MEDIZIN — Swiss Cardiology
Schlagwort: cardiology
MEDIZIN — Swiss Cardiology
Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. As the global population ages, the prevalence of both AF and dementia is expected to rise substantially. Beyond stroke, growing evidence suggests that AF contributes to cognitive decline through multiple mechanisms, including different cerebral lesions, hypoperfusion, inflammation, hypercoagulable state, and brain atrophy. This review summarizes current evidence on AF-related cognitive impairment, explores underlying pathomechanisms, and identifies potential treatment strategies to prevent or delay dementia in patients with AF.
Research — Review*
Management of Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular risk begins to rise well below the traditional threshold for overt hypertension, yet the optimal management of patients with elevated or high-normal blood pressure (BP) remains controversial. This review summarizes current evidence on diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment strategies, with particular focus on individuals with BP values of 120–139/80–89 mmHg and the differing recommendations of European and American guidelines.
Research — Review*
Long QT Syndrome: A Prototype Disease for Precision Medicine
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited cardiac disorder that exemplifies the transition toward precision medicine in cardiology. Advances in genetic and mechanistic understanding have fundamentally reshaped diagnosis and risk stratification, while enabling more targeted therapeutic approaches. Today, LQTS serves as a model for individualized, mechanism-based patient care.
Research — Review*
Extraction of Transvenous Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in 2026
Transvenous lead extraction has become an essential component in the management of cardiac implantable electronic devices, particularly in the setting of device-related complications. Since the introduction of lead extraction techniques, the technology and procedural approaches have evolved considerably. Today, the majority of leads can be removed via the transvenous route with high success and safety rates. In this review, we summarize the current standards and contemporary practices in transvenous lead extraction.
Research — Case Report
Intracardiac Echocardiography: Use of Intracardiac Echocardiography to Guide Catheter Ablation
Papillary muscle ventricular arrhythmias remain technically demanding targets for catheter ablation due to complex intracavitary anatomy and unstable catheter contact. This case report illustrates how intracardiac echocardiography enables real-time anatomical visualization, optimizes lesion delivery, and facilitates durable arrhythmia elimination when conventional mapping alone proves insufficient.
Cardiology Review Course Zurich 2026: What is Required for Optimal Lipid Management
Given the risks associated with elevated lipid levels, optimal lipid management is of great importance. Prof. Dr. Isabella Sudano, head of the hypertension,
dyslipidemia, and smoking cessation clinic, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Zurich; and PD Dr. Kon- stantinos Koskinas, Preventive Cardiology, University Clinic for Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, at the Cardiology Review Course Zurich 2026.
Report — Report
ACC 2026: Three Days of Cutting-edge Cardiology
This year’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Session took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from March 28 to 30. Results from relevant clinical trials—many of which were published in prominent journals around the same time—were presented in a total of seven Late-Breaking Clinical Trials sessions. Here is a selection of findings that could change clinical practice in the near future.
Editorial
New Voice for Swiss Cardiovascular Science
Journal Club
No Need to Give up Coffee after Cardioversion
It is commonly believed that caffeinated coffee has a proar- rhythmic effect. A prospective, open-label, randomized study investigated whether caffeinated coffee has an influence on recurrent atrial fibrillation compared to abstinence from coffee and caffeine.