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In this article, the authors review the approach to infections associated with surgically placed leads, leads placed in unusual locations such as azygous veins, extraction of active fixation coronary sinus leads, and the role of hybrid extractions in difficult cases. The authors also review strategies to mitigate the risk of paradoxic embolism among patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction., Competing Interests: Disclosures None for all the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) become the recommended treatment over vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, their effectiveness in reducing cognitive impairment and dementia compared to VKA remains unclear., Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database. Randomized controlled trials, cohort, or case-control study that assessed incident dementia between AF patients who received DOAC compared to VKA were selected. Relevant study characteristics and the number of incident dementia diagnosis or hazard ratios (HRs) for incident dementia and each dementia subtypes were extracted. Random-effects model was used to perform meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used to estimate effect sizes for continuous data., Results: Twelve cohort studies comprising 1 451 069 individuals were included. The incidence of dementia was lower in AF patients prescribed DOACs compared to VKA (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.93, I 2  = 61.2%). A lower incident dementia in DOACs group relative to VKA was significantly observed in those less than 75 years of age (< 65 years, HR 0.83 (95% CI 0.72-0.97, I 2  = 0%); 65-74 years, HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.92, I 2  = 55.4%); and ≥ 75 years, HR 1.07 (95% CI 0.74-1.55, I 2  = 92.5%)) and for the subgroup of patients with vascular dementia (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.824-0.997, I 2  = 0%)., Conclusions: This meta-analysis reveals a reduction in incidence of dementia in AF patients prescribed DOACs compared to VKA, particularly in those less than 75 years old and in the vascular dementia subtype., Competing Interests: We do not have any financial or nonfinancial potential conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Arrhythmia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Heart Rhythm Society.)

Background: Orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) is among the final armamentariums for end-stage heart disease. Many patients who have had OHT require a post-transplant permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation due to an abnormal conduction system. We aimed to evaluate the risk of mortality and acute rejection in patients with OHT who had received PPM compared to patients without PPM and to determine predictors for PPM placement in this population., Methods: We comprehensively searched for studies from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from inception to September 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on patients who had undergone OHT and PPM implantation post-transplant. Data from each study were combined using a random-effects model. Results were expressed as relative risk (RR) or odd ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI)., Results: A total of 9 studies were included in this meta-analysis incorporating a total of 54,848 patients (3.3% had PPM). The pooled all-cause mortality rate among patients with PPM post-OHT was 26% (95% CI: 19-33%, I 2  = 1%). There were no differences between post-heart transplant patients with PPM and those without PPM in risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.43-1.34; I 2  = 45%) and acute rejection (RR 1.22, 95% CI: 0.74-2.00, I 2  = 59%). Bi-atrial anastomosis was associated with an increased risk of PPM implantation post-OHT (OR 7.74, 95% CI: 3.55-16.91, I 2  = 0%), while pre-OHT mechanical circulatory support (MCS) was associated with a decreased risk of PPM implantation post-OHT (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.76, I 2  = 0%)., Conclusion: There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality or acute rejection between post-OHT recipients who required PPM compared to those who did not receive PPM. Further, bi-atrial anastomosis portended the need for PPM implantation, while MCS was associated with a decreased occurrence of PPM., Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of interest We do not have any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Several studies suggested the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) in screening left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We hence conducted systematic review and meta-analysis comparing diagnostic accuracy of AI to Sokolow-Lyon's and Cornell's criteria. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive overview of the newly developed AI tools for diagnosing LVH. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for relevant studies until May 2023. Included were observational studies evaluating AI's accuracy in LVH detection. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and pooled sensitivities and specificities assessed AI's performance against standard criteria. A total of 66,479 participants, with and without LVH, were included. Use of AI was associated with improved diagnostic accuracy with summary ROC (SROC) of 0.87. Sokolow-Lyon's and Cornell's criteria had lower accuracy (0.68 and 0.60). AI had sensitivity and specificity of 69% and 87%. In comparison, Sokolow-Lyon's specificity was 92% with a sensitivity of 25%, while Cornell's specificity was 94% with a sensitivity of 19%. This indicating its superior diagnostic accuracy of AI based algorithm in LVH detection. Our study demonstrates that AI-based methods for diagnosing LVH exhibit higher diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional criteria, with notable increases in sensitivity. These findings contribute to the validation of AI as a promising tool for LVH detection., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: While atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has proven beneficial for heart failure (HF) patients, most reports were performed with radiofrequency ablation. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cryoballoon AF ablation in patients with HFrEF., Method: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database from inception to December 2022. Studies that reported the outcomes of freedom from atrial arrhythmia, complications, NYHA functional class (NYHA FC), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after Cryoballoon AF ablation in HF patients were included. Data from each study were combined with a random-effects model., Result: A total of 9 studies observational studies with 1414 HF patients were included. Five studies had only HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 1 study with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and others with mixed HF types. Freedom from AA in HFrEF at 12 months was 64% (95% CI 56-71%, I 2 58%). There was a significant improvement of LVEF in these patients with a standard mean difference of 13% (95% CI 8.6-17.5%, I 2 99% P < 0.001. The complication rate in HFrEF group was 6% (95% CI 4-10%, I 2 0%). The risk of recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was not significantly different between HF and no HF patients (RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.8-2.23, I2 76%)., Conclusion: Cryoballoon AF ablation is effective in HFrEF patients comparable to radiofrequency ablation. The complication rate was low., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Indian Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common supraventricular tachycardia referred for ablation. Periprocedural conduction system damage was a primary concern during AVNRT ablation. This study aimed to assess the incidence of permanent atrioventricular (AV) block and the success rate associated with different types of catheters in slow pathway ablation., Method: A literature search was performed to identify studies that compared various techniques, including types of radiofrequency ablation (irrigated and nonirrigated) and different sizes of catheter tip cryoablation (4, 6, and 8-mm), in terms of their outcomes related to permanent atrioventricular block and success rate. To assess and rank the treatments for the different outcomes, a random-effects model of network meta-analysis, along with p-scores, was employed., Results: A total of 27 studies with 5110 patients were included in the analysis. Overall success rates ranged from 89.78% to 100%. Point estimation showed 4-mm cryoablation exhibited an odds ratio of 0.649 (95%CI: 0.202-2.087) when compared to nonirrigated RFA. Similarly, 6-mm cryoablation had an odds ratio of 0.944 (95%CI: 0.307-2.905), 8-mm cryoablation had an odds ratio of 0.848 (95%CI: 0.089-8.107), and irrigated RFA had an odds ratio of 0.424 (95%CI: 0.058-3.121) compared to nonirrigated RFA., Conclusion: Our study found no significant difference in the incidence of permanent AV block between the types of catheters. The success rates were consistently high across all groups. These findings emphasize the potential of both RF ablation (irrigated and nonirrigated catheter) and cryoablation as viable options for the treatment of AVNRT, with similar safety and efficacy profile., (© 2024 The Authors. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) management in endurance athletes (EA) is challenging due to the paucity of data, especially on the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation (CA). The hypothesis is that the efficacy and safety of AF CA in EA are comparable to the non-EA., Methods: Databases from EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane were searched from inception through February 2023. Studies with available information on efficacy and safety profiles were included. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random effect and generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird., Results: Nine observational studies with a total of 1129 participants were identified, of whom 51% were EA. Our analysis found that rate of atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrences following AF CA was not statistically different between EA and non-EA (RR 1.04, I 2  = 57.6%, p = 0.54). The AA survival rates after a single ablation in EA was 60.2%, which improved up to 77% after multiple ablations during the follow-up period. Infrequent complication rates ranging from 0 to 7.6% were observed, with no mortality., Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that AF CA is as effective and safe in EA as in non-EA. In the future, AF CA should be considered as a first-line therapeutic choice in this patient group., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Purpose: The prevalence of hyperdynamic left ventricular (LV) systolic function in septic patients and its impact on mortality remain controversial. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the prevalence and association of hyperdynamic LV systolic function with mortality in patients with sepsis., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase. Primary outcomes were the prevalence of hyperdynamic LV systolic function in adult septic patients and the associated short-term mortality as compared to normal LV systolic function. Hyperdynamic LV systolic function was defined using LV ejection fraction (LVEF) of 70% as cutoff. Secondary outcomes were heart rate, LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and E/e' ratio., Results: Four studies were included, and the pooled prevalence of hyperdynamic LV systolic function was 18.2% ([95% confidence interval (CI) 12.5, 25.8]; I 2  = 7.0%, P < 0.0001). Hyperdynamic LV systolic function was associated with higher mortality: odds ratio of 2.37 [95%CI 1.47, 3.80]; I 2  = 79%, P < 0.01. No difference was found in E/e' (P = 0.43) between normal and hyperdynamic LV systolic function, while higher values of heart rate (mean difference: 6.14 beats/min [95%CI 3.59, 8.69]; I 2  = 51%, P < 0.0001) and LVEDD (mean difference: - 0.21 cm [95%CI - 0.33, - 0.09]; I 2  = 73%, P < 0.001) were detected in patients with hyperdynamic LV systolic function., Conclusion: The prevalence of hyperdynamic LV systolic function is not negligible in septic patients. Such a finding is associated with significantly higher short-term mortality as compared to normal LV systolic function., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a standard treatment for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, there is still a gap of evidence in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients regarding resynchronization therapy., Methods: We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of CHD patients who received CRT implantation. We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database from inception to June 2023. Studies that reported response rate to CRT, total mortality rate, change in QRS duration, change in left ventricular ejection fraction, and change in New York Heart Association functional class were included., Results: A total of 14 studies were included in the study. There were 10 studies that reported response rates after implantation. The overall response rate to CRT in CHD patients was 68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61%-75%, I 2 32%). The response rates in patients with systemic right ventricle (RV), systemic left ventricle (LV), and single ventricle were 58% (95% CI 46%-70%, I 2 0%), 80% (95% CI 74%-86% I 2 14%), and 67% (95% CI 49%-80% I 2 0%). Response to CRT in systemic RV was inferior to systemic LV with an odds ratio of 0.38 (95% CI 0.15-0.95, I 2 38%). The total mortality rate from seven studies was 12% (95% CI 8%-18%, I 2 55%). The parameters which represented ventricular dyssynchrony improved after CRT implantation., Conclusion: The overall response rate to CRT in CHD was 68%. Patients with systemic RV had a lower response rate to CRT when compared to patients with systemic LV. The total mortality rate after CRT implantation was 12%., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The current recommendation for bioprosthetic valve replacement in severe aortic stenosis (AS) is either surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We evaluated the performance of a machine learning-based predictive model using existing periprocedural variables for valve replacement modality selection. We analyzed 415 patients in a retrospective longitudinal cohort of adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. A total of 72 clinical variables including demographic data, patient comorbidities, and preoperative investigation characteristics were collected on each patient. We fit models using LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) and decision tree techniques. The accuracy of the prediction on confusion matrix was used to assess model performance. The most predictive independent variable for valve selection by LASSO regression was frailty score. Variables that predict SAVR consisted of low frailty score (value at or below 2) and complex coronary artery diseases (DVD/TVD). Variables that predicted TAVR consisted of high frailty score (at or greater than 6), history of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), calcified aorta, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The LASSO-generated predictive model achieved 98% accuracy on valve replacement modality selection from testing data. The decision tree model consisted of fewer important parameters, namely frailty score, CKD, STS score, age, and history of PCI. The most predictive factor for valve replacement selection was frailty score. The predictive models using different statistical learning methods achieved an excellent concordance predictive accuracy rate of between 93% and 98%.

