The problem of association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and cardiac pathology, namely, atrial fibrillation (AF) is quite relevant and multifaceted. This review presents the epidemiological aspects of OSAS and AF, discusses the main concepts of atrial arrhythmogenesis in OSAS, and describes the capabilities of diagnostic tools for searching for OSAS in the context of routine cardiological practice.

Highlights. The data regarding the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and atrial fibrillation were analyzed.Abstract. The review article presents current data on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and atrial fibrillation. The spread of these pathological processes increases with age and is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular complications. In this regard, this review seems to be quite relevant. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms influencing the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and atrial fibrillation are discussed. The role of CPAP therapy - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation is highlighted.

The review analyzes data from domestic and foreign sources focusing on the current state of a common problem of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The article describes the main mechanisms of development and the possible relationships between the cardiovascular diseases, main risk factors in patients, and the sleep-related breathing disorder symptom-complex. The article provides the status update on the problem of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy consisting in creating positive airway pressure ventilation and provides rationale for studying its effects on cardiovascular risk factors in various subgroups of comorbid patients.

Aim. Catheter ablation (CA) is an effective approach for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation (AF), however antiarrhythmic therapy (AAT) remains important. There is a lack of data about long-term AAT use after CA. This study evaluates AAT after CA for AF.Material and methods. In 2012-2016, EURObservational Research Programme of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term (EORP AFA L-T) registry was conducted, which included 476 Russian patients (57,1% — men; mean age — 57,1±8,7 years). The follow-up after CA was 12 months (available in 81,9% of patients). The use of AAT was evaluated prior to hospitalization, during hospitalization for CA, as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up.Results. Prior to CA, 439 (92,2%) patients received AAT During CA, 459 (96,4%) patients were treated with AAT. After CA, AAT was used by 463 (97,3%), 370 (94,8%), and 307 (78,7%) patients at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively. There was no arrhythmia recurrence in 187 (47,9%) subjects. Among these patients, 40 (21,4%) received class IC or III AAT. The peak of AAT use was found for class IC agents within 3 months after CA (P<0,05), while for other drugs this trend was not observed. There were no factors associated with AAT usage in patients without arrhythmia recurrence after CA. A positive correlation of arrhythmia non-recurrence with a minimum number of previously used antiarrhythmic agents was revealed (RR=0,85; 95% CI 0,73-0,98; P=0,03).Conclusion. The frequency of AAT use after AF ablation is significantly reduced. However, there is a cohort of patients without documented arrhythmia recurrence still receiving AAT, which requires special attention of physicians. There were no clinical predictors of continued AAT in subjects without arrhythmia recurrence.

The factors contributing to the development of cardiac arrhythmias in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and the main methods of treating this syndrome have been analyzed and summarized.The review discusses the relationships of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) with various types of heart rhythm disorders. Pathogenetic factors of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome leading to the development of cardiac arrhythmias, current treatment strategies and their impact on heart rhythm disorders are summarized.

The factors contributing to the development of cardiac arrhythmias in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and the main methods of treating this syndrome have been analyzed and summarized. The review discusses the relationships of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) with various types of heart rhythm disorders. Pathogenetic factors of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome leading to the development of cardiac arrhythmias, current treatment strategies and their impact on heart rhythm disorders are summarized.

A case report of atrial tachycardia ablation form the non-coronary Valsalva sinus is presented.

