Effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation for premature ventricular complexes originating from the right ventricular outflow tract on right ventricular function.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, and the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on RV function. METHODS: A total of 110 patients (age, 50.8 ± 14.4 years; 30 men) without structural heart disease who had undergone RFCA for RV outflow tract (RVOT) PVCs were retrospectively included. RV function was assessed using fractional area change (FAC) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) before and after RFCA. Clinical data were compared between the RV dysfunction (n = 63) and preserved RV function (n = 47) groups. The relationship between PVC burden and RV function was analyzed. Change in RV function before and after RFCA was compared between patients with successful and failed RFCA. RESULTS: PVC burden was significantly higher in the RV dysfunction group than in the preserved RV function group (p < .001). FAC and GLS were significantly worse in proportion to PVC burden (p < .001 and p < .001, respectively). The risk factor associated with RV dysfunction was PVC burden [odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.092 (1.052-1.134); p < .001]. Improvement in FAC (13.0 ± 8.7% and -2.5 ± 5.6%, respectively; p < .001) and GLS (-6.8 ± 5.7% and 2.1 ± 4.2%, respectively; p < .001) was significant in the patients with successful RFCA, compared to the patients in whom RFCA failed. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent RVOT PVCs are associated with RV dysfunction. RV dysfunction is reversible by successful RFCA.

Arterial Stiffness is Associated with False-Positive ST-Segment Depression in Supine Bicycle Exercise Stress Echocardiography.

Background: Although exercise stress electrocardiography (ECG) is a popular tool for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD), the induced ST-depression without coronary artery stenosis (FST) remains a challenge for accurate diagnosis. Exercise-induced ST depression is related to poor prognosis even in non-obstructive disease; however, its determinants have not been fully defined. We sought to investigate whether ventriculo-vascular interactional indexes such as arterial stiffness index, exercise hemodynamic parameters and echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) functional parameters were related to FST. Methods: In the current study, 609 participants who underwent both supine bicycle exercise echocardiography and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement without exercise-induced regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) were analyzed. Referral reasons for stress test were CAD detection or evaluation of patency of previous revascularization. Stepwise graded supine bicycle exercise was performed with simultaneous ECG recording and echocardiography after full conventional resting echocardiography. The FST was defined as newly developed > 1 mm ST depression without RWMA during exercise. Results: The median age of the study participants was 65 (59.0-70.5) years, and 222 (37%) patients were women. Among them, 103 (17%) patients showed FST during the exercise or recovery phase. The prevalence of FST did not differ between sexes. Older age, higher pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), left atrial volume index, baPWV and ankle brachial index at rest and hypertensive response, higher heart rate and rate-pressure product at peak exercise were significantly associated with FST. In multivariate analysis, higher peak heart rate, PASP, and baPWV were independently related to FST. Conclusions: Stress-induced RWMA in addition to ECG should be evaluated to detect CAD in patients with higher baPWV and PASP. FST might be linked to subclinical myocardial ischemia through arterial stiffness and diastolic dysfunction.

Effectiveness and Safety of Anticoagulation Therapy in Frail Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are less likely to receive anticoagulation than nonfrail patients with AF despite frailty being associated with poorer clinical outcomes including stroke. Using a population-based cohort, we sought to assess the effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants (OACs) in frail patients with AF. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 83 635 patients aged at least 65 years with AF and frailty (≥5 Hospital Frailty Risk Score) between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. To account for the differences between patients receiving OAC or not and across different OAC regimens, propensity score-weighting was used. Net adverse clinical event, defined as the first event of ischemic stroke, major bleeding, or cardiovascular death, was compared. In addition, each individual outcome was examined separately. RESULTS: In the study population (57.1% women; mean age, 78.5±7.2 years), a total of 14 968 net adverse clinical event, 3718 ischemic stroke, 5536 major bleeding, and 6188 cardiovascular death occurred. In comparison with no OAC use, OAC use was associated with lower risks of net adverse clinical event (hazard ratio, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.75-0.82]), ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86-0.97]), and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.49-0.55]), but no difference was observed for major bleeding (hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.95-1.10]). Compared with warfarin, all four individual direct OAC were associated with decreased risks of net adverse clinical event, ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and cardiovascular death. The associations for OAC use (compared to no OAC use) or direct OAC use (compared to warfarin) with favorable outcomes were more prominent in individuals with a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score of at least 3. CONCLUSIONS: Among frail patients with AF, OAC treatment was associated with a positive net clinical outcome. Direct OACs provided lower incidences of stroke, bleeding, and mortality, compared with warfarin.

