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A recent study conducted in Montpellier, France, examined the effects of radiofrequency (RF) lesions on the atrial wall in a swine model. The study compared two different RF application strategies and evaluated the volume, variability, depth, and complications of the lesions using high-resolution MRI. The results showed that there was significant variability in RF injury on the atrial wall, even under controlled conditions, which could contribute to arrhythmia recurrences. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the dose/effect relationship of RF for treating cardiac arrhythmias. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study presented at the ESC Congress 2024 in London found that in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), standard treatment with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation was just as effective as more extensive ablation in other areas of the heart. The study, called SUPPRESS-AF, enrolled 1,347 patients with persistent AF and found that the addition of further ablation targeting low-voltage areas did not reduce the recurrence of AF at one year in the overall cohort. However, it did show promising results in a subgroup of patients with advanced left atrial enlargement. The researchers suggest that the focus should shift to shorter and more effective pulmonary vein ablation alone, without the addition of other ablation procedures. [Extracted from the article]

Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. has been issued a patent for a distal assembly for a catheter with lumens running along spines. The patent describes an improved apparatus for ablating tissue within the body, as well as methods for producing such apparatus. The distal assembly includes a plurality of spines with flexible polymer sleeves and electrodes, and the spines can be expanded or collapsed for insertion into the body cavity. The apparatus also includes irrigation outlets for reducing tissue temperature during the ablation procedure. This patent provides advancements in medical technology for treating cardiac arrhythmias. [Extracted from the article]

Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. has been issued a patent for a catheter with multiple spines of different lengths arranged in one or more distal assemblies. The catheter is designed for mapping and ablating tubular regions of the cardiovascular system. It allows for simultaneous tissue contact and adjustability in the arrangement and positioning of the spines. The patent provides a detailed description of the catheter's design and functionality, including various shapes and configurations of the spines. The invention aims to reduce damage to tubular structures and minimize the risk of stenosis. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Kosin University Gospel Hospital in South Korea explored the use of real-time heart rate variability (HRV) analysis to predict the efficiency of hemodialysis (HD) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The researchers monitored 50 ESKD patients undergoing HD and found that higher HRV was associated with poorly controlled levels of potassium (K+) and phosphate (P+). This suggests that low electrolyte changes before and after HD may contribute to cardiac autonomic dysfunction. The study highlights the potential of HRV analysis as a tool for assessing HD efficiency in ESKD patients. [Extracted from the article]

A study analyzed the quality of self-recorded, single-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) used for diagnosing arrhythmias. The study found that the quality of ECGs recorded at home varied, which could affect the reliability of interpretation. Telephone training was provided to participants who recorded a high percentage of poor-quality ECGs, and it was found that training improved ECG quality. The study suggests that telephone training could be beneficial in atrial fibrillation screening programs using single-lead ECG devices. [Extracted from the article]

A preprint abstract from medrxiv.org discusses a study comparing the efficacy of unipolar voltage (UV) versus bipolar voltage (BV) in predicting recurrence in elderly atrial fibrillation patients. The study found that both low UV and BV in the left atrium were associated with long-term recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa), but only mean UV was independently associated with the outcome. The UV model had a higher discriminatory power and provided a larger net benefit compared to the BV model in predicting ATa recurrence. The study suggests that unipolar recording may better characterize left atrium fibrosis by capturing more comprehensive transmural features than bipolar signals. However, it is important to note that this preprint has not been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

Invitae Corporation has filed a patent application for a computer-based system that aims to improve the interpretation of genetic and genomic testing results. The system addresses the challenge of determining the clinical significance of molecular variants by recording an evidence model, evaluating its performance, and ranking it based on performance. When queried, the system provides predicted phenotypic impacts using the best-performing evidence model. The method also involves storing the evidence model in a distributed database and generating hash values for the supporting data. The goal of the system is to enhance variant interpretation in genetic and genomic testing and analysis. [Extracted from the article]

Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. has been issued a patent for a method of finding the origin of a specific type of cardiac arrhythmia. The patent describes a medical apparatus that involves inserting a probe with electrodes into the heart chamber of a human subject. The probe generates location signals and acquires electrical signals from the surface of the chamber, allowing for the calculation of distances and identification of the arrhythmia's origin. The patent provides a detailed method for locating and treating arrhythmias. [Extracted from the article]

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses a study on the causes of cardiac reperfusion arrhythmias, which can be deadly. The researchers used Langendorff-perfused rabbit and pig hearts to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of these arrhythmias and test reperfusion strategies to prevent them. They discovered a novel mechanism called perivascular excitation tunnelling (PVET), where electrical excitability preferentially recovers along the reperfused vessel, leading to re-entry and arrhythmias. The researchers successfully prevented PVET-induced re-entry by using a two-step reperfusion strategy. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying cardiac reperfusion arrhythmias and potential strategies for prevention. [Extracted from the article]

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the association between chronic nicotine exposure and electrophysiological and sympathetic remodeling in the intact rabbit heart. The study found that nicotine exposure is linked to changes in heart function and increased susceptibility to arrhythmias. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but the research suggests that autonomic remodeling, including sympathetic hypo-innervation of the myocardium and diminished beta-adrenergic responsiveness, may contribute to the increased risk of arrhythmias associated with nicotine exposure. However, it is important to note that this preprint has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine examined the complications associated with acetabular fractures in elderly patients. The study included 195 patients over the age of 60 who sustained acetabulum fractures and were treated at a trauma center. The researchers found that 37% of the patients developed complications during their hospitalization, with the most common complications being acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cardiac dysrhythmia, and acute kidney injury. Factors associated with in-hospital complications included increased age, more comorbidities, operative management, and longer lengths of stay. The study concluded that while operative management was associated with a lower risk of complications, there may be a selection bias favoring healthier patients for this treatment. [Extracted from the article]

A recent preprint abstract discusses the link between defensive cardiac states and approach-avoidance decisions under threat. The study suggests that fear-induced bradycardia, a slowing of the heart rate, plays a role in decision-making processes related to avoiding threats and seeking rewards. The research indicates that bradycardia is associated with aversive value-related avoidance decisions and a stronger tendency to approach versus avoid when the expected reward outweighs potential threat. The study also identifies the involvement of the amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate in integrating subjective outcome values and bradycardia states. However, it is important to note that this preprint has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Medtronic Inc. explored the use of an automated method for determining the short-term variability of repolarization (STV) in predicting ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in a porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (MI). The study found that STV values increased before the onset of VA, indicating imminent arrhythmias. This suggests the potential for automatic monitoring of arrhythmic risk by cardiac devices through STV and the initiation of preventive strategies. However, the study also found that continuous high-rate pacing during the onset of acute MI did not improve arrhythmic outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

According to a preprint abstract, researchers have found that the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in the human heart contains trabeculations, which are complex structures that can cause conduction delays. The extent of trabeculations varies among individuals and can impact the thickness of the RVOT wall, limiting the depth at which clinical interventions can be performed. The presence of trabeculations also affects electrical propagation and may contribute to arrhythmias. This research, which used high-resolution MRI and histological analysis, has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]