Whether left atrial fibrosis (LAf) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a consequence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction or primary atrial pathology continues to be a debatable issue. Electroanatomical mapping (EAM) allows to image and to define LAf as a substrate of AF. To study the relationship of LAf extent with LV diastolic function and geometric remodeling in patients (pts) with paroxysmal AF. 56 pts with paroxysmal AF (mean age 57.1±8.4 years, 31 males), undergone catheter ablation, were enrolled in the study, including 30 pts with arterial hypertension (AH), 15 – with coronary artery disease (CAD) and AH. Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography was carried out in all pts to assess chamber volumes, systolic and LV diastolic functions and geometry patterns according to Recommendations of ASE and EACVI. Before ablation, EAM was performed in sinus rhythm. The bipolar low voltage areas of LAf were identified with the cut-off <0.5 mV. For the LAf quantification following indicators were calculated: total square of LAf (Sf, cm2) and LAf degree, estimated as an analog of the UTAH staging system, by selection of UTAH I: <5% fibrosis; II: 5–19%; III: 20–35% and IV: >35%. All patients had preserved systolic LV function. To assess the influence of LV geometry on LAf extent all pts were distributed in accordance to LV geometry patterns (p): normal geometry (pI) – 27 pts, concentric remodeling (pII) – 13, eccentric hypertrophy (pIII) – 10, concentric hypertrophy (pIV) – 6. Pts with pIII were older than pI pts: 60.8±6.4 vs 53.9±10.4 (p=0.048). All pts with pIII and pIV had AH. From 11 pts without AH, 10 had pI of LV geometry. PIII was revealed more often in CAD pts compared to those without CAD: 29.2 vs 10.5% (p=0.04). PIII pts had bigger LA volume compared to pI pts (74.3±22.5 vs 58.8±19.4 ml, p=0.019) and pII pts (61.9±14.9, p=0.05), but LA volume of pIII pts didn't differ from pIV pts (71.9±14.5, p=0.78). PIII pts had more extent Sf than pI pts (28.32±8.9 vs 13.4±6.5, p=0.05), while Sf of pII (17.3±8.7, p=0.495) and pIV pts (16.4±9.5, p=0.699) didn't differ significantly from Sf of pI pts. As for the degree of LAf, UTAH I was absent in pts with pIII and UTAH IV was revealed in 40% of these pts, while in pts with pI UTAH I was in 26% and UTAH IV - in 14.8% (p=0.049). However, Sf and UTAH degree did not depend on age, CAD and heart failure presence. As for diastolic dysfunction, in pIII and pIV pts e∼septal and e∼lateral were lower compared to pI pts: 6.3±1.9, 5.5±2.4 vs 8.5±2.2 (p<0.01) and 8.2±2.7, 8.0±3.8 vs 11.3±2.9 (p<0.01), respectively, while E/e∼ in pIII pts didn't differ from pI pts (8.0±1.6 vs 7.2±1.6, p=0.17), but in pIV was more than in pI pts (10.4±2.8, p=0.003). LAf extent in paroxysmal AF is associated more with such LV geometry pattern as eccentric hypertrophy, than with diastolic disorders, which accompany both eccentric and concentric hypertrophy.

We present a clinical case with continuous recurrent ventricle tachycardia. Patient, 60, admitted with complaints on heart disorders, periods of unexpected total weakness, repeated episodes of pre-syncopal condition, frequent dizziness, which he has been experiencing for about a year. In the anamnesis patient had diagnosis of intermittent syndrome WPW with paroxysmal antidromic tachycardia, and we performed ablation for additional conducting atrioventricular connection. By results of examination we recommended ablation of arrhythmia substrate with the subsequent solution whether implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator was required. Stimulation and activation mapping was performed. The area of ventricular tachycardia substrate was defined in the septal part of the right ventricle outflow tract, and frequent ventricular ectopic activity – in the area of the anterio-lateral wall of LV outflow tract under the aortal valve. On the basis of radiofrequency impact series we observed ventricular disturbances discontinuation. After the performed operation the patient demonstrated clinical improvement. According to Holter ECG monitoring for jogging of group ventricular activity, and also ventricular tachycardia was not registered.

The article focuses on the defects of diagnosing atrial fibrillation in clinical practice. A series of clinical cases suggesting ECGbased overdiagnosis of atrial fibrillation and associated unreasonable therapy with oral anticoagulants is presented.

Abstract Background Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia and the most frequent cause of cardio-embolic stroke. It is well known that left atrial appendage thrombi (LAAT) are the source of most embolic strokes in patients with AF, and can be easily identified by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Purpose To determine additional LAAT predictors not included in the CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with nonvalvular AF. Methods Retrospective study enrolled 636 patients with nonvalvular AF (400 males) aged 24–84 years (mean age 57.8±9.1), admitted to our Research Center in 2014–2017 for catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion. All patients had scheduled transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), as well as TEE performed to exclude LAAT. Four forms of cardiac geometry were revealed with the help of TTE according to Recommendations of ASE and EACI: normal geometry, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy. Results According to TEE results, LAAT (6.6%) was detected in 42 patients from 636. Patients with LAAT more often had persistent and permanent AF (assigned as “AF stability”), had bigger sizes and volumes of left and right cardiac chambers, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, more expressed LV hypertrophy and lower blood flow velocity in the LA appendage compared to patients without LAAT. Remodeling types also varied: less LAAT patients had normal cardiac geometry and more LAAT patients had LV eccentric hypertrophy. To analyze factors associated with AF, we used a multivariable logistic regression model, involving the potential independent, clinically relevant variables and echocardiographic parameters. Logistic regression analysis identified the latter three as independent predictors for LAAT (Table 1). According to ROC-analysis the quality of the received model was assessed as good: AUC=0.763 (p<0.01), sensitivity – 75.8%, specificity – 72.2%. Table 1 Predictors B Wald statistics χ2 P OR 95% CI AF stability 0.913 4.143 0.042 2.491 1.034–6.000 LA diameter, mm 0.149 8.684 0.003 1.160 1.051–1.281 Eccentric hypertrophy 1.440 7.411 0.006 4.222 1.497–11.908 Constant −10.613 24.088 0.000 Conclusion From risk factors, not included in the CHA2DS2-VASc score, in addition to such predictable values as AF stability and left atrial diameter, such predictor as eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy was revealed, which in our study was associated with more than a 4-fold increase in the risk of LAAT.

