The Role of Risk Factor Modification in Atrial Fibrillation: Outcomes in Catheter Ablation.

The management of atrial fibrillation has evolved significantly over the last ten years with advancements in medical and catheter ablation approaches, but these have limited success when used in isolation. Trends in the management of lifestyle modifications have surfaced, as it is now better understood that modifiable risk factors contribute significantly to the development and propagation of atrial fibrillation, as well as failure of treatment. International guidelines have integrated the role of lifestyle modification in the management of atrial fibrillation and specifically in the persistent form of atrial fibrillation; these guidelines must be addressed prior to considering catheter ablation. Effective risk factor modification is critical in increasing the likelihood of an arrhythmia-free survival following catheter ablation.

Catheter Ablation for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation: An Update of the Literature.

Catheter ablation has been shown to be more effective at maintaining sinus rhythm and improving quality of life when compared to antiarrhythmic drugs. Radiofrequency and cryoablation are two effective methods. However, catheter-only ablation strategies have not consistently produced high success rates in treating longstanding and persistent AF patients. The emerging treatment of choice for such cases is hybrid ablation, which involves a multidisciplinary and minimally invasive approach to achieve surgical ablation of the direct posterior left atrial wall in combination with endocardial catheter ablation. Studies have shown promising results for the hybrid approach when compared with catheter ablation alone, but it is not without risks. Large and randomised studies are necessary to further evaluate these strategies for managing AF.

Involuntary arm movements post-pacemaker insertion - real or Reel syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Twiddler syndrome, and the variant Reel syndrome, are rare but important complications of pacemaker implantation. CASE SUMMARY: We describe a rare complication of conventional permanent pacemaker implantation of rhythmic arm twitching secondary to brachial plexus stimulation from a displaced pacing lead caused by Reel syndrome. DISCUSSION: Twiddler syndrome and its variants are rare but important complications of pacemaker insertion. Holistic planning of cardiac procedures in elderly patients should identify those at risk to allow for targeted education and post-procedural care.

Is there a difference between hospital-verified and self-reported self-harm? Implications for repetition.

OBJECTIVE: Repeated intentional self-harm (SH) is associated with economic costs and increased risk of suicide. Estimates of repetition vary according to method of data capture and are limited by short periods of follow-up observation. Some sources use hospital records and others self-reported SH (SRSH). Our aim was to examine the relationship between SRSH and hospital-verified SH (HVSH) and later repetition of SH (predictive validity). We also aimed to examine whether rates of SH repetition differ between first-time presenters and non-first-time presenters using either definition of SH. METHOD: We conducted a large prospective study tracking SH attempts through an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department within the United Kingdom. We took a representative sample of 774 patients (30% of total who reported SH) and followed them for 5.6 years on average. The index episode of SH was recorded at the time of referral to staff in A&E. Prior episodes of SH were determined from an electronic search of A&E patient database, and in addition, recollection of prior SH as reported by the patient to their clinician at the time of index presentation was recorded. RESULTS: Across the whole sample 32.0% of patients repeated SH within 1 year, which rose to 54.1% at completion of follow-up. Repetition rates were considerably higher in patients with a prior SH history than those presenting with a first SH episode after 1 year (47.9% vs. 19.6%) and by the end of follow-up (73.8% vs. 39.4%) (P<.001). Of 411 with self-reported first presentations, 45.2% repeated over the study period. In terms of predictive validity, 65.2% of those with previous SRSH repeated vs. 73.8% with previous HVSH (P<.001). There was low agreement between SRSH and HVSH (Kappa=0.353, 95% confidence interval 0.287-0.419, low). CONCLUSIONS: We found relatively poor agreement between hospital-defined and self-reported SH. A total of 62.8% of those who denied SH actually had a hospital-verified previous episode. Patients with recorded prior SH and those who recall previous SH have significantly higher rates of repetition, but the two samples imprecisely overlap and predictive validity is stronger for HVSH.

Prasugrel hydrochloride for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome patients.

