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Mariani MV, Pierucci N, Trivigno S, Cipollone P, Piro A, Chimenti C, Della Rocca DG, Miraldi F, Vizza CD, Lavalle C. Probability Score to Predict Spontaneous Conversion to Sinus Rhythm in Patients with Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation When Less Could Be More? J Clin Med 2024; 13:1470. [PMID: 38592704 PMCID: PMC10934271 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The probability of spontaneous conversion (SCV) to sinus rhythm (SR) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with hemodynamically stable, symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is not well known. Objective: To develop and validate a score to determine the probability of SCV to SR in patients presenting to the ED with hemodynamically stable, symptomatic AF. Methods: This retrospective, observational study enrolled consecutive patients admitted with AF to the ED. Variables associated to SCV during a 6 h "wait-and-see" approach were used to develop and validate a score to determine the probability of SCV to SR in AF patients. The study was divided in two phases: (1) score development and (2) validation of the predictive score. Results: Out of 748 eligible patients, 446 patients were included in the derivation cohort, whereas 302 patients were included in the validation cohort. In the derivation cohort, based on multivariable logistic analysis, a probability score weight was developed including: previous SCV (3 points), AF-related symptom duration < 24 h (5 points), age ≥ 65 years (3 points) and female sex (2 points). The score allowed us to divide patients in three groups based on the probability of SCV to SR during the 6 h observation period. The probability prediction model showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.707 and 0.701 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Conclusions: The proposed score allowed us to predict SCV probability with good accuracy and may help physicians in tailoring AF management in an effective and timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Valerio Mariani
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Nicola Pierucci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Sara Trivigno
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Pietro Cipollone
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Agostino Piro
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Cristina Chimenti
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | | | - Fabio Miraldi
- Cardio Thoracic-Vascular and Organ Transplantation Surgery Department, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carmine Dario Vizza
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
| | - Carlo Lavalle
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Aenesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.P.); (S.T.); (P.C.); (A.P.); (C.C.); (C.D.V.); (C.L.)
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2
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Celotto C, Sánchez C, Abdollahpur M, Sandberg F, Rodriguez Mstas JF, Laguna P, Pueyo E. The frequency of atrial fibrillatory waves is modulated by the spatiotemporal pattern of acetylcholine release: a 3D computational study. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1189464. [PMID: 38235381 PMCID: PMC10791938 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1189464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In atrial fibrillation (AF), the ECG P-wave, which represents atrial depolarization, is replaced with chaotic and irregular fibrillation waves (f waves). The f-wave frequency, F f, shows significant variations over time. Cardiorespiratory interactions regulated by the autonomic nervous system have been suggested to play a role in such variations. We conducted a simulation study to test whether the spatiotemporal release pattern of the parasympathetic neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) modulates the frequency of atrial reentrant circuits. Understanding parasympathetic involvement in AF may guide more effective treatment approaches and could help to design autonomic markers alternative to heart rate variability (HRV), which is not available in AF patients. 2D tissue and 3D whole-atria models of human atrial electrophysiology in persistent AF were built. Different ACh release percentages (8% and 30%) and spatial ACh release patterns, including spatially random release and release from ganglionated plexi (GPs) and associated nerves, were considered. The temporal pattern of ACh release, ACh(t), was simulated following a sinusoidal waveform of frequency 0.125 Hz to represent the respiratory frequency. Different mean concentrations ( A C h ¯ ) and peak-to-peak ranges of ACh (ΔACh) were tested. We found that temporal variations in F f, F f(t), followed the simulated temporal ACh(t) pattern in all cases. The temporal mean of F f(t), F ¯ f , depended on the fibrillatory pattern (number and location of rotors), the percentage of ACh release nodes and A C h ¯ . The magnitude of F f(t) modulation, ΔF f, depended on the percentage of ACh release nodes and ΔACh. The spatial pattern of ACh release did not have an impact on F ¯ f and only a mild impact on ΔF f. The f-wave frequency, being indicative of vagal activity, has the potential to drive autonomic-based therapeutic actions and could replace HRV markers not quantifiable from AF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Celotto
