Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmia. Cardiac mapping technology, an important method to study the electrophysiological mechanism of atrial fibrillation, can determine the abnormal origin and record the distribution and transmission way of these atrial electrical signals. This technology offers a new way for research the electrophysiological mechanism of atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this study is to review the research progress of cardiac mapping in the electrophysiological mechanism of atrial fibrillation and clinical application.
ObjectiveTo evaluate myocardial segmental motion function in left ventricular of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis by using the technology of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE).
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 14 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis between October and November 2014 in our hospital as a trial group. There were 4 males and 10 females with a mean age of 50.9±9.0 years ranging from 34 to 64 years. We chose 11 healthy individuals as a control group. There were 7 males and 4 females with a mean age of 49.5±9.7 years ranging from 32 to 67 years. Both the two groups were subjected to myocardial performance evaluation using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) to examine the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV), longitudinal strain, circumferential strain, area strain, and lateral strain of each left ventricular myocardial segments. Result RT-3DE detected that the trial group had significantly lower values of LVEF, LVEDV and LVESV than those of the control group (P < 0.05). RT-3DE also revealed that the trial group had a significantly weaker longitudinal strain than the control group (P < 0.05).
ConclusionRT-3DE is an accurate technology for assessing myocardial motion and function in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease.
Cardiac three-dimensional electrophysiological labeling technology is the prerequisite and foundation of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation surgery, and invasive labeling is the current clinical method, but there are many shortcomings such as large trauma, long procedure duration, and low success rate. In recent years, because of its non-invasive and convenient characteristics, ex vivo labeling has become a new direction for the development of electrophysiological labeling technology. With the rapid development of computer hardware and software as well as the accumulation of clinical database, the application of deep learning technology in electrocardiogram (ECG) data is becoming more extensive and has made great progress, which provides new ideas for the research of ex vivo cardiac mapping and intelligent labeling of AF substrates. This paper reviewed the research progress in the fields of ECG forward problem, ECG inverse problem, and the application of deep learning in AF labeling, discussed the problems of ex vivo intelligent labeling of AF substrates and the possible approaches to solve them, prospected the challenges and future directions for ex vivo cardiac electrophysiology labeling.
Objective To synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy of using statins in the prevention of recurrent and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, EMB Reviews-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 3, 2007), CBMdisc, VIP, and CNKI databases from establishment to 15th Sep. 2007 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) covering the use of statins for the patients with persistent AF after electrical cardioversion, paroxysmal and postoperative AF. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 4.3 software after the strict evaluation of the methodological quality of the included RCTs. Results Five RCTs including 470 patients were included. Significant heterogeneity was found when the data were pooled, so a random effect model was used for metaanalysis. Compared with placebo or no use of statins, the statins decreased risk of AF recurrence and postoperative AF (RR=0.61, 95%CI 0.43 to 0.88, P=0.008). Sensitivity analysis showed that the result was stable. The fail-safe number was 52.91. Conclusion The statins may decrease incidence of AF recurrence and postoperative AF. Because of the low quality and the small number of included studies, larger sample-size, randomized, double-blinded controlled trials are needed.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the early and mid-term outcomes of total thoracoscopic Box Lesion radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.MethodsThe clinical data of 31 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent total thoracoscopic Box Lesion radiofrequency ablation between November 2011 and March 2018 at the Department of Cardiac Surgery in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 23 males and 8 females at an average age of 66.17±8.32 years. All patients did not have concomitant severe organic heart disease which required surgical intervention.ResultsThere were 20 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, 8 with persistent atrial fibrillation, and 3 with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Twenty-nine patients got the 3-year follow-up, and 2 patients were lost to the follow-up 6 months after the surgery. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients, with an average operation time of 113.00±26.00 min. There was no perioperative death or related complication. All patients were restored to sinus rhythm immediately after surgery. Five patients got atrial fibrillation during postoperative hospitalization, which reverted to sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion. The rate of sinus rhythm maintenance was 62.9%, 55.9% and 52.4% in postoperative 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. No patient died during the period, and no procedure-related complication was observed.ConclusionTotal thoracoscopic Box Lesion radiofrequency ablation effectively shortens operation time, and reduces surgical trauma and procedure-related complications, meanwhile, ensures the surgical outcomes.
