Time Variability of P-wave Features from the Preoperative Electrocardiogram Predicts Recurrence After Catheter Cryoablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered cardiac arrhythmia globally and substantially increases the risk for thromboembolic disease. Albeit, 20% of all cases of AF remain undiagnosed. On the other hand, hypertension amplifies the risk for both AF occurrences through hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic mechanisms and cerebrovascular ischemia. Under this prism, prompt diagnosis of undetected AF in hypertensive patients is of pivotal importance. Method: We conducted a review of the literature for studies with biomarkers that could be used in AF diagnosis as well as in predicting the transition of paroxysmal AF to sustained AF, especially in hypertensive patients. Results: Potential biomarkers for AF can be broadly categorized into electrophysiological, morphological and molecular markers that reflect the underlying mechanisms of adverse atrial remodeling. We focused on P-wave duration and dispersion as electrophysiological markers, and left atrial (LA) and LA appendage size, atrial fibrosis, left ventricular hypertrophy and aortic stiffness as structural biomarkers, respectively. The heterogeneous group of molecular biomarkers of AF encompasses products of the neurohormonal cascade, including NT-pro BNP, BNP, MR-pro ANP, polymorphisms of the ACE and convertases such as corin and furin. In addition, soluble biomarkers of inflammation (i.e. CRP, IL-6) and fibrosis (i.e. TGF-1 and matrix metalloproteinases) were assessed for predicting AF. Conclusion: The reviewed individual biomarkers might be a valuable addition to current diagnostic tools but the ideal candidate is expected to combine multiple indices of atrial remodeling in order to effectively detect both AF and adverse characteristics of high risk patients with hypertension.

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Advanced interatrial block precedes atrial fibrillation and stroke. The prospective interatrial Block And Yearly EventS (BAYES) registry

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0485 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

M Martinez-Selles ◽

R Elosua ◽

M Ibarrola ◽

M De Andres ◽

P Diez-Villanueva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Structural Heart Disease ◽

P Wave ◽

Wave Duration ◽

P Wave Duration ◽

Previous Diagnosis ◽

Surface Ecg ◽

Interatrial Block

Abstract Background Advanced interatrial block (IAB), prolonged and bimodal P waves in surface ECG inferior leads, is an unrecognized surrogate of atrial dysfunction and a trigger of atrial dysrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation (AF). Our aim was to prospectively assess whether advanced IAB in sinus rhythm precedes AF and stroke in elderly outpatients with structural heart disease, a group not previously studied. Methods Prospective observational registry that included outpatients aged ≥70 years with structural heart disease and no previous diagnosis of AF. Patients were divided into three groups according to P-wave characteristics. Results Among 556 individuals, 223 had normal P-wave (40.1%), 196 partial IAB (35.3%), and 137 advanced IAB (24.6%). After a median follow-up of 694 days; 93 patients (16.7%) developed AF, 30 stroke (5.4%), and 34 died (6.1%). Advanced IAB was independently associated with AF (hazard ratio [HR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–5.1, p<0.001), stroke (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.4–10.7, p=0.010), and AF/stroke (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5–4.4, p=0.001). P-wave duration (ms) was independently associated with AF (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.07, p<0.001), AF/stroke (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.06, p<0.001), and mortality (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, p=0.021). Conclusions The presence of advanced IAB in sinus rhythm is a risk factor for AF and stroke in an elderly population with structural heart disease and no previous diagnosis of AF. P-wave duration was also associated with all-cause mortality. Figure. Age- and sex-adjusted linear and non-linear association between P-wave duration (msec) and atrial fibrillation (A), stroke (B), and atrial fibrillation or stroke (C) risk. Results of a generalized additive model with spline smoothing functions and 4 degrees of freedom. Figure 1. Kaplan-Meyer curves of survival free of atrial fibrillation (A), stroke (B) and atrial fibrillation or stroke (C) in patients with normal P-wave, partial interatrial block (IAB) and advanced IAB. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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