A roadmap to improve the quality of atrial fibrillation management:proceedings from the fifth Atrial Fibrillation Network/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference

At least 30 million people worldwide carry a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF), and many more suffer from undiagnosed, subclinical, or 'silent' AF. Atrial fibrillation-related cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, including cardiovascular deaths, heart failure, stroke, and hospitalizations, remain unacceptably high, even when evidence-based therapies such as anticoagulation and rate control are used. Furthermore, it is still necessary to define how best to prevent AF, largely due to a lack of clinical measures that would allow identification of treatable causes of AF in any given patient. Hence, there are important unmet clinical and research needs in the evaluation and management of AF patients. The ensuing needs and opportunities for improving the quality of AF care were discussed during the fifth Atrial Fibrillation Network/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference in Nice, France, on 22 and 23 January 2015. Here, we report the outcome of this conference, with a focus on (i) learning from our 'neighbours' to improve AF care, (ii) patient-centred approaches to AF management, (iii) structured care of AF patients, (iv) improving the quality of AF treatment, and (v) personalization of AF management. This report ends with a list of priorities for research in AF patients

Effects of water nutrients on regeneration capacity of submerged aquatic plant fragments

Aquatic plants play a substantial role in almost all freshwater habitats throughout the world. Even though submerged aquatic plants dominantly spread by the dispersal of vegetative plant fragments, most aquatic plant species show a broad distribution range. Here we studied the differences in the regeneration capacity and the regeneration type of fragments (by root and/or shoot growth) of eight submerged plant species (Ceratophyllum demersum, Egeria najas, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Hydrilla verticillata, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum heterophyllum and Myriophyllum spicatum) under different water nutrients in sediment-free conditions. Overall, M. spicatum showed the highest regeneration (82±2%) in this study, followed by C. demersum (73±2%) and M. aquaticum (47±4%), whereas M. heterophyllum showed the lowest (1±1%). The shoot fragments of E. canadensis, H. verticillata, E. najas and E. nuttallii regenerated by 40±2, 23±2, 16±2 and 7±1%. The nitrate concentration affected the regeneration capacities of E. najas (P=0.05), M. spicatum (P=0.013) and C. demersum (P=0.001), whereas phosphate had no significant effect. Additionally, the different nutrient concentrations had a significant effect on the portion of the regeneration types within E. canadensis, E. nuttallii and H. verticillata. Summarizing, submerged plants differ significantly in their regeneration capacity, and water nutrients have a potential effect on the regeneration of submerged plant fragments. This might influence the further colonization and spread of the species under field conditions.- We studied the effect of different nutrient concentration on regeneration capacity and regeneration type of eight submerged aquatic plant species. - Species differed in their regeneration capacity and their regeneration type by new shoot and/or new root production. - Nutrient effects were found for both regeneration capacity and regeneration type

From introduction to nuisance growth: a review of traits of alien aquatic plants which contribute to their invasiveness

International audienceInvasive alien aquatic plant species (IAAPs) cause serious ecological and economic impact and are a major driver of changes in aquatic plant communities. Their invasive success is influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors. Here, we summarize the existing knowledge on the biology of 21 IAAPs (four free-floating species, eight sediment-rooted, emerged or floating-leaved species, and nine sediment-rooted, submerged species) to highlight traits that are linked to their invasive success. We focus on those traits which were documented as closely linked to plant invasions, including dispersal and growth patterns, allelopathy and herbivore defence. The traits are generally specific to the different growth forms of IAAPs. In general, the species show effective dispersal and spread mechanisms, even though sexual and vegetative spread differs strongly between species. Moreover, IAAPs show varying strategies to cope with the environment. The presented overview of traits of IAAPs will help to identify potential invasive alien aquatic plants. Further, the information provided is of interest for developing species-specific management strategies and effective prevention measures

Dronedarone in high-risk permanent atrial fibrillation

Dronedarone restores sinus rhythm and reduces hospitalization or death in intermittent atrial fibrillation. It also lowers heart rate and blood pressure and has antiadrenergic and potential ventricular antiarrhythmic effects. We hypothesized that dronedarone would reduce major vascular events in high-risk permanent atrial fibrillation