- BSICoS Group, I3A and IIS-Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER - Bioingeniería, Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Sánchez
- BSICoS Group, I3A and IIS-Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER - Bioingeniería, Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Frida Sandberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Pablo Laguna
- BSICoS Group, I3A and IIS-Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER - Bioingeniería, Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Esther Pueyo
- BSICoS Group, I3A and IIS-Aragón, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER - Bioingeniería, Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
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3
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Holmqvist F, Seifert MB, Fagerström VL, Nault I, Östenson S, Carlson J, Ekelund U, Platonov PG. Study of ECG-derived atrial fibrillatory rate for prediction of the outcome of cardioversion of short duration atrial fibrillation (CASAF). J Electrocardiol 2023; 81:20-22. [PMID: 37480800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The present study aimed at testing the hypothesis that atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) is predictive of sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion. METHODS AND RESULTS The study comprised 32 patients admitted for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation of short duration (mean duration 3.8 ± 7.7 days). AFR was estimated using frequency power spectrum analysis of QRST-cancelled ECG. At six-weeks follow-up 22% of the patients had relapsed to AF. The pre-cardioversion mean AFR of those was 332 ± 64 fpm compared to 378 ± 59 fpm among patients maintaining sinus rhythm (p = 0.12). CONCLUSION AFR was not predictive of sinus rhythm maintenance in patients of short duration AF undergoing cardioversion. This is in stark contrast with the earlier reported findings. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02112318 (http://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Isabelle Nault
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Canada
| | - Sten Östenson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Clinical Physiology, Central Hospital Kristianstad, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Jonas Carlson
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Ekelund
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pyotr G Platonov
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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4
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Buhl R, Hesselkilde EM, Carstensen H, Hopster‐Iversen C, van Loon G, Decloedt A, Van Steenkiste G, Marr C, Reef VB, Schwarzwald CC, Mitchell KJ, Nostell K, Nogradi N, Nielsen SS, Carlson J, Platonov P. Atrial fibrillatory rate as predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation in horses treated medically or with electrical cardioversion. Equine Vet J 2022; 54:1013-1022. [PMID: 34957586 PMCID: PMC9787611 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses after cardioversion to sinus rhythm (SR) is relatively high. Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) derived from surface ECG is considered a biomarker for electrical remodelling and could potentially be used for the prediction of successful AF cardioversion and AF recurrence. OBJECTIVES Evaluate if AFR was associated with successful treatment and could predict AF recurrence in horses. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective multicentre study. METHODS Electrocardiograms (ECG) from horses with persistent AF admitted for cardioversion with either medical treatment (quinidine) or transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) were included. Bipolar surface ECG recordings were analysed by spatiotemporal cancellation of QRST complexes and calculation of AFR from the remaining atrial signal. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between AFR and the risk of AF recurrence. RESULTS Of the 195 horses included, 74 received quinidine treatment and 121 were treated with TVEC. Ten horses did not cardiovert to SR after quinidine treatment and AFR was higher in these, compared with the horses that successfully cardioverted to SR (median [interquartile range]), (383 [367-422] vs 351 [332-389] fibrillations per minute (fpm), P < .01). Within the first 180 days following AF cardioversion, 12% of the quinidine and 34% of TVEC horses had AF recurrence. For the horses successfully cardioverted with TVEC, AFR above 380 fpm was significantly associated with AF recurrence (hazard ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-4.8, P = .01). MAIN LIMITATIONS The treatment groups were different and not randomly allocated, therefore the two treatments cannot be compared. Medical records and the follow-up strategy varied between the centres. CONCLUSIONS High AFR is associated with failure of quinidine cardioversion and AF recurrence after successful TVEC. As a noninvasive marker that can be retrieved from surface ECG, AFR can be clinically useful in predicting the probability of responding to quinidine treatment as well as maintaining SR after electrical cardioversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Buhl
