The effects of intraoperative dexamethasone on left atrial function and postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgical patients

Postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation (PNAF) is very common after cardiac surgery and postoperative inflammation may contribute to PNAF by inducing atrial dysfunction. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and may thus reduce atrial dysfunction and PNAF development. This study aimed to determine whether dexamethasone protects against left atrial dysfunction and PNAF in cardiac surgical patients. Cardiac surgical patients were randomised to a single dose of dexamethasone (1 mg.kg⁻¹) or placebo after inducing anaesthesia. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed in patients before and after surgery. Primary outcome was left atrial total ejection fraction (LA-TEF) after sternal closure; secondary outcomes included left atrial diameter and PNAF. 62 patients were included. Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Postoperative LA-TEF was 36.4 % in the dexamethasone group and 40.2 % in the placebo group (difference −3.8 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI) -9.0 to 1.4 %; P = 0.15). Postoperative left atrial diameter was 4.6 and 4.3 cm, respectively (difference 0.3; 95 % CI −0.2 to 0.7; P = 0.19). The incidence of PNAF was 30 % in the dexamethasone group and 39 % in the placebo group (P = 0.47). Intraoperative high-dose dexamethasone did not protect against postoperative left atrial dysfunction and did not reduce the risk of PNAF in cardiac surgical patients.     

心房颤动持续时间与肺静脉直径的关系

目的:评价心房颤动持续时间、房颤负荷与肺静脉直径的关系。方法:133例经CT检查的房颤患者,观察肺静脉直径的大小,统计分析房颤持续时间与肺静脉直径的关系。结果:通过统计学处理,对比其肺静脉直径与房颤持续时间及房颤负荷间关系,认为两者间无统计学意义,房颤病史与肺静脉直径无明显相关性。结论:房颤持续时间对肺静脉直径不产生影响。     

Clinical outcome of ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation with or without defragmentation

Objective

To assess the outcome and associated risks of atrial defragmentation for the treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSP-AF).

Methods

Thirty-seven consecutive patients (60.4 ± 7.3 years; 28 male) suffering from LSP-AF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and linear ablation were compared. All patients were treated with the Stereotaxis magnetic navigation system (MNS). Two groups were distinguished: patients with (n = 20) and without (n = 17) defragmentation. The primary endpoint of the study was freedom of AF after 12 months. Secondary endpoints were AF termination, procedure time, fluoroscopy time and procedural complications. Complications were divided into two groups: major (infarction, stroke, major bleeding and tamponade) and minor (fever, pericarditis and inguinal haematoma).

Results

No difference was seen in freedom of AF between the defragmentation and the non-defragmentation group (56.2 % vs. 40.0 %, P = 0.344). Procedure times in the defragmentation group were longer; no differences in fluoroscopy times were observed. No major complications occurred. A higher number of minor complications occurred in the defragmentation group (45.0 % vs. 5.9 %, P = 0.009). Mean hospital stay was comparable (4.7 ± 2.2 vs. 3.4 ± 0.8 days, P = 0.06).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that complete defragmentation using MNS is associated with a higher number of minor complications and longer procedure times and thus compromises efficiency without improving efficacy.     

Statins Do Not Reduce Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Valvular Surgery: A Single Centre Observational Study

Introduction

Statins may theoretically reduce postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients after cardiac valvular surgery due to preservation of endothelial function and anti-ischaemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-remodelling effects.

Methods

Two hundred seventy-two patients who underwent cardiac workup and subsequently cardiac valvular surgery without AF and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at our hospital were selected. Preoperative drug use and postoperative AF were recorded. AF was defined as any episode of AF longer than 10 s. In addition, results from echocardiography and blood samples were retrieved.

Results

Baseline characteristics were as follows: mean age was 65 ± 11 years, 142 (52%) patients were male, 189 (70%) had undergone aortic valve surgery and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 57 ± 12%. Statins were used by 79 patients (29%). Statin users, more often, had a prior percutaneous coronary intervention (25% vs 9%, p < 0.001) or CABG (24% vs 4%, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (22% vs 5%, p < 0.001) and more often used β-blockers (51% vs 24%, p < 0.001). Patients in the non-statin group more often had surgery on more than one valve (10% vs 3%, p = 0.043) and had a higher cholesterol level (222 ± 48 vs 190 ± 43 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Postoperative AF occurred in 54% (43/79) of the patients with and in 55% (106/193) of the patients without statins (p = 0.941). There was also no difference in the timing of onset of AF or duration of hospital stay.

