The outcome of AF ablation over more than 10 years is characterized by a low incidence of progression towards permanent AF. Greater LA anteroposterior diameter related to arrhythmic recurrences, while blood pressure, BMI, and fasting blood glucose control emerged as predictors of sinus rhythm maintenance. Eventually, QoL improved significantly over the follow-up.

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One-lung ventilation (OLV) is an anesthesiological procedure used to facilitate thoracic surgery. In patients with anticipated difficult airways, the insertion of a double-lumen tube (DLT) for OLV is less feasible and has some disadvantages. In these situations, EZ-blocker (EZB)'s use can be considered appropriate. We present a case where tracheostomy, the respiratory distress and the need to allow the surgeon to reach the lesions intraoperative required selective and sequential ventilation of superior and lower left lobe. Selective and sequential lobar ventilation was performed with the EZB enabling the identification and the suture of pulmonary lesions allowing optimum oxygenation. EZB represents an opportunity for selective lobar exclusion in which it is necessary to alternate exclusion of different lung lobes.

Out of this cohort, 28,263 (73.9%) patients started CR (63.6±11.4 years, 76% male). In this analysis, the likelihood of starting CR is 1.2% less for every one year increase in population age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.995). Also there is a significant interaction term between age and gender, this interaction revealed that younger females (<57 years) are more likely to start CR compared to younger males (p=0.012, OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.2) while older female patients were found to be less likely to join compared to younger/middle age females or older male patients (>57 years old) ( Figure). Conclusion: Future strategies to increase CR uptake in PCI cohort should focus on older patients especially older female patients. Background: The trial included 210 patients and tested the effect of a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients treated for atrial fibrillation (AF) with catheter ablation. A significant improvement of the primary outcome mean VO2 peak at four months (intervention: 24.3 ml/kg/min versus control: 20.7 ml/kg/min, p=0.0004) was found. Long-term effects on physical and mental health are explored in this study. Purpose: To assess the long-term effects following comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation versus usual care in patients treated for AF with ablation. Methods: Patients were randomised to 6 months cardiac rehabilitation consisting of 12 weeks physical exercise and three psycho-educational consultations plus usual care (intervention group) or usual care alone (control group) stratified by type of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal or persistent) and sex. Physical capacity (VO2 peak), six minute walk test, and sit-to-stand test was measured at 12 months. Self-rated health was assessed by the questionnaires: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 12 and 24 months. Results: At 12 months 67 patients in the intervention group completed the VO2 test, and 84 completed the questionnaires in comparison with 72 and 86 in the control group. At 24 months 78 patients in the intervention group completed the questionnaires in comparison with 81 in the control group. At 12 months cardiac rehabilitation compared with control had a beneficial effect on VO2 peak (25.8 ml/kg/min (intervention) versus 22.4 ml/kg/min (control), p=0.0002 of main effect of cardiac rehabilitation, p=0.10 of interaction between intervention and time), six-minute walk test (616.3 meters versus 592.9 meters, p=0.501 of main effect of cardiac rehabilitation, p=0.002 of interaction between intervention and time), and sit-to-stand (17 times versus 16 times, p=0.9 of main effect of cardiac rehabilitation, p=0.005 of interaction between intervention and time). No significant effect on mean SF-36 mental component scale score at 24 months was found (52.2 points versus 51.7 points p=0.69 on main effect of cardiac rehabilitation, p=0.14 of interaction between intervention and time). However, the mean global score for AFEQT showed a positive eff...