Background and objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia, poses a significant public health challenge due to its links with stroke, heart failure, and mortality. Hypertension, a primary modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, is a well-established risk factor for AF that facilitates structural and electrical changes in the atria, including dilation, fibrosis, and pressure overload. Material and Methods: we conducted a literature search regarding the shared mechanisms, risks and treatments of hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Results: The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system plays a pivotal role in this remodelling and inflammation, increasing AF susceptibility. Uncontrolled hypertension complicates AF management, diminishing the effectiveness of mainstay treatments, including antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, and cardioversion. Effective blood pressure management, particularly with therapies targeting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), can lower the risk of new-onset AF and reduce the incidence of recurrent AF, enhancing the success of rhythm control strategies. These antihypertensive therapies mitigate myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis and attenuate both atrial pressure strain and the inflammatory response, mitigating the substrates for AF. Conclusion: This review highlights the urgent need for integrated strategies that combine BP control, AF screening, and lifestyle modifications to minimise the burden of AF and its complications. Future research should investigate the specific mechanisms of cellular-level interactions associated with a hypertensive predisposition to AF, including systematic inflammation and the role of genetics, the impact of blood pressure variations on AF risk, and individualised treatment strategies specifically targeting the shared mechanisms, simultaneously propagating hypertension and AF.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Data regarding 30-day readmission following index admission for AF in the developing world are poorly described. The study aimed to assess the rate, predictors, and trends of 30-day readmission after index admission for AF in Syria. We included adult patients who had an index admission with AF to Latakia’s tertiary center between June 2021 and October 2023. Patients were monitored for readmission for 30 days after index discharge. Data were taken from patients’ medical notes. A total of 661 patients were included in the final analysis, of which 282 (43%) were readmitted to hospital within 30 days following index admission. Cardiac causes were the most common cause of readmission in 72% of patients, of which 60% were AF. Readmitted patients had a higher median age (62 years vs 57 years, P = .001), and there were fewer males (58% vs 51%, P = .001). In multivariate analysis, factors that independently increased 30-day readmission risk were older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–1.9), female sex (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.02–1.4), diabetes mellitus (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.3), and congestive heart failure (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7–2.9). Most cardiac readmissions happened during the first 15 days (79%). Almost 1 in 2 patients were readmitted within 30 days after an index admission for AF. Female sex, advancing age, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure were independently associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission.

Endothelial cells comprise the intimal layer of the vasculature, playing a crucial role in facilitating and regulating aspects such nutrient transport, vascular homeostasis, and inflammatory response. Given the importance of these cells in maintaining a healthy haemodynamic environment, dysfunction of the endothelium is central to a host of vascular diseases and is a key predictor of cardiovascular risk. Of note, endothelial dysfunction is believed to be a key driver for vein graft disease—a pathology in which vein grafts utilised in coronary artery bypass graft surgery develop intimal hyperplasia and accelerated atherosclerosis, resulting in poor long-term patency rates. Activation and denudation of the endothelium following surgical trauma and implantation of the graft encourage a host of immune, inflammatory, and cellular differentiation responses that risk driving the graft to failure. This review aims to provide an overview of the current working knowledge regarding the role of endothelial cells in the onset, development, and modulation of vein graft disease, as well as addressing current surgical and medical management approaches which aim to beneficially modulate endothelial function and improve patient outcomes.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide. However, there is no data on AF inpatient management strategies and clinical outcomes in Syria. Objectives: The study aims were to review the inpatient management of patients with AF and assess cardiovascular (CV) mortality in a tertiary cardiology centre in Latakia, Syria. Methods: A single-centre retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at Tishreen’s University Hospital, Latakia, Syria, from June 2021 to June 2023. Patients ≥16 years of age presenting and being treated for AF as the primary diagnosis with or without a thromboembolic event were included. Medical records were examined for patients’ demographics, laboratory results, treatment plans and inpatient details. Studied outcomes include inpatient all-cause and CV mortality, ischemic and bleeding events, and conversion to sinus rhythm (SR). Results: The study included 596 patients. The median age was 58, and 61% were males. 121 patients (20.3%) were known to have AF. A rhythm control strategy was pursued in 39% of patients. Ischemic and bleeding events occurred in 62 (11%) and 12 (2%), respectively. CV and all-cause mortality occurred in 28 (4.7%) and 31 patients (5%), respectively. The presence of valvular heart disease (VHD) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 9.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7 to 55.1, p < .001), thyroid disease (aOR: 9.7, 95% CI = 1.2 to 91.6, p < .001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (aOR: 82, 95% CI: 12.7 to 71, p < .001) were independent risk factors of increased CV inpatient mortality. Conclusion: Syrian inpatients admitted with AF in Latakia are relatively younger than those in other countries. Active thyroid disease, COPD and VHD were independent risk factors of inpatient CV mortality with AF.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: Is perioperative corticosteroid administration associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in adult cardiac surgery? A total of 70 papers were identified using the search as described below. Of these, eight were identified to provide best evidence to answer the clinical question. These papers consisted of well-designed, double-blinded randomized control trials (RCTs) or meta-analysis of RCTs that presented sufficient data to reach conclusions regarding the issues of interest for this review. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence, outcomes and complications were included in the assessment. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of the papers are tabulated. Literature search showed that the prophylactic use of hydrocortisone (100 mg/day, 4 days) can reduce the incidence of POAF to 30%, compared with 48% in the control group (P = 0.004). One gram of methylprednisolone before surgery followed by 4 mg of dexamethasone every 6 h for 1 day after surgery was also associated with a significant reduction in POAF (21 vs 51%; P = 0.003). Moreover, a single dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) can significantly diminish POAF (18.95 vs 32.3%; P = 0.027). The changes in POAF appeared greatest in patients receiving intermediate doses of corticosteroid (50–210 mg of dexamethasone equivalent), while both lower (up to 8 mg) and higher (236–2850 mg) dosing resulted in blunted effects. Similarly, a moderate dose of hydrocortisone (200–1000 mg/day) is as effective as high (1001–10 000 mg/day) and very high doses (10 000 mg/day). Although the optimal dose, dosing interval and duration of therapy are unclear, meta-analysis suggests that a single dose can be as effective as multiple doses. No statistically significant complications associated with the use of corticosteroids were reported in any of the studies. We conclude that a single prophylactic moderate dose of corticosteroid (50–210 mg of dexamethasone equivalent or 200–1000 mg/day hydrocortisone) can significantly reduce the risk of POAF with no significant increase in morbidity or mortality.