Impact of aortic atheroma and distensibility on diastolic function and prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ischemic stroke are vulnerable to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) because these conditions share common risk factors. Although evaluation of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and proximal descending thoracic aorta is an essential step to determine the source of the causative embolism, the relationship between the degree of aortic atheroma and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function has not been extensively investigated. METHODS: We analyzed the transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography in ischemic stroke patients. Patients with previous coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease of more than moderate degree, and an LV ejection fraction of less than 50% were excluded. The relationships between the grade of the aortic atheroma, aortic stiffness indexes, and diastolic functional indexes were evaluated. RESULTS: In 295 patients, the atheroma grade was significantly correlated with aortic stiffness index, ratio of mitral annular and inflow velocities (E/e'), left atrial volume index, and LV diastolic elastance. With further adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate, left atrial volume index, and LV mass index, the significance of the atheroma grade was attenuated. In the subgroup analysis, the atheroma grade was significantly and independently related to E/e' in women (ß = 0.181, p = 0.032), but not in men. However, atheroma grade was not associated with poor clinical outcomes in either sex. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic atheroma grade was significantly and independently related to LV diastolic function, especially in women. This suggests that aortic atheroma is an index of arterial stiffness and a potential risk factor for HFpEF through ventricular-vascular interactions, especially in women.

Increased risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in hyperthyroidism-related atrial fibrillation: A nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism of hyperthyroidism-related AF. METHODS: This retrospective population-based cohort study included records of 1,034,099 atrial fibrillation patients between 2005 and 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. After exclusion, we identified 615,724 oral anticoagulation-naïve patients aged ≥18 years with new-onset non-valvular atrial fibrillation, of whom 20,773 had hyperthyroidism-related atrial fibrillation. After 3:1 propensity score matching, ischemic stroke and systemic embolism occurrences were compared between hyperthyroidism-related and non-hyperthyroidism-related ("nonthyroidal") atrial fibrillation patients. RESULTS: After exclusion, we identified 615,724 oral anticoagulation-naïve AF patients of whom 20,773 had hyperthyroidism-related AF. Median follow-up duration was 5.9 years. Hyperthyroidism-related AF patients had significantly higher risks of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism than nonthyroidal AF patients (1.83 vs 1.62 per 100-person year, hazard ratio[HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval[CI], 1.07 to 1.19; P < 0.001). This risk was 36% higher in hyperthyroidism-related than in nonthyroidal AF patients within 1 year of atrial fibrillation diagnosis (3.65 vs 2.67 per 100-person year, HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.24 - 1.50; P < 0.001). This difference was also observed in the CHA2DS2-VASc score subgroup analysis. The risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism significantly decreased in patients treated for hyperthyroidism (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.70; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthyroidism-related AF patients have high risks of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism like nonthyroidal AF, especially when initially diagnosed. This risk is reduced by treating hyperthyroidism.

Left ventricular outflow obstruction occurs immediately after exercise in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

We evaluated the hemodynamic and geometric determinants of latent obstruction (LO, trans-left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient ≥30 mmHg with provocation) in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP). A total of 35 patients with non-obstructive HCMP underwent stepwise supine bicycle exercise echocardiography. Trans-LVOT pressure gradients, mitral geometric parameters, left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) and left ventricular end-systolic and diastolic dimensions (LVESD, LVEDD) were measured at each stage. The highest peak LVOT pressure gradient predominantly occurred immediately after exercise (n = 32, 91.3%) rather than during peak exercise (n = 3, 8.7%). Significant LO developed in nine patients (25%). No significant differences were found in resting echocardiographic parameters. Compared to the remaining patients, however, patients with LO had longer residual mitral leaflets (defined as residual portions of leaflets after coaptation; 4 ± 4 vs. 13 ± 4 mm, respectively; p = 0.001) and higher resting LVOT pressure gradients (7.4 ± 3.7 vs. 12.9 ± 5.8 mmHg, respectively; p = 0.001). Substantial decreases in mitral annular diameters from peak exercise to recovery after exercise were observed in the LO group, while mitral annular diameters increased after exercise in the non-LO group. In conclusion, the highest peak LVOT pressure gradient predominantly occurred immediately after exercise rather than during peak exercise, regardless of LO. Abrupt decrease of mitral annular diameter immediately after exercise, a longer residual mitral leaflet and a higher resting LVOT pressure gradient at rest might be related to LO.

