Pulsed field ablation (PFA) can generate low-intensity catheter-tissue interface heating. Recently, a large-focal PFA catheter able to measure the tip-tissue interface temperature has become available. Accordingly, we aimed to characterize the electrode tip-tissue interface temperature dynamics during PFA.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in the aging population. Current treatment and prevention strategies remain suboptimal, highlighting the urgent need to better understand the mechanisms underlying aging-associated AF. We recently reported a causal role of the stress-activated kinase JNK2 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2) in aging-associated AF pathogenesis, mediated by JNK2-driven sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ dysfunction. However, the mechanisms by which cardiac JNK2 is activated during aging to promote AF remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that interorgan crosstalk contributes critically to the development of cardiovascular diseases. A hyperpermeable gastrointestinal epithelial barrier ("leaky gut"), commonly observed in aged individuals, is associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and an increased risk of AF. Although proinflammatory cytokines have been proposed as predisposing factors for AF, clinical and experimental studies have yielded inconsistent results, underscoring the complexity of inflammation-associated AF pathogenesis. Here, we investigated whether cardiac JNK2 integrates diverse stress stimuli, including proinflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide, to drive AF pathogenesis.

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) offers protection from sudden cardiac death without transvenous leads. Although contemporary techniques and programming have reduced inappropriate shocks, high rates persist in certain populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a novel quantitative vector screening (QVS) protocol on the incidence of sensing-related complications and inappropriate shocks in patients undergoing S-ICD implantation.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by early-onset joint contractures, progressive muscle atrophy, and cardiac abnormalities. Patients with EDMD carrying LMNA sequence variations often exhibit severe cardiac manifestations, including frequent atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia. Approximately 20% of those patients may ultimately require heart transplantation. The molecular mechanisms by which LMNA sequence variations lead to EDMD remain unknown.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury presents a significant clinical challenge characterized by a complex pathological mechanism. The role of protein ubiquitination in I/R injury has not been systematically investigated. Global ubiquitinome profiling was conducted to identify the potential key players in myocardial I/R injury.

Massive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but little is understood about its natural history.

Genetic variants in components or regulators of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway are causative for severe and early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in patients with Noonan syndrome (NS). Despite paracrine communication being considered to play a pivotal role in the etiology of cardiomyopathies, there is a paucity of knowledge about the underlying pathomechanism that leads to the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cardiac fibrosis in NS.

As transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) expands to patients with longer life expectancy, the impact of failure mechanisms on outcomes of TAVR-explant and redo-TAVR remains uncertain. We sought to evaluate outcomes of TAVR reintervention based on the failure mechanism of the index transcatheter aortic valve.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is an inherited disorder characterized by fibro-fatty myocardial replacement and ventricular arrhythmias. Although desmosomal mutations such as desmoglein-2 (DSG2) are well-established causes, the pathogenic mechanisms of specific missense variants remain incompletely defined.

Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) refers to sudden cardiac death with structurally normal hearts at autopsy, most frequently attributed to inherited arrhythmia syndromes or concealed cardiomyopathies. Postmortem genetic testing may help identify underlying genetic causes. We aimed to investigate the yield of postmortem genetic testing in SADS cases by determining the prevalence of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in channelopathy- and cardiomyopathy-associated genes in autopsy-negative SADS victims.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) arises from genetic mutations in sarcomere proteins, resulting in major structural abnormalities and limited treatment options. Patients with HCM had reduced expression of the FGF12 (fibroblast growth factor 12), but its precise functional role remains unclear.