Introduction: The concurrent data on sex disparities in VT management and outcomes have remained unclear. Therefore, our objective was to determine the impact of sex on ventricular tachycardia (VT) management and outcomes in patients admitted with VT, dervied from the US National Inpatient Sample database (NIS)., Methods: We used data from the US NIS to identify hospitalized adult patients who were admitted with VT between 2016 and 2018. Regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of sex on VT management, in-hospital mortality, complications, length of stay, and hospitalization costs., Results: Of the database, a total of 146 070 patients, who were primarily hospitalized for VT, were approximated. Among these, women comprised 25.5%; they were significantly younger and had fewer comorbidities. Of procedural aspects, women were less likely to receive an angiogram, mechanical support, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, and VT ablation compared to men. Notably, women were associated with higher do-not-resuscitate rates and in-hospital cardiac arrests than men. No differences in in-hospital mortality and cardiogenic shock were observed between men and women (p > .05). Length of stay was significantly longer for women, while no differences in hospital costs were observed in both sexes., Conclusion: Significant sex disparities in management and outcomes were observed in admitted patients with VT. Our results reflect the need for further studies to explore factors causing such diversities., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Brugada syndrome is an inherited arrhythmic disease associated with major arrhythmic events (MAE). Risk predictive scores were previously developed with various performances., Objective: The purpose of this study was to create a novel score-Predicting Arrhythmic evenT (PAT)-with internal and external validation., Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify risk factors for MAE. The odds ratios (ORs) of each factor were pooled across studies. The PAT scoring scheme was developed based on pooled ORs. The PAT score was internally validated with published 105 Asian patients (follow-up 8.0 ± 4.1 [SD] years) and externally validated with unpublished 164 multiracial patients (82.3% White, 14.6% Asian, 3.2% Black; mean follow-up 8.0 ± 6.9 years) with Brugada syndrome. Performances were assessed and compared with previous scores using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis., Results: Sixty-seven studies published between 2002 and 2022 from 26 countries (7358 patients) were included. Pooled ORs were estimated, indicating that 15 of 23 risk factors were significant. The PAT score was then developed accordingly. The PAT score had significantly better discrimination (ROC 0.9671) than the BRUGADA-RISK score (ROC 0.7210; P = .006), Shanghai Score System (ROC 0.7079; P = .003), and Sieira et al score (ROC 0.8174; P = .026) in an external validation cohort. PAT score ≥ 10 predicted the first MAE with 95.5% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity (ROC 0.9460) and the recurrent MAE (ROC 0.7061) with 15.4% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity., Conclusion: The PAT score was shown to be useful in predicting MAE for primary prevention in patients with Brugada syndrome., (Copyright © 2023 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Peri-cardiac catheterization (CC) stroke is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Little is known about any potential difference in stroke risk between transradial (TR) and transfemoral (TF) approaches. We explored this question through a systematic review and meta-analysis., Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched from 1980 to June 2022. Randomized trials and observational studies comparing radial versus femoral access CC or intervention that reported stroke events were included. A random-effects model was used for analysis., Results: The total population in our 41 pooled studies comprised 1 112 136 patients - average age 65 years, women averaging 27% in TR and 31% in TF approaches. Primary analysis of 18 randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) that included a total of 45 844 patients showed that there was no statistical significance in stroke outcomes between the TR approach and the TF approach [odds ratio (OR) 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-1.06, P -value = 0.013, I2 = 47.7%]. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis of RCTs including procedural duration between those two access sites showed no significance in stroke outcomes (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.86-1.34, P -value = 0.921, I2 = 0.0%)., Conclusions: There was no significant difference in stroke outcomes between the TR approach and the TF approach., (Copyright © 2023 Italian Federation of Cardiology - I.F.C. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The prevalence and its impact on mortality of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) remain controversial. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the prevalence and prognosis of SICM. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase. Titles and abstracts were evaluated based on the following criteria: (1) published in English, (2) randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, or cross-sectional studies, (3) ≥ 18 years with sepsis, (4) reporting the prevalence and/or comparison of short-term mortality between those with and without SICM, defined as the new-onset reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) within 72 h on admission or from the diagnosis of sepsis. The random-effect model was used for all analyses. This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CDR42022332896). Results: Sixteen studies reported the prevalence of SICM and the pooled prevalence of SICM was 20% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-25%; I 2   =  89.9%, P < 0.01). Eleven studies reported short-term mortality and SICM was associated with significantly higher short-term mortality (The pooled odds ratio: 2.30, 95% CI, 1.43-3.69; I 2   =  0%, P  =  0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of SICM was 20% in patients with sepsis, and the occurrence of SICM was associated with significantly higher short-term mortality.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently become a promising option for the near-natural restoration of electrical activation. However, the clinical relevance of therapeutic effects in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and dyssynchrony remains unknown., Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until June 2022. Data from each study was combined using a random-effects model, the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird, to calculate standard mean differences and pooled incidence ratio, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)., Results: A total of 772 HFrEF patients were analyzed from 15 observational studies per protocol. The success rate of LBBAP implantation was 94.8% (95% CI 89.9-99.6, I2 = 79.4%), which was strongly correlated with shortening QRS duration after LBBAP implantation, with a mean difference of -48.10 ms (95% CI -60.16 to -36.05, I2 = 96.7%). Over a period of 6-12 months of follow-up, pacing parameters were stable over time. There were significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) with mean difference of 16.38% (95% CI 13.13-19.63, I2 = 90.2%), -46.23 ml (95% CI -63.17 to -29.29, I2 = 86.82%), -7.21 mm (95% CI -9.71 to -4.71, I2 = 84.6%), and -44.52 ml (95% CI -64.40 to -24.64, I2 = 85.9%), respectively., Conclusions: LBBAP was associated with improvements in both cardiac function and electrical synchrony. The benefits of LBBAP in individuals with HFrEF and dyssynchrony should be further validated by randomized studies., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The effect and safety of bivalirudin compared with heparin in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of heparin and bivalirudin in patients who underwent ECMO. We searched Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and MEDLINE. Inclusion criteria included patients (1) undergoing ECMO and (2) receiving bivalirudin or heparin. We excluded studies where the majority of patients switched heparin to bivalirudin or vice versa during the clinical course. The primary outcome was short-term mortality. We presented the results of all analyses with the use of random-effects models. Eleven studies reported short-term mortality. The use of bivalirudin was associated with significantly lower short-term mortality, compared with heparin (odds ratio: 0.71, 95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.92; p = 0.01, I2 = 7%). In this meta-analysis of observational studies, the use of bivalirudin was associated with significantly lower short-term mortality, compared with heparin. Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify this finding., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © ASAIO 2022.)

