p>        <p>Aim of this study was to present a P-wave model, based on a linear combination of Gaussian functions, to quantify morphological aspects of Pwave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation. Five minutes ECG recordings were performed in 25 patients with permanent dual chamber pacemakers set at 40/min in order to have spontaneous beats. ECG signals were acquired using a 32-lead mapping system for high-resolution biopotential measurement (ActiveTwo, Biosemi, The Netherlands, sample frequency 2 kHz, 24 bit resolution). Four healthy subjects were also recorded as a control group. Up to 8 Gaussian models have been computed for each averaged P-wave extracted from every lead. The P-wave morphology is then evaluated by the following parameters: best model orders @ degrees of freedom adjusted R-square (AdjRsq) =97.5%; minimum (sigmamin) and maximum (sigmamax) standard deviation of the Gaussians included in the model, number of relative maxima and minima (max+min), and zeroes of the fit. Significant differences in the best model order were obtained between the control group and patients group. Accordingly, the number of relative maxima and minima was higher in the patient group. These parameters might all be markers of the fractionated electrical activity that characterizes paroxysmal AF patients in sinus rhythm.</p>        <p>PMID: 17946597 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18286943&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Clinical case of the month. Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response (1:1 atrioventricular conduction) caused by fleca&#xEF;nide]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18286943&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Clinical case of the month. Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response (1:1 atrioventricular conduction) caused by fleca&#x26;#xEF;nide]</b></p>        <p>Rev Med Liege. 2007 Dec;62(12):701-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Robinet S, Melon R, Pi&#x26;#xE9;rard L</p>        <p>We report a case of 1:1 flutter in a patient taking fleca&#x26;#xEF;nide for atrial fibrillation. We discuss the mechanism of the arrhythmia, its treatment and the preventive attitude to be adopted.</p>        <p>PMID: 18286943 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18258520&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The missing diagnosis in patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia: WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.anakarder.com/yazilar.asp?yaziid=1197&#x26;amp;sayiid=&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.anakarder.com-icon-pubmed-anakarder.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18258520&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The missing diagnosis in patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia: WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2008 Feb;8(1):E4-5</p>        <p>Authors:  Sen N, Okuyan H, T&#x26;#xFC;rko&#x26;#x11F;lu S, Tavil Y, Ozdemir M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18258520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18221618&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Surgical methods to reverse left ventricular remodeling.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18221618&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Surgical methods to reverse left ventricular remodeling.</b></p>        <p>Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2007 Dec;4(4):214-20</p>        <p>Authors:  De Bonis M, Alfieri O</p>        <p>Heart transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for &#x22;end-stage&#x22; dilated cardiomyopathy. However, its epidemiologic impact on the heart failure problem continues to be small due to limited donor organ availability and contraindications. Therefore, several &#x22;conventional&#x22; surgical procedures have been developed to reverse the vicious cycle of ventricular remodeling that accompanies systolic heart failure and to improve symptoms and survival of the patients. This review discusses indications, results, and limitations of the most common surgical methods currently used to arrest or reverse cardiac remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18221618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18091644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The role of intracardiac echocardiography in interventional electrophysiology.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18091644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The role of intracardiac echocardiography in interventional electrophysiology.</b></p>        <p>Minerva Cardioangiol. 2007 Dec;55(6):755-70</p>        <p>Authors:  Knackstedt C, Mischke K, Frechen D, Gramley F, Schimpf T, Becker M, Franke A, Kelm M, Schauerte P</p>        <p>Visualization of the cardiac anatomy becomes more and more important as the complexity of interventions increases. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides good depiction of cardiac soft tissue structures and has become an important tool in today&#x27;s cardiology. It has been shown to be valuable during many ablation procedures for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. ICE has been used for monitoring catheter placement, observing catheter-tissue contact and lesion formation as well as titrating ablation energy. The rate of complications could be reduced, outcome of procedures improved and radiation exposure decreased. Even more, new therapy strategies have been evaluated based on ICE and it has also been used in the setting of three- dimensional imaging and image integration.</p>        <p>PMID: 18091644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070318&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Deglutition induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1575&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070318&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Deglutition induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1575-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Kanjwal Y, Imran N, Grubb B</p>        <p>Deglutition induced supraventricular tachycardia is an uncommon condition postulated to be a vagally mediated phenomenon due to mechanical stimulation. Patients usually present with mild symptoms or may have severe debilitating symptoms. Treatment with Class I agents, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, amiodarone and radiofrquency catheter ablation has shown to be successful in the majority of reported cases. We report the case of a 46-year-old healthy woman presenting with palpitations on swallowing that was documented to be transient atrial tachycardia with aberrant ventricular conduction as well as transient atrial fibrillation. She was successfully treated with propafenone with no induction of swallowing-induced tachycardia after treatment. This is also the first case to show swallowing-induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the same patient.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070318 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070317&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">IntraCameral right coronary artery: detection by 64 slice coronary computed tomographic angiography and implications for radiofrequency ablation of atrial dysrhythmias.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1571&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070317&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>IntraCameral right coronary artery: detection by 64 slice coronary computed tomographic angiography and implications for radiofrequency ablation of atrial dysrhythmias.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1571-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Rosamond T, Wetzel LH, Lakkireddy D, Ferrell R, Tadros P</p>        <p>An intracameral or intracavitary course for a coronary artery is a rare anomaly. Nevertheless, it carries a significant impact for invasive cardiac procedures that require right atrial catheterization, pacemaker implantation, or electrophysiologic study such as radiofrequency ablation. If a coronary artery were to be damaged within the atrial chamber by catheter manipulation at the time of heart catheterization, serious complications might ensue. We describe the first reported case of an intracameral right coronary artery identified with multidetector 64-slice coronary computed tomographic angiography performed prior to pulmonary venous antral isolation for atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070317 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070309&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Acute conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation during dofetilide initiation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1527&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070309&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Acute conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation during dofetilide initiation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1527-30</p>        <p>Authors:  Cotiga D, Arshad A, Aziz E, Joshi S, Koneru JN, Steinberg JS</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Dofetilide (D) is a highly selective blocker of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current and was approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) based on a satisfactory safety/efficacy profile from trials in patients with left ventricle (LV) dysfunction or heart failure. The dose-dependant acute conversion rates (&#x26;lt;72 hours) were reported to be in the range of 6-30%. We hypothesized that the acute pharmacological conversion rate of D is higher than previously reported if used in a healthier cohort of patients with persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty consecutive patients received D dosing per Cockroft-Gault adjustment for creatinine clearance and QTc intervals. Patients were 61 +/- 10 years, 79% male, ejection fraction (EF) 53 +/- 13%, coronary artery disease 20%, and left atrial dimension 4.1 +/- 0.2 cms. The duration of the treated AF episode was a median of 19 days (range 10-113 days). All patients received D while on telemetry for at least six dosing intervals. After 2.2 +/- 1.2 doses, 77% of patients converted to sinus rhythm (SR) and 23% did not and required direct current (DC) cardioversion. Acute pharmacological conversion rates were: 20% for D 125 mcg bid, 44% for 250 mcg bid, and 85% for 500 mcg bid. None of the patients had torsade de pointes and none had to stop D for intolerance. Failure to convert to SR on D alone was associated with larger left atrium (LA) diameter (P = 0.04), longer duration of AF (P = 0.02), and use of lower dosages of D (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: D had an unusually high pharmacological conversion rate, demonstrated an incremental dose response, and was well tolerated and safe, in a relatively healthy adult cohort with persistent AF. In addition to D dose, pharmaco-conversion was predicted by LA size and AF duration. D is a desirable alternative for conversion of AF in a variety of clinical settings.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070309 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070306&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Does the age affect the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1506&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070306&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Does the age affect the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation?</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1506-10</p>        <p>Authors:  Hu YF, Tai CT, Lin YJ, Chang SL, Lo LW, Wongcharoen W, Udyavar AR, Tuan TC, Chen SA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The anatomical differences with age may raise difficulty in determining the proper positioning of the transseptal puncture site in the therapeutic left heart catheterization. This study investigated whether age affects the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in the catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients (52 +/- 12 years, 35 men) who underwent ablation for paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age (cut-point 50 y/o): young group (n = 20) and old group (n = 30). In the 30 degrees right anterior oblique view (RAO), the width between the transseptal puncture site and coronary sinus ostium (H (N-CSO)) was longer in old-age group (14.4 +/- 9.4 vs 10.9 +/- 10.4 mm, P = 0.034). In the 60 degrees left anterior oblique view (LAO) view, the angle of the direction of the transseptal needle (N-angle) was less in the old-age group (56.0 +/- 10.0 degrees vs 58.4 +/- 9.8 degrees , P = 0.041). The ratio of the transseptal puncture site-coronary sinus ostium (CSO) distance over the distance between the superior vena cava-right atrial junction and CSO (V(N-CSO)/V(J-CSO)) was significantly higher in the old-age group (0.73 +/- 0.12 vs 0.63 +/- 0.2, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The transseptal puncture site in the RAO view moved higher and more posterior and the transseptal puncture angle in the LAO view decreased with age. These findings highlight the influence of age on the atrial anatomy and transseptal puncture site.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070306 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070300&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Transthoracic versus transesophageal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation under light sedation: a prospective randomized trial.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1469&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070300&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Transthoracic versus transesophageal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation under light sedation: a prospective randomized trial.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1469-75</p>        <p>Authors:  Santini L, Gallagher MM, Papavasileiou LP, Romano V, Topa A, Di Battista L, Aracri M, Romeo F</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Electrical cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited by a 5-10% failure rate and by the expense arising from a perceived need for general anesthesia. A transesophageal approach using light sedation has been proposed as a means of augmenting the success rate and avoiding the need for general anesthesia. We hypothesized that the high rate of success and the lower energy requirement associated with biphasic cardioversion might eliminate any advantage of the transesophageal approach. METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients attending for ECV of persistent AF to a transesophageal or a transthoracic approach. Sedation of moderate depth was achieved with intravenous midazolam. The dose of midazolam was titrated in the same manner in both groups. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was restored in 29/30 patients (97%) in each group using a similar number of shocks for both groups (1.3 +/- 0.6 transesophageal vs 1.4 +/- 0.7 transthoracic, P = NS) with a similar procedure duration (14.1 +/- 8.2 minutes vs 13.8 +/- 7.5 minutes, P = NS). Both groups received similar doses of midazolam (4.2 +/- 2.7 mg vs 4.4 +/- 2.8 mg, P = NS) and both reported a similar discomfort score in (0.9 +/- 1.3 vs 1.1 +/- 1.8, P = NS). No complication occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: AF may be cardioverted safely and effectively by either a transthoracic or a transesophageal approach. The use of sedation of moderate depth renders cardioversion by either approach acceptable. As transesophageal ECV shows no clear advantage, transthoracic cardioversion should remain the approach of first choice.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070300 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070298&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Morphology-enhanced atrial event classification improves sensing in pacemakers.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1455&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070298&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Morphology-enhanced atrial event classification improves sensing in pacemakers.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1455-63</p>        <p>Authors:  Lewalter T, Tuininga Y, Fr&#x26;#xF6;hlig G, Remerie S, Eberhardt F, Schmidt J, van Groeningen C, Wohlgemuth P</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In atrial-based pacing, appropriate therapy and reliable diagnostics depend on detection and discrimination of atrial signals. Accurate classification of atrial events is mainly confounded by oversensing of ventricular far-field R-wave signals (FFRW), but attempts to reject FFRWs by manipulating atrial sensitivity and/or postventricular atrial blanking period (PVAB) may result in undersensing (especially of atrial fibrillation, AF) or in 2:1 atrial flutter detection. The objective of this study is therefore to evaluate if such methods can be improved by morphology-enhanced atrial event classification (MORPH). METHODS: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory atrial electrograms were recorded from continuous telemetry of digital pacemakers. Half of the recording was used for collecting two individual morphology parameters that discriminated P-waves from FFRWs in every patient (learning phase). The other half was used to test the MORPH algorithm against traditional methods (classification phase). RESULTS: In 44/48 patients, data were suitable for analysis. Average P and FFRW amplitudes were 1.96 mV versus 0.61 mV (P &#x26;lt; 0.001). The interval between ventricular events and FFRW oversensing (VA interval) averaged at 14 ms during sensing and at 118 ms during pacing in the ventricle. Compared to nominal (&#x22;Factory&#x22;) settings, the MORPH algorithm improved the sensitivity for P-wave recognition from 97.2% to 99.2%, the specificity from 91.9% to 99.96%, and the accuracy from 95.3% to 99.4% (P &#x26;lt; 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: By improving atrial signal discrimination, morphology analysis of atrial electrograms allows for high atrial sensitivity settings, and potentially improves the reliability of atrial arrhythmia diagnostics in heart rhythm devices.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17947064&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Action potential duration gradient protects the right atrium from fibrillating.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260522&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17947064&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Action potential duration gradient protects the right atrium from fibrillating.</b></p>        <p>Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:3978-81</p>        <p>Authors:  Ridler M, McQueen DM, Peskin CS, Vigmond E</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by rapid and disorganized electrical activity in the atria. Atrial arrhythmias can be triggered from an ectopic focus, i.e., an abnormal impulse originating in an area other than the sinus node, generating reentrant waves. The regional ionic heterogeneities found in the atria cause a gradual shortening of the action potential duration (APD) with increased distance from the sinoatrial node. It is generally thought that the only electrophysiological consequence of the spatial dispersion of cardiac action potentials (AP) is the enhancement of reentry. This paper investigates the effect of a gradient in APD on arrhythmogenesis via computer simulations. A gradient of ionic properties was introduced into a computationally efficient computer model of the canine atria to produce a smooth distribution of APDs. The window of vulnerability for ectopic beat-induction of reentry was determined for both left atrium (LA) and the right atrium (RA) stimulation, with and without an APD gradient. The shortened windows of vulnerability in the RA, due to the addition of the APD gradient, suggests a protective mechanism against AF. The left atrial window of vulnerability was slightly longer from ionic dispersion.</p>        <p>PMID: 17947064 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17946597&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Morphological analysis of P-wave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260071&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17946597&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Morphological analysis of P-wave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:4020-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Censi F, Calcagnini G, Mattei E, Ricci RP, Ricci C, Grammatico A, Santini M, Bartolini P</p>        <p>Aim of this study was to present a P-wave model, based on a linear combination of Gaussian functions, to quantify morphological aspects of Pwave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation. Five minutes ECG recordings were performed in 25 patients with permanent dual chamber pacemakers set at 40/min in order to have spontaneous beats. ECG signals were acquired using a 32-lead mapping system for high-resolution biopotential measurement (ActiveTwo, Biosemi, The Netherlands, sample frequency 2 kHz, 24 bit resolution). Four healthy subjects were also recorded as a control group. Up to 8 Gaussian models have been computed for each averaged P-wave extracted from every lead. The P-wave morphology is then evaluated by the following parameters: best model orders @ degrees of freedom adjusted R-square (AdjRsq) =97.5%; minimum (sigmamin) and maximum (sigmamax) standard deviation of the Gaussians included in the model, number of relative maxima and minima (max+min), and zeroes of the fit. Significant differences in the best model order were obtained between the control group and patients group. Accordingly, the number of relative maxima and minima was higher in the patient group. These parameters might all be markers of the fractionated electrical activity that characterizes paroxysmal AF patients in sinus rhythm.</p>        <p>PMID: 17946597 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18286943&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Clinical case of the month. Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response (1:1 atrioventricular conduction) caused by fleca&#xEF;nide]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18286943&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Clinical case of the month. Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response (1:1 atrioventricular conduction) caused by fleca&#x26;#xEF;nide]</b></p>        <p>Rev Med Liege. 2007 Dec;62(12):701-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Robinet S, Melon R, Pi&#x26;#xE9;rard L</p>        <p>We report a case of 1:1 flutter in a patient taking fleca&#x26;#xEF;nide for atrial fibrillation. We discuss the mechanism of the arrhythmia, its treatment and the preventive attitude to be adopted.</p>        <p>PMID: 18286943 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18258520&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The missing diagnosis in patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia: WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.anakarder.com/yazilar.asp?yaziid=1197&#x26;amp;sayiid=&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.anakarder.com-icon-pubmed-anakarder.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18258520&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The missing diagnosis in patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia: WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2008 Feb;8(1):E4-5</p>        <p>Authors:  Sen N, Okuyan H, T&#x26;#xFC;rko&#x26;#x11F;lu S, Tavil Y, Ozdemir M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18258520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18221618&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Surgical methods to reverse left ventricular remodeling.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18221618&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Surgical methods to reverse left ventricular remodeling.</b></p>        <p>Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2007 Dec;4(4):214-20</p>        <p>Authors:  De Bonis M, Alfieri O</p>        <p>Heart transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for &#x22;end-stage&#x22; dilated cardiomyopathy. However, its epidemiologic impact on the heart failure problem continues to be small due to limited donor organ availability and contraindications. Therefore, several &#x22;conventional&#x22; surgical procedures have been developed to reverse the vicious cycle of ventricular remodeling that accompanies systolic heart failure and to improve symptoms and survival of the patients. This review discusses indications, results, and limitations of the most common surgical methods currently used to arrest or reverse cardiac remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18221618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18091644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The role of intracardiac echocardiography in interventional electrophysiology.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18091644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The role of intracardiac echocardiography in interventional electrophysiology.</b></p>        <p>Minerva Cardioangiol. 2007 Dec;55(6):755-70</p>        <p>Authors:  Knackstedt C, Mischke K, Frechen D, Gramley F, Schimpf T, Becker M, Franke A, Kelm M, Schauerte P</p>        <p>Visualization of the cardiac anatomy becomes more and more important as the complexity of interventions increases. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides good depiction of cardiac soft tissue structures and has become an important tool in today&#x27;s cardiology. It has been shown to be valuable during many ablation procedures for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. ICE has been used for monitoring catheter placement, observing catheter-tissue contact and lesion formation as well as titrating ablation energy. The rate of complications could be reduced, outcome of procedures improved and radiation exposure decreased. Even more, new therapy strategies have been evaluated based on ICE and it has also been used in the setting of three- dimensional imaging and image integration.</p>        <p>PMID: 18091644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070318&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Deglutition induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1575&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070318&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Deglutition induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1575-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Kanjwal Y, Imran N, Grubb B</p>        <p>Deglutition induced supraventricular tachycardia is an uncommon condition postulated to be a vagally mediated phenomenon due to mechanical stimulation. Patients usually present with mild symptoms or may have severe debilitating symptoms. Treatment with Class I agents, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, amiodarone and radiofrquency catheter ablation has shown to be successful in the majority of reported cases. We report the case of a 46-year-old healthy woman presenting with palpitations on swallowing that was documented to be transient atrial tachycardia with aberrant ventricular conduction as well as transient atrial fibrillation. She was successfully treated with propafenone with no induction of swallowing-induced tachycardia after treatment. This is also the first case to show swallowing-induced atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the same patient.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070318 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070317&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">IntraCameral right coronary artery: detection by 64 slice coronary computed tomographic angiography and implications for radiofrequency ablation of atrial dysrhythmias.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1571&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070317&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>IntraCameral right coronary artery: detection by 64 slice coronary computed tomographic angiography and implications for radiofrequency ablation of atrial dysrhythmias.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1571-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Rosamond T, Wetzel LH, Lakkireddy D, Ferrell R, Tadros P</p>        <p>An intracameral or intracavitary course for a coronary artery is a rare anomaly. Nevertheless, it carries a significant impact for invasive cardiac procedures that require right atrial catheterization, pacemaker implantation, or electrophysiologic study such as radiofrequency ablation. If a coronary artery were to be damaged within the atrial chamber by catheter manipulation at the time of heart catheterization, serious complications might ensue. We describe the first reported case of an intracameral right coronary artery identified with multidetector 64-slice coronary computed tomographic angiography performed prior to pulmonary venous antral isolation for atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070317 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070309&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Acute conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation during dofetilide initiation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1527&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070309&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Acute conversion of persistent atrial fibrillation during dofetilide initiation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1527-30</p>        <p>Authors:  Cotiga D, Arshad A, Aziz E, Joshi S, Koneru JN, Steinberg JS</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Dofetilide (D) is a highly selective blocker of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current and was approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) based on a satisfactory safety/efficacy profile from trials in patients with left ventricle (LV) dysfunction or heart failure. The dose-dependant acute conversion rates (&#x26;lt;72 hours) were reported to be in the range of 6-30%. We hypothesized that the acute pharmacological conversion rate of D is higher than previously reported if used in a healthier cohort of patients with persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty consecutive patients received D dosing per Cockroft-Gault adjustment for creatinine clearance and QTc intervals. Patients were 61 +/- 10 years, 79% male, ejection fraction (EF) 53 +/- 13%, coronary artery disease 20%, and left atrial dimension 4.1 +/- 0.2 cms. The duration of the treated AF episode was a median of 19 days (range 10-113 days). All patients received D while on telemetry for at least six dosing intervals. After 2.2 +/- 1.2 doses, 77% of patients converted to sinus rhythm (SR) and 23% did not and required direct current (DC) cardioversion. Acute pharmacological conversion rates were: 20% for D 125 mcg bid, 44% for 250 mcg bid, and 85% for 500 mcg bid. None of the patients had torsade de pointes and none had to stop D for intolerance. Failure to convert to SR on D alone was associated with larger left atrium (LA) diameter (P = 0.04), longer duration of AF (P = 0.02), and use of lower dosages of D (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: D had an unusually high pharmacological conversion rate, demonstrated an incremental dose response, and was well tolerated and safe, in a relatively healthy adult cohort with persistent AF. In addition to D dose, pharmaco-conversion was predicted by LA size and AF duration. D is a desirable alternative for conversion of AF in a variety of clinical settings.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070309 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070306&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Does the age affect the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1506&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070306&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Does the age affect the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation?</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1506-10</p>        <p>Authors:  Hu YF, Tai CT, Lin YJ, Chang SL, Lo LW, Wongcharoen W, Udyavar AR, Tuan TC, Chen SA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The anatomical differences with age may raise difficulty in determining the proper positioning of the transseptal puncture site in the therapeutic left heart catheterization. This study investigated whether age affects the fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture in the catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients (52 +/- 12 years, 35 men) who underwent ablation for paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age (cut-point 50 y/o): young group (n = 20) and old group (n = 30). In the 30 degrees right anterior oblique view (RAO), the width between the transseptal puncture site and coronary sinus ostium (H (N-CSO)) was longer in old-age group (14.4 +/- 9.4 vs 10.9 +/- 10.4 mm, P = 0.034). In the 60 degrees left anterior oblique view (LAO) view, the angle of the direction of the transseptal needle (N-angle) was less in the old-age group (56.0 +/- 10.0 degrees vs 58.4 +/- 9.8 degrees , P = 0.041). The ratio of the transseptal puncture site-coronary sinus ostium (CSO) distance over the distance between the superior vena cava-right atrial junction and CSO (V(N-CSO)/V(J-CSO)) was significantly higher in the old-age group (0.73 +/- 0.12 vs 0.63 +/- 0.2, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The transseptal puncture site in the RAO view moved higher and more posterior and the transseptal puncture angle in the LAO view decreased with age. These findings highlight the influence of age on the atrial anatomy and transseptal puncture site.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070306 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070300&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Transthoracic versus transesophageal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation under light sedation: a prospective randomized trial.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1469&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070300&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Transthoracic versus transesophageal cardioversion of atrial fibrillation under light sedation: a prospective randomized trial.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1469-75</p>        <p>Authors:  Santini L, Gallagher MM, Papavasileiou LP, Romano V, Topa A, Di Battista L, Aracri M, Romeo F</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Electrical cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is limited by a 5-10% failure rate and by the expense arising from a perceived need for general anesthesia. A transesophageal approach using light sedation has been proposed as a means of augmenting the success rate and avoiding the need for general anesthesia. We hypothesized that the high rate of success and the lower energy requirement associated with biphasic cardioversion might eliminate any advantage of the transesophageal approach. METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients attending for ECV of persistent AF to a transesophageal or a transthoracic approach. Sedation of moderate depth was achieved with intravenous midazolam. The dose of midazolam was titrated in the same manner in both groups. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was restored in 29/30 patients (97%) in each group using a similar number of shocks for both groups (1.3 +/- 0.6 transesophageal vs 1.4 +/- 0.7 transthoracic, P = NS) with a similar procedure duration (14.1 +/- 8.2 minutes vs 13.8 +/- 7.5 minutes, P = NS). Both groups received similar doses of midazolam (4.2 +/- 2.7 mg vs 4.4 +/- 2.8 mg, P = NS) and both reported a similar discomfort score in (0.9 +/- 1.3 vs 1.1 +/- 1.8, P = NS). No complication occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: AF may be cardioverted safely and effectively by either a transthoracic or a transesophageal approach. The use of sedation of moderate depth renders cardioversion by either approach acceptable. As transesophageal ECV shows no clear advantage, transthoracic cardioversion should remain the approach of first choice.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070300 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18070298&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Morphology-enhanced atrial event classification improves sensing in pacemakers.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=12&#x26;amp;spage=1455&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18070298&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Morphology-enhanced atrial event classification improves sensing in pacemakers.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):1455-63</p>        <p>Authors:  Lewalter T, Tuininga Y, Fr&#x26;#xF6;hlig G, Remerie S, Eberhardt F, Schmidt J, van Groeningen C, Wohlgemuth P</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In atrial-based pacing, appropriate therapy and reliable diagnostics depend on detection and discrimination of atrial signals. Accurate classification of atrial events is mainly confounded by oversensing of ventricular far-field R-wave signals (FFRW), but attempts to reject FFRWs by manipulating atrial sensitivity and/or postventricular atrial blanking period (PVAB) may result in undersensing (especially of atrial fibrillation, AF) or in 2:1 atrial flutter detection. The objective of this study is therefore to evaluate if such methods can be improved by morphology-enhanced atrial event classification (MORPH). METHODS: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory atrial electrograms were recorded from continuous telemetry of digital pacemakers. Half of the recording was used for collecting two individual morphology parameters that discriminated P-waves from FFRWs in every patient (learning phase). The other half was used to test the MORPH algorithm against traditional methods (classification phase). RESULTS: In 44/48 patients, data were suitable for analysis. Average P and FFRW amplitudes were 1.96 mV versus 0.61 mV (P &#x26;lt; 0.001). The interval between ventricular events and FFRW oversensing (VA interval) averaged at 14 ms during sensing and at 118 ms during pacing in the ventricle. Compared to nominal (&#x22;Factory&#x22;) settings, the MORPH algorithm improved the sensitivity for P-wave recognition from 97.2% to 99.2%, the specificity from 91.9% to 99.96%, and the accuracy from 95.3% to 99.4% (P &#x26;lt; 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: By improving atrial signal discrimination, morphology analysis of atrial electrograms allows for high atrial sensitivity settings, and potentially improves the reliability of atrial arrhythmia diagnostics in heart rhythm devices.