Whole-exome sequencing reveals a rare missense variant in DTNA in an Iranian pedigree with early-onset atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a morbid and heritable irregular cardiac rhythm that affects about 2%-3% of the population. Patients with early-onset AF have a strong genetic association with the disease; nonetheless, the exact underlying mechanisms need clarification. We herein present our evaluation of a 2-generation Iranian pedigree with early-onset AF. Whole-exome sequencing was applied to elucidate the genetic predisposition. Direct DNA sequencing was utilized to confirm and screen the variants in the proband and his available family members. The pathogenicity of the identified nucleotide variations was scrutinized via either segregation analysis in the family or in silico predictive software. The comprehensive variant analysis revealed a missense variant (c.G681C, p.E227D, rs1477078144) in the human α-dystrobrevin gene (DTNA), which is rare in genetic databases. Most in silico analyses have predicted this variant as a disease-causing variant, and the variant is co-segregated with the disease phenotype in the family. Previous studies have demonstrated the association between the DTNA gene and left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy. Taken together, we provide the first evidence of an association between a nucleotide variation in the DTNA gene and early-onset AF in an Iranian family. However, the genetic testing of AF in the Iranian population is still limited. This finding not only further confirms the significant role of genetics in the incidence of early-onset AF but also expands the spectrum of the gene variations that lead to AF. Additionally, it may have further implications for the treatment and prevention of AF.

A prospective survey of atrial fibrillation management in Iran: Baseline results of the Iranian Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (IRAF).

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation. (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia globally and its prevalence is likely to increase in the next decades as a result of increasing age and co-morbidities. There are no data on demographic features, clinical characteristics, associated comorbidities, and practice patterns of AF in Iran. METHODS: The Iranian Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (IRAF) is a hospital-based prospective survey of AF patients with a 12-month follow-up. Data were collected on a standardized case report form and entered into a web-based electronic database. This paper reports the baseline characteristics of the IRAF cohort. RESULTS: Between February 2018 and March 2020, a total of 1300 patients (57% Male, mean age, 60 ± 14 years) were enrolled. Palpitations were the most common presenting symptom (66%). The most common cardiac comorbidities were hypertension (52%), heart failure (23.7%), and valvular heart disease (21.8%). AF mainly presented as a paroxysmal pattern (44.6%). Seventy-eight percent of the patients with non-valvular AF had CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≥1 and most (97%) were at low risk for bleeding (HAS-BLED score <3). Rhythm control was given to 55.1% of the patients. Anticoagulation for stroke prevention was provided to 69.5% of the eligible patients, while aspirin was used in 35%. CONCLUSION: The IRAF Registry has provided a systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in Iran. Oral anticoagulant was used in 69.5%, but aspirin use was still common.

Effect of COVID-19 medications on corrected QT interval and induction of torsade de pointes: Results of a multicenter national survey.

BACKGROUND: There are some data showing that repurposed drugs used for the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) have potential to increase the risk of QTc prolongation and torsade de pointes (TdP), and these arrhythmic side effects have not been adequately addressed in COVID-19 patients treated with these repurposed medications. METHODS: This is the prospective study of 2403 patients hospitalised at 13 hospitals within the COVID-19 epicentres of the Iran. These patients were treated with chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, oseltamivir, favipiravir and remdesivir alone or in combination with azithromycin. The primary outcome of the study was incidence of critical QTc prolongation, and secondary outcomes were incidences of TdP and death. RESULTS: Of the 2403 patients, 2365 met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome of QTc ≥ 500 ms and ∆QTc ≥ 60 ms was observed in 11.2% and 17.6% of the patients, respectively. The secondary outcomes of TdP and death were reported in 0.38% and 9.8% of the patients, respectively. The risk of critical QT prolongation increased in the presence of female gender, history of heart failure, treatment with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin combination therapy, simultaneous furosemide or beta-blocker therapy and acute renal or hepatic dysfunction. However, the risk of TdP was predicted by treatment with lopinavir-ritonavir, simultaneous amiodarone or furosemide administration and hypokalaemia during treatment. CONCLUSION: This cohort showed significant QTc prolongation with all COVID-19 medications studied, however, life-threatening arrhythmia of TdP occurred rarely. Among the repurposed drugs studied, hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir-ritonavir alone or in combination with azithromycin clearly demonstrated to increase the risk of critical QT prolongation and/or TdP.