Background: High-power short-duration (HPSD) atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with a power of 40-50 W was proved to be safe and effective. Very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) AF ablation is a novel method using >50 W to obtain more durable AF ablation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vHPSD ablation compared with HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation., Methods: A literature search for studies that reported AF ablation outcomes, including short-term freedom from atrial arrhythmia, first-pass isolation (FPI) rate, procedure time, and major complications, was conducted utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. All relevant studies were included in this analysis. A random-effects model of network meta-analysis and surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) were used to rank the treatment for all outcomes., Results: A total of 29 studies with 9721 patients were included in the analysis. According to the SUCRA analysis, HPSD ablation had the highest probability of maintaining sinus rhythm. Point estimation showed an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-1.9) between HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation and an odds ratio of 1.3 (95% CI: 0.78-2.2) between vHPSD ablation and conventional power ablation. While the odds ratio of FPI between HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation was 3.6 (95% CI: 1.5-8.9), the odds ratio between vHPSD ablation and conventional power ablation was 2.2 (95% CI: 0.61-8.6). The procedure times of vHPSD and HPSD ablations were comparable and, therefore, shorter than that of conventional power ablation. Major complications were low in all techniques., Conclusion: vHPSD ablation did not yield higher efficacy than HPSD ablation and conventional power ablation. With the safety concern, vHPSD ablation outcomes were comparable with those of other techniques., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Brugada syndrome is an inherited arrhythmic disease associated with major arrhythmic events (MAE). The importance of primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Brugada syndrome is well recognized; however, ventricular arrhythmia risk stratification remains challenging and controversial. We aimed to assess the association of type of syncope with MAE via systematic review and meta-analysis., Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to December 2021. Included studies were cohort (prospective or retrospective) studies that reported the types of syncope (cardiac, unexplained, vasovagal, and undifferentiated) and MAE. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)., Results: Seventeen studies from 2005 to 2019 were included in this meta-analysis involving 4355 Brugada syndrome patients. Overall, syncope was significantly associated with an increased risk of MAE in Brugada syndrome (OR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.22-6.85, p  < .001, I 2  = 76.0%). By syncope type, cardiac (OR = 4.48, 95% CI: 2.87-7.01, p  < .001, I 2  = 0.0%) and unexplained (OR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.34-16.57, p  = .016, I 2  = 37.3%) syncope was significantly associated with increased risk of MAE in Brugada syndrome. Vasovagal (OR = 2.90, 95% CI: 0.09-98.45, p  = .554, I 2  = 70.9%) and undifferentiated syncope (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.00-4.03, p  = .050, I 2  = 64.6%, respectively) were not., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that cardiac and unexplained syncope was associated with MAE risk in Brugada syndrome populations but not in vasovagal syncope and undifferentiated syncope. Unexplained syncope is associated with a similar increased risk of MAE compared to cardiac syncope., Competing Interests: None to declare., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Arrhythmia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Heart Rhythm Society.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Background: Sex differences have diversely affected cardiac diseases. Little is known whether these differences impact outcomes of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT)., Objectives: To assess the impact of sex differences on outcomes of catheter ablation of VT., Methods: Databases were searched from inception through December 2021. Effect estimates from individual studies were extracted and combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. The outcomes of interest included VT recurrence rates, all-cause mortality, and composite outcomes of mortality, left ventricular assistant device use, and heart transplantation following VT ablation., Results: Our analysis included 22 observational studies. There were 10,206 patients, of which 12.8% were women. We found no statistical difference between sexes for VT recurrence rate (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 1.04, P = .57, I 2 = 14.9%). Similarly, there was statistical difference in neither all-cause mortality nor composite outcomes (pooled HR 0.93, P = .75, I 2 = 59.1% and pooled HR 0.9, P = .33, I 2 = 0%, respectively). There was a trend toward an increase in women undergoing VT ablation in the recent registries ( P = .071)., Conclusion: Our contemporary analysis suggests that sex may have no impact on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation of VT in patients with structural heart disease, though women are the underrepresented. However, recent VT ablation registries have involved more women in their studies. Future studies with a higher proportion of women are encouraged to verify the current perception., (© 2022 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of the premorbid use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) on short-term mortality in patients with sepsis., Data Sources: Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and MEDLINE were searched for studies based on the below eligibility criteria. The protocol was registered at the PROSPERO (CRD42022309129)., Study Selection: Eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, (2) patients with sepsis aged ≥16 years, and (3) received premorbid ACEI/ARB, or not., Data Extraction: The patient and study characteristics and outcomes were extracted. All analyses were presented with the use of random-effects models. The primary outcome was short-term mortality defined as ≤30-day, in-hospital, or intensive care unit (ICU)- mortality. The secondary outcome was acute kidney injury (AKI)., Data Synthesis: Fifteen studies (N = 96,159) met the eligibility criteria. Of these, eleven studies (N = 40,360) reported unadjusted short-term mortalities. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of short-term mortality with the premorbid use of ACEI/ARB was as follows: OR, 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67 to 1.11; P = 0.24, I 2 = 88%. Five studies reported an adjusted OR of short-term mortality with the premorbid use of ACEI/ARB as follows: OR, 0.74; 95%CI, 0.59 to 0.93; P < 0.01, I 2 = 93%. Seven studies reported the pooled adjusted OR of AKI with the premorbid use of ACEI/ARB as follows: OR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.26-1.96, p < 0.01, I 2 = 69%., Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, the premorbid ACEI/ARB was associated with significantly lower short-term mortality in patients with sepsis despite the significantly higher risk of AKI., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is limited information on whether early catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is associated with better outcomes compared with alternative strategies in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)., Objective: The purpose of this article was to assess the efficacy of early VT CA in patients with ICD., Methods: EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane were searched from inception to April 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of early VT CA with control groups, both in patients with ICD, were included in the analysis. Data on effect estimates in individual studies were extracted and combined via random effects meta-analysis using the DerSimonian and Laird method, a generic inverse variance strategy., Results: Nine randomized controlled trials with 1106 patients (n = 1018, 92.1% with ischemic cardiomyopathy and n = 88, 7.9% with nonischemic cardiomyopathy) were evaluated. VT CA was associated with reduced VT recurrences (odds ratio [OR] 0.64; P = .007), appropriate ICD shocks (OR 0.53; P = .002), ICD therapies (OR 0.54; P = .002), and cardiovascular hospitalization (OR 0.67; P = .004). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of mortality rate, heart failure hospitalization, and quality of life between the early VT CA and control groups., Conclusion: Early CA was beneficial in reducing VT burden and ICD therapies. However, it did not affect mortality rate and quality of life. Since most patients in the included studies presented with ischemic cardiomyopathy, further studies on nonischemic cardiomyopathy should be conducted to validate if early CA has similar outcomes., (Copyright © 2022 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly performed worldwide. As comfort with AF ablation increases, the procedure is increasingly used in patients that are older and in those with more comorbidities. However, it is not well established whether AF ablation in the elderly, especially those >75 years old, has comparable safety and efficacy to younger populations., Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety profiles in patients older than 75 years undergoing AF ablation with younger patients., Methods: Databases from EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane, were searched from inception through September 2021. Studies that compared the success rates in AF catheter ablation and all complications rates between patients who were older vs under 75 years were included. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird., Results: Twenty-seven observational studies were included in the analysis consisting of 363,542 patients who underwent AF ablation. Comparing patients older than 75 years old to younger patients, there was no difference in the success of ablation rates between elderly and younger patients (pooled OR 0.85: 95% CI:0.69-1.05, p = .131). On the other hand, AF ablation in the elderly was associated with higher complication rates (pooled OR 1.42: 95% CI:1.21-1.68, p < .001)., Conclusion: As AF ablation is expanded to elderly populations, our study found that AF ablation success rates were similar in both elderly and younger patients. However, older patients experience higher rates of complications that should be considered when offering the procedure and as a means to improve outcomes with future innovations., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of premorbid beta-blockers on mortality in patients with sepsis., Data Sources: We searched EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and MEDLINE for eligible studies. The protocol was registered at the PROSPERO (CRD42021256813)., Study Selection: Two authors independently evaluated the following inclusion criteria: (1) randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies; (2) patients with sepsis aged ≥18 years, and (3) premorbid beta-blocker use., Data Extraction: Two authors extracted the patients' characteristics and outcomes independently. All analyses were performed using the random-effects models. The primary outcome was short-term mortality, defined as mortality within 30 days, in-hospital or intensive care unit mortality., Data Synthesis: Ten studies (n = 24 748 patients) were included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of short-term mortality associated with the premorbid use of beta-blockers was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-1.04; P = .12; I 2 = 50%). Five studies reported an adjusted OR of short-term mortality. The pooled adjusted OR of short-term mortality associated with the premorbid use of beta-blockers was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.65-0.83; P < .001; I 2 = 0%)., Conclusion: Premorbid beta-blockers were associated with a lower short-term mortality in patients with sepsis.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association whether the female gender was associated with an increased chance of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to 18 January 2022. Included studies were published studies evaluating or reporting characteristics of patients with HF with recovered LVEF. Data from each study were combined using a random-effects model, the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird, to calculate odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Eighteen studies were included in the analysis with a total of 12,270 patients (28.2% female). Female gender was associated with an increased chance of LVEF recovery (pooled OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.21−1.86, p-value < 0.001, I2 = 74.5%). In our subgroup analysis, female gender was associated with an increased chance of LVEF recovery when defined as LVEF > 50% (pooled OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.45−2.18, p-value < 0.001, I2 = 0.0%), and LVEF > 40−45% (pooled OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.09−1.91, p-value = 0.009, I2 = 79.2%), but not in LVEF > 35 (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 0.94−5.05, p-value = 0.06). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the female gender is associated with an increased chance of LVEF recovery. This association was not statistically significant in the subgroup that defined LVEF recovery as LVEF > 35%.

