BackgroundThe effect of anemia on patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of anemia on STEMI patients.Methods and resultsFrom January 2005 to December 2014, 1751 patients experienced STEMI checked serum hemoglobin initially before any administration of fluids or IV medications. 1751 patients then received primary percutaneous intervention immediately. A total of 1388 patients were enrolled in the non-anemia group because their serum hemoglobin level was more than 13 g/L in males, and 12 g/L in females. A total of 363 patients were enrolled in the anemia group because their serum hemoglobin level was less than 13 g/L in males, and 12 g/L in females. Higher incidences of major adverse cerebral cardiac events (22.9% vs. 33.8%; p<0.001) were also noted in the anemia group, and these were related to higher incidence of cardiovascular mortality (6.5% vs. 20.4%; p<0.001). A higher incidence of all-cause mortality (8.6% vs. 27.7%; p<0.001) was also noted in the anemia group. A Kaplan-Meier curve of one-year cardiovascular mortality showed significant differences between the non-anemia and anemia group in all patients (P<0.001), and the patients with hypertension (P<0.001), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (P = 0.011).ConclusionAnemia is a marker of an increased risk in one-year cardiovascular mortality in patients with STEMI. If the patients have comorbidities such as hypertension, or CKD, the effect of anemia is very significant.

Aims Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of additional cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) block ablation remains controversial in AF patients without atrial flutter (AFL). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the clinical outcome of additional CTI block ablation in patients without AFL. Methods Between January 2013 and December 2017, a total of 139 patients who did not have documented AFL and who underwent catheter ablation for AF were recruited. Fifty‐seven patients were classified in additional CTI block ablation group and 82 patients were classified in without CTI group. The incidence of early‐onset and late‐onset atrial arrhythmia recurrence was compared between the two groups. Results The additional CTI group had a higher prevalence of persistent or long‐standing AF and larger left atrial volume. The additional CTI group had a higher incidence of late‐onset atrial arrhythmia recurrence (38.6% vs 12.2%; P < .001). When compared to without CTI group, additional CTI therapy did not have a better outcome in terms of freedom of atrial arrhythmia in subgroup analysis. The incidence of early‐onset and late‐onset atrial arrhythmia recurrence did not differ between additional CTI group and without CTI group in paroxysmal AF patients and nonparoxysmal AF patients after propensity scoring matching. Conclusion CTI block ablation in addition to PVI for AF patients without a history of AFL or inducible AFL during ablation may not improve the clinical outcome of AF ablation in the patients with larger LA volume, nonparoxysmal AF, or post‐PVI inducible AF.

Pocket haematoma was the most important risk factor for CIED infection. The bundled skin antiseptic preparation strategy significantly reduced the risk of minor CIED infection.

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Solitary AFL patients without anticoagulation therapy had better clinical outcomes than AFL patients developing AF in this study. Anticoagulation therapy may offer the best net clinical outcome for solitary AFL patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥4.

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US is a practical tool for measuring soft-tissue thickness in the interscapular region. Body weight and soft-tissue thickness are closely associated.