Non-invasive ultrasonic neural modulation (UNM), a non-invasive technique with enhanced spatial focus compared to conventional electrical neural modulation, has attracted much attention in recent decades and might become the mainstream regimen for neurological disorders. However, as ultrasonic bioeffects and its adjustments are still unclear, it remains difficult to be extensively applied for therapeutic purpose, much less in the setting of human skull. Hence to comprehensively understand the way ultrasound exerts bioeffects, we explored UNM from a basic perspective by illustrating the parameter settings and the underlying mechanisms. In addition, although the spatial resolution and precision of UNM are considerable, UNM is relatively non-specific to tissue or cell type and shows very low specificity at the molecular level. Surprisingly, Ibsen et al. (2015) first proposed the concept of sonogenetics, which combined UNM and mechanosensitive (MS) channel protein. This emerging approach is a valuable improvement, as it may markedly increase the precision and spatial resolution of UNM. It seemed to be an inspiring tool with high accuracy and specificity, however, little information about sonogenetics is currently available. Thus, in order to provide an overview of sonogenetics and prompt the researches on UNM, we summarized the potential mechanisms from a molecular level.
Introduction Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) results in satisfactory outcomes for drug‐resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. However, the efficacy and safety of CBA have not yet been tested in the Chinese elderly population. Therefore, this study compared the recurrence of AF and complications of CBA in patients ≥75 years and <75 years. Methods A total of 677 patients (<75 years, n = 550; ≥ 75 years, n = 127) with paroxysmal (n = 603) or persistent (n = 74) non‐valvular drug‐resistant AF were included. The efficacy was assessed by the recurrence of AF, and the safety was evaluated by peri‐ and post‐procedural complications. Results The CHA2DS2‐VASc (2.6 ± 1.7 vs 4.8 ± 1.6, P < .01) and HAS‐BLED (1.8 ± 0.8 vs 2.0 ± 0.8, P = .01) scores were significantly higher in the elderly group. The instant pulmonary vein isolation success rate was comparable (99.11% younger vs 98.98% older, P = .99). After a mean follow‐up time of 12.8 ± 9.6 months, the 1‐year freedom from AF rate was 80.6% vs 85.8% in the older and younger groups, respectively, while the survival analysis showed a nonsignificant difference in the rate of freedom from AF (log‐rank P = .46). Cox regression showed that age was not a predictive factor for AF recurrence and was not dichotomized (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.868, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.509‐1.481; P = .6046) or continuous (HR = 0.990, 95% CI, 0.968‐1.012, P = .3642). Similar complications rates were observed, including stroke (1.0% younger vs 0.93% older, P = .95) and major hemorrhagic events (1.2% younger vs 0% elder, P = .25). Conclusions The efficacy and safety profiles of CBA in patients older than 75 years are comparable with those in younger patients.
Background. Catheter ablation combined with left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was reported as a feasible strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with high risk of stroke or contraindications of oral anticoagulants. We aimed to observe the short-term safety and efficacy of combining cryoballoon ablation (CBA) with LAAC in paroxysmal (PAF) patients. Method and Results. From Jan 2016 to Dec 2017, 304 patients diagnosed with nonvalvular, drug-refractory PAF were included, who underwent either CBA alone (n = 262) or combined procedure (n = 42). Instant pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with CBA was achieved in all patients, while successful LAAC achieved in 41 (97.6%) of combined procedure patients. 1-year freedom of AF rate was lower in combined procedure group (84.7% vs 70.7%, p=0.04), with unadjusted hazard ratio (HR = 1.97) and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–3.77. However, the multivariate COX model revealed left atrial diameter (p=0.002, HR = 1.10, and 95% CI 1.04, 1.17), rather than procedure type (p=0.51, HR = 1.34, and 95% CI 0.57, 3.17), was the predictor for freedom of AF. Only 2 patients in the CBA group had stroke, contributing to the nonsignificant higher stroke incidence (p=1.00). Transoesophageal echochardiography (TEE) achieved in 35 patients (83.3%) showed complete occlusion with no obvious residual flow (>3 mm), Device-related thrombosis, or pericardial perfusion. All-cause mortality, rehospitalization, and complication rates were similar. Conclusion. Combining CBA with LAAC in a single procedure is a feasible strategy for PAF patients, with comparable short-term safety and efficacy to CBA alone.
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