Almakadma, Abdul Hakim

ABSTRACT Background The optimal long‐term antithrombotic strategy after apparently successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains uncertain, particularly in patients who meet conventional guideline thresholds for oral anticoagulation (OAC). Objectives To compare continuation versus cessation strategies of long‐term OAC after successful AF ablation and to quantify net clinical benefit (NCB) integrating thromboembolic and bleeding outcomes. Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase from inception through February 2026 for randomized and comparative observational studies evaluating long‐term OAC continuation versus cessation (no OAC and/or switch to aspirin) after successful AF ablation. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB2 for randomized trials and a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies. Random‐effects meta‐analyses used a restricted maximum likelihood estimator with Hartung–Knapp adjustment. NCB was calculated as: thromboembolic event rate − (1.5 × major bleeding rate). Results Six studies met the inclusion criteria (four randomized trials and two observational cohorts). Stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) events were reported in six studies and were not significantly different between OAC continuation and cessation strategies (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.24–1.99; p = 0.49). Systemic embolism (three studies) did not differ between groups ( p = 0.12). Major bleeding (five studies) was numerically higher with continued OAC but not statistically significant (OR 2.07; 95% CI 0.88–4.86; p = 0.09). In NCB analysis, continued OAC yielded more negative or near‐neutral NCB values, whereas, the cessation strategies were less negative or marginally positive; the fixed‐effect risk difference in NCB (continued OAC vs cessation) was +0.00067 (95% CI −0.00279 to +0.00413). Conclusion This meta‐analysis suggests that after successful AF ablation, continuing OAC does not significantly reduce stroke risk compared to cessation or switching to aspirin, but it may increase major bleeding. While NCB trends favor cessation, the low absolute event rates and the risk of silent AF recurrence necessitate caution.

ABSTRACT Background Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is frequently complicated by atrial fibrillation (AF), yet outcomes after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in this population remain poorly defined. Methods We conducted a retrospective TriNetX study of adults with AF undergoing LAAO, comparing patients with and without CA after 1:1 propensity matching. Outcomes were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox regression. Results Among 532 matched pairs, mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events were similar between groups, whereas major bleeding was higher in CA (HR 1.90). Conclusions LAAO yields comparable ischemic outcomes in CA, though bleeding risk is increased.

Abstract Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among patients with kidney failure on dialysis. Social determinants of health may worsen this risk but are seldom incorporated into prognostic models. ICD-10 Z-codes provide standardized documentation of social determinants of health, yet their prognostic value in dialysis populations remains uncertain. This study examined whether Z-coded social determinants of health are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality among patients receiving dialysis for kidney failure. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research Network (2010–2024), encompassing de-identified data from 103 institutions. Adults with kidney failure on chronic dialysis were stratified by the presence of ICD-10 Z-codes (Z55–Z65). Propensity score matching (1:1) balanced demographics, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory values. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and hospitalization; secondary outcomes included acute heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrest, bradyarrhythmias, and ventricular tachycardia. Results After matching, mean age was 62 years, and 42.4% were female in the Z-code cohort versus 41.2% in controls. Over one year, mortality occurred in 12.5% versus 10.9% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.29) and all-cause hospitalizations in 57.3% versus 53.1% (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.19–1.26). Cardiovascular complications were consistently higher in Z-coded patients, including heart failure (24.3% vs 20.5%; HR, 1.29), myocardial infarction (8.0% vs 7.1%; HR, 1.19), stroke (6.6% vs 6.2%; HR, 1.13), cardiac arrest (3.8% vs 3.1%; HR, 1.29), and bradyarrhythmias (6.9% vs 5.5%; HR, 1.33). Discussion Among patients with kidney failure, documented Z-coded social risk factors were associated with greater mortality and cardiovascular morbidity. Incorporating social determinants of health documentation into nephrology care may improve risk stratification and inform targeted interventions.

Ventricular arrhythmias after electrical cardioversion for AF are rare. Most of these arrhythmias are related to QT prolongation, resulting from marked and sudden slowing of heart rates, treatment with Class III antiarrhythmic drugs or other QT-prolonging medications, and the ventricular repolarisation remodelling effect of electrical cardioversion. A case of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia post-cardioversion of rapid AF in a patient with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy and the use of amiodarone is reported.

Abstract Disclosure: A. Nasir: None. F. Dehghani: None. F. Saeidifard: None. M. Ghannam: None. A. Almakadma: None. I. Idries: None. A. Esteghamat: None. R. Nieto- Martinez: None. J.I. Mechanick: None. Background: The Dysglycemia-Based Chronic Disease (DBCD) multi-morbidity care model was developed by American Association of Clinical Endocrinology to address the requirement for preventive care measures to reduce the impact of type two diabetes (T2D ) and its complications. The DBCD model consists of four distinct stages including: insulin resistance, prediabetes, T2D and vascular complication spectrum. This study assesses the prevalence and associated risk factors for each of the four DBCD stages in Iranian adults. Methods: From February 2002 to March 2020, 10,087 participants who attended clinic of Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were evaluated. In total, 3,465 (34.3%) men with median age of 54.47 years and 6,629 (65.67%) women with median age of 50.2 years were included. A 10 ml blood sample was collected after an overnight fast, centrifuged, and stored at -70°C for lab evaluation to measure fasting blood sugar (FBS). Hemoglobin A1c was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, while fasting and post-prandial glucose were assessed using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Results: Stage 1 was found in 19.7% of the population (23.2% in women and 13.1% in men), stage 2 in 17.8% of the population (19.3% in women and 14.8% in men), stage 3 in 31.4% of the population (28.2% in women and 37.5% in men), and stage 4 in 21.3% of the population (16.2% in women and 30.9% in men). DBCD stages increased significantly with age (stage 1=43.12, stage 2=51.24, stage 3=54.89, stage 4=61.51, P-value <0.01). All DBCD stages were associated with hypertension (stage 1: OR=3.07, stage 2: OR=5.08 ,stage 3: OR=7.87 and stage 4: OR=17.17) dyslipidemia (stage 1: OR=2.85, stage 2: OR=2.68, stage 3: OR=8.32, and stage 4: OR=7.66)and metabolic syndrome (stage 1: OR=14.04, stage 2: OR=21.95, stage 3: OR=32.50, and stage 4: OR=42.54). Conclusion: The findings of the current study further support the importance of the DBCD model in early detection and prevention of dysglycemia and their associated complications. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025