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Background: Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) is reported to reduce incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with or without diabetes; however, its cardiovascular (CV) benefit for AF patients remains unclear.SS Aims: To investigate the effect of SGLT2i on the incidence of CV events in patients with AF. Methods: Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of SGLT2i on CV outcomes in patients with or without AF were included (PROSPERO: CRD 42023431535). The primary endpoint was the composite outcome of heart failure (HF) hospitalization and CV death. Additionally, we assessed the effects of treatment in prespecified subgroups on HF hospitalization, CV death, and all‐cause mortality. Results: Among 38,529 participants from all trials, 5018 patients with AF were treated with SGLT2i. The follow‐up period of these trials ranged from 2.3 to 3.3 years. SGLT2i treatment was significantly associated with the risk reduction of primary endpoint in patients with AF (risk ratio [RR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74–0.88; p < 0.001), consistent with the finding in the general population (p for interaction = 0.76). SGLT2i was also associated with a consistent reduction in the risk of HF hospitalization in patients with AF (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.69–0.84; p < 0.001) or not (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.64–0.80; p < 0.0001), with no statistical difference between them (p for interaction = 0.41). Meta‐regression further revealed no significant association between the prevalence of HF with reduced ejection fraction or diabetes and the effect size of SGLT2i. Conclusions: The treatment effects of SGLT2i were associated with a lower incidence of CV events, especially HF hospitalization, in patients with AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety among caregivers of patients with atrial fibrillation. Background: Depression and anxiety are common in caregivers of patients with cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and coronary artery disease. However, studies about depression and anxiety among caregivers of patients with atrial fibrillation are limited. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Methods: We enrolled 465 dyads of patients with atrial fibrillation and their primary family caregivers from Beijing Anzhen Hospital between September 2020 and March 2021. The patient–caregiver dyads were excluded if primary family caregivers had previous mental disorders before the patient diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Depression and anxiety of patients and caregivers were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 scale. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with depression and anxiety of caregivers. STROBE guidelines were followed to report this study. Results: The prevalence of caregiver depression (Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 score ≥5) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 score ≥5) was 14.0% and 13.5% respectively. Caregiver number of comorbidities ≥2 and patient depression were significantly associated with caregiver depression. Caregiver age ≥65 years, caregiver female sex and patient anxiety were predictors of caregiver anxiety. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety are common in caregivers of patients with AF. Better management of caregiver mental problems and associated factors may benefit both patients and caregivers. Relevance to clinical practice: Clinicians and nurses should pay more attention to depression and anxiety in caregivers of patients with atrial fibrillation, and provide support to caregivers in most need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Catheter ablation of perimitral atrial tachycardia (PMAT) is challenging. Epicardial conduction of the Marshall bundle (MB) across the mitral isthmus (MI) remains an important cause of recurrent tachycardia. The role of ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall (EI‐VOM) for PMAT has not been fully elucidated. Methods: The study enrolled 28 consecutive patients with recurrent PMAT after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Conventional PMAT (group 1, n = 15) and MB‐related PMAT (group 2, n = 13) were diagnosed by detailed activation mapping and entrainment mapping. VOM venography and EI‐VOM were first performed, and additional ablation was performed if necessary. Results: The VOM was accessible in 24 (85.7%) patients (12 [80%] in group 1 and 12 [92.3%] in group 2). Patients with MB‐related PMAT were more responsive to EI‐VOM (as shown by PMAT termination or tachycardia cycle length prolongation) (92.4% vs 53.3%, P =.038). In the 16 patients requiring additional ablation after EI‐VOM, all residual MI conduction gaps were located on the annular side of the MI. At the end of the procedure, MI bidirectional block was achieved in 14 (93.3%) patients in group 1 and in 12 (92.3%) patients in group 2 (P = 1.000). After a mean follow‐up of 7.5 ± 3.1 months, three (10.7%) patients had recurrent AT. Conclusions: EI‐VOM is feasible and effective in the treatment of PMAT after AF ablation, especially in patients with MB‐related PMAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]