Effect of Renal and Left Ventricular Function on Serial Pulmonary Arterial Pressure Changes after Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect.

BACKGROUND: The age of candidates for device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has been increasing. Thus, concerns exist about dyspnea aggravation or atrial fibrillation development after device closure due to augmentation of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) preload. This study aimed to examine patterns and determinants of serial pulmonary arterial pressure and left ventricular filling pressure changes after device closure of ASD. METHODS: Among the 86 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous device closure of ASD, those with end-stage renal disease or those without pre- or postprocedural Doppler data were excluded. The clinical, transesophageal, and transthoracic echocardiographic findings of 78 patients were collected at baseline, one-day postprocedure, and one-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of study patients was 49.8 ± 15.0 years, and the average maximal defect diameter and device size were 20.2 ± 6.0 mm and 23.8 ± 6.4 mm. Four patients (5.6%) underwent new-onset atrial fibrillation, and five patients (6.4%) took diuretics within one-year after closure. Some patients (n = 21; 27%) exhibited paradoxically increased tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) one-day postprocedure; they also were older with lower e', glomerular filtration rate, and LV ejection fraction and a higher LA volume index. However, even in these patients, TRV deceased below baseline levels one-year later. Both E/e' and LA volume index significantly increased immediately after device closure, but all decreased one-year later. Larger defect size and higher TRV were significantly correlated with immediate E/e' elevation. CONCLUSION: In older, renal, diastolic, and systolic dysfunctional patients with larger LA and scheduled for larger device implantation, peri-interventional preload reduction therapy would be beneficial.

Effect of sarcomere and mitochondria-related mutations on myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis is an important prognostic factor in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the contribution from a wide spectrum of genetic mutations has not been well defined. We sought to investigate effect of sarcomere and mitochondria-related mutations on myocardial fibrosis in HCM. METHODS: In 133 HCM patients, comprehensive genetic analysis was performed in 82 nuclear DNA (33 sarcomere-associated genes, 5 phenocopy genes, and 44 nuclear genes linked to mitochondrial cardiomyopathy) and 37 mitochondrial DNA. In all patients, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed, including 16-segmental thickness, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), native and post-T1, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and T2, along with echo-Doppler evaluations. RESULTS: Patients with sarcomere mutation (SM, n = 41) had higher LGE involved segment, % LGE mass, ECV and lower post-T1 compared to patients without SM (n = 92, all p < 0.05). When classified into, non-mutation (n = 67), only mitochondria-related mutation (MM, n = 24), only-SM (n = 36) and both SM and MM (n = 5) groups, only-SM group had higher ECV and LGE than the non-mutation group (all p < 0.05). In non-LGE-involved segments, ECV was significantly higher in patients with SM. Within non-SM group, patients with any sarcomere variants of uncertain significance had higher echocardiographic Doppler E/e' (p < 0.05) and tendency of higher LGE amount and ECV (p > 0.05). However, MM group did not have significantly higher ECV or LGE amount than non-mutation group. CONCLUSIONS: SMs are significantly related to increase in myocardial fibrosis. Although, some HCM patients had pathogenic MMs, it was not associated with an increase in myocardial fibrosis.