</p>        <p>PMID: 18070298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17947064&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Action potential duration gradient protects the right atrium from fibrillating.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260522&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17947064&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Action potential duration gradient protects the right atrium from fibrillating.</b></p>        <p>Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:3978-81</p>        <p>Authors:  Ridler M, McQueen DM, Peskin CS, Vigmond E</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by rapid and disorganized electrical activity in the atria. Atrial arrhythmias can be triggered from an ectopic focus, i.e., an abnormal impulse originating in an area other than the sinus node, generating reentrant waves. The regional ionic heterogeneities found in the atria cause a gradual shortening of the action potential duration (APD) with increased distance from the sinoatrial node. It is generally thought that the only electrophysiological consequence of the spatial dispersion of cardiac action potentials (AP) is the enhancement of reentry. This paper investigates the effect of a gradient in APD on arrhythmogenesis via computer simulations. A gradient of ionic properties was introduced into a computationally efficient computer model of the canine atria to produce a smooth distribution of APDs. The window of vulnerability for ectopic beat-induction of reentry was determined for both left atrium (LA) and the right atrium (RA) stimulation, with and without an APD gradient. The shortened windows of vulnerability in the RA, due to the addition of the APD gradient, suggests a protective mechanism against AF. The left atrial window of vulnerability was slightly longer from ionic dispersion.</p>        <p>PMID: 17947064 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17946597&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Morphological analysis of P-wave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260071&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--ieeexplore.ieee.org-images-ieee_pubmedv2_R2.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17946597&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Morphological analysis of P-wave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:4020-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Censi F, Calcagnini G, Mattei E, Ricci RP, Ricci C, Grammatico A, Santini M, Bartolini P</p>        <p>Aim of this study was to present a P-wave model, based on a linear combination of Gaussian functions, to quantify morphological aspects of Pwave in patients prone to atrial fibrillation. Five minutes ECG recordings were performed in 25 patients with permanent dual chamber pacemakers set at 40/min in order to have spontaneous beats. ECG signals were acquired using a 32-lead mapping system for high-resolution biopotential measurement (ActiveTwo, Biosemi, The Netherlands, sample frequency 2 kHz, 24 bit resolution). Four healthy subjects were also recorded as a control group. Up to 8 Gaussian models have been computed for each averaged P-wave extracted from every lead. The P-wave morphology is then evaluated by the following parameters: best model orders @ degrees of freedom adjusted R-square (AdjRsq) =97.5%; minimum (sigmamin) and maximum (sigmamax) standard deviation of the Gaussians included in the model, number of relative maxima and minima (max+min), and zeroes of the fit. Significant differences in the best model order were obtained between the control group and patients group. Accordingly, the number of relative maxima and minima was higher in the patient group. These parameters might all be markers of the fractionated electrical activity that characterizes paroxysmal AF patients in sinus rhythm.</p>        <p>PMID: 17946597 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Search&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;term=%28+%28Atrial+fibrillation%2Ftherapy%5BMESH%5D%29+AND+%222008%2F03%2F06+19%2E18%22%5BMHDA%5D%3A%222008%2F03%2F07+19%2E17%22%5BMHDA%5D%29\">Atrial fibrillation/therapy[MESH]; +22 new citations</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\"><p>22 new PubMed citations were retrieved for your search.Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:</p><p align=&#x22;center&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Search&#x26;amp;db=PubMed&#x26;amp;term=%28+%28Atrial+fibrillation%2Ftherapy%5BMESH%5D%29+AND+%222008%2F03%2F06+19%2E18%22%5BMHDA%5D%3A%222008%2F03%2F07+19%2E17%22%5BMHDA%5D%29&#x22;><b>Atrial fibrillation/therapy[MESH]</b></a></p><p>These PubMed results were generated on 2008/03/07</p><p>PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine, includes over 15 million citations for biomedical articles back to the 1950&#x27;s.These citations are from MEDLINE and additional life science journals. PubMed includes links to many sites providing full text articles and other related resources.</p></span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18250275&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Letter regarding article by Connolly et al, &#x22;Challenges of establishing new antithrombotic therapies in atrial fibrillation&#x22;.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18250275&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18250275&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Letter regarding article by Connolly et al, &#x22;Challenges of establishing new antithrombotic therapies in atrial fibrillation&#x22;.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 5;117(5):e149; author reply e150</p>        <p>Authors:  Ezekowitz MD, Nagarakanti R</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18250275 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18212581&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Propofol infusion and lactic acidosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00000542-200802000-00025&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18212581&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Propofol infusion and lactic acidosis.</b></p>        <p>Anesthesiology. 2008 Feb;108(2):331; author reply 331-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Llu&#x26;#xED;s G, Bermejo S, Silva-Costa-Gomes T, Puig MM</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18212581 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18082087&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Morbidity and mortality in patients treated with oral anticoagulants]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.revespcardiol.org/cgi-bin/wdbcgi.exe/cardio/mrevista_cardio.pubmed_full?inctrl=05ZI0113&#x26;amp;vol=60&#x26;amp;num=12&#x26;amp;pag=1226&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.doyma.es-pubmed-cardioeng.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18082087&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Morbidity and mortality in patients treated with oral anticoagulants]</b></p>        <p>Rev Esp Cardiol. 2007 Dec;60(12):1226-32</p>        <p>Authors:  Navarro JL, Cesar JM, Fern&#x26;#xE1;ndez MA, Fontcuberta J, Reverter JC, Gol-Freixa J</p>        <p>INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The number of patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy has increased markedly in recent years, with the consequence that monitoring must be decentralized. The aim of this study was to provide reference values for the quality of care in patients receiving oral anticoagulants at large specialized Spanish centers for use in future comparative analyses. METHODS: The records of 20,347 outpatients who were receiving oral anticoagulants between January and December 2003 at four large Spanish centers were assessed. Databases at the four hospitals were searched for severe adverse events. RESULTS: In total, 211,987 regular check-ups were carried out, 72.7% of which gave international normalized ratios (INRs) within the range 2-4. Overall, 2369 hemorrhagic events were observed, 190 (8%) of which were severe, with 20 deaths (0.1 per 100 patient-years). In addition, there were 299 thromboembolic events, with 11 deaths (0.05 per 100 patient-years). The frequency of these events was greater in patients with a cardiac prosthesis, who required more intense anticoagulation. The incidence of death with different diagnoses was also greater in anticoagulated patients with a cardiac prosthesis, and the highest probability of death (1 in 3) was associated with episodes of cerebral hemorrhage. The incidence of hemorrhage increased as the INR increased. In contrast, thrombotic events occurred principally when the INR was below 2, and were not observed with INRs over 6. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of adverse events in patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy at large Spanish centers was similar to that observed in other European countries.</p>        <p>PMID: 18082087 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17913698&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: do we know what we are doing?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17913698&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17913698&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: do we know what we are doing?</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Nov;9(11):1002-5</p>        <p>Authors:  Katritsis DG, Camm AJ</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17913698 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17913697&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Increased base rate of atrial pacing for prevention of atrial fibrillation after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker: insights from the Atrial Overdrive Pacing Study.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17913697&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17913697&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Increased base rate of atrial pacing for prevention of atrial fibrillation after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker: insights from the Atrial Overdrive Pacing Study.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Nov;9(11):1024-30</p>        <p>Authors:  Kantharia BK, Freedman RA, Hoekenga D, Tomassoni G, Worley S, Sorrentino R, Steinhaus D, Wolkowicz JM, Syed ZA,  </p>        <p>AIMS: Different pacing sites and various algorithms have been utilized to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) in pacemaker recipients. However, the optimal pacing rate settings have not yet been established. In this randomized, prospective, multicentre, single-blinded, cross over study, rate-adaptive pacing at a high base rate (BR) in patients, age 60 years or above, or a history of paroxysmal AF, who underwent dual-chamber (DDD) pacemaker implantation for standard pacing indications, was evaluated for prevention of AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the study cohort of 145 patients implanted with DDD pacemakers with a programmable rest rate (RR) feature, the BR/RR settings were sequentially but randomly adjusted as follows: 60 bpm/Off for the baseline quarter (initial 3 months) and then to either &#x27;A-B-C&#x27; or &#x27;C-B-A&#x27; settings (A = 70/65 bpm, B = 70/Off, C = 80/65 bpm) for the subsequent quarters each of 3 months duration. Data on automatic mode switch episodes, device diagnostics, and a questionnaire evaluating pacemaker awareness and palpitations were collected. Ninety-nine patients, mean age 77 +/- 10 years, who completed the study protocol and followed for 12 months did not show significant differences in the number of mode switch episodes between any settings used. The percentage of atrial pacing was lower during baseline pacing compared to settings A, B, and C (P &#x26;lt; 0.0001). Setting C produced a higher percentage of atrial pacing than A and B (P &#x26;lt; 0.01). Although a higher percentage of atrial pacing correlated with a lower incidence of mode switch episodes, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of mode switch episodes between settings A, B, and C. There were no significant differences in the questionnaire scores relating to pacemaker awareness or palpitation. CONCLUSION: Overdrive single-site pacing in the right atrium achieved by programming analysed settings in the present study did not reduce AF as assessed by mode switch episodes. Additionally, no change in the symptoms of arrhythmia or awareness of pacing was seen.</p>        <p>PMID: 17913697 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17913696&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">What is the role of the pacing rate in the prevention of atrial tachyarrhythmias?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17913696&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>What is the role of the pacing rate in the prevention of atrial tachyarrhythmias?</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Nov;9(11):999-1001</p>        <p>Authors:  Israel CW</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17913696 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897925&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Outcome parameters for trials in atrial fibrillation: recommendations from a consensus conference organized by the German Atrial Fibrillation Competence NETwork and the European Heart Rhythm Association.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17897925&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897925&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Outcome parameters for trials in atrial fibrillation: recommendations from a consensus conference organized by the German Atrial Fibrillation Competence NETwork and the European Heart Rhythm Association.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Nov;9(11):1006-23</p>        <p>Authors:  Kirchhof P, Auricchio A, Bax J, Crijns H, Camm J, Diener HC, Goette A, Hindricks G, Hohnloser S, Kappenberger L, Kuck KH, Lip GY, Olsson B, Meinertz T, Priori S, Ravens U, Steinbeck G, Svernhage E, Tijssen J, Vincent A, Breithardt G</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common atrial arrhythmia, has a complex aetiology and causes relevant morbidity and mortality due to different mechanisms, including but not limited to stroke, heart failure, and tachy- or bradyarrhythmia. Current therapeutic options (rate control, rhythm control, antithrombotic therapy, &#x27;upstream therapy&#x27;) only prevent a part of this burden of disease. New treatment modalities are therefore currently under evaluation in clinical trials. Given the multifold clinical consequences of AF, controlled trials in AF patients should assess the effect of therapy in each of the main outcome domains. This paper describes an expert consensus of required outcome parameters in seven relevant outcome domains, namely death, stroke, symptoms and quality of life, rhythm, left ventricular function, cost, and emerging outcome parameters. In addition to these &#x27;requirements&#x27; for outcome assessment in AF trials, further outcome parameters are described in each outcome domain. In addition to a careful selection of a relevant primary outcome parameter, coverage of outcomes in all major domains of AF-related morbidity and mortality is desirable for any clinical trial in AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897925 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17666443&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy following transcatheter radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17666443&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17666443&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy following transcatheter radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Nov;9(11):1075-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Mawad W, Guerra PG, Dubuc M, Khairy P</p>        <p>A 66-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation and hypertension developed tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy following acutely uneventful radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node. We speculate that the increase in sympathetic activity that accompanies AV node ablation contributed to the pathophysiological process, which involves increased catecholamines and/or apical adrenoreceptor density and responsiveness.</p>        <p>PMID: 17666443 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=16854329&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Effects of different catheter ablation strategies in treatment of typical atrial flutter complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=16854329&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Effects of different catheter ablation strategies in treatment of typical atrial flutter complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]</b></p>        <p>Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2006 Jun 27;86(24):1714-7</p>        <p>Authors:  Yu B, Li Y, Zhao WH, Pang XF, Tian W, Hu J, Qi GX, Li M</p>        <p>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of different catheter ablation strategies in the treatment of typical atrial flutter complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). [CTIA, pulmonary vein segmental isolation (PVSI), CTIA + PVI] to the patients coexisted with typical atrial flutter and PAF. METHODS: 66 patients with typical atrial flutter complicated with PAF were divided into 3 groups: Group A (n = 30), undergoing cavotricuspid isthmus ablation, (CTIA), Group B (n = 17), undergoing pulmonary vein segmental isolation, (PVSI), and Group C (n = 19), undergoing CTIA + PVSI. Follow-up was conducted for 30.5 weeks +/- 10.4 weeks. The clinical curative effects, operation safety, and complication were evaluated. RESULTS: The recurrence rate of typical atrial flutter within 12 weeks after operation of Groups A and C were 13.3% and 10.5% respectively, both significantly lower than that of Group B (52.9%, both P &#x26;lt; 0.05) without no significant difference between Group A and Group C (P &#x26;gt; 0.05). The recurrence rate of typical atrial flutter within 36 weeks after operation of the Groups A, B, and C were 10%, 11.8%, and 10.5% respectively, without significant differences among these 3 groups (all P &#x26;gt; 0.05). The recurrence rates of PAF within 12 weeks and 30 weeks after operation of Groups B and C were 29.4% and 31.6%, and 23.5% and 26.3% respectively, all significantly lower than those of Group A (46.7% and 73.3% respectively, all P &#x26;lt; 0.05) without significant o differences between Groups B and C. CONCLUSION: In patients with both typical atrial flutter and PAF, pure CTIA has a good effect on typical atrial flutter, whereas the PAF recurrence rate is higher; Pure PVSI has a good control of typical atrial flutter while curing PAF; PVSI + CTIA only reduces the early recurrence of typical atrial flutter, however, has no advantage in long-term follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 16854329 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18234771&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">eComment: irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation in surgical treatment atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18234771&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-icvts_final_free.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18234771&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>eComment: irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation in surgical treatment atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;7(1):82-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Bockeria LA, Revishvili AS, Melikulov AH, Serguladze SY</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18234771 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18159108&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on inappropriate shocks in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/72.102?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18159108&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on inappropriate shocks in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2008 Jan;72(1):102-5</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Nam GB, Park HG, Kim HY, Park KM, Kim J, Choi KJ, Kim YH</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or congestive heart failure (CHF) are more vulnerable to inappropriate shocks from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), but the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs in these patients remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with AF and/or CHF (New York Heart Association functional class &#x26;gt; or =III) who had ICDs were divided into 3 groups [amiodarone (n=24), sotalol (n=12), beta-blocker (n=19)] and the cumulative rates of inappropriate shocks were compared. The baseline characteristics of the 3 groups were not significantly different. The 4-year event rate of inappropriate shocks was 27.3% in the amiodarone group, 54.3% in the sotalol group, and 70.6% in the beta-blocker group (amiodarone vs beta-blocker: log-rank p=0.003; sotalol vs beta-blocker: log-rank p=0.16; amiodarone vs sotalol: log-rank p=0.29). Amiodarone reduced the risk of inappropriate shocks significantly as compared with beta-blockers (hazard ratio (HR) 0.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.64; p=0.008), whereas sotalol did not (HR 0.57; 95%CI 0.19-1.68; p=0.3). Amiodarone was discontinued in 4 patients (16.7%) because of pulmonary toxicity and the dose was reduced in 4 patients (16.7%) because of a thyroid function abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Amiodarone is more effective than sotalol or beta-blockers in preventing inappropriate ICD shocks in patients with AF or CHF, but it has a significant risk of drug-related adverse effects.</p>        <p>PMID: 18159108 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18159104&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Clinical study of the acute effects of intravenous nifekalant on the defibrillation threshold in patients with persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/72.76?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18159104&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Clinical study of the acute effects of intravenous nifekalant on the defibrillation threshold in patients with persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2008 Jan;72(1):76-80</p>        <p>Authors:  Okishige K, Uehara H, Miyagi N, Nakamura K, Azegami K, Wakimoto H, Ohba K, Hirao K, Shimabukuro M, Isobe M</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Antiarrhythmic agents are considered to have significant effects on the defibrillation energy requirement, so this study investigated the effects of nifekalant on defibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent electrical cardioversion via intracardiac electrode catheters prior to and after the intravenous administration of nifekalant. The success rate of the defibrillation and change in the defibrillation threshold using sequential incremental defibrillation energy deliveries was investigated. In addition, the parameters that could predict the beneficial effects of nifekalant were also assessed. Nifekalant significantly decreased the defibrillation energy requirement in 13 of the 42 cases, and nifekalant also converted AF to sinus rhythm with an identical energy to that of the last unsuccessful defibrillation in 21 of 42 cases. The success of defibrillation seemed to be dependent on significant prolongation of the intracardiac atrial electrogram intervals during AF by the nifekalant. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous nifekalant significantly improved the electrical defibrillation efficacy in patients with persistent AF that was resistant to defibrillation, without any serious adverse effects.</p>        <p>PMID: 18159104 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18042619&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Conventional and dedicated atrial overdrive pacing for the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the AFTherapy study.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18042619&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18042619&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Conventional and dedicated atrial overdrive pacing for the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the AFTherapy study.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1110-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Camm AJ, Sulke N, Edvardsson N, Ritter P, Albers BA, Ruiter JH, Lewalter T, Capucci PA, Hoffmann E,  </p>        <p>AIMS: This investigation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of several conventional overdrive pacing modalities (single rate and rate responsive pacing at various lower rates) and of four dedicated preventive pacing algorithms in the suppression of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). METHOD AND RESULTS: In this multi-centre, randomized trial, 372 patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF were enrolled. Patients received a dual-chamber pacing device capable of delivering conventional pacing therapy as well as dedicated AF prevention pacing therapies and to record detailed AF-related diagnostics. The primary endpoint was AF burden, whereas secondary endpoints were time to first AF episode and averaged sinus rhythm duration. During a conventional pacing phase, patients were randomized to single rate or rate-responsive pacing with lower rates of either 70 or 85 min(-1) or to a control group with single rate pacing at 40 min(-1). In the subsequent preventive pacing phase, patients underwent pacing at a lower rate of 70 min(-1) with or without concomitant application of four preventive pacing algorithms. A substantial amount of data was excluded from the analysis because of atrial-sensing artefacts, identified in the device-captured diagnostics. In the conventional pacing phase, no significant differences were found between various lower rates and the control group receiving single rate pacing at 40 min(-1) or between single rate and rate-responsive pacing. Patients receiving preventive pacing with all four therapies enabled had a similar AF burden compared with patients treated with conventional pacing at 70 min(-1) (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: The results do not demonstrate a significant effect of conventional atrial overdrive pacing or preventive pacing therapies. However, the observations provided important information for further consideration with respect to the design and conduct of future studies on the effect of atrial pacing therapies for the reduction of AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18042619 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18042618&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Studying atrial fibrillation: what can we learn from the AFTherapy study?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18042618&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>Studying atrial fibrillation: what can we learn from the AFTherapy study?</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1107-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Israel CW</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18042618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18024494&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Septal atrial pacing for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18024494&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18024494&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Septal atrial pacing for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1124-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Hakacova N, Velimirovic D, Margitfalvi P, Hatala R, Buckingham TA</p>        <p>AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) produces significant morbidity and mortality. The current method of permanent pacing of the right atrium (RA) may cause delayed interatrial conduction and predispose to AF. We hypothesized that atrial septal pacing would reduce AF compared with high RA pacing. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients were randomized into two groups. After randomization, patients received a dual-chamber rate-responsive device capable of mode-switching with advanced telemetry features. Devices were programmed in a standardized manner. To be eligible, the patients were required to have a conventional indication for a permanent pacemaker and recurrent paroxysmal AF. Group 1 was paced from high RA and Group 2 was paced from the atrial septum. Analysis of 43 patients who have completed 6 months of follow-up and 22 patients who completed 12 months of follow-up showed no significant differences in the number of mode-switching episodes or in AF burden between groups (P = NS by Mann-Whitney) although there was a trend for less AF with septal pacing. There were no differences in thresholds, sensing, or lead impedance. Lead parameters remained stable over time and there were no displacements of the electrodes after implantation. No patient experienced lead-related complications. A significant variability in AF burden was noted in this patient population. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of an atrial-active fixation lead on the atrial septum is safe and feasible. However, this study showed no significant difference between septal pacing and high atrial pacing, using the endpoints of AF duration and number of AF episodes.</p>        <p>PMID: 18024494 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17967828&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">&#x27;Unexpected&#x27; sudden death avoided by implantable cardioverter defibrillator in Emery Dreifuss patient.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17967828&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17967828&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>&#x27;Unexpected&#x27; sudden death avoided by implantable cardioverter defibrillator in Emery Dreifuss patient.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1158-60</p>        <p>Authors:  Golzio PG, Chiribiri A, Gaita F</p>        <p>A female patient just over 20 years of age developed first grade atrioventricular block, and later atrial fibrillation. When she was 41 years old she was diagnosed with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD). A VVIR pacemaker was implanted in 2002, replaced in 2003 with an ICD. Nine months later, during febrile illness, the patient experienced three appropriate ICD discharges. No further ICD interventions occurred. The transient course of arrhythmic activity and the possible influence of triggering factors lessen the role of electrophysiologic study to identify risk of sudden death, and suggest that in patients with EDMD requiring pacemaker implantation, an ICD would be more properly indicated.</p>        <p>PMID: 17967828 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17965011&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Left atrial roof pouch.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17965011&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17965011&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Left atrial roof pouch.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1141</p>        <p>Authors:  Weerasooriya R, Murray C</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17965011 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17959682&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Evaluation of pacemaker dependence in patients on ablate and pace therapy for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17959682&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17959682&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Evaluation of pacemaker dependence in patients on ablate and pace therapy for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1119-23</p>        <p>Authors:  Occhetta E, Bortnik M, Dell&#x27;era G, Zardo F, Dametto E, Sassone B, Gabrieli L, Marino P</p>        <p>AIMS: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and uncontrolled ventricular rate, radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node and pacemaker (PM) implantation (ablate and pace) is a valid therapeutic approach, especially in elderly patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the PM dependence and the incidence of correlated clinical phenomena in a patients population with AV block induced by RF ablation of the AV junction. METHODS AND RESULTS: One-hundred and sixty-three patients (71 men; mean age 71 +/- 8 years) who had undergone ablate and pace therapy were evaluated. The patients underwent assessment of quality of life, impairment of consciousness, stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), hospitalizations for heart failure, episodes of palpitations, and instrumental evaluation of PM dependence during PM inhibition (absence of escape rhythm; asystolic pause &#x26;gt;5 s; escape rhythm &#x26;lt;30 bpm after rhythm stabilization). Correlation between instrumentally evaluated PM dependence and clinical history was analysed. Hundred and thirty-two patients were evaluated after a mean follow-up period of 36 months [31 subjects (19%) died before the evaluation]; 55 patients (42%) were classified as PM-dependent: 38 (69%) complained of disturbances (19 dizziness, 15 pre-syncope, 4 syncope); 77 patients (58%) were considered non-PM-dependent: symptoms (dizziness, flush) were reported by only 3 (4%). No significant differences emerged between PM-dependent and non-PM-dependent patients with regard to episodes of pre-syncope, syncope, stroke/TIA, hospitalizations for heart failure, and quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that ablate and pace is an effective and safe approach in subjects with chronic or recurrent AF and uncontrolled ventricular rate.</p>        <p>PMID: 17959682 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17932021&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Dual tachycardia in the setting of amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17932021&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17932021&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Dual tachycardia in the setting of amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1217</p>        <p>Authors:  Daccarett M, Segerson NM, Weiss JP, Day JD</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17932021 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17923474&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Efficacy and late recurrences with wide electrical pulmonary vein isolation for persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17923474&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17923474&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Efficacy and late recurrences with wide electrical pulmonary vein isolation for persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1129-33</p>        <p>Authors:  Seow SC, Lim TW, Koay CH, Ross DL, Thomas SP</p>        <p>AIMS: Early recurrences of atrial arrhythmia after wide electrically isolating ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are well described, but the long-term risk of recurrence for patients with persistent and permanent AF has not been studied in detail. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-six consecutive patients [45 men (80.4%), age 55.9 +/- 8.7 years] with persistent [39(69.6%)] or permanent [17(30.4%)] AF were followed for 21.6 +/- 8.8 months after ablation. Atrial fibrillation duration prior to ablation was 6.4 +/- 5.6 years. Electrically isolating lesions encircling the left and right pulmonary veins (PVs) in pairs were created. After 1.5 +/- 0.7 procedures, 48 (85.7%) had sinus rhythm (SR) at 21.6 +/- 8.8 months of follow-up: achieved with 1 procedure in 27 (56.3%) and without anti-arrhythmics in 30 (62.5%). Atrial fibrillation recurrence was observed in 69.6% after the first and 46.4% after the last procedure. Of those with late recurrences (&#x26;gt;90 days) following the last procedure, most [18 (69.2%)] did not have early recurrences. Pre-procedural AF duration (P = 0.007) and female gender (P = 0.005) were independent predictors of recurrence following the last procedure. CONCLUSION: Circumferential PV isolation is effective in most patients with persistent or permanent AF. However, repeat procedures are frequently required. Late recurrences are common and not precluded by the absence of early post-procedural arrhythmias.</p>        <p>PMID: 17923474 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17916552&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Piggy-back pacing: implantation of pacemaker and defibrillator on top of each other.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17916552&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17916552&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Piggy-back pacing: implantation of pacemaker and defibrillator on top of each other.