Role of electrophysiological study in patients with syncope and bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND: The finding of bundle branch block (BBB) in patients with syncope suggests that paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) or ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) may be the cause of syncope. Guidelines for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy have been recommended to perform electrophysiological study (EPS) for confirming main cause of syncope. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the role of EPS in patients with syncope and BBB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 133 patients (mean age 63 ± 13.8 years) with past history of syncope and BBB from April 2002 to December 2010 who referred to Arrhythmia clinic in two tertiary care centers. All patients underwent EPS on admission time. The frequency distributions of AVB and VT in patients were determined. RESULTS: Left bundle branch block was diagnosed in 184 (82.1%) patients. 133 of them had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥45%) that in 91 (68.4%) of those, EPS finding was normal. In 41 (30.8%) patients AVB was reported. In 2 (1.5%) patients VT and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia were seen. Coronary artery disease was more common in patients with AVB and abnormal EPS finding (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Ventricular tachyarrhythmia was a rare electrophysiological finding in those with syncope, bifascicular block, and preserved LVEF. Considering cost-effect benefit, pacemaker or implantable loop recorder implantation is suggested; however, EPS may not be necessary to perform before permanent pacemaker implantation.

Vitamin D deficiency and atrial fibrillation: A cross sectional single center study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) augments the risk of stroke by 4-5 times. Vitamin D is pivotal in numerous metabolic pathways. A handful of studies have explored the correlation between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and AF outcomes. Hence, the authors sought to assess the relationship between VDD and AF outcomes. METHODS: From December 2021 to February 2023, 190 patients with AF were incorporated into the authors' study. Given the seasonal fluctuation of vitamin D levels, these levels were examined from the start of December until the end of March. RESULTS: The final analysis comprised 190 patients (55.8% male) with an average age of 46.22±15.03. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were noted in 77 (40.5%), 46 (24.2%), and 67 (35.3%) patients, respectively. Fatigue and syncope were significantly more prevalent in the VDD group than in other groups. Three-vessel disease was more frequent in the VDD group (p-value=0.04). Mortality was more prevalent in patients with VDD (6.31%) compared to the VDI (2.10%) and VDS (0.05%) groups (p = 0.03). Successful cardioversion was significantly more prevalent in the VDS group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: A sufficient level of vitamin D was linked with a better response to cardioversion. However, low vitamin D levels are correlated with higher mortality in AF patients.

Implementation of an atrial fibrillation better care (ABC) pathway management strategy: Findings from the Iranian registry of atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway is such an integrated care approach, recommended in guidelines. The aim of this service evaluation study was to evaluate the impact of implementing the ABC pathway in Iranian population. Methods: In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, consecutive patients with a diagnosis of AF were initially evaluated. Patients at baseline were evaluated in hence of adherence to ABC pathway strategy. After study enrolment, first and second follow-up service evaluations were conducted at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Results: The use of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) decreased from 25.1 % at enrolment to 13.8 % at follow-up; instead, non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOAC) utilization increased from 40.0 % to 86.1 %, while antiplatelet treatment decreased from 34.9 % to 0 %. Use of antihypertensive drugs, ARBs, diuretics, and statins increased after implementation of the ABC pathway. Implementation of the ABC pathway approach led to a decrease in the occurrence of stroke/TIA (from 6.3 % to 2.2 %, p = 0.002), systemic thromboembolism (from 1.4 % to 0.0 %, p = 0.04), nose bleeds (from 0.8 % to 0.6 %, p = 0.04), skin bruising (from 1.2 % to 0.0 %, p = 0.002), and heart failure (from 7.7 % to 4.7 %, p = 0.04). The proportion of patients in EHRA Class I-II increased from 93.3 % at enrolment to 98.1 % at follow-up. Conclusion: In this first study from a Middle East population, compliance with ABC pathway strategy in the management of AF was associated with optimization of management and general improvements in patient outcomes during follow-up.