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eva M. Hesselkilde
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Helena Carstensen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Charlotte Hopster‐Iversen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Gunther van Loon
- Equine CardioteamDepartment of Large Animal Internal MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Annelies Decloedt
- Equine CardioteamDepartment of Large Animal Internal MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Glenn Van Steenkiste
- Equine CardioteamDepartment of Large Animal Internal MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | | | - Virginia B. Reef
- Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | | | - Katarina Nostell
- Department of Clinical SciencesFaculty of Veteirnary SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | | | - Søren S. Nielsen
- Department of Veterinary SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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5
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Mariani MV, Pierucci N, Piro A, Trivigno S, Chimenti C, Galardo G, Miraldi F, Vizza CD. Incidence and Determinants of Spontaneous Cardioversion of Early Onset Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:1513. [PMID: 36363470 PMCID: PMC9693621 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58111513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent chronic arrhythmia worldwide, and it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, making it a considerable burden both to patients and the healthcare system. Nowadays, an early attempt to restore sinus rhythm in acute symptomatic AF through electrical or pharmacological cardioversion is the most common approach in the Emergency Department (ED). However, considering the high percentage of spontaneous cardioversion of paroxysmal AF reported by many studies, this approach may not be the ideal choice for all patients. In this manuscript we performed a review of the most relevant studies found in literature with the aim of identifying the main determinants of spontaneous cardioversion, focusing on those easy to detect in the ED. We have found that the most relevant predictors of spontaneous cardioversion are the absence of Heart Failure (HF), a small atrial size, recent-onset AF, rapid Atrial Fibrillatory Rate and the relationship between a previous AF episode and Heart Rate/Blood Pressure. A number of those are utilized, along with other easily determined parameters, in the recently developed "ReSinus" score which predicts the likelihood of AF spontaneous cardioversion. Such identification may help the physician decide whether immediate cardioversion is necessary, or whether to adopt a "watch-and-wait" strategy in the presence of spontaneous cardioversion determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Valerio Mariani
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Pierucci
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Piro
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Trivigno
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Chimenti
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Galardo
- Medical Emergency Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Miraldi
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Dario Vizza
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
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6
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Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Horses: Pathophysiology, Diagnostics and Clinical Aspects. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060698. [PMID: 35327097 PMCID: PMC8944606 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in horses causing poor performance. As in humans, the condition can be intermittent in nature, known as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF). This review covers the literature relating to pAF in horses and includes references to the human literature to compare pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools and treatment. The arrhythmia is diagnosed by auscultation and electrocardiography (ECG), and clinical signs can vary from sudden loss of racing performance to reduced fitness or no signs at all. If left untreated, pAF may promote electrical, functional and structural remodeling of the myocardium, thus creating a substrate that is able to maintain the arrhythmia, which over time may progress into permanent AF. Long-term ECG monitoring is essential for diagnosing the condition and fully understanding the duration and frequency of pAF episodes. The potential to adapt human cardiac monitoring systems and computational ECG analysis is therefore of interest and may benefit future diagnostic tools in equine medicine.
