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To clarify the role of TRAF3IP2 in high glucose (HG)‐stimulated cardiomyocyte inflammation and apoptosis and its action mechanism. SiRNA plasmid of TRAF3IP2 was constructed and transfected into HG‐stimulated cardiomyocytes to silence TRAF3IP2. The expression of TRAF3IP2 was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were first observed using cell counting kit‐8 and lactate dehydrogenase assays. The inflammatory injury of the cardiomyocytes was then examined by real time‐qPCR (RT‐qPCR) and western blot. The oxidative stress of the cardiomyocytes was evaluated using reactive oxygen species assay kit, RT‐qPCR, western blot and enzyme activity assay kit. Next, cell apoptosis was detected employing TUNEL and western blot. Finally, RT‐qPCR and western blot were performed to investigate the effects of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4, including saxagliptin, empagliflozin and linagliptin, on TRAF3IP2. TRAF3IP2 expression was found to be increased in HG‐stimulated cardiomyocytes. TRAF3IP2 interference inhibited HG‐induced cell viability loss, cytotoxicity, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes. Moreover, saxagliptin, empagliflozin and linagliptin inhibited the expression of TRAF3IP2. TRAF3IP2 interference alleviates HG‐induced inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The result suggests that TRAF3IP2 may be a promising therapeutic target in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. About half of sudden deaths from AMI are mainly because of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) after AMI. The sodium channel gene SCN5A and potassium channel genes KCNQ1 and KCNH2 have been widely reported to be genetic risk factors for arrhythmia including Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome (LQTS). A few studies reported the association of SCN5A variant with ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) complicating AMI. However, little is known about the role of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 in AMI with VA (AMI_VA). This study focuses on investigating the potential variants on SCN5A, KCNQ1, and KCNH2 contributing to AMI with VA in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: In total, 139 patients with AMI_VA, and 337 patients with AMI only, were included. Thirty exonic sites were selected to be screened. Sanger sequencing was used to detect variants. A subsequent association study was also performed between AMI_VA and AMI. Results: Twelve variants [5 on KCNH2(NM_000238.3), 3 on KCNQ1(NM_000218.2), and 4 on SCN5A(NM_198056.2)] were identified in AMI_VA patients. Only 5 (KCNH2: c.2690A>C; KCNQ1: c.1927G>A, c.1343delC; SCN5A: c.1673A>G, c.3578G>A) of them are missense variants. Two (KCNQ1: c.1343delC and SCN5A: c.3578G>A) of the missense variants were predicted to be clinically pathogenic. All these variants were further genotyped in an AMI without VA group. The association study identified a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency of KCNH2: c.1539C>T and KCNH2: c.1467C>T between the AMI and AMI_VA groups. Moreover, 2 rare variants (KCNQ1: c.1944C>T and SCN5A: c.3621C>T) showed an elevated allelic frequency (more than 1.5-fold) in the AMI_VA group when compared to the AMI group. Conclusion: Twelve variants (predicting from benign/VUS to pathogenic) were identified on KCNH2, KCNQ1, and SCN5A in patients with AMI_VA. Genotype frequency comparison between AMI_VA and AMI identified 2 significant common variants on KCNH2. Meanwhile, the allelic frequency of 2 rare variants on KCNQ1 and SCN5A, respectively, were identified to be enriched in AMI_VA, although there was no statistical significance. The present study suggests that the ion-channel genes KCNH2, KCNQ1, and SCN5A may contribute to the pathogenesis of VA during AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Cerebrovascular complications are relatively uncommon, but severe adverse events are associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and hospital outcomes of cerebrovascular events complicating AF ablation.Methods and Results: Cerebrovascular complications occurring during the procedure or hospitalization after AF ablation were assessed. Cerebrovascular events occurred in 9 of 1946 consecutive procedures (0.46%). Seven patients (0.36% per procedure) were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke and two patients (0.1% per procedure) with intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). Six events (6/9, 66.7%) occurred during the ablation and the remainders within 24 h after the ablation. Multivariable analysis revealed that previous ischaemic stroke [odds ratio (OR) 10.549; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.551-43.625, P = 0.001] and mechanical valve replacement (OR 3.261; 95% CI 1.337-7.953, P = 0.009) were independent predictors. In a separate model, CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 (OR 7.992; 95% CI 2.046-31.215, P = 0.003) and mechanical valve replacement (OR 4.104; 95% CI 1.644-10.245, P = 0.002) were significantly associated with cerebrovascular complications. All patients survived to discharge except the two cases with ICH.Conclusion: Cerebrovascular complications related to catheter ablation of AF are relatively infrequent and typically occur early either during the procedure or within the first 24 h after AF ablation. Previous ischaemic stroke, mechanical valve replacement, and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 are independent predictors of such complications. The majority of these events are ischaemic stroke with a benign clinical outcome, while ICH may correlate with poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics and long-term outcome of patients undergoing substrate-based ablation of left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia (LPF-VT) guided by targeting of fragmented antegrade Purkinje potentials (FAPs) during sinus rhythm., Methods and Results: This study retrospectively analysed 50 consecutive patients referred for ablation. Substrate mapping during sinus rhythm was performed to identify the FAP that was targeted by ablation. FAPs were recorded in 48 of 50 (96%) patients during sinus rhythm. The distribution of FAPs was located at the proximal segment of posterior septal left ventricle (LV) in two (4.2%) patients, middle segment in 33 (68.8%) patients, and distal segment in 13 (27.1%) patients. In 32 of 48 (66.7%) patients, the FAP displayed a continuous multicomponent fragmented electrogram, while a fragmented, split, and uncoupled electrogram was recorded in 16 (33.3%) patients. Entrainment attempts at FAP region were performed successfully in seven patients, demonstrating concealed fusion and the critical isthmus of LPF-VT. Catheter ablation targeting at the FAPs successfully terminated the LPF-VT in all 48 patients in whom they were seen. Left posterior fascicular (LPF) block occurred in four (8%) patients after ablation. During a median follow-up period of 61.2 ± 16.8 months, 47 of 50 (94%) patients remained free from recurrent LPF-VT., Conclusion: Ablation of LPF-VT targeting FAP during sinus rhythm results in excellent long-term clinical outcome. FAPs were commonly located at the middle segment of posterior septal LV. Region with FAPs during sinus rhythm was predictive of critical site for re-entry., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: Cerebrovascular complications are relatively uncommon, but severe adverse events are associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and hospital outcomes of cerebrovascular events complicating AF ablation., Methods and Results: Cerebrovascular complications occurring during the procedure or hospitalization after AF ablation were assessed. Cerebrovascular events occurred in 9 of 1946 consecutive procedures (0.46%). Seven patients (0.36% per procedure) were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke and two patients (0.1% per procedure) with intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). Six events (6/9, 66.7%) occurred during the ablation and the remainders within 24 h after the ablation. Multivariable analysis revealed that previous ischaemic stroke [odds ratio (OR) 10.549; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.551-43.625, P = 0.001] and mechanical valve replacement (OR 3.261; 95% CI 1.337-7.953, P = 0.009) were independent predictors. In a separate model, CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 (OR 7.992; 95% CI 2.046-31.215, P = 0.003) and mechanical valve replacement (OR 4.104; 95% CI 1.644-10.245, P = 0.002) were significantly associated with cerebrovascular complications. All patients survived to discharge except the two cases with ICH., Conclusion: Cerebrovascular complications related to catheter ablation of AF are relatively infrequent and typically occur early either during the procedure or within the first 24 h after AF ablation. Previous ischaemic stroke, mechanical valve replacement, and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 are independent predictors of such complications. The majority of these events are ischaemic stroke with a benign clinical outcome, while ICH may correlate with poor prognosis., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2015. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Unlabelled: Objective To compare the impact of right ventricular apical (RVA) versus right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) pacing on left ventricular systolic synchronization., Methods: Sixty patients were prospectively recruited and randomized into RVA group (n=30) with the right ventricle leads placed in the RVA and RVOT group (n=30) with right ventricle leads placed in the septum of the RVOT. Speckle tracking imaging was performed with 100% ventricle pacing to measure the differences in the time to maximum left ventricle (LV) radial strain., Results: In RVA group, the difference in the time to 6-segment maximum LV radial strain after pacing was 105.27 ± 19.74 ms, significantly greater than that in RVOT group (41.65 ± 12.17 ms, P<0.001). The standard difference of time to 6-segment maximum LV radial strain was also significantly greater in RVA group than in RVOT group (42.71 ± 17.63 vs 17.63 ± 5.62 ms, P<0.001)., Conclusion: Left ventricle systolic synchronizaition after RVOT pacing is superior to RVA pacing.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death., Methods: According to ACC/AHA Guideline of ICD implantation (2005), 35 patients successfully received ICD/CRT-D implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in our hospital from January 2006 to December 2009. All the patients were followed up for a mean of 2 years., Results: During the follow up, 11 (31.43%) patients experienced ventricular arrhythmic episodes, for which 16 defibrillation therapies and 75 anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapies were delivered without mistaken shock or death. The incidence rate of NVM was 100%, that of PVT was 66.67%, Brugada syndrome 50%, HCM 25% and DCM 16.67%. Of these episodes, the incidence of VF episodes among PVC patients was 87.5% (14 beats), ventricular tachycardia PVC was 82.28% (65 times), 5 beats in NVM patients, 4 beats in HCM and Brugada syndrome patients, and 1 beat in DCM patients. No ICD implantation-related complication was detected, and no ventricular tachycardia induced syncope occurred in these cases. All patients showed improved quality of life after the implantation., Conclusion: ICD implantation can prevent malignant ventricular arrhythmia episodes, especially for PVT, NVM and Brugada syndrome in high risk SCD patients, demonstrating the value of implantation of ICD as a primary prevention in high-risk SCD patients.