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1191-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Kanjwal Y, Imran N, Kanjwal K, Grubb B</p>        <p>Following the publication of several landmark trials, there has been a significant increase in the cardiac device implantation. Within this population there are a number of patients who have pre-existing cardiac devices that have been placed for a number of different conditions. While the usual approach is to remove the existing unit and replace it with a new device with the removal or capping of existing lead systems, this practice often sacrifices an existing unit that still possesses good battery longevity. We explored the possibility of separating the pacing and defibrillating functions by implanting a new device on the top of the old device in a &#x27;piggy-back fashion&#x27;. We report a series of four cases (with various indications) with differing combinations of devices. The procedure was performed safely in every one of them, and no device-device interaction was noted. Combining the new with existing units in a &#x27;piggy-back&#x27; manner may be a safe and cost-effective technique in the selected cases.</p>        <p>PMID: 17916552 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897926&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Effect of oral L-type calcium channel blocker on repetitive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: spectral analysis of fibrillation waves in the Holter monitoring.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17897926&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897926&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effect of oral L-type calcium channel blocker on repetitive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: spectral analysis of fibrillation waves in the Holter monitoring.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1209-15</p>        <p>Authors:  Niwano S, Fukaya H, Sasaki T, Hatakeyama Y, Fujiki A, Izumi T</p>        <p>AIMS: The electrical remodelling is considered to play a role in promoting arrhythmogenic substrate of atrial fibrillation (AF), and intracellular calcium overload may play a key role, especially in its early phase. The effect of oral verapamil on repetitive paroxysmal AF (PAF) was evaluated in clinical cases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with repetitive PAF (total PAF duration &#x26;gt;2/24 h) were divided into two groups with and without verapamil administration (240 mg/day) and they were followed-up for 12 months. Before and after the follow-up period, 24 h Holter ECG was recorded. In each Holter recording, total PAF duration and the longest PAF duration was evaluated and spectral analysis was performed for fibrillation waves in PAF episodes to evaluate the fibrillatory frequency. Total PAF duration was prolonged by 45 +/- 79 min in the control group (n = 18) whereas shortened by 25 +/- 55 min in the verapamil group (n = 17, P = 0.005). The fibrillatory frequency was increased from 5.66 +/- 1.05 to 6.73 +/- 1.02 Hz in the control group and was unchanged in the verapamil group. There was inverse relationship between Deltatotal PAF duration and Deltafibrillatory frequency (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Verapamil prevented the increase in fibrillatory frequency in PAF patients in relatively long-term observation. Verapamil might be effective for prevention of the electrophysiological change and increase in PAF episodes at least in specific type of PAF cases.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897926 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17761793&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Quinidine: a valuable medication joins the list of &#x27;endangered species&#x27;.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17761793&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17761793&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Quinidine: a valuable medication joins the list of &#x27;endangered species&#x27;.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1105-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Viskin S, Antzelevitch C, M&#x26;#xE1;rquez MF, Belhassen B</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17761793 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17684065&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Another use for radiofrequency energy during an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17684065&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17684065&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Another use for radiofrequency energy during an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Dec;9(12):1142-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Knecht S, Ja&#x26;#xEF;s P, Ha&#x26;#xEF;ssaguerre M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17684065 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18156545&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://emj.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18156545&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-emermed_full.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18156545&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.</b></p>        <p>Emerg Med J. 2008 Jan;25(1):46-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Turley AJ, Murray S, Thambyrajah J</p>        <p>Although serious adverse events following adenosine administration are rare, it should only be administered in an environment where continuous ECG monitoring and emergency resuscitation equipment are available. The case report describes the development of pre-excited atrial fibrillation in a 31-year-old woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome following the administration of adenosine. She had previously been fit and well and was admitted to the coronary care unit with a 2 h history of regular palpitations. A 12-lead ECG showed a narrow QRS complex tachycardia. Carotid sinus massage was unsuccessful in terminating the tachycardia and the patient subsequently received rapid boluses of intravenous adenosine. The cardiac rhythm degenerated into atrial fibrillation with ventricular pre-excitation following 12 mg adenosine.</p>        <p>PMID: 18156545 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18156545&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://emj.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18156545&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-emermed_full.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18156545&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.</b></p>        <p>Emerg Med J. 2008 Jan;25(1):46-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Turley AJ, Murray S, Thambyrajah J</p>        <p>Although serious adverse events following adenosine administration are rare, it should only be administered in an environment where continuous ECG monitoring and emergency resuscitation equipment are available. The case report describes the development of pre-excited atrial fibrillation in a 31-year-old woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome following the administration of adenosine. She had previously been fit and well and was admitted to the coronary care unit with a 2 h history of regular palpitations. A 12-lead ECG showed a narrow QRS complex tachycardia. Carotid sinus massage was unsuccessful in terminating the tachycardia and the patient subsequently received rapid boluses of intravenous adenosine. The cardiac rhythm degenerated into atrial fibrillation with ventricular pre-excitation following 12 mg adenosine.</p>        <p>PMID: 18156545 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18156545&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://emj.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18156545&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-emermed_full.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18156545&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.</b></p>        <p>Emerg Med J. 2008 Jan;25(1):46-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Turley AJ, Murray S, Thambyrajah J</p>        <p>Although serious adverse events following adenosine administration are rare, it should only be administered in an environment where continuous ECG monitoring and emergency resuscitation equipment are available. The case report describes the development of pre-excited atrial fibrillation in a 31-year-old woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome following the administration of adenosine. She had previously been fit and well and was admitted to the coronary care unit with a 2 h history of regular palpitations. A 12-lead ECG showed a narrow QRS complex tachycardia. Carotid sinus massage was unsuccessful in terminating the tachycardia and the patient subsequently received rapid boluses of intravenous adenosine. The cardiac rhythm degenerated into atrial fibrillation with ventricular pre-excitation following 12 mg adenosine.</p>        <p>PMID: 18156545 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18297747&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">My wife suffers from atrial fibrillation. She is on warfarin, digoxin and metoprolol. She still gets the occasional mild attack. Is this normal?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18297747&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>My wife suffers from atrial fibrillation. She is on warfarin, digoxin and metoprolol. She still gets the occasional mild attack. Is this normal?</b></p>        <p>Heart Advis. 2007 Aug;10(8):8</p>        <p>Authors: </p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18297747 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17982017&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Neural substrate for atrial fibrillation: implications for targeted parasympathetic blockade in the posterior left atrium.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://ajpheart.physiology.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17982017&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-ajpheart_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17982017&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Neural substrate for atrial fibrillation: implications for targeted parasympathetic blockade in the posterior left atrium.</b></p>        <p>Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Jan;294(1):H134-44</p>        <p>Authors:  Arora R, Ulphani JS, Villuendas R, Ng J, Harvey L, Thordson S, Inderyas F, Lu Y, Gordon D, Denes P, Greene R, Crawford S, Decker R, Morris A, Goldberger J, Kadish AH</p>        <p>The parasympathetic (P) nervous system is thought to contribute significantly to focal atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus we hypothesized that P nerve fibers [and related muscarinic (M(2)) receptors] are preferentially located in the posterior left atrium (PLA) and that selective cholinergic blockade in the PLA can be successfully performed to alter vagal AF substrate. The PLA, pulmonary veins (PVs), and left atrial appendage (LAA) from six dogs were immunostained for sympathetic (S) nerves, P nerves, and M(2) receptors. Epicardial electrophysiological mapping was performed in seven additional dogs. The PLA was the most richly innervated, with nerve bundles containing P and S fibers (0.9 +/- 1, 3.2 +/- 2.5, and 0.17 +/- 0.3/cm(2) in the PV, PLA, and LAA, respectively, P &#x26;lt; 0.001); nerve bundles were located in fibrofatty tissue as well as in surrounding myocardium. P fibers predominated over S fibers within bundles (P-to-S ratio = 4.4, 7.2, and 5.8 in PV, PLA, and LAA, respectively). M(2) distribution was also most pronounced in the PLA (17.8 +/- 8.3, 14.3 +/- 7.3, and 14.5 +/- 8 M(2)-stained cells/cm(2) in the PLA, PV, and LAA, respectively, P = 0.012). Left cervical vagal stimulation (VS) caused significant effective refractory period shortening in all regions, with easily inducible AF. Topical application of 1% tropicamide to the PLA significantly attenuated VS-induced effective refractory period shortening in the PLA, PV, and LAA and decreased AF inducibility by 92% (P &#x26;lt; 0.001). We conclude that 1) P fibers and M(2) receptors are preferentially located in the PLA, suggesting an important role for this region in creation of vagal AF substrate and 2) targeted P blockade in the PLA is feasible and results in attenuation of vagal responses in the entire left atrium and, consequently, a change in AF substrate.</p>        <p>PMID: 17982017 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17768060&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">A health economic evaluation of concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1010-7940(07)00670-7&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17768060&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>A health economic evaluation of concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2007 Nov;32(5):702-10</p>        <p>Authors:  Lamotte M, Annemans L, Bridgewater B, Kendall S, Siebert M</p>        <p>OBJECTIVE: Current drug treatment for atrial fibrillation is suboptimal and percutaneous catheter-based ablation techniques may be associated with complications. The aim of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of (1) high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-assisted surgical ablation, (2) the classic &#x27;cut and sew&#x27; maze procedure and (3) percutaneous ablation, all concomitant to cardiac surgery (e.g. CABG, valve repair) in comparison with non-interventional (drug) treatment. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to predict the cost-effectiveness of the interventional approaches. The model consisted of four disease states (sinus rhythm without complications, atrial fibrillation without complications, stroke and death), allowing for 3-monthly transitions between these states and using direct UK costs from the National Health Service perspective. Clinical input data are obtained from literature and cost input data from National Health Service sources and literature. Five-year total and incremental costs are calculated. Incremental effects are expressed in quality-adjusted-life-years-gained (QALYG). RESULTS: All interventional treatments show good incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in all atrial fibrillation types, compared to drug treatment. For classic maze the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio compared to non-interventional atrial fibrillation treatment varies from 1343 to 3471 GBP/QALYG, for HIFU-assisted surgical ablation from 4005 to 7448 GBP/QALYG and for percutaneous ablation from 7041 to 17,372 GBP/QALYG depending on the atrial fibrillation type. Sensitivity analyses showed the robustness of the data. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a classic maze procedure or HIFU-assisted surgical ablation concomitant to a scheduled CABG or valve procedure is highly cost-effective. Performing a percutaneous ablation in a subsequent procedure is also cost-effective, but to a lower extent. Both the maze procedure and the HIFU-assisted surgical ablation are cheaper and more effective than percutaneous ablation in a subsequent procedure.</p>        <p>PMID: 17768060 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18186308&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Combination therapy of renin angiotensin system inhibitors and bepridil is useful for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18186308&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Combination therapy of renin angiotensin system inhibitors and bepridil is useful for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiol. 2007 Dec;50(6):343-50</p>        <p>Authors:  Kawamura M, Ito H, Onuki T, Miyoshi F, Minoura Y, Asano T, Tanno K, Kobayashi Y</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The present study evaluated the effect of treatment renin angiotensin system inhibitors (RAS-I) for maintaining sinus rhythm after conversion from persistent atrial fibrillation. As the efficacy of RAS-I in atrial fibrillation is unclear, our study evaluated conversion to and maintenance of sinus rhythm by combination therapy with RAS-I and bepridil in patients in atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Bepridil was administered to 125 consecutive patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillations. Two groups of patients were compared: The bepridil group was treated with bepridil alone, the RAS-I group with bepridil plus angiotensin II receptor blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The primary end point was length of time to first recurrence of atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Maintenance of sinus rhythm was achieved in 25 patients (45%) in the bepridil group and 44 patients (63%) in the RAS-I group (persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillations). The difference between the bepridil group and the RAS-I group was significant (p &#x26;lt; 0.05). Maintenance of sinus rhythm was achieved in 9 of 25 patients (36%) in the bepridil group, and in 22 of 35 patients (62%) in the RAS-I group with persistent atrial fibrillation. The difference between the bepridil group and the RAS-I group was significant (p &#x26;lt; 0.05). Bepridil plus RAS-I was particularly effective at preventing the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction &#x26;lt; 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with RAS-I and bepridil may be useful for maintenance of sinus rhythm.</p>        <p>PMID: 18186308 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18074576&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Ventricular proarrhythmia in the rhythm-control therapy for atrial fibrillation]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18074576&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Ventricular proarrhythmia in the rhythm-control therapy for atrial fibrillation]</b></p>        <p>Nippon Rinsho. 2007 Oct 28;65 Suppl 8:430-5</p>        <p>Authors:  Nishimura H</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18074576 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17980224&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Depressive symptoms predict recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-3999(07)00286-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17980224&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Depressive symptoms predict recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion.</b></p>        <p>J Psychosom Res. 2007 Nov;63(5):509-13</p>        <p>Authors:  Lange HW, Herrmann-Lingen C</p>        <p>OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether depressive symptoms and the type-D personality are predictive of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (or atrial flutter; AF) after successful electrical cardioversion (CV). BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are associated with an adverse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias. Anger and hostility have been shown to be predictive of development of AF. However, little is known about the effects of depression on AF. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with persistent AF completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Type D Scale (DS-14) prior to elective electrical CV. Patients with a successful CV were followed for 2 months. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 27 patients (50%) had recurrence of the arrhythmia. Depressive mood (HADS depression scale &#x26;gt;7) was the only significant nonsomatic predictor of recurrence, which was observed in 85% of depressed versus 39% of nondepressed patients [odds ratio=8.6; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.7-44.0, P=.004]. HADS anxiety scores and the presence of the type-D personality pattern were not associated with recurrence of AF. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, including variables with a prevalence &#x26;gt;10% of the total study population and a univariate discriminative effect yielding a P value of &#x26;lt;.2, a HADS depression score &#x26;gt;7 was found to be the only independently predictive variable of arrhythmia recurrence (hazard ratio=2.7; 95% CI=1.05-7.2; P=.046). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that depressive mood is a major risk factor for recurrence of AF after electrical CV. Heightened adrenergic tone and a proinflammatory state are possible mechanisms responsible for the observed association. Identification of depression may be of value prior to the decision to perform electrical CV.</p>        <p>PMID: 17980224 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17966440&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Does treatment with ACE inhibitors prevent the long term recurrences of lone atrial fibrillation after cardioversion?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17966440&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Does treatment with ACE inhibitors prevent the long term recurrences of lone atrial fibrillation after cardioversion?</b></p>        <p>Rom J Intern Med. 2007;45(1):29-33</p>        <p>Authors:  Grecu M, Olteanu RO, Olteanu SS, Georgescu CA</p>        <p>This study aimed to prove that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) could improve sinus rhythm maintenance after conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: A study of 36 patients with lone AF who undertook electrical conversion was conducted. Group 1 included 20 patients treated exclusively with a class I C antiarrhythmic (Propafenona, 450 mg daily) and group 2 included 16 patients treated with antiarrhythmic plus ACEI after cardioversion. These two groups were comparable, with mean age 56.2+/-11.8 vs. 57.7+/-6.1 years (P 0.709), onset of AF 2.47+/-3.72 vs. 5.5+/-7.37 months (P 0.205) and echocardiografic parameters: left atrium diameter 45.1+/-5.8 vs. 45.0+/-6.1 mm (P 0.995); LVTDV 48.5+/-5.0 vs. 48.6+/-6.4 mm (P 0.998); LVTSV 35.1+/-5.0 vs. 36.0+/-7.0 mm (P 0.737) and EF 59.0+/-6.9% vs. 54.8+/-6.1% (P 0.135). The patients were followed up clinically and electrocardiographically 12 months after conversion. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher probability of remaining in sinus rhythm one year after cardioversion for group 2 compared to group 1 (37.5% vs. 20%). The mean time interval for the appearance of recurrences was significantly higher in patients treated with ACEI and antiarrhythmics compared to the patients treated only with antiarrhythmics (7.06+/-1.02 vs. 4.50+/-0.93 months; Breslow test (generalized Wilcoxon) - 4.473, P 0.034). CONCLUSION: The addition of ACEI to an antiarrhythmic decreases the rate of AF recurrences and facilitates the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion.</p>        <p>PMID: 17966440 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17828373&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Arrhythmia management in the Fontan patient.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00246-007-9005-2&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17828373&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Arrhythmia management in the Fontan patient.</b></p>        <p>Pediatr Cardiol. 2007 Nov-Dec;28(6):448-56</p>        <p>Authors:  Deal BJ, Mavroudis C, Backer CL</p>        <p>With longer duration of follow-up, as many as 50% of Fontan patients will develop atrial tachycardia, usually in association with significant hemodynamic abnormalities. Arrhythmia management in the Fontan patient is reviewed. The incidence and type of arrhythmia occurrence are examined, including macro-reentrant rhythm which involves the right atrium, reentrant rhythm localized to the pulmonary venous atrium (seen in patients with lateral tunnel procedures), and atrial fibrillation. Risk factors for development of these arrhythmias are considered, and short- and long-term therapeutic options for medical and surgical treatment are discussed. Surgical results are presented for 117 patients undergoing Fontan conversion and arrhythmia surgery (isthmus ablation (9), modified right atrial maze (38) or Cox-maze III (70)). Operative mortality is low (1/117, 0.8%). Seven late deaths occurred, and include two patients who died shortly following cardiac transplantation (2/6, 33%) after Fontan conversion and arrhythmia surgery. Overall arrhythmia recurrence is 12.8% during a mean follow-up of 56 months. Fontan conversion with arrhythmia surgery can be performed with low operative mortality, low risk of recurrent tachycardia, and marked improvement in functional status in most patients. Because the development of tachycardia is usually an electromechanical problem, attention to only the arrhythmia with medications or ablation may allow progression of hemodynamic abnormalities to either a life-threatening outcome or a point at which transplantation is the only potential option. Because cardiac transplantation in Fontan patients is associated with high early mortality, earlier consideration for surgical intervention is warranted.</p>        <p>PMID: 17828373 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17591685&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">External cardioversion in patients with implanted cardiac devices: is there a problem?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17591685&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17591685&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>External cardioversion in patients with implanted cardiac devices: is there a problem?</b></p>        <p>Eur Heart J. 2007 Jul;28(14):1668-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Gammage MD</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17591685 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17569681&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">External cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in patients with implanted pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator systems: a randomized comparison of monophasic and biphasic shock energy application.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=17569681&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>External cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in patients with implanted pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator systems: a randomized comparison of monophasic and biphasic shock energy application.</b></p>        <p>Eur Heart J. 2007 Jul;28(14):1731-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Manegold JC, Israel CW, Ehrlich JR, Duray G, Pajitnev D, Wegener FT, Hohnloser SH</p>        <p>AIMS: External cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) may damage implanted pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) systems. This prospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of ECV comparing mono- to biphasic shock waveforms in patients with implanted rhythm devices. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with pacemaker or ICD systems and an indication for ECV were randomized to receive mono- or biphasic shocks. Systems were tested immediately before and after ECV, 1 h and 1 week later with respect to device and lead integrity. Forty-four patients (71 +/- 10 years, 31 male; 29 pacemakers, 12 ICDs, three cardiac resynchronization systems) underwent ECV with antero-posterior paddle orientation (monophasic in 21 and biphasic in 23 patients). Pacing impedances were reduced immediately after ECV (atrial 402-392 ohm, P &#x26;lt; 0.001; ventricular 517-496 ohm, P = 0.001) and returned to baseline values within 1 week. Ventricular sensing was reduced immediately after ECV (12.4-11.6 mV, P = 0.004). There was no device or lead dysfunction in any patient. ECV was successful in 42/44 patients (95%), cumulative energy was significantly lower for biphasic compared with monophasic shocks (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: ECV for AF seems to be safe and effective in patients with implanted rhythm devices.</p>        <p>PMID: 17569681 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17467866&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Successful conservative management with positive end-expiratory pressure for massive haemothorax complicating pacemaker implantation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0300-9572(07)00136-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17467866&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Successful conservative management with positive end-expiratory pressure for massive haemothorax complicating pacemaker implantation.</b></p>        <p>Resuscitation. 2007 Oct;75(1):189-91</p>        <p>Authors:  Lai CH, Chen JY, Wu HY, Wen JS, Yang YJ</p>        <p>Haemothorax resulting from injury to a great vessel is a potential complication during transvenous pacemaker implantation that can be caused by perforation by the electrode. If the amount of bleeding is massive, control needs thoracotomy. We report on a 70-year-old man who had a massive haemothorax following transvenous pacemaker implantation. This complication was controlled successfully by using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). We conclude that this simple but reproducible experience may offer effective haemostasis for a massive haemothorax caused by transvenous catheter perforation.</p>        <p>PMID: 17467866 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=16620720&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Effects of amiodarone versus sotalol in treatment of atrial fibrillation: a random controlled clinical study]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=16620720&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Effects of amiodarone versus sotalol in treatment of atrial fibrillation: a random controlled clinical study]</b></p>        <p>Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2006 Jan 10;86(2):121-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Niu F, Huang CX, Jiang H, Yang B, Guo WL, Chen YX, Jin CR, Liu ZM</p>        <p>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects and adverse reactions of amiodarone and sotalol in treatment of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: One hundred and two patients with atrial fibrillation, 56 males and 46 females, aged 56 +/- 11, were randomized into 2 equal groups: amiodarone group, taking amiodarone 600 mg/d for 7 days, 400 mg/d for 7 days, 200 mg/d for 7 days, and then 200 mg/d as maintenance dosage if conversion to sinus rhythm occurred; and sotalol group, taking sotalol 40-80 mg/d for one week, 160 mg/d for 2 weeks and then 40-80 mg/d as maintenance dosage if conversion to sinus rhythm occurred. If the cardiac rhythm failed to be converted to sinus rhythm after three week the medication was stopped. All the patients were followed up for 12-24 months and therapeutic effects were evaluated by echocardiography, electrocardiogram and Holter monitor. RESULTS: (1) Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 40 patients in the amiodarone group with an effective rate of 78.4%, and in 36 patients in the sotalol group with an effective rate of 70.6%. (2) Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in the first week in 34 patients of the amiodarone group and in 10 patients of the sotalol group. (3) 67.5% of the patients with conversion to sinus rhythm in the amiodarone group and 41.7% of the patients with conversion to sinus rhythm in the sotalol group maintained sinus rhythm in the following 12 months; and 44.4% patients with conversion to sinus rhythm in the amiodarone group and 26.7% of the patients with conversion to sinus rhythm in the following 24 months. (4) 10 patients in the sotalol group taking a maintenance dosage of 80 mg/d showed atrial ventricular block and severe bradycardia during the follow-up of 6-2 months, then the medication was stopped, but there was no severe arrhythmia in amiodarone group. (5) It was difficult to maintain sinus rhythm when atrial fibrillation lasting longer than 12 months was a predictive factor of failure to maintain sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between amiodarone and sotalol in converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. However, amiodarone is more effective in maintenance of sinus rhythm than sotalol. The adverse reaction of amiodarone on heart is less severe than that of sotalol.</p>        <p>PMID: 16620720 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18227384&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18227384&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18227384&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 12;117(6):732-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Goette A, Bukowska A, Lendeckel U, Erxleben M, Hammw&#x26;#xF6;hner M, Strugala D, Pfeiffenberger J, R&#x26;#xF6;hl FW, Huth C, Ebert MP, Klein HU, R&#x26;#xF6;cken C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Increased levels of inflammatory markers are predictors of thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF). Increased endocardial expression of adhesion molecules (ie, vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] and intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) could be an important link between initiation of inflammatory and prothrombogenic mechanisms responsible for thrombus development at the atrial endocardium (endocardial remodeling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue microarrays were used to screen right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 320 consecutive patients for differences in atrial expression of the prothrombogenic proteins VCAM-1, ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor. An in vitro organotypic human atrial tissue model and a pig model of rapid atrial pacing were used to determine the therapeutic impact of angiotensin II receptor blockade. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that all prothrombogenic proteins are expressed by endocardial cells. Using multivariable analysis, only the intensity of VCAM-1 expression was increased in patients with AF (P=0.03). Increased atrial VCAM-1 expression was confirmed by Western blotting in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF (persistent AF 207+/-42% versus sinus rhythm 100+/-16%, P=0.028; paroxysmal AF 193+/-42%, P=0.024 versus sinus rhythm). In vitro pacing of ex vivo human atrial tissue slices confirmed that rapid activation causes VCAM-1 upregulation (mRNA and protein levels). Pacing-induced VCAM-1 expression was abolished by olmesartan. To confirm this finding in vivo, VCAM-1 expression was determined in 14 pigs after rapid atrial pacing (600 bpm). Atrial tachycardia caused an upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, which was prevented by irbesartan, consistent with the observed increase in plasma levels of angiotensin II. Alterations in the in vivo VCAM-1 expression were more pronounced in the left atrium (&#x26;gt;5-fold compared with sham) than in the right atrium (3.5-fold compared with sham). CONCLUSIONS: AF and rapid atrial pacing both increase endocardial VCAM-1 expression, which can be attenuated by angiotensin II receptor blockade. This provides evidence that angiotensin II plays a pathophysiological role in prothrombotic endocardial remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18227384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18174628&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.digitaljic.com/nxtbooks/hmp/jic0108/index.php?startpage=102&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.invasivecardiology.com-images-jicbarb.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18174628&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</b></p>        <p>J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Jan;20(1):E30-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Seow SC, Lim YT</p>        <p>Isolated coronary artery spasm without atherosclerotic obstruction is an unusual cause of myocardial infarction (MI). A middle-aged woman presented to our institution in 2001 with acute inferior MI due to coronary artery spasm at the mid segment of the dominant left circumflex coronary artery. After being well for 6 years, she was readmitted again in 2007 with the same type of severe retrosternal chest pain. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation over the inferior leads. The chest pain resolved with sublingual nitroglycerin and emergency diagnostic coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Two months later, the patient developed another episode of severe retrosternal chest pain at home, followed by cardiac arrest. An onsite ECG showed ventricular fibrillation and immediate defibrillation was carried out. She was readmitted to the hospital and recovered over the next few days. In view of the recurrent coronary artery spasm causing myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. The patient was well at 2-month follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 18174628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18030063&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200711000-00010&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18030063&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;50(5):535-40</p>        <p>Authors:  Malfatto G, Zaza A, Facchini M</p>        <p>AIMS: To describe the QT/RR relationship in normal subjects, a previous study validated experimentally and used in healthy subjects a function that separately considered rate-dependent and rate-independent components of ventricular repolarization. The analysis is now extended to the effects on the QT/RR relationship of amiodarone and flecainide, 2 widely used antiarrhythmic drugs affecting repolarization. METHODS: The QT/RR relationship was obtained in 45 subjects without heart disease (20 men, 25 women); 20 were taken as controls, and 30 were under antiarrhythmic prophylaxis for lone atrial fibrillation (15 with amiodarone, 15 with flecainide). All subjects underwent a bicycle stress test; RR and QT (V5) were measured at the end of each load step; QTc (Bazett&#x27;s formula, lead II) was obtained at rest. The QT/RR relation was fitted (R &#x26;gt; or = 0.90) by the function QT = QTmax*R/(RR50 + RR). Here, QTmax (QT extrapolated at infinite RR) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, RR50 (RR at which 50% of QTmax is reached) and S evaluate the rate-dependency of QT. RESULTS: In controls, QTmax was 436 +/- 67 ms, RR50 was 355 +/- 55 ms, and S was 2.9 +/- 0.2. Amiodarone increased QTc, QTmax, and RR50 and decreased S significantly. Flecainide slightly prolonged QTc, increased QTmax but did not modify RR50 or S. CONCULSIONS: The saturating dependency of human repolarization on cycle length, described by the proposed function, is differently affected by amiodarone and flecainide. These differences might reflect the specific effects of each drug on ionic currents and their properties.</p>        <p>PMID: 18030063 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17939580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17939580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</b></p>        <p>Rev Port Cardiol. 