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7
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Abdollahpur M, Holmqvist F, Platonov PG, Sandberg F. Respiratory Induced Modulation in f-Wave Characteristics During Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2021; 12:653492. [PMID: 33897462 PMCID: PMC8060635 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.653492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an important factor in cardiac arrhythmia, and information about ANS activity during atrial fibrillation (AF) may contribute to personalized treatment. In this study we aim to quantify respiratory modulation in the f-wave frequency trend from resting ECG. First, an f-wave signal is extracted from the ECG by QRST cancelation. Second, an f-wave model is fitted to the f-wave signal to obtain a high resolution f-wave frequency trend and an index for signal quality control ( S ). Third, respiratory modulation in the f-wave frequency trend is extracted by applying a narrow band-pass filter. The center frequency of the band-pass filter is determined by the respiration rate. Respiration rate is estimated from a surrogate respiration signal, obtained from the ECG using homomorphic filtering. Peak conditioned spectral averaging, where spectra of sufficient quality from different leads are averaged, is employed to obtain a robust estimate of the respiration rate. The envelope of the filtered f-wave frequency trend is used to quantify the magnitude of respiratory induced f-wave frequency modulation. The proposed methodology is evaluated using simulated f-wave signals obtained using a sinusoidal harmonic model. Results from simulated signals show that the magnitude of the respiratory modulation is accurately estimated, quantified by an error below 0.01 Hz, if the signal quality is sufficient ( S > 0 . 5 ). The proposed method was applied to analyze ECG data from eight pacemaker patients with permanent AF recorded at baseline, during controlled respiration, and during controlled respiration after injection of atropine, respectively. The magnitude of the respiratory induce f-wave frequency modulation was 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.02, and 0.17 ± 0.03 Hz during baseline, controlled respiration, and post-atropine, respectively. Our results suggest that parasympathetic regulation affects the magnitude of respiratory induced f-wave frequency modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fredrik Holmqvist
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pyotr G Platonov
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Frida Sandberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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8
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Pluymaekers NA, Hermans AN, Linz DK, Dudink EA, Luermans JG, Weijs B, Vernooy K, Crijns HJ. Frequency and Determinants of Spontaneous Conversion to Sinus Rhythm in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Recent-onset Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2021; 9:195-201. [PMID: 33437487 PMCID: PMC7788393 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2020.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The exact frequency and clinical determinants of spontaneous conversion (SCV) in patients with symptomatic recent-onset AF are unclear. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the frequency and determinants of SCV of AF in patients presenting at the emergency department. A comprehensive literature search for studies about SCV in patients presenting to the emergency department with AF resulted in 25 articles - 12 randomised controlled trials and 13 observational studies. SCV rates range between 9-83% and determinants of SCV also varied between studies. The most important determinants of SCV included short duration of AF (<24 or <48 hours), low number of episodes, normal atrial dimensions and absence of previous heart disease. The large variation in SCV rate and determinants of SCV was related to differences in duration of the observation period, inclusion and exclusion criteria and in variables used in the prediction models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki Aha Pluymaekers
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid Nl Hermans
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dominik K Linz
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elton Amp Dudink
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Justin Glm Luermans
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bob Weijs
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kevin Vernooy
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Harry Jgm Crijns
- Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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9
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Abadie BQ, Hansen B, Walker J, Deyo Z, Biese K, Armbruster T, Tuttle H, Sadaf MI, Sears SF, Pasi R, Gehi AK. Likelihood of Spontaneous Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation Using a Conservative Management Strategy Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department. Am J Cardiol 2019; 124:1534-1539. [PMID: 31522772 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous emergency department (ED) atrial fibrillation (AF) protocols have been developed to reduce hospitalizations, focusing on the use of cardioversion in the ED. An alternative strategy of rate control with early specialty follow-up may be more widely applicable. The likelihood of spontaneous cardioversion with such a protocol is unknown. Between 2015 and 2018, 157 patients who presented to the ED with a primary diagnosis of AF and were hemodynamically stable and with low to moderate symptom severity were discharged with early follow-up at an AF specialty clinic. Rhythm at short-term (within 72 hours), within 30-day follow-up, and need for electrical cardioversion was tabulated. Various demographic and co-morbidity variables were assessed to determine their association with likelihood of spontaneous cardioversion. At an average of 2.3 days, 63% and within 30 days, 83% had spontaneous cardioversion. By 90 days, only 6.3% required electrical cardioversion. Diabetes (38% vs 69%, p <0.01), coronary artery disease (39% vs 66%, p = 0.02), reduced ejection fraction (40% vs 72%, p <0.01), dilated right atrium (43% vs 73%, p <0.01) and moderate-to-severely dilated left atrium (38% vs 78%, p <0.01) predicted those who were less likely to convert to sinus rhythm. Most patients who present to the ED with AF will spontaneously convert to sinus rhythm by short-term (2 to 3 days) follow-up with a rate control strategy. In conclusion, aggressive use of electrical cardioversion in the ED may be unnecessary in hemodynamically stable patients without severe symptoms.
