The impact of vagotonic, adrenergic, and random type of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on left atrial ablation outcomes

Atrial fibrillation nomenclature, definitions, and mechanisms: Position paper from the international Working Group of the Signal Summit

The international Working Group of the Signal Summit is a consortium of experts in the field of cardiac electrophysiology dedicated to advancing knowledge on understanding and clinical application of signal recording and processing techniques. In 2023, the working group met in Reykjavik, Iceland, and laid the foundation for this manuscript. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults, with a rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide. Despite substantial research efforts, advancements in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of AF have been relatively modest. Since the discovery of pulmonary veins as a frequent trigger region for AF initiation more than 2½ decades ago, advancements in patient care have primarily focused on technologic innovations to improve the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Several factors may explain the limited scientific progress made. First, whereas AF initiation usually begins with an ectopic beat, the mechanisms of initiation, maintenance, and electrical propagation have not been fully elucidated in humans, largely owing to suboptimal spatiotemporal mapping. Second, underlying structural changes have not been clarified and may involve different types of reentry. Third, inconsistent definitions and terminology regarding fibrillatory characteristics contribute to the challenges of comparing results between studies. Fourth, a growing appreciation for phenotypical differences probably explains the wide range of clinical outcomes to catheter ablation in patients with seemingly similar AF types. Last, restoring sinus rhythm in advanced phenotypic forms of AF is often not feasible or may require extensive ablation with minimal or no positive impact on quality of life. The aims of this international position paper are to provide practical definitions as a foundation for discussing potential mechanisms and mapping results and to propose pathways toward meaningful advancements in AF research, ultimately leading to improved therapies for AF.

Redressing Underrecognition of "Cold Drink Heart": Patients Teaching Physicians about Atrial Fibrillation Triggered by Cold Drink and Food

In this essay I tell the story of insightful patients from around the world with cold-drink atrial arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF). This common condition has received little research attention and remains unknown to many physicians. The under-representation of "cold drink heart" in the literature led me and a colleague a few years ago to publish a case report on this topic in an open-access journal. I included my email address so that physicians and researchers could contact me. Although I sought a physician audience, the report struck a chord with patients. Sixteen individuals have since written me to express their gratitude for having received medical validation of the causal connection they had made between swallowing cold drink or food and their episodes of paroxysmal AF. The validation was all the more important because of their physicians' prevalent disregard of the link, making them miss out on the opportunity to partner with their patients in AF management by trigger avoidance. I explain here how these patients have handled their cold-drink AF and connect their reports with the few published in the literature. These rich email exchanges illustrate how eager patients can be for an explanation of their medical condition and for an opportunity to manage their symptoms. These communications also remind us about the important role patients play in physician education. These email-writing patients have done us all a great service by teaching about the precipitants, prevention, and underrecognition of cold-drink atrial arrhythmias.

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Brain Freeze: A Case of Recurrent Co-Incident Precipitation From a Frozen Beverage

Patient: Male, 29

Final Diagnosis: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation • cold-stimulus headache

Symptoms: Palpitations • headache

Medication: Diltiazem • Ibutilide

Clinical Procedure: None

Specialty: Emergency Medicine • Internal Medicine

Differences in quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and common forms of atrioventricular reentry supraventricular tachycardias

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in quality of life and psychosocial stress parameters among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and common forms of atrioventricular reentry supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The total study population included 106 patients, 54 patients with paroxysmal AF (32 males, age 56.64±12.50 years) and 52 with SVTs (25 males, age 40.46±14.96 years). General health (p<0.01), physical function (p=0.004), role emotion (p=0.002) and role physical (p<0.01) scores were lower in patients who suffered AF. SF-36 physical and mental health summary measures were also significantly lower in the AF group compared to those in SVT group (p<0.01 and p=0.001, respectively). Lower SF-36 total score was observed in patients with AF compared to those with SVTs (p<0.01). Comparing the anxiety and depression scores all the values were higher in patients with AF. Higher STAI-state scores (p<0.01), STAI-trait scores (p=0.039) and BDI scores (p=0.077) were seen in patients who suffered AF comparing to those with SVTs.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life is significantly impaired and the level of anxiety is significantly higher in patients with AF comparing to those with common forms of SVTs.