2007 Jul-Aug;26(7-8):707-12</p>        <p>Authors:  Adrag&#x26;#xE3;o P</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17939580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18227384&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18227384&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18227384&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 12;117(6):732-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Goette A, Bukowska A, Lendeckel U, Erxleben M, Hammw&#x26;#xF6;hner M, Strugala D, Pfeiffenberger J, R&#x26;#xF6;hl FW, Huth C, Ebert MP, Klein HU, R&#x26;#xF6;cken C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Increased levels of inflammatory markers are predictors of thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF). Increased endocardial expression of adhesion molecules (ie, vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] and intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) could be an important link between initiation of inflammatory and prothrombogenic mechanisms responsible for thrombus development at the atrial endocardium (endocardial remodeling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue microarrays were used to screen right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 320 consecutive patients for differences in atrial expression of the prothrombogenic proteins VCAM-1, ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor. An in vitro organotypic human atrial tissue model and a pig model of rapid atrial pacing were used to determine the therapeutic impact of angiotensin II receptor blockade. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that all prothrombogenic proteins are expressed by endocardial cells. Using multivariable analysis, only the intensity of VCAM-1 expression was increased in patients with AF (P=0.03). Increased atrial VCAM-1 expression was confirmed by Western blotting in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF (persistent AF 207+/-42% versus sinus rhythm 100+/-16%, P=0.028; paroxysmal AF 193+/-42%, P=0.024 versus sinus rhythm). In vitro pacing of ex vivo human atrial tissue slices confirmed that rapid activation causes VCAM-1 upregulation (mRNA and protein levels). Pacing-induced VCAM-1 expression was abolished by olmesartan. To confirm this finding in vivo, VCAM-1 expression was determined in 14 pigs after rapid atrial pacing (600 bpm). Atrial tachycardia caused an upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, which was prevented by irbesartan, consistent with the observed increase in plasma levels of angiotensin II. Alterations in the in vivo VCAM-1 expression were more pronounced in the left atrium (&#x26;gt;5-fold compared with sham) than in the right atrium (3.5-fold compared with sham). CONCLUSIONS: AF and rapid atrial pacing both increase endocardial VCAM-1 expression, which can be attenuated by angiotensin II receptor blockade. This provides evidence that angiotensin II plays a pathophysiological role in prothrombotic endocardial remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18227384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18174628&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.digitaljic.com/nxtbooks/hmp/jic0108/index.php?startpage=102&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.invasivecardiology.com-images-jicbarb.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18174628&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</b></p>        <p>J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Jan;20(1):E30-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Seow SC, Lim YT</p>        <p>Isolated coronary artery spasm without atherosclerotic obstruction is an unusual cause of myocardial infarction (MI). A middle-aged woman presented to our institution in 2001 with acute inferior MI due to coronary artery spasm at the mid segment of the dominant left circumflex coronary artery. After being well for 6 years, she was readmitted again in 2007 with the same type of severe retrosternal chest pain. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation over the inferior leads. The chest pain resolved with sublingual nitroglycerin and emergency diagnostic coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Two months later, the patient developed another episode of severe retrosternal chest pain at home, followed by cardiac arrest. An onsite ECG showed ventricular fibrillation and immediate defibrillation was carried out. She was readmitted to the hospital and recovered over the next few days. In view of the recurrent coronary artery spasm causing myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. The patient was well at 2-month follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 18174628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18030063&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200711000-00010&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18030063&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;50(5):535-40</p>        <p>Authors:  Malfatto G, Zaza A, Facchini M</p>        <p>AIMS: To describe the QT/RR relationship in normal subjects, a previous study validated experimentally and used in healthy subjects a function that separately considered rate-dependent and rate-independent components of ventricular repolarization. The analysis is now extended to the effects on the QT/RR relationship of amiodarone and flecainide, 2 widely used antiarrhythmic drugs affecting repolarization. METHODS: The QT/RR relationship was obtained in 45 subjects without heart disease (20 men, 25 women); 20 were taken as controls, and 30 were under antiarrhythmic prophylaxis for lone atrial fibrillation (15 with amiodarone, 15 with flecainide). All subjects underwent a bicycle stress test; RR and QT (V5) were measured at the end of each load step; QTc (Bazett&#x27;s formula, lead II) was obtained at rest. The QT/RR relation was fitted (R &#x26;gt; or = 0.90) by the function QT = QTmax*R/(RR50 + RR). Here, QTmax (QT extrapolated at infinite RR) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, RR50 (RR at which 50% of QTmax is reached) and S evaluate the rate-dependency of QT. RESULTS: In controls, QTmax was 436 +/- 67 ms, RR50 was 355 +/- 55 ms, and S was 2.9 +/- 0.2. Amiodarone increased QTc, QTmax, and RR50 and decreased S significantly. Flecainide slightly prolonged QTc, increased QTmax but did not modify RR50 or S. CONCULSIONS: The saturating dependency of human repolarization on cycle length, described by the proposed function, is differently affected by amiodarone and flecainide. These differences might reflect the specific effects of each drug on ionic currents and their properties.</p>        <p>PMID: 18030063 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17939580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17939580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</b></p>        <p>Rev Port Cardiol. 2007 Jul-Aug;26(7-8):707-12</p>        <p>Authors:  Adrag&#x26;#xE3;o P</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17939580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18227384&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18227384&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18227384&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 12;117(6):732-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Goette A, Bukowska A, Lendeckel U, Erxleben M, Hammw&#x26;#xF6;hner M, Strugala D, Pfeiffenberger J, R&#x26;#xF6;hl FW, Huth C, Ebert MP, Klein HU, R&#x26;#xF6;cken C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Increased levels of inflammatory markers are predictors of thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF). Increased endocardial expression of adhesion molecules (ie, vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] and intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) could be an important link between initiation of inflammatory and prothrombogenic mechanisms responsible for thrombus development at the atrial endocardium (endocardial remodeling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue microarrays were used to screen right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 320 consecutive patients for differences in atrial expression of the prothrombogenic proteins VCAM-1, ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor. An in vitro organotypic human atrial tissue model and a pig model of rapid atrial pacing were used to determine the therapeutic impact of angiotensin II receptor blockade. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that all prothrombogenic proteins are expressed by endocardial cells. Using multivariable analysis, only the intensity of VCAM-1 expression was increased in patients with AF (P=0.03). Increased atrial VCAM-1 expression was confirmed by Western blotting in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF (persistent AF 207+/-42% versus sinus rhythm 100+/-16%, P=0.028; paroxysmal AF 193+/-42%, P=0.024 versus sinus rhythm). In vitro pacing of ex vivo human atrial tissue slices confirmed that rapid activation causes VCAM-1 upregulation (mRNA and protein levels). Pacing-induced VCAM-1 expression was abolished by olmesartan. To confirm this finding in vivo, VCAM-1 expression was determined in 14 pigs after rapid atrial pacing (600 bpm). Atrial tachycardia caused an upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, which was prevented by irbesartan, consistent with the observed increase in plasma levels of angiotensin II. Alterations in the in vivo VCAM-1 expression were more pronounced in the left atrium (&#x26;gt;5-fold compared with sham) than in the right atrium (3.5-fold compared with sham). CONCLUSIONS: AF and rapid atrial pacing both increase endocardial VCAM-1 expression, which can be attenuated by angiotensin II receptor blockade. This provides evidence that angiotensin II plays a pathophysiological role in prothrombotic endocardial remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18227384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18174628&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.digitaljic.com/nxtbooks/hmp/jic0108/index.php?startpage=102&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.invasivecardiology.com-images-jicbarb.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18174628&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</b></p>        <p>J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Jan;20(1):E30-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Seow SC, Lim YT</p>        <p>Isolated coronary artery spasm without atherosclerotic obstruction is an unusual cause of myocardial infarction (MI). A middle-aged woman presented to our institution in 2001 with acute inferior MI due to coronary artery spasm at the mid segment of the dominant left circumflex coronary artery. After being well for 6 years, she was readmitted again in 2007 with the same type of severe retrosternal chest pain. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation over the inferior leads. The chest pain resolved with sublingual nitroglycerin and emergency diagnostic coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Two months later, the patient developed another episode of severe retrosternal chest pain at home, followed by cardiac arrest. An onsite ECG showed ventricular fibrillation and immediate defibrillation was carried out. She was readmitted to the hospital and recovered over the next few days. In view of the recurrent coronary artery spasm causing myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. The patient was well at 2-month follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 18174628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18030063&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200711000-00010&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18030063&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;50(5):535-40</p>        <p>Authors:  Malfatto G, Zaza A, Facchini M</p>        <p>AIMS: To describe the QT/RR relationship in normal subjects, a previous study validated experimentally and used in healthy subjects a function that separately considered rate-dependent and rate-independent components of ventricular repolarization. The analysis is now extended to the effects on the QT/RR relationship of amiodarone and flecainide, 2 widely used antiarrhythmic drugs affecting repolarization. METHODS: The QT/RR relationship was obtained in 45 subjects without heart disease (20 men, 25 women); 20 were taken as controls, and 30 were under antiarrhythmic prophylaxis for lone atrial fibrillation (15 with amiodarone, 15 with flecainide). All subjects underwent a bicycle stress test; RR and QT (V5) were measured at the end of each load step; QTc (Bazett&#x27;s formula, lead II) was obtained at rest. The QT/RR relation was fitted (R &#x26;gt; or = 0.90) by the function QT = QTmax*R/(RR50 + RR). Here, QTmax (QT extrapolated at infinite RR) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, RR50 (RR at which 50% of QTmax is reached) and S evaluate the rate-dependency of QT. RESULTS: In controls, QTmax was 436 +/- 67 ms, RR50 was 355 +/- 55 ms, and S was 2.9 +/- 0.2. Amiodarone increased QTc, QTmax, and RR50 and decreased S significantly. Flecainide slightly prolonged QTc, increased QTmax but did not modify RR50 or S. CONCULSIONS: The saturating dependency of human repolarization on cycle length, described by the proposed function, is differently affected by amiodarone and flecainide. These differences might reflect the specific effects of each drug on ionic currents and their properties.</p>        <p>PMID: 18030063 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17939580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17939580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</b></p>        <p>Rev Port Cardiol. 2007 Jul-Aug;26(7-8):707-12</p>        <p>Authors:  Adrag&#x26;#xE3;o P</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17939580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18227384&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18227384&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18227384&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 12;117(6):732-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Goette A, Bukowska A, Lendeckel U, Erxleben M, Hammw&#x26;#xF6;hner M, Strugala D, Pfeiffenberger J, R&#x26;#xF6;hl FW, Huth C, Ebert MP, Klein HU, R&#x26;#xF6;cken C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Increased levels of inflammatory markers are predictors of thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF). Increased endocardial expression of adhesion molecules (ie, vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] and intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) could be an important link between initiation of inflammatory and prothrombogenic mechanisms responsible for thrombus development at the atrial endocardium (endocardial remodeling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue microarrays were used to screen right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 320 consecutive patients for differences in atrial expression of the prothrombogenic proteins VCAM-1, ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor. An in vitro organotypic human atrial tissue model and a pig model of rapid atrial pacing were used to determine the therapeutic impact of angiotensin II receptor blockade. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that all prothrombogenic proteins are expressed by endocardial cells. Using multivariable analysis, only the intensity of VCAM-1 expression was increased in patients with AF (P=0.03). Increased atrial VCAM-1 expression was confirmed by Western blotting in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF (persistent AF 207+/-42% versus sinus rhythm 100+/-16%, P=0.028; paroxysmal AF 193+/-42%, P=0.024 versus sinus rhythm). In vitro pacing of ex vivo human atrial tissue slices confirmed that rapid activation causes VCAM-1 upregulation (mRNA and protein levels). Pacing-induced VCAM-1 expression was abolished by olmesartan. To confirm this finding in vivo, VCAM-1 expression was determined in 14 pigs after rapid atrial pacing (600 bpm). Atrial tachycardia caused an upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, which was prevented by irbesartan, consistent with the observed increase in plasma levels of angiotensin II. Alterations in the in vivo VCAM-1 expression were more pronounced in the left atrium (&#x26;gt;5-fold compared with sham) than in the right atrium (3.5-fold compared with sham). CONCLUSIONS: AF and rapid atrial pacing both increase endocardial VCAM-1 expression, which can be attenuated by angiotensin II receptor blockade. This provides evidence that angiotensin II plays a pathophysiological role in prothrombotic endocardial remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18227384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18174628&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.digitaljic.com/nxtbooks/hmp/jic0108/index.php?startpage=102&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.invasivecardiology.com-images-jicbarb.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18174628&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</b></p>        <p>J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Jan;20(1):E30-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Seow SC, Lim YT</p>        <p>Isolated coronary artery spasm without atherosclerotic obstruction is an unusual cause of myocardial infarction (MI). A middle-aged woman presented to our institution in 2001 with acute inferior MI due to coronary artery spasm at the mid segment of the dominant left circumflex coronary artery. After being well for 6 years, she was readmitted again in 2007 with the same type of severe retrosternal chest pain. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation over the inferior leads. The chest pain resolved with sublingual nitroglycerin and emergency diagnostic coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Two months later, the patient developed another episode of severe retrosternal chest pain at home, followed by cardiac arrest. An onsite ECG showed ventricular fibrillation and immediate defibrillation was carried out. She was readmitted to the hospital and recovered over the next few days. In view of the recurrent coronary artery spasm causing myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. The patient was well at 2-month follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 18174628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18030063&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200711000-00010&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18030063&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;50(5):535-40</p>        <p>Authors:  Malfatto G, Zaza A, Facchini M</p>        <p>AIMS: To describe the QT/RR relationship in normal subjects, a previous study validated experimentally and used in healthy subjects a function that separately considered rate-dependent and rate-independent components of ventricular repolarization. The analysis is now extended to the effects on the QT/RR relationship of amiodarone and flecainide, 2 widely used antiarrhythmic drugs affecting repolarization. METHODS: The QT/RR relationship was obtained in 45 subjects without heart disease (20 men, 25 women); 20 were taken as controls, and 30 were under antiarrhythmic prophylaxis for lone atrial fibrillation (15 with amiodarone, 15 with flecainide). All subjects underwent a bicycle stress test; RR and QT (V5) were measured at the end of each load step; QTc (Bazett&#x27;s formula, lead II) was obtained at rest. The QT/RR relation was fitted (R &#x26;gt; or = 0.90) by the function QT = QTmax*R/(RR50 + RR). Here, QTmax (QT extrapolated at infinite RR) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, RR50 (RR at which 50% of QTmax is reached) and S evaluate the rate-dependency of QT. RESULTS: In controls, QTmax was 436 +/- 67 ms, RR50 was 355 +/- 55 ms, and S was 2.9 +/- 0.2. Amiodarone increased QTc, QTmax, and RR50 and decreased S significantly. Flecainide slightly prolonged QTc, increased QTmax but did not modify RR50 or S. CONCULSIONS: The saturating dependency of human repolarization on cycle length, described by the proposed function, is differently affected by amiodarone and flecainide. These differences might reflect the specific effects of each drug on ionic currents and their properties.</p>        <p>PMID: 18030063 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17939580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17939580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</b></p>        <p>Rev Port Cardiol. 2007 Jul-Aug;26(7-8):707-12</p>        <p>Authors:  Adrag&#x26;#xE3;o P</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17939580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18227384&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18227384&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18227384&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 12;117(6):732-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Goette A, Bukowska A, Lendeckel U, Erxleben M, Hammw&#x26;#xF6;hner M, Strugala D, Pfeiffenberger J, R&#x26;#xF6;hl FW, Huth C, Ebert MP, Klein HU, R&#x26;#xF6;cken C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Increased levels of inflammatory markers are predictors of thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF). Increased endocardial expression of adhesion molecules (ie, vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] and intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) could be an important link between initiation of inflammatory and prothrombogenic mechanisms responsible for thrombus development at the atrial endocardium (endocardial remodeling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue microarrays were used to screen right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 320 consecutive patients for differences in atrial expression of the prothrombogenic proteins VCAM-1, ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor. An in vitro organotypic human atrial tissue model and a pig model of rapid atrial pacing were used to determine the therapeutic impact of angiotensin II receptor blockade. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that all prothrombogenic proteins are expressed by endocardial cells. Using multivariable analysis, only the intensity of VCAM-1 expression was increased in patients with AF (P=0.03). Increased atrial VCAM-1 expression was confirmed by Western blotting in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF (persistent AF 207+/-42% versus sinus rhythm 100+/-16%, P=0.028; paroxysmal AF 193+/-42%, P=0.024 versus sinus rhythm). In vitro pacing of ex vivo human atrial tissue slices confirmed that rapid activation causes VCAM-1 upregulation (mRNA and protein levels). Pacing-induced VCAM-1 expression was abolished by olmesartan. To confirm this finding in vivo, VCAM-1 expression was determined in 14 pigs after rapid atrial pacing (600 bpm). Atrial tachycardia caused an upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, which was prevented by irbesartan, consistent with the observed increase in plasma levels of angiotensin II. Alterations in the in vivo VCAM-1 expression were more pronounced in the left atrium (&#x26;gt;5-fold compared with sham) than in the right atrium (3.5-fold compared with sham). CONCLUSIONS: AF and rapid atrial pacing both increase endocardial VCAM-1 expression, which can be attenuated by angiotensin II receptor blockade. This provides evidence that angiotensin II plays a pathophysiological role in prothrombotic endocardial remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18227384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18174628&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.digitaljic.com/nxtbooks/hmp/jic0108/index.php?startpage=102&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.invasivecardiology.com-images-jicbarb.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18174628&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</b></p>        <p>J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Jan;20(1):E30-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Seow SC, Lim YT</p>        <p>Isolated coronary artery spasm without atherosclerotic obstruction is an unusual cause of myocardial infarction (MI). A middle-aged woman presented to our institution in 2001 with acute inferior MI due to coronary artery spasm at the mid segment of the dominant left circumflex coronary artery. After being well for 6 years, she was readmitted again in 2007 with the same type of severe retrosternal chest pain. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation over the inferior leads. The chest pain resolved with sublingual nitroglycerin and emergency diagnostic coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Two months later, the patient developed another episode of severe retrosternal chest pain at home, followed by cardiac arrest. An onsite ECG showed ventricular fibrillation and immediate defibrillation was carried out. She was readmitted to the hospital and recovered over the next few days. In view of the recurrent coronary artery spasm causing myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. The patient was well at 2-month follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 18174628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18030063&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200711000-00010&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18030063&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;50(5):535-40</p>        <p>Authors:  Malfatto G, Zaza A, Facchini M</p>        <p>AIMS: To describe the QT/RR relationship in normal subjects, a previous study validated experimentally and used in healthy subjects a function that separately considered rate-dependent and rate-independent components of ventricular repolarization. The analysis is now extended to the effects on the QT/RR relationship of amiodarone and flecainide, 2 widely used antiarrhythmic drugs affecting repolarization. METHODS: The QT/RR relationship was obtained in 45 subjects without heart disease (20 men, 25 women); 20 were taken as controls, and 30 were under antiarrhythmic prophylaxis for lone atrial fibrillation (15 with amiodarone, 15 with flecainide). All subjects underwent a bicycle stress test; RR and QT (V5) were measured at the end of each load step; QTc (Bazett&#x27;s formula, lead II) was obtained at rest. The QT/RR relation was fitted (R &#x26;gt; or = 0.90) by the function QT = QTmax*R/(RR50 + RR). Here, QTmax (QT extrapolated at infinite RR) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, RR50 (RR at which 50% of QTmax is reached) and S evaluate the rate-dependency of QT. RESULTS: In controls, QTmax was 436 +/- 67 ms, RR50 was 355 +/- 55 ms, and S was 2.9 +/- 0.2. Amiodarone increased QTc, QTmax, and RR50 and decreased S significantly. Flecainide slightly prolonged QTc, increased QTmax but did not modify RR50 or S. CONCULSIONS: The saturating dependency of human repolarization on cycle length, described by the proposed function, is differently affected by amiodarone and flecainide. These differences might reflect the specific effects of each drug on ionic currents and their properties.</p>        <p>PMID: 18030063 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17939580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17939580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</b></p>        <p>Rev Port Cardiol. 2007 Jul-Aug;26(7-8):707-12</p>        <p>Authors:  Adrag&#x26;#xE3;o P</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17939580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18227384&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18227384&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-notfree-circulationaha-entrez.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18227384&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II receptor blockade reduces tachycardia-induced atrial adhesion molecule expression.</b></p>        <p>Circulation. 2008 Feb 12;117(6):732-42</p>        <p>Authors:  Goette A, Bukowska A, Lendeckel U, Erxleben M, Hammw&#x26;#xF6;hner M, Strugala D, Pfeiffenberger J, R&#x26;#xF6;hl FW, Huth C, Ebert MP, Klein HU, R&#x26;#xF6;cken C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Increased levels of inflammatory markers are predictors of thromboembolic events during atrial fibrillation (AF). Increased endocardial expression of adhesion molecules (ie, vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM] and intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]) could be an important link between initiation of inflammatory and prothrombogenic mechanisms responsible for thrombus development at the atrial endocardium (endocardial remodeling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue microarrays were used to screen right atrial tissue specimens obtained from 320 consecutive patients for differences in atrial expression of the prothrombogenic proteins VCAM-1, ICAM-1, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and von Willebrand factor. An in vitro organotypic human atrial tissue model and a pig model of rapid atrial pacing were used to determine the therapeutic impact of angiotensin II receptor blockade. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that all prothrombogenic proteins are expressed by endocardial cells. Using multivariable analysis, only the intensity of VCAM-1 expression was increased in patients with AF (P=0.03). Increased atrial VCAM-1 expression was confirmed by Western blotting in patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF (persistent AF 207+/-42% versus sinus rhythm 100+/-16%, P=0.028; paroxysmal AF 193+/-42%, P=0.024 versus sinus rhythm). In vitro pacing of ex vivo human atrial tissue slices confirmed that rapid activation causes VCAM-1 upregulation (mRNA and protein levels). Pacing-induced VCAM-1 expression was abolished by olmesartan. To confirm this finding in vivo, VCAM-1 expression was determined in 14 pigs after rapid atrial pacing (600 bpm). Atrial tachycardia caused an upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, which was prevented by irbesartan, consistent with the observed increase in plasma levels of angiotensin II. Alterations in the in vivo VCAM-1 expression were more pronounced in the left atrium (&#x26;gt;5-fold compared with sham) than in the right atrium (3.5-fold compared with sham). CONCLUSIONS: AF and rapid atrial pacing both increase endocardial VCAM-1 expression, which can be attenuated by angiotensin II receptor blockade. This provides evidence that angiotensin II plays a pathophysiological role in prothrombotic endocardial remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 18227384 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18174628&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.digitaljic.com/nxtbooks/hmp/jic0108/index.php?startpage=102&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.invasivecardiology.com-images-jicbarb.jpg&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18174628&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Lethal presentations of coronary artery spasm after an event-free period of six years following initial diagnosis.</b></p>        <p>J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Jan;20(1):E30-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Lee CH, Seow SC, Lim YT</p>        <p>Isolated coronary artery spasm without atherosclerotic obstruction is an unusual cause of myocardial infarction (MI). A middle-aged woman presented to our institution in 2001 with acute inferior MI due to coronary artery spasm at the mid segment of the dominant left circumflex coronary artery. After being well for 6 years, she was readmitted again in 2007 with the same type of severe retrosternal chest pain. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation over the inferior leads. The chest pain resolved with sublingual nitroglycerin and emergency diagnostic coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Two months later, the patient developed another episode of severe retrosternal chest pain at home, followed by cardiac arrest. An onsite ECG showed ventricular fibrillation and immediate defibrillation was carried out. She was readmitted to the hospital and recovered over the next few days. In view of the recurrent coronary artery spasm causing myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted. The patient was well at 2-month follow up.</p>        <p>PMID: 18174628 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18030063&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005344-200711000-00010&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18030063&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Different effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the rate-dependency of QT interval: a study with amiodarone and flecainide.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;50(5):535-40</p>        <p>Authors:  Malfatto G, Zaza A, Facchini M</p>        <p>AIMS: To describe the QT/RR relationship in normal subjects, a previous study validated experimentally and used in healthy subjects a function that separately considered rate-dependent and rate-independent components of ventricular repolarization. The analysis is now extended to the effects on the QT/RR relationship of amiodarone and flecainide, 2 widely used antiarrhythmic drugs affecting repolarization. METHODS: The QT/RR relationship was obtained in 45 subjects without heart disease (20 men, 25 women); 20 were taken as controls, and 30 were under antiarrhythmic prophylaxis for lone atrial fibrillation (15 with amiodarone, 15 with flecainide). All subjects underwent a bicycle stress test; RR and QT (V5) were measured at the end of each load step; QTc (Bazett&#x27;s formula, lead II) was obtained at rest. The QT/RR relation was fitted (R &#x26;gt; or = 0.90) by the function QT = QTmax*R/(RR50 + RR). Here, QTmax (QT extrapolated at infinite RR) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, RR50 (RR at which 50% of QTmax is reached) and S evaluate the rate-dependency of QT. RESULTS: In controls, QTmax was 436 +/- 67 ms, RR50 was 355 +/- 55 ms, and S was 2.9 +/- 0.2. Amiodarone increased QTc, QTmax, and RR50 and decreased S significantly. Flecainide slightly prolonged QTc, increased QTmax but did not modify RR50 or S. CONCULSIONS: The saturating dependency of human repolarization on cycle length, described by the proposed function, is differently affected by amiodarone and flecainide. These differences might reflect the specific effects of each drug on ionic currents and their properties.</p>        <p>PMID: 18030063 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17939580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17939580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: from pathophysiology to ablation.</b></p>        <p>Rev Port Cardiol. 2007 Jul-Aug;26(7-8):707-12</p>        <p>Authors:  Adrag&#x26;#xE3;o P</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17939580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18039220&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Effect of epicardial fat on ablation performance: a three-energy source comparison.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0886-0440&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=22&#x26;amp;issue=6&#x26;amp;spage=521&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18039220&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effect of epicardial fat on ablation performance: a three-energy source comparison.</b></p>        <p>J Card Surg. 2007 Nov-Dec;22(6):521-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Hong KN, Russo MJ, Liberman EA, Trzebucki A, Oz MC, Argenziano M, Williams MR</p>        <p>OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of epicardial fat on surgical atrial fibrillation ablation performance using an in vitro model. Two tissue models were employed to investigate standard penetration and maximal lesion depth performance of bipolar radiofrequency (RF), microwave, and laser energy sources. METHODS: Ventricular veal tissue was utilized in various thicknesses (3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 15 mm). Epicardial fat was modeled by layering porcine fat (1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm) on moistened tissue. In each group, 8 to 10 lesions were created. Post ablation, tissue samples were sectioned and ablation depth of each myocardial section measured using 1% tetrazolium tetrachloride dye solution. RESULTS: The laser energy source produced nearly 100% transmural lesions in almost all study groups irrespective of myocardium thickness and fat thickness. The microwave device maintained transmurality in all 3-mm and most 5-mm myocardium trials but fell to near zero with all 7-mm myocardium trials. The bipolar RF maintained transmurality only when no fat was applied. In the maximal lesion depth models, the laser was capable of producing lesions &#x26;gt;8 mm with no fat and &#x26;gt;6 mm with either 2 mm or 4 mm of fat present. The microwave produced lesions in the no fat (&#x26;gt;6 mm) and 2-mm (&#x26;gt;4 mm) fat group. The bipolar RF produced 83% transmurality with no fat and zero percent transmurality with 2 mm of fat present. CONCLUSIONS: Epicardial fat can severely limit transmurality in energy sources that utilize conductive heating. Laser energy was uniformly superior at producing both transmural and deep lesions irrespective of the presence of fat.</p>        <p>PMID: 18039220 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18178406&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Effect of statins on collagen type I degradation in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-9149(07)01884-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18178406&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effect of statins on collagen type I degradation in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Am J Cardiol. 