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10
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Carstensen H, Hesselkilde EZ, Haugaard MM, Flethøj M, Carlson J, Pehrson S, Jespersen T, Platonov PG, Buhl R. Effects of dofetilide and ranolazine on atrial fibrillatory rate in a horse model of acutely induced atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019; 30:596-606. [PMID: 30661267 PMCID: PMC6849868 DOI: 10.1111/jce.13849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The atrial fibrillatory rate is a potential biomarker in the study of antiarrhythmic drug effects on atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether dose-dependent changes in the atrial fibrillatory rate can be monitored on surface electrocardiography (ECG) following treatment with dofetilide, ranolazine, and a combination of the two in an acute model of AF in horses. METHODS AND RESULTS Eight horses were subjected to pacing-induced AF on 4 separate days. Saline (control), dofetilide, ranolazine, or a combination of dofetilide and ranolazine was administered in four incremental doses. Atrial fibrillatory activity was extracted from surface ECGs using spatiotemporal QRST cancellation. The mean atrial fibrillatory rate before drug infusion was 297 ± 27 fpm. Dofetilide reduced the atrial fibrillatory rate following the infusion of low doses (0.89 µg/kg, P < 0.05) and within 5 minutes preceding cardioversion (P < 0.05). Cardioversion with ranolazine was preceded by a reduction in the atrial fibrillatory rate in the last minute (P < 0.05). The combination of drugs reduced the atrial fibrillatory rate in a similar manner to dofetilide used alone. A trend toward a lower atrial fibrillatory rate before drug infusion was found among horses cardioverting on low doses of the drugs. CONCLUSION The atrial fibrillatory rate derived from surface ECGs showed a difference in the mode of action on AF between dofetilide and ranolazine. Dofetilide reduced the atrial fibrillatory rate, whereas ranolazine displayed a cardioverting mechanism that was distinct from a slowing of the fibrillatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Carstensen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Eva Zander Hesselkilde
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Maria Mathilde Haugaard
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Mette Flethøj
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Jonas Carlson
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Steen Pehrson
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Thomas Jespersen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Pyotr G Platonov
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Arrhythmia Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rikke Buhl
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
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11
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Paliakaitė B, Petrėnas A, Henriksson M, Skibarkienė J, Kubilius R, Sörnmo L, Marozas V. Atrial fibrillation frequency tracking in ambulatory ECG signals: The significance of signal quality assessment. Comput Biol Med 2018; 102:227-233. [PMID: 30236913 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
An approach to atrial fibrillation (AF) frequency tracking in long-term ambulatory ECG recordings is presented, comprising f-wave extraction, dominant atrial frequency (DAF) tracking, and signal quality assessment. Since poor signal quality is commonly encountered in ambulatory monitoring, a recently proposed index is employed to assess f-wave signal quality in a database containing 38 patients with permanent AF. The index ensures that DAF outliers, typically associated with poor-quality segments, are excluded from further analysis. 40% of all 5-s signal segments were excluded from the database due to poor quality. The exclusion of DAF outliers significantly reduces the standard deviation of the frequency estimates (p≤0.01), allowing more reliable evaluation of the difference between day- and night-time DAF. The results show that signal quality assessment plays a central role in DAF tracking, and therefore should be employed in ambulatory monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birutė Paliakaitė
- Biomedical Engineering Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Andrius Petrėnas
- Biomedical Engineering Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Mikael Henriksson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Integrative Electrocardiology (CIEL), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jurgita Skibarkienė
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Raimondas Kubilius
- Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Leif Sörnmo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Integrative Electrocardiology (CIEL), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vaidotas Marozas
- Biomedical Engineering Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania; Department of Electronics Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
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12
