Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sami O. Simons, Adrian Elliott, Manuel Sastry, Jeroen M. Hendriks, Michael Arzt, Michiel Rienstra, Jonathan M. Kalman, Hein Heidbuchel, Stanley Nattel, Geertjan Wesseling, Ulrich Schotten, Isabelle C. van Gelder, Frits M. E. Franssen, Prashanthan Sanders, Harry J. G. M. Crijns, Dominik Linz
Summary: COPD is highly prevalent in AF patients and may promote AF progression and reduce treatment efficacy. Close interdisciplinary collaboration between electrophysiologists/cardiologists and pulmonologists is required for the diagnosis and treatment of COPD in AF patients. Acute exacerbation of COPD may transiently increase AF risk.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yong Wei, Genqing Zhou, Xiaoyu Wu, Xiaofeng Lu, Xingjie Wang, Bin Wang, Caihong Wang, Yahong Shen, Shi Peng, Yu Ding, Juan Xu, Lidong Cai, Songwen Chen, Wenyi Yang, Shaowen Liu
Summary: This study investigated the incidence and predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in individuals aged over 60 years in China. The results showed an incidence rate of 5.2/1000 person-years, and age, gender, hypertension history, cardiac disease history, and various ECG abnormalities were independently associated with AF incidence.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sejun Park, Yunjin Yum, Jung-Joon Cha, Hyung Joon Joo, Jae Hyoung Park, Soon Jun Hong, Cheol Woong Yu, Do-Sun Lim
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and electrocardiogram (ECG) can help predict future cerebrocardiovascular events in CKD patients. ECG abnormalities are closely associated with the incidence of major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events (MACCE) in CKD patients, and ECG diagnosis can be used in conjunction with traditional risk stratification models to improve cardiovascular risk assessment accuracy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Masud Shah Jahan, Marjan Mansourvar, Sadasivan Puthusserypady, Uffe Kock Wiil, Abdolrahman Peimankar
Summary: This study proposes the use of machine learning algorithms to diagnose atrial fibrillation and compares several common algorithms. The results show that some algorithms perform well in short-term ECG segments, especially ensemble methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Leonard Mandes, Monica Rosca, Daniela Ciuperca, Andreea Calin, Carmen C. Beladan, Roxana Enache, Andreea Cuculici, Cristian Baicus, Ruxandra Jurcut, Carmen Ginghina, Bogdan A. Popescu
Summary: This study found that atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters (structural and functional) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Specifically, left atrium booster pump function and electrical dispersion were identified as independent predictors of AF in HCM patients, providing further assessment of AF risk in patients, including those considered at lower risk based on conventional assessment of left atrial size.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
James A. Reiffel
Summary: This editorial discusses a study on the prevalence, management, and impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in atrial fibrillation patients, conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of approximately 4.2 million patients.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lucas Yixi Xing, Soren Zoga Diederichsen, Soren Hojberg, Derk W. Krieger, Claus Graff, Morten S. Olesen, Jonas Bille Nielsen, Axel Brandes, Lars Kober, Ketil Jorgen Haugan, Jesper Hastrup Svendsen
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the onset and progression of subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) by analyzing 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters. The results showed that P-wave duration (PWD) and interatrial block (IAB) were strongly associated with the onset, burden, and progression of AF.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alberto Aimo, Agnese Milandri, Andrea Barison, Andrea Pezzato, Paolo Morfino, Giuseppe Vergaro, Marco Merlo, Alessia Argiro, Iacopo Olivotto, Michele Emdin, Gherardo Finocchiaro, Gianfranco Sinagra, Perry Elliott, Claudio Rapezzi
Summary: Abnormalities in impulse generation and transmission are early signs of cardiac remodeling in cardiomyopathies, which can be detected by 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Some findings suggest specific disorders, while others can orient towards a specific diagnosis in patients with specific phenotypes.
