Rhythm Status Research Articles

The impact of ethnicity on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation

Abstract Introduction Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly prevalent and associated with substantial morbidity (1,2). When HF and AF co-exist, the outcome profile is significantly worse than for either condition in isolation (3). Ethnic background is known to influence disease outcomes and treatment efficacy (4), but there is limited knowledge about how HF, AF and ethnicity interact on mortality and hospital admission. Purpose This study aims to address the null hypothesis of no difference in death and cardiovascular events comparing non-white and white patients with HF and concomitant AF, and assess the differential impact of ethnicity in patients with these conditions. Methods Individual patient data were obtained from 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with HF. RCT data were harmonised and meta-analysed to investigate the interaction of baseline heart rhythm (sinus rhythm versus atrial fibrillation) and ethnicity (non-white versus white). The primary outcome of all-cause mortality and secondary outcome of cardiovascular (CV)-related mortality were analysed using adjusted Cox regression models and propensity-score matching. Results 16,713 HF patients were included of which 1,899 (11%) were non-white, median age 66 (interquartile range [IQR] 57-73) and 4,703 (28%) women. During median follow-up of 1.4 years (IQR 0.8-2.3), death occurred in 394 (21%) non-white patients and 2,142 (15%) white patients; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.36, 95% CI 1.20-1.54; p<0.001. The impact of ethnicity was greater in patients with coexisting HF and AF (non-white versus white HR 2.05; 95% CI 1.55-2.70; p<0.001), than in those with HF in sinus rhythm (non-white versus white HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.08-1.41; p=0.002). A significant interaction was evident between ethnicity and rhythm status for all-cause mortality (p=0.003), with similar findings using propensity-score matching (Figure 1). An exploratory analysis of beta-blockers versus placebo demonstrated divergent efficacy with respect to mortality for non-white (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.79-1.27; p=0.99) and white patients (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.63-0.78; p<0.001); p-interaction=0.008 (Figure 2). For cardiovascular hospitalisation, the non-white cohort also had higher rates, with greatest disparity in patients with combined HF and AF (non-white versus white HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.63-2.37; p<0.001) compared to HF in sinus rhythm (non-white versus white HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.11-1.36; p<0.001); p-interaction=0.012 in propensity-matching. Conclusion Non-white patients with HF suffer from substantially higher rates of death and hospitalisation than corresponding white patients, with the presence of comorbid AF significantly worsening this ethnicity-related disparity. In those with HF in sinus rhythm, beta blockers were found to be significantly less effective at reducing mortality in non-white patients.Figure 1 Figure 2

Acute and one-year procedural effects with proactive esophageal cooling during radiofrequency ablation with proactive esophageal cooling - comparison of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background/Introduction Proactive esophageal cooling is FDA cleared to reduce the likelihood of ablation-related esophageal injury from radiofrequency (RF) cardiac ablation, and is becoming more prevalent as an alternative to luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring. Data also suggest shorter procedure times and improved freedom from arrhythmia with esophageal cooling due to the lower continuity index achieved with esophageal cooling. Purpose To determine acute and long-term procedural outcomes of PVI for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) using active esophageal cooling. Methods Procedure times and one-year follow-up rhythm status of all patients treated with PVI for paroxysmal and persistent AF by a single operator were reviewed. Patients were treated over the time span February 2020 through July 2022. Procedure times and freedom from atrial arrhythmia were then compared between paroxysmal and persistent AF. Results A total of 317 patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation were treated over the course of the study timeframe. Of these patients, 167 (52.7%) had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and 150 had persistent AF. Mean age was 70.6±11.0 years (paroxysmal AF: 68.2±10.4 years and 43% female, persistent AF: 73.4±11.0 years and 37% female), with 40% female overall. Mean procedure time was 68.8±28.1 minutes (61.4 minutes for paroxysmal, 77.3 minutes for persistent). Most patients (224, or 71%) received no fluoroscopy, while the remainder received 1.28±4.0 minutes of fluoroscopy use. The KM estimate for freedom from atrial arrhythmia at one-year for paroxysmal patients was 81.4±3.9%. For persistent patients, the KM estimate for freedom from atrial arrhythmia at one-year was 70.4±4.4% (Figure 1). Conclusions Proactive esophageal cooling is associated with a high rate of long-term freedom from arrhythmia for both paroxysmal and persistent AF patients, as well as short procedure times, and the ability to achieve low or zero fluoroscopy use.Figure 1

Long-term anti-arrhythmic is effective than no anti-arrhythmic in patients with first developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background There is no detailed guideline recommendation of AAD treatment for the firstly developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) prevent recurrence of AF and short-term AAD treatment would increase drug safety by reducing treatment duration. Introduction We designed the prospective, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of short- and long-term AAD (flecainide) compared with no treatment in maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with firstly developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods Definition of the firstly developed PAF was the patients with firstly developed symptomatic PAF without history of palpitation. Sixty patients were randomly assigned into no AAD treatment (Group I; N=21), short-term AAD treatment (flecainide 100mg bid for 4 weeks, Group II; N=20) or long-term AAD treatment (flecainide 100mg bid for 6 months, Group III; N=19). All patients were in sinus rhythm at randomization. Patients received clinical follow up with serial evaluation of rhythm status. Results There were no significant differences in age, gender, cardiovascular comorbidities and echocardiographic parameters. Among the total population, AF recurred in 16 patients (26.7%) during the follow up period. AF free survival was significantly different among groups (p=0.038) (Fig 1). Conclusions Long-term AAD at least 6 months is beneficial in maintaining sinus rhythm than no or shot-term AAD in patients with firstly developed PAF.

Anti- and pro-fibrillatory effects of pulmonary vein isolation gaps in human atrial fibrillation digital twins

Although pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) gaps and extrapulmonary vein triggers contribute to recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, their precise mechanisms remain unproven. Our study assessed the impact of PVI gaps on rhythm outcomes using a human AF digital twin. We included 50 patients (76.0% with persistent AF) who underwent catheter ablation with a realistic AF digital twin by integrating computed tomography and electroanatomical mapping. We evaluated the final rhythm status, including AF and atrial tachycardia (AT), across 600 AF episodes, considering factors including PVI level, PVI gap number, and pacing locations. Our findings revealed that antral PVI had a significantly lower ratio of AF at the final rhythm (28% vs. 56%, p = 0.002) than ostial PVI. Increasing PVI gap numbers correlated with an increased ratio of AF at the final rhythm (p < 0.001). Extra-PV induction yielded a higher ratio of AF at the final rhythm than internal PV induction (77.5% vs. 59.0%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our human AF digital twin model helped assess AF maintenance mechanisms. Clinical trial registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02138695.

Association of dietary acid-base load with psychological disorders, sleep and circadian rhythm among obese and overweight women: a cross-sectional study

Background: Epidemiological studies have reported that dietary acid load is associated with psychological disorders through different pathways. We aimed to examine the association of dietary acid-base load with psychological disorders, sleep and circadian rhythm. Methods: This study was performed on 404 female subjects aged 18 years and above. We evaluated potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) score by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Iran which contained 147 items. To assess psychological disorders, an Iranian validated version of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) was used. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and morning-evening questionnaire (MEQ) were applied to evaluate sleep quality and circadian rhythm status, respectively. Results: After adjustment for a wide range of confounding variables, a significant positive association was observed between dietary acid-base load and severe depression (ORPRAL=1.10, 95% CI=1.01-1.19, p=0.02 and ORNEAP=2.46, 95% CI=1.41-14.61, p=0.02). Women in the high dietary acid base load category had higher anxiety (ORPRAL=1.12, 95% CI=1.02-1.23, p=0.01 and ORNEAP=1.80,95% CI=1.12-10.72, p=0.01). There was a strong positive relationship between dietary acid-base load and sleep disturbance (p&lt;0.05). Additionally, circadian rhythm assessment showed that those with greater commitment to PRAL had 23% higher risk of being completely evening type, while the odds of being completely morning type were decreased by 15% and 12% across higher adherence to PRAL and NEAP. Conclusion: Women with higher dietary acid-base load score had greater odds for depression, anxiety, psychological distress, sleep disturbance and evening-type circadian rhythm compared to lower ones.

Simulating atrial fibrillation patterns and screening strategies using virtual patient-level models

Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, early detection and treatment of AF are hampered by highly variable occurrence and duration of AF episodes, heterogenous patterns of AF progression, and poor symptom-rhythm correlation present in many patients. Purpose To develop a computational patient-level model for simulating individual AF episodes, AF progression, and associated clinical outcomes, and to compare the effectiveness of systematic or symptom-based 1-minute electrocardiography (ECG) or 14-day Holter screening using this model. Methods We developed a Markov model with 7 different rhythm and/or clinical states (sinus rhythm (SR), asymptomatic and symptomatic AF, each with or without previous stroke, and death) and age/sex-dependent transition probabilities estimated based on clinical data (Figure 1A). Additionally, transitions between SR and AF states were modulated by AF-related remodeling, which itself was controlled by the time in AF and age. Results The virtual patient-level model enabled the simulation of changes in rhythm status and clinical outcomes during an entire lifetime with minute-level resolution (Figure 1B). Age/sex-specific AF prevalence / incidence, the proportion of symptomatic episodes and mortality in 4000 virtual patients were in good agreement with clinical data (Figure 1C). We employed the perfect knowledge about rhythm status at any moment in time provided by the model to evaluate systematic and symptom-based 1-minute ECG and 14-day Holter screening for AF in this population. In total, 2372 virtual patients &amp;gt;65 years developed AF. Systematic yearly 1-minute ECG recordings only identified 58 (2.4%) patients. In contrast, 14-day Holter-monitoring detected 18% of AF patients over 65 with a median of 532 days earlier than their clinical AF diagnosis, and identified 11.8% of AF patients who were either completely asymptomatic or only had symptomatic episodes &amp;lt;3 hours. Short-term (2-week) screening after a first symptom had a very low yield, which increased with increasing screening frequency and duration of follow-up (Figure 2). The majority of the remaining AF patients could be diagnosed when their symptoms lasted ≥3 hours, providing time for a traditional clinical diagnosis. Conclusion Our novel patient-level AF model can simulate individual AF patterns and clinical outcomes such as stroke and death in large cohorts of virtual patients. The model highlights the variability of AF episodes that makes effective early detection of asymptomatic AF with short-term monitoring challenging, and provides a tool for future studies into AF progression, screening and prevention of AF-related stroke and mortality.Figure 1Figure 2

It can be safe to discontinue oral anticoagulants after successful atrial fibrillation ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Current guidelines recommended that oral anticoagulants (OACs) should last for a minimum first 2 months after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and the long-term decision of anticoagulation after AF ablation should be based on the individual patient's risk of stroke rather than the rhythm status. There is controversy about the safety of discontinuing OACs in patients with atrial fibrillation after the blanking period due to the divergences between consensus recommendations and clinical practice. Electronic bibliographic sources (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched until August 2023 to identify cohort studies about the safety of discontinuing OACs in patients with AF after the blanking period. The primary outcome was thromboembolism (TE). The secondary outcome was major bleeding events (MBEs). Two authors extracted articles independently using predefined data fields. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on a random-effects model. A total of 16 studies (11 prospective cohorts and 5 retrospective cohorts) enrolling 23,942 patients (14,382 OFF-OAC and 9560 ON-OAC) were included in our analysis. No significant difference emerged in the risk of TE between OFF-OAC and ON-OAC patients following AF ablation after the banking period (OR = 0.66; 95%CI, 0.43-1.01). Similar results emerged in the patients with a high risk of TE after stratification by the risk level of TE (OR = 0.72; 95%CI, 0.25-2.08). A significant reduction in incidences of major bleeding was found in the OFF-OAC patients compared with the ON-OAC patients (OR = 0.23; 95%CI, 0.12-0.42). Subgroup analyses for TE found a reduction of incidences in the subgroups who switched to antiplatelet drugs and with a follow-up duration <3 years. Subgroup analyses for MBEs found a significant reduction of incidences in all subgroups. Our study suggests it can be safe to discontinue OACs after successful AF ablation. Discontinuation of OACs may reduce the risk of MBEs while not increasing the risk of TE.

Oral Anticoagulation Versus Antiplatelet Treatment After Mitral Valve Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists is currently advised for a period of 3months after surgical mitral valve repair, regardless of the rhythm status. The evidence supporting this recommendation is weak and recent studies have challenged the safety and efficacy of this recommendation. A systematic review of literature was conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Emcare, and Cochrane Library databases for original publications comparing the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists to antiplatelet treatment early after mitral valve surgery in patients with no atrial fibrillation. Study end points included thromboembolic complications, bleeding complications and survival. A total of 5 studies, including 5,093 patients, met the inclusion criteria; 2,824 patients were included in the oral anticoagulation and 2,269 in the antiplatelet treatment group. Pooled analyses demonstrated no beneficial effect of oral anticoagulation on the incidence of thromboembolic complications (risk ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 1.70, p=0.53, I2=8%). Moreover, oral anticoagulation did not result in a significantly increased risk of bleeding complications (risk ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 2.44, p=0.81, I2=87%). When combining the efficacy and safety end points, no difference was observed between groups (risk ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.51 to 1.97, p=0.99 I2=85%). Likewise, mortality did not differ between groups (risk ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 5.23, p=0.90 I2=71%). Our results confirmed the safety but failed to confirm the efficacy of oral anticoagulation in patients who underwent mitral valve surgery. A randomized controlled trial would provide the evidence needed to support treatment recommendations.

The association between cholesterol/saturated fat index (CSI) and quality of sleep, and circadian rhythm among overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe decline in sleep quality is one of the main public health problems affecting the global population. Some studies have shown that a high-fat diet may be linked to changes in circadian rhythm and sleep quality. The cholesterol/saturated fatty acid index (CSI) determines the amount of cholesterol and saturated fatty acid (SFA) in people's dietary patterns and can affect the quality of sleep and circadian rhythm. However, to date, no studies have investigated the effect of this index on these two variables. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the relationship between CSI on circadian rhythm and sleep quality in obese and overweight women.MethodThis cross-sectional study included 378 adult women who were obese or overweight. Using accepted techniques, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure readings, and biochemical variables were evaluated. A validated and trustworthy semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ 147 items) was used to gauge dietary intake. The CSI was measured to find out how much cholesterol and saturated fats were in the diet. Additionally, to assess circadian rhythm and sleep quality, respectively, the valid morning-evening questionnaire (MEQ) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaires were utilized.ResultThe results of the multinomial logistic regression model of our analysis showed that a significant association was observed between circadian rhythm status with CSI score, and participants with one higher unit of CSI had a 7.3% more chance of being in the eveningness group than being in morningness category in the crude model (OR: 1.07; 95% CI 1.00, 1.14; P = 0.026). This association remains marginally significant when adjusting for age, energy intake, BMI, job status, thyroid, and smoking status (OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.00, 1.16; P = 0.051). The binary logistic regression model showed that after controlling for potentially confounding variables, there was no significant association between sleep quality with CSI score, however, those with one higher unit of CSI had 1.6% more chance of having sleep problems (OR: 1.01; 95% CI 0.96, 1.06; P = 0.503).ConclusionOur results indicated a direct marginally significant association between CSI with evening type in overweight and obese women. Future studies are needed to clarify the precise link between circadian rhythm and sleep behavior with fatty acid quality index.

Right Heart Structure and Function after Electrical Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) adversely impacts right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) structure and function. There are limited data on these changes after electrical cardioversion (ECV) and the relative contribution of heart rate to evaluate the immediate (1–2 h) and short-term (4–6 weeks) changes in right cardiac chamber dimensions and RV function after ECV in patients with persistent AF. Methods: Right cardiac chamber dimensions and RV function were measured in 64 patients using transthoracic echocardiography 1–2 h before, immediately after, and 4–6 weeks after ECV. Associations between changes in right-heart measures and rhythm status at follow-up were assessed using linear regression models. Results: For patients who remained in sinus rhythm 4–6 weeks after ECV (n = 48), median fractional area change (FAC) at baseline, immediately after ECV, and 4–6 weeks after ECV were 39 (Q1:35, Q3:42) %, 42 (Q1:39, Q3:46) %, 46 (Q1:43, Q3:49) % (p < 0.01); median tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values at the same time points were 18 (Q1:17, Q3:20) mm, 20 (Q1:18, Q3:23) mm, and 24 (Q1:22, Q3:26) mm (p < 0.01), respectively. There was no significant difference in RV end systolic area and RA volume index before and after ECV. However, RV end systolic area and RA volume index decreased significantly after 4–6 weeks from a median of 10 (Q1:8, Q3:13) cm² to 8 (Q1:7, Q3:10) cm² (p < 0.01), and from a median of 30 (Q1:24, Q3:36) mL/m² to 24 (Q1:20, Q3:27) mL/m² (p < 0.01). Changes in TAPSE were significantly associated with sinus rhythm at follow-up (p = 0.027), changes in FAC showed a strong trend to association with sinus rhythm (p = 0.053), and this was not true for RA measures (p = 0.64). Conclusions: Among AF patients who remained in sinus rhythm after ECV, RV function improved immediately after ECV with further improvement at 4–6 weeks following sinus rhythm restoration.

Insomnia and circadian rhythm: a bibliometrics study and visualization analysis via CiteSpace.

The present study aimed to use CiteSpace to analyze the status of insomnia and circadian rhythm, identify the hot spots and trends, and provide a basis for future study. The Web of Science database was searched for studies related to insomnia and circadian from its inception to 14 April 2023. CiteSpace was used to generate online maps of collaboration between countries and authors and revealed hot spots and frontiers in insomnia and circadian rhythm. We searched 4,696 publications related to insomnia and circadian rhythm. Bruno Etain was the most prolific author with most publications, i.e., with 24 articles. The USA and the University of California were the leading country and the top institution in this field of study, with 1,672 and 269 articles, respectively. There was active cooperation between institutions, countries, and authors. Hot topics focused on circadian rhythm sleep disorders, circadian clock, light therapy, melatonin, and bipolar disorder. Based on the CiteSpace results, we recommend a more active collaboration between various countries, institutions, and authors to conduct clinical and basic research related to insomnia and circadian rhythm. Ongoing research focuses on the interaction of insomnia with circadian rhythms and the corresponding pathways of clock genes and by extension, the role of circadian rhythms in disorders such as bipolar disorder. Modulation of circadian rhythms may be a hot spot for future insomnia therapies (such as light therapy and melatonin).

Atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for heart failure progression and pump failure mortality in HFpEF:: a propensity score matched analysis of the TOPCAT Americas study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with excess mortality and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalizations in HF patients (pts) with preserved systolic function (pEF) but the contributing factors to these outcomes are not known.. Purpose To analyze the independent impact of AF on clinical outcomes of HFpEF pts in the TOPCAT AMERICAS study using propensity score matched (PSM) cohorts to account for confounding by other comorbidities. Methods Study cohorts were PSM matched for 20 clinical, demographic &amp; ECG variables. 3 matched cohorts based on baseline rhythm status at study entry were compared viz. subjects in sinus rhythm (SR), subjects in AF on baseline ECG &amp; subjects with Any AF event by history or ECG. We analyzed CV mortality, adjudicated modes of death &amp; morbidity during a mean follow up period of 2.9 yrs. Results 418 subjects in SR (SR cohort) were PSM with 418 subjects in AF on baseline ECG (AF on ECG cohort) &amp; 418 pts with any AF event by history or ECG (Any AF cohort) at study entry. Any AF increased the risk of CV death (D), pump failure death (PFD), CV and HF hospitalization (H) and HF progression. AF on ECG increased risk of CVD, CVH, HFH and PFD (Tables). Neither AF cohort increased risk of sudden death (SD) {Figure}. Conclusion 1. AF is an independent risk factor for worsening CV outcomes in HFpEF. 2. This increased risk is due to a selective increase in symptomatic HF progression from early to advanced HF, HFH and PFD in advanced HF rather than SD. 3. Loss of AV synchrony &amp; rate control in AF can independently impact HF progression in HFpEF with consequent HFH and PFD. Restoration of SR may offer benefits for CV outcomes in HFpEF &amp; warrants evaluation.

Association of Dexmedetomidine With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Critical Illness

Dexmedetomidine is a widely used sedative in the intensive care unit (ICU) and has unique properties that may be associated with reduced occurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF). To investigate whether the use of dexmedetomidine is associated with the incidence of NOAF in patients with critical illness. This propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV database, which includes records of patients admitted to the ICU at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston dating 2008 through 2019. Included patients were those aged 18 years or older and hospitalized in the ICU. Data were analyzed from March through May 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to dexmedetomidine exposure: those who received dexmedetomidine within 48 hours after ICU admission (dexmedetomidine group) and those who never received dexmedetomidine (no dexmedetomidine group). The primary outcome was the occurrence of NOAF within 7 days of ICU admission, as defined by the nurse-recorded rhythm status. Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. This study included 22 237 patients before matching (mean [SD] age, 65.9 [16.7] years; 12 350 male patients [55.5%]). After 1:3 propensity score matching, the cohort included 8015 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.0 [17.1] years; 5240 males [65.4%]), among whom 2106 and 5909 patients were in the dexmedetomidine and no dexmedetomidine groups, respectively. Use of dexmedetomidine was associated with a decreased risk of NOAF (371 patients [17.6%] vs 1323 patients [22.4%]; hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90). Although patients in the dexmedetomidine group had longer median (IQR) length of stays in the ICU (4.0 [2.7-6.9] days vs 3.5 [2.5-5.9] days; P < .001) and hospital (10.0 [6.6-16.3] days vs 8.8 [5.9-14.0] days; P < .001), dexmedetomidine was associated with decreased risk of in-hospital mortality (132 deaths [6.3%] vs 758 deaths [12.8%]; hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.36-0.52). This study found that dexmedetomidine was associated with decreased risk of NOAF in patients with critical illness, suggesting that it may be necessary and warranted to evaluate this association in future clinical trials.

Comparison of the postoperative in-hospital versus at-home recovery quality and circadian rhythm status in preschool kids after adenotonsillectomy: a cohort and observational study.

At present, minimally invasive surgery is often used in paediatric patients as a day surgery to promote rapid post-operative recovery. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) Patients recovery in the hospital or at home after surgery may differ in terms of recovery quality and circadian rhythm status because of sleep disruption; however, this remains unknown. Pediatric patients usually unable to explain their feelings effectively, and objective indicators to measure recovery situation in different environments are promising. This study was conducted to compare the impact of in-hospital and at-home postoperative recovery quality (primary outcome) and circadian rhythm (as measured via the salivary melatonin level) (secondary outcome) in preschool-age patients. This was a cohort, non-randomized and exploratory observational study. A total of 61 children aged 4 to 6 years who were scheduled to receive adenotonsillectomy were recruited and assigned to recover either in the hospital (Hospital group) or at home (Home group) after surgery. There were no differences in the patient characteristics and perioperative variables between the Hospital and Home groups at baseline. They received the treatment and anesthesia in the same way. The patients' preoperative and up to 28 days post-surgery OSA-18 questionnaires were harvested. Moreover, their pre- and post-surgery salivary melatonin concentrations, body temperature, three-night postoperative sleep diaries, pain scales, emergence agitation, and other adverse effects were recorded. There were no significant differences in the postoperative recovery quality, as assessed by the OSA-18 questionnaire, body temperature, sleep quality, pain scales, and other adverse events (such as respiratory depression, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, hypertension, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting) between the two groups. The preoperative morning saliva melatonin secretion was decreased in both groups on the first postoperative morning (P<0.05), while a significantly greater decrease was found in the Home group on postoperative day 1 (P<0.05) and day 2 (P<0.05). The postoperative recovery quality of preschool kids in the hospital is as good as at home based on OSA-18 evaluation scale. However, the clinical importance of the significant decrease in morning saliva melatonin levels with at-home postoperative recovery remains unknown and warrants further study.

UPLC-MS/MS simultaneous quantification of urinary circadian rhythm hormones and related metabolites: Application to air traffic controllers

Civil aviation flight crew and civil aviation air traffic controllers are prone to circadian rhythm abnormalities, which can lead to a slew of other maladies. It could endanger people's health and provide a serious threat to the safety of civil aviation flights if it is not appropriately evaluated and addressed. Early detection of rhythm irregularities and prompt treatment for particular populations that are vulnerable to rhythm disorders are crucial for enhancing civil aviation safety.In general, monitoring of the classical circadian rhythm biomarkers (melatonin or cortisol) in plasma or saliva is an effective way to evaluate the rhythm status. Due to the challenging sample procedure and the trauma of plasma, urine sample testing has received an increasing amount of attention. While, urine circadian rhythm biomarkers have seldom been examined, and the relationship between urinary steroid hormones and melatonin is still poorly understood. In most cases, hormones are determined by immunoassays respectively, mainly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or radioimmunoassay (RIA). There are also reports describing the liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique as a method of melatonin or few steroid hormones quantification, however, the simultaneous detection of multiple rhythmic hormones in human urine is rarely reported.For the quantification of the rhythmic hormones in human urine, an accurate approach using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was devised in this work. Nine endogenous hormones (melatonin, 6-hydroxymelatonin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone, testosterone, epitestosterone and androsterone), in human overnight urine, were quantified after solid phase extraction (SPE). A reverse phase HSS C18 column was used for chromatographic separation with a 9-minute gradient elution and deuterated analogues of each analyte were applied as internal standards. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of 596 overnight urine samples (23:00–9:00) collected from 84 air traffic controllers in the Beijing area during shift work. This study's findings showed a clear correlation not only between melatonin and its metabolites; cortisol-related metabolites, but also between melatonin metabolites and endogenous metabolites upstream and downstream of cortisol, implying that these two categories of hormones can be used as potential biological rhythm indicators to provide circadian rhythm data support for future studies on circadian rhythm disorders.

Anticoagulation after pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation: Associations with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, sex, and rhythm.

Guidelines recommend using the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score to determine anticoagulation decisions in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, including those who undergo pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), however this may not consistently occur in the real-world setting because of other clinical factors. We sought to evaluate the anticoagulation prescription rates patterns in AF patients 1 year PVI at our institution.Consecutive AF patients undergoing PVI in our prospective registry during 2014-2018 who were alive at 1-year post-PVI were studied. Anticoagulation prescription rates at this time-point were adjudicated, and correlated to CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, sex, and heart rhythm status at 1 year.Amongst 4596 patients undergoing PVI, mean age was 64.2 ± 10.0 years, 1328 (28.9%) were female, and based on CHA₂DS₂-VASc score anticoagulation was not indicated, can be considered and indicated in 872 (19.0%), 1183 (25.7%), and 2541 (55.3%) patients, respectively. At 1-year after PVI, 3504 (76.2%) patients were on anticoagulation, and 792 (17.2%) had recurrence of AF. Anticoagulation was continued in over half of AF patients without classic CHA₂DS₂-VASc indication particularly in those with AF recurrence and women, while they were mildly under-prescribed in those with indication, especially for those without AF recurrence and men.In a large real world cohort of patients after PVI, anticoagulation prescription is not solely depending on the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and sex, but also heart rhythm status and other clinical or imaging factors.

Improved 1-year outcomes after active cooling during left atrial radiofrequency ablation

BackgroundActive esophageal cooling during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly being utilized to reduce esophageal injury and atrioesophageal fistula formation. Randomized controlled data also show trends towards increased freedom from AF when using active cooling. This study aimed to compare 1-year arrhythmia recurrence rates between patients treated with luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring versus active esophageal cooling during left atrial ablation.MethodData from two healthcare systems (including 3 hospitals and 4 electrophysiologists) were reviewed for patient rhythm status at 1-year follow-up after receiving PVI for the treatment of AF. Results were compared between patients receiving active esophageal cooling (ensoETM, Attune Medical, Chicago, IL) and those treated with traditional LET monitoring using Kaplan–Meier estimates.ResultsA total of 513 patients were reviewed; 253 received LET monitoring using either single or multi-sensor temperature probes; and 260 received active cooling. The mean age was 66.8 (SD ± 10) years, and 36.8% were female. Arrhythmias were 60.1% paroxysmal AF, 34.3% persistent AF, and 5.6% long-standing persistent AF, with no significant difference between groups. At 1-year follow-up, KM estimates for freedom from AF were 58.2% for LET-monitored patients and 72.2% for actively cooled patients, for an absolute increase in freedom from AF of 14% with active esophageal cooling (p = .03). Adjustment for the confounders of patient age, gender, type of AF, and operator with an inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox proportional hazards model yielded a hazard ratio of 0.6 for the effect of cooling on AF recurrence (p = 0.045).ConclusionsIn this first study to date of the association between esophageal protection strategy and long-term efficacy of left atrial RF ablation, a clinically and statistically significant improvement in freedom from atrial arrhythmia at 1 year was found in patients treated with active esophageal cooling when compared to patients who received LET monitoring. More rigorous prospective studies or randomized studies are required to validate the findings of the current study.

Factors Associated with Progression of Atrial Fibrillation and Impact on All-Cause Mortality in a Cohort of European Patients.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) may often progress towards more sustained forms of the arrhythmia, but further research is needed on the factors associated with this clinical course. We analyzed patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study of AF patients. Patients with paroxysmal AF at baseline or first-detected AF (with successful cardioversion) were included. According to rhythm status at 1 year, patients were stratified into: (i) No AF progression and (ii) AF progression. All-cause death was the primary outcome. A total of 2688 patients were included (median age 67 years, interquartile range 60-75, females 44.7%). At 1-year of follow-up, 2094 (77.9%) patients showed no AF progression, while 594 (22.1%) developed persistent or permanent AF. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, no physical activity (odds ratio [OR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.78), valvular heart disease (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.23-2.15), left atrial diameter (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05), or left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-1.00) were independently associated with AF progression at 1 year. After the assessment at 1 year, the patients were followed for an extended follow-up of 371 days, and those with AF progression were independently associated with a higher risk for all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.09-2.89) compared to no-AF-progression patients. In a contemporary cohort of AF patients, a substantial proportion of patients presenting with paroxysmal or first-detected AF showed progression of the AF pattern within 1 year, and clinical factors related to cardiac remodeling were associated with progression. AF progression was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.

612 EVOLUTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATTERNS AND IMPACT ON ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY IN A CONTEMPORARY COHORT OF EUROPEAN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Abstract Background Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) often shows a natural evolution towards more sustained forms of the arrhythmia. Real-world data on clinical factors associated with AF progression and its impact on long-term outcomes are limited. Aim of the study To investigate the factors associated with progression of AF and its impact on all-cause mortality in a contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods We analyzed patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. Patients with paroxysmal AF at baseline or first detected AF who underwent successful cardioversion were included. Patients with known rhythm status at 1-year were then stratified into two groups: (i) No AF progression and (ii) AF progression, (as defined by transition to persistent or permanent AF). All-cause mortality at 2-year of follow-up was the primary outcome of the analysis. Results A total of 2688 patients were included (median age 67 years, interquartile range [IQR] 60-75, females 44.7%, CHA2DS2VASc score median 3 [1-4], HASBLED median 1 [1-2]). After 1-year of follow-up 2094 (77.9%) patients showed no AF progression while 594 (22.1%) developed AF progression. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, no physical activity (odds ratio [OR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.78), valvular heart disease (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.23-2.15), left atrium diameter (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05) and left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-1.00) were independently associated with AF progression at 1-year. At the end of 2-year of follow-up, death occurred in 80/2621 (3.1%) patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower cumulative survival from all-cause mortality in patients with AF progression compared to non-progression AF patients (Log Rank p=0.01, Figure). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous thromboembolic events, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease and use of oral anticoagulants, patients with AF progression had an independently higher risk for all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.77, 95%CI 1.09-2.89). Conclusions In a contemporary cohort of European AF patients, a substantial number of patients evolved to persistent/permanent AF within 1 year. Clinical factors related to atrial structural remodeling were independently associated with arrhythmia evolution. AF progression was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.

Abstract 15144: Bmp10 is a Novel Marker of Rhythm Status in Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia requiring therapy, is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. A major challenge in assessing disease progression and efficacy of AF therapy is the rigor of AF identification and, despite a critical need, there is no effective biomarker that tracks burden of disease or response to therapy. BMP10, a critical signaling molecule during cardiac development, has emerged as a promising marker for response to catheter ablation, however it is unknown whether BMP10 tracks AF burden. To evaluate BMP10 as a potential biomarker for AF burden, I sought to determine whether plasma levels of BMP10 could track rhythm status. Methods: 40 patients with an active history of AF were prospectively enrolled in a clinical biorepository and plasma samples were collected at the time of enrollment. Rhythm status at enrollment was determined by ECG. Plasma BMP10 levels were measured by ELISA (LSBio). Results: Of the 40 patients enrolled, 23 were in sinus rhythm (SR) and 17 were in an episode of AF. Baseline characteristics were similar across the two groups (Table 1). Patients who were in an active AF episode had higher levels of plasma BMP10 (1.94 ng/mL, SEM: 0.19) than patients in SR (1.44 ng/mL, SEM 0.11) (p= 0.04). (Figure 1) CONCLUSION: Blood plasma BMP10 is modulated by rhythm status in patients with AF, suggesting that BMP10 may be a promising biomarker for AF burden and response to therapy. Table 1. Baseline Characteristics of Rhythm Status Groups Figure 1. Plasma BMP10 Levels by Rhythm Status