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Hesselkilde EZ, Carstensen H, Haugaard MM, Carlson J, Pehrson S, Jespersen T, Buhl R, Platonov PG. Effect of flecainide on atrial fibrillatory rate in a large animal model with induced atrial fibrillation. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2017; 17:289. [PMID: 29221440 PMCID: PMC5723027 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-017-0720-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Atrial fibrillatory cycle length has been considered one of the indices of atrial electrical remodelling during atrial fibrillation (AF), which can be assessed from surface ECG by computer-assisted calculation of atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR). Horses have been suggested as a bona fide model for AF studies since horses too, develop lone AF, however data on AF characteristics in horses are extremely sparse and non-invasive characterization of AF complexity using surface ECG processing has not been reported. Aim The aim was to study characteristics of induced AF and its modification by flecainide. Methods The study group consisted on 3 horses with spontaneous persistent AF and 13 with pace-induced AF. Seven horses were treated with saline (control) and eight with flecainide (2 mg/kg). ECGs were analysed using spatiotemporal cancellation of QRST complexes and calculation of AFR from the residual atrial signal. Results At AF onset, AFR was 295 ± 52 fibrillations per minute (fpm) in the horses with induced AF treated with flecainide, 269 ± 36 fpm in the control group (ns), and 364 ± 26 fpm in the horses with spontaneous persistent AF (P < 0.05 compared to the control group). Flecainide caused a decrease in AFR in all animals and restored sinus rhythm in the animals with induced AF. In the control animals, AFR increased from 269 ± 36 fpm to a plateau of 313 ± 14 fpm before decreasing to 288 ± 28 fpm during the last 10% of the AF episodes preceding spontaneous conversion (P < 0.05). Conclusion AFR in horses with induced AF resembles AFR in humans with paroxysmal AF. Flecainide caused a rapid decrease in AFR in all horses, further supporting the method to be a non-invasive technique to study the effect of antiarrhythmic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Z Hesselkilde
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegaard Allé 5, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Helena Carstensen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegaard Allé 5, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Maria M Haugaard
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegaard Allé 5, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Jonas Carlson
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University, 21185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Steen Pehrson
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Jespersen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Buhl
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegaard Allé 5, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
| | - Pyotr G Platonov
- Arrhythmia Clinic, Skåne University Hospital and Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 21185, Lund, Sweden
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13
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Östenson S, Corino VDA, Carlsson J, Platonov PG. Autonomic influence on atrial fibrillatory process: head-up and head-down tilting. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2016; 22. [PMID: 27611110 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) tone are present before, during, and after episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR, the inverse of the atrial cycle length) has been used as a surrogate marker for local refractoriness and is a key characteristic of the fibrillatory process in patients with AF. Aim of this study is to assess changes in AFR, as an effect of autonomic balance change. METHODS Forty patients undergoing cardiac cardioversion for symptomatic persistent AF were included in the study. Surface ECG was recorded during rest, head-down (HDT, -30°), and head-up tilt (HUT, +60°). A median value of AFR was computed in each phase of the protocol. RESULTS AFR decreased during HDT compared to the baseline (B) condition in all patients but three (median AFR_B = 391 fpm vs. AFR_HDT = 377 fpm, p < .0001). HUT increased AFR, making it significantly higher than HDT and baseline conditions (median AFR_HUT = 396 fpm, p < .0001 vs. B and HDT). Heart rate (HR) increased during HUT, but had a heterogeneous behavior in the population during HDT: about one third of the patients had an HR lower during HDT than during baseline, whereas the remaining two third had an increase in HR during HDT. CONCLUSIONS Dominant sympathetic/vagal tone during HUT/HDT significantly affects AFR, increasing/decreasing in respect to baseline. It may be worth exploring the possibility that patients with AF of shorter duration can convert to sinus rhythm during HDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sten Östenson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Clinical Physiology, Central Hospital Kristianstad, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Valentina D A Corino
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Jonas Carlsson
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences and Center for Integrative Electrocardiology at Lund University (CIEL), Lund, Sweden
| | - Pyotr G Platonov