Association of anticoagulant therapy with risk of dementia among patients with atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: To investigate the risk of dementia in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients treated with different oral anticoagulants (OACs). METHODS AND RESULTS: This observational, population-based cohort study enrolled 53 236 dementia-free individuals with non-valvular AF who were aged ≥50 years and newly prescribed OACs from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Propensity score matching was used to compare the rates of dementia between users of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) and warfarin and to compare each individual NOAC with warfarin. Propensity score weighting analyses were also performed. In the study population (41.3% women; mean age: 70.7 years), 2194 had a diagnosis of incident dementia during a mean follow-up of 20.2 months. Relative to propensity-matched warfarin users, NOAC users tended to be at lower risk of dementia [hazard ratio (HR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.90]. When comparing individual NOACs with warfarin, all the three NOACs were associated with lower dementia risk. In pairwise comparisons among NOACs, rivaroxaban was associated with decreased dementia risk, compared with dabigatran (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.92). Supplemental propensity-weighted analyses showed consistent protective associations of NOACs with dementia relative to warfarin. The associations were consistent irrespectively of age, sex, stroke, and vascular disease and more prominent in standard dose users of NOAC. CONCLUSION: In this propensity-matched and -weighted analysis using a real-world population-based cohort, use of NOACs was associated with lower dementia risk than use of warfarin among non-valvular AF patients initiating OAC treatment.

Frailty and the Effect of Catheter Ablation in the Elderly Population With Atrial Fibrillation　- A Real-World Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether catheter ablation is beneficial for frail elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated the effect of ablation on outcomes in frail elderly patients with AF.Methods and Results:From the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, 194,928 newly diagnosed AF patients were treated with ablation or medical therapy (rhythm or rate control) between 2005 and 2015. Among these patients, the study included 1,818 (ablation; n=119) frail and 1,907 (ablation; n=230) non-frail elderly (≥75 years) patients. Propensity score matching was used to correct for differences between groups. During 28 months (median) follow up, the risk of all-cause death, composite outcome (all-cause death, heart failure admission, stroke/systemic embolism, and sudden cardiac arrest), and each outcome did not change after ablation in frail elderly patients. However, in non-frail elderly patients, ablation was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death (3.5 and 6.2 per 100 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-0.79; P=0.004), and composite outcome (6.9 and 11.2 per 100 person-years; HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.38-0.75; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ablation may be associated with a lower risk of death and composite outcome in non-frail elderly, but the beneficial effect of ablation was not significant in frail elderly patients with AF. The effect of frailty on the outcome of ablation should be evaluated in further studies.

Long-term prognosis of short QT interval in Korean patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Short QT syndrome is a rare, inherited channelopathy associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) but the characteristics and prognosis of short QT interval (SQTI) in Korean patients remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SQTI in a Korean population. METHODS: Consecutive patients with SQTI from January 1999 to March 2019 in three university hospitals in South Korea were recruited. SQTI was defined as a Bazett's formula-corrected QT interval (QTc) ≤ 340 ms in serial electrocardiograms. Age- and sex-matched patients with a normal QTc and without overt cardiovascular disease were included in a 1:4 ratio. Clinical and ECG features and outcomes were compared between patients with and without SQTI. RESULTS: 34 patients with SQTI [age, 23.5 (21-30.5) years; 31 male] were followed up for 4.8 (2.0-7.8) years. Early repolarization, tall T wave, and U wave were significantly more frequent in patients with SQTI than in those without SQTI. QT dispersion [44.0 (28.0-73.0) vs. 20.0 (12.0-35.0) ms, P < 0.001] was significantly wider and heart rate [52.0 (47.0-58.0) vs. 70.0 (62.3-84.0)/min, P < 0.001] was significantly slower in patients with SQTI than in those without. Atrial fibrillation (AF, 11.8% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.030) and ventricular arrhythmia (VA)/SCA (8.7% vs. 0%, P = 0.007) were significantly more frequent in patients with SQTI than in those without. SQTI was significantly associated with AF [odds ratio, 5.911; 95% confidence interval, 1.257-27.808; P = 0.025] and VA/SCA. CONCLUSIONS: In this subset of Korean population, SQTI was associated with AF and VA/SCA.

Usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance images for prediction of sudden cardiac arrest in patients with mitral valve prolapse: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: An association has been identified between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and ventricular arrhythmias (VA). This study aimed to elucidate predictive factors for SCA or VA in MVP patients. METHODS: MVP patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were retrospectively included. Patients with other structural heart disease or causes of aborted SCA were excluded. Clinical characteristics (sex, age, body mass index, histories of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) and electrocardiographic (PR interval, QRS duration, corrected QT interval, inverted T wave in the inferior leads, bundle branch block, and atrial fibrillation), echocardiographic [mitral regurgitation grade, prolapsing mitral leaflet, and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP)], and CMR [left atrial volume index, both ventricular ejection fractions, both ventricular end-diastolic and systolic volume indexes, prolapse distance, mitral annular disjunction, systolic curling motion, presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), LGE volume and proportion] parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients [age, 54.0 (41.0-65.0) years; 46 men], seven experienced SCA or VA. Younger age and wide QRS complex were observed more often in the SCA/VA group than in the no-SCA/VA group. The SCA/VA group exhibited lower RVSP, more systolic curling motion and LGE, greater LGE volume, and higher LGE proportion. The presence of LGE [hazard ratio (HR), 19.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.65-148.15; P = 0.004], LGE volume (HR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02-1.14; P = 0.006) and LGE proportion (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.08-1.60; P = 0.006) were independently associated with higher risk of SCA or VA in MVP patients together with systolic curling motion in each model. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of systolic curling motion, high LGE volume and proportion, and the presence of LGE on CMR were independent predictive factors for SCA or VA in MVP patients.

Contribution of sarcomere gene mutations to left atrial function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction are related to clinical course in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We aimed to investigate genetic contribution to LA structural and functional remodeling. METHODS: Two hundred twelve patients were consecutively enrolled, and echocardiography and extensive genetic analysis were performed. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed in 135 patients. Echocardiography was also performed in controls (n = 30). RESULTS: Patients with HCM had lower late-diastolic mitral annular velocity (a') and higher LA volume index (LAVI) than controls. Patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic sarcomere gene mutations (PSM, n = 67, 32%) had higher LAVI and lower CMR-derived LA total emptying fraction (37.0 ± 18.5 vs. 44.2 ± 12.4%, p = 0.025). In patients without AF (n = 187), the PSM had lower a' (6.9 ± 2.0 vs. 7.8 ± 1.9 cm/s, p = 0.004) than others. The PSM had higher prevalence and amount of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the left ventricle (LV). In multivariate analysis, PSM was significantly related to lower a' independent of E/e', LV mass index, and LAVI. However, the relation significantly attenuated after adjustment for the extent of LGE in the LV, suggesting common myopathy in the LV and LA. In addition, PSM was significantly related to lower LA total emptying fraction independent of age, E/e', s', LV ejection fraction, LV myocardial global longitudinal strain and %LGE mass. CONCLUSIONS: PSM was related to LA dysfunction independent of LV filling pressure and LAVI, suggesting its contribution to atrial myopathy in HCM.

Less dementia after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study.

AIMS: Accumulating evidence shows that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Catheter ablation for AF prolongs the duration of sinus rhythm, thereby improving the quality of life. We investigated the association of catheter ablation for AF with the occurrence of dementia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, among 194 928 adults with AF treated with ablation or medical therapy (antiarrhythmic or rate control drugs) between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015, we studied 9119 patients undergoing ablation and 17 978 patients managed with medical therapy. The time-at-risk was counted from the first medical therapy, and ablation was analysed as a time-varying exposure. Propensity score-matching was used to correct for differences between the groups. During a median follow-up of 52 months, compared with patients with medical therapy, ablated patients showed lower incidence and risk of overall dementia (8.1 and 5.6 per 1000 person-years, respectively; hazard ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.93). The associations between ablation and dementia risk were consistently observed after additionally censoring for incident stroke (hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.61-0.95) and more pronounced in cases of ablation success whereas no significant differences observed in cases of ablation failure. Ablation was associated with lower risks of dementia subtypes including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide cohort of AF patients treated with catheter ablation or medical therapy, ablation was associated with decreased dementia risk. This relationship was evident after censoring for stroke and adjusting for clinical confounders.

Persistent atrial fibrillation over 3 years is associated with higher recurrence after catheter ablation.

