| 1. |
- Baturova, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Atrial fibrillation in patients with ischaemic stroke in the Swedish national patient registers: how much do we miss?
- 2014
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 16:12, s. 1714-1719
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Data from national discharge registers are commonly used to estimate prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in epidemiology studies. However, sensitivity and specificity of register-based AF diagnosis have not been evaluated. We sought to assess the validity of AF diagnosis in the Swedish Patient Register against electrocardiography (ECG) documentation of AF.
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| 2. |
- Bollmann, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of surface electrocardiograms in atrial fibrillation: techniques, research, and clinical applications
- 2006
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 8:11, s. 911-926
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atrial. fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Neither the natural history of AF nor its response to therapy is sufficiently predictable by clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The purpose of this article is to describe technical aspects of novel electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis techniques and to present research and clinical applications of these methods for characterization of both the fibrillatory process and the ventricular response during AF Atrial fibrillatory frequency (or rate) can reliably be assessed from the surface ECG using digital signal processing (extraction of atrial, signals and spectral analysis). This measurement shows large inter-individual variability and correlates well with intra-atriat cycle length, a parameter which appears to have primary importance in AF maintenance and response to therapy. AF with a tow fibrillatory rate is more likely to terminate spontaneously and responds better to antiarrhythmic drugs or cardioversion, whereas high-rate AF is more often persistent and refractory to therapy. Ventricular responses during AF can be characterized by a variety of methods, which include analysis of heart rate variability, RR-interval histograms, Lorenz plots, and non-linear dynamics. These methods have all shown a certain degree of usefulness, either in scientific explorations of atrioventricular (AV) nodal function or in selected clinical questions such as predicting response to drugs, cardioversion, or AV nodal modification. The role of the autonomic nervous system for AF sustenance and termination, as well as for ventricular rate responses, can be explored by different ECG analysis methods. In conclusion, non-invasive characterization of atrial fibrillatory activity and ventricular response can be performed from the surface ECG in AF patients. Different signal processing techniques have been suggested for identification of underlying AF pathomechanisms and prediction of therapy efficacy.
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| 3. |
- Bollmann, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Atrial fibrillatory rate and risk of left atrial thrombus in atrial fibrillation.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 9:8, s. 6-621
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ims In atrial fibrillation (AF), a relation between electrocardiogram (ECG) fibrillatory wave amplitude and thrombus formation has been sought for long with conflicting results. In contrast, the possible relation between atrial fibrillatory rate obtained from the surface ECG and left atrial thrombus formation in patients with AF is unknown and was consequently evaluated in this study. Methods and results One-hundred and twenty-five patients (mean age 64 ± 12 years, 72% male) with persistent non-valvular AF (mean duration 28 ± 80 days) undergoing transesophageal echocardiography were studied. In all patients, standard 12-lead ECG recordings were acquired before the examination. Atrial fibrillatory rate was determined using spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time–frequency analysis of lead V1. Atrial fibrillatory rate measured 401 ± 63 fibrillations per minute (fpm, range 235–566 fpm) and was related with age (R = −0.326, P < 0.001), ventricular rate (R = −0.202, P = 0.024), gender (407 ± 62 in males vs. 387 ± 64 fpm in females, P = 0.038) but not AF duration (R = 0.088, P = 0.374), presence of lone AF (408 ± 66 vs. 394 ± 58 fpm, P = 0.228), or beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker treatment (398 ± 63 vs. 405 ± 62 fpm, P = 0.556). Age was the only independent predictor of fibrillatory rate (B = −1.714, P < 0.001). In patients with left atrial thrombus (n = 10), spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) was more frequently present (70 vs. 29 %, p = 0.007) and left atrial appendage (LAA) outflow velocity was lower (26 ± 20 vs. 37 ± 15 cm/s, P = 0.012) than in patients without thrombus (n = 115). In contrast, mean fibrillatory rate, which showed a weak inverse correlation with LAA velocity (R = −0.118, P = 0.048) was not different between both groups (380 ± 56 vs. 403 ± 63 fpm, P = 0.226). Similarly, presence of thrombus and SEC combined was not related with fibrillatory rate. Conclusion Atrial fibrillatory rate obtained from surface ECG lead V1 is not a risk marker for left atrial thrombus formation in AF.