Cryoballoon Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in a Patient with an Atrial Septal Defect Closure Device.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly treated arrhythmia in clinical practice and is often found in association with an atrial septal defect (ASD). However, ASD closure rarely confers complete arrhythmia control. A 23-year-old man presented to our center with frequent episodes of palpitations. AF was documented in 12-lead electrocardiography, and echocardiography showed a secundum-type ASD, 14 mm in size, with a significant left-to-right shunt. ASD closure was performed successfully with an ASD occluder device with no residual shunting. During follow-up, the patient experienced several episodes of AF. Thirteen months after the ASD closure, cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation was done successfully with no complications. During a 12-month follow-up, he had no symptoms or AF recurrences, and echocardiography showed no residual shunting. This study showed that cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation could be performed successfully without residual shunts in patients with ASD closure devices.

Economic evaluation of programs against COVID-19: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency and raised global concerns in about 213 countries without vaccines and with limited medical capacity to treat the disease. The COVID-19 has prompted an urgent search for effective interventions, and there is little information about the money value of treatments. The present study aimed to summarize economic evaluation evidence of preventing strategies, programs, and treatments of COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and specialized databases of economic evaluation from December 2019 to July 2020 to identify relevant literature to economic evaluation of programs against COVID-19. Two researchers screened titles and abstracts, extracted data from full-text articles, and did their quality assessment by the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. Then, quality synthesis of results was done. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies of economic evaluations met our inclusion criteria. The CHEERS scores for most studies (n = 9) were 85 or higher (excellent quality). Eight studies scored 70 to 85 (good quality), eight studies scored 55 to 70 (average quality), and one study < %55 (poor quality). The decision-analytic modeling was applied to twenty-three studies (88%) to evaluate their services. Most studies utilized the SIR model for outcomes. In studies with long-time horizons, social distancing was more cost-effective than quarantine, non-intervention, and herd immunity. Personal protective equipment was more cost-effective in the short-term than non-intervention. Screening tests were cost-effective in all studies. CONCLUSION: The results suggested screening tests and social distancing to be cost-effective alternatives in preventing and controlling COVID-19 on a long-time horizon. However, evidence is still insufficient and too heterogeneous to allow any definite conclusions regarding costs of interventions. Further research as are required in the future.

Clinical profile and outcome of familial versus non-familial atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of information on clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with familial atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study was aimed to compare clinical profile and outcome of familial AF with those of non-familial AF. METHODS: Between February 2017 and February 2018, we enrolled 738 participants (60% men, median age, 51 years in familial AF vs. 61 years in non-familial AF) from Iranian Registry of AF. All patients were followed for 12 months. Clinical characteristics and main outcome measures for AF patients were obtained from patient's medical records. RESULTS: A positive history of AF in first-degree relative was reported in 15.3% of our AF population. Familial AF group were significantly younger than non-familial group (p = 0.001). Concomitant sinus node dysfunction and cardiomyopathies were more common in familial AF group (p = 0.02, p = 0.004, respectively). Patients with familial AF were also likely to receive cardiac devices and AF catheter ablation (all p < 0.05). However, all-cause mortality and thromboembolic events were similar (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Familial AF patients were more likely to have associated rhythm disorders and dilated cardiomyopathies. Cardiac interventions were also more common in familial patients. However, they did not differ significantly in their long-term outcome.

Outcome of Sub-Massive Pulmonary Thromboemboli in Patients Who Received Thrombolytic and or Non-Thrombolytic Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic therapy in patients with sub-massive pulmonary embolism (SMPTE) needs further assessment. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to assess a potential benefit of thrombolytic and non-thrombolytic therapy in patients with SMPTE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred-nineteen patients were enrolled with SMPTE from 2006 to 2010 in the tertiary care center of Rajaie medical and research center. The patients who had pulmonary thromboemboli (PTE) and received thrombolytic plus heparin therapy and or non-thrombolytic (unfractionated heparin alone) were evaluated for hemodynamic changes (blood pressure, pulse rate, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, right ventricular failure and right ventricle enlargement), before and after 48 hours of treatment. The mortality rate was also assessed. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of the patients with SMPTE received thrombolytic therapy (streptokinase) and 55% of SMPTE patients received non-thrombolytic therapy (unfractionated heparin). Pulse rate, pulmonary arterial pressure and tricuspid regurgitation gradient in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy reduced significantly (P = 0.001, P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference before and after treatment regarding systolic blood pressure (P = 0.4), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.5), systolic arterial pressure (SPAP) (P = 0.1), Right ventricular (RV) function (P = 0.1) and RV size (P = 0.1). In patients who received a non-thrombolytic therapy, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding SBP (P = 0. 2), DBP ( P= 0. 4) and PR (P = 0. 1), SPAP (P = 0.6), TRG (P = 0.4), RV function (P = 0.4) and RV size (P = 0.2) before and after treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups according to mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolytic therapy lead to earlier relief of hemodynamic condition in comparison to non-thrombolytic therapy but no changes were observed in mortality rate.