Conclusion

In this observational study, statin use was not associated with a reduced incidence of AF in patients after cardiac valvular surgery.     

益气养阴活血化瘀方对心力衰竭合并房颤患者血清CRP，BNP，CK-MB及cTnI水平的影响及其疗效观察

目的:探讨益气养阴活血化瘀方治疗心力衰竭合并房颤的临床疗效。方法:收集2014年3月-2015年9月我院收治的158例充血性心力衰竭合并房颤的患者158例为研究对象,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组79例。对照组患者采取常规治疗,实验组患者采用益气养阴活血化瘀方治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后超敏C反应蛋白(CRP)、脑钠素(BNP),CK-MB及肌钙蛋白(cTnI)水平的变化情况。结果:治疗后,与对照组相比,实验组LVEDD、LVESD明显低于对照组,而LVEF明显增高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后实验组患者的CK-MB、pro-BNP、cTnI及CRP水平明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组随访末期死亡率、非致死性心力衰竭及心源性休克发生率均低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);随访末期内建立侧支循环明显多于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:益气养阴活血化瘀方可以有效抑制充血性心力衰竭合并房颤患者术后心脏重塑,改善左心室收缩功能,降低不良事件发生。     

Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: Where are we now?

Objective

To review: 1) Pathophysiology of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF); 2) Risk factors for POAF; 3) Prophylaxis of POAF; 4) Treatment of POAF; and 5) Future directions.

Methods

We searched the Medline database for articles published between January, 1966 to September, 2008. We used the following keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Postoperative atrial fibrillation, Coronary Artery Bypass, and antiarrhythmic agents. Additionally, we searched references from all relevant articles.

Conclusions

POAF occurs in 25-60% of patients depending on the type of cardiac surgery performed. POAF generally occurs on postoperative day 2 or 3. POAF is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, and longer hospital stay. Prophylactic treatments reduce the likelihood of POAF. In patients who experience POAF, rhythm strategies should be used in those who are symptomatic and hemodynamically unstable. All other patients should be managed with rate strategies.     

Concomitant epicardial left atrial appendage ligation and left atrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: Safety,feasibility and outcome

IntroductionWe present initial results of patients undergoing a combined procedure of epicardial LAA ligation in addition to left atrial ablation for AF.Methods9 patients were included for additional use of LARIAT as an individual treatment approach for AF. First an epicardial LAA ligation was performed, in the same procedure left atrial ablations consisting of PVI and additional substrate based modifying ablations were performed. Follow–up at 3 months and 12 months was performed.ResultsThere was only 1 minor procedural complication (11%) involving epicardial bleeding and 2 late adverse events of pericardial tamponade and stroke. At the final follow-up (median 20 months) 7 patients were in stable sinus rhythm (78%) and 2 pts had reduced AF burden.ConclusionConcomitant epicardial LAA ligation and ablation is feasible in selected patients with a reasonable risk profile. More prospective data are required to validate the safety and efficacy.     

左房内径、血清尿酸水平与老年心房颤动的相关性分析

目的:探讨左房内径(LAD)、血清尿酸(UA)水平与老年心房颤动的相关性。方法:选择2013年1月至2016年7月在我院住院的60岁以上的非瓣膜性房颤患者,共166例,其中持续性房颤组85例,阵发性房颤组81例,选择同期无房颤的高血压、冠心病老年患者83例作对照组。通过心脏彩超检查检测LAD、左心室舒张末期内径(LVDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVDS)、左心室射血分数(LVEF),以≥40 mm为左房内径增大。并采用生化分析检测患者血清UA水平。结果:(1)持续性房颤组LAD、LVEF、左心房增大发生率均显著高于阵发性房颤组和对照组,而阵发性房颤组以上指标均明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)持续性房颤组和阵发性房颤组患者血清UA水平均显著高于对照组,但持续性房颤组和阵发性房颤组之间血清UA水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:左心房内径大小、血尿酸水平与老年患者心房颤动的发生密切相关。     

