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There is emerging data indicating that long-standing vigorous exercise may be associated with atrial structural remodelling. This remodelling process is may be the cause of the increasing frequency of atrial arrythmias in athletes. Early diagnosis of atrial remodelling by atrial imaging could have a role in management of atrial arrythmias in elite athletes. In this study we aimed to diagnose early phases of atrial remodelling in elite athletes. Two groups of athletes including professional weight lifters (n = 33), professional marathoners (n = 32) and sedentary participants (n = 30) were enrolled. We also studied patients who received cardiotoxic chemotherapy (n = 10) for comparison. Serum TGF-beta level as a marker of fibrosis was measured. Both left atrial (LA) 3D volume and strain values were analysed. There was a positive correlation between serum TGF-beta levels and LA volumes and negative correlation between TGF-beta levels and strain values. TGF-beta levels were higher among chemotherapy and weight lifter groups, compared to control and marathoner groups [mean 0.57 ± 0.3 and 0.55 ± 0.2 vs. 0.45 ± 0.2 and 0.47 ± 0.2, respectively, p = 0.005]. LA volumes were higher among chemotherapy and weight lifter groups [median 33 (26-38) and 31 (23-36) respectively, p = 0.005], and strain values were lower in these two groups [mean 20.3 ± 2.5 and 24.6 ± 4.5, respectively, p < 0.005] compared to control and marathoner groups. Total exercise volume was higher in weight lifter group compared to marathoners [13,780 (2496-36,400) vs. 4732 (780-44928), respectively, p = 0.001]. There wasn't any difference between any group regarding left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions. Vigorous exercise causes atrial remodelling and fibrosis in elite athletes. Strength exercise carries higher risk for atrial fibrosis than endurance exercise. Burden of exercise is correlated with the severity of cardiac fibrosis. Echocardiographic evaluation of the left atrium and TGF-beta levels may help to detect subclinical cardiac remodelling and fibrosis., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: The presence of atrial fibrosis has already been known as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. We aimed to evaluate atrial fibrosis with previously defined three different methods, which were cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (C-MRI), echocardiographic strain imaging, and biomarkers and show the relationship between these methods in patients with AF scheduled for cryoballoon ablation., Methods: A total of 30 patients were enrolled. Atrial T1 relaxation durations were measured using C-MRI before the procedure of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels were measured at serum derived from the femoral artery (Peripheral FGF 21 and 23) and left atrium blood samples (Central FGF 21 and 23) before catheter ablation. Preprocedural transthoracic echocardiography was performed. The median follow-up duration for atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) recurrence was 13 (12-18 months) months., Results: The mean ages of the study group were 55.23 ± 12.37 years, and there were 17 (56.7%) female patients in study population. There were negative correlations between post contrast T1 relaxation durations of both posterior and posterosuperior atrium, and central FGF-23 (r: - 0.561; p = 0.003; r:-0.624; p = 0.001; Posterior T1 vs. central FGF-23 levels and Posterosuperior T1 vs central FGF-23 levels, respectively). The positive correlations were observed between postcontrast posterior T1 relaxation durations and left ventricle ejection fraction (r:0.671; p = 0.001); left atrial emptying fraction (r:0.482; p = 0.013); peak atrial longitudinal strain (r:0.605; p = 0.001), and peak atrial contraction strain (r:0.604; p = 0.001). Also negative correlation was observed between postcontrast posterior T1 relaxation durations, and left atrial volume index (r: - 0.467; p = 0.016).

Background: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis is known as the hallmark for arrhythmogenic substrate in atrial fibrillation (AF). Quantification of LA fibrosis by using delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) in AF patients is a pioneering noninvasive technique. Vitamin D (vitD) negatively regulates the renin-angiotensin system, binds to vitD receptors on cardiac myocytes, and has antioxidant properties that may ameliorate the inflammation and proarrhythmic substrate formation. However, its role in LA fibrosis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of serum 25(OH)D level with the extent of LA fibrosis by using DE-MRI and also predictors for AF recurrence after cryoablation was assessed in patients with paroxysmal AF., Methods: A total of 48 patients with lone paroxysmal AF (41.7% female; age: 48.5±8.4 years) who underwent DE-MRI at 1.5T and initial cryoballoon-based catheter ablation along with 48 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Fibrosis degree was categorized according to Utah class defined in the DECAAF study., Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in AF group compared to control group (25.8±7.6ng/ml vs. 31.0±9.5ng/ml, p=0.004). Serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with moderate-severe LA fibrosis independent of other measures (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, p=0.028). At a mean 16.5±2.6 months follow-up, late recurrence was observed in 10 (20.8%) patients. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, LA volume index (HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01-2.01, p=0.045) and the extent of LA fibrosis (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01-1.28, p=0.034) were found as independently associated with late AF recurrence during follow-up., Conclusion: Lower levels of serum 25(OH)D are significantly associated with more extensive LA fibrosis in patients with lone paroxysmal AF and may be implicated in the pathophysiology of AF recurrence after cryoablation. Further large-scale studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of vitD deficiency and replacement on LA fibrosis., (Copyright © 2016 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Among patients undergoing cryoballoon-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, in order to reduce access site complications, improve staff efficiency, and decrease length of stay, various techniques have been implemented to achieve immediate haemostasis. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 'figure-of-eight (FoE)' suture when compared with conventional manual compression for immediate closure of 15-French (Fr) calibre right femoral venous access after cryoablation., Methods and Results: A total of 200 patients (48% female, mean age 55 ± 12.4 years, and 77% paroxysmal AF) with symptomatic AF underwent initial cryoablation procedure. All the patients were anticoagulated with heparin during the procedure. In a sequential allocation, FoE suture (Group 1 = 100) and conventional manual compression (Group 2 = 100) were used in achieving haemostasis at right femoral venous access site following 15 Fr sheath removal. In the FoE suture group, haemostasis was achieved immediately after tying the knot (n = 95) or within ≤1 min of light pressure (n = 4). One patient had failure of the stitch as the silk suture snapped during knotting, and haemostasis was achieved by manual compression as per the usual protocol. The median time to haemostasis was shorter in the suture group (0 vs. 14 min, P < 0.001). On immediate and short-term (3 months) follow-up, there was no evidence of minor or major vascular access site complications like haematoma, re-bleeding, fistula formation, or thrombosis at right femoral site in the suture group., Conclusion: The 'FoE' suture, as a simple, efficacious and likely safe technique, might be an alternative approach to achieve an immediate haemostasis after removal of 15 Fr right femoral venous sheaths in patients undergoing cryoablation., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2015. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Evidence from previous studies indicates increased epicardial fat volume, measured using computerized tomography, is significantly associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation. This association is most frequently linked to pro-inflammatory cytokine release from epicardial fat tissue. However, there is little data regarding the role of echocardiographically measured epicardial fat thickness (EFT) on catheter ablation outcomes. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of echocardiographically measured EFT on AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based catheter ablation., Methods: A total of 234 patients (51.3% male; mean age, 54.0 ± 10.9 years; 81.2% paroxysmal AF) with symptomatic AF underwent an initial cryoablation procedure. EFT was measured from the parasternal long-axis view at end-systole. A 3-month postablation blanking period was observed., Results: At a median follow-up of 20 (IQR: 13-24) months, 45 patients (19.2%) had developed AF recurrence. EFT thickness was significantly higher among patients with AF recurrence (7.79 ± 2.0 vs. 5.79 ± 1.38, P < 0.001) and was positively correlated with hs-CRP levels (r = 0.381, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed EFT (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10-1.66, P = 0.004), left atrial diameter, and early AF recurrence were independent predictors of AF recurrence. Using a cutoff level of 6.92, preprocedural EFT predicted AF recurrence during follow-up with a sensitivity of 71.1% and specificity of 78.3% (AUC: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.71-0.87, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Echocardiographically measured EFT independently predicted the AF recurrence after cryoablation and was also positively correlated with hs-CRP as an indicator for systemic inflammation. Thus, the association of echocardiographically measured EFT with AF recurrence may be linked to systemic inflammation., (© 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly observed in patients with heart failure and cardioversion was often needed to restore the sinus rhythm. Previously, there is no study evaluating usefulness of internal cardioversion with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and long-term effects of internal cardioversion with ICD devices compared to conventional external cardioversion in patients with AF and heart failure., Methods: Seventy patients with AF and heart failure who underwent electrical cardioversion were enrolled in the study. Forty patients (mean age 65.36 ± 10.37, 35 male) were assigned to undergo internal cardioversion with approximately 35 J shocks delivered through the ICD electrode. Standard external cardioversion was performed for the remaining patients (30 patients; mean age 66.20 ± 11.89; 24 male) that were similar with regard to baseline, and electrocardiographic characteristics., Results: Sinus rhythm was restored in 32 of 40 patients (80.0%) assigned to internal cardioversion compared with 25 of 30 patients (83.3%) assigned to external cardioversion (P = 0.725). We did not witness any serious complication during the procedure and hospitalization. On the follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference in recurrence of AF and incidence of major cardiovascular events between the internal and external cardioversion groups., Conclusions: Internal cardioversion with ICD device is an effective and safe method to restore sinus rhythm in heart failure patients with AF., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Assessment of the left atrial (LA) fibrosis by using delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is a pioneering noninvasive method. Serum YKL-40 is a novel marker for inflammation and known to play a role in ongoing tissue fibrosis. However, its role in LA fibrosis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of serum YKL-40 with the presence and extent of LA fibrosis., Methods: A total of 50 patients with lone paroxysmal AF (62% male; age: 47.2 ± 7.0 years) underwent cardiac DE-MRI according to study protocol. Cardiac DE-MRI at 1.5 Tesla scanner was used to quantify LA fibrosis. Serum YKL-40 levels and clinical and echocardiographic data were recorded in all participants., Results: DE-MRI revealed any degree of LA fibrosis in 31 (62%) patients. Median serum YKL-40 was significantly higher (P = 0.008) and left venticular ejection fraction was lower (P = 0.047) in patients with LA fibrosis as