INSTRUCTION: Longer atrial fibrillation (AF) durations have higher recurrence rates after rhythm control. However, there is limited data on the effect of the AF duration on recurrence after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA). In the present study, we investigated the rhythm outcome of AFCA according to the AF duration based on the first electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 1005 patients with AF (75% male, 59 ± 11 years old) who underwent AFCA and whose first ECG diagnosis time point was evident. The clinical characteristics and rhythm outcomes were compared based on the AF duration (≤3 years, n = 537; >3 years, n = 468) and AF burden (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation [PAF], n = 387; persistent atrial fibrillation [PeAF], n = 618). Longer AF durations were associated with older age (P = .020), larger left atrial size (P = .009) and a higher number of patients with hypertension (P < .001) or PeAF (P < .001). During 24 ± 22 months of follow-up, the postablation clinical recurrence rate was higher in patients with a longer AF duration (logrank P = .002). The AF recurrence rate was significantly higher in PeAF patients with an AF duration >3 years (logrank P = 0.009), but not in subjects with PAF (logrank P = .939). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, a longer AF duration was significantly associated with a higher clinical recurrence rate after AFCA in PeAF patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.06; range, 1.03-0.10; P = 0.001), but not PAF. CONCLUSION: Although longer AF duration was associated with higher clinical recurrence rates after AFCA, the rate was significant in patients with PeAF lasting >3 years, but not in PAF patients.

Prevalence and risk factors for secondary hypertension among young Korean men.

Screening for secondary hypertension (HTN) is recommended for early-onset HTN. However, there have been few studies on secondary HTN in young adults. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for secondary HTN in young male military personnel. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, hypertensive men (age, 19-29 years) were identified using the electronic medical records (EMR) database between 2011 and 2017. Among them, patients with secondary HTN were confirmed through a review of the EMR. Using clinical characteristics and laboratory findings, independent predictors associated with secondary HTN were identified by binary logistic regression analysis. Secondary HTN was confirmed in 140 of 6373 participants (2.2%). Overall, the most common causes were polycystic kidney disease (n = 47, 0.74%) and renal parenchymal diseases (n = 24, 0.38%). The independent predictors of secondary HTN were abnormal thyroid function test (TFT) (odds ratio [OR]: 9.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.84-19.45, P < 0.001), proteinuria (≥ trace) (OR: 6.13, 95% CI: 2.97-12.99, P < 0.001), hematuria (≥ trace) (OR: 4.37, 95% CI: 2.15-9.01, P < 0.001), severe HTN (≥ 180/110 mmHg) (OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.42-6.65, P = 0.004), and non-overweight (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.69-5.26, P < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the family history of HTN, headache, total cholesterol, and diabetes between patients with primary and secondary HTN. Therefore, to ensure cost-effectiveness, screening for secondary HTN in young hypertensive men should be performed selectively considering abnormal TFT, proteinuria, hematuria, severe HTN, and non-overweight.

The optimal drug adherence to maximize the efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant in real-world atrial fibrillation patients.

AIMS: To investigate the association between adherence to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and clinical outcomes and to determine the optimal cut-off level of NOAC adherence among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified 96 197 patients with non-valvular AF who initiated NOAC or warfarin in 2013-16. We compared clinical outcomes between adherent [proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥80%] vs. non-adherent (PDC <80%) NOAC users, and further with warfarin users. We assessed the outcomes according to different levels of adherence. The proportion of adherent NOAC users was 64.0%. Compared with non-adherent NOAC users, adherent NOAC users were at lower risks of ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism (SE) [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.79], and myocardial infarction (aHR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.93), whereas there was no significant risk alteration for major bleeding (aHR 1.01, 95% CI 0.91-1.11). Compared with warfarin, non-adherent NOAC use failed to have better efficacy against ischaemic stroke/SE (aHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.93-1.05) and rather had increased risk of myocardial infarction (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.25). In NOAC users, the risks of adverse outcomes decreased according to gradual increase of adherence rates with the lowest risks in ≥90%, except for major bleeding in which there were no significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: In an adherence level-dependent fashion, adherent use of NOAC showed better clinical outcomes without increasing bleeding risk. Maintaining ≥90% of adherence optimizes effectiveness of NOAC therapy without compromising its safety.