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences and Center for Integrative Electrocardiology at Lund University (CIEL), Lund, Sweden.,Arrhythmia Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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14
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Stavrakis S, Dyer JW, Koomson E, Scherlag BJ, Bhardwaj B, Lazzara R, Po SS. Spectral Analysis of Baseline Electrocardiogram During Atrial Fibrillation Predicts Response to Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2016; 27:1312-1318. [PMID: 27506321 DOI: 10.1111/jce.13064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated the ability of spectral analysis of the baseline ECG during atrial fibrillation (AF) to predict the response of persistent AF to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. METHODS Patients with persistent AF who were admitted for dofetilide loading were prospectively enrolled in the study. Atrial activity was extracted from the ECG using an Independent Component Analysis method and then subjected to a Modified Periodogram. The regularity index was computed as the ratio of the power in the dominant frequency and all its harmonics to the total power in the spectrum. Patients were followed at 1 month, 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. RESULTS Of 28 patients enrolled in the study, 14 (50%) converted acutely to sinus rhythm during the 3-day hospital loading period. The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with and without acute pharmacologic conversion were similar. The regularity index was significantly higher in those who converted to sinus rhythm compared to those who did not (0.71 ± 0.20 vs. 0.38 ± 0.13, respectively; P < 0.0001). A regularity index ≥0.44 had a 79% sensitivity and 93% specificity to predict acute conversion and was associated with a nearly 5-fold increase in the acute conversion rate (odds ratio = 4.89; 95% confidence interval 1.74-13.75; P = 0.003). The regularity index was the only independent predictor of acute conversion. Neither acute conversion, nor the regularity index predicted sinus rhythm maintenance, after a median follow-up of 10 months. CONCLUSION Increased regularity index predicts acute conversion of persistent AF during dofetilide loading, but does not predict long-term sinus rhythm maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Stavrakis
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - John W Dyer
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Edward Koomson
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Benjamin J Scherlag
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Bhaskar Bhardwaj
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Ralph Lazzara
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sunny S Po
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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15
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Stavrakis S, Dyer JW, Scherlag BJ, Khan Z, Yeung P, Chohan J, Po SS. Spectral Analysis of Electrocardiograms in Patients with Inducible Atrial Fibrillation after Catheter Ablation Predicts Sinus Rhythm Maintenance. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2016; 22. [PMID: 27226336 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to develop a novel predictive marker for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with inducible AF after catheter ablation, based on power spectral analysis of baseline and postablation electrocardiograms. METHODS Twenty-five patients who had undergone their first AF ablation procedure (pulmonary vein isolation and ganglionated plexi ablation) and had inducible AF after ablation were included. A 30-second interval of AF was chosen for each patient before and after ablation, and a periodogram of the atrial activity was computed. A ratio of the power in the dominant frequency to the power in the remainder of the periodogram (DFR) was calculated. RESULTS Eight (32%) patients had recurrent AF at 1 year. The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with and without recurrence were similar (P > 0.05). After ablation, there was organization of atrial activity, evidenced by an increase in the DFR (0.28 ± 0.22 vs 0.53 ± 0.29; P = 0.001). The percent change in DFR before and after ablation (median [interquartile range]) was significantly higher in patients without AF recurrence (120% [30% to 344%] vs 3% [-27% to 66%]; P = 0.01). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis demonstrated that a less than 16% increase in DFR postablation was able to predict recurrence of AF (area under ROC curve = 0.82; P = 0.03) with 75% sensitivity and 94% specificity. CONCLUSION AF ablation leads to variable organization of atrial activity. Organization of atrial activity after AF ablation is associated with lower 1-year recurrence rates and may be used intraprocedurally after as a novel end point for AF ablation. Larger prospective studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Stavrakis
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - John W Dyer
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Benjamin J Scherlag
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Zeeshan Khan
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Paul Yeung
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jawad Chohan
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Sunny S Po
