Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common tachyarrhythmias observed in the clinic and is characterized by structural and electrical remodelling. Atrial fibrosis, an emblem of atrial structural remodelling, is a complex multifactorial and patient‑specific process involved in the occurrence and maintenance of AF. Whilst there is already considerable knowledge regarding the association between AF and fibrosis, this process is extremely complex, involving intricate neurohumoral and cellular and molecular interactions, and it is not limited to the atrium. Current technological advances have made the non‑invasive evaluation of fibrosis in the atria and ventricles possible, facilitating the selection of patient‑specific ablation strategies and upstream treatment regimens. An improved understanding of the mechanisms and roles of fibrosis in the context of AF is of great clinical significance for the development of treatment strategies targeting the fibrous region. In the present review, a focus was placed on the atrial fibrosis underlying AF, outlining its role in the occurrence and perpetuation of AF, by reviewing recent evaluations and potential treatment strategies targeting areas of fibrosis, with the aim of providing a novel perspective on the management and prevention of AF.

Background: The association between sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation among patients with diabetes and AF remains unclear. Methods and Results: Patients with AF undergoing initial catheter ablation with a history of diabetes from the China AF registry were included. Patients using SGLT2i were identified and matched by propensity score with non‐SGLT2i patients in a 1:3 ratio. The main outcome was AF recurrence during the 18‐month follow‐up. A total of 138 patients with diabetes with SGLT2i therapy and 387 without SGLT2i were analyzed. AF recurrence occurred in 37 patients (26.8%) in the SGLT2i group and 152 patients (39.3%) in the non‐SGLT2i group during a total of 593.3 person‐years follow‐up. The SGLT2i group was associated with lower AF recurrence compared with the non‐SGLT2i group (hazard ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.44–0.90], P =0.007). A total of 4 studies were analyzed in our meta‐analysis demonstrating that SGLT2i was associated with lower AF recurrence after catheter ablation (odds ratio, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.54–0.69]; P <0.001, I ² =0.0%). Conclusions: Our prospective study coupled with a meta‐analysis demonstrated a lower risk of AF recurrence with the use of SGLT2i among patients with diabetes after AF ablation.

BACKGROUND: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) time in target range (TTR) indicates the mean value, exposure time, and variability in blood pressure over time. The prognostic value of SBP TTR for incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension is unclear. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), a randomized controlled trial comparing intensive (<120 mm Hg) and standard (<140 mm Hg) SBP interventions in participants with hypertension. SBP target ranges for intensive and standard arms were defined as 110 to 130 and 120 to 140 mm Hg, respectively. TTR was calculated by linear interpolation method using SBP from months 0 to 3. We used Cox proportional regression models to assess the association of SBP TTR with incident AF. RESULTS: Among 7939 participants included in this analysis, 187 incident AF cases occurred during follow-up. After multivariable adjustment, a 10% increase in SBP TTR was independently associated with a 7% lower risk of incident AF (hazard ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.88–0.97]; P =0.003). The restricted spline curve depicted a linear and inverse relationship between SBP TTR and incident AF. Sensitivity analyses generated consistent results when calculating TTR over a longer period or setting target range as 110 to 140 mm Hg for the whole population. CONCLUSIONS: Higher SBP TTR independently predicts a lower risk of incident AF. Efforts to attain SBP within 110 to 140 mm Hg over time may be an effective strategy to prevent AF. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01206062.

This study sought to assess the effect of ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) on the acute success of left pulmonary vein (LPV) isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). A total of 313 patients with drug-resistant PeAF were enrolled (135 in Group 1 and 178 in Group 2). In Group 1, EIVOM was firstly performed, followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) including bilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and linear ablation at roofline, cavotricuspid isthmus, and mitral isthmus (MI). In Group 2, PVI and linear ablations were completed with RFA. First-pass isolation of the LPV was achieved in 119 (88.1%) and 132 (74.2%) patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.002). The rate of acute pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR) was significantly lower in Group 1 (9.6% vs. 22.5%, P = 0.003). About half of acute PVR occurred in the carina with or without EIVOM. EIVOM is effective in achieving a higher first-pass isolation and a lower acute PVR of LPV in PeAF.

To describe the role of left atrial (LA) epicardial conduction and targets of ablation in biatrial tachycardias (BiATs). Consecutive patients with BiAT diagnosed by high-density mapping and appropriate entrainment were enrolled. A systematic review of case reports or series was then performed. Biatrial tachycardia was identified in 20 patients aged 63.5 ± 11.1 years. Among them, eight had LA epicardial conduction, including four via the ligament of Marshall, two via myocardial fibres between the great cardiac vein (GCV) and LA, one via septopulmonary bundle, and one via myocardial fibres between the posterior wall and coronary sinus. Ablation was targeted at the anatomical isthmus in 14, including 5 undergoing vein of Marshall ethanol infusion and 2 undergoing ablation in the GCV. Another six underwent ablation at interatrial connections, including one with septopulmonary bundle at the fossa ovalis and five at the atrial insertions of Bachmann’s bundle. After a mean follow-up of 8.7 ± 3.8 months, five patients had recurrence of atrial fibrillation/flutter. Systematic review enrolled 87 patients in previous and the present reports, showing a higher risk of impairment in atrial physiology in those targeting interatrial connections (30.4 vs. 5.0%, P < 0.001) but no significant difference in short- and long-term effectiveness. Left atrial epicardial conduction is common in BiATs and affects the ablation strategy. Atrial physiology is a major concern in selecting the target of intervention.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have suggested that SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors are associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with AF with concomitant diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. However, no randomized trial to date has tested whether SGLT2 inhibitors reduce AF recurrence after ablation in patients without established indications. We therefore investigated the effect of dapagliflozin on prevention of early recurrence of AF after catheter ablation in patients without current indications for SGLT2 inhibitors. METHODS: The DARE-AF trial (Dapagliflozin on Recurrence After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation) was a prospective, open-label, parallel-assignment randomized controlled trial that enrolled 200 patients with persistent AF between July 2024 and March 2025, scheduled to undergo a first catheter ablation procedure and without established indications for dapagliflozin (diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease). Patients were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to dapagliflozin (10 mg once daily for 3 months after the ablation) or control. The primary end point was AF burden at 3 months after ablation, assessed by 7-day single-lead ECG patches. Secondary outcomes included time to events, quality of life, and improvement of atrial remodeling. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (mean age 58.5 years, 19.5% women, 29.0% with persistent AF ≥1 year) were randomized, and 198 patients (98 in the dapagliflozin group, 100 in the control group) were included in the primary analysis. Three months after ablation, the difference in AF burden was insignificant between the dapagliflozin group and the control group (7.5±23.6% versus 8.1±25.5%; P =0.48). Atrial arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 29 patients (29.6%) in the dapagliflozin group and 28 patients (28.0%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.66–1.86]; P =0.70). No significant between-group differences were observed in changes in quality of life or left atrial diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Three-month treatment with dapagliflozin did not reduce the early recurrence of arrhythmia after catheter ablation in patients with persistent AF. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT06433479.