Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation; yet, the role of arrhythmogenic superior vena cava (SVC) is increasingly recognized and different ablation strategies have been employed in this context. SVC can act as a trigger or perpetuator of AF, and its significance might be more pronounced in patients undergoing repeated ablation. Several cohorts have examined efficacy, safety and feasibility of SVC isolation (SVCI) among AF patients. The majority of these studies explored as-needed SVCI during index PVI, and only a minority of them included repeated ablation subjects and non-radiofrequency energy sources. Studies of heterogeneous design and intent have explored both empiric and as-needed SVCI on top of PVI and reported inconclusive results. These studies have largely failed to demonstrate any clinical benefit in terms of arrhythmia recurrence, although safety and feasibility are undisputable. Mixed population demographics, small number of enrollees and short follow-up are the main limitations. Procedural and safety data are comparable between empiric SVCI and as-needed SVCI, and some studies suggested that empiric SVCI might be associated with reduced AF recurrences in paroxysmal AF patients. Currently, no study has compared different ablation energy sources in the setting of SVCI, and no randomized study has addressed as-needed SVCI on top of PVI. Furthermore, data regarding cryoablation are still in their infancy, and regarding SVCI in patients with cardiac devices more safety and feasibility data are needed. PVI non-responders, patients undergoing repeated ablation and patients with long SVC sleeves could be potential candidates for SVCI, especially via an empiric approach. Although many technical aspects remain unsettled, the major question to answer is which clinical phenotype of AF patients might benefit from SVCI?

BACKGROUND: Cryptogenic stroke (CS) remains a significant cause of morbidity. Failure to identify the underlying pathology increases the rate of recurrence. Atrial fibrillation (AF) seems to be responsible for a substantial proportion of CS. Thus, there is an unmet need to identify and properly treat those with silent AF. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between left atrial strain and newly diagnosed AF in CS patients. OBJECTIVES: We searched major electronic databases for articles assessing the relationship between either peak left atrial longitudinal (PALS) or peak contractile (PACS) strain-quantified using speckle tracking echocardiography-and the incidence of occult AF during the diagnostic work-up of CS patients. RESULTS: Eleven studies (two thousand and eighty-one patients) were analyzed. Incidence of occult AF was 19%. Both PALS and PACS were significantly lower in patients with newly diagnosed AF (MD - 8.6%, 95%CI - 10.7 to - 6.4, I 86.4% and MD - 5.5, 95%CI - 6.8 to - 4.2, I 80.8%). According to the diagnostic accuracy meta-analysis, PALS < 20% present 71% (95%CI 47-87%) sensitivity and 71% (95%CI 60-81%) specificity for the diagnosis of occult AF, assuming a prevalence of 20%. The corresponding values for PACS < 11% are 83% (95%CI 57-94%) and 78% (95%CI 56-91%). CONCLUSION: Both PALS and PACS are significantly lower in patients with CS and silent AF. It seems that the cut-off values mentioned above could help physicians in identifying patients who may benefit more from prolonged rhythm monitoring. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

BACKGROUND: Left atrium changes are implicated in atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate and are predictive of AF outcomes. Left atrial appendage (LAA) is an integral component of left atrial structure and could be affected by atrial cardiomyopathy. We aimed to elucidate the association between LAA indices and late arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA). METHODS: The MEDLINE database, ClinicalTrials.gov, medRxiv and Cochrane Library were searched for studies evaluating LAA and late arrhythmia recurrence in patients undergoing AFCA. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using a random-effects model. The primary endpoint was pre-ablation difference in LAA anatomic or functional indices. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were found eligible and five LAA indices were analyzed. LAA ejection fraction and LAA emptying velocity were significantly lower in patients with AF recurrence post-ablation [SMD = - 0.66; 95% CI (- 1.01, - 0.32) and SMD = - 0.56; 95% CI (- 0.73, - 0.40) respectively] as compared to arrhythmia free controls. LAA volume and LAA orifice area were significantly higher in patients with AF recurrence post-ablation (SMD = 0.51; 95% CI 0.35-0.67, and SMD = 0.35; 95% CI 0.20-0.49, respectively) as compared to arrhythmia free controls. LAA morphology was not predictive of AF recurrence post-ablation (chicken wing morphology; OR 1.27; 95% CI 0.79-2.02). Moderate statistical heterogeneity and small case-control studies are the main limitations of our meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that LAA ejection fraction, LAA emptying velocity, LAA orifice area and LAA volume differ between patients suffering from arrhythmia recurrence post-ablation and arrhythmia free counterparts, while LAA morphology is not predictive of AF recurrence.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been associated with poor prognosis, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare expenditure. Despite tremendous advances in HFrEF management, reduced survival and a high rate of hospitalization remain unsolved issues. Furthermore, HFrEF morbidity and economic burden are estimated to increase in the following years; hence, new therapies are constantly emerging. In the last few years, a series of landmark clinical trials have expanded our therapeutic armamentarium with a ground-breaking change in HFrEF-related outcomes. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (mainly dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) have already revolutionized the management of HFrEF patients via a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. Furthermore, vericiguat and omecamtiv mecarbil have emerged as promising and novel disease-modifying therapies. The former restores the impaired cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, and the latter stimulates cardiac myosin without marked arrhythmogenesis. Both vericiguat and omecamtiv mecarbil have been shown to reduce heart failure admissions. Sacubitril/valsartan is an established and effective therapy in HFrEF patients and should be considered as a replacement for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Lastly, inflammasome activity is implicated in HFrEF pathophysiology, and the role of anti-inflammatory agents in HFrEF trajectories is readily scrutinized, yet available therapies are ineffective. This mini-review summarizes the major and most recent studies in this field, thus covering the current advances in HFrEF therapeutics.