2008 Jan 15;101(2):199-202</p>        <p>Authors:  Tziakas DN, Chalikias GK, Stakos DA, Papanas N, Chatzikyriakou SV, Mitrousi K, Maltezos E, Boudoulas H</p>        <p>The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of statins on collagen type I degradation and C-reactive protein in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. One hundred six patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation were studied: 40 (36 men, mean age 72 +/- 8 years) treated with a statin and 66 (48 men, mean age 74 +/- 9 years) not treated with a statin. Serum concentrations of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I, an index of collagen type I degradation, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured in all patients. Carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I levels were significantly higher (p &#x26;lt;0.001) in statin-treated patients (0.64 ng/ml, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57 to 0.71) compared with nonstatin-treated patients (0.38 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.44). These changes were independent of cholesterol levels (before or after therapy). Statin-treated patients had significantly lower (p &#x26;lt;0.001) C-reactive protein levels (0.25 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.28) compared to statin nonusers (1.1 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.25). In conclusion, this study suggests that therapy with statins in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation is associated with an increase in collagen degradation and an attenuation of inflammation, independently of cholesterol lowering.</p>        <p>PMID: 18178406 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061007&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: unanswered questions and future directions.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00136-8&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00136-8&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061007&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: unanswered questions and future directions.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):237-58, xiii</p>        <p>Authors:  Reddy VY</p>        <p>Just more than a decade ago, Haissaguerre and colleagues provided the seminal demonstration of the role of pulmonary vein triggers in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the potential therapeutic role of catheter ablation to treat patients who have paroxysmal AF. This initial observation ushered in the modern era of catheter ablation to treat patients who have AF, and tremendous progress has been made in understanding its pathogenesis and the catheter approaches to treating this rhythm. Although the current state of AF catheter ablation is well described earlier in this issue, this article reflects on some of the major unanswered questions about AF management, and the future technological and investigational directions being explored in the nonpharmacologic management of AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061007 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061006&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: goals of therapy and management strategies to achieve the goals.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00123-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00123-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061006&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: goals of therapy and management strategies to achieve the goals.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):217-35, xii-xiii</p>        <p>Authors:  Padanilam BJ, Prystowsky EN</p>        <p>The primary goals in the management of patients who have atrial fibrillation are prevention of stroke and cardiomyopathy and amelioration of symptoms. Each patient presents to a physician with a specific constellation of symptoms and signs, but, fortunately, most patients can be assigned to broad categories of therapy. For some, anticoagulation and rate control suffice, whereas others require more aggressive attempts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm. Physicians and patients need to be willing to alter therapeutic plans if an initial strategy of rate or rhythm control is unsuccessful.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061006 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061005&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Surgical approaches for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00121-6&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00121-6&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061005&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Surgical approaches for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):203-15, xii</p>        <p>Authors:  Gillinov AM, Saltman AE</p>        <p>For cardiac surgery patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF), surgeons offer an operation that corrects the structural heart disease and the AF. With this approach, it is estimated that surgeons will perform more than 10,000 ablation procedures in 2007. Surgeons are developing minimally invasive techniques for stand-alone, epicardial ablation of AF. This article (1) reviews the rationale for surgical ablation of AF, (2) describes the classic maze procedure and its results, (3) details new approaches to surgical ablation of AF, (4) emphasizes the importance of management of the left atrial appendage, and (5) considers challenges and future directions in the ablation of AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061005 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061004&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00129-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00129-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061004&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):179-201, xii</p>        <p>Authors:  Callahan TD, Natale A</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia associated with significant morbidity including angina, heart failure and stroke. Medical therapy remains suboptimal with significant side effects and toxicities, as well as a high recurrence rate. Catheter ablation or modification of the atrio-ventricular node with pacemaker implantation provides rate control but subjects the patient to the risks of an implantable device and does nothing to reduce the risk of stroke. Pulmonary vein antrum isolation offers a nonpharmacologic means of restoring sinus rhythm, thereby eliminating the morbidity of atrial fibrillation and the need for anti-arrhythmic drugs.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061004 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061003&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The role of pacemakers in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00131-9&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00131-9&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061003&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The role of pacemakers in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):161-78, xi-xii</p>        <p>Authors:  Kalahasty G, Ellenbogen K</p>        <p>Pacemakers have an important role in the major strategies for the management of atrial fibrillation, rate control and rhythm control. Of all the current non-pharmacologic therapies for atrial fibrillation, the use of pacemakers impacts the largest number of patients. Pacemakers are used to facilitate medical management of atrial fibrillation with rate control agents and anti-arrhythmic drugs. Atrioventricular junction ablation in conjunction with pacemaker implantation can be an effective therapy for controlling a rapid ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation. The minimization of right ventricular apical pacing in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is an important objective. Cardiac resynchronization therapy devices are likely to be beneficial in select patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061003 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061002&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Anticoagulation: stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00127-7&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00127-7&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061002&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Anticoagulation: stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):143-59, xi</p>        <p>Authors:  Waldo AL</p>        <p>It is well recognized that during atrial fibrillation (AF), clots may form in the left atrium. This, in turn, may lead to embolization of the clot, with resulting ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. Also, the presence of AF confers a fivefold increased risk for stroke. AF is the most common and important cause of stroke resulting from any cause. This article considers the risks for and anticoagulation prophylaxis against embolic stroke in patients with AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061002 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061001&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Drug therapy for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00118-6&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00118-6&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061001&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Drug therapy for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):121-41, xi</p>        <p>Authors:  Musco S, Conway EL, Kowey PR</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently diagnosed arrhythmia. Prevalence increases with age, and the overall incidence is expected to increase as the population continues to age. Choice of pharmacologic therapy for atrial fibrillation depends on whether or not the goal of treatment is maintaining sinus rhythm or tolerating atrial fibrillation with adequate control of ventricular rates. New antiarrhythmic drugs are being tested in clinical trials. Drugs that target remodeling and inflammation are being tested for their use as prevention of AF or as adjunctive therapy.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061001 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18061000&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Electrical and pharmacologic cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00120-4&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00120-4&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18061000&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Electrical and pharmacologic cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):101-20, xi</p>        <p>Authors:  Kim SS, Knight BP</p>        <p>In this article, electrical and pharmacologic cardioversion for atrial fibrillation is described in detail. Indications for cardioversion and management of pericardioversion anticoagulation also are discussed. Finally, management strategies for immediate recurrence of atrial fibrillation and cardioversion failure are offered.</p>        <p>PMID: 18061000 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18060999&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Postoperative atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00132-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00132-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18060999&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Postoperative atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):87-99, x-xi</p>        <p>Authors:  Jongnarangsin K, Oral H</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. It is associated with an increase in morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Patients who are at higher risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation should receive prophylactic treatment. Atrial fibrillation usually resolves spontaneously after heart rate is controlled; however, if patients are highly symptomatic or hemodynamically unstable, sinus rhythm should be restored by electrical or pharmacologic cardioversion. Patients with atrial fibrillation of more than 48 hours should receive antithrombotic therapy for thromboembolism prevention.</p>        <p>PMID: 18060999 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18060994&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation: a historical perspective.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00119-8&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0025-7125(07)00119-8&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18060994&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation: a historical perspective.</b></p>        <p>Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan;92(1):1-15, ix</p>        <p>Authors:  Khasnis A, Thakur RK</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) undoubtedly has become one of the most well studied arrhythmias today in terms of pathophysiology and diagnostic and therapeutic (interventional) electrophysiology. Although it lends itself to an apparently easy diagnosis on a surface ECG, myriad electromechanical mechanisms underlie its origin. An era of technology has been reached that makes AF not only &#x22;treatable&#x22; but also potentially &#x22;curable.&#x22; This article aims at walking through the historical corridors and maze that have led to the present-day understanding of this most common yet complex arrhythmia.</p>        <p>PMID: 18060994 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18037087&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Mapping techniques for atrial fibrillation ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0146-2806(07)00107-7&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18037087&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Mapping techniques for atrial fibrillation ablation.</b></p>        <p>Curr Probl Cardiol. 2007 Dec;32(12):669-767</p>        <p>Authors:  Sra J, Akhtar M</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia. Although significant work still needs to be done, recent advances in understanding the mechanism of AF have led to the development of elegant catheter mapping techniques for ablation of AF. These improved mapping techniques are complemented by an evolution in various imaging and navigational technologies, several of which can now be combined in a process called registration, so that the physician no longer needs to rely solely on a mental image of the anatomy of the left atrium and the pulmonary vein while attempting to ablate the region. Ongoing advances in mapping technique will increase safety and efficacy and it is likely that AF ablation will become the first-line therapy in most patients with this complicated arrhythmia.</p>        <p>PMID: 18037087 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17952580&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with the Marfan and Marfan-like syndromes.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10840-007-9162-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17952580&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with the Marfan and Marfan-like syndromes.</b></p>        <p>J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2007 Nov;20(1-2):15-20</p>        <p>Authors:  Bunch TJ, Connolly HM, Asirvatham SJ, Brady PA, Gersh BJ, Munger TM, Shen WK, Monahan KH, Packer DL</p>        <p>Patients with the Marfan syndrome may pose a difficult challenge for catheter-based interventions due to frequent coexisting valve disease, potential delay in vascular healing and repair, and intra-atrial scar from prior cardiac surgery. We report a case series of four patients with Marfan or Marfan-like syndromes who underwent ablation for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. Ultimately three of four patients remained in sinus rhythm, however most patients required multiple ablative attempts and long-term atrial flutter was common. Nonetheless, peri-procedural complications were minimal despite the connective tissue disorder and prosthetic valves in three of four patients. In conclusion, catheter ablation of AF in patients with Marfan syndrome is a viable option in those individuals refractory to conventional therapy.</p>        <p>PMID: 17952580 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17943430&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Multidetector 16-slice CT scan evaluation of cavotricuspid isthmus anatomy before radiofrequency ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10840-007-9159-0&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17943430&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Multidetector 16-slice CT scan evaluation of cavotricuspid isthmus anatomy before radiofrequency ablation.</b></p>        <p>J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2007 Nov;20(1-2):29-35</p>        <p>Authors:  Knecht S, Castro-Rodriguez J, Verbeet T, Damry N, Morissens M, Tran-Ngoc E, Peperstraete B, Tatnga V, Elkholti M, Decoodt P</p>        <p>INTRODUCTION: The anatomy of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) is an important determinant of the ease of radiofrequency ablation. We evaluated the anatomy of the region with a multidetector 16-slice computed tomography (CT) scan and correlated this with subsequent procedural difficulty. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (mean age 64 +/- 15 years) with typical atrial flutter or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent ablation of the CTI. A multidetector 16-slice CT scan with contrast injection was performed in all before the procedure. RESULTS: The CTI showed marked variability as evidenced by the following measurements: length (8.2 to 32.2 mm), width (26 to 56.5 mm), depth (0 to 11 mm), thickness (0.2 to 7.5 mm), the angle between the inferior vena cava and the CTI (59.9 to 129.5 degrees ), and the length of the Eustachian valve (4.8 to 26.1 mm) present in 72% of patients. The appearance of the CTI was classified as follows into three categories: concave (72%), flat (17%), or with a sub-Eustachian recess (28%). Procedures were classified as difficult in case of failure to achieve bidirectional block or if radiofrequency duration was greater than 99% confidence interval. In the multivariate analysis, a significant correlation was present between the thickness of the CTI and procedural difficulty (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The multidetector 16-slice CT scan with contrast injection accurately evaluates the anatomy of the CTI. The only independent anatomic parameter that predicts a more difficult procedure is the thickness of the CTI.</p>        <p>PMID: 17943430 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17940857&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">CT-fluoro registration-guided ablation of the left atrium in atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10840-007-9163-4&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17940857&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>CT-fluoro registration-guided ablation of the left atrium in atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2007 Nov;20(1-2):37-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Mortada ME, Krum D, Sra J</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17940857 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18221095&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Recent developments in antithrombotic therapy: will sodium warfarin be a drug of the past?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18221095&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Recent developments in antithrombotic therapy: will sodium warfarin be a drug of the past?</b></p>        <p>Recent Patents Cardiovasc Drug Discov. 2006 Nov;1(3):307-16</p>        <p>Authors:  Desai SS, Massad MG, DiDomenico RJ, Abdelhady K, Hanhan Z, Lele H, Snow NJ, Geha AS</p>        <p>Warfarin and heparin have formed the mainstay in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, and treatment of thromboembolic disease (TED). However, these choices are hampered by difficult administration, interactions with other medications, side effect profile, and limited indications for treatment. Anti-factor Xa (anti-Xa) inhibitors have already entered the drug market with the drug Fondaparinux being the first anti-Xa inhibitor to be approved for use in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other drugs such as idraparinux being currently in development. A new class of medications, known as direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI), includes the parental agents lepirudin, argatroban and bivalirudin which have been approved by the FDA and the oral agents ximelagatran, melagatran and dabigatran. The latter three drugs which are oral DTIs may soon replace warfarin and heparin as the preferred medications for DVT prophylaxis and for reducing the relative risk of stroke. These drugs do not rely on blocking serine proteases nor do they require a co-factor (antithrombin III) like unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). DTIs are rapid in onset, easy to administer, do not interact with other medications or foods, have limited side effects, and can be administered in a fixed dose. The DTI ximelagatran has already been approved in several European and Asian countries, and over a dozen randomized clinical trials have been conducted demonstrating its performance to be on par with warfarin. However, approval by the FDA in the U.S. remains pending in view of reported incidences of elevations in hepatic enzymes that are currently under evaluation. This review examines the role of DTIs in the prevention and treatment of TED and the recent patents reported in the literature.</p>        <p>PMID: 18221095 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18215612&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Effect of ximelagatran on ischemic events and death in patients with atrial fibrillation after acute myocardial infarction in the efficacy and safety of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran in patients with recent myocardial damage (ESTEEM) trial.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-8703(07)00872-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18215612&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effect of ximelagatran on ischemic events and death in patients with atrial fibrillation after acute myocardial infarction in the efficacy and safety of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran in patients with recent myocardial damage (ESTEEM) trial.</b></p>        <p>Am Heart J. 2008 Feb;155(2):382-7</p>        <p>Authors:  Tangelder MJ, Frison L, Weaver D, Wilcox RG, Bylock A, Emanuelsson H, Held P, Oldgren J</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: New-onset trial fibrillation (AF) occurs commonly after acute myocardial infarction (MI) and is associated with a poor prognosis due to stroke or death. The optimal antithrombotic therapy is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, ximelagatran, added to aspirin, reduced the risk of death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in patients who developed AF after their qualifying MI in the efficacy and safety of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran in patients with recent myocardial damage (ESTEEM) trial. METHODS: The ESTEEM trial evaluated 6 months treatment with ximelagatran together with aspirin, compared to aspirin alone, for prevention of ischemic events in 1883 patients randomized within 14 days after an MI. After their qualifying MI, 174 (9%) patients developed AF in hospital. Multivariate hazard ratios for ximelagatran compared with placebo were calculated by presence AF. RESULTS: Of 101 patients with AF treated with ximelagatran 7 (6.9%) had either death, MI, or stroke, compared with 15 (20.6%) in 73 patients allocated to placebo. Ximelagatran reduced the risk of death, MI, or stroke by 70% (hazard ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.74). For the separate outcome events, we found similar, nonsignificant trends. One major bleeding event occurred in each treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with MI complicated by AF, the combination of aspirin and an oral direct thrombin inhibitor seems beneficial. The high risk for death, MI, and stroke in this population and the increasing use of percutaneous interventions in MI patients may suggest a combination of long-term antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. Randomized clinical trials are warranted.</p>        <p>PMID: 18215612 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18215600&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Effect of statin dose on incidence of atrial fibrillation: data from the Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 22 (PROVE IT-TIMI 22) and Aggrastat to Zocor (A to Z) trials.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-8703(07)00857-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18215600&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effect of statin dose on incidence of atrial fibrillation: data from the Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 22 (PROVE IT-TIMI 22) and Aggrastat to Zocor (A to Z) trials.</b></p>        <p>Am Heart J. 2008 Feb;155(2):298-302</p>        <p>Authors:  McLean DS, Ravid S, Blazing M, Gersh B, Shui A, Cannon CP</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Inflammation has been suggested as a factor in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). Several observational studies have suggested that statins, presumably through their anti-inflammatory properties, decrease the risk of AF. METHODS: We analyzed 2 large, randomized trials, PROVE IT-TIMI 22 and phase Z of the A to Z trial, which compared lower- versus higher-intensity statin therapy to evaluate whether higher-intensity statin therapy lowered the risk of AF onset during the 2 years of follow-up. We hypothesized that higher-intensity statin therapy would decrease the risk of AF when compared to lower-intensity statin therapy. From each trial, patients experiencing the onset of AF during follow-up were identified from the adverse event reports. RESULTS: Neither study showed a decreased AF risk with higher-dose statin. In PROVE IT-TIMI 22, 2.9% versus 3.3% in the high- versus standard-dose statin therapy, respectively, experienced the onset of AF over 2 years (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.61-1.23, P = .41). In A to Z, rates were 1.6% versus 0.99%, respectively (OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.92-2.70, P = .096). In both trials, C-reactive protein levels (plasma or serum) tended to be higher among patients experiencing the onset of AF. CONCLUSION: Our randomized comparison among 8659 patients found that higher-dose statin therapy did not reduce the short term incidence of AF among patients after acute coronary syndromes when compared with standard dose statin treatment.</p>        <p>PMID: 18215600 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18215594&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">The prevalence of extracardiac findings by multidetector computed tomography before atrial fibrillation ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-8703(07)00787-9&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18215594&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>The prevalence of extracardiac findings by multidetector computed tomography before atrial fibrillation ablation.</b></p>        <p>Am Heart J. 2008 Feb;155(2):254-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Schietinger BJ, Bozlar U, Hagspiel KD, Norton PT, Greenbaum HR, Wang H, Isbell DC, Patel RA, Ferguson JD, Gay SB, Kramer CM, Mangrum JM</p>        <p>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to determine the prevalence of extracardiac findings discovered during multidetector computed tomography (CT) (MDCT) examinations before atrial fibrillation ablation. Multidetector CT has become a valuable tool in detailing left atrial anatomy before catheter ablation. The incidence of extracardiac findings has been reported for electron beam CT calcium scoring and coronary MDCT, but no data exist for the prevalence of extracardiac findings discovered before atrial fibrillation ablation with MDCT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical reports from MDCT examinations before atrial fibrillation ablation and interpretations by 2 radiologists blinded to the clinical reports were reviewed for significant additional extracardiac findings and recommendations for follow-up. In 149 patients who underwent MDCT, the mean age was 55.9 +/- 11.0 years, 75% were men, and 47% had a history of smoking. Extracardiac findings were identified in 69% of patients with clinical, 90% of reader 1, and 97% of reader 2 interpretations (kappa = 0.086). Follow-up was recommended in 30% of clinical, 50% of reader 1, and 38% of reader 2 interpretations (kappa = 0.408). Pulmonary nodules were the most common additional finding and reason for suggested follow-up for all interpreters. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of extracardiac abnormalities detected by MDCT is considerable. Significant variability in their identification exists between interpreters, but there is good agreement about the need for further follow-up. It is important that those who interpret these examinations are adequately trained in the identification and interpretation of both cardiac and extracardiac findings.</p>        <p>PMID: 18215594 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18215586&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute myocardial infarction--irregularly irregular treatment.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002-8703(07)00871-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute myocardial infarction--irregularly irregular treatment.</b></p>        <p>Am Heart J. 2008 Feb;155(2):197-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Campbell CL, Steinhubl SR</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18215586 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242206&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016-5085(07)02256-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242206&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</b></p>        <p>Gastroenterology. 2008 Feb;134(2):387, 647</p>        <p>Authors:  Celik A, Ozkan N, Ersoy OF, Acu B, Kayaoglu HA</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18166644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18166644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</b></p>        <p>Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2007 Dec-2008 Jan;41(6):572-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Cherukupalli C, Dwivedi A, Dayal R</p>        <p>The upper extremity arterial system shows a large number of variations in the adult human body. Most of these variations occur in either the radial or ulnar artery; brachial artery variations are less common. Because the upper extremity is a frequent site of injury and various surgical and invasive procedures are performed in this region, it is of utmost importance to be aware of arterial variations. We report a case of a high bifurcation of the brachial artery presenting with acute ischemia secondary to an embolic event. The anomaly was identified, and the ischemia was successfully resolved with embolectomy.</p>        <p>PMID: 18166644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18076334&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18076334&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</b></p>        <p>Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jan;9(1):7-13</p>        <p>Authors:  Coleman CI, Kluger J, Dale K, Sander S, Gallagher R, Reinhart K, Henyan N, White CM</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppressions Trial III), anterior fat pad (AFP) retention did not decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), but prophylaxis with amiodarone did. In order to examine the inter-relationship between amiodarone with AFP retention on POAF, we performed a planned subgroup analysis of AFIST III. METHODS: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients were randomized to AFP maintenance or removal with prophylactic amiodarone used via the discretion of the caregiver. Patients were categorized into four groups: AFP retention alone, AFP retention plus amiodarone, AFP removal alone and AFP removal plus amiodarone. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for development of POAF. RESULTS: Amiodarone was used in 28% of the 178 patients (mean age = 66 +/- 10, 80% male, 5% previous atrial fibrillation) undergoing CABG surgery. The overall POAF occurrence rate, regardless of subgroup designation was 35.4%. On multivariate logistic regression, amiodarone plus AFP retention was associated with an 81% reduction in the odds of the patient developing POAF (p = 0.015). Amiodarone prophylaxis without AFP retention was associated with a 68% reduction (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Amiodarone prophylaxis with or without AFP retention is an independent negative predictor of POAF. Combining amiodarone with AFP retention may provide a synergistic effect in the prevention of POAF. Further studies are needed to validate the results of this study.</p>        <p>PMID: 18076334 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18051481&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18051481&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</b></p>        <p>Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Nov;108(6):351-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Nitta T, Ishii Y</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18051481 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18024493&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18024493&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-icvts_final_free.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18024493&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</b></p>        <p>Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;7(1):80-2; discussion 82-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Lai YQ, Li JH, Li JW, Xu SD, Luo Y, Zhang ZG</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent form of atrial arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease. Some serious complications are related with the presence of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Because of the complexity and the risk of bleeding, the Maze III procedure has been largely replaced by alternative energy sources. Our experience in using irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation to treat atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease is reported. Seven patients with congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation underwent irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation. All patients were confirmed in permanent fibrillation preoperatively. Six were adult atrial septal defect patients and one was an adult patent ductus arteriosus patient. All patients survived the procedure and discharged in sinus rhythm. There were no complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The time of ablation ranged from 17 to 22 min (average 19.5 min). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 48 months. One patient with mitral valve replacement (MVR) died of cerebral hemorrhage 13 months after surgery. The last electrocardiogram showed that six patients were in sinus rhythm and one patient in junctional rhythm. Irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation is an easy, effective, safe and economic concomitant operation to eliminate atrial fibrillation in adult patients with congenital heart defect and atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18024493 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897124&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1215&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897124&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1215-23</p>        <p>Authors:  Martinek M, Nesser HJ, Aichinger J, Boehm G, Purerfellner H</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Circumferential radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) around the orifices of the pulmonary veins (PV) is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Integration of multislice computed tomography into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping to guide catheter ablation has been shown to be accurate and feasible. This study investigated whether the use of such sophisticated imaging technology translates into better clinical outcomes, procedural efficacy, and safety in comparison with a control group treated with conventional three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients (85 male, mean age 55 +/- 9 years) with multi-drug-resistant AF underwent RFCA. In this study we used a wide area circumferential approach with confirmed PV isolation (requiring additional ablations at the ostial level) and further lines as needed. RESULTS: Comparison of outcome data between the conventional electroanatomic mapping (Carto XP, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) and the image integration technology (Carto MERGE, Biosense Webster) resulted in a significant improvement in procedural success for the image integration group (85.1% vs 67.9%; P = 0.018). No single case of significant PV stenosis occurred in the Carto MERGE group versus three significant stenoses in the conventional group (P = 0.098). Both procedure and fluoroscopy times remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Multislice computed tomography image integration into electroanatomic mapping significantly improves the success of wide area circumferential ablation with confirmed isolation of the PV and additional lines. In addition, the safety of radiofrequency ablation with regard to the occurrence of PV stenosis is increased in comparison with a control group using conventional electroanatomic mapping alone. Procedural efficacy remains unchanged.