Background: Real-world data on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcomes in obese populations have remained scarce, especially the relationship between obesity and in-hospital AF ablation outcome., Hypothesis: Obesity is associated with higher complication rates and higher admission trend for AF ablation., Methods: We drew data from the US National Inpatient Sample to identify patients who underwent AF ablation between 2005 and 2018. Sociodemographic and patients' characteristics data were collected, and the trend, incidence of catheter ablation complications and mortality were analyzed, and further stratified by obesity classification., Results: A total of 153 429 patients who were hospitalized for AF ablation were estimated. Among these, 11 876 obese patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11 422-12 330) and 10 635 morbid obese patients (95% CI: 10 200-11 069) were observed. There was a substantial uptrend admission, up to fivefold, for AF ablation in all obese patients from 2005 to 2018 (p < .001). Morbidly obese patients were statistically younger, while coexisting comorbidities were substantially higher than both obese and nonobese patients (p < .01) Both obesity and morbid obesity were significantly associated with an increased risk of total bleeding, and vascular complications (p < .05). Only morbid obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of ablation-related complications, total infection, and pulmonary complications (p < .01). No difference in-hospital mortality was observed among obese, morbidly obese, and nonobese patients., Conclusion: Our study observed an uptrend in the admission of obese patients undergoing AF ablation from 2005 through 2018. Obesity was associated with higher ablation-related complications, particularly those who were morbidly obese., (© 2022 The Authors. Clinical Cardiology published by Wiley Periodicals, LLC.)

Cardiac resynchronization with defibrillator (CRT-D) malfunction can be due to various reasons, including wire injury, insulation break, battery problems, or patient factors. Undesired outcomes can be dramatically elevated in those settings, prompting early detection and proper troubleshooting. To diagnose, clinical correlation and device interrogation are vital. However, it is not uncommon to find general troubleshooting options insufficient, as highlighted in this case report. Here, we presented an unusual "head assembly separation," as the main reason for abnormal device parameters., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Posterior wall isolation (PWI) is an emerging approach in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, yet its efficacy remains controversial. This is the first meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of PWI in AF ablation., Objective: To assess the efficacy of PWI in reducing atrial arrhythmia recurrence following initial AF ablation at long-term follow-ups when compared to conventional methods., Methods: We conducted a literature search from inception through September 2021 in EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. We included RCTs that compared outcomes in PWI and conventional approaches of AF ablation. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI)., Results: Eight RCT from 2009 to 2020, including 1024 AF patients, were included. PWI did not decrease overall atrial arrhythmias recurrence (RR 0.96, 95% CI:0.88-1.05, I 2  = 31.6%, p-value 0.393). However, the pooled analysis showed a significant decrease in AF recurrence in PWI compared to controlled approaches (RR 0.88, 95% CI:0.81-0.96, I 2  = 48.2%, p -value .004). In the subgroup analysis, PWI significantly decreased AF recurrence in the studies that included only persistent AF (RR = 0.89, 95% CI:0.80-0.98, I 2  = 65.2%, p -value .014). PWI significantly decreased AF recurrence when compared to PVI with roof line (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95, I 2 0.00%, p -value .008)., Conclusion: Our study suggests that adding PWI significantly decreased AF recurrence in patients with persistent AF compared to controlled approaches. It highlights the importance of considering PWI during the initial procedure in this patient population., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Arrhythmia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society.)

Background: QRS area, a three-dimensional QRS complex, is a novel vectorcardiography method of measuring the magnitude of electrical forces in the heart. Hypothetically, a greater QRS area denotes higher dyssynchrony and indicates potential benefits from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Previous studies suggest a positive correlation between QRS area and the degree of response to CRT, but its clinical use remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis of the relationship between QRS area and survival benefit following CRT., Methods: We comprehensively searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from inception to August 2021. We included studies with prospective and retrospective cohort designs that reported QRS area before CRT and total mortality. Data from each study were analyzed using a random-effects model. The results were reported as a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals., Results: Five observational studies including 4931 patients were identified. The cut-off values between large and small QRS areas ranged from 102 to 116 μVs. Our analysis showed a larger QRS area was statistically associated with increased 5-year survival in patients implanted with CRT (HR pooled 0.48, 95% CI 0.46-0.51, I 2  = 54%, p < .0001). Greater QRS area reduction (pre- and post-implantation) were associated with a lower total mortality rate (HR pooled 0.45, 95% CI 0.38-0.52, I 2  = 0%, p < .0001)., Conclusion: Larger pre-implantation QRS area was associated with increased survival after CRT. QRS area reduction following CRT implantation was also associated with lower mortality. QRS area may potentially become an additional selection criterion for CRT implantations., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Real-world data on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation among moderate and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have so far remained scarce, especially in-hospital AF ablation outcomes., Methods: We drew data from the US National Inpatient Sample to identify hospitalized patients who underwent AF ablation between 2005 and 2018, and further stratified by CKD classification. We assessed the trend of AF ablation, as well as its complications., Results: A total of 152 630 patients who were primarily hospitalized for AF and underwent ablation were estimated. Among these, CKD patients were found in a total of 1509 participants, with 978, 206, and 325 under CKD3, CKD4, and CKD5/ESKD, respectively. There was a significant increment in admission rates for AF ablation in the CKD population across all CKD classifications (p < .001). All CKD patients were statistically older, with higher coexisting comorbidities, while hypertension was found substantially lower than non-CKD patients (p ≤ .001). Importantly, CKD, especially CKD3 and CKD5/ESKD, was significantly associated with an increased risk of total complications, and total bleeding, Neurological complications were found statistically lower in CKD patients (p = .029), and no mortality rates were significantly different (p = .287)., Conclusion: Our study observed an increase in admission trends for AF ablation among moderate and advanced CKD patients from 2005 to 2018. CKD was strongly associated with higher procedure-related complications and bleeding, but neurological safety profiles and mortalities rates were nonsignificantly different., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Cognitive impairment has been known to be associated with negative health impacts. Several studies recently demonstrated inconsistent outcomes among cognitive impaired patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our study aimed to determine the impact of cognitive impairment for patients with ACS., Methods: Databases were searched through October 2020. Studies reporting revascularization rates, short- and long-term mortality among ACS patients with cognitive impairment were included. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random effect and generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird., Results: In total, 11 observational studies were included in the analysis consisting of 810 122 ACS patients, with 3.5% cognitive impairment patients. Our analysis suggested that cognitive impairment was associated with a lower rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) [odds ratio (OR), 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42-0.96; I2 = 98.5%; P = 0.033]. Among patients undergoing PCI, cognitive impairment was statistically associated with increased 30-day mortality (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14-1.57; I2 = 83.1%; P < 0.001) and long-term mortality (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.04-3.11; I2 = 36.3%; P = 0.034)., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that cognitive impairment was not only associated with lower rates of percutaneous revascularization but also with increased 30-day and long-term mortality., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In the modern era, atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation trend has been shifted toward same-day discharge (SDD), from a traditional overnight stay. Yet, recent studies have not well stated the safety profiles which remained poor-understood and dispersed. We hence performed systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the adverse outcomes of SDD in comparison with an overnight stay., Methods: Databases were searched through January 2021. Effect estimates from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random-effects, generic inverse variance method of der Simonian and Laird. The primary outcomes included total cumulative complications and immediate complications following AF ablation., Results: Ten observational studies were met our inclusion criteria, comprising of total population of 11,660 patients, with SDD 51.3%. For total cumulative complications, there were no differences observed between SDD and overnight stay (5.2% vs. 6.2%: pooled OR 0.77: 95% CI 0.55-1.08, p = .13 with I 2  = 27.1%). In addition, comparable immediate complications were also demonstrated (5.2 % vs. 4.3: pooled OR 1.08: 95% CI 0.72-1.62, p = .718, with I 2  = 37.3 %)., Conclusion: Our study suggested that SDD had similar complication rates, both total cumulative and immediate outcomes, compared with overnight stay in selected patients following AF ablation. Nevertheless, randomized control trials are warranted to validate the findings., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to investigate whether IV high-dose vitamin C improves the short-term mortality of patients with sepsis., Design: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. We searched EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. The protocol was registered at the University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000040528). All analyses were presented with the use of random-effects models. The primary outcome was short-term mortality defined as 28-day, 30-day, or in-hospital mortality., Patients: Two authors independently evaluated the following eligibility criteria: 1) randomized controlled trial, 2) patients with sepsis aged ≥18 years, and 3) received intravenous high-dose vitamin C in addition to standard of care, or standard of care alone. Then, two authors independently extracted the selected patient and study characteristics and outcomes from studies that met above eligibility criteria., Measurements and Main Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (n = 1,737 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. High-dose IV vitamin C was not associated with a significantly lower short-term mortality (risk ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.73-1.06; p = 0.18; I2 = 29%) but was associated with a significantly shorter duration of vasopressor use (standardized mean difference, -0.35; 95% CI, -0.63 to -0.07; p < 0.01; I2 = 80%) and a significantly greater decline in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at 72-96 hours (standardized mean difference, -0.20; 95% CI, -0.32 to -0.08; p < 0.01; I2 = 16%). One study reported significant association with hypernatremia, but adverse effects were rare, and high-dose vitamin C is deemed relatively safe., Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, the use of IV high-dose vitamin C in patients with sepsis was not associated with lower short-term mortality although it was associated with significantly shorter duration of vasopressor use and greater decline in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at 72-96 hours., Competing Interests: The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

The influence of weight on in-hospital events of acute myocardial infarction complicated with cardiac arrest (AMI-CA) is understudied. To address this, we utilized the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2017) to identify adult AMI-CA admissions and categorized them by BMI into underweight, normal weight, and overweight/obese groups. The outcomes of interest included differences in in-hospital mortality, use of invasive therapies, hospitalization costs, and hospital length of stay across the three weight categories. Of the 314,609 AMI-CA admissions during the study period, 268,764 (85.4%) were normal weight, 1,791 (0.6%) were underweight, and 44,053 (14.0%) were overweight/obese. Compared to 2008, in 2017, adjusted temporal trends revealed significant increase in prevalence of AMI-CA in underweight (adjusted OR {aOR} 3.88 [95% CI 3.04-4.94], P<0.001) category, and overweight/obese AMI-CA admissions (aOR 2.67 [95% CI 2.53-2.81], P<0.001). AMI-CA admissions that were underweight were older, more often female, with greater comorbidity burden, and presented more often with non-ST-segment-elevation AMI, non-shockable rhythm, and in-hospital arrest. Overweight/obesity was associated with higher use of angiography, PCI, and greater need for mechanical circulatory support whereas underweight status had the lowest use of these procedures. Compared to normal weight AMI-CA admissions, underweight admissions had comparable adjusted in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.87-1.09], P=0.64) whereas overweight/obese admissions had lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.90-0.95], P<0.001). In conclusion, underweight AMI-CA admissions were associated with lower use of cardiac procedures and had in-hospital mortality comparable to normal weight admissions. Overweight/obese status was associated with higher rates of cardiac procedures and lower in-hospital mortality., Competing Interests: None., (AJCD Copyright © 2021.)

