Credit: Original article published here.In a recent meta-analysis published in Current Cardiology Reviews, researchers explored whether stages of fibrosis observed on late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) could predict atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation. According to the study’s lead author, Manjari Rani Regmi, there was a strong association between left atrial fibrosis on LGE-MRI and atrial fibrillation recurrence post-catheter ablation. The authors’ systematic literature review identified 9 studies containing 1787 patients who underwent LGE-MRI to evaluate atrial fibrosis prior to undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Atrial Fibrosis Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Ablation The study’s primary comparisons included stage IV atrial fibrosis versus stage I, combined stages III and IV versus stages I and II, and stage IV versus combined stages I, II, and III. The authors used random-effects models to calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) using the DerSimonian and Laird method. Researchers found patients with stage IV atrial fibrosis after ablation had a higher rate of atrial fibrillation recurrence compared with those with stage I atrial fibrosis (OR, 9.54; 95% CI, 3.81-28.89; P<.00001). In addition, the investigators noted patients with combined stages III and IV atrial fibrosis demonstrated significantly higher atrial fibrillation recurrence than patients with

Credit: Original article published here.In a randomized controlled trial, published in JAMA, researchers compared pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with posterior wall isolation (PWI) versus PVI alone in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing first-time catheter ablation. Based on their findings, they concluded the combination of PVI and PWI did not significantly improve atrial arrhythmia recurrence after 1 year compared with PVI alone in their study’s population. The multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted from July 2018 to March 2021 in 11 centers across Australia, Canada, and the UK. In the trial, 168 patients underwent wide antral PVI alone and 170 underwent wide antral PVI followed by PWI comprised of linear ablation at the roof and floor. Participants were followed for 1 year, ending in March 2022. PVI With or Without PWI in Atrial Fibrillation The primary end point after was freedom from documented atrial arrhythmia lasting more than 30 seconds at 12 months with 1 ablation procedure and without the use of antiarrhythmic medication. Additional end points included freedom from atrial arrhythmias and symptomatic atrial fibrillation after multiple ablation procedure, with or without antiarrhythmic medication, as well as atrial fibrillation burden, procedural outcomes, and complications. The initial cohort included 338

Credit: Original article published here.TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS HEART HEALTH EDUCATION IN HONOR OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH In honor of American Heart Month, Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center is launching a month-long campaign, Take Care of Your Heart, to help address the need in the community for heart health education and resources. Families Together of Orange County serves more than 23,000 unique patients annually, of which more than 70% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than half reportedly earning an annual income of $20,000 or less. In a patient needs assessment conducted by the health center, the two top physical health conditions with patients were cited as high blood pressure and high cholesterol- two of the leading causes of heart disease. The philosophy at Families Together places importance on preventative measures that give patients the tools to take control of their own health journey. With the Take Care of Your Heart campaign, Families Together will promote content on its website and social channels that highlights education, resources and tools that anyone in the community can use to stay informed, and ultimately raise awareness about the options available to them.  The focus on preventative measures