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897123&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1210&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897123&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1210-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Alaeddini J, Wood MA, Parvez B, Pathak V, Wong KA, Ellenbogen KA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Characteristics of radiofrequency (RF) lesions producing pain with an 8-mm catheter during pulmonary vein (PV) ablation have not been prospectively studied. METHODS: We studied 46 (30 men, age 56 +/- 10 years) patients with AF who underwent RF ablation of PVs. PV isolation was achieved by using an 8F, 8-mm Biosense ablation catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). An electroanatomic map was used to document the location of all RF lesions and the time; PV location and maximum temperature of every lesion were recorded. Location of the esophagus was determined by magnetic resonance imaging prior to the procedure and by both ICE and barium swallows during procedure. RESULT: A total of 1,448 (33 +/- 12) RF lesions were delivered to 180 veins. Thirty-nine patients (85%) had at least one lesion associated with pain (mean: 8 +/- 5 lesions) during ablation. The RF generator setting during lesions resulting in pain sensation was 48.6 +/- 7.0 Watts and 51.5 +/- 2.9 degrees C. Maximum temperature attained at the time of pain sensation was 45.7 +/- 4.2 degrees C. By logistic regression analysis the left superior PV (OR 1.54, CI 1.06-2.24, LS vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.05) and left inferior PV (OR 2.74, CI 1.79-4.19, LI vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.001) location were both positively correlated with the production of pain. The location of lesions associated with pain was not near the esophagus during any of the pain-producing lesions. CONCLUSION: Pain sensation is relatively common during RF ablation of PVs. There was no correlation between pain and the location of esophagus. Pain was more common during RF ablation of left inferior and left superior PVs.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897123 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242206&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016-5085(07)02256-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242206&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</b></p>        <p>Gastroenterology. 2008 Feb;134(2):387, 647</p>        <p>Authors:  Celik A, Ozkan N, Ersoy OF, Acu B, Kayaoglu HA</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18166644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18166644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</b></p>        <p>Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2007 Dec-2008 Jan;41(6):572-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Cherukupalli C, Dwivedi A, Dayal R</p>        <p>The upper extremity arterial system shows a large number of variations in the adult human body. Most of these variations occur in either the radial or ulnar artery; brachial artery variations are less common. Because the upper extremity is a frequent site of injury and various surgical and invasive procedures are performed in this region, it is of utmost importance to be aware of arterial variations. We report a case of a high bifurcation of the brachial artery presenting with acute ischemia secondary to an embolic event. The anomaly was identified, and the ischemia was successfully resolved with embolectomy.</p>        <p>PMID: 18166644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18076334&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18076334&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</b></p>        <p>Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jan;9(1):7-13</p>        <p>Authors:  Coleman CI, Kluger J, Dale K, Sander S, Gallagher R, Reinhart K, Henyan N, White CM</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppressions Trial III), anterior fat pad (AFP) retention did not decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), but prophylaxis with amiodarone did. In order to examine the inter-relationship between amiodarone with AFP retention on POAF, we performed a planned subgroup analysis of AFIST III. METHODS: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients were randomized to AFP maintenance or removal with prophylactic amiodarone used via the discretion of the caregiver. Patients were categorized into four groups: AFP retention alone, AFP retention plus amiodarone, AFP removal alone and AFP removal plus amiodarone. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for development of POAF. RESULTS: Amiodarone was used in 28% of the 178 patients (mean age = 66 +/- 10, 80% male, 5% previous atrial fibrillation) undergoing CABG surgery. The overall POAF occurrence rate, regardless of subgroup designation was 35.4%. On multivariate logistic regression, amiodarone plus AFP retention was associated with an 81% reduction in the odds of the patient developing POAF (p = 0.015). Amiodarone prophylaxis without AFP retention was associated with a 68% reduction (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Amiodarone prophylaxis with or without AFP retention is an independent negative predictor of POAF. Combining amiodarone with AFP retention may provide a synergistic effect in the prevention of POAF. Further studies are needed to validate the results of this study.</p>        <p>PMID: 18076334 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18051481&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18051481&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</b></p>        <p>Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Nov;108(6):351-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Nitta T, Ishii Y</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18051481 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18024493&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18024493&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-icvts_final_free.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18024493&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</b></p>        <p>Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;7(1):80-2; discussion 82-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Lai YQ, Li JH, Li JW, Xu SD, Luo Y, Zhang ZG</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent form of atrial arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease. Some serious complications are related with the presence of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Because of the complexity and the risk of bleeding, the Maze III procedure has been largely replaced by alternative energy sources. Our experience in using irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation to treat atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease is reported. Seven patients with congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation underwent irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation. All patients were confirmed in permanent fibrillation preoperatively. Six were adult atrial septal defect patients and one was an adult patent ductus arteriosus patient. All patients survived the procedure and discharged in sinus rhythm. There were no complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The time of ablation ranged from 17 to 22 min (average 19.5 min). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 48 months. One patient with mitral valve replacement (MVR) died of cerebral hemorrhage 13 months after surgery. The last electrocardiogram showed that six patients were in sinus rhythm and one patient in junctional rhythm. Irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation is an easy, effective, safe and economic concomitant operation to eliminate atrial fibrillation in adult patients with congenital heart defect and atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18024493 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897124&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1215&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897124&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1215-23</p>        <p>Authors:  Martinek M, Nesser HJ, Aichinger J, Boehm G, Purerfellner H</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Circumferential radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) around the orifices of the pulmonary veins (PV) is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Integration of multislice computed tomography into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping to guide catheter ablation has been shown to be accurate and feasible. This study investigated whether the use of such sophisticated imaging technology translates into better clinical outcomes, procedural efficacy, and safety in comparison with a control group treated with conventional three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients (85 male, mean age 55 +/- 9 years) with multi-drug-resistant AF underwent RFCA. In this study we used a wide area circumferential approach with confirmed PV isolation (requiring additional ablations at the ostial level) and further lines as needed. RESULTS: Comparison of outcome data between the conventional electroanatomic mapping (Carto XP, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) and the image integration technology (Carto MERGE, Biosense Webster) resulted in a significant improvement in procedural success for the image integration group (85.1% vs 67.9%; P = 0.018). No single case of significant PV stenosis occurred in the Carto MERGE group versus three significant stenoses in the conventional group (P = 0.098). Both procedure and fluoroscopy times remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Multislice computed tomography image integration into electroanatomic mapping significantly improves the success of wide area circumferential ablation with confirmed isolation of the PV and additional lines. In addition, the safety of radiofrequency ablation with regard to the occurrence of PV stenosis is increased in comparison with a control group using conventional electroanatomic mapping alone. Procedural efficacy remains unchanged.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897123&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1210&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897123&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1210-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Alaeddini J, Wood MA, Parvez B, Pathak V, Wong KA, Ellenbogen KA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Characteristics of radiofrequency (RF) lesions producing pain with an 8-mm catheter during pulmonary vein (PV) ablation have not been prospectively studied. METHODS: We studied 46 (30 men, age 56 +/- 10 years) patients with AF who underwent RF ablation of PVs. PV isolation was achieved by using an 8F, 8-mm Biosense ablation catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). An electroanatomic map was used to document the location of all RF lesions and the time; PV location and maximum temperature of every lesion were recorded. Location of the esophagus was determined by magnetic resonance imaging prior to the procedure and by both ICE and barium swallows during procedure. RESULT: A total of 1,448 (33 +/- 12) RF lesions were delivered to 180 veins. Thirty-nine patients (85%) had at least one lesion associated with pain (mean: 8 +/- 5 lesions) during ablation. The RF generator setting during lesions resulting in pain sensation was 48.6 +/- 7.0 Watts and 51.5 +/- 2.9 degrees C. Maximum temperature attained at the time of pain sensation was 45.7 +/- 4.2 degrees C. By logistic regression analysis the left superior PV (OR 1.54, CI 1.06-2.24, LS vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.05) and left inferior PV (OR 2.74, CI 1.79-4.19, LI vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.001) location were both positively correlated with the production of pain. The location of lesions associated with pain was not near the esophagus during any of the pain-producing lesions. CONCLUSION: Pain sensation is relatively common during RF ablation of PVs. There was no correlation between pain and the location of esophagus. Pain was more common during RF ablation of left inferior and left superior PVs.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897123 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242206&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016-5085(07)02256-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242206&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</b></p>        <p>Gastroenterology. 2008 Feb;134(2):387, 647</p>        <p>Authors:  Celik A, Ozkan N, Ersoy OF, Acu B, Kayaoglu HA</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18166644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18166644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</b></p>        <p>Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2007 Dec-2008 Jan;41(6):572-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Cherukupalli C, Dwivedi A, Dayal R</p>        <p>The upper extremity arterial system shows a large number of variations in the adult human body. Most of these variations occur in either the radial or ulnar artery; brachial artery variations are less common. Because the upper extremity is a frequent site of injury and various surgical and invasive procedures are performed in this region, it is of utmost importance to be aware of arterial variations. We report a case of a high bifurcation of the brachial artery presenting with acute ischemia secondary to an embolic event. The anomaly was identified, and the ischemia was successfully resolved with embolectomy.</p>        <p>PMID: 18166644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18076334&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18076334&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</b></p>        <p>Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jan;9(1):7-13</p>        <p>Authors:  Coleman CI, Kluger J, Dale K, Sander S, Gallagher R, Reinhart K, Henyan N, White CM</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppressions Trial III), anterior fat pad (AFP) retention did not decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), but prophylaxis with amiodarone did. In order to examine the inter-relationship between amiodarone with AFP retention on POAF, we performed a planned subgroup analysis of AFIST III. METHODS: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients were randomized to AFP maintenance or removal with prophylactic amiodarone used via the discretion of the caregiver. Patients were categorized into four groups: AFP retention alone, AFP retention plus amiodarone, AFP removal alone and AFP removal plus amiodarone. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for development of POAF. RESULTS: Amiodarone was used in 28% of the 178 patients (mean age = 66 +/- 10, 80% male, 5% previous atrial fibrillation) undergoing CABG surgery. The overall POAF occurrence rate, regardless of subgroup designation was 35.4%. On multivariate logistic regression, amiodarone plus AFP retention was associated with an 81% reduction in the odds of the patient developing POAF (p = 0.015). Amiodarone prophylaxis without AFP retention was associated with a 68% reduction (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Amiodarone prophylaxis with or without AFP retention is an independent negative predictor of POAF. Combining amiodarone with AFP retention may provide a synergistic effect in the prevention of POAF. Further studies are needed to validate the results of this study.</p>        <p>PMID: 18076334 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18051481&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18051481&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</b></p>        <p>Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Nov;108(6):351-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Nitta T, Ishii Y</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18051481 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18024493&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18024493&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-icvts_final_free.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18024493&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</b></p>        <p>Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;7(1):80-2; discussion 82-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Lai YQ, Li JH, Li JW, Xu SD, Luo Y, Zhang ZG</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent form of atrial arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease. Some serious complications are related with the presence of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Because of the complexity and the risk of bleeding, the Maze III procedure has been largely replaced by alternative energy sources. Our experience in using irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation to treat atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease is reported. Seven patients with congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation underwent irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation. All patients were confirmed in permanent fibrillation preoperatively. Six were adult atrial septal defect patients and one was an adult patent ductus arteriosus patient. All patients survived the procedure and discharged in sinus rhythm. There were no complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The time of ablation ranged from 17 to 22 min (average 19.5 min). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 48 months. One patient with mitral valve replacement (MVR) died of cerebral hemorrhage 13 months after surgery. The last electrocardiogram showed that six patients were in sinus rhythm and one patient in junctional rhythm. Irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation is an easy, effective, safe and economic concomitant operation to eliminate atrial fibrillation in adult patients with congenital heart defect and atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18024493 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897124&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1215&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897124&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1215-23</p>        <p>Authors:  Martinek M, Nesser HJ, Aichinger J, Boehm G, Purerfellner H</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Circumferential radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) around the orifices of the pulmonary veins (PV) is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Integration of multislice computed tomography into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping to guide catheter ablation has been shown to be accurate and feasible. This study investigated whether the use of such sophisticated imaging technology translates into better clinical outcomes, procedural efficacy, and safety in comparison with a control group treated with conventional three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients (85 male, mean age 55 +/- 9 years) with multi-drug-resistant AF underwent RFCA. In this study we used a wide area circumferential approach with confirmed PV isolation (requiring additional ablations at the ostial level) and further lines as needed. RESULTS: Comparison of outcome data between the conventional electroanatomic mapping (Carto XP, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) and the image integration technology (Carto MERGE, Biosense Webster) resulted in a significant improvement in procedural success for the image integration group (85.1% vs 67.9%; P = 0.018). No single case of significant PV stenosis occurred in the Carto MERGE group versus three significant stenoses in the conventional group (P = 0.098). Both procedure and fluoroscopy times remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Multislice computed tomography image integration into electroanatomic mapping significantly improves the success of wide area circumferential ablation with confirmed isolation of the PV and additional lines. In addition, the safety of radiofrequency ablation with regard to the occurrence of PV stenosis is increased in comparison with a control group using conventional electroanatomic mapping alone. Procedural efficacy remains unchanged.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897123&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1210&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897123&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1210-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Alaeddini J, Wood MA, Parvez B, Pathak V, Wong KA, Ellenbogen KA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Characteristics of radiofrequency (RF) lesions producing pain with an 8-mm catheter during pulmonary vein (PV) ablation have not been prospectively studied. METHODS: We studied 46 (30 men, age 56 +/- 10 years) patients with AF who underwent RF ablation of PVs. PV isolation was achieved by using an 8F, 8-mm Biosense ablation catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). An electroanatomic map was used to document the location of all RF lesions and the time; PV location and maximum temperature of every lesion were recorded. Location of the esophagus was determined by magnetic resonance imaging prior to the procedure and by both ICE and barium swallows during procedure. RESULT: A total of 1,448 (33 +/- 12) RF lesions were delivered to 180 veins. Thirty-nine patients (85%) had at least one lesion associated with pain (mean: 8 +/- 5 lesions) during ablation. The RF generator setting during lesions resulting in pain sensation was 48.6 +/- 7.0 Watts and 51.5 +/- 2.9 degrees C. Maximum temperature attained at the time of pain sensation was 45.7 +/- 4.2 degrees C. By logistic regression analysis the left superior PV (OR 1.54, CI 1.06-2.24, LS vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.05) and left inferior PV (OR 2.74, CI 1.79-4.19, LI vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.001) location were both positively correlated with the production of pain. The location of lesions associated with pain was not near the esophagus during any of the pain-producing lesions. CONCLUSION: Pain sensation is relatively common during RF ablation of PVs. There was no correlation between pain and the location of esophagus. Pain was more common during RF ablation of left inferior and left superior PVs.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897123 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18242206&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016-5085(07)02256-1&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18242206&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Clinical challenges and images in GI. Intramural intestinal hematoma.</b></p>        <p>Gastroenterology. 2008 Feb;134(2):387, 647</p>        <p>Authors:  Celik A, Ozkan N, Ersoy OF, Acu B, Kayaoglu HA</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18242206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18166644&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18166644&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>High bifurcation of brachial artery with acute arterial insufficiency: a case report.</b></p>        <p>Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2007 Dec-2008 Jan;41(6):572-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Cherukupalli C, Dwivedi A, Dayal R</p>        <p>The upper extremity arterial system shows a large number of variations in the adult human body. Most of these variations occur in either the radial or ulnar artery; brachial artery variations are less common. Because the upper extremity is a frequent site of injury and various surgical and invasive procedures are performed in this region, it is of utmost importance to be aware of arterial variations. We report a case of a high bifurcation of the brachial artery presenting with acute ischemia secondary to an embolic event. The anomaly was identified, and the ischemia was successfully resolved with embolectomy.</p>        <p>PMID: 18166644 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18076334&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18076334&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of amiodarone on the ability of anterior fat pad retention to prevent postcoronary arterial bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence: a substudy of the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial III).</b></p>        <p>Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Jan;9(1):7-13</p>        <p>Authors:  Coleman CI, Kluger J, Dale K, Sander S, Gallagher R, Reinhart K, Henyan N, White CM</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: In the AFIST III (Atrial Fibrillation Suppressions Trial III), anterior fat pad (AFP) retention did not decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), but prophylaxis with amiodarone did. In order to examine the inter-relationship between amiodarone with AFP retention on POAF, we performed a planned subgroup analysis of AFIST III. METHODS: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients were randomized to AFP maintenance or removal with prophylactic amiodarone used via the discretion of the caregiver. Patients were categorized into four groups: AFP retention alone, AFP retention plus amiodarone, AFP removal alone and AFP removal plus amiodarone. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for development of POAF. RESULTS: Amiodarone was used in 28% of the 178 patients (mean age = 66 +/- 10, 80% male, 5% previous atrial fibrillation) undergoing CABG surgery. The overall POAF occurrence rate, regardless of subgroup designation was 35.4%. On multivariate logistic regression, amiodarone plus AFP retention was associated with an 81% reduction in the odds of the patient developing POAF (p = 0.015). Amiodarone prophylaxis without AFP retention was associated with a 68% reduction (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Amiodarone prophylaxis with or without AFP retention is an independent negative predictor of POAF. Combining amiodarone with AFP retention may provide a synergistic effect in the prevention of POAF. Further studies are needed to validate the results of this study.</p>        <p>PMID: 18076334 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18051481&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;/><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18051481&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[Surgery for atrial fibrillation]</b></p>        <p>Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Nov;108(6):351-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Nitta T, Ishii Y</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18051481 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18024493&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&#x26;amp;pmid=18024493&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-icvts_final_free.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18024493&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Concomitant irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease.</b></p>        <p>Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Feb;7(1):80-2; discussion 82-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Lai YQ, Li JH, Li JW, Xu SD, Luo Y, Zhang ZG</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent form of atrial arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease. Some serious complications are related with the presence of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Because of the complexity and the risk of bleeding, the Maze III procedure has been largely replaced by alternative energy sources. Our experience in using irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation to treat atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease is reported. Seven patients with congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation underwent irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation. All patients were confirmed in permanent fibrillation preoperatively. Six were adult atrial septal defect patients and one was an adult patent ductus arteriosus patient. All patients survived the procedure and discharged in sinus rhythm. There were no complications related to radiofrequency ablation. The time of ablation ranged from 17 to 22 min (average 19.5 min). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 48 months. One patient with mitral valve replacement (MVR) died of cerebral hemorrhage 13 months after surgery. The last electrocardiogram showed that six patients were in sinus rhythm and one patient in junctional rhythm. Irrigated monopolar radiofrequency ablation is an easy, effective, safe and economic concomitant operation to eliminate atrial fibrillation in adult patients with congenital heart defect and atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18024493 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897124&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1215&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897124&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Impact of integration of multislice computed tomography imaging into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping on clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy using radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1215-23</p>        <p>Authors:  Martinek M, Nesser HJ, Aichinger J, Boehm G, Purerfellner H</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Circumferential radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) around the orifices of the pulmonary veins (PV) is a curative catheter-based therapy of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Integration of multislice computed tomography into three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping to guide catheter ablation has been shown to be accurate and feasible. This study investigated whether the use of such sophisticated imaging technology translates into better clinical outcomes, procedural efficacy, and safety in comparison with a control group treated with conventional three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients (85 male, mean age 55 +/- 9 years) with multi-drug-resistant AF underwent RFCA. In this study we used a wide area circumferential approach with confirmed PV isolation (requiring additional ablations at the ostial level) and further lines as needed. RESULTS: Comparison of outcome data between the conventional electroanatomic mapping (Carto XP, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) and the image integration technology (Carto MERGE, Biosense Webster) resulted in a significant improvement in procedural success for the image integration group (85.1% vs 67.9%; P = 0.018). No single case of significant PV stenosis occurred in the Carto MERGE group versus three significant stenoses in the conventional group (P = 0.098). Both procedure and fluoroscopy times remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Multislice computed tomography image integration into electroanatomic mapping significantly improves the success of wide area circumferential ablation with confirmed isolation of the PV and additional lines. In addition, the safety of radiofrequency ablation with regard to the occurrence of PV stenosis is increased in comparison with a control group using conventional electroanatomic mapping alone. Procedural efficacy remains unchanged.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17897123&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=0147-8389&#x26;amp;date=2007&#x26;amp;volume=30&#x26;amp;issue=10&#x26;amp;spage=1210&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17897123&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Site localization and characterization of pain during radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.</b></p>        <p>Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007 Oct;30(10):1210-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Alaeddini J, Wood MA, Parvez B, Pathak V, Wong KA, Ellenbogen KA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Characteristics of radiofrequency (RF) lesions producing pain with an 8-mm catheter during pulmonary vein (PV) ablation have not been prospectively studied. METHODS: We studied 46 (30 men, age 56 +/- 10 years) patients with AF who underwent RF ablation of PVs. PV isolation was achieved by using an 8F, 8-mm Biosense ablation catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). An electroanatomic map was used to document the location of all RF lesions and the time; PV location and maximum temperature of every lesion were recorded. Location of the esophagus was determined by magnetic resonance imaging prior to the procedure and by both ICE and barium swallows during procedure. RESULT: A total of 1,448 (33 +/- 12) RF lesions were delivered to 180 veins. Thirty-nine patients (85%) had at least one lesion associated with pain (mean: 8 +/- 5 lesions) during ablation. The RF generator setting during lesions resulting in pain sensation was 48.6 +/- 7.0 Watts and 51.5 +/- 2.9 degrees C. Maximum temperature attained at the time of pain sensation was 45.7 +/- 4.2 degrees C. By logistic regression analysis the left superior PV (OR 1.54, CI 1.06-2.24, LS vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.05) and left inferior PV (OR 2.74, CI 1.79-4.19, LI vs RI, P &#x26;lt; 0.001) location were both positively correlated with the production of pain. The location of lesions associated with pain was not near the esophagus during any of the pain-producing lesions. CONCLUSION: Pain sensation is relatively common during RF ablation of PVs. There was no correlation between pain and the location of esophagus. Pain was more common during RF ablation of left inferior and left superior PVs.</p>        <p>PMID: 17897123 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18037759&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after direct suture closure of congenital atrial septal defect.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/71.1989?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18037759&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after direct suture closure of congenital atrial septal defect.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2007 Dec;71(12):1989-92</p>        <p>Authors:  Yamada T, McElderry HT, Muto M, Murakami Y, Kay GN</p>        <p>Two cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) first occurred 15 and 36 years, respectively, after isolated direct suture closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and failed to be controlled by antiarrhythmic drug therapy. In these cases, an atrial transseptal procedure was feasible and no residual iatrogenic ASD was observed, even after multiple procedures. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation was also feasible and safe and could eliminate the AF completely. PV isolation may become an alternative to antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with paroxysmal AF occurring late after an isolated direct suture closure of an ASD.</p>        <p>PMID: 18037759 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18037757&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Reverse-remodeling effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker in a canine atrial fibrillation model.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/71.1977?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18037757&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Reverse-remodeling effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker in a canine atrial fibrillation model.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2007 Dec;71(12):1977-82</p>        <p>Authors:  Nakashima H, Kumagai K</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The reverse-remodeling effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sustained AF was induced in 20 dogs by 4-week rapid atrial pacing. The AF duration, atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and intra-atrial conduction time (CT) were measured every 2 weeks. After 4-week pacing, dogs were randomly assigned to control (n=10) and ARB (olmesartan; n=10) groups. Olmesartan was administered orally (3 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) after pacing was terminated, and continued for the 4-week recovery period. After 4-week pacing, AERP shortening, CT prolongation and AF maintenance were not significantly different between the 2 groups. During the recovery, AERP recovered to baseline in both groups. CT remained prolonged in the control group during the recovery, but recovered to baseline in the olmesartan group. The mean AF duration in the olmesartan group after 4-week-recovery was significantly shorter than that in the control group (58+/-20 vs 1,337+/-226 s, p&#x26;lt;0.001). Olmesartan significantly decreased interstitial fibrosis compared with the control group (9+/-1% vs 15+/-1 at the right atrial appendage, p&#x26;lt;0.001). CONCLUSION: Olmesartan has a reverse-remodeling effect on AF-induced structural changes, indicating that it may be useful for preventing AF recurrence after the termination of sustained AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18037757 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18022525&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation and the postoperative cardiac surgery patient.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00058-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00058-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18022525&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation and the postoperative cardiac surgery patient.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;19(4):395-402, vi</p>        <p>Authors:  Palazzo MO</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common dysrhythmia that affects adults, with an estimated 2.2 million people diagnosed in the United States and 4.5 million in the European Union. The development of postoperative AF is associated with negative patient outcomes. This article provides critical care nurses with an understanding of the etiology of AF, risk factors associated with the development of it, and current treatment options for this dysrhythmia. In addition to the medical management of AF, an overview of preventive protocols, nursing implications, and patient education is provided.</p>        <p>PMID: 18022525 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18022520&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Trends in cardiac surgery: exploring the past and looking into the future.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00057-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00057-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18022520&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Trends in cardiac surgery: exploring the past and looking into the future.