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| 4. |
- Bollmann, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Atrial fibrillatory rate and risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 11, s. 582-586
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims In atrial fibrillation (AF), a relation between electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters such as fibrillatory wave amplitude and stroke has been sought with conflicting results. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the atrial fibrillatory rate of surface ECG lead V1 is related to stroke risk and may consequently be helpful for identifying high-risk patients. Methods and results Atrial fibrillatory rate of 79 consecutive patients with AF and embolic stroke (age 83 +/- 7 years, 41% male) was compared with those of a matched AF population without stroke (n = 79). Atrial fibrillatory rate was determined from the surface ECG using spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis of lead V1. There was no significant difference in any clinical or echocardiographic variable in patients with stroke compared with AF controls without stroke. Atrial fibrillatory rate measured 373 +/- 55 fibrillations per minute (fpm; range 235-505 fpm) in the entire population. There was no fibrillatory rate difference between stroke patients (369 +/- 54 fpm, range 256-505 fpm) and AF controls without stroke (378 +/- 56 fpm, range 235-488 fpm). There was an inverse correlation between fibrillatory rate and age (R = -0.219, P = 0.006). Individuals aged >/=85 years had a significantly lower fibrillatory rate (356 +/- 44 fpm) than individuals aged 65-74 years (384 +/- 56 fpm, P = 0.033) and individuals aged 75-84 years (384 +/- 60 fpm, P = 0.016). In those subgroups, fibrillatory rates were, however, also similar in stroke patients and AF controls. Conclusion Atrial fibrillatory rate obtained from surface ECG lead V1 is not a risk marker for stroke in AF.
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| 5. |
- Bollmann, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Fibrillatory rate response to candesartan in persistent atrial fibrillation.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 10, s. 1138-1144
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Angiotensin-receptor blockers may exert favourable anti-arrhythmic effects in atrial fibrillation (AF), but their mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that (i) candesartan reduces atrial fibrillatory rate and (ii) fibrillatory rate and its response to candesartan are related with the outcome of cardioversion. For this purpose, a post hoc subanalysis of the randomized, placebo-controlled CAPRAF (Candesartan in the Prevention of Relapsing Atrial Fibrillation) trial was performed. Methods and results Patients with AF undergoing electrical cardioversion were randomized to receive candesartan 8 mg once daily (n = 58) or matching placebo (n = 66) and no additional class I or III anti-arrhythmic drugs. Fibrillatory rate was determined from ECG lead V1 at baseline and at the day of cardioversion using spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis. The median time on treatment was 29 days. Candesartan reduced fibrillatory rate [399 +/- 48 vs. 388 +/- 49 fibrillations/min (fpm), P = 0.04], but not placebo (402 +/- 58 vs. 402 +/- 61 fpm, P = 0.986). Candesartan effects were only observed if the baseline fibrillatory rate was high [>420 fpm: 445 +/- 21 vs. 415 +/- 49 fpm, P = 0.006 vs. intermediate (360-420 fpm): 397 +/- 19 vs. 391 +/- 37 fpm, P = 0.351 vs. low (<360 fpm): 326 +/- 26 vs. 338 +/- 29 fpm, P = 0.179]. Cardioversion success was 100% in patients with an on-treatment rate <360 fpm vs. 83% in patients with higher rates (P = 0.02). Risk for AF recurrence was similar in patients with low (64%), intermediate (75%), or high on-treatment rates (63%, P = 0.446) and was also independent of candesartan effects on the fibrillatory rate. Conclusion In patients with persistent AF, candesartan decreases the fibrillatory rate, but this effect is restricted to patients with high baseline fibrillatory rates and is not associated with improved cardioversion outcome. Fibrillatory rates <360 fpm are associated with successful cardioversion, but not with AF recurrence.
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| 6. |
- Carlson, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Can Orthogonal Lead Indicators of Propensity to Atrial Fibrillation be Accurately Assessed from the 12-Lead ECG?
- 2005
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 7:Suppl 2, s. 39-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: When analyzing P-wave morphology, the vectorcardiogram(VCG) has been shown useful to identify indicators of propensity to atrial fibrillation (AF). Since VCG is rarely used in the clinical routine, we wanted to investigate if these indicators could be accurately determined in VCG derived from standard 12-lead ECG (dVCG).Methods: ECG and VCG recordings from 21 healthy subjects and 20 patients with a history of AF were studied. dVCG was calculated from ECG using the inverse Dower transform. Following signal averaging of P-waves, comparisons were madebetween VCG and dVCG, where three parameters characterizing signal shape and 15 parameters describing the P-wave morphology were used to assess the compatibility of the two recording techniques. The latter parameters were alsoused to compare the healthy and the AF groups.Results: After transformation, P-wave shape was convincingly preserved. P-wave morphology parameters were consistent within the respective groups when comparing VCG and dVCG, with better preservation observed in the healthy group.Conclusion VCG derived from routine 12-lead ECG may be a useful alternate method for studying orthogonal P-wave morphology.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Hertervig, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Pulmonary vein potentials in patients with and without atrial fibrillation.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 10, s. 692-697
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Pulmonary vein (PV) potentials are invariably recordable at the PV ostia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and delayed conduction around the PV ostia may play a role in the initiation and maintenance of AF. Aims To investigate the presence and extent of PV potentials in patients with and without AF. Methods and results Circumferential catheter recordings at the PV ostia were obtained from 10 patients with paroxysmal AF and 9 with concealed Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome without history of AF. Typical PV potential was defined as either rapid deflections that separated from atrial deflection with a time delay in-between, or multiphasic, continuous or fractionated potentials. The presence of PV potentials was verified during sinus rhythm and during atrial pacing at the distal coronary sinus for the left PVs or at the right atrial appendage for the right PVs. To quantify the extent in which the PV potentials were recordable, the number of PVs with typical PV potentials recordable was counted. The time interval from the onset to the end of the electrograms recordable at the PV ostium (A-PV interval) was measured, and the maximal and mean of this interval were obtained. Typical PV potentials were recorded in 31 of 34 PVs (91%) in patients with AF, but in 4 of 36 PVs (11%) in patients with concealed WPW. A narrow, biphsic or triphasic, potential was recorded in 3 of 34 PVs (9%) in patients with AF, but in 29 of 36 (81%) PVs in patients with concealed WPW. The maximal and mean A-PV intervals were significantly longer in patients with AF (71 +/- 24 and 49 +/- 13 ms) than in patients with concealed WPW syndrome (33 +/- 14 and 25 +/- 6 ms). Conclusion In patients with AF, typical PV potentials with marked conduction time delay were almost invariably recordable at the PV ostium, but in patients without a history of AF, merely simple, narrow potentials were found. These findings support the involvement of conduction delay and re-entrant activities around the PV ostia in the genesis and/or perpetuation of AF.
