Combination of Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Left Atrial Low-Voltage Areas Predicting Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Radiofrequency Ablation.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) being first-line therapy. However, the high rate of post-ablation recurrence necessitates the identification of predictors for recurrence risk. Left atrial low-voltage areas (LA-LVASs), reflecting atrial fibrosis, have been confirmed to be related to recurrence of AF. Recently, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been studied due to its role in initiating and maintaining AF. In this study, we try to evaluate the significance of the combined use of left atrial epicardial adipose tissue (LA-EAT) and percentage of LA-LVAs (LA-LVAs%) for predicting the recurrence of AF. METHODS: A total of 387 patients with AF who had undergone RFCA for the first time were followed up for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. They were divided into two groups: the recurrence group (n = 90) and the non-recurrence group (n = 297). Before the ablation, all patients underwent computed tomography angiography examination of the left atrium, and the LA-EAT was measured using medical software (Advantage Workstation 4.6, GE, USA). After circumferential pulmonary vein isolation, a three-dimensional mapping system was used to map the LA endocardium and evaluate the LA-LVAs in sinus rhythm. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 10.2 months, 90 patients developed AF recurrence after RFCA. Compared to patients without recurrence, the volume of LA-EAT (33.45 ± 13.65 vs. 26.27 ± 11.38; p < 0.001) and the LA-LVAs% (1.60% [0%, 9.99%] vs. 0.00% [0%, 2.46%]; p < 0.001) was significantly higher. Multivariate analysis indicated that PersAF, LA-EAT volume, and LA-LVAs% were independent predictors. Compared to PersAF (AUC 0.628; specificity 0.646; sensitivity 0.609), LA-EAT volume (AUC 0.655; specificity 0.675; sensitivity 0.586), or LA-LVAs% (AUC 0.659; specificity 0.836; sensitivity 0.437), the combined use of LA-EAT volume and LA-LVAs% offers higher accuracy for predicting AF recurrence after ablation (AUC 0.738; specificity 0.761; sensitivity 0.621). CONCLUSION: The combined LA-EAT and LA-LVAs% can effectively predict the risk of AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.

Association of Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 with New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The combination of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atrial fibrillation (AF) is still a thorny problem in the clinic. At present, there are few reports on the role of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) in AF after AMI. This study was to explore the predictive value of sST2 in patients with AMI for new-onset AF. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective clinical observation study. We continuously included AMI patients from September 2019 to November 2021. The concentration of sST2 in blood samples was determined. During admission, a suspicious heart rhythm was recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, and new-onset AF was confirmed by immediate body surface ECG. RESULTS: After multiple factors were included, age, right coronary artery, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, left ventricular ejection fraction, and sST2 were still risk factors for new-onset AF. The area under curve value of age and sST2 was more than 0.7, which showed good diagnostic value. For reevaluation, the sST2 was added to the clinical new-onset AF prediction model. It was found that the integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification index in the model were improved significantly. CONCLUSION: sST2 is an independent predictor of new-onset AF in patients with AMI and can improve the accuracy of the AF risk model.

Alpha-lipoic acid prevents atrial electrical and structural remodeling via inhibition of NADPH oxidase in a rabbit rapid atrial pacing model.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural compound, one of the natural antioxidants with high activity. In the NADPH oxidase family, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is an important subunit participating in the production of ROS. NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) can form active NADPH oxidase complexes when binding to several other subunits in the cytoplasm, and NOX2 is its major functional subunit. Rapid atrial pacing (RAP) model was constructed to study the effects of ALA on electrical and structural remodeling in rabbits. METHODS: Thirty rabbits were divided into SHAM group, RAP group and ALA+RAP group. Their right atriums were paced at a speed of 600 beats/min for 12 h in the RAP and ALA+RAP groups, and the atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and AERP frequency adaptability were determined during the pace. In ALA+RAP group, ALA (30 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally daily to the rabbits for 3 days before RAP. Atrial tissue was collected from each group to detect malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to observe the effect of oxidative stress. The pathological structure of the atrial tissue was observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Ultrastructural changes in the atrial myocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the expression levels of Nox2 and Nox4 were detected by immunohistochemistry, western blot and ELISA. RESULTS: AERP gradually shortened, while ALA injection could remarkably delay this process. HE staining showed that the most of the nuclei appeared normal, the myocardial fibers did not show ruptures, and their arrangement was slightly ordered, and myofilament dissolution and mitochondrial swelling and deformation were rarely observed by TEM in the ALA+RAP group. Compared with the RAP group, the contents of MDA and ROS were reduced, SOD activity was enhanced, and the expression of NOX2 and NOX4 was decreased in the ALA+RAP group. DISCUSSION: ALA can inhibit atrial electrical remodeling and structural remodeling, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activity of NADPH oxidase.

A Survey of Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Testing.

