OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the mechanisms of idiopathic atrial fibrillation and the atrial antifibrillatory action of flecainide in dogs. BACKGROUND In a small subset of dogs, sustained atrial fibrillation can be readily induced in the absence of vagal tone. The electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying this ability to sustain atrial fibrillation, and of flecainide action on the...

Atrial fibrillation, a chronic and highly morbid cardiovascular condition which affects over 33 million people worldwide, can be broadly categorized as valvular vs non-valvular in etiology. However, definitions of valvular atrial fibrillation have varied widely in the literature, and there is no clear consensus definition to date. Historically, patients with atrial fibrillation in the setting o...

induced with rapid atrial pacing, which subsequently degenerated to ventricular fibrillation. During the same procedure the accessory pathway was successfully ablated and the boy could resume his intensive sporting activity. This case illustrates a possible high risk condition, but what is the chance of clinical occurrence of this arrhythmia and could this arrhythmia endanger the life of this y...

Atrial fibrillation is the commonest sustained cardiac rhythm abnormality, leading to substantial mortality and morbidity from stroke, thromboembolism and heart failure. Whilst the benefits of antithrombotic therapy in preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation are increasingly recognised, further developments in thromboprophylaxis are needed, especially since warfarin confers the inconvenience o...

Direct electrical excitation of small cardiac branches from the thoracic vagus elicited highly localized and differential responses from individualized segments of the myocardium. For example, small nerves from the vagus at the level of the superior pulmonary veins frequently induced moderate inhibition in contractile force of the ipsilateral atrium with little or no influences elsewhere. Bran...

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder in older adults, and its prevalence has increased rapidly in recent years. The health issues associated with atrial fibrillation are not limited to physiological problems, as it also contributes to an increased risk of falls, which may be related to cardiovascular co-morbidities and medication use. The aim of this study was to det...

BACKGROUND The incidence and risk factors for hospitalized atrial fibrillation have not been previously assessed in a national population of dialysis patients. METHODS We analyzed the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study (DMMS) Wave II in a historical cohort study of hospitalized atrial fibrillation. Data from 3374 patients who started dialysis in 199...

INTRODUCTION Dronedarone, a benzofuran derivative with a structure similar to amiodarone, has been developed as a potential therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation. AIM To review the published evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of dronedarone use in patients with atrial fibrillation. EVIDENCE REVIEW Available evidence suggests that dronedarone 400 mg orally twice daily can len...

BACKGROUND The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is increasing rapidly; however, to date, population-based data are lacking on the attributable cost of illness of atrial fibrillation from a societal perspective, including both direct and indirect costs. METHODS The study was an incidence-based cost-of-illness study based on national registries covering the entire population of Denmark. We ide...

Cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) account for approximately one-third of stroke patients [1]. Paroxys-mal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been suggested as a major etiology of these cryptogenic strokes [2, 3]. PAF can be difficult to diagnose because it is intermittent, often brief, and asymptomatic. PAF might be more prevalent than persistent atrial fibrillation in stroke an...