Aim. The results presented, of subanalysis of the catheter ablation (CA) registry in atrial fibrillation (AF) with the patients properties, specifics of CA and treatment results, in Russia comparing to European countries. Material and methods. During 2012 to 2015, totally 3742 patients included to the registry, of those 477 in Russia. In 467 Russian patients (males 56,5%; mean age 58,5 y. o.) CA AF was done. During one year 392 patients were followed up. Minimum requirements to follow-up: routine ECG registration and non less than one contact after 12 months passed. Results. In Russian patients there were more common obesity (46,1% and 29,2%, pu003c0,001), hypertension heart disease (40,2% and 22,8%, pu003c0,0001), coronary heart disease (31,7% and 16,2%, pu003c0,0001), chronic heart failure (67,3% and 13,0%, pu003c0,0001). In Russia the patients more commonly underwent primary CA (83,5% in Russia and 77,6% in European countries, pu003c0,05), more rare in Russia the cryoballoon ablation was done (3% and 18%, pu003c0,05). Generally adverse events were reported more rare in Russia (10,5% and 16,6%, p=0,0007), including cardiovascular adverse events (2,6% and 5,2%, pu003c0,05). Tachiarrhythmias recurs were diagnosed more rare in Russia, including by the subsutaneous ECG monitors (17% and 1,6% in other countries, рu003c0,001). Within the year of follow-up, full absence of tachiarrhythmias recurs in Russia was found in 65,8% of patients, in other countries — in 74,7% (р=0,0003). Conclusion. In real clinical setting, high efficacy of CA AF was shown, resistant to antiarrhythmic therapy. In most of Russian patients there were cardiovascular comorbidities. There was lower rate of reported adverse events in Russian centers of interventional treatments.

Aim. The results presented, of subanalysis of the catheter ablation (CA) registry in atrial fibrillation (AF) with the patients properties, specifics of CA and treatment results, in Russia comparing to European countries.Material and methods. During 2012 to 2015, totally 3742 patients included to the registry, of those 477 in Russia. In 467 Russian patients (males 56,5%; mean age 58,5 y. o.) CA AF was done. During one year 392 patients were followed up. Minimum requirements to follow-up: routine ECG registration and non less than one contact after 12 months passed.Results. In Russian patients there were more common obesity (46,1% and 29,2%, p<0,001), hypertension heart disease (40,2% and 22,8%, p<0,0001), coronary heart disease (31,7% and 16,2%, p<0,0001), chronic heart failure (67,3% and 13,0%, p<0,0001). In Russia the patients more commonly underwent primary CA (83,5% in Russia and 77,6% in European countries, p<0,05), more rare in Russia the cryoballoon ablation was done (3% and 18%, p<0,05). Generally adverse events were reported more rare in Russia (10,5% and 16,6%, p=0,0007), including cardiovascular adverse events (2,6% and 5,2%, p<0,05). Tachiarrhythmias recurs were diagnosed more rare in Russia, including by the subsutaneous ECG monitors (17% and 1,6% in other countries, р<0,001). Within the year of follow-up, full absence of tachiarrhythmias recurs in Russia was found in 65,8% of patients, in other countries — in 74,7% (р=0,0003).Conclusion. In real clinical setting, high efficacy of CA AF was shown, resistant to antiarrhythmic therapy. In most of Russian patients there were cardiovascular comorbidities. There was lower rate of reported adverse events in Russian centers of interventional treatments.

To study frequency of appropriate activations of implanted cardioverters-defibrillators for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure in real clinical practice, 199 patients aged 56±11 years were examined.