INTRODUCTION: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin combined with either a thienopyridine (clopidogrel or prasugrel) or acyclopentyl-triazolo-pyrimidine (ticagrelor) plays a vital role in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) especially in those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but even those being managed medically. Observational studies and some formal studies have shown patients on the standard dual antiplatelet regimen (clopidogrel and aspirin) continue to have further ischemic events and can suffer stent thrombosis. It has been demonstrated that clopidogrel is associated with a delayed onset of action with a considerable inter-individual variation to treatment thus making it difficult to achieve an optimal level of platelet inhibition. Areas covered: This article will review the current evidence that is available regarding the effectiveness and safety of prasugrel in ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Expert commentary: Prasugrel is an oral third-generation inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation. Laboratory studies and early phase clinical trials show prasugrel has a faster onset of action, is more potent and has reduced inter-patient response variability compared to clopidogrel. The published studies so far demonstrated that prasugrel when compared to clopidogrel also shows a higher degree of effectiveness in the prevention of platelet-initiated thrombotic events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI, however these benefits are offset somewhat by an increased bleeding risk.

Accuracy of one or two simple questions to identify alcohol-use disorder in primary care: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is much interest in ultra-short alcohol screening in primary care that may support brief alcohol interventions. Brief screening consisting of one or two questions might be used alone or in combination with longer tests as recommended by the Primary Care Service Framework. AIM: To investigate whether a simple one and two question screening might prove an accurate and acceptable screening method in primary care. DESIGN AND SETTING: A systematic literature search, critical appraisal and meta-analysis were conducted. METHOD: A comprehensive search identified 61 analyses of single questions to detect alcohol problems including 17 that took place in primary care, using a robust interview standard. Despite focusing alcohol-use disorder in primary care settings, heterogeneity remained high, therefore random effects and bivariate meta-analyses were used. RESULTS: After adjustments, diagnostic accuracy of a single-question approach was given by a sensitivity of 54.5% (95% CI = 43.0% to 65.5%) and a specificity of 87.3% (95% CI = 81.5% to 91.5%) using meta-analytic weighting. Two questions had a sensitivity of 87.2% (95% CI = 69.9% to 97.7%) and specificity of 79.8% (95% CI = 75.7% to 83.6%). Looking at each question individually, the most successful single question was a modification of the Single Alcohol Screening Question (SASQ) namely, 'How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?'. The optimal approach appears to be two questions followed by the CAGE questionnaire, which achieved an overall accuracy of 90.9% and required only 3.3 questions per attendee. CONCLUSION: Two brief questions can be used as an initial screen for alcohol problems but only when combined with a second-step screen. A brief alcohol intervention should be considered in those individuals who answer positively on both steps.

Perceived coercion and change in perceived need for admission in patients hospitalized for eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Ambivalence toward treatment is characteristic of eating disorders, and patients are often admitted to inpatient programs under pressure from clinicians, family, friends, educators, or employers. This study evaluated patient perceptions of the admissions process and perceived need for hospitalization and assessed whether these perceptions remain stable in the short term. METHOD: A total of 139 patients with eating disorders completed a 13-item self-report scale on the admission experience when they were admitted to a behavioral inpatient specialty program and again 2 weeks into their hospitalization. RESULTS: Patients with anorexia nervosa reported higher levels of perceived coercion and pressure and a lower sense of procedural justice than did those with bulimia. Patients under 18 (N=35) reported more perceived coercion than did adult patients (N=104), and a trend was noted for them to disagree that they needed hospitalization. Perceptions of coercion, of pressure by others toward hospitalization, and of procedural justice were stable in the short term. However, of the 46 patients (30 of them adults) who initially did not endorse needing admission, 20 patients (17 of them adults) changed their minds by 2 weeks into hospitalization and agreed that they needed hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of patients with eating disorders who denied a need for treatment on admission converted to acknowledging that they needed to be admitted within 2 weeks of hospitalization. Since treatment avoidance is associated with poor outcome, these findings suggest a need for studies assessing the long-term outcome and ethics of pressuring patients with eating disorders into treatment.