ObjectiveTo evaluate whether atrial fibrillation could predict poor outcomes in stroke patients receiving thrombolysis by meta-analysis. MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and EMbase databases for cohort studies concerning the effect of atrial ribrillation on prognosis of stroke patients receiving thrombolysis up to March 2014. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of nine retrospective cohort studies involving 6 313 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:atrial fibrillation could increase the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR=1.51, 95%CI 1.15 to 1.99, P=0.003) and mortality (OR=1.90, 95%CI 1.29 to 2.80, P=0.001) of ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis; the early improvement rate (OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.60 to 0.90, P=0.002) and later improvement rate (OR=0.50, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.64, P<0.000 01) of the atrial fibrillation group were lower than that of the non-atrial fibrillation group. ConclusionAtrial fibrillation could be a risk factor of poor outcome in ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis. Due to the limitation of quantity and quality of the included studies, large-scale, multi-central and high quality clinical studies are needed.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of ibutilide and propafenone in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL). Methods All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ibutilide and propafenone for AF and AFL were retrieved from databases including CBM (1978 to October 2011), VIP (1989 to October 2011), CNKI (1994 to October 2011) and WanFang Data (1998 to October 2011). The quality of included RCTs was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 4.2.6, and the Cochrane Collaboration’s software RevMan 5.0 was used for meta-analysis. Results 16 RCTs involving 1 196 patients were included. Results of meta-analysis showed that: a) About effectiveness: compare with propafenone applied as routine therapy, ibutilide was more effective in the total conversion rate of AF and AFL with regards to the time of 0~90 min, 0~4 hour and 0~24 hour with significant differences (OR=3.32, OR=2.69, OR=3.08, respectively, Plt;0.000 1); In subgroup analysis, a significant difference was found in the conversion rate of AF or AFL in the time of 0~90min. In the time duration for conversion, there was a significant difference (MD=–25.12, 95%CI –30.43 to –19.82, Plt;0.000 01); and b) About the safety: there was a significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia (OR=3.15, 95%CI 1.97 to 5.05, Plt;0.000 01) and other adverse effects (OR=0.16, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.33, Plt;0.000 01). Conclusion Current evidence shows that ibutilide is more effective than propafenone in converting AF or AFL, with a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmia than propafenone. However, more high-quality, large-scale RCTs are still needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of ibutilide and propafenone for AF/AFL because of the limitation of the methodological quality and sample size of the included studies.
ObjectiveTo analyze the global status, hotspots, and trends in atrial fibrillation anticoagulation research.MethodsWe searched Web of Science Core Collection to collect relevant literature on atrial fibrillation anticoagulation from 2006 to 2020. The visualization software CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to analyze co-citation, co-occurrence, and emergence analysis on publishing organizations, journals, and keywords and to explore the research hotspots and frontiers.ResultsA total of 11764 related studies were retrieved. In recent years, research on anticoagulation of atrial fibrillation has become increasingly popular. Most of the published researches were from North America, and the primary institution was the University of Birmingham. Research hotspots mainly focused on warfarin, stroke prevention, new oral anticoagulants, antithrombotic and anticoagulants, and complicating diseases. The research frontiers were the new oral anticoagulants, and the antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation with coronary heart disease.ConclusionsThe global hotspot in atrial fibrillation anticoagulant research is warfarin, stroke prevention, new oral anticoagulants, antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy, and complicated diseases. The research focuses on the study of novel oral anticoagulants and the antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation complicated with coronary heart disease.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of pulmonary hypertension on the clinical efficacy of Cox Maze Ⅳ procedure in treating atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with valvular heart disease.MethodsThe clinical data of 84 patients who received cardiac valve replacement and Cox Maze Ⅳ ablation in our hospital from July 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the estimation of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by ultrasound, the patients were divided into two groups: a group A (PAP<45 mm Hg, 20 males, 26 females with an average age of 59.1±7.8 years) and a group B (PAP≥45 mm Hg, 15 males and 23 females with an average age of 58.5±8.5 years). The PAP was less than 70 mm Hgin all patients. A systematic follow-up review was performed for 6 months after operation. The recovery and recurrence rate of sinus rhythm after surgical ablation were compared between the two groups, and the efficacy was analyzed.Results(1) All the patients completed the operation successfully, and there was no statistical difference in the ablation time between the two groups (P>0.05); no patients died of pulmonary infection after the operation, and one patient underwent implantation of a permanent pacemaker due to conduction block. (2) At the end of the operation and 3 months after the operation, the conversion rate of AF in the group A was 91.3% (42 patients) and 82.6% (38 patients), respectively, and in the group B was 89.5% (34 patients) and 73.7% (28 patients), respectively (P>0.05). The conversion rate of AF was 82.6% (38 patients) in the group A and 63.2% (24 patients) in the group B at 6 months after operation (P=0.043). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that PAP≥45 mm Hg had a significant effect on the long-term effect of surgical Maze procedure in treating AF patients with valvular heart disease [P=0.014, OR=5.661, 95%CI (1.429, 22.432)].ConclusionPAP may be an influencing factor for the long-term effect of surgical Maze procedure in treating AF patients with valvular heart disease. Although the long-term recurrence rate of AF in the moderate pulmonary hypertension group is higher than that in the group A, the overall effect is still safe and effective; therefore it is still worth promoting in clinical application.