HEART FAILURE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Lisa A. A. Gottlieb, Lukas R. C. Dekker, Ruben Coronel
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often requires invasive treatment in the form of ablation, but incomplete ablation of the pulmonary veins (PV) can still cure AF in some patients. This suggests that an antiarrhythmic effect other than electrical isolation plays a role in preventing AF. We propose that modifying the arrhythmogenic substrate in the PV can be a new therapeutic approach for a subgroup of patients with PV reentry.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ju-Seung Kwun, Jang Hoon Lee, Bo Eun Park, Jong Sung Park, Hyeon Jeong Kim, Sun-Hwa Kim, Ki-Hyun Jeon, Hyoung-won Cho, Si-Hyuck Kang, Wonjae Lee, Tae-Jin Youn, In-Ho Chae, Chang-Hwan Yoon
Summary: This study found that the use of a patch-type device (AT-Patch) increased the detection rate of new-onset atrial fibrillation in high-risk patients. Further research is needed to investigate the value of early detection of atrial fibrillation and its potential in reducing adverse clinical outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Joao Salinet, Ruben Molero, Fernando S. Schlindwein, Joel Karel, Miguel Rodrigo, Jose Luis Rojo-Alvarez, Omer Berenfeld, Andreu M. Climent, Brian Zenger, Frederique Vanheusden, Jimena Gabriela Siles Paredes, Rob MacLeod, Felipe Atienza, Maria S. Guillem, Matthijs Cluitmans, Pietro Bonizzi
Summary: Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) is a valuable technique for reconstructing the electrical activity on the heart surface non-invasively, particularly in characterizing and treating atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. While ECGI offers advantages in globally characterizing atrial electrical activity, especially in atrial fibrillation (AF), its clinical value for AF treatment is still being evaluated due to challenges in accurately characterizing AF and its technical limitations. Further research is needed to determine the potential benefits and limitations of ECGI in addressing clinical questions related to AF.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Srikanth Perike, Francisco J. Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Issam Abu-Taha, Frederick W. Damen, Laurin M. Hanft, Ken S. Lizama, Anahita Aboonabi, Andrielle E. Capote, Yuriana Aguilar-Sanchez, Benjamin Levin, Zhenbo Han, Arvind Sridhar, Jacob Grand, Jody Martin, Joseph G. Akar, Chad M. Warren, R. John Solaro, Sang-Ging Ong, Dawood Darbar, Kerry S. Mcdonald, Craig J. Goergen, Beata M. Wolska, Dobromir Dobrev, Xander H. T. Wehrens, Mark D. McCauley
Summary: The study revealed that patients with AF have increased expression of PPP1R12C protein, leading to decreased atrial contractility. Overexpression of PPP1R12C in mice increases PP1c targeting to MLC2a, causing MLC2a dephosphorylation, and subsequently increasing AF inducibility.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Huaqiang Xiang, Yangjing Xue, Zhi Chen, Yongwei Yu, Yangpei Peng, Jinsheng Wang, Kangting Ji, Huifen Zhu
Summary: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and has a negative impact on the outcome of patients with AF, increasing the risk of mortality and progression to persistent or paroxysmal AF, as well as the likelihood of recurrence after catheter ablation of AF.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Zygadlo, Grzegorz Procyk, Pawel Balsam, Piotr Lodzinski, Marcin Grabowski, Aleksandra Gasecka
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and autoimmunity is believed to play a crucial role in its development. Autoantibodies are implicated in regulating heart rhythm and associated with AF. Identifying the autoantibody profile of different AF patient groups is essential for developing effective treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Chi-Chun Liu, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Yin-Han Chang, Wu-Chien Chien, Hui-Chen Lin, Chun-Gu Cheng, Chun-An Cheng
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke, and the presence of AF in COPD patients increases the risk of ischemic stroke (IS). Observational study in the Chinese population shows that new-onset AF is an important risk factor for IS in COPD patients.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Konstantinos Trachanas, Skevos Sideris, Petros Arsenos, Dimitrios Tsiachris, Christos-Konstantinos Antoniou, Polychronis Dilaveris, Konstantinos Triantafyllou, Iosif Xenogiannis, Konstantinos Tsimos, Michalis Efremidis, Emmanuel Kanoupakis, Panagiota Flevari, Vassilios Vassilikos, Antonios Sideris, Panagiotis Korantzopoulos, Dimitrios Tousoulis, Konstantinos Tsioufis, Konstantinos Gatzoulis
Summary: In the PRESERVE-EF study, cutoff points of NSVT >= 1 episode/24 h and SAECG-LPs >= 2/3 in combination with a LVEF < 50% were important predictors of inducibility. A simple risk score based on these cutoff points showed high sensitivity but low specificity for predicting a positive PVS. Ultimately, a positive PVS should be the basis for making decisions about ICD implantation.
ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Effrosyni D. Manali, Caroline Kannengiesser, Raphael Borie, Ibrahima Ba, Demosthenes Bouros, Aikaterini Markopoulou, Katerina Antoniou, Lykourgos Kolilekas, Andriana I. Papaioannou, Vasileios Tzilas, Argyrios Tzouvelekis, Zoe Daniil, Evangelia Fouka, Despoina Papakosta, Areti Xyfteri, Anna Karakatsani, Stylianos Loukides, Ioanna Korbila, Ioannis P. Tomos, Athanasios K. Konstantinidis, Athina Gogali, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Ilias C. Papanikolaou, Chrysa Bazaka, Aggeliki Haritou, Theodoros Vassilakopoulos, Maria Maniati, Konstantinos Kagouridis, Evangelos Markozannes, Evangelos Bouros, Christina Rampiadou, Georgia Kounti, Athina Trachalaki, Ilias Dimeas, Theodoros Karampitsakos, Panagiotis Lyberopoulos, Nikolaos Malamadakis, Sofia Spyropoulou, Patrick Revy, Elodie Lainey, Philippe Dieude, Khedidja Rebah, Christelle Menard, Claire Oudin, Cecile Masson, Aurelie Plessier, Marie Legendre, Nadia Nathan, Aurore Coulomb-L'Hermine, Annick Clement, Serge Amselem, Catherine Boileau, Bruno Crestani, Spyros Papiris
Summary: This French-Greek collaborative study aimed to investigate the genetic components and characteristics of Greek IPF patients with suspected heritability. The study identified associations between the MUC5B rs35705950 T risk allele, TRG pathogenic variations, and prognosis in IPF patients.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Konstantinos P. Letsas, Konstantinos Vlachos, Michael Efremidis, Stylianos Dragasis, Panagiotis Korantzopoulos, Gary Tse, Tong Liu, George Bazoukis, Panagioula Niarchou, Efstathia Prappa, Frederic Sacher, Meleze Hocini, Adrian Baranchuk
Summary: Brugada syndrome is an arrhythmogenic disease characterized by electrical and micro-structural abnormalities in the right ventricular outflow tract. Endocardial unipolar electroanatomical mapping is a useful tool for identifying and quantifying these abnormalities, and it is associated with ventricular fibrillation inducibility and symptom status.
REVIEWS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Athanasios Konstantinidis, Christos Kyriakopoulos, Georgios Ntritsos, Nikolaos Giannakeas, Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, Konstantinos Kostikas, Athena Gogali
Summary: COPD exacerbations have significant negative impacts on patients' health and quality of life, as well as economic burden. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for telemedicine services. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing COPD exacerbations and provides a detailed description of the specific telemedicine interventions used.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Petros Bozidis, Eleni T. Tsaousi, Charilaos Kostoulas, Prodromos Sakaloglou, Athanasia Gouni, Despoina Koumpouli, Hercules Sakkas, Ioannis Georgiou, Konstantina Gartzonika
Summary: This study identified the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.318 and found unusual amplification patterns in various commercial assays. While caution should be taken when identifying SARS-CoV-2 variants based on viral gene amplification failure, such patterns can serve as a rapid and cost-effective screening method.
Article
Respiratory System
Vitaliano Quaranta, Christos Kyriakopoulos, Angelos Liontos, Fotios Barkas, Christos Chronis, Dimitrios Biros, Lazaros Athanasiou, Orestis Milionis, Stavros Tsourlos, Cornelia Veliani, Alexandros Papathanasiou, Valentini Samanidou, Agapi Aggelopoulou, Vanesa Bellou, Nikolaos-Gavriil Kolios, Christiana Pappa, Sempastien Filippas-Ntekouan, Giovanna Carpagnano, Silvano Dragonieri, Eirini Christaki, Athanasios Konstantinidis, Haralampos Milionis, Konstantinos Kostikas
Summary: This study investigated the baseline characteristics and comorbidities of COVID-19 patients upon admission and their association with patient outcomes. The study found that older age, admission during the second pandemic wave, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were associated with longer hospitalization. Cardiovascular disease, age, history of malignancy, and COPD diagnosis remained independent predictors of mortality.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Georgios A. Christou, Antonios P. Vlahos, Konstantinos A. Christou, Stefanos Mantzoukas, Chronis A. Drougias, Dimitrios K. Christodoulou
Summary: The diagnosis of QT prolongation in athletes presents challenges, and clinical investigations, particularly exercise testing, can help clarify the presence of long QT syndrome, which is more convenient and cost-effective than genetic testing.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
I. Rapti, A. Asimakopoulos, A. Liontos, M. Kosmidou, E. Christaki, D. Biros, O. Milionis, S. Tsourlos, E. Ntotsikas, E. Ntzani, E. Evangelou, K. Gartzonika, I. Georgiou, I. Tzoulaki, K. Tsilidis, H. Milionis
Summary: This study describes the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the University Hospital of Ioannina and their association with outcomes. The study found significant associations between age, lactate dehydrogenase levels, pO(2)/FiO(2) ratio, absolute lymphocyte count, and intubation or death. These results contribute to the improvement of COVID-19 patient management.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Adamantia Liapikou, Athanasios Konstantinidis, Vasiliki Kossyvaki, John Skiadas, Damianos Menegas, Cristina Mendez, Rohini Beavon, Elizabeth Begier, Bradford D. Gessner, Haralampos Milionis, Vasilios Tsimihodimos, Gerasimos Baxevanos, Theodora Argiriadou, Chrysavgi Terrovitou, Michael Toumbis
Summary: Greece introduced PCV13 into the national immunization program and recommended it for adults. Despite a mature vaccination program, a persistent burden of pneumococcal infections exists in Greek adults. Strategies to increase vaccination coverage should be implemented to reduce the disease burden.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christos Ballas, Lampros Lakkas, Olga Kardakari, Athanasios Konstantinidis, Konstantinos Exarchos, Stavroula Tsiara, Konstantinos Kostikas, Katerina K. Naka, Lampros K. Michalis, Christos S. Katsouras
Summary: This study evaluated non-conventional markers of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. The results showed that a majority of patients had abnormal right ventricular function, which was associated with clinical and biochemical prognostic indices.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Konstantina Gartzonika, Lida Politi, Angeliki Mavroidi, Andreas G. Tsantes, Nicholas Spanakis, Efthalia Priavali, Georgia Vrioni, Athanasios Tsakris
Summary: This study describes the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of a large-scale outbreak of NDM-1-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex in Greece, which is the largest clonal outbreak of its kind in Europe. The presence of NDM-1 gene was confirmed in the isolates and it was found to be associated with other resistance genes through genetic sequencing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Correction
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
I. Rapti, A. Asimakopoulos, A. Liontos, M. Kosmidou, E. Christaki, D. Biros, O. Milionis, S. Tsourlos, E. Ntotsikas, E. Ntzani, E. Evangelou, K. Gartzonika, I. Georgiou, I. Tzoulaki, K. Tsilidis, H. Milionis
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Khaldoun G. Tarakji, Panagiotis Korantzopoulos, Francois Philippon, Mauro Biffi, Suneet Mittal, Jeanne E. Poole, Charles Kennergren, Daniel R. Lexcen, Jeff D. Lande, Gregory Hilleren, Swathi Seshadri, Bruce L. Wilkoff
Summary: This study evaluated the risk factors for hematoma in cardiac device procedures and explored the relationship between anticoagulant and antiplatelet use and hematoma development. The results provide guidance for antithrombotic management.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Khaldoun G. Tarakji, Andrew D. Krahn, Jeanne E. Poole, Suneet Mittal, Charles Kennergren, Mauro Biffi, Panagiotis Korantzopoulos, Paolo Domenico Dallaglio, Daniel R. Lexcen, Jeff D. Lande, Gregory Hilleren, Reece Holbrook, Bruce L. Wilkoff
Summary: This study aimed to identify risk factors for infection after secondary cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures. By analyzing data from the WRAP-IT trial, several procedural risk factors associated with infection risk were identified, providing insights for infection prevention strategies.
JACC-CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Dimitrios Sfairopoulos, Nan Zhang, Yueying Wang, Ziliang Chen, Konstantinos P. Letsas, Gary Tse, Guangping Li, Gregory Y. H. Lip, Tong Liu, Panagiotis Korantzopoulos
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were not associated with a lower risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), heart failure (HF), or chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, subgroup analysis showed that low-dosage SGLT2 inhibitor therapy may reduce the risk of VAs. Further research is needed to confirm these findings due to the limited number of events and wide confidence intervals.