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;19(4):343-51, v</p>        <p>Authors:  Miga KC</p>        <p>Today&#x27;s successes would not be possible without the foundation of yesterday&#x27;s practitioners and patients. This article assists in the exploration of cardiac surgery procedures, provides a brief historical review of the significant changes in cardiothoracic surgery, and provides an overview of current and future methods of treatment for coronary revascularization and heart failure. It is difficult for one article to encompass all aspects of cardiothoracic surgery. This article highlights many of the transforming moments that have led us to where we are today and explores the current trends of cardiac surgery and possibilities for tomorrow.</p>        <p>PMID: 18022520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17965507&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Mechanisms of the preventive effect of pilsicainide on atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary vein.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/71.1805?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17965507&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Mechanisms of the preventive effect of pilsicainide on atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary vein.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2007 Nov;71(11):1805-14</p>        <p>Authors:  Hirose M, Ohkubo Y, Takano M, Hamazaki M, Sekido T, Yamada M</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: It has been shown that pilsicainide terminates atrial fibrillation (AF) by pharmacologic pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. However, whether it can prevent AF induction originating from the PV by the same mechanism is still uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rapid pacing from the left superior PV (LSPV) and the right atrial free wall (RAF) was performed to induce AF during electrical stimulation of both cervical vagal nerves in 6 anesthetized dogs and during the infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) in 8 isolated atria. Rapid pacing induced AF in all dogs, regardless of the pacing site, before pilsicainide. Pilsicainide (1 mg/kg) prevented AF during rapid pacing from the LSPV, with an impulse conduction block between the LSPV and the left atrial free wall (LAF). However, the same dose of pilsicainide did not prevent AF when pacing was performed from the RAF. Pilsicainide partially restored the action potential duration shortened by ACh infusion and prevented AF with an impulse conduction block at the LSPV-left atrial junction in all isolated preparations tested. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that (1) impulse conduction block at the LSPV-LA junction is the underlying mechanism of pilsicainide-induced prevention of vagally-induced AF originating from the LSPV and (2) pilsicainide is more effective at preventing AF originating from the LSPV than that from the RA.</p>        <p>PMID: 17965507 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17964366&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Cardiac arrhythmias: management of atrial fibrillation in the critically ill patient.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0749-0704(07)00041-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0749-0704(07)00041-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17964366&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Cardiac arrhythmias: management of atrial fibrillation in the critically ill patient.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care Clin. 2007 Oct;23(4):855-72, vii</p>        <p>Authors:  Crawford TC, Oral H</p>        <p>This article reviews the most relevant information for the hospitalist or intensivist managing patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF) in the acute or critical care setting. Emphasis is placed on clinically useful information, and evidence-based strategies for managing acute and chronic AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 17964366 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18037759&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after direct suture closure of congenital atrial septal defect.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/71.1989?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18037759&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after direct suture closure of congenital atrial septal defect.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2007 Dec;71(12):1989-92</p>        <p>Authors:  Yamada T, McElderry HT, Muto M, Murakami Y, Kay GN</p>        <p>Two cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) first occurred 15 and 36 years, respectively, after isolated direct suture closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and failed to be controlled by antiarrhythmic drug therapy. In these cases, an atrial transseptal procedure was feasible and no residual iatrogenic ASD was observed, even after multiple procedures. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation was also feasible and safe and could eliminate the AF completely. PV isolation may become an alternative to antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with paroxysmal AF occurring late after an isolated direct suture closure of an ASD.</p>        <p>PMID: 18037759 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18037757&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Reverse-remodeling effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker in a canine atrial fibrillation model.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/71.1977?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18037757&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Reverse-remodeling effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker in a canine atrial fibrillation model.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2007 Dec;71(12):1977-82</p>        <p>Authors:  Nakashima H, Kumagai K</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The reverse-remodeling effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sustained AF was induced in 20 dogs by 4-week rapid atrial pacing. The AF duration, atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and intra-atrial conduction time (CT) were measured every 2 weeks. After 4-week pacing, dogs were randomly assigned to control (n=10) and ARB (olmesartan; n=10) groups. Olmesartan was administered orally (3 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) after pacing was terminated, and continued for the 4-week recovery period. After 4-week pacing, AERP shortening, CT prolongation and AF maintenance were not significantly different between the 2 groups. During the recovery, AERP recovered to baseline in both groups. CT remained prolonged in the control group during the recovery, but recovered to baseline in the olmesartan group. The mean AF duration in the olmesartan group after 4-week-recovery was significantly shorter than that in the control group (58+/-20 vs 1,337+/-226 s, p&#x26;lt;0.001). Olmesartan significantly decreased interstitial fibrosis compared with the control group (9+/-1% vs 15+/-1 at the right atrial appendage, p&#x26;lt;0.001). CONCLUSION: Olmesartan has a reverse-remodeling effect on AF-induced structural changes, indicating that it may be useful for preventing AF recurrence after the termination of sustained AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18037757 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18022525&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation and the postoperative cardiac surgery patient.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00058-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00058-5&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18022525&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation and the postoperative cardiac surgery patient.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;19(4):395-402, vi</p>        <p>Authors:  Palazzo MO</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common dysrhythmia that affects adults, with an estimated 2.2 million people diagnosed in the United States and 4.5 million in the European Union. The development of postoperative AF is associated with negative patient outcomes. This article provides critical care nurses with an understanding of the etiology of AF, risk factors associated with the development of it, and current treatment options for this dysrhythmia. In addition to the medical management of AF, an overview of preventive protocols, nursing implications, and patient education is provided.</p>        <p>PMID: 18022525 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18022520&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Trends in cardiac surgery: exploring the past and looking into the future.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00057-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0899-5885(07)00057-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18022520&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Trends in cardiac surgery: exploring the past and looking into the future.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;19(4):343-51, v</p>        <p>Authors:  Miga KC</p>        <p>Today&#x27;s successes would not be possible without the foundation of yesterday&#x27;s practitioners and patients. This article assists in the exploration of cardiac surgery procedures, provides a brief historical review of the significant changes in cardiothoracic surgery, and provides an overview of current and future methods of treatment for coronary revascularization and heart failure. It is difficult for one article to encompass all aspects of cardiothoracic surgery. This article highlights many of the transforming moments that have led us to where we are today and explores the current trends of cardiac surgery and possibilities for tomorrow.</p>        <p>PMID: 18022520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17965507&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Mechanisms of the preventive effect of pilsicainide on atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary vein.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/circj/71.1805?from=PubMed&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkout.jstage.jst.go.jp-logo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17965507&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Mechanisms of the preventive effect of pilsicainide on atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary vein.</b></p>        <p>Circ J. 2007 Nov;71(11):1805-14</p>        <p>Authors:  Hirose M, Ohkubo Y, Takano M, Hamazaki M, Sekido T, Yamada M</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: It has been shown that pilsicainide terminates atrial fibrillation (AF) by pharmacologic pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. However, whether it can prevent AF induction originating from the PV by the same mechanism is still uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rapid pacing from the left superior PV (LSPV) and the right atrial free wall (RAF) was performed to induce AF during electrical stimulation of both cervical vagal nerves in 6 anesthetized dogs and during the infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) in 8 isolated atria. Rapid pacing induced AF in all dogs, regardless of the pacing site, before pilsicainide. Pilsicainide (1 mg/kg) prevented AF during rapid pacing from the LSPV, with an impulse conduction block between the LSPV and the left atrial free wall (LAF). However, the same dose of pilsicainide did not prevent AF when pacing was performed from the RAF. Pilsicainide partially restored the action potential duration shortened by ACh infusion and prevented AF with an impulse conduction block at the LSPV-left atrial junction in all isolated preparations tested. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that (1) impulse conduction block at the LSPV-LA junction is the underlying mechanism of pilsicainide-induced prevention of vagally-induced AF originating from the LSPV and (2) pilsicainide is more effective at preventing AF originating from the LSPV than that from the RA.</p>        <p>PMID: 17965507 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17964366&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Cardiac arrhythmias: management of atrial fibrillation in the critically ill patient.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0749-0704(07)00041-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> <a href=&#x22;http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0749-0704(07)00041-3&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-clinicslogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17964366&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Cardiac arrhythmias: management of atrial fibrillation in the critically ill patient.</b></p>        <p>Crit Care Clin. 2007 Oct;23(4):855-72, vii</p>        <p>Authors:  Crawford TC, Oral H</p>        <p>This article reviews the most relevant information for the hospitalist or intensivist managing patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF) in the acute or critical care setting. Emphasis is placed on clinically useful information, and evidence-based strategies for managing acute and chronic AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 17964366 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18031520&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Rationale and design of ATHENA: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel arm Trial to assess the efficacy of dronedarone 400 mg bid for the prevention of cardiovascular Hospitalization or death from any cause in patiENts with Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=69&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18031520&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Rationale and design of ATHENA: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel arm Trial to assess the efficacy of dronedarone 400 mg bid for the prevention of cardiovascular Hospitalization or death from any cause in patiENts with Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):69-73</p>        <p>Authors:  Hohnloser SH, Connolly SJ, Crijns HJ, Page RL, Seiz W, Torp-Petersen C</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly encountered clinical arrhythmia, predominantly affecting elderly patients. There is a continued need for new antiarrhythmic drugs to treat the ever-increasing number of patients with this arrhythmia. Dronedarone is a new antiarrhythmic compound currently being developed for treatment of AF. METHODS: The ATHENA trial (A placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel arm Trial to assess the efficacy of dronedarone 400 mg bid for the prevention of cardiovascular Hospitalization or death from any cause in patiENts with Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter) is the largest single antiarrhythmic drug trial ever conducted. More than 4,600 patients with a history of AF or atrial flutter (AFL) have been randomized to receive dronedarone 400 mg bid or matching placebo. The primary study endpoint is time to first cardiovascular hospitalization or death from any cause. The study has completed patient enrollment in December 2006 and is expected to end follow-up 1 year later. CONCLUSION: ATHENA will be the largest efficacy and safety trial of dronedarone, a multichannel blocker compound with properties from class I, II, III, and IV antiarrhythmic drugs developed to treat patients with AF.</p>        <p>PMID: 18031520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17971148&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">&#x22;The world is not black and white. More like black and gray&#x22;.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=28&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17971148&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>&#x22;The world is not black and white. More like black and gray&#x22;.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):28-31</p>        <p>Authors:  Sweeney MO</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17971148 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17971146&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Preserved left ventricular ejection fraction following atrioventricular junction ablation and pacing for atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=19&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>Preserved left ventricular ejection fraction following atrioventricular junction ablation and pacing for atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):19-27</p>        <p>Authors:  Chen L, Hodge D, Jahangir A, Ozcan C, Trusty J, Friedman P, Rea R, Bradley D, Brady P, Hammill S, Hayes D, Shen WK</p>        <p>INTRODUCTION: Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing creates ventricular dyssynchrony and may compromise left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The impact of RVA pacing in patients who have undergone atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. We sought to determine whether RVA pacing after AVJ ablation for patients with AF compromises LVEF in the short- or long-term. METHODS/RESULTS: We studied 286 patients with AF who underwent AVJ ablation and RVA pacing at our institution between 1990 and 2002. Patients were stratified into a short-term follow-up group (LVEF reassessed by echocardiography within a year after AVJ ablation, n = 134) and a long-term group (LVEF reassessed after a year, n = 152). Among all 286 patients (mean follow-up 20 months), we observed no change in mean LVEF after AVJ ablation and RVA pacing (48% before vs. 48% after, P = 0.42). Short-term follow-up patients had a statistically significant improvement in mean LVEF (46% before vs. 49% after, P = 0.03), whereas there was no statistically significant change in mean LVEF in long-term follow-up patients (49% before vs. 48% after, P = 0.37). Only 9% of short-term patients, 15% of long-term patients, and 1% of patients with baseline LVEF &#x26;lt;or= 40% experienced &#x26;gt;or=10% absolute decrease in LVEF. Baseline LVEF &#x26;gt; 40% was a multivariate predictor of LVEF decline. CONCLUSIONS: RVA pacing after AVJ ablation does not compromise LVEF in the short- or long-term for the vast majority of patients. Better predictors are needed to help us select patients for biventricular pacing after AVJ ablation.</p>        <p>PMID: 17971146 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17919295&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Failure to pace: pacemaker malfunction?</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=100&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17919295&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Failure to pace: pacemaker malfunction?</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):100-1</p>        <p>Authors:  Navarrete A</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17919295 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17916153&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Anatomic location of pulmonary vein electrical disconnection with balloon-based catheter ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=14&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17916153&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Anatomic location of pulmonary vein electrical disconnection with balloon-based catheter ablation.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):14-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Phillips KP, Schweikert RA, Saliba WI, Themistoclakis S, Raviele A, Bonso A, Rossillo A, Burkhardt JD, Cummings J, Natale A</p>        <p>INTRODUCTION: Balloon-based catheters are an emerging technology in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, which aim to achieve consistent and rapid ablation encirclement of pulmonary veins (PVs). Recent emphasis has been placed on achieving more proximal electrical isolation within the PV-left atrial (LA) junction. We sought to evaluate the precise anatomic level of PV electrical disconnection with current design balloon-based catheters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing balloon catheter ablation with the endoscopic laser system (CardioFocus) or the high frequency-focused ultrasound system (ProRhythm) underwent electroanatomic mapping (EAM) of the left atrium. Intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) imaging was used for visualization of the position of the balloon catheter during energy delivery. Detailed point analysis of the location of electrical disconnection was then documented on EAM and with ICE. Successful electrical isolation was achieved in all 52 PVs. Despite ICE imaging confirming balloon catheter position at the antrum of the PVs, the location of electrical disconnection was demonstrated to be at or near the tubular ostium of the PVs on EAM and on ICE in all patients. CONCLUSION: Current generation balloon-based catheter ablation achieves electrical isolation distal in the LA-PV junction. This may limit the results of such systems in treating nonparoxysmal forms of atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 17916153 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17900251&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Pain and anatomical locations of radiofrequency ablation as predictors of esophageal temperature rise during pulmonary vein isolation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=32&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17900251&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pain and anatomical locations of radiofrequency ablation as predictors of esophageal temperature rise during pulmonary vein isolation.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):32-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Aryana A, Heist EK, D&#x27;Avila A, Holmvang G, Chevalier J, Ruskin JN, Mansour MC</p>        <p>INTRODUCTION: Esophageal temperature rise (ETR) during ablation inside left atrium has been reported as a marker for esophageal thermal injury. We sought to investigate the possible relationships between chest pain and ETR during radiofrequency (RF) ablation, and ETR and locations of RF application, in patients undergoing pulmonary vein (PV) isolation under moderate sedation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed anatomical locations of each RF application and its association with esophageal temperature and presence/absence of pain. Data from 40 consecutive patients (mean age: 56 +/- 10 years) were analyzed. There were a total of 4,071 RF applications resulting in 291 episodes of pain (7.1%) and 223 ETRs (5.5%). Thirty-five patients (87.5%) experienced at least one pain episode and 32 (80.0%) had at least one ETR. While 77.4% of posterior wall applications that caused pain also corresponded to an ETR (P &#x26;lt; 0.0001), only 0.8% of pain-free posterior wall applications were associated with ETRs (P &#x26;lt; 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of pain during ablation for ETR were 94% and 98%, respectively. No ETRs were observed during anterior wall applications. ETRs occurred more frequently during ablation on the left (86.1%) versus the right (13.9%), and in inferior (70.4%) versus superior (29.6%) segments. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing PV isolation, ETR was encountered when ablating in the posterior left atrium with the distribution left &#x26;gt; right and inferior &#x26;gt; superior. Pain during ablation was associated with ETR, and lack of pain was strongly associated with absence of ETR. Pain during RF ablation may thus serve as a predictor of esophageal heating and potential injury.</p>        <p>PMID: 17900251 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17887978&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Conduction through the lateral mitral isthmus: block or pseudoblock.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&#x26;amp;sid=nlm:pubmed&#x26;amp;issn=1045-3873&#x26;amp;date=2008&#x26;amp;volume=19&#x26;amp;issue=1&#x26;amp;spage=98&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.blackwell-synergy.com-templates-jsp-_synergy-images-synergy_linkout.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17887978&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Conduction through the lateral mitral isthmus: block or pseudoblock.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jan;19(1):98-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Takatsuki S, Extramiana F, Hayashi M, Leenhardt A</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17887978 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18158505&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Secondary stroke prevention.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005082-200801000-00008&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18158505&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Secondary stroke prevention.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2008 Jan-Feb;23(1):34-41; quiz 42-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Rincon F, Sacco RL</p>        <p>Stroke is the most common life-threatening neurological disorder. Based on limited acute therapies, clinicians have opted to focus on preventive strategies to limit its recurrence. Targets for prevention include modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking, obesity, alcohol use, and physical inactivity among others. The American Stroke Association and American Heart Association guideline for the secondary prevention of stroke published in 2006 provides comprehensive and timely evidence-based recommendations on the prevention of ischemic stroke among survivors of stroke or transient ischemic attack. This guideline helps healthcare providers who have arrived at a potential explanation of the cause of stroke in an individual patient to select therapies that reduce the risk of recurrent events and other vascular events. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recently published American Stroke Association/American Heart Association guidelines for the secondary prevention of stroke.</p>        <p>PMID: 18158505 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17990728&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation--all change!</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://openurl.ingenta.com/content/nlm?genre=article&#x26;amp;issn=1470-2118&#x26;amp;volume=7&#x26;amp;issue=5&#x26;amp;spage=526&#x26;amp;aulast=Leatham&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--images.ingentaselect.com-images-linkout-ingentaconnect.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17990728&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation--all change!</b></p>        <p>Clin Med. 2007 Oct;7(5):526; author reply 526-7</p>        <p>Authors:  Leatham A</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17990728 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17954407&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00728-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17954407&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Nov;4(11):1461-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Matsuo S, Lim KT, Haissaguerre M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17954407 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18158505&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Secondary stroke prevention.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005082-200801000-00008&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18158505&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Secondary stroke prevention.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2008 Jan-Feb;23(1):34-41; quiz 42-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Rincon F, Sacco RL</p>        <p>Stroke is the most common life-threatening neurological disorder. Based on limited acute therapies, clinicians have opted to focus on preventive strategies to limit its recurrence. Targets for prevention include modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking, obesity, alcohol use, and physical inactivity among others. The American Stroke Association and American Heart Association guideline for the secondary prevention of stroke published in 2006 provides comprehensive and timely evidence-based recommendations on the prevention of ischemic stroke among survivors of stroke or transient ischemic attack. This guideline helps healthcare providers who have arrived at a potential explanation of the cause of stroke in an individual patient to select therapies that reduce the risk of recurrent events and other vascular events. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recently published American Stroke Association/American Heart Association guidelines for the secondary prevention of stroke.</p>        <p>PMID: 18158505 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17990728&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation--all change!</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://openurl.ingenta.com/content/nlm?genre=article&#x26;amp;issn=1470-2118&#x26;amp;volume=7&#x26;amp;issue=5&#x26;amp;spage=526&#x26;amp;aulast=Leatham&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--images.ingentaselect.com-images-linkout-ingentaconnect.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17990728&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation--all change!</b></p>        <p>Clin Med. 2007 Oct;7(5):526; author reply 526-7</p>        <p>Authors:  Leatham A</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17990728 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17954407&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00728-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17954407&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Nov;4(11):1461-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Matsuo S, Lim KT, Haissaguerre M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17954407 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=18158505&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Secondary stroke prevention.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00005082-200801000-00008&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=18158505&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Secondary stroke prevention.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2008 Jan-Feb;23(1):34-41; quiz 42-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Rincon F, Sacco RL</p>        <p>Stroke is the most common life-threatening neurological disorder. Based on limited acute therapies, clinicians have opted to focus on preventive strategies to limit its recurrence. Targets for prevention include modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking, obesity, alcohol use, and physical inactivity among others. The American Stroke Association and American Heart Association guideline for the secondary prevention of stroke published in 2006 provides comprehensive and timely evidence-based recommendations on the prevention of ischemic stroke among survivors of stroke or transient ischemic attack. This guideline helps healthcare providers who have arrived at a potential explanation of the cause of stroke in an individual patient to select therapies that reduce the risk of recurrent events and other vascular events. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recently published American Stroke Association/American Heart Association guidelines for the secondary prevention of stroke.</p>        <p>PMID: 18158505 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17990728&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation--all change!</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://openurl.ingenta.com/content/nlm?genre=article&#x26;amp;issn=1470-2118&#x26;amp;volume=7&#x26;amp;issue=5&#x26;amp;spage=526&#x26;amp;aulast=Leatham&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--images.ingentaselect.com-images-linkout-ingentaconnect.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17990728&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation--all change!</b></p>        <p>Clin Med. 2007 Oct;7(5):526; author reply 526-7</p>        <p>Authors:  Leatham A</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17990728 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&#x26;db=PubMed&#x26;cmd=Retrieve&#x26;list_uids=17954407&#x26;dopt=Abstract\">Ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=&#x22;0&#x22; width=&#x22;100%&#x22;><tr><td align=&#x22;left&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00728-X&#x22;><img src=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif&#x22; border=&#x22;0&#x22;/></a> </td><td align=&#x22;right&#x22;><a href=&#x22;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&#x26;amp;cmd=Display&#x26;amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&#x26;amp;from_uid=17954407&#x22;>Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Nov;4(11):1461-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Matsuo S, Lim KT, Haissaguerre M</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17954407 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18181517&dopt=Abstract\">Clinical effects of leukofiltration and surface modification on post-cardiopulmonary bypass atrial fibrillation in different risk cohorts.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18181517\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Clinical effects of leukofiltration and surface modification on post-cardiopulmonary bypass atrial fibrillation in different risk cohorts.</b></p>        <p>Perfusion. 2007 Jul;22(4):279-88</p>        <p>Authors:  Gunaydin S, Ayrancioglu K, Dikmen E, Mccusker K, Vijay V, Sari T, Tezcaner T, Zorlutuna Y</p>        <p>OBJECTIVE: A manifestation of inflammatory injury to the heart, atrial fibrillation (AF), ranks among the most frequent and potentially life-threatening post-operative complications. METHODS: In a prospective randomized study, 120 patients undergoing CABG were allocated into two groups (N = 60): Group 1: Polymethoxyethylacry late-coated circuits + Leukocyte filters (Terumo,USA); Group 2: Control: Uncoated circuits (Terumo,USA). Each group was further divided into three subgroups (N = 20) with respect to low (Euroscore 0-2), medium (3-5) and high (6+) risk patients. RESULTS: Serum IL-2 levels were significantly lower in the study group at T4 and T5 (p &lt; 0.01). C3a levels showed significant differences in the leukofiltrated group at T4 and T5 (p &lt; 0.05). CPKMB levels demonstrated well-preserved myocardium in the leukofiltration group, post-operatively. AF incidence was 10% (2 patients) in the study and 35% (7 patients) in the control cohorts (p &lt; 0.05). Phagocytic capacity on fibers in filtered patients was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Leukofiltration and coating significantly reduce the incidence, ventricular rate, and duration of AF after CABG via modulation of systemic inflammatory response and platelet preservation in high risk groups.</p>        <p>PMID: 18181517 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18059201&dopt=Abstract\">Dronedarone: in quest of the ideal antiarrhythmic drug.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18059201\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Dronedarone: in quest of the ideal antiarrhythmic drug.</b></p>        <p>Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 2007;22(4):221-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Kayser SR</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18059201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18251068&dopt=Abstract\">Hope emerges on multiple fronts to control atrial fibrillation. New medications and interventions are being developed to stop one of the leading causes of stroke. Treatments include freezing harmful tissue with catheter ablation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18251068\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Hope emerges on multiple fronts to control atrial fibrillation. New medications and interventions are being developed to stop one of the leading causes of stroke. Treatments include freezing harmful tissue with catheter ablation.</b></p>        <p>Heart Advis. 2007 Oct;10(10):1, 11</p>        <p>Authors: </p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18251068 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18068637&dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation in the elderly: mechanisms and management.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00794-1\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18068637\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation in the elderly: mechanisms and management.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Dec;4(12):1577-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Curtis AB, Rich MW</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18068637 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17997363&dopt=Abstract\">Radiofrequency ablation of atypical atrial flutter after cardiac surgery or atrial fibrillation ablation: a randomized comparison of open-irrigation-tip and 8-mm-tip catheters.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00799-0\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17997363\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Radiofrequency ablation of atypical atrial flutter after cardiac surgery or atrial fibrillation ablation: a randomized comparison of open-irrigation-tip and 8-mm-tip catheters.