METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with NICM who underwent SAECG, biventricular substrate mapping, and ablation for ventricular arrhythmia (VA). Patients with baseline ventricular conduction disturbances were excluded. Patients who fulfilled at least one SAECG criterion were categorized into Group 1, and the other patients were categorized into Group 2. Baseline and ventricular substrate characteristics were compared between the two groups. The study included 58 patients (39 men, mean age 50.4 ± 15.5 years), with 34 and 24 patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Epicardial mapping was performed in eight (23.5%) and six patients (25.0%) in Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.897), respectively. Patients in Group 1 had a more extensive right ventricular (RV) low-voltage zone (LVZ) and scar area than those in Group 2. Group 1 had a larger epicardial LVZ than Group 2. Epicardial late potentials were more frequent in Group 1 than in Group 2. There were more arrhythmogenic foci within the RV outflow tract in Group 1 than in Group 2. There was no significant difference in long-term VA recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the link between the descending aorta to left inferior pulmonary vein (Dao-LIPV) distance and the occurrence of triggers and drivers in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures.

METHODS: Drug-refractory AF patients who underwent first-time index catheter ablation from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively assembled. The Dao-LIPV distance was measured from pre-ablation pulmonary vein computed tomography. Patients were categorized based on the presence of LIPV triggers and/or drivers. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.

RESULTS: A total of 886 consecutive patients with drug-refractory AF were studied, and 63 (7.1%) patients were identified to have LIPV triggers and/or drivers. The Dao-LIPV distance had a better predictive performance (AUC: 0.70) compared to persistent AF (AUC: 0.57). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Dao-LIPV distance ≤ 2.5 mm (Odds ratio [OR] 3.96 [95% CI 2.15-7.29], p <0.001) and persistent AF (OR 1.73 [95% CI 1.02-2.94], p=0.044) were independent predictors for the presence of LIPV triggers and/or drivers. A risk score model was established to predict the probability of LIPV triggers or drivers with persistent AF (10.2%), Dao-LIPV distance ≤ 2.5mm (11.4%), and both (15.0%).

METHODS: Patients with symptomatic AF and moderate to severe MR who underwent catheter ablation from 2011 to 2021 were retrospectively included in the study. Patients' baseline characteristics and electrophysiological features were examined. These patients were classified as group 1 with improved MR and group 2 with refractory MR after CA.

METHOD: Patient baseline characteristics and electrophysiological parameters were examined to identify the predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence following catheter ablation. The clinical outcomes of catheter ablation and medical therapy were compared using the propensity score matched method.

RESULTS: A total of 343 patients were enrolled, with 46 in the catheter ablation group and 297 in the medical therapy group. Among the catheter ablation group, 58.7% (n = 27) had persistent atrial fibrillation. The recurrence rate of atrial arrhythmia was 30.4% (n = 14) after an average follow-up duration of 7.7 years following catheter ablation. The only predictive factor for atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation was the left atrial diameter. When compared to medical therapy, catheter ablation demonstrated significantly better outcomes in terms of overall survival, freedom from heart failure hospitalization, improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction, and a greater reduction in left ventricular diameter and left atrial diameter after propensity score matching.

METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries. Job insecurity was measured using the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), burnout using the Perceived Burnout measure question, psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and coping using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify associations.

RESULTS: A total of 2,353 staff participated; the mean age (± SD) was 43(± 10) years and 61% were females. Most staff (85%) did not feel job insecurity, one-third (29%) perceived burnout in their jobs, more than two-thirds (73%) experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, and more than half (58%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping. Perceived job insecurity was associated with staff working part-time [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.53 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.15-2.02)], having an academic appointment [2.45 (1.78-3.27)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.86 (1.41-2.48)], perceived burnout [1.99 (1.54-2.56)] and moderate to very high level of psychological distress [1.68 (1.18-2.39)]. Perceived burnout was associated with being female [1.35 (1.12-1.63)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.53 (1.20-1.97)], perceived job insecurity [1.99 (1.55-2.57)], and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress [3.23 (2.42-4.30)]. Staff with multiple co-morbidities [1.46 (1.11-1.92)], mental health issues [2.73 (1.79-4.15)], perceived job insecurity [1.61 (1.13-2.30)], and perceived burnout [3.22 (2.41-4.31)] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Staff who perceived their mental health as good to excellent [3.36 (2.69-4.19)] were more likely to have medium to high resilient coping.