Hormonal Profile in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that endocrine system may be dysfunctional in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we investigated hormonal abnormalities in heart failure and the effect of disturbed hormonal balance on prognostic outcomes of patients with systolic heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among patients followed in Heart Failure and Transplantation Clinic, 33 men with a diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy receiving guidelines-directed medical therapies and with New York Heart Association Class II-III were enrolled. Serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), thyroid hormones, free testosterone, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT Pro-BNP) were measured in all the patients. The physical performance of patients was assessed by six-minute walk test (6MWT). The patients were subsequently followed for a year and the data regarding their death, transplantation, or hospitalizations due to acute heart failure were recorded. RESULTS: Except for testosterone level, the levels of GH, IGF-1, T3, and T4 concentrations in the patients were significantly lower than the normal values (P < 0.05). Among different hormone, only GH had correlation with NT Pro-BNP, hs-CRP, and 6MWT. There was no association between the occurrence of the combined events and different hormonal levels in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The hormonal levels were low in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. However, the prognostic significance of different hormonal deficiencies was not clear in our study populations who were receiving standard therapies for heart failure and had a relatively stable clinical condition.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate: new method in prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is an adverse consequence of percutaneous coronary interventions which results in significant morbidity and mortality and adds to the costs of diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed for CI-AKI and various agents tested for its prevention. There is currently a general agreement that adequate pre-procedural hydration constitutes the cornerstone of prevention, yet there are reports of the use of some other agents with various efficacies. We prospectively tested IV magnesium sulfate (Mg) for CI-AKI prevention. METHOD AND DESIGN: This study is a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, single-center clinical trial. We randomly assigned 122 consecutive patients to two groups. The first group was the control group with routine treatment (n = 64), and second group was the study group with routine treatment plus IV magnesium sulfate 1 g just before the procedure (n = 62). Serum creatinine was measured before the procedure and 2 days after the procedure. The primary end point was the occurrence of CI-AKI within 48 h. CI-AKI was defined as 0.5 mg/dl or more increase in serum creatinine or 25% or more increase above baseline serum creatinine. There was no difference in definition if both of these parameters were present. RESULTS: The control and study groups were comparable in the overall predicted risk of CI-AKI. Also, the type and volume of the contrast were not significantly different between the two groups. Following angioplasty, CI-AKI occurred in 17 (26.6%) patients in the control group and nine (14.5%) patients in the study group; there was a significant reduction in CI-AKI in the study group (P = 0.01). Additionally, there was no mortality or a need for hemodialysis in either group. CONCLUSION: In primary PCI patients, the prophylactic use of intravenous Mg can be recommended to be added to traditional hydration for CI-AKI prevention.

Left anterior descending coronary artery dissection after blunt chest trauma.

Coronary artery dissection is a well-known albeit unusual complication of blunt chest trauma. It is also an uncommon cause of myocardial infarction. Only a few such cases have been reported, probably due to the high rate of sudden death. We report a case of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery dissection in a healthy 38-year-old female caused by blunt chest trauma. The patient was referred to our hospital with a complaint of chest pain. Electrocardiography showed T-wave inversion, echocardiography a revealed circumferential pericardial effusion, and the coronary angiogram demonstrated a thrombotic dissection of the LAD.  Troponin I was the only biomarker with elevated level. CT coronary angiography was performed using the subtotal occlusion of the LAD and illustrated a relatively good LAD run-off, and thallium scintigraphy displayed viable myocardium in this territory. Despite the total occlusion of the LAD in our case, myocardial injury was not significant due to the relatively good LAD run-off. She underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery with an excellent result.