Vehicle to everything (V2X) is a new generation of information and communication technologies that connect vehicles to everything. It not only creates a more comfortable and safer transportation environment, but also has much significance for improving traffic efficiency, and reducing pollution and accident rates. At present, the technology is still in the exploratory stage, and the problems of traffic safety and information security brought about by V2X applications have not yet been fully evaluated. Prior to marketization, we must ensure the reliability and maturity of the technology, which must be rigorously tested and verified. Therefore, testing is an important part of V2X technology. This article focuses on the V2X application requirements and its challenges, the need of testing. Then we also investigate and summarize the testing methods for V2X in the communication process and describe them in detail from the architectural perspective. In addition, we have proposed an end-to-end testing system combining virtual and real environments which can undertake the test task of the full protocol stack.

Mucosal flaps prevent neo-osteogenesis after frontal drill-out procedures: A computer-assisted study.

Objective: Although several mucosal flap techniques have been reported to improve the outcomes in Draf IIb and Draf III procedures, there is scant knowledge on frontal ostium neo-osteogenesis after reconstruction with mucosa flap. This study evaluates the potential benefits of mucosa flaps on frontal ostium neo-osteogenesis after frontal sinus drill-out procedures. Methods: Forty-three patients who underwent extended Draf IIb and Draf III were enrolled. Among them, 20 patients had frontal neo-ostium (FNO) reconstructed by mucosal flap (group A), and 23 patients did not have neo-ostium reconstruction (group B). The cross-sectional area of FNO, frontonasal bone, and the amount of frontal neo-osteogenesis (FNOG) were measured with OsiriX®. In addition, the Global Osteitis Scoring Scale (GOSS), Lund-Mackay score (LMS), and Lund-Kennedy score (LKS) were also evaluated. Results: At one year postoperatively, the remaining neo-ostium area was significantly larger in group A (p = .001), and group A had significantly less FNOG (p < .05). The month 12 postoperative GOSS score was significantly decreased in group A. In contrast, it slightly increased in group B. Both the average LKS and LMS were significantly reduced in groups A and B at month 12 postoperatively. Still, the average LKS of group A significantly decreased than that of group B at month 12 postoperatively. Conclusion: Coverage of the bare frontal bone with the mucosal flap could prevent excessive neo-osteogenesis and keep the neo-ostium open widely. Level of Evidence: 2b.

The predictive value of left atrium epicardial adipose tissue on recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with different types of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence supports that the left atrium epicardial adipose tissue (LA-EAT) is related to the occurrence and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The relationship between LA-EAT and the recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in patients with different types of AF is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of LA-EAT on the recurrence of AF after RFCA in patients with different types of AF. METHODS: 301 AF patients who underwent RFCA for the first time were divided into the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) group (n = 181) and the persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) group(n = 120), which were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months. All patients underwent left atrial computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination before the operation, and LA-EAT was measured using software (Advantage Workstation4.6, GE, USA). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 10.7 months, 73/301 patients (24.25%) had a recurrence of AF, including 43 /120(35.83%) patients with PersAF and 30/181(16.57%) patients with PAF. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, LA-EAT volume (OR = 1.053;95%CI: 1.024-1.083, p < 0.001), attenuation (OR = 0.949;95%CI:0.911-0.988, p = 0.012) and left atrial diameter (LAD) (OR = 1.063;95%CI:1.002-1.127，p = 0.043) were independent risk factors for recurrence in patients with PersAF but not in patients with PAF. CONCLUSION: LA-EAT volume and attenuation are independent risk factors for recurrence after RFCA in patients with PersAF.

Left atrial epicardial adipose tissue is closely associated with left atrial appendage flow velocity in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) can play an important role in the occurrence and development of atrial fibrillation and stroke. In this study, we explored the relationship between left atrial epicardial adipose tissue (LA-EAT) and left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAA-FV) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NV-AF). A total of 145 patients with NV-AF who underwent their first radiofrequency ablation were enrolled. They underwent left aortopulmonary vein computed tomography angiography (CTA) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before AF ablation. Left atrial (LA) electroanatomical mapping was performed intraoperatively to assess left atrial voltage. Univariate regression analysis showed that LAA-FV was lower in patients with a low voltage zone (LAA-FV; 35.02 ± 10.78 cm/s vs. 50.60 ± 12.17 cm/s, P < 0.001). A multiple linear regression model showed that the left atrial low voltage zone (ß = - 0.311 P < 0.001), LA-EAT volume (ß = - 0.256 P < 0.001), left atrial appendage shape (ß = - 0.216 P = 0.041), LAVI (ß = - 0.153 P = 0.041), and type of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal vs. persistence) (ß = - 0.146 P < 0.048) were independent predictors of LAA-FV. In NV-AF patients, the increase in LA-EAT volume is related to the decrease in LAA-FV.