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of left atrial geometry before and after mitral valve replacement in patients with different types of mitral valve disease and different heart rhythm, and to identify factors determining left atrial remodeling after mitral valve replacement.
MethodsA total of 215 consecutive patients of mitral valve replacement in Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2003 to March 2008 were selected and followed up for this study. There were 52 male and 163 female patients with their age of 40.58±10.54 years (ranged, 18-67 years). St. Jude Medical mechanical valves were used. According to the type of mitral valve diseases (mitral stenosis (MS) or mitral regurgitation (MR)) and heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation (AF) or sinus rhythm (SR)), patients were divided into 4 groups. There were 54 patients with MS and SR (including 13 male and 41 female patients with their age of 39.31±9.46 years), 56 patients with MS and AF (including 14 male and 42 female patients with their age of 41.12±10.72 years), 52 patients with MR and SR (including 12 male and 40 female patients with their age of 39.71±10.09 years), 53 patients with MR and AF (including 13 male and 40 female patients with their age of 40.19±11.87 years). All patients had routine examinations and echocardiogram preoperatively and two years after surgery. Left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAD), left atrial area (LAA), left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) were used to analyze the changes of left atrial geometry.
ResultsThere was no in-hospital death. Major postoperative complications included low cardiac output syndrome in 5 patients, pneumonia in 6 patients. LAVi were lower in mitral stenosis patients than that in mitral regurgitation patients (P<0.05), LAVi were lower in patients with sinus rhythm than that in patients with atrial fibrillation (P<0.05). Two years after mitral valve replacement, the extent of left atrial reverse remodeling were significantly greater in mitral regurgitation patients than in mitral stenosis patients (P<0.05), and the extent of left atrial reverse remodeling were significantly greater in patients with sinus rhythm than that in patients with atrial fibrillation (P<0.05).
ConclusionsAge, atrial fibrillation, preoperative left atrial volume, mitral regurgitation, left ventricle end-diastolic diameter are important influencing factors of left atrial reverse remodeling after mitral valve replacement.
Objective To explore the role of thrombus precursor protein(TPP) in the monitoring of anticoagulation in the patients with atrial fibrillation (Af) after mechanical heart valve replacement, and suggest the reasonable anticoagulant range. Methods Ninety patients were divided into Af group (n=45), sinus rhythm group (SR group, n=45), and control group (20 patients with non-valvular heart diseases), according to whether Af exist after mitral valve replacement. TPP concentrations and International Normalized Ratio(INR) in the anticoagulant patients were analyzed. Results In patients after mechanical mitral valve replacement, plasma TPP concentrations in both SR group and Af group were lower than that in control group (Plt;0.05,0.01), their INR value were higher than that in control group (Plt;0.01), and Af group had higher plasma TPP concentrations than that in SR group((Plt;)0.05). It was found that there existed contradictions between INR and plasma TPP concentrations in Af group. There were 28 patients with plasma TPP concentrations below 6 μg/ml and without spontaneous bleeding complications in the group with Af, who might be at the optimal anticoagulant status. Their 95% confidence of INR value was 1.90-2.30 and their plasma TPP concentration was 4.29±0.75μg/ml. Conclusion Patients with Af after mechanical heart valve replacement might have higher risk of thromboembolism, INR between 1.90 - 2.30 and plasma TPP concentration between 2.84-6.00 μg/ml might be the optimal anticoagulant therapeutic range.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of different low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) for prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on efficacy and safety of different low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) in preventing thrombotic diseases in patients with atrial fibrillation from inception to March 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 16.0 software.ResultsA total of 11 RCTs involving 7 400 patients who were treated with enoxaparin, dalteparin, or tinzaparin to prevent thromboembolic events were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that: in patients with AF and perioperative AF patients, there were no statistical differences in the incidence of stroke, TIA, major bleeding, minor bleeding, and all-cause mortality caused by dalteparin, enoxaparin, and tinzaparin. Furthermore, the surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) showed that enoxaparin was superior for prevention of stroke and TIA than dalteparin and tinzaparin. As for major bleeding, minor bleeding, and all-cause death, dalteparin treatment was superior than enoxaparin.ConclusionsCurrent evidence showed enoxaparin to be a viable option for high ischemic risk AF patients requiring LWMH treatment, while dalteparin to be a viable option for those with bleeding high risk. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
