We characterized the f-waves in atrial fibrillation (AF) in the surface ECG by quantifying the amplitude, irregularity, and dominant rate of the f-waves in leads II, aVL, and V1, and investigated whether those parameters of the f-waves could discriminate long-standing persistent AF (LPeAF) from non-LPeAF. A total of 224 AF patients were enrolled: 112 with PAF (87 males), 48 with PeAF (38 males), and 64 with LPeAF (47 males). The f-waves in surface ECG leads V1, aVL, and II, which reflect well electrical activity in the right atrium (RA), the left atrium (LA), and both atria, respectively, were analyzed. The f-waves for LPeAF had lower amplitudes in II and aVL, increased irregularity and a higher dominant rate in II and V1 compared to PAF and PeAF (all p < 0.02). In a multivariate analysis, a low amplitude in lead II (<34.6 uV) and high dominant rate in lead V1 (≧390/min) (p < 0.001) independently discriminated LPeAF from the other AF types. The f-waves combined with both a low amplitude in lead II and high dominant rate in lead V1 were significantly associated with LPeAF (OR 6.27, p < 0.001). Characteristics of the f-waves on the surface ECG could discriminate LPeAF from other types of AF.
In this part the writing group will cover strategies, techniques, and endpoints of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Prior to all, electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins is recommended during all AF ablation procedures. In addition, techniques to be used for ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF, adjunctive ablation strategies, nonablative strategies to improve outcomes of AF ablation, and endpoints for ablation of paroxysmal, persistent, and long-standing persistent AF will be reviewed. Currently many technologies and tools are employed for AF ablation procedures. Radiofrequency energy, cryoablation, and other energy sources and tools are in various stages of development and/or clinical investigation. Finally, anticoagulation strategies pre-, during, and postcatheter ablation of AF and technical aspects of ablation to maximize safety are discussed in this section. Key words: atrial fibrillation; ablation; strategy; technique; anticoagulation
Photosynthetic characteristics, concentrations of mineral elements in xylem sap, and some vegetative traits of ‘Khatooni’ melon were compared with those of melons grafted onto three Cucurbita rootstocks cvs., Ace, Shintozwa, and ShintoHongto, and trained with three methods: T1) no pinching and fruit thinning; T2) pinched to produce two lateral branches; and T3) pinched to two branches and all the flowers and lateral branches from lower nodes thinned. Internal CO 2 and water use efficiency varied with rootstocks. Stem diameter of scions, aerial fresh and dry weights, mean fruit weight and yield, electric conductivity, pH, and sap volume per plant of grafted plants were higher in grafted melons than in the nongrafted ones. These traits were unaffected by training methods. Mineral concentrations varied considerably depending on the rootstocks and training methods used. Xylem sap collected from the decapitated stem base of grafted melons trained with T2 and T3 methods contained a higher amount of mineral ions, especially NO 3 − , PO 4 3− , and K + , than did the sap from own-rooted plants. The increase in the mineral levels in sap resulting from grafting was most apparent in ‘Khatooni’ grafted onto ‘ShintoHongto’ rootstock.
Smoking is known to increase cardiovascular events, but the association and mechanisms between smoking and ventricular arrhythmic events in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) are unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the hypothesis that smoking is associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular arrhythmia in DCMP patients. We enrolled 378 patients who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) and were diagnosed with DCMP at two general hospitals in Korea. The clinical data and left ventricular late-gadolinium enhancement (LV-LGE) of all patients were analyzed according to being never-smokers or smokers. Smokers were more likely to be male than never-smokers, but there was no other clinical difference between them. Smokers had a greater LV-LGE ratio, and multi-segment involvement of LV-LGEs. Smoking and a low left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction were significant predictors of the presence of LV-LGEs even after adjusting for optimal medical therapy. In addition, smokers had a higher fatal ventricular arrhythmic (FVA; sustained ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation) and FVA + SCD, and ex-smokers had a similar FVA to never-smokers during 44.3 ± 36.4 months of follow-up. Finally, smoking independently increased the FVA + SCD even after adjusting for the clinical variables and LV-LGE. Smoking is associated with a multi-segmental involvement of LV-LGE and increased FVA + SCD in DCMP patients when compared to never-smokers.
This corrects the article "2018 KHRS Guidelines for Stroke Prevention Therapy in Korean Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation" in volume 93 on page 87.
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