When is it appropriate to stop non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation? A multicentre prospective randomized study.

AIMS: Although a recent expert consensus statement has recommended periprocedural uninterrupted (UI) non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) as a Class I indication, there have been no clear randomized trials. We investigated the safety and efficacy of UI, procedure day single-dose skipped (SDS), and 24-hour skipped (24S) NOACs in patients undergoing AF ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective, open-label, randomized multicentre trial, 326 patients (75% male, 58 ± 11 years old) scheduled for AF catheter ablation were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to UI, SDS, and 24S at three tertiary hospitals. Bridging with low molecular weight heparin was carried out in the patients with persistent AF who were assigned to the 24S group. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban were assigned in order after randomization. The primary endpoint was the incidence of bleeding events within 1 month after ablation. The secondary endpoints included thrombo-embolic and other procedure-related complications. The intra-procedural heparin requirement was higher in the 24S group than others (P < 0.001), and the mean activated clotting time was comparable among the groups (P = 0.139). The incidence of major bleeding up to 1 month after ablation and a post-procedural reduction in the haemoglobin levels did not significantly differ among the treatment groups and different NOACs (P > 0.05). There were no fatal events or thrombo-embolic complications in all the three groups. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing AF ablation, UI NOACs and SDS or double dose skipped NOACs had a comparable efficacy and safety, regardless of the type of NOAC.

Effect of hypertension duration and blood pressure level on ischaemic stroke risk in atrial fibrillation: nationwide data covering the entire Korean population.

AIMS: There are a paucity of data on the association of duration of hypertension and blood pressure (BP) level with risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Our objective was to investigate the association between duration of hypertension and secondly, BP levels with risk of ischaemic stroke among patients with AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 246 459 oral anticoagulant-naïve non-valvular AF patients were enrolled from Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2005-2015). The risk of ischaemic stroke according to the duration of hypertension and systolic BP (SBP) levels were assessed. One-year increase of hypertension duration continuously increased the adjusted risk of ischaemic stroke (95% confidence interval 1.07-1.09) until 7 years, and reached a plateau with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.6. Risk of ischaemic stroke increased linearly with the increase of hypertension duration in patients younger than 65 years of age, whereas the risk reached a plateau in patients aged 65 years or older. In all baseline and pre-AF average SBP subgroups, longer duration of hypertension before AF was associated with higher ischaemic stroke risk than shorter duration of hypertension (all P-values for trends <0.01). However, the effect of long-term hypertension was not observed in patients with strictly well-controlled pre-AF average SBP of less than 120 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The increase of hypertension duration was associated with the increased risk of ischaemic stroke. However, this long-term effect of hypertension duration can be attenuated by long-term strict SBP control throughout the entire duration of hypertension.

Outcomes and Associated Factors of Discrepant Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerosis.

Some patients exhibit discrepancies in carotid and coronary artery atherosclerosis. This study aimed to define the characteristics and prognosis of these discrepant patients and determine the best strategy to detect pan-vascular atherosclerosis. A database of 5,022 consecutively registered patients who underwent both coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography, along with clinical and blood laboratory tests, echocardiography, and pulse wave velocity (PWV), was analyzed. The development of cerebro-cardiovascular (CV) events during the follow-up period was also evaluated. A significant proportion of patients (n = 1,741, 35%) presented with a discrepancy between carotid artery plaque and coronary artery disease (CAD). In patients without carotid plaque, male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.41; P = 0.003), older age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P = 0.002), smoking history (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.13-2.20; P = 0.008), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) -cholesterol level (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.98; P < 0.001), and lower common carotid artery end-diastolic velocity (CCA-EDV) (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99; P = 0.005) were independently related to the presence of CAD. In patients without CAD, increased PWV was independently related to the presence of carotid plaque. In survival analysis, patients with isolated CAD had a higher probability of composite CV events; those with isolated carotid plaque had a higher probability of heart failure (HF) and mortality than their counterpart groups (P < 0.05). Even in patients without carotid artery plaque, careful coronary evaluation is needed in older or male patients with smoking history, lower HDL-cholesterol level, or lower CCA-EDV. Carotid plaque may be a potential risk factor for HF.