compared to patients without LA fibrosis. Extent of LA fibrosis was significantly correlated with age, duration of AF history, serum C-reactive protein, and serum YKL-40 levels. Only log (YKL-40) level was found as independent predictor for the presence of LA fibrosis (odds ratio: 1.626, P = 0.022). Multivariate linear regression analysis pointed out that duration of AF history (β = 0.330, P = 0.003) and serum log (YKL-40) levels (β = 0.546, P < 0.001) were significantly and independently associated with the extent of LA fibrosis., Conclusion: Higher levels of serum YKL-40 are associated with the presence and more extensive LA fibrosis in patients with lone AF. As a marker of inflammation, serum YKL-40 may also be used as an indicator for the degree of LA fibrosis., (©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: While atrial fibrillation (AF) begets AF via structural, contractile, and electrical remodeling, it was shown that successful radiofrequency ablation of AF has effectively reversed left atrial (LA) remodeling. However, there was little data regarding the efficacy of cryoablation on LA remodeling. Herein, we aimed to assess the impact of cryoablation on LA structural and potential electrical remodeling in paroxysmal AF patients., Methods: A total of 41 symptomatic patients with non-valvular paroxysmal AF underwent their first catheter ablation via cryoballoon technique. All patients had transthoracic echocardiography before, 6 and 12 months after cryoablation. LA volume index (LAVI), left intra-, right intra-, and inter-atrial electromechanical conduction delay (AEMD) were calculated in all patients. Postprocedural first 3 months was accepted as blanking period., Results: All 179 pulmonary veins were isolated successfully in 41 patients with no major complication. During median 18 months (12-20 months) follow-up, recurrent atrial arrhythmia was found in nine patients (21.9%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, only early recurrence was found as the independent predictor of late recurrence. At 12th month visit compared to baseline, there was no change in LAVI (p = 0.647) but significant increase in left intra- and inter-AEMD (p < 0.05). However, in non-recurrent group, both LAVI (30.63 ± 3.6 to 28.42 ± 3.63, p < 0.001), left intra-AEMD (18.75 ± 8.77 to 12.5 ± 4.65, p < 0.001), and inter-AEMD (25.2 ± 13.2 to 18.84 ± 8.52, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased., Conclusions: Our study findings revealed that successful cryoballoon-based AF ablation yields LA structural and potential electrical reverse remodeling. However, LA remodeling process cannot be halted by cryoablation in patients with AF recurrence during follow-up.

Objective: Atrial fibrosis is one of the main components of atrial fibrillation (AF) pathophysiology and culminates in structural, electrical and contractile remodelling. Fibronectin is one of the well-known mediators of fibrogenesis. However, the association of plasma fibronectin with atrial remodelling has not been studied previously. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between plasma fibronectin level and atrial electrical and structural remodelling in patients with lone paroxysmal AF., Methods: A total of 51 lone paroxysmal AF patients and 40 age-, gender- and body mass index-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled. Plasma levels of fibronectin and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured and transthoracic echocardiography for assessment of total atrial conduction time (TACT) and left atrial (LA) volume index was performed on all study participants., Results: Plasma fibronectin, hs-CRP, TACT, LA diameter and LA volume index were significantly higher in lone paroxysmal AF group compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). Also, there was a positive correlation between plasma fibronectin level and TACT (r=0.362, p<0.001) and LA volume index (r=0.371, p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, plasma fibronectin level (Odds ratio - OR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.005, p=0.026) and hs-CRP (OR: 2.312, 95% CI: 1.503-6.459, p=0.017) were found to be the predictors of LA structural remodelling; however, only plasma fibronectin level (OR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.005, p=0.032) and hs-CRP (OR: 3.212, 95% CI: 1.214-5.752, p=0.033) were found as the predictors of LA electrical remodelling., Conclusion: Our study results showed that profibrotic and proinflammatory biomarkers were associated with left atrial structural and electrical remodelling in lone paroxysmal AF patients.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), as an endocrine organ, may serve as a source of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also, given the strong relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF), obesity and inflammation, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association of non-valvular AF with epicardial and periatrial fat. A total of 618 (192 in sinus rhythm, 169 with paroxysmal AF, 133 with persistent AF and 124 with permanent AF) patients who underwent CT angiography for the evaluation of CAD or pulmonary vein anatomy before catheter ablation were enrolled in this study. Thickness of the EAT and periatrial fat were measured by CT angiography. Together with body mass index, these were examined in relation to the presence and severity of AF and left atrial (LA) diameter. Patients with AF had significantly more total EAT and periatrial fat thickness compared with patients in sinus rhythm (p < 0.001). EAT thickness was significantly higher in permanent, persistent and paroxysmal AF compared with sinus rhythm group (p < 0.001). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis comparing patients with sinus rhythm and subtypes of AF revealed a significant association between periatrial fat and total EAT thickness with all AF subtypes. Correlation analysis demonstrated that both total EAT thickness and periatrial fat thickness were significantly correlated with LA diameter (p < 0.05). Epicardial fat thickness is associated with both the presence and severity of AF independent of all other risk factors including LA diameter. Mediators for the association of EAT with AF pathophysiology requires future large scale prospective studies.