Atrial fibrillation （AF） as a most frequent arrhythmia has a high incidence of 79% in patients with mitral valve disease. Thrombosis, embolization and serious arrhythmia can be caused by AF. There is the recrudescent tendency in using drugs to recover the sinus rhythm, surgery and radio frequency ablation can only cure a part of patients. By now the pathogenesis of AF is not known clearly. The pathogenesis of AF from virulence gene, cardiac electrophysiology, connecxins, cell ultramicrostructure and cell signaling system are reviewed in this article.
Abstract： Objective To analyze the influence of preoperative left atrial dimension （LAD） on the effectiveness of surgical radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation （AF） through a 5-year postoperative follow-up of AF patients after surgical radiofrequency ablation. Methods Clinical data of 433 patients with persistent or permanent AF who received bipolar radiofrequency ablation procedures during concomitant cardiac surgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from 2006 to 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into 4 groups according to their preoperative LAD：Group A， 75 patients with their LAD＜50 mm， including 22 males and 53 females with their average age of 56.50±10.05 years；Group B， 89 patients with their LAD ranging from 50 to 60 mm， including 32 males and 57 females with their average age of 55.63±10.28 years；Group C， 117 patients with their LAD ranging from 60 to 70 mm， including 41 males and 76 females with their average age of 55.13±10.96 years；and Group D， 152 patients with their LAD＞70 mm， including 68 males and 84 females with their average age of 53.22±11.49 years. Postoperative ECG records right after surgery， before discharge， at 6 months and 1，2，3，4 and 5 years during follow-up were collected. The relationship between preoperative LAD and postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rate was analyzed. Results There was statistical difference in sinus rhythm restoration rate right after surgery（P=0. 011）， before discharge（P=0. 002）， at 6 months（P＜ 0. 001） and 1 year （P＜0. 001）， 2 years（P＜0. 001）， 3 years（P＜0. 001）， 4 years（P＜0. 001） and 5 years（P= 0. 006） during follow-up among the 4 groups. Postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rates right at 6 months and 1，2，3， 4 and 5 years during follow-up was 90.4%， 89.9%， 90.3%， 91.3%， 89.1%， and 90.9% in Group A， 80.2%，79.0%，78.1%， 76.1%，72.5%，70.0% in Group B，74.7%，74.0%，71.2%，72.4%，70.0%， and 64.7% in Group C， and 61.8%，57.6%，56.8%，53.9%，50.7%，and 48.6% in Group D， respectively. Conclusion Patients with a larger preoperative LAD have a lower postoperative sinus rhythm restoration rate after surgical radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of AF.