心外膜脂肪组织与心房颤动的分子机制研究进展

心房颤动(atrial fibrillation,AF)是临床上常见的心律失常,与心血管疾病的发病率和死亡率增加相关.心外膜脂肪组织(epicardial adipose tissue,EAT)是具有重要内分泌功能的生物活性器官.近年来已有大量的研究显示EAT的体积、厚度与AF的发生、严重程度及复发相关,但EAT在AF发病机理中的确切作用尚需进一步阐明,为通过干预EAT来治疗AF提供新思路.     

Repeat ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – Does adenosine play a role in predicting pulmonary vein reconnection patterns?

Background

Pulmonary vein (PV) reconduction after PV isolation (PVI) unmasked by adenosine is associated with a higher risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) recurrence. It is unknown if the reconnected PVs after adenosine testing and immediate re-ablation can predict reconnection and reconnection patterns of PVs at repeat procedures. We assessed reconnection of PVs with and without dormant-conduction (DC) during the first and the repeat procedure.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Background

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure can be an alternative to coumadin treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at high risk for thromboembolic events and/or bleeding complications. We report the initial experience with this new technique.

Methods

Patients were eligible if they had AF with a high stroke risk (CHADS₂ score >1), and/or contraindication for coumadin therapy. The procedure was performed under general anaesthesia, using biplane fluoroscopy and (3D) transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Patients were discharged on coumadin until a TEE was repeated at 45 days after closure to evaluate LAA occlusion. If LAA occlusion was achieved, oral anticoagulation was discontinued and aspirin started.

Results

Percutaneous LAA closure was performed in 10 patients (50% male, age 61.6 ± 9.6 years). The median CHADS₂ score was 3 (range 2–4), median CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 3.5 (range 2–6) and HAS-BLED score 1.5 (range 1–4). Nine patients had a history of stroke and 2 patients had a history of major bleeding while on coumadin. Concomitant pulmonary vein isolation was performed in 9 patients. The device was successfully placed in all patients within a median of 56 min (38–137 min). Asymptomatic catheter thrombus occurred in one patient. At 45-day follow-up, no thromboembolic events occurred, TEE showed minimal residual flow in the LAA in three patients. In one patient the LAA device was dislocated, requiring successful percutaneous retrieval.

Conclusion

Device closure of the LAA may provide an alternative strategy to chronic coumadin therapy in patients with AF and high risk of stroke and/or bleeding complications using coumadin.     

HL-1细胞培养及房颤细胞模型的建立

目的:利用HL-1细胞建立快速起搏模型,对心房颤动(atrial fibrillation,AF)早期的重构现象进行初步研究。方法:培养HL-1细胞,建立快速电场刺激起搏细胞模型,利用全细胞膜片钳技术记录刺激前后HL-1细胞的动作电位周期,透射电镜观察细胞超微结构的变化。结果:将细胞接种于培养皿中,72 h后细胞呈融合状态,全细胞膜片钳记录培养HL-1细胞及经电场刺激(600次/min,1 V/cm)24 h后的心房肌细胞的动作电位周期,动作电位周期分别为106 ms,45 ms,刺激前后差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。透射电镜观察到刺激后HL-1细胞超微结构发生去分化改变。结论:经快速起搏24 h后,HL-1细胞发生了电及结构重构;利用HL-1细胞建立快速起搏的房颤模型,可以对房颤早期的重构机制进行研究。     

Atrial electrogram quality in single-pass defibrillator leads with floating atrial bipole in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and cardiac resynchronization therapy

Many patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) suffer from permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Knowledge of the atrial rhythm is important to direct pharmacological or interventional treatment as well as maintaining AV-synchronous biventricular pacing if sinus rhythm can be restored. A single pass single-coil defibrillator lead with a floating atrial bipole has been shown to obtain reliable information about the atrial rhythm but has never been employed in a CRT-system. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of implanting a single coil right ventricular ICD lead with a floating atrial bipole and the signal quality of atrial electrograms (AEGM) in CRT-defibrillator recipients with permanent AF.