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Dec;4(12):1489-96</p>        <p>Authors:  Bai R, Fahmy TS, Patel D, Di Biase L, Riedlbauchova L, Wazni OM, Schweikert RA, Burkhardt JD, Saliba W, Natale A</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: The efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of atypical atrial flutter (AAFL) remains relatively low. This is probably related to the complex mechanism of this arrhythmia or may be due to an inability to deliver sufficient energy during ablation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess whether an open-irrigation-tip catheter or an 8-mm-tip catheter is more effective for ablation of AAFL in patients with prior history of cardiac surgery and/or catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Seventy patients with AAFL after cardiac surgery/atrial fibrillation ablation were randomized for ablation with either an open-irrigation-tip catheter (Group 1, n=36) or an 8-mm-tip catheter (Group 2, n=34). Acute success was defined as the termination of AAFL by radiofrequency delivery and noninducibility by programmed pacing at the end of procedure. Patients\' postoperative courses were followed up by means of intermittent standard electrocardiogram (ECG), transtelephonic ECG monitoring, and telephone interview. All patients underwent 48-hour Holter monitoring at their 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up after ablation. RESULTS: Acute success was achieved in 34 patients (94.4%) in Group 1 and 26 patients (76.5%) in Group 2 (P&lt;.05). As compared with the patients in Group 2, more patients in Group 1 remained in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs at 90-day follow-up (22 vs 8, P&lt;.05). After 10 months of follow-up, 91.7% of the patients from Group 1 were free of atrial tachyarrhythmias, whereas only 58.9% of the patients from Group 2 remained in sinus rhythm (P &lt;.05). The fluoroscopy and radiofrequency times were significantly shorter when an open-irrigation-tip ablation catheter was used. CONCLUSION: In patients with a prior history of cardiac surgery or ablation for atrial fibrillation, an open-irrigation-tip catheter is superior to an 8-mm-tip catheter for radiofrequency ablation of scar-related AAFLs. Patients ablated with an open-irrigation-tip catheter seem to have higher acute success rate with less x-ray exposure and radiofrequency delivery, and have a more favorable long-term outcome with more patients maintaining sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs.</p>        <p>PMID: 17997363 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17997359&dopt=Abstract\">Stepwise linear approach to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00800-4\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17997359\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Stepwise linear approach to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Dec;4(12):1497-504</p>        <p>Authors:  Yao Y, Zheng L, Zhang S, He DS, Zhang K, Tang M, Chen K, Pu J, Wang F, Chen X</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: This study attempted to convert atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm using a stepwise linear catheter ablation approach. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six patients (43 with persistent AF) were enrolled in the study. A multiple electrode array was used for anatomical navigation and activation mapping. Continuously incremental stimulation was used to induce AF if spontaneous AF was not present. Stepwise linear ablation was applied until AF was converted to sinus rhythm or atypical atrial flutter (AAFL) or atrial tachycardia (AT). The stepwise approach initially utilized a figure-7 lesion line between the right and left superior pulmonary vein on the roof of the left atrium and then extended along the ridge between the left appendage and the left pulmonary veins until the mitral valve annulus, as the primary lesions. If AF still persisted, high-frequency potentials in the inferior left atrium, coronary sinus, or right atrium were targeted. Noninducibility of AF was used as the end point. RESULTS: AF was converted to sinus rhythm in 81.6% of patients (90.8% of paroxysmal and 51.1% of persistent AF, P&lt;.01). The remainders of patients were converted to AAFL or AT. AF was terminated after ablation in right atrium in 7 patients. During an 18.2+/-7.3 month follow-up, 88.3% of patients were free of atrial tachyarrhythmias without medication, 9.7% of patients had refractory AAFL/AT, and only 2.1% of patients had paroxysmal AF. CONCLUSION: Stepwise linear ablation is effective in converting AF to sinus rhythm and the figure-7 lesion line should be the basic lesion. Right atrium ablation is necessary in some patients.</p>        <p>PMID: 17997359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17977801&dopt=Abstract\">Stepwise linear approach to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation--adding pieces to a complex puzzle.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1547-5271(07)00835-1\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td></tr></table>        <p><b>Stepwise linear approach to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation--adding pieces to a complex puzzle.</b></p>        <p>Heart Rhythm. 2007 Dec;4(12):1505-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Thornton AS</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17977801 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17881418&dopt=Abstract\">START (screening tool to alert doctors to the right treatment)--an evidence-based screening tool to detect prescribing omissions in elderly patients.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&amp;pmid=17881418\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17881418\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>START (screening tool to alert doctors to the right treatment)--an evidence-based screening tool to detect prescribing omissions in elderly patients.</b></p>        <p>Age Ageing. 2007 Nov;36(6):632-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Barry PJ, Gallagher P, Ryan C, O\'mahony D</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Inappropriate prescribing encompasses acts of commission i.e. giving drugs that are contraindicated or unsuitable, and acts of omission i.e. failure to prescribe drugs when indicated due to ignorance of evidence base or other irrational basis e.g. ageism. There are considerable published data on the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing; however, there are no recent published data on the prevalence of acts of omission. The aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence of acts of prescribing omission in a population of consecutively hospitalised elderly people. METHODS: A screening tool (screening tool to alert doctors to the right treatment acronym, START), devised from evidence-based prescribing indicators and arranged according to physiological systems was prepared and validated for identifying prescribing omissions in older adults. Data on active medical problems and prescribed medicines were collected in 600 consecutive elderly patients admitted from the community with acute illness to a teaching hospital. On identification of an omitted medication, the patient\'s medical records were studied to look for a valid reason for the prescribing omission. RESULTS: Using the START list, we found one or more prescribing omissions in 57.9% of patients. In order of prevalence, the most common prescribing omissions were: statins in atherosclerotic disease (26%), warfarin in chronic atrial fibrillation (9.5%), anti-platelet therapy in arterial disease (7.3%) and calcium/vitamin D supplementation in symptomatic osteoporosis (6%). CONCLUSION: Failure to prescribe appropriate medicines is a highly prevalent problem among older people presenting to hospital with acute illness. A validated screening tool (START) is one method of systematically identifying appropriate omitted medicines in clinical practice.</p>        <p>PMID: 17881418 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17653020&dopt=Abstract\">Comparative study of intravenous amiodarone and procainamide in the treatment of atrial fibrillation of recent onset.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17653020\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Comparative study of intravenous amiodarone and procainamide in the treatment of atrial fibrillation of recent onset.</b></p>        <p>Minerva Cardioangiol. 2007 Aug;55(4):433-41</p>        <p>Authors:  Xanthos T, Prapa V, Papadimitriou D, Papadimitriou L</p>        <p>AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of amiodarone and procainamide in the acute cardiology setting. METHODS: The study population consisted of 223 patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). After administration of digoxin for ventricular rate control, all patients who failed to restore sinus rhythm (SR) were randomized into 2 groups: group A (113 patients) were administered 300 mg amiodarone intravenously over 30 min and, in case of failure to restore SR, amiodarone of 20 mg/kg/24 h was administered intravenously. Group B (110 patients) were intravenously administered a bolus dose of 1 gm procainamide, at an infusion rate 50/mg/min, and, in case of failure to restore SR, 2 mg/min for the next 24 h. RESULTS: The rate of cardioversion to SR was similar between amiodarone (81.4%) and procainamide (82.7%) (P=NS). Procainamide loading recorded faster cardioversion times than amiodarone loading (P=0.02), but there was no significant difference after that. Amiodarone caused a significant decrease on systolic blood pressure compared to procainamide for the first 18 h (P&lt;0.001), and a significant decrease in the diastolic blood pressure for the first 6 h (P&lt;0.001). Side-effects for either medication were sparse. The only real prognostic factor for successful cardioversion remains the size of left atrium. CONCLUSION: Both drugs were equally effective in restoring SR, though procainamide acts quicker in the loading phase. Both medications are safe and side effects develop only in the maintenance phase.</p>        <p>PMID: 17653020 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17605690&dopt=Abstract\">Single-step atrial thrombus exclusion and transesophageal cardioversion in atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17605690\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Single-step atrial thrombus exclusion and transesophageal cardioversion in atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Expert Rev Med Devices. 2007 Jul;4(4):549-57</p>        <p>Authors:  Mischke K, Schimpf T, Knackstedt C, Hanrath P, Schauerte P</p>        <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, has a major impact on both patient morbidity and healthcare economics. Hospital admissions due to AF have risen by two-thirds in the last 20 years. This is due mainly to an aging population and an increasing prevalence of chronic heart disease. Strategies for the management of AF include prevention of thromboembolism, rate control and correction of the arrhythmia. Electrical cardioversion as one component of the treatment of AF requires the absence of atrial thrombi. Transesophageal echocardiography is used routinely for exclusion of atrial thrombi prior to cardioversion in many hospitals. This review presents preliminary data on the clinical use of devices for simultaneous transesophageal echocardiography and transesophageal cardioversion.</p>        <p>PMID: 17605690 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=12242212&dopt=Abstract\">Treatment bias and clinical judgement.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=12242212\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Treatment bias and clinical judgement.</b></p>        <p>Age Ageing. 2002 Sep;31(5):413-4</p>        <p>Authors:  Jolobe OM</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 12242212 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=12242203&dopt=Abstract\">Antithrombotic prescribing in atrial fibrillation: application of a prescribing indicator and multidisciplinary feedback to improve prescribing.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=12242203\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Antithrombotic prescribing in atrial fibrillation: application of a prescribing indicator and multidisciplinary feedback to improve prescribing.</b></p>        <p>Age Ageing. 2002 Sep;31(5):391-6</p>        <p>Authors:  Elliott RA, Woodward MC, Oborne CA</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is common in older people, and is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. Antithrombotic therapy reduces stroke-risk, but is known to be under-prescribed. OBJECTIVES: To use an evidence-based indicator to audit antithrombotic prescribing for older hospital inpatients with atrial fibrillation, and to assess whether feedback of audit results to hospital staff increases antithrombotic use. DESIGN: Cross-sectional notes-based audits, before and after feedback. SETTING: Six Aged Care and three General Medicine units at nine Australian public teaching hospitals between September 1998 and May 1999. SUBJECTS: 1416 hospital inpatients aged 65 years and over (median age 81). METHODS: Medication charts were reviewed to identify patients prescribed digoxin or amiodarone. Presence of atrial fibrillation was confirmed by review of the patients\' medical notes. To be considered appropriate, patients with atrial fibrillation had to be receiving either warfarin or aspirin (or both), or have documented contraindications to both agents. Feedback of audit results was provided to medical, pharmacy and nursing staff at multidisciplinary meetings. Changes in antithrombotic prescribing 4-8 weeks and 6 months after feedback were assessed. Prescribing 8 weeks prior to feedback was assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: Appropriateness of the decision to prescribe (or not prescribe) antithrombotic therapy increased from 81/112 (72%) immediately prior to feedback to 97/105 (92%) 4-8 weeks later (P&lt;0.0001). Six months after feedback, appropriateness of prescribing declined slightly, to 85% (p=0.36). Over the 8 weeks prior to feedback, appropriateness of prescribing did not change (74% versus 77%, p=0.80). Increased aspirin prescribing accounted for most of the improvement in antithrombotic use after feedback, while warfarin continued to be under-used. CONCLUSIONS: Antithrombotics were under-prescribed for older patients with atrial fibrillation. Audit and multidisciplinary feedback resulted in increased antithrombotic prescribing. The intervention had a greater impact on aspirin prescribing compared with warfarin.</p>        <p>PMID: 12242203 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=12242191&dopt=Abstract\">Audit, antithrombotics and atrial fibrillation--going full circle.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/></tr></table>        <p><b>Audit, antithrombotics and atrial fibrillation--going full circle.</b></p>        <p>Age Ageing. 2002 Sep;31(5):327-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Dunn RB</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 12242191 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18069679&dopt=Abstract\">Risk of cerebrovascular accident after a first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/clc.20178\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.interscience.wiley.com-images-wiley_interscience_134x30.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18069679\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Risk of cerebrovascular accident after a first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Clin Cardiol. 2007 Dec;30(12):624-8</p>        <p>Authors:  Ruig&#xF3;mez A, Garc&#xED;a Rodr&#xED;guez LA, Johansson S, Wallander MA, Edvardsson N</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a major risk factor for cerebrovascular accident, including ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. HYPOTHESIS: Ischemic cerebrovascular accident is associated with increasing age and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in primary care patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Using the U.K. General Practice Research Database, we identified patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who were alive 1 month after initial diagnosis (n = 906). Potential cases of cerebrovascular accident were identified and confirmed by the primary care physician. The incidence of cerebrovascular accident was calculated. A nested case-control analysis was performed to identify factors associated with cerebrovascular accident among patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 1.8 years (range: 0-3.9 years), 60 patients with atrial fibrillation were diagnosed with a new cerebrovascular accident (22 cases with transient ischemic attack and 38 with ischemic stroke). The incidence of new cerebrovascular accident was 3.6 per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-4.6). Increased age (odds ratios [OR] compared with age 40-69 years: 3.5 [95% CI: 1.2-10.5] for age 70-79 years and 4.9 [95% CI: 1.6-15.0] for age &gt; or = 80 years), prior cerebrovascular event (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.9-6.1) and diabetes (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.0-4.9) were identified as risk factors for a new cerebrovascular accident. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atrial fibrillation, risk factors for a new ischemic cerebrovascular accident include previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, comorbid diabetes, and increasing age.</p>        <p>PMID: 18069679 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18038585&dopt=Abstract\">[New facts about pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation: correlation between changes in bioelectric brain activity and recurrence of atrial fibrillation paroxysms]</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"/><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18038585\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>[New facts about pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation: correlation between changes in bioelectric brain activity and recurrence of atrial fibrillation paroxysms]</b></p>        <p>Ter Arkh. 2007;79(9):38-45</p>        <p>Authors:  Nedostup AV, Vasiukov SS, Fedorova VI, Gordeev SA</p>        <p>AIM: Determination of neurophysiological features of the disease course in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF); pathogenetic validation of use and assessment of therapeutic efficacy of clonazepam (an atypical agonist of benzodiazepine receptors) in combined antiarrhythmic therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 31 patients with paroxysmal AF free of severe organic changes of the myocardium with twice a week paroxysms, on the average, treated ineffectively with beta-adrenoblockers, amiodaron, sotalol, etacisine, allapinin or combination of the above drugs. A comparative group consisted of 10 patients with perpetual arrhythmia. Fifteen healthy subjects entered the control group. Electroencephalograms were made on the unit Brain Surfing (Russia). Compression-spectral analysis was conducted with utilization of Fourier\'s algorithm in different periods of the disease for calculation of the absolute (mcV2/Hz) spectral power of the teta- (4.0-7 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta-rhythm (14-18 Hz). Clonazepam was given in a dose 1.5 mg/day in addition to insufficiently effective anti-arrhythmic therapy. Holter ECG monitoring was carried out initially and in therapy with clonazepam. RESULTS: The spectral power of alpha-, beta- and teta-rhythm of patients with paroxysmal AF exhibits significant cyclic fluctuations depending on the disease course period. In attack-free period AF patients differ from healthy subjects by a significant fall of spectral power of beta-rhythm indicating functional deficiency of the reticular formation in this disease. 0-24 hours before AF paroxysm spectral power of all the rhythms rose greatly reflecting marked functional disintegration of nonspecific brain systems realizing psychovegetative regulation. At AF paroxysm spectral power of alpha- and beta-rhythm significantly decreased while that of teta-rhythm grew (activation of the lymbic complex). 0-24 h after paroxysm spectral power of alpha- and beta-rhythm continued to fall, of teta-rhythm--sharply fell. Spectral EEG characteristics in this period maximally approached those of the control group. Clonazepam treatment decreased the paroxysms two times and more in 58.1% patients. Holter ECG showed associated reduction in the number of supraventricular extrasystoles by 81.9%. The compression-spectral ECG analysis revealed a 12% enhancement of beta-rhythm spectral power showing lessening of functional disintegration of nonspecific brain systems. CONCLUSION: The course of paroxysmal AF is characterized by functional disintegration of nonspecific brain systems (thalamo-cortical, lymbic and mesencephalic reticular formation) which is maximally evident before AF paroxysm and attenuates after it. Cyclic changes in functional activity are a neurogenic factor realizing readiness of the atria to fibrillation. An atypical agonist of benzodiazepine receptors clonazepam effectively influences neurogenic mechanisms provoking AF paroxysms.</p>        <p>PMID: 18038585 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17766322&dopt=Abstract\">Drug-induced QT-interval prolongation and proarrhythmic risk in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&amp;pmid=17766322\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17766322\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Drug-induced QT-interval prolongation and proarrhythmic risk in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Sep;9 Suppl 4:iv37-44</p>        <p>Authors:  Shantsila E, Watson T, Lip GY</p>        <p>Despite the large number of available antiarrhythmic agents, significant QT-interval prolongation and risk of severe proarrhythmia, including torsade de pointes, limit pharmacological opportunities in the management of atrial arrhythmias. The risk of proarrhythmia has been demonstrated in class I and class III drugs, but significant variability has been observed between agents of the same class. Electrophysiological drug effects found to be important in the etiology of proarrhythmia include QT-interval prolongation through selective blockade of the delayed rectifying potassium current (I(Kr)), early afterdepolarizations, transmural dispersion of repolarization, and a reverse rate dependence. Interestingly, less proarrhythmic potential is seen or anticipated with agents that are able to block multiple ion channels and those with atrial selectivity, despite moderate QT prolongation. This observation has helped steer the development of newer drugs, with some promising preliminary results.</p>        <p>PMID: 17766322 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17766319&dopt=Abstract\">On the relationship among QT interval, atrial fibrillation, and torsade de pointes.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&amp;pmid=17766319\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17766319\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>On the relationship among QT interval, atrial fibrillation, and torsade de pointes.</b></p>        <p>Europace. 2007 Sep;9 Suppl 4:iv1-3</p>        <p>Authors:  Roden DM, Kannankeril P, Darbar D</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 17766319 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17909956&dopt=Abstract\">Angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibition is associated with reduced tachyarrhythmia-induced ventricular interstitial fibrosis in a goat atrial fibrillation model.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10557-007-6053-z\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--production.springer.de-OnlineResources-Logos-springerlink.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17909956\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibition is associated with reduced tachyarrhythmia-induced ventricular interstitial fibrosis in a goat atrial fibrillation model.</b></p>        <p>Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2007 Oct;21(5):357-65</p>        <p>Authors:  Chrysostomakis SI, Karalis IK, Simantirakis EN, Koutsopoulos AV, Mavrakis HE, Chlouverakis GI, Vardas PE</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Using a goat animal model, we tested the hypothesis that angiotensin-II inhibition reduces fibrotic degeneration of both the atrial and ventricular myocardium as well as AF induction susceptibility. METHODS: We studied three groups of five goats over a 6-month period. The study animals in the first two groups were implanted with a pacemaker capable of maintaining AF with burst pacing. Additionally, in one group, goats were administered candesartan (AF+candesartan group). The third group (SR group) of animals served as control. Animals were tested for AF induction on day 0, 1, 30, 90 and 180. A \"Vulnerability Index\" (VI) for AF induction was calculated, defined as the ratio of total time in AF per number of bursts needed to induce sustained AF, in each session. At the end of the study, all four heart chambers were examined and fibrosis quantified. RESULTS: Both AF goat groups developed cardiomegaly due to tachy-cardiomyopathy. Although, the VI was significantly increased in AF group over time (28.8+/-43 to 284.7+/-291, p=0.045), this was not the case for AF+candesartan group (30.3+/-40 to 170.8+/-243, p=0.23). Histology revealed a significant increase of fibrous tissue in goats with induced AF, noticeable in all four heart chambers, compared to controls. However, the degree of fibrosis was significantly lower in AF animals on candesartan. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a beneficial effect of angiotensin II inhibition on tachyarrhythmia-induced ventricular fibrosis. It is also consistent with previous studies indicating a reduction in burst-induced AF susceptibility in goats and confirms the favorable effects in atrial structural remodeling.</p>        <p>PMID: 17909956 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17289744&dopt=Abstract\">Effect of hypertension on anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&amp;pmid=17289744\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17289744\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Effect of hypertension on anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>Eur Heart J. 2007 Mar;28(6):752-9</p>        <p>Authors:  Lip GY, Frison L, Grind M,  </p>        <p>AIM: To test the hypothesis that stroke and systemic embolic events (SEE) in the Stroke Prevention using an ORal Thrombin Inhibitor in atrial Fibrillation (SPORTIF) III and V trials were related to blood pressure, and that differences in event rates (stroke and SEE, bleeding) could also be related to the degree of hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional, longitudinal analysis was conducted, using data from the SPORTIF III and V trials. Results showed an increasing rate of stroke and SEE with increasing quartiles of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in AF patients. For the top quartile of SBP compared with the lowest quartile, the hazard ratio (HR) for stroke and SEE was 1.83 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.22-2.74), whereas mortality was lower in the top quartile (HR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49-0.83). In the combined SPORTIF III and V cohort, the event rate for stroke/SEE increased markedly at mean SBP of &gt; 140 mmHg. There was no relationship between bleeding and quartiles of BP. The proportion of subjects with mean systolic BP &gt; or = 140 mmHg was 35.8% (1220/3407) in SPORTIF III and 20.6% (807/3922) in SPORTIF V (P &lt; 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Hypertension contributes to increased stroke and SEE in AF. Event rates markedly increase at SBP levels of &gt; or = 140 mmHg. The higher stroke rates observed in SPORTIF III compared with SPORTIF V may be related to the greater proportion of subjects with SBP &gt; or = 140 mmHg during the trial.</p>        <p>PMID: 17289744 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17272359&dopt=Abstract\">Enhanced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality during rhythm control treatment in persistent atrial fibrillation in hypertensives: data of the RACE study.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&amp;pmid=17272359\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-custom-oxfordjournals_final.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17272359\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Enhanced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality during rhythm control treatment in persistent atrial fibrillation in hypertensives: data of the RACE study.</b></p>        <p>Eur Heart J. 2007 Mar;28(6):741-51</p>        <p>Authors:  Rienstra M, Van Veldhuisen DJ, Crijns HJ, Van Gelder IC,  </p>        <p>AIM: To investigate the influence of hypertension on morbidity and mortality during rate and rhythm control in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: In the RAte Control vs. Electrical cardioversion (RACE) study, 522 patients (256 with hypertension) were randomized to rate or rhythm control. The occurrence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was compared between patients with and without hypertension. Patients with hypertension were older (69 +/- 8 vs. 67 +/- 9 years, P = 0.01), more female (P &lt; 0.001), had more diabetes (P = 0.005), a higher CHADS(2) score (2.2 +/- 1.0 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.9, P &lt; 0.001), and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Septal and posterior wall thicknesses were higher in hypertensives. Complaints related to AF were similar. After a median follow-up of 2.4 (range 0-3.4) years more endpoints occurred in hypertensives (25 vs. 15%). Randomized treatment strategy, i.e. rate or rhythm control, influenced the occurrence of the primary endpoint only in hypertensives. Hypertensives treated with rhythm control experienced most endpoints (incidence rates/100 person-years 13.3 vs. 7.2, relative risk 0.5 [0.3-0.9], P = 0.02), mainly thromboembolic complications, adverse effects of antiarrhythmics, and pacemaker implantations. CONCLUSION: In persistent AF patients with hypertension, a pharmacological rhythm control approach is associated with enhanced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, rate-control strategy should be considered in these patients.</p>        <p>PMID: 17272359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18234936&dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation and warfarin. Response.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://ebm.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&amp;pmid=18234936\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--highwire.stanford.edu-icons-externalservices-pubmed-standard-ebmed_full.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18234936\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation and warfarin. Response.</b></p>        <p>Evid Based Med. 2008 Feb;13(1):29</p>        <p>Authors:  Mann S, Lehman R</p>        <p></p>        <p>PMID: 18234936 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18215703&dopt=Abstract\">Atrial fibrillation and morbidity and mortality in a cohort of long-term hemodialysis patients.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/retrieve/pii/S0272-6386(07)01448-5\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www3.us.elsevierhealth.com-extractor-graphics-pubmed-ajkd-wbs.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=18215703\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial fibrillation and morbidity and mortality in a cohort of long-term hemodialysis patients.</b></p>        <p>Am J Kidney Dis. 2008 Feb;51(2):255-62</p>        <p>Authors:  Genovesi S, Vincenti A, Rossi E, Pogliani D, Acquistapace I, Stella A, Valsecchi MG</p>        <p>BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased mortality and hospitalization in the general population. Data about mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization in hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation are limited. SETTING &amp; PARTICIPANTS: All patients (n = 476) in 5 dialysis centers in Lombardia, Italy, as of June 2003 were enrolled and followed up until June 2006 (median age, 69 years; median hemodialysis duration, 45.2 months; and median follow-up, 36 months). 127 patients had atrial fibrillation at enrollment. PREDICTORS &amp; OUTCOME: A Cox model was used to relate: (1) atrial fibrillation, age, hemodialysis therapy duration, and comorbid conditions to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality; (2) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor treatment and comorbid conditions to new onset of atrial fibrillation; and (3) atrial fibrillation and comorbid conditions on hospitalization. RESULTS: There were 167 deaths (39.5% from cardiovascular disease). In multivariable models, atrial fibrillation was independently associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 2.31). This was more notable for cardiovascular (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.64) than noncardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.89 to 2.15). New-onset atrial fibrillation occurred in 35 of 349 individuals (4.1 events/100 person-years); the risk of incident atrial fibrillation was lower in those using ACE-inhibitor therapy (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.82) and higher in those with left ventricular hypertrophy (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.04 to 6.26). There were 539 hospitalizations during 3 years, with 114 hospitalizations in 162 patients with atrial fibrillation and 155 hospitalizations in 314 patients without atrial fibrillation (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.01). Rates of stroke did not significantly differ by atrial fibrillation status (P = 0.4). LIMITATIONS: Because of the observational nature of this study, results for treatment need confirmation in future trials. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation is associated with greater total and cardiovascular mortality. Patients with atrial fibrillation were hospitalized more frequently than patients without atrial fibrillation. ACE inhibitors may decrease the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 18215703 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17906474&dopt=Abstract\">Pulmonary vein isolation predicts freedom from arrhythmia after circumferential antral ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=01244665-200711000-00004\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--www.lwwonline.com-pt-pt-core-template-journal-lwwgateway-images-pmlogo.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17906474\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Pulmonary vein isolation predicts freedom from arrhythmia after circumferential antral ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.</b></p>        <p>J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2007 Nov;8(11):896-903</p>        <p>Authors:  Bertaglia E, Zerbo F, Zoppo F, Trivellato M, Favaro A, Pascotto P</p>        <p>OBJECTIVES: The aims of this observational study were to evaluate (i) the feasibility of obtaining bidirectional pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by means of circumferential radiofrequency ablation of the antral aspect of the PV ostium; (ii) whether the electrophysiological demonstration of bidirectional PV isolation predicts freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. METHODS: The study group comprised 28 patients affected by frequent recurrences of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, who underwent transcatheter ablation of the PVs by means of a non-fluoroscopic navigation system. Radiofrequency pulses were delivered in a point-by-point fashion at the antral aspect of the ostium of each vein presenting distal PV potentials. After ablation of each PV, bidirectional isolation was tested by means of a basket catheter. No antiarrhythmic drugs were prescribed on discharge. Outpatient visits, 24-h electrocardiographic Holter monitoring, and continuous 7-day digital electrocardiogram were scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: A distal potential was detected in 101/123 (82%) mapped PVs. Bidirectional isolation was obtained in 81/101 (80%) PVs; bidirectional isolation of all targeted PVs was obtained in 17 (61%) patients. After a mean follow-up of 12.2 +/- 4.2 months, clinical success was observed in 15 (53%) patients. On multivariate analysis, only bidirectional isolation of all targeted PVs predicted the clinical success of ablation (P &lt; 0.003; hazard ratio 7.504; confidence interval 1.943-28.990). CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential antral ablation achieves bidirectional isolation in 80% of PVs. Bidirectional isolation of all PVs is essential to curing patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.</p>        <p>PMID: 17906474 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</div>');
document.write('<ul class=\"rss_item_list\">');
document.write('<li class=\"rss_item\"><span class=\"rss_item_title\"><a class=\"rss_item_link\" href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=17954385&dopt=Abstract\">Atrial paroxysmal tachycardia in dogs and its management with homeopathic Digitalis--two case reports.</a></span> <span class=\"rss_item_desc\">	<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td align=\"left\"><a href=\"http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1475-4916(07)00106-3\"><img src=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/egifs/http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-images-PubMedLink.gif\" border=\"0\"/></a> </td><td align=\"right\"><a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&amp;cmd=Display&amp;dopt=PubMed_PubMed&amp;from_uid=17954385\">Related Articles</a></td></tr></table>        <p><b>Atrial paroxysmal tachycardia in dogs and its management with homeopathic Digitalis--two case reports.</b></p>        <p>Homeopathy. 2007 Oct;96(4):270-2</p>        <p>Authors:  Varshney JP, Chaudhuri S</p>        <p>Homeopathic Digitalis 6c was evaluated in two clinical cases of atrial paroxysmal tachycardia in dogs. Tachycardias are common cardiac problems in dogs, and atrial paroxysmal tachycardia is a serious cardiac arrhythmia that may lead to syncope. Both adult dogs (Labrador and German Shepherd) were treated with Digitalis 6c, 4 drops orally four times daily for 7 days. Following treatment with Digitalis 6c heart rate stabilised and synchronized atrial and ventricular electrical activity was restored in 7 days.</p>        <p>PMID: 17954385 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]</p>    </span></li>');
document.write('</ul>');
document.write('</div>');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed\">');
document.write('<div class=\"rss_feed_title\">PubMed: Atrial fibrillation[...</d