Inflammation, as assessed by epicardial adipose tissue and serum biomarkers, represents an integral mechanistic link in isolated coronary artery ectasia (iCAE) pathogenesis. This should be further investigated in the context of iCAE management and risk stratification.

BACKGROUND: For years, physical activity (PA) has been considered a mixed blessing in terms of the risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous analyses have had equivocal results regarding the cut-off of PA level beyond which AF risk increases, if such a limit really does exist. Data regarding females in particular have been scarce. METHODS: We performed a dose-response meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between weekly PA and the risk for AF in females. Major electronic databases were searched for studies assessing the association between leisure time PA and the risk for incident AF in females from the general population. The linearity of the dose-response curve was assessed using the restricted cubic spline model. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies, which involved 1,821,422 females, were included in the final analysis. AF incidence was 3.7%. Dose-response analysis revealed an inverse nonlinear relationship between weekly PA and the risk for incident AF (p for linearity <0.0001). No significant heterogeneity was documented (I = 37%). Cautious interpretation is needed for PA exceeding 50 metabolic equivalents of task- hours per week (METs- h/w), due to limited available data for these high levels of PA. CONCLUSION: According to this analysis, physicians can safely advise females to perform up to 50METs- h/w of moderate or vigorous PA, to reduce the risk for future AF. Interestingly, significant benefit can be attained even at low levels of regular weekly PA.

(1)Introduction: Catheter ablation has become a cornerstone for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, recurrence rates remain high. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been associated with AF pathogenesis and maintenance. However, the literature has provided equivocal results regarding the relationship between EAT and post-ablation recurrence.(2) Purpose: to investigate the relationship between total and peri-left atrium (peri-LA) EAT with post-ablation AF recurrence. (3) Methods: major electronic databases were searched for articles assessing the relationship between EAT, quantified using computed tomography, and the recurrence of AF following catheter ablation procedures. (4) Results: Twelve studies (2179 patients) assessed total EAT and another twelve (2879 patients) peri-LA EAT. Almost 60% of the included patients had paroxysmal AF and recurrence was documented in 34%. Those who maintained sinus rhythm had a significantly lower volume of peri-LA EAT (SMD: -0.37, 95%; CI: -0.58-0.16, I2: 68%). On the contrary, no significant difference was documented for total EAT (SMD: -0.32, 95%; CI: -0.65-0.01; I2: 92%). No differences were revealed between radiofrequency and cryoenergy pulmonary venous isolation. No publication bias was identified. (5) Conclusions: Only peri-LA EAT seems to be predictive of post-ablation AF recurrence. These findings may reflect different pathophysiological roles of EAT depending on its location. Whether peri-LA EAT can be used as a predictor and target to prevent recurrence is a matter of further research.

BACKGROUND: The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD), (LifeVest, ZOLL, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) is a medical device designed for the temporary detection and treatment of malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. WCD telemonitoring features enable the evaluation of the physical activity (PhA) of the patients. We sought to assess with the WCD the PhA of patients with newly diagnosed heart failure. METHODS: We collected and analyzed the data of all patients treated with the WCD in our clinic. Patients with newly diagnosed ischemic, or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and severely reduced ejection fraction, who were treated with the WCD for at least 28 consecutive days and had a compliance of at least 18 h the day were included. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were eligible for analysis. Thirty-seven patients suffered from ischemic and 40 from non-ischemic heart disease. The average days the WCD was carried was 77.3 ± 44.6 days and the mean wearing time was 22.8 ± 2.1 h. The patients showed significantly increased PhA measured by daily steps between the first two and the last two weeks (Mean steps in the first 2 weeks: 4,952.6 ± 3,052.7 vs. mean steps in the last 2 weeks: 6,119.6 ± 3,776.2, -value:  < 0.001). In the end of the surveillance period an increase of the ejection fraction was observed (LVEF-before: 25.8 ± 6.6% vs. LVEF-after: 37.5 ± 10.6%,  < 0.001). Improvement of the EF did not correlate with the improvement of PhA. CONCLUSION: The WCD provides useful information regarding patient PhA and may be additionally utilized for early heart failure treatment adjustment.