Objective : Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in cardiac arrest (CA). There are limited contemporary data on the incidence and outcomes of AKI in CA. Methods : We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, and the Cochrane from inception to November 2020. Observational studies that reported the incidence of AKI in CA survivors were included. Data from each study were combined using the random effects to calculate pooled incidence and risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was short-term mortality and secondary outcomes included long-term mortality, incidence of AKI, and use of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity. Main results : A total of 25 observational studies comprising 8,165 patients were included. The incidence of AKI in CA survivors was 40.3% (range 32.9-47.8%). In stage 3 AKI, one-fourth of patients required RRT. AKI was associated with an increased risk of both short-term (OR 2.27 [95% CI 1.74-2.96]; p < 0.001) and long-term mortality (OR 1.51 [95% CI 1.93-3.25]; p < 0.001). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses did not suggest any effect of hypothermia on incidence of AKI. Conclusion : AKI complicates the care of 40% of CA survivors and is associated with significantly increased short- and long-term mortality.

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) as an initial therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) to prevent arrhythmia recurrences. We performed an updated meta-analysis of RCTs, to include recent data from cryoballoon-based ablation and to compare arrhythmia-free survival and adverse events between ablation and AADs., Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to December 2020. We included RCT comparing patients with pAF undergoing ablation or receiving AADs as an initial therapy. We combined data using the random-effects model to calculate hazards ratio (HR) for arrhythmia-free survival and odds ratio (OR) for adverse events., Results: Five studies from 2005 to 2020 involving 985 patients were included (495 patients and 490 patients underwent ablation and medication as initial therapy, respectively). Patients who underwent ablation had higher freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs) during the 12-24 months follow-up period (pooled HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.40-0.59, P  < .001). In a subgroup analysis of ablation method used, both cryoablation group (pooled HR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.38-0.64, P  < .001) and radiofrequency ablation group (pooled HR = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.35-0.64, P  < .001) showed reduction in AT recurrence compared with AAD group. There were no differences in adverse events including cerebrovascular accident, pericardial effusion or tamponade, pulmonary vein stenosis, acute coronary syndrome, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and bradycardia requiring a pacemaker., Conclusion: Catheter ablation (both cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation) is superior to AAD as an initial therapy for pAF in efficacy for reducing AT recurrences without a compromise in adverse events., Competing Interests: All authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Arrhythmia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Heart Rhythm Society.)

Background: Sleep apnea is one of the most common conditions around the world. This disorder can significantly impact cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Atrial overdrive pacing (AOP) is a treatment modality that can potentially decrease respiratory events. There is currently a lack of evidence to confirm the benefits of AOP. We aimed to assess the impact of AOP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed type., Methods: A literature search for studies that reported the impact on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by cardiac implantable electronic devices with different pacing modes was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database from inception through July 2020. Pooled standard mean difference with 95%CI was calculated using a random-effects model., Results: Fifteen studies, including thirteen randomized studies and two observational studies containing 440 patients, were identified. The standard mean difference in apnea-hypopnea index of atrial overdrive pacing demonstrated less duration of apnea/hypopnea in patients with atrial overdrive pacing (AOP) (SMD -0.29, 95%CI: -0.48, -0.10, I 2 = 57%). Additional analysis was performed to assess the effect of atrial overdrive pacing in patients with or without severe sleep apnea syndrome (mean AHI < 30 defined as non-severe). There was no statistically significant difference in standardized mean in AHI in both subgroups between AOP and control groups (SMD -0.25, severe sleep apnea syndrome SMD -0.03, I 2 = 0.00%)., Conclusions: AOP was associated with a statistically significant reduction in AHI, but the magnitude of reduction was small. AOP may potentially be used as an adjunctive treatment with other modalities in treating patients with sleep apnea.

Background The presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) dramatically increases higher morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have suggested that early rhythm control may alleviate the burden of poor outcomes. Currently, there remain limited data on whether rhythm or rate control has better efficacy. This study sought to compare both strategies in HFpEF patients with AF. Methods Databases were searched throughout 2020. Studies that reported cardiovascular outcomes amongst HFpEF patients with AF who received either rhythm or rate control were included. Estimates of the effects from the individual studies were extracted and combined using random-effects, a generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Results Five observational studies were included in the analysis, consisting of 16,953 patients, 13.8% of whom were receiving rhythm control. In comparison with rate control, rhythm control was associated with decreased overall mortality rates (pooled RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.95, with I 2 = 0%, p value = 0.009). Conclusions In HFpEF patients with AF, rhythm control was associated with lower mortality, compared to rate control. Further studies are warranted to validate our observation.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been found to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, there is no clear consensus on the relationship between SCH and hypertension (HTN). We sought to investigate the association between SCH and incident HTN in women. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies that reported the incidence of HTN in females with SCH versus without SCH. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the outcome were obtained using a random-effects model. Studies were also divided into the middle-aged (mean age < 65) and the older (mean age ≥ 65) subgroups, and a subgroup analysis was performed to examine the potential age-effect on the association between SCH and HTN. Nine studies with a total of 21,972 subjects met the inclusion criteria. SCH was found to be positively associated with HTN (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.02-1.71). Such association varied depending on the age of women. In the middle-aged subgroup, SCH was more positively associated with HTN (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.18-2.27), while there was no significant association in the older subgroup (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.80-1.16). Our study showed that the middle-aged females with SCH had an increased risk of HTN, while there was no significant association in the older females with SCH.