Properties of two human atrial cell models in tissue: restitution, memory, propagation, and reentry

To date, two detailed ionic models of human atrial cell electrophysiology have been developed, the Nygren et al. model (NM) and the Courtemanche et al. model (CM). Although both models draw from similar experimental data, they have vastly different properties. This paper provides the first systematic analysis and comparison of the dynamics of these models in spatially extended systems including one-dimensional cables and rings, two-dimensional sheets, and a realistic three-dimensional human atrial geometry. We observe that, as in single cells, the CM adapts to rate changes primarily by changes in action potential duration (APD) and morphology, while for the NM rate changes affect resting membrane potential (RMP) more than APD. The models also exhibit different memory properties as assessed through S1-S2 APD and conduction velocity (CV) restitution curves with different S1 cycle lengths. Reentrant wave dynamics also differ, with the NM exhibiting stable, non-breaking spirals and the CM exhibiting frequent transient wave breaks. The realistic atrial geometry modifies dynamics in some cases through drift, transient pinning, and breakup. Previously proposed modifications to represent atrial fibrillation-remodeled electrophysiology produce altered dynamics, including reduced rate adaptation and memory for both models and conversion to stable reentry for the CM. Furthermore, proposed variations to the NM to reproduce action potentials more closely resembling those of the CM do not substantially alter the underlying dynamics of the model, so that tissue simulations using these modifications still behave more like the unmodified NM. Finally, interchanging the transmembrane current formulations of the two models suggests that currents contribute more strongly to RMP and CV, intracellular calcium dynamics primarily determine reentrant wave dynamics, and both are important in APD restitution and memory in these models. This finding implies that the formulation of intracellular calcium processes is as important to producing realistic models as transmembrane currents.     

不同剂量胺碘酮联合氯沙坦治疗阵发性房颤患者的临床研究

目的:通过探讨不同剂量胺碘酮联合氯沙坦治疗阵发性房颤(PAF)患者的临床疗效,为PAF的治疗提供参考。方法:选择2013年6月~2014年6月本院收治的PAF患者共84例,按照随机数字表法随机分为大剂量组和小剂量组,分别在治疗1、3、6、12个月后观察两组患者窦性心律维持效果、左心室功能和血清高敏C反应蛋白(Hs-CRP)水平。结果:治疗1个月后,两组患者窦性心律维持效果的总有效率分别为93.73%和90.00%,差异无统计学意义(x~2=2.235;P0.05)。治疗3、6和12个月后,小剂量组患者窦性心律维持有效率均高于大剂量组,差异有统计学意义(x~2=4.208、5.271、5.688;P0.05)。小剂量组患者最大P波时限(Pmax)、P波离散度(Pd)和左心房直径(LAD)值均显著低于大剂量组患者,差异有统计学意义(t=-6.071、-3.509、-3.998;P0.05);左心室射血分数(LVEF)值显著高于大剂量组患者,差异有统计学意义(t=3.935;P0.05)。治疗1、6和12个月后,小剂量组血清Hs-CRP水平均低于大剂量组,差异有统计学意义(t=-4.515、-10.431、-19.113;P0.05)。结论:小剂量胺碘酮联合氯沙坦能够有效提高阵发性房颤患者窦性心律维持效果,改善患者左心室功能,降低Hs-CRP水平,值得临床推广借鉴。     

Dynamics of human atrial cell models: restitution, memory, and intracellular calcium dynamics in single cells