Experiences in surgical closure of atrial septal defect with anterior mini-thoracotomy approach.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior mini-thoracotomy approach is a good alternative to median sternotomy in Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) repair. Our purpose is to explain the details of our technique and peresent the results. METHODS: Seventy five patients with ASD (52 female and 23 male) were operated with anterior mini-thoracotomy approach in our tertiary center between March 2012 and March 2014. The mean age was 14±10 ranged from 2 to 42 years. Outcomes were defined according to cardiopulmonary and aortic cross-clump time, intensive care unit stay time, morbidity, mortality, the size of incision, the amount of post-operative bleeding, need for blood transfusion and reoperation. RESULTS: Mean Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 49.62 minutes (26 to 105 minutes) and mean aortic cross clamp time was 22.29±6.77 minutes (11 to 47 minutes). The mean amount of blood transfusion was 47.49± 62.22 mm (0 to 200 cc) and the mean chest tube drainage after surgery was 80.17 ±121.06 mm (0 to 600 cc). One patient re-operated for dehiscence of ASD surgical sutures and there was no reoperation for surgical bleeding or tamponade drainage in these patients. In 74 cases the defect was secundum type, in 2 patients it was sinus venosus type and in one with associated partial Anomalous repair. CONCLUSION: Anterior thoracotomy approach is safe and may be the surgical technique of choice for secundum ASD repair in all age groups and we can utilize this technique also for more complicated kinds of surgery for instance, sinus venosus type ASD with or without Partial Anomalous Defect.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Post Procedural Creatine Kinase, MB Form can Predict Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Selective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?

BACKGROUND: Measuring cardiac markers in blood has been the main strategy for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction for nearly 50 years. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) has been demonstrated to be a highly specific marker. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the role of CK-MB changes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to predict one year outcomes of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cohort study was conducted on 138 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease who underwent PCI. Sixty-nine patients who had a CK-MB elevation ≥ 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) post procedurally were considered as group I and 69 patients without cardiac enzyme rise after PCI were considered as the control group (group II). The composite end point of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during one year was assessed by telephone follow-up or presentation at clinical visiting, and compared between the two groups. The MACE was defined as the appearance of at least one of the following events: mortality, repeated revascularization procedures, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular events. RESULTS: Although one year mortality in the group I was 4 (5.8%), about two times greater than the other group 2 (2.9%), the difference was not significantly discrepant (P = 0.57). Moreover, 8 (11.6%) of patients in group I experienced one year MACE, while this rate in the other group was 4 (5.8%), with insignificant difference (P = 0.22). In group I, one case experienced coronary artery bypass surgery, one, exhibited cerebrovascular disease and one reported ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), while two patients in the other group were suspicious of having non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and candidates for repeated PCI. Multivariate analysis revealed that increased post-procedural CK-MB ≥ 3 times UNL could not predict long-term MACE in patients who underwent selective PCI. Area under the curve (AUC) for predicting one year MACE was 0.593 (95% CI: 0.397 - 0.788), indicating inappropriate accuracy for this biomarker (P = 0.290). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that CK-MB ≥ 3 times ULN within 24 hours after PCI cannot independently predict one year MACE in patients undergoing PCI.

Early and midterm major adverse cardiac events in patient with saphenous vein graft using direct stenting or embolic protection device stenting.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of an occluded saphenous vein graft (SVG) with percutaneous coronary intervention may encounter major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE rates have been reduced significantly by using the embolic protection device (EPD). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify the risks and the benefits of embolic protection devices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, non-randomized observational study, patients aged 33 to 85 years old who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention due to SVG stenosis at our tertiary care center were enrolled between 2009 and 2011. The incidence rates of adverse events, including MACE, were obtained during the patients' hospitalization and at 30-day and 6-month follow-up. MACE included death, Q-wave and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, in-stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: From 150 patients enrolled to the study, 128 (85.3%) patients underwent direct stenting and the rest underwent the EPD procedure. In-hospital MACE occurred in 17.2% of the patients in the direct stenting group versus only 9.1% in the EPD group (P = 0.530). MACE incidence was gradually increased at one and 6-month follow-up periods in the direct stenting group (19.5% and 21.9%, respectively), and remained unchanged in the EPD group (9.1% at six-month follow-up). Multivariate logistic regression model showed that the stenting procedure type could not predict early and midterm MACE with the presence of baseline characteristics as cofounders. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the considerable lower early and midterm MACE rates, numerically following the EPD procedure compared to direct stenting, the difference in the MACE rates between the two groups was not significant.