ObjectiveTo systematically review whether or not obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) increases the incidence of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data databases were searched for studies on the relationship between OSAHS and the incidence of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients from inception to July 2nd, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literatures, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsIn total, 11 cohort studies were included, involving 709 in exposed group and 975 in non-exposed group. The results of meta-analysis indicated that OSAHS was associated with the incidence of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients (RR=2.01, 95%CI 1.72 to 2.36, P<0.000 01). The subgroup analysis showed that OSAHS of PSG diagnosis increased the risk of the incidence of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients (RR=2.40, 95%CI 1.84 to 3.12, P<0.000 01); moderate and severe OSAHS of PSG diagnosis had higher risk of the incidence of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients (RR=3.73, 95%CI 2.51 to 5.53, P<0.000 01); high risk OSAHS of Berlin questionnaire assessment increased the incidence of atrial fibrillation in CAD patients (RR=1.56, 95%CI 1.27 to 1.92, P<0.000 1).ConclusionThe current evidence indicates that OSAHS is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients. Due to the limitation of quality and quantity of the included studies, more large-scale and fine quality research are needed to warrant the accuracy of conclusion above.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical presentations and radiological characteristics of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation. MethodsClinical and radiological data of 2 patients with pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed. ResultsBoth patients had undergone circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. The symptoms appeared approximately 2 months after the operation. The major symptoms were cough, hemoptysis, exacerbation of dyspnea and chest pain. Both patients were misdiagnosed as other diseases such as pneumonia in other hospitals, and the anti-infection therapy was invalid. Both CT scans showed parenchymal exudative consolidation with varying degrees of interstitial septal thickening and small nodules. Both patients were confirmed as pulmonary vein stenosis by CT angiography. Literature review identified 21 cases of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. The main clinical features are hemoptysis, chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. The most common features of thoracic radiological imaging are consolidation, groud-glass attenuation, pleural effusion and interstitial septal thickening. ConclusionsIf a patient presents with hemoptysis, dyspnea, chest pain or other clinical manifestations after ablation therapy and image findings show parenchymal exudative consolidation with interstitial septal thickening and multiple small nodules, the possibility of pulmonary vein stenosis should be considered. Contrast-enhanced CT combined with pulmonary vein imaging technology can clearly show the opening diameter of each pulmonary vein and its branches, so it is an important non-invasive examination method for the evaluation and diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis.
ObjectivesTo develop a tool to assess the credibility of cohort studies regarding anticoagulants treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation.MethodsMEDLINE, EMbase and CBM databases were retrieved for eligible studies on the methodological quality and credibility of the cohort study. The retrieval period was from inception to December 19th, 2017, and the languages were limited to Chinese and English. Based on the search results, the items on the methodology quality of the research or the credibility of the results were collected. Through brainstorming of the core group, the collected items were expanded and sorted out to a preliminary scale. Furthermore, we conducted 4 rounds of internal expert seminars to discuss and evaluate the preliminary scale content and discuss the scale framework. Finally, we organized domestic authoritative experts to conduct 4 external evaluations on the scale and formed the final scale.ResultsA total of 7 734 literatures were obtained from primary search, in which 17 of which were included. Fifty-five tools with 780 items for the quality assessment of observational studies were collected from the included studies. After removing duplicated keywords with similar meanings, we obtained the " keyword pool” with 46 keywords, which were preliminarily formed 46 items. After discussion of the core group, which aimed to supplement the potential items, eliminate the items irrelevant to methodology, and integrate the items with partial overlapping meanings, a preliminary scale of 43 items was formed. According to the four rounds of internal expert consultative meetings, these items were integrated to form a preliminary scale of 40 items. After further evaluation by four rounds of external expert consultative meetings, a consensus was reached and a scale of 21 items from seven domains (i.e., definition of question, measurement, follow-up, confounder, missing data, statistical analysis, and results assessment) was finally formed.ConclusionsThis study developed an assessment tool for the credibility of the results from the cohort studies regarding anticoagulants treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation, which has practical clinical value. Clinicians can refer to the results of credibility assessment by using this tool to better assist clinical decision-making in clinical practice. In addition, in the preparation of relevant guidelines, this tool can be used to assess the credibility of results from cohort studies.
ObjectiveTo evaluate myocardial segmental motion function in left ventricular of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis by using the technology of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 14 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis between October and November 2014 in our hospital as a trial group. There were 4 males and 10 females with a mean age of 50.9±9.0 years ranging from 34 to 64 years. We chose 11 healthy individuals as a control group. There were 7 males and 4 females with a mean age of 49.5±9.7 years ranging from 32 to 67 years. Both the two groups were subjected to myocardial performance evaluation using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) to examine the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV), longitudinal strain, circumferential strain, area strain, and lateral strain of each left ventricular myocardial segments. Result RT-3DE detected that the trial group had significantly lower values of LVEF, LVEDV and LVESV than those of the control group (P < 0.05). RT-3DE also revealed that the trial group had a significantly weaker longitudinal strain than the control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionRT-3DE is an accurate technology for assessing myocardial motion and function in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease.