Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Beta-blockade and A1-adenosine receptor agonist effects on atrial fibrillatory rate and atrioventricular conduction in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Reduced irregularity of RR intervals in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with poor outcome. It is not fully understood, however, whether modification of atrioventricular (AV) conduction using rate-control drugs affects RR variability and irregularity measures. We aimed at assessing whether atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) and variability and irregularity of the ventricular rate are modified by a selective A1-adenosine receptor agonist tecadenoson, beta-blocker esmolol, and their combination. ⋯ Modification of AV node conduction can increase RR variability but does not affect regularity of RR intervals or AFR.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ablation of atrial fibrillation with cryoballoon or duty-cycled radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation catheter: a randomized controlled study comparing the clinical outcome and safety; the AF-COR study.
The urge to facilitate the atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedure has led to the development of new ablation catheters specifically designed as 'one-shot tools' for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and procedure times for two such catheters using different energy sources. ⋯ Both catheters proved comparably effective and safe in achieving acute PVI, apart from the shorter fluoroscopy times achieved with the cryoballoon. At follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding freedom from AF and clinical success. The QoL increased to the same levels as for the general Swedish population in both groups.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and safety of nitroglycerin for preventing venous spasm during contrast-guided axillary vein puncture for pacemaker or defibrillator leads implantation.
We investigated the efficacy and safety of nitroglycerin for preventing venous spasm during contrast-guided axillary vein puncture for pacemaker or defibrillator leads implantation. ⋯ Intravenous nitroglycerin is effective and safe for preventing venous spasm during contrast-guided axillary vein puncture for pacemaker or defibrillator leads implantation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Population screening of 75- and 76-year-old men and women for silent atrial fibrillation (STROKESTOP).
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is important because it is common and is a major cause of stroke unless treated with oral anticoagulant. The prevalence of AF increases with age as does the risk of stroke. At 75 years the risk from age alone is so high that current guidelines recommend anticoagulation even in the absence of other risk factors. ⋯ An interim analysis will be made after 3 years. Our hypothesis is that screening for AF will reduce stroke incidence in the screened population, and that this screening will prove to be cost effective. Secondary endpoints are: any thromboembolic event, intracranial bleeding, other major bleeding, first ever diagnosis of dementia, death from any cause, and a composite of these endpoints.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Empiric pacemaker compared with a monitoring strategy in patients with syncope and bifascicular conduction block--rationale and design of the Syncope: Pacing or Recording in ThE Later Years (SPRITELY) study.
This study seeks to identify the optimal management strategy for patients with syncope in the context of bifascicular block and preserved left ventricular systolic function. ⋯ This trial will provide high-level and generalizable evidence for the use of either permanent pacing or implantable loop recorders as a first line intervention for patients with syncope, preserved systolic function, and bifascicular block.