Ventricular tachyarrhythmia after coronary bypass surgery: incidence and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular tachyarrhythmia after coronary artery bypass graft is common and the occurrence has been described, but the incidence and risk factors are not well defined. AIM: To evaluate the incidence of arrhythmias and to detect high-risk populations. METHODS: In this prospective study, 856 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft were monitored for new-onset ventricular tachyarrhythmias: non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, sustained monomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, sustained polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and ventricular fibrillation. Detailed analyses of the clinical, demographic, echocardiographic, and surgical findings and arrhythmias occurrence was carried out during 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: The incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia was 26.6% (17.6% non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, 5.5% sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, 0.8% sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and 2.7% ventricular fibrillation). The strongest degrees of statistical significance were for low ejection fraction (p = 0.01) and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02). The incidence of ventricular fibrillation (61%) was greatest in the first 48 h after surgery. Postoperative myocardial infarction (p = 0.03) and hemodynamic instability (p = 0.05) were also predictors of arrhythmia occurrence. Recurrence of arrhythmia was highest in the ventricular fibrillation group (52%). The correlations between tachyarrhythmia, age, sex, electrolyte disorders, body mass index, and systemic or pulmonary hypertension were not significant. CONCLUSION: In view of the strong relationship between ventricular arrhythmias and low ejection fraction, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease severity, postoperative myocardial infection, and hemodynamic impairment, continuous monitoring is necessary, especially in the first 48 h after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Natural History of Aortic Regurgitation following Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the natural history of aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients undergoing mitral valve procedures for mitral stenosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) on coexisting AR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 327 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (282 females and 45 males; mean age at the time of intervention = 47 ± 11 years) were followed up for between 48 hours and 13 years after PMV. At the time of PMV, 142 (43.3%) patients had no AR, 124 (37.9%) had mild AR, and 61 (18.7%) had moderate AR. After PMV, the follow-up showed that 120 (36.6%) patients had no AR, 103 (31.5%) had mild AR, and 104 (31.8%) had moderate AR. RESULTS: AR progression after PMV and during the follow-up was significant (P < 0.00), but there was no significant increase in aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedures. The rate of AVR was higher in the moderate AR group (3.8%). There were no significant changes in the left atrial size (LA) (P = 0.6), ejection fraction (EF) (P = 0.4), and rhythm (P = 0.4) before and after PMV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that among patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, a considerable number have concurrent AR. Concomitant AR at the time of PMV does not influence procedural success and is not associated with inferior outcomes. Rheumatic aortic insufficiency progresses slowly by nature, and patients with AR and mitral stenosis can safely tolerate PMV without the possibility of undergoing AVR in the near future. Patients with moderate degrees of AR remain good candidates for PMV.

Short-term Changes in Aortic Regurgitation after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- term effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) on coexisting AR. METHODS: Clinical, echocardiographic and catheterization data from hospital records of a total of 327 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PMV at a tertiary centre were retrospectively reviewed and aortic regurgitation changes 48 hours post PMV was recorded. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 282 females and 45 males. Mean age at the time of intervention was 47.13±11 years. Before PMV, 142 (43.3%) patients had no AR, 124 (37.9%) had mild AR and 61 (18.7%) had moderate AR. There was no change in AR severity in post- PMV follow-up. AR progression after PMV and during the follow-up was not significant and there was no increase in the need for aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that a considerable number of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis had concurrent AR. At the time of PMV concomitant AR does affect procedural success and is not associated with inferior outcomes. Patients with moderate degrees of AR remain good candidates for PMV.

Very late effects of postoperative atrial fibrillation on outcome of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a common complication with potentially higher risk of adverse outcome and prolonged hospital stay. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of postoperative AF (POAF) on long-term outcome in a large cohort of patients who underwent CABG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study of 989 patients who underwent isolated CABG with more than 5-year follow-up. Patient divided in two groups: patients with and without POAF. RESULTS: In this study, atrial fibrillation developed after CABG in 156 patients (15.8%). Patients with POAF were generally older (P = 0.001) and presented more often with comorbidities including congestive heart failure (P = 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (P = 0.001), hyperlipidemia (P = 0.009), and renal failure (P = 0.001). Five-year mortality was observed in 23 (2.3%) patients. Patients with POAF had higher five-year mortality rate than those without POAF. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that AF after surgery has a strong effect on mortality (HR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.04-10.8, P = 0.04) and morbidity rates (HR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.35-6.96, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative atrial fibrillation strongly predicts higher long-term mortality and morbidity following coronary artery bypass graft.