The effect of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and Lp(a) levels on coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes and blood lipid metabolism on coronary artery disease (CAD) with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Patients with suspected CAD were consecutively enrolled and divided into groups with or without CAD and/or AF. Blood lipid levels and APOE genotypes were determined and analysed for associations with CAD and AF. RESULTS: A total of 2048 patients were included (400 patients without CAD or AF [controls], 126 patients without CAD but with AF, 1294 patients with CAD without AF, and 228 patients with CAD and AF). Age and lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) levels were significantly higher in patients with CAD and AF versus those with CAD without AF. Among patients with CAD, the E3/E3 genotype and ε3 allele frequencies were significantly lower in patients with AF than in those without AF, and the E4/E4 genotype and ε4 allele frequencies were significantly increased. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that increased Lp(a) levels and age were independent risk factors for AF in patients with CAD. CONCLUSION: Among patients with CAD, those with AF had increased age, ε4 frequencies and Lp(a) levels. Age and Lp(a) levels may be independent risk factors for AF in patients with CAD.

Left atrial epicardial adipose tissue is associated with low voltage zones in the left atrium in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is related to atrial fibrillation (AF), but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Left atrial (LA) low voltage zones (LVZ) can well reflect atrial fibrosis. This study investigated the relationship between EAT and LVZ in non-valvular AF (NVAF) patients. Methods: This observational study including patients with NVAF (n = 214) undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFCA) for the first time in our hospital and 62 matched controls. The EAT volume and attenuation were measured by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. A three-dimensional mapping system was used to map the left atrial endocardium and evaluate LA-LVZ. Patients were divided into LVZ and non-LVZ groups according to the presence or absence of LVZ. Results: Patients with AF showed higher LA-EAT volume and lower attenuation value than controls (29.7 ± 11.2 cm3 vs. 20.9 ± 8.6 cm3, P = 0.021; -91.2 ± 5.6 HU vs. -88.7 ± 5.9 HU, P < 0.001). Compared with the group without LVZ, there were significant differences in age [65 (59-71) vs. 60 (52-69), P = 0.006], LAVI [75.1 ± 20.7 ml/m2 vs. 67.2 ± 20.9 ml/m2, P = 0.018], LA-EAT volume (34.8 ± 11.5 cm3 vs. 28.1 ± 10.6 cm3, P < 0.001) and LA-EAT attenuation (-93.9 ± 5.3 HU vs. -90.4 ± 5.5 HU, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (OR = 1.040; 95%CI: 1.001-1.078, P = 0.042), LAVI (OR = 1.019; 95%CI: 1.002-1.037, P = 0.032), LA-EAT volume (OR = 1.193; 95%CI: 1.015-1.402, P = 0.034) and attenuation value (OR = 0.801; 95%CI: 0.701-0.916 P = 0.001) were independent predictors of LVZ. After LA-EAT attenuation was incorporated into the clinical model, the comprehensive discrimination and net reclassification tended to improve (IDI and NRI > 0, P < 0.05). Conclusion: LA-EAT volume and attenuation values can independently predict the presence of LVZ, and LA-EAT attenuation has a better predictive value than LA-EAT volume.

Value of Fast MVO Identification From Contrast-Enhanced Cine (CE-SSFP) Combined With Myocardial Strain in Predicting Adverse Events in Patients After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can be used for a one-step evaluation of myocardial function and pathological features after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to evaluate the value of fast microvascular occlusion (MVO) identification from contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession (CE-SSFP) combined with myocardial strain in predicting major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) patients with STEMI. Methods: In total, 237 patients with STEMI who received pPCI and completed CMR scans within the following week were enrolled, MVO identification and the myocardial strain analysis were performed in CE-SSFP images without an additional method. The primary endpoint was the presence of MACE, which is defined as a composite of death, reinfarction, and congestive heart failure (HF). Results: After 13 months of follow-up [interquartile range (IQR): 11-24], 30 patients (14%) developed MACE; the MVO (hazard ratio (HR) was 3.10; 95% CI: 1.14-8.99, p = 0.028), and the infarct size (IS) (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.0-1.06, p = 0.042) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17, p = 0.029) were finally associated with MACE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses show that the area under the curve (AUC) of GLS was large (0.73 [95% CI, 0.63-0.82], p = 0.001), and the best cut-off was -11.8%, with 76.7% sensitivity and 58.9% specificity, which are greater than those of IS (0.70, 95% CI, 0.60-0.81, p < 0.001) and MVO (0.68, 95% CI, 0.58-0.78, p < 0.001). However, combining MVO and GLS resulted in a much greater finding (AUC = 0.775, 95% CI: 0.727-0.824, p < 0.001) and better sensitivity and specificity (83.3%, 66.5%). Conclusion: Microvascular occlusion identification from contrast-enhanced cine combined with myocardial strain could be a quick and reliable option for patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI; it correlates well with the prognosis of patients with STEMI in terms of MACE.