ObjectivesTo develop a tool to assess the credibility of cohort studies regarding anticoagulants treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation.MethodsMEDLINE, EMbase and CBM databases were retrieved for eligible studies on the methodological quality and credibility of the cohort study. The retrieval period was from inception to December 19th, 2017, and the languages were limited to Chinese and English. Based on the search results, the items on the methodology quality of the research or the credibility of the results were collected. Through brainstorming of the core group, the collected items were expanded and sorted out to a preliminary scale. Furthermore, we conducted 4 rounds of internal expert seminars to discuss and evaluate the preliminary scale content and discuss the scale framework. Finally, we organized domestic authoritative experts to conduct 4 external evaluations on the scale and formed the final scale.ResultsA total of 7 734 literatures were obtained from primary search, in which 17 of which were included. Fifty-five tools with 780 items for the quality assessment of observational studies were collected from the included studies. After removing duplicated keywords with similar meanings, we obtained the " keyword pool” with 46 keywords, which were preliminarily formed 46 items. After discussion of the core group, which aimed to supplement the potential items, eliminate the items irrelevant to methodology, and integrate the items with partial overlapping meanings, a preliminary scale of 43 items was formed. According to the four rounds of internal expert consultative meetings, these items were integrated to form a preliminary scale of 40 items. After further evaluation by four rounds of external expert consultative meetings, a consensus was reached and a scale of 21 items from seven domains (i.e., definition of question, measurement, follow-up, confounder, missing data, statistical analysis, and results assessment) was finally formed.ConclusionsThis study developed an assessment tool for the credibility of the results from the cohort studies regarding anticoagulants treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation, which has practical clinical value. Clinicians can refer to the results of credibility assessment by using this tool to better assist clinical decision-making in clinical practice. In addition, in the preparation of relevant guidelines, this tool can be used to assess the credibility of results from cohort studies.
Objective To investigate the surgical treatment of adult secondary atrial septal defect with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 84 patients with adult secondary atrial septal underwent surgical treatment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2002 through May 2013. There were 31 males and 53 females at mean age of 56.3 (24-72) years. Eleven patients were treated by cardiopulmonary bypass operation with 6 patients by radiofrequency catheter ablation simultaneously. Seventy three patients were implanted with septal defect closure with 52 patients by radiofrequency ablation simultaneously. Rhythm of the heart was detected at the immediate postoperative period, 7 days, 3 months and 6 months after the operation.
Results No preoperative death, thoraecotomy and no arrhythmic complications in all the patients no matter with or without RF occurred. In the patients with cardiopulmonary bypass operation, the time of aortic occlusion was 35.21±12.32 min, the cardiopulmonary bypass time was 45.67±16.93 min, and the ICU observation time was 11.87±12.36 hours. In the patients with septal defect closure implanted, ICU observation time was 10.93+13.67 hours. The incidences of atrial fibrillation in the patients with radiofrequency ablation on postoperative 7 days，3 months and 6 months were lower than those in the patients without radiofrequency ablation (P<0.05).
Conclusion For adult secondary atrial septal defect patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, no matter cardiopulmonary bypass operation or septal defect closure implanted, radiofrequency ablation at the same time is safety and can reduce incidence of recurrence of atrial fibrillation.