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| 9. |
- Husser, Daniela, et al.
(författare)
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Electrocardiographic characteristics of fibrillatory waves in new-onset atrial fibrillation
- 2007
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 9:8, s. 638-642
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims In atrial. fibrillation (AF), fibrillatory waves of surface electrocardiograms (ECG) vary among patients with respect to waveform and repetition rate. The purpose of this study was to (i) explore clinical determinants of new-onset AF and (ii) determine prognostic significance to predict initial treatment outcome of electrocardiographic fibrillatory wave characteristics in new-onset AF Methods and results Twenty-five patients (15 mate, mean age 69 +/- 16 years) with new-onset AF (median AF duration 8 days) were studied. Fibrillatory rate and exponential decay defined as decay of the curve that connects power maxima of dominant and harmonic frequency components were obtained by spatiotemporal. QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis of the index ECG (before treatment initiation). Baseline AF rate was 380 +/- 50 fibrillations per minute (fpm) (range 222-494); patients' age (beta = - 1.747, P = 0.003) and AF duration (beta = 0.726, P = 0.036) were independently related with fibrillatory rate. AF terminated within 24 h in seven patients, while it was persistent in the other 18 patients. Terminating AF had lower atrial. rate (333 +/- 66 vs. 398 +/- 40 fpm, P = 0.005) and exponential decay (1.03 +/- 0.36 vs. 1.40 +/- 0.37, P = 0.041) than persisting AF Multivariate analysis revealed fibrillatory rate to be the only independent predictor of AF termination or persistence (p = 0.031, P = 0.031). Sensitivity and specificity for predicting AF termination were strongly related to fibrillatory rate (area under the curve = 0.817). Sensitivity and specificity were 89% and 71% for a fibrillatory rate of 355 fpm. Conclusions Fibrillatory rates vary substantially among patients to new-onset AF and are related to patients' age and AF duration. Lower fibrillatory rates indicate higher chances of spontaneous AF termination within 24 h.
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| 10. |
- Husser, Oliver, et al.
(författare)
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Exercise testing for non-invasive assessment of atrial electrophysiological properties in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation
- 2007
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 9:8, s. 627-632
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Experimental studies suggest that the autonomic nervous system modulates atrial refractoriness and conduction velocity in atrial. fibrillation (AF). These modulatory effects are, however, difficult to assess in the clinical setting. This study sought to non-invasively characterize in patients with persistent AF, the influence of autonomic modulation induced by exercise on atrial fibrillatory rate as marker of atrial refractoriness and to identify clinical and electrocardiographic predictors of atrial rate response. Methods and results In 24 patients (16 mates, mean age 60 +/- 13 years) with persistent AF (16 +/- 25 months), continuous ECGs were recorded during bicycle exercise testing. Fibrillatory rate (in fibrillations per minute, fpm) was assessed at baseline and immediately after termination of exercise with spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis. Ventricular response was characterized by time-domain HRV indices. Exercise had no influence on mean fibrillatory rate (409 +/- 42 vs. 414 +/- 43 fpm, P = NS). Seven patients responded to exercise with an increase in fibrillatory rate (26 10 fpm, P < 0.001 and three with a decrease (-21 +/- 8 fpm, P < 0.001), while the remaining 14 patients did not show a response. Responders' HRV indices changed in response to exercise similarly to that of non-responders. Their baseline fibrillatory rate was, however, lower than that of non-responders (387 +/- 18 vs. 425 +/- 48 fpm, P = 0.028). No other clinical or echocardiographic variable was associated with fibrillatory rate response. Twelve weeks after cardioverson, responders were more likely to remain in sinus rhythm than non-responders (88 vs. 46 %, P = 0.04). Conclusions Exercise-induced autonomic activation produces changes in atrial. etectrophysiological properties that can be detected by time-frequency analysis. Higher baseline fibrillatory rates are associated with an impaired atrial response to exercise that suggests advanced electrical remodelling and reduced sensitivity to autonomic stimuli.
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