- Department of Medicine and Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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16
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Corino VDA, Sandberg F, Platonov PG, Mainardi LT, Ulimoen SR, Enger S, Tveit A, Sornmo L. Non-invasive evaluation of the effect of metoprolol on the atrioventricular node during permanent atrial fibrillation. Europace 2014; 16 Suppl 4:iv129-iv134. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euu246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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17
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Platonov PG, Corino VDA, Seifert M, Holmqvist F, Sornmo L. Atrial fibrillatory rate in the clinical context: natural course and prediction of intervention outcome. Europace 2014; 16 Suppl 4:iv110-iv119. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euu249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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18
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Mochalina N, Juhlin T, Öhlin B, Carlson J, Holmqvist F, Platonov PG. Predictors of successful cardioversion with vernakalant in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2014; 20:140-7. [PMID: 25040826 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vernakalant is a novel atrial-selective antiarrhythmic drug able to convert recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) with reportedly low proarrhythmic risk. Successful cardioversion predictors are largely unknown. We sought to evaluate clinical and electrocardiographic predictors of cardioversion of recent-onset AF with vernakalant. METHODS Consecutive patients with AF ≤48 hours admitted for cardioversion with vernakalant (n = 113, median age 62 years, 69 male) were included. Sinus rhythm (SR) within 90 minutes after infusion start was considered to be successful cardioversion. Predictive values of demographics, concomitant therapy, comorbidities, and electrocardiographic parameters were assessed. Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR), exponential decay, and mean fibrillatory wave amplitude were measured from surface ECG using QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis. RESULTS Cardioversion was achieved in 66% of patients. Conversion rate was higher in women than in men (80% vs 58%, P = 0.02) while none of other clinical characteristics, including index AF episode duration, could predict SR restoration. Female gender was predictive of vernakalant's effect in logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.82 95%CI 1.18-6.76, P = 0.020). There was no difference in AFR (350 ± 60 vs 348 ± 62 fibrillations per minute [fpm], P = 0.893), mean fibrillatory wave amplitude (86 ± 33 vs 88 ± 67 μV, P = 0.852), or exponential decay (1.30 ± 0.42 vs 1.35 ± 0.42, P = 0.376) between responders and nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS Female gender is associated with a higher rate of SR restoration using intravenous (i.v.) vernakalant for recent-onset AF. ECG-derived indices of AF organization, which previous studies associated with effect of rhythm control interventions, did not predict vernakalant's effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mochalina
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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Lankveld TAR, Zeemering S, Crijns HJGM, Schotten U. The ECG as a tool to determine atrial fibrillation complexity. Heart 2014; 100:1077-84. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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20
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Aunes M, Egstrup K, Frison L, Berggren A, Stridh M, Sörnmo L, Edvardsson N. Rapid slowing of the atrial fibrillatory rate after administration of AZD7009 predicts conversion of atrial fibrillation. J Electrocardiol 2013; 47:316-23. [PMID: 24508473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effects on the atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) were studied during infusion with the combined potassium and sodium channel blocker AZD7009. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized to AZD7009 or placebo. Thirty-five patients converted to sinus rhythm (SR) and were matched to 35 non-converters. The mean AFR before conversion was 231 fibrillations per minute (fpm), having decreased by 41%; in non-converters, it was 296 fpm at the end of infusion, having decreased by 26%. The rate of decrease was greater in converters at 5 min, -88 vs. -66 fpm (p=0.02), and at 10 min, -133 vs. -111 fpm (p=0.048). The AFR-SD and the exponential decay decreased. A small left atrial area was the only baseline predictor of conversion to SR. CONCLUSIONS AZD7009 produced a significantly more rapid decrease of the AFR in converters than in non-converters, but the AFR at baseline was not predictive of conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Martin Stridh
- Department of Electrical and Information Technology and Center for Integrative Electrocardiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leif Sörnmo
- Department of Electrical and Information Technology and Center for Integrative Electrocardiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nils Edvardsson
- Sahlgrenska Academy at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
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