Mathematical models of cardiac cells have become important tools for investigating the electrophysiological properties and behavior of the heart. As the number of published models increases, it becomes more difficult to choose a model appropriate for the conditions to be studied, especially when multiple models describing the species and region of the heart of interest are available. In this paper, we will review and compare two detailed ionic models of human atrial myocytes, the Nygren et al. model (NM) and the Courtemanche et al. model (CM). Although both models include the same transmembrane currents and are largely based on the same experimental data from human atrial cells, the two models exhibit vastly different properties, especially in their dynamical behavior, including restitution and memory effects. The CM produces pronounced rate adaptation of action potential duration (APD) with limited memory effects, while the NM exhibits strong rate dependence of resting membrane potential (RMP), limited APD restitution, and stronger memory, as well as delayed afterdepolarizations and auto-oscillatory behavior upon cessation of rapid pacing. Channel conductance modifications based on experimentally measured changes during atrial fibrillation modify rate adaptation and memory in both models, but do not change the primary rate-dependent properties of APD and RMP for the CM and NM, respectively. Two sets of proposed changes to the NM that yield a spike-and-dome action potential morphology qualitatively similar to the CM at slow pacing rates similarly do not change the underlying dynamics of the model. Moreover, interchanging the formulations of all transmembrane currents between the two models while leaving calcium handling and ionic concentrations intact indicates that the currents strongly influence memory and the rate adaptation of RMP, while intracellular calcium dynamics primarily determine APD rate adaptation. Our results suggest that differences in intracellular calcium handling between the two human atrial myocyte models are responsible for marked dynamical differences and may prevent reconciliation between the models by straightforward channel conductance modifications.     

The Benefit of Atrioventricular Junction Ablation for Permanent Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is correlated with a poor biventricular pacing and inadequate response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Biventricular pacing improvement can be achieved by conducting the atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA). We aimed to investigate the benefit of AVJA for permanent AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients receiving CRT.MethodsIn August 2020, a systematic review and meta-analysis study comparing CRT plus AVJA versus CRT for permanent AF and HFrEF patients was conducted. Relevant articles were identified through the electronic scientific database such as ClinicalTrials.gov, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Cochrane. The pooled risk ratio (RR) and pooled mean difference (MD) were estimated.ResultsA total of 3199 patients from 14 cohort studies were involved in this study. Additional AVJA reduced cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61 to 0.93, P < 0.01) in permanent AF and HFrEF patients receiving CRT. Biventricular pacing rate was higher in CRT plus AVJA group (MD = 8.65%, 95% CI = 5.62 to 11.67, P < 0.01) than in CRT alone group. The reverse remodeling characterized by the reduction of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was greater in the CRT plus AVJA group (MD = ?2.11 mm, 95% CI = ?3.79 to ?0.42, P = 0.01).ConclusionIn permanent AF and HFrEF patients receiving CRT, AVJA effectively increased the biventricular pacing rate. Adequate biventricular pacing rate provided a better response to the CRT marked by the greater ventricular reverse remodeling and survival from cardiovascular mortality.     

起搏器术后新发房性心律失常的影响因素分析

目的:探讨起搏器术后新发房性心律失常的发生情况及其相关影响因素。方法:选择2006年1月至2007年12月于沈阳军区总医院首次植入永久起搏器的107例患者,男性50例,平均年龄65.0±11.9岁,术前通过追问病史及相关检查均排除房性心律失常(房颤、房扑、房速),术后平均随访3.9年,观察新发房性心律失常情况。按术后是否出现房性心律失常,将患者分为新发房性心律失常组和无房性心律失常组,比较两组患者术前和术后心脏超声结果的变化、心室起搏比例、起搏部位及起搏模式,并通过logistic回归分析起搏器术后发生房性心律失常的影响因素。结果:新发房性心律失常组26例(24.3%),其中房颤17例(15.9%),房扑2例(1.9%),房速7例(6.5%);无房性心律失常组81例。与无房性心律失常组比较,新发房性心律失常组左房内径明显增加(P=0.040)、二尖瓣返流程度较重(P=0.032)及左室射血分数明显下降(P=0.001),心室起搏百分比(VP%)显著升高(P=0.017)。心尖部起搏患者房性心律失常的发生率明显高于间隔部起搏(33.3%vs 16.9%,P<0.05),双腔起搏组患者房性心律失常发生率明显低于单腔起搏器组(18.7%vs 37.5%,P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示术后新发房性心律失常的发生与高比例的心室起搏(P=0.006)、VVI(R)起搏模式(P=0.014)及右心室起搏电极导线植于心尖部(P=0.024)显著相关。结论:起搏模式、心室起搏百分比、起搏部位是起搏器术后发生房性心律失常的影响因素。