Our findings indicated that LAA isolation as an adjunct to PVI improved 1-year outcomes in persistent AF compared with the PVI-only strategy using CB without an increase in thromboembolic complications.

The 'FoE' suture, as a simple, efficacious and likely safe technique, might be an alternative approach to achieve an immediate haemostasis after removal of 15 Fr right femoral venous sheaths in patients undergoing cryoablation.

Our study has shown that Arc-Adv-CB use is associated with lower late AF recurrences at the cost of an increased risk for PNP.

This is a hypothesis-generating study pointing out that serum galectin-3 level is significantly associated with atrial remodeling in paroxysmal AF patients with preserved LV function. Further studies are necessary to provide exact pathophysiological mechanisms.

No abstract

Aims  Thermal injury to the oesophagus is an important cause of life-threatening complication after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Thermal protection of the oesophageal lumen by infusing cold liquid reduces thermal injury to a limited extent. We tested the ability of a more powerful method of oesophageal temperature control to reduce the incidence of thermal injury. Methods and results  A single-centre, prospective, double-blinded randomized trial was used to investigate the ability of the ensoETM device to protect the oesophagus from thermal injury. This device was compared in a 1:1 randomization with a control group of standard practice utilizing a single-point temperature probe. In the protected group, the device maintained the luminal temperature at 4°C during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for AF under general anaesthesia. Endoscopic examination was performed at 7 days post-ablation and oesophageal injury was scored. The patient and the endoscopist were blinded to the randomization. We recruited 188 patients, of whom 120 underwent endoscopy. Thermal injury to the mucosa was significantly more common in the control group than in those receiving oesophageal protection (12/60 vs. 2/60; P = 0.008), with a trend toward reduction in gastroparesis (6/60 vs. 2/60, P = 0.27). There was no difference between groups in the duration of RF or in the force applied (P value range= 0.2–0.9). Procedure duration and fluoroscopy duration were similar (P = 0.97, P = 0.91, respectively). Conclusion  Thermal protection of the oesophagus significantly reduces ablation-related thermal injury compared with standard care. This method of oesophageal protection is safe and does not compromise the efficacy or efficiency of the ablation procedure.

Our preliminary data with small sample size show that TightRail™ Mechanical Dilator Sheath is a new useful tool for chronically implanted pacemaker (PM)/ICD leads. Continued investigation including large patient cohort is required to evaluate success and complication rates in comparison to other tools and techniques.

Our results demonstrated that higher serum anti-M2-R and anti-β1-R levels are associated with lone PAF